Scan barcode
sarahlreadseverything's review
2.0
2.5 rounding down.
Has flashes of brilliance, but shows a far far less developed writer than her later Clandestine trilogy.
Has flashes of brilliance, but shows a far far less developed writer than her later Clandestine trilogy.
themanfromdelmonte's review
3.0
This is a by-the-numbers romantic thriller with some magical events thrown in. Not too sure about the idea of magic as a fifth force in nature and required for the correct functioning of microchips, or that, once again, only anglophones know about it.
The author does have a bit of a bee in her bonnet about emancipation but less so than in her Clandestine trilogy. Anyway, in summary, the bad guys are vanquished and the heroine gets her man
The author does have a bit of a bee in her bonnet about emancipation but less so than in her Clandestine trilogy. Anyway, in summary, the bad guys are vanquished and the heroine gets her man
jen286's review
3.0
Hmm...this was an interesting read for me. I enjoyed the book and the story, but it read like a children's book for me. Not sure that is what the author meant, but it was good, just unexpected and so I kept having issues with the story. I kept forgetting that Emily is supposed to be older. I remember in the middle of the book she yells how she is 26 and I thought wait what? Really? I kept thinking she lived at home and was an early teenager. Not that she was an adult, living on her own with a college degree and teaching. I am not that much older than her, but man she did not seem her age at all. And it was not just the child like wonder and amazement with magic. It was just how she acted. I am basically a big kid myself, but I don't really act like a child...like you can still tell I am an adult (though if you come in my house most people assume I have kids...which I don't and when they find out they look at me strangely...like why all the toys then?). So I get the child-like aspect she should have, but she just came off like a child to me.
It is not that I didn't like Emily, though she did get on my nerves at times with how immature she was. If she could have done the same things in a different way and I wouldn't have been as annoyed by them. She is very naive and very....she wants her way all the time. Hartgrove didn't want to teach her about magic, but she just keeps pestering him until he gives in somewhat. She could be a bit annoying at times, but she was not all bad. I did enjoyed her wonder of magic and if this was a children's book and was younger then I think she would be a great character. As an adult she just didn't make sense to me so I had some issues trying to resolve that in my mind.
Hartgrove was fun. I liked how grumpy he was, how he always egged Emily on and riled her up. I liked how he felt responsible for some horrible things that had happened so he was trying to right the wrongs. I enjoyed reading him, though the end where he tells Emily a sort of lie was a bit much. I didn't understand why Emily was dead set on that sort of lie (not really, but it kind of is) being something that makes her be unhappy forever, especially since she didn't get any details! It is obvious that if you knew Hartgrove he blames himself for a lot of things. It just seemed a bit much that she wouldn't even try and get the details and see it from his point of view. Again if she were much younger I would have just written this off to age, but she is older and it didn't make sense to me. It felt like she was just being a stubborn little kid.
As for the basic story I enjoyed it. I don't read many stories about magic and it was a fun read. Again there were parts where I was just like really? I also felt it was a bit simplistic and I just can't get the idea that it is a children's book out of my head. It is like the early Harry Potter books. I read them and could understand why everyone loved them so much, but they still read like children's books to me. They were kids books, but not written like the children were idiots so adults could read them as well. Good, but not amazing adult books. Does that even make sense? It is just a different category for me and while I enjoyed the story a lot it still was missing something to make it more grown up. I don't know. I enjoyed it, but have a hard time reconciling everything in my head.
It is not that I didn't like Emily, though she did get on my nerves at times with how immature she was. If she could have done the same things in a different way and I wouldn't have been as annoyed by them. She is very naive and very....she wants her way all the time. Hartgrove didn't want to teach her about magic, but she just keeps pestering him until he gives in somewhat. She could be a bit annoying at times, but she was not all bad. I did enjoyed her wonder of magic and if this was a children's book and was younger then I think she would be a great character. As an adult she just didn't make sense to me so I had some issues trying to resolve that in my mind.
