redhairedashreads's review
4.0
4 stars - It was really good
After reading the Not Dead Yet series I instantly jumped into reading this series because I loved Evan’s character in the previous series. This series takes place about five years after the events in the Not Dead Yet series and Evan is now a full fledged Private Investigator and working with Hudson and Wes. When Hudson and Wes have to go to London to take care of Hudson’s brother, Evan is told to avoid paranormal cases but when his witch therapist and friend ask for help he can’t say no.
Like the previous series, I was instantly sucked into this story. Evan is not as humorous as Wes was in the previous series, but still was a wonderful narrator. While Evan does have a handle on his depression we do see moments where it flares and Evan is struggling. I really appreciate that Burke didn’t magically cure Evan of his depression because that’s not how it works so it was great seeing accurate representation of depression.
Evan and Colin’s was an emotional and rocky one. Colin is struggling with the circumstances, his feelings, and the changing world. There are a few rocky moments between Evan and Colin in the beginning but we are seeing a pretty strong start for this couple that I am sure will grow to an unbreakable bond by the end of the series.
Overall, this was a great start to a series. I am really loving Evan and Colin’s story so far. My only real complaint was that they didn’t ask for help from Wes and that they kept answering phones when they knew it would be a problem but it still was a wonderful story and a great case. I can’t wait to see what happens next for these two.
CW: Evan was kicked out as a teenager when he came out as gay and after his boyfriend cheated on him he struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts; Depression flair ups; periodic grief over the death of a partner; suicide of a side character; tertiary character shoots themselves in the head on page;
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, Death, and Deportation
garbutch's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I think I just inevitably feel this way about spin-offs because it feels like a knockoff of the original series. But also, the audiobook narrator just didn't feel like Evan to me which really bothered me.
There was some other stuff that I feel like didn't work quite right but I think it's the standard white-writer-writing-POC-characters thing - specifically switching a Chinese surname for a Vietnamese surname in an alias. I'm also white myself so this isn't my expertise, it's just something I knew off the top of my head and noticed while reading. When I fact checked before typing this though, the internet did say that Pham is sometimes a Chinese-population-in-Vietnam surname though, so I don't know if my initial impression is legit anyway.
There was some other stuff that I feel like didn't work quite right but I think it's the standard white-writer-writing-POC-characters thing - specifically switching a Chinese surname for a Vietnamese surname in an alias. I'm also white myself so this isn't my expertise, it's just something I knew off the top of my head and noticed while reading. When I fact checked before typing this though, the internet did say that Pham is sometimes a Chinese-population-in-Vietnam surname though, so I don't know if my initial impression is legit anyway.
lolasreviews's review
4.0
I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
All Fired Up is the first book in the Ashes and Dust series. This is a spin-off series of the Not Dead Yet series. All Fired Up follows the point of view of Evan, who was an important side character in the Not Yet Dead series. I was excited to dive into this new series and it has the perfect mix of familiar with fresh.
It's great returning to the familiar world and characters, but it also feels fresh with Evan now being the main characters, new side characters and a new paranormal mystery.
It took me a bit of time to get into the story, not quite sure why. Evan is a bit older than the last time we saw him and has changed a bit, but is still the same person. I like how he is quite different from Wes, the main characters from the previous series. There are also characters we see more of now than in the first series or see a different side of now. I would recommend to pick up the Not Yet Dead series first just so you know a bit of the background and know the characters, but besides that this one can be read as a standalone.
All Fired Up is a great start to this new series. While Wes and Hudson are away visiting a relative, Evan gets pulled into a new paranormal mystery. Someone is draining paranormals of their magic and he is determined to find out who is behind it. It starts with a bit of undercover investigating and there's quite the twist, before it settles into trying to find out more about the culprit and how to catch them. The mystery has a wrap up in a sense, but also feels like the start of more, which makes me look forward to the next book.
I liked Evan in the previous series and I am glad he gets his own story. He's kind and helpful and I like how much he cares about his newfound made family. He has been through a lot and this book touches upon some of his mental health struggles. It was handled well and while it doesn't take the foreground, it's also clear this is something he will always struggle with.
The romance is still a very tentative start, but so far I like it. Colin is a great person and I liked Colin and Evan together. I look forward to seeing how their relationship progresses over the course of the series. Colin has his own struggles and has been through some big things as well. They both have their own struggles to deal with and I liked how they slowly start to lean a bit on the other and get comfort form the other. The slow build up felt fitting given what they're both dealing with.
To summarize: This was a great start to this new series. It's a spin-off from the Not Dead Yet series, but follows a character who was previously a side character, while the main couple from the previous series is more on the sidelines. I liked spending more time in this world and with these characters and this book felt both fresh and familiar. There is a paranormal mystery that Evan has to solve and some bad things are going down. I like Evan as main character and the slowly blossoming romance between him and Colin is great to see. While this book has a satisfying ending it leaves a lot of questions open and sets the stage for book 2, making me curious to see what happens next.
