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irurian's review against another edition
1.0
Ended up abandoning a third of the way in. Oh & btw at that point there should be some hint of a decent mystery. Instead, we get a few lines about some thefts and a fire in a trash can. I should have been hooked by that point in the story.
And of course there's the main character. Ophelia is one of the biggest and most unlikeable bitches I have seen in fiction in a very long time. She seems to do nothing but criticise everything and everyone around her. Why Damsgaard decided to start off her series with this, I have no idea.
The "love interest" is creepy as fuck as well. Especially with his weird insistence that he follow her home the first time he meets her. Ugh.
Definitely not continuing on with this series.
And of course there's the main character. Ophelia is one of the biggest and most unlikeable bitches I have seen in fiction in a very long time. She seems to do nothing but criticise everything and everyone around her. Why Damsgaard decided to start off her series with this, I have no idea.
The "love interest" is creepy as fuck as well. Especially with his weird insistence that he follow her home the first time he meets her. Ugh.
Definitely not continuing on with this series.
luckyliza13's review against another edition
3.0
Not the most well written book, but an entertaining story. I wonder if the characters get better developed in later books.
slferg's review against another edition
4.0
Ophelia Jensen is a small town librarian. She has been living here several years near her grandmother Abby. Abby is a witch, healing woman, whatever. Ophelia, too, has the gift but doesn't want to use it. She feels betrayed since her best friend was killed and her grandfather died. After all, what's the use of magick if you can't save those you love? Why should the visions of death cause such pain, and you can't do anything about it. So she quit her library job at the University and moved to this small town since they needed a librarian. She has shut out everyone except her grandmother, not wanting to feel such pain again. Then a "chemical salesman" (that's what he claims) comes to town, Rick asks lots of questions and goes through the archives of the local paper. Abby "reads" him and decides that he's a good person, but there is a circle of evil drawing closer around him and Ophelia and Ophelia will have to acknowledge her powers and use them to save the both of them. Ophelia goes to the woods to think and discovers a body - that she had dreamed of a few days before. She was very upset and her assistant at the library, Darcy, had asked Rick to follow her and be sure she was alright.
Things keep happening. And Ophelia is surprised to learn that she is loosening up and starting to let people in. Darcy refuses to be shut out and offended when Ophelia is rude to her and Ophelia learns to accept people caring for her. Her cat Queenie and her dog Lady (part wolf) are very protective of her and knows when she's had disturbing dreams and needs soothing.
Delightful tale. I'll probably read more of them and watch Ophelia's continuing development and acceptance of her magickal powers.
Things keep happening. And Ophelia is surprised to learn that she is loosening up and starting to let people in. Darcy refuses to be shut out and offended when Ophelia is rude to her and Ophelia learns to accept people caring for her. Her cat Queenie and her dog Lady (part wolf) are very protective of her and knows when she's had disturbing dreams and needs soothing.
Delightful tale. I'll probably read more of them and watch Ophelia's continuing development and acceptance of her magickal powers.
lisaarnsdorf's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book several years ago, but remembered next to nothing about it. After a second read, I know why. It took 100 pages for the plot to really get moving. Ophelia, our main character, was so whiny and contrary, it was hard to find sympathy for her struggles. And Ophelia's magick doesn't follow any rules.
The supporting characters were interesting.
The supporting characters were interesting.
aksharpes's review against another edition
The main character is flat out mean and has no redeeming qualities, storyline, plot, writing all terrible.
jenreads1026's review against another edition
4.0
Great start to the series featuring a Librarian who is fighting to accept her background and special talents. Great characters in the book including her aunt and other coworkers. This was a re-read for me so I can't really say the mystery was a surprise. I look forward to catching up and finding more of the back story in the future books.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
4.0
I love mysteries and I love the paranormal, but for some reason paranormal mysteries halfway fail most of the time. Either they’re cheesy and false-feeling or cursed by quirky cuteness so sunny I want to gag instead of grin. Thankfully this was a gem among silly stones, delivering what it teased.
I read this years ago and remember greatly enjoying it, but as time continues, my memory does it work and I forget. Rereading this one because I've been meaning to recapture the fun of it, and also to add another witch book to the Witch and Magic Challenge I'm doing this year, figured it'd be perfect.
My memory didn't fail me on how enjoyable it was - the plot is simple, making it a light and fun read, but it's not boring or cheesy. The main character, Ophelia, works as a librarian in a small town. She has a huge chip on her shoulder, mainly due to horrible events which took place four years ago. Her grandmother, Abby, is the town witch (although no one knows this!), and Ophelia tries as hard as possible to avoid magic and trouble while keeping her anonymity intact. This of course fails as murder hits the town, a nosy reporter who's too interested in her keeps stopping by the library, and fate takes its rightful place.
It's a pure mystery, but it doesn't end up being too deep or complex since the author really only introduces a small number of characters to suspect. The magic is pretty cool, it's unique and subdued. While there are psychic talents, they're not the typical ones. Ophelias is more dream orientated and she's frustrated on figuring out what they mean.
Her dreams about the ballerina are awesome and haunting. I can almost hear the creepy, sad music playing as the girl keeps whirling around and practicing. The authors ability to write well really drove this home, almost like watching a film. Loved it.
Sometimes Ophelias chip-on-the-shoulder was too heavy for me to carry, but she still makes a likeable enough heroine. I also love when heroines in mysteries are librarians, how cool. Who can resist Rick and Darci either? Rick is "hot" in the book but I don't feel attraction or excitement about their relationship, other than hoping just because he's sweet and interesting.
Darci is funny as a sidekick and not the typical one - she cracks me up with her enthusiasm. There were several laugh out loud moments, especially the bedroom closet scene. I suppose we're supposed to really dig the grandmother Abby, but honestly she faded a bit in the background to me.
Wasn't sure if the very ending was the best one, but it wasn't a killer for the enjoyment, but makes you want to read the follow-up. These pages ooze with charm and will appeal to mystery fans everywhere. Hopefully sometime, someday, I'll get the rest of the series and continue the magic.
smiley7245's review against another edition
3.0
Cute story. It took a while for me to decide that I actually liked this book. I loved Ophelia's wit and her interactions with Rick. I am looking forward to reading the next one; I just hope Rick is in it!
mbrevesz's review
2.0
I thought this book had an interesting premise, but the mystery was too easy to solve and the main character so seriously lacked a sense of humor- I didn't really enjoy it as much as I had hoped.
mcampbel's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping to enjoy this more than I did. It was OK but not sure I'll read the rest of the series. Like the cover though!