ancillary_reader's review against another edition
3.0
A fun mystery romance with a small kick of paranormal. I'll be picking up the next book in the series.
ingypingy2000's review against another edition
4.0
Very cute and sweet. An easy read with characters you can't help but root for.
reesiereads's review against another edition
4.0
I liked how Venetia's visuals of auras had a film negative-like quality to them. I thought it tied in well with her photography skills. I loved Edward, the little brother, and Amelia, her younger sister. I felt that the romance between the two main characters was a little abrupt and filled with silly misunderstandings that could have been prevented if they'd just communicated, but I was rooting for them because they seemed made for one another. Will continue the series.
miahutchinsonshaw's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
taffy_sea's review against another edition
3.0
A satisfying paranormal historical romance. It gets so much right— the tension (aka near impossibility) of female independence in Victorian England; the interesting and impeccably researched details of early photography; the spunky, clever heroine and swoony hero who walks the line between affable and alpha; the unique psychic abilities that stand out from other paranormal reads; the intermittent chuckle-out-loud quips and scenes; the hilariously goofy plot of the heroine posing as the widow of the hero— complete with an absurdly dramatic explanation for his death— only for him to come back to life and throw a wrench in the works; all this plus pretty good sex scenes and a decent mystery/adventure.
Oh, and I love that she sets out to seduce him.
Oh, and I love that she sets out to seduce him.
rclz's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in the Arcane Society series. It was written by Jayne Ann Krentz but under the name of Amanda quick. A very fun book and not one I would have thought I would like. This first one takes place in the Victorian age but I enjoyed it anyway. Good plot, good main and secondary characters and a good mystery. I'll read the rest I'm sure. I liked the characters so well I'm sorry they aren't the same all the way through the books. They are very fun.
hallieg's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
4.75
julianaphilippa's review against another edition
I'm normally a huge Amanda Quick fan, so am used to - and enjoy - her style and characters. For some reason, I couldn't get into this book. We start 5 days into the hero and heroine's meeting and at that point they've both somewhat fallen for one another and want to have an "illicit affair." We're not privy to how any of that went down though, because we skipped it all!
They start their affair, Venetia has be rushed away because thieves are breaking in, a week later she reads in the paper that Gabriel has died, and while she's a little upset and goes upstairs for a little cry, doesn't really seem that affected.
And the whole relationship just starts so quickly - we skip over stages 1 through whatever and are brought in halfway through, so I felt left out of the loop, cheated, and unable to join in the adventure.
Returning it to the library unfinished, sadly :-(.
They start their affair, Venetia has be rushed away because thieves are breaking in, a week later she reads in the paper that Gabriel has died, and while she's a little upset and goes upstairs for a little cry, doesn't really seem that affected.
And the whole relationship just starts so quickly - we skip over stages 1 through whatever and are brought in halfway through, so I felt left out of the loop, cheated, and unable to join in the adventure.
Returning it to the library unfinished, sadly :-(.