In many ways, it is a standard cozy mystery, but perhaps it was just the authors note in the end that made me feel a little more connected. I like theIn many ways, it is a standard cozy mystery, but perhaps it was just the authors note in the end that made me feel a little more connected. I like the fact that she truly enjoys and respects writing � not that any other writer doesn't� Anyway, I like the main characters, and the action was surprising but fitting. It got a little too mooshy in the end, but no one was out of character. Overall, it did make me smile.
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In many ways, it is a standard cozy mystery, but perhaps it was just the authors note in the end that made me feel a little more connected. I like the fact that she truly enjoys and respects writing � not that any other writer doesn't� Anyway, I like the main characters, and the action was surprising but fitting. It got a little too mooshy in the end, but no one was out of character. Overall, it did make me smile....more
It was interesting and fun. There was probably on a little too much ghost lore and dependence on it and dreams and unreality, but it was still pretty It was interesting and fun. There was probably on a little too much ghost lore and dependence on it and dreams and unreality, but it was still pretty good. There were no true surprises, but consistent characters and a and a complete and satisfying story.
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It was interesting and fun. There was probably on a little too much ghost lore and dependence on it and dreams and unreality, but it was still pretty good. There were no true surprises, but consistent characters and a and a complete and satisfying story....more
I read the first in the series several years ago. I hadn't remembered the main characters as being as annoying as they are. The overall plot and storyI read the first in the series several years ago. I hadn't remembered the main characters as being as annoying as they are. The overall plot and story are actually gripping, but not enough to get over the personalities of the primary lawyers. It reopened my eyes to the potential dishonesty in law and lawyers � both merited and less so. Overall, more disappointing than I was expecting.
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I read the first in the series several years ago. I hadn't remembered the main characters as being as annoying as they are. The overall plot and story are actually gripping, but not enough to get over the personalities of the primary lawyers. It reopened my eyes to the potential dishonesty in law and lawyers � both merited and less so. Overall, more disappointing than I was expecting....more
I only very rarely give five stars to a fiction book. Science, sometimes true crime, biology, maybe some others, but only rarely fiction, although admI only very rarely give five stars to a fiction book. Science, sometimes true crime, biology, maybe some others, but only rarely fiction, although admittedly mysteries are favorite style for me, but they still rarely get five stars. This book, however, seriously tests the mold! This is the second of the series, but it is not connected to the first. I'm curious as to how connected the next book is, and whether it really is a kind of sequence, or if it's a different story. ANYWAY, keeps the reader questioning and thinking, and wondering how the different "scenes" tie into each other, but the reader is totally pulled in and truly NEEDS to continue onto the next answer. It's based in Ukraine, and given the current political crisis between Russia and Ukraine, it seems that much more current (although it's truly unrelated in reality). Different government agencies with different sources (FBI, state police, Interpol, Russian FSB, etc. etc) are all working together and against each other with no one knowing who is working for whom and what the actual truth is. Who is being used by whom, and who is on what side? And what IS this machine that is suddenly everywhere, and what is it making and how is it being used? I love a book that keeps my brain working on overdrive!
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I only very rarely give five stars to a fiction book. Science, sometimes true crime, biology, maybe some others, but only rarely fiction, although admittedly mysteries are favorite style for me, but they still rarely get five stars. This book, however, seriously tests the mold! This is the second of the series, but it is not connected to the first. I'm curious as to how connected the next book is, and whether it really is a kind of sequence, or if it's a different story. ANYWAY, keeps the reader questioning and thinking, and wondering how the different "scenes" tie into each other, but the reader is totally pulled in and truly NEEDS to continue onto the next answer. It's based in Ukraine, and given the current political crisis between Russia and Ukraine, it seems that much more current (although it's truly unrelated in reality). Different government agencies with different sources (FBI, state police, Interpol, Russian FSB, etc. etc) are all working together and against each other with no one knowing who is working for whom and what the actual truth is. Who is being used by whom, and who is on what side? And what IS this machine that is suddenly everywhere, and what is it making and how is it being used? I love a book that keeps my brain working on overdrive!...more
When I started this book, my immediate thought was "I forgot to notice � ANOTHER Sci-fi!", followed immediately by "I'm not sure I'm ready for this�" When I started this book, my immediate thought was "I forgot to notice � ANOTHER Sci-fi!", followed immediately by "I'm not sure I'm ready for this�" Fortunately, I decided to give it a chance. I very much enjoyed the book! I found the going back and forth between times somewhat annoying and confusing at first, but the time references at the beginnings of chapters were helpful and necessary. And I really liked the combination and understanding between societies in the end. It ended up as a real upper, but it definitely had its dark spots, also. Excellent book!
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When I started this book, my immediate thought was "I forgot to notice � ANOTHER Sci-fi!", followed immediately by "I'm not sure I'm ready for this�" Fortunately, I decided to give it a chance. I very much enjoyed the book! I found the going back and forth between times somewhat annoying and confusing at first, but the time references at the beginnings of chapters were helpful and necessary. And I really liked the combination and understanding between societies in the end. It ended up as a real upper, but it definitely had its dark spots, also. Excellent book!...more
I was unfortunately disappointed :-(. The book made some excellent points, but it seems to do a fair amount of rambling. I chapters 8, 9, and 10, I waI was unfortunately disappointed :-(. The book made some excellent points, but it seems to do a fair amount of rambling. I chapters 8, 9, and 10, I was really hoping for it to be done. And the epilogue was way too long. Yes, there definitely are good reasons that people are attached to and dependent on delusions, and delusions are both useful and necessary in many cases, and the book describes and justifies them, but again, it seemed to go off on tangents and seemed undirected at times. This was unfortunate, because I truly look forward to and enjoy the author's segments on NPR.
