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cradlow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
atullio's review against another edition
4.0
If you caught my review of the first book, you know that I had issues with the repetivness of Shimmer's "voice" and the lack of a clear, overall story arch. This remains the same in this one as well. While it is true that there is some crossover of details from the first book, I'm still lost on what the main point of this is, which is rather concerning being this is the second book in the series. I will say we did see some more into Bette's past...but it was more of a teaser than any real information. I did love the inclusion of Tonya again, and her interactions with Chai. I'm looking forward to more of them in the future.
My main issue with this book's storyline: there was too much going on at once. The team was working two cases at once, Shimmer found another ghost, Ralph has family drama, Shimmer has more Glenda drama, and Tonya needs their help as well. Say it with me now, OVERLOAD. So much was happening even the characters couldn't keep track with who knew what!!
I realize I'm pointing out quite a few negatives in here, but I want to clarify that I do love the series so far, I just want to see some improvement on the overall plot of the series without being overloaded with information and activities. All of that in 300 pages was quite a lot to handle effectively without the story branching off in too many directions. I know it's difficult to believe when I really can't point out to you what I loved about this particular book, other than the characters. (Should I even post this now? omg.)
I'll end with this: If I don't see the overall story arch magically appear in the next book, my rating will possibly go down. I don't want to give low ratings to books I don't like, but the series has to have a solid idea to continue here!!
My main issue with this book's storyline: there was too much going on at once. The team was working two cases at once, Shimmer found another ghost, Ralph has family drama, Shimmer has more Glenda drama, and Tonya needs their help as well. Say it with me now, OVERLOAD. So much was happening even the characters couldn't keep track with who knew what!!
I realize I'm pointing out quite a few negatives in here, but I want to clarify that I do love the series so far, I just want to see some improvement on the overall plot of the series without being overloaded with information and activities. All of that in 300 pages was quite a lot to handle effectively without the story branching off in too many directions. I know it's difficult to believe when I really can't point out to you what I loved about this particular book, other than the characters. (Should I even post this now? omg.)
I'll end with this: If I don't see the overall story arch magically appear in the next book, my rating will possibly go down. I don't want to give low ratings to books I don't like, but the series has to have a solid idea to continue here!!
aly36's review against another edition
4.0
Shimmer and her friends are fun to follow in this book. You meet some new friends and we learn more about the friends she had in book 1. This series is good by Yasmine but I really loved the otherworld series so I can't wait for more of them. I think if you like this author or book with dragons, vampires and so much more, you should check out this series.
tanyad74's review against another edition
3.0
Alex and Shimmer have moved on in their relationship after they came together in the first book. They are not exclusive but come together and basically are a couple in a lot of ways. I feel awkward with them. I think it is my feelings towards Alex. He is a character that I feel is kind of wishy washy. He knows what he wants, but he isn’t man enough to follow through. With as many things that happen during this book due to Alex’s ex, Glenda, you would think he would be taking a little stronger stance on what is going on. Glenda causes a lot of damage in this book and by the end he has still to confront her! But yet he claims he loves Shimmer and wants them to be exclusive. It’s a good thing that Shimmer is still unsure of how to react and work in human relationships, or she may be royally pissed.
I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, then tried again. “You seriously believe you can calm her down with a little chat? Alex, you know what she’s like. How many things of yours has she broken over just the past few months? How many temper tantrums has she thrown? You were in a relationship with the woman for years. By now I think you should have a pretty good idea of what her reaction is going to be.” Alex just stared at me.
Besides that little romantic sidebar, our main focus is on the Agency and the cases it takes in. Fly by Mayhem has one major case that the gang works on, but also has side cases that come up during that time. They are approached by a young witch who has accidentally let something loose on the city and a ghost who is stuck in this world.
Our main case involves a serial killer who is targeting single, somewhat elderly people. Killing and taking everything they have. They have been called in by Chase Johnson, a detective who is swamped and believes the Agency can take care of the problem. There is a lot of trying to figure out just who and what this killer is. Just when they think they have the answer, they are found out to be wrong. Thanks to Tonya’s book, they are able to narrow it down and figure out what the thing is. Now when you read this book, and you get to the part where this thing is named, come back and tell me if you have any idea how to pronounce this being. I have never heard of this thing, (which is bound to happen in urban fantasy), but my mind had no idea how to make this name a word. Every time I came across it, I had to stop and try to figure it out!
The case then becomes personal. They are in a race against time, but luckily Tonya’s book comes in handy again and the team is able to put the pieces together fairly quickly. The rescue did not really blow me away. Another new creature is introduced, but I was disappointed in how quickly the scene went down. I felt like the ending was rushed.
Chai is around to help out and I think he is my favorite character. He just pops in and out, getting what people need and checking on things. He has a chilled kind of vibe that I really enjoy. Also, he likes cats. How can you not love him!
The secondary characters are all experiencing some kind of personal problems that will probably lead into following books. I’m interested to see how those play out. I’m anticipating that they will come in as side plots while we have a bigger case for the agency. I can’t wait to find out Bette’s secret!This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, then tried again. “You seriously believe you can calm her down with a little chat? Alex, you know what she’s like. How many things of yours has she broken over just the past few months? How many temper tantrums has she thrown? You were in a relationship with the woman for years. By now I think you should have a pretty good idea of what her reaction is going to be.” Alex just stared at me.
