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necrabelle's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ameliez's review
adventurous
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
heathersbike's review
I can't decide if I have really never read any of these (other than the teaser at the end) or if I just don't remember the others.
whatcha_listening_to's review
4.0
Overall I enjoyed each of these stories for different reasons. I haven’t read any of the Cainsville series so maybe this is all part of that but I still enjoyed the short stories this is my thoughts on them being as I am fully new to any of these characters.
1: The Screams of Dragons.
Bobby really intrigued me and the fact that he dreams and hears dragons intrigued me as I said but it was more than that. It was what does this mean?
Oh, that ending I swear it gave me goosebumps.
The elders … evil or saints guess it’s up to us to decide.
2: Devil May Care: Ok this one was interesting Patrick seems like an odd kind of guy but he didn’t deserve what happens to him or Gabe.
3: Gabriel’s Gargoyles: I don’t have any backstory I just enjoyed getting to see him learn about and then go on a quest to find the last one.
4: Bad Publicity: This is more of Patrick and some of what makes him who he is.
5: The Orange Cat: Hahaha this is hilarious and funny not going to lie when it first started I was like what is this but then I got it the cat came back ;) over and over again. Great side story.
6: Matagot: This was from the cats POV it was good.
7: Lady of the Lake: This was interesting and Liv and Ricky are a favorite of mine I think. What they go through and how they get there is really fun and interesting to listen to. I liked how they really worked together to find what they were after. I liked the Canadian’ facts for sure.
Overall I enjoyed each of the narrations, they all brought something new to each story and I liked that it was easy to go from one short right into the next.
Each had a way with the characters that really made listening to an interesting experience.
1: The Screams of Dragons.
Bobby really intrigued me and the fact that he dreams and hears dragons intrigued me as I said but it was more than that. It was what does this mean?
Oh, that ending I swear it gave me goosebumps.
The elders … evil or saints guess it’s up to us to decide.
2: Devil May Care: Ok this one was interesting Patrick seems like an odd kind of guy but he didn’t deserve what happens to him or Gabe.
3: Gabriel’s Gargoyles: I don’t have any backstory I just enjoyed getting to see him learn about and then go on a quest to find the last one.
4: Bad Publicity: This is more of Patrick and some of what makes him who he is.
5: The Orange Cat: Hahaha this is hilarious and funny not going to lie when it first started I was like what is this but then I got it the cat came back ;) over and over again. Great side story.
6: Matagot: This was from the cats POV it was good.
7: Lady of the Lake: This was interesting and Liv and Ricky are a favorite of mine I think. What they go through and how they get there is really fun and interesting to listen to. I liked how they really worked together to find what they were after. I liked the Canadian’ facts for sure.
Overall I enjoyed each of the narrations, they all brought something new to each story and I liked that it was easy to go from one short right into the next.
Each had a way with the characters that really made listening to an interesting experience.
carlyrosey3's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It’s a novella and it really helped me answer any questions I had about the book
a_h_haga's review
3.0
I started out listening to this collection on Audible and did enjoy it there, despite the male narrators - I often find I have trouble with those, I don't know why. Think it is how high piched they often make women sound - but when I came to the last story in the collection, I couldn't deal with the female narrator, ironically! So I ended up buying the collection on kindle and wait until i was able to read the last story there.
THE SCREAM OF DRAGONS
Not really sure what to think of this one. It was ok, but I kept being annoyed at the paranoia. Probably because the MC was a boy, in which case, the paranoia seemed like entitledment.
Probably the point.
2/5
DEVIL MAY CARE
I respect K. A. a lot more after this story about how Gabriel's parents met. It was a bit long and round-about, but I'm glad she tackled the author-stereotype well, as well as male-rape.
4/5
GABRIEL'S GARGOILS
This was a re-read for me, and I did enjoy it a lot more now that I knew the world and the characters. I liked seeing this side of Gabriel, as well as his dynamic with Patric and Rose.
Also, cute story.
I wish we'd get to see his gargoil, though
4.5/5
BAD PUBLICITY
This was a fun one. I like Patrick as an MC, and I also liked seeing how hos role in... Stuff... Affects his everyday life
4/5
THE ORANGE CAT
This was a fun one. Not only did I enjoy Gabriel as the POV and the way he views the world, but I also really much liked the story. Would love to see the cat again in a later story, just as a easteregg.
5/5
MATAGOT
I liked this story about TC. That we get to know what he is and why he does what he does. As well as getting to see a new side of Grace - if we didn't read between the lines before.
I do get so angry at the original boys, tho. Seriously, talk about entitlement.
4.5/5
LADY OF THE LAKE
A story about Ricky and Liv's adventures set just after book 3 in the series. It was an interesting story, with an interesting mystery. I'm curious what happened with the puppy, though.
I also had some questions regarding Liv's visions. I didn't get the idea that she actually disappears when she gets a vision before. Especially not considering in one scene, she's actually watching Gabriel try to reach her (in one of the other books) so that was kind of weird.
It was also weird actually reading this story. I will admit that I think the narrators are pretty good and would love to listen to the audiobooks, but they aren't available here, so... *shrug*
4/5
-------------------------------------------
As always with this author, the writing and characters are good, and most of the stories were good as well, but it still only gets 3/5 stars, as I don't think I'll ever return to read any of these stories in the future.
