milkshakevoid's review
3.0
A booktuber mentioned that they picked it up for free on Amazon, so I did the same expecting something not that great. I honestly didn't think it would be something I'd wind up finishing, since I'm really ungodly picky about voice and writing style, but I'm happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this.
This is a bit of a rare gem in the world of adult(sort of new?) paranormal fiction. It seems like it's impossible to find a middle ground between supermegafoxyawesomehot vampires/werewolves and honest to god scary monsters who used to be human. This book is that beautiful place in between where no one (almost) is drop dread gorgeous, the main character is not drooling, and is also not at everyone's mercy (although she thinks she is sometimes.) I really enjoyed the main character basically not trusting any of the other supernatural people even though she was a witch, and actively protecting herself against them. I definitely got a few laughs out of this.
That being said, the ending was pretty obvious from the get go. At about the 28% mark (according to my kindle app) I knew what was going on. I did enjoy the ride though, so props to the author for that, and she did almost convince me that I was wrong for a few pages in there. Ultimately though, the story did suffer from some odd pacing, where some bits dragged, and others could have been expanded. Also, Even though the characters were entertaining, I didn't really have a great connection to them, so I won't be continuing on with the series. While I can and did appreciate that there wasn't a poorly done romantic (=sex) plot line in there, I think that one of my problems with continuing on with the series is the lack of developed characters to be had. If Jade (FMC) had a romantic interest brewing, provided that it was well done, I probably would have continued. If she had a real relationship with her sister, I would have continued. If she had a edgy, not friendly/truce type relationship with either the vampire, or one of the werewolves, then I would have continued. But the desire to know who her father is, and what happened after the end of the novel, just isn't enough when there's no hint or promise of her life. Entertaining as she was, Jade just can't carry another novel by herself, and Joe the lawyer certainly isn't going to do it for me. (side note, I hated that ending.) Unfortunately, while she's independent and funny, Jade doesn't feel very human because she doesn't connect to people. She doesn't have a best friend, or a real sibling bond, or a partner waiting in the wings for her to bounce off of or clash with.
Simply put, there's no fire here.
I enjoyed this enough to recommend it to those looking for a taste of paranormal/urban fantasy that doesn't leave you rolling your eyes every five minutes. While I won't continue, I did enjoy this story enough to not cross the author off any future to read lists. I'll just wait until the next series.
This is a bit of a rare gem in the world of adult(sort of new?) paranormal fiction. It seems like it's impossible to find a middle ground between supermegafoxyawesomehot vampires/werewolves and honest to god scary monsters who used to be human. This book is that beautiful place in between where no one (almost) is drop dread gorgeous, the main character is not drooling, and is also not at everyone's mercy (although she thinks she is sometimes.) I really enjoyed the main character basically not trusting any of the other supernatural people even though she was a witch, and actively protecting herself against them. I definitely got a few laughs out of this.
That being said, the ending was pretty obvious from the get go. At about the 28% mark (according to my kindle app) I knew what was going on. I did enjoy the ride though, so props to the author for that, and she did almost convince me that I was wrong for a few pages in there. Ultimately though, the story did suffer from some odd pacing, where some bits dragged, and others could have been expanded. Also, Even though the characters were entertaining, I didn't really have a great connection to them, so I won't be continuing on with the series. While I can and did appreciate that there wasn't a poorly done romantic (=sex) plot line in there, I think that one of my problems with continuing on with the series is the lack of developed characters to be had. If Jade (FMC) had a romantic interest brewing, provided that it was well done, I probably would have continued. If she had a real relationship with her sister, I would have continued. If she had a edgy, not friendly/truce type relationship with either the vampire, or one of the werewolves, then I would have continued. But the desire to know who her father is, and what happened after the end of the novel, just isn't enough when there's no hint or promise of her life. Entertaining as she was, Jade just can't carry another novel by herself, and Joe the lawyer certainly isn't going to do it for me. (side note, I hated that ending.) Unfortunately, while she's independent and funny, Jade doesn't feel very human because she doesn't connect to people. She doesn't have a best friend, or a real sibling bond, or a partner waiting in the wings for her to bounce off of or clash with.
Simply put, there's no fire here.
I enjoyed this enough to recommend it to those looking for a taste of paranormal/urban fantasy that doesn't leave you rolling your eyes every five minutes. While I won't continue, I did enjoy this story enough to not cross the author off any future to read lists. I'll just wait until the next series.
pixie_j2001's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
misssweetsally's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cmm9200'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? It's complicated
4.0
historia's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
libraryshifter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annaclaire's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookwyrm_kate's review
3.0
3.5 Stars. A lot of stuff that shouldn't work in this book just...does. A lot of stuff that would normally bug me...didn't. Not the highest of praise, but it's saying a lot.
I enjoyed this world, I enjoyed the slow uncovering of the main character's magic, and I felt real loss, despite the brevity of certain characters' introductions. Also, I want to wear trinkets now :)
I'll be reading more in this series.
I enjoyed this world, I enjoyed the slow uncovering of the main character's magic, and I felt real loss, despite the brevity of certain characters' introductions. Also, I want to wear trinkets now :)
I'll be reading more in this series.
msellay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0