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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
obr's review against another edition
2.0
I'm getting really torn about this series. It takes two steps forwards, but then all the steps back. The "romance" is getting to me and leaving me increasingly frustrated and troubled. I'm still engrossed by the paranormal mystery side of things, but Lincoln... Ladies, if a guy treats you like this, get out of there.
(Mild spoilers ahoy for anyone not caught up on the romantic antics)
After Charlie's ultimatum at the end of book 3, I had higher hopes for how things would develop. She seemed to want to make a mature decision, forcing Lincoln to decide if he was happiest being either hot or cold, not this emotional switcheroo rubbish he's been pulling so far. And lo, he decided she was worth it. Hot all the way!
Except it couldn't last. Of course. Because he has ~issues~ and unintentionally lives for the ~drama~. I've seen other people upset by how needy Charlie is, but I sympathised with her even at the end. She's a teenage character head over heals crazy about the first man to show her even a modicum of kindness. Plus being, y'know, tall, dark and brooding. Her desperation was understandable (though her creepy "lie with me" demands? Not so much; totally unVictorian and contrary to everything she believes about Lincoln being a gentleman.)
Lincoln grows increasingly vile as the book goes on, and as in previous cases of hot-n-cold with him, there's no explanation offered at the time. By the end, I actually loathed his character for being such a flip-floppy >insert unmentionable words here<. He is a terrible love interest, and I wish that Charlie would break free from him. They surely can't get together because it'd be a train wreck. I felt it had gotten to the level where any happily ever after between the two of them would sound so false and unbelievable.
Romance-rant aside, I still really like the main necromancer-sleuthing thing going on. Charlie finds out about her mother and the magic she left behind, Seth and Gus play it both straight and as comic relief, Lady Harcourt is a caricature Queen B as ever (she could do with a few more dimensions - her backstory was pretty cool, I just wish she had more purpose that just to provoke catty thoughts in Charlie), we get a cameo from our favourite member of the recently deceased, and naturally there are murders and kidnappings aplenty.
If it weren't for the troubling "I can change him with my love!1!!" type of "romance", I would absolutely love this story and shout it from the rooftops. As far as I understand, this isn't meant to be some psychologically twisted "dark" gothic romance, so I'm finding it increasingly off-putting (and a minor bugbear being there's an increasing number of typos and odd references to period clothing that just don't quite add up). I'm still interested in the series because the writing is engaging and while "romance" features heavily it doesn't overwhelm the action side of things, but... I'm torn and troubled by it. It's not what I expected or hoped for.
(Mild spoilers ahoy for anyone not caught up on the romantic antics)
After Charlie's ultimatum at the end of book 3, I had higher hopes for how things would develop. She seemed to want to make a mature decision, forcing Lincoln to decide if he was happiest being either hot or cold, not this emotional switcheroo rubbish he's been pulling so far. And lo, he decided she was worth it. Hot all the way!
Except it couldn't last. Of course. Because he has ~issues~ and unintentionally lives for the ~drama~. I've seen other people upset by how needy Charlie is, but I sympathised with her even at the end. She's a teenage character head over heals crazy about the first man to show her even a modicum of kindness. Plus being, y'know, tall, dark and brooding. Her desperation was understandable (though her creepy "lie with me" demands? Not so much; totally unVictorian and contrary to everything she believes about Lincoln being a gentleman.)
Lincoln grows increasingly vile as the book goes on, and as in previous cases of hot-n-cold with him, there's no explanation offered at the time. By the end, I actually loathed his character for being such a flip-floppy >insert unmentionable words here<. He is a terrible love interest, and I wish that Charlie would break free from him. They surely can't get together because it'd be a train wreck. I felt it had gotten to the level where any happily ever after between the two of them would sound so false and unbelievable.
Romance-rant aside, I still really like the main necromancer-sleuthing thing going on. Charlie finds out about her mother and the magic she left behind, Seth and Gus play it both straight and as comic relief, Lady Harcourt is a caricature Queen B as ever (she could do with a few more dimensions - her backstory was pretty cool, I just wish she had more purpose that just to provoke catty thoughts in Charlie), we get a cameo from our favourite member of the recently deceased, and naturally there are murders and kidnappings aplenty.
