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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Stephanie Garber’s first adult book and I devoured it in one sitting. It did give me the type of vibes that I first felt when I read Carival. I felt like I the voice of the main character was still more on the younger side and it still reminded me of YA at times. But I didn’t mind it at all. Still filled with magic and the twists that you expect. I couldn’t put it down! I really am curious to see what she does next as I hear this is going to be a series.
Thank you to Flatiron for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Flatiron for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Way too fast paced no character building no world building. Way too cringey
adventurous
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:
N/A
On the one hand I want to give this book a great deal of credit for drawing me in with it's quick pace, interesting premise, and engaging plot, but on the other hand, the story slowed at the 1/3 mark and seemed to drone on taking us everywhere and nowhere.
Further, the main character lacked substance almost entirely. It was a female mystery/quest story where our leading lady did little thinking, demonsrated no guile or wit, followed the direction of any and every man in the story with abandon and showed almost no trust or interest in the other female characters, and was more focused on which guy would be her man at the end of quest than on the quest itself.
I began reading largely only dialogue about half way through because so much of the leading ladies thoughts were useless and did not advance the story of the mystery. And as for the mystery, so much goes unexplained in the end and that brought on disappointment. I have so many questions, especially about a key character closely tied to our heroine.
The mix of Old Hollywood, LA landmarks, magic, and myths is the most enjoyable part of the book. Truly the urban legends are the true main characters.
I was very entertained but deeply disappointed.
Despite all this, I would definitely read this author again. There were definitely 5 star elements to the book.
Further, the main character lacked substance almost entirely. It was a female mystery/quest story where our leading lady did little thinking, demonsrated no guile or wit, followed the direction of any and every man in the story with abandon and showed almost no trust or interest in the other female characters, and was more focused on which guy would be her man at the end of quest than on the quest itself.
I began reading largely only dialogue about half way through because so much of the leading ladies thoughts were useless and did not advance the story of the mystery. And as for the mystery, so much goes unexplained in the end and that brought on disappointment. I have so many questions, especially about a key character closely tied to our heroine.
The mix of Old Hollywood, LA landmarks, magic, and myths is the most enjoyable part of the book. Truly the urban legends are the true main characters.
I was very entertained but deeply disappointed.
Despite all this, I would definitely read this author again. There were definitely 5 star elements to the book.
adventurous
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:
No
Spooky, whimsical,& thrilling 🍂🎬✨🍿
👻A great October read.
The story starts off mysterious and magical with charming imagery & I had no idea where things were going, who to trust, /& what was happening. It was a bit slow early on & the pacing suffered as the set up happened. However, the plot picks up especially around the half way point until the end. It was like an adventure story with strange clues, twists, and a vivid Halloween 🎃 time in Los Angeles atmosphere. I enjoyed the second half more, and the unanswered questions made me UNABLE TO STOP READING. My only caveats were the uneven pacing at the start and a protagonist who sometimes felt juvenile when the stakes were high. Like why was she so boy obsessed when we had things to do! Some things didn’t get explained so I think that hints at a sequel.
👻A great October read.
The story starts off mysterious and magical with charming imagery & I had no idea where things were going, who to trust, /& what was happening. It was a bit slow early on & the pacing suffered as the set up happened. However, the plot picks up especially around the half way point until the end. It was like an adventure story with strange clues, twists, and a vivid Halloween 🎃 time in Los Angeles atmosphere. I enjoyed the second half more, and the unanswered questions made me UNABLE TO STOP READING. My only caveats were the uneven pacing at the start and a protagonist who sometimes felt juvenile when the stakes were high. Like why was she so boy obsessed when we had things to do! Some things didn’t get explained so I think that hints at a sequel.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book had magic and mystery and Hollywood glamor and a sprinkling of twilight zone vibes. So obviously I loved it.