lyndz_'s review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
texaswolfman's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the police procedural aspects of the book. Loved the PsyLed team and would love a series about them or Firewind. A story where Nell is a side character and not the resolution to every problem. Nell has way to much power. Nell’s taking offense to every man she comes across could have been toned down, it became irritating as the story progressed. We get it every southern man not named Occam was flawed, sexist, racist and not “woke,” as my teenagers say. My wife defended Nell by reminding me she was a victim of abuse which I comprehend but at some point someone needs to have a seat down or seek counseling for her.
Overall enjoyable series. Still love me Yellowrock more.
Overall enjoyable series. Still love me Yellowrock more.
wetdryvac's review
5.0
Favorite in the series to date, well structured, and a lovely mix of procedural and fantasy elements.
chllybrd's review
4.0
The Soulwood series continues to hold my attention with every installment.
I enjoy following along on Nell adventures and learning more about her and her team.
The romance between Nell and Occam continues to move along at a nice pace for the characters, but I am excited to see more between the two. They are a great pair.
I am always excited to see what Faith will do next with these great characters and world.
I enjoy following along on Nell adventures and learning more about her and her team.
The romance between Nell and Occam continues to move along at a nice pace for the characters, but I am excited to see more between the two. They are a great pair.
I am always excited to see what Faith will do next with these great characters and world.
ink_and_pages_'s review
2.0
Surprised that this book, Spells for the Dead was just ok for me, not quite sure what happened with this one. I feel it could've done with another pass at editing maybe, there was a lot of repetitive phrases/words and also a lot of icky-ness; melting, rotting corpses and gross descriptions over and over again and usually that doesn't bother me as I'm not squeamish with books or movies etc... I think it may just have been the absolute repetition of it with ALL the various characters decaying... This book is really kind of a mess. Pun intended.
Nell is still a great character, she feels like a real person trying to manage the trauma she's suffered, the dysfunction in her childhood/home and dealing with not truly knowing herself with the added bonus of being something supernatural that's a mystery to her. I liked how in this book she found out more about herself, that was the best part.
Occam has become so over the top in this one now I think and I was wishing they would break up and give Nell a chance to know herself on her own or that maybe she would get with Firewind but most people seem to absolutely love Nell/Occam together so maybe that's just me?
Also can we have a book with T'Laine (Spelling?, listened on Audible) as the main character please.
Also it has been bugging me throughout the series that Nell is so stilted/reserved in her close relationships and goes totally over the top in her professional ones, pretty sure that it wouldn't be tolerated to talk to a superior like she does, it's not just standing up for herself, its awkward and embarrassing and kind of like throwing a tantrum. It works well with Jane, not with Nell who is a junior officer in a team and I realize its a fictional team made up of 'supes' that have to have a certain amount of leeway given but she's done it to Rick and Firewind too now and it just strains at times.
Overall I love this world, the characters and the magical systems. I wish Nell's "green Knight"/Vampire Tree wasn't so convoluted and she spent more time developing/learning her powers and about herself instead of throwing herself face-first into everything and seeing what happens and then having to get saved repeatedly because she has no real knowledge of what she is doing and that hasn't really developed that much. Just my thoughts on it.
Nell is still a great character, she feels like a real person trying to manage the trauma she's suffered, the dysfunction in her childhood/home and dealing with not truly knowing herself with the added bonus of being something supernatural that's a mystery to her. I liked how in this book she found out more about herself, that was the best part.
Occam has become so over the top in this one now I think and I was wishing they would break up and give Nell a chance to know herself on her own or that maybe she would get with Firewind but most people seem to absolutely love Nell/Occam together so maybe that's just me?
Also can we have a book with T'Laine (Spelling?, listened on Audible) as the main character please.
Also it has been bugging me throughout the series that Nell is so stilted/reserved in her close relationships and goes totally over the top in her professional ones, pretty sure that it wouldn't be tolerated to talk to a superior like she does, it's not just standing up for herself, its awkward and embarrassing and kind of like throwing a tantrum. It works well with Jane, not with Nell who is a junior officer in a team and I realize its a fictional team made up of 'supes' that have to have a certain amount of leeway given but she's done it to Rick and Firewind too now and it just strains at times.
Overall I love this world, the characters and the magical systems. I wish Nell's "green Knight"/Vampire Tree wasn't so convoluted and she spent more time developing/learning her powers and about herself instead of throwing herself face-first into everything and seeing what happens and then having to get saved repeatedly because she has no real knowledge of what she is doing and that hasn't really developed that much. Just my thoughts on it.
rclz's review
5.0
Good addition to a good series. Good plot and as always a great group of characters. Nell's come a long way.
mjluckett's review against another edition
5.0
Of course a Faith Hunter book, has to be read ASAP!!
