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mamap's review against another edition
2.0
It's just not as well written as his other series. The characters aren't as well developed or believable.
jkkb332's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, but still a good read (listen). Mostly what I didn't like was Rob, the main character. He's arrogant and annoying. He gets obsessed, makes dumb choices, and his romance storyline gave me the ick. I did enjoy learning more about Bliss, Mandalay, and the Tufas which redeemed it for me. On to #3.
dancer475's review against another edition
4.0
Picked up this book on a whim and was blown away by it! If you like mountains, music, and folklore this book is for you. Off to get the next one.
seanpatricklittle's review against another edition
5.0
When I picked up THE HUM AND THE SHIVER, I was doing it out of a sense of loyalty to the author. Alex Bledsoe currently lives in my hometown (Mount Horeb, Wis.) and he and I have been Twitter/Facebook pals for some time. I enjoyed his Eddie LaCrosse books, but that's more my speed: swords and banter. Love it. There was nothing about THE HUM AND THE SHIVER that actually made me want to read it. I just figured I ought to to support Alex.
And damned if he didn't make me love it. There was just something about it. The mystery of the Tufa, the music, the gentle backwoods cast, the setting...it was just perfect. I went out immediately and put the next two books in the series on my reading list. But, like most people, my "to-be-read" pile tends to grow faster than my "has-been-read" pile, so it took me a couple of months to get to WISP OF A THING.
By the third chapter, I was kicking myself for not getting there sooner. Alex is a gifted storyteller, and the world-building he's done with Cloud County is as magical as its residents. His prose is Tupperware tight, but effortlessly readable and pages tick past like miles on a country road.
I found it strange that he chose not to follow the main characters of the first novel, but in doing so he's given himself a much larger, much more interested sandbox in which to play. While I would have liked to hear more about Bronwynn Hyatt and her life, I didn't miss her. Bliss Overbay, Rockhouse Hicks, and the rest of the Needsville townies more than make up for her absence, and in some ways surpass it.
WISP OF A THING is one of those books that sticks with you because of it's haunting nature, and because of the revelations about the Tufa that it provides. While THE HUM AND THE SHIVER was a good bait novel, WISP OF THING is where Bledsoe really yanks back on the rod and sets the hook.
I finished the book last night before I went to sleep. Upon waking, I cracked my copy of LONG BLACK CURL over breakfast. I can't stay away from Cloud County for too long anymore. Maybe it's the Tufa magic...
And damned if he didn't make me love it. There was just something about it. The mystery of the Tufa, the music, the gentle backwoods cast, the setting...it was just perfect. I went out immediately and put the next two books in the series on my reading list. But, like most people, my "to-be-read" pile tends to grow faster than my "has-been-read" pile, so it took me a couple of months to get to WISP OF A THING.
By the third chapter, I was kicking myself for not getting there sooner. Alex is a gifted storyteller, and the world-building he's done with Cloud County is as magical as its residents. His prose is Tupperware tight, but effortlessly readable and pages tick past like miles on a country road.
I found it strange that he chose not to follow the main characters of the first novel, but in doing so he's given himself a much larger, much more interested sandbox in which to play. While I would have liked to hear more about Bronwynn Hyatt and her life, I didn't miss her. Bliss Overbay, Rockhouse Hicks, and the rest of the Needsville townies more than make up for her absence, and in some ways surpass it.
WISP OF A THING is one of those books that sticks with you because of it's haunting nature, and because of the revelations about the Tufa that it provides. While THE HUM AND THE SHIVER was a good bait novel, WISP OF THING is where Bledsoe really yanks back on the rod and sets the hook.
I finished the book last night before I went to sleep. Upon waking, I cracked my copy of LONG BLACK CURL over breakfast. I can't stay away from Cloud County for too long anymore. Maybe it's the Tufa magic...
salinabear's review against another edition
3.0
Some parts of this story were very believable. Most of the characters were very well written, and in the beginning the book moved along quite well. I also loved the unlikely setting of the Appalachian Mountains.
