JD
Definitely a unique psychic twist and a fun and relatable cast of characters! I can't wait to continue the series!
Great fast read. The audible version with David Tennant was fantastic! Definitely a must-read for any vampire fan especially queer ones!
The best part of Heather Graham's books is that they are reliable. You know what you're getting. It's never going to be groundbreaking but it will be entertaining and enjoyable. Her mysteries aren't phoned in and you get swept up in the investigation. These books are always my go-to after a bad book or a DNF has me in a slump.
Was the Blurb/Genre Accurate: YesOverall rating: 3.75/5Writing: 3/5Plot: 3/5Characters: 4/5
Characters: Were solid and decently built up. I will say it is YA so their development isn't as deep as they maybe could have been. Also, the main narrator isn't fully reliable which can make character development a little tricky.
Narrators: Lola, except for the prologue and epilogue which is Cara and Nolan
POV: 1st person
Genre: YA Mystery Thriller, YA Horror
Type: Standalone
Content Warnings: death (off-page not too graphic), betrayal, child abuse ( off-page), talk of suicide, missing persons, stabbing
I wasn't sure about this book for the majority of it. If you're like me you might be wondering is this book actually paranormal or is it like Home Before Dark and actually a Thriller. Read the spoiler here if you want to know, but I'd say if the blurb interests you just jump in and don't know. That's not my usual stance on this but it works here so just give it a shot. It is not paranormal, the "paranormal" elements are more of her having a mental break to cope . Now, I usually don't love this kind of book. It has a few elements I'm not a fan of, unreliable narrator, fake paranormal activity but I actually really like how they pulled this off at the end. It's one of those rare occasions when this just works as an ending.
I do wish that the interview was more weaved throughout the story, or additional articles were added maybe. I just love multi-media storytelling though. It didn't get 4 stars from me mostly because it was a slow start, the above spoiler, and because I would have liked more time with Lola and the side characters so they felt a bit more real. I kinda felt like Carter and Cara were a bit flat. And their circumstances were a bit cliche and I would have loved some more nuance than there was.
It's a great book with actionable steps!
It was well researched and the tips do work. That said most of this is boiled down to have a time locked schedule. But he gives exacting reasons as to why. And he gives other tips and psychology based education to really drive everything home!
All in all its a good book that most of us could benefit from!
This book was just hyped up too much for me. I wanted to love it but if I'm being honest it was just OK. The main saving grace was James Marsters narration but the plot was nothing surprising and you know from page one the outcome of the book.
I doubt I'll continue there are just better stories that keep you on your toes more.
A good overview, with some real gems
Presuming this isn't the first or only book you're going to read about writing your book there is a lot that will overlap or even be redundant.
But these guys know what they are talking about and have compiled some great data. The formatting is easy to read and highlight. I've saved quite a few passages!
The last quarter or so of the book was most helpful in my opinion. But, I have read a number of books of positioning and actually writing a book. So things like the bio, title, pricing, and how to get urbs was more useful. They did their share of research and had great examples and templates that I will return to.
And as a professional book cover designer I appreciate their honesty about the levels of design and how to go about working with a designer. I might make this required reading, lol. Design interior or exterior of books have a lot going on. A good designer understands psychology of buying and can be invaluable to the books success and help with advertising graphics as well.
I'd still recommend this to new nonfiction authors that are trying to build a business or brand. I would say this is probably still helpful to other types of nonfiction like memoirs but it is really geared towards building other revenue from writing a book.
Predictable ending that I called at 60%. Good audiobook narrator but would have loved a better twist at the end that was less obvious.
If the ending had been more surprising this would have been a 5 stars.
UPDATE: Exactly as awesome on the second read-thru!
I had no expectation going into this book. I used to be a Bartender and the Fantasy/Bar was enough for me to buy!
I was hooked from the first chapter. Annette does a great job of giving the world-building and backstory in pieces, just like you would receive in getting to know a friend. Most of the characters are well fleshed out and you start feeling connected very quickly. All of which makes this book an immediate favorite!
I will say it's a fun read versus overly in-depth. The mystery quality in this book feels like a side plot rather than the main one. But since it's the first in the series I like that she spent more time on the characters.
Overall, this author is becoming a go-to pick for when I want something Fun & Easy that I know I'll like. Kind of my Urban Fantasy version of Heather Graham. I can't wait to devour the rest of this series!
This series is a perfect guilty pleasure! As a huge book nerd my whole like this is a dream harem! Just do yourself a favor and read this series! Now!
Another perfect ghost story!
This read almost as Agatha Christie meets haunting at hill house. Absolutely lovely and the perfect cozy haunted read! The characters are well developed and you get connected to them quickly. By the end they all felt like friends.
