georgann's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bookfrogglin's review against another edition
3.0
I have stinker of a head cold and as a consequence the current brain and concentration power of Brussel sprout. I read this in a few hours between cold cures and it was the distraction I needed. If you had greater expectations than the literary equivalent of a slightly sensible and warming mass produced cardigan you would be disappointed though
josemanuel1983's review against another edition
3.0
This book promised much more than what it ended up being, as other reviewers said. I very much doubt that I will be continuing the series.
herbaceousriot's review against another edition
4.0
Nice, easy read mystery. Already started the second in the series.
samadison13's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Spoiler
Unsatisfying ending, the killer didn’t really have a compelling reason and didn’t get enough face time to understand the given motivations. Felt more like a twist for the sake of a twistmseyre13's review against another edition
4.0
First time reviewing a book, just thought I'd put that out there.
So I technically did not read this book, I listened to it on my boyfriends Audio App, while taking a long card ride south last year for Thanksgiving. It was four to five hour trip, and the book was not really that long, so we went through it in two car rides. So, as road trip entertainment, it wasn't bad.
I thought the plot was interesting, and the characters were alright, not very fleshed out, but that could be just because it's a first book in a series type problem, so I wouldn't dock points.
The story is this; Zoe Faust (okay the name is....problematic for me) is a 300+ year old alchemist from Salem, Massachusetts (uh oh), who has just moved to Portland, Oregon (or at least, Portlandia's idea of Portland, Oregon), where she plans to open a shop for her traveling antiques business, and set roots down for the first time in centuries. The only problem is a.) a century old, animated gargoyle, created and adopted by a famous French stage magician has stowed away in her stuff, and he needs her help, and b.) the contractor who she hired to help her with her fixer upper Victorian house, is found dead on her front porch, literally the day after she moves in.
Talk about bad luck. There are two plots to this, and both are connected, because some items are stolen from Zoe's house, including the one clue to helping her new roommate stay alive. The machination or magic that animated the gargoyle, is now starting to wear off, and he is turning back into a, well, an inanimate object. For him, that is about as good as dead, so Zoe decides to help him. Then there is the mystery of just who in the hell has it out for her fixer upper, and why they would leave a perfectly good contractor dead on a porch. I won't spoil it, but it wasn't who I was expected.
The mystery aspect was pretty good, the way the author wrote certain characters and their actions was subtle enough, that I was literally changing who I thought the killer could be every five seconds. Then again, I'm not much of a connoisseur of mystery, so I may just be a big dumb dumb. There were parts though, where I was genuinely on the edge of my car seat, trying to figure out the mystery. Especially in the end, when the killer is revealed, but not really. They aren't there at any point, until much later, when they are in lock up, but there is a sense of urgency, with all people involved. There were moments that were kind of hoaky, such as the dinner party scene, or the protagonists attempts at sleuthing at night, when she is physically, not able or strong enough to be up that late (there is a whole thing about her not being strong at night, because she is a plant-centric alchemist, as in she works with plants closely, so I guess she took on their traits???). I could have done without the teenagers, I really could have. The relationship with the gargoyle is nice, because he is the one being she is actually able to talk to about her true self with. The relationship with the cop needed to be built up more, but I can see the potential of the romance there. He spends most of the book suspicious of her, which she doesn't take to kindly too, but somehow at the end they work something out. It seems like he has something to hide as well, and, not gonna lie, I thought he might have been an alchemist too. Nothing is revealed yet, this is just some nerdy fan theory going on, but I had a total feeling about it. Hey, there are two books for me to read, anything could happen.
And now on to characters, mainly the protagonist. I did not entirely care for her, but I may be slightly biased, because the person they got to read that book (remember, it was an audio book) made this character sound pretentious as hell. See, Zoe is caught is a pretty strange predicament; she is a 300+ year old woman, inside the body of a 27 year old woman. Now, this could lead so some great story telling. Imagine vampire, only none of the blood lust and such. On the surface, this is the story of a woman out of time, someone who can't really connect with the wider world because of all the reasons that doesn't work, but also, imagine, what it would be like to be that age, and be treated like, your an almost 30 something year old woman. There are scenes where you kinda see that, like when she is talking to the "Town Gossip" (how there is a town gossip, in a major metropolitan area, idk), and she constantly condescends to her. Imagine that, but always.
