Reviews

A Haunting at Midwinter by Kai Butler

teresab78's review

4.0

This was a great introduction to the characters and the bones of the world. Reading it again after reading the other books in the series and knowing things only hinted at here makes this more clever.

jennifox's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

the_otaku_bibliophile's review

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

kto2459's review

medium-paced

3.0

wardenred's review

adventurous funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh, I’d definitely be seeing him again, even if I had to commit a crime to guarantee it.

As far as series introductions go, this was pretty excellent! The novella stands on its own well enough, too, being a thrilling, tightly plotted haunted house story with two likable queer characters who have vastly different views on what's even happening. The mutual attraction does develop rather quickly, which is normally not something I often like, but in this case, it felt really natural: there was that initial spark, and then it got fueled by adrenaline into a promise of a bigger fire.

The main point of this story, however, is to be the primer for a bigger series, and this is a job it does so, *so* well. It showcases the tip of such an exciting iceberg. A "broken masquerade" type of urban fantasy world with multiple magical systems whose practitioners have vastly different views on the supernatural phenomena? Clearly a kitchen sink of magical beings, since there are passing mentions of so many of those, from fairies to werewolves to vampires? And what's with the MC's magic? Can I please learn more about his backstory? When do I get to meet this Lauren, whoever she is, who gave him that spell book? And, of course, I do want to see the above-mentioned flaring spark develop! 

Clearly, San Amaro Investigations is going to be the next queer urban fantasy I delve into, and I'm delighted to see there are quite a few novels in it already. Who needs [insert all sensible purchases here] when I can buy new books instead? :D

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Violence and Gore

ashtwhite's review

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

3.5

wisecraic's review

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

thingsnstuff's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

coffeeintherain's review

3.0

3.5 stars

teenykins's review

4.0

Having read the first 2 books in the series and quite liking them, even though in the first book there were references in this short but nowhere in the beginning it was advised to go back and read it before starting, so imagine my annoyance when reading the first book and Parker's and King's meeting here was inferred like it was a done deal and we knew it.

Anyways this is a really good, spooky short BUT if I was starting the series now and reading this first, there's no way I would have expected the story line as it happens in the books and not a mystery-ghost fighters paranormal plot. So this short is a bit of false advertising especially claiming that it ends in an HFN, when King and Parker haven't even gone on a date yet.