Today I’m excited to participate in the Bookstagram & Creative Tour for Macario’s Scepter by M.J. McGriff hosted by MTMC Tours! An unlikely Chosen One, her pirate captain ex-lover, and a nun. A prophecy that unleashes a fire-breathing sea serpent pouring its wrath on the isles and a magical scepter with the power to destroy—or save—the world. This YA Fantasy (first in a series!) released on April 13th, 2020.
Now read on below for a review, video quotes, plus an International giveaway!
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Macario's Scepter by M.J. McGriff
Series: Magian #1
ISBN: 167816240X
Genres: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 266
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon|Book Depository|B&N
Source: MTMC Tours, Author
I received this book for free from MTMC Tours, Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
An unlikely Chosen One, her pirate captain ex-lover, and a treasure-hunting nun. A prophecy that unleashes a fire-breathing sea serpent pouring its wrath on the isles. A magical scepter with the power to destroy—or save—the world.
Samara is a ship wrecked at sea. She can’t seem to get anything right, especially her love life. Her former pirate captain, the famous Baz Blackwater, broke her heart and stranded her on an island of religious hypocrites. Samara wants nothing more than to escape to the freedom of the sea, so when her ex-lover shows up offering a chance at a magical treasure—and secret revenge—she jumps at the chance.
Seraphina prays every day for her wayward twin sister to stop chasing the pirate life and find the peace she’s discovered in her own quiet life at the convent. But Samara has nothing but contempt for her sister’s beliefs and religious rituals. Yet when Seraphina uncovers an ancient prophecy revealing the horrifying curse of the treasure Samara and Baz seek, she must leave her convent—risking the wrath of her Order—and search for the truth about Macario’s scepter.
In a world of friendship and betrayal, monsters and magic, seedy pubs and adventure on the high seas, will Samara’s magical powers, Baz’s cunning plans, and Seraphina’s unshakable faith be enough to slay a cursed sea serpent destroying everything they love?
What to expect from Macario’s Scepter?
Oh, you are in for an epic ride in Macario’s Scepter! I absolutely love sea adventures and I had not realized how much I was missing them until I picked up my copy. The sea ports! The ship decks! The piracy! I definitely felt like I was also joining the crew of The Pursuer along with Samara on the quest to find the biggest treasure–Macario’s Scepter.
This book is told in 3 POVs– Samara, former Pirate who was betrayed and left behind by the Pursuer’s Captain.
The famous Baz Blackwater, said Captain who wants nothing but to gain the Pirate Council seat his father left behind.
And then we have Seraphina, twin sister to Samara who is devoted to the religion of the world and determined to protect it.
One of my favorite things about multiple perspectives is getting to know the world more through their eyes. While Samara quickly (and begrudgingly at the same time) rejoins Baz’s crew and sets out to a sea adventure as she is the key to unlock the Scepter, Seraphina stays behind trying to find a way in how to stop them from said thing. There is a prophecy that if they unlock the treasure, the sea monsters that broke havoc in the world will rise again and destroy the islands that they call home. I actually loved Seraphina’s POV the best since her role is in part to save the world, in contrast to Samara and Baz’s role to destroy in search of forbidden treasures.
Oh, but there is of course a lot more to this book! There is romance and high stakes, libraries & lots of powerful magic involved–I loved every second of it and I cannot wait to continue the journey in book 2!
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INTL Instagram Tour-wide Giveaway!
Head over to my Instagram account where you can enter to win a paperback copy of Macario’s Scepter! This is open internationally & it ends on February 20th, 2021 at 11:59pm EST.
Tour Schedule:
February 8
@thereaderandthechef – Bookstagram + Book Blog
February 9
@dreaminginpages – Bookstagram
February 10
@paperfury – Boostagram + Book Blog
February 11
@bookishly_tiff – Bookstagram
February 12
@greta_in_blues – Bookstagram + Book Blog
February 13
@lilareads_ – Bookstagram + Book Blog
February 14
@mtmctours – Bookstagram
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Hosted by:
About M.J. McGriff
MJ McGriff writes fast-paced YA fantasy and sci-fi stories featuring pirates, exotic locations, and amazing characters of color. She loves all things Marvel, Star Wars, and whatever she can find on a dessert menu. She lives in sunny South Florida with her two daughters who love to play pretend just as much as she does.
Omg, those video quotes are AMAZING, cannot stop staring at them!! And that bookstagram photo is perfection.
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