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kk7's review
4.0
Jade is confronted by two minions of her evil ex-boyfriend but things are not as they seem. Additional magical creatures are introduced and folklore and magical objects made this a fun read. The big showdown should be coming soon, I think.
elisabethei85's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bethtabler's review
5.0
Yaaaassss. Queen. Slay all day. This series keeps getting better and better. Jade Crow is just killing it. (pun intended)
This book has more of all the fun stuff. More magic, more gore, more action and definitely more backstory. We are learning a bit about her past and that maybe
'"We fight with what we have," he murmured. "Not what we wish to have.
"Okay, Obi-Wan." I nipped his chin and settled into his arms.
"I am not quoting Star Wars," he said, glaring down at me in mock annoyance.
"No, but you sound wise for your years."
"Protect you, I will," he said. "Love you, I do."'"
there is something special about her. Ya. I know, not exactly the most original plot device. But, you know what that is ok. It is a plot device because it is useful. Bellet is not slamming us over the head with the fact that there is something unknown about Jade. There just is. Deal with it and we will find out in due time.
Also, I have to say that I totally dig all the gaming and pop culture references. On one hand, it gives a subtle nod to those of us out there who appreciate geekdom, on the other hand, it might make it so this book doesn't have the longevity for reading that other series might have. It is one of the reasons I enjoyed "Ready Player One" so much. I am a child of the eighties and totally got the references. It was a roller coaster in pop culture awesomeness.
Also. Unicorns. My head just exploded a little.
This book has more of all the fun stuff. More magic, more gore, more action and definitely more backstory. We are learning a bit about her past and that maybe
'"We fight with what we have," he murmured. "Not what we wish to have.
"Okay, Obi-Wan." I nipped his chin and settled into his arms.
"I am not quoting Star Wars," he said, glaring down at me in mock annoyance.
"No, but you sound wise for your years."
"Protect you, I will," he said. "Love you, I do."'"
there is something special about her. Ya. I know, not exactly the most original plot device. But, you know what that is ok. It is a plot device because it is useful. Bellet is not slamming us over the head with the fact that there is something unknown about Jade. There just is. Deal with it and we will find out in due time.
Also, I have to say that I totally dig all the gaming and pop culture references. On one hand, it gives a subtle nod to those of us out there who appreciate geekdom, on the other hand, it might make it so this book doesn't have the longevity for reading that other series might have. It is one of the reasons I enjoyed "Ready Player One" so much. I am a child of the eighties and totally got the references. It was a roller coaster in pop culture awesomeness.
Also. Unicorns. My head just exploded a little.
hollydoesstuff's review
4.0
This series has great pacing, fun characters, and great nerd references for those of us who are into comics and sci fi. Can't wait to keep going.
bunnerz's review
4.0
Ratings - completed series:
#1 Justice Calling: ★★★★☆
#2 Murder of Crows: ★★★★☆
#3 Pack of Lies: ★★★★☆
#4 Hunting Season (this book): ★★★★☆
#5 Heartache: ★★★★☆
#6 Thicker Than Blood: ★★★★☆
#7 Magic to the Bone: ★★★☆☆
#8 Dungeon Crawl: ★★★★☆
#9 River of No Return: ★★★★☆
#10 Balancing the Scales: ★★★★☆
#1 Justice Calling: ★★★★☆
#2 Murder of Crows: ★★★★☆
#3 Pack of Lies: ★★★★☆
#4 Hunting Season (this book): ★★★★☆
#5 Heartache: ★★★★☆
#6 Thicker Than Blood: ★★★★☆
#7 Magic to the Bone: ★★★☆☆
#8 Dungeon Crawl: ★★★★☆
#9 River of No Return: ★★★★☆
#10 Balancing the Scales: ★★★★☆
book_whispers's review
4.0
First off I am disappointed in Tess's role. Okay, so her role was pretty epic and moving. The issue was that Tess was everything and more than what I hoped she could have been. I get her role in Jade's hero's journey, but still. I love Tess.
Another thing is the ugly truth is out. Jade isn't really a comic book owner, she's a translator. Ha-ha. Okay so she's both, but I loved how she grudgingly admits it at the start. It's also fun that her supernatural gift is used to make a living so mundanely.
Alek and Jade are truly starting to grow for me as a couple. Finally the build up is becoming enough that I can buy it. I enjoy their frank talks and such.
In my nerd obsessed mind I am under the complete belief that Jade and I, not to mention all her friends, would be besties. The references to all things nerdy here just kept me laughing. Especially poor Tess's cruel introductory to sci-fi shows. Poor girl. The look through Tess's eyes to the big bad was also interesting, as you really see how sad and pathetic he is. Yeah, we want him crushed.
Content Warning: Clean sex scene, sexual humor, realistic homosexual relationship (I want more dang it!), nothing to gory though I guess to some extant since we are dealing with heart eating beings ^_-, and overall nothing really stood out.
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.
Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.
Another thing is the ugly truth is out. Jade isn't really a comic book owner, she's a translator. Ha-ha. Okay so she's both, but I loved how she grudgingly admits it at the start. It's also fun that her supernatural gift is used to make a living so mundanely.
Rock to mud. I couldn’t remember all the details of the spell, though I knew there was something in there about not working on magical stone. Fuck that, because the manual wasn’t a spell book, not in reality. In reality, I just needed to have the power and the belief I could do it.Sorcery magic still leaves me just a little confused. Jade is still crappy at magic so I'm guessing it's her unconscious doubt. That she's not believing? Why does she need all the fancy stuff? It makes it easier for her to believe? I don't like that it's not addressed fully. Though I do think I am on the right track.
“Curiosity is known to kill cats, Ms. Crow,” he said, raising an eyebrow in a gesture that looked utterly practiced and precise.I'm also very thrilled in all the magical creatures being introduced in this entry! Yeah for vampires, druids, and other things! Yippee! The more magical creatures the better. Not to mention unicorns! The world of The Twenty-Sided Sorceress is becoming so awesome. Doesn't heart with The Last Unicorn jokes. (No really I was obsessed when I was younger. Kind of still am.)
“Satisfaction brings them back,” I said, letting go of my magic. I didn’t want to accept what my brain and senses were telling me. “Do you sparkle in sunlight?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “I burn.”
Alek and Jade are truly starting to grow for me as a couple. Finally the build up is becoming enough that I can buy it. I enjoy their frank talks and such.
In my nerd obsessed mind I am under the complete belief that Jade and I, not to mention all her friends, would be besties. The references to all things nerdy here just kept me laughing. Especially poor Tess's cruel introductory to sci-fi shows. Poor girl. The look through Tess's eyes to the big bad was also interesting, as you really see how sad and pathetic he is. Yeah, we want him crushed.
Content Warning: Clean sex scene, sexual humor, realistic homosexual relationship (I want more dang it!), nothing to gory though I guess to some extant since we are dealing with heart eating beings ^_-, and overall nothing really stood out.
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.
Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.
heyt's review
4.0
I can see why the first four installments of this series were bundled into a title called Level Grind. I liked this installment because we see more movement in the overarching plot line and not just the mystery of the week. I found Samir's apprentices to be intriguing because they are after all in the same position that Jade was at one time. I appreciate the fact that Jade is still struggling with what it means to be a sorceress and the choices she has to make to survive the threat of Samir.