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melledotca's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the blend of genres, though the end felt rushed and sloppy.
vicrine's review against another edition
4.0
8/10. Sexy, too. Would venture reading more of this series, maybe.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
4.0
The first book in an exciting trilogy =D
If she has to make a medium show for a living, the powers of Aida are real and when Winter Magnusson, a beautiful but dangerous bootlegger, is targeted by a very dark and ghostly magic, Aida decides to help him, not knowing she will be immersed in a new world of danger and passion ...
A book of magic, romance and which takes place in the United States at the time of Prohibition ?? Suffice to say that I was VERY eager to get hold of it =D And I wasn't disappointed ><
The author's style is great and the plot and subplots are interesting even though I would have liked it to be more complex ...
The big plus of this series is the atmosphere : the story and characters are not super original (although I loved Aida and her freckles =D) but the descriptions and the twenties atmosphere that the author has been building plunges us straight into the world of Prohibition, gangsters and into a mysterious Chinatown full of magic and glamor =D
In short, not an extraordinay book but a nice one to read and I can't wait to meet Winter's brother =D
If she has to make a medium show for a living, the powers of Aida are real and when Winter Magnusson, a beautiful but dangerous bootlegger, is targeted by a very dark and ghostly magic, Aida decides to help him, not knowing she will be immersed in a new world of danger and passion ...
A book of magic, romance and which takes place in the United States at the time of Prohibition ?? Suffice to say that I was VERY eager to get hold of it =D And I wasn't disappointed ><
The author's style is great and the plot and subplots are interesting even though I would have liked it to be more complex ...
The big plus of this series is the atmosphere : the story and characters are not super original (although I loved Aida and her freckles =D) but the descriptions and the twenties atmosphere that the author has been building plunges us straight into the world of Prohibition, gangsters and into a mysterious Chinatown full of magic and glamor =D
In short, not an extraordinay book but a nice one to read and I can't wait to meet Winter's brother =D
fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
If you like Jenn Bennett's Arcadia Bell series then I think you'll enjoy Bitter Spirits. This novel has the same kind of vibe despite being set in San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1920's.
I loved the two main characters. Aida is a strong, independent woman who just also happens to be able to summon and exorcise ghosts. One of the things I liked most about her is she felt more right for the time period than other leading ladies I've read in steampunk novels. She's modern for her time but she's not just a character who has been plucked out of a modern story and shoved into one set in the past. Her dynamic with Winter (the novel's leading male) is so much fun to read. From their first interaction to their last - they just have so much chemistry. I also enjoyed Winter as a character. He's just as much fun to read as Aida and I liked his parts of the story just as much as hers.
The setting compliments the story brilliantly - SF Chinatown was perfect. I went there last year and I could picture Aida's adventures so clearly. In terms of the historical/1920's part of the story... I would say it is on the understated side. It incorporated the flapper and roaring twenties atmosphere whist feeling contemporary.
I was a little surprised at how steamy the novel was in bits. I'm not sure why but I wasn't expecting so much sex but it was fitting for the characters and the story as a whole. Sexy people having sexy times - it was well written and fun.
It's not a very long novel but it does deliver a complete story. The next two books in the series are about Winter's siblings and Bitter Spirits works perfectly as a standalone.
I loved the two main characters. Aida is a strong, independent woman who just also happens to be able to summon and exorcise ghosts. One of the things I liked most about her is she felt more right for the time period than other leading ladies I've read in steampunk novels. She's modern for her time but she's not just a character who has been plucked out of a modern story and shoved into one set in the past. Her dynamic with Winter (the novel's leading male) is so much fun to read. From their first interaction to their last - they just have so much chemistry. I also enjoyed Winter as a character. He's just as much fun to read as Aida and I liked his parts of the story just as much as hers.
The setting compliments the story brilliantly - SF Chinatown was perfect. I went there last year and I could picture Aida's adventures so clearly. In terms of the historical/1920's part of the story... I would say it is on the understated side. It incorporated the flapper and roaring twenties atmosphere whist feeling contemporary.
I was a little surprised at how steamy the novel was in bits. I'm not sure why but I wasn't expecting so much sex but it was fitting for the characters and the story as a whole. Sexy people having sexy times - it was well written and fun.
