Anonymous reviewed Wraith (Zoe Martinique Investigation, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 15
An urban fantasy about a heroine who is an astral traveler and private investigator/spy for hire. First book in a series that has potential. Due to a run in with a character that can eat souls, the heroine, Zoe, finds that her powers of astral projection have been changed and in some cases increased. Dealing with that as well as trying to solve a mystery that at first glance seems merely a case of corporate espionage makes for an entertaining read. It is almost a cliche of urban fantasy that the heroine is either an orphan or estranged from her family, so it is also nice to see a heroine in this genre who has a close relationship with her mother as well as several friends she can rely on, two of whom are ghosts. And I appreciate that the heroine is not the only major female character in the novel.
However, the big problem with this book is the voice of the main character. Told in the first person, Zoe cannot relate her story without CONSTANTLY commenting on what she is telling the reader. First the character will make a statement, then she makes a mental comment on what she just said and then she qualifies the mental comment with another snarky aside. What is supposed to come across as witty banter instead comes across as unnecessary distractions. It hurts the narrative. This happens not only throughout the book, it also happen several times a page. Her numerous asides and tangents bog the book down so it becomes more about how Zoe feels about how she is feeling instead of telling a story. I got to the point where I started skimming through Zoe's inner monologues so I could get to the plot.
The novel's premise is a good one but the execution leaves something to be desired. However, if Weldon does continue to grow as a writer that may change. I am unsure if I will continue with this series as I am undecided on whether it's promising elements outweigh the irritations.
However, the big problem with this book is the voice of the main character. Told in the first person, Zoe cannot relate her story without CONSTANTLY commenting on what she is telling the reader. First the character will make a statement, then she makes a mental comment on what she just said and then she qualifies the mental comment with another snarky aside. What is supposed to come across as witty banter instead comes across as unnecessary distractions. It hurts the narrative. This happens not only throughout the book, it also happen several times a page. Her numerous asides and tangents bog the book down so it becomes more about how Zoe feels about how she is feeling instead of telling a story. I got to the point where I started skimming through Zoe's inner monologues so I could get to the plot.
The novel's premise is a good one but the execution leaves something to be desired. However, if Weldon does continue to grow as a writer that may change. I am unsure if I will continue with this series as I am undecided on whether it's promising elements outweigh the irritations.
Helpful Score: 4
I can't give an accurate review of this book because I couldn't get past the first chapter. The main character is so whiny, immature and annoying I could not keep reading. The story line seemed promising, but I could not get past my dislike for the main character.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed Wraith (Zoe Martinique Investigation, Bk 1) on + 724 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I thought this was going to be awesome,however,with Zoe consistantly making stupid decisions.I was still suprised she survived.It is a great story.
Helpful Score: 3
Difficult to read with all her interjected thoughts,etc. The intrusive and weird writing style ruined the book for me.
Kate T. (katiebratt) reviewed Wraith (Zoe Martinique Investigation, Bk 1) on + 105 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I liked this book. There was some great laugh out loud moments and a lot of action. A great beginning to a series.
There was a lot of internal dialog that is unnecessary to progress the storyline, but is definitely worth reading if you like humor with your action/fantasy books. I feel the extra dialog gives insight to the character.
There was a lot of internal dialog that is unnecessary to progress the storyline, but is definitely worth reading if you like humor with your action/fantasy books. I feel the extra dialog gives insight to the character.
Lesa C. (4fabfelines) reviewed Wraith (Zoe Martinique Investigation, Bk 1) on + 112 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
this was a pretty good book. Zoe gets into all kinds of trouble being a traveler, and meets up with a fellow traveler who kills someone in front of her.
He also makes a grab for her, and marks her hand with a weird brand.
Zoe comes back to herself but knows something is differant, what did the other traveler do to her?
When she has a client that asks her to investigate something shady Zoe senses there is more than meets the eye to this whole deal.
With the watchful eye of the sey detective she gets in up over her head... and more.
He also makes a grab for her, and marks her hand with a weird brand.
Zoe comes back to herself but knows something is differant, what did the other traveler do to her?
When she has a client that asks her to investigate something shady Zoe senses there is more than meets the eye to this whole deal.
With the watchful eye of the sey detective she gets in up over her head... and more.
Gah! This book. The author is scattered and loves to infodump every. Other. Page. It completely ruins the flow. Almost every conversation was infodumping about one thing or another.
And then, a character will say something and then 1-1200 paragraphs later, we get the response. "How are you, Zoe?" and then oceans of character thoughts before she responds to the question. It is so bad, I was constantly forgetting what was being responded to - it took so long for the character to respond.
I am not sure if the later books get better. I have 1-4 but can't even finish book 1 so I am not going to try and get through it to the next. The author doesn't give the reader a reason to love this character.
Also - a WARNING to sensitive readers. There is a very graphic rape scene in this book. It was pretty awful to read.
I do not recommend this book.
And then, a character will say something and then 1-1200 paragraphs later, we get the response. "How are you, Zoe?" and then oceans of character thoughts before she responds to the question. It is so bad, I was constantly forgetting what was being responded to - it took so long for the character to respond.
I am not sure if the later books get better. I have 1-4 but can't even finish book 1 so I am not going to try and get through it to the next. The author doesn't give the reader a reason to love this character.
Also - a WARNING to sensitive readers. There is a very graphic rape scene in this book. It was pretty awful to read.
I do not recommend this book.
