I really enjoy this author's books, and have enjoyed this series particularly.
The series has a great mix of well-crafted plots, multi-faceted world-buI really enjoy this author's books, and have enjoyed this series particularly.
The series has a great mix of well-crafted plots, multi-faceted world-building and layered and interesting characters.
I love the two sisters Celine and Amelie as the main characters. They are totally different but make a great pair together. Their abilities as seers make them invaluable to Prince Anton and others, and thereby put them into complicated, sometimes dangerous situations. In this case they are trying to solve several murders.
The world has all the typical jockeying for power and intrigues of any royal situation and that is used to good effect to build suspense and create excitement for a reader.
I really enjoy Barb Hendee's writing and recommend her books to anyone who enjoys this genre....more
I love this series so much! Everything about it is right in my lane.
The world-building here is so well done. I love the way that magic is used, and thI love this series so much! Everything about it is right in my lane.
The world-building here is so well done. I love the way that magic is used, and the combination of magical people and demons. I love way magic is used for good and bad purposes, by everyone, not just the bad guys. Having complex characters who don't always make the "good" choice makes for interesting characters.
The action and pacing in this series are also spot-on. You just start to settle in and think about HEA-time for Cady and Lon when all hell breaks loose!
I especially love Cady! She is smart and powerful and funny and kind, but she also has some serious baggage to carry around, that makes her life - and the lives of the people she loves - really problematic.
I really have loved all the books in this series and this was no exception. I have the 4th and last book already, thanks to other reviewers of this one warning about the big cliff-hanger ending, and I can't wait to find out how everything ends, even though I will be sad for the series to finish.
Great read; highly recommended for lovers of paranormal suspense with kick-ass female protagonists....more
I absolutely loved the first book in this series, and I liked this book. It was a good continuation of the story.
First my complaint, and the reason foI absolutely loved the first book in this series, and I liked this book. It was a good continuation of the story.
First my complaint, and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5 - a cliffhanger. I understand that a series needs to set up plot lines for the next book, but I hate being completely left hanging at the end of a book, when I know I'm going to wait at least a year for the next book. Normally, I don't start a series unless all - or at least most - of the books are already out so I can avoid that, but in this case the hold on the second book from my library arrived faster than I expected, so I went ahead and read it anyway. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the next book.
That out of the way, I still love the world building the authors have done here. I think this world is creative and different and clever, and it really gives the characters something to sink their teeth into in terms of drama, suspense and action. There is also plenty of character building and the development of pretty much all the main characters in the second book was well-thought out and entertainingly delivered.
I also still love Evelyn. She is a complex, conflicted interesting character, and while I wouldn't have made the same romantic decision she does [which is all I'll say to avoid spoilers] in terms of her special talent and how she helps others, I completely relate to, and root for all her actions. Even when she has hard choices to make, Evelyn has character and honour and I love that in a character, especially a female character.
Really, I loved everything about this book except the cliffhanger, and I will definitely read the next book . . . as soon as it is available - note to the authors and publishers: could you hurry it up, PLEASE?! ...more
The action, danger and messy magic are all fully on in this second installment, and as long as you don't I liked book two almost as much as book one.
The action, danger and messy magic are all fully on in this second installment, and as long as you don't mind a little - okay, more like a lot - of blood, mutilation and death, then you might like this one two.
After all, we're talking demons and dirty magic here, so if that's not your thing, then this might be a little intense for you, but if you like your paranormals flat out and not adverse to a little power struggle and, when absolutely necessary, killing to keep the bad guys from getting control of things they shouldn't, then this is recommended.
I love that Cady has fallen in love, not only with Lon, but with his teenage son as well. She's so not prepared to have an instant family, but she's trying really hard to get the hang of that and it really made her even more relatable for me in this second book.
Cady has no problem kicking demon ass, and with the powers she gained in the first book, she's a force to be reckoned with, even if she's still figuring things out.
The story was a little disturbing, being related to the kidnapping of kids, but if you read paranormal and or urban fiction, there's nothing here that should shock you. And it makes for plenty of suspense and drama which delivers a good exciting read.
