ebgracie77's review against another edition
5.0
Fun story. Love the living bookstore idea. Can’t wait to read more of this series.
katejeminhizer's review against another edition
5.0
I was granted an advanced reading copy of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.
This was a very enjoyable, quick read. It is very similar in style to Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore and The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: The Alchemist. An innocent young girl unknowingly gets wrapped up in a magical world where there is an ongoing war. As she accepts her new role she realizes she isn't quite as out of place as she originally thought. The prose is not necessarily eloquent but the plot is fast paced and it will keep you on your toes. Overall there isn't much text devoted to character development. I am looking forward to getting more of their backgrounds in the upcoming books of this new series. Fun read!!
This was a very enjoyable, quick read. It is very similar in style to Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore and The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: The Alchemist. An innocent young girl unknowingly gets wrapped up in a magical world where there is an ongoing war. As she accepts her new role she realizes she isn't quite as out of place as she originally thought. The prose is not necessarily eloquent but the plot is fast paced and it will keep you on your toes. Overall there isn't much text devoted to character development. I am looking forward to getting more of their backgrounds in the upcoming books of this new series. Fun read!!
dbw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
neuroqueer's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This short book is a murder mystery that occurs in a magical world hidden within our own (think Harry Potter). It has a theme of imposter syndrome.
The main character is fine. She isn't especially interesting. The other characters don't seem particularly interesting either. Some of the other characters include:
* The handsome leading man who helps our protagonist and will eventually become a love interest
* The annoying female rival who wants to usurp the lead
* The wild best friend who is horny all the time and makes the lead do things they aren't particularly comfortable with (...and is annoying)
* An authority figure who is only used when information or actions are needed to get the plot moving along
What is interesting about this book is the setting. The lead tries out for a job at a bookstore which turns out to be part of a hidden society of magical people. The bookstore and the custodian of said bookstore can conduct auguries by using the books.
This store is important as a war is occurring on two fronts: the open war involves monstrous invaders from an outside world (think Lovecraft) attacking our world. The subtle war involves two factions who were split due to bickering how to handle the war. The bookstore in this case is a neutral ground where anyone from any faction can come in and consult the bookstore oracle.
That is what makes this book interesting.
There is the main plot of a murder but the suspect is VERY obvious.
The setting was enough for me to overlook it.
It's a quick read and didn't cost much on Amazon (was 2.99 for the Kindle version). It's not groundbreaking in the least but if you want to kill a couple of hours, it's a decent choice. I'm not chomping at the bits to read the next one but whenever I'm in a mood to read something short and magical, I will probably pick up it up.
The main character is fine. She isn't especially interesting. The other characters don't seem particularly interesting either. Some of the other characters include:
* The handsome leading man who helps our protagonist and will eventually become a love interest
* The annoying female rival who wants to usurp the lead
* The wild best friend who is horny all the time and makes the lead do things they aren't particularly comfortable with (...and is annoying)
* An authority figure who is only used when information or actions are needed to get the plot moving along
What is interesting about this book is the setting. The lead tries out for a job at a bookstore which turns out to be part of a hidden society of magical people. The bookstore and the custodian of said bookstore can conduct auguries by using the books.
This store is important as a war is occurring on two fronts: the open war involves monstrous invaders from an outside world (think Lovecraft) attacking our world. The subtle war involves two factions who were split due to bickering how to handle the war. The bookstore in this case is a neutral ground where anyone from any faction can come in and consult the bookstore oracle.
That is what makes this book interesting.
There is the main plot of a murder but the suspect is VERY obvious.
The setting was enough for me to overlook it.
It's a quick read and didn't cost much on Amazon (was 2.99 for the Kindle version). It's not groundbreaking in the least but if you want to kill a couple of hours, it's a decent choice. I'm not chomping at the bits to read the next one but whenever I'm in a mood to read something short and magical, I will probably pick up it up.
ladytook's review against another edition
4.0
I was definitely curious about this one. I have read most of McShane’s books by now and I absolutely adore them, so her first urban fantasy? Count me in! And this book doesn’t disappoint I mean it’s set in a magical bookstore that tells the future, it doesn’t get better than this, except wait there are monsters from sort-of another dimension attacking and there’s a war going on!!!!! I know it might sound confusing, but it is absolutely amazing! I also really liked Helena, I mean she made lists! Lists! Lists are definitely awesome and definitely make life better! All in all, I really enjoyed it and am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series! (also lowkey shipping Helena and Campbell, loved the growth of their relationship and I need more of them being amazing together next book please)
*i received a copy of this book, but all opinions are my own
*i received a copy of this book, but all opinions are my own
davidreyno's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An enjoyable fantasy murder mystery set in a normal Portland Oregon (so a secret magical world overlaid on "normal" earth). Not quite as clever as the Invisible Library, but much less world building for those that are not into high fantasy or heavy sci fi, and clever enough.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
A very good fantasy that kept me hooked till the end. It is well written, with interesting characters and an unusual plot that entertains.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Curiosity Quills Press and Netgalley
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Curiosity Quills Press and Netgalley
krisrid's review against another edition
5.0
First, let's get this out of the way - "magical bookstore". Those two words alone pretty much guaranteed I would read, and like this book, and I did. But this turned out to be different than I was expecting, still, I really enjoyed it, and look forward to continuing with this series!
I was anticipating a paranormal story, and I certainly got that. But this book was much more complex and multi-layered than some other paranormal stories I've read. The author really has envisioned and created a fully-formed world for this story/series, and while I had to pay attention and fully digest all the small details provided about the bookstore and the world Helena is dropped into without warning.
I really connected to Helena and liked her. Despite being a real fish out of water, she rises to the occasion and does her best. She is a wonderful main character and I look forward to getting to know her better in future books.
The supporting characters are also interesting and well-written, even the ones we're not supposed to like. This is a cast with lots of potential.
The magical bookstore? Well, that's just basically my heaven, and my only beef is that *I* don't get to be the custodian of Abernathy's. Other than that, this was just an amazing read, and I can't wait to continue with this series, which I anticipate will be a favourite!!!
I was anticipating a paranormal story, and I certainly got that. But this book was much more complex and multi-layered than some other paranormal stories I've read. The author really has envisioned and created a fully-formed world for this story/series, and while I had to pay attention and fully digest all the small details provided about the bookstore and the world Helena is dropped into without warning.
I really connected to Helena and liked her. Despite being a real fish out of water, she rises to the occasion and does her best. She is a wonderful main character and I look forward to getting to know her better in future books.
The supporting characters are also interesting and well-written, even the ones we're not supposed to like. This is a cast with lots of potential.
The magical bookstore? Well, that's just basically my heaven, and my only beef is that *I* don't get to be the custodian of Abernathy's. Other than that, this was just an amazing read, and I can't wait to continue with this series, which I anticipate will be a favourite!!!
ellenwilberg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder