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Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Hard Magic (Paranormal Scene Investigations #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I suppose it must be obvious to anyone who reads my reviews that I enjoy Laura Anne Gilman's writing. I've only read every one of her Retrievers series as well as every one of her short stories sold via <a href="http://fictionwise.com/">Fictionwise</a>; (including some that I'd already read in various anthologies, but I didn't want to miss anything). I've been waiting anxiously for <i>Hard Magic</i>, the first in the new Paranormal Scene Investigations series, and it did not disappoint me in the least.
If you've read the Retrievers books, you'll recognize the main character, Bonnie Torres, immediately as Wren Valere's neighbor. If you haven't read that series, don't worry - they aren't required to enjoy this book.
I do, however, recommend hunting down the short story "Illumination," which is referred to several times during the novel. It's in the anthology [b:Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy|3395318|Unusual Suspects Stories of Mystery & Fantasy|Dana Stabenow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1243223215s/3395318.jpg|3435306]. It isn't strictly required, but I think it would help.
If you've ever enjoyed CSI or any similar show, I think you'll really enjoy <i>Hard Magic</i> even more than others will. Bonnie and her coworkers are trying to reinvent all of the forensic science that those shows take for granted from scratch, from a magical perspective. It's fascinating to me, and I would have been happier with more geeking.
I'm really looking forward to book two!
If you've read the Retrievers books, you'll recognize the main character, Bonnie Torres, immediately as Wren Valere's neighbor. If you haven't read that series, don't worry - they aren't required to enjoy this book.
I do, however, recommend hunting down the short story "Illumination," which is referred to several times during the novel. It's in the anthology [b:Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy|3395318|Unusual Suspects Stories of Mystery & Fantasy|Dana Stabenow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1243223215s/3395318.jpg|3435306]. It isn't strictly required, but I think it would help.
If you've ever enjoyed CSI or any similar show, I think you'll really enjoy <i>Hard Magic</i> even more than others will. Bonnie and her coworkers are trying to reinvent all of the forensic science that those shows take for granted from scratch, from a magical perspective. It's fascinating to me, and I would have been happier with more geeking.
I'm really looking forward to book two!
Merissa (12838 KP) rated Oleander (Poison Garden #1) in Books
May 27, 2022
OLEANDER is the first book in the new Poison Garden series. I did have to double-check it was the first book though, as I kept feeling as though I had missed something. Saying that, the concept of the world - with witches, seers, and shepherds - was explained brilliantly, giving me the hierarchies of said sections without giving it as an info dump.
This is first and foremost a mystery that just happens to be set in a world where magic exists and the main culprits somehow happen to be connected to magic. I won't say anymore as I don't give out spoilers.
Eli is not only confused about her role in the seer community but also about which man she likes. Obviously, as a reader, I had my own preference but it took her quite some time to figure out which one she liked and, even then, it was because of someone else telling her who he was.
If you like character-led paranormal mystery, with a slow-burn romance simmering in the background, then this may be the book for you! I enjoyed it; I'm just not sure if I will continue with the series.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is first and foremost a mystery that just happens to be set in a world where magic exists and the main culprits somehow happen to be connected to magic. I won't say anymore as I don't give out spoilers.
Eli is not only confused about her role in the seer community but also about which man she likes. Obviously, as a reader, I had my own preference but it took her quite some time to figure out which one she liked and, even then, it was because of someone else telling her who he was.
If you like character-led paranormal mystery, with a slow-burn romance simmering in the background, then this may be the book for you! I enjoyed it; I'm just not sure if I will continue with the series.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Crimson Shore (Pendergast, #15) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I always look forward to a new Pendergast adventure, and was so excited to read this one! It started out as any mystery might - Agent Pendergast is hired to find out who broke into a lighthouse-turned-residence and made off with the owner's extensive wine collection. He wouldn't normally be bothered with anything so mundane, but there is a rare bottle of wine to be had if he can find the thieves.
I was pleased to see so much of Constance Greene in this installment. As frequently as she appears in the series, she is still something of an enigma, and I always enjoy learning more about her. When she and Pendergast arrive in Exmouth, MA, to investigate, it doesn't take long to realize that the break-in had to do with a lot more than simply theft. Pendergast soon finds himself investigating both a recent death and a very cold murder case.
Throughout the story we hear talk of an ancient colony of witches, and Constance is convinced that they play some part in the current goings-on in Exmouth, but Pendergast is not convinced. Even so, there is very little paranormal activity until near the end of the novel. I've come to expect (and enjoy) a paranormal element to this series. In this story, however, it felt "tacked-on", or forced. I didn't have a problem with what happened, it just felt like a bit of an afterthought. That said, I still enjoyed this latest Pendergast novel, and am already anticipating the next one.
