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mmc_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nickystrickland's review against another edition
4.0
A novella with some illustrations giving a visual to characters long imagined. Best read with knowledge of the series but, it can be read as a stand alone/meeting of the characters.
caszriel's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely novella that helped me reach the end of exam season and was a great reminder of the Cainsville series and all the amazing characters from that time... Even though I'm 100% a Gabriel person I'm starting to really want to date Ricky? I was a lil confused about the ending though, because at the start I definitely thought something sinister was going on with Arianell but the ending actually worked out really well.
ashwolff's review against another edition
3.0
I was very sad when i realized Kelley Armstrong’s Cainseville series was ending with book 5. Then i was pleasantly surprised by the subsequent release of several shorter novellas. Olivia, Gabriel, and Ricky are such fun characters, and their genuine friendship and trust in each other make these stories fun to read.
In this novella, Olivia’s father Todd has just been released from prison, after being exonerated of crimes he did not commit. Not even a day passes before someone anonymous calls the police, attempting to pin a murder on him. Who is it, and why? This was a fun, short mystery to read
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for review.
Will post on April on my Library’s book review blog.
In this novella, Olivia’s father Todd has just been released from prison, after being exonerated of crimes he did not commit. Not even a day passes before someone anonymous calls the police, attempting to pin a murder on him. Who is it, and why? This was a fun, short mystery to read
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for review.
Will post on April on my Library’s book review blog.
brokenrecord's review against another edition
4.0
Good! I liked the plot a bit more than the previous novella — it was interesting to see Todd out of prison and adjusting to things, and his connection to the case helped me get invested in the plot. I liked seeing Olivia so concerned for him and trying to make everything as perfect as possible but going a bit overboard. And I always enjoy seeing Olivia and Gabriel as a couple and how they function, and how Gabriel still doesn't always know the right way to approach or handle things, but they're both in it together, and they love each other and work so well together. I'm happy with how the proper series ended and I have no need for additional full-length novels, but it's fun to get novellas every now and again to see how everyone's doing, and I'd happily read more.
i_hype_romance's review against another edition
3.0
I reveived an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I picked this one up, I didn't realize it was the latest installment in a pretty extensive series. It was well written, but I became lost at times because of my unfamiliarity with characters and situations from previous books. I had trouble connecting with the main characters, which I also attribute to my unfamiliarity. I would not recommend reading this as a stand-alone. Three and a half stars.
When I picked this one up, I didn't realize it was the latest installment in a pretty extensive series. It was well written, but I became lost at times because of my unfamiliarity with characters and situations from previous books. I had trouble connecting with the main characters, which I also attribute to my unfamiliarity. I would not recommend reading this as a stand-alone. Three and a half stars.
oaxara's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
morticia32's review against another edition
4.0
This is a novella in the series. It takes place after book 5, and another novella. This one sees Olivia settling into her life with Gabriel and into her place as Mallt-y-Nos. It also sees the culmination of Olivia's dream of seeing her father freed from jail.
I liked this visit back to Cainsville. Like previous novellas, this one is a fast read, short and sweet. I really hope Ms. Armstrong continues to revisit this series, even if it is only with this short glimpses.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book given to me by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
I liked this visit back to Cainsville. Like previous novellas, this one is a fast read, short and sweet. I really hope Ms. Armstrong continues to revisit this series, even if it is only with this short glimpses.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book given to me by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
a_h_haga's review
4.0
REREAD 2021
I stand by everything I said in my original review, but I also want to add a small thought on Armstrong's way of writing mysteries.
One of my biggest issues with the mystery genre, is that you (often) don't get any more info than you really need, or meet any more characters than you have to, which makes it very easy to guess what's going on and who did what. One of the things I love about Armstrong's writing style, is how she include multiple storylines. Some are more important than others, of course, but they have a nice way of blending deepening the mystery, which I really appreciate.
I'm keeping the original rating.
-----------------------------------
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Ah! I finished it!
The reason this book took so long, was because I couldn't read the physical copy - the light needed is too sharp - so I couldn't read reliably before I bought the ebook.* Which was good, because I've been kinda sad over not being able to read this book.
As usual, Armstrong's writing is on on point, and her characters are well written.
The story in this book is good as well. Better than in the last one, for sure!
Not only does it include all three mains in a good way, but it also gives some good growth to them all, which I missed in [b:Rough Justice|37801970|Rough Justice (Cainsville #5.5)|Kelley Armstrong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1514953053l/37801970._SX50_.jpg|59471524]. On top of that, this book has a lot of fay involved, and I really enjoyed that as well!
And I do hope we get more books set in the Cainsville-universe. It is interesting and entertaining, and there are a lot of good characters here I would love to explore more. Like Patrik. I would love to read more about him than we got in [b:Portents|39989424|Portents (Cainsville, #5.7)|Kelley Armstrong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525000418l/39989424._SY75_.jpg|61922623].
