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caffeinatednecromancer's Reviews (563)
Spice Leve: 2/5, 3 scenes, mildly descriptive. I would say this is about as polite as sex can be descriptively described.
This book is pretty adorable but also has a vibe, I'm going to read the next to see how the series will go but overall I enjoyed this one. It has all the makings of a cozy mystery, with a splash of spice.
There is a very light mystery throughout the book, the culprit is rather obvious so I think it's supposed to show how overwhelmed the main character is with all the changes in her life.
I love all the personal growth that needs to happen from multiple characters that is happening throughout the story. I am really going to love this cast of characters. It definitely has a lot of "Stars Hollow" feeling people running about in the town. I'm guess the author is probably at least a fan of the show.
The romance is the bigger plot over the mystery, but again it's more about the character growth. I love all the boundaries, and discussions about the bigger picture. Feels like real life on the page because there is also a lot of 'assuming what the other person wants' and 'miscommunication' and such. I am hoping the next book has these characters growing on a mental health level. I like insta love books because I want people to get together STAT when I'm reading even though this isn't really real life. I think the book takes place over the course of a month.
Side note, I think this is just something the audiobook made more dominant but first names are used a lot where in a real life conversation would not literally say the name of the person they are talking with too much. At points I was like okay we really know everyone's name now. lol If this is something that annoys, I just thought I would mention it as a eh. It'd did have me wonder about the AI level because I feel like any editor would have been cutting these first name mentions waaaay down.
If you love cozy mysteries but with they had more spicy scenes you're going to love this book.
This book is pretty adorable but also has a vibe, I'm going to read the next to see how the series will go but overall I enjoyed this one. It has all the makings of a cozy mystery, with a splash of spice.
There is a very light mystery throughout the book, the culprit is rather obvious so I think it's supposed to show how overwhelmed the main character is with all the changes in her life.
I love all the personal growth that needs to happen from multiple characters that is happening throughout the story. I am really going to love this cast of characters. It definitely has a lot of "Stars Hollow" feeling people running about in the town. I'm guess the author is probably at least a fan of the show.
The romance is the bigger plot over the mystery, but again it's more about the character growth. I love all the boundaries, and discussions about the bigger picture. Feels like real life on the page because there is also a lot of 'assuming what the other person wants' and 'miscommunication' and such. I am hoping the next book has these characters growing on a mental health level. I like insta love books because I want people to get together STAT when I'm reading even though this isn't really real life. I think the book takes place over the course of a month.
Side note, I think this is just something the audiobook made more dominant but first names are used a lot where in a real life conversation would not literally say the name of the person they are talking with too much. At points I was like okay we really know everyone's name now. lol If this is something that annoys, I just thought I would mention it as a eh. It'd did have me wonder about the AI level because I feel like any editor would have been cutting these first name mentions waaaay down.
If you love cozy mysteries but with they had more spicy scenes you're going to love this book.
Where do I even start? The non-linear timeline? The chef's kiss ending? This was a ride.
This isn't my typical read, but I'm so glad I picked it up. Mackenzie is a well written character. At first she seems very single track minded, and angry but as the story unravels we get a lot of backstory / depth. I'm not going to say there was character growth, but she comes into her own as you see her progression from high school to where she is career wise at the end of the book. Which life goals wise, is a journey.
Getting to see how all the people are connected, and the lives of tech giants is also neat in itself. I enjoyed following the case for multiple reasons, but each deep dive took us to a new unique rich person, and well, they are arrogant weirdos. While there is a lot of tech talk in this book, the FBI agent works as a great 'we need to explain this to the non-tech person' character.
The way flashbacks are layered in, and the use of Trevor's death as the anchor really set up the ending perfectly. It all works together to create tension, and build up to a big reveal. Very well plotted, and I enjoyed reading every chapter.
I did think there was going to be a romance between Mackenzie and the FBI agent, but I was sooo thankful that never became a plot line. It would have ruined the book. I absolutely loved that this book had nothing to do with Mackenzie's love life. It was refreshing.
If you enjoyed Ocean's 11 (the movie) you're going to love this book. It has that vibe, but you're the FBI trying to figure it out for most of the book. It's not until the last few chapters that you become Danny Ocean, laying out the entire mastermind.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this read.
This isn't my typical read, but I'm so glad I picked it up. Mackenzie is a well written character. At first she seems very single track minded, and angry but as the story unravels we get a lot of backstory / depth. I'm not going to say there was character growth, but she comes into her own as you see her progression from high school to where she is career wise at the end of the book. Which life goals wise, is a journey.