I am a little nervous about how book two ends, and what's in store with book three, but I love the characters and the world this author has created, so I am definitely going on to the third book to find out where things go....more
I enjoyed this. It was light and fluffy, and sweet and easy. I didn't enjoy this second book *quite* as much as the first book but that was mainly becI enjoyed this. It was light and fluffy, and sweet and easy. I didn't enjoy this second book *quite* as much as the first book but that was mainly because the heroine was a little outside the type of character I really connect with.
Beka starts out as a weak, insecure and scared Baba Yaga. She has been told for so long by her trainer [who has ulterior motives, we discover] that she doesn't really have what it takes to do the job on her own, that she's started to believe it and behave accordingly. She also is so ridiculously trusting and kind that she lets people take advantage - A LOT!!
All that got on my nerves, as I tend to gravitate to strong female characters, like Barbara - the Baba from the first book - is. So I didn't especially connect with Beka or get all in to her world. But - and given the genre here, I don't feel this is a spoiler - when push comes to shove, Beka finds her spine and rises to the occasion.
I like the world-building in this series a lot. I love the Chudo-Yudos, I like the Otherworld beings, and the rules governing the Baba Yagas, so I did enjoy this story. I also love the water, so it was fun that the plot revolved around the sea. I will definitely read the third book in this series. It's perfect for a rainy afternoon, a long trip, or a sunny Sunday at the cottage. Doesn't demand too much, and gives plenty of entertainment, excitement and magic....more
This series combines lots of things almost guaranteed to draw me in: magical/dangerous artifacts, spunky strBook 3 and I am still loving this series!
This series combines lots of things almost guaranteed to draw me in: magical/dangerous artifacts, spunky strong female characters, Victorian-era England, dramatic, dangerous heroes, plenty of action and plenty of humour. This book has, as have the first two, all those things and I loved every moment I spent reading it.
This story gives Cara's grandmother, Nan and her dear friend Nessy an opportunity to get into the drama that characterizes Cara and Nate's life. As they investigate a new series of suspicious deaths that may involve an artifact, everyone involved in their lives - including Cara's best friend Amy - get in on the act and it is tons of fun!
This series is just light, fun, funny entertaining stories with a little bit of magic and a little bit of romance to go along with the drama and the action. I have enjoyed all the books so far and look forward to reading book 4 next....more
I really love Molly Harper's world-building, her smart, spunky female protagonists and the humour that weaves through all her books. This was a fun onI really love Molly Harper's world-building, her smart, spunky female protagonists and the humour that weaves through all her books. This was a fun one.
It took me a while to warm up to Nola. She starts out as a bit of a wimp, but the adventures she has in this story give her the experiences she needs to come into her own and become a strong, capable, lovable witch that in the end, I really, really liked.
This plot was a clever, well-conceived story with the combination of action, magical drama, and complicated romance that all Molly Harper's books have. She has a perfect handle on the combination of quirky, ridiculousness in the action part of a story, with gentle, sweet character development and humour that makes me laugh out loud throughout. She is fast becoming a favourite author for me, and I have enjoyed pretty much every on of her books I've read.
This was a fun, fast entertaining romp and I loved almost everything about it.
There's one gripe that I do have to mention, because it DID irk me. I listened to this as an audio book, and I wish that the description had disclosed that main character Nola had not an Irish accent - which one would expect since we're told she's coming to America from, you know, IRELAND, but a combination of an Irish and a BOSTON accent! I absolutely LOATH the Boston accent, and while the narrator of this audio book delivered Nola in exactly the way the author described her voice, had I known that Nola had a Boston accent, I probably would not have opted to listen to this. But overall that is a minor complaint and would have been addressed if I'd read this instead of listening to it.
Otherwise, this is a fun series, and I may need to go back and read the books I've missed that are earlier in this series because I love Harper's characters and her humour a lot!...more
I like this series but this was my least favourite of the books so far.
I'm not a fan of family drama, so the whole story line with Stevie's mother arI like this series but this was my least favourite of the books so far.
I'm not a fan of family drama, so the whole story line with Stevie's mother arriving and creating havoc did not interest or engage me. If I were Stevie I'd have show the mother the door about 24 hours after she arrived based on how she behaved and treated Stevie. To be fair, the story line was wrapped up in a way that made sense, but I could have done without that whole aspect of the book.
