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missjackieoh's review
3.0
I came across this author and the first story, Sorrow’s Point (you can read my review here) on Netgalley and was very intrigued! I really liked the first book and was thrilled to be accepted to receive the second book from Netgalley as well.
That is, unfortunately where the thrills ended. I was a bit disappointed with the second instalment of The Maker’s Chronicles. It was a far cry from what I had expected. Wither that is because I put her second book on too high of a pedestal or not remains to be seen. I may or may not pick up book three, as I will explain further in the review.
I will start with the characters. I still am very fond of Jimmy, however he has dwindled just a bit in my estimation, mostly because of Tabby. Oh Tabby – where to start. I just can’t stand how she treats Jimmy. She is ALWAYS condescending and apparently has a rueful temper; although I will say I didn’t see much of the temper, she was pretty much just a world class bitch. Jimmy is constantly demeaning himself, and I am positive it is because Tabby makes him feel stupid; which just irked me so much! The Jimmy of book 2 is hardly the same strong and independent character I remember. However, that wasn’t too much of a surprise. I didn’t like Tabby in the first book and I especially didn’t like their relationship.
The plot was intriguing and yet had absolutely no depth. There was NO spookiness to this, which is unfortunate as that was what hooked me in the first book. It was more of a mystery than anything this time around. After running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to help save this ‘poor’ kids soul, the conclusion of the case was terribly simple and ended really quickly…almost as an afterthought. It was weird and frankly annoying. I was frustrated to have sat through the whole book to only come to that conclusion.
However, and this is what has me ready to read the next book, the whole book was a filler to the actual ending of the book! Holly cow, can Ms. DeVor throw a sucker punch of a surprise! That ending seriously upped my regards of this second book quite a few notches. I am sure I will be picking up the third installment of this series just to find out what, how, and why for that ending. I guess I could have just lived without Tabby.
Happy Reading,
Jackie
That is, unfortunately where the thrills ended. I was a bit disappointed with the second instalment of The Maker’s Chronicles. It was a far cry from what I had expected. Wither that is because I put her second book on too high of a pedestal or not remains to be seen. I may or may not pick up book three, as I will explain further in the review.
I will start with the characters. I still am very fond of Jimmy, however he has dwindled just a bit in my estimation, mostly because of Tabby. Oh Tabby – where to start. I just can’t stand how she treats Jimmy. She is ALWAYS condescending and apparently has a rueful temper; although I will say I didn’t see much of the temper, she was pretty much just a world class bitch. Jimmy is constantly demeaning himself, and I am positive it is because Tabby makes him feel stupid; which just irked me so much! The Jimmy of book 2 is hardly the same strong and independent character I remember. However, that wasn’t too much of a surprise. I didn’t like Tabby in the first book and I especially didn’t like their relationship.
The plot was intriguing and yet had absolutely no depth. There was NO spookiness to this, which is unfortunate as that was what hooked me in the first book. It was more of a mystery than anything this time around. After running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to help save this ‘poor’ kids soul, the conclusion of the case was terribly simple and ended really quickly…almost as an afterthought. It was weird and frankly annoying. I was frustrated to have sat through the whole book to only come to that conclusion.
However, and this is what has me ready to read the next book, the whole book was a filler to the actual ending of the book! Holly cow, can Ms. DeVor throw a sucker punch of a surprise! That ending seriously upped my regards of this second book quite a few notches. I am sure I will be picking up the third installment of this series just to find out what, how, and why for that ending. I guess I could have just lived without Tabby.
Happy Reading,
Jackie
lilyn_g's review
4.0
Jimmy’s back, and he’s gonna get in trouble. Luckily, he has two lovely ladies on his side to help him out. Now if only he could stop ticking one of them off. The events of Sorrow’s Point are barely behind him, and there is still one pressing problem from it that needs fixed. He’s trying to get his life in order again when he gets another call in the middle of the night. Against his will, but with the offer of a paycheck he can’t refuse, he’s drawn into another situation where he has to pit himself against evil. Unfortunately for Jimmy, his success with Lucy’s exorcism may not be easily repeatable this time.
