Eda Scott

Journey's Arcane by Eda Scott is an intriguing narrative blending mystery, romance, and a dash of supernatural lore. The story follows Nora Carter, a young woman escaping the toxic grip of her family with the mission of preserving a historical property in Journey, Manitoba. Her journey is laden with personal revelations, family confrontations, and unexpected romantic entanglements, especially with the enigmatic bartender Leon. The book opens with a beautifully detailed description of Nora's nostalgic drive to this quaint town, setting the scene for a mix of small-town charm and personal reflection. Eda Scott's writing vividly paints the town of Journey, capturing its beauty and the emotional undertones of Nora's journey.

Nora's character development is impeccable, and readers will love to follow her as she transitions from someone burdened by her family's narcissistic tendencies to a woman discovering her strength and capacity for love. The interactions with her family—particularly the phone conversations with her manipulative mother and the lecherous Ivan—are especially telling. These scenes highlight the toxic dynamics Nora is striving to break free from. Leon, the bartender with captivating pinkish-orange eyes, is a fascinating romantic counterpart to Nora. Leon's mysterious demeanor and the hints towards his supernatural entanglements move the plot forward, building suspense as readers are intrigued about this character. Their growing romance, punctuated by scenes of warmth and genuine connection, is marred by Nora's unsettling visions that seem tied to the town's legends and Leon's mysterious past.

 

The supernatural element, particularly Nora's visions while kissing Leon, introduces an unexpected twist to the narrative. These visions, which include disturbing and vivid scenes from what seems to be King Leon's past life, blur the lines between reality and folklore, making readers question Leon's true nature.

Ruby's character and Miss Gemma Ann's backstory enrich the story with a sense of generational wisdom and small-town kinship. Ruby's acceptance and the nurturing relationship she develops with Nora offer a stark and comforting contrast to Nora's biological family. While Journey's Arcane explores deep themes of love, family dynamics, and self-discovery, the integration of supernatural visions could have been woven more seamlessly to avoid disorienting the reader. Nonetheless, Eda Scott creates a compelling world with richly drawn characters and a plot that keeps readers invested in Nora's quest for both personal freedom and historical preservation. It is deft and balanced, a story that features stellar writing and unforgettable characters. - Reviewed by James Farlow

 

https://thebookcommentary.com/review-preview/1359/journey's-arcane?

 

Journey's Arcane was an epic adventure with paranormal aspects and a sprinkle of mythology. Each twist and turn of the plot keeps the reader turning the page to find out what happens next! This story follows Nora as she decides to separate herself from her well to do family with less than desirable morals. She has one final task to complete to right another potential wrong that her family is planning. Once this task is complete she plans to find somewhere to start her life over. Her plans all change when she meets a mysterious bartender that captures her attention and her heart. This was an exciting tale full of dysfunctional family systems, gaslighting, mythology and a small town banding together to save everything. - Reviewed by Amanda P.

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 This book was such a captivating read with twists and turns around every corner! What a great debut novel for Eda Scott! Thank you Eda and Atmosphere Press!

 

TROPES/THEMES:
Touch her & die
Found family
Egyptian & Norse mythology
Mysticism
Second Act Breakup
Unexpected love
Multiple men fighting over FMC

 

Synopsis: Nora, a lighthearted goofy girl from Puth, sets out to leave behind her old life and make a new name for herself. First Nora seeks to stop her narcissistic family from ruining a historical castle that she grew up loving its history and its story of holding out for true love. This story has vibes of historical fiction meets paranormal romance and elements of mysticism and mythology. Along the way, Nora quickly finds unexpected love through a mysterious bartender, but it is not met without huge obstacles including overcoming the impossible, visions of King Leon's past, threats to her mental wellbeing and life. Throughout the journey, Nora finds the family she always deserved. How far is Nora willing to go to fight for love and preserve the secrets of the castle and Journey?

 

Likes: Nora, Leon, the Hughes, found family, Journey's small town community, the mysticism, the mythology - Reviewed by Kaitlin M.

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I was invested in what was happening in the story overall, it had that romance element perfectly and enjoyed how the world worked with the characters in this universe. I was engaged with what was happening and enjoyed the overall feel of how everything worked. Eda Scott has a great writing style and can't wait for more. - Reviewed by Kathryn M.

 

https://www.netgalley.com/book/379256/reviews

 

Journey's Arcane is a work of fiction in the drama, suspense, and speculative fantasy genres. Penned by author Eda Scott, the plot follows Nora's journey as she flees her past in Puth, North Dakota, only to return to Journey, Manitoba, to save the historic castle from her family's desecration. Along the way, she encounters Leon, a bartender with a mysterious past, and delves into love and mysticism as ancient legends begin to haunt her. As Nora's connection with Leon deepens, she uncovers perilous secrets that shatter her world, forcing her to confront her destiny and battle darkness to protect the town she loves. Eda Scott's enchanting novel transports us into a world filled with mystery, romance, and magic.

The atmospheric blend of folklore and mysticism gives the work a strong fantasy theme that is still well grounded in speculative reality, creating a richly textured narrative that keeps real people and their emotional journey as its core focus throughout. The character of Nora is closely narrated with great attention to detail, and her reactions in the face of tragedy and triumph are sure to resonate deeply with readers. As she navigates the challenges of her quest and confronts her inner demons, the growing dynamic between Nora and Leon truly begins to shine and challenge her further, with their relationship unfolding against the backdrop of ancient legends and perilous secrets. Eda Scott's vivid descriptions of the enchanted town of Journey were also a big highlight, immersing us in its beauty and mystery with intricate detail and lexical touches that match the mood of the novel perfectly. Overall, Journey's Arcane is a spellbinding tale of love, destiny, and the power of courage in the face of darkness, and I'd highly recommend it to adventure fans everywhere. - Reviewed by K.C. Finn

 

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/journeys-arcane