A great addition to the series. The mystery was enjoyable. I liked that it was more personal to Jason, though the resolution felt a bit rushed.
I likeA great addition to the series. The mystery was enjoyable. I liked that it was more personal to Jason, though the resolution felt a bit rushed.
I liked the dynamics between Jason and Sam. I was only a bit disappointed that they didn't spend that much time together, both professionally and privately. Or maybe book 3 spoiled me and I expected more. There were a couple situations when I wanted to slap them both, but I'm very satisfied with the ending.
I have no idea why I waited so long to start this series. I've read and loved many of this author's books and this one is pretty typical of h4.5 stars
I have no idea why I waited so long to start this series. I've read and loved many of this author's books and this one is pretty typical of how she writes mysteries with some romance on the side. And it totally works for me.
The mystery is quite good. There might be a plot hole here and there, but it was very engaging and I enjoyed watching how it unfolded.
What I didn't expect is to love the characters as much as I did. The author often writes the same type of characters: one older and grumpy, and the other younger and more prone to get himself in trouble. But for some reason it never feels like I'm reading about the same characters. They are all very distinct in my mind.
Anyway, I loved both Jason and Sam. I loved their dynamics and how their relationship developed from the initial animosity. The things between them aren't necessarily romantic, but there were moments that I thought were very sweet. And I absolutely loved the ending.
I was in the mood for a fun Halloween read and the premise of this one sounded interesting. I liked the beginning and the small town fall vibes. HowevI was in the mood for a fun Halloween read and the premise of this one sounded interesting. I liked the beginning and the small town fall vibes. However, everything else, from the storyline to the romance part, wasn't that exciting. I even started getting bored in the second half of the book.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration wasn't my favourite. An actual Welsh accent would have been nice. ...more
Interesting premise and concept. The illustrations and descriptions of furniture at the beginning of each chapter look really cool. I liked how they gInteresting premise and concept. The illustrations and descriptions of furniture at the beginning of each chapter look really cool. I liked how they get weirder as the story gets darker (the pdf is available when listening to the audiobook).
However, the story itself was a letdown for me. It started promising, but ultimately I didn't find it that exciting and none of the events really surprised me. It gets gory towards the end, which is something I'm not a fan of, but the story itself wasn't scary at all. The characters were a bit flat and I didn't get attached to any of them. I did like the ending, sort of. ...more
I really enjoy this author's audiobooks. The narration and the production are always excellent, and I love the added sound effects. Noah Reid and Zoë I really enjoy this author's audiobooks. The narration and the production are always excellent, and I love the added sound effects. Noah Reid and Zoë Chao narrate this one and, honestly, I could also talk to Noah on the phone for hours. ...more
The premise of this story is really interesting. I don't think I've read anything similar before. I loved the concept of multiple POVs and time jumps.The premise of this story is really interesting. I don't think I've read anything similar before. I loved the concept of multiple POVs and time jumps. They were done in a way that never felt confusing to me and made the story flow nicely.
I had my suspicions along the way and, even when some of them were proven right, the author did a good job at keeping me guessing and second-guessing until the end. There were things that I didn't see coming and that took me by surprise. What I loved the most is that everything that happens and is revealed makes sense when you look back.
The characters are well developed and distinct. I wouldn't describe them as likable, they range from annoying to pretty terrible, but I couldn't help caring and actually rooting for some of them. I'm very happy with how the story ended. It made perfect sense.
The narrator, Claire Corbett, is fantastic. Her narration is one of the reasons I was fully invested in the story from the moment I started listening to it. I loved the voices she gave different characters. And I have to say that the voice she gave the child in the story is one of the cutest I've ever heard....more
This was a very enjoyable read. Likable characters, suspensful story, no extreme violence and no crazy twists that come out of nowhere. The resolutionThis was a very enjoyable read. Likable characters, suspensful story, no extreme violence and no crazy twists that come out of nowhere. The resolution is a bit predictable, but there were a couple things that surprised me along the way. I really liked the ending.
