lemonwrlds's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.5
This was the most wholesome and charming book I've read in ages. It had me giggling like a school girl and I can't wait to read more by Amber Polo. Her take on shapeshifter and werewolf lore is refreshing and entertaining.
lonelygirlislonelyagain's review
3.0
Torn on what to rate this.
On the one hand the writing and pacing was a little clunky and something someone quite young might write.
But on the other, parts of this we’re charming, clever and punny and it was good enough that I did want to finish it.
On the one hand the writing and pacing was a little clunky and something someone quite young might write.
But on the other, parts of this we’re charming, clever and punny and it was good enough that I did want to finish it.
mountie9's review
3.0
Review: A delightfully sweet simple urban fantasy story perfect for the those in the library field. This is one that will appeal to the more mature reader who doesn't enjoy too much sex or violence which is something you don't see to much in the urban fantasy genre. There is definitely a market for this type of story. There is nothing wrong with the story it just wasn't my particular cup of tea, guess I am just too jaded. The story moves quickly and the characters are quirky. My big complaint with the story that it was just too centered on the library world. The constant mentions of "Thank Dewey" and "For the love of LC" or the mentioning of actual dewey decimal classifications #'s to describe something, just became very irritating after a while. Once or twice would have been delightful and a nice sly wink to us library folk, but it was just too much of a good thing. Also I felt at time like I was being preached too about certain topics. And I know its a silly thing but the fact that all werewolves were evil book burners (ok anyone who burns books is evil) and all the dogs were good - just seemed a little too black and white for me. Again this is just based on what I like and nothing against the author. Goodness know as you can tell by this review I have absolute no real handle of the English language.
Favorite Quote
"You mean every cranky, indolent, and downright nasty person who works in a library is a werewolf? That teacher in library school who turned every concept into an equation, the student assistant who mis-shelved the most popular books on purpose, and catologers who create obscure subject headings? Bureaucrats who cut library budgets and hours? Parents who object to books containing any idea not already in their own heads?"
3 Dewey's
I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sorry Amber, have to be honest and review has nothing to do with your talent, just my particular enjoyment of the story
Favorite Quote
"You mean every cranky, indolent, and downright nasty person who works in a library is a werewolf? That teacher in library school who turned every concept into an equation, the student assistant who mis-shelved the most popular books on purpose, and catologers who create obscure subject headings? Bureaucrats who cut library budgets and hours? Parents who object to books containing any idea not already in their own heads?"
3 Dewey's
I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sorry Amber, have to be honest and review has nothing to do with your talent, just my particular enjoyment of the story
bethb3's review
2.0
The author seemed to be trying too hard with the library references and even though I am a huge fan of this genre, the story didn't draw me deep enough into it that I was willing to suspend my belief during some of the more fantastical parts. I found myself rolling my eyes and exclaiming "Really???" a lot.
Nice concept, but the execution could have been much better.
Nice concept, but the execution could have been much better.
crafalsk264's review
dark
funny
mysterious
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? No
3.25
When the Carnegie style public library burns down in Shipsfeather, OH it is temporarily relocated to the abandoned old Shipsfeather Academy. When Liberty Cutter and her staff move into the building, expecting 25 years of neglect. Instead they find a beautiful, functional building ready to receive the books rescued from the fire. She soon meets an English sheepdog who introduces himself as Chronos, the leader of a group of shapeshifters who are imprisoned by a spell in the basement floors of the building.
The shapeshifters and the human librarians join together to find the remedy to the spell and to rebuild the library collection. When threatened by a pack of werewolf shapeshifters who vow to destroy the temporary library and burn the books.
This fantasy tale is entertaining and the author has done an admiral job of inventing and populating this fantasy world. The characters are engaging. It is fast paced and the finale is suitably resolved in a classical clash of good and evil. An entertaining change of pace and I will probably read a sequel.
maggietoussaint55's review
5.0
Little is what it appears in Shipsfeather, Librarian Liberty Cutter’s hometown. The day she plans to resign from her job because she can’t take the interference from the former head librarian, her library burns. The crisis energizes Liberty. She can’t leave now. The town needs a library, and the plan is to move the salvaged materials into an abandoned estate home nearby.
