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westlinwind's review
4.0
I've been listening to the audio versions of these which are beautifully narrated by XE Sands. The world seems well built and the narrative remarkably consistent for a series written by multiple authors. And who doesn't spend time daydreaming about the Vatican's secret archives?
trike's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good read, but it does pale in comparison to Season 1. This collection feels more episodic and less of a single piece than the previous book did, until the last 4 episodes or so. The epilogue did nothing for me.
That said, it’s still impressive that a bunch of diverse writers can all create entries which feel remarkably cohesive over 800 pages. Even working from the same outline that seems tough. So kudos to whoever it is at Serial Box who shepherds these books to publication.
Spoiler
Mostly because I don’t recall where Perry was left in the last book, and the idea of restarting Team Four — the magic users — felt unnecessary.That said, it’s still impressive that a bunch of diverse writers can all create entries which feel remarkably cohesive over 800 pages. Even working from the same outline that seems tough. So kudos to whoever it is at Serial Box who shepherds these books to publication.
jzacsh's review against another edition
4.0
Solid ending. Very similar to the first book - silly, fun, well written, fast read.
jayshay's review against another edition
2.0
I found Season 2 a disappointment after the fun and focused adventure of Season 1. Sal is pushed into the background and it felt like a lot of pieces were being set up for Season 3 to be exciting, but there wasn't a proper emotional focus for these 13 episodes of the story.
The ad copy compares Bookburners, with its team of writer each writing individual episodes of an overall story, to various tv shows and I have to wonder how viewers would have felt if in Season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer had become the Giles the Librarian Show or the Xander Hour. The other characters are cool but I think the direction they went with this 'season' broke an implicit promise, at least to this reader.
From that perspective I found a lot of the episodes in this book were simply filler that should have been compressed and combined with advancing Sal and her brother's story to make for a more propulsive and exciting story. I felt like a lot of deck chairs were arranged painfully slowly in this season while I drummed my fingers waiting for the good stuff that never really arrived.
Just as there was no real main character for this season there wasn't really a satisfying climax either. The Christina-Demon thing? Or the election of the new cardinal? Both had about the equivalent emotional impact for me.
That said, the final scene in this volume promises that perhaps I will get my wish for Season 3 -- or it will go all Lost on me and try and tease me along.
I bailed on Lost somewhere at the start of season 3.
The ad copy compares Bookburners, with its team of writer each writing individual episodes of an overall story, to various tv shows and I have to wonder how viewers would have felt if in Season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer had become the Giles the Librarian Show or the Xander Hour. The other characters are cool but I think the direction they went with this 'season' broke an implicit promise, at least to this reader.
From that perspective I found a lot of the episodes in this book were simply filler that should have been compressed and combined with advancing Sal and her brother's story to make for a more propulsive and exciting story. I felt like a lot of deck chairs were arranged painfully slowly in this season while I drummed my fingers waiting for the good stuff that never really arrived.
Just as there was no real main character for this season there wasn't really a satisfying climax either. The Christina-Demon thing? Or the election of the new cardinal? Both had about the equivalent emotional impact for me.
That said, the final scene in this volume promises that perhaps I will get my wish for Season 3 -- or it will go all Lost on me and try and tease me along.
I bailed on Lost somewhere at the start of season 3.
coolcurrybooks's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve finally caught up with season two of Bookburners! This urban fantasy series by Max Gladstone is a Serial Box story. Serial Box creates serial fiction akin to television seasons. Various different “episodes” make up seasons. Each episode has it’s own plot arc, but they connect together to form a plot arc for the season. Thus, you can read season two without having read season one. Serial Box provides recaps, which may be helpful if you decide to start with season two.
Bookburners follows a secret society within the Vatican responsible for searching out and destroying magic and demonic activity. Last season, it became clear that the amount of magic in the world is increasing. Ashanti, the Archivist, believes that Team Three should seek to understand more about magic, using magic to fight magic. This isn’t a popular idea. Meanwhile, a new magical plot is a foot from a mysterious group called “the Network.” Once again, Team Three will find themselves facing previously unimaginable situations.
As was the case with season one, the transition between different authors feels seamless. While it may be a whole bunch of different authors writing these episodes, the entire story really has the same style and voice. It’s well written in general, but I’m highly impressed by how these authors work with the same voice.
