Info
Written By: Shami Stovall.
Available: June 2024.
Thanks to Write Reads Blog Tour for arranging a free e-copy of the book for me for the purpose of this review.
Overview
Adair Finch is the most powerful warlock in the world, and one of the best private investigators for hire. He has dealt with corporate vampires, murderous werewolves, and even fae royalty. Everything was perfect until he lost one case—the case where he also lost his brother.
So Finch retired. From magic. From PI work. From everything.
Bree Blackstone, a twelve-year-old witch, doesn't know or care about any of that except Finch's reputation. In the middle of the night, she bangs on Finch's door. Her mother has been murdered, and now the assassin is after Bree as well.
Reluctantly, Finch agrees to help, only to discover something sinister has been brewing in town while he ignored the world… He'll need to dust off all his old skills and magic before it's too late.
Overview taken from the official book press release.
Review
I didn't really know what to expect when I came across this book but the cover intrigued me enough to make me want to delve into it and I'm pleased that I did. I got the impression it would be a fantasy or sci-fi type of story as that is the vibe the cover gave me but the story was completely different to what I expected, it does have the fantasy element to it but it is alot more grittier than I expected and that took me off guard but in the best way possible.
You start the story with the legendary warlock Adair Finch who has retired from the warlock game and in all essence more or less retired from life as he wallows in his own self pity in a mountain of takeaway boxes and dirty washing, life just isn't the same anymore and that is eating away at Finch to the very core.
Abruptly a mysterious but frantic knock at the door introduces Bree to the story a young witch, yet to discover her potential, frantically seeking the help of the legendary warlock that her mother always spoke of. Her mother has been brutally killed and her father has disappeared and Adair Finch is the only person that can help her find answers and more importantly her father.
The story is a bit like the film Groundhog Day but far more grittier, as Adair Finch has the power to rewind time which when you are investigating a murder can definitely come in rather handy. Adair's power can only go back to the point where he marked and the time reverses back to that point so unfortunately for Bree the time Adair marked was after her mother's death so time cannot go past that point.
As the story progresses Adair is able to put the pieces together of this strange mystery being able to rewind time but as each day begins again another part of the mystery comes to light and it becomes more and more entwined.
This book was an introduction to Shami Stovall as an author and can safely say she is definitely on my list of authors to watch, the writing of the book flows perfectly well allowing the characters to develop and organically grow, the fast paced nature of the story captivates from the start and keeps you enthralled for the duration.
I found the characters relatable along with the story content which allowed me to engage with the story alot quicker than I originally thought I would.
Summary
Time now then to put my thoughts into a summary, overall the book surprised me but in the best way although I knew that I was getting a fantasy adventure the grittiness appealed to me more. I'd love to see more of Adair Finch and definitely want to see more Shami's work, would definitely recommend picking this up.
Verdict-Out of 5 ⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EXCELLENT
I give Time Marked Warlock and excellent top marks score of 5 ⭐ a gritty thrill ride that will captivate you from start to finish. Shami Stovall is definitely one to watch.
Note on the author
Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction. Before that, she taught history and criminal law at the college level, and loved every second. When she's not reading fascinating articles and books about ancient China or the Byzantine Empire, Stovall can be found playing way too many video games, especially RPGs and tactics simulators.
If you want to contact her, you can do so at the following locations:
Website: https://sastovallauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GameOverStation/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAStovall/
Thanks again to Write Reads Blog Tour for including me on the tour for this and make sure to check out the other bloggers on the tour
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