Scan barcode
willa_reads_books's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i just love her writing and characters
gcyawg's review
Her trying-too-hard-to-be-cool-and-funny writing style was grating already (she quoted MEMES), and then two hours in it hit a HUGE exposition dump with some truly ridiculous chosen-one lore and I just couldn’t do it 💀
cricket58's review
5.0
I loved this book so much! The characters are well developed and well written. The story has just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and guessing what is going to happen next. I loved the unique story line as well.
Defiance Dayne is flat broke when she inherits a huge old house from someone that she doesn't even know. And that is where all of the craziness begins. I love a story that keeps me on my toes and this one sure did. The scenes are very well written so much so that you can picture each place in your mind.
I love that the main character is in her Forties and that she is no ones pushover. This one is a must buy for anyone who loves a good paranormal fiction with a strong female lead that just happens to be more seasoned.
I can not wait until the next book in the series comes out.
Defiance Dayne is flat broke when she inherits a huge old house from someone that she doesn't even know. And that is where all of the craziness begins. I love a story that keeps me on my toes and this one sure did. The scenes are very well written so much so that you can picture each place in your mind.
I love that the main character is in her Forties and that she is no ones pushover. This one is a must buy for anyone who loves a good paranormal fiction with a strong female lead that just happens to be more seasoned.
I can not wait until the next book in the series comes out.
witcheep's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The premise of the book is interesting, but the execution made me feel uncomfortable. The main things that were too offputting to me were these:
- Gigi's inconsistency in the instructions for main character Defiance's
powers . More details in the spoiler:Gigi insists that Defiance needs to keep the powers as a secret, but also Gigi already told the whole town that Defiance would take up her witchy business because she is more powerful than Gigi herself – even though Defiance doesn't even know that she is a witch. Way to take a granddaughter's agency away by dictating her identity to everyone. 😬🚩 - Defiance and everyone else objectifying the kilt-wearing handyman, who is then reduced to being just sexy eyecandy. I don't like when a chracter's job is to be just agreaable eyecandy, and I like it even less when it's combined with insta-lust and everyone being fine with the behaviors that objectify someone. Give the characters more personality or, at the very least, address how problematic these kinds of situations are, please.
Momentarily I managed to follow the plot beyond these topics coming up, but especially the objectifying was far too frequent in the book for me to be able to actually enjoy the reading experience as a whole.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcohol, Classism, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and Grief
kkomo's review
5.0
Absolute 5 stars. Hell, give it 6.
I’m recently really into reading all of the PWF books that have come out of this amazing group of authors. Some have been good, some have been entertaining but mediocre. This one is (sorry KFB bc you’re always my favorite) the ABSOLUTE BEST.
Preface: I’m a voracious reader, and I don’t reap unending compliments easily, but I seriously couldn’t speak high enough for this book.
Incredibly well written, with great pacing, amazing characters, and a perfect plot, this is my fav PWF book. Defiance doesn’t just find out about magic and accept it suddenly, becoming all-knowing instantly. No, she flounders and doesn’t believe and bam- there’s a reason she doesn’t have to learn epic tomes of witchy history and spells. She’s relatable in a way that very few characters are; she’s random & doesn’t really have her crap together. I did consistently forget she was 40+, bc in this book, her age wasn’t a starring role, it was on the periphery. Annette is the perfect side kick. I could say more, but she’s just perfect. Roane (is that how you spell it- I just said “Roarke “ in my head the whole time- not important), anyway that guy is the epitome of awesome. Written with the best balance of mystery and sex appeal, I couldn’t wait to read more about him. Ruthie warms my heart; her dads
I’m recently really into reading all of the PWF books that have come out of this amazing group of authors. Some have been good, some have been entertaining but mediocre. This one is (sorry KFB bc you’re always my favorite) the ABSOLUTE BEST.
Preface: I’m a voracious reader, and I don’t reap unending compliments easily, but I seriously couldn’t speak high enough for this book.
Incredibly well written, with great pacing, amazing characters, and a perfect plot, this is my fav PWF book. Defiance doesn’t just find out about magic and accept it suddenly, becoming all-knowing instantly. No, she flounders and doesn’t believe and bam- there’s a reason she doesn’t have to learn epic tomes of witchy history and spells. She’s relatable in a way that very few characters are; she’s random & doesn’t really have her crap together. I did consistently forget she was 40+, bc in this book, her age wasn’t a starring role, it was on the periphery. Annette is the perfect side kick. I could say more, but she’s just perfect. Roane (is that how you spell it- I just said “Roarke “ in my head the whole time- not important), anyway that guy is the epitome of awesome. Written with the best balance of mystery and sex appeal, I couldn’t wait to read more about him. Ruthie warms my heart; her dads
ktavenue's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
franb_42's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
missnatalieann's review
4.0
I have enjoyed Darynda Jones's other series so I thought I would give this one a try and I did not regret it. There are many elements that appear in Draynda's other books that are here as well, the broody man that has secrets, the quirky character that speaks her mind, and a few odd characters that will continue to pop up I'm sure. It has an interesting premise and I look forward to seeing how it progresses in the next book.