Happily, all the things I do like about this series were here - I love Belfrey the familar, and meeting his family who visited in this book was also fun. I absolutely love Win! He is a perfect cozy hero and romantic leading man for Stevie . . . even if he's also dead and just a voice in her head . . . well, until the end of this book that is.
The cliff hanger ending did not make me happy. I understand it, as a way to continue the suspense and the romantic tension between Win and Stevie, but I'm always a little irked by being left hanging by my fingernails at the end of a book.
My favourite thing about this series is the humour that the author infuses into virtually every scene. Between Stevie's sarcastic response to the ridiculous situations she keeps finding herself in, to Win's reactions to her family or her bad choices these books always make me laugh out loud with their humour and I absolutely love that!
Overall, this was an okay installment in series I like very much. I will definitely keep reading especially since the next book will bring the focus back to Stevie and Win, rather than family issues....more
This is more 3.5 stars than 3, but because of a couple of gripes, I just couldn't bring myself to rate it a 4 star read. I liked it, but it had irritaThis is more 3.5 stars than 3, but because of a couple of gripes, I just couldn't bring myself to rate it a 4 star read. I liked it, but it had irritants.
First and foremost, I really loved the world building in this. It was unique and incorporated different pantheons of paranormals [Norse and Babylonian - you don't see THOSE in most paranormal stories!] that the usual one sees in this genre. I was very engaged in the complex, dangerous world the characters were involved in.
The pacing was great - fast and rolling, it kept me reading longer than I planned at each sitting because I was so engrossed in the story. There was suspense, rough, dangerous and exciting events and plenty of drama both in plot and in character development.
The plot, while not at base that different [there's a big bad coming and somebody - somebody who has no idea this world exists!] from other similar books was nevertheless well-written, engaging and exciting and I was into this world and story very quickly and continued to be into it pretty much to the end.
Now, the gripes. Kayla got on my nerves. I KNOW she was unaware that magic and werewolves and what-have-you existed at the beginning, so I tried to cut her slack as she whined and became hysterical about every new reality she had to handle. But even recognizing that, she was wimpy and whiny almost all the way through the story, and it got on my nerves. I wanted her to suck it up and go with the world she was in rather than continue to rant and rail about how unreal it all was. Get over it, honey!
Hart was a good character for the most part, but while I mostly like the plot device of an alpha-male character becoming softened and opened up when "the ONE" finally enters his life, this book took it a bit too far over the line even for me. By the end of the book, I was rolling my eyes and thinking: "yeah, yeah, we get it - they are going to . . . .[I won't spoil but you can probably guess]" but oh my gosh, could we stop with the emoting, already?! Geez. The melodramatics that were oozing out of these two by the end of the book was just WAY TOO MUCH. But that could just be me.
Overall, this was a good read and I enjoyed it. As I said the world-building was excellent, and I would read at least one more book in the series in hopes there will be more about the world, and a little less of the relationship histrionics. ...more
I liked book two in the Jackaby series almost as much as book one.
I still love the characters - Abigail and Jackaby are quirky and interesting, on theI liked book two in the Jackaby series almost as much as book one.
I still love the characters - Abigail and Jackaby are quirky and interesting, on their own, and as a new detective team. Their personalities and strengths offset one another so well, and together they just, work!
The plot in this book wasn't as interesting to me as the events from book one, but that was more a personal preference in the types of paranormal happenings and beings, than in any way a criticism of the story. The book was well written, and the story was well thought out and constructed. The flow and interplay among the various supporting characters was just as well done here as in the first book.
I was VERY excited with how the next book was set up at the very end of this book, and I cannot wait to dive into book three, as I anticipate loving that investigation the most so far of Jackaby's cases. This is becoming a favourite series.
FORMAT NOTE: if you have an interest in audio books, the narrator for this series is excellent, and does a wonderful job making all these character come fully to life with how she voices them. If you like audio books, this series is a great one to listen to....more
I loved this! This book has pretty much everything I enjoy in a paranormal fiction story.
The book is about a clan of witches living "in plain sight" aI loved this! This book has pretty much everything I enjoy in a paranormal fiction story.
The book is about a clan of witches living "in plain sight" among the humans. I enjoyed that the clan is basically run like it's a corporation. The fact that the leaders are all strong, smart, capable women was extremely cool and a big positive feature for me.
