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dr_matthew_lloyd's review against another edition
4.0
Taking place over one (long) day, A Long Day in Lychford is nevertheless the shortest Lychford novella. It wastes no time getting into the action: a witchy mistake leads to the boarders between worlds becoming tangled, creating chaos in the between parts and risking incursions into our world. It felt, more than either of the previous two, like a part of an ongoing series leading toward a big finale. Which I assume it is.
Paul Cornell's way with language and place continues to shine through this one. I have ambivalent feelings about the comparative brevity of the story, because while it was good to get right into it I do like these characters and might have preferred to spend more time with them. Then again, the last two novellas comprise about half the series with page length, so I suppose I will get that chance!
Paul Cornell's way with language and place continues to shine through this one. I have ambivalent feelings about the comparative brevity of the story, because while it was good to get right into it I do like these characters and might have preferred to spend more time with them. Then again, the last two novellas comprise about half the series with page length, so I suppose I will get that chance!
jaymelynnway's review against another edition
2.0
The first two in this series were better, hopefully the next will be, too. This felt like a short set-up for the actual plot to come.
classicista's review against another edition
3.0
Sigh...
I've more than a sinking feeling I'm about to be Granny Weatherwaxed by this series, and I'm not for it at all.
I've more than a sinking feeling I'm about to be Granny Weatherwaxed by this series, and I'm not for it at all.
melchnau's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
triscuit807's review against another edition
3.0
Solid 3 stars. The other books in this series have been on the verge of horror; if they were films that would be the genre they'd fall into. This one is less that and more depressing for a multitude of reasons; anything dealing with Brexit and the divisive world we live in can be nothing but depressing. Judith is always the darkness among the three women, and that's still true, but she's also the cause of the sad tone. "Long Day" really focuses on Autumn since what happens is ultimately her fault; don't drink and drive and don't drink and witch. Lizzie is mostly shunted off to side. My favorite bits were the Polish lorry driver and Finn's interactions with Lizzie, my least favorite bit involved Rory and Jenker. I read this for my Reading Challenge (52 wks "cost less than $5").
tyrshand's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the first novella. The second one was alright, though I worried that perhaps the series wasn't going to have that "magic" (haha) of the first book. This one sets those fears at ease. This may actually be my favorite of the lot. Perhaps it's because of the subject matter -- very timely in this current climate of more acceptable racism. I even had an incident with such yesterday, so this tale definitely fit the mood I was in.
However, this doesn't feel like an "issue book." There's something so smooth about the writing this time around. And though racism can't be magically fixed -- even in Lychford -- several iterations of it are naturally explored. And, as in real life, forgiveness and understanding can be found for the people who are predisposed to such. The rest can sod off. ;)
The character development for Judith and Autumn was excellent and appreciated. Lizzie is fine, but though she is certainly active in the story, character-wise she takes back stage. There's also a decent bit of action and tension and some fascinating world building.
However, this doesn't feel like an "issue book." There's something so smooth about the writing this time around. And though racism can't be magically fixed -- even in Lychford -- several iterations of it are naturally explored. And, as in real life, forgiveness and understanding can be found for the people who are predisposed to such. The rest can sod off. ;)
The character development for Judith and Autumn was excellent and appreciated. Lizzie is fine, but though she is certainly active in the story, character-wise she takes back stage. There's also a decent bit of action and tension and some fascinating world building.
zelda_pinwheel's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shadyeglenn's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
welshreader's review
1.0
Ugh.
So, the story is essentially an angry black woman loses control of her magical powersand might be the cause of the world being invaded by paranormal beings . Autumn's race was such a blink-and-you-miss-it footnote in the first book I was happy to see it explored more, but this narrative makes me uncomfortable, even if she was drunk. Mixing in the Brexit referendum was a bold choice but it lacked any nuance: all Brexit supporters were racists and Remain supporters were not. Not only is a total misrepresentation of why many people voted in favour of Brexit, it was so painfully cut and dry simply to move the narrative forwards.
Lizzie faded into the background in this one. Judith was endearing in Book 1 but by this story she's just grating on my nerves. Her "arc" didn't pull the emotional punches it should have because she was so insufferable.
The magic is as convenient as ever. I let it slide in the first book because there was room for it to be expanded and explained in future installments, but right now I'm just resigned to shit just happening because the plot needs it to.
The whole plot is just a bunch of meandering around and some set up for the next book. I wish I was exaggerating.
So, the story is essentially an angry black woman loses control of her magical powers
Lizzie faded into the background in this one. Judith was endearing in Book 1 but by this story she's just grating on my nerves. Her "arc" didn't pull the emotional punches it should have because she was so insufferable.
The magic is as convenient as ever. I let it slide in the first book because there was room for it to be expanded and explained in future installments, but right now I'm just resigned to shit just happening because the plot needs it to.
The whole plot is just a bunch of meandering around and some set up for the next book. I wish I was exaggerating.