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seattlehols16's review
3.0
Great premise, needs an editor
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. The action sequences were fun and I liked the idea of a for life bodyguard running off to be a librarian with magical abilities. However, this book needs serious editing. There is significant repetition of different facts of the book, overuse of many elements not important to the story, and not enough tension between the main character and her “frienemy”
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. The action sequences were fun and I liked the idea of a for life bodyguard running off to be a librarian with magical abilities. However, this book needs serious editing. There is significant repetition of different facts of the book, overuse of many elements not important to the story, and not enough tension between the main character and her “frienemy”
greek_myth5's review
4.0
Fun, quirky read
I enjoyed this read very much. Like the other books I've read by this author it was full of sarcasm and snark and I loved it. I'll definitely be reading the next book.
I enjoyed this read very much. Like the other books I've read by this author it was full of sarcasm and snark and I loved it. I'll definitely be reading the next book.
starlitbooknerd's review
5.0
Awesome
RJ Blain never fails to impress and I love her new series so much! I can’t wait until Janette and Bradley finally admit their feelings to each other!!
RJ Blain never fails to impress and I love her new series so much! I can’t wait until Janette and Bradley finally admit their feelings to each other!!
jscarpa14's review
3.0
Interesting
I like Janette but her relationship is strange to say the least and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. I can see correlations between this world and recent politics but in an amplified manner, that said its just so jarring to me the way its just accepted that this is how the world works and while it sucks the battle is to prevent things getting worse. The whole concept of the world just sits so wrong with me, I can see the relevancy but it still just bothers me. I'm sure it's supposed to, but at the same time you know. My biggest issue with the book is too much is happening at once. While there are a whole bunch of threads here all this book really succeeds in doing is introducing the main character well and a massive cast of characters poorly. Relationships are told about rather than shown and a sense of why we should care about anyone other than Janette isn't really established well. Also while Blain keeps telling us that Janette is a strong, independent character, most of her showing Janette involved the character being extremely passive and allowing others to rule her life. As a writer Blain is far more talented than this so I feel she could have done a much better job of truly establishing the character relationships and better furthering the plot. It's a good book but not one of Blain's best even though I find the premise one of her most intriguing and intend to continue with the series.
I like Janette but her relationship is strange to say the least and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. I can see correlations between this world and recent politics but in an amplified manner, that said its just so jarring to me the way its just accepted that this is how the world works and while it sucks the battle is to prevent things getting worse. The whole concept of the world just sits so wrong with me, I can see the relevancy but it still just bothers me. I'm sure it's supposed to, but at the same time you know. My biggest issue with the book is too much is happening at once. While there are a whole bunch of threads here all this book really succeeds in doing is introducing the main character well and a massive cast of characters poorly. Relationships are told about rather than shown and a sense of why we should care about anyone other than Janette isn't really established well. Also while Blain keeps telling us that Janette is a strong, independent character, most of her showing Janette involved the character being extremely passive and allowing others to rule her life. As a writer Blain is far more talented than this so I feel she could have done a much better job of truly establishing the character relationships and better furthering the plot. It's a good book but not one of Blain's best even though I find the premise one of her most intriguing and intend to continue with the series.
debwendler's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bertturtel's review
4.0
Fun relatable characters. Check
Engaging plot and situations. Check
Well written story line. Check
Well this might be the perfect bo....
WAIT!!!!! HOLD IT!!!!!
Dang!
Book ends on a cliffhanger and the sequel isn't due for about a year and a HALF!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
What is a Book Goddess to do? (I am SO much more scary than a mere dragon!)
I will upgrade the star once the others have the ability to go straight from installment to installment without a long wait.
Don't get me wrong, I totally understand the need to have a plot go over multiple books.
I just hate when I don't have minimal closure at the end of each one. I also recognize that this is a personal problem, probably caused by too many TV shows growing up- the whole "tune in tomorrow" thing REALLY chapped my . . . lips. Especially when since I was watching reruns, they wouldn't show the second half the next day! Maybe I need therapy, like the characters in the book. :)
Excellent book.
If you hate hanging from a cliff, wait until the next book is released before cracking the cover.
Engaging plot and situations. Check
Well written story line. Check
Well this might be the perfect bo....
WAIT!!!!! HOLD IT!!!!!
Dang!
Book ends on a cliffhanger and the sequel isn't due for about a year and a HALF!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
What is a Book Goddess to do? (I am SO much more scary than a mere dragon!)
I will upgrade the star once the others have the ability to go straight from installment to installment without a long wait.
Don't get me wrong, I totally understand the need to have a plot go over multiple books.
I just hate when I don't have minimal closure at the end of each one. I also recognize that this is a personal problem, probably caused by too many TV shows growing up- the whole "tune in tomorrow" thing REALLY chapped my . . . lips. Especially when since I was watching reruns, they wouldn't show the second half the next day! Maybe I need therapy, like the characters in the book. :)
Excellent book.
If you hate hanging from a cliff, wait until the next book is released before cracking the cover.
welkinvault's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Not so much ending on a cliffhanger, and being only part of the story. Apparently it is one of a number of novels to complete the story. I thought I would love this urban history novel, but I found it lacking. I will not be trying any of the sequels.
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