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debwendler's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
yodamom's review
2.0
Quit at 34% ! The Main character was unbelievable, with the personality whiplash of a toddler. There is mention of Jewish culture/beliefs with no explanation or tie in leaving me out of the story. The dialog was not that of a 40 year old professional, f bombs dropped without need. Silly inner dialogs we that just made m we wan to to skim. That 34% felt like 500 pages. It was time to jump ship
tessisreading2's review
3.0
Enjoyable but unremarkable; I'll definitely continue with the series, although as someone of approximately the same age as the heroine I'm a little annoyed at the constant references to perimenopause and midlife crisis.
mmichellemoore's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
On paper this should have been great but I don’t like it as much as the Jezebel files. Sadness, I was really hoping I’d like the series with the older protagonist Ava she’s even a librarian
elbow1227's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really enjoyed this book. I don't really read women's fiction, but this book was really enjoyable. I expected more romance, but that's probably just a me thing. The story was very interesting, and the magic system was fascinating. The characters were very dynamic, and I wish I got to spend more time with these characters within the story. This book also gave me similar vibes to Cupcakes, Trinkets, and other Deadly Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge, but that might be just because I read them so close together.
dawn_marie's review against another edition
1.0
Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde was a bit of a mixed bag. Although there were many aspects of the story that I thought were great fun, I had enough issues with the novel that detracted from my overall enjoyment.
The novel follows Miriam (Miri) Feldman, a 42-year old divorcée who spent the last 30 years repressing her magical abilities until they manifest/reappear after a particularly harrowing experience. At the same time, her best friend disappears under mysterious circumstances and Miri decides to use her newly reawakened magical abilities to find her.
I liked the fact that Miri appears to be a relatively well adjusted woman, with a job she enjoys, solid friendships, a happy teenage daughter, and has a great relationship with her ex-husband. The narrative makes mention of the fact that Miri has attended counseling sessions to deal with her divorce, a refreshing change from the typical "bitter divorcée" that seem prevalent in so many of these midlife paranormal stories. I just wish she wasn't so stupid . . . she always does the exact opposite of what she's supposed to do/what's she asked to do . . and she tells a joke and it's all fine?
I really appreciate the use of Jewish mysticism as the base for the magic system of Ms. Wilde's universe (which happens to be modern day Vancouver) and I thought Miri's magical ability was particularly interesting. The rest of the universe is filled with your typical paranormal creatures; shifters, vampires, magic wielders, gargoyles, and a golem.
Where the story falls down is in character development, that is to say there wasn't any beyond "sexy French wolf", "artistic best friend", "determined protagonist", "mysterious head of magical organization", "helpful shopkeeper" and so on. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, nor did I actively dislike them. At best I felt ambivalent toward them and wasn't especially invested in their fates.
The writing was just . . . weird. While I enjoy humor in my stories and like a witty, sassy protagonist who isn't afraid to let the sarcasm fly, I do find it grating when every character feels the need to use sarcasm or make wisecracks/tell jokes . . . no matter the situation. Attacked by a stranger . . . let fly a few wisecracks; cornered by a werewolf . . . .sarcasm to the rescue; trapped by a vampire . . . use jokes to save yourself. Since every characters had their humor/sarcasm dialed up to 11, all of it fell flat. Additionally, there were numerous grade school level "yuck-yuck, wink-wink" sex jokes (for lack of a better word) - you know the kind, "Oh, you said 'oral . . . Hee hee hee" - that really made the story feel quite immature.
The novel could have used a stronger editor - or perhaps another rewrite. There were skips and jumps in the writing that really interrupted the narrative (i.e., Character A has Character B pinned against a wall while Character C asks questions; in the very next sentence Character A is now mopping the floor and Character C is still asking questions of Character B).
While there were fun and unique aspects of Throwing Shade the one-note, dialed up to 11 sarcasm and weird (sometimes immature) writing really detracted from my overall enjoyment of the novel.
The novel follows Miriam (Miri) Feldman, a 42-year old divorcée who spent the last 30 years repressing her magical abilities until they manifest/reappear after a particularly harrowing experience. At the same time, her best friend disappears under mysterious circumstances and Miri decides to use her newly reawakened magical abilities to find her.
I liked the fact that Miri appears to be a relatively well adjusted woman, with a job she enjoys, solid friendships, a happy teenage daughter, and has a great relationship with her ex-husband. The narrative makes mention of the fact that Miri has attended counseling sessions to deal with her divorce, a refreshing change from the typical "bitter divorcée" that seem prevalent in so many of these midlife paranormal stories. I just wish she wasn't so stupid . . . she always does the exact opposite of what she's supposed to do/what's she asked to do . . and she tells a joke and it's all fine?
