Nancy D. (miz-firefly) - reviewed on 3/10/2018 + 112 more book reviews

3.5 I wanted to give this book a 4. Then I remembered her Earth Witches and just couldn't.

There's a lot to like here. The story has most of what I want in a read. A quick moving plot. Take charge characters. A good balance of action and humor. A nice balance between character development and exposition.

There's just too many things that didn't jell for me. I really wish this book had gone through another edit, maybe two. The set-up felt stiff, and I had a hard time settling into the story. The early transitions were challenging. I've seen her do much better.

I like the couple dynamics in this book. Melian and Titus come together pretty quick, but there is plenty of activity story-wise so it didn't feel rushed. And the premise is interesting. The MC is a low level witch who leads a complicated magical life. She is the caretaker for The Gramarye - a strong magical source that is all but falling down around her ears. For lack of a better metaphor, the force is strong with the building - the funding? What funding?

Her obligations keep her from holding down a regular job, so she does a lot of stealing. She's pretty good at it too; when her magic works. When her magic acts up, look out. No seriously, Look Out. Buildings can burn down, hell hounds run amok, expensive cars get destroyed. Sometimes she gets arrested. The charges are almost always dropped, but it's a pain waiting for bail. Sometimes she supplements her coffers selling potions and psychic readings. Sometimes those get her arrested too.

This most recent arrest she attracts a stalker with a stick up his bum. A Police Detective who clearly has a history with phony psychics. He's determined to nail her for fraud. Problem is, she is the real deal. And she has a lot of magic to protect. When he starts his crush the phony psychic campaign her already complicated existence gets a lot dicier.

It's a fun read, there are just a few things that didn't set right with me. There is a lot about the story to like. I really like the characters. But I think Roland underutilized the supporting characters. Melian has a fun familiar that is seldom seen. A cousin who would be a great addition to the cast if she were present more. And several uncles I wish I'd gotten to know better. Things went sort of jello down the home stretch. But on the whole it was a satisfying read.

I just wasn't wild about the catalyst - The Stalker Detective's rigid refusal to see things in anything other than black and white causes a lot of unnecessary trouble in this book, and he is clearly going to be a focal point in the next book and now I LOATHE HIM.

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