It's not a very long novel but it does deliver a complete story. The next two books in the series are about Winter's siblings and Bitter Spirits works perfectly as a standalone.
ktbug1217's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laurenjodi's review against another edition
5.0
Bitter Spirits
5 Stars
After becoming the target of a series of hauntings, bootlegger Winter Magnusson hires medium Aida Palmer to help him expel the spirits stalking him and discover the culprit behind the curse. As Winter and Aida work together, their mutual attraction grows but it seems that the ghosts of their pasts are more destructive than those affecting their present. Will they be able to heal past wounds and find a future together before it is too late?
Warning: This is historical PNR not UF. So, if you are expecting action-packed fight scenes, kick-ass heroines and detailed world-building you will be disappointed. However, anyone interested in a passionate romance with engaging characters, an original plot and a compelling setting should pick up this book immediately.
The setting is expertly rendered and it is easy to become immersed in the atmosphere of San Francisco and Chinatown in the 1920s prohibition era. This is a relatively unknown time period for me and it was fun looking up the events and terminology mentioned in the book (thank you Wikipedia).
Winter and Aida’s chemistry sizzles on the pages and their banter is sexy and steamy. Moreover, their individual struggles with the traumas of their pasts ultimately strengthens their emotional connection and make them a truly captivating couple.
The suspense plot is original with some intense action scenes and a seriously disturbed villain. The paranormal elements are cleverly interwoven into the story and add an extra layer to the eerie tone.
All in all, a fantastic paranormal debut for Jenn Bennett and I am eager to continue with the series.
5 Stars
After becoming the target of a series of hauntings, bootlegger Winter Magnusson hires medium Aida Palmer to help him expel the spirits stalking him and discover the culprit behind the curse. As Winter and Aida work together, their mutual attraction grows but it seems that the ghosts of their pasts are more destructive than those affecting their present. Will they be able to heal past wounds and find a future together before it is too late?
Warning: This is historical PNR not UF. So, if you are expecting action-packed fight scenes, kick-ass heroines and detailed world-building you will be disappointed. However, anyone interested in a passionate romance with engaging characters, an original plot and a compelling setting should pick up this book immediately.
The setting is expertly rendered and it is easy to become immersed in the atmosphere of San Francisco and Chinatown in the 1920s prohibition era. This is a relatively unknown time period for me and it was fun looking up the events and terminology mentioned in the book (thank you Wikipedia).
Winter and Aida’s chemistry sizzles on the pages and their banter is sexy and steamy. Moreover, their individual struggles with the traumas of their pasts ultimately strengthens their emotional connection and make them a truly captivating couple.
The suspense plot is original with some intense action scenes and a seriously disturbed villain. The paranormal elements are cleverly interwoven into the story and add an extra layer to the eerie tone.
All in all, a fantastic paranormal debut for Jenn Bennett and I am eager to continue with the series.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
5.0
I'm going to keep this very brief because Janice already told you all you need to know and stole all the good words. But I just had to add my two-pence worth and say I loved it too! Me, me, I did, I did!
First of all—the era, the setting, the clothing, the language, the hints of magic, all layered together to make one deliciously sumptuous paranormal world unlike anything I've read before. I loved the 1920's details—they gave it such a unique flavour!
Second—you may or may not know that I have a real soft spot for the big, grumbly bear-type characters. Those ones that are alpha enough, but not so alpha they make me want to hurl things. Kinda stern-looking on the outside, marshmallow on the inside. A that is exactly what Winter was and IlovehimIlovehimIlovehimIlovehim!
Thirdly—Aida. Oh, my God, Aida. She was wonderful! You've got to give her credit for at least pretending she was resistant to Winter's allure for all of five minutes at the beginning. It's a lot longer than I would have lasted!
And the last thing that stood out for me were the end scenes. Another great choice for setting/location that was very vivid and somewhat surprising!
Oh, and I loved Winter's sister. And Bo. There's more to those two, methinks. And I can't wait to meet his brother in book two and...oh, heck, I just liked it ALL!
5 Stars! ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
First of all—the era, the setting, the clothing, the language, the hints of magic, all layered together to make one deliciously sumptuous paranormal world unlike anything I've read before. I loved the 1920's details—they gave it such a unique flavour!
