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es_reading_corner's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kevinmccarrick's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jeep8read's review
3.0
Lighthearted romance I picked to relieve the stress of reading The Nickle Boys. It helped.
This is a quick, uncomplicated mystery with a good witch as the heroine and the Arthurian legend as the backdrop.
This is a quick, uncomplicated mystery with a good witch as the heroine and the Arthurian legend as the backdrop.
whitney0498's review
5.0
I have been provided with a copy of One Dark and Stormy Knight by the author for an impartial review. This is the first book in the brand-new The Avalon Café series and it was just a great way to start off a new series. I just absolutely fell in love with this new world and new characters. I just couldn’t get enough of this world and it’s characters. I was sad to turn the last page. I can’t wait to see what happens next with this series.
berls's review
4.0
I am very glad I picked up this series! The combination of history, mystery, and magic is the perfect blend - it pleases this formerly-medieval historian's heart to spend a little time with Arthurian legend combined with a modern setting.
Gwen is a fantastic character - I love the way she honestly dislikes people and wants to do small petty things, but then feels guilty because she was raised to be a good person and does the right thing despite that desire. It makes her such a real person for me, but also a good one. We all have those moments where we just want to be small and petty, right? Her goodness extends beyond not doing harm - she genuinely wants to help and do good for others. And she takes risks to do so. So yeah, I like her a lot.
I also enjoyed her good friend, Imogen, who also happens to be the police inspector. She's smart, strong, loyal, and takes her duty very seriously. I look forward to seeing her grow over the series. And then there's Arthur - we don't know him too well yet, but I like what I've seen. I'm excited to see how he manages in 21st century England and how he wins Gwen's heart.
The mystery was satisfying and I liked the role of magic in Gwen's solving of things, alongside good sleuth work. There's several interesting characters to explore in the series, both magcial and antagonistic, not to mention Merlin her supernatural dog companion.
I have to say, I had read a note that this series uses British English and, when combined with the narration, that was all the more pointed. It was VERY BRITISH - that might be a problem for some readers. For me, it was a treat and I absolutely loved the feeling that I was literally in England. So yeah I adored the narration and will definitely continue listening to the series.
Gwen is a fantastic character - I love the way she honestly dislikes people and wants to do small petty things, but then feels guilty because she was raised to be a good person and does the right thing despite that desire. It makes her such a real person for me, but also a good one. We all have those moments where we just want to be small and petty, right? Her goodness extends beyond not doing harm - she genuinely wants to help and do good for others. And she takes risks to do so. So yeah, I like her a lot.
I also enjoyed her good friend, Imogen, who also happens to be the police inspector. She's smart, strong, loyal, and takes her duty very seriously. I look forward to seeing her grow over the series. And then there's Arthur - we don't know him too well yet, but I like what I've seen. I'm excited to see how he manages in 21st century England and how he wins Gwen's heart.
The mystery was satisfying and I liked the role of magic in Gwen's solving of things, alongside good sleuth work. There's several interesting characters to explore in the series, both magcial and antagonistic, not to mention Merlin her supernatural dog companion.
I have to say, I had read a note that this series uses British English and, when combined with the narration, that was all the more pointed. It was VERY BRITISH - that might be a problem for some readers. For me, it was a treat and I absolutely loved the feeling that I was literally in England. So yeah I adored the narration and will definitely continue listening to the series.
casseyt's review
4.0
Just the right mix of paranormal and cozy mystery with a dash of romance. As the first book in a series it hits the right mix of world building, character introductions and general I could really get to like these people and wonder about the side characters for later reads.
It's an easy and light read, so something that I needed right now.
*I'm a lucky fish and on the author's ARC team*
It's an easy and light read, so something that I needed right now.
*I'm a lucky fish and on the author's ARC team*
tawnyad2004's review
5.0
Content: clean, very little romance
Cozy mysteries are not my go-to read. I usually just find them ok. This book was a complete surprise to me. Someone suggested it and I though why not. I absolutely loved it. Honestly I was a little weary with the King Arthur angel but that was probably one of my favorite parts. Even though he was a main character in the story we don’t actually physically see a ton of him. What little we do showed the kind of man the author wrote him as. Smart, witty, loyal, loving, kind. I seriously cannot wait to read more about him in the next book.
Then there was Gwen. She’s a witch who hasn’t quite grown into her powers yet. She has such a good soul, feeling grief even for those who wronged her. It was a sweet love story filled with a good mystery that wasn’t obvious. Highly impressed with this book and am excited to read more by this author.
Cozy mysteries are not my go-to read. I usually just find them ok. This book was a complete surprise to me. Someone suggested it and I though why not. I absolutely loved it. Honestly I was a little weary with the King Arthur angel but that was probably one of my favorite parts. Even though he was a main character in the story we don’t actually physically see a ton of him. What little we do showed the kind of man the author wrote him as. Smart, witty, loyal, loving, kind. I seriously cannot wait to read more about him in the next book.
Then there was Gwen. She’s a witch who hasn’t quite grown into her powers yet. She has such a good soul, feeling grief even for those who wronged her. It was a sweet love story filled with a good mystery that wasn’t obvious. Highly impressed with this book and am excited to read more by this author.
nina90's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0