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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
The Book of Peril by Melissa McShane is the second book in The Last Oracle series. Helena Davies is the custodian of the oracular bookstore Abernathy’s. She has been busy cleaning the shop after the attack and the shop is brighter and definitely smells better. Helena’s birthday party thrown by her best friend, Viv, is interrupted by her ex-boyfriend, Chet. He has decided he still loves Helena and is determined to win her back despite Helena’s objection (oh dear). On Monday, Helena performs an augury requests and the oracle provides the wrong prophecy. She tries it again and it works perfectly. When it starts happening more frequently, Helena needs to discover what it happening to the oracle. Helena needs to learn more about Abernathy’s (the manual does not have an index and puts her instantly to sleep) and visits The Athenaeum (the spiritual successor to the Library of Alexandria). When Helena continues to have difficulty with auguries, a magical team sweeps the store. They discover magical origami in Helena’s kitchen. Someone is deliberately sabotaging Abernathy’s. When Judy Rasmussen, Helena’s assistant, is arrested for the crime, Helena works to prove her innocence, find the real culprit and evade Chet.
The Book of Peril is not a standalone novel. You need to read The Book of Secrets first or you will be lost. I thought the story was well-written, to have a steady pace and engaging. I like that we are learning more about the oracle and the magical community. Melissa McShane has created a special magical world (the neutralities, the various types of magic, the oracle, etc.) in this series. The handsome Malcolm Campbell is back, and Helena finds herself drawn to him. However, there are those pesky rules called The Accords that might thwart their budding romance (there has to be a way around them). I appreciate the strong female characters in The Last Oracle series. Helena is slowly learning her role as custodian, and I find her smart, curious and spunky. Viv adds humor to the story and is the perfect counterpart to Helena. It is wonderful to see the changes in Judy since The Book of Secrets. She is helping Helena update Abernathy’s and I like that Helena trusts her. I do want to warn readers that there is a violent scene where a female is badly injured (if these type of scenes upset you, I suggest fast forwarding past it). I was not thrilled with the ending. We are left with unanswered questions and we must wait for the next book to get answers. The Book of Peril is a fast-paced paranormal novel that will have you reading late into the night to get to the end (and then you are upset that you finished it so quickly).
The Book of Peril is not a standalone novel. You need to read The Book of Secrets first or you will be lost. I thought the story was well-written, to have a steady pace and engaging. I like that we are learning more about the oracle and the magical community. Melissa McShane has created a special magical world (the neutralities, the various types of magic, the oracle, etc.) in this series. The handsome Malcolm Campbell is back, and Helena finds herself drawn to him. However, there are those pesky rules called The Accords that might thwart their budding romance (there has to be a way around them). I appreciate the strong female characters in The Last Oracle series. Helena is slowly learning her role as custodian, and I find her smart, curious and spunky. Viv adds humor to the story and is the perfect counterpart to Helena. It is wonderful to see the changes in Judy since The Book of Secrets. She is helping Helena update Abernathy’s and I like that Helena trusts her. I do want to warn readers that there is a violent scene where a female is badly injured (if these type of scenes upset you, I suggest fast forwarding past it). I was not thrilled with the ending. We are left with unanswered questions and we must wait for the next book to get answers. The Book of Peril is a fast-paced paranormal novel that will have you reading late into the night to get to the end (and then you are upset that you finished it so quickly).
katieinca's review against another edition
2.0
Fast moving, generally enjoyable, not that well written series about the oracular bookstore and its custodian continues. Helena moves out of her parents' basement, which is good and helps ease the impression that these are targeted at 12 year olds (not that there's wrong with books targeted at 12 year olds). The ending of this one was pretty unsatisfying, in a "we caught a culprit, but we still don't know what all was going on here" way that I assume means more will be revealed in later books. Worse, the culprit we did catch was some guy we'd never heard of, which is poor mystery plotting.
being_b's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a bit of a damp squib. I understand that as the second book in a nine book series, there are supposed to be dangling possibilities for future exploration, but so much was left unresolved (and not even addressed as being unresolved) that I start to question the integrity of the writing. In particular (massive spoilers for the ending ahead):
The villain came out of nowhere. 95% of the way in and we learn he's a random dude who was probably mad at the oracle because his wife died.. but he's dead now... so we don't really know.
