Mine to Spell by Janeal Falor

Title: Mine to Spell (Mine #2)

Author: Janeal Falor

Publish Date: May 5, 2014

Genre: YA Fantasy

Summary:
Cynthia has always hidden from her father’s hexes behind her older sister. When her family gains independence unheard of for women, she’s relieved that her days of harsh punishments are over. But as her seventeenth birthday approaches—the typical age to be sold to a new master—death threats endanger her sisters. She now faces two options: run or meet society’s expectations.

For once, Cynthia isn’t going to let her older sister shield her from the problem. She’s going to prove to herself, her sisters, and society that her family isn’t a threat to their traditions. She willingly chooses to be purchased by a new master. A bold step that takes her somewhere she never thought she would go and to a man she might possibly fall in love with. With his help, she may just find a way to save her sisters while discovering how to stand up for herself. If she lives long enough.

 The first book in the series, You Are Mine, is only .99 cents from May 5-10, and Mine to Tarnish is free!

4.5 stars
This was a great addition to the Mine series. I will always love Serena because her story affected me in a way that I cannot describe, but Cynthia is a close second. She has grit and determination, and she doesn't allow obstacles to become excuses. She just keeps plowing forward. I think Janeal must have channeled early feminists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton because Cynthia truly embodied the attributes of these women. This book highlights what a battle it must have been to gain women equality under the law and makes one appreciate how far we've come. And how far we still need to go. Women still make less than men for the same job, and female professors get tenure almost a year later than their male counterparts. Cynthia is a great study in what it takes to forge new paths.

The ending has left me wanting more, of course. I was kind of hoping for a Waverly novel next time, but not since I read the last chapter. Now I must have a Serena/Cynthia (and Zane too - please more Zane!) novel. I hope Ms. Falor's writing process is speedy!

The world building is amazing in this series. There are numerous cultures that we are being introduced to and at times can be a little confusing, but Falor does a good job of reminding the reader what is what. She has created a world where the subjugation of women is at the forefront. One can literally feel the oppression of these women. Coming from an American background, this seems alien to me, yet it is sadly life for many women across the globe. I think books like this series are important not only for its entertainment value (and they are definitely entertaining), but to reach further than our own world view. These are the kind of books that make us grow and think and broaden our horizons. I love novels that make you think and evaluate your beliefs.

I am taking a half star for minor editorial problems such as missing commas or apostrophes and mistakenly using effect and affect a couple of times. While they were relatively minor, they did lessen my enjoyment of the book.

This was free of language and sex and quite enjoyable because of it!

About Janeal Falor:Amazon best-selling author Janeal Falor lives in Utah with her husband and three children. In her non-writing time she teaches her kids to make silly faces, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and attempts to cultivate a garden even when half the things she plants die. When it's time for a break she can be found taking a scenic drive with her family, fencing, or drinking hot chocolate.