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maggpiebymoonlight's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
nicovreeland's review against another edition
3.0
A cozy mystery that’s a little too cozy for my taste. It spends on a lot of time on what people are eating, what kind of tea they’re drinking, etc. the kind of real-world pleasantries that I unfortunately just find boring in a mystery novel.
The characters are often charming, but the mystery itself unfolds quite slowly, and often the only clue is a look on somebody’s face. There are also a lot of big believability stretches, like the 14-year-old kid who has a family, friends and a full support system but for some reason has to spend several nights with the main character, who he’s known for about 48 hours. In moments like that, the book’s seams open and you can see the gears inside. The story clearly needs those characters to be together for a good chunk, but there’s no good reason for them to be, so instead we have to settle for a (very) flimsy one.
Unfortunately this book just ticks too many of my pet peeve boxes, and the mystery itself isn’t good enough to make up for that.
The characters are often charming, but the mystery itself unfolds quite slowly, and often the only clue is a look on somebody’s face. There are also a lot of big believability stretches, like the 14-year-old kid who has a family, friends and a full support system but for some reason has to spend several nights with the main character, who he’s known for about 48 hours. In moments like that, the book’s seams open and you can see the gears inside. The story clearly needs those characters to be together for a good chunk, but there’s no good reason for them to be, so instead we have to settle for a (very) flimsy one.
Unfortunately this book just ticks too many of my pet peeve boxes, and the mystery itself isn’t good enough to make up for that.
h3dakota's review against another edition
3.0
I love Dorian. Zoe is a bit annoying, she can be pretty stupid for a 400ish old woman. I don't mind the constant reference to veganism myself, but as someone who has spent the majority of her life as a vegetarian, I'm more accepting of it than others might be. Otherwise, I liked it enough to continue the series, hoping Dorian's condition doesn't drag out too long.
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Midnight Ink (thank you!) at the 10th birthday party the publisher hosted at the 2015 Malice Domestic conference. This is probably more of a 3.5 star rating for me but, alas, that's not an option. While I don't typically read paranormal mysteries, I found this tale charming and enjoyed the writing. The story begins with herbalist and reformed alchemist Zoe Faust discovering a stowaway in her belongings as she unpacks her moving boxes in her new home in Portland, Oregon. The stowaway is a living, breathing three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle named Dorian Robert-Houdin who needs Zoe's expertise to decipher a centuries-old text. Despite her misgivings to tap into her alchemical past to aid Dorian, she must after a dead man is discovered on her porch. The author did a great job of weaving in historical facts in a way that aided the story. This magical mystery was clever and unique, and it made me wish I had a three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle
whipping up gourmet vegan meals in my kitchen. I look forward to testing out the vegan recipes included at the end of the book soon! I will definitely seek out future books featuring Zoe and Dorian, or similar tales written by the author, and have added the author's Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries to my "to read" list based on reading [b:The Accidental Alchemist|22351151|The Accidental Alchemist|Gigi Pandian|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405866131s/22351151.jpg|41758023].
whipping up gourmet vegan meals in my kitchen. I look forward to testing out the vegan recipes included at the end of the book soon! I will definitely seek out future books featuring Zoe and Dorian, or similar tales written by the author, and have added the author's Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries to my "to read" list based on reading [b:The Accidental Alchemist|22351151|The Accidental Alchemist|Gigi Pandian|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405866131s/22351151.jpg|41758023].
j0nah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
telercoi's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book I’ve read by Gigi Pandian, and both really could be summed up as murder mysteries made cozy by all the magic in the world. Sometimes it’s real magic, sometime it’s stage magic, and sometimes it’s just pointing out how much really awesome stuff is in the world.
supervixen108's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
mycatismybookmark's review against another edition
3.0
Not my typical read but I enjoyed trying something new. Good mystery and I really want all the tasty sounding recipes from the book!
carolyn57's review against another edition
1.0
Kleiner Disclaimer: Ich habe das Buch noch nicht beendet & bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich das noch tun werde.
Ich hatte das Buch bei mir im Buchladen stehen sehen und war sofort angezogen von dem wunderschönen Cover. Auch der Klappentext hörte sich interessant an & so habe ich es mitgenommen.
Inhaltlich ist das Buch eine Enttäuschung. Ich bin mittlerweile auf der Hälfte & die Geschichte ist unglaublich zähfließend und ich finde einfach keinen Zugang dazu. Ich mag keinen der Charaktere wirklich gerne - die meisten sind mir einfach egal - und das, was der Klappentext verspricht wurde bisher auch noch nicht umgesetzt, weil der Detektiv & Zoe sich ungefähr zweimal gesehen haben bis jetzt.
Was mich allerdings total in den Wahnsinn treibt sind die Datierungen. Laut dem Klappentext lebt Zoe seit dem 18. Jahrhundert,- Soweit so gut. Wie kann es also sein, dass sie bei den Hexenprozessen in Salem (1692) mit dabei war, sowie während der Pestepidemie im 14. Jahrhundert. Wie kann so ein unlogischer Schwachsinn verlegt werden?? Warum ist das niemandem aufgefallen, sei es dem Autoren oder dem Lektor.
Ich würde das Buch gerne mögen, aber bisher ist es einfach enttäuschend & ich weiß nicht, ob ich es beenden werde.
Ich hatte das Buch bei mir im Buchladen stehen sehen und war sofort angezogen von dem wunderschönen Cover. Auch der Klappentext hörte sich interessant an & so habe ich es mitgenommen.
Inhaltlich ist das Buch eine Enttäuschung. Ich bin mittlerweile auf der Hälfte & die Geschichte ist unglaublich zähfließend und ich finde einfach keinen Zugang dazu. Ich mag keinen der Charaktere wirklich gerne - die meisten sind mir einfach egal - und das, was der Klappentext verspricht wurde bisher auch noch nicht umgesetzt, weil der Detektiv & Zoe sich ungefähr zweimal gesehen haben bis jetzt.
Was mich allerdings total in den Wahnsinn treibt sind die Datierungen. Laut dem Klappentext lebt Zoe seit dem 18. Jahrhundert,- Soweit so gut. Wie kann es also sein, dass sie bei den Hexenprozessen in Salem (1692) mit dabei war, sowie während der Pestepidemie im 14. Jahrhundert. Wie kann so ein unlogischer Schwachsinn verlegt werden?? Warum ist das niemandem aufgefallen, sei es dem Autoren oder dem Lektor.
Ich würde das Buch gerne mögen, aber bisher ist es einfach enttäuschend & ich weiß nicht, ob ich es beenden werde.