Dora the Explorer is a popular children's animated television series that follows the adventures of a young girl named Dora and her talking backpack and monkey companion, Boots. In one particular episode titled "Dora the Explorer: The Magic Stick," Dora embarks on a mission to find the magic stick, which has the power to make any wish come true. The episode begins with Dora and Boots receiving a map from their friend, Map. The map leads them through various obstacles, such as crossing a wobbly bridge and climbing a steep mountain. Along the way, they encounter several friends who join them on their quest, including Benny the Bull and Tico the Squirrel. Eventually, Dora and her friends reach the location marked on the map, which is a hidden cave.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

Romance, drama, and mystery abound in this telenovela-inspired upper-YA romantic fantasy for fans of multi-POV stories, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, family sagas, royal intrigue, and mysterious magic.

A forbidden fae kiss could be deadly.

Naia was raised in the shadow of her twin brother, the crown prince, who has iron magic much more powerful than hers. But Naia has wishes of her own. They awaken when she finds a white fae almost dying in the woods. She only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, almost rid Aluria of humans—until they disappeared. Now, almost twenty years later, are they back? Is there another war coming?

But the fae is evasive and secretive—and also alluring and fascinating, more beautiful than anyone she’s ever seen. And then it happens: Naia kisses him—and nothing will be the same again.

In another kingdom, Leah, a necromancer princess, has to find a husband in less than four days, during the gathering, when royals from all over Aluria meet. Her family makes it very clear that she can pick any prince she wants—except one: Naia’s brother. And it turns out that he’s the one; the one who makes her heart beat faster.

Meanwhile, war looms over the land. One of the kingdoms is amassing immense power. The White Fae might be returning. Amidst it all, Naia and her brother struggle with newfound magical powers, family secrets, and most of all, their own treacherous hearts.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is book 1 of the Duology Of Fire and Fae, recommended for readers 16 and up.

Genres FantasyRomanceYoung AdultFaeMagicFantasy RomanceParanormal

458 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2022

About the author

🪄 Magic, 💜 heart, 🗡️ action, and 😆 fun!
Find me at dayleitao.carrd.co/ and dayleitao.com

Day Leitao believes in the power of stories, the power of characters, and she writes books with heroes (of both genders) finding their own magic and opening their hearts. Of course, there's also the banter and all the shenanigans that happen when personalities collide. 😂

Originally from Brazil 🇧🇷, she lives in Montreal, Canada.

Sign up for my newsletter
for exclusive ebooks, plus news and more freebies.

Eventually, Dora and her friends reach the location marked on the map, which is a hidden cave. Inside the cave, they discover a shiny, golden stick resting on a pedestal. They quickly realize that this must be the magic stick they were searching for.

Ratings & Reviews

Friends & Following

Community Reviews

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: Do I even like indie books? | FROZEN HEARTS & DEATH MAGIC
https://youtu.be/qHMM_I81mZ8

(Transparency: This review was commissioned by the author, however this does not at all affect my rating)

Between the insta-love, they simplistic yet repetitive writing and the fact that none of the characters had any depth, this is the first big disappointment of the year. Maybe I really wanted to like it because of the cute cover.
Every character is plain and either boring or annoying.
The relationships in this book feel like they were written by a 14 year old who's never held hands with another human being, writing fanfiction about Niall Horan on wattpad at 3am from the family computer in 2012. I could look paat the insta-love thing if the plot was actually entertaining and the "soulmates, meant to be, destined to fall in love" tropes were part of the story, but this. this isn't it.
I mean, I definitely would fuck a hot court member or fae without giving it much thought; instant attraction is normal and should be used more. But this thing is getting out of hand, you guys have exchanged a maximum of 9 sentences to each other, get a grip.
Even the adults in the story spoke like 15 year old mean girls bullying someone in a high school bathroom, created by a showrunner who was homeschooled and had his first date at the ripe age of 26.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is the first book in what promises to be an exciting and romantic new series by Day Leitao. Political intrigue, manipulation, and maneuvering create an intense world where the stakes are very high for each character.

I really liked the characters, and their stories and situations drew me in pretty quickly. Fel is my favorite. He and Leah have difficult journeys, and they are both tried in the most terrible of ways. Fel is so honorable and decent and kind, and his self-sacrificing nature, as well as his conflicted feelings for Leah, propel him. Leah is stronger than others credit her for, and it’s a good thing. She suffers so much through the story, and it is intense! In fact, you might want to check the content warnings before starting the book because there are some aspects of the story that could trigger readers.

River and Naia are also well-developed, dynamic protagonists. River has a lot of secrets, much to Naia’s frustration. He is as mysterious as the fae world he takes her to, and it’s interesting to see Naia slowly learn more about him and his kingdom. Naia longs for freedom and independence, and I like that she sees these things in River. However, there are times when she seems almost as trapped with him as she was with her family. I’m eager to see how their relationship develops in future books, as their love story is bound to be as epic as Fel and Leah’s.

