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avid_reader_sf_and_f's Reviews (5.29k)

The Maid and the Crocodile

Jordan Ifueko

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-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: Yes

Secrets of the Forgotten Heir

Ella Stone, Heather G. Harris

4.5

lighthearted mysterious medium-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: Complicated

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag

Heather G. Harris

5.0

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Bunny and Sidnee are back from the NoMo Academy but they barely have time to catch up on the happenings in Portlock, before they're called out to the local mine to investigate a suspicious death.

This book has all my favorite Portlockian characters and introduces a few more. We get introduced to the grumpy and insular dwarves, with their interesting traditions and the child like earth elemental Hag with a thirst for sweets, who the Dwarves blame for all of the ills currently befalling them. It's up to Bunny and the team to figure out what's really going on and put a stop to it.

As usual, the mystery was on point, interesting with twists I did not see coming and the dialogue was a delight. This is such a fun series, I hope these authors team up for many more series to come (other NoMo offices probably have issues too, no?)

I totally and enthusiastically recommend this series and this will be book I reread, for sure.

The Rainfall Market

You Yeong-Gwang

4.25

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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: Yes

Personal Demons

L.R. Braden

5.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-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: Yes

Excellent follow up to Demon Riding Shotgun. In this story, the priest from Mira's hometown asks her to come back and help with a number of teens who have disappeared, likely due to something sinister and supernatural. Mira isn't excited about being so close to the family she has avoided for nearly a decade, but she and Ty, now both undercover agents of the Paranatural Task Force (PTF) head out to help anyway. Mira has a lot going on in this book, but I loved so much about this story. From the meddling Father, who plotted Mira's reunion with her family, to her fab interactions with one of the kids who was simply a runaway.

This was an excellent book, just as well written and gripping as book one. I still love that Mira's demon is the voice of reason in her head, and not afraid to call her on her BS. I enthusiastically recommend this series for fans of well written Urban Fantasy with a snarky sidekick (or demon) and well crafted and twisty mysteries.

#UrbanFantasy #Paranormal #Magic #Indie

Demon Riding Shotgun

L.R. Braden

4.75

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was so good! I haven't read the author's Magicsmith series but didn't feel lost at all, so while it may help it's clearly not essential.

Our FMC Mira Fuentes has shared her body with demon since she was 11, when she came into her magic, and it's caused her no end of problems, it's also her best friend. In order to survive, Mira and her demon hunt down the Rifters who prey on humans and that's how this book begins. After successful Rifter hunt, Mira goes to a bar and runs into Ty, an officer with the Baltimore Police Department. They end up having a one night stand, so of course, Mira is the number one suspect for the murder he's investigating.

This was an excellent book, well written with a gripping, page turning plot. I especially love that Mira's demon is usually the voice of reason in her head. I enthusiastically recommend this series for fans of well written Urban Fantasy with a snarky sidekick (or demon) and well crafted and twisty mysteries.

Content Warnings

Silver Peak

Pavi Proczko, Troy Osgood

3.75

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening

Naomi Kuttner

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective 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: Yes

This was such a delightfully fun and cozy read. Murder, ghosts, and a retired assassin who really doesn't want to add to his body count. I loved the cat and everything related to Dante's encounter with the cat distribution system. I can totally see this becoming a TV series. Fabulous cast of characters who made a lovely little crime solving team.
I'm an utter sucker for found family and the hint of paranormal was lovely.

I'm definitely looking forward to the second book and highly recommend this book to fans of cozy paranormal mysteries.