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timinbc's review
3.0
There are too many ideas here for a novella.
Magic in 1929 Seattle is cool. But maybe there are too many kinds. Of course there will be those hate magic while making money off it.
Our heroine's not bad, if you can follow her back and forth in time. Daddy and Francis are stock baddies, Violet's OK as a side character, but the rest are just uninteresting.
Things pull together nicely at the end, with all the arcs conveniently peaking at once, but so much so that I lost track of who was doing what to whom, and then it was over.
Didn't click for me.
Magic in 1929 Seattle is cool. But maybe there are too many kinds. Of course there will be those hate magic while making money off it.
Our heroine's not bad, if you can follow her back and forth in time. Daddy and Francis are stock baddies, Violet's OK as a side character, but the rest are just uninteresting.
Things pull together nicely at the end, with all the arcs conveniently peaking at once, but so much so that I lost track of who was doing what to whom, and then it was over.
Didn't click for me.
mamoru's review
3.0
My theory is that Marion Deeds wrote this novella to make us feel like we're high on shimmer-shim. Oh, you don't know what that is? Don't worry. Pick up the book and start reading. After the first few pages, you might roll your eyes thinking you know exactly where this is going. Keep reading. Don't stop even when you realise nothing makes sense, when the timeline is nonlinear, when your head hurts and the room is spinning. At the halfway mark, gather your bearings. You finally feel a bit steadier. You start to feel arrogant again and believe you can keep up with the twists and turns. You think you know where this is going. You congratulate yourself for being smart. You are wrong.
I read this in a couple of hours. I have no idea what the story is about. Yes, there's a heist. And murder. There's fae folk....and fairy magic? And elemental magic? There are also shape-shifters and the Prohibition? Gangsters too? Don't forget about magical tattoos and a main character that we don't know anything about. The story is a combination of TMI and Go Girl Give Us Nothing.
I'm sorry if you're reading my review to decide whether to pick this book up. I genuinely don't know if this is a good or a bad story. It's the kind of book that gives you an okay vibe. You already know how you'll rate it before you're done with it.
It was unhinged enough to keep me reading, even though I did get bored several times and by the time I finished I felt like I was in a haze. I don't regret picking this up and I have a suspicion it might go over better on a second read.
Recommended to anyone who wants a headache or is looking to capture the feeling of "Wtf did I just read?".
Please enjoy!
I read this in a couple of hours. I have no idea what the story is about. Yes, there's a heist. And murder. There's fae folk....and fairy magic? And elemental magic? There are also shape-shifters and the Prohibition? Gangsters too? Don't forget about magical tattoos and a main character that we don't know anything about. The story is a combination of TMI and Go Girl Give Us Nothing.
I'm sorry if you're reading my review to decide whether to pick this book up. I genuinely don't know if this is a good or a bad story. It's the kind of book that gives you an okay vibe. You already know how you'll rate it before you're done with it.
It was unhinged enough to keep me reading, even though I did get bored several times and by the time I finished I felt like I was in a haze. I don't regret picking this up and I have a suspicion it might go over better on a second read.
Recommended to anyone who wants a headache or is looking to capture the feeling of "Wtf did I just read?".
Please enjoy!
babs_reviews's review
5.0
This book has allll the vibes.
I honestly love everything about it! A nonlinear storyline, multiple pov, magic, shapeshifters, prohibition, mystery and intrigue set in Seattle 1929 noir style. The absolute confidence that though women had a place in a visible social setting, what went on behind the scenes proved they were, at times, pulling the strings.
Dolly White, a smart women who needs a job and takes care of herself. Violet, taking chances and running a speakeasy while trying to protect her shapeshifter brother and avoid trouble from white men. Can they work together to stay off the radar of all those around them?
The way this ended has me VERY hopeful there will be more to come!
Warnings: Patriarchal, racist, and ableist violence, both verbal and physical.
Also attempted sexual assault.
Thank you SO much to Tor Books, NetGalley and Marion Deeds for the gifted copy!
I honestly love everything about it! A nonlinear storyline, multiple pov, magic, shapeshifters, prohibition, mystery and intrigue set in Seattle 1929 noir style. The absolute confidence that though women had a place in a visible social setting, what went on behind the scenes proved they were, at times, pulling the strings.
Dolly White, a smart women who needs a job and takes care of herself. Violet, taking chances and running a speakeasy while trying to protect her shapeshifter brother and avoid trouble from white men. Can they work together to stay off the radar of all those around them?
The way this ended has me VERY hopeful there will be more to come!
Warnings: Patriarchal, racist, and ableist violence, both verbal and physical.
Also attempted sexual assault.
Thank you SO much to Tor Books, NetGalley and Marion Deeds for the gifted copy!
winterelemental's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
lunarchfey's review
4.0
4/5 stars
A charming heist set in an alternate-history magic-infused 1920's jazz-age Seattle.
I found this clean, easy read. Even though the book was non-chronological, taking you back and forth and all over the place to weave together the story, it isn't too hard to follow as long as you just keep reading and trust that the threads will pull together. There's no real mystery of whether or not things will succeed - but the what, why, and how get pieced together, which I found pretty fun (especially when you really, really want the villain to get their comeuppance).
I loved the glimpses of worldbuilding, but just wish there was more than just the occasional taste of it. Magic permeated the story but sometimes felt just like window dressing - it could be removed and much of the story would stay the same. I also felt the ending was a little rushed, and the stakes didn't really become real enough for Dolly. An overall stylish read that wasn't a disappointment, but I wouldn't call it a lasting favourite that I'd revisit.
Content warnings for sexism and racism (per the time period) and on-screen attempted sexual assault.
A charming heist set in an alternate-history magic-infused 1920's jazz-age Seattle.
I found this clean, easy read. Even though the book was non-chronological, taking you back and forth and all over the place to weave together the story, it isn't too hard to follow as long as you just keep reading and trust that the threads will pull together. There's no real mystery of whether or not things will succeed - but the what, why, and how get pieced together, which I found pretty fun (especially when you really, really want the villain to get their comeuppance).
I loved the glimpses of worldbuilding, but just wish there was more than just the occasional taste of it. Magic permeated the story but sometimes felt just like window dressing - it could be removed and much of the story would stay the same. I also felt the ending was a little rushed, and the stakes didn't really become real enough for Dolly. An overall stylish read that wasn't a disappointment, but I wouldn't call it a lasting favourite that I'd revisit.
Content warnings for sexism and racism (per the time period) and on-screen attempted sexual assault.
pinkrain718's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
This book was a September 2023 Indie Press List pick for the Currently Reading Podcast. This book was added to the IPL by The Elliot Bay Book Company in Seattle, Washington. This novella was a charming delight and I really enjoyed the author's use of time to keep the reader guessing. This is a fun, quick read and my first novella in the urban fantasy genre.
lgordon006's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
practisingmothman's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I literally cannot stop thinking about this book even months after I read it. It's a fascinating world that the author has created where magic exists but can be heavily regulated - being a stand in for segregation and the extreme white supremacy of the early 20th century. It's so well written and the author does such a great job of maintaining tension throughout. 100% more people should read this book!