Josephine’s Tear

I'll admit, I approached "Josephine's Tear" with a hint of skepticism, wondering if a debut novel could truly deliver. But V.I. Davis proved me wrong from the start. This captivating tale of adventure, magic and romance hooked me from the prologue.

The plot is meticulously crafted, with a clever use of time jumps that add depth to the narrative. The story unfolds seamlessly, keeping me invested in the journey of the protagonist, Sophie.

Speaking of Sophie, her character development is a highlight of the book. I appreciated watching her grow and evolve throughout the story. However, I felt that Henry's character was somewhat one-dimensional, lacking the same level of growth and development as Sophie.

“It was time we stopped serving one blood-thirsty creature to protect us from another deadly threat. It was time we reclaimed our world.”

One area where Davis truly shines is in her world-building skills. The magical realm she's created is richly detailed, with vivid descriptions that transported me to another world. Her portrayal of magical creatures is equally impressive, making it easy to visualize and become fully immersed in the story.

One area for improvement is the author's tendency to tell rather than show. There were moments when I felt I was being informed about the characters' emotions and motivations rather than experiencing them firsthand.

Additionally, the repetition of the book's central goal – finding the amulet and saving the human world – became a bit tiresome. While it's essential to remind readers of the stakes, I felt it was reiterated too frequently.

Despite these minor quibbles, the dialogue is strong, and the romance is expertly woven throughout the narrative.

“Have hope,” he said, looking into my eyes. “I have just found you. I am not ready to lose you yet.”

The slow burn between the two main characters is sweet and satisfying, especially since readers have to wait until the very end to see the romantic relationship between the two come to fruition.

“I will follow you into the void if that is our fate.”

Overall, "Josephine's Tear" is an impressive debut from V.I. Davis. With some refinement in showing rather than telling and varying the pacing, Davis has the potential to become a standout author in the fantasy genre.

Rating: 4/5 stars