The two narrators were good, especially the one reading Kat's POV, but the production could have been better....more
Nearly everything about this book fell flat for me – the characters, their romance, the storyline, and the humor. I was more excited to see Cal and RuNearly everything about this book fell flat for me – the characters, their romance, the storyline, and the humor. I was more excited to see Cal and Russ, and their boys, again.
Points for body positivity and great narration by Nick J. Russo....more
It's been a week since I read this book and I'm still not completely sure how I felt about it. It's definitely a compelling read. The writing is beautIt's been a week since I read this book and I'm still not completely sure how I felt about it. It's definitely a compelling read. The writing is beautiful, the characters and their relationships intriguing and, even though it's slow-paced, I was invested in the story for the most part.
I think that my main issue was that, (view spoiler)[in the last 20% or so, the story took a direction I didn't anticipate. The competition is such an important plot point in the story, but in the end it didn't really lead anywhere. I guess what happens in the last part makes sense for the time period, but I didn't expect it and I didn't enjoy it.
I also expected the magic system to be explained, especially the whole competition thing. I found it disappointing that it was kept vague, since I wanted to know more about Luzia's magic. It's what the plot revolved around.
I liked Luzia and Santangel as characters, but I wasn't convinced of their romance. The time they spend together preparing for the competition is often off-page, so we don't see it develop. It's just suddenly there.
One thing I liked about this story is how each character got their POV, so, even though the ending felt rushed and wrapped up quickly, it seemed fitting. (hide spoiler)]
5 stars for the audiobook and the book cover....more
What an insane story. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but it didn't take me long to become fully invested in it.
I really enjoyed the storyline andWhat an insane story. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but it didn't take me long to become fully invested in it.
I really enjoyed the storyline and how it developed. (view spoiler)[Although certain things crossed my mind at some point, it was far from actually guessing what was going on. The author was really good at making me believe what she wanted me to believe.
I found the characters very interesting and intriguing to read about, as well as their complex relationships. Bel was my favourite. She is not what I would called likable or relatable, but I liked her abrasive personality, and how outspoken and cynical she is.
The story became a bit messy in the last 10 chapters or so. I still don't know how I feel about the resolution, I guess it fits the story, but the events that take place in those last chapters felt too unbelievable and unrealistic. (hide spoiler)]
The narrator is really good. She made listening to a 16-hours long audiobook a pleasant experience. My only complaint is that the characters who are British didn't sound British at all. ...more
Such a unique story – beautiful, whimsical, and heartbreaking at times. I loved the author's writing style, the short chapters, and the way s4.5 stars
Such a unique story – beautiful, whimsical, and heartbreaking at times. I loved the author's writing style, the short chapters, and the way she writes relationships and friendships. The author's note at the end of the book is wonderful.
There are a lot more little things I liked about this book, but I don't want to give anything away. I feel it's better to go into it not knowing much about it.
This was my second time giving this book a try. Listening to it on audio helped a lot, because the narrator is excellent.
Overall, I liked th3.5 stars
This was my second time giving this book a try. Listening to it on audio helped a lot, because the narrator is excellent.
Overall, I liked the concept and it was interesting to see how the story developed. It was a bit slow at times and maybe not everything made perfect sense, but I didn't mind it much.
The reason I'm not giving it a higher rating is that I never felt the connection to the characters and I found the story sadder and more depressing than I expected. ...more
No rating, since I've already read this as a part of the Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy.
I just wanted to listen to the audio version of this novNo rating, since I've already read this as a part of the Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy.
I just wanted to listen to the audio version of this novella, because it's narrated by Sam Heughan. I loved it! I could listen to a whole book narrated by him. His voice is so soothing and pleasant to listen to. ...more
For the most part, I liked this more than the first book I've read by this author, Rock Paper Scissors. One thing I enjoyed in both books is the writiFor the most part, I liked this more than the first book I've read by this author, Rock Paper Scissors. One thing I enjoyed in both books is the writing style. If not for the audiobook, I'm sure I would have reread certain parts more than once before continuing.