If it weren't for the troubling "I can change him with my love!1!!" type of "romance", I would absolutely love this story and shout it from the rooftops. As far as I understand, this isn't meant to be some psychologically twisted "dark" gothic romance, so I'm finding it increasingly off-putting (and a minor bugbear being there's an increasing number of typos and odd references to period clothing that just don't quite add up). I'm still interested in the series because the writing is engaging and while "romance" features heavily it doesn't overwhelm the action side of things, but... I'm torn and troubled by it. It's not what I expected or hoped for.
hurls298's review against another edition
3.0
Good but too abrupt ending
Until the last few pages this was a solid 4 star for me, building well on the prior books, deepening my engagement with and understanding of the characters and above all telling a good, engaging story. However, then it ended with probably the major strand of the book being completely unresolved. This is very unlike the prior 3 books which all ended at a logical point of closure (yes there are themes across books which weren't all resolved but the main focus of each book was resolved). This was very, very abrupt and felt very forced ending which didn't feel right and left me with a bad taste from the book. Fingers crossed that does not happen again.
Until the last few pages this was a solid 4 star for me, building well on the prior books, deepening my engagement with and understanding of the characters and above all telling a good, engaging story. However, then it ended with probably the major strand of the book being completely unresolved. This is very unlike the prior 3 books which all ended at a logical point of closure (yes there are themes across books which weren't all resolved but the main focus of each book was resolved). This was very, very abrupt and felt very forced ending which didn't feel right and left me with a bad taste from the book. Fingers crossed that does not happen again.
myabrandon15's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rgalvsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Argh I'm frustrated and mad.
I enjoyed the book, but it's starting to feel repetitive. I'm not sure if I'll continue the story or not.
Liked it, 3 stars
I enjoyed the book, but it's starting to feel repetitive. I'm not sure if I'll continue the story or not.
Liked it, 3 stars
belalucy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
Didn't expect to be left on this kind of cliffhanger, I'm curious to see if these choices last and how they'll affect the characters.
longy207's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a lot more focused on tying all of the other books together and finding out more about Charlie, we also get a sneak peek however brief at what Charlie and Lincoln would be like as a couple. It was a fantastic book in the series and ending on a cliffhanger that keeps readers hooked and makes me want to read the next book in the series; so I have.
Charlie is again the main character but in this book Lincoln is much more involved so more of a main character than a secondary character so I'm also going to include him in this. Charlie finds out more about her parents, her father in particular while Lincoln tries to investigate the growing number of supernatural deaths.
The secondary characters remain to be Seth, Gus and Cook; the three guys living in the house with Lincoln and Charlie, who act as household staff and are friends to both Charlie and Lincoln but who also help with the investigation that Lincoln and Charlie carry out often landing them in danger or injured.
The storyline is as original as the previous books but I loved the story in this book even more as this book ties all the other books together. The pacing is great and I especially liked the ending and the cliffhanger it ends on keeping me hooked making me want to read the next book which I have already started.
4.5 stars :) I'm loving this series
Charlie is again the main character but in this book Lincoln is much more involved so more of a main character than a secondary character so I'm also going to include him in this. Charlie finds out more about her parents, her father in particular while Lincoln tries to investigate the growing number of supernatural deaths.
The secondary characters remain to be Seth, Gus and Cook; the three guys living in the house with Lincoln and Charlie, who act as household staff and are friends to both Charlie and Lincoln but who also help with the investigation that Lincoln and Charlie carry out often landing them in danger or injured.
The storyline is as original as the previous books but I loved the story in this book even more as this book ties all the other books together. The pacing is great and I especially liked the ending and the cliffhanger it ends on keeping me hooked making me want to read the next book which I have already started.
4.5 stars :) I'm loving this series
zenreadergirl's review against another edition
4.0
We can't expect everything to fall into place for Charlie. Now that things are going well, they can't stay that way forever. Someone is killing supernaturals. I did like how Charlie struggles to assume her place as Lincoln's fiance.
annarosereads's review against another edition
2.0
Lincoln is so annoying. His moodiness is really bringing this series down for me. I don't understand why Charlie would like someone who treats her so badly. There were a few interesting developments, but this book was also unsatisfying because there was no resolution to the mystery.