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gypsydawn's review against another edition
4.0
Intriguing
This urban fantasy presents an entire universe set with new rules, familiar creatures and a landscape divided into those who have the power... and those that don’t. Toss in a thief, a hidden shifter and a mystery wrapped in red tape and you’ve got an interesting story that teases Gods and sets the stage for a captivating adventure.
Pros:
- Fast paced.
- Her powers are enviable, though rather secret.
- World building.
- Alberto. Enough says.
Cons:
- A few too many questions left.
- Jake is whiplash volatile with his emotions.
This urban fantasy presents an entire universe set with new rules, familiar creatures and a landscape divided into those who have the power... and those that don’t. Toss in a thief, a hidden shifter and a mystery wrapped in red tape and you’ve got an interesting story that teases Gods and sets the stage for a captivating adventure.
Pros:
- Fast paced.
- Her powers are enviable, though rather secret.
- World building.
- Alberto. Enough says.
Cons:
- A few too many questions left.
- Jake is whiplash volatile with his emotions.
scarletcat13's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up while being super tired and I didn't have high expectations but it was a ton better than I thought it would be. It starts like a somewhat typical romantic fantasy, girl meets guy doesn't really like him but is attracted to him they end up having to work together. But there was a hint of something there at the end that caught my attention. Pieces started to line up and I'm thinking Lexi isn't who she thinks she is. I don't want to spoil it but if my hunch is right that is one hell of a twist. If I'm not right well it's a good book anyway. The interactions between Lexi and Jake are what I was originally reading it for so the cool foreshadowing is some bonus.
sarahed's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a unique take on urban fantasy. I love the set up of the society with the shifters and shapers. It's nice to see some different shifters, such as cats and lions, alongside the more standard werewolves. The elemental magic and links to the Greek gods gave an interesting touch to the plot.
The story moves at a good pace and there isn't a boring moment. The back story is very neatly woven in. The main character, Lexi, has a unique magical talent of being able to control animals, talk to them, and use their talents herself. It's a real page-turner.
Few minor quibbles:
- I wish either shapers or shifters had been called something different. Early on, before I knew the difference, I kept confusing them.
- The romance was based initially on how hot Lexi thought Jake was and her musing on his...attractions. Personally, I like my romance a bit more subtle!
- I thought it ended too abruptly. I'd have liked a wind down chapter to see Holly and the baby, and see where Jake and Lexi stood, and if Syl remained human.
- The childbirth scene in a speeding car stretched my credulity a tad. But hey, it was exciting and full of tension, and it is fantasy :)
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on urban fantasy.
The story moves at a good pace and there isn't a boring moment. The back story is very neatly woven in. The main character, Lexi, has a unique magical talent of being able to control animals, talk to them, and use their talents herself. It's a real page-turner.
Few minor quibbles:
- I wish either shapers or shifters had been called something different. Early on, before I knew the difference, I kept confusing them.
- The romance was based initially on how hot Lexi thought Jake was and her musing on his...attractions. Personally, I like my romance a bit more subtle!
- I thought it ended too abruptly. I'd have liked a wind down chapter to see Holly and the baby, and see where Jake and Lexi stood, and if Syl remained human.
- The childbirth scene in a speeding car stretched my credulity a tad. But hey, it was exciting and full of tension, and it is fantasy :)
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on urban fantasy.
readingistravel's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the action in this book, and the little surprise at the end. As someone who loves Greek myth I enjoyed this alot.
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
I've been reading a lot of indie published Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance recently (and I think this is indie, but forgive me if I'm wrong) and usually I'm finishing the book because I started it.
This one was a bit better than most of what I've read. It comes down mostly to the characters. In Stolen Magic, we are introduced to a world where humans uneasily coexist with shifters and shapers (elemental magic wielders). Of course the shapers are powerful and in control.
We meet Lexi as she's attempting to steal from the local, small beach town mayor. We find out instantly that while she's not a shifter or a shaper, and in fact hates shapers, she isn't a regular old human either.
Of course complications ensue, and another powerful fireshaper (who also happens to be built like a romance hero, and we're told that several times in the book) comes to town to investigate and she is attracted to him. Of course.
