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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
DRAAAAAGOOOOOONSSSSS.
There was a period in my life where I was like 'don't talk to me about dragons because they're not real'. I MEAN CAN U BELIEVE THAT?? I am a piece of shit now, but wow, I was even worse back then. Plus when I said that it was like way before I read The Hobbit. After I read The Hobbit I realised that dragons are cool and i took back everything i said about them being not real because chances are they are (right?). (I was actually pretty neutral about dragons, I mean I read HPATGOF a long time ago and I didn't care much about dragons. IDK why then I became such a dragon hater.)
OK. so the thing with this series is it took place somewhere in 1800-ish so that was like a very long time ago and I imagine it being very different from now. But Jackaby is very modern in my opinion. I just don't think that it has that 1800-ish feeling. In this book Jackaby and Abigail found a case where people in Gad Valley found a dinosaur bones which turned out to be a dragon (because it had wings!). This book isn't as fun as the first book because I just think that there are way too many characters and they're not very important, in fact their existence is ruining this book because they just kind of run amok pointlessly. There's also a lot of complain about us not getting enough Jackaby in this book even though he's the most interesting character and I have to agree. He's a bit distant in this book, like he's always there but in the background. But yeah, if you love dragons you should give this one a go even though IMHO it's not very good.
There was a period in my life where I was like 'don't talk to me about dragons because they're not real'. I MEAN CAN U BELIEVE THAT?? I am a piece of shit now, but wow, I was even worse back then. Plus when I said that it was like way before I read The Hobbit. After I read The Hobbit I realised that dragons are cool and i took back everything i said about them being not real because chances are they are (right?). (I was actually pretty neutral about dragons, I mean I read HPATGOF a long time ago and I didn't care much about dragons. IDK why then I became such a dragon hater.)
OK. so the thing with this series is it took place somewhere in 1800-ish so that was like a very long time ago and I imagine it being very different from now. But Jackaby is very modern in my opinion. I just don't think that it has that 1800-ish feeling. In this book Jackaby and Abigail found a case where people in Gad Valley found a dinosaur bones which turned out to be a dragon (because it had wings!). This book isn't as fun as the first book because I just think that there are way too many characters and they're not very important, in fact their existence is ruining this book because they just kind of run amok pointlessly. There's also a lot of complain about us not getting enough Jackaby in this book even though he's the most interesting character and I have to agree. He's a bit distant in this book, like he's always there but in the background. But yeah, if you love dragons you should give this one a go even though IMHO it's not very good.
This was a really interesting continuing to the series. I liked the introduction of new characters, and the different creatures that they dealt with. I really love Abigail as a character and I'm looking forward to continuing on with the series and seeing what else happens to her and Jackaby.
The Jackaby Series Review (3.75 ★ as a whole)
This is a four book series I picked up on a whim & was pleasantly surprised by. Although I’ve already reviewed the first book, JACKABY, I hope to share my thoughts on the series as a whole.
My Thoughts: As a refresher, this is a detective series that takes place in 1892 New Fiddleham, New England where a young woman, Abigail Rook, has just arrived. She has taken the only job she can find working for the bizarre Sherlock-eque, R. F. Jackaby, a detective (but more appropriately a Seer) with a gift for solving paranomal/fantasic cases.
Each book follows a new “case,” and it isn’t until the end of the second book that you begin to realize the cases are connected. This leads up to the finale — an epic battle of good vs. evil.
⋒ ⋒ ⋒
Here's what I thought of each book:
• [JACKABY] — 4 ★ A great introduction to the characters, specifically Abigail’s backstory, while trying to track down the culprit on a string of mysterious murders.
• [BEASTLY BONES] — 3.5 ★ Brings in new characters, while playing to Abigail's strengths of being the daughter of a famous paleontologist — yes, be prepared for dinosaurs... or pre-dinosaurs if you will.
• [GHOSTLY ECHOES] — 3 ★ This book felt the most reaching at times in how Ritter worked to connect the series, but brought in some cool Greek myths as well as a TG supporting character.
• [THE DIRE KING] — 4 ★ Everything becomes clear resulting in a big battle, so natually there is an influx of magical creatures which reminds me why I love fantasical worlds to begin with.
Spot on Shelf? This was the first series I've read completely through in years, and as a whole it was fun & kept my attention.
At times a little overdone/overreaching, but I was okay with that; especially given the sweet/thoughtful moments & Ritter’s strength for drawing on myths from all over the globe.
The ending completely took me by surprise (multiple times) which I wasn't expecting. It wasn’t a gripping series, but it was very hope-filled & presented a world I was quite happy to dwell in.
*Pro-tip: Best read on an e-reader for fast searches when it comes to mythological characters*
This is a four book series I picked up on a whim & was pleasantly surprised by. Although I’ve already reviewed the first book, JACKABY, I hope to share my thoughts on the series as a whole.
My Thoughts: As a refresher, this is a detective series that takes place in 1892 New Fiddleham, New England where a young woman, Abigail Rook, has just arrived. She has taken the only job she can find working for the bizarre Sherlock-eque, R. F. Jackaby, a detective (but more appropriately a Seer) with a gift for solving paranomal/fantasic cases.
