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kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars actually.
So I don't recommend reading this series out of order, if you haven't read the first and second book, don't read this one.
That said, this installment was unevenly paced, plotwise even more vague than the first two books, and the mysteries are being drawn out like slow-pulled taffy. Pet is still Pet, and we get her poking around into things she probably shouldn't, and we definitely get some Very. Interesting. Developments between her and Athelas that practically *scream* tension, it felt sooooo slow.
Somehow JinYeong's Korean dialogue, despite Pet slowly becoming more and more able to understand, doesn't help with the vagueness and oddly mundane teasing of the three psycho's conversations. In fact, now that Pet/the reader knows what he's saying, it seems oddly more to do with biscuits and sneering than the central mysteries of the series (why are the three psychos there? why doesn't JinYeong attack Zero? What happened to Athelas, why do they keep telling Pet humans can't do or understand or see anything but she definitely can?)
Athelas disappears in this book and Pet and the other two psychos must find him. Color me puzzled, but I didn't even *realize* he was actually gone for so long since Pet spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about going shopping, going to Detective Tuatu or talking to Detective Tuatu (who really had no major part in this book's story) or telling herself she was going to find Daniel (also no major part in this book).
So there was, in my opinion, a lot of filler when I wanted more of the fae politics to be revealed, as well as more development with JinYeong beyond pouting.
Still, I'll go along for another book at least to see what happens and if anything gets developed or the series is going to draw things out way too slowly, in which case I might put it aside for a while.
So I don't recommend reading this series out of order, if you haven't read the first and second book, don't read this one.
That said, this installment was unevenly paced, plotwise even more vague than the first two books, and the mysteries are being drawn out like slow-pulled taffy. Pet is still Pet, and we get her poking around into things she probably shouldn't, and we definitely get some Very. Interesting. Developments between her and Athelas that practically *scream* tension, it felt sooooo slow.
Somehow JinYeong's Korean dialogue, despite Pet slowly becoming more and more able to understand, doesn't help with the vagueness and oddly mundane teasing of the three psycho's conversations. In fact, now that Pet/the reader knows what he's saying, it seems oddly more to do with biscuits and sneering than the central mysteries of the series (why are the three psychos there? why doesn't JinYeong attack Zero? What happened to Athelas, why do they keep telling Pet humans can't do or understand or see anything but she definitely can?)
Athelas disappears in this book and Pet and the other two psychos must find him. Color me puzzled, but I didn't even *realize* he was actually gone for so long since Pet spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about going shopping, going to Detective Tuatu or talking to Detective Tuatu (who really had no major part in this book's story) or telling herself she was going to find Daniel (also no major part in this book).
So there was, in my opinion, a lot of filler when I wanted more of the fae politics to be revealed, as well as more development with JinYeong beyond pouting.
Still, I'll go along for another book at least to see what happens and if anything gets developed or the series is going to draw things out way too slowly, in which case I might put it aside for a while.
akmorgan's review against another edition
3.0
Third entry of W.R. Gingell's urban fantasy City Between series (if you are intrigued, start with book #1). Overall this one was too dark and confusing for my taste. The main mystery was never resolved satisfactorily by the end. And I don't have to have everything tied up into a neat bow, but if I'm going to go through the emotional trauma of reading about torture and murder, I need closure, darn it! I did appreciate the character development and a certain relationship is blossoming nicely. :) Even if I don't always love the plots in her books, I will always love the clever characters in Gingell's books. On to the next one in the series!
ronniewest's review against another edition
4.0
So I wasn’t sure about how the series would hold my attention on this 3rd book, but I think the author is doing a good job developing the relationships of the characters to make it worth reading (listening to) still.
carina_shephard's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 stars // read June 2021
...This review really isn't that coherent? Be prepared for rambling. :P
Things I liked:
-The way different characters responded to certain... um, emotionally traumatic.. events.
-More backstory!
-Pet and Jinyeong's relationship progresses from "you're an annoying overgrown mosquito" to "you're still an annoying overgrown mosquito but I can empathize with you more."
-Between this book and a few major spoilery hints that I've somehow managed to come across despite attempts to avoid them, things are clicking together! Still slowly, but they're a-clickin'.
-All of the moments! Pet giving Zero a hug; Pet firing back at Jinyeong in Korean; Detective Tuatu killing the "bugs"-as in, listening devices - with insect spray; Pet and Athelas- actually, let's not talk about Pet and Athelas.
-Pet relies on coffee in order to function. #relatable
-Introduction of a certain character who isn't really developed here but 110% sure that they are going to factor in some way, maybe significantly, in upcoming books. One thing about the City Between series- nobody is extraneous. Everything weaves back into the plot quite nicely and it's fun to see. Like how the dryad pops up again.
-Also the question of, "how do you know what truth is if reality is dependent on your perspective?" It's just briefly mentioned, but a really good philosophical question that arises naturally from the dual nature of stuff in Behind/Between/the human world.
-The whole concept of widdershins. I think it was first brought up when I was partially asleep listening to the audio book and so I kind of missed the explanation. But I somewhat understand the concept and it's pretty interesting.
-The narrator did a fantastic job! I particularly liked how she did Jinyeong speaking English - well, technically, he wasn't speaking English, but the meaning was in English- anyway, I liked that.
-Seriously, these books are so addictive. I may or may not have listened to four hours of this in one day... part of the time when I was supposed to be listening to my church's livestream... eep. I've already started the next book, but it's the last one available on Hoopla... :O
Content:
Violence: Less gory than the last book. Someone is killed multiple times; someone basically kills themself; mentions of torture. Someone is bitten by a vampire while they're awake and it's kind of awkward.
Sensuality: this one is tricky, because there's zero romantic attraction, but there's also a kiss and two characters of the opposite gender sleep in the same bed, but it's completely nonromantic and nothing inappropriate happens? Still kind of awkward.
Language: Nope!
...This review really isn't that coherent? Be prepared for rambling. :P
Things I liked:
-The way different characters responded to certain... um, emotionally traumatic.. events.
-More backstory!
-Pet and Jinyeong's relationship progresses from "you're an annoying overgrown mosquito" to "you're still an annoying overgrown mosquito but I can empathize with you more."
-Between this book and a few major spoilery hints that I've somehow managed to come across despite attempts to avoid them, things are clicking together! Still slowly, but they're a-clickin'.
-All of the moments! Pet giving Zero a hug; Pet firing back at Jinyeong in Korean; Detective Tuatu killing the "bugs"-as in, listening devices - with insect spray; Pet and Athelas- actually, let's not talk about Pet and Athelas.
-Pet relies on coffee in order to function. #relatable
-Introduction of a certain character who isn't really developed here but 110% sure that they are going to factor in some way, maybe significantly, in upcoming books. One thing about the City Between series- nobody is extraneous. Everything weaves back into the plot quite nicely and it's fun to see. Like how the dryad pops up again.
-Also the question of, "how do you know what truth is if reality is dependent on your perspective?" It's just briefly mentioned, but a really good philosophical question that arises naturally from the dual nature of stuff in Behind/Between/the human world.
-The whole concept of widdershins. I think it was first brought up when I was partially asleep listening to the audio book and so I kind of missed the explanation. But I somewhat understand the concept and it's pretty interesting.
-The narrator did a fantastic job! I particularly liked how she did Jinyeong speaking English - well, technically, he wasn't speaking English, but the meaning was in English- anyway, I liked that.
-Seriously, these books are so addictive. I may or may not have listened to four hours of this in one day... part of the time when I was supposed to be listening to my church's livestream... eep. I've already started the next book, but it's the last one available on Hoopla... :O
Content:
Violence: Less gory than the last book. Someone is killed multiple times; someone basically kills themself; mentions of torture. Someone is bitten by a vampire while they're awake and it's kind of awkward.
Sensuality: this one is tricky, because there's zero romantic attraction, but there's also a kiss and two characters of the opposite gender sleep in the same bed, but it's completely nonromantic and nothing inappropriate happens? Still kind of awkward.
Language: Nope!
cornflower's review
dark
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
clairetrellahill's review against another edition
4.0
The series keeps getting better and better! This book was also stressful but still had the humor and house antics of the previous ones. Neat!
lthornsl's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ktusagi16's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing
It was a fantastic read. I've loved every book in this series and absolutely cannot wait for the next book. It's so exciting!
It was a fantastic read. I've loved every book in this series and absolutely cannot wait for the next book. It's so exciting!
bunnerz's review against another edition
4.0
Ratings - completed series:
#1 Between Jobs: ★★★★☆
#2 Between Shifts: ★★★★☆
#3 Between Floors (this book): ★★★★☆
#4 Between Frames: ★★★★☆
#5 Between Homes: ★★★★☆
#5.5 Cloudy With a Chance of Dropbears: ★★★★☆
#6 Between Walls: ★★★★☆
#6.5 All the Different Shades of Blue: ★★★★★
#7 Between Cases: ★★★★★
#8 Between Decisions: ★★★★★
#9 Between Family: ★★★★★
#10 Between Kings: ★★★★☆
#1 Between Jobs: ★★★★☆
#2 Between Shifts: ★★★★☆
#3 Between Floors (this book): ★★★★☆
#4 Between Frames: ★★★★☆
#5 Between Homes: ★★★★☆
#5.5 Cloudy With a Chance of Dropbears: ★★★★☆
#6 Between Walls: ★★★★☆
#6.5 All the Different Shades of Blue: ★★★★★
#7 Between Cases: ★★★★★
#8 Between Decisions: ★★★★★
#9 Between Family: ★★★★★
#10 Between Kings: ★★★★☆