Fel, Leah, Naia, and River all have so many expectations thrust upon them, often because of events that happened long before they were born. I like how the family histories and past events slowly revealed. So much of what happened in the past defines their present and predicts the future. It’s so fascinating! Each family has their secrets, some more deadly and malicious than others, and the way they all connect and affect each other creates a well-woven and paced story.

There are two romances in this story, which is great for a romance lover like me. I’m a sucker for a swoon-worthy love story, and there is one in particular that I really liked. Both couples have their fair share of obstacles, and they both struggle with communication, secrets, betrayals, and more. I do wish their romances were developed a bit more, but I have a feeling this will happen as the series progresses. However, it’s clear that both couples care for each other and want a future together however impossible that may seem.

The world-building is another part of the story that I really enjoyed. Each place introduced is so unique and different from the others, and I found them each to be vivid and intriguing. It’s interesting how the magnificence of one kingdom contrasts the humbleness of another and how each had such different goals and motivations. It definitely shows what each kingdom values. I’m really curious to learn more about rivers world. It’s so fascinating, and there’s so much more to unpack.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is a great start to the Of Fire and Fae series, and after the twists and turns and surprise revelations, I’m eager to read the next book and see what happens to all four protagonists as their journey continues. Thanks so much to Day Leitao for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic (Book 1)

Naia was raised in the shadow of her twin brother, the crown prince, who has iron magic much more powerful than hers. But Naia has wishes of her own. They awaken when she finds a white fae almost dying in the woods. She only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, almost rid Aluria of humans—until they disappeared. Now, almost twenty years later, are they back? Is there another war coming?

But the fae is evasive and secretive—and also alluring and fascinating, more beautiful than anyone she’s ever seen. And then it happens: Naia kisses him—and nothing will be the same again.

In another kingdom, Leah, a necromancer princess, has to find a husband in less than four days, during the gathering, when royals from all over Aluria meet. Her family makes it very clear that she can pick any prince she wants—except one: Naia’s brother. And it turns out that he’s the one; the one who makes her heart beat faster.

Meanwhile, war looms over the land. One of the kingdoms is amassing immense power. The White Fae might be returning. Amidst it all, Naia and her brother struggle with newfound magical powers, family secrets, and most of all, their own treacherous hearts.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is book 1 of the Duology Of Fire and Fae, recommended for readers 16 and up. Now a complete duology.

Free shipping on U.S. orders over $150. Use code SHIPFREE.

Use the chat icon to reach us.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic (Book 1)

Excitement fills the air as Dora and her friends take turns holding the magic stick and make their wishes. Benny wishes for a new hat, Tico wishes for a pile of acorns, and Boots wishes for a banana tree. Each wish comes true, and everyone is overjoyed at the power of the magic stick. But just as they are celebrating, Swiper the Fox appears and attempts to swipe the magic stick. However, with quick thinking and teamwork, Dora and her friends manage to outsmart Swiper and reclaim the stick. Realizing the responsibility that comes with possessing such a powerful item, Dora decides that it's best to return the magic stick to its rightful place. With the help of Map, they navigate their way back to the cave and carefully put the stick back on the pedestal. In the end, Dora and her friends learn valuable lessons about sharing, teamwork, and the importance of using their powers for good. Though they no longer have the magic stick, they realize that their friendship and determination can overcome any obstacle. "Dora the Explorer: The Magic Stick" is a fun and educational episode that teaches young viewers important life lessons while entertaining them with exciting adventures. Through Dora's courageous spirit and the support of her friends, children are inspired to explore, problem-solve, and make positive choices..

Reviews for "Navigating Dora's Wonder-filled World with her Magic Stick"

1. Mary - 1 star

I thought "Dora the Explorer the Magic Stick" was a complete waste of time. The plot was predictable and lacked any real substance. The characters were one-dimensional and had no depth or development throughout the film. Additionally, the animation was subpar and did not hold my attention. I found myself checking my phone multiple times throughout the movie because I was so bored. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this film and regretted spending money on it.

2. Tom - 2 stars

"Dora the Explorer the Magic Stick" had potential, but it fell short in many aspects. The storyline was weak and felt contrived. The humor was forced and did not resonate with me as an adult audience member. The visuals and animation were okay, but nothing exceptional. I was hoping for a more engaging and entertaining experience, but unfortunately, this movie did not deliver. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable family film.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I was not impressed with "Dora the Explorer the Magic Stick". The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The dialogues felt flat and the jokes were not funny. The animation was mediocre, making it hard to stay engaged with the film. Overall, it did not live up to my expectations and left me wanting more. I would not watch this movie again.

Dora's Enchanted Stick: A Tool for Learning and Adventure