Tabitha

Another Hit for Harper!

Reviewed: 07-30-17

As always I really enjoyed the Molly Harper and Amanda Ranconi collaboration. Accidental Sire, though, for me, was better than most of the other spinoff s from the Half Moon Hollow Series. I loved getting so much Jane and Co. The overall plot was also a lot more interesting then some of the previous ones.... since I don't want to give away spoilers I'll leave it at that. I also liked that the main characters was one we'd seen before, Megan from Big Vamp on Campus, and Ben, Gigi's first love. Totally recommend for fans of the series and, in this case, even for just fans of the genre who have yet to discover Harper's humorous and intriguing Half Moon Hollow books!

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Excellent follow up to an original series!

Reviewed: 01-19-17

Switching from past tense to present tense, Shrum has created a sequel that keeps you on the edge of your seat late into the night. Told from dueling POV's (Jesse and Ally) at first made me a little disappointed. I fell in love with Jesse in Dying for a Living (first book in the Jesse Sullivan series). But I wasn't totally sold on Ally. She was a good, developed side character, but I didn't quite connect with her. Seeing the imaginative world Shrum has created though Ally's eyes changed my tune immediately. And while part of what I find so lovable about Jesse is her unapologetic views on life and her snarky attitude. As where Ally is softer, sweeter, and more of a people person. But getting her POV, you find out Ally is a bada$$ in her own right. Her loyalty and devotion to Jesse and vice versa gives you definitely #friendshipgoals, then of course there is the story itself. And Shrum does not disappoint. There is action--a whole lotta action--romance, heartache, an evil villain hell-bent on going to great lengths to achieve his diabolical plan, and Cindy. And more some reason, maybe the exploding toilet thing in book one, but I just love me some Cindy :)

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Surprisingly Awesome

Reviewed: 09-11-13

Hex Hall is one of those books I've been seeing/hearing about for a while now. I've been interested in reading/listening to it, and fully expected to enjoy it. What I didn't expect was to LOVE it. The book starts off with a love spell gone wrong and just gets better from there. One of the twists at the end (there are several) I really didn't see coming - don't want to spoil it for anyone. I hate to compare Hex Hall to Harry Potter just because it takes place at a school for witches and wizards (all supernaturals really), but it did remind me a little of the Potter series. Only, Hex Hall isn't a place where witches learn to use their abilities, it is a reform school for those who have messed up. I cannot wait to continue with the series!

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2 people found this helpful

A little disappointed

Reviewed: 09-11-13

Heirs and Graces really was an enjoyable listen. As usual the mystery was cute, Georgie was Georgie, and Darcy was delectable. Georgie's grandfather only made a brief appearance, which fit with the story but made me a little sad since he is one of my favorite side characters. No Fig or Binky in this one, which was good. But the storyline with Georgie and Darcy didn't move forward. After his proposal at the end of the last book I expected to see more going on there and was disappointed when that didn't happen. I'm also dying to know who it is that Darcy works for. His "spy" nature has been alluded to and danced around for several books and I'm ready to know the truth. All that aside, Heirs and Graces was a great addition to the Royal Spyness Mystery series; it just wasn't my favorite.

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1 person found this helpful

Good...

Reviewed: 09-11-13

Tall, Dark, and Dead has a great blend of folklore/mythology that kept me listening to the end. There are witches, Vatican witch hunters, and vampires galore, but Hallaway offers a different take on Vampire lore that is fresh and intriguing. There are the "traditionally" made vampires, and then there is Sebastian. Walking in the daylight is not the only oddity about Sebastian either. While the story is interesting, the characters didn't really do it for me. The book was a decent listen that I did enjoy and would recommend to vampire fans, but unlike with some other series, I didn't have the desire to rush out and buy the second book. I'm not sure I will get around to reading the other Garnet Lacey books anytime soon. I am a huge fan of Ronconi as a narrator, and she did not disappoint here. She was actually the reason I picked up the book in the first place.

All-in-all a good listen.

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6 people found this helpful

Awesome

Reviewed: 07-16-13

The romance between Charlie and Reyes heats up even more in this latest installment in the Charlie Davidson series. This time, Charlie wakes to find not just one dead woman in her apartment, but a plethora of incorporeal beings, none of who are ready to cross quite yet. Reyes is living down the hall, leading to more fun, naked time. Garrett Swopes, the PI who has literally been to hell and back, returns with some new information on Satan and Reyes' real mission on Earth.

