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pearlc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was both fun and felt like a something new in the urban fantasy landscape. 1969 and Wisconsin are both odd ducks for the genre and that sold a lot of the charm of this book. People need to be home or in their office to get phone calls, microfilm is used for research, and it feels natural that every lock can be picked.
There were aspects that felt ahistorical, but at the same time the change in having magic a well known and accepted part of society helped sell anything that felt like it might be out of place. Ulysses comes from a family of magic users and is working on his PhD in Magical Studies. The variety of magic was fun and guaranteed to annoy anyone who wants a hard magic system that they can write out the rules for, but still had set foundries that gave structure to everything that happened.
Ultimately the heart of this story is the relationship between Ulysses and Sam. They fit well together and as everything comes to a head you really worry for them. It was honestly hard to tell where society in this world stood on queer relationships. People didn't care, but at the same time Sam and Ulysses would take precautions. Ultimately it didn't matter, but it was something that niggled at the back of my mind throughout the book.
Overall this was a fun book. The mystery was engaging. The main protagonists were fun to spend time with and learn about and root for as the story progressed. The supporting cast was filled with people I'm eager to get to know better in future books. Absolutely recommend for anyone looking for something a bit different in the urban fantasy genre.
There were aspects that felt ahistorical, but at the same time the change in having magic a well known and accepted part of society helped sell anything that felt like it might be out of place. Ulysses comes from a family of magic users and is working on his PhD in Magical Studies. The variety of magic was fun and guaranteed to annoy anyone who wants a hard magic system that they can write out the rules for, but still had set foundries that gave structure to everything that happened.
Ultimately the heart of this story is the relationship between Ulysses and Sam. They fit well together and as everything comes to a head you really worry for them. It was honestly hard to tell where society in this world stood on queer relationships. People didn't care, but at the same time Sam and Ulysses would take precautions. Ultimately it didn't matter, but it was something that niggled at the back of my mind throughout the book.
Overall this was a fun book. The mystery was engaging. The main protagonists were fun to spend time with and learn about and root for as the story progressed. The supporting cast was filled with people I'm eager to get to know better in future books. Absolutely recommend for anyone looking for something a bit different in the urban fantasy genre.
hamalee's review against another edition
4.5
Great little contemporary myth, look forward to the sequel
nolemdaer's review
nothing wrong with the book, but i can't stick with the writing style. it seems like a first draft when someone is writing out a plot but isn't really thinking about how to flesh out scenes, make things flow, create a natural rhythm of action and prose. scenes are incredibly short and their climaxes (emotional or event-wise) come abruptly. "abrupt" is probably the best descriptor for the writing in general (let alone the romance[?])
also, i think this is a symptom of the prose, but i didn't get a strong sense of time and was very surprised to learn the main character was born in the 40s
also, i think this is a symptom of the prose, but i didn't get a strong sense of time and was very surprised to learn the main character was born in the 40s
youshouldreadthisif's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
rutabaga's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
helianthus_books's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
readingwithmrleo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This was one of those books where I didn't know what to expect. I just went with it and it was such a fun ride. I loved all the mystery and darkness mixed with a more cozy and sweet vibe; it was just the perfect mix. I loved Sam at first sight, my goodness he is the sweetest character ever and I just felt this need to protect him (so good thing this book is actually about protecting him, haha, I was a fan)!
The world-building was really interesting and it really went on with the whole book, you just kept learning about it bit by bit. It was magical but in an ordinary setting, as in, this whole magic aspect was just put into our normal lives and it blends in perfectly. We could follow our characters and discover the city and learn more about their life in this 60s setup without the world-building being too heavy. But still, that whole magical side would bring lots of action and twists and it made it all so compelling.
The relationship between Ulysses and Sam was sweet and I love the insecurities they showed and how they got closer and closer as they tried to understand what was happening. The whole investigation was fun to follow and I do love a good puzzling prophecy! It was so interesting to see the changes in Sam as the story went on and Dyionusis was more present, and how it affected our characters.
Truly a delightful read and I'll definitely want to read the following novel cause you can't get enough of Sam and Ulysses and I'm a sucker for that cozy vibe!
Thanks to the author for my copy. All opinions are my own.
The world-building was really interesting and it really went on with the whole book, you just kept learning about it bit by bit. It was magical but in an ordinary setting, as in, this whole magic aspect was just put into our normal lives and it blends in perfectly. We could follow our characters and discover the city and learn more about their life in this 60s setup without the world-building being too heavy. But still, that whole magical side would bring lots of action and twists and it made it all so compelling.
The relationship between Ulysses and Sam was sweet and I love the insecurities they showed and how they got closer and closer as they tried to understand what was happening. The whole investigation was fun to follow and I do love a good puzzling prophecy! It was so interesting to see the changes in Sam as the story went on and Dyionusis was more present, and how it affected our characters.
Truly a delightful read and I'll definitely want to read the following novel cause you can't get enough of Sam and Ulysses and I'm a sucker for that cozy vibe!
Thanks to the author for my copy. All opinions are my own.
emilyrpf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
suannelaqueur's review against another edition
4.0
SO MUCH FUN!!! What a great, clever, funny, thoughtful and entertaining read. I highly recommend. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
imaginarywhatever's review against another edition
5.0
My loan for this is going to expire before I finish it, because I did not want it to be over so soon so I only read bits every day or so. Now it's due and there's a gigantic wait list and I'm seventy percent in. Am I going to just let it expire tomorrow morning and place a hold again like a reasonable person?
No. I have a Dionysus playlist queued up. It's one of those books that has you actually holding your breath at least once. There were phrases that I had to speak aloud because they were so gorgeous I wanted to feel the weight and shape of them for myself. I speak as little as possible when not with my immediate family, even with myself sometimes. It felt meaningful.
70% in and I can't imagine what the author could do to make me feel anything other than unrepentant adoration of this book. I gripe about the wait list, but really I'll probably buy it either way, and the audiobook someday too (I hope?).
Frick. Just used an hour of my remaining loan time slow typing this.
No. I have a Dionysus playlist queued up. It's one of those books that has you actually holding your breath at least once. There were phrases that I had to speak aloud because they were so gorgeous I wanted to feel the weight and shape of them for myself. I speak as little as possible when not with my immediate family, even with myself sometimes. It felt meaningful.
70% in and I can't imagine what the author could do to make me feel anything other than unrepentant adoration of this book. I gripe about the wait list, but really I'll probably buy it either way, and the audiobook someday too (I hope?).
Frick. Just used an hour of my remaining loan time slow typing this.