I liked the set up and the alternating timelines. The story is slow moving, but following a character who is in a coma, doesn't remember what happened and is trying to put the pieces together, made this a very compelling read. There was one revelation that completely took me by surprise, so big plus for that.
This would have been a 4-star read for me, if not for a couple of things. (view spoiler)[I wish that Edward's plot line was completely omitted from the story. There are already enough things going on and it doesn't bring anything to the story than being a distraction. It feels unrealistic and it's even brushed over in the end. What bothered me the most were the two rape scenes (one off-page and one on-page). I found them extremely icky and very uncomfortable to read, or rather listen to.
I don't know how I feel about the events towards the end. One of them didn't sit well with me. It never does when children are involved. And I guess the very ending is meant to be open to interpretation? (hide spoiler)]
This was so charming. I loved the high school theatre setting, the references to My Fair Lady and She's All That, but without the stupid bet, and the This was so charming. I loved the high school theatre setting, the references to My Fair Lady and She's All That, but without the stupid bet, and the characters.
The friendship between shy and awkward Elijah and more confident Wade was so sweet. It was lovely to watch them grow throughout the story and learn how to be their true selves. There was sort of a (view spoiler)[love triangle which I didn't expect (hide spoiler)], but I liked how it was done.
I listened to this on audio and I really enjoyed the narration....more
**spoiler alert** I expected this to be angstier, but I found it just moderatly emotional and even cheesy towards the end.
I really enjoyed the first **spoiler alert** I expected this to be angstier, but I found it just moderatly emotional and even cheesy towards the end.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but the second half, after Jesse's return, not so much. I think it was pretty obvious who Emma would pick in the end. The reasons for it are valid, but also very convenient. It's like the author wanted to make sure that we would be ok with her choice in the end.
I'm fine with the way the story ended. But I wasn't fine with how Emma dealt with the situation she found herself in. I couldn't look past some decisions she made. And Sam and Jesse showing that much understanding? I didn't find it believable....more
I don't know how to put it nicely, but I didn't like this at all. I think that listening to it on audio made it even worse, because you can actually hI don't know how to put it nicely, but I didn't like this at all. I think that listening to it on audio made it even worse, because you can actually hear how ridiculous everything sounds when spoken aloud. I wasn't much of a fan of the narrators, either. Especially the male narrator whose voice sounded too old for the characters.
My biggest disappointment is that in this series I didn't get the story I expected to get when I started reading book 1. It's like the author couldn't decide what she wanted to write about, or she would get random ideas that she would include but didn't really know what to do with them. You know those situations when you're talking about one thing and then something else pops into your mind and you start talking about that other thing without ever finishing your original thought? And you keep repeating that? That's how it felt reading this series.
There is no plot here. The characters find themselves at different places or appear out of nowhere when it's convenient and they repeat the same lines over and over again. Or throw curses. How did they get there? How did they know how to find someone at a certain place? Well, the author needed them there, so there's that.
Starting with book 1, Eva and Jacks just keep going in circles. She's very drawn to him, but she is also drawn to every other male character she meets. He keeps appearing and disappearing. He switches between being hot and cold. The only constant are his apples. It felt very repetitive. There's no character growth and no real progression in their relationship.
The side characters are all flat and one-dimensional. Apollo annoyed me the most, and not because (view spoiler)[the author decided to make him a complete villain in this one, but because everything he does makes zero sense. Also, Aurora's character and her supposed love for Jacks? Where did that come from? LOL (hide spoiler)]
Honestly, it felt like the author kept throwing in whatever came to her mind, just to make things for Eva and Jacks as dramatic as possible. But not to worry, everything gets resolved quickly, and bonus point: we are always told in elaborate detail what the characters are wearing.
The ending was as expected, but also very unsatisfying for me, because the author left us with many loose ends and no explanations for certain things, like: (view spoiler)[What happened to Luc, Marisol and Tiberius? The bargain and the last kiss? Jack's apples? (hide spoiler)] This series felt like reading many different half-finished stories, and I only really enjoyed the first one....more
I love that we have both short stories on audio as well! I've already listened to this twice. I love that we have both short stories on audio as well! I've already listened to this twice. ...more
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