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suzemo's review
2.0
Short story about Chess, our intrepid church-witch, which needs to be read after [b:City of Ghosts|7352840|City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, #3)|Stacia Kane|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327897476s/7352840.jpg|6912417] (#3 in the Downside Ghosts series). It's not a stand-alone and shouldn't be read before that book or it would spoil quite a bit of the fun tension in the previous books.
The story was un-exciting. Chess is doing her investigation, there's lots of time with her boyfriend scattered in there, and there's not a whole lot of tension or the crazy excitement you find in the full-length novels. It was nice to see her and Terrible happy, and for that, it might have earned a 3 star.
The problem I had with the story (and I think Michelle was correct in calling it fan-fic wishful-fulfillment) was that it was so busy trying to be sweet and sexy that it made Chess act out of character.
You just cannot make me believe that because Chess is?
I call bullshit and I just can't buy it. I can't. That's not Chess. And I don't care how happy or endorphin-ed she is, she's not stupid, and it's not in character with what we've seen so far.
The story was un-exciting. Chess is doing her investigation, there's lots of time with her boyfriend scattered in there, and there's not a whole lot of tension or the crazy excitement you find in the full-length novels. It was nice to see her and Terrible happy, and for that, it might have earned a 3 star.
The problem I had with the story (and I think Michelle was correct in calling it fan-fic wishful-fulfillment) was that it was so busy trying to be sweet and sexy that it made Chess act out of character.
You just cannot make me believe that because Chess is
Spoiler
in wuv that she suddenly changes character and doesn't rat out the couple for hosting a ghost. Chess always, always has 100% faith in the Church and loves her job (and is good at it), but suddenly, because she has a boyfriend she's just ignoring Church laws. She's suddenly going to start risking her job? A split "OMG, I can't let Terrible die!" illegal move in a panic I can buy, but she'll let people break one of the biggest Church laws? She'll let them keep a ghost, which she, if anyone, knows can be a horribly bad idea. And the most distrusting person ever decides to trust random strangers with actually calling her "if anything changes" even though they've already proven their untrustworthiness by breaking the law 20 ways to Sunday (first summoning, then hosting)I call bullshit and I just can't buy it. I can't. That's not Chess. And I don't care how happy or endorphin-ed she is, she's not stupid, and it's not in character with what we've seen so far.
jadetiger's review
4.0
Short story about Chess as a Debunker church witch and this one of her cases. Great little story. Cheers 8-) Jaime
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review
5.0
Very short, and oh, so sweet! I didn't even know Chess had it in her to be so empathetic! And Terrible *sighs* Terrible, I need more of Downside Ghosts like right now!
No wonder this is my favorite series! Extremely well written, and a nice story to keep the fans happy while waiting for the next installment. Chess has changed so much since the first novel, even if she still has a lot of flaws, she finally realizes that some people can be trusted, and that she is loved.
No wonder this is my favorite series! Extremely well written, and a nice story to keep the fans happy while waiting for the next installment. Chess has changed so much since the first novel, even if she still has a lot of flaws, she finally realizes that some people can be trusted, and that she is loved.
lynseyisreading's review
5.0
Squeeeee! I freaking LOVE Terrible! Could he be any more adorable if he tried? I think not.
This novella packs quite a punch for twenty-four little pages and is an absolute must read for fans of the series. It was a real feel good story, a bit of a mystery thrown it but the main focus was on Chess and Terrible finally together and happy! If you loved the end of City of Ghosts as much as I did, you will love this too. Having said that, I have a sneaky suspicion this might only be the calm before the storm in the next instalment. Chess wouldn't be Chess if her life wasn't a hot mess now would she?
Can't wait for the next book, Sacrificial Magic. Wish I had it already. Oh wait! I do! *grins*
This novella packs quite a punch for twenty-four little pages and is an absolute must read for fans of the series. It was a real feel good story, a bit of a mystery thrown it but the main focus was on Chess and Terrible finally together and happy! If you loved the end of City of Ghosts as much as I did, you will love this too. Having said that, I have a sneaky suspicion this might only be the calm before the storm in the next instalment. Chess wouldn't be Chess if her life wasn't a hot mess now would she?
Can't wait for the next book, Sacrificial Magic. Wish I had it already. Oh wait! I do! *grins*
elliefufu's review
5.0
Loved this! It's so nice to not have Chess almost being killed or on the verge of an emotional breakdown. LOVED seeing how Terrible is with her! So glad they are finally together and can't wait for the next book
loishojmark's review
5.0
Read 10. January 2013. 3 ***
Re-reading 19. November 2015. 5 **** this time around. Not because of the plot. It's a very short story and a very "short" plot, but five stars because it's so nice to see Chess and Terrible so happy. So that might make me a romantic sucker, but so be it...
Re-reading 19. November 2015. 5 **** this time around. Not because of the plot. It's a very short story and a very "short" plot, but five stars because it's so nice to see Chess and Terrible so happy. So that might make me a romantic sucker, but so be it...
audiobookmel's review
4.0
This is a great short story which has plenty of Terrible in it (which makes it all the better). It is a quick read and a great Valentine's Day story (though I don't remember anything about it actually taking place around Valentine's Day, just released on that day).