The characters in this are terrific! I loved everything about Meriel, and her friendship/partnership with Nell was also awesome. The banter between the two of them was hilarious, and made me laugh out loud multiple times. Even though both of them are badass powerful witches, they talk to one another as though they are any old girlfriends gabbing over drinks. It inserted an air of "normal" into a story that was anything but.
All the supporting characters are also great. Dominic is the perfect hero, and you can't help but like him, especially as he falls for Meriel. All the other men - Meriel's father, Nell's husband, Dominic's best friend - are just as likable, and added to the story. While the women are unquestionably the leaders in this world, the men are true partners and hold their own with these strong women in partnerships that the real world can only envy.
The plot here is suspensful, exciting, dangerous and fast-paced. It kept me reading the whole way because I was fully engaged in what was going on and couldn't wait to find out what happened.
Note for the sensitive: this book has sex and cursing, and more than just a little of both. Given the type of world we're in here, neither felt excessive or forced to me, but if either or both of those things bother you, this probably isn't the book for you. These people enjoy sex, and the descriptions of it are fairly graphic here. The cursing is mostly of the "f-bomb" variety, but again, nobody in this story hesitates to use the f-word so be warned.
For myself I totally loved this story, and would definitely read other books set in Meriel's world....more
I loved this story! It had everything I enjoy: a smart and sassy female character, and exciting, well-written plot, a little bit of magic, and a sexy I loved this story! It had everything I enjoy: a smart and sassy female character, and exciting, well-written plot, a little bit of magic, and a sexy love story between two good people who really, truly love each other. What's not to like?
Cara is a wonderful character, and I warmed to her immediately. She's damaged, and has endured more than anyone should, and yet she's neither bowed nor broken. She has her issues, and watching her work her way through them is part of the appeal of the story, but she has made a life for herself that works for her, even if "society" doesn't care to claim her. Fortunately, she doesn't care, and doesn't need them to live her life.
The romance with Nate is, if a touch predictable, no less thrilling for that. They are a well-matched pair, and I enjoyed their sparring as part of this story. I think they could become one of my favourite fictional couples.
The plot is an interesting mash-up of history, paranormal, relic-hunter, and murder mystery, and the pacing made this a fast, easy, and very enjoyable read. I definitely look forward to reading the rest of this series, which I got as a bundle for my eReader....more
I tried to listen to the audio version of this previously, and could not stand the narrator's voice or delivery. I am SO GLAD I bought the paper book I tried to listen to the audio version of this previously, and could not stand the narrator's voice or delivery. I am SO GLAD I bought the paper book and gave this another try because it is a FANTASTIC story!!! Loved this book to pieces!!
This is now the third series by Melissa McShane that I have read books from, and she has quickly become a favourite author. I have loved all the books by her that I've read, and will be looking for others to read as well.
McShane writes wonderfully creative and magical worlds that a reader can immerse themselves in fully. The plots she comes up with are incredibly exciting and engaging, with drama, suspense, conflict and thrills.
She also writes with one of the best aspects for my interests -strong female characters who have issues but rise above them to do whatever is necessary for the people in their lives, and to fulfill the responsibilities they've accepted in spite of obstacles. I have loved the heroine in each of Melissa McShane's books that I've read, and Elinor is - so far - my absolute favourite of her main characters.
Elinor is a misfit, and most of us have felt that way at some point, so relating to Elinor wasn't hard. But her talent and her determination to have a life that will make her happy is easy to cheer for, and cheer for her I did all the way through this book!
McShane also has a talent for world-building that is unique and thrilling for a reader. Each of the three series I've read from her have been different, but all of them were magical and delightful places to visit through her books. I don't know how she manages to create such wonderful worlds, but I'm very glad she does, and hope she continues to do so, because I'm looking forward to reading more Melissa McShane books.
The world in this book with the Extraordinaries and their talents was so clever and fully-realized that it didn't even feel fictional to me. I loved that this book - although there is a romance in it - is much more about battles, and fighting and dealing with the military's dumbass politics than it is about the romance. If you ask me, this is an action/adventure story that happens to come with small side-dish of romance.
