by 
Elena Baxter has spent her life desperately wanting to fit in. She’s used to being teased and taunted by the popular girls, but when she celebrates her sweet sixteen birthday and receives two amazing gifts—the power of telekinesis, and the truth about her heritage—she has high hopes that things will change. But her wish does not come true, and Elena is bullied just as she was before, only this time her hurt feelings and frustration boil into something even she cannot understand. When an explosion hits, chaos ensues and she learns that her new power just might be bigger than she is.
She embarks on a journey to a secret island to learn how to control her powers, and she’s thrown into a different world, one where she just might be able to fit in. What Elena learns about her heritage forces her to face her past – and the demons it created – head on.
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My Review
Elena is our ordinary teenager but on her sixteenth birthday she learns that she is not so ordinary after all but a witch!
Yes, you heard me correctly. She is a witch with powers and is a descendant of the Lady of the Lake from her favorite story, “King Arthur”. Suddenly she finds that she is someone special and learns of her heritage. The stories she had heard since childhood are not just stories but true and she is part of them! But with all these special qualities come some responsibilities and Elena is introduced to new facts, new people and a completely new world where there is magic and nothing is impossible! Elena is sent to Avalon, the mysterious and known-only-to-some island where she is to learn to control her abilities and prepare herself for her future responsibilities. But can she adapt to her new self?
Will she be able to control and nurture her abilities?
Andrea Buginsky’s book, Destiny,
made me remember the Harry Potter series. New Avalon, which is the school for witches is similar to Hogwarts in Harry Potter. The lessons and scenarios also remind of Harry Potter while Elena is also somewhat like Harry. She is nervous, confused and just like Harry overwhelmed by her new experiences and new surroundings.
made me remember the Harry Potter series. New Avalon, which is the school for witches is similar to Hogwarts in Harry Potter. The lessons and scenarios also remind of Harry Potter while Elena is also somewhat like Harry. She is nervous, confused and just like Harry overwhelmed by her new experiences and new surroundings.
The story, though, written expertly would have been more effective had it been a bit longer and more pages were devoted to develop the world of Avalon with some adventures thrown in to capture my attention. I felt the book is too short and everything just felt a tad superfluous. Although, a prophecy of evil rising when the successor to the Lady of the Lake is chosen is mentioned but we don’t get a glimpse of it in this book. Also I just didn’t completely connect with the characters. Had I been told that I was a witch with special telekinesis powers, I would have been completely shocked, disbelieving and would have had a much major reaction to this than Elena, who I thought accepted this revelation too quickly and too easily like it was an everyday occurrence and no big deal!
The cover , though very catchy, doesn’t do justice to the story and I could not guess what the story is about by just looking at it.
The description of Avalon is admirably done which creates an image of the island and successfully creates an aura of mystery around it.
“Near the coast of England, just off the NE side, is a very small island. So small, it’s not on any map, and few people know about its existence. Because of air bouncing off of water, it is always covered in foggy mist. The people who know of this place call this island Avalon, as did those before them.”
“It was one of those only-those-who-know-what-it-really-is-go-there places. Everyone else just thought it was a small, uninhabited island.”
A quick and satisfactory read. Destinymainly prepares a foundation for the successive books which I believe will develop more on Elena’s life and future adventures. The series has potential and the author’s writing crisp which will definitely make the reader anticipate the next book in the series. If you a Harry Potter fan or love the fantasy world of wizards and witches then this book is for you. I give it a 3.8 out of 5 and will definitely checkout the next book when it comes out.
mainly prepares a foundation for the successive books which I believe will develop more on Elena’s life and future adventures. The series has potential and the author’s writing crisp which will definitely make the reader anticipate the next book in the series. If you a Harry Potter fan or love the fantasy world of wizards and witches then this book is for you. I give it a 3.8 out of 5 and will definitely checkout the next book when it comes out. I received Destinyfrom the author and I am very thankful to her. The above review is my personal and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
Excerpt
Elena was getting upset as she defended her family’s honor. She wasn’t thinking about where that might lead. She wasn’t thinking at all.
“Why, Elena, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just meant that-“
“I know exactly what you meant, Barbara Thomas! You think your family is better than anyone else in this town. You always have. Just because your dad happens to be the former mayor’s son doesn’t mean you own this town and everyone in it! I’m so sick of your mock sentiment when all you really feel is that you’re better than everyone. You’re no better than the rest of us!”
As she yelled, things around her felt funny, and she realized she heard screaming. She looked around, and was startled to see everyone staring at her, horrified. She took a deep breath, and realized what had happened. She let her emotions get away from her, and her powers erupted.
The only words she could think of to describe the scene around her were total chaos. Every locker had burst open, and the entire contents – books, folders, papers, pictures, mirrors, backpacks – had come flying out. The posters on the walls were scattered everywhere. Most of the students and teachers were picking themselves up off the floor. Elena knew her powers had gotten totally out of hand, and she made everything around her fly out of control, literally.
She heard footsteps walking toward her, the only sound in the hall. She looked up and saw her counselor, Mrs. Adams, walking toward her. She gently took Elena by the shoulder and guided her to her office. She looked back and saw Barb and the other Bimbettes staring at her, as well as everyone else in the hall.
About the Author:
Andrea Buginsky is a freelance writer and author. “The Chosen,” a middle-grade fantasy novelette was her first book, and was followed by “My Open Heart,” an autobiography about growing up with heart disease. “Nature’s Unbalance” is the second story in THE CHOSEN series. Andrea is currently working NEW AVALON, a YA fantasy series. Book 1, “Destiny,” is available on Amazon
Connect with the Author:
Tour Schedule:
24th October
Annamaria @ Annamaria’s Writing Corner – Guest Post
Kyra @ The Shadow Portal – Interview
Leslie @ That Chick that Reads – Review
Michael @ Michael Scifan – Interview
Sam @ Rockin’ & Reviewing – Interview
25th October
Jenn @ BooksBooksBooks – Review
26th October
Jessica @ The Evening eBook Read – Review
Nikita @ NjKinny’s World of Books – Review
28th October
Rae @ Drunk on Pop – Review
29th October
Jacquel @ She Reviews Everything – Review
Mindy @ Books, Books & More Books – Review
Tegan @ T & a Book – Review
Giveaway
1 Digital copy of The Chosen by Andrea Buginsky to the best reviewer of this tour
Digital Copy of Destiny
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Thank You for hosting this tour. Dont Forget to add the post link to the Tour Host Exclusive Giveaway! 🙂
Thank you for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed the book.
-Andrea