leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - a nice ending to this series. Less about the pie shop and pies and more about the magic, or loss of it. The families are tested by another source of magic. Her and Hugh are brought back together and test their love.
manal_osmally's review against another edition
2.0
I feel like a (wo)man on a mission with this series.... don't get me wrong I enjoyed it through and through, but I might happen to have some points here and there...
This a review for the series as a one go, since the series is finished, I hated to judge them book by book
Ms. Ellery managed once again to portrait a woman on fire, a role model, and a dreamer.
Pros
- The SISTERS, I don't need to say more, heck there's nothing more to be said
- I don't like the male representation in this book, However the Characters are polished to a glimmer.
- the books were standing on the fine line between mystical fiction and cozy mystery. they even for time (book 3&4) leaned toward the mystical fiction, which does not only is well written but also establish Ms. Adams status as a Fictional Writer with a great spectrum of knowledge, truly admirable.
Cons
- BOOK 5 is Forced into this series so hard, that I have no appeal for it... I went through it for the sake of closure more than the story. For me the story was pretty well done by Book 4 that I seriously thought the series was over.
- I have a huge issue with the crime in Book 4, the book could have handled well without the cozy mystery element, there was no need for the impromptu reveal for the killer in the end, God only know I found that so erupt.
- There were rather rushed elements in the romantic lives of the characters, but I will refrain from pointing that out since that was supposed to be a mystery more than a romantic book
- I would have loved a tiny bit more consistency, book 1,2,3 offered the cozy mystery elements and the story was holding pretty well... everything went into the other direction by book 4 and then book 5 came to seal the deal for me. because book 5 was solely focused on an element/charterer that has not been addressed fully in book 4, the book felt lacking in the magical element and in the mystery itself, you knew who the killer can be from the first page.
I would love to read a fictional book written by Ms. Adams that has nothing to do with mystery she would hold her own fort in that regard pretty well, if not amazing.
I would like to add that the story felt abruptly wrapped and re-wrapped, I has closure by book 4 and then book 5 had to come to rewrap it all again, it's like wrapping a gift twice for different occasions!
This a review for the series as a one go, since the series is finished, I hated to judge them book by book
Ms. Ellery managed once again to portrait a woman on fire, a role model, and a dreamer.
Pros
- The SISTERS, I don't need to say more, heck there's nothing more to be said
- I don't like the male representation in this book, However the Characters are polished to a glimmer.
- the books were standing on the fine line between mystical fiction and cozy mystery. they even for time (book 3&4) leaned toward the mystical fiction, which does not only is well written but also establish Ms. Adams status as a Fictional Writer with a great spectrum of knowledge, truly admirable.
Cons
- BOOK 5 is Forced into this series so hard, that I have no appeal for it... I went through it for the sake of closure more than the story. For me the story was pretty well done by Book 4 that I seriously thought the series was over.
- I have a huge issue with the crime in Book 4, the book could have handled well without the cozy mystery element, there was no need for the impromptu reveal for the killer in the end, God only know I found that so erupt.
- There were rather rushed elements in the romantic lives of the characters, but I will refrain from pointing that out since that was supposed to be a mystery more than a romantic book
- I would have loved a tiny bit more consistency, book 1,2,3 offered the cozy mystery elements and the story was holding pretty well... everything went into the other direction by book 4 and then book 5 came to seal the deal for me. because book 5 was solely focused on an element/charterer that has not been addressed fully in book 4, the book felt lacking in the magical element and in the mystery itself, you knew who the killer can be from the first page.
I would love to read a fictional book written by Ms. Adams that has nothing to do with mystery she would hold her own fort in that regard pretty well, if not amazing.
I would like to add that the story felt abruptly wrapped and re-wrapped, I has closure by book 4 and then book 5 had to come to rewrap it all again, it's like wrapping a gift twice for different occasions!
lilmisssouthernyn's review against another edition
5.0
What a perfect current end to the series. Ellery Adams has done it again. The epilogue had me giggling and kicking my feet, I loved every moment of this book. I would love more books in this series, but it's also ended so perfectly with Breach of Crust.
asanford's review against another edition
4.0
It was good and okay that it was the last one. I enjoyed the series but it isn't one that will keep me thinking for days or weeks to come. I'm glad there was some resolution and the mystery was definitely worth turning the page for.
