thegreatpike27's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
lolasreviews's review
4.0
A Study in Mischief was a fun a novella that provides a bit of extra background information to the series. I wasn't quite sure where the novella was about, just grabbed it when I grabbed the first book as it was free. the author told me it chronologically took place between book 2 and 3, so that's where I decided to read it. I was delighted when I found out the novella is about how Lily and Sebastian met.
This novella is about Lily and Sebastian who are cleaning his house and they come to the topic of how they met and then we get basically go back in time an actually get to read their meeting. So the current time takes place between book 2 and 3 and the flashbacks actually before book 1. So it could serve well in both places, either as introduction to the series or read between book 2 and 3. There is one small thing that could be said to be a spoiler for something that happened in book 2, but only the result of it, you don't actually get to know what happens. And there is enough explanation that those new to series can follow the story. But I am glad I read it after book 2 as I felt like I could appreciate it more as an extra piece of background information. I already have grown to care about these tow characters a lot and going back to see how they met was a lot of fun.
his novella is a fun addition to the series, it mostly adds a bit of backstory of both characters and we get another adventure to enjoy. There is a small adventure they go on in this book and I liked reading about their initial impressions of each other. And also how those impressions slowly change. I also liked how we got to see Lily and Sebastian their personalities shine again. They are so fun to read about. We also meet a side character that I wonder if we're going to see again. So overall I would totally recommend this novella for fans of the series.
To summarize: this was a fun novella that tells the tale of how Lily and Sebastian met told through flashbacks. I really like these two characters and I liked how this novella gave some addition backstory about them both and it was just delightful seeing how they met. I would totally recommend this novella to fans of the series, but it could also serve as introduction to the series as there is only one minor spoiler in it for book 2. It gives a good taste for the series and for those who already read book 1 and 2 more of the things they've come to expect from those books.
This novella is about Lily and Sebastian who are cleaning his house and they come to the topic of how they met and then we get basically go back in time an actually get to read their meeting. So the current time takes place between book 2 and 3 and the flashbacks actually before book 1. So it could serve well in both places, either as introduction to the series or read between book 2 and 3. There is one small thing that could be said to be a spoiler for something that happened in book 2, but only the result of it, you don't actually get to know what happens. And there is enough explanation that those new to series can follow the story. But I am glad I read it after book 2 as I felt like I could appreciate it more as an extra piece of background information. I already have grown to care about these tow characters a lot and going back to see how they met was a lot of fun.
his novella is a fun addition to the series, it mostly adds a bit of backstory of both characters and we get another adventure to enjoy. There is a small adventure they go on in this book and I liked reading about their initial impressions of each other. And also how those impressions slowly change. I also liked how we got to see Lily and Sebastian their personalities shine again. They are so fun to read about. We also meet a side character that I wonder if we're going to see again. So overall I would totally recommend this novella for fans of the series.
To summarize: this was a fun novella that tells the tale of how Lily and Sebastian met told through flashbacks. I really like these two characters and I liked how this novella gave some addition backstory about them both and it was just delightful seeing how they met. I would totally recommend this novella to fans of the series, but it could also serve as introduction to the series as there is only one minor spoiler in it for book 2. It gives a good taste for the series and for those who already read book 1 and 2 more of the things they've come to expect from those books.
sumoresler's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
creativelifeofliz's review against another edition
3.0
A fun prequel that makes me curious about the rest of the series.
briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
I do love a good origin story and that's definitely what this is. It's like a combination superhero origin story and a meet-cute for a couple, though that's not what Lily and Sebastian are... yet. I also loved the way it was told through flashbacks, with different parts from different points of view. while cleaning up Sebastian's apartment. I shudder at the description of that kitchen sink. Lol.
eclaytonbennett's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
slc333's review
3.0
3.5 stars Cute, fun adventure story. Novella prequel to a series which tells the story of how organised, rule following wizard Lily and messy, carefree rule-breaking witch Sebastian meet and work together to find some missing magical books before they fall into the wrong (ie non-magical) hands.
briarrose1021's review
5.0
I do love a good origin story and that's definitely what this is. It's like a combination superhero origin story and a meet-cute for a couple, though that's not what Lily and Sebastian are... yet. I also loved the way it was told through flashbacks, with different parts from different points of view. while cleaning up Sebastian's apartment. I shudder at the description of that kitchen sink. Lol.
stephbookshine's review
5.0
*I received free copies of this novella and novel via Kevin Potter’s Magic Through the Ages event on Facebook*
I don’t know if I’ve explained yet my ‘real book’ vs ebook stance, but now seems like the perfect time (bear with me review-fans…there IS a point!). I live in a house with very little storage space, into which I have already squeezed 8 bookcases (6 for me and 2 for the children) at the expense of unnecessary frivolities like clothes and toy storage. Therefore, whilst I still love the feel and smell of both old and new ‘real’ books, I do 90% of my reading these days on my battered old first gen Kindle. It just makes logistical sense. I only buy hard copies of books that I consider ‘keepers’: ones that I know I will reread more than once.