Character reactions are odd: Obviously the villain's Mysterious Partner (because of course, Mysterious Partner) is going to be relevant later on, but nobody including Helena seems particularly worried that there is a Mysterious Partner with a vendetta against the bookstore. And $$$ to spend on expensive illusions.
Telling not showing: Everybody keeps going on about how they feel "a sense of urgency" but don't know why. At the end of the book, I still... don't know why. Nor did I feel that urgency myself.
Unconvincing romance: I just don't buy Malcolm's attraction to Helena, largely because it doesn't seem like he's spent enough time with her to know much about her. He's your typical Billionaire Navy Seal Alpha type hero (handsome, lots of cash, great suits, physically strong, takes charge in all situations), and he definitely acts protective of her. So I see why she's into him. I think we need some time in Malcolm's POV.
Also, in non-spoilery things:
Clunky romance dialogue: Malcolm and Helena flirt by exchanging movie quotes, which... don't feel organic to the story. Mostly because neither of them is seen reacting to the quote beyond "oh yeah, that's from x." The fun of movie quotes is that by quoting a movie, you're bringing up all the context and feeling of that movie (for example, if character A always quotes from noir thrillers, character B might feel a bit nervous about character A). Malcolm and Helena quote almost exclusively from old romantic comedies, yet it never seems to occur to Helena to wonder if this might, you know, mean something. Or that she might send him a message by her choices.
I think a large part of my problem is that Helena, as a character, is very young and vague. It's hard to get a sense of who she is or what she values. We know she will always Do The Right Thing, but we don't know where this sense of moral rectitude and duty comes from. She's pretty formless, and that's very frustrating.
Spoiler
The villain came out of nowhere. 95% of the way in and we learn he's a random dude who was probably mad at the oracle because his wife died.. but he's dead now... so we don't really know.
Character reactions are odd: Obviously the villain's Mysterious Partner (because of course, Mysterious Partner) is going to be relevant later on, but nobody including Helena seems particularly worried that there is a Mysterious Partner with a vendetta against the bookstore. And $$$ to spend on expensive illusions.
Telling not showing: Everybody keeps going on about how they feel "a sense of urgency" but don't know why. At the end of the book, I still... don't know why. Nor did I feel that urgency myself.
Unconvincing romance: I just don't buy Malcolm's attraction to Helena, largely because it doesn't seem like he's spent enough time with her to know much about her. He's your typical Billionaire Navy Seal Alpha type hero (handsome, lots of cash, great suits, physically strong, takes charge in all situations), and he definitely acts protective of her. So I see why she's into him. I think we need some time in Malcolm's POV.
Also, in non-spoilery things:
Clunky romance dialogue: Malcolm and Helena flirt by exchanging movie quotes, which... don't feel organic to the story. Mostly because neither of them is seen reacting to the quote beyond "oh yeah, that's from x." The fun of movie quotes is that by quoting a movie, you're bringing up all the context and feeling of that movie (for example, if character A always quotes from noir thrillers, character B might feel a bit nervous about character A). Malcolm and Helena quote almost exclusively from old romantic comedies, yet it never seems to occur to Helena to wonder if this might, you know, mean something. Or that she might send him a message by her choices.
I think a large part of my problem is that Helena, as a character, is very young and vague. It's hard to get a sense of who she is or what she values. We know she will always Do The Right Thing, but we don't know where this sense of moral rectitude and duty comes from. She's pretty formless, and that's very frustrating.
witless's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
spetestar's review against another edition
5.0
I love the premise of this series and absolutely cannot wait to see where McShane takes us. After finishing the book last night I laid awake and became inexplicably angry that we don't have an oracle to turn to in real life :)
That being said-- THE ENDING RUINED ME D: D: D:
That being said-- THE ENDING RUINED ME D: D: D:
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Book of Peril is the second book in the Last Oracle series by Melissa McShane. Released 3rd July, 2018 by Curiosity Quills Press, it's 231 pages and available in ebook format.