You laugh, you cry, and you scream with them throughout this spooky adventure!
I'll read it again guaranteed!
Anyone that grew up loving classic literature and like RH will be heaven with this series!
It's fun, sassy, and sexy with a touch of murder! Just read it!
4.5 stars.
This book is a trip!! There's even a specific trope that I usually hate but it works here well.
Spoiler
And while the ending may leave some upset with its lack of definitive answers, I liked the way it lets you figure out or guess what happened. If gave me Head Full of Ghosts Vibes as far as the ending goes.
I do agree with the Blair Witch reference for the style of storytelling but once you're in the woods it really feels very Silent Hill-esque in many ways! I can't wait to read the next book. I've seen that this is a series in a way that the investigators are the same in this and the Our Last Echoes.
And anyone thinking that YA Horror pulls punches in regards to horror or tragedy should read this!
Each one is better than the last!
I would give this book 10 stars if I could! If you want a great warning spooky read this is perfect!
I'm always in love with Coates ability to build characters you call in love with, understand, and feel like you know personally. If you're a writer and want to know the best of show don't tell read her books!
Everytime I read her books it'sikd being a fly on the wall of someone's life. This is going on my reread pile and will be a top recommendation for anyone wanting something haunted but cozy! Just read it already!
2.5
Should have just left the first book a standalone sadly! This book is very long and there is no real excitement, tension or stakes. The climaxes are done in a page or two with little fuss or fanfare. They are also never wrong-footed, they never fail. You need failures to keep some suspense. It has great characters from all sorts of gothic books that are interesting but the plots are sorely lacking!
If you want an ugly crying slow burn, this is for you!
The writing is solid, her style and prose are excellent. She pulls zero punches in reference to this being a horseman. If you expect him to immediately warm and soften, you'll be very disappointed.
This is not my usual read by a long shot, but I wanted villain romance and this provides just that with every bit of bloodshed you'd imagine. I won't be continuing the series because I really don't want to see what his brothers inflict before their ladies pull them into love's embrace. But I will be reading more of this author for sure!
Another win for me. I actually liked this book a little better than the first. The action and the characters weren't clear cut. So you are trying to figure out who the good and bad guys are. I love that.
And, you get to know Tori a lot better and see her grow.
This series is pure fun and excitement with genuine laugh out loud dialogue.
I wonder what my current day practice of magick would be like if I had this book when I was just starting. But alas, here we are 18 years after I started practicing still finding absolute gold in this book.
Admittedly, I am a huge fan of Jason Miller from his book Protection and Reversal Magick and was expecting a solid book. But, this blew me away with its value! Still delivered in an approachable and conversational tone.
Whether you are brand new or an advanced practitioner I'm sure you'll find something helpful in this guide to Spellcrafting. I huge one for me is the Macro & Micro Enchantments.
Wow! I thought I was signing up for some quick tip on fleshing out the plot and beats. Some simple ideas to help with my outlining and occasional pantsing efforts.
What I got was a masterclass on the writing craft and a deeper understanding of grammar as a whole. Not to mention a long beautiful list of recommended reading. (book recommendation is my love language.)
If you've struggled to make characters 3D or have plots that aren't recycled cliche this book is here to help!
I want all my reader friends to read this so I can go on a long marathon of listing out actions, objectives, and tactics for all my favorite books and shows!
This is now at the top of my list of books you should absolutely read if you are a writer! You need it, trust me and read every morsel with undying devotion and it will boost you to new literary heights no matter your genre!
**Sidenote: definitely get the matching thesaurus to save hours of research and dictionary hopping. It is incredibly helpful and time-saving. AND if you're struggling with the character's VOID get the emotional wound thesaurus by Becca Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman!
Fun continuation! I'm hoping we see more of Vicki in the future. And what can I say I'm a sucker for weird cult mysteries.
I'm actually re-reading these books, I lost interest the first time mostly due to the narrator on the audiobooks. Her voices just did not do it for me.
But the storyline itself and Anita as a character is pretty good and I'll be continuing the series!
I had hope after reading the strange case of the alchemists daughter I wanted to read Beatrice's story. But as with the scarlet letter this reads like puritanical bs. Beware of beautiful women and their sorcery!
This book has helped me flesh out my NaNoWriMo project so well. I have a pretty clear idea of how to proceed and have so many ideas that just came from the beats.
I'm kind of obsessed with figuring out beats and theme genres in all I read and watch now.
I do also highly recommend subscribing to her Writing Mastery Academy. It's worth price and invaluable to a new writer and especially for NaNoWriMo writers!