DNF
I'm very sorry to say I won't be giving a feedback on this story. The synopsis and the cover were really interesting to me, but I hadn't realized it was a sequel, so I couldn't understand what was going on in the story as it evolved.

I sadly didn’t realize that this was the second book in a series until I started reading it. However, after a bit of confusion, I was sucked into the story! I will be checking out the first book!

Corbin Lobo is a sixteen year-old shapeshifting mage who has just completed a year at a special school for mages in Hexenheim.  Now, he is setting off to Corfu with his half-selkie girlfriend, Lorelei to meet her family and learn more about the mages that created Hexenheim.  While in Corfu,Corbin and Lorelei face off against a dangerous Inquisitor who wants to harm the selkies living there.  After that, Corbin returns to his home where his mentor and Lorelei's father, Max manipulates Corbin into making a vow to bring Lorelei to him.  Max has plans to use Lorelei's Heartstone for his own nefarious purposes.  Corbin and Lorelei must figure out how to outwit Max at his own game for the protection of mages and nonmages alike. 

Smoke and Mirrors: The Heartstone is the second book in the Smoke and Mirrors series; picking up shortly after the first book ends, I would highly recommend reading The Trueheart first in order to get to know the world that has been created, the characters and their motivations. The Heartstone jumps right in with Corbin and Lorlei facing new adventures and threats. I enjoyed adventuring along with Corbin and Lorelei as they helped a new magical person find their way, protect the selkies and outwit an Inquisitor as well as retrieve Lorelei's Heartstone. The story included a lot of history of the Mages and their experiences with the magic hunters dating back to the Tudor reign that gave background into the challenges they have been facing.  Lorelei's grandfather, Darius was a wonderful character whose story gave insight into the selkie curse and his family history.  It was wonderful to see Corbin and Lorelei work as a team to outsmart Max and get the Heartstone back.   I loved the whirlwind conclusion that turned out a lot differently than I would have expected.  I can't wait to see what is next for all of the characters. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.