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
A satisfying conclusion to the series, though nothing earth-shaking
purplesky25276's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
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
5.0
Loved this closing edition of the series. Wrapped the ending like a neat bow. The characters were lovable. The plot was intriguing. I was happy with the ending.
neverloweonbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Last read of the year, last book in this series. This book closed up the story nicely and was a perfect farewell to the series.
meliaraastair's review against another edition
5.0
Ella is back (this is the first book in the series I've read, and I'm definitely missing some plot details on what happened before this book - something big!) and still baking pies in her pie shop even after losing her magical powers. The president of a high-society Southern ladies club approaches her about teaching classes at their upcoming retreat, then promptly turns up dead. In the meanwhile, her dear friend is dying of cancer, and her dying wish is to see her daughter one more time. Can Ella find the daughter, bake the pies, solve the mystery, and decide what to do about her relationship with Hugh?
As I said, this is the first one I've read in the series. I've been putting off reading it since I only had number 5 but decided to just go ahead and read it anyway. While I've definitely missed out on some major plot points, I'm excited to go back and read from the beginning.
I love the elements of fantasy mixed in with a cozy mystery. The magic was pretty light in this book, so if you aren't into that, I think you still would enjoy this book. I also really enjoyed that there was more to the plot than just the mystery. The whole side plot takes front stage for most of the book - and I think that only makes it better. There's also a really strong group of characters, and while I feel like I missed a lot of details of these characters since I haven't read the rest of the series, it was still a great read.
I can't find the first book of this series at any of my libraries, but number 2 is now in my hands and I'm starting in on it - hopefully it's as exciting as this book was!
I'll go 9 of 10 overall and 4 of 5 for readability. A lot going on, but it all comes together really well in the end!
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
As I said, this is the first one I've read in the series. I've been putting off reading it since I only had number 5 but decided to just go ahead and read it anyway. While I've definitely missed out on some major plot points, I'm excited to go back and read from the beginning.
I love the elements of fantasy mixed in with a cozy mystery. The magic was pretty light in this book, so if you aren't into that, I think you still would enjoy this book. I also really enjoyed that there was more to the plot than just the mystery. The whole side plot takes front stage for most of the book - and I think that only makes it better. There's also a really strong group of characters, and while I feel like I missed a lot of details of these characters since I haven't read the rest of the series, it was still a great read.
I can't find the first book of this series at any of my libraries, but number 2 is now in my hands and I'm starting in on it - hopefully it's as exciting as this book was!
I'll go 9 of 10 overall and 4 of 5 for readability. A lot going on, but it all comes together really well in the end!
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
morticia32's review against another edition
2.0
5th in a series.
I feel like I need to start by saying, I love Ellery Adams. But even a good author can write a not so perfect book, and unfortunately, that's how I feel about this one. But I will continue to read this series and her other series.
This was not my favorite in the series. In the previous book, Ella Mae sacrificed her magic to save the town, and the series lost a lot of what I loved. I miss the magic of the first 3 books.
Frankly, I'm not a fan of Hugh, I think he's wishy-washy, and Ella Mae is too strong a character for him. And I am getting sick of the Ella Mae/Loralyn Gaynor, Good vs. Evil plots. And why does the magical community not punish Loralyn? One would think that as a secret community wanting to remain secret, they would be self-policing? (Like Heather Blake's Wishcraft series) I guess I would love to see a new bad guy that has absolutely nothing to do with Loralyn and less of the sappy Ella Mae/Hugh romance. Ella Mae is a strong character capable of a lot of things and I feel like she's become overly dependent on Hugh for her happiness, especially since she lost her magic.
Maybe with the little hint at the end, things will change again for the better in the next book.
I feel like I need to start by saying, I love Ellery Adams. But even a good author can write a not so perfect book, and unfortunately, that's how I feel about this one. But I will continue to read this series and her other series.
This was not my favorite in the series. In the previous book, Ella Mae sacrificed her magic to save the town, and the series lost a lot of what I loved. I miss the magic of the first 3 books.
Frankly, I'm not a fan of Hugh, I think he's wishy-washy, and Ella Mae is too strong a character for him. And I am getting sick of the Ella Mae/Loralyn Gaynor, Good vs. Evil plots. And why does the magical community not punish Loralyn? One would think that as a secret community wanting to remain secret, they would be self-policing? (Like Heather Blake's Wishcraft series) I guess I would love to see a new bad guy that has absolutely nothing to do with Loralyn and less of the sappy Ella Mae/Hugh romance. Ella Mae is a strong character capable of a lot of things and I feel like she's become overly dependent on Hugh for her happiness, especially since she lost her magic.
Maybe with the little hint at the end, things will change again for the better in the next book.