Touched by Magic - Ebook #1

I’ve read the Viper and the Urchin series and thought I would give this a go.
Thoroughly enjoyed it a nice relaxing book to read but with enough going on to keep you reading it.
Enough action and humour for our heroine to encounter set in the mystical Asian environment that links the old superstitions in a modern world. This sets the up for what the future lies ahead for our heroine and only a year to save things.
Looking forward to the next read

This book was so much fun! I loved it!

Where do the magical, the Mayak, dwell among the Mundane on the Asian island of Panong? In the nooks and crannies found round old stores and shops “where gloom and secrecy still reign”.
In one of those nooks is a barbershop owned by Mr. Sangong. The barbershop is where a kitsune, a shapeshifter, or any other of the Mayak can get a shave, a trim, or a haircut from Apiya.
Apiya is a bit of a rebel, with her combat boots, ripped fishnet stockings, and pink hair, but for all her outward appearance, she takes great pride in being able to send her magical clients out the barbershop door looking their very best. And not just any barber can faultlessly trim the feathers on a customer with the head of an eagle.
Apiya is a Touched. Among the magical, it’s not certain who or what is at the top of the food chain, but the bottom is clearly The Touched, those with just a smidgen of magical ability. Apiya is lucky to have Mr. Sangong as her patron. His powerful magic protects her from others who have no qualms about seeing the Touched or the Mundane as a food source or a plaything.
One evening, Mr. Sangong is away from the shop, and a pari-pari couple come through the door, distressed and afraid. They have arrived to request his help. They have something precious that must make it safely off the island and to Europe. On his behalf, Apiya says it will be done. In exchange for Apiya’s promise to keep the precious item safe, the pari-pari will owe a favor which can be called on whenever she has need, and because she is Mr. Sangong’s protégé, she can pass the favor on to him.
But where is Mr. Sangong? Apiya doesn’t know and trying to reach him by phone, she finds he is unavailable and won’t be coming back soon. A text message from him indicates that he is putting her in charge of “Precious” and tells her she should talk to Sarroch.
Who is Sarroch? How can this Sarroch help her? And the bigger question: how does she, a lowly Touched, do what is required to keep “Precious” safe?
Apiya’s life is about to become much more dangerous, much scarier, and much more complicated.
I know you will enjoy every page of Apiya’s adventure right up to the last moment. I liked it so much, I have read it twice.

Where do the magical, the Mayak, dwell among the Mundane on the Asian island of Panong? In the nooks and crannies found round old stores and shops “where gloom and secrecy still reign”.
In one of those nooks is a barbershop owned by Mr. Sangong. The barbershop is where a kitsune, a shapeshifter, or any other of the Mayak can get a shave, a trim, or a haircut from Apiya.
Apiya is a bit of a rebel, with her combat boots, ripped fishnet stockings, and pink hair, but for all her outward appearance, she takes great pride in being able to send her magical clients out the barbershop door looking their very best. And not just any barber can faultlessly trim the feathers on a customer with the head of an eagle.
Apiya is a Touched. Among the magical, it’s not certain who or what is at the top of the food chain, but the bottom is clearly The Touched, those with just a smidgen of magical ability. Apiya is lucky to have Mr. Sangong as her patron. His powerful magic protects her from others who have no qualms about seeing the Touched or the Mundane as a food source or a plaything.
One evening, Mr. Sangong is away from the shop, and a pari-pari couple come through the door, distressed and afraid. They have arrived to request his help. They have something precious that must make it safely off the island and to Europe. On his behalf, Apiya says it will be done. In exchange for Apiya’s promise to keep the precious item safe, the pari-pari will owe a favor which can be called on whenever she has need, and because she is Mr. Sangong’s protégé, she can pass the favor on to him.
But where is Mr. Sangong? Apiya doesn’t know and trying to reach him by phone, she finds he is unavailable and won’t be coming back soon. A text message from him indicates that he is putting her in charge of “Precious” and tells her she should talk to Sarroch.
Who is Sarroch? How can this Sarroch help her? And the bigger question: how does she, a lowly Touched, do what is required to keep “Precious” safe?
Apiya’s life is about to become much more dangerous, much scarier, and much more complicated.
I know you will enjoy every page of Apiya’s adventure right up to the last moment. I liked it so much, I have read it twice.

