meimpink's review against another edition
5.0
This book blew me away. The first half of the book was honestly maybe only 3.5-4 stars, with interesting superpowers, a cool world set-up, and some odd, not superbly-written characters thrown in. But the last half of the book, when Beth , was fantastically engaging and fun. The description of the setting and how Beth navigates it were spot-on. She wasn't perfect, but she had some good survival instincts, and there were some frightening what-will-happen scenes. I loved the mystery that Ghosteater brings to the table, the maybe magic-cop/procedural parts I can see part of this turning into, and also the potential for otherworldly awesomeness.
Spoiler
goes through the portalrachelreadwhat's review against another edition
4.0
Written well, with an interesting (if not unique) concept. Beth Ryder, a small town girl with a debilitating panic disorder, accidentally discovers a world colluding with our own (in which I suspect she'll play a large role.)
The good points: 1- the author attempts to explain this second mysterious world with science, instead of writing it off with magic; 2- Beth tries to make things happen, instead of waiting for them to happen to her; 3- the story moves along at a fast pace and keeps you interested.
The bad points: 1- the "science" is kind of dodgy and not explained very well (but really, we're not all evolutionary biologists and chemists, so I'm kind of alright with that); 2- I don't think I completely follow Beth's decision-making process; 3- there are tons and tons of loose ends. In regards to this third point - I'm sure there are sequels forth-coming, but I've been wondering about the mouse from early in the book, and the octopuses (octopi?) and I'm completely left in the dark about these random plot devices.
Anyway, definitely worth the free kindle download, and I may just be inspired to read the sequel when it comes out.
The good points: 1- the author attempts to explain this second mysterious world with science, instead of writing it off with magic; 2- Beth tries to make things happen, instead of waiting for them to happen to her; 3- the story moves along at a fast pace and keeps you interested.
The bad points: 1- the "science" is kind of dodgy and not explained very well (but really, we're not all evolutionary biologists and chemists, so I'm kind of alright with that); 2- I don't think I completely follow Beth's decision-making process; 3- there are tons and tons of loose ends. In regards to this third point - I'm sure there are sequels forth-coming, but I've been wondering about the mouse from early in the book, and the octopuses (octopi?) and I'm completely left in the dark about these random plot devices.
Anyway, definitely worth the free kindle download, and I may just be inspired to read the sequel when it comes out.
nikkim17's review against another edition
3.0
Very different
But in a good way. I've never read anything like this before, and perhaps that's why it was hard to picture and understand some things. I don't know if was just my head that couldn't grasp what the author was writing or what, but overall I did like it and finished it fairly quick. A few typos here and there but nothing crazy. I don't think I'm going to continue the series but I definitely don't regret reading it either. Interesting read.
But in a good way. I've never read anything like this before, and perhaps that's why it was hard to picture and understand some things. I don't know if was just my head that couldn't grasp what the author was writing or what, but overall I did like it and finished it fairly quick. A few typos here and there but nothing crazy. I don't think I'm going to continue the series but I definitely don't regret reading it either. Interesting read.
sangloup's review against another edition
5.0
Extra Book #30...not for the EBN Challenge.
Beth is special but she has not idea what that really means and really doesn't want to be special. This was a great story setting up the series. Other bekings living amongst us and a few rare people can see them. Some are harmless....and some aren't.
Beth is special but she has not idea what that really means and really doesn't want to be special. This was a great story setting up the series. Other bekings living amongst us and a few rare people can see them. Some are harmless....and some aren't.
madetofly's review against another edition
1.0
TW: rape
This was another one of the books that was in the Gods and Mortals anthology that I downloaded for free. It's also the one I remember the least about, and I hardly wrote any notes while reading (which I typically do to help me write reviews later). Interpret that how you will, but because of that, I'll try to keep this brief and just run through what I did make note of.
One of the things I do remember about this book was that it felt like the author had brought out a thesaurus to throw in some fancy-sounding words. These big words didn't sound natural and took me out of the story. It was one of those scenarios were it felt like the book was trying too hard to sound smart.
The book contains statutory rape, with one character describing how he raped a fifteen year old. His actions are even described as statutory rape on the page, but he does not care. I've re-read that passage for this review, and it's really disgusting how it's handled. And the rapist in question isn't a villain in the story either; it's one of the love interests who did it.
In fact, all of the men in this book are complete creeps who you want to yell at Beth (the main character) to stay away from, not kiss.
Overall, what I remember most about this book is how terrible the guys were and how confused I was by the whole thing. It's good to have suspense, of course, and leave readers wondering what happens next, but I was just baffled by the whole thing. I'd feel uncomfortable recommending this to anyone.
This was another one of the books that was in the Gods and Mortals anthology that I downloaded for free. It's also the one I remember the least about, and I hardly wrote any notes while reading (which I typically do to help me write reviews later). Interpret that how you will, but because of that, I'll try to keep this brief and just run through what I did make note of.
One of the things I do remember about this book was that it felt like the author had brought out a thesaurus to throw in some fancy-sounding words. These big words didn't sound natural and took me out of the story. It was one of those scenarios were it felt like the book was trying too hard to sound smart.
The book contains statutory rape, with one character describing how he raped a fifteen year old. His actions are even described as statutory rape on the page, but he does not care. I've re-read that passage for this review, and it's really disgusting how it's handled. And the rapist in question isn't a villain in the story either; it's one of the love interests who did it.
In fact, all of the men in this book are complete creeps who you want to yell at Beth (the main character) to stay away from, not kiss.
Overall, what I remember most about this book is how terrible the guys were and how confused I was by the whole thing. It's good to have suspense, of course, and leave readers wondering what happens next, but I was just baffled by the whole thing. I'd feel uncomfortable recommending this to anyone.
rayne's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I liked the book - I just got a bit lost I the descriptions or vagueness of descriptions - I’m still a bit unsure. I followed along mostly but it took so long for the story to move along from Beth’s panic attacks. I felt the story stalled from about 1/4 in until 3/4. This just felt a bit overdone. Once the story started moving again I was caught back into the world and things clicked a bit more. I’m still not totally clear on what some of the characters looked like but I did like Ghosteater and Kara. If I come across book 2 - I may check it out just to find out the result of the slight cliffhanger. Maybe.
I liked the book - I just got a bit lost I the descriptions or vagueness of descriptions - I’m still a bit unsure. I followed along mostly but it took so long for the story to move along from Beth’s panic attacks. I felt the story stalled from about 1/4 in until 3/4. This just felt a bit overdone. Once the story started moving again I was caught back into the world and things clicked a bit more. I’m still not totally clear on what some of the characters looked like but I did like Ghosteater and Kara. If I come across book 2 - I may check it out just to find out the result of the slight cliffhanger. Maybe.
caroline_carnivorous's review against another edition
4.0
What struck me first about this book was that I liked it because it seemed more "adult" than the previous books in the Paranormal 13 Set.
It is an interesting world, and doesn't seem too "crazy and unbelievable", if you know what I mean.
There's lots of things happening in the book, but not so much that you can't keep up.
It is an interesting world, and doesn't seem too "crazy and unbelievable", if you know what I mean.
There's lots of things happening in the book, but not so much that you can't keep up.