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redhairedashreads's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
Librarian Sylvia Ashe is trying to seek the truth about her heritage but instead finds herself thrust in the middle of a case involving stolen magical paintings. While helping the war hero Gabe who is working as a consultant to Scotland Yard, she finds herself finding her dream job, fighting off attackers, and helping to solve the case.
This book was both interesting and a bit slow and boring. This is set in London that is recovering from the war but some people have magical abilities, such as paint magic that allows an artist to create compelling and wonderful art. I think the world was interesting and the mystery was good but a bit predictable. My main issue is that this was a slow moving mystery and not exactly exciting. While this is a world with magic, it’s only discussed and never shown, which was disappointing since this is supposed to be a magical world.
Syvia was an interesting character who loves books and her new job, but I also found her employment and housing woes to be a bit boring after a while. Like I said, this was a slow mystery and it felt like at times it was getting lost in the everyday life of Sylvia, at least until closer to the end. I also didn’t love that we have a bit of a romance brewing between Sylvia and Gabe but he is engaged to another woman. I don’t love these kinds of situations.
Overall, this was an ok mystery set in an interesting world. If I am being honest with myself, I probably wouldn’t have read the whole book if I had attempted the ebook version because of the slow nature of the story. I am not sure yet if I will listen to book two to see if the story picks up and we actually get to see some magic.
TW: misogyny; death of family members mentioned; recent flu pandemic mentioned; recent war and PTSD mentioned,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Mental illness
chanelchapters's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
This was so incredibly boring
Listening to someone snore all night would be more entertaining
The only mystery they solve is the one nobody cares about
This was so incredibly boring
Listening to someone snore all night would be more entertaining
The only mystery they solve is the one nobody cares about
saidwards's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pixielate's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
carolinetvardy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
jmrprice's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent start to the next generation of Glass & Steele, so to speak…
Some favorites return (it’s been roughly 30 years) and we gain new characters - of course!
Some favorites return (it’s been roughly 30 years) and we gain new characters - of course!
karabeta's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0