Come to find out, the folks who’ve been harassing Liberty and blocking her requests at the library are shapeshifting werewolves. At the library’s new home, Liberty befriends an English sheepdog, who, you guessed it, talks. Chronus and Liberty become allies and more in the centuries-old battle between the dog and wolf shifters.
This was a fun read with lots of librarian and dog humor. Polo tells the tale very convincingly and I look forward to reading more titles in this engaging series.
Come to find out, the folks who’ve been harassing Liberty and blocking her requests at the library are shapeshifting werewolves. At the library’s new home, Liberty befriends an English sheepdog, who, you guessed it, talks. Chronus and Liberty become allies and more in the centuries-old battle between the dog and wolf shifters.
This was a fun read with lots of librarian and dog humor. Polo tells the tale very convincingly and I look forward to reading more titles in this engaging series.
jennyninnymuggins's review
3.0
Well... Its different
This was any incredibly silly book. Well written, with likeable characters, but with such a ridiculous premise I had trouble getting into it. About halfway thru the book I started thinking of it as an animated series aimed towards young adults and it became much more enjoyable. I can't say I'll be continuing with the series, but I'll give credit where credit is due - it's original.
This was any incredibly silly book. Well written, with likeable characters, but with such a ridiculous premise I had trouble getting into it. About halfway thru the book I started thinking of it as an animated series aimed towards young adults and it became much more enjoyable. I can't say I'll be continuing with the series, but I'll give credit where credit is due - it's original.
avoraciousreader68's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.
When the public library of Shipsfeather, Ohio burns down, the Library Board moves Head Librarian Liberty Cutter and her merry band of librarians to the old Shipsfeather Academy. Liberty has doubts about the building since it’s been abandoned for twenty-five years. It’s going to be horrible inside, right? Wrong. It’s gorgeous inside. It does need some basic work to make it into a library and bring it up to code, but once it’s done it’s awesome. The townspeople love it. Well, the ordinary townspeople love it. The werewolves who run the town hate it. Because in this world dog-shifters protect people and books and werewolves are greedy bastards who try to keep the public ignorant by burning books. The old crone Alpha werewolf cursed the dog-shifters and they’ve been stuck inside the Academy for all those years. But things are changing now. The old Headmaster of the Academy, Chronus, and Liberty are at the heart of the change. Will the dog-shifters finally be able to break free?
This is a sweet story about shifters and librarians. At times, the story is too simplistic for me. It’s a great concept, but the execution just falls a bit flat. However, the characters totally make up for this. They are awesome! If you want a good vs evil, sweet story that revolves around librarians then this is just the one for you. It’s an enjoyable read.
Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.
When the public library of Shipsfeather, Ohio burns down, the Library Board moves Head Librarian Liberty Cutter and her merry band of librarians to the old Shipsfeather Academy. Liberty has doubts about the building since it’s been abandoned for twenty-five years. It’s going to be horrible inside, right? Wrong. It’s gorgeous inside. It does need some basic work to make it into a library and bring it up to code, but once it’s done it’s awesome. The townspeople love it. Well, the ordinary townspeople love it. The werewolves who run the town hate it. Because in this world dog-shifters protect people and books and werewolves are greedy bastards who try to keep the public ignorant by burning books. The old crone Alpha werewolf cursed the dog-shifters and they’ve been stuck inside the Academy for all those years. But things are changing now. The old Headmaster of the Academy, Chronus, and Liberty are at the heart of the change. Will the dog-shifters finally be able to break free?
This is a sweet story about shifters and librarians. At times, the story is too simplistic for me. It’s a great concept, but the execution just falls a bit flat. However, the characters totally make up for this. They are awesome! If you want a good vs evil, sweet story that revolves around librarians then this is just the one for you. It’s an enjoyable read.
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