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jaggedrocks's review against another edition
3.0
Fast, easy read. I liked the main character Ophelia. I also think Abby is great. Enjoyed the story line. I am not sure what to think of the romance part of the story, it felt a little off.
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so much better than I expected! I can’t wait to read more. Often paranormal cozies are too cutesy for me but this was not at all. In fact, the paranormal elements were almost downplayed to highlight believable characters and a well crafted mystery that involves a very current issue, methamphetamine production. I liked the protagonist, Ophelia. Despite her cool, reserved persona I really connected with her. She reminds me slightly of Miss Zukas from the Jo Dereske series, which I also love. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
lunasgathering's review against another edition
5.0
It's the first book in my all-time favorite witchy series, the Ophelia and Abby Mysteries. It is a seven-novel series about Ophelia Jensen, a small Iowa town librarian and reluctant clairvoyant, and her grandmother Abby McDonald, a wise woman with powers passed down through many generations. They use their gifts to solve crimes and protect those they care about.
In this first story, Ophelia is still emotionally crippled by a tragedy from four years past, shutting out everyone for fear of hurting someone or getting hurt herself. That all changed when Rick Davis strolls into town claiming to be a chemical salesman, asking tons of questions about several recent petty crimes, including theft of anhydrous ammonia. Shortly thereafter, Ophelia stumbles onto a dead body and the investigating begins. I don't want to go into too much detail because every part of this story was a joy to discover without having it spoiled.
What made this stand out for me over other series was the protagonist's struggle with her abilities and her trust issues. She never once shows disrespect for her grandmother's magick. She only fears letting herself embrace what she can do after she feels her gifts failed her (as she believed it did in the tragedy four years earlier). The story never felt forced and all of the secondary characters were believable and (mostly) likeable. It's also nice when law enforcement is not portrayed as bumbling idiots, forcing the protagonists into action.The answer to whodunit was well-plotted and not immediately obvious, at least not to me. Most importantly, the magick was handled very well. No silliness, no gimmick, no wand waving and shooting out a spell. Just respect. I appreciate when an author can pull that off. - See more at: http://lunasgathering.blogspot.com/#sthash.iY05jiU8.dpuf
In this first story, Ophelia is still emotionally crippled by a tragedy from four years past, shutting out everyone for fear of hurting someone or getting hurt herself. That all changed when Rick Davis strolls into town claiming to be a chemical salesman, asking tons of questions about several recent petty crimes, including theft of anhydrous ammonia. Shortly thereafter, Ophelia stumbles onto a dead body and the investigating begins. I don't want to go into too much detail because every part of this story was a joy to discover without having it spoiled.
What made this stand out for me over other series was the protagonist's struggle with her abilities and her trust issues. She never once shows disrespect for her grandmother's magick. She only fears letting herself embrace what she can do after she feels her gifts failed her (as she believed it did in the tragedy four years earlier). The story never felt forced and all of the secondary characters were believable and (mostly) likeable. It's also nice when law enforcement is not portrayed as bumbling idiots, forcing the protagonists into action.The answer to whodunit was well-plotted and not immediately obvious, at least not to me. Most importantly, the magick was handled very well. No silliness, no gimmick, no wand waving and shooting out a spell. Just respect. I appreciate when an author can pull that off. - See more at: http://lunasgathering.blogspot.com/#sthash.iY05jiU8.dpuf
livrekitty's review against another edition
3.0
A fun read. I look forward to reading more in this series.
mariek25's review against another edition
2.0
This one was really boring - the characters were unlikable and downright annoying, and NOTHING happened in the first half of the book. Will not finish the series.
mystereity's review
2.0
Just...meh. I'd give it 1.5 stars if I could. The plot was ok, but I figured it out fairly early in the book. The main character needs to learn spells on How To Get Over It and Not Going To Answer Your Stupid Questions. The reporter isn't very good at his job if he goes around badgering random people for no reason by peppering them with personal questions. The "romance" was forced and clumsier than a virgin nerd at a porn convention. Note to authors: bringing up some event in a character's past over and over and over without a)explaining it or b)having it relate to the plot is really a annoying and detracts considerably from the book. So just stop it. Brainstorm some better plot ideas and character development rather than resorting to this ineffective and lazy plot device.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
2.0
This isn't bad, it just isn't good. And it is impossible to take about way without some spoilers.
The main character, Ophelia, is pretty good, though her reaction about not being touched because her best friend was murdered and she couldn't save him, seems a bit much considering that they were friends only. We are told this because he was gay so no hanky panky. Though, we aren't told much else about him so I wonder how close they actually were.
For a book where the main character gets upset about sterotypes, there are sure a great many stertotypes that play true in the book.
The romantic lead is a jerk, sorry.
The main character, Ophelia, is pretty good, though her reaction about not being touched because her best friend was murdered and she couldn't save him, seems a bit much considering that they were friends only. We are told this because he was gay so no hanky panky. Though, we aren't told much else about him so I wonder how close they actually were.
For a book where the main character gets upset about sterotypes, there are sure a great many stertotypes that play true in the book.
The romantic lead is a jerk, sorry.
seejennread's review against another edition
2.0
This was recommended to me by one of my Twitter friends and it looked interesting, so I picked it up at Half Price a while back. It wasn't the best, but I might get the next one if I see it...just to give it another chance!
Ophelia Jensen is a psychic librarian in the small town where her witchy grandmother, Abby, lives. Ophelia doesn't want anything to do with her "other worldly" powers ever since she was unable to prevent something bad happening to her best friend. She's forced to start using them again though when weird things start happening in her town and a hot stranger shows up asking all kinds of questions.
I felt like we didn't get nearly enough time on Ophelia's back story or her powers. The author kind of glosses over the grandmother's "Mountain Magick" too and I would have enjoyed seeing more of that. I actually really enjoyed the other characters quite a bit though. Ophelia's coworker and eventually friend Darci is sassy and actually very smart. Handsome stranger Rick is funny and pretty interesting. I would probably pick up the 2nd book for those 2 alone. :)
Blogged at SeeJennRead
Ophelia Jensen is a psychic librarian in the small town where her witchy grandmother, Abby, lives. Ophelia doesn't want anything to do with her "other worldly" powers ever since she was unable to prevent something bad happening to her best friend. She's forced to start using them again though when weird things start happening in her town and a hot stranger shows up asking all kinds of questions.
I felt like we didn't get nearly enough time on Ophelia's back story or her powers. The author kind of glosses over the grandmother's "Mountain Magick" too and I would have enjoyed seeing more of that. I actually really enjoyed the other characters quite a bit though. Ophelia's coworker and eventually friend Darci is sassy and actually very smart. Handsome stranger Rick is funny and pretty interesting. I would probably pick up the 2nd book for those 2 alone. :)
Blogged at SeeJennRead
floralaura's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25