However, towards the end, an unlikely romance springs up between two of the main characters that was quite hard to believe. Some of the dialogue was a bit cliche. Also, towards the end, the plot began to really drag. I skipped about 20 pages in the last quarter in the book and still got everything that happened.
Overall, I'd have to say 3 stars. A wonderful premise and overall believable characters.
However, towards the end, an unlikely romance springs up between two of the main characters that was quite hard to believe. Some of the dialogue was a bit cliche. Also, towards the end, the plot began to really drag. I skipped about 20 pages in the last quarter in the book and still got everything that happened.
Overall, I'd have to say 3 stars. A wonderful premise and overall believable characters.
jaymeks's review
4.0
Just as amazing as The Hum and The Shiver. Not what I expected when I began reading, but still amazing nonetheless. Even though it had mostly nothing to do with the previous book, falling back into the world of the Tufa was like catching up with an old friend. Well done and I cannot wait for future books.
nvblue's review against another edition
1.0
Rating: 1 out of 5
If you’re in the market for a poorly plotted soap opera set in rural Tennessee with creepy sex scenes look no further! I present to you Wisp of a Thing! As a fair warning, both my patience and temper were hanging on by a wisp, and boy let me tell you, that wisp transformed into action as I threw my Kindle away in disgust as a supposedly heartbroken man goes down on a mentally ill woman with the cognitive ability of a child. The cherry on top being that she had already sexually assaulted him twice. Good grief where to start on this one? I have a tendency to rant and rave but sheesh, let’s not throw gas on the flames.
I really wanted to like these books, they had so much potential, and the author is truly a solid writer, their sentences and linguistic flow are great. Sadly, I cannot continue the book or the series. I’ve stopped at 51% and just skimmed the remainder. The plot is lacking, the characters are nauseatingly contradictory and flat, and the main ‘plot point’ is simply keeping the reader in the dark when dealing with all the world-building elements.
See my review of the first book for more specific aggravations, they continued in the second book unabated.
Plot: 1 out of 5
Setting: 1 out of 5
Characters: 1 out of 5 (if I could give a negative for this I would)
Writing style: 3 out of 5
Personal Enjoyment: 1 out of 5
If you’re in the market for a poorly plotted soap opera set in rural Tennessee with creepy sex scenes look no further! I present to you Wisp of a Thing! As a fair warning, both my patience and temper were hanging on by a wisp, and boy let me tell you, that wisp transformed into action as I threw my Kindle away in disgust as a supposedly heartbroken man goes down on a mentally ill woman with the cognitive ability of a child. The cherry on top being that she had already sexually assaulted him twice. Good grief where to start on this one? I have a tendency to rant and rave but sheesh, let’s not throw gas on the flames.
I really wanted to like these books, they had so much potential, and the author is truly a solid writer, their sentences and linguistic flow are great. Sadly, I cannot continue the book or the series. I’ve stopped at 51% and just skimmed the remainder. The plot is lacking, the characters are nauseatingly contradictory and flat, and the main ‘plot point’ is simply keeping the reader in the dark when dealing with all the world-building elements.
See my review of the first book for more specific aggravations, they continued in the second book unabated.
Plot: 1 out of 5
Setting: 1 out of 5
Characters: 1 out of 5 (if I could give a negative for this I would)
Writing style: 3 out of 5
Personal Enjoyment: 1 out of 5
megmcardle's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the first book and if possible loved this one even more. Music and fairy tales and crazy hillbillies. The end was not exactly what I expected (or wanted) but I can forgive.
loxleyhall's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
valjeanval's review against another edition
4.0
I was sadly a little disappointed in this book. I love The Hum and the Shiver so much, and I really enjoyed the world building and concept, but this volume felt a bit clunkier. Mostly, I think the romantic plot lines just threw me off and felt a little squicky. Actually, Bronwyn's romantic plot lines were my only issue with the first book too, so maybe I just don't enjoy Bledsoe's style with romance. I was much more interested in Bliss and would have liked to explore her character more. I will probably continue the series cause the world is such an interesting and unique one, but I think I'll take a break first.