Getting to see how all the people are connected, and the lives of tech giants is also neat in itself. I enjoyed following the case for multiple reasons, but each deep dive took us to a new unique rich person, and well, they are arrogant weirdos. While there is a lot of tech talk in this book, the FBI agent works as a great 'we need to explain this to the non-tech person' character.
The way flashbacks are layered in, and the use of Trevor's death as the anchor really set up the ending perfectly. It all works together to create tension, and build up to a big reveal. Very well plotted, and I enjoyed reading every chapter.
I did think there was going to be a romance between Mackenzie and the FBI agent, but I was sooo thankful that never became a plot line. It would have ruined the book. I absolutely loved that this book had nothing to do with Mackenzie's love life. It was refreshing.
If you enjoyed Ocean's 11 (the movie) you're going to love this book. It has that vibe, but you're the FBI trying to figure it out for most of the book. It's not until the last few chapters that you become Danny Ocean, laying out the entire mastermind.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this read.
Miss the Golden Girls? Guess what, they're back!
I wasn't sure what to expect when diving into this mystery. But it's basically a deep dive episode of the beloved show. Read it for nostalgia, and a light hearted escape for reality, not to detail nitpick.
I'm not going to say you need to have watched any of the show to love this book, but it will definitely help ground personalities and characters. St. Olaf really does make the perfect quirky base for a cozy mystery.
The characters are hilarious, the hijinks are over the top and the side characters are quirky as can be. All in all, the author does the source material justice. I loved all the wedding craziness. At first I couldn't figure out how the girls were going to sleuth any bit of this case out as the victim is a random person no one knows, but as the clues start revealing themselves it becomes clear how they can clear Dorothy's name. There's even a bit of life threatening action for multiple characters. I almost didn't think the wedding was going to happen, but you'll just have to read it to see how that all turns out. The groom's actions could really go either way with being in it for the inheritance or for love. Does he dislike his family enough to marry into a crazy family just for money?
You're really going to enjoy this read if you already love the Golden Girls, but you'll also enjoy it if you love cozy mysteries with elderly sleuths, and comedic situation where if it can go wrong it will.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this read.
I wasn't sure what to expect when diving into this mystery. But it's basically a deep dive episode of the beloved show. Read it for nostalgia, and a light hearted escape for reality, not to detail nitpick.
I'm not going to say you need to have watched any of the show to love this book, but it will definitely help ground personalities and characters. St. Olaf really does make the perfect quirky base for a cozy mystery.
The characters are hilarious, the hijinks are over the top and the side characters are quirky as can be. All in all, the author does the source material justice. I loved all the wedding craziness. At first I couldn't figure out how the girls were going to sleuth any bit of this case out as the victim is a random person no one knows, but as the clues start revealing themselves it becomes clear how they can clear Dorothy's name. There's even a bit of life threatening action for multiple characters. I almost didn't think the wedding was going to happen, but you'll just have to read it to see how that all turns out. The groom's actions could really go either way with being in it for the inheritance or for love. Does he dislike his family enough to marry into a crazy family just for money?
You're really going to enjoy this read if you already love the Golden Girls, but you'll also enjoy it if you love cozy mysteries with elderly sleuths, and comedic situation where if it can go wrong it will.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this read.
Fast pace, jump scare, ghost lore.
This book reminded me a lot of the movie Shutter. I think reading it left a tiny bit of the fear to be desired. There is just so much more you can do with suspense building when you just have creepy dead space. That being said, this was a great read, and I recommend it if you enjoy that genre of horror.
The characters are all that you would expect and more. A group of friends reunited for a wedding at a destination horrific venue. They all love horror movies, and know all the tropes, so they know what's coming next. But does that knowledge help them avoid it? Or does it only loosen their fear of it?
Loved the storytelling, and the lore, yelled at the page a few times for the characters to wake up and get the heck out of there. But they didn't. lol
You'll love this book if you enjoy Japanese horror, quick reads that leave you with chills.
This book reminded me a lot of the movie Shutter. I think reading it left a tiny bit of the fear to be desired. There is just so much more you can do with suspense building when you just have creepy dead space. That being said, this was a great read, and I recommend it if you enjoy that genre of horror.
