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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Wow!
Wow! It's a slow burn but it's so good. This writer knows how to build up tension while still telling a really amazing urban fantasy. I can't wait to read more.
Wow! It's a slow burn but it's so good. This writer knows how to build up tension while still telling a really amazing urban fantasy. I can't wait to read more.
An intriguing start to a series - so much potential
This the first book in what I think will be a fabulous series. It’s an introduction to several characters and their magical/paranormal world. The author described this as a slow burn reverse harem, and I’d double emphasize SLOW! This first book has Laila eyeing several gorgeous men and them eyeing her right back, but not much more than a couple kisses occur and a couple of those are on the back of her hand or a cheek.
The main character, Laila I’d 19 years old and a super powerful magic-user of unknown family origins. She is intelligent, extremely confident and more comfortable in her lab than out among a lot of people. Some readers may not appreciate a female character who can seemingly do everything, but I enjoy the occasional book featuring a powerful, capable female kicking tushies and taking names. It’s a nice balance for all the other books I read where the female characters aren’t like this.
KU
This the first book in what I think will be a fabulous series. It’s an introduction to several characters and their magical/paranormal world. The author described this as a slow burn reverse harem, and I’d double emphasize SLOW! This first book has Laila eyeing several gorgeous men and them eyeing her right back, but not much more than a couple kisses occur and a couple of those are on the back of her hand or a cheek.
The main character, Laila I’d 19 years old and a super powerful magic-user of unknown family origins. She is intelligent, extremely confident and more comfortable in her lab than out among a lot of people. Some readers may not appreciate a female character who can seemingly do everything, but I enjoy the occasional book featuring a powerful, capable female kicking tushies and taking names. It’s a nice balance for all the other books I read where the female characters aren’t like this.
KU
Slow burn keeps you guessing who will be in the harem, but the plot keeps you engaged throughout. And I really like that the MFC knew her limits and asked for help when needed.
Science & magic!
I love a story that knows how to blend tech and magic so seamlessly... as this one does. It takes a simple concept, a security company, and injects it with the supernatural legends of magic, vampires, dragons and shifters. It’s unique and well done, presenting a slow burn story that dances the blade of romance and action nicely.
Pros:
- Unique.
- She’s strong, but a lab rat at heart.
- Black dog. Rather love him.
- Explanations are easy to understand.
Cons:
- Her youth, no matter how tempered by strength, experience and intelligence, is showcased by her naivety with the emotional reactions of the men around her. It’s hard to jive with the character she is otherwise.
I love a story that knows how to blend tech and magic so seamlessly... as this one does. It takes a simple concept, a security company, and injects it with the supernatural legends of magic, vampires, dragons and shifters. It’s unique and well done, presenting a slow burn story that dances the blade of romance and action nicely.
Pros:
- Unique.
- She’s strong, but a lab rat at heart.
- Black dog. Rather love him.
- Explanations are easy to understand.
Cons:
- Her youth, no matter how tempered by strength, experience and intelligence, is showcased by her naivety with the emotional reactions of the men around her. It’s hard to jive with the character she is otherwise.
adventurous
slow-paced
LOVED! This is what RH should be.
Ok this is a 4.5, but they don't let us give half stars.
What I love:
It was well written. There are occasional errors but they are egregious.
Burwell actually takes time to develop the story, the world, the characters. Everyone doesn't meet and fall into bed as so often happens in RH. Paranormal RH is especially egregious in having an instant connection and allowing that to be the reason the characters can't keep their hands off each other. That isn't the case here. You join the main character 5 months into her career with the company that is the main backdrop of the story having already established friendships with the supporting cast, so as interest and flirtations arise they feel natural and not forced.
The plot is well written so that you aren't anticipating everything that is going to happen. Sure there are elements that you can predict, but you aren't reading basically bored because you figured the whole thing out from page 2. There are a lot of questions raised and things started that leave you wanting more without ending in a cliffhanger so that you are in turmoil waiting to find out what is next. Thank you so much for that Burwell.