Each book follows a new “case,” and it isn’t until the end of the second book that you begin to realize the cases are connected. This leads up to the finale — an epic battle of good vs. evil.
⋒ ⋒ ⋒
Here's what I thought of each book:
• [JACKABY] — 4 ★ A great introduction to the characters, specifically Abigail’s backstory, while trying to track down the culprit on a string of mysterious murders.
• [BEASTLY BONES] — 3.5 ★ Brings in new characters, while playing to Abigail's strengths of being the daughter of a famous paleontologist — yes, be prepared for dinosaurs... or pre-dinosaurs if you will.
• [GHOSTLY ECHOES] — 3 ★ This book felt the most reaching at times in how Ritter worked to connect the series, but brought in some cool Greek myths as well as a TG supporting character.
• [THE DIRE KING] — 4 ★ Everything becomes clear resulting in a big battle, so natually there is an influx of magical creatures which reminds me why I love fantasical worlds to begin with.
Spot on Shelf? This was the first series I've read completely through in years, and as a whole it was fun & kept my attention.
At times a little overdone/overreaching, but I was okay with that; especially given the sweet/thoughtful moments & Ritter’s strength for drawing on myths from all over the globe.
The ending completely took me by surprise (multiple times) which I wasn't expecting. It wasn’t a gripping series, but it was very hope-filled & presented a world I was quite happy to dwell in.
*Pro-tip: Best read on an e-reader for fast searches when it comes to mythological characters*
Of course I enjoyed this book: Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller's version, from Elementary if we're getting into specifics, but I digress) meets the paranormal. I adore Abigail's narrative voice, Jackaby's socially-awkward singlemindedness, and all the rest of the very vivid and very lovable cast.
4.5/5 stars
Honestly, I’m always wary going into sequels, because they are always hit or miss for me. Many times an author uses up all their grand ideas in the first book, so by the time the sequel rolls around it’s just a regurgitation of the previous book. This was not the case with Beastly Bones.
I found this book great as not only a sequel, but also a great book itself. Filled with all the mystery, snark and beautiful prose of the first book. Yet, even better at the same time.
Things I loved:
All in all, this was an amazing sequel! If you like Sherlock, Doctor Who, or even just a good mystery, I definitely recommend this series to you.
Honestly, I’m always wary going into sequels, because they are always hit or miss for me. Many times an author uses up all their grand ideas in the first book, so by the time the sequel rolls around it’s just a regurgitation of the previous book. This was not the case with Beastly Bones.
I found this book great as not only a sequel, but also a great book itself. Filled with all the mystery, snark and beautiful prose of the first book. Yet, even better at the same time.
Things I loved:
- Ritter successfully balanced the dark, mysterious mood set by the prose with witty and funny dialogue.
- Jackaby was just as quirky and lovable in the first book and Abigail was just as strong-willed, intelligent and kickass as well. Their dynamic as partners continued to grow throughout this novel and I loved how two main characters of opposite genders could remain platonic (FINALLY!).
- The side characters were even more amazing than in Jackaby. They added a new depth and interest not only to the novel, but to Abigail and Jackaby’s characters as well.
- It was short without feeling as if anything was missing. Nothing impresses me more than a novel that manages to pack in character/plot development while also staying concise.
- As this is a sequel, with more books intended for the series, I was so glad to see Ritter hinted at bigger plot elements and antagonists to come. That made me even more excited for his future books and short stories in this series.
All in all, this was an amazing sequel! If you like Sherlock, Doctor Who, or even just a good mystery, I definitely recommend this series to you.
adventurous
funny
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:
Complicated
this is much more what I wanted from the first book without all of the gore.
Liked better on my re-read!
I greatly enjoyed revisiting these characters and their world! There's still murder and mystery and ducks, with the addition of a sassy reporter and also fish kittens and some deuced odd bones. We revisit old friends and gain some new ones, and discover that the resident ghost is acting a bit out of sorts.
So immensely pleased this is to be a longer series! Though I'm having a hard time guessing how the big bad is actually involved.
And to be honest, I was disappointed in myself I didn't get the "twist" earlier. Obviously I am off my detecting game.
I greatly enjoyed revisiting these characters and their world! There's still murder and mystery and ducks, with the addition of a sassy reporter and also fish kittens and some deuced odd bones. We revisit old friends and gain some new ones, and discover that the resident ghost is acting a bit out of sorts.
So immensely pleased this is to be a longer series! Though I'm having a hard time guessing how the big bad is actually involved.
And to be honest, I was disappointed in myself I didn't get the "twist" earlier. Obviously I am off my detecting game.
4.5
Perfect, just like the first book. I can only hope that this perfection continues on into the rest of the series. I do slightly like the first book more purely because it can be viewed as a standalone while this one definitely has connections to both the first and the next installment. Not anything wrong really, just that it cannot be viewed in isolation.
Perfect, just like the first book. I can only hope that this perfection continues on into the rest of the series. I do slightly like the first book more purely because it can be viewed as a standalone while this one definitely has connections to both the first and the next installment. Not anything wrong really, just that it cannot be viewed in isolation.