Hartgrove was fun. I liked how grumpy he was, how he always egged Emily on and riled her up. I liked how he felt responsible for some horrible things that had happened so he was trying to right the wrongs. I enjoyed reading him, though the end where he tells Emily a sort of lie was a bit much. I didn't understand why Emily was dead set on that sort of lie (not really, but it kind of is) being something that makes her be unhappy forever, especially since she didn't get any details! It is obvious that if you knew Hartgrove he blames himself for a lot of things. It just seemed a bit much that she wouldn't even try and get the details and see it from his point of view. Again if she were much younger I would have just written this off to age, but she is older and it didn't make sense to me. It felt like she was just being a stubborn little kid.
As for the basic story I enjoyed it. I don't read many stories about magic and it was a fun read. Again there were parts where I was just like really? I also felt it was a bit simplistic and I just can't get the idea that it is a children's book out of my head. It is like the early Harry Potter books. I read them and could understand why everyone loved them so much, but they still read like children's books to me. They were kids books, but not written like the children were idiots so adults could read them as well. Good, but not amazing adult books. Does that even make sense? It is just a different category for me and while I enjoyed the story a lot it still was missing something to make it more grown up. I don't know. I enjoyed it, but have a hard time reconciling everything in my head.
blueshadow's review
4.0
The novel seemed a bit shallow - characters a little flat, background details a bit lacking, underlying premise rather implausible, but then again, I can't think of a single "magic in our real world" book that had a premise that I found plausible. It's MAGIC. In the real world. So. Mostly, those things didn't matter, because that wasn't the point of the book. It was a light and easy read, very focused on action and plot. No deep insights, just a fun story. If that's what you are looking for, you will probably enjoy it.
taranaimc's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ptaradactyl's review
adventurous
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
kerris84's review
3.0
This book was recommended me to by a fellow Bibliophile. I was pleased that I listened as I really enjoyed it. I don't often rate books on KU highly, but this has made me realise that there are some good ones there. An enjoyable read.
cronchbonch's review
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
4.0
A solid 4.
I loved the characters and their interactions. I was constantly laughing and excited to see what they did. Which was quite an adventure.
The writing broke submersion for me in a few places during transitional areas and some action scenes. That includes an akwardly described sex scene. But im strangely mostly upset that MC speed dialed a person by pressing 1. That is always voice-mail. You cant speed dial a person using that number. That and the German guy runs a decent Mexican food restaurant just...I cant accept it. Magic sure. This no.
I'd have loved to have read this after a few more rounds of edits. I think the the love story and evil wizard plot could be intertwined more. And it would be a beautiful intriguing book.
I loved the characters and their interactions. I was constantly laughing and excited to see what they did. Which was quite an adventure.
The writing broke submersion for me in a few places during transitional areas and some action scenes. That includes an akwardly described sex scene. But im strangely mostly upset that MC speed dialed a person by pressing 1. That is always voice-mail. You cant speed dial a person using that number. That and the German guy runs a decent Mexican food restaurant just...I cant accept it. Magic sure. This no.
I'd have loved to have read this after a few more rounds of edits. I think the the love story and evil wizard plot could be intertwined more. And it would be a beautiful intriguing book.
jksteach's review
5.0
Oh, I enjoyed this so much!
Emily has always wanted to be the hero in a magical adventure and when she finally stumbles on one it’s in the form of Alexander Hartgrave - IT guy at the Iowa college where she’s teaching and hidden wizard. But Alex is grumpy and difficult and wants nothing to do with her.
This is a sweet enemies (or grumpy acquaintances) to lovers contemporary romantic fantasy. I really enjoyed the banter and the relationship between Emily and Alex. I’d love to see more in this world!
4.5
Emily has always wanted to be the hero in a magical adventure and when she finally stumbles on one it’s in the form of Alexander Hartgrave - IT guy at the Iowa college where she’s teaching and hidden wizard. But Alex is grumpy and difficult and wants nothing to do with her.
This is a sweet enemies (or grumpy acquaintances) to lovers contemporary romantic fantasy. I really enjoyed the banter and the relationship between Emily and Alex. I’d love to see more in this world!
4.5
ebgracie77's review
5.0
I love love this book. I’ve met IT guys just like this snarky, competent jerk with a heart of gold. Fun view of a world like ours but different.