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palvi00's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
shinson_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
inmydreams's review against another edition
2.0
Not gonna lie, this book isn't the best one out there for a lot of reasons, but I didn't spend a bad time reading it. I was thinking of dropping it at the very beginning because the writting style wasn't doing it for me and the world building was pretty weak honestly, but something about it just kept me going. I guess I just needed a light reading without thinking about it too much or taking it too seriously.
I also have to admit that I laughed through almost every chapter, because sometimes it either got too ridiculous or there were interactions I considered genuinely funny. The second hand enbarrassment was real all the time, too.
Either way, this was the first book I managed to finish after months of not being able to pick up anything for too long, and I even did it in one go. I do think it had potentional, because it had a few interesting elements. Does that make it a good book for me? No, but I'm glad I am finally out of my reader's block.
I also have to admit that I laughed through almost every chapter, because sometimes it either got too ridiculous or there were interactions I considered genuinely funny. The second hand enbarrassment was real all the time, too.
Either way, this was the first book I managed to finish after months of not being able to pick up anything for too long, and I even did it in one go. I do think it had potentional, because it had a few interesting elements. Does that make it a good book for me? No, but I'm glad I am finally out of my reader's block.
haljonesy's review against another edition
4.0
found family wins the day
Notaro is excellent at writing found family, and man do I just want to snuggle something now. Fascinating world as well, as usual.
Notaro is excellent at writing found family, and man do I just want to snuggle something now. Fascinating world as well, as usual.
kat_merwood's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hartd's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good paranormal romance with a lot of humor. I was in just the right mood for it, after finishing a somewhat boring read. I laughed a lot at some of the situations; Ailin, a witch, has an affinity for animals, and his human partner, Sebastian, doesn't react well to all of Ailin's little buddies. It's really funny.
The banter between Ailin and Sebastian is really the soul of this book, and there's more of it than anything else. It was slightly too much for me, eventually, because it stayed antagonistic, even after the romance officially got rolling. I wanted a little more sweetness and less of Sebastian's prickliness, after that point. Still, the romance is of the soulbonding type, and I liked it.
The crimes sound harrowing in the blurb, but this isn't a gory book or anything. But I do want to warn for non-consensual mind-reading as well as
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I'm sure I'll read the sequel.
The banter between Ailin and Sebastian is really the soul of this book, and there's more of it than anything else. It was slightly too much for me, eventually, because it stayed antagonistic, even after the romance officially got rolling. I wanted a little more sweetness and less of Sebastian's prickliness, after that point. Still, the romance is of the soulbonding type, and I liked it.
The crimes sound harrowing in the blurb, but this isn't a gory book or anything. But I do want to warn for non-consensual mind-reading as well as
Spoiler
non-consensual magical bonding.Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I'm sure I'll read the sequel.
nnof's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Everything about this was pretty great except for the romantic relationship. The dynamic felt off and undeveloped and suddenly the two MCs were bonded to each other.
I didn’t like how Ailin could read Seb’s mind with Seb being unaware the entire time. How on earth did it take Seb so long to figure it out? I also didn’t like the dynamic of Seb being a fish out of water for the entire book. This was abused by Ailin who continuously patronized him because of it. This is why the relationship dynamic felt off to me. They never had a chance to be presented as equals before Ailin claimed Seb without his permission.
Everything about this was pretty great except for the romantic relationship. The dynamic felt off and undeveloped and suddenly the two MCs were bonded to each other.
I didn’t like how Ailin could read Seb’s mind with Seb being unaware the entire time. How on earth did it take Seb so long to figure it out? I also didn’t like the dynamic of Seb being a fish out of water for the entire book. This was abused by Ailin who continuously patronized him because of it. This is why the relationship dynamic felt off to me. They never had a chance to be presented as equals before Ailin claimed Seb without his permission.
hartd's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good paranormal romance with a lot of humor. I was in just the right mood for it, after finishing a somewhat boring read. I laughed a lot at some of the situations; Ailin, a witch, has an affinity for animals, and his human partner, Sebastian, doesn't react well to all of Ailin's little buddies. It's really funny.
The banter between Ailin and Sebastian is really the soul of this book, and there's more of it than anything else. It was slightly too much for me, eventually, because it stayed antagonistic, even after the romance officially got rolling. I wanted a little more sweetness and less of Sebastian's prickliness, after that point. Still, the romance is of the soulbonding type, and I liked it.
The crimes sound harrowing in the blurb, but this isn't a gory book or anything. But I do want to warn for non-consensual mind-reading as well as
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I'm sure I'll read the sequel.
The banter between Ailin and Sebastian is really the soul of this book, and there's more of it than anything else. It was slightly too much for me, eventually, because it stayed antagonistic, even after the romance officially got rolling. I wanted a little more sweetness and less of Sebastian's prickliness, after that point. Still, the romance is of the soulbonding type, and I liked it.