A charming and fascinating world is built in Panong. Who is Apiya? But really? Different from Ms. Jeanjean’s other books, very captivating as well, but different. I’ve read 4 of the 5, working on 5 right now!

I will admit that I am a little resistant to change. Having been a follower of Celine Jeanjean’s Viper and the Urchin series for several years, I was sad to see it come to an earlier this year, even as I was excited to see what Celine would write next. It’s going to be nigh impossible for me to not compare this new series to the former, so please bear with me.

This one did not grab me quite the same way the first Viper book did, but it was still a fun ride. I’ve been careful to be reading fairly light-hearted books lately since a few heavy stories left me in a reading slump for most of February, and this was exactly the type of story I was looking for.

It does feel like a series opener, with lots of explanations and a big set-up towards the end for future books, rather than standing too much on its own. But Apiya is a fun lead character (I think she and Rory from the Viper… series would get on famously). I really adored the relationship between Apiya and her parents, her dad especially. He’s such a nerd!

I think my favourite part of this book was towards the end when Apiya had to face the most powerful magical beings and defend herself and her actions throughout the book. It really felt like we had left the real world behind for something entirely different, and this was where I felt things really started to take off. This scene is where the setup for the second book really started, too, so I’m looking forward reading book two and seeing more of this new magical world.

I will admit that I am a little resistant to change. Having been a follower of Celine Jeanjean�s Viper and the Urchin series for several years, I was sad to see it come to an earlier this year, even as I was excited to see what Celine would write next. It�s going to be nigh impossible for me to not compare this new series to the former, so please bear with me.

This one did not grab me quite the same way the first Viper book did, but it was still a fun ride. I�ve been careful to be reading fairly light-hearted books lately since a few heavy stories left me in a reading slump for most of February, and this was exactly the type of story I was looking for.

It does feel like a series opener, with lots of explanations and a big set-up towards the end for future books, rather than standing too much on its own. But Apiya is a fun lead character (I think she and Rory from the Viper� series would get on famously). I really adored the relationship between Apiya and her parents, her dad especially. He�s such a nerd!

I think my favourite part of this book was towards the end when Apiya had to face the most powerful magical beings and defend herself and her actions throughout the book. It really felt like we had left the real world behind for something entirely different, and this was where I felt things really started to take off. This scene is where the setup for the second book really started, too, so I�m looking forward reading book two and seeing more of this new magical world.

This was an excellent story and one with the ability to touch my soul. That is a very rare thing. I am not a dog person, yet I was extremely worried and frantic about Hunter's life. That alone makes the story worth reading, yet that incident was a very small part of the whole story. I was enthralled every bit as much as the main character was in most of the story. That is a rare thing in itself, the enthrallment. I cannot recommend this story strong enough.

I liked the world, I liked the characters, but the story itself felt a little rushed. It was kind of like speed dating, I was told a lot about the characters, but I didn’t get the chance to KNOW them. And I want to get to know them!
I loved that the mythos is based on Eastern folklore and tradition, which I am entirely unfamiliar with. For someone like me, who enjoys all different kinds of fairy tales and folklore, this was a wonderful change from the western traditions usually found in fantasy/paranormal books. I just feel like the book should have been half again as long as it was, and a little more time given for us to discover this interesting new world. I am hoping that the next book gives us that time.

Interesting New series
A feisty reluctant heroine is thrust into a peace making role, to find a solution to the world's growing ecological problem.Unknown to the humans\mundane the Eco problems are also impacting the magical creatures inhabiting the world. A solution has to be found to prevent matters from really getting overheated. I liked this first book but found it difficult to keep track of all the different creatures and their peculiar abilities.

A feisty reluctant heroine is thrust into a peace making role, to find a solution to the world's growing ecological problem.Unknown to the humans\mundane the Eco problems are also impacting the magical creatures inhabiting the world. A solution has to be found to prevent matters from really getting overheated. I liked this first book but found it difficult to keep track of all the different creatures and their peculiar abilities.

