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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
I happened onto this book rather accidentally. I was surprised by how much I liked it. An interesting take on the story of alchemists, eternal life and the like. Great world building, pacing and characters. Looking forward to reading more.
edited to add: I think this book is a cozy in disguise. the pacing, mundane details about food and nature, those are all hallmarks of a cozy mystery. I feel like some of these reviewers weren't prepared for that and that's part of the reason they were left so unhappy.
edited to add: I think this book is a cozy in disguise. the pacing, mundane details about food and nature, those are all hallmarks of a cozy mystery. I feel like some of these reviewers weren't prepared for that and that's part of the reason they were left so unhappy.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-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
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was really looking forward to this, especially because the first chapter was really promising because that was the chapter when Dorian appeared. But then, as I continued to listen on, it kind of dragged on. I think that there were too many unnecessary domestic scenes in the house or between the three characters. I think I understand that the author was trying to build the found family, but perhaps it was done in excess. So there were a lot of parts that were boring.
I also found the police pretty stupid to have given Sam the tea that he requested, considering that they were working with tainted herbs. I don't know how they could not have seen that Especially because it was in strange request. If it was the only way to make him talk, they should've at least insured that they knew what was in the tea. That seems like a basic thing to do, always know what you're giving to your suspect. *A strange request and
I really should have DNF'd this one.
It had so much promise:
✅ Set in Portland
✅ Gargoyle! Like a real, comes to life gargoyle!
✅ Alchemy
The execution was poor. Zoe is such a stereotypical Portlander, but she's also "not like other girls" it's annoying. We're constantly reminded that she has recently decided to treat her body like a temple, so no coffee (everyone gasp), she's vegan, she grows her own herbs. And because of these, she is better than others. She constantly gets turned around in town, because she can't be bothered to look up directions.
There's this tea shop near by that apparently everyone knows of and loves, where all the regulars know each other. And she likes to remind us of how she can pick out all the flavors in the tea.
This book spans about a week. Within a day of moving into her home, a man found dead on her front porch. But it's cool, she's just gunna watch this local kid while his mom is out of town, cause the woman who own the tea shop who was supposed to watch him is now in a coma. That's not sketchy or anything. Very very trusting people here. They all act as if they're in this tiny little town and not Portland, OR. Like, bffr, this woman just got here, bought this old run down house everything thinks is haunted, people she's interacted with are dead or in a coma, but yeah, have her watch your kid for ya.
The narrator was fine, but if there are landmarks in the book, learn to pronounce them correctly. Especially PNW ones that have history in the names and pronunciations.
It had so much promise:
✅ Set in Portland
✅ Gargoyle! Like a real, comes to life gargoyle!
✅ Alchemy
The execution was poor. Zoe is such a stereotypical Portlander, but she's also "not like other girls" it's annoying. We're constantly reminded that she has recently decided to treat her body like a temple, so no coffee (everyone gasp), she's vegan, she grows her own herbs. And because of these, she is better than others. She constantly gets turned around in town, because she can't be bothered to look up directions.
There's this tea shop near by that apparently everyone knows of and loves, where all the regulars know each other. And she likes to remind us of how she can pick out all the flavors in the tea.
This book spans about a week. Within a day of moving into her home, a man found dead on her front porch. But it's cool, she's just gunna watch this local kid while his mom is out of town, cause the woman who own the tea shop who was supposed to watch him is now in a coma. That's not sketchy or anything. Very very trusting people here. They all act as if they're in this tiny little town and not Portland, OR. Like, bffr, this woman just got here, bought this old run down house everything thinks is haunted, people she's interacted with are dead or in a coma, but yeah, have her watch your kid for ya.
The narrator was fine, but if there are landmarks in the book, learn to pronounce them correctly. Especially PNW ones that have history in the names and pronunciations.
A cozy mystery featuring a grumpy French chef gargoyle with a petrification problem; an immortal alchemist and herbalist with a bent towards problem solving; a curious teenager with a knack for making and fixing trouble; and a detective love interest who sometimes disagrees with the alchemists investigative strategies
mysterious
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
Decent mystery with some fantasy.
Very cosy, gentle mystery. I listened on audiobook and actually loved the descriptions of herbs and alchemy and food that other people hated - it was exactly what I needed at the time as a soothing, entertaining but non-demanding distraction. I’ll likely continue to listen to the series.
A cute little urban fantasy mystery - if you can get past the constant Portlandian vegan proselytizing. Like, we get it, she's a vegan, but do we really need a description of Every. Single. Thing. the characters ate and drank?! Half of this book sounds like a Facebook mommy health nut group. The MC can't stay up late at night because her body is so "in tune with nature's rhythm" and she can "smell toxins" from across a room!
That said, I did enjoy the mystery, and Dorian is really cute. I just think this was written for a very specific audience, and I'm not in that group!
That said, I did enjoy the mystery, and Dorian is really cute. I just think this was written for a very specific audience, and I'm not in that group!