Implausible and illogical, even within a fairly pedestrian setting.
I went through the vast majority of this book pretty indifferent to the charactersImplausible and illogical, even within a fairly pedestrian setting.
I went through the vast majority of this book pretty indifferent to the characters and its many far-fetched, uninteresting subplots and red herrings, until about an hour before the end when one of the two FMCs makes a life-changing decision that made me screech what. And then the rest of the book is spent justifying her massively selfish choice. (view spoiler)[Look, not everyone is cut out to be or wants to be a mother and certainly there are circumstances in which it is the best choice to leave your kid for someone else to raise. But a well-off person abandoning her young child after just after divorcing his father, after raising his older brothers, so she can run off to another continent with her lover? And to LIE TO EVERYONE about it and casually switch places with her twin?! What the actual Parent Trapping fuck. (hide spoiler)] So much time is spent on defending that choice, whereas literally none is given to the deception or potential trauma for her family and friends. If complicated motherhood and other themes had been explored with any depth or skill, or if this were a slick thriller where this decision is presented very differently, or if this was a poignant decision made without deceit, I wouldn’t mind so much. But as it’s served to us, within middling domestic fiction wrapped up in a mystery, this felt unbelievably privileged and awful.
Oh, and prepare yourself for monstrous amounts of wine talk. I live in California, I go to wineries on the reg (I’ve specifically been to Napa and spent a week in the Finger Lakes in upstate New York, both featured in this story), I’ve read other books set on wineries, but jfc. It is endless, tedious, and mostly unrewarding here because of the sheer volume of it.
The ending chapter is minorly interesting when finally you find out what happened to the dead husband. But again, not really a believable scenario and it proves again how ridiculously self-centered, bumbling, and idiotic everyone in this book is. This is not a complex, exciting, or compelling thriller. Just characters not revealing major information for decades and me not caring about any of them.
DNF around 33%. The story is finally starting to go somewhere, but I’m just so underwhelmed by the writing (prose, dialogue, and plotting) thus far anDNF around 33%. The story is finally starting to go somewhere, but I’m just so underwhelmed by the writing (prose, dialogue, and plotting) thus far and can’t summon up enough interest to keep going. There’s a weird disconnect between the realistic parts (which involve disappearing kids and feels very adult thriller-like) and the fantasy parts. The latter isn’t really developed at the point where I stopped, but the disconnect is between the somewhat grim realism of the search for missing kids vs the sections with a “humorous” third party narrator who breaks the third wall to speak directly to the reader. I h a t e d these snarky sections, which were meant to be funny, but only irritated me.
The characters and relationships (sisters, parent/kid, friends) all seem really simplistic, too, and it’s loaded with telling rather than showing you history and feelings and personality.
This fantasy held no magic for me.
Audio Notes: I usually like Jorjeana Marie’s voice work, but I think it’s much more suited to younger characters. What sounds disarming and endearing in a 5-year-old or 14-year-old comes across as annoying and occasionally whiny and shrill in an adult woman—and the character sounds very, very young. Like I had to remind myself that yes, this character could drive a car and reach the foot pedals....more
Loved the scene with the magpie, loved the central mystery, loved both Cassie and the detective and their personal lives and struggles even more. But Loved the scene with the magpie, loved the central mystery, loved both Cassie and the detective and their personal lives and struggles even more. But ugh, what a wall-climber of an ending!
Just…needs more plot and feeling. And not a thriller, but really not deep enough thematically and character-wise to be a literary thriller or literaryJust…needs more plot and feeling. And not a thriller, but really not deep enough thematically and character-wise to be a literary thriller or literary fiction, either.
2.5 stars
Audio Notes: The audiobook is a nice experience, though....more
Ugh, I need more people to read Cassie Raven. The series is set in Camden Town, the "haven of counter culture" in London, and yet it manages to feel lUgh, I need more people to read Cassie Raven. The series is set in Camden Town, the "haven of counter culture" in London, and yet it manages to feel like a small town even within a big city. Cassie is a mortician's assistant, who is often pigeonholed by her goth appearance and prickliness, but she is careful, intelligent, and treats the deceased in her care with the utmost respect--and even tenderness. This particular case involves the sudden death of a young singer, with the parallels to one of Camden's most famous residents, Amy Winehouse, acknowledged.
