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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
This is the first book I've ever given one star.
Maybe because I wanted to strangle the protagonist who had nothing but coconuts in her head.
Maybe because I wanted to strangle the protagonist who had nothing but coconuts in her head.
4.5
This book belongs in the genre I like to lovingly call UMD, UK magic detective. A lot of books fall into this categorie, and I love them all. This book was a perfectly low stakes detective with a cute romance and most importantly GHOSTS. I fully recommend you start getting into this genre and this would be the perfect start. Something about being sucked into an urban fantasy with characters that don't really know what they are doing most of the time is just awesome. So pour some bourbon into that coffee cup and let's get into it!
This book belongs in the genre I like to lovingly call UMD, UK magic detective. A lot of books fall into this categorie, and I love them all. This book was a perfectly low stakes detective with a cute romance and most importantly GHOSTS. I fully recommend you start getting into this genre and this would be the perfect start. Something about being sucked into an urban fantasy with characters that don't really know what they are doing most of the time is just awesome. So pour some bourbon into that coffee cup and let's get into it!
mysterious
medium-paced
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lydia Crow moved away from her family to stay away from the family business. She knew she had no power and was happy to keep it that way, but when she needs to take a break from her new career as a private investigator, she ends up back in the family fold. Before she knows it Lydia is roped in to helping her uncle investigate the disappearance of her cousin Maddie. As Lydia investigates she starts to wonder if the truce that has held between the magical families for the last 75 years is about to be broken.
There's some good stuff and less good stuff in this one, it's a bit of a mixed bag, and not entirely what I was expecting but still an enjoyable read.
Let's start with the good stuff - there is the basis for a really solid urban fantasy series here. Painter set the groundwork for a magical world with plenty of different powers and some ongoing family feuds that could form the basis of an excellent series. There's 8 books out for the series already (I'm late to the party) so I'm hoping this is what happened!
I'm totally onboard with the idea of Lydia trying to get away from her family, and seemingly being powerless. There's a suggestion that actually she may have power and just not know what it is or how to use it, but that's not really explored much in this one. I'm assuming it will be covered in later books, but it seems a bit odd to not at least start to explore that in the series.
Plot wise I liked the concept of Lydia being brought back in to the fold reluctantly, and I thought her budding relationship with DI Fleet, and her friendship with Emma were good to see. I think this is a platform to build on to give us a solid trio that work together in books going forward. I thought the characters were reasonably well put together, and Uncle Charlie becomes a bit of a loveable rogue which I always have a soft spot for.
In terms of the less good stuff I think the main thing for me was that I found this actually a bit lacking on the magic/fantasy side of things. This links in with the comment I made above about not exploring Lydia's potential powers yet. I'm all for worldbuilding, but if anything there is probably not quite enough of it here - a lot of the time it was as if I was reading about London as I know it.
The other thing that I thought let the book down was that the investigation actually wasn't much of an investigation, everything was kept relatively simple. I think Painter could add a lot more into this to add complexity and depth to the story.
All in all I think this is a good start, and I'm hoping that it's suffering a little bit from the 'first book' syndrome that we often see with the first in a series. There's a lot here to work with, and hopefully book two will build on this and suck me in properly.
Enjoyed the story. Less of the magic side of things than I would have liked - wonder if more will come later.
Will keep reading for now, is a long series and plenty to work with
There's some good stuff and less good stuff in this one, it's a bit of a mixed bag, and not entirely what I was expecting but still an enjoyable read.
Let's start with the good stuff - there is the basis for a really solid urban fantasy series here. Painter set the groundwork for a magical world with plenty of different powers and some ongoing family feuds that could form the basis of an excellent series. There's 8 books out for the series already (I'm late to the party) so I'm hoping this is what happened!
I'm totally onboard with the idea of Lydia trying to get away from her family, and seemingly being powerless. There's a suggestion that actually she may have power and just not know what it is or how to use it, but that's not really explored much in this one. I'm assuming it will be covered in later books, but it seems a bit odd to not at least start to explore that in the series.
Plot wise I liked the concept of Lydia being brought back in to the fold reluctantly, and I thought her budding relationship with DI Fleet, and her friendship with Emma were good to see. I think this is a platform to build on to give us a solid trio that work together in books going forward. I thought the characters were reasonably well put together, and Uncle Charlie becomes a bit of a loveable rogue which I always have a soft spot for.
In terms of the less good stuff I think the main thing for me was that I found this actually a bit lacking on the magic/fantasy side of things. This links in with the comment I made above about not exploring Lydia's potential powers yet. I'm all for worldbuilding, but if anything there is probably not quite enough of it here - a lot of the time it was as if I was reading about London as I know it.
The other thing that I thought let the book down was that the investigation actually wasn't much of an investigation, everything was kept relatively simple. I think Painter could add a lot more into this to add complexity and depth to the story.
All in all I think this is a good start, and I'm hoping that it's suffering a little bit from the 'first book' syndrome that we often see with the first in a series. There's a lot here to work with, and hopefully book two will build on this and suck me in properly.
Enjoyed the story. Less of the magic side of things than I would have liked - wonder if more will come later.
Will keep reading for now, is a long series and plenty to work with
An intriguing new urban fantasy series, book one of the Crow Investigations series introduces us to protagonist Lydia and the powerful magic families of London. I was sent a copy of this book by the author to give an honest review and I'm thoroughly grateful for her doing so as I absolutely loved this book. I can't wait for the sequel!
As a Londoner I'm always on the lookout for urban fantasy novels set in my home town and it was great to read one that shone with such authenticity. Lydia is a very likeable and relatable character with Painter touching on some familiar issues amongst the cleverly crafted world building. There's plenty of suspense and mystery to go around, as well as humour and a touch of romance too. It's not easy to reach that delicate balance of getting just the right amount of each and Painter has managed to do just that.
The result is a magnificent story that leaves you wanting to know what's in store for Lydia and the gang next and that is exactly what you want from a good urban fantasy novel.
As a Londoner I'm always on the lookout for urban fantasy novels set in my home town and it was great to read one that shone with such authenticity. Lydia is a very likeable and relatable character with Painter touching on some familiar issues amongst the cleverly crafted world building. There's plenty of suspense and mystery to go around, as well as humour and a touch of romance too. It's not easy to reach that delicate balance of getting just the right amount of each and Painter has managed to do just that.
The result is a magnificent story that leaves you wanting to know what's in store for Lydia and the gang next and that is exactly what you want from a good urban fantasy novel.
So much potential that felt wasted. There’s a ghost, magic, a hot cop, and bad family. It was just silly overall.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes