Gravebriar

By: Casey L. Bond

Narrated by: Tia Johnson

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Sometimes witches hunt their own....

Someone knows my secret and they’re wielding it as the weapon of my execution. I stand accused of poisoning my Gravebriar coven mate. To my fatal regret, I can’t prove my innocence without revealing the truth I’ve long kept hidden: While every other Gravebriar witch are green witches and healers, my magic lies in poisons.

There is one witch who believes me - the same boy who was sent to kill me with instructions to pluck the briars that sprouted from my grave - the only cure for a Gravebriar witch. Forge Silverthorn will be my undoing...or my salvation.

He claims there is a malicious plot vining through the witch town of Cauldron that threatens to tighten around my throat in a deadly noose. Promising I can escape by seeking the help of a banished witch who hides our kind in plain sight, he leads me to a dark circus full of witches.

The ringmaster will only help us if we agree to join his circus of uncanny tricks and diabolical feats for two nights only, using our magic to thrill his patrons. In exchange for our participation under the big top, he’ll divulge the information I need to save my coven mate and clear my name.

But when dark secrets emerge from the shadows of this promised sanctuary, I’m forced to decide if I can truly trust anyone, especially Forge...my would-be executioner, my coven’s sworn enemy, and my could-be love.

©2021 Casey L. Bond (P)2021 Casey L. Bond

Fun - Descriptive - Whimsical - Smile Maker

SUMMARY: This is a new author for me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. The description captures the book well. It is about a young female witch, Caster, who is accused of poisoning a young male witch. Caster is forced to leave her community to search for a cure and prove her innocence. While she’s out adventuring, mysteries and plots surrounding the real reason for the poisoning are presented, and romance blooms.

What I liked most about the writing was the descriptions and pace. The world that Caster and her kind live in is depicted very thoroughly, making it easy to imagine. The story did not move too quickly, nor did it drag on either. I also appreciated the imagination of the author. I fully admit I have an audiobook addiction – I find I hear many of the same themes and formulas repeated, (which can actually be fine depending on how used/what’s added), but kudos to this author for coming up with some very unique creatures, rules and powers. The characters are fun and well-defined; I loved Caster’s “pet,” Bog.

*READER TIP* Be in a place where you can really focus for the first 30-60 minutes, as a lot gets described and set up. I found myself rewinding a few times to catch the relationships. The level of detail was not too complex to follow, but is high in the beginning.

NARRATION: The narration is nice, the narrator moves through different voices well and reads at a good pace.

ADULT CONTENT: As an adult I enjoyed this story. That said, it is suitable for teens – this is not an adult romance book. There is some “PG” romance, action and battles – no more than a modern Disney film.

I was given this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Holy Cow 🐮!

Holy cow 🐮! Casey Bond has done an amazing job with this book! I started this book in hopes of an easy read with no bookish hangover. Oh, how I was wrong. This book is action-packed and fast paced. I finished this book within a day. I couldn't put it down and now.... I have another bookish hangover. The main character, Castor, is an interesting one with different powers from her coven's. She is head-strong, witty, and sassy. All of the elements I love in a main character! Not to mention her little frog, Bog 🐸! I was suspicious of her companion, Forge. There were some aspects of his actions where I thought, "be careful Castor". The plot twists will shake you to your bones! I did not see it coming! Casey keeps you on your toes in this gut-gripping fantasy!

Another great book telling a great story

I have found another book that I adore by the amazing author Casey L Bond. Gravebriar is full of magic, mystery, and a little fantasy sprinkled on top. The characters and the settings have befitting names and descriptions that helps the reader picture the book in motion in their head. I loved this story!

Fantastic World

I really love the world the author created for this series. The way the story was written I could easily picture the story taking place. The characters were well thought out and developed. My only dislike was I am not an insta-love fan, I wish that part was drawn out a bit. The narrator was wonderful bringing the story and characters to life. I look forward to more from the author and narrator

Trust no one

Caster Gravebriar is framed for poisoning her coven mate. On her journey to prove her innocence, she finds herself, friendship, and love.

Great characters, great story, great scenery, poor kitties.

I've only listened to a handful of audio books, so I don't think I'm a good judge of the quality of it, but there were a few places where it sounded like the narrator changed.

innocent

Caster after being framed has to prove her innocence; and through out the story with all the twist and turns you can't really decide who can to be trusted overall who is the good guy and the bad guy.

Absolutely Loved This Unique Story

What a fantastic tale!! Beautiful, rich descriptions. Great world building. Fake dating. Loved the magic system, so unique! Magical Circus 🎪 Bog 🐸🍄 Mystery. Who can be trusted?
Love Forge and Castor's chemistry and banter.
First kiss was sooo swoony and *chef's kiss* 🤌🏼
📖 The formatting is incredible with art throughout. If you get the hardback there's gorgeous art underneath the dust jacket as well.
🎧 Love the narrator! My first by her. Definitely will be checking out more by her!

💕 RCRS: 2 (brief kissing)

🗨Some Quotes:
“He isn’t safe anywhere. Safety is a figment of the imagination, a pretty illusion we create to comfort ourselves. As we live and breathe, we are never truly safe. And neither are the secrets we keep.”


“Hatred fuels many a fire, and seeks to consume the one who set it.


“You,” the Silverthorn Power growled, starting toward me.
Forge stepped in front of me protectively. “Touch her and you’ll die by my hand. I swear I’ll cut you down right here– if she doesn’t kill you first.”


"Damn, Gravebriar."

Fun story, good narrator

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun story with a few less-expected turns.

Fun Twist on Magic & Who to trust?

So I was pleasantly surprised that this one stayed in the clean, magic, romance, fantasy, and mystery realm... Yes it's all in this book. I really enjoyed the elemental magic covens and how Castor is fighting to prove that she's been framed. The only part that I felt was rushed was the romance side, it felt very Disney whirlwind like. Don't get me wrong, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I would say it's geared for middle school and up readers and anyone really who loves magic with some mystery/adventure.

This stayed clean in all departments, mostly just kissing scenes and normal fantasy type violence, PG - PG13. The narrator did a great job and was a lot of fun to listen to.

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

So good!

Let me just say this book makes it hard to decide who is good or who is bad until the very end! So many twists and turns that I gave up trying to figure out what was going to happen next.

Narration was excellent and brought the story to life.

I wanted to believe Forge’s sincerity and honesty but this book threw so many twists and turns, I did not know who was telling the truth and who was lying.

This book has magic, mystery, adventure, suspense, and a touch of romance. Caster is accused of poisoning a coven witch and has to try to find the cure before time runs out!

This book has a lot of detail and world building for the first few chapters but the story moved at a good pace. Conclusion was excellent and wrapped up everything nicely.

“I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review”