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bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a really fun find for me. I received it as a gift so I’m new to this author and new to this series. Even though I started with book #3, Hexes and Hemlines, this read very well and could be considered a stand-alone. Yes, there are some reoccurring characters that I’m sure I could have understood better but Juliet Blackwell did such a good job of quickly reintroducing everyone I had no problem understanding. As an added bonus, it was really quick and easy to jump in to San Francisco according to Lily Ivory that it made it very easy to dive right in to the story. I only felt at one time that I was missing out on something but before the end of the novel there was a flashback that explained everything and I was happy again.
This was out of my usual comfort zone of reading romances but I really enjoyed Lily and her interactions with coworkers and fellow magic practitioners. I loved her determination to solve problems and that she understood her limitations and when to ask for help. She didn’t jump right in to dangerous situations and she always came prepared whether it was with a spell or with backup. Really enjoyable read and I’ll be looking for something new from Ms. Blackwell.
This was out of my usual comfort zone of reading romances but I really enjoyed Lily and her interactions with coworkers and fellow magic practitioners. I loved her determination to solve problems and that she understood her limitations and when to ask for help. She didn’t jump right in to dangerous situations and she always came prepared whether it was with a spell or with backup. Really enjoyable read and I’ll be looking for something new from Ms. Blackwell.
marlynb's review against another edition
4.0
SFPD Inspector Carlos Romero asks witch Lily Ivory to look at an unusual murder scene on the thirteenth floor of an apartment building. Lily sees several symbols of bad luck: a ladder in front of the door, a broken mirror, a black cat, and an open umbrella. The victim is Malachi Zazi, son of the infamously eccentric "Prince High" Zazi, a self-professed Satanist.
Malachi's doctrine was Rationalism, and to prove it, he started a group called the Serpentarians. The group had thirteen members, who would meet on the thirteenth of the month. Ironically, it's at one of these meetings that Malachi is killed.
Although Lily is at first ambivalent about helping Romero, her curiosity is piqued when her "instructor" Aidan orders her not to get involved.
Lily's investigations of other occult traditions during the course of her investigations, including voodoo and gypsy magic make it obvious that Juliet Blackwell's research has been thorough.
There is definitely a spooky "woo-woo" element in this book, and though I'm not a fan of being scared, the writing and the story were so magnetic that I couldn't put it down.
Lily is a complex and appealing protagonist, and I look forward to seeing more of her.
Malachi's doctrine was Rationalism, and to prove it, he started a group called the Serpentarians. The group had thirteen members, who would meet on the thirteenth of the month. Ironically, it's at one of these meetings that Malachi is killed.
Although Lily is at first ambivalent about helping Romero, her curiosity is piqued when her "instructor" Aidan orders her not to get involved.
Lily's investigations of other occult traditions during the course of her investigations, including voodoo and gypsy magic make it obvious that Juliet Blackwell's research has been thorough.
There is definitely a spooky "woo-woo" element in this book, and though I'm not a fan of being scared, the writing and the story were so magnetic that I couldn't put it down.
Lily is a complex and appealing protagonist, and I look forward to seeing more of her.
vicrine's review against another edition
3.0
7/10 not really as good as the first two, but still the characters are great and love the magic.
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
Normally when I read a crossover of cozy mystery & supernatural, it leans more toward the cozy mystery side. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Hexes and Hemlines, since it didn't. The supernatural portion was very prominent, and it was clear that Blackwell had spent a lot of time developing it.
Although this was the 3rd book in the series (and I've not read the others - yet), it wasn't difficult to catch up on what was going on. I'm not sure how much I really like Lily, our protagonist, but I don't dislike her either. I can tell you that Blackwell did an amazing job in creating and personifying Lily's familiar, goblin slash gargoyle who can shapeshift into a miniature potbellied pig. I loved the scenes where Oscar was somewhat active. :)
Will definitely try to read the rest in the series. I think I already have the 5th one. And do recommend, especially for those who enjoy a slightly more "serious" cozy mystery.
Although this was the 3rd book in the series (and I've not read the others - yet), it wasn't difficult to catch up on what was going on. I'm not sure how much I really like Lily, our protagonist, but I don't dislike her either. I can tell you that Blackwell did an amazing job in creating and personifying Lily's familiar, goblin slash gargoyle who can shapeshift into a miniature potbellied pig. I loved the scenes where Oscar was somewhat active. :)
Will definitely try to read the rest in the series. I think I already have the 5th one. And do recommend, especially for those who enjoy a slightly more "serious" cozy mystery.
elsjls00's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one enough to seek out the next in the series.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
Below is my review when I read this fab book in 2011. It still stands. It's a reread as a listen. Love this series and author.
Definitely recommend book, series and author.
************
This is such an excellent paranormal cozy series. I love Lily and would love to be friends with her, Bronwyn, would love to at least look at Aidan Rhodes, and definitely hang with Oscar, who is Lily's familiar. And to shop in Aunt Cora's Closet would be suh-weeeet!
The mixture of light-hearted and grim has the right touch for a reader to stay up late and keep turning those pages into the night to see what's going to happen next.
Lily is learning to love having friends, something she didn't have much of growing up in her suspicious Texas town. When her friend Bronwyn starts acting completely opposite her sunny warm welcoming self, Lily wants to help. I like that Juliet Blackwell has Lily learning how to be a friend and we get to see it.
Lily is also learning more about her abilities and she knows she has more to experience. Much as she isn't happy about it, she knows that Aidan Rhodes is going to be instrumental in her growth. That is a heckuva cool cliffhanger to make this reader want the next book ASAP. Okay, Juliet, please write faster!
Five please write faster beans.....
Definitely recommend book, series and author.
************
This is such an excellent paranormal cozy series. I love Lily and would love to be friends with her, Bronwyn, would love to at least look at Aidan Rhodes, and definitely hang with Oscar, who is Lily's familiar. And to shop in Aunt Cora's Closet would be suh-weeeet!
The mixture of light-hearted and grim has the right touch for a reader to stay up late and keep turning those pages into the night to see what's going to happen next.
Lily is learning to love having friends, something she didn't have much of growing up in her suspicious Texas town. When her friend Bronwyn starts acting completely opposite her sunny warm welcoming self, Lily wants to help. I like that Juliet Blackwell has Lily learning how to be a friend and we get to see it.
Lily is also learning more about her abilities and she knows she has more to experience. Much as she isn't happy about it, she knows that Aidan Rhodes is going to be instrumental in her growth. That is a heckuva cool cliffhanger to make this reader want the next book ASAP. Okay, Juliet, please write faster!
Five please write faster beans.....
stellagramina's review against another edition
I enjoyed this one! I think she handled the Romani practices ok, but I also think that part of the book was short and incidental - could have been left out. It was overall a satisfying read/listen.
haf59's review against another edition
3.0
Book 3. These things have 3 main narrative threads braided together - witchcraft, vintage clothes, and detecting. The mysteries have an occult basis, to throw some extra weight to the witch-bits. They're ok. But the strands of the braids are uneven - I think the author herself is strongest on the clothes part, and weakest on the mystery part. So the braid is lumpy. But it's not unpleasant and they go by quickly.