Sorrow’s Point had a dangerous air, heavy with tension and ripe with evil. Sorrow’s Edge is a distinctly different read. It’s a laid back traditional paranormal thriller in a lot of ways. Yes, there’s a big bad and you know a showdown is going to ensue, but that does’t really feel like the point of the book. It’s much more character driven than the first book. Jimmy, Taby, and Lucy form a slightly odd family unit that seems very believable, obvious issues aside. The person they’re called in to help isn’t a particularly likable character. I actually think this works for the book in two ways. In making you root more for Jimmy than the saving of the person’s soul, and in giving you a victim the complete opposite of Lucy.
The setting of the book is one that I first became familiar with in Dev Jarrett’s Casualties. It was interesting to see it explored again in Danielle DeVor’s vision. The pacing is good. It doesn’t feel nearly as fast as what happened in the first book, but it suits the story. There are some new characters, both ones that most people will recognize, that are introduced. (I find it interesting to ponder why, when a demon possesses a body, the evil corrupts the appearance completely, but when a demon exists independently they can appear quite beautiful.) The familiar is awesome, and I highly approve of the little furry overlord.
Sorrow’s Edge is a good, non-scary read. It entertains, but doesn’t creep you out. (I will admit to being a little disappointed by this.) Its an exploration of human evil, greed, and laziness. The supernatural elements were hard to pin down at first, but I liked how things ended up working out with at least one portion of it. The overall lesson that I took away from the book is that things aren’t what you expect. Ever.
Danielle DeVor gives the readers a set of characters that they can’t help but root for. It may not be your traditional trio of characters, nor your typical family unit, but they’re wonderful nonetheless. This second book makes you more invested in the characters overall, and curious to see the outcome of their story. Distinctly different isn’t necessarily a bad thing, even when it doesn’t scratch quite the itches you wanted it to scratch.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the author.
Sorrow’s Point had a dangerous air, heavy with tension and ripe with evil. Sorrow’s Edge is a distinctly different read. It’s a laid back traditional paranormal thriller in a lot of ways. Yes, there’s a big bad and you know a showdown is going to ensue, but that does’t really feel like the point of the book. It’s much more character driven than the first book. Jimmy, Taby, and Lucy form a slightly odd family unit that seems very believable, obvious issues aside. The person they’re called in to help isn’t a particularly likable character. I actually think this works for the book in two ways. In making you root more for Jimmy than the saving of the person’s soul, and in giving you a victim the complete opposite of Lucy.
The setting of the book is one that I first became familiar with in Dev Jarrett’s Casualties. It was interesting to see it explored again in Danielle DeVor’s vision. The pacing is good. It doesn’t feel nearly as fast as what happened in the first book, but it suits the story. There are some new characters, both ones that most people will recognize, that are introduced. (I find it interesting to ponder why, when a demon possesses a body, the evil corrupts the appearance completely, but when a demon exists independently they can appear quite beautiful.) The familiar is awesome, and I highly approve of the little furry overlord.
Sorrow’s Edge is a good, non-scary read. It entertains, but doesn’t creep you out. (I will admit to being a little disappointed by this.) Its an exploration of human evil, greed, and laziness. The supernatural elements were hard to pin down at first, but I liked how things ended up working out with at least one portion of it. The overall lesson that I took away from the book is that things aren’t what you expect. Ever.
Danielle DeVor gives the readers a set of characters that they can’t help but root for. It may not be your traditional trio of characters, nor your typical family unit, but they’re wonderful nonetheless. This second book makes you more invested in the characters overall, and curious to see the outcome of their story. Distinctly different isn’t necessarily a bad thing, even when it doesn’t scratch quite the itches you wanted it to scratch.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the author.
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