The problem is, the voice over they got for this, just sounds like a 40 something year old woman, playing a 300 year old woman, trying to be 27. Essentially, what 40 something thinks or vaguely remembers what it was like to be 27. It's....about as confusing as what I just texted. Now obviously, the book series isn't done yet (for me at least) and voice overs are not the sole reason to hate a book, I just didn't like the voice over. The character has potential, as do the others, and I look forward to reading more, and learning more. The concept is interesting, and I'm looking forward to delving more into it. It's an Urban Fantasy, but not as heavy on the fantasy, so maybe people who don't get fantasy, could get into this book. The alchemy was interesting to read about (when things weren't being repeated, which is another issue I had, because it got a little grating after a while). It mostly reads like a cozy mystery, which was a nice change from the dark and gritty urban fantasies I have read. It followed the tropes of both genres, and somehow meshed quite well.
There is more I could say, but then I get into spoilers.
So I technically did not read this book, I listened to it on my boyfriends Audio App, while taking a long card ride south last year for Thanksgiving. It was four to five hour trip, and the book was not really that long, so we went through it in two car rides. So, as road trip entertainment, it wasn't bad.
I thought the plot was interesting, and the characters were alright, not very fleshed out, but that could be just because it's a first book in a series type problem, so I wouldn't dock points.
The story is this; Zoe Faust (okay the name is....problematic for me) is a 300+ year old alchemist from Salem, Massachusetts (uh oh), who has just moved to Portland, Oregon (or at least, Portlandia's idea of Portland, Oregon), where she plans to open a shop for her traveling antiques business, and set roots down for the first time in centuries. The only problem is a.) a century old, animated gargoyle, created and adopted by a famous French stage magician has stowed away in her stuff, and he needs her help, and b.) the contractor who she hired to help her with her fixer upper Victorian house, is found dead on her front porch, literally the day after she moves in.
Talk about bad luck. There are two plots to this, and both are connected, because some items are stolen from Zoe's house, including the one clue to helping her new roommate stay alive. The machination or magic that animated the gargoyle, is now starting to wear off, and he is turning back into a, well, an inanimate object. For him, that is about as good as dead, so Zoe decides to help him. Then there is the mystery of just who in the hell has it out for her fixer upper, and why they would leave a perfectly good contractor dead on a porch. I won't spoil it, but it wasn't who I was expected.
The mystery aspect was pretty good, the way the author wrote certain characters and their actions was subtle enough, that I was literally changing who I thought the killer could be every five seconds. Then again, I'm not much of a connoisseur of mystery, so I may just be a big dumb dumb. There were parts though, where I was genuinely on the edge of my car seat, trying to figure out the mystery. Especially in the end, when the killer is revealed, but not really. They aren't there at any point, until much later, when they are in lock up, but there is a sense of urgency, with all people involved. There were moments that were kind of hoaky, such as the dinner party scene, or the protagonists attempts at sleuthing at night, when she is physically, not able or strong enough to be up that late (there is a whole thing about her not being strong at night, because she is a plant-centric alchemist, as in she works with plants closely, so I guess she took on their traits???). I could have done without the teenagers, I really could have. The relationship with the gargoyle is nice, because he is the one being she is actually able to talk to about her true self with. The relationship with the cop needed to be built up more, but I can see the potential of the romance there. He spends most of the book suspicious of her, which she doesn't take to kindly too, but somehow at the end they work something out. It seems like he has something to hide as well, and, not gonna lie, I thought he might have been an alchemist too. Nothing is revealed yet, this is just some nerdy fan theory going on, but I had a total feeling about it. Hey, there are two books for me to read, anything could happen.
And now on to characters, mainly the protagonist. I did not entirely care for her, but I may be slightly biased, because the person they got to read that book (remember, it was an audio book) made this character sound pretentious as hell. See, Zoe is caught is a pretty strange predicament; she is a 300+ year old woman, inside the body of a 27 year old woman. Now, this could lead so some great story telling. Imagine vampire, only none of the blood lust and such. On the surface, this is the story of a woman out of time, someone who can't really connect with the wider world because of all the reasons that doesn't work, but also, imagine, what it would be like to be that age, and be treated like, your an almost 30 something year old woman. There are scenes where you kinda see that, like when she is talking to the "Town Gossip" (how there is a town gossip, in a major metropolitan area, idk), and she constantly condescends to her. Imagine that, but always.
The problem is, the voice over they got for this, just sounds like a 40 something year old woman, playing a 300 year old woman, trying to be 27. Essentially, what 40 something thinks or vaguely remembers what it was like to be 27. It's....about as confusing as what I just texted. Now obviously, the book series isn't done yet (for me at least) and voice overs are not the sole reason to hate a book, I just didn't like the voice over. The character has potential, as do the others, and I look forward to reading more, and learning more. The concept is interesting, and I'm looking forward to delving more into it. It's an Urban Fantasy, but not as heavy on the fantasy, so maybe people who don't get fantasy, could get into this book. The alchemy was interesting to read about (when things weren't being repeated, which is another issue I had, because it got a little grating after a while). It mostly reads like a cozy mystery, which was a nice change from the dark and gritty urban fantasies I have read. It followed the tropes of both genres, and somehow meshed quite well.