All Fired Up is the first book in the Ashes and Dust series. This is a spin-off series of the Not Dead Yet series. All Fired Up follows the point of view of Evan, who was an important side character in the Not Yet Dead series. I was excited to dive into this new series and it has the perfect mix of familiar with fresh.
It's great returning to the familiar world and characters, but it also feels fresh with Evan now being the main characters, new side characters and a new paranormal mystery.
It took me a bit of time to get into the story, not quite sure why. Evan is a bit older than the last time we saw him and has changed a bit, but is still the same person. I like how he is quite different from Wes, the main characters from the previous series. There are also characters we see more of now than in the first series or see a different side of now. I would recommend to pick up the Not Yet Dead series first just so you know a bit of the background and know the characters, but besides that this one can be read as a standalone.
All Fired Up is a great start to this new series. While Wes and Hudson are away visiting a relative, Evan gets pulled into a new paranormal mystery. Someone is draining paranormals of their magic and he is determined to find out who is behind it. It starts with a bit of undercover investigating and there's quite the twist, before it settles into trying to find out more about the culprit and how to catch them. The mystery has a wrap up in a sense, but also feels like the start of more, which makes me look forward to the next book.
I liked Evan in the previous series and I am glad he gets his own story. He's kind and helpful and I like how much he cares about his newfound made family. He has been through a lot and this book touches upon some of his mental health struggles. It was handled well and while it doesn't take the foreground, it's also clear this is something he will always struggle with.
The romance is still a very tentative start, but so far I like it. Colin is a great person and I liked Colin and Evan together. I look forward to seeing how their relationship progresses over the course of the series. Colin has his own struggles and has been through some big things as well. They both have their own struggles to deal with and I liked how they slowly start to lean a bit on the other and get comfort form the other. The slow build up felt fitting given what they're both dealing with.
To summarize: This was a great start to this new series. It's a spin-off from the Not Dead Yet series, but follows a character who was previously a side character, while the main couple from the previous series is more on the sidelines. I liked spending more time in this world and with these characters and this book felt both fresh and familiar. There is a paranormal mystery that Evan has to solve and some bad things are going down. I like Evan as main character and the slowly blossoming romance between him and Colin is great to see. While this book has a satisfying ending it leaves a lot of questions open and sets the stage for book 2, making me curious to see what happens next.
___tamara___'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
It took me a long time to read this only because I was reading it in the middle of a long-ass book slump. I already love the characters and the setting from the Not Dead Yet series, and the mystery was interesting, but I was so very not in the mood for reading so my enjoyment was half of what it should have been. Rating it 4 stars because it's not the book's fault I'm in a slump and I'm pretty sure it would have been a 4 stars read out of slump.
ilyarozanov123's review
3.0
I was SO excited about this spin-off series because I love Not Dead Yet so much, and yeah, being back in this universe again was like revisiting old friends. Except, unfortunately, that I was a bit underwhelmed by it which saddens me greatly.
What I liked:
- The single person POV (my favorite).
- Seeing all the characters again (especially Wes and Hudson).
- The humor.
- The diversity.
- Evan, who really deserved his own book like this.
- Colin. He was a likable character too and seems like he’ll fit right in with the rest of the gang.
What I didn’t like:
- How Wes and Hudson were barely in the book and this could all have been resolved much quicker if they had been, but Evan wouldn’t involve them for stupid reasons.
- There was very little in terms of a love story or romance here; what I adore so much about the original series is that the love story was present (and lovely!) through all of it.
- The book dragged a bit in the beginning and then ended way too quickly. In fact, it ended practically mid-chapter, without much resolution at all.
- Lexi’s douchebag moment near the end. WTF?
So in the end, my overall impression was “underwhelmed”. That’s not to say I’m not looking forward to the next book, because I definitely am. I just hope things will pick up in there.
What I liked:
- The single person POV (my favorite).
- Seeing all the characters again (especially Wes and Hudson).
- The humor.
- The diversity.
- Evan, who really deserved his own book like this.
- Colin. He was a likable character too and seems like he’ll fit right in with the rest of the gang.
What I didn’t like:
- How Wes and Hudson were barely in the book and this could all have been resolved much quicker if they had been, but Evan wouldn’t involve them for stupid reasons.
- There was very little in terms of a love story or romance here; what I adore so much about the original series is that the love story was present (and lovely!) through all of it.
- The book dragged a bit in the beginning and then ended way too quickly. In fact, it ended practically mid-chapter, without much resolution at all.
- Lexi’s douchebag moment near the end. WTF?