I really appreciate the use of Jewish mysticism as the base for the magic system of Ms. Wilde's universe (which happens to be modern day Vancouver) and I thought Miri's magical ability was particularly interesting. The rest of the universe is filled with your typical paranormal creatures; shifters, vampires, magic wielders, gargoyles, and a golem.
Where the story falls down is in character development, that is to say there wasn't any beyond "sexy French wolf", "artistic best friend", "determined protagonist", "mysterious head of magical organization", "helpful shopkeeper" and so on. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, nor did I actively dislike them. At best I felt ambivalent toward them and wasn't especially invested in their fates.
The writing was just . . . weird. While I enjoy humor in my stories and like a witty, sassy protagonist who isn't afraid to let the sarcasm fly, I do find it grating when every character feels the need to use sarcasm or make wisecracks/tell jokes . . . no matter the situation. Attacked by a stranger . . . let fly a few wisecracks; cornered by a werewolf . . . .sarcasm to the rescue; trapped by a vampire . . . use jokes to save yourself. Since every characters had their humor/sarcasm dialed up to 11, all of it fell flat. Additionally, there were numerous grade school level "yuck-yuck, wink-wink" sex jokes (for lack of a better word) - you know the kind, "Oh, you said 'oral . . . Hee hee hee" - that really made the story feel quite immature.
The novel could have used a stronger editor - or perhaps another rewrite. There were skips and jumps in the writing that really interrupted the narrative (i.e., Character A has Character B pinned against a wall while Character C asks questions; in the very next sentence Character A is now mopping the floor and Character C is still asking questions of Character B).
While there were fun and unique aspects of Throwing Shade the one-note, dialed up to 11 sarcasm and weird (sometimes immature) writing really detracted from my overall enjoyment of the novel.
smithsj123's review
5.0
This is a fabulous new series with so much potential, I can’t wait to read more. This first book was full of excitement and adventure, whilst we get to know the characters and their backgrounds and the challenges they face.
The book was full of action and intrigue and just the right amount of tension, both in the storyline and between the characters, friends, family, exes, rivals and potentially those that could be more than friends.
A really great start to what looks like it will be a fantastic new series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
The book was full of action and intrigue and just the right amount of tension, both in the storyline and between the characters, friends, family, exes, rivals and potentially those that could be more than friends.
A really great start to what looks like it will be a fantastic new series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
arnoldad1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
teresajluvs2read's review
5.0
** I received a copy of Throwing Shade from Xpresso Book Tours and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way,**
Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde is the first book in her Magic After Midlife series. Ms Wilde is a new author to me so I have to say this was a rather intriguing book with a fantasy theme. So we had witches, vampires, werewolves, Golem and of course Miriam who's a Banim Shovavim (IE: very magical). I admit I had to look a lot of the terms up but that's what gives this book it's pizzazz. This book is very good and I give it 4.8 Stars. Plus who wouldn't love Miri's snarky "I'm a woman in my forties who's remembered how powerful she can be"
Miriam Feldman has hit the mid-life age of 40 and when she finds out her BFF Judith has gone missing the quest to find her will take her to a hidden magical world within Vancouver, BC. She'll enlist a grumpy french werewolf Laurent. She'll also have to keep her magic cloaked from her ex-husband Eli and teen daughter Sadie. I loved Tatiana, Ava and even grumpy Emmet who loses his leg but still kick arse when he needs to defend himself.
I look forward to the next book and the adventures of Miri and Laurent because there's a definite story waiting to be told there.
Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde is the first book in her Magic After Midlife series. Ms Wilde is a new author to me so I have to say this was a rather intriguing book with a fantasy theme. So we had witches, vampires, werewolves, Golem and of course Miriam who's a Banim Shovavim (IE: very magical). I admit I had to look a lot of the terms up but that's what gives this book it's pizzazz. This book is very good and I give it 4.8 Stars. Plus who wouldn't love Miri's snarky "I'm a woman in my forties who's remembered how powerful she can be"
Miriam Feldman has hit the mid-life age of 40 and when she finds out her BFF Judith has gone missing the quest to find her will take her to a hidden magical world within Vancouver, BC. She'll enlist a grumpy french werewolf Laurent. She'll also have to keep her magic cloaked from her ex-husband Eli and teen daughter Sadie. I loved Tatiana, Ava and even grumpy Emmet who loses his leg but still kick arse when he needs to defend himself.
I look forward to the next book and the adventures of Miri and Laurent because there's a definite story waiting to be told there.
msbups's review
1.0
DNF barely started! Dialogue is trite and forced. The author is trying far too hard to be cute every line of the book. Nope, I'm not wasting my time on this.