There is more I could say, but then I get into spoilers.
catwithbooks's review against another edition
4.25
Eine wirklich frische und amüsante Geschichte.
Man ist direkt mitten in der Geschichte.
Zoe Faust beginnt ein neues Leben in Portland. Ein Umzug von Frankreich nach Amerika ist schon Stress genug, aber hinzu kommt dann auch noch das ihr Handwerker ermordet wird und sie einen blinden Passagier in ihren Kisten hatte. Und so muss sich Zoe mit sich und ihrer Vergangenheit auseinandersetzen.
Zoe ist Alchemistin und lebt schon etwas länger, doch durch tragische Ereignisse in der Vergangenheit hat sie der Alchemie abgeschworen, aber ihr zusätzlicher Hausgast entpuppt sich als Gargoyle, die normalerweise nicht leben. Dorian wurde vor Jahrhunderten ins Leben gerufen und scheint der Einzige seiner Art zu sein. Doch er hat ein Problem weswegen er sich an Zoe wendet.
Zoe und Dorian ergeben schon ein tolles Gespann, aber dabei bleibt es nicht. Es gibt noch jede Menge andere Ortsbewohner deren Weg sie kreuzen.
Ich fand die Geschichte unterhaltsam und angenehm. Ich hatte auch keine Ahnung wer hinter den ganzen Taten steckt und warum.
Ich bin nur so durch die Geschichte gerauscht, da sie einfach angenehm war und die Charaktere vielfältig und sympathisch waren.
Ich bin schon sehr auf den nächsten Band gespannt. Denn es gibt noch ein paar offene Fragen.
Zoe, Dorian und Co sind zu empfehlen.
Man ist direkt mitten in der Geschichte.
Zoe Faust beginnt ein neues Leben in Portland. Ein Umzug von Frankreich nach Amerika ist schon Stress genug, aber hinzu kommt dann auch noch das ihr Handwerker ermordet wird und sie einen blinden Passagier in ihren Kisten hatte. Und so muss sich Zoe mit sich und ihrer Vergangenheit auseinandersetzen.
Zoe ist Alchemistin und lebt schon etwas länger, doch durch tragische Ereignisse in der Vergangenheit hat sie der Alchemie abgeschworen, aber ihr zusätzlicher Hausgast entpuppt sich als Gargoyle, die normalerweise nicht leben. Dorian wurde vor Jahrhunderten ins Leben gerufen und scheint der Einzige seiner Art zu sein. Doch er hat ein Problem weswegen er sich an Zoe wendet.
Zoe und Dorian ergeben schon ein tolles Gespann, aber dabei bleibt es nicht. Es gibt noch jede Menge andere Ortsbewohner deren Weg sie kreuzen.
Ich fand die Geschichte unterhaltsam und angenehm. Ich hatte auch keine Ahnung wer hinter den ganzen Taten steckt und warum.
Ich bin nur so durch die Geschichte gerauscht, da sie einfach angenehm war und die Charaktere vielfältig und sympathisch waren.
Ich bin schon sehr auf den nächsten Band gespannt. Denn es gibt noch ein paar offene Fragen.
Zoe, Dorian und Co sind zu empfehlen.
kitvaria_sarene's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
This is a cosy murder mystery, with a loveable gargoyle and a vegan alchemist who unintentionally kind of collects people (and said gargoyle) to take care of.
I really liked the tone and the easy friendships that are forming throughout the book. I thought especially the interactions between adults and teens, as they felt well handled and realistic! A couple of very different people slowly growing together and being there for each other.
I personally would have liked it better without the - so far very, very light - romance angle thrown in, but it was so low it didn't really bother me much.
The mystery part wasn't as engaging as the characters and the cosy vibes, but the tone and voice more than made up for it in my case. I loved the small gargoyle who loves to cook, and the teen who isn't yet sure who he is. There's a bit of banter and adventure, and it's overall just a really warm and entertaining read, despite a dead body or two along the way.
I really liked the tone and the easy friendships that are forming throughout the book. I thought especially the interactions between adults and teens, as they felt well handled and realistic! A couple of very different people slowly growing together and being there for each other.
I personally would have liked it better without the - so far very, very light - romance angle thrown in, but it was so low it didn't really bother me much.
The mystery part wasn't as engaging as the characters and the cosy vibes, but the tone and voice more than made up for it in my case. I loved the small gargoyle who loves to cook, and the teen who isn't yet sure who he is. There's a bit of banter and adventure, and it's overall just a really warm and entertaining read, despite a dead body or two along the way.
zoebooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0