Great start to new series
This is a great start to the new series. The strength is in the characters and the dialogue much like in The Viper and the Urchin series but the world it is set in was also detailed and fascinating without lots of boring description. I liked that the main character was a female barber and she does not have lots of magical powers but just a touch of magic so she has to rely on friends and pets and her brains to get by when she finds herself in trouble. Two of the main characters have names starting with the same letter her boss, Mr Sangong, and Sarroch, the powerful buisnessman, these names are not otherwise similar and the characters are not at all alike but I did have to slow my reading down to get which was which established in my head. As the book went on I got better at it - Sarroch definitely has some of the best lines. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

This is a great start to the new series. The strength is in the characters and the dialogue much like in The Viper and the Urchin series but the world it is set in was also detailed and fascinating without lots of boring description. I liked that the main character was a female barber and she does not have lots of magical powers but just a touch of magic so she has to rely on friends and pets and her brains to get by when she finds herself in trouble. Two of the main characters have names starting with the same letter her boss, Mr Sangong, and Sarroch, the powerful buisnessman, these names are not otherwise similar and the characters are not at all alike but I did have to slow my reading down to get which was which established in my head. As the book went on I got better at it - Sarroch definitely has some of the best lines. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Celine Jeanjean presents the story of Apiya’s life that is about to become much more complicated when someone enters her life and all she wants to do is cut hair and not become a hero. A funny story full of adventures that made me enjoy it from the start till the end. If you enjoyed the Viper and the Urchin stories you'll enjoy this one too and be on your toes waiting the next installment.

A change of pace storyline by the author. Back on an Earth clone, hidden supernaturals, magic users and plain old mundanes are living together but separate. An interesting tale and well written, but I couldn’t get into the characters and the plot. I’ve read all of the previous works by the author, but this one wasn’t for me.

Ahhh, magic, fairies, shapeshifters, I think Ms JeanJean has written another grand book! With baited breath, I await the next book of this series. Try it, you won’t be disappointed!!

I wasn't sure what to expect with this new series, as it quite different from Ms Jeanjean's other series. It is every bit as wonderful and fun to read as her other books!

I was enthralled right from the beginning. Panong is a strange and magical world, sort of like our world, but a bit twisted 'round and filled with all kinds of wonderfully magical beings. Here the magical Mayak and barely magical Touched live hidden amongst the non magical, Mundane people.

The main character, Apiya, is not your typical heroine. As a Touched, which is pretty much the lowest of anyone possessing magic, her magic is very weak and she definitely doesn't think of herself as heroic. Tasked with a seemingly impossible task, Apiya quickly finds herself in danger from Vampires and other, even scarier Mayak, while trying hard to sort friend from foe.

There is evil afoot, and sometimes it is not the typical hero that is in the right position to save the day. Apiya and her friends have a long and dangerous way to go to prevent disaster.

I loved this book and can't wait for more.

A new series from one of my favourite authors.
A new urban fantasy, with Asian mythological creatures, magic, and monsters. Even in the magical community, prejudice and discrimination run rampant, with many fractions not getting along. Then there are the humans who are destroying the earth, and the magical spaces supernatural beings need to live. What do you do about it? That�s Apiya�s ultimate challenge. Touched-by-Magic was a very enjoyable read. It raises difficult issues, but ends with the possibility of a positive future. Of course, having magic helps a lot as well. Can�t wait until book two comes out.

If you like Lindsay Buroker, I think you�ll like Celine�s writing style as well. Very entertaining, light read.

A new urban fantasy, with Asian mythological creatures, magic, and monsters. Even in the magical community, prejudice and discrimination run rampant, with many fractions not getting along. Then there are the humans who are destroying the earth, and the magical spaces supernatural beings need to live. What do you do about it? That�s Apiya�s ultimate challenge. Touched-by-Magic was a very enjoyable read. It raises difficult issues, but ends with the possibility of a positive future. Of course, having magic helps a lot as well. Can�t wait until book two comes out.

If you like Lindsay Buroker, I think you�ll like Celine�s writing style as well. Very entertaining, light read.