The crimes sound harrowing in the blurb, but this isn't a gory book or anything. But I do want to warn for non-consensual mind-reading as well as
Spoiler
non-consensual magical bonding.Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I'm sure I'll read the sequel.
xanthe87's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic new series from Michelle Notaro! We're treated to a brilliant story line, which sets us up for a roller-coaster ride of a series, as well as strong characters some to love and some to hate.
Sebastian is a cop looking into a series of grisly, weird murders and gets partnered with Ailin, a secretive yet cocky man that Sebastian can't help but be attracted to. The case takes a few turns, including a run in with the murderer for Sebastian but this is where Ailin shines through and shows his true colours......
This story is firstly, so interesting and different to anything I've read before! I was drawn in from the moment we were introduced to Sebastian and his determination to solve the murder cases that he came across and linked together. Then we meet Ailin and he's so....different to others. An enigma in who he is, what he knows and what he can do but straight away is someone to trust. The banter between the two men starts straight away and it's easy to read a bond forming between them as they look into the cases.
Once things take a turn and get slightly more complicated, I was so immersed in the story! I needed to know what was coming next throughout the whole book. It's definitely one that's hard to put down and I'm so excited to read the next one! With how it ends you know that it's gonna be quite the ride.
Our MC's are intense, comedic and adorable together and we also get treated to some wonderful secondary characters with Ailin's family. Very supportive and step up whenever needed.
The setting and places that are written and action sequences are all so engaging. It's so easy to imagine where you are throughput and watch a play by play through your head as you read through the book. Michelle's writing is beautiful, captivating and bewitching. This is a fabulous supernatural mystery that's different to any I've read before and I cannot recommend it enough!
I received an ARC from the publisher and am happily giving a review
Sebastian is a cop looking into a series of grisly, weird murders and gets partnered with Ailin, a secretive yet cocky man that Sebastian can't help but be attracted to. The case takes a few turns, including a run in with the murderer for Sebastian but this is where Ailin shines through and shows his true colours......
This story is firstly, so interesting and different to anything I've read before! I was drawn in from the moment we were introduced to Sebastian and his determination to solve the murder cases that he came across and linked together. Then we meet Ailin and he's so....different to others. An enigma in who he is, what he knows and what he can do but straight away is someone to trust. The banter between the two men starts straight away and it's easy to read a bond forming between them as they look into the cases.
Once things take a turn and get slightly more complicated, I was so immersed in the story! I needed to know what was coming next throughout the whole book. It's definitely one that's hard to put down and I'm so excited to read the next one! With how it ends you know that it's gonna be quite the ride.
Our MC's are intense, comedic and adorable together and we also get treated to some wonderful secondary characters with Ailin's family. Very supportive and step up whenever needed.
The setting and places that are written and action sequences are all so engaging. It's so easy to imagine where you are throughput and watch a play by play through your head as you read through the book. Michelle's writing is beautiful, captivating and bewitching. This is a fabulous supernatural mystery that's different to any I've read before and I cannot recommend it enough!
I received an ARC from the publisher and am happily giving a review
militarycorecunt's review against another edition
4.0
Main character (Seb): not the brightest, would not want him as my detective. Physically rolled my eyes multiple times at his stupidity- the man does not pick up on obvious patterns. Embodies the nature of a 15 year old girl.
A: pretty cool, I liked his confidence and he really wasn't that big of an asshole Seb made him seem. Though, his whole "I'll protect you. I promise" thing was a little overdone
Main characters interaction: I really enjoyed the banter especially the "get out of my head, A" "then stop thinking so loud" thing. They were definitely cute together. I loved the beginning where they had their respective animal companions.
Story: world building was pretty decent. Main characters only had like two scenes where they were away from each other but that's me being picky. The whole "the most powerful demon we've ever seen is tracking Seb" thing didn't really feel urgent to me. the demon can track him wherever, but he really wanted Seb and A to get together first before he did anything major.
Overall: not terrible. I did like the slow burn and I do like how Seb had his insecurities. Audiobook had a pretty good voice although A's voice sounded like a pack-a-day smoker at some times.
A: pretty cool, I liked his confidence and he really wasn't that big of an asshole Seb made him seem. Though, his whole "I'll protect you. I promise" thing was a little overdone
Main characters interaction: I really enjoyed the banter especially the "get out of my head, A" "then stop thinking so loud" thing. They were definitely cute together. I loved the beginning where they had their respective animal companions.
Story: world building was pretty decent. Main characters only had like two scenes where they were away from each other but that's me being picky. The whole "the most powerful demon we've ever seen is tracking Seb" thing didn't really feel urgent to me. the demon can track him wherever, but he really wanted Seb and A to get together first before he did anything major.
Overall: not terrible. I did like the slow burn and I do like how Seb had his insecurities. Audiobook had a pretty good voice although A's voice sounded like a pack-a-day smoker at some times.