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bloggingwithdragons's review
3.0
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I did not realize when I received this ARC that Rough Justice was book #5.5 out of the series. Personally, I do not ever like to read books out of order ever, but I did my best to make sense of the established cast of characters and their relationships. Thankfully, there was plenty to keep me entertained, with an interesting main character and a supernatural entity dealing out justice to wrongdoers in a brutal and murderous hunt with actual hell-hounds, and I would like to read the rest of the series *in order* sometime.
I loved everything having to do with the Wild Hunt. I did not really grasp the full details of the organization to the Hunt or how people became members, but I loved the description of the cloaks and especially the flashbacks to past hunts. Somehow these throwbacks to older time periods, when the hunt was notorious and widely feared made them seem that much more mysterious and sinister. My favorite was when the when the self-righteous lady wrongfully seeking Hunt justice got spooked by one of the hounds of the Hunt as a lesson; it made for a very powerful image.
But unfortunately, I did not really understand all the references in the book, especially to the relationship stuff between Liv, Ricky, and Gabe. It was clear it was really fleshed out and there was a lot of history there. Despite not understanding everything that was going on between them, I was able to really get a feel for the characters from the beginning and just jump into the middle of their relationship.
Liv by far was my favorite character. I loved that she was a private investigator, something that reminded me a lot of Veronica Mars, and enjoyed when she disguised herself as a spoiled rich girl in a platinum blonde wig to get answers to her case. I also enjoyed the mystery that was developing with private investigator Liv and did not unravel it before the characters did, which was nice. Though the book did not delve into her past too extensively, it is clear she has a complicated past, and one that I would like to discover more about. She seems like a very capable person and I especially loved her no-nonsense attitude in reference to Gabe’s mother, who is clearly a toxic hanger-on, though apparently there is some heavy supernatural crap surrounding her circumstances that makes everyone doubt that. Sadly, this was another situation that was beyond my comprehension.
Though I loved Liv’s role as a private investigator and practical girlfriend, I was not as big of a fan as her role as the Matilda of the Hunt. I was annoyed by her dedication to and obsession with justice, mainly because it did not seem that rough at all. I thought it was a little silly that she needed to investigate the Hunt’s latest victim because she was not sure exactly how he was guilty—only that he was, because the Hunt comes equipped with supernatural guilt detectors. Why go to all of that trouble if you know without a doubt that someone is guilty? Seemed like a waste of time to me and a trope for being considered about being explicitly right or wrong or just is one of which I have really had enough, to be honest.
Furthermore, I was completely confused by all the different roles of Olivia within the hunt. From what I gleamed, she is part of two different factions of the Hunt that decide the roles of the group, but I do not really understand how that comes into play or what tensions are occurring as part of her decision to remain in both groups, rather than simply and traditionally choosing one. Again, my confusion is probably just because I stupidly jumped into the middle of the series simply because it reminded me of The Witcher 3, and through no fault of the author. Plus, I was on an airplane and having trouble remembering and concentrating on all the fancy Irish words, complete with five thousand accent marks, used to describe the roles of the Hunt—totally my fault, and not the author’s.
I am sure if you are a consistent follower of this series this was a great addition to it, especially if you are waiting for the release of next full-length novel. However, as someone jumping in completely blind into the series, I really do not feel it was meant as a standalone novel. There was simply too much back story too fully comprehend something as large as a Wild Hunt or as complicated as Olivia’s love life. I did, however, really enjoy the heroine’s characterization and career, as well as the existence of the Wild Hunt and would recommend reading this series from the beginning to truly appreciate it. I hope to read the rest sometime in the future.
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I did not realize when I received this ARC that Rough Justice was book #5.5 out of the series. Personally, I do not ever like to read books out of order ever, but I did my best to make sense of the established cast of characters and their relationships. Thankfully, there was plenty to keep me entertained, with an interesting main character and a supernatural entity dealing out justice to wrongdoers in a brutal and murderous hunt with actual hell-hounds, and I would like to read the rest of the series *in order* sometime.
I loved everything having to do with the Wild Hunt. I did not really grasp the full details of the organization to the Hunt or how people became members, but I loved the description of the cloaks and especially the flashbacks to past hunts. Somehow these throwbacks to older time periods, when the hunt was notorious and widely feared made them seem that much more mysterious and sinister. My favorite was when the when the self-righteous lady wrongfully seeking Hunt justice got spooked by one of the hounds of the Hunt as a lesson; it made for a very powerful image.
