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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
A lowkey fantasy adventure
My favorite thing about this book is how much I wanted to read about the mundane moments of Roger learning to be a butler and find peace in life. On the surface it seems like it should be boring, but somehow, Lowell makes installing Internet in a historic house in a way that won't upset the house pixies feel compelling and important.
A relaxing-but-fun, well-written fantasy adventure. I hope there's more to come!
My favorite thing about this book is how much I wanted to read about the mundane moments of Roger learning to be a butler and find peace in life. On the surface it seems like it should be boring, but somehow, Lowell makes installing Internet in a historic house in a way that won't upset the house pixies feel compelling and important.
A relaxing-but-fun, well-written fantasy adventure. I hope there's more to come!
(4.5 Stars)
This was a really good book! Nathan Lowell is great at character development and world building. I have to be honest, I started listening to Nathan Lowell way back when he was releasing his books as podcasts read by himself. His own voice is so soothing and he is a natural speaker. Tom Taylorson was very good, and gave a unique voice to each of the characters, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed it was the narrated by the author.
The story is interesting and the characters are compelling. The pace is more leisurely than it is slow, but it makes sense not to rush it, and helps it develop in a more natural way. This book should appeal to readers of magical fantasy without the adventure. Think of it more like Lev Grossman's The Magicians after they've all aged and calmed down and are starting to consider their own mortality. And how they might intersect with the modern mundane world.
I hope this series continues.
This was a really good book! Nathan Lowell is great at character development and world building. I have to be honest, I started listening to Nathan Lowell way back when he was releasing his books as podcasts read by himself. His own voice is so soothing and he is a natural speaker. Tom Taylorson was very good, and gave a unique voice to each of the characters, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed it was the narrated by the author.
The story is interesting and the characters are compelling. The pace is more leisurely than it is slow, but it makes sense not to rush it, and helps it develop in a more natural way. This book should appeal to readers of magical fantasy without the adventure. Think of it more like Lev Grossman's The Magicians after they've all aged and calmed down and are starting to consider their own mortality. And how they might intersect with the modern mundane world.
I hope this series continues.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the book as much as I did. At the beginning, I was a little turned off by the author’s description of some of the characters. But I’m glad I kept going. It turned into a nice relaxing interesting read.
DNF at 48%, would suggest "The House Witch" by Delemhach if you liked this book.
A slow, meandering plot, but I happen to love cozy fantasy. I gave this book a try since I wanted to try a modern cozy fantasy. However, if the plot isn't gonna pull the reader in, the characters better be prime. I found the characters to be meh at best. The main character, Rodger is ex-military and, because of this, settles into the butler role well. He's basically having a good ol' time with the wizard. However, there is no excitement or intrigue. Roger is about as interesting as white bread and not many of the other characters are exactly brilliant either. Many fail to interest me for longer than a chapter. I love a subtle magical world created and the little mystery, but I really wasn't interested in the characters presented in the book.
A slow, meandering plot, but I happen to love cozy fantasy. I gave this book a try since I wanted to try a modern cozy fantasy. However, if the plot isn't gonna pull the reader in, the characters better be prime. I found the characters to be meh at best. The main character, Rodger is ex-military and, because of this, settles into the butler role well. He's basically having a good ol' time with the wizard. However, there is no excitement or intrigue. Roger is about as interesting as white bread and not many of the other characters are exactly brilliant either. Many fail to interest me for longer than a chapter. I love a subtle magical world created and the little mystery, but I really wasn't interested in the characters presented in the book.
This wasn't for me. Far more on the butler side than the wizard side. A lot of description of making tea and not so much magic.
A lot of the tension was drained out of situations, e.g. the resolution of the whole book was discussed as one of the possibilities before it was confirmed so there wasn't really a reveal. There were also several plotlines that seemed to go nowhere- the warehouse fire for example.
It was well written and very gentle which some people seem to find soothing from reading other reviews.
A lot of the tension was drained out of situations, e.g. the resolution of the whole book was discussed as one of the possibilities before it was confirmed so there wasn't really a reveal. There were also several plotlines that seemed to go nowhere- the warehouse fire for example.
It was well written and very gentle which some people seem to find soothing from reading other reviews.
This is the most chill book I think I've ever read, and I adored it. Not much of consequence happens, at least until fairly late in the story, but the peace of the main character in his new role seeps from the pages into your soul. Well, mine anyway. I love his journey of coming to terms with the magical things he encounters, and the care he takes along the way. I listened to the audiobook the second time through, and it was also well done. I'm looking forward to the next one!