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A review by frankvanmeer
Desprite Measures (Caledonian Sprite, #1) by Deborah Jay
4.0
First, let me ask you a question. In this novel, several places and landmarks are being described. In the first part of the book, the places described, were hyperlinks, linking to to websites about said places. While this is great for actually seeing pictures, I have to wonder, was this book sponsored? The bookstore where Gloria and Cassie meet is a real place, and the Tourist Board of Scotland can be happy with the (gorgeous, I have to admit) loactions of interest pointed out.
It was the first time for with this kind of links, and I'm not sure what to think of it. How do other people think about this?
Well, let's move on to the book.
I think the first 75% was awesome. It was so refreshing to read about a supernatural character doing her best to fit in, and often times, failing hard at it. Cassie's continuously struggling with humans and their emotions and habits. But she does reasonably well, making friends along the way and actually enjoying it.
Things become complicated rather quickly though, because an unsavoury character with magical abilities cause everything she carefully built up over the many years start to crumble down at a fast pace. After being captured by him, together with another elemental, they escape and set out to stop him. But he's always a step ahead of them, causing more and more problems. Along the way, she is introduced to a coven of witches, which seem to have plans of their own with her.
The story was doing pretty well in my opinion, up until she meets a hedge witch, who seem to think Cassie is capable of more things than just being immortal. And that is where the story started to lose interest for me. I can't say much about it without spoiling things, but what she can do after the meeting with hedgewitch felt a bit unnecessary for me, and was damaging the carefully built up character that was Cassie.
Also, her doubts and indecision about handling the situation started to annoy me. While Gloria is determined to end things in a permanent way, Cassie still believes they can talk the villain out his plans. Seriously, after 3 attempts to abduct her, alienating her long time friend, and destroying her life as she knows it, she still believes talking is going to solve it? Really? At least a swift kick to the balls would be appropriate, but no, let's talk about it, shall we? At least Gloria was realistic about it, and at least she had no qualms with ending things the permanent way.
What I also thought was unnecessary was the insta love thing Cassie had for Gloria. As opposing elements, she knows that can't ever be together ( for fear of destruction of a large landmass, not to mention the existence of both of them), she can't stop thinking and lusting about her throughout the whole book. It was a bit annoying.
Also, I felt the vampire was not needed, he comes out of nowhere, and doesn't fit the worldbuilding. Sure, if elementals can exist, and witches and fey, why not vampires? (and god forbid, the obligatory werewolf). But he didn't seem to fit in. At least to me.
All in and all, I will be reading the sequel, Cassie and her world deserve it, and I can recommend this one without hesitation. But please, I beg of you, no werewolves.
It was the first time for with this kind of links, and I'm not sure what to think of it. How do other people think about this?
Well, let's move on to the book.
I think the first 75% was awesome. It was so refreshing to read about a supernatural character doing her best to fit in, and often times, failing hard at it. Cassie's continuously struggling with humans and their emotions and habits. But she does reasonably well, making friends along the way and actually enjoying it.
Things become complicated rather quickly though, because an unsavoury character with magical abilities cause everything she carefully built up over the many years start to crumble down at a fast pace. After being captured by him, together with another elemental, they escape and set out to stop him. But he's always a step ahead of them, causing more and more problems. Along the way, she is introduced to a coven of witches, which seem to have plans of their own with her.
The story was doing pretty well in my opinion, up until she meets a hedge witch, who seem to think Cassie is capable of more things than just being immortal. And that is where the story started to lose interest for me. I can't say much about it without spoiling things, but what she can do after the meeting with hedgewitch felt a bit unnecessary for me, and was damaging the carefully built up character that was Cassie.
Also, her doubts and indecision about handling the situation started to annoy me. While Gloria is determined to end things in a permanent way, Cassie still believes they can talk the villain out his plans. Seriously, after 3 attempts to abduct her, alienating her long time friend, and destroying her life as she knows it, she still believes talking is going to solve it? Really? At least a swift kick to the balls would be appropriate, but no, let's talk about it, shall we? At least Gloria was realistic about it, and at least she had no qualms with ending things the permanent way.
What I also thought was unnecessary was the insta love thing Cassie had for Gloria. As opposing elements, she knows that can't ever be together ( for fear of destruction of a large landmass, not to mention the existence of both of them), she can't stop thinking and lusting about her throughout the whole book. It was a bit annoying.
Also, I felt the vampire was not needed, he comes out of nowhere, and doesn't fit the worldbuilding. Sure, if elementals can exist, and witches and fey, why not vampires? (and god forbid, the obligatory werewolf). But he didn't seem to fit in. At least to me.
All in and all, I will be reading the sequel, Cassie and her world deserve it, and I can recommend this one without hesitation. But please, I beg of you, no werewolves.