Why am I passionate about this?

As a kid, I used to pretend I had unique powers, and I always wished it was real. So, stories including magic/powers give me a little taste of that. When the main character is in a learning setting, I get to see that magic is used more often, and I learn about the magic system and the world alongside the MC. Plus, I am a teacher by day, and it is cool to see how the education differs in those stories. Lastly, I have always been fascinated by mythical creatures and the cultures they come from, and I enjoy any story with them included. 


I wrote

Myth Blessed

By Katie Dunn,

Book cover of Myth Blessed

What is my book about?

Serena lives in a world that knows mythical creatures exist. In fact, those mythical creatures bless some humans at a…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Born at Midnight

Katie Dunn Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because it involved a female main character who learns she has a unique ability and is swept into a world of magic and myth. I read this book as a teenager and read it again when I was older because I still think about its storyline to this day. The MC’s gift is unique and something I still have not seen in any other book.

This story also includes some of my favorite paranormal/mythical creatures: vampires, werewolves, fae, etc. Although the setting is not an actual academy, I liked how the camp she goes to is set up to teach her how to use her gifts just like an academy would. I also loved the element of mystery in this story and the series. 

By C. C. Hunter,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Born at Midnight as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap. Her parents are getting a divorce. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn't put out. Her grandmother died and now Kylie's acquired a stalker. Unfortunately, she's the only one who seems to be able to see the stalker. And that gets her sent to a psychologist's sofa. The kooky psychologist gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it's a camp for troubled teens. They thought wrong. It's a camp of supernaturals: vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shape shifters. And if she…


Book cover of Secret of the Sirens

Katie Dunn Why did I love this book?

This book was the first time I saw elements and mythical creatures mentioned together, and I grew up loving both. Although I read this as a kid, I still think about this series frequently.

The main character is unique because she is a companion to all mythical creatures and regular animals instead of just one type, and I found that super cool. The descriptions and storyline of her power made me wish I had it, too. I liked how many mythical creatures I got to read about in this book, and it helped spur my interest in them even more.

I also like it when the MC in books is oblivious to the magical world but gets dragged into it because I get to learn about it alongside them.  

By Julia Golding,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Secret of the Sirens as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When Connie is sent to live with her aunt, she knows it's going to be one more place where she doesn't fit in. But soon she realises how wrong she is. The seaside town is full of adults and children who have strange links to creatures. It's the heart of the secret Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures, a group of people sworn to ensure that mythical beasts are kept safe. Normally the creatures and their chosen humans work in harmony. But something abnormal is happening here. The Sirens, who for generations have kept their deadly song to themselves,…


Book cover of The Lightning Thief

Katie Dunn Why did I love this book?

This is the first book that really got me into reading and mythology, and it remains one of my all-time favorites. I have learned so much about Greek mythology from it. I like the powers the campers have because of their godly parent. I love the adventure Percy and his friends go on, and every chapter has something new to see or learn.

I love the uniqueness of Percy’s situation and powers as one of the Big 3 and how that puts him on the path of a great prophecy. The camp is like an academy for the summer, teaching the campers how to use their gifts and fight monsters. I wish I could be part of that camp. I always considered myself either a child of Athena or Apollo. 

By Rick Riordan,

Why should I read it?

18 authors picked The Lightning Thief as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The Lightning Thief: the First book in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.

The first bestselling book in Rick Riordan's phenomenally successful Percy Jackson series.

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive.

This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky,…


Book cover of Touch of Frost

Katie Dunn Why did I love this book?

This was the first book series I read with an academy that included magic and mythology, and it sparked my interest in those kinds of books. I also love learning about Nike, the goddess of Victory, and psychometry magic, which I have never read about anywhere else. I wish I could touch something and learn its history as the MC does.

I like the romance in the story and how the main character, who is an outcast, slowly starts to find long-lasting friends. I also like how she learns about and develops her unique power and becomes a goddess’ champion. I have read the series about three times. 

By Jennifer Estep,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Touch of Frost as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

When Jasmine Ashton is murdered in the Library of Antiquities, Gwen Frost is determined to find out who killed the girl after she realizes she should have been the one that died.


Book cover of Outcast

Katie Dunn Why did I love this book?

I liked this story because of its inclusion of a main character drawn into a new world of magic and elemental powers. It is situated in an academy, but the story takes the character elsewhere, too, letting us see more of the world.

It includes vampires and other mythical creatures and leads the reader on a journey to solve a whodunit and the mystery of the MC herself. The dialogue she has with others is funny at times, and I like how the academy is to train agents for this magical world. I enjoyed listening to this on Audible and have listened to the series twice. 

By Annabel Chase,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Outcast as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

I live by one simple rule: no magic. Not too hard in the human world, plus it keeps me hidden from my evil sorcerer father. Safe.  

When I'm forced into using magic to save an innocent family, the jig is up. Or so I believe. Instead, I'm whisked off to an academy of magic in a place I never knew existed. The problem is - my power is completely raw, which means I don't know my butt from a broomstick. At first, it's all wands, witches, and a new wardrobe...until I get caught in a restricted area with a dead…


Don't forget about my Book 😀

Myth Blessed

By Katie Dunn,

Book cover of Myth Blessed

What is my book about?

Serena lives in a world that knows mythical creatures exist. In fact, those mythical creatures bless some humans at a young age with magical gifts. Serena is about to be in her last year of high school, so it is pretty obvious she is not going to be one of those humans.

However, one summer vacation changes everything, and soon Serena is swept to Myth Blessed Academy, where she and other kids learn about their powers given to them by a mythical creature. However, something is unique about Serena’s powers, and it is going to take the help of her friends and familiar to sort things out. This story is a young adult contemporary fantasy with romance.  

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Holy Terror

By John R. Dougherty,

Book cover of Holy Terror

John R. Dougherty Author Of Holy Terror

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I have felt a spiritual call in my life from as early as I can remember having memories as a young child. Being a life-long Christian has always drawn me to try to see God in everything around me, from people I encounter, to creation itself, to songs, to movies, etc. So, reading books which contain Christian allegory – symbols, meanings, underlying Biblical references – is very exciting for me. I enjoy trying to decipher that symbolism and try to understand the undertones that the book’s author is trying to communicate indirectly. I find that to be a personal challenge as I read, but also I find it very inspiring as well!

John's book list on Christian action books allegorical references

What is my book about?

None of them knew what was coming, and none of them will ever be the same again...

Detective Jelani is a tough, veteran cop. His younger partner, Detective Madigan, is brash and confident. But they were not prepared to become embroiled in a series of cosmic events they could never have dreamt of. As has been the case since the beginning of time, God and His heavenly host are facing off with Satan and his hellish host.

Caught in the middle is Thumos, a warrior angel, "quickened" by God for one thing: battle. But Thumos has become a disgruntled warrior…

Holy Terror

By John R. Dougherty,

What is this book about?

None of them knew what was coming, and none of them will ever be the same again...

Detective Jelani is a tough, veteran cop, who earned his stripes in the rough-and-tumble streets of St. Louis before relocating to Miami.  His younger partner, Detective Madigan, is brash and confident.  But they were not prepared to become embroiled in a series of cosmic events they could never have dreamt of.  In a world where the angels of heaven and the angels of hell bring their ageless battle to Earth, how will these men and their families overcome such insurmountable challenges?

As has…


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