The high point of Bookburners is the characters. After the first season, I was already attached to the main cast. I’ve really come to enjoy each of them and their interactions with each other. Grace and Sal’s friendship remains a favorite aspect of mine, but I was also glad that we got to see more of Liam’s backstory. Ashanti’s a major source of conflict this season, as she’s increasingly pushed on the society to do with magic… and the society’s starting to push back. Also, how much of Grace’s candle is left? I’m getting worried about her, and I think her situation will come to a head in season three.
I wasn’t as wowed by the season two’s plot arc. I think this season might be a bit more episodic? It felt like less of an overarching story. Or maybe I was just less interested in the Vatican politicking than the demonic activity of last season. That’s not to say that this season didn’t include plenty of magic and monsters. It actually explored the magic side of things more, which I appreciated (plus Middle Coom was deliciously creepy). However, I felt like the Network was never the strong villains that the Hand were last season.
Still, season two of Bookburners is thirteen episodes of urban fantasy fun, loaded with pop culture references (I spied one to Steven Universe!). If you want urban fantasy with an ensemble cast and no romantic focus, you should really check Bookburners out. I think it’d also appeal to those who like a police procedural element and horror influences. All in all, Bookburners is a story I’d recommend.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
I received an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.
Bookburners follows a secret society within the Vatican responsible for searching out and destroying magic and demonic activity. Last season, it became clear that the amount of magic in the world is increasing. Ashanti, the Archivist, believes that Team Three should seek to understand more about magic, using magic to fight magic. This isn’t a popular idea. Meanwhile, a new magical plot is a foot from a mysterious group called “the Network.” Once again, Team Three will find themselves facing previously unimaginable situations.
As was the case with season one, the transition between different authors feels seamless. While it may be a whole bunch of different authors writing these episodes, the entire story really has the same style and voice. It’s well written in general, but I’m highly impressed by how these authors work with the same voice.
The high point of Bookburners is the characters. After the first season, I was already attached to the main cast. I’ve really come to enjoy each of them and their interactions with each other. Grace and Sal’s friendship remains a favorite aspect of mine, but I was also glad that we got to see more of Liam’s backstory. Ashanti’s a major source of conflict this season, as she’s increasingly pushed on the society to do with magic… and the society’s starting to push back. Also, how much of Grace’s candle is left? I’m getting worried about her, and I think her situation will come to a head in season three.
I wasn’t as wowed by the season two’s plot arc. I think this season might be a bit more episodic? It felt like less of an overarching story. Or maybe I was just less interested in the Vatican politicking than the demonic activity of last season. That’s not to say that this season didn’t include plenty of magic and monsters. It actually explored the magic side of things more, which I appreciated (plus Middle Coom was deliciously creepy). However, I felt like the Network was never the strong villains that the Hand were last season.
Still, season two of Bookburners is thirteen episodes of urban fantasy fun, loaded with pop culture references (I spied one to Steven Universe!). If you want urban fantasy with an ensemble cast and no romantic focus, you should really check Bookburners out. I think it’d also appeal to those who like a police procedural element and horror influences. All in all, Bookburners is a story I’d recommend.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
I received an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.
drewsof's review
5.0
Review - and a season's worth of recaps - at RB: https://ragingbiblioholism.com/2016/09/16/bookburners-season-two/
imyril's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Still loving Bookburners - Season 2 follows the familiar structure of globetrotting mission of the week leading into season arcs focused on Society politics and Liam's past coming back to haunt him with the threat of a magical apocalypse... All in all, the season does a fine job of delving deeper into Liam, Grace and Asanti's backgrounds and delivering a tense final act as Team 3 face down technocultists and the Vatican itself. I'm so over-invested in these characters now 😂
Favourite episodes: 1/Creepy Town, 2/Webs, 7/Fire and Ice and 11/Shock and Awe
Favourite episodes: 1/Creepy Town, 2/Webs, 7/Fire and Ice and 11/Shock and Awe
careythesixth's review
4.0
Season 2 moved a little slower than season 1. And I got a bit bored with the politics of the Order. Sansone should be running everything but she has a vagina and the Vatican can't have women doing anything. It's probably too much to hope that Team Three will fully break from the church. But I'm invested now, and it really is an awesome story and amazing format Serial Box has going.