But unfortunately, I did not really understand all the references in the book, especially to the relationship stuff between Liv, Ricky, and Gabe. It was clear it was really fleshed out and there was a lot of history there. Despite not understanding everything that was going on between them, I was able to really get a feel for the characters from the beginning and just jump into the middle of their relationship.
Liv by far was my favorite character. I loved that she was a private investigator, something that reminded me a lot of Veronica Mars, and enjoyed when she disguised herself as a spoiled rich girl in a platinum blonde wig to get answers to her case. I also enjoyed the mystery that was developing with private investigator Liv and did not unravel it before the characters did, which was nice. Though the book did not delve into her past too extensively, it is clear she has a complicated past, and one that I would like to discover more about. She seems like a very capable person and I especially loved her no-nonsense attitude in reference to Gabe’s mother, who is clearly a toxic hanger-on, though apparently there is some heavy supernatural crap surrounding her circumstances that makes everyone doubt that. Sadly, this was another situation that was beyond my comprehension.
Though I loved Liv’s role as a private investigator and practical girlfriend, I was not as big of a fan as her role as the Matilda of the Hunt. I was annoyed by her dedication to and obsession with justice, mainly because it did not seem that rough at all. I thought it was a little silly that she needed to investigate the Hunt’s latest victim because she was not sure exactly how he was guilty—only that he was, because the Hunt comes equipped with supernatural guilt detectors. Why go to all of that trouble if you know without a doubt that someone is guilty? Seemed like a waste of time to me and a trope for being considered about being explicitly right or wrong or just is one of which I have really had enough, to be honest.
Furthermore, I was completely confused by all the different roles of Olivia within the hunt. From what I gleamed, she is part of two different factions of the Hunt that decide the roles of the group, but I do not really understand how that comes into play or what tensions are occurring as part of her decision to remain in both groups, rather than simply and traditionally choosing one. Again, my confusion is probably just because I stupidly jumped into the middle of the series simply because it reminded me of The Witcher 3, and through no fault of the author. Plus, I was on an airplane and having trouble remembering and concentrating on all the fancy Irish words, complete with five thousand accent marks, used to describe the roles of the Hunt—totally my fault, and not the author’s.
I am sure if you are a consistent follower of this series this was a great addition to it, especially if you are waiting for the release of next full-length novel. However, as someone jumping in completely blind into the series, I really do not feel it was meant as a standalone novel. There was simply too much back story too fully comprehend something as large as a Wild Hunt or as complicated as Olivia’s love life. I did, however, really enjoy the heroine’s characterization and career, as well as the existence of the Wild Hunt and would recommend reading this series from the beginning to truly appreciate it. I hope to read the rest sometime in the future.
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thechaoshour's review
5.0
Perfect as expected. As soon as I finished the Cainsville series I knew I needed more and I'm SO glad we're getting more. I love seeing Liv and Gabriel working together and I've always loved the detective work they do which made this novella a lot of fun.
oaxara's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
morticia32's review
4.0
A quick visit back to Cainsville!
I thought we'd seen the last of Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky after Rituals, but I'm so glad Ms. Armstrong decided to give us a peak into their world again. Rough Justice was a fast paced story, with a little bit of a twist as Olivia throws a monkey wrench into their first Wild Hunt. She's determined to prove the quarry of their hunt is indeed guilty before justice is served.
There's a little personal business thrown in with the mystery. It's interesting to see how Gabriel is still learning to love and be loved, and how Olivia reacts to it. I really enjoy those two.
I truly hope that Ms. Armstrong continues to gives us these short visits to Cainsville.
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley*
I thought we'd seen the last of Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky after Rituals, but I'm so glad Ms. Armstrong decided to give us a peak into their world again. Rough Justice was a fast paced story, with a little bit of a twist as Olivia throws a monkey wrench into their first Wild Hunt. She's determined to prove the quarry of their hunt is indeed guilty before justice is served.
There's a little personal business thrown in with the mystery. It's interesting to see how Gabriel is still learning to love and be loved, and how Olivia reacts to it. I really enjoy those two.
I truly hope that Ms. Armstrong continues to gives us these short visits to Cainsville.
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley*
thelostshoe's review
This a novella that happens after the series ends. Olivia is on her first Hunt with Ricky. She's anxious about the target of this as for her it doesn't feel right. So, she stops the hunt due to this. This is the only time given to Olivia + Ricky.
As the rest of the story is following her and Gabriel's relationship and the investigation.
Through the investigation they find bigger problems with the guy and it's definitely not what they originally thought.
