BOOKSTAGRAM & CREATIVE TOUR: Macario's Scepter by M. J. McGriff

Hola mundo🌎, el día de hoy vengo con una entrada super especial participando en un TOUR con MTMC para este librazo: Macario's Scepter de M. J. McGriff. Aunque a continuación comenzaré a hablar en ingles más abajo les dejare la misma reseña en español ¿va? 😚 así que si no saben inglés solo vayan más abajo en la entrada.

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. Here is the official synopsis.

Title: Macario’s Scepter

Author: M.J. McGriff
Series: Magian #1

Publishing Date: April 13, 2020
Genres: YA Fantasy

Purchase a copy: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository  | Blackwell’s

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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?

My opinion

Macario’s Scepter has been, in a few words, a surprise. With an incredible cover and a spectacularly promising premise, M. J. McGriffin presents a story about pirates, adventures, magic and friendship. This book tells the story of two sisters💗: Samara and Seraphina, physically identical but totally different to one another. Since the loss of their parents, a huge breach has torn them apart; Seraphina found comfort in religion and Samara, who’s made of steel, refuses to stay since her place is in the sea, in piracy. Suddenly, everything changes, and both of them are forced to face everything they had left behind and also: to save the world🌎.

I won't hesitate to leave you and him on this cursed island if your little love spat puts my life in danger. I don´t owe him or you a damn thing.

M. J. McGriffin’s pen is concise and direct. She presents us a world of magic, almost with a medieval style (with heresy, and all), in a simple way, and even though is a first book in a series, it’s not introductory at all. It has a third-person narration with three different points of view. The author get us quickly into action and there are things happening in every chapter: fights to death, exploring inhabited places, mysterious caves... unexpected prophecies⛴.

That’s why a strong point of the story is from its settings. It’s a world that isn’t hard to understand, where magic itself is a tale, and where life in the sea is the protagonist🌊. I am a complete fan of pirate stories and this one definitely got my attention tied to it, its characters and its development.

Men are nothing but unnecessary trouble.

As you well know, I’m a helpless romantic and, even though in Macario’s Scepter romance is far from being the main thing, the truth is I liked the fact that it had ‘ex-boyfriend’ cliché. Samara and Baz have a cute chemistry, and even though the past haunts them😨, we get to see the growth these two have throughout the pages.

Here’s were I get to the main characters: Baz, Samara and Seraphina. Seraphina and Samara represent a duality, the good one and the not so good one. Seraphina is a naive person, innocent, right and is scandalized that her sister decided to go down the dishonest path of piracy. Honestly, Seraphina was my favorite😍, she has an amazing development and no doubt to break the rules when it comes to helping her sister, the person whom she loves most. She’s a character that has to walk out of her little bubble, grow and realize that things aren’t always what they seem. And even when she seemed to be the delicate sister, undoubtedly we can see that she’s the most confident and strong one.

Praise be to Macario, god and creator of the land and sea. I pray for light so I see the path before me. I pray for the sea to wash away the hurt and pain, so I can let in love and belief. I pray for your mercy so I can forgive myself. I pray for courage, so I can surrender my pride. I pride for your blessing, so I can have the strenght to wield the scepter and all its maghty power.

Samara is the opposite: She’s tough, a warrior and doesn’t want to be locked up in a seminary. Despite her beastly, steely appearance, Samara is sensible, her heart is broken and doesn’t believe in herself at all; she knows she’s a good pirate, but she doesn’t think she’s good for anything else. Baz👀, lastly, is a character I think is less a protagonist than the sisters but with his chapters he succeeds in showing us he's a smart, determined and smart guy. He’s the captain, son of a well-known pirate and he just wants to follow his fathers path.

You could never be a Pirate Sam. You love too hard to be heartless.

The story is full of action and adventure. It’s very fast to read, I literally finished it within two days and I enjoyed it well enough. This is a story for those readers who enjoy a good fantasy, funny characters, pirates, adventures and prophecies. Is a book that speaks about growth and finding ourselves, follow our own destiny and face it with everything we have. In a few words: a good reading💘. 

