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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Ok, so how to do this without spoilers? Hmm…
Well, there’s a fun mixture of creatures in this one. I especially liked the homage to ancient creatures; I admit to squee-ing a bit when I realized what the ‘big bad’ was going to be. I liked the new characters too. The paleontologists and reporter were a nice nod to real-life people from around that time period (see the Bone Wars & Nellie Bly on Wikipedia) and the Huntsman was affable and played off Jackaby and Abigail well. We also got to see the return of our favorite rozzer, Charlie Cane (aka Charlie Barker).
I will admit that the story will probably be a bit draggy for those who aren’t into paleontology. There was quite a lot discussion about digging and bones and such. With my love of geology, archaeology, and paleontology, I quite enjoyed it, but I can see where it might put some people off. But it was still a fun story and a nice lead into the next book.
Well, there’s a fun mixture of creatures in this one. I especially liked the homage to ancient creatures; I admit to squee-ing a bit when I realized what the ‘big bad’ was going to be. I liked the new characters too. The paleontologists and reporter were a nice nod to real-life people from around that time period (see the Bone Wars & Nellie Bly on Wikipedia) and the Huntsman was affable and played off Jackaby and Abigail well. We also got to see the return of our favorite rozzer, Charlie Cane (aka Charlie Barker).
I will admit that the story will probably be a bit draggy for those who aren’t into paleontology. There was quite a lot discussion about digging and bones and such. With my love of geology, archaeology, and paleontology, I quite enjoyed it, but I can see where it might put some people off. But it was still a fun story and a nice lead into the next book.
R.F Jackaby and Abigail Rook are on the case again, this time outside of New Fiddleham. They are chasing the disappearance of mysterious bones, the trail of strange beasts, and more of the mysterious and the fantastic. Joined again by Charlie, they struggle to figure out their latest mystery.
This book was good, not as good as the first one, but still solid. It wasn't a stellar mystery, and the big twist at the end, though interesting, really didn't catch me by surprise. The whole premise of the mystery was a little bit forced honestly. But despite the mediocre mystery, I still really like the characters. Abigail and Charlie are adorable, and Jackaby continues to be interesting and entertaining. It's a fun story even if it isn't spectacular (also, HUGE plus for not doing a love triangle even though he could have. Thank goodness).
Things to be aware of:
- Death (there are several deaths- that's what they are investigating. And a few people die in unpleasant ways. It's never very graphic however)
- Gore (Mild. There are brief descriptions of deaths of both people and animals)
- Upsetting circumstances (very mild. It's a mystery and like I said, there's death)
This book was good, not as good as the first one, but still solid. It wasn't a stellar mystery, and the big twist at the end, though interesting, really didn't catch me by surprise. The whole premise of the mystery was a little bit forced honestly. But despite the mediocre mystery, I still really like the characters. Abigail and Charlie are adorable, and Jackaby continues to be interesting and entertaining. It's a fun story even if it isn't spectacular (also, HUGE plus for not doing a love triangle even though he could have. Thank goodness).
Things to be aware of:
- Death (there are several deaths- that's what they are investigating. And a few people die in unpleasant ways. It's never very graphic however)
- Gore (Mild. There are brief descriptions of deaths of both people and animals)
- Upsetting circumstances (very mild. It's a mystery and like I said, there's death)
God I love these books.
Jackaby and Rook have another case on their hands, this time involving a theft of a fossil, a mysterious murder, and strange tracks that are appearing in the valley along with disappearing animals.
I love how these books drop these little hints toward mythical creatures- last book we got redcaps and shapeshifters, this one we've got changeling creatures and a Styphalian bird. It just makes me so damn happy.
They remind me of Rick Yancey's Monstrumologist series, but with a Sherlockian twist, and a little less terror. The way this one ends leaves me aching for Book 3, and I hope my copy comes in soon. I cannot wait to see what calamity befalls them next.
Jackaby and Rook have another case on their hands, this time involving a theft of a fossil, a mysterious murder, and strange tracks that are appearing in the valley along with disappearing animals.
I love how these books drop these little hints toward mythical creatures- last book we got redcaps and shapeshifters, this one we've got changeling creatures and a Styphalian bird. It just makes me so damn happy.
They remind me of Rick Yancey's Monstrumologist series, but with a Sherlockian twist, and a little less terror. The way this one ends leaves me aching for Book 3, and I hope my copy comes in soon. I cannot wait to see what calamity befalls them next.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This series is delightful. I love how the characters are written. Especially since it's a man writing from the perspective of a woman. The bar is so low that whenever a man writes a woman well I'm shocked.
Everything just works so well together. The characters have nice banter. The plot is engaging. Never is the book dull. It never drags. It has the exact right amount of pages. It's nice when a book isn't crammed with filler. I'd almost forgotten what that was like.
Everything just works so well together. The characters have nice banter. The plot is engaging. Never is the book dull. It never drags. It has the exact right amount of pages. It's nice when a book isn't crammed with filler. I'd almost forgotten what that was like.
Just as enjoyable as the first, although the volume of Jackaby is turned down a bit. This story belongs to Abigail and introduces a bunch of new characters as well as some returning favorites. It appears the next book may be about Jenny, and I am very excited for that!
I have never read anything that felt like an episode of Doctor Who until these novels. They really do.
I have never read anything that felt like an episode of Doctor Who until these novels. They really do.
Barely 3 stars.
I listened to the first "Jackaby," and really enjoyed it, but this one fell really short of the mark. It started strong, however, with Jackaby, Abigail, Jenny - even Douglas - but then I found it hard to pay attention; I wasn't really interested in the story anymore. There are some really witty and clever lines, though, and that's really the only thing that boosts this up from 2 stars to 3 stars. It'll be interesting to see what happens regarding Jenny's case!
I listened to the first "Jackaby," and really enjoyed it, but this one fell really short of the mark. It started strong, however, with Jackaby, Abigail, Jenny - even Douglas - but then I found it hard to pay attention; I wasn't really interested in the story anymore. There are some really witty and clever lines, though, and that's really the only thing that boosts this up from 2 stars to 3 stars. It'll be interesting to see what happens regarding Jenny's case!
3.5 actually but I still really loved this second book! I just liked the first one more
I wish there was the option for a 3.5 review. The writing was great, but the story just wasn't all that interesting this round for me. I will of course be reading the next book once I can find it online(library doesn't have anymore *insert crying*) with the Hope's that the next one will be better! Jackaby is such an interesting character, and I would love to see more interaction between Ms. Rook and Charlie.