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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
intrigued enough by the start of the series, I'll read book 2
Take 1 part noir novel + 1 part organized crime fiction + 1 part magic, stir with modern day London, and you get this great urban fantasy series. I like how each Family has it's own distinctive type of magic. Also, Jason might be my favorite character.
I listened to the audio book version and really enjoyed the narration. The plot is a little tedious, the characters a tad threadbare, but there is just enough intrigue to make me finish the series.
Lydia can be a bit annoying at times with her ''I'm a damp squib'' attitude to everything, when we as the readers already know that not to be true. It does get frustrating when we know and she pretends otherwise.
The other characters are a little flat, but again; there is just enough to keep you interested in their lives.
Overall 3 out of 5.
Lydia can be a bit annoying at times with her ''I'm a damp squib'' attitude to everything, when we as the readers already know that not to be true. It does get frustrating when we know and she pretends otherwise.
The other characters are a little flat, but again; there is just enough to keep you interested in their lives.
Overall 3 out of 5.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This one didn't really work for me. It was all a bit flat, repetitive and failed to grab me. The idea isn't a bad one (very "mafia" with an UF twist), but it just never came together for me.
3 stars
This story has some great ideas and leads me to want to listen to the rest of the series - but the world was a bit underdeveloped in this first book.
It felt like the author was so worried about giving away too much too soon that we almost only got half a book. Or maybe an extended prologue...
The case the story revolved around wasn't anything astounding but I enjoyed the idea of magical families in London, and the balance Lydia has to walk as part of a magical/crime family, but not part of it.
I'm hoping more of my questions are answered as we get further into the series. I'm also hoping the cases get a bit more twisty!
This story has some great ideas and leads me to want to listen to the rest of the series - but the world was a bit underdeveloped in this first book.
It felt like the author was so worried about giving away too much too soon that we almost only got half a book. Or maybe an extended prologue...
The case the story revolved around wasn't anything astounding but I enjoyed the idea of magical families in London, and the balance Lydia has to walk as part of a magical/crime family, but not part of it.
I'm hoping more of my questions are answered as we get further into the series. I'm also hoping the cases get a bit more twisty!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so obviously book one of a series. There were many loose ends at the end of the book. It reminded me of The Dresden Files.
The concept of the world was interesting but it's very subtle urban fantasy and I was expecting it to be less subtle. It was okay, just ended up not being for me.
3.5
I really did liked this for the most part- but some of the character interactions were a little lacking for moi.
So, the good--I enjoyed the London backdrop, and the mix of historical mystery with modern mysticism. We get information on all of these magical families and how powerful and fear inducing they use to be. While some of that old fear and magic lingers, its interesting that the stories have been interwoven into this reality-like legends being passed down through generations.
We also get a more urban fantasy and contemporary storyline with Lydia being a relatively new detective who has been forced back to her home town and into the peripheral of her Family -as well as her unclaimed legacy as a Crow, and all of the secrets that go along with it.
However, there was something missing in the story.
Maybe..I don't know... I didn't quite feel the punch of mystery or fear or romance- and didn't quite connect with Lydia enough to really root for her.
But I am interested in what is going on with the other Families and this power struggle going on- maybe as the story progresses the questions will make the story more interesting?
‘You always were sharp.’ Not that sharp, Lydia thought, putting her mobile onto the floor by the bed. I came back to London.
I really did liked this for the most part- but some of the character interactions were a little lacking for moi.
So, the good--I enjoyed the London backdrop, and the mix of historical mystery with modern mysticism. We get information on all of these magical families and how powerful and fear inducing they use to be. While some of that old fear and magic lingers, its interesting that the stories have been interwoven into this reality-like legends being passed down through generations.
We also get a more urban fantasy and contemporary storyline with Lydia being a relatively new detective who has been forced back to her home town and into the peripheral of her Family -as well as her unclaimed legacy as a Crow, and all of the secrets that go along with it.
However, there was something missing in the story.
Maybe..I don't know... I didn't quite feel the punch of mystery or fear or romance- and didn't quite connect with Lydia enough to really root for her.
But I am interested in what is going on with the other Families and this power struggle going on- maybe as the story progresses the questions will make the story more interesting?
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
I think I might have a thing for urban fantasy with a bit of detective work thrown in.
This was a rather easy read for me and I am quite glad that I hadn't brought another series that I didn't gel with (so I am looking forward to the second book).
There was definitely enough information given about the Families to not overwhelm but there is definitely more to it than what was in the first book. I am intrigued to know more about the Families and by the names of the other books, I am sure that is what is going to happen.
And Lydia. I am looking forward to knowing more about Lydia because I think we have only just scratched at the surface of her.
This was a rather easy read for me and I am quite glad that I hadn't brought another series that I didn't gel with (so I am looking forward to the second book).
There was definitely enough information given about the Families to not overwhelm but there is definitely more to it than what was in the first book. I am intrigued to know more about the Families and by the names of the other books, I am sure that is what is going to happen.
And Lydia. I am looking forward to knowing more about Lydia because I think we have only just scratched at the surface of her.