RESEÑA EN ESPAÑOL

Macario’s scepter ha sido, en pocas palabras, una sorpresa. Con una portada increíble y una premisa que prometía algo espectacular, M. J. McGriff nos presenta una historia de piratas, aventuras, magia y amistad💗. Este libro nos cuenta la historia de dos hermanas: Samara y Seraphina, idénticas en el exterior pero totalmente opuestas la una de la otra. Desde que ambas perdieron a sus padres una brecha enorme las ha separado, Seraphina encontró consuelo en la religión y Samara, hecha de acero, se niega a quedarse: su lugar esta en el mar, la piratería. Repentinamente todo cambia y ambas se verán forzadas a enfrentarse con todo lo que habían dejado atrás además de ser obligadas a salvar el mundo🌎.

I won't hesitate to leave you and him on this cursed island if your little love spat puts my life in danger. I don´t owe him or you a damn thing.

La pluma de M. J. McGriff es concisa y directa, nos presenta este mundo de magia, casi estilo medieval (con todo y herejía) de una forma sencilla y, aunque es un primer libro, lo cierto es que no lo he sentido nada introductorio. Tenemos una narración en tercera persona pero con tres diferentes perspectivas. La autora nos mete de lleno en la acción y en cada uno de sus capítulos están sucediendo cosas: peleas a muerte, exploraciones en lugares inhabitados, cuevas misteriosas… profecías inesperadas⛴.

Por ello un punto fuerte de la historia es la ambientación. Estamos en un mundo no muy complicado de entender, donde la propia magia es un mito, y la vida en el mar es protagonica🌊. Soy una total fanática de las historias de piratas y esta definitivamente logro mantenerme atenta a la historia, los personajes y su desenvolvimiento.

Men are nothing but unnecessary trouble.

Como saben, soy una romántica empedernida, y aunque admito que en Macario’s scepter el romance esta lejos de ser lo principal, la verdad es que me gustó que se nos diera el ‘cliché del exnovio’💝. Samara y Baz tienen una química bonita y, aunque su pasado los atormenta, las páginas nos muestran el crecimiento que están teniendo.

Con ello llego a los personajes principales: Baz, Samara y Seraphina. Seraphina y Samara representan una dualidad, la buena y la no tan buena. Seraphina es una persona ingenua, inocente, muy recta y escandalizada de que su hermana haya decidido ir por el camino deshonesto como pirata. Sinceramente Seraphina fue mi favorita😍, tiene un desarrollo increíble y no duda en romper las reglas cuando se trata de ayudar a su hermana, la persona que más ama. Es un personaje que tiene que salir de su burbuja, crecer y darse cuenta de que, las cosas no siempre son lo que parecen. Aunque ella parecía ser la hermana delicada, sin duda alguna se nota que es la mas confiada y tiene una gran fortaleza.

Praise be to Macario, god and creator of the land and sea. I pray for light so I see the path before me. I pray for the sea to wash away the hurt and pain, so I can let in love and belief. I pray for your mercy so I can forgive myself. I pray for courage, so I can surrender my pride. I pride for your blessing, so I can have the strenght to wield the scepter and all its maghty power

Samara es todo lo contrario: dura, una guerrera y no quiere estar encerrada en un seminario. Pese a tener esta apariencia bestial y de acero, Samara es sensible, tiene el corazón roto y no cree en si misma para nada: sabe que es buena Pirata pero no se cree digna para otra cosa. Baz👀, por último, es un personaje que considero es un poquito menos protagónico a diferencia de las dos hermanas y que, aún así, con sus capítulos nos logra mostrar a un chico fuerte, decidido e inteligente. Es el capitán, el hijo de un pirata famoso y solo quiere seguir el mismo camino que su padre.

You could never be a Pirate Sam. You love too hard to be heartless.

La historia esta repleta de escenas con acción y aventuras. Se lee muy rápido, literalmente lo acabe en dos días y sin duda lo disfruté. Es una historia para aquellos lectores que disfrutan de una buena fantasía, personajes divertidos, piratas, aventuras y profecías. Es un libro que nos habla sobre crecer y encontrarnos a nosotros mismos, seguir nuestro propio destino y enfrentarlo con todo lo que tengamos. En pocas palabras: una buena lectura.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter

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