While Charlie and UB search for the serial killer responsible for all of the dead women in Charlie's apartment, Charlie continues her arson investigation from the last book on the side. Reyes has started a new job, which drastically increases the female patronage of Calamities. And Gemma gets a love interest.

Once again, Lorelei King does a fantastic job with the narration. Definitely my favorite book in the series thus far!

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Good Spin-off

Reviewed: 07-14-13

I love the Jane Jameson series. I have listened to all of the books more than once. So I was really excited to start the spin-off series. And The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires was good, but Iris and Cal are not nearly as good/interesting as Jane and Gabriel. It was nice that the characters I've come to know and love, Jane, Andrea, Joellene, etc. made an appearance. For fans of Molly Harper, this book is a good read. I do plan on reading the second book in the series, but I am not going to run out and buy it the way I did after reading the Jane Jameson series.

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Intriguing

Reviewed: 03-22-13

What did you like best about Six Years? What did you like least?

Best: Kept you guessing until the very end.
Worst: I thought it was going to more of a psychological thriller (totally my fault) so I was a little disappointed that it was not.

What did you like best about this story?

It was very interesting and there were just enough clues to keep me listening without giving away the ending.

Did Scott Brick do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

He did okay. In general I am not a huge fan of male narrators and the way they make women sound. But Brick did an okay job of differentiating between characters. I also thought his voice was a little old for the age of Jake.

Did Six Years inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

I thought the premise was great. I enjoyed the story but thought the execution could have been a little bit better. I realize it is fiction and that the author needs to make certain things happen for the mystery to unfold and for the main character to be able to find the clues. BUT I thought there was a lot that was just a little to coincidental.

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2 people found this helpful

Good Listen

Reviewed: 03-20-13

What did you like best about First Family? What did you like least?

I liked that it was supenseful! I kept listening straight through just to find out what the big secret was! The whole story was a little convoluted. While I enjoyed the story, it was a little hard to believe that the President could keep such giant secrets hidden during a campaign let alone once he was actually President.

Would you be willing to try another book from David Baldacci? Why or why not?

Of course! I always enjoy David Baldacci books, even the lesser ones.

What three words best describe Ron McLarty’s voice?

Gruff.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I would.

Any additional comments?

I always enjoy Sean and Michelle. But the whole side story with Michelle's mother's death in this one was a little odd. I didn't really like that story line, and felt that it didn't add anything to the book. I'd even go as far as to say it took away from the big story and I got a little bored. If I had been reading the book instead of listening to it, I would probably have skipped over those scenes.

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Sydney and Adrian Heat Up!

Reviewed: 02-25-13

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. If you have enjoyed the series so far, then Indigo Spell is a great addition :-)

What other book might you compare The Indigo Spell to and why?

Not sure. While they are spin-offs of the Vampire Academy books, the farther into the series, the less like the VA books they are. Magic takes a center stage in Indigo Spell, so maybe a Discover of Witches? There is the whole forbidden love between a vampire and witch thing going on.

What about Emily Shaffer’s performance did you like?

She is a decent narrator, not my favorite, but far from my least favorite.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Forbidden love?

Any additional comments?

The previous two books are told from Sydney's POV, just like this one, but there is a lot of Jilly, Eddie, and the other Moroi/Dhampirs. But this book is very Syndey/Adrian focused, which if you like their romance is a great thing. If you don't care for it as much as say, Rose and Dimitri's, then you might not like this book as much as the previous two. You get to meet Marcus, and find out what his group is all about. You find out what you already know about the Alchemists, that they are likely in league with the Warriors. And you get to attend Sonya's wedding, which brings us back to the VA cast. Rose and Dimitri, and Queen Lissa and Christian, are at the wedding, but we don't get to spend too much time with them.

Sydney is being hunted by a bad/evil witch, who happens to also be Mrs. Terwillinger's sister. In turn, Mrs. Terwillinger teaces Syndey how to defend herself, and Sydney and Adrian travel around the state warning other young witches that they may be in danger from Mrs. Terwillinger's sister (Veronica?). This activity keeps Sydney and Adrian around each other, and falling into romantic situations, despite Sydney's best efforts. All the while, Syndey is trying to decide whether she wants to break ties completely with the Alchemists or continue to work as a double agent and uncover more of their secrets. Working as a double agent is very risky, but leaving the Alchemists means leaving Adrian, Jill, and the others behind. No suprise which she chooses :-)

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6 people found this helpful