Spoonbenders

Like the Alien 3 of my June book selections. I really wanted to like it but was overall disappointed. A mish mash of stuff, some good, some bad but I failed to connect with any of the characters. Maybe it's me, maybe it's just too hot to read. I will probably read this again in the future and think, it's much better than I remember, but for now............. meh.

It's worth the wait but it's a slow build.

A family of psychics and con artists (sometimes both at the same time), always looking for greatness or trying to avoid greatness, getting tangled up with both mobsters and the government. I REALLY enjoyed reading this, and spending time with this family, though they would drive me bananas if I actually knew them or were related to these people.

A reread and well worth it. So imaginative and readable without being too simplistic. Great, likable characters. Just a fun read all around. 2X (June 2019, February 2023)

I really liked this and it was very readable, I just didn't love it. Or I wasn't in the mood for it, because it took me several weeks to get through it. I kept putting it down and reading other books. It's not the book, it's me. I think most readers would find this charming and full of surprises. I'm not sure why I found it to be a bit of a chore. Too many characters?

DNF at about 70%.

This book feels absolutely pointless. The characters we should feel for are annoying, the rest are plain dicks. A bunch of things happen, but nothing feels like it has a meaning. It's quirky for the sake of quirky, nothing leads anywhere, we just have stupid side story after stupid side story. Don't get me wrong, I like stories that have layers, but not when it all just gets tossed in. Spies and Russians and mob and robbing the mob and seeing the future, but also like kids being fucking weird, but internet dating and like saving the wife of a criminal's son who is fucking over his dad but nobody knows shit , TV shows, super powers, but also cons aaand MLM crap.
Everyone is an annoying fuck. Now I know why nobody really talked about the ACTUAL plot, just used big words that mean nothing to describe it. Do not recommend.

Too slow to get started.

This is a spoiler-free review
Read on In The Sheets

Right out of the gate, let me say that this book was a blast. I'd walked past it on several different trips to chapters and the cover / title really caught my eye. I finally picked it up and could not have been more pleased. 

Spoonbenders is a super fun story about a family with special powers. They were The Partridge Family but with talents that didn't make you want to nap, until they have a bad experience on live TV (with a character who is essentially The Amazing Randi whom I adore)>/i> and their showbiz career instantly dies. Fast forward a couple dozen years to the 90's (the nostalgia is real). The Mom has passed away, the Dad is an old fraud, the kids are leading mundane complicated lives, the grandkids are now in the mix, and the government would really like to speak with them.Each chapter switches back and forth between family members and perspectives. It's expertly done. Buddy's abilities make his PoV delightful. It also has just the right amount of references to the decade to set the tone and make it feel right without shoving references and nostalgia down your throat like it's bragging about the 90's instead of telling a story (Which happens a lot in other books).Unexpectedly, and not at all related to story, I think Spoonbenders has also made me wanna paint my living room that shade of blue? So thanks for that.The Telemachus family is awesome and quirky and Daryl's writing is on point. He's hilarious and the characters are all unique and expertly developed. I have zero complaints. What a treat, honestly.