BLOG TOUR Fractured Path (The Mirror #3) by J.C. Cervantes

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FRACTURED PATH by J.C. Cervantes Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: FRACTURED PATH (The Mirror #3)

Author: J.C. Cervantes

Pub. Date: August 2, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N,  TBD, Bookshop.org

*Please note - this post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase

Can dreams come true when you're living with a family curse?

1965—San Francisco, California

The 1960s are bursting with music and movement and love in San Francisco, perfect for a budding artist like Blake. Unfortunately, the art world is not welcoming to people of her gender or her multi-racial heritage, making it tough to land an internship that could put her on the map. That, plus the fact that Blake’s family has been notoriously riddled with bad luck, makes her feel like she can’t catch a break. Things only get worse when Blake starts to have ominous, confusing visions that grow stronger and more frequent, prompting Blake’s aunt and uncle to tell her about a long-lost family heirloom that could be the key to everything

Fueled by the ambiguous clues in her visions, Blake sets out on a journey through the city to retrieve her ancestors’ legendary mirror. But Blake is not the only one looking for it. Soon she must attempt to unleash her own dormant powers . . . or else risk all she holds dear.

Fractured Path is the third book in the YA fairy-tale quartet, following one family—and the curse that plagues it—over several generations.

Haven’t read the first 2 books in THE MIRROR QUARTET? Get them now!

Check out my review of the first book in The Mirror Quartet, Broken Wish, here!

Check out my review of the second book in The Mirror Quartet, Shattered Midnight, here!

REVIEW of Fractured Path (The Mirror #3) by J.C. Cervantes
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: August 2, 2022

Format: eARC (Provided by Publisher and Rockstar Book Tours)

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

PLEASE NOTE: While this review is free of spoilers for Fractured Path, there may be some minor spoilers for Broken Wish and Shattered Midnight. If you have not read the first two books in the series, please proceed with caution!

“Magic is often fractured, unpracticed in the hands of those who haven’t had proper training.”

In the first two books of the Mirror series, readers were treated to stories taking place in 1800s Germany and 1920s New Orleans. Now, with J.C. Cervantes’ Fractured Path we skip another generation and move to 1960s San Francisco. Blake is the granddaughter of Zora (the protagonist of Shattered Midnight), and her life is starting to be affected by magic (and the curse) now too. As her birthday approaches, she starts to have dreams (bordering on nightmares), and she and her family believe those dreams are the key to understanding the mystery of her family’s past. Will she be able to fix things, or will she be the latest family member to succumb to the curse’s power?

This book is slightly different than the first two, as now instead of having the two separate bloodlines they have been combined. One thing I really appreciated in Fractured Path that wasn’t really present in Broken Wish or Shattered Midnight is the presence of adult figures in Blake’s life who are ready and willing to help her figure things out. Elva’s parents refused to acknowledge her power in Broken Wish, and we all know how that turned out. Zora did embrace the musical aspect of her gift, and that led her to Phillip, but after the heartbreak at the end of Shattered Midnight, she refuses to use it ever again (in the misguided belief that it will spare her family more pain). Now, Blake has a more watered-down version of magic than other members of her family (like her mother and grandmother) but when the curse comes into play her aunt and uncles are more than willing to help as much as they can. I loved that, and I think if Zora or Elva had someone like that in their lives things would have turned out much differently. 

I’m still incredibly impressed by how well the authors have maintained a sense of continuity throughout the books. I can only imagine how many calls and planning sessions and drafts were necessary to make that happen. Each author has expanded upon the worldbuilding of the series, and J.C. Cervantes did a great job with her piece of things. If you like the worldbuilding in her Storm Runner series, then I feel you’ll like what she did with this book. 

My one (minor) issue with this book is that it didn’t deliver the same vibe and atmospheric feel as the others did. Maybe it’s just a personal opinion because San Francisco doesn’t equate to as many ideas or concepts as New Orleans (music, great food, racial segregation in the 1920s) or Germany (Brothers Grimm, older more superstitious culture, prevalence of religious ideas and power) do, but that was a difference I noticed between the three books. 

Once again, Disney delivered yet another fantastic installment to the Mirror series. With how Fractured Path ended, I’m eager to get my hands on L.L. McKinney’s Splintered Magic to figure out how the story (and hopefully the curse) will end for the family after so many years. While you could technically read these books individually as standalone novels, I recommend reading them in order for the most in-depth and satisfying reading experience. 