The bad:
There isn't much here. Like I said there is the occasional error, but for self published its perfect. Minor spoiler ahead. My only real gripe is the manner in which the main character's role changes in the company. She is a lab tech who suddenly becomes the head of security for a security company, is spotting things outside of her area of expertise that all of these security guys should have noticed and is running things and making decisions and going places in a way that feels forced. She makes magical tech but somehow that translates into knowing all of the blind spots in a security system that the best security company in the world.would have overlooked. Even her point in not underestimating humans feels like one that shouldn't need to be made because the company employs humans in some of its too meat head positions meaning they know how effective humans can be. It would have made much more sense if the boss man came in and said work with this team, one of the guys pointed out get they can climb in this window or this duct is a vulnerability and then she came up with the magical tech protections and the idea to strengthen the ward. You could still have her in the tech room running things because he was the only one who could spot the magical blips, and the boss man enamoured with her giving some.extra access, but as written it just doesn't make sense and I found myself pulled out of the story wondering why this top security company sucked so much at its job.
My second complaint is I can't really tell what the world is like. Sometimes I get the sense it's just the regular world but magic and super natural are out in the open and other times I get the sense that it's this weird quasi dystopian world where the cities are few and far between and there isn't a central government at least not one that we would recognize. I can't tell if there is a magical authority that has the enforcers who work along side the police or if this is like a modern wild west.
The complaints are nitpicky I know, but Burwell asked for reviews and if I was going to make improvements those would be the two sorts of areas I would improve on. Define the world a little better and don't force the character into a position for the story that fights against logic and the world you have created.
Other than that I'm anticipating a harem of two otherly strong creatures, two humans, and two shifters, and a few other characters I could see thrown in. I'm already attached to these six as love interests so I'm going to be very devastated if it doesn't happen, and I guess the humans will have to become vampires or something so it is a long lasting love affair. Don't let me down Burwell. I have must be in the harem names of you need them!
Great job!
Ok this is a 4.5, but they don't let us give half stars.
What I love:
It was well written. There are occasional errors but they are egregious.
Burwell actually takes time to develop the story, the world, the characters. Everyone doesn't meet and fall into bed as so often happens in RH. Paranormal RH is especially egregious in having an instant connection and allowing that to be the reason the characters can't keep their hands off each other. That isn't the case here. You join the main character 5 months into her career with the company that is the main backdrop of the story having already established friendships with the supporting cast, so as interest and flirtations arise they feel natural and not forced.
The plot is well written so that you aren't anticipating everything that is going to happen. Sure there are elements that you can predict, but you aren't reading basically bored because you figured the whole thing out from page 2. There are a lot of questions raised and things started that leave you wanting more without ending in a cliffhanger so that you are in turmoil waiting to find out what is next. Thank you so much for that Burwell.
The bad:
There isn't much here. Like I said there is the occasional error, but for self published its perfect. Minor spoiler ahead. My only real gripe is the manner in which the main character's role changes in the company. She is a lab tech who suddenly becomes the head of security for a security company, is spotting things outside of her area of expertise that all of these security guys should have noticed and is running things and making decisions and going places in a way that feels forced. She makes magical tech but somehow that translates into knowing all of the blind spots in a security system that the best security company in the world.would have overlooked. Even her point in not underestimating humans feels like one that shouldn't need to be made because the company employs humans in some of its too meat head positions meaning they know how effective humans can be. It would have made much more sense if the boss man came in and said work with this team, one of the guys pointed out get they can climb in this window or this duct is a vulnerability and then she came up with the magical tech protections and the idea to strengthen the ward. You could still have her in the tech room running things because he was the only one who could spot the magical blips, and the boss man enamoured with her giving some.extra access, but as written it just doesn't make sense and I found myself pulled out of the story wondering why this top security company sucked so much at its job.
My second complaint is I can't really tell what the world is like. Sometimes I get the sense it's just the regular world but magic and super natural are out in the open and other times I get the sense that it's this weird quasi dystopian world where the cities are few and far between and there isn't a central government at least not one that we would recognize. I can't tell if there is a magical authority that has the enforcers who work along side the police or if this is like a modern wild west.
