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A review by andib
Midlife Magic by Victoria Danann
3.0
If you like a warm, cozy comfort read which focuses on the main character simply getting to know her surroundings, her neighbors, and settling in to a new life, this book may be for you.
I was delighted with the premise: A middle-aged woman just out of a terrible marriage finds out she's to inherit an estate in a picturesque English village, which--as she quickly learns--is inhabited by magical beings (banshee, fae, a vampire, and much more) and for which she will serve as the magistrate of their court. I also liked the authorial voice--the writing style is crisp and strong, and the main character's sense of humor makes her experiences all the more charming.
The "but" for me was the utter lack of any sort of plot. It is a slice-of-life style narrative, but even with that trope, I do expect a few things to happen, for there to be some sense of conflict or goal to be reached. But in this book, at least, none of those things happens--not even with the romance. I don't need so much suspense that I feel stress reading the book, but I do need a little bit of uncertainty, both to spur my interest and to give the character some stakes, something to accomplish (or not) with at least a little struggle. I may check out the second book if I get the chance, to see if the storyline kicks in at some point, but this one left me feeling a bit unfulfilled.
I was delighted with the premise: A middle-aged woman just out of a terrible marriage finds out she's to inherit an estate in a picturesque English village, which--as she quickly learns--is inhabited by magical beings (banshee, fae, a vampire, and much more) and for which she will serve as the magistrate of their court. I also liked the authorial voice--the writing style is crisp and strong, and the main character's sense of humor makes her experiences all the more charming.
The "but" for me was the utter lack of any sort of plot. It is a slice-of-life style narrative, but even with that trope, I do expect a few things to happen, for there to be some sense of conflict or goal to be reached. But in this book, at least, none of those things happens--not even with the romance. I don't need so much suspense that I feel stress reading the book, but I do need a little bit of uncertainty, both to spur my interest and to give the character some stakes, something to accomplish (or not) with at least a little struggle. I may check out the second book if I get the chance, to see if the storyline kicks in at some point, but this one left me feeling a bit unfulfilled.