THE SCREAM OF DRAGONS
Not really sure what to think of this one. It was ok, but I kept being annoyed at the paranoia. Probably because the MC was a boy, in which case, the paranoia seemed like entitledment.
Probably the point.
2/5
DEVIL MAY CARE
I respect K. A. a lot more after this story about how Gabriel's parents met. It was a bit long and round-about, but I'm glad she tackled the author-stereotype well, as well as male-rape.
4/5
GABRIEL'S GARGOILS
This was a re-read for me, and I did enjoy it a lot more now that I knew the world and the characters. I liked seeing this side of Gabriel, as well as his dynamic with Patric and Rose.
Also, cute story.
I wish we'd get to see his gargoil, though
4.5/5
BAD PUBLICITY
This was a fun one. I like Patrick as an MC, and I also liked seeing how hos role in... Stuff... Affects his everyday life
4/5
THE ORANGE CAT
This was a fun one. Not only did I enjoy Gabriel as the POV and the way he views the world, but I also really much liked the story. Would love to see the cat again in a later story, just as a easteregg.
5/5
MATAGOT
I liked this story about TC. That we get to know what he is and why he does what he does. As well as getting to see a new side of Grace - if we didn't read between the lines before.
I do get so angry at the original boys, tho. Seriously, talk about entitlement.
4.5/5
LADY OF THE LAKE
A story about Ricky and Liv's adventures set just after book 3 in the series. It was an interesting story, with an interesting mystery. I'm curious what happened with the puppy, though.
I also had some questions regarding Liv's visions. I didn't get the idea that she actually disappears when she gets a vision before. Especially not considering in one scene, she's actually watching Gabriel try to reach her (in one of the other books) so that was kind of weird.
It was also weird actually reading this story. I will admit that I think the narrators are pretty good and would love to listen to the audiobooks, but they aren't available here, so... *shrug*
4/5
-------------------------------------------
As always with this author, the writing and characters are good, and most of the stories were good as well, but it still only gets 3/5 stars, as I don't think I'll ever return to read any of these stories in the future.
kari_webster's review
5.0
I don’t normally get on with short story collections but I love this one! Armstrong is an excellent writer that keeps me coming back for more. I love Cainsville, Liv, Gabriel & Patrick and this collection is wonderful. Consistently well written, absorbing and enlightening, I have learned so much about the mythology of the world and about the characters’ back stories. Can I just read Cainsville stories forever? Please? The more I learn about Patrick, the more my heart breaks for him and Gabriel. Tragic - and it’s all Seanna’s fault. I may dislike her immensely but she is incredibly well crafted, like all of them, and complex. If you’re a fan of this series, I really recommend this collection! But definitely read Lost Souls and Rough Justice too.
Below are some of my immediate thoughts after I read each story... essentially I love Patrick & Gabriel.
The Screams of Dragons - spooky as hell and deeply disturbing
Devil May Care - ah Patrick is such a great character, my heart broke for him in this one, and for Gabriel, all over again. Bloody Seanna.
Gabriel’s Gargoyles - This world is so good. Heartbreaking, but so good. The Patrick/Gabriel relationship is just so tragic.
The Orange Cat - excellent feline, good old Gabriel not being phased by anything.
Bad Publicity - Another Patrick story - i love this guy, his attitude/actions all make so much sense now!! Poor Bocan. So much heartbreak - he and Gabriel could have had such a different life. I hate Seanna. But v clever writing.
Matagot - this was really fun! It was cool to have a story from Olivia’s cat, ‘TC’, and learn why it sticks to Liv and how it links to the greater mythologies of the series. I’m loving this!!
Lady of the Lake - Brilliant! Weird to be getting a Ricky & Liv story but really well done. Another fascinating insight to the lore and how Arawn & the Otherworld are linked. Keeping everything crossed that more stories are released.
Below are some of my immediate thoughts after I read each story... essentially I love Patrick & Gabriel.
The Screams of Dragons - spooky as hell and deeply disturbing
Devil May Care - ah Patrick is such a great character, my heart broke for him in this one, and for Gabriel, all over again. Bloody Seanna.
Gabriel’s Gargoyles - This world is so good. Heartbreaking, but so good. The Patrick/Gabriel relationship is just so tragic.
The Orange Cat - excellent feline, good old Gabriel not being phased by anything.
Bad Publicity - Another Patrick story - i love this guy, his attitude/actions all make so much sense now!! Poor Bocan. So much heartbreak - he and Gabriel could have had such a different life. I hate Seanna. But v clever writing.
Matagot - this was really fun! It was cool to have a story from Olivia’s cat, ‘TC’, and learn why it sticks to Liv and how it links to the greater mythologies of the series. I’m loving this!!
Lady of the Lake - Brilliant! Weird to be getting a Ricky & Liv story but really well done. Another fascinating insight to the lore and how Arawn & the Otherworld are linked. Keeping everything crossed that more stories are released.
mftaylor's review
4.0
This was a selection of short stories based on the Cainsville series by Armstrong.
I enjoyed them but have to come to realize I much better like the stories with Gabriel and Liv. They are my favorite two characters. Still fun reading and gives some insights and extra info for the series.
I enjoyed them but have to come to realize I much better like the stories with Gabriel and Liv. They are my favorite two characters. Still fun reading and gives some insights and extra info for the series.
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