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marget_orange's review
5.0
Enjoyable
Enjoyable, it is a good prequel, and explains something things I had been wondering about as I read the previously published works in this series.
Enjoyable, it is a good prequel, and explains something things I had been wondering about as I read the previously published works in this series.
vitskapsdama's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
shell132001's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marilanoire's review
5.0
I read this one at the end of the series but it was good nonetheless. Next time I read this book first :)
see_sadie_read's review
4.0
3.5
Note: I read/listened to this series while traveling, so I didn't have access to review each individually. So, this is a review for books .5-6.
I’ve read several of Buroker’s books by now and enjoyed them all. The Death Before Dragons series is no exception. I really liked Val and her sarcasm, especially when she bantered with Willard. I loved that she was over 40, even if the fact that she didn’t look it kind of made it only half as satisfying as it would be to have a 40yo heroine who looked her age too. I adored that Val was biologically a mother, but not maternal or raising her child. This is a reality authors very rarely allow female characters, especially ones we’re supposed to like. I appreciate the diversity of the cast. And each of the books wrapped up nicely, which I prefer over an overarching plot where you have to read the whole series to get any conclusive satisfaction. All in all, I would be happy to continue the series.
I did have a few complaints. Some of the humor was over the top silly at times. There was a running joke about the shoes the hero wore and if they made him look gay or not, which trod a little too close to a gay joke for my taste (pun intended). This was somewhat mitigated by a loved and important gay character (who wasn’t cliched). But it shouldn’t be a tit for tat situation. Similarly, Val’s refusal to learn to pronounce the dragons’ names was a sign of rebellion, but it also reminded me a lot of Westerners who can learn to pronounce Dostoevsky but not names from the African continent. Uncomfortably close to a problem, close enough to recognize, but not quite there.
Lastly, I liked Zav and appreciated him as a love interest, but I never truly felt the passion. There was only one sex scene and it was fade to black, so I suppose passion wasn’t the point. But I might have liked to feel the love more strongly.
I stopped at book six because that’s the last the library had. But if I came across book 7 I’d happily read it. But I’m not sad to have a break here either.
Note: I read/listened to this series while traveling, so I didn't have access to review each individually. So, this is a review for books .5-6.
I’ve read several of Buroker’s books by now and enjoyed them all. The Death Before Dragons series is no exception. I really liked Val and her sarcasm, especially when she bantered with Willard. I loved that she was over 40, even if the fact that she didn’t look it kind of made it only half as satisfying as it would be to have a 40yo heroine who looked her age too. I adored that Val was biologically a mother, but not maternal or raising her child. This is a reality authors very rarely allow female characters, especially ones we’re supposed to like. I appreciate the diversity of the cast. And each of the books wrapped up nicely, which I prefer over an overarching plot where you have to read the whole series to get any conclusive satisfaction. All in all, I would be happy to continue the series.
I did have a few complaints. Some of the humor was over the top silly at times. There was a running joke about the shoes the hero wore and if they made him look gay or not, which trod a little too close to a gay joke for my taste (pun intended). This was somewhat mitigated by a loved and important gay character (who wasn’t cliched). But it shouldn’t be a tit for tat situation. Similarly, Val’s refusal to learn to pronounce the dragons’ names was a sign of rebellion, but it also reminded me a lot of Westerners who can learn to pronounce Dostoevsky but not names from the African continent. Uncomfortably close to a problem, close enough to recognize, but not quite there.
Lastly, I liked Zav and appreciated him as a love interest, but I never truly felt the passion. There was only one sex scene and it was fade to black, so I suppose passion wasn’t the point. But I might have liked to feel the love more strongly.
I stopped at book six because that’s the last the library had. But if I came across book 7 I’d happily read it. But I’m not sad to have a break here either.
owlsreads's review
4.0
Mist and Magic was a quick and fun read! The prequel did a really really good job at setting up Val's character, a big part of her background, and what fuels her. I also loooooved the world-building regarding the tigers and am very much looking forward to seeing how that develops in the series.
neilsef's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Having already read the first book in this series I was acquainted with Val and Willard so it was enjoyable to learn the circumstance under which they first met each other.
This story is darker and more grittier than the first book but it still contains that underlying vein of humour which is one of the things I enjoy about the characters in Lindsay's novels.
Totally compelling read.
This story is darker and more grittier than the first book but it still contains that underlying vein of humour which is one of the things I enjoy about the characters in Lindsay's novels.
Totally compelling read.
nancyotoole's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Long ago, Val Thorvald learned that living the life of an assassin meant that people she cared about will be put in danger. When a former lover goes missing, she’ll need to depend on her smarts, skills and make new alliances in order to get to the bottom of the mystery. Which just happens to involve a magical tiger cub.
Mist and Magic is pretty much everything you’d want out of a prequel novella. It provides a glimpse at a younger Val, shows are how important friendships were first forged, as well as gives you a taste of what the Death Before Dragon books always provide. The action is top-notch, the humor is spot on, and the story even digs a bit into Val’s loneliness, an important element of the series.
I had an absolute blast reading Mists and Magic and would happily recommend it to fans of the Death Before Dragons series, and newcomers as well.
Mist and Magic is pretty much everything you’d want out of a prequel novella. It provides a glimpse at a younger Val, shows are how important friendships were first forged, as well as gives you a taste of what the Death Before Dragon books always provide. The action is top-notch, the humor is spot on, and the story even digs a bit into Val’s loneliness, an important element of the series.
I had an absolute blast reading Mists and Magic and would happily recommend it to fans of the Death Before Dragons series, and newcomers as well.
jslcbb's review
5.0
Very good
This was my first book by this author. I am very glad I read it. Value is awesomely snarky and a complete bada**. My favorite things in a lead char8. I will definitely read the next book.
This was my first book by this author. I am very glad I read it. Value is awesomely snarky and a complete bada**. My favorite things in a lead char8. I will definitely read the next book.