Thank you to the author, Disney Books, and Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Fractured Path immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About J. C. Cervantes:

J. C. Cervantes (www.jccervantes.com) is the New York Times best-selling author of The Storm Runner, which Booklist called "a rip-roaring adventure" in a starred review. Her first novel, Tortilla Sun, was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and was named to Bank Street's 2011 Best Book List. Jen grew up in San Diego and was fascinated by stories about Maya gods and magic. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter: @jencerv, and Instagram: #authorjcervantes.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of FRACTURED PATH, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/1/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
7/2/2022	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

7/3/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
7/4/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
7/5/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
7/6/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Post
7/7/2022	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
7/8/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
7/9/2022	The Moon Phoenix	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

7/10/2022	Stacialovestoread	Review/IG Post
7/11/2022	Fire and Ice	Review
7/12/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
7/13/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review
7/14/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
7/15/2022	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review/IG Post
7/16/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

7/17/2022	Kait Plus Books	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
7/18/2022	beersbooksandboos	Review/IG Post
7/19/2022	The Chatty Bookworm	TikTok Review/IG Post
7/20/2022	pluvioreads	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
7/21/2022	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
7/22/2022	A Backwards Story	Review/IG Post
7/23/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post

Week Five:

7/24/2022	A Bookish Dream	Review/IG Post
7/25/2022	hodophile_z	IG Review
7/26/2022	onemused	IG Review
7/27/2022	@drewsim12	IG Review/TikTok Post
7/28/2022	Books and Zebras	IG Review
7/29/2022	@lexijava	Review/IG Post
7/30/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review

Week Six:

7/31/2022

popthebutterfly

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post

REVIEW Shattered Midnight (The Mirror Book 2) by Dhonielle Clayton

Shattered Midnight (The Mirror Book 2) 

by Dhonielle Clayton
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: January 18, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion 

Check out my review of the first book in the series, Broken Wish!

Check out my review of the third book in the series, Fractured Path

Get your copy of the book on Bookshop.org

Get your copy of the audiobook on Libro.fm

Get your copy of the book on Book Depository

*Please note - this post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase

Dhonielle Clayton’s Shattered Midnight is the second book in The Mirror series, and it was well worth the wait after the release of the first book. This story is the sequel to that of Julie C. Dao’s Broken Wish, and events move from being based in 1800s Germany to 1920’s New Orleans. Zora and Phillip are the newest members of the original families from Broken Wish to be affected by magic and the powerful family curse, and the lovebirds must find a way to ensure their happily ever after ending comes true in a world determined to stop it at all costs.  

This is different from the first book in a couple of ways (all of them good). Shattered Midnight is primarily a romance, whereas Broken Wish deals with more familial platonic bonds. Both books have the main characters facing large amounts of prejudice during their journey, but Elva and Mathilda are shunned because of their association with magic more than anything else. On the other hand, while Zora and Phillip do have some magical ability their challenges stem primarily from the racial segregation laws of the time. Both books are similar in the way they maintain the feel of a traditional fairy tale and even use some familiar archetypes; elements in Shattered Midnight reminded me of Cinderella (cruel matriarch and her two daughters, unexpected prince charming who has to whisk our heroine away…)

I love how the authors maintained the storyline throughout the books but demonstrated their individual styles. Ms. Clayton did a fantastic job making links to Broken Wish, while also foreshadowing some small details for the next book (Fractured Path). The continuity and growth of the magic system over the course of the series has been cool - I was especially intrigued by the musical aspect of Zora’s magical talents, and how each member of her family has a different way of using their gifts (cooking, music, potions, etc.). I would be curious to learn how much research the author had to do about the music because everything felt so real and almost effortless in the descriptions. I never had an issue immersing myself in the story (especially the scenes where Zora was performing); as a die-hard fantasy reader that was super exciting. Adenrele Ojo did a fantastic job with the narration; my only teeny tiny suggestion for improvement would have been to include some background music in the narration to help add even more depth to the performance.  

Overall, Shattered Midnight was a fun and entertaining read. I’m already a big fan of the author who writes the next book in the series, J.C. Cervantes, so I’m curious to see what she’ll do with the 1960s and the family curse in Fractured Path. I’m also curious to see how L.L. McKinney closes out the series with her book Splintered Magic (which will be set in New York circa 2003). If an immersive, diverse historical fantasy story sounds like something you would enjoy, then pick up the series today! I highly recommend reading the books in order for the best reading experience (you may miss out on some details otherwise). 

About the Book

Can dreams come true when you're living with a family curse?