The characters are all that you would expect and more. A group of friends reunited for a wedding at a destination horrific venue. They all love horror movies, and know all the tropes, so they know what's coming next. But does that knowledge help them avoid it? Or does it only loosen their fear of it?
Loved the storytelling, and the lore, yelled at the page a few times for the characters to wake up and get the heck out of there. But they didn't. lol
You'll love this book if you enjoy Japanese horror, quick reads that leave you with chills.
Did not see the truth coming.
The start of this book doesn't prepare you for the ending at all. It eases you into this comfortable normal mystery only to rip you out and drop you into a paranormal mind f*ck of a situation.
You see those ghost hunters on TV, and wonder how their home life is, what was the thing that sent them into the life of hunting ghost. A fictional deep dive into what did it for Logan's dads, and it's a ride. The emotional depth of all the characters is perfection. I felt their pain, their happiness and the fear. So many family dynamics, and personalities. It really felt like every day small town life.
I loved the big topics this book deals with, from small town hatred to self discover and friendship. It's deep, yet funny and oh so heart warming at times. All of the loose ends (even things I didn't realize were loose ends) are tied up, an I just adore the ending.
You'll love this book if you enjoyed the outsiders or pet semetery by stephen king. A bit of unexplained terror that has the explanation of unwanted loss.
The start of this book doesn't prepare you for the ending at all. It eases you into this comfortable normal mystery only to rip you out and drop you into a paranormal mind f*ck of a situation.
You see those ghost hunters on TV, and wonder how their home life is, what was the thing that sent them into the life of hunting ghost. A fictional deep dive into what did it for Logan's dads, and it's a ride. The emotional depth of all the characters is perfection. I felt their pain, their happiness and the fear. So many family dynamics, and personalities. It really felt like every day small town life.
I loved the big topics this book deals with, from small town hatred to self discover and friendship. It's deep, yet funny and oh so heart warming at times. All of the loose ends (even things I didn't realize were loose ends) are tied up, an I just adore the ending.
You'll love this book if you enjoyed the outsiders or pet semetery by stephen king. A bit of unexplained terror that has the explanation of unwanted loss.
What a creepy, family drama!
It starts out very dystopian, you're dropped into the thick of the blight from the first page.
As the chapters unfold it goes from something that feels flu like to something that gives you the notion of zombies, to a paranormal element that's controlling the population. It's a roller coaster of fears as more of the reason for the blight is revealed.
Wren is a head strong, determined main character. She will stop at nothing to save her family, and it almost breaks her. I loved how she came full circle with her over protective family to being the head of the discovering the truth to the mystery of the blight. She grows so much as a person as she sacrifices herself to save the people she loves. In the end discovering what it really means to be a community.
I don't want to give anything away but the cause of the blight was, well it made my little alchemy heart flutter. I enjoyed the story unfolding, and read it straight through in one sitting. There were many questions, but they all get answers, a lot of family secrets come to light, including true feelings, and bonds strengthened. It really makes you wonder if you could actually put down someone you love if you had to.
A vibrant, well crafted story of love and loss mixed with greed and secrets. Plus a little government hijinks added in for a bit of big picture stakes.
You'll love this book if you enjoy family secrets, and zombie-ish reads with happy endings.
It starts out very dystopian, you're dropped into the thick of the blight from the first page.
As the chapters unfold it goes from something that feels flu like to something that gives you the notion of zombies, to a paranormal element that's controlling the population. It's a roller coaster of fears as more of the reason for the blight is revealed.
Wren is a head strong, determined main character. She will stop at nothing to save her family, and it almost breaks her. I loved how she came full circle with her over protective family to being the head of the discovering the truth to the mystery of the blight. She grows so much as a person as she sacrifices herself to save the people she loves. In the end discovering what it really means to be a community.
I don't want to give anything away but the cause of the blight was, well it made my little alchemy heart flutter. I enjoyed the story unfolding, and read it straight through in one sitting. There were many questions, but they all get answers, a lot of family secrets come to light, including true feelings, and bonds strengthened. It really makes you wonder if you could actually put down someone you love if you had to.
A vibrant, well crafted story of love and loss mixed with greed and secrets. Plus a little government hijinks added in for a bit of big picture stakes.
You'll love this book if you enjoy family secrets, and zombie-ish reads with happy endings.
Spice Level: 3/5, a couple of mildly descriptive scenes / dreams
The lore, and levels of world build in this read is fantastic. When I first picked this up I was thinking paranormal cozy mystery but this book isn't clean, so beware going in there's going to be on screen sex scenes.