However you want to describe or categorize it, it was a terrific read, and I highly recommend this!!...more
Given the varied opinions on this by other readers here, I should probably preface my review by saying: a) that I have not read Evanovich's Stephanie Given the varied opinions on this by other readers here, I should probably preface my review by saying: a) that I have not read Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, so I am not comparing this book to that, and b) I am a big fan of anything paranormal or magical in books. That said, I absolutely loved this story!!
I thought this was just a blast of a romp, and absolutely hilarious! The humour in this story had me laughing out loud throughout the entire book. Yes, the things that happened were ridiculous, but then again, when you consider what the situation is - Lizzie being what she's believed her entire life was just an ordinary, normal life - the stuff that happens to her in this book once Wulf and Diesel show up is pretty darn funny. I especially liked how Lizzie responds to the people and situations she finds herself dumped into. I feel like the things she says and does when faced with crazy-town erupting all around her is probably how I would respond if this stuff happened to me, so I could totally relate to Lizzie, and like her . . . a LOT!
The story itself is light and fluffy and silly and over-the-top, but it obviously isn't presenting itself as high literature, so who cares that it's silly?! It's FUN! And sometimes, you want to read a story that is just fun and entertaining, and that makes you laugh on almost every page. This book totally delivered that entertainment and laughter for me, and I really enjoyed this.
I listened to this as an audio book since my library had it, and the narrator was great. She made the characters really come to life and she made them and their antics even funnier with the way she delivered their lines.
I will definitely be continuing with this series. It's a hoot, and I can't wait to see what happens next! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a light, fun beach or summer read, and if you like audio books, this would be great for a long drive, or for a daily commute book to listen to. ...more
I loved everything about this book, and am hoping the author plans to continue with the series!
Ruby is a wonderful, complex fun character, and the chaI loved everything about this book, and am hoping the author plans to continue with the series!
Ruby is a wonderful, complex fun character, and the challenges she faces as she attempts to go straight from the life of a con artist as part of her crooked father's schemes makes for a very enjoyable story.
I loved the setting of turn of the century Maine as the charming seaside town of Old Orchard with its tourists and its hotels and its spiritualist focus. The cast of characters were diverse, creative and made a perfect combination with Ruby - and sometimes against her - as she attempts to start a new life, while dodging murder and trying to figure out if she has a psychic gift, and if so, how best to use it.
This book was light, fun and a very fast, easy read. I honestly have nothing negative to say about it. I truly did enjoy it from start to finish. If you enjoy historical fiction with just a slightly paranormal component, strong female characters, and fun, summery locations, then you should definitely check this one out. Highly recommended....more
I have really enjoyed this series, and I liked this book the best so far.
I love the world-building in this, and the Baba-Yagas as main characters. TheI have really enjoyed this series, and I liked this book the best so far.
I love the world-building in this, and the Baba-Yagas as main characters. They are a different type of paranormal, and I love the uniqueness of their history and powers. The Chudo-Yudos are hilarious in each of the books, and the "Otherworld" aspect also adds to the creativity of this world.
I love that the Babas are incredibly strong characters who don't *need* anyone to help them with their responsibilities, but who are smart enough to accept help and love when it is offered. I find the Babas in these books the perfect combination of strong and loving and it really works for each of the books.
The plots in each book are different enough to be unique for each of the Babas, but include enough similarities with the world to provide continuity of the world and structures. This story was definitely my favourite, including both the Riders as well as Bella's mountain to climb. It was fast-paced, exciting, suspenseful and emotional and I loved every page of it!
I had thought that this was just going to be a trilogy, but have learned that the Riders are getting books, and I will definitely read those as I want to continue visiting this world. Fun, easy-to-read and strong female characters in a cool paranormal world - what's not to like???...more
I enjoyed this. It was a creative, engaging start to a new paranormal series and has a lot to recommend it in the genre.
I have read many books from thI enjoyed this. It was a creative, engaging start to a new paranormal series and has a lot to recommend it in the genre.
I have read many books from this author and very much enjoy most of her books. She has a wonderful way with characters, and her books almost always make me immediately connect to, like and want to root for her characters, especially her female characters, which are always strong, smart and capable, if bothered by issues (but that's part of what makes them likable).