Second—you may or may not know that I have a real soft spot for the big, grumbly bear-type characters. Those ones that are alpha enough, but not so alpha they make me want to hurl things. Kinda stern-looking on the outside, marshmallow on the inside. A that is exactly what Winter was and IlovehimIlovehimIlovehimIlovehim!
Thirdly—Aida. Oh, my God, Aida. She was wonderful! You've got to give her credit for at least pretending she was resistant to Winter's allure for all of five minutes at the beginning. It's a lot longer than I would have lasted!
And the last thing that stood out for me were the end scenes. Another great choice for setting/location that was very vivid and somewhat surprising!
Oh, and I loved Winter's sister. And Bo. There's more to those two, methinks. And I can't wait to meet his brother in book two and...oh, heck, I just liked it ALL!
5 Stars! ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
jbpenn21's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
erinarkin20's review against another edition
4.0
Every once in a while I find myself in the mood to read a romance novel and when I saw a post from my lovely friend Jessica about a book called Bitter Spirits I was intrigued. It is part of a series called Roaring Twenties by Jenn Bennett and I loved it. It has a great story that revolves around two great main characters, the paranormal, and an interesting time period.
Aida Palmer is a spirit medium and works at a Gris-Gris in Chinatown. She finds herself pulled into a situation by her boss, Velma when a notorious bootlegger by the name of Winter Magnusson comes knocking on her door to help him get rid of the ghosts that are following him around. As Aida helps Winter not only with the immediate problem but also with the rest of the paranormal issues he is having, she finds herself drawn to Winter and he is also drawn to her.
I really did like both of these characters. Aida has been on her own for a long time and never expects things to be handed to her. She has lived a very different life than Winter and is fairly nomadic. Winter’s family has always been in bootlegging, lived in San Francisco, and had money. He works hard and lives well but tragedy has touched both of their lives. Aida lost her parents early on and then eventually her brother. Winter lost his parents and his wife in a car accident. Neither of them expect to find love or happiness again and both are surprised when they do.
As they start to unravel the mystery around who has put a hex on Winter and why, they realize their attraction for each other and begin what they think will be a short-term arrangement. As things progress though, they come to realize they mean more to each other than they expected but Aida has made arrangements already for her next appearance. Because of her independence, things come to a head and they have to decide what is really important.
I really liked the secondary characters in the story and felt they helped move the story along. Bo, Velma, Astrid…all added to the story. If you like great stories with some solid characters definitely check this one out. I am interested to see where book two of the series goes as it appears it is with Winter’s brother and if it is anything like this one, I may be on board for the whole Roaring Twenties series.
Aida Palmer is a spirit medium and works at a Gris-Gris in Chinatown. She finds herself pulled into a situation by her boss, Velma when a notorious bootlegger by the name of Winter Magnusson comes knocking on her door to help him get rid of the ghosts that are following him around. As Aida helps Winter not only with the immediate problem but also with the rest of the paranormal issues he is having, she finds herself drawn to Winter and he is also drawn to her.
I really did like both of these characters. Aida has been on her own for a long time and never expects things to be handed to her. She has lived a very different life than Winter and is fairly nomadic. Winter’s family has always been in bootlegging, lived in San Francisco, and had money. He works hard and lives well but tragedy has touched both of their lives. Aida lost her parents early on and then eventually her brother. Winter lost his parents and his wife in a car accident. Neither of them expect to find love or happiness again and both are surprised when they do.
As they start to unravel the mystery around who has put a hex on Winter and why, they realize their attraction for each other and begin what they think will be a short-term arrangement. As things progress though, they come to realize they mean more to each other than they expected but Aida has made arrangements already for her next appearance. Because of her independence, things come to a head and they have to decide what is really important.
I really liked the secondary characters in the story and felt they helped move the story along. Bo, Velma, Astrid…all added to the story. If you like great stories with some solid characters definitely check this one out. I am interested to see where book two of the series goes as it appears it is with Winter’s brother and if it is anything like this one, I may be on board for the whole Roaring Twenties series.
nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
I liked that it was set in San Francisco's Chinatown during the prohibition. Not sure if I would have continued with the story otherwise, but it was a quick, fun read and the main character didn't annoy me.