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andypeloquinauthor's review
4.0
This is not something I say often, but I will say it here: I was quite captivated by this book. While I was skeptical going into the story, by the time I reached the third or fourth chapter, I had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to know more about this "sibyl" thing, how the Greek mythology (I'm a huge fan) tied into it all, and more.
The ending was a bit disappointing, without any sort of satisfying climax. This seemed like the first 50 to 75% of a longer novel, and there was no real villain or threat to speak of. The character just discovered her powers, but there was no real danger in the entire book.
I think it took too long to get to the main part of the story--the passing on of the Sibyl power. Had the power been introduced earlier, it would have given the story more time to build up and perhaps would have allowed for a better climax.
The characters are solid, the story is very well-researched, and it's got a very good plot. The writing style is a tad simplistic, but there are only occasional typos and errors--I'd give the writing a solid 4 stars.
It is clearly a Book 1, but it was one that left me with only mild interest in reading Book 2. There was nothing that made me think, "Ooh, I want to know more about THAT!" Still, the quality of the story and the interesting theme may convince me to get my hands on Book 2 when it comes out.
The ending was a bit disappointing, without any sort of satisfying climax. This seemed like the first 50 to 75% of a longer novel, and there was no real villain or threat to speak of. The character just discovered her powers, but there was no real danger in the entire book.
I think it took too long to get to the main part of the story--the passing on of the Sibyl power. Had the power been introduced earlier, it would have given the story more time to build up and perhaps would have allowed for a better climax.
The characters are solid, the story is very well-researched, and it's got a very good plot. The writing style is a tad simplistic, but there are only occasional typos and errors--I'd give the writing a solid 4 stars.
It is clearly a Book 1, but it was one that left me with only mild interest in reading Book 2. There was nothing that made me think, "Ooh, I want to know more about THAT!" Still, the quality of the story and the interesting theme may convince me to get my hands on Book 2 when it comes out.
autwills's review
5.0
Paranormal story with a skeptical Sybil
*Spoilers*
This book was pretty good. Eva and Eli are great friends, they actually remind me of some of my friends. Eli is open to paranormal possibilities and Eva is a typical skeptic. Eli comes to Eva with a chance at taping a paranormal show (a la Ghost Hunters), and Eva begrudgingly agrees. Contracts are signed and deals are made.
Eva and Eli decide to attend a paranormal conference so that "they will sound like they know what they're talking about it", and Eva unwittingly becomes a "volunteer" at the scryer's seminar. Eva ends up taking the place of the scryer/Sybil, and with that comes the protection of a dark and mysterious stranger, Cyrus.
Cyrus is bound to Eva, and he helps protect her from spirits.
Eva ultimately decides that this new power can help further their show, so she stays on for the first taping, which is very entertaining, and great for ratings.
The characters are relatable, and there's a lot of great one-liners. This book should be devoured by anyone who has a slight interest in the paranormal.
(Disclosure: I am reviewing for Kylie's Fiction Addiction)
*Spoilers*
This book was pretty good. Eva and Eli are great friends, they actually remind me of some of my friends. Eli is open to paranormal possibilities and Eva is a typical skeptic. Eli comes to Eva with a chance at taping a paranormal show (a la Ghost Hunters), and Eva begrudgingly agrees. Contracts are signed and deals are made.
Eva and Eli decide to attend a paranormal conference so that "they will sound like they know what they're talking about it", and Eva unwittingly becomes a "volunteer" at the scryer's seminar. Eva ends up taking the place of the scryer/Sybil, and with that comes the protection of a dark and mysterious stranger, Cyrus.
Cyrus is bound to Eva, and he helps protect her from spirits.
Eva ultimately decides that this new power can help further their show, so she stays on for the first taping, which is very entertaining, and great for ratings.
The characters are relatable, and there's a lot of great one-liners. This book should be devoured by anyone who has a slight interest in the paranormal.
(Disclosure: I am reviewing for Kylie's Fiction Addiction)
fortifiedbybooks's review
3.0
I think The Sibyl has the potential to be a better story than it is currently, especially since it is the first book of a series that is already five books long. While I enjoyed it, it is in serious need of an editor, and I'm not talking about simple proofreading. While I can forgive, up to a certain point, spelling and grammatical errors, I had difficulty letting go of the stilted and often cliched dialogue as well as the stock 2D characters.
