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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
*Thank you to the publishers via Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*
For the most part, I really enjoyed this. It's told in 1st-person narration, which can be hit-or-miss for me, but I honestly really liked it. Tabatha had a really distinct voice and I really enjoyed her interactions with all the characters. She wasn't quite as active a character as I would've liked. A lot of things that happened were just her bearing witness to it, but I still enjoyed her narration. I also thought her budding relationship with Callum was surprisingly cute.
Unfortunately, there were a few things that really had the book lacking, in my opinion. For one, it was far too short for my liking. At first, the pacing was fine, but it seemed to have a bit of difficulty wrapping it all up at the end. Plus, this being an urban fantasy, I really wanted to see our protagonist utilize her magical abilities a bit more. Part of that was that she was an apprentice--and a mostly rule-abiding one at that. But it still felt a little lacking.
The mystery could've been done a bit better, but for the most part I didn't mind it. I think, though, it would've been more satisfying if the book hadn't opened up with Sorcerer Solomon prophesizing his death to Tabatha. I think if we'd started showing Tabatha learning more of the magic first-hand and giving the reader a chance to learn with her, it would've made the ending feel a bit more satisfying. As it is, a lot of what is learned about magic comes like halfway through the book by the time we've established characters and whatnot. It just felt like a bit of a weird placement.
Overall, I didn't mind this and I mostly enjoyed it, mostly due to the narration. I just wish there was a bit more padding out of the story to really make it feel like a satisfying mystery.
For the most part, I really enjoyed this. It's told in 1st-person narration, which can be hit-or-miss for me, but I honestly really liked it. Tabatha had a really distinct voice and I really enjoyed her interactions with all the characters. She wasn't quite as active a character as I would've liked. A lot of things that happened were just her bearing witness to it, but I still enjoyed her narration. I also thought her budding relationship with Callum was surprisingly cute.
Unfortunately, there were a few things that really had the book lacking, in my opinion. For one, it was far too short for my liking. At first, the pacing was fine, but it seemed to have a bit of difficulty wrapping it all up at the end. Plus, this being an urban fantasy, I really wanted to see our protagonist utilize her magical abilities a bit more. Part of that was that she was an apprentice--and a mostly rule-abiding one at that. But it still felt a little lacking.
The mystery could've been done a bit better, but for the most part I didn't mind it. I think, though, it would've been more satisfying if the book hadn't opened up with Sorcerer Solomon prophesizing his death to Tabatha. I think if we'd started showing Tabatha learning more of the magic first-hand and giving the reader a chance to learn with her, it would've made the ending feel a bit more satisfying. As it is, a lot of what is learned about magic comes like halfway through the book by the time we've established characters and whatnot. It just felt like a bit of a weird placement.
Overall, I didn't mind this and I mostly enjoyed it, mostly due to the narration. I just wish there was a bit more padding out of the story to really make it feel like a satisfying mystery.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was sort of like Knives Out but with magic. It was a decent, quick read. I liked the quirky writing style, though the ending was a bit underwhelming. Also, I still don't fully understand how the fortune-telling magic works.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Dementia
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
fast-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
There were some lines characters said where I kind of cringed at and didn't think they were very necessary. But overall I enjoyed the book. I love a who dunnit mystery and one with sorcery mixed in with it.
mysterious