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quiet_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
bickleyhouse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I had been seeing this book for quite some time at my library, and finally checked it out. James J. Butcher appears to be a "chip off the old block." He seems to have inherited his father's talent and is running with it. He writes, so far, in a similar genre, but with some differences.
Our "hero" (more like anti-hero) is one Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby (what kind of sense of humor did his parents have??), a more-or-less failed witch. But that's not where the tale begins. It begins with a retired guy, Leslie Mayflower, being called upon to investigate a crime scene, one in which one of the most powerful witches in the Department of Unorthodox Affairs had been brutally murdered. It is found that she wrote a message with her own blood, as she died. Mayflower figured out the message before the Department people did, and ascertained that it said "Kill Grimsby."
It is after that that we are introduced to the unfortunate Grimsby, the failed witch who was performing cheap magic shows for children at Mighty Magic Donald's Food Kingdom. Mayflower tracks him down first, and things get crazy from there on out. It's a fast-paced story that doesn't really slow down from there.
For me, this is very close to a five-star read, in spite of what some other reviews said. I found James's humor to be similar to his father's, but lighter, in some ways. The single thing, though, that kept me from giving it five stars was the whininess of the protagonist. Grimsby is simply far too whiny. There are many times where I felt like he could have stood up for himself at least a little bit. He finally does, but, in my opinion, way too late. I just feel like the whiny nature of the character was far too emphasized and annoying.
I liked Mayflower quite a bit, and I also liked one of the "Auditors," called Rayne. Auditors are a sort of officer of the Department.
The story has a satisfactory ending, and I do look forward to continuing in the series, as the second book is already out, and in place on our new book shelf at the library. I think that fans of the Dresden Files will enjoy this.
Our "hero" (more like anti-hero) is one Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby (what kind of sense of humor did his parents have??), a more-or-less failed witch. But that's not where the tale begins. It begins with a retired guy, Leslie Mayflower, being called upon to investigate a crime scene, one in which one of the most powerful witches in the Department of Unorthodox Affairs had been brutally murdered. It is found that she wrote a message with her own blood, as she died. Mayflower figured out the message before the Department people did, and ascertained that it said "Kill Grimsby."
It is after that that we are introduced to the unfortunate Grimsby, the failed witch who was performing cheap magic shows for children at Mighty Magic Donald's Food Kingdom. Mayflower tracks him down first, and things get crazy from there on out. It's a fast-paced story that doesn't really slow down from there.
For me, this is very close to a five-star read, in spite of what some other reviews said. I found James's humor to be similar to his father's, but lighter, in some ways. The single thing, though, that kept me from giving it five stars was the whininess of the protagonist. Grimsby is simply far too whiny. There are many times where I felt like he could have stood up for himself at least a little bit. He finally does, but, in my opinion, way too late. I just feel like the whiny nature of the character was far too emphasized and annoying.
I liked Mayflower quite a bit, and I also liked one of the "Auditors," called Rayne. Auditors are a sort of officer of the Department.
The story has a satisfactory ending, and I do look forward to continuing in the series, as the second book is already out, and in place on our new book shelf at the library. I think that fans of the Dresden Files will enjoy this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was a promising start to a series. I liked all of the major characters, and the world was interesting. I would have liked to see more of the cat familiar. I was hoping it would go home with Grimsby or Mayflower. It's kind of sad if it's left all alone.
I was glad to see that so far at least Butcher has avoided Grimsby being the specialist Unorathdox that ever lived and so far he really has a limited repertoire of spells, though he does get a lot of use out of them.
I was glad to see that so far at least Butcher has avoided Grimsby being the specialist Unorathdox that ever lived and so far he really has a limited repertoire of spells, though he does get a lot of use out of them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
nikzzz3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism
lizgriffinwords's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A really engaging and enjoyable debut! The names are memorable, too! Heartily looking forward to the next installment of the Mayflower and Grimsby magical buddy cop show!
My *only* two complaints were 1) that the female characters were either dead, shrews, or succubi 🙄; and 2) there were noticeably frequent similes, sometimes every sentence. “Like this” and “like that”. I likely noticed it more prominently due to reading via the audiobook (which was well done!)
My *only* two complaints were 1) that the female characters were either dead, shrews, or succubi 🙄; and 2) there were noticeably frequent similes, sometimes every sentence. “Like this” and “like that”. I likely noticed it more prominently due to reading via the audiobook (which was well done!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gun violence and Blood