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qalminator's review
2.0
Meh. I nearly gave up on this one, but around the 20-25% mark it started getting interesting. I still would read a chapter or two of it, then go to something else for a while.
So, the good: the Shades are fascinating creatures. What they remind me of most is the Frankenstein narrative, but instead of just one "experiment", there are a bunch happening all at once, with these newborn creatures trying to figure out their place in a violent world. Also, they were not sexual fiends/feeders, which is where a lot of authors would have gone with them.
The bad: slow to start, and, once it did get started, it didn't hold my interest well. Worse, I feel like all the characters could have handled things better, or that we needed to be given a better explanation for why certain ones (e.g. Alamea) did not. Also [SPOILER ALERT] we find out at the end that this has happened before and that there are Shades from previous attempts still around, so why didn't the Mediators already know about them, and have contingencies in place, hmm? If you want to drop that as a bombshell in the last few pages, you need to have earned it, and thought through the implications. Possibly the author plans to cover this in the next book, but, then, it shouldn't have been introduced until that next book, as it just makes a hash of the current one.
So, the good: the Shades are fascinating creatures. What they remind me of most is the Frankenstein narrative, but instead of just one "experiment", there are a bunch happening all at once, with these newborn creatures trying to figure out their place in a violent world. Also, they were not sexual fiends/feeders, which is where a lot of authors would have gone with them.
The bad: slow to start, and, once it did get started, it didn't hold my interest well. Worse, I feel like all the characters could have handled things better, or that we needed to be given a better explanation for why certain ones (e.g. Alamea) did not. Also [SPOILER ALERT] we find out at the end that this has happened before and that there are Shades from previous attempts still around, so why didn't the Mediators already know about them, and have contingencies in place, hmm? If you want to drop that as a bombshell in the last few pages, you need to have earned it, and thought through the implications. Possibly the author plans to cover this in the next book, but, then, it shouldn't have been introduced until that next book, as it just makes a hash of the current one.
nelljustice's review
3.0
At first, the narrator wasn’t sparking my interest. Her voice for the protagonist was very hard and sharp. I thought it was just me and after listening awhile, I decided it really was just me. The protagonist is a very hard and sharp woman who is in a difficult place. She has a mystery to solve and some difficult moral choices. Her employer is not exactly understanding a new hybrid demon/human because “it’s always been done this way.” Famous last words. Kill that which you do not understand.
The narrator doesn’t use much voice range in the characters, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. I didn’t like the narrator’s voice much when I first started listening, but as I got wrapped up in the story, the voice seemed to fit better and better.
The ending isn’t a cliffhanger, nor is it a happily ever after. It’s not death and mayhem, just moving on. I like the HEA much better, but it’s ok. Give it a shot.
The narrator doesn’t use much voice range in the characters, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. I didn’t like the narrator’s voice much when I first started listening, but as I got wrapped up in the story, the voice seemed to fit better and better.
The ending isn’t a cliffhanger, nor is it a happily ever after. It’s not death and mayhem, just moving on. I like the HEA much better, but it’s ok. Give it a shot.
tartbarbie's review
4.0
Ayala is a mediator so when a demon pops up it’s for her to eliminate the threat it poses to normal humans. Being a mediator isn’t her only job either she also spends her days working for a PR firm but if it was up to her boss with all the days she misses she would be gone. Ayala was raised with the mediators so she doesn’t know her birth mother because the moment she was born her purple eyes set her future. However she hasn’t given up hope that she’s out there somewhere but when a lead takes a new twist Ayala finds a new species of demon.
At first Ayala thinks the new demon is a hybrid that is evil after fighting four that are killing humans but it’s the fifth one that makes her question her original thoughts. The more she gets to know Mason the more she learns about what might have happened to her mother as well as what the shades really are. Ayala doesn’t date even her fellow mediator who has a long standing crush doesn’t interested her. However with Mason she finds something she’s been looking for. As the mediators get close to wiping out the shades will Ayala be able to save them as well as her the people she cares about?
I like Ayala she doesn’t form strong friendships but when you’re an mediator it’s a risky job. She’s tough but still very girlie I liked that right away about her. I love the chemistry between Mason and Ayala it was interesting to see her get over her dislike of hybrids and find what she needed. I’m not sure how I feel about how the book ended them but I have high hopes for the next book.
