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bookishgabs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I went into this with few expectations and found myself surprisingly entertained. My ten year old son loves watching Sigils on YouTube and was stoked to learn about the book series; my son despises reading so to hear him interested in a book was shocking. I was concerned about the content and told him I would read it with him to be sure there was nothing outrageously inappropriate for his age (there is one scene where a female character takes off her top to show her bra and discusses a risqué “dessert” but that was it). I finished the first book today and he’ll finish it later this week; we both have had a blast. I’m not sure the rest of the series will be appropriate for him but I’ll for sure keep reading to find out what happens!
thirdsaint's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
saranh3's review against another edition
4.0
I started out with a sample of this one on Kindle. The sample started a little slow for me, but I had an opening on my KU stuff and decided I would try for a bit more beyond the sample, and see how I felt about it.
I stand by saying that it started out slow for me, but the more I read of it, the more I grew to like it. I found the main character of this thing surprisingly relatable--even though I am not male, haven't had the same kind of tragedy in my life, and certainly haven't had the supernatural elements from this book happen to me either. Somehow he was very relatable anyway, for me. Even when he did something stupid, it was UNDERSTANDABLE. Usually, when a character does something stupid it really upsets me because it doesn't feel like it makes sense. Or that the author made them stupid so the plot could happen. This time, I understood why, because it felt like something a real person would do in that situation, who didn't, perhaps, know all the rules. And I found several instances where I thought the author had very clever descriptions or details in this book as well. The plot was interesting enough to keep me from putting the book down, but honestly, the strength of the portrayal of the main characters, and the strength of some of the writing is probably what I was most interested in as this thing continued on.
I certainly enjoyed this book well enough to read the next entry, especially if it is free on KU.
I stand by saying that it started out slow for me, but the more I read of it, the more I grew to like it. I found the main character of this thing surprisingly relatable--even though I am not male, haven't had the same kind of tragedy in my life, and certainly haven't had the supernatural elements from this book happen to me either. Somehow he was very relatable anyway, for me. Even when he did something stupid, it was UNDERSTANDABLE. Usually, when a character does something stupid it really upsets me because it doesn't feel like it makes sense. Or that the author made them stupid so the plot could happen. This time, I understood why, because it felt like something a real person would do in that situation, who didn't, perhaps, know all the rules. And I found several instances where I thought the author had very clever descriptions or details in this book as well. The plot was interesting enough to keep me from putting the book down, but honestly, the strength of the portrayal of the main characters, and the strength of some of the writing is probably what I was most interested in as this thing continued on.
I certainly enjoyed this book well enough to read the next entry, especially if it is free on KU.
jcmainhart's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
peridotdot's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so used to Urban Fantasy being episodic, that an ending that just sort of.. left everything unresolved didn't sit well with me.
Otherwise, I liked the book well enough. Surprisingly enough, the main character was stupid. Usually UF MC's are smart, sarcastic and usually kicking ass. Matthew Carver wasn't very smart, he was often the last one to put the pieces together. And while I found the narration to be funny, his actual lines rarely was. As for kicking ass, there was some. But he was the weakest of three people fighting together so even then it was.. fresh?
I do think the entire beginning was a little stupid. Who, upon meeting a wish-granting demon, wishes for a girlfriend first before wishing for his family to come back from the dead? The entire pity party he was having was family related! I'm expecting this to be some plot thing where raising the dead is a big no-no and the demon couldn't promise it while a stupid comment about breaking up your two best friend kind of slides. I also kind of think I know 90% the reason behind this chain of event happening, but since the book ends without an conclusion to the story I don't know if I'm right or not. (I hope I'm wrong because it's a dumb option).
I'll read the next one, if I come across it.
Otherwise, I liked the book well enough. Surprisingly enough, the main character was stupid. Usually UF MC's are smart, sarcastic and usually kicking ass. Matthew Carver wasn't very smart, he was often the last one to put the pieces together. And while I found the narration to be funny, his actual lines rarely was. As for kicking ass, there was some. But he was the weakest of three people fighting together so even then it was.. fresh?
I do think the entire beginning was a little stupid. Who, upon meeting a wish-granting demon, wishes for a girlfriend first before wishing for his family to come back from the dead? The entire pity party he was having was family related! I'm expecting this to be some plot thing where raising the dead is a big no-no and the demon couldn't promise it while a stupid comment about breaking up your two best friend kind of slides. I also kind of think I know 90% the reason behind this chain of event happening, but since the book ends without an conclusion to the story I don't know if I'm right or not. (I hope I'm wrong because it's a dumb option).
I'll read the next one, if I come across it.
vinayvasan's review against another edition
4.0
Sooo much fun this one was and so unexpectedly brilliant with lore and mythology
serenitydiary's review against another edition
4.0
I read it because my son is a huge sigils (Andrew) fan which translates in me watching a lot of his videos and I appreciate his humour
It was a genuine surprised about how good it was! I know they have series on YouTube with more complex stories than simply playthroughs but i didn't know he could write such a fun universe! I will be reading the rest for sure
It was a genuine surprised about how good it was! I know they have series on YouTube with more complex stories than simply playthroughs but i didn't know he could write such a fun universe! I will be reading the rest for sure
wynwicket's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Oh, this one was FUN. Our Hero is down-on-his-luck Matthew Carver, who lives with his best friend and his friend’s girlfriend and is an easy guy to root for – he’s down-to-earth and very funny. Reminiscent of Harry Dresden, but younger and not at all versed in the world of the magical when we meet him. So when his soul is stolen by a demon named Dan, who has forged his signature, Matt finds himself getting a crash course in myth, as he finds himself meeting folks from multiple cultures’ folklores and caught in the beginnings of a war (because Hell’s actions have broken the accords between the various pantheons).
We have some Ancient Greek myth (Orion the Hunter, somewhat of a celebrity in this universe), the Fae (including a cameo from literature that I won’t spoil but who rather steals the show), and of course, demonkind. I liked the variety of creatures and beings that the author involves. Matt and his allies get into numerous scrapes, there’s plenty of action, and it’s an entertaining ride, with a surprising amount of heart as well. I will definitely be seeking out the rest of the series, as I’m curious where things are going, and I really, really liked the characters.
malberto's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Strong first book in a series. Classical hero's journey (with some twists and turns on the concept) in a classic urban fantasy setting. Highly recommended for Urban Fantasy enjoyers. My one big criticism is that the world building was a little bit weak, forgivable since it's the first book in a series. But books that only work as part of a series are made weaker. I think at least first books such stand on their own.