This is Nell's book #5.
The Nell in this book has grown so much from the beginning.... I just love how she is adapting and growing....
Then there is Occam.... Oh Occam... He is becoming one of my all time favorite book boyfriends.... He is perfect for Nell.... and such a sweet, kind, protective, loving ray of sunshine.... I need to get me an Occam.
This is a must read series..... If you haven't started it yet, I highly recommend!!
This is Nell's book #5.
The Nell in this book has grown so much from the beginning.... I just love how she is adapting and growing....
Then there is Occam.... Oh Occam... He is becoming one of my all time favorite book boyfriends.... He is perfect for Nell.... and such a sweet, kind, protective, loving ray of sunshine.... I need to get me an Occam.
This is a must read series..... If you haven't started it yet, I highly recommend!!
halfpintreads's review
4.0
3.5 actually. Like this world and how it is growing. Glad to see all the characters and how their team is doing. Get a little bothered by some of the "churchwomen" talk. I don't have a frame of reference for these communities, so no idea if it's and actual characterization or a horrible stereotype. But it is something that hits me wrong every time.
The book also had a big ewww factor, partially me feeling nauseous when reading it but actually had to put it down and walk away at times. The description of the victims was um, vivid
The book also had a big ewww factor, partially me feeling nauseous when reading it but actually had to put it down and walk away at times. The description of the victims was um, vivid
jaskr's review
5.0
Slow burn book the romance is more of a very small side dish
Very original storyline
Touches on sensitive issues, abuse, grooming, sexual abuse, rape, cult life. But does so with tact, kindness and knowledge. It's a tough read at times but that's what makes it great, we cannot hide the ugly and hope it goes away, these books give a new perspective on other lives and helps to broaden horizons and minds abd is entertaining as hell of course.
You do not need to read the Jane Yellowrock series, despite there being many places in the books where the main characters of those books are spoken of, Faith Hunter explains as you read who they are etc. And I find that great, as I didn't find myself as engrossed in those books as I am with the Soulwood series. Not to sat they aren't brilliant and clever, because they are, but I much much much prefer Soulwood.
The main character is complex, we get to follow Nell, Ingram, on her journey to grow in life, magical powers and relationships; making me love her all the more. From the beginning of the series where Nell is closed off, untrusting of men and women, for good reason, to the latest book (book 5, 'Spells for the Dead') where she is in a serious relationship, has friends, work colleague relationships, and a better bond to her family, you can really feel abd see the progression that's taken place abd it makes me feel all all closer to the character as I was alongside her on thus journey throughout the series.
Love all the characters! Mud, the vampire tree, soulwood, the team, I can go on...
It is not a risk to try this series, you'll be rewarded from the very first chapter with action, emotion and most fun, magic!
In fact I'd go so far as to say, you'd be missing out big time by not reading these books...so get to it!
The great news is that thre will be a book 6, YAY!!
Very original storyline
Touches on sensitive issues, abuse, grooming, sexual abuse, rape, cult life. But does so with tact, kindness and knowledge. It's a tough read at times but that's what makes it great, we cannot hide the ugly and hope it goes away, these books give a new perspective on other lives and helps to broaden horizons and minds abd is entertaining as hell of course.
You do not need to read the Jane Yellowrock series, despite there being many places in the books where the main characters of those books are spoken of, Faith Hunter explains as you read who they are etc. And I find that great, as I didn't find myself as engrossed in those books as I am with the Soulwood series. Not to sat they aren't brilliant and clever, because they are, but I much much much prefer Soulwood.
The main character is complex, we get to follow Nell, Ingram, on her journey to grow in life, magical powers and relationships; making me love her all the more. From the beginning of the series where Nell is closed off, untrusting of men and women, for good reason, to the latest book (book 5, 'Spells for the Dead') where she is in a serious relationship, has friends, work colleague relationships, and a better bond to her family, you can really feel abd see the progression that's taken place abd it makes me feel all all closer to the character as I was alongside her on thus journey throughout the series.
Love all the characters! Mud, the vampire tree, soulwood, the team, I can go on...
It is not a risk to try this series, you'll be rewarded from the very first chapter with action, emotion and most fun, magic!
In fact I'd go so far as to say, you'd be missing out big time by not reading these books...so get to it!
The great news is that thre will be a book 6, YAY!!