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theforereffect's review
2.0
These books have been fun and I was invested in the overall mystery of Lavender, but the lack of world building has gone from frustrating to unforgivable. I know more about what Cora wears and what Selene eats than I do about the magical systems. I love the idea of this magical community, I love that it is a little more like the real world than other books about magical communities I have read, but it is not very fleshed out in my mind and I need more if I am going to stay engaged in the hunt for Aunt Lavender.
I might read the next one. I might not. I don't really care either way and that's kind of a sad way for a series I started out enjoying to fizzle out.
I might read the next one. I might not. I don't really care either way and that's kind of a sad way for a series I started out enjoying to fizzle out.
rhiviewed's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
zorasorel's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
berls's review against another edition
3.5
3.5 stars
I always enjoy Danielle Garrett's paranormal cozy mysteries and the Nine Lives Magic Series has been so fun. And as we get into the fourth book, we're starting to make some real headway on a mystery that encompasses the whole series - what has happened to Aunt Lavender?
In fact, that was the focus of this book - unlike the previous books where there's a local mystery to solve at the same time. Instead while we focus on Aunt Lavender there's the mysterious Tabatha Blake - who is a famous treasure hunter - who is supposedly there to help them and is actually quite suspicious. That's the extent of an external mystery. I kind of missed having the normal small town mystery going on at the same time, even if I am eager to learn what's happened with Aunt Lavender.
The other big conflict of this book was regarding Cora and Cliff's relationship. This felt like it came out of nowhere and was a serious bummer for me. Cliff's mother - who we already know to be an asshat, so no shock there - is putting extreme tension on their relationship. And Cora, who is already divorced and has had her heart broken, may not be cut out for the tension she could create for their relationship. I like them as a couple so I have my hopes.
I continue to really like the characters - even Selene who got downright mean this time around (I think because she's feeling pretty sensitive about Lavender)- and I look forward to the next book. I'm summing this book up as one of those inevitable transitions that you like well enough but will never be truly memorable beyond how it got you setup for the next book.
Amanda Ronconi narrated, which is always a treat for me. She knows how to delivery the snarky lines with just the right tones to bring out the humor. I enjoyed listening at my normal 2x speed.
I always enjoy Danielle Garrett's paranormal cozy mysteries and the Nine Lives Magic Series has been so fun. And as we get into the fourth book, we're starting to make some real headway on a mystery that encompasses the whole series - what has happened to Aunt Lavender?
In fact, that was the focus of this book - unlike the previous books where there's a local mystery to solve at the same time. Instead while we focus on Aunt Lavender there's the mysterious Tabatha Blake - who is a famous treasure hunter - who is supposedly there to help them and is actually quite suspicious. That's the extent of an external mystery. I kind of missed having the normal small town mystery going on at the same time, even if I am eager to learn what's happened with Aunt Lavender.
The other big conflict of this book was regarding Cora and Cliff's relationship. This felt like it came out of nowhere and was a serious bummer for me. Cliff's mother - who we already know to be an asshat, so no shock there - is putting extreme tension on their relationship. And Cora, who is already divorced and has had her heart broken, may not be cut out for the tension she could create for their relationship. I like them as a couple so I have my hopes.
I continue to really like the characters - even Selene who got downright mean this time around (I think because she's feeling pretty sensitive about Lavender)- and I look forward to the next book. I'm summing this book up as one of those inevitable transitions that you like well enough but will never be truly memorable beyond how it got you setup for the next book.
Amanda Ronconi narrated, which is always a treat for me. She knows how to delivery the snarky lines with just the right tones to bring out the humor. I enjoyed listening at my normal 2x speed.
sryoung's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0