This is an urban fantasy cozy mystery. In my estimation it's mostly aimed at a YA/NA audience, though I found it appealing and well written despite being neither young or new at being an adult (some of my friends and family would likely argue I'm not much of an adult, full stop). The world building is cohesive and well written with a well thought out magical system based on schools/philosophies of magic: glass, bone, stone, paper, etc. Whilst the specific magi can perform magic based on their specialty, all magi can perform some basic tasks in common.
There's a cross-world fantasy aspect of the series which will resonate with readers who like the 'mundane person thrust into a magical world hidden in the real world' trope. Helena is smart and responsible and vulnerable.
The book does contain a description of a graphic assault and a fair amount of blood and gore, if that's a deal breaker. (I'm notoriously squeamish especially about violence with injury and I didn't find it too objectionable or gratuitous).
There is an unusual amount of continuity and assumed familiarity in this second installment. I recommend reading the books in order.
My one gripe is at the very end. In order to ratchet up the tension, the literal last page of the book has a tear-jerk moment which will have readers who love romantic draaaaaamaaaaa *swooning* (but which I mostly just found annoying).
Four stars (and not just because the coda after the denouement was annoying).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Book of Peril is the second book in the Last Oracle series by Melissa McShane. Released 3rd July, 2018 by Curiosity Quills Press, it's 231 pages and available in ebook format.
This is an urban fantasy cozy mystery. In my estimation it's mostly aimed at a YA/NA audience, though I found it appealing and well written despite being neither young or new at being an adult (some of my friends and family would likely argue I'm not much of an adult, full stop). The world building is cohesive and well written with a well thought out magical system based on schools/philosophies of magic: glass, bone, stone, paper, etc. Whilst the specific magi can perform magic based on their specialty, all magi can perform some basic tasks in common.
There's a cross-world fantasy aspect of the series which will resonate with readers who like the 'mundane person thrust into a magical world hidden in the real world' trope. Helena is smart and responsible and vulnerable.
The book does contain a description of a graphic assault and a fair amount of blood and gore, if that's a deal breaker. (I'm notoriously squeamish especially about violence with injury and I didn't find it too objectionable or gratuitous).
There is an unusual amount of continuity and assumed familiarity in this second installment. I recommend reading the books in order.
My one gripe is at the very end. In order to ratchet up the tension, the literal last page of the book has a tear-jerk moment which will have readers who love romantic draaaaaamaaaaa *swooning* (but which I mostly just found annoying).
Four stars (and not just because the coda after the denouement was annoying).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
punandprose's review against another edition
3.0
I'd probably enjoy this more if I were reading a physical book rather than listening to the audiobook (my mind wanders). The ending, however, will keep me going forward.
weirdlittlebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bookdinafantasywrld's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
squishies's review against another edition
3.0
The storyline was great, it was engrossing and I loved more about the magic system. There was more of a mystery element to this instalment, which was very enjoyable.
It always bugs me a bit when I can't seem to warm up to the main protagonist. Helena seems fine, if incredibly weepy in this instalment (though thoroughly understandable), but I can't really seem to relate to her emotionally; I think I'm more attached to Abernathy's than I am to her.
Mike is suss, or is it just me?
It always bugs me a bit when I can't seem to warm up to the main protagonist. Helena seems fine, if incredibly weepy in this instalment (though thoroughly understandable), but I can't really seem to relate to her emotionally; I think I'm more attached to Abernathy's than I am to her.
Spoiler
I don't know why, but her infatuation with Malcolm was a bit grating. Yeah, you can't help who you get emotionally attached to, but thought Helena watching Malcolm leave / drive off supposedly every single time was a bit weird / much for me, especially since she knows she's supposed to be Neutral and dating Malcolm would definitely not be that. I was infinitely relieved that she actually told Malcolm they couldn't be together (though honestly, he absolutely should have known better than to try and pursue her).Mike is suss, or is it just me?