All this to say that having received these books on e-format for free as part of a Facebook launch party for Kevin Potter’s The Fall of an Overlord, I have immediately added them to my personal hard-copy purchase list, and intend to buy the whole series, along with anything else Lydia Sherrer chooses to write. The Love, Lies and Hocus Pocus series definitely qualify for my ‘keepers’ pile!
The main reason is, of course, personal preference. I have a penchant for fantasy, but also a soft spot for well-written humour. The kind of bantery, light-hearted tone that you find in various formats with authors such as Terry Pratchett, Jim Butcher and Elizabeth Peters. Not necessarily laugh-out-loud humour, but a kind of wry sideways slant that shows you the author, characters and story aren’t taking themselves too seriously. This series has that tone to perfection.
The characters are instantly likeable: imperfect but good-humoured about it, and with a familiar chemistry to fans of working couples such as Elizabeth Peter’s Peabody and Emerson. It’s a nice touch to have the labels of witch and wizard denoting the character’s access route to their magic, rather than any sort of gender role: wizards (Lily) have innate, genetic magical abilities, whereas witches (Sebastian) have to purchase their abilities via trades and favours. I am particularly excited to learn more about this system of trading and how the fae/demons etc fit into this reality.
The novella, A Study in Mischief, has a fun structure of the story of how the friends meet told in flashback format by the characters in turn, so we get their alternating points of view, and thereby a good insight into each character with plenty of showing rather than telling. I would recommend reading it AFTER Beginnings rather than before like I did, as there are character and plot developments contained that have not yet occured in the first novel (e.g. Sir Kipling the cat’s development into a more central character).
Beginnings consists of two separate adventures, one a short story about banishing a ghost and breaking a curse, and the other a slightly longer, two-part tale about the theft of a magical artefact and a dangerous loop in time. Both narratives introduce the characters, showcase their different styles and temperaments, and whilst the individual plotlines are neatly wrapped, the reader is given some nudges towards wider mysteries (around Lily and Sebastian’s pasts and family histories) that will evidently form part of a larger plot arc throughout the series.
I am excited to see how these characters evolve, and follow their further magical adventures, and can wholeheartedly recommend these books to other fans of magic, wit and adventure. Oh, and also fans of books, cats and more books!
I don’t know if I’ve explained yet my ‘real book’ vs ebook stance, but now seems like the perfect time (bear with me review-fans…there IS a point!). I live in a house with very little storage space, into which I have already squeezed 8 bookcases (6 for me and 2 for the children) at the expense of unnecessary frivolities like clothes and toy storage. Therefore, whilst I still love the feel and smell of both old and new ‘real’ books, I do 90% of my reading these days on my battered old first gen Kindle. It just makes logistical sense. I only buy hard copies of books that I consider ‘keepers’: ones that I know I will reread more than once.
All this to say that having received these books on e-format for free as part of a Facebook launch party for Kevin Potter’s The Fall of an Overlord, I have immediately added them to my personal hard-copy purchase list, and intend to buy the whole series, along with anything else Lydia Sherrer chooses to write. The Love, Lies and Hocus Pocus series definitely qualify for my ‘keepers’ pile!
The main reason is, of course, personal preference. I have a penchant for fantasy, but also a soft spot for well-written humour. The kind of bantery, light-hearted tone that you find in various formats with authors such as Terry Pratchett, Jim Butcher and Elizabeth Peters. Not necessarily laugh-out-loud humour, but a kind of wry sideways slant that shows you the author, characters and story aren’t taking themselves too seriously. This series has that tone to perfection.
The characters are instantly likeable: imperfect but good-humoured about it, and with a familiar chemistry to fans of working couples such as Elizabeth Peter’s Peabody and Emerson. It’s a nice touch to have the labels of witch and wizard denoting the character’s access route to their magic, rather than any sort of gender role: wizards (Lily) have innate, genetic magical abilities, whereas witches (Sebastian) have to purchase their abilities via trades and favours. I am particularly excited to learn more about this system of trading and how the fae/demons etc fit into this reality.
The novella, A Study in Mischief, has a fun structure of the story of how the friends meet told in flashback format by the characters in turn, so we get their alternating points of view, and thereby a good insight into each character with plenty of showing rather than telling. I would recommend reading it AFTER Beginnings rather than before like I did, as there are character and plot developments contained that have not yet occured in the first novel (e.g. Sir Kipling the cat’s development into a more central character).
Beginnings consists of two separate adventures, one a short story about banishing a ghost and breaking a curse, and the other a slightly longer, two-part tale about the theft of a magical artefact and a dangerous loop in time. Both narratives introduce the characters, showcase their different styles and temperaments, and whilst the individual plotlines are neatly wrapped, the reader is given some nudges towards wider mysteries (around Lily and Sebastian’s pasts and family histories) that will evidently form part of a larger plot arc throughout the series.
I am excited to see how these characters evolve, and follow their further magical adventures, and can wholeheartedly recommend these books to other fans of magic, wit and adventure. Oh, and also fans of books, cats and more books!