I picked up Storm in a Teacup purely based on the cover it’s just telling me I need to read it. I wasn’t sure what to expect other than a quick glance told me it was going to be an urban fantasy. I instantly was drawn into Ayala’s fast paced world as a mediator she spends a lot of time slaying demons so she’s on the go. While the concept is a typical urban fantasy I think the author does a great adding her own unique twists to create an exciting new world. Storm in the Teacup is a fast paced action packed adventure that captures the heart as well as the imagination. I loved Ayala she’s unique and I found her character easy to connect with I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I actually finished the book in one day having a hard time putting it down because I had to know what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed the story and I’m looking forward to the next one.
At first Ayala thinks the new demon is a hybrid that is evil after fighting four that are killing humans but it’s the fifth one that makes her question her original thoughts. The more she gets to know Mason the more she learns about what might have happened to her mother as well as what the shades really are. Ayala doesn’t date even her fellow mediator who has a long standing crush doesn’t interested her. However with Mason she finds something she’s been looking for. As the mediators get close to wiping out the shades will Ayala be able to save them as well as her the people she cares about?
I like Ayala she doesn’t form strong friendships but when you’re an mediator it’s a risky job. She’s tough but still very girlie I liked that right away about her. I love the chemistry between Mason and Ayala it was interesting to see her get over her dislike of hybrids and find what she needed. I’m not sure how I feel about how the book ended them but I have high hopes for the next book.
I picked up Storm in a Teacup purely based on the cover it’s just telling me I need to read it. I wasn’t sure what to expect other than a quick glance told me it was going to be an urban fantasy. I instantly was drawn into Ayala’s fast paced world as a mediator she spends a lot of time slaying demons so she’s on the go. While the concept is a typical urban fantasy I think the author does a great adding her own unique twists to create an exciting new world. Storm in the Teacup is a fast paced action packed adventure that captures the heart as well as the imagination. I loved Ayala she’s unique and I found her character easy to connect with I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I actually finished the book in one day having a hard time putting it down because I had to know what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed the story and I’m looking forward to the next one.
rusereviews's review against another edition
4.0
I borrowed this book via Kindle Unlimited, but purchased the Audible audio for an extra $1.99. It was definitely worth it. Amber Benson does a great job for the audio.
I also really enjoyed the story. It's a very different take on demons and the like that I've ever read before. So I was really pleased with that part.
However, I was taken out of the story no less than eight times because the author described a side character as having a "cabbage-y" or "cabbage-like" face at least that many times throughout the book. There was never a different description of his face. Why not "wrinkly" or "pudgy" or "fleshy" or something like that? It was really jarring to hear the same description many times.
I think I will be continuing along with the series, because the story really is interesting. I hope in the next few novels the side character gets a different description, though.
I also really enjoyed the story. It's a very different take on demons and the like that I've ever read before. So I was really pleased with that part.
However, I was taken out of the story no less than eight times because the author described a side character as having a "cabbage-y" or "cabbage-like" face at least that many times throughout the book. There was never a different description of his face. Why not "wrinkly" or "pudgy" or "fleshy" or something like that? It was really jarring to hear the same description many times.
I think I will be continuing along with the series, because the story really is interesting. I hope in the next few novels the side character gets a different description, though.
malenkka's review against another edition
5.0
I found Storm in a Teacup difficult to put down. Ayala Storme is a wonderfully written character. She's tough without being invincible. She's flawed and admits it. The world she inhabits is very familiar to this reader, but with a some very important differences. The supporting cast are all well written with very human foibles. I highly recommend this book.
dms's review against another edition
3.0
http://dms.booklikes.com/post/1113182/review-storm-in-a-teacup
linguisticali's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable new urban fantasy series. The pacing felt somewhat uneven (with some of the main events described in the blurb only happening halfway through the book), but overall a fun and compelling read.
One small thing I particularly liked is the way the book emphasised consent any time it came to sex, and common romance tropes I was worried were unavoidable were neatly side-stepped in favour of prioritising consent.
I listened to the audiobook version (read by Amber Benson), which I recommend. There were some voices which weren't wonderfully done (Hazel's springs to mind in particular), but it was a pleasant listening experience that kept me engaged.
One small thing I particularly liked is the way the book emphasised consent any time it came to sex, and common romance tropes I was worried were unavoidable were neatly side-stepped in favour of prioritising consent.
I listened to the audiobook version (read by Amber Benson), which I recommend. There were some voices which weren't wonderfully done (Hazel's springs to mind in particular), but it was a pleasant listening experience that kept me engaged.
terriaminute's review
4.0
It is not the fault of this novel that I took so darned long to finish it. But it is to its credit that I did. I had to know what happened, despite distractions and medical changes pulling me away. I ditched three other novels in the seven months since I started this one. But I couldn't do that with this one. I had to know.
The protagonist is a snarky isolated killer (of demons), and I loved her. The plot did slow a time or two, and my state of mind allowed me to set it aside (metaphorically as I read ebooks) and read and write other things. But I kept returning, and that is the key. I had to know how this played out. And I was well rewarded; the climax is such that I could not tell what would happen, and the end sets up the sequel nicely if a little heart-breakingly. It's a solid and well-plotted fantasy. If you like smartass protagonists, you'll enjoy this.
The protagonist is a snarky isolated killer (of demons), and I loved her. The plot did slow a time or two, and my state of mind allowed me to set it aside (metaphorically as I read ebooks) and read and write other things. But I kept returning, and that is the key. I had to know how this played out. And I was well rewarded; the climax is such that I could not tell what would happen, and the end sets up the sequel nicely if a little heart-breakingly. It's a solid and well-plotted fantasy. If you like smartass protagonists, you'll enjoy this.
jaycatt7's review
4.0
Light and fun urban fantasy. Loved the characters and the world. Once or twice it seemed to dip into genre conventions a bit uncritically (can't elaborate without spoilers), but overall it was a good story. The narration by Amber Benson really helped sell it.
Kindle and ebooks have made a lot of material worth reading for cheap. This one felt like it was well worth my time. I plan to get the sequel.
Kindle and ebooks have made a lot of material worth reading for cheap. This one felt like it was well worth my time. I plan to get the sequel.
alpho's review
2.0
I'm going to be honest: I almost put it down when it revealed that Mediators are Mediators because they're born with violet eyes. And I probably should have.
I like urban fantasy when it's done well, but done well is kind of the key part of that. And for the most part this book is pretty much generic extruded urban fantasy product. Not terribly incompetent generic extruded fantasy product, and it managed to get me at least mildly interested when it finally hit the central conflict about halfway through of the organization Ayala is loyal unto death to is doing something she knows is morally unethical but can't convince them of that. But mild interest in a conflict like that is pretty damning praise.
For urban fantasy to work for me, it has to have at least two of these: An interesting protagonist, a good ensemble cast, and/or an interesting world. (A good romance rarely does much for me, but I'm not sure it would have saved this book if I had been interested, so whatever.)
Protagonist:
Ayala starts off as thoroughly generic tough girl, but gets a little more interesting when she starts having to deal with shades being capable of being people by her own standards. There were I never quite became interested in her but I could see potential, at least.
Ensemble:
Weak. Ayala isn't interested in other people and generally doesn't make strong connections with them. The most well-developed character who isn't Ayala is the sexually harassing coworker, and that's not a good sign.
Worldbuilding:
Just bad. It's a normal world with witches and demons and Mediators, but there's no real thought in changing the real world to adapt to the addition of magic. If the witches and demons and Mediators were secret, that would be fine. Since they're not, the real world mostly existing unchanged is unrealistic and lazy, and makes the whole book feel weirdly shallow. Which can be overlooked for other good qualities, but I'm not seeing a lot of those.
I like urban fantasy when it's done well, but done well is kind of the key part of that. And for the most part this book is pretty much generic extruded urban fantasy product. Not terribly incompetent generic extruded fantasy product, and it managed to get me at least mildly interested when it finally hit the central conflict about halfway through of the organization Ayala is loyal unto death to is doing something she knows is morally unethical but can't convince them of that. But mild interest in a conflict like that is pretty damning praise.
For urban fantasy to work for me, it has to have at least two of these: An interesting protagonist, a good ensemble cast, and/or an interesting world. (A good romance rarely does much for me, but I'm not sure it would have saved this book if I had been interested, so whatever.)
Protagonist:
Ayala starts off as thoroughly generic tough girl, but gets a little more interesting when she starts having to deal with shades being capable of being people by her own standards. There were I never quite became interested in her but I could see potential, at least.
Ensemble:
Weak. Ayala isn't interested in other people and generally doesn't make strong connections with them. The most well-developed character who isn't Ayala is the sexually harassing coworker, and that's not a good sign.
Worldbuilding:
Just bad. It's a normal world with witches and demons and Mediators, but there's no real thought in changing the real world to adapt to the addition of magic. If the witches and demons and Mediators were secret, that would be fine. Since they're not, the real world mostly existing unchanged is unrealistic and lazy, and makes the whole book feel weirdly shallow. Which can be overlooked for other good qualities, but I'm not seeing a lot of those.
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