But what set this apart from other kickass heroine Urban Fantasies with romance is the side characters. I got a little tired of Lexi's internal monologue of "shapers are terrible, they are awful, wow Jake looks like a romance hero" but it was always redeemed by her sidekick sarcastic Syl (a cat) or her friendship with a pregnant werewolf and her mate, or the mysterious Alberto who gave lexi a job and a place to live.
So while the romance is so-so, mostly because Jake just doesn't have much of a character, he is either accusing Lexi of shadowy doings or shooting fireballs at someone, the emphasis in this one on bonds between Lexi and her friends is compulsively readable. (and I know this is my pet peeve, but I do dislike the current trend in UF of short "novels" where I just get settled in a world with characters I like and then the book ends abruptly. But I forgive this book for that. At least it ties up the immediate investigative issue before introducing bigger complications)
I'll probably buy the next one in the series.
This one was a bit better than most of what I've read. It comes down mostly to the characters. In Stolen Magic, we are introduced to a world where humans uneasily coexist with shifters and shapers (elemental magic wielders). Of course the shapers are powerful and in control.
We meet Lexi as she's attempting to steal from the local, small beach town mayor. We find out instantly that while she's not a shifter or a shaper, and in fact hates shapers, she isn't a regular old human either.
Of course complications ensue, and another powerful fireshaper (who also happens to be built like a romance hero, and we're told that several times in the book) comes to town to investigate and she is attracted to him. Of course.
But what set this apart from other kickass heroine Urban Fantasies with romance is the side characters. I got a little tired of Lexi's internal monologue of "shapers are terrible, they are awful, wow Jake looks like a romance hero" but it was always redeemed by her sidekick sarcastic Syl (a cat) or her friendship with a pregnant werewolf and her mate, or the mysterious Alberto who gave lexi a job and a place to live.
So while the romance is so-so, mostly because Jake just doesn't have much of a character, he is either accusing Lexi of shadowy doings or shooting fireballs at someone, the emphasis in this one on bonds between Lexi and her friends is compulsively readable. (and I know this is my pet peeve, but I do dislike the current trend in UF of short "novels" where I just get settled in a world with characters I like and then the book ends abruptly. But I forgive this book for that. At least it ties up the immediate investigative issue before introducing bigger complications)
I'll probably buy the next one in the series.
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good and entertaining urban fantasy! I love the mix of different ideas in Stolen Magic, setting it apart a bit from many other UFs which often feel very similar to each other.
The main character is a woman who knows her job and is very good at being a thief! But circumstances force her onto a path she didn't really choose...
This is full of action, good characters, an interesting plot, some mysteries and a good dash of humour. It's well and smoothly written and has some of the banter I much enjoy in UF.
The one star missing is for the stereotypical "brooding hot guy" -> who thankfully only player a minor part in the book. It's definitely UF with just a dash of romance, not full on paranormal romance! But as I hate romance in my fantasy, especially if it's the overused and predictable kind, it still annoyed me.
The main character is a woman who knows her job and is very good at being a thief! But circumstances force her onto a path she didn't really choose...
This is full of action, good characters, an interesting plot, some mysteries and a good dash of humour. It's well and smoothly written and has some of the banter I much enjoy in UF.
The one star missing is for the stereotypical "brooding hot guy" -> who thankfully only player a minor part in the book. It's definitely UF with just a dash of romance, not full on paranormal romance! But as I hate romance in my fantasy, especially if it's the overused and predictable kind, it still annoyed me.
feliciabooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun en quick read.
the world is interesting, but not really a fan of the insta lust.
that plot twist at the almost made me read the second book, but I wont
the world is interesting, but not really a fan of the insta lust.
that plot twist at the almost made me read the second book, but I wont
theybedax's review against another edition
3.0
Super fast read that is high action from start to finish. I'm intrigue to see where the author goes from here.
gotoboston's review against another edition
4.0
Stolen Magic
This book was a lot of fun from start to finish. Interesting concept, a lot of good ideas. I'm not sure if this one was executed very well. The plot really could have used more fleshing out from the start, but hopefully the next book will actually contain more world building and answers. I'm certainly going to keep reading just to see what this crazy crew of characters will do next.
This book was a lot of fun from start to finish. Interesting concept, a lot of good ideas. I'm not sure if this one was executed very well. The plot really could have used more fleshing out from the start, but hopefully the next book will actually contain more world building and answers. I'm certainly going to keep reading just to see what this crazy crew of characters will do next.