Again, overall, I enjoyed The Sibyl. Sometimes I wasn't sure if I liked or disliked its cheese factor (for example, one of the characters has a cellphone app to talk to a Greek god). However, I ultimately decided that, given some of the pieces of brain candy I happen to love, I could take this story for what it is.
With that being said, I probably shouldn't have read this during the Winter. The Sibyl is more of a beach or Summer read, and I likely would have enjoyed it more during that time of year when I don't want to think too much or take anything seriously. It's also an excellent choice for reading while on the elliptical or stationary bike.
Again, overall, I enjoyed The Sibyl. Sometimes I wasn't sure if I liked or disliked its cheese factor (for example, one of the characters has a cellphone app to talk to a Greek god). However, I ultimately decided that, given some of the pieces of brain candy I happen to love, I could take this story for what it is.
With that being said, I probably shouldn't have read this during the Winter. The Sibyl is more of a beach or Summer read, and I likely would have enjoyed it more during that time of year when I don't want to think too much or take anything seriously. It's also an excellent choice for reading while on the elliptical or stationary bike.
jsedge's review
2.0
Not good, I'm afraid.
This wasn't a long read, but -oh boy- it felt it. The pacing was pretty awful, the intriguing Sibyl plot line clogged up with far too much mundane blah.
Took a loooong time to get going, the first 30% consisting of set up which was exceedingly dull to read. Then, when things did finally kick off, it was like a quick flare and sizzle: Eva becomes the Sibyl, she has a bit of a freak out, and swiftly back to blah as the story returns to yet more TV show prep interspersed with some rather flimsy Greek myth teachings.
I didn't take to Eva. Not at all. And I really, really couldn't fathom out her reactions to events. She felt all over the place, immature and kinda petty. Her priorities seemed seriously skewed; sensationalising things that should have been background noise and skimming over the issues of real value. I mean, HELLO, you're suddenly fricking immortal with ties to a god, does spending an hour in hair and makeup matter so, so much in the grand scheme of things, you whiny little bitch?
Elliott was a 2D prop. Didn't get any sense of this long-term, deep friendship he and Eva supposedly shared (a major case of because Eva claimed it, it was so; no further evidencing necessary). And as for how their friendship blossomed into a relationship...*sigh* REALLY?
Cyrus was sort of interesting, I guess. Though the change in Eva's feelings towards him were equally as jarring as with Elliott.
The attempted love triangle, there, fell monumentally flat.
The big dramatic ending wasn't all that dramatic. After a whole book of not-much-happening build up, I hoped it would at least go off with a bang. But nope. The murder house was the most unremarkable location they could have chosen (Cyrus' reaction when he brought it up -like it was by far the worst of the lot -totally baffled me); the whole TV show in action part was messy and confuzzled; the reveal of Eva's set up came across super ludicrous; and her subsequent breakup with Elliott impact-less.
A disappointing story done no favours by the long-winded and, in many places, fairly sloppy writing. Won't be continuing this series.
This wasn't a long read, but -oh boy- it felt it. The pacing was pretty awful, the intriguing Sibyl plot line clogged up with far too much mundane blah.
Took a loooong time to get going, the first 30% consisting of set up which was exceedingly dull to read. Then, when things did finally kick off, it was like a quick flare and sizzle: Eva becomes the Sibyl, she has a bit of a freak out, and swiftly back to blah as the story returns to yet more TV show prep interspersed with some rather flimsy Greek myth teachings.
I didn't take to Eva. Not at all. And I really, really couldn't fathom out her reactions to events. She felt all over the place, immature and kinda petty. Her priorities seemed seriously skewed; sensationalising things that should have been background noise and skimming over the issues of real value. I mean, HELLO, you're suddenly fricking immortal with ties to a god, does spending an hour in hair and makeup matter so, so much in the grand scheme of things, you whiny little bitch?
Elliott was a 2D prop. Didn't get any sense of this long-term, deep friendship he and Eva supposedly shared (a major case of because Eva claimed it, it was so; no further evidencing necessary). And as for how their friendship blossomed into a relationship...*sigh* REALLY?
Cyrus was sort of interesting, I guess. Though the change in Eva's feelings towards him were equally as jarring as with Elliott.
The attempted love triangle, there, fell monumentally flat.
The big dramatic ending wasn't all that dramatic. After a whole book of not-much-happening build up, I hoped it would at least go off with a bang. But nope.
A disappointing story done no favours by the long-winded and, in many places, fairly sloppy writing. Won't be continuing this series.
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