The Castillo sisters are well written characters, they have so much depth, heart ache and magic. I love how the story pulls you through with giving more back story and explanations as you get deeper into the mystery. I didn't expect the culprit at all, and was surprised at a few of the twists in the end.
I can't wait to read the next installment *hopefully* this will be a series! I need more between Declan and Carolina. Their story needs to evolve into more mystery solving, and such.
As the the climax came into view I was on the edge of my seat. There were many points where I didn't think the main characters were going to make it, and hoped with everything that my favorite characters would make it out of -well- hell. It's a ride.
You're going to love this book if you enjoyed practical magic, it very much has the vibes of that series. Deep seeded assumed hate of what's different, long running magical lines and customs.
Thank you to Author's Best Friend for a copy of this book.
The lore, and levels of world build in this read is fantastic. When I first picked this up I was thinking paranormal cozy mystery but this book isn't clean, so beware going in there's going to be on screen sex scenes.
The Castillo sisters are well written characters, they have so much depth, heart ache and magic. I love how the story pulls you through with giving more back story and explanations as you get deeper into the mystery. I didn't expect the culprit at all, and was surprised at a few of the twists in the end.
I can't wait to read the next installment *hopefully* this will be a series! I need more between Declan and Carolina. Their story needs to evolve into more mystery solving, and such.
As the the climax came into view I was on the edge of my seat. There were many points where I didn't think the main characters were going to make it, and hoped with everything that my favorite characters would make it out of -well- hell. It's a ride.
You're going to love this book if you enjoyed practical magic, it very much has the vibes of that series. Deep seeded assumed hate of what's different, long running magical lines and customs.
Thank you to Author's Best Friend for a copy of this book.
Spice Level: 4/5, you're going to want a cold glass of milk for this one.
Literally the cover sold me on reading this book. Nothing that has that much epicness is going to be a disappointment. This book was a ride, literally and figuratively. I'll see myself out.
But seriously. I love a good convenience to lovers story, and one has so much more than the romance in it. All of the characters are unique and life like. I even wanted to feel for the not so nice ones as many of them were struggling with their own short comings. But the friendships, and personal growth are all perfection. We see Aspeth grow from a slightly pampered daughter to a dominate voice.
She makes many mistakes, they are all the mistakes you'd find anyone without the knowledge of the real world, and people to count on would make. Watching her discover her own worth, and what she wants out of her life is lovely. Though a lot of the pages are mostly her discovering her freedom in the bed, and well, that's lovely too. ha
I didn't see how they were getting out of any of the binds they were in, but I should have because of course there are many things you can trust about men, don't mess with their money or their woman. That's not really a spoiler because this book is full of strong willed men throwing their weight around. Watching Aspeth try her best to put them all in their place is hilarious at many points. May we all have the gumption she does.
This is very much an introduce you to the world read. We meet so many people, and discover the magic system and how the politics work so buckle up because you're going to want to dive into the next book asap.
You'll love this book if you enjoy unique magical worlds, post magic societies, a bit of grave robbing and so much romance it's going to make you want to fall in love all over again.
Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of this read.
Literally the cover sold me on reading this book. Nothing that has that much epicness is going to be a disappointment. This book was a ride, literally and figuratively. I'll see myself out.
But seriously. I love a good convenience to lovers story, and one has so much more than the romance in it. All of the characters are unique and life like. I even wanted to feel for the not so nice ones as many of them were struggling with their own short comings. But the friendships, and personal growth are all perfection. We see Aspeth grow from a slightly pampered daughter to a dominate voice.
She makes many mistakes, they are all the mistakes you'd find anyone without the knowledge of the real world, and people to count on would make. Watching her discover her own worth, and what she wants out of her life is lovely. Though a lot of the pages are mostly her discovering her freedom in the bed, and well, that's lovely too. ha
I didn't see how they were getting out of any of the binds they were in, but I should have because of course there are many things you can trust about men, don't mess with their money or their woman. That's not really a spoiler because this book is full of strong willed men throwing their weight around. Watching Aspeth try her best to put them all in their place is hilarious at many points. May we all have the gumption she does.
This is very much an introduce you to the world read. We meet so many people, and discover the magic system and how the politics work so buckle up because you're going to want to dive into the next book asap.
You'll love this book if you enjoy unique magical worlds, post magic societies, a bit of grave robbing and so much romance it's going to make you want to fall in love all over again.
Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of this read.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
The end of a magical, hilarious adventure.
While I am heart broken that this series is over, this installment is such a perfect send off. Hijinks from our favorite characters, growth for everyone, and new characters to dazzle the plot with.
Al is a complicated man, but not by his doing. Every sting that has been left loose in the previous two books is tied up nicely. The epilogue is beautiful, and perfect, and it makes soooo much click into place for his character. I mean I kind of want an adventure-less short story where he just has a nice vacation or something to explore somewhere he's always wanted to go.
Buck Foi and Nadia also get such a well deserved ending that I couldn't have predicted. So much personal growth for the both of them, mixed with hilarious break ins, and cult like adventures. Maybe a spin off series potential for Nadia? Like where does she go from here? Or the hobgoblins? I have soo many questions about all the world building we get for their race. I need more of their crazy antics!
Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite explains more about herself, and we get to know Roxanne's new self which is a neat aspect to the world build since we've known that this happens. The newness of everything, and the well deserved justice spread through out this book is marvelous.
As a writer I adore how well the language is woven into this series. It's careful and with purpose, there is never a point where I'm like what in the world does that mean?!? So so good. I'm sad to leave these characters and their insanely hilarious antics behind. With that I want to add that my text to speech reads MacBharrais as Mac Berry Ice, and it makes me giggle every time.
You're going to love this series if you enjoy sprawling world builds, a plethora of magical beings and quirky characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
While I am heart broken that this series is over, this installment is such a perfect send off. Hijinks from our favorite characters, growth for everyone, and new characters to dazzle the plot with.
Al is a complicated man, but not by his doing. Every sting that has been left loose in the previous two books is tied up nicely. The epilogue is beautiful, and perfect, and it makes soooo much click into place for his character. I mean I kind of want an adventure-less short story where he just has a nice vacation or something to explore somewhere he's always wanted to go.
Buck Foi and Nadia also get such a well deserved ending that I couldn't have predicted. So much personal growth for the both of them, mixed with hilarious break ins, and cult like adventures. Maybe a spin off series potential for Nadia? Like where does she go from here? Or the hobgoblins? I have soo many questions about all the world building we get for their race. I need more of their crazy antics!
Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite explains more about herself, and we get to know Roxanne's new self which is a neat aspect to the world build since we've known that this happens. The newness of everything, and the well deserved justice spread through out this book is marvelous.
As a writer I adore how well the language is woven into this series. It's careful and with purpose, there is never a point where I'm like what in the world does that mean?!? So so good. I'm sad to leave these characters and their insanely hilarious antics behind. With that I want to add that my text to speech reads MacBharrais as Mac Berry Ice, and it makes me giggle every time.
You're going to love this series if you enjoy sprawling world builds, a plethora of magical beings and quirky characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
I 100% downloaded this book because of the cover.
If you are thinking of doing this, there are a few things to note.
Mainly, the covers amazing emotion and darkness falls short in the book.
I really wanted to love this book, the premise is a deep emotional one to explore.
The plot had high stakes, and has so much potential to be one of those riveting books that makes you ponder big ideas, and cry hard from the ending. But it just doesn't. Which makes me sad.
That being said, it's not a bad book. It is just muted. If you enjoy strong female characters you're going to enjoy this story. The story brings strong woman from all walks of life together.
I won't say that it's character driven because there is a lot left on the table in that regards. So many motivations that weren't explored, and fall outs left for the reader to assume about. Especially the ending. All the questions were answered, I just wanted more. Especially with the potential trauma, and aftermath, it was just all okay.
I don't regret reading it, I liked it. Just was hoping for more.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
If you are thinking of doing this, there are a few things to note.
Mainly, the covers amazing emotion and darkness falls short in the book.
I really wanted to love this book, the premise is a deep emotional one to explore.
The plot had high stakes, and has so much potential to be one of those riveting books that makes you ponder big ideas, and cry hard from the ending. But it just doesn't. Which makes me sad.
That being said, it's not a bad book. It is just muted. If you enjoy strong female characters you're going to enjoy this story. The story brings strong woman from all walks of life together.
I won't say that it's character driven because there is a lot left on the table in that regards. So many motivations that weren't explored, and fall outs left for the reader to assume about. Especially the ending. All the questions were answered, I just wanted more. Especially with the potential trauma, and aftermath, it was just all okay.
I don't regret reading it, I liked it. Just was hoping for more.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.