I’ve learned to keep my expectations in check with most series as they progress, but this one keeps delivering with interesting crimes, methodical police procedurals, fascinating forensic and medical science, quietly compelling characters, and above all, steadfast compassion and empathy for both the dead and the living. I read so many thrillers that are so focused on the "gotcha" shock factor and completely ignore what makes stories interesting—the people, their lives, and their motivations. This series never forgets that behind every crime, there are human beings in pain, and that there are professionals who are doing their best to honor them. I also appreciate how the author, through Cassie’s matter-of-fact gentleness and humane treatment of the bodies she cares for, demystifies death and shakes off the revulsion and ghoulishness we so often associate with it. Probably my favorite thriller/mystery series discovery of the last few years.
Audio Notes: Ellie Kendrick’s voice and delivery are absolute perfection. She narrates with both subtlety and feeling—a really great match of voice actor and text. I can’t imagine anyone else as Cassie, and I hope she narrates many more audiobooks to come....more
I listened to about 2 hours but just can't take it anymore.
The male narrator is okay, but the female narrator Jeremy Carlisle Parker sounds pretty muI listened to about 2 hours but just can't take it anymore.
The male narrator is okay, but the female narrator Jeremy Carlisle Parker sounds pretty much exactly like Brittany Pressley and Karissa Vacker, whose styles of narrating I don't love. They all have a slightly offbeat, same old way of saying everything in every book without any apparent reaction to what's happening that is so stylized and specific to the reader instead of to the story, with voices and ways of interpreting words that skew very young. The style doesn't help set the mood for a horror novel like this, either. (And yes, confusingly, the guy narrator is named Corey Brill.) I also hated the various audio effects, some of which were extremely loud and jarring.
I'm sure I'll like this better as a regular read. But what a missed opportunity for an awesome audiobook. (...and a waste of a months-long wait for a library hold.)...more
4.5 stars Loved the forensics (seriously, I’ll listen to talk about dissecting bodies all day) and the prickly, empathetic mortuary assistant at the c4.5 stars Loved the forensics (seriously, I’ll listen to talk about dissecting bodies all day) and the prickly, empathetic mortuary assistant at the center of this series.
Could’ve lived without the set-up for book two, though—I was already hooked! No need to be that obvious nor to leave that dissatisfying of a cliffie. The only part that disappointed me.
Audio Notes: Ellie Kendrick is marvelous. She does all the varied voices well, but Cassie’s strikes exactly the right careful, considered tone, especially when she murmurs gentle reassurances to the dead that she cares for....more
Shades of ACOTAR and other romantasies, but the further you get into it, the more it feels like a stereotypical new adult romance than anything else. Shades of ACOTAR and other romantasies, but the further you get into it, the more it feels like a stereotypical new adult romance than anything else. The mythology isn't all that compelling, and the romance just has all those conventional NA beats, characters, back stories, sex, and rote language. It’s not specifically terrible, but none of it offers much genuine surprise or excitement, either.
Some editing issues here and there, and quibbles with the endless parade of exes/past histories that sort of move the plot along but don't really have much of an impact on the characters otherwise. Taking it off the "adult" shelf and leaving it on PNR/UF, though that's probably being a bit generous. I would have been more tolerant if the story had wrapped up in the one book, but in pursuit of romantasy cred, this one seems set on presenting itself as an epic fantasy series.
2.5 stars
Audio Notes: The narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker does well overall, except that the way she reads the FMC makes it feel very very YA/NA, though I guess that's fine if that's what you're interested in. Her MMC voice is pretty good at first too, except that there are more plummy UK characters/accents introduced, which then makes them all feel sort of put-on and indistinguishable.
But the worst comes when they start having sex and the MMC starts using that slow, lofty accent to talk dirty to her, and then I just started laughing and couldn't stop. I'd try another audiobook narrated by her, though, this was just a bad combination.
P.S. Breads Bakery, which is mentioned repeatedly but not by name, does have the best babka. But the chocolate one is better....more
Not anything specifically terrible about it, but I feel like we’ve read versions of this so many times before, and there’s not enough outstanding writNot anything specifically terrible about it, but I feel like we’ve read versions of this so many times before, and there’s not enough outstanding writing or characters to differentiate it from other books.
