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branch_c's review
4.0
There may be other historical fantasies set in 1760s Boston, but this is the first one I've ever read. Truly a unique setting in which to play out this engaging supernatural detective story, and the fine attention to historical detail makes it particularly atmospheric. The magic system seems almost too straightforward at times, but it's put to good use by the fairly interesting characters. The intricate and well-executed plot carries the reader along at a perfect pace. Overall, definitely enjoyable!
theshadowplay's review
3.0
Good until the end when it seems like the final battle goes on and on to absurdly implausible levels. Terrible villain monologuing and ridiculous motivations for actions. Plus, Kaille is gagged but can cast spells? How?
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review
1.0
I almost gave this two stars, but to be honest, after a certain point in the book I hated it and just slogged through to the end. I had been liking it at probably 3 stars - the story idea was interesting and the protagonist had potential until his fourth or fifth go-around with his rival Thieftaker and her minions. Why is this guy (the protagonist) even still alive? Once he shows he's not going to be cooperative and can't be manipulated, why doesn't she just kill him and blame him and be done? And it happens over and over, to the point where I could no longer summon a suspension of disbelief. And as if that weren't enough, I also did not get a strong Revolutionary War era feel from this novel - it felt more like lip service and the world felt more like a fantasy construct than a colonial town. After the incident above, I just wanted to finish it and I didn't really care about anyone in the book anymore. I cannot see why I would want to read more in this series.
Spoiler
then came the incident of the dog, which I found to be completely unnecessary in light of how often the protagonist gets out of bad situations in the most unlikely and unbelievable ways. But NOW, the author has the unmitigated gall to try to make a dog killing into an event for which I'm supposed to feel sympathy for the protagonist - oh poor man, that it came to killing your own dog! NO NO NO! I hated that, and it very likely will prevent me from ever seeking out any other tales in this series. I can never like this protagonist, not after that. Feeble.qalminator's review
2.0
So, pretty much, if Sephira Price had been either removed or had her role severely reduced, this would be much improved. Why? Because her only purpose was to look pretty and laugh while she had Ethan beaten and/or nearly killed. She's supposedly in a role that requires coordination and intelligence, and never shows anything but bloodthirsty brutality. Beatings to manipulate someone? Really? Sure, it screams, "I'm evillll!" but doesn't actually accomplish anything, and she should know enough about Ethan to know that it wouldn't. If she wanted to make a point, taking the money would have been more than sufficient. Leaving some as a gesture of her goodwill would have been even better. As it was? * shakes head *
As for the rest, the plot is decently crafted (apart from Sephira). The setting and magic system is quite interesting. Still, the writing is a bit repetitive, repeating various ideas more frequently than necessary. I had trouble caring about any of the characters, or what happened next. This was in part because of Sephira. It was also in part due to the narrator of the audiobook. He's good at voices, but has such ridiculously awful timing that he's difficult to listen to. I plan to avoid this narrator in future.
Spoiler
Also, at some point, Ethan realizes she must be working with the conjurer, then is surprised at the very end when she tells him that she was. Um. Editor? Editor? Is there an editor in the house?As for the rest, the plot is decently crafted (apart from Sephira). The setting and magic system is quite interesting. Still, the writing is a bit repetitive, repeating various ideas more frequently than necessary. I had trouble caring about any of the characters, or what happened next. This was in part because of Sephira. It was also in part due to the narrator of the audiobook. He's good at voices, but has such ridiculously awful timing that he's difficult to listen to. I plan to avoid this narrator in future.
gaderianne's review
4.0
I loved this book! It had all of the components I love in a book - historical fiction with a paranormal twist, mystery, adventure, and....best of all...Colonial America!!! This was an entertaining read that got the historical details right (or at least close enough to be non distracting). My main criticism in this book was the female antagonist. She was the one part of the book that was unbelievable and too distracting from the heart of the story. Every time she came into the story I kept thinking....this feels like I am stepping into a renaissance fairs. You know those Ren Faire wenches that wear pants, hang with pirates, plot against the queen, and kick butt fight on the human chess board? That's what I felt this character was and it just didn't fit with the rest of the characters, the time, or the place of this book. Still, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
kadomi's review
3.0
Vaguely entertaining mix of fantasy, historical fiction and mystery. Our protagonist is Ethan Kaille, who works as a thieftaker in Boston in the 18th century, just after the Stamp Act. But in this alternate history, some people are able to use magic, Ethan one amongst them. We follow him as he tries to solve a number of murders committed by another conjurer.
Neither the characters nor the story were particularly memorable, but it's an okay enough read, I suppose.
Neither the characters nor the story were particularly memorable, but it's an okay enough read, I suppose.
lissajean7's review
2.0
This book was slow. Really slow. I didn't like he main character at all - he was inconsistent, dense, and got beaten to a bloody pulp most of the book. The magic system had TONS of holes in it. The last 50-100 pages were somewhat interesting - although nothing really surprising. I really wanted to like this book - the premise sounded really great. I just didn't like it. I gave it two stars because I didn't hate it - I didn't want to burn it or rip it to pieces - I was just bored by it most of the time and skeptical most of the rest. At least the end felt happy-ish.
carleneslibrary's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is not my usual genre but I liked it more than I expected. I went into it hoping for more history but it was largely a historical fantasy using the American Revolution as a backdrop, so that was a bit of a let down.
I enjoyed the way the magic worked, though, and the whodunit mystery. It was an enjoyable read but I don't think I'll read the rest of the series.
I enjoyed the way the magic worked, though, and the whodunit mystery. It was an enjoyable read but I don't think I'll read the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
Ethan has a girlfriend of sorts. They have sex a few times, but there are no details - it's as brief as "they went upstairs and made love."abigcoffeedragon's review
5.0
Thieftaker is my kind of story. There is magic, which makes this very much a fantasy, and it is alternate history in the sense of real time and a real place. There are a few true to life events and people, but it is so minor to the story, that it is not jarring at all. My favorite thing about this novel is that when you finish the book, you are finished. There is no, ‘what happens now?’ moment. You have character and plot closure. Sure, you are ready to see what COULD happen next, if there were another book (which there is, I know). Authors who try to compel you to continue their series, trilogy, or whatever by leaving the ending hanging have stung me too much lately. Cliffhangers work for television, but not novels, because I want to close the book and move on.
I like the magic system, because it has rules and it makes sense. However, I have a small caveat to this, but I will not write it so as not to spoil, but I think that if one were to do too much magic, well, it would be obvious I would think. But this is not a flaw, just a thought.
I also like the whole Noir feel in the American Colonies time-period feel to it as well. This is a time when guns are inaccurate and one-shots, so magic stands a good chance against a pistol.
Overall, this is a fun read, and one that I did in 2 days of reading, though there were three days in between that I was too busy to be able to read, and I was itching to get back to the adventures of Mr. Kaille, which is another sign that this is a great read. 5 stars through and through.
I like the magic system, because it has rules and it makes sense. However, I have a small caveat to this, but I will not write it so as not to spoil, but I think that if one were to do too much magic, well, it would be obvious I would think. But this is not a flaw, just a thought.
I also like the whole Noir feel in the American Colonies time-period feel to it as well. This is a time when guns are inaccurate and one-shots, so magic stands a good chance against a pistol.
Overall, this is a fun read, and one that I did in 2 days of reading, though there were three days in between that I was too busy to be able to read, and I was itching to get back to the adventures of Mr. Kaille, which is another sign that this is a great read. 5 stars through and through.