maggymags's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I very seldom give a low score on books I have finished. I am a Kerry Greenwood fan. LOVED the Miss Phrynne Fisher series from book one. But, I did not like Corinna, or Daniel, or Meroe, or Goss or Jason or any character for that matter. Maybe this was not the right book to kick off the series for me. Too many characters and none left a lasting impression. It was well written, and not a bad read all in all, but to be honest, I struggled to finish this book. I will not bother continuing with this series at this time, too many other books on my TBR pile waiting. For me this just was a cosy "a day in the life of...." book.
mayakittenreads's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
riverdogbookco's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
oanh_1's review
3.0
Oops, looks like I started with the third in the series. It was hard to tell via the ebook library I borrowed from (excuses, excuses).
Enjoyed this, and intend to make the soup recipe at the end (except, why rail against my beloved lentil only to include a lentil soup recipe?)
Corinna is fun, although this all felt a little too wink, wink, I'm so clever with my cross-cultural references. I did enjoy the cast of characters and how warm and good-hearted, but still individual and eccentric they all are. The mystery itself was a bit 'meh'; so much potential darkness only to be solved with sugary sweetness?
Kerry Greenwood is, however, a deft writer, and I know I'll read more when in the right mood: for something light, enjoyable and engaging.
Enjoyed this, and intend to make the soup recipe at the end (except, why rail against my beloved lentil only to include a lentil soup recipe?)
Corinna is fun, although this all felt a little too wink, wink, I'm so clever with my cross-cultural references. I did enjoy the cast of characters and how warm and good-hearted, but still individual and eccentric they all are. The mystery itself was a bit 'meh'; so much potential darkness only to be solved with sugary sweetness?
Kerry Greenwood is, however, a deft writer, and I know I'll read more when in the right mood: for something light, enjoyable and engaging.
sharnibee's review
3.0
I procrastinated reading this, carried it around for a week and hardly read a word and then finally got stuck into it - and devoured it! Corinne’s parents make an appearance and the lovely community that reside inside the apartments in Insula, rally around to solve several mysteries and to care for young Jason when he falls ill. It’s an ode to kindness.
shelleyrae's review
3.0
More of Corinna's and Jason's background is revealed in this book. Insula is conveniently full of unusual characters who could be considered marginalised, an overweight woman, a male couple, an ex junkie, a witch etc and a theme explored is how the residents of Insula have created their own family despite their differences.
What I liked best about Devil's Food is how Corinna recovered her self esteem in the face of her negligent parents and fanatical fat haters. It is rare to find a "heroine" who does not bemoan her hair/nose/rear at some point, and even rarer still to have a main character of generous proportions who is not trying to lose weight, lonely or unloved.
Corinna and friends tackle several mysteries - a weight loss concoction that poisoned Goss and Kylie, smuggled herbs, the secrets of the mysterious "Brothers" and Corinna's missing father roaming Melbournes streets.
I still find that the formal language can sometimes be a bit off putting, it slows the pace for me and seems incongruous from a 30 something woman in contemporary Australia, but still Devils Food is a good read.
What I liked best about Devil's Food is how Corinna recovered her self esteem in the face of her negligent parents and fanatical fat haters. It is rare to find a "heroine" who does not bemoan her hair/nose/rear at some point, and even rarer still to have a main character of generous proportions who is not trying to lose weight, lonely or unloved.
Corinna and friends tackle several mysteries - a weight loss concoction that poisoned Goss and Kylie, smuggled herbs, the secrets of the mysterious "Brothers" and Corinna's missing father roaming Melbournes streets.
I still find that the formal language can sometimes be a bit off putting, it slows the pace for me and seems incongruous from a 30 something woman in contemporary Australia, but still Devils Food is a good read.
dumblydore's review
2.0
Glad I didn't buy this book as I rather struggled to finish this. Possibly because I didn't particularly warm to Corinna's first person perspective this time round. Yeah she's on the rotund side, has a lot of lovely, regal cats, and the most dreamy mysterious boyfriend, BUT I don't need to know about this after every second sentence!
So, that self-indulgent annoyance aside, it's the supporting characters in all their clichéd colour that make the story just a tad more than tolerable. Oh, and the scary life that is the Melbourne CBD. Much love.
So, that self-indulgent annoyance aside, it's the supporting characters in all their clichéd colour that make the story just a tad more than tolerable. Oh, and the scary life that is the Melbourne CBD. Much love.
verityw's review
4.0
Clever and fun, perhaps not as much fun as the first couple in the series - less focused and a bit more scatty than the others. I did enjoy finding out more about Corinna though and the last of characters continues to expand in interesting ways.