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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
4.5 stars rounded.
I love a dark hero that's not completely evil, and Julian Strands hits all those notes for me. Although not impossibly long, this book was a slow read for me. I love this heroine, and I can't wait to see what she will do once she has all the pieces to the puzzle. I love that she is smart and loves to solve puzzles. I love the fact that she wanted to be a puppeteer. She's strong, but not brash and abrasive. She faces her fears and is not afraid of admitting that there are pieces of her that like the fact that the fear is there.
I love a dark hero that's not completely evil, and Julian Strands hits all those notes for me. Although not impossibly long, this book was a slow read for me. I love this heroine, and I can't wait to see what she will do once she has all the pieces to the puzzle. I love that she is smart and loves to solve puzzles. I love the fact that she wanted to be a puppeteer. She's strong, but not brash and abrasive. She faces her fears and is not afraid of admitting that there are pieces of her that like the fact that the fear is there.
I went up and down with this book. I liked the idea well enough-a magician who is still around, invisible and immortal. I liked the twist, but, damn if I didn't hate that nothing came of it in the first book. I hate those kinds of cliff hangers. I haven't decided if I'm invested enough to read the sequel.
The plot had a couple of low spots where I started losing interest, then, suddenly, the timeline picked up and it skipped weeks at a time? I felt like the first half was too slow and the last half was too fast and then the end cut off completely!
I figured the spice level would be higher, too, considering...but, again, the second half...there were fade to black moments. Overall, the second half was just disappointing. Either all the scenes need to be fade to black or none.
Then, I can't decide if I like Charles one minute or not...sometimes I like him and sometimes I find him really annoying.
The plot had a couple of low spots where I started losing interest, then, suddenly, the timeline picked up and it skipped weeks at a time? I felt like the first half was too slow and the last half was too fast and then the end cut off completely!
I figured the spice level would be higher, too, considering...but, again, the second half...there were fade to black moments. Overall, the second half was just disappointing. Either all the scenes need to be fade to black or none.
Then, I can't decide if I like Charles one minute or not...sometimes I like him and sometimes I find him really annoying.
I loved the premise of the story and in my eyes it hold up. I loved the tension between the MCs and the ghostly things that happened as well. There was viciousness in the MMC which made the story, together with the cat-and-mouse game, exciting and thrilling.
I read the bundle version with the explicit scenes, but I would’ve enjoyed it the same without them. They didn’t feel necessary at all.
The only minus point I have with this book is that there were too many orthographic mistakes. One or two I can overlook, but more than that makes a book just arduous to read.
I give it five stars nevertheless since I enjoyed the story a lot.
I read the bundle version with the explicit scenes, but I would’ve enjoyed it the same without them. They didn’t feel necessary at all.
The only minus point I have with this book is that there were too many orthographic mistakes. One or two I can overlook, but more than that makes a book just arduous to read.
I give it five stars nevertheless since I enjoyed the story a lot.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Why did it have to be a cliffhanger? AAAARRGH
Not as plot-twisty as I hoped - I saw the major reveal a mile off, but also it wasn't like it the story was actively trying to confuse you.
Charles has the aura of a puppy, but one of those more grown ones that you feel might bite your toes off if they decide 'gentle' was not worth the trouble.
Alice is a refreshing character and I too enjoy when she's spooked my everything.
Not as plot-twisty as I hoped - I saw the major reveal a mile off, but also it wasn't like it the story was actively trying to confuse you.
Charles has the aura of a puppy, but one of those more grown ones that you feel might bite your toes off if they decide 'gentle' was not worth the trouble.
Alice is a refreshing character and I too enjoy when she's spooked my everything.
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
MacHalo Buddy Read
I loved The Masks of Under series by Kathryn Ann Kingsley. I wasn't as consumed with Julian Strande. There was a lot of "page fillers" in the beginning. But as soon as the story hit chapter 10 it took a turn for the best. That was the Kathryn Ann Kingsley style of writing I remember. Intriguing, action and a good pace.
I'll definitely read the next book just find out what happens! But a new Masks Of Under series just came out and I'm DYING to read it!