Besides that little romantic sidebar, our main focus is on the Agency and the cases it takes in. Fly by Mayhem has one major case that the gang works on, but also has side cases that come up during that time. They are approached by a young witch who has accidentally let something loose on the city and a ghost who is stuck in this world.
Our main case involves a serial killer who is targeting single, somewhat elderly people. Killing and taking everything they have. They have been called in by Chase Johnson, a detective who is swamped and believes the Agency can take care of the problem. There is a lot of trying to figure out just who and what this killer is. Just when they think they have the answer, they are found out to be wrong. Thanks to Tonya’s book, they are able to narrow it down and figure out what the thing is. Now when you read this book, and you get to the part where this thing is named, come back and tell me if you have any idea how to pronounce this being. I have never heard of this thing, (which is bound to happen in urban fantasy), but my mind had no idea how to make this name a word. Every time I came across it, I had to stop and try to figure it out!
The case then becomes personal. They are in a race against time, but luckily Tonya’s book comes in handy again and the team is able to put the pieces together fairly quickly. The rescue did not really blow me away. Another new creature is introduced, but I was disappointed in how quickly the scene went down. I felt like the ending was rushed.
Chai is around to help out and I think he is my favorite character. He just pops in and out, getting what people need and checking on things. He has a chilled kind of vibe that I really enjoy. Also, he likes cats. How can you not love him!
The secondary characters are all experiencing some kind of personal problems that will probably lead into following books. I’m interested to see how those play out. I’m anticipating that they will come in as side plots while we have a bigger case for the agency. I can’t wait to find out Bette’s secret!This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
hellegade's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and I can barely wait until the next book comes out.
Shimmer is growing, learning to be around people and trust them. It's hard and confusing for her.
Shimmer and her friends at the Fly by Night magical detective agency is battling several serious cases. Chase and Yugi from the Sisters of the Moon series make an appearance, which made me very happy. I love this world the author build.
I highly recommend this book/series as well as the Sisters of the Moon series. You'll never want to leave this world and you'll crave the next book as if it was chocolate.
Shimmer is growing, learning to be around people and trust them. It's hard and confusing for her.
Shimmer and her friends at the Fly by Night magical detective agency is battling several serious cases. Chase and Yugi from the Sisters of the Moon series make an appearance, which made me very happy. I love this world the author build.
I highly recommend this book/series as well as the Sisters of the Moon series. You'll never want to leave this world and you'll crave the next book as if it was chocolate.
kirine75's review against another edition
5.0
I was going to give this one a 4 star review because in some places, it seemed as if it were doling out irrelevant info. That "irrelevant info" seems to be leading into the next book.
I'm betting that we'll see what Bette actually is, next book, and possibly find out who Shimmer's parents are/were, and how she ended up in the foundling house.
I am glad that one of the characters from the previous book is becoming a more permanent fixture.
I'm betting that we'll see what Bette actually is, next book, and possibly find out who Shimmer's parents are/were, and how she ended up in the foundling house.
I am glad that one of the characters from the previous book is becoming a more permanent fixture.
biblioholicbeth's review against another edition
2.0
Creatures–dragons, vampires, werewolves, and more–exist among us, and it’s well-known to most humans…though not always liked. Shimmer is one of those creatures–a dragon orphan exiled to the realm of humans for a crime she committed against another dragon. She works for a vampire (whose ex is a succubus), her closest friend is a djinn, and she lives across the street from a ghost. Not your average, run-of-the-mill grouping here. When a serial killer strikes, preying on Elder Fae and stealing their wealth, Shimmer and those she works with must try to find the killer. In the meantime, she must also deal with the ghost across the street, the jealous succubus, a stalker, a Salamander on the loose, AND her own feelings for her boss. It’s going to be a busy week.
If the description sounded like the book was a lot–it was. Several storylines taking place all at once just made the book feel cluttered, and not in a good way. Rather than feeling fast-paced and breathless, it just felt…busy. What didn’t help was the writing, at least for me. Being the second book in the series, I get that the author needed to cover some bases for a new reader (like me). But it felt forced, and so much of the information was repeated several times. It was almost like I do with my children–remind them several times to PACK THEIR HOMEWORK because I know that if I stop talking long enough to take a breath–they will *forget the homework*. The problem here, of course, is that readers are generally far better at remembering things than the average child on their way to school, and they don’t tend to like being told the same thing over and over. In the same way, there were several times during the book where things just felt…convenient. For example, again without spoilers, how the situation with the Salamander plays out.
The storyline itself had potential, though a few strings that should have been tied up were left hanging (no spoilers). I think that had I felt less like I was being led around by my nose BECAUSE DON’T FORGET THINGS, and had there not been so much going on, it definitely would have had potential. I love the idea of a dragon, in human form, living among us, having been banished from her own kind. But things just never felt tight and cohesive and non-bludgeony, so…I found myself sadly disappointed.