mad_about_books's review
5.0
I love language. The way it is used by different writers probably explains my reading addiction. Some are given to language so beautiful the flow carries me along in worlds far from my stark reality. Others, use language sharp and modern. One is not better than the other, but they are certainly different. I thought about this while reading BURNING BRIGHT because I also realized that point of view has a lot to do with the way language is used. I'm old-school, never end a sentence with a preposition, with my own caveat that it's OK to break the rules when writing dialog.
E. J. Stevens writes from Ivy Granger's point of view, in other words, in the first person. In essence, the entire book is the dialog of all that is inside the head of the protagonist. Ivy is snarky and hip, and she lives in a modern-day world where the paranormal is everyday business as usual.
Since I started reviewing everything I read, I tend to have at least a partially critical eye open at all times. I am totally aware, at least subconsciously, of the nuances of language. It is the way English is used in a book that drives my personal rating system. If I get lost in a story, if I am entertained by a story, if I can't put the Kindle away until my eyes are so blurred that I can make neither heads nor tails of what I am reading, that book is a 5-star read.
My language thing is closely related to my 'I don't do spoilers' thing. Even though I'm into my fifth Ivy Granger read, you might not be. I hate to give anything away, especially when I'm really into the subject matter. Why do people climb mountains? Because they're there. Why do I read books? For pretty much the same reason. It's all about discovery which is something I believe you must do for yourself.
E. J. Stevens' writing is cinematic which is another big plus. She is really good at painting pictures in your mind's eye, images that would transfer well to the small screen as a series. I can see it all now… "Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective" tonight at 8:00 PM. Hey, Joss Whedon here's a book series for you to option! I would set my DVR to watch in a heartbeat.
If you are already reading the series, you will be happy to know that Ivy's circle, along with her world view, continues to expand as she deals with the life and death issues of Harborsmouth. If you're not reading the series, I highly recommend that you start with book one - SHADOW SIGHT. You won't be sorry.
E. J. Stevens writes from Ivy Granger's point of view, in other words, in the first person. In essence, the entire book is the dialog of all that is inside the head of the protagonist. Ivy is snarky and hip, and she lives in a modern-day world where the paranormal is everyday business as usual.
Since I started reviewing everything I read, I tend to have at least a partially critical eye open at all times. I am totally aware, at least subconsciously, of the nuances of language. It is the way English is used in a book that drives my personal rating system. If I get lost in a story, if I am entertained by a story, if I can't put the Kindle away until my eyes are so blurred that I can make neither heads nor tails of what I am reading, that book is a 5-star read.
My language thing is closely related to my 'I don't do spoilers' thing. Even though I'm into my fifth Ivy Granger read, you might not be. I hate to give anything away, especially when I'm really into the subject matter. Why do people climb mountains? Because they're there. Why do I read books? For pretty much the same reason. It's all about discovery which is something I believe you must do for yourself.
E. J. Stevens' writing is cinematic which is another big plus. She is really good at painting pictures in your mind's eye, images that would transfer well to the small screen as a series. I can see it all now… "Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective" tonight at 8:00 PM. Hey, Joss Whedon here's a book series for you to option! I would set my DVR to watch in a heartbeat.
If you are already reading the series, you will be happy to know that Ivy's circle, along with her world view, continues to expand as she deals with the life and death issues of Harborsmouth. If you're not reading the series, I highly recommend that you start with book one - SHADOW SIGHT. You won't be sorry.
audiobookmel's review
4.0
My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.
E.J. Stevens continues to pull us in with this wonderful world she has built in Harborsmouth. Ivy Granger is deep in the thick of things as she does her best to save the city and her friends while she proves that she is a great friend and a wonderful girlfriend.
The story starts off with Ivy’s best friend, Jinx, getting herself into a bit of trouble at the fae bar, Club Nexus. She wakes up the next morning with glowing lips all over her. Not only are these freaky, but they also seem to be draining her. Add to this issue, there are fire imps terrorizing the city.
Ivy calls in her lover Ceff, the king of the local Kelpies, to help with the fire imps, while Ivy tries to help Jinx. She has to go deal with the Green Lady who wants to call in a favor. Oh, then the vamps want to call in their favor too. Ivy’s witch friend, Kaye, seems to have disappeared, and she is desperately needed. Oh and Forneus, the demonic lawyer (which seems like an oxymoron to me, LOL), who also has a romantic interest in Jinx is trying to help solve the issue with Jinx.
In Burning Bright we got to see a lot of Ceff and Forneus. We also get to see a side of Forneus that we aren’t used to seeing. He was very caring and protective for Jinx. Jinx was out of it for most of the book, so we didn’t get to see much of her. I enjoyed the addition of Arachne, Kaye’s student witch to the story. I loved the addition of Sparky, a young demon even more. I can’t wait to see where the story goes with young Sparky. I thought he was adorable.