And, the relationship things Gabriel is experiencing are definitely not what he thought, either.
Overall, it has a good balance of investigation and relationship/family/life drama. We see more investigation in this as it's part of Olivia adjusting to being apart of the Hunt. It's more focused on Olivia and Gabriel's relationship and how they're adjusting to their new life.
Downloaded through Netgalley thanks to the publisher in exchange for a honest review :D
As the rest of the story is following her and Gabriel's relationship and the investigation.
Through the investigation they find bigger problems with the guy and it's definitely not what they originally thought.
And, the relationship things Gabriel is experiencing are definitely not what he thought, either.
Overall, it has a good balance of investigation and relationship/family/life drama. We see more investigation in this as it's part of Olivia adjusting to being apart of the Hunt. It's more focused on Olivia and Gabriel's relationship and how they're adjusting to their new life.
Downloaded through Netgalley thanks to the publisher in exchange for a honest review :D
dwmreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
a_h_haga's review
3.0
REREAD 2021
I had honestly forgotten almost everything about this book. I remembered one of the storylines, which seemed to be the minor one, and somehow I felt it wasn't resolved as well this time around? I'm not sure how that would work, though, as the book isn't any different. Maybe I had trouble keeping up because of my eye issues? Anyway, it's not important. I'm keeping the original rating, and don't really have anything new to say about it.
Maybe just that I'm glad Rose was finally brought into the loop.
----------------------------------------------
I know the author say these books count as shorter stories, not full length novels, but I still have trouble agreeing with that. They're not far from 50k words, after all. Not with that length.
Anyway, as usual, Armstrong's writing is light and flowing, easily sucking me in. Her characters are well written and their interaction is good.
I will admit that I was... not surprised, but taken aback, maybe? by the way she write dialogue. It isn't wrong, it just takes a little getting used to.
The story in this book started out really interesting, but kinda slow, and the slow continued throughout the book. As well there just being a general mystery, and not much magic. Again, it wasn't bad, just not what I hoped for.
It's not the strongest book in the series, but it still wasn't bad, and I can picture myself giving it a reread at some later date.
I had honestly forgotten almost everything about this book. I remembered one of the storylines, which seemed to be the minor one, and somehow I felt it wasn't resolved as well this time around? I'm not sure how that would work, though, as the book isn't any different. Maybe I had trouble keeping up because of my eye issues? Anyway, it's not important. I'm keeping the original rating, and don't really have anything new to say about it.
Maybe just that I'm glad Rose was finally brought into the loop.
----------------------------------------------
I know the author say these books count as shorter stories, not full length novels, but I still have trouble agreeing with that. They're not far from 50k words, after all. Not with that length.
Anyway, as usual, Armstrong's writing is light and flowing, easily sucking me in. Her characters are well written and their interaction is good.
I will admit that I was... not surprised, but taken aback, maybe? by the way she write dialogue. It isn't wrong, it just takes a little getting used to.
The story in this book started out really interesting, but kinda slow, and the slow continued throughout the book. As well there just being a general mystery, and not much magic. Again, it wasn't bad, just not what I hoped for.
It's not the strongest book in the series, but it still wasn't bad, and I can picture myself giving it a reread at some later date.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Loved reading this book! So great, of learning how the wild hunt works, and yeah, loved the mystery, it was so great to read! I wish we had an update with her parents, though!
laurla's review
"those memories are yours, like a walk in closet, filled with vignettes for every occasion. you are worried about setting Johnson free, and so your subconscious selected a memory that confirmed your worst fears."
"I had a friend who struggled in school until she was diagnosed with a learning disorder, and I remembered how relieved she'd been. that had baffled me, the diagnosis didn't cure her. now I understood her relief. the diagnosis meant that she wasn't failing because she didn't work hard enough. she had a disability she needed to accommodate."
"maybe someone was paying you undue attention. things like that can escalate, from the point where you don't want to sound paranoid to the point where you regret not feeling paranoid enough."
"I had a friend who struggled in school until she was diagnosed with a learning disorder, and I remembered how relieved she'd been. that had baffled me, the diagnosis didn't cure her. now I understood her relief. the diagnosis meant that she wasn't failing because she didn't work hard enough. she had a disability she needed to accommodate."
"maybe someone was paying you undue attention. things like that can escalate, from the point where you don't want to sound paranoid to the point where you regret not feeling paranoid enough."
kari_webster's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this novella! A decent murder mystery with my favourite characters, even more character growth & hints at what might be in store in future books. And most importantly it was relevant to the series and added to the mythology/world we already know and love.