Zora Broussard has arrived in New Orleans with not much more than a bag of clothes, a beautiful voice, and a pair of enchanted red shoes. Running from a tragic accident caused by her magic, Zora wants nothing more than to blend in, as well as to avoid her overbearing aunt and mean-spirited cousins. Music becomes Zora's only means of escape, yet she wonders if she should give it all up to remove the powers that make her a target, especially as a Black woman in the South.

But when Zora gets the chance to perform in a prominent jazz club, she meets a sweet white pianist named Phillip with magic of his own, including a strange mirror that foretells their future together. Falling into a forbidden love, Zora and Phillip must keep their relationship a secret. And soon the two discover the complicated connection between their respective families, a connection that could lead to catastrophe for them both. In the era of segregation and speakeasies, Zora must change her destiny and fight for the one she loves . . . or risk losing everything.

The Mirror: Shattered Midnight is the second novel in the innovative four-book fairy-tale quartet written by Julie C. Dao, Dhonielle Clayton, J.C. Cervantes, and L. L. McKinney, following one family over several generations, and the curse that plagues it.

About Dhonielle Clayton:

Dhonielle Clayton is the New York Times best-selling author of the Belles series, The Mirror: Shattered Midnight, and the coauthor of Blackout and the Tiny Pretty Things duology, now a Netflix original series. She hails from the Washington, DC, suburbs on the Maryland side. She taught secondary school for several years, and is a former elementary and middle school librarian. She is COO of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books, and president of Cake Creative, an IP story kitchen dedicated to diverse representation. She’s an avid traveler, and always on the hunt for magic and mischief. Up next: The Marvellers, her middle grade fantasy debut. You can find her on social media @brownbookworm.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

ARC REVIEW Broken Wish (The Mirror Book 1) by Julie C. Dao

Broken Wish (The Mirror Book 1) by Julie C. Dao
Rating: 5 Stars

Release Date: October 6, 2020

Format: eARC/Hardback

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Check out my review of the second book in the series, Shattered Midnight

Check out my review of the third book in the series, Fractured Path

Check out the book on Goodreads

Purchase the book on Libro.fm

Purchase the book on Bookshop.org

Purchase the book on Amazon

Purchase the book on Barnes and Noble

Purchase the book on Book Depository

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a comission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase

The Mirror: Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao is a beautiful release from Disney Publishing, a fantasy tale reminiscent of the older Disney classics with a bit of a darker theme. Broken Wish is one of the first books I've read in a multi-author series (and I'm anxious for the next installment already). After finishing the first book, I'm curious to see how the next books progress the storylines while at the same time maintaining each author's individuality. 

There were some unique parallels in the relationships between Mathilda (the witch) and Agnes (the mother), and Mathilda and Elva (the daughter). The character development is on point for this story, so you very quickly develop an investment in discovering what happens to the characters. We see how one choice can have lasting unintended consequences, and how the consequences can affect more than just the person making the decision. In addition to the importance of decisions and their consequences, we also see the importance of friendship, promises, and magic. Readers of any age can learn a lot from the lessons the characters go through in the story. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves fairy tales that aren't all sunshine and roses, and who is ok with having no guaranteed happily ever after in the first book of a series. You get the Disney-style writing, with some of the darker themes that aren't usually present in similar stories. The cameo of the Brothers Grimm was a definite bonus and helped to tie together some of the dark fairytale archetypes present in the book. 

I'm looking forward to the release of Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton later this year (October 5, 2021) to learn what happens next in the story! 

About the Book

The Mirror: Broken Wish marks the first book in an innovative four-book fairy-tale quartet written by Julie C. Dao, Dhonielle Clayton, J.C. Cervantes, and L. L. McKinney, following one family over several generations, and the curse that plagues it.

Sixteen-year-old Elva has a secret. She has visions and strange powers that she will do anything to hide. She knows the warnings about what happens to witches in their small village of Hanau. She's heard the terrible things people say about the Witch of the North Woods, and the malicious hunts that follow...

When Elva accidentally witnesses a devastating vision of the future, she decides she has to do everything she can to prevent it. Tapping into her powers for the first time, Elva discovers a magical mirror and its owner--none other than the Witch of the North Woods herself. As Elva learns more about her burgeoning magic, and the lines between hero and villain start to blur, she must find a way to right past wrongs before it's too late.

About the Author

Julie C. Dao is the author of several acclaimed novels for teens and children, including FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS and BROKEN WISH, published by Disney Books. A proud Vietnamese-American who was born in upstate New York, she now lives in New England. Follow her on Twitter @jules_writes.

Julie is represented by Tamar Rydzinski of Context Literary Agency.

Photo Credit: Melody Marshall

Pronunciation: JOOL-lee DOW
Pronouns: She/Her