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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Cool premise.
Honestly, I probably would have DNF'd this after about 40% when I realized that despite the promise of the first couple of chapters, this story wasn't going to take off in a satisfying way for me. Disappointing, as I loved the concept.. the mix of urban fantasy mystery. I was working on a project and probably listened to the bulk of this book with one ear.
This was very much a "first" book of a longer story arc that maybe shouldn't have been so long. It was clunky, the pacing was weak and the world building non-existent. Lydia, the protagonist, didn't get remotely interesting until the last 10%. Supporting characters, could have been interesting but they were sketches. Antagonists... our bad guys were bad guys with no discernible motivations. Not ruling out trying book 2 as that last 10% or so recaptured my interest.
Honestly, I probably would have DNF'd this after about 40% when I realized that despite the promise of the first couple of chapters, this story wasn't going to take off in a satisfying way for me. Disappointing, as I loved the concept.. the mix of urban fantasy mystery. I was working on a project and probably listened to the bulk of this book with one ear.
This was very much a "first" book of a longer story arc that maybe shouldn't have been so long. It was clunky, the pacing was weak and the world building non-existent. Lydia, the protagonist, didn't get remotely interesting until the last 10%. Supporting characters, could have been interesting but they were sketches. Antagonists... our bad guys were bad guys with no discernible motivations. Not ruling out trying book 2 as that last 10% or so recaptured my interest.
Good Read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing and characters were great. I’m looking forward to reading the next book I’m the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing and characters were great. I’m looking forward to reading the next book I’m the series.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was fine. I may read another. This book mainly felt like set up for the underlining story of the series.
Basically a witch mafia series.
Basically a witch mafia series.
medium-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
This universe is such a cool concept. London being run by these magical mob-like families that have been around for generations? We even get a tour through the British Museum to highlight just how interwoven these families are with London's history.
Seriously, sign me up.
Despite that, there isn't a huge amount of world-building. I'm going to give it the benefit of doubt, assuming that this is because the families' magical powers are less prominent in current times. But I do hope these magical and historical elements really ramp up in the next books.
Mostly, I was let down by our main character, Emma. Emma spends the entire book repeatedly insisting that she has no magical powers (even though it's very clear that she does, even if she does assume they are weak). Other than feeling like a total failure and having some sense of family duty, she doesn't really have any personality or motivation.
The side characters are much more compelling. I love Jason and hope he becomes a staple in the story ahead. I'd love to see more from Emma's parents, who seem to have much more complicated relationship with the rest of the family. And spoilt little Maddie... I think she has a lot more to say.
All in all, I'll definitely be picking up the next book.
Seriously, sign me up.
Despite that, there isn't a huge amount of world-building. I'm going to give it the benefit of doubt, assuming that this is because the families' magical powers are less prominent in current times. But I do hope these magical and historical elements really ramp up in the next books.
Mostly, I was let down by our main character, Emma. Emma spends the entire book repeatedly insisting that she has no magical powers (even though it's very clear that she does, even if she does assume they are weak). Other than feeling like a total failure and having some sense of family duty, she doesn't really have any personality or motivation.
The side characters are much more compelling. I love Jason and hope he becomes a staple in the story ahead. I'd love to see more from Emma's parents, who seem to have much more complicated relationship with the rest of the family. And spoilt little Maddie... I think she has a lot more to say.
All in all, I'll definitely be picking up the next book.