NOTE: I received a free digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I was pleased to see so much of Constance Greene in this installment. As frequently as she appears in the series, she is still something of an enigma, and I always enjoy learning more about her. When she and Pendergast arrive in Exmouth, MA, to investigate, it doesn't take long to realize that the break-in had to do with a lot more than simply theft. Pendergast soon finds himself investigating both a recent death and a very cold murder case.
Throughout the story we hear talk of an ancient colony of witches, and Constance is convinced that they play some part in the current goings-on in Exmouth, but Pendergast is not convinced. Even so, there is very little paranormal activity until near the end of the novel. I've come to expect (and enjoy) a paranormal element to this series. In this story, however, it felt "tacked-on", or forced. I didn't have a problem with what happened, it just felt like a bit of an afterthought. That said, I still enjoyed this latest Pendergast novel, and am already anticipating the next one.
NOTE: I received a free digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Ross (3284 KP) rated She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be in Books
Jun 15, 2020
Good suspenseful paranormal story
I received a free copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Prior to starting this book, I was only aware of Barker from his work with Dacre Stoker on Dracul, the prequel-cum-biography telling a variation of Bram Stoker's life story. This book is very different, though it also tells someone's full life story.
Jack Thatch has had a tough life already when we meet him, his parents dying in a car crash when he was very young, and he spends his childhood living with his Aunt. A chance meeting with a mysterious girl in the cemetery on the anniversary of his parents' death haunts him and each year he returns looking for her, and the mystery continues. This carries on, with a new chapter telling the events of each subsequent year, and the "burned but not burned" bodies that appear on the same day.
There is a little of a Stephen King feel about the book - telling of a young boy growing up and telling every detail of his life and his friendships and gradually letting the paranormal elements of the story build up.
The first third of the book is excellent, setting the scene and sewing the seeds of the mystery to follow and introducing the cast of characters and their interactions and conflicts. This part of the story rattles along with decent pace and the reader can get a good feeling of momentum.
The middle third ground to a halt for me. The chapters became longer, the story being told felt less important and the reduction in pace was a bit of a kick in the teeth.
But the final third this book gets going again in superb style. This could well have been an excellent story in its own right, but definitely benefits from the lengthy build-up. We gradually have one group of characters grow and come into conflict with another, all building up to an inevitable meeting.
This is a great, but long, story of special abilities, how they could impact someone's life and be abused by those in power, and how they will eventually become out of control.
Prior to starting this book, I was only aware of Barker from his work with Dacre Stoker on Dracul, the prequel-cum-biography telling a variation of Bram Stoker's life story. This book is very different, though it also tells someone's full life story.
Jack Thatch has had a tough life already when we meet him, his parents dying in a car crash when he was very young, and he spends his childhood living with his Aunt. A chance meeting with a mysterious girl in the cemetery on the anniversary of his parents' death haunts him and each year he returns looking for her, and the mystery continues. This carries on, with a new chapter telling the events of each subsequent year, and the "burned but not burned" bodies that appear on the same day.
There is a little of a Stephen King feel about the book - telling of a young boy growing up and telling every detail of his life and his friendships and gradually letting the paranormal elements of the story build up.
The first third of the book is excellent, setting the scene and sewing the seeds of the mystery to follow and introducing the cast of characters and their interactions and conflicts. This part of the story rattles along with decent pace and the reader can get a good feeling of momentum.
The middle third ground to a halt for me. The chapters became longer, the story being told felt less important and the reduction in pace was a bit of a kick in the teeth.
But the final third this book gets going again in superb style. This could well have been an excellent story in its own right, but definitely benefits from the lengthy build-up. We gradually have one group of characters grow and come into conflict with another, all building up to an inevitable meeting.
This is a great, but long, story of special abilities, how they could impact someone's life and be abused by those in power, and how they will eventually become out of control.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Truly, Madly (Lucy Valentine, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
TRULY, MADLY is mystery, romance, chick-lit and a bit of paranormal all wrapped up in one delightful little package. Lucy Valentine is a nice, normal, and a little bit quirky protagonist who never got on my nerves. It's nice to have a main character who isn't totally self-absorbed, ditzy, neurotic, clumsy and just plain irritating, basically just about every female you run across in lighter fiction books these days. All the other characters added to the story seamlessly and there wasn't one who was unnecessary. I enjoyed the psychic angle and thought that it was used in a fresh and interesting way. The plot was engaging and moved swiftly, and everything was well-written in an easy and smooth manner. I don't really have any major complaints and look forward to the next in the series.
The best word to use in describing this book is cute. So if you like cute, check it out, it's a nice piece of brain candy that won't offend your intelligence.
The best word to use in describing this book is cute. So if you like cute, check it out, it's a nice piece of brain candy that won't offend your intelligence.
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