I guess this was silly fun but it felt a bit lacking in substance and I got a bit bored waiting for Charlie to become a villain. I haven't listened toI guess this was silly fun but it felt a bit lacking in substance and I got a bit bored waiting for Charlie to become a villain. I haven't listened to any other audiobooks read by Wil Wheaton, so I don't know if it's just how he reads things, but he sounded annoyed the whole way through, which was off-putting. I liked the cats....more
I love a good sentient house story and this one delivered. I liked the damaged and flawed characters too, the fact they are hard to love at first makeI love a good sentient house story and this one delivered. I liked the damaged and flawed characters too, the fact they are hard to love at first makes it all the more rewarding when they grow on you. It's also kind of nice that everyone isn't beautiful for once. Liked this a whole lot more than her debut....more
Not as good as the first book. There wasn't enough plot to make up for the instalove; the whole thing happens over a few days, immediately after the pNot as good as the first book. There wasn't enough plot to make up for the instalove; the whole thing happens over a few days, immediately after the previous events. Astaroth's amnesia is so inconsistent, it was hard to be convinced by his change of heart.
The author seems to make a big deal out of Calladia being fit and wearing casual clothes like that was unusual and something you have to defend?! The whole emotional abuse was kind of thrown in casually, like half way through she suddenly realised it was odd that Calladia was both confident about her lifestyle while also being weird about it.
There was a few things that were infodumped that could have made an interesting story if fed gradually, but it just seemed to want to get straight to the sex....more
I would basically read T. Kingfisher's grocery list at this point. The godmother, dust-wife and demon possessed chicken characters were PratchettesqueI would basically read T. Kingfisher's grocery list at this point. The godmother, dust-wife and demon possessed chicken characters were Pratchettesque in a way I haven't seen in even books described as similar to Discworld, yet the story is deliciously dark and fairytale like. Loveable characters and wonderful writing!...more
This was a fun faux-regency fantasy romance, and I liked the fairy narrator and the fantasy elements but something about the romance didn't click withThis was a fun faux-regency fantasy romance, and I liked the fairy narrator and the fantasy elements but something about the romance didn't click with me. There didn't seem like much chemistry but maybe that's because the narrator was disinterested....more
A new case forces Sara to face her past trauma. While the crimes are still horrific, the main characters seem to have gotten softer CW: sexual assault
A new case forces Sara to face her past trauma. While the crimes are still horrific, the main characters seem to have gotten softer and kinder than in the earlier books, which is no bad thing. Kinda teared up at Amanda's response to the wedding prep....more
Not as good as Joya's previous books. Nikki never really seemed all that concerned about being made homeless, the story just assumed she had safety neNot as good as Joya's previous books. Nikki never really seemed all that concerned about being made homeless, the story just assumed she had safety nets that aren't really very realistic, eg. either rich boyfriend's parents will look after her or she'll ace an audition that will somehow magically allow her to live in LA. Money isn't really talked about other than one flashback to her mother not being able to afford toys for them. If I was 18 with nothing to my name, I would sure feel more worried about it....more
I loved the main character being an archaeological entomologist meant that certain elements of horror didn't make her freak out like you would expect.I loved the main character being an archaeological entomologist meant that certain elements of horror didn't make her freak out like you would expect. Also, lots of bug facts!...more
Temi's degree in neuroscience feeds into this book so much as it explores the implications, good and bad, of a chip in our brains. How it can be used Temi's degree in neuroscience feeds into this book so much as it explores the implications, good and bad, of a chip in our brains. How it can be used for helping mental health, connecting people, but also the chance for exploitation, the risks of using prediction algorithms on our private thoughts. What happens when someone decides your guilty before you've even thought about committing a crime? The space taken up by this means the plot can be a little slow but overall I enjoyed this thoughtful story....more
I was hoping the new town would freshen up this series, but I was a bit disappointed for it to go straight to the old formula. It isn't even about theI was hoping the new town would freshen up this series, but I was a bit disappointed for it to go straight to the old formula. It isn't even about the residents settling in, instead focuses on the mishaps of the construction crew, because of course people wander out into the forest and die. If you've being enjoying Rockton you'll probably still enjoy this. I liked it well enough....more
This was a great read but the cover blurb kinda gave away something that is revealed at 60%. Why do publishers do that? There was plenty in the early This was a great read but the cover blurb kinda gave away something that is revealed at 60%. Why do publishers do that? There was plenty in the early chapters to come up with a hook. Cloning, the serial killer, VR, post-partum depression, etc....more
If you liked the ideas behind Arrival, this one's for you. I loved the science and philosophy, exploring what consciousness and language is. Very nearIf you liked the ideas behind Arrival, this one's for you. I loved the science and philosophy, exploring what consciousness and language is. Very nearly a 5 star read but it did use monologues to explain the conclusions rather than letting the reader reach them by themselves.