Poor, Ivy, she is put into some pretty tight situations in this story. Not only is she struggling with her powers, she also puts a lot on her shoulders. She pretty much tries to protect the city and takes that responsibility entirely on herself. Ivy has proven once again how great of character she is with how she continues to put the city and her friends in front of herself. If you’re looking for a urban fantasy series that is high action with a kick ass heroine, Ivy Granger is a great choice.
Narration
I haven’t listened to a lot of stories with dual narrators. The ones that I have, it featured a different narrator for each chapter. This one the male narrator speaks anytime a male is voiced or thinks. The female narrator does the rest of the narration. It took me a while to get used to this type of narration. Both narrators were good, it was just a different style that I’m not used to. By the end of the book, I was pretty used to the back and forth between the two of them without issue. I’m not sure that it is something that I prefer, but I don’t think I would say that I dislike it either. I think with these two narrators, it is something that I could become accustom to.
E.J. Stevens continues to pull us in with this wonderful world she has built in Harborsmouth. Ivy Granger is deep in the thick of things as she does her best to save the city and her friends while she proves that she is a great friend and a wonderful girlfriend.
The story starts off with Ivy’s best friend, Jinx, getting herself into a bit of trouble at the fae bar, Club Nexus. She wakes up the next morning with glowing lips all over her. Not only are these freaky, but they also seem to be draining her. Add to this issue, there are fire imps terrorizing the city.
Ivy calls in her lover Ceff, the king of the local Kelpies, to help with the fire imps, while Ivy tries to help Jinx. She has to go deal with the Green Lady who wants to call in a favor. Oh, then the vamps want to call in their favor too. Ivy’s witch friend, Kaye, seems to have disappeared, and she is desperately needed. Oh and Forneus, the demonic lawyer (which seems like an oxymoron to me, LOL), who also has a romantic interest in Jinx is trying to help solve the issue with Jinx.
In Burning Bright we got to see a lot of Ceff and Forneus. We also get to see a side of Forneus that we aren’t used to seeing. He was very caring and protective for Jinx. Jinx was out of it for most of the book, so we didn’t get to see much of her. I enjoyed the addition of Arachne, Kaye’s student witch to the story. I loved the addition of Sparky, a young demon even more. I can’t wait to see where the story goes with young Sparky. I thought he was adorable.
Poor, Ivy, she is put into some pretty tight situations in this story. Not only is she struggling with her powers, she also puts a lot on her shoulders. She pretty much tries to protect the city and takes that responsibility entirely on herself. Ivy has proven once again how great of character she is with how she continues to put the city and her friends in front of herself. If you’re looking for a urban fantasy series that is high action with a kick ass heroine, Ivy Granger is a great choice.
Narration
I haven’t listened to a lot of stories with dual narrators. The ones that I have, it featured a different narrator for each chapter. This one the male narrator speaks anytime a male is voiced or thinks. The female narrator does the rest of the narration. It took me a while to get used to this type of narration. Both narrators were good, it was just a different style that I’m not used to. By the end of the book, I was pretty used to the back and forth between the two of them without issue. I’m not sure that it is something that I prefer, but I don’t think I would say that I dislike it either. I think with these two narrators, it is something that I could become accustom to.
traditionson's review
3.0
A little predictable.
I unfortunately really struggled with this book. I found it predictable at times, which kept making it hard to really get my teeth into the book. It didn’t help that the land marking for things were so obvious and Ivy just kept noticing them then ignoring the, because ‘I am so blind’ yet continued on blind. It was frustrating. Yes helping friends is important stop making it the only thing out there! I am glad it picked up and became interesting near the end. It was a shame it took the first 2/3 of the book to do so. The series is still interesting and many of the other characters are far more compelling than the main one sadly. I will be interested to see if she can finally learn and be far less whiny.
I unfortunately really struggled with this book. I found it predictable at times, which kept making it hard to really get my teeth into the book. It didn’t help that the land marking for things were so obvious and Ivy just kept noticing them then ignoring the, because ‘I am so blind’ yet continued on blind. It was frustrating. Yes helping friends is important stop making it the only thing out there! I am glad it picked up and became interesting near the end. It was a shame it took the first 2/3 of the book to do so. The series is still interesting and many of the other characters are far more compelling than the main one sadly. I will be interested to see if she can finally learn and be far less whiny.
ayanamifaerudo's review
4.0
I love it when a pairing who gets together early in the series continues to grow and develop together and as individuals, for better or worse.
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