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babs_reviews's review against another edition
5.0
This book has allll the vibes.
I honestly love everything about it! A nonlinear storyline, multiple pov, magic, shapeshifters, prohibition, mystery and intrigue set in Seattle 1929 noir style. The absolute confidence that though women had a place in a visible social setting, what went on behind the scenes proved they were, at times, pulling the strings.
Dolly White, a smart women who needs a job and takes care of herself. Violet, taking chances and running a speakeasy while trying to protect her shapeshifter brother and avoid trouble from white men. Can they work together to stay off the radar of all those around them?
The way this ended has me VERY hopeful there will be more to come!
Warnings: Patriarchal, racist, and ableist violence, both verbal and physical.
Also attempted sexual assault.
Thank you SO much to Tor Books, NetGalley and Marion Deeds for the gifted copy!
I honestly love everything about it! A nonlinear storyline, multiple pov, magic, shapeshifters, prohibition, mystery and intrigue set in Seattle 1929 noir style. The absolute confidence that though women had a place in a visible social setting, what went on behind the scenes proved they were, at times, pulling the strings.
Dolly White, a smart women who needs a job and takes care of herself. Violet, taking chances and running a speakeasy while trying to protect her shapeshifter brother and avoid trouble from white men. Can they work together to stay off the radar of all those around them?
The way this ended has me VERY hopeful there will be more to come!
Warnings: Patriarchal, racist, and ableist violence, both verbal and physical.
Also attempted sexual assault.
Thank you SO much to Tor Books, NetGalley and Marion Deeds for the gifted copy!
winterelemental's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
lunarchfey's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
A charming heist set in an alternate-history magic-infused 1920's jazz-age Seattle.
I found this clean, easy read. Even though the book was non-chronological, taking you back and forth and all over the place to weave together the story, it isn't too hard to follow as long as you just keep reading and trust that the threads will pull together. There's no real mystery of whether or not things will succeed - but the what, why, and how get pieced together, which I found pretty fun (especially when you really, really want the villain to get their comeuppance).
I loved the glimpses of worldbuilding, but just wish there was more than just the occasional taste of it. Magic permeated the story but sometimes felt just like window dressing - it could be removed and much of the story would stay the same. I also felt the ending was a little rushed, and the stakes didn't really become real enough for Dolly. An overall stylish read that wasn't a disappointment, but I wouldn't call it a lasting favourite that I'd revisit.
Content warnings for sexism and racism (per the time period) and on-screen attempted sexual assault.
A charming heist set in an alternate-history magic-infused 1920's jazz-age Seattle.
I found this clean, easy read. Even though the book was non-chronological, taking you back and forth and all over the place to weave together the story, it isn't too hard to follow as long as you just keep reading and trust that the threads will pull together. There's no real mystery of whether or not things will succeed - but the what, why, and how get pieced together, which I found pretty fun (especially when you really, really want the villain to get their comeuppance).
I loved the glimpses of worldbuilding, but just wish there was more than just the occasional taste of it. Magic permeated the story but sometimes felt just like window dressing - it could be removed and much of the story would stay the same. I also felt the ending was a little rushed, and the stakes didn't really become real enough for Dolly. An overall stylish read that wasn't a disappointment, but I wouldn't call it a lasting favourite that I'd revisit.
Content warnings for sexism and racism (per the time period) and on-screen attempted sexual assault.
pinkrain718's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
This book was a September 2023 Indie Press List pick for the Currently Reading Podcast. This book was added to the IPL by The Elliot Bay Book Company in Seattle, Washington. This novella was a charming delight and I really enjoyed the author's use of time to keep the reader guessing. This is a fun, quick read and my first novella in the urban fantasy genre.
lgordon006's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
practisingmothman's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I literally cannot stop thinking about this book even months after I read it. It's a fascinating world that the author has created where magic exists but can be heavily regulated - being a stand in for segregation and the extreme white supremacy of the early 20th century. It's so well written and the author does such a great job of maintaining tension throughout. 100% more people should read this book!
kari_f's review against another edition
3.5
I love historical fantasy, and I love magical heists even more! This had both, so there was really no way I wasn’t going to enjoy this book.
Taking place in 1920s Seattle, this novella has speakeasies, racial tension, gender stereotypes, corrupt government organizations, homophobia, and class differences mixed in with magic, shapeshifting, and charmed artifacts.
There was a pretty large cast of characters for such a short novella, and there were multiple agendas and storylines going on. I never got them mistaken, but I do wish we’d gotten more backstory and detail about the magical systems and characters. The story felt a bit rushed and messy at times because of this. Otherwise, though, I quite enjoyed the book and would gladly read others in the same world if ever there are more!
ckjaer88's review against another edition
4.0
I rather liked this, but I think I would have liked it even more, had I not read only about 20-30 pages at a time in my lunchbreak.
All the characters are great, the plot is intricate and I love that it's placed in the pre-WWII era.
All the characters are great, the plot is intricate and I love that it's placed in the pre-WWII era.