Also very much not a thriller (mostly drama and a lot more court case than expected), if you thought so as I did, but nevertheless, still predictable and lacking in tension. And since it’s not a thriller, I think this is even less satisfying in what it sets out to achieve.
It takes awhile for the MC to catch on to a number of things that seem a bit obvious, too. Meh. Considering the subject of the central issue, I should have felt a lot more than I did.
2.5 stars
Audio Notes: I liked the narrator’s Irish accents and her delivery, though. I nearly DNFd multiple times and it’s thanks to her that I kept going....more
3.5 stars Overall, this was very enjoyable. I wish the gothic/horror elements had been more vivid, and I The cover is so creepy! SHE'S SMILING AT YOU.
3.5 stars Overall, this was very enjoyable. I wish the gothic/horror elements had been more vivid, and I thought I was going to love the ending (view spoiler)[I got excited when she returned to the villa because I thought omg, this is shades of Eleanor and The Haunting of Hill House and it would have been a much more worthy spiritual successor than A Haunting on the Hill(hide spoiler)], but the plot ended up being a bit more conventional than I had initially hoped. And while there are flashes of wry humor and some zingy comebacks, I wouldn't call this "wickedly funny," either. The humor is actually a bit tricky, because I'm not sure the balance with the darker stuff was there or was sustained in a consistent way, though it certainly does have its moments. (view spoiler)[The thwarted Italian ghost following her around was especially amusing. (hide spoiler)]
The dysfunctional family stuff is so well done, though, and I have a lot of affection for and identify with Anna in many ways. And after The Villa, my takeaway is that we Americans should think twice about renting massive vacation homes in Italy with our loved ones.
Audio Notes: I liked narrator Andi Arndt's calmness, and I am no fan of screechy hysterics, but when there were actual creepy things going on, I would have appreciated a little more technical skill in showing emotion now and again. ...more
It’s a bit of a slow burn, but it got me towards the end.
Lose a POV and you could easily spent more time giving us Maude and Constance’s backgrounds aIt’s a bit of a slow burn, but it got me towards the end.
Lose a POV and you could easily spent more time giving us Maude and Constance’s backgrounds and abilities and relationship. But a pivotal late scene is really well-written and the last few chapters gave me all the feels, so rounding this one up.
If you were to publish an outline of this book, it sounds overstuffed and completely unworkable and unbelievable. But it somehow it does work, becauseIf you were to publish an outline of this book, it sounds overstuffed and completely unworkable and unbelievable. But it somehow it does work, because the author does such a good job of writing and balancing everything.
It has so many of my favorite PNR/urban fantasy things. Vampires. Cat shifters. Dragons. Wyverns. Strong, silent warriors. Incredible action scenes. Sexy sex. Purring. Pizza parties. Skeleton armies bursting through the fucking window. There’s so much to enjoy and I love how Shara has come into her power and already uses it so wisely.
More things done well: distinctly appealing characters, which is hard when you’re building a big reverse harem. Power dynamics that acknowledge alpha/shifter/harem culture but are respectful of individual feelings, agency, and consent. The sheer physicality of the way shape-shifting, magic, and mental and physical bonds are portrayed. The humor and care for others present throughout the story.
I think understanding that this series is independently published erotic PNR rather than your regular paranormal romance is important, as I can see how all this might be too much for some readers—and there are times when I’m worried at the dizzying speed at which the harem is growing and wild new creatures and lore are introduced, too. But for me, so far it’s been a ridiculously fun ride.
Holy shit. A world where women hold all the (impressive) power, unapologetically blood-soaked vampire sex, and guys who tell you that you never have tHoly shit. A world where women hold all the (impressive) power, unapologetically blood-soaked vampire sex, and guys who tell you that you never have to clean anything? Sign me up for this fever dream.
This isn't going to be for everybody, but I'm so glad I took a chance on it. The writing is so evocative, with intensely visceral descriptions of wielding power, blood lust, and magic. I've never felt closer to being a vampire myself. :D...more
Wendy Darling
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