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I was unfortunately disappointed :-(. The book made some excellent points, but it seems to do a fair amount of rambling. I chapters 8, 9, and 10, I was really hoping for it to be done. And the epilogue was way too long. Yes, there definitely are good reasons that people are attached to and dependent on delusions, and delusions are both useful and necessary in many cases, and the book describes and justifies them, but again, it seemed to go off on tangents and seemed undirected at times. This was unfortunate, because I truly look forward to and enjoy the author's segments on NPR....more
I don't usually read spy books, but this was kind of fun. The subterfuge from all sides kept the reader on their toes! There were no sudden obvious chI don't usually read spy books, but this was kind of fun. The subterfuge from all sides kept the reader on their toes! There were no sudden obvious changes in character just to to provide a surprise ending, but no characters we're totally reliable at all all the way through. Good book...more
Wow- what a complex and complicated story! It ran the reader through all kinds of emotions and feelings, and even by the end to come up with what theyWow- what a complex and complicated story! It ran the reader through all kinds of emotions and feelings, and even by the end to come up with what they weren't sure exactly where one stood! There appeared to be 4 or 5 ongoing subplots, but they all got braided together in the end to make the reader Feel like they really understood what had gone on-- or did they? It was a very enjoyable book Keeping one on one's toes and staying involved in the complex story. I have never read anything by this author before, but it's definitely conceivable that he will join my favourites!...more
the series, for the most part, ended strong- but it's been far too much time cleaning up loose ends. It would have been cleaner to just, I don't know,the series, for the most part, ended strong- but it's been far too much time cleaning up loose ends. It would have been cleaner to just, I don't know, end. But I really don't know exactly what should have been left out. It was a satisfying ending to the series overall, but I'm not sure whether there's anything else to be said about this particular coven, although I am kind of curious about the characters (nothing like reading about them to feel a connection). It is nice to have all of the nuisance tied up......more
well, I'm feeling the end of the series approaching. As the series approaches it's end, certain questions are answered. This is the 4th of the first fwell, I'm feeling the end of the series approaching. As the series approaches it's end, certain questions are answered. This is the 4th of the first five books of _The Coven: Academy Magic_, and they're really like one longer book. The first book is way too much romance, but they all add up to a complex system of magic and intrigue. I'm actually beginning to really enjoy it....more
The plot thickens! There is still a underlying romance, but really that's not as pronounced here, it's a kind of thrilling, magical, adventure, and itThe plot thickens! There is still a underlying romance, but really that's not as pronounced here, it's a kind of thrilling, magical, adventure, and it's really enjoyable! The realm of magic is growing, and the abilities of the characters continues to enthrall. This was the third book of the first 5 and I read it (listened to it) with audible (which was not offered as an option in the book descriptions)...more
It was a refreshing fantasy that was kind of fun and had many different approaches to witchcraft, demons, angels, right and wrong, the value of � workIt was a refreshing fantasy that was kind of fun and had many different approaches to witchcraft, demons, angels, right and wrong, the value of � working for the main good of the people�, and so many more things! I found it enjoyable, and although these heavy concepts were involved, the overall book did not feel heavy. I ended up liking characters that I thought I'd hate and learning from the overall situation and story....more
It took a while to get into it, but it was fun. It could've stood a further proofreading and grammar check, but for a book to simply read for enjoymenIt took a while to get into it, but it was fun. It could've stood a further proofreading and grammar check, but for a book to simply read for enjoyment and passing time, it did pretty well.
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It took a while to get into it, but it was fun. It could've stood a further proofreading and grammar check, but for a book to simply read for enjoyment and passing time, it did pretty well....more
Not much to say - it was there... It's a cozy mystery/fantasy that doesn't require a whole lot of brain work. A mindless, entertaining way to waste timNot much to say - it was there... It's a cozy mystery/fantasy that doesn't require a whole lot of brain work. A mindless, entertaining way to waste time......more
Unfortunately, I took a month off in the middle of reading this book which made me forget a lot of the details. I already know that I need to reread tUnfortunately, I took a month off in the middle of reading this book which made me forget a lot of the details. I already know that I need to reread the book. What I did get from the book was that there was a period of 150 or so years in the late 1600s/early 1700s when France was a total mess with passion, murders, and rampant greed and desired for power and control. The number of murders and poisonings was astronomical and the ruler of France and the first police chief were involved in all of the goings on. The King of France had a lot to do to try and maintain control and run the country while tamping down Individuals desires and rights. Again, I need to reread the book to be able to actually put things together and realize the nuances and realities of the situations, but I do know that it was an interesting read and, although, history is not my first choice in general, it was well written and held my interest!...more
I was skeptical about this book; I started reading it on my Kindle, but I read so slowly (partly due to my poor vision) that I couldn't follow the stoI was skeptical about this book; I started reading it on my Kindle, but I read so slowly (partly due to my poor vision) that I couldn't follow the story. I switched to text to speech, and as I was able to follow the story, I realized that had great potential, and in fact I enjoyed it. The author was able to take a revolting idea and make it into a reasonable story and a reasonable sounding solution to particular heinous crimes and situations. The whole thing still makes me feel a little bit dirty, so I can revel in the fact that I personally am not involved!...more
Another fluff, cozy mystery book. I had a lot of fun, and I enjoyed it a lot gamma although I doubt it has any redeeming literary features. I even feeAnother fluff, cozy mystery book. I had a lot of fun, and I enjoyed it a lot gamma although I doubt it has any redeeming literary features. I even feel kind of guilty giving it 4 stars, but I really did have a good time. What can I say? Sometimes a cozy mystery really does hit the spot....more
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