She has many creative plots that are always suspenseful and exciting and I typically find it hard to put her books down once I'm into the meat of the story because things move quickly and I want to know how it will end.
Blake's world-building is also creative and well-done, often including paranormals that are not typically included in the genre.
Overall, I enjoyed this and will continue with the series to see where Blake plans to take Donata and friends. ...more
I love everything about this series! The second book was just as excellent as the first.
There is so much to love in this series, it's hard to review wI love everything about this series! The second book was just as excellent as the first.
There is so much to love in this series, it's hard to review without fawning.
First and foremost, I love Irene. As a heroine, she's a combination of Elizabeth Bennet [sarcastic humour], Dr. Who [travelling to alternate worlds with aplomb and panache], and any tough-as-nails, ass-kicking heroine you care to name. She deals with chaos - literally! - on a constant basis, and just shakes it off and keeps calm and carries on, as any good Brit ought. I adore her dry, also British sense of both humour and the absurd in the life she leads. I laugh constantly reading these books!
I also love the world the author has created with this series. It is an unadulterated love-letter to books and reading, but it also gives us magic, paranormal creatures, spies, intrigues and political maneuvering. The world makes sense, and "works" for lack of a better description. The components are well-conceived and they hold up as a setting for Irene's continued adventures.
The supporting characters are also great. They are fully created personalities on their own, but the way they interact with Irene is exciting and entertaining and keeps the plot moving along at a fast clip. They all play their assigned roles in a way that adds to a reader's enjoyment of the story, which is what supporting characters are supposed to do.
The story in this book was an extension of the first book, and continues the cliff-hanger we were left with at the end of book one, which is all I will say to avoid spoilers. Things move forward, and there is resolution, but also set-up for the third book.
I will absolutely be reading the third book. I love this series, and it will definitely go on my "best series" list. Excellent read for those who like their paranormal weirdness with a dose of British humour and "get-on-with-it-ness"....more
This has been a non-stop, action-packed, thrill-a-minute series from the first book, and the drama and suspense maintained all the way to the final paThis has been a non-stop, action-packed, thrill-a-minute series from the first book, and the drama and suspense maintained all the way to the final page of this final book in the trilogy. I have loved every moment of it!!
The world-building in this series has been excellent, with diverse paranormal species, exciting paranormal abilities, and wonderfully flawed-but-relatable characters. I particularly love that the female characters in our merry band are just as - if not more so - kick-ass and capable as the men!
All the characters here are unique and interesting, as well as batshit crazy, which just makes the whole book that much more fun! The drama and danger these people are facing does not deter them for a second from throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the fray at every possible opportunity, no matter how hopeless things might seem. It makes for a ton of fun for the reader.
I also love the interactions between the characters, and how their inter-connections have grown and developed as the trilogy has played out. The ending was thoroughly satisfying from my perspective and I walked away very happy with how we said farewell to these characters.
An overall terrific trilogy which I highly recommend to paranormal fiction/suspense readers....more
I love this series! It's full of clever, sarcastic, silly fun, great, well-written characters, and a darned good plot. It's everything a paranormal coI love this series! It's full of clever, sarcastic, silly fun, great, well-written characters, and a darned good plot. It's everything a paranormal cozy mystery ought to be.
The concept of the series - a witch who's lost her powers through no fault of her own and had to start a new life on her own - is a clever idea, with lots of plot opportunities, and the author makes the most of those. I like how the books have connections, but each has their own, properly resolved story as well.
Stevie is a hilarious character and I love her! Her sense of humour and appreciation of the ridiculous is wonderful, and her reactions to the stuff she finds herself caught up in are so much fun. She's also quite capable, and not a shrinking, shrieking violet of a heroine, and I love that!
Win, Stevie's charming-spy-ghost-inside-her-head is also a very clever unusual partner. He's James Bond, Dr. Who, and Jason Statham all rolled into one, and I am already in love with him myself. He's a perfect foil to Stevie, and I can't wait to see how their relationship plays out, given that Win is a non-corporeal ghost living inside Stevie's head.
This has quickly become one of my favourite series', and I look forward to continuing on with it. It is the perfect combination of paranormal, cozy, mystery and cheeky romance and I love everything about it!...more
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