Rating isn't quite a 4 star because... I don't know. It didn't feel quite up there, but it was too good for just a 3 star, so in-between it is.
*Now that I can read on my kindle somewhat reagularly, there's hope I can read a few other books as well! Yay!
I stand by everything I said in my original review, but I also want to add a small thought on Armstrong's way of writing mysteries.
One of my biggest issues with the mystery genre, is that you (often) don't get any more info than you really need, or meet any more characters than you have to, which makes it very easy to guess what's going on and who did what. One of the things I love about Armstrong's writing style, is how she include multiple storylines. Some are more important than others, of course, but they have a nice way of blending deepening the mystery, which I really appreciate.
I'm keeping the original rating.
-----------------------------------
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Ah! I finished it!
The reason this book took so long, was because I couldn't read the physical copy - the light needed is too sharp - so I couldn't read reliably before I bought the ebook.* Which was good, because I've been kinda sad over not being able to read this book.
As usual, Armstrong's writing is on on point, and her characters are well written.
The story in this book is good as well. Better than in the last one, for sure!
Not only does it include all three mains in a good way, but it also gives some good growth to them all, which I missed in [b:Rough Justice|37801970|Rough Justice (Cainsville #5.5)|Kelley Armstrong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1514953053l/37801970._SX50_.jpg|59471524]. On top of that, this book has a lot of fay involved, and I really enjoyed that as well!
And I do hope we get more books set in the Cainsville-universe. It is interesting and entertaining, and there are a lot of good characters here I would love to explore more. Like Patrik. I would love to read more about him than we got in [b:Portents|39989424|Portents (Cainsville, #5.7)|Kelley Armstrong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525000418l/39989424._SY75_.jpg|61922623].
Rating isn't quite a 4 star because... I don't know. It didn't feel quite up there, but it was too good for just a 3 star, so in-between it is.
*Now that I can read on my kindle somewhat reagularly, there's hope I can read a few other books as well! Yay!
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
4.0
I received a copy of Cruel Fate through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Cruel Fate is a novella that fits within the Cainsville series by Kelly Armstrong. But it’s unique in that it was illustrated by Xaviere Daumarie. The novella falls into place after the fifth book in the series, just for reference.
I know that there is some concern about the fate of the Cainsville series – everybody is hoping that Kelly Armstrong will revisit the series (and who can blame us for that?). She finally did here, but I can’t be the only one hoping for more. The novella was appreciated, of course. But I think many fans would happily take another novel or two. Especially since it feels like there’s still so much more to explore in the world that she has built.
The novella follows Olivia (who’s finally getting her life on track), Gabriel (her boyfriend), and Todd (her father). She’s doing much better than she had, and is even getting control of her life. That is, until her father is released from prison. That in itself is a good thing. The problem is that somebody out there isn’t happy about this, and is doing everything in their power to change that.
To make matters worse, Olivia doesn’t know if it’s a human or a fae that is messing with her. Or rather, messing with her father. So that’s just going to make finding the solution that much harder.
This was a fun and fast-paced read. I really enjoyed reading about Olivia and her thought process for helping her father. And of course the rest of it was great as well. Cainsville fans will really enjoy this one, I think!
I do hope that this isn’t the end of the Cainsville series. Though I suppose if it is I can accept that. The series has had a good (great) run, so I really can’t complain.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Cruel Fate is a novella that fits within the Cainsville series by Kelly Armstrong. But it’s unique in that it was illustrated by Xaviere Daumarie. The novella falls into place after the fifth book in the series, just for reference.
I know that there is some concern about the fate of the Cainsville series – everybody is hoping that Kelly Armstrong will revisit the series (and who can blame us for that?). She finally did here, but I can’t be the only one hoping for more. The novella was appreciated, of course. But I think many fans would happily take another novel or two. Especially since it feels like there’s still so much more to explore in the world that she has built.
The novella follows Olivia (who’s finally getting her life on track), Gabriel (her boyfriend), and Todd (her father). She’s doing much better than she had, and is even getting control of her life. That is, until her father is released from prison. That in itself is a good thing. The problem is that somebody out there isn’t happy about this, and is doing everything in their power to change that.
To make matters worse, Olivia doesn’t know if it’s a human or a fae that is messing with her. Or rather, messing with her father. So that’s just going to make finding the solution that much harder.
This was a fun and fast-paced read. I really enjoyed reading about Olivia and her thought process for helping her father. And of course the rest of it was great as well. Cainsville fans will really enjoy this one, I think!
I do hope that this isn’t the end of the Cainsville series. Though I suppose if it is I can accept that. The series has had a good (great) run, so I really can’t complain.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks