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powellki's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ishouldbewriting's review against another edition
3.0
Instant intrigue. Slightly disappointed by the ending, but overall the mystery was well executed and the cat's inclusion was cute and appreciated. Not sure how I feel about the magical lore, but it was unique and I enjoyed the read.
the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
3.0
⭐⭐⭐
This one was okay. Not my favorite cozy, but not the worst I have read. I really loved the magic books angle, and the mystery was well plotted and kept me guessing. It also had a good cast of likable characters. I'll definitely pick up the next book in the series. That said, the main issue I had with it was the whole "SAM" chaos. That whole situation (and Sam himself) was way too messy for a cozy mystery. Which wouldn't have been an issue if the author didn't have Josie drooling over him constantly. I also wasn't a huge fan of how it ended either. And just to be extra nitpicky (this didn't affect my rating), but what about the baby situation? There must be some type of legality involved in such a situation?
This one was okay. Not my favorite cozy, but not the worst I have read. I really loved the magic books angle, and the mystery was well plotted and kept me guessing. It also had a good cast of likable characters. I'll definitely pick up the next book in the series. That said, the main issue I had with it was the whole "SAM" chaos. That whole situation (and Sam himself) was way too messy for a cozy mystery. Which wouldn't have been an issue if the author didn't have Josie drooling over him constantly. I also wasn't a huge fan of how it ended either. And just to be extra nitpicky (this didn't affect my rating), but what about the baby situation? There must be some type of legality involved in such a situation?
teacup02's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
Seven-Year Witch is the second book in the Witch Way Librarian series. I thought the first book in the series was a solid start, but I really enjoyed this one much more. Josie Way is coming into her own as a witch and new citizen of Wilfred Oregon. This is a paranormal cozy series and that plays a large role in how Josie solves the mystery in this installment. I like that Josie is learning how to be a witch through letters written by her grandmother with instructions and lessons. The rest of the characters are developing nicely and add to the enjoyment of the book.
The mystery was well done. I like how the author set up to believe that one person was the victim and it turns out to be someone else. As Josie and Sam try to solve the first murder, Josie's abilities help shed light on the current mystery but also how Sam's aunt was treated by the town. The author throws a nice twist into that storyline that I didn't see coming. Eventually, Josie and Sam have to solve two murders, as another is committed prior to the end of the book. Josie and Sam work well together. She has her abilities which help piece clues together and Sam has his logical FBI training which helps him work through the clues. I'm not sure if the author intends them to be a couple down the road or not, but it will be interesting to see how their relationship continues to develop. The murders were wrapped up nicely and in a rather climactic fashion.
I enjoyed this second book much more than the first and will return to Wilfred Oregon for the next installment of the series. I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The mystery was well done. I like how the author set up to believe that one person was the victim and it turns out to be someone else. As Josie and Sam try to solve the first murder, Josie's abilities help shed light on the current mystery but also how Sam's aunt was treated by the town. The author throws a nice twist into that storyline that I didn't see coming. Eventually, Josie and Sam have to solve two murders, as another is committed prior to the end of the book. Josie and Sam work well together. She has her abilities which help piece clues together and Sam has his logical FBI training which helps him work through the clues. I'm not sure if the author intends them to be a couple down the road or not, but it will be interesting to see how their relationship continues to develop. The murders were wrapped up nicely and in a rather climactic fashion.
I enjoyed this second book much more than the first and will return to Wilfred Oregon for the next installment of the series. I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
heatherace's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jemalewi's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
telerit's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy the mystery and the characters and the way the magic works in this scenario.
However, the timeline for the architectural and construction work doesn’t make sense in the real world, and that kept pulling me out of the story. I went to architecture school and my husband and sister-in-law are architects, so I have some familiarity with the process. Given that the motive hinged on this process, I was very confused.
The following is a long nit-picky discussion of architectural process, which contains a plot spoiler:
Early in the book, we have patrons in the dinner asking the architect, Lewis Cruikshank, when are they going break ground, and he answers, “soon.” Then immediately after he is asked about the design and he says he only has a few ideas jotted down. If he’s only gotten as far as a few sketches, then they are a long ways from breaking ground on the project.
The book mentioned that there were plans for "preparing the land" prior to the architectural design being completed. The architectural plans usually include whatever needs to be done to the land, so the specific building can be built. These also would include plans to deal with flood plain issues such as shoring up or rebuilding a levee. I could see that there might be a demolition crew in advance to remove the old buildings, but a lot of the site work is done after the design is completed.
Also, the contractor is usually hired after the architectural plans are done, so I was wondering why a contractor had been hired beforehand. And, whoever did the hiring didn’t do their due diligence in vetting the contractor.
And, in a way, they didn't do it with the architect, whom they hired sight unseen. Unless you are trying to make an Architectural Statement, you usually don't hire a big-name architect for a project such as this. You go with an architect whose work is similar to what you have in mind.
As to the plot point itself, if the county required that the levee be improved, there will be inspectors to ensure that any work on the levee would meet requirements. Just “spackling over” the problems wouldn’t pass inspection and any substandard work would have to be redone. So, while there are many ways for a contractor to siphon off money from a project, this particular plan didn’t make sense to me.
As the old commercial goes, "That's not how it works. That's not how any of this works." I just wish the author had done a bit more research on how design and construction of a complex project is done.
However, the timeline for the architectural and construction work doesn’t make sense in the real world, and that kept pulling me out of the story. I went to architecture school and my husband and sister-in-law are architects, so I have some familiarity with the process. Given that the motive hinged on this process, I was very confused.
The following is a long nit-picky discussion of architectural process, which contains a plot spoiler:
Spoiler
Early in the book, we have patrons in the dinner asking the architect, Lewis Cruikshank, when are they going break ground, and he answers, “soon.” Then immediately after he is asked about the design and he says he only has a few ideas jotted down. If he’s only gotten as far as a few sketches, then they are a long ways from breaking ground on the project.
The book mentioned that there were plans for "preparing the land" prior to the architectural design being completed. The architectural plans usually include whatever needs to be done to the land, so the specific building can be built. These also would include plans to deal with flood plain issues such as shoring up or rebuilding a levee. I could see that there might be a demolition crew in advance to remove the old buildings, but a lot of the site work is done after the design is completed.
Also, the contractor is usually hired after the architectural plans are done, so I was wondering why a contractor had been hired beforehand. And, whoever did the hiring didn’t do their due diligence in vetting the contractor.
And, in a way, they didn't do it with the architect, whom they hired sight unseen. Unless you are trying to make an Architectural Statement, you usually don't hire a big-name architect for a project such as this. You go with an architect whose work is similar to what you have in mind.
As to the plot point itself, if the county required that the levee be improved, there will be inspectors to ensure that any work on the levee would meet requirements. Just “spackling over” the problems wouldn’t pass inspection and any substandard work would have to be redone. So, while there are many ways for a contractor to siphon off money from a project, this particular plan didn’t make sense to me.
As the old commercial goes, "That's not how it works. That's not how any of this works." I just wish the author had done a bit more research on how design and construction of a complex project is done.