Where do the magical, the Mayak, dwell among the Mundane on the Asian island of Panong? In the nooks and crannies found round old stores and shops “where gloom and secrecy still reign”.
In one of those nooks is a barbershop owned by Mr. Sangong. The barbershop is where a kitsune, a shapeshifter, or any other of the Mayak can get a shave, a trim, or a haircut from Apiya.
Apiya is a bit of a rebel, with her combat boots, ripped fishnet stockings, and pink hair, but for all her outward appearance, she takes great pride in being able to send her magical clients out the barbershop door looking their very best. And not just any barber can faultlessly trim the feathers on a customer with the head of an eagle.
Apiya is a Touched. Among the magical, it’s not certain who or what is at the top of the food chain, but the bottom is clearly The Touched, those with just a smidgen of magical ability. Apiya is lucky to have Mr. Sangong as her patron. His powerful magic protects her from others who have no qualms about seeing the Touched or the Mundane as a food source or a plaything.
One evening, Mr. Sangong is away from the shop, and a pari-pari couple come through the door, distressed and afraid. They have arrived to request his help. They have something precious that must make it safely off the island and to Europe. On his behalf, Apiya says it will be done. In exchange for Apiya’s promise to keep the precious item safe, the pari-pari will owe a favor which can be called on whenever she has need, and because she is Mr. Sangong’s protégé, she can pass the favor on to him.
But where is Mr. Sangong? Apiya doesn’t know and trying to reach him by phone, she finds he is unavailable and won’t be coming back soon. A text message from him indicates that he is putting her in charge of “Precious” and tells her she should talk to Sarroch.
Who is Sarroch? How can this Sarroch help her? And the bigger question: how does she, a lowly Touched, do what is required to keep “Precious” safe?
Apiya’s life is about to become much more dangerous, much scarier, and much more complicated.
I know you will enjoy every page of Apiya’s adventure right up to the last moment. I liked it so much, I have read it twice.

Something new from Celine. As UF are supposed to be it's a world of magic hidden in current times. This is the first of a series and does tell a complete story but is also open ended so to lead to the next book. The characters and story are interesting enough that I'm looking forward to the next installment and seeing where things go. This book is a little different, being written in the first person it took some getting used to. The magical world needs some building out and I hope the author works on that in the next book, as I'm still confused how things work.

It's hinted that the main character has greater abilities than she displays and of course there is a series conflict to be worked on which will carry through. Overall a good written book worth giving a try. I rated it 4 stars because the magic is not well explained/confusing. Perhaps in following books that will be corrected and I may add a star.

The story is interesting english that I will most certainly be reading the next book in the series when it comes out.

Fun and magical
I read Celine Jeanjean's first series "The Viper and the Urchin" and loved it. Not right off the first page, but it just kept getting better. Now this is the first book of a new series by the author, and this time I got hooked right from the start. It is so enjoyable to read! The world building is just fantastic. I read a lot, most of it fantasy. Rarely do I fall in love with a world like I did here. It is so creative, the mix of Asian culture and magic works so well. I really appreciate it when a magical world is well thought through, with rules and customs and a history, with ways magic can be used and how it works and when it doesn't. And here we are introduced to a really intricate system, full of quirky details that all feel very organic and believable. And not only that, but the voice of this book is so atmospheric, it really carried me off into this world. Often, while reading, I found myself painting pictures in my mind, so vivid are the descriptions. Not many books reach that level, both in building such an intricate and fascinating world and in creating atmosphere through a unique tone and voice. Now, is it perfect? No, not entirely. I personally found the pacing a little uneven. The book starts slowly with an emphasis on the atmospheric, which I enjoyed a lot. Then, once the story is heating up, the focus changes and the language feels a little less magical. But the events themselves develop a little too quickly, too. I would have appreciated, had the author taken more time in bringing the arc of this book to an end. It seems just a tad rushed to me. And because of this, because the book is on the shorter side, I also haven't completely warmed up to the characters yet. I really do like them, they are very promising, but at the end of a story the protagonists can feel like friends, and here they're more like acquaintances. I would have preferred to stick with them a little longer, have the ending fleshed out some more. Luckily the story will continue, so there's time to get to know them all better. :) All in all a thoroughly enjoyable read, both on its own, but also promising wonderful things to come in the series. I absolutely recommend "Touched-by-Magic" and am really excited to see where the next books will take the story.