So in the end, my overall impression was “underwhelmed”. That’s not to say I’m not looking forward to the next book, because I definitely am. I just hope things will pick up in there.
janetted's review
4.0
I absolutely loved Evan Fournier in Jenn Burke’s Not Dead Yet series, so I’m thrilled he’s getting his own series! This first installment is everything I could hope for in a spinoff, complete with all the paranormal action and personal drama.
What I wasn’t 100% prepared for, however, was the metric ton of emotion this story would elicit, because apparently I’m still not done crying over Iskander’s death and the promise of a future he and Evan would share being so cruelly yanked away. Although I know he’s gone, experiencing those feelings of love, loss and grief through Evan’s eyes was heart wrenching. I’m happy that he’s getting a chance to move on - to find happiness - with Colin. I can’t wait to see how their connection continues to grow as their relationship develops.
What I wasn’t 100% prepared for, however, was the metric ton of emotion this story would elicit, because apparently I’m still not done crying over Iskander’s death and the promise of a future he and Evan would share being so cruelly yanked away. Although I know he’s gone, experiencing those feelings of love, loss and grief through Evan’s eyes was heart wrenching. I’m happy that he’s getting a chance to move on - to find happiness - with Colin. I can’t wait to see how their connection continues to grow as their relationship develops.
mirocchi's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
isalaur's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
I read this book when it first came out, so a while before listening to the audio. The story is the first in a spin off series from the Not Dead Yet series. Some of the story elements bothered me in the reading and were enhanced as bothersome in hearing the story read to me. Some character inconsistencies and some things that just didn’t work or were unbelievable.
In addition, narration just didn’t work for me. The voices were not as I envisioned them (that’s a me problem) but they also were inconsistent and easily confused I found. Additionally, I’m not sure what kind of editing was done but there are quite a few errors. Words mispronounced, pauses where there shouldn’t be pauses, inappropriate inflections etc. Quite often it struck me like the narrator was recording this on a first read through and not keeping up with what was happening with the story. It wasn’t horrible it just distracted me and that takes away from my enjoyment of a book. It’s always a cardinal sun for me.
mommasaystoread's review
3.0
I knew that All Fired Up was a spin-off of Jenn Burke's Not Dead Yet Series, which I haven't read, so I expected there to be some crossover that I may not catch. What I didn't expect was the need to figure out the backstory of this world. I wasn't completely lost, but I did have enough questions that it took me a bit to really get into this one. I do like the premise of this story and the way Burke handles the bond between Evan and Colin. Basically, if you like forced proximity romance, you'll probably enjoy this one. These two do have good chemistry, and they're likable characters, so it's easy to root for them. This is the beginning of the spin-off series, and there is a continuing story, so don't expect everything to be tied up in a neat little package because there are things you'll have to wait for. It is an intriguing world, and I think I would've been more invested if I'd read the series that started it all, which I just may do while waiting for book 2.
evybird's review
3.0
I tried really hard to like this, but unfortunately I guess I'm still salty over Iskander in the last series lol.
But ok being serious, I also just got annoyed by various plot things that were too obviously just convenience for the sake of making the story work, rather than actually making sense for the characters:
-. The entire end of the book only happens because Evan does this stupid thing that personally, felt too stupid to me to be in character. It only happened for the plot.
-
Obviously if Wes had arrived it would've messed everything up, solving everything easily and making the story about him instead of Evan. So he couldn't come help. But the rationale for not calling him to help made no sense, and was clearly just because "we can't have Wes around in this novel"
- Finally..... Evan takes way to long to try this when it was obviously the thing to do from the very beginning, and obvious that that's what would fix things. But no, we need to have a story, so he couldn't be smart too quickly.
tldr: Evan is stupid way too often here, to motivate the plot, and it made him seem very out of character and was very frustrating.
But ok being serious, I also just got annoyed by various plot things that were too obviously just convenience for the sake of making the story work, rather than actually making sense for the characters:
-
Spoiler
People are being controlled over the phone, so WHY WOULD YOU ANSWER THE PHONE!!!!-
Spoiler
Not calling Wes for help at any point in the book??? When things were dire and someone's life was at stake? Colin literally kidnapped?Obviously if Wes had arrived it would've messed everything up, solving everything easily and making the story about him instead of Evan. So he couldn't come help. But the rationale for not calling him to help made no sense, and was clearly just because "we can't have Wes around in this novel"
- Finally.....
Spoiler
You have a magic bond binding you to someone..... and that person gets kidnapped..... You have tons of magical friends who meditate to access their magic.... Wouldn't your first action be meditating to try to see if you can feel the person you're bonded to across the bond???????????tldr: Evan is stupid way too often here, to motivate the plot, and it made him seem very out of character and was very frustrating.