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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
2.5, tentatively on the 2 side
The average rating of this was so high that I actually put off reading it for a while, fully believing that it would be something special.
Unfortunately, the sweetness, coziness, and whimsy were undermined by mind-numbing repition and truly bewildering worldbuilding.
One thing I found really strange was that I was constantly unsure where the story took place. At times, word choices, spelling, and descriptions made it seem like the UK, while at others, all these things suggested the US. More strangely, the author seems American by his bio, so it isn't even that he was attempting to write the location in the US but just slipped up by using Britishisms and spellings on occasion. Or, did he originally try to set it in England, realize he couldn't make it work convincingly, then inexpertly try to shift locations? Who is to say.
Anyway, there were other problems. The egregious use of the word "sir," the nonentity that was the main character, the weird lecherous sexism in the MC's POV during the first few chapters, the lack of plot, etc.
I'm glad this worked for so many others; unfortunately, it didn't land for me.
The average rating of this was so high that I actually put off reading it for a while, fully believing that it would be something special.
Unfortunately, the sweetness, coziness, and whimsy were undermined by mind-numbing repition and truly bewildering worldbuilding.
One thing I found really strange was that I was constantly unsure where the story took place. At times, word choices, spelling, and descriptions made it seem like the UK, while at others, all these things suggested the US. More strangely, the author seems American by his bio, so it isn't even that he was attempting to write the location in the US but just slipped up by using Britishisms and spellings on occasion. Or, did he originally try to set it in England, realize he couldn't make it work convincingly, then inexpertly try to shift locations? Who is to say.
Anyway, there were other problems. The egregious use of the word "sir," the nonentity that was the main character, the weird lecherous sexism in the MC's POV during the first few chapters, the lack of plot, etc.
I'm glad this worked for so many others; unfortunately, it didn't land for me.
I don’t know why this books is good, but it is. There’s a wizard, but you don’t see him do much magic, though there is some. There are pixies and fairies, but you never see them, and their biggest characteristic is that they are good at dusting. The main conflict of the story revolves around a competency hearing in court. Most of the story has to do with a guy learning to be a butler for a boss with a few more quirks than usual. It was all delightful, and I want to read more about what happens to the odd, mildly magical house.
Warning: excessive grinning and shrugging. Aside from that, excellent cozy contemporary fantasy with top notch narration.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I feel like I enjoyed this more than I should. The plot is meandering and, in hindsight, some of the plot threads could be tightened up. In fact, a lot of time is spent on the minutae of the butler's day to day tasks. These should be boring to do, not to mention boring to read about, but I still stayed up late to finish it.
What a pleasurable listen this was. The narrator just made it a delight to listen to and follow along the thinly plotted story and yet… so gratifying. Who knew that reading a script like plot of how to get connected to the internet could be such a soothing mellow thing. Roger Mulligan is such a likeable character as are others.
I am looking forward to the next instalment. Carry on, Mulligan.
I am looking forward to the next instalment. Carry on, Mulligan.
Butler
Not bad for a free Amazon read. It was an intriguing concept, but fizzled at the end dropping the rating a bit.
Not bad for a free Amazon read. It was an intriguing concept, but fizzled at the end dropping the rating a bit.
Mr. Lowell is an amazing story teller. Even without much going on, he pulls you into the story and keeps your attention. One of my favorites