jodyladuemcgrath's review
3.0
This book actually seems to tell two stories. One story is about Alyssa and Logan. They are "runners" or cat burglars. They are quite elite. I really enjoyed this part of the book. They had a great comradeship that made you want to read more about them. They were complete polar opposites which played up perfectly to so many things that could have happened. They had a great twist ending that I didn't see coming and it can be really good in follow up books. If the author would have spent more time with this part of the book instead of making it a little repetitive and making their runs so easy, the book could have been a 5 star book.
The other story was with Alyssa, Tristan and Seraphina. They are all elves and there is suppose to be this amazing chemistry between them. Tristan is her ex and she is suppose to be all gaga over him still, but I felt nothing. He was a cardboard cutout character who really had no role in the book whatsoever. Alyssa and Seraphina were suppose to have so much instant chemistry between them it cause literal sparks. I am glad the author wrote the sparks in there because I felt nothing. The big reveal in this storyline, which was the major part of the story, was so obvious, it made me want to slap Alyssa for being so stupid.
I gave the book 3 stars in hopes that future books center around Alyssa and Logan. That is where the chemistry actually is.
*I requested this book from Netgalley and have given an honest and unbiased review *
The other story was with Alyssa, Tristan and Seraphina. They are all elves and there is suppose to be this amazing chemistry between them. Tristan is her ex and she is suppose to be all gaga over him still, but I felt nothing. He was a cardboard cutout character who really had no role in the book whatsoever. Alyssa and Seraphina were suppose to have so much instant chemistry between them it cause literal sparks. I am glad the author wrote the sparks in there because I felt nothing. The big reveal in this storyline, which was the major part of the story, was so obvious, it made me want to slap Alyssa for being so stupid.
I gave the book 3 stars in hopes that future books center around Alyssa and Logan. That is where the chemistry actually is.
*I requested this book from Netgalley and have given an honest and unbiased review *
shh_reading85's review
4.0
I received this eBook from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Please visit me at Shh, I am Reading for more reviews!
This was a wonderful blend of fantasy, myth and future. I love anything Fae, even though Alyssa is actually an elf. Close enough.
The elves have made themselves known to the human world and live side by side with them. Some favour the human world and have embraced the tech.
I loved that Alyssa lived double lives. First life was owning a storefront selling relics of the past and her second job is as a cat burglar. With her elf abilities, she was on a fast track to becoming one of the best. At least until she is put up against Logan who teaches her a few things.
When Logan was introduced, I was worried this was going to become one of those stereotypical new adult novel insta-love but the fact that Alyssa had no interest in Logan beyond working with him, that completely derailed all of that.
There was romance and I enjoyed that Alyssa toyed with the idea of either giving her ex another try or go for this sensual lady, Seraphina. She ended up picking Seraphina and the romance was quite evident without it taking over the whole story. I appreciate when authors do not turn their female leads into gooey pots of melted marshmallows when there is love involved.
This is a fun story full of twists, turns, elves and fantastical assassins. I definitely recommend this to any urban fantasy readers.
Please visit me at Shh, I am Reading for more reviews!
This was a wonderful blend of fantasy, myth and future. I love anything Fae, even though Alyssa is actually an elf. Close enough.
The elves have made themselves known to the human world and live side by side with them. Some favour the human world and have embraced the tech.
I loved that Alyssa lived double lives. First life was owning a storefront selling relics of the past and her second job is as a cat burglar. With her elf abilities, she was on a fast track to becoming one of the best. At least until she is put up against Logan who teaches her a few things.
When Logan was introduced, I was worried this was going to become one of those stereotypical new adult novel insta-love but the fact that Alyssa had no interest in Logan beyond working with him, that completely derailed all of that.
There was romance and I enjoyed that Alyssa toyed with the idea of either giving her ex another try or go for this sensual lady, Seraphina. She ended up picking Seraphina and the romance was quite evident without it taking over the whole story. I appreciate when authors do not turn their female leads into gooey pots of melted marshmallows when there is love involved.
Spoiler
It's just too bad that Seraphina duped Alyssa.This is a fun story full of twists, turns, elves and fantastical assassins. I definitely recommend this to any urban fantasy readers.
crofteereader's review
4.0
This was a fun romp - a little bit sci-fi/dystopia, a little bit fantasy/faerie tale, a little bit adventure/espionage. Unfortunately, I called the bad guy from first introduction (even though it's supposed to be a surprise). I also appreciated the normalcy of queer/same-sex relationships, particularly when the protagonist is directly involved.
Madsen's strength seems to be in action sequences and movement. The breaking-and-entering (using both magic and technology) was intense and believable within universe. It also had a really nice rhythm and solid pacing.
I could have used more character background for everyone but Alyssa. The people she surrounds herself with -even the primary supporting character Logan - didn't have a whole lot of depth or any real definition outside of a relationship with Alyssa.
The ending was also a little hard to believe. A stubborn protagonist just kind of... lets her antagonist get away? Without even trying outside of the climactic confrontation? I understand this is the first in a series, so I'm hoping for more of our antagonist in the future.
**This book was gifted to me by a relative of the author. All opinions are my own**
Madsen's strength seems to be in action sequences and movement. The breaking-and-entering (using both magic and technology) was intense and believable within universe. It also had a really nice rhythm and solid pacing.
I could have used more character background for everyone but Alyssa. The people she surrounds herself with -even the primary supporting character Logan - didn't have a whole lot of depth or any real definition outside of a relationship with Alyssa.
The ending was also a little hard to believe. A stubborn protagonist just kind of... lets her antagonist get away? Without even trying outside of the climactic confrontation? I understand this is the first in a series, so I'm hoping for more of our antagonist in the future.
**This book was gifted to me by a relative of the author. All opinions are my own**
bract4813mypacksnet's review
5.0
Weaver’s Folly is the first of a new paranormal series by Sarah Madsen and introduces elf Alyssa D’Yaragen who works as a freelance thief. She is an elf weaver and can perform magic, though she can’t handle technology without shorting out her brain. There are potential love triangles in the making: Alyssa and her hot new lover, Seraphina, plus another thief, Logan Turner; the second is Alyssa, Turner and Alyssa’s old beau, Tristan.
When mystical beings (trolls, etc) begin hunting Alyssa, she knows something is up. Her feelings are confirmed by a seer, Jeremiah, who sees doors opening, some of which should remain closed.
Set in the near-future in Atlanta, magic and technology exist side-by-side. Weaver’s Folly is exciting and full of twists and turns. This is an innovative blend of worlds with a strong original heroine.
As part of a series, the original plot is completed, but there’s enough of a cliff-hanger to urge readers to buy the next book.
When mystical beings (trolls, etc) begin hunting Alyssa, she knows something is up. Her feelings are confirmed by a seer, Jeremiah, who sees doors opening, some of which should remain closed.
Set in the near-future in Atlanta, magic and technology exist side-by-side. Weaver’s Folly is exciting and full of twists and turns. This is an innovative blend of worlds with a strong original heroine.
As part of a series, the original plot is completed, but there’s enough of a cliff-hanger to urge readers to buy the next book.
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