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lolasreviews's review against another edition
4.0
After reading book 1 I couldn't wait to return to this fun and magical series and a few days later I started book 2. Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts is just as fun as book 1, I flew through this book and enjoyed every page of it. It's such a fun series, filled with magic and mystery, great characters and a hint of romance.
This book nicely combines both the paranormal and mystery elements into an engaging story. I like how the mystery is a bit different from most cozy mysteries. Yes someone dies and the main character searches for the culprit, but it's all just a bit different. Which is great! And the paranormal touches, magic and fun setting really add something to the series.
I liked the mystery aspect of this book, I had figured some things were going on or something wasn't quite right with something, but not predict fully what exactly. I did predict a few things, but not all the details and it was still great to see things come to light and the reasons behind things. I wasn't sure why the murderer was and was surprised when that came to light, but it did make sense. The pacing is also a bit different than normal cozy mysteries, the murder isn't directly at the start and after the murder gets solved there are a few more chapters to wrap things up.
And there is a lot of magic and paranormal things involved everywhere, it's woven so nicely into the story it's completely part of it. I liked reading about Imogen learning to control her magic a bit more, we learn more about the magical world and there's a carnival! And maple is now the royal baker and there are some great side plot lines involving her and the other side characters. Iggy is still one of my favorite characters and there were some great scenes involving him.
It was a joy to read this book. I can't say it enough, but this book is so much fun to read. And while it touches upon some issues like murder and some others it keeps having this light tone. I like how it has both a paranormal feel and a strong focus on the mystery as well. And the whole city and the carnival in this book were fun to read about.
There isn't much progressing with the romance in this book. Imogen meets another male she becomes close with, but I am glad it never felt like it was going in the direction of a love triangle, which was nice. She really only wants to be friends with Edward. However I still didn't like Edward. I did like the few scenes with hank, but I just wished we got to see more of Imogen and Hank together.
To summarize: This book was just as much fun as book 1. I flew through the book and wanted to keep reading. The blend of paranormal and mystery is so well done and really works here. The mystery was a good one, I had predicted a few things, but not all the details and it was great to see everything play out and come to light. I like how the pacing and events of the book don't follow the typical progressing of a cozy mystery, the slightly different pace really works. The characters are great to read about and I liked seeing more of Maple, Iggy and some new characters. There are some fun plot lines involving the bakery and the carnival. I didn't really like Edward, but I was glad it never felt like it was turning into a love triangle. There isn't much romance in this book and I hope we get more of Hank and Imogen together in next book. I am looking forward to starting book 3 soon!
This book nicely combines both the paranormal and mystery elements into an engaging story. I like how the mystery is a bit different from most cozy mysteries. Yes someone dies and the main character searches for the culprit, but it's all just a bit different. Which is great! And the paranormal touches, magic and fun setting really add something to the series.
I liked the mystery aspect of this book, I had figured some things were going on or something wasn't quite right with something, but not predict fully what exactly. I did predict a few things, but not all the details and it was still great to see things come to light and the reasons behind things. I wasn't sure why the murderer was and was surprised when that came to light, but it did make sense. The pacing is also a bit different than normal cozy mysteries, the murder isn't directly at the start and after the murder gets solved there are a few more chapters to wrap things up.
And there is a lot of magic and paranormal things involved everywhere, it's woven so nicely into the story it's completely part of it. I liked reading about Imogen learning to control her magic a bit more, we learn more about the magical world and there's a carnival! And maple is now the royal baker and there are some great side plot lines involving her and the other side characters. Iggy is still one of my favorite characters and there were some great scenes involving him.
It was a joy to read this book. I can't say it enough, but this book is so much fun to read. And while it touches upon some issues like murder and some others it keeps having this light tone. I like how it has both a paranormal feel and a strong focus on the mystery as well. And the whole city and the carnival in this book were fun to read about.
There isn't much progressing with the romance in this book. Imogen meets another male she becomes close with, but I am glad it never felt like it was going in the direction of a love triangle, which was nice. She really only wants to be friends with Edward. However I still didn't like Edward. I did like the few scenes with hank, but I just wished we got to see more of Imogen and Hank together.
To summarize: This book was just as much fun as book 1. I flew through the book and wanted to keep reading. The blend of paranormal and mystery is so well done and really works here. The mystery was a good one, I had predicted a few things, but not all the details and it was great to see everything play out and come to light. I like how the pacing and events of the book don't follow the typical progressing of a cozy mystery, the slightly different pace really works. The characters are great to read about and I liked seeing more of Maple, Iggy and some new characters. There are some fun plot lines involving the bakery and the carnival. I didn't really like Edward, but I was glad it never felt like it was turning into a love triangle. There isn't much romance in this book and I hope we get more of Hank and Imogen together in next book. I am looking forward to starting book 3 soon!
_surri_'s review against another edition
3.0
Bit of fluff, really. Not bad, not the most brilliant thing I've read either. Author is pulling the tensions out a bit too long, though. And I'm not sure the ages of the characters are that believable sometimes. Overall, still fun.
dmnich's review
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
karen_the_baroness's review
5.0
What better way to avoid a prince then working at the Palace’s bake tent at the Summer Sea Carnival?
In Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts by Erin Johnson, the fun-loving and sometimes sassy characters from Seashells, Spells, & Caramels are back in the second installment of this brand-new cozy mystery series. Of course, along with the characters, we all know and love will have to deal with a crazy new mystery. They even find out a lot more than they bargained for. My favorite character would still have to be the main character. Imogen Banks. She’s still such as sassy and friendly person ever. Especially with being thrown into a new world after earning a spot in the Palace as a baker.
What I like about this book:
That despite Imogen’s protests, to herself, she still really does like Hank/Prince Harry.
Imogen’s stubbornness really shows through. When she is dealing with Hank/Prince Harry trying to get her to take magic lessons. Trying to solve the mysteries, in the book, without endangering her friends who want to protect her.
I did like how she found a loophole to getting someone to help her learn her magic.
The one thing I have to say that I like the most is the sayings they say in Bijou Mer. Like “Sea snakes” – everyone. Or “When the fog clears” – Maple White.
I also like the subtle hints of perhaps two love triangles may be or start going on between some of the characters.
What I didn’t like about this book:
What I didn’t like was how stubborn and cruel Inspector Bon can be once he thinks he figured out the mystery without really doing much with trying to solve the mystery. Inspector Bon also has never liked Imogen anyways. Another thing I don’t like is how everyone thinks they know the correct way to help Imogen with her magic. When it’s apparent no one does. Except for maybe Hank/Prince Harry.
What I am curious about:
Is who Imogen’s real family?
Will she learn who she fully is?
Why Horace, leader of the Badland Army, wants her so badly?
Five Stars
Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts by Erin Johnson is a great book that I devoured in a day. I so didn’t want to put it down for any reason but I had to so that I could eat or give attention to my cat. This book is getting five stars and I’m recommending it to anyone that likes paranormal mixed with a cozy mystery.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove.
If you would like to read more reviews like this one please go to baronessbooktrove.com
In Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts by Erin Johnson, the fun-loving and sometimes sassy characters from Seashells, Spells, & Caramels are back in the second installment of this brand-new cozy mystery series. Of course, along with the characters, we all know and love will have to deal with a crazy new mystery. They even find out a lot more than they bargained for. My favorite character would still have to be the main character. Imogen Banks. She’s still such as sassy and friendly person ever. Especially with being thrown into a new world after earning a spot in the Palace as a baker.
What I like about this book:
That despite Imogen’s protests, to herself, she still really does like Hank/Prince Harry.
Imogen’s stubbornness really shows through. When she is dealing with Hank/Prince Harry trying to get her to take magic lessons. Trying to solve the mysteries, in the book, without endangering her friends who want to protect her.
I did like how she found a loophole to getting someone to help her learn her magic.
The one thing I have to say that I like the most is the sayings they say in Bijou Mer. Like “Sea snakes” – everyone. Or “When the fog clears” – Maple White.
I also like the subtle hints of perhaps two love triangles may be or start going on between some of the characters.
What I didn’t like about this book:
What I didn’t like was how stubborn and cruel Inspector Bon can be once he thinks he figured out the mystery without really doing much with trying to solve the mystery. Inspector Bon also has never liked Imogen anyways. Another thing I don’t like is how everyone thinks they know the correct way to help Imogen with her magic. When it’s apparent no one does. Except for maybe Hank/Prince Harry.
What I am curious about:
Is who Imogen’s real family?
Will she learn who she fully is?
Why Horace, leader of the Badland Army, wants her so badly?
Five Stars
Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts by Erin Johnson is a great book that I devoured in a day. I so didn’t want to put it down for any reason but I had to so that I could eat or give attention to my cat. This book is getting five stars and I’m recommending it to anyone that likes paranormal mixed with a cozy mystery.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove.
If you would like to read more reviews like this one please go to baronessbooktrove.com
shelbyleannblacker's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
babybookishyoda's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
laileanah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a fun romp at the carnival.
We learned a tiny bit more about Imogen's magical ability.
Most of this is very tongue in cheek.
We learned a tiny bit more about Imogen's magical ability.
Most of this is very tongue in cheek.
cindy10's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
tarana's review against another edition
4.0
Book 2 of this series. I was given this book free in return for an honest review. I am not a fan of this genre.
I had a lot of interruptions, so it took me a bit to warm up to the story. However, I did enjoy it enough that I will listen to it again. Hank is a bit on the back burner in this episode. A woman is murdered at a Fair and it's Imogene's destiny to find out who did it.
As in the last book, the narrator, Hannah Sommerville, was excellent. Lots of enthusiasm exactly as I would expect from Imogen.
In the Audible edition, the end of this book has 4.5 chapters of the next book in the series.
I had a lot of interruptions, so it took me a bit to warm up to the story. However, I did enjoy it enough that I will listen to it again. Hank is a bit on the back burner in this episode. A woman is murdered at a Fair and it's Imogene's destiny to find out who did it.
As in the last book, the narrator, Hannah Sommerville, was excellent. Lots of enthusiasm exactly as I would expect from Imogen.
In the Audible edition, the end of this book has 4.5 chapters of the next book in the series.
tara_whitaker's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0