The complaints are nitpicky I know, but Burwell asked for reviews and if I was going to make improvements those would be the two sorts of areas I would improve on. Define the world a little better and don't force the character into a position for the story that fights against logic and the world you have created.
Other than that I'm anticipating a harem of two otherly strong creatures, two humans, and two shifters, and a few other characters I could see thrown in. I'm already attached to these six as love interests so I'm going to be very devastated if it doesn't happen, and I guess the humans will have to become vampires or something so it is a long lasting love affair. Don't let me down Burwell. I have must be in the harem names of you need them!
Great job!
Rating: 4 Stars
Book 1 of 5 in the Biomystic Security series.
I almost passed on this book after reading some of its more critical reviews, but ultimately decided to take a chance and form my own opinion. Imagine my surprise when I didn’t want to put it down.
Setting:
There were so many unique aspects that caught my interest, but at the top of the list is the setting. It was more implied than outright stated that Laila lives in an America where
Westward expansion following the Louisiana Purchase failed due to the sentient and wild magic of the Wild West [the author herself never actually uses the term “Wild West,” but I think it’s perfect giving the context].
Romance:
I’m enjoying the slow-burn of the romance, and how Burwell spent this book establishing friendships built on mutual care and respect between Lailah and her love interests.
Writing & Pacing:
This was such a smooth reading experience, the writing easily immersing me in the story. I didn’t mind the FMC’s detailed inner-monologue magic related explanations, but that’s just me personally.
Characters
I’m not invested in any of them yet, but I am intrigued.
Title:[b: Magical Intentions
(Biomystic Security #1)
by Jaliza A. Burwell]
POV(s): Single—First Person (FMC)
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: No
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:
Spoiler
TBDRelationship: Reverse Harem
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Triggers:
Spoiler
Implied child neglect and abuseTags/Tropes:
❖ Alternate-History/USA
❖ Gifted-Magical-Prodigy-FMC
❖ Magic
❖ Orphan-FMC
❖ Security-Company
❖ Shifters-Vampires-Mages-Witches
As what this is supposed to be, a slow burn reverse harem it doesn't completely fit. I mean yeah she was attracted to a lot of guys but unless she's going to hook up with half the company, I couldn't tell you exactly who will end up in her circle other than her boss.
Also the way she thought and her habits didn't line up with the idea that she's 19. Being smart and powerful was one thing but her living habits, her drinking habits and already knowing what she wants with men just don't jive. She's reads like she's at least in her mid to late 20s and no matter the background I can't buy that from a 19 year old. Also two things one another tall woman which is way better than blonde but still used too often. And two, what kind of heels take you from 5'7" to over 6ft? Those don't sound like heels they sound like deadly weapons.
Overall though I found the story and the company interesting. The cast of characters was unique and I found myself wanting to know more about them and their world. I can't want to read more.
Also the way she thought and her habits didn't line up with the idea that she's 19. Being smart and powerful was one thing but her living habits, her drinking habits and already knowing what she wants with men just don't jive. She's reads like she's at least in her mid to late 20s and no matter the background I can't buy that from a 19 year old. Also two things one another tall woman which is way better than blonde but still used too often. And two, what kind of heels take you from 5'7" to over 6ft? Those don't sound like heels they sound like deadly weapons.
Overall though I found the story and the company interesting. The cast of characters was unique and I found myself wanting to know more about them and their world. I can't want to read more.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Incredible
I was recommended this book when searching for action thriller romances in a reading group. It was exact what I needed!
The world building is very good, especially the magic/energy set up.
The characters are all very interesting so far. I adore the FMCs attitude and how she interacts with everyone around her.
On you Book number two to see what happens next!!
I was recommended this book when searching for action thriller romances in a reading group. It was exact what I needed!
The world building is very good, especially the magic/energy set up.
The characters are all very interesting so far. I adore the FMCs attitude and how she interacts with everyone around her.
On you Book number two to see what happens next!!