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lakea's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
caitybell's review against another edition
3.0
Book two in Deborah Wilde's cheeky Urban Fantasy is as fun and fast-paced as its predecessor. But while I loved the first book in this series, book two fell a little short for me.
Picking up where Blood and Ash ended, Ash is back with a new mystery. A murder mystery, well, sort of murder. It's complicated. Figuring it out takes her back to her ex-nemesis and fling, Levi, as well as the wicked Red Queen in Heathen. It's all very familiar ground, so familiar that I felt myself losing interest. While all the quirky humor, witty banter, and sexy romance from the first book are still prevalent in this sequel, Death and Desire offers very little more. Perhaps I expected the story and world to evolve more, and there are new revelations both of Ash's past and of magic itself, but they all felt lackluster. Ash tends to ALWAYS be the snarky sarcastic girl in the room. I wanted more depth from her, I wanted some kind of growth and vulnerability or just . . . something else. Something more. Unfortunately, I didn't get it. The vibe and feel of the book remain the same the entire time, making the high stakes of the plot not ever feel that high.
Overall, while it was fun, Death and Desire fell flat with its lack of growth as a series. I do plan on continuing the series, however. It is a fun take on the genre and I do like the characters as a whole! Hopefully, in the next book, we get a little more depth to the world-building and character development.
Picking up where Blood and Ash ended, Ash is back with a new mystery. A murder mystery, well, sort of murder. It's complicated. Figuring it out takes her back to her ex-nemesis and fling, Levi, as well as the wicked Red Queen in Heathen. It's all very familiar ground, so familiar that I felt myself losing interest. While all the quirky humor, witty banter, and sexy romance from the first book are still prevalent in this sequel, Death and Desire offers very little more. Perhaps I expected the story and world to evolve more, and there are new revelations both of Ash's past and of magic itself, but they all felt lackluster. Ash tends to ALWAYS be the snarky sarcastic girl in the room. I wanted more depth from her, I wanted some kind of growth and vulnerability or just . . . something else. Something more. Unfortunately, I didn't get it. The vibe and feel of the book remain the same the entire time, making the high stakes of the plot not ever feel that high.
Overall, while it was fun, Death and Desire fell flat with its lack of growth as a series. I do plan on continuing the series, however. It is a fun take on the genre and I do like the characters as a whole! Hopefully, in the next book, we get a little more depth to the world-building and character development.
milicasbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
It was still so fun story to read, but I expected just... something more.
atagarev's review against another edition
3.0
Second book in the series and some things are starting to seem a bit repetitive. Still there was enough character progression to keep my attention but I really hope some of these conflicts starts resolving or at least progressing sometime soon.
My main complaint from the last book was the lack of any actual sherlocking. Well, this time the heroine does some major deductive leaps. It would have been bad enough if they were simply unsubstantiated but instead of that they all turn out to be completely wrong which is even worse. I don't get it, we are told the character is a great investigator but every time she is forming a hypothesis I find myself screaming at her in my head that her reasoning is very flawed and makes no sense. So when it repeatedly turns out that her reasoning was flawed and incorrect, what are we supposed to think? Is she actually a terrible investigator and very naive about her world? Cause it sure seems like that is what the narrative is showing us.
My main complaint from the last book was the lack of any actual sherlocking. Well, this time the heroine does some major deductive leaps. It would have been bad enough if they were simply unsubstantiated but instead of that they all turn out to be completely wrong which is even worse. I don't get it, we are told the character is a great investigator but every time she is forming a hypothesis I find myself screaming at her in my head that her reasoning is very flawed and makes no sense. So when it repeatedly turns out that her reasoning was flawed and incorrect, what are we supposed to think? Is she actually a terrible investigator and very naive about her world? Cause it sure seems like that is what the narrative is showing us.
smithsj123's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great sequel in the new Jezebel Files series. I completely love Ash as a kick-ass heroine and as a real flawed individual as we all are. As with book one, this was a gripping story from the very first page and is a compelling story as the plot and characters continues to develop and grow. I love the friendship and relationships and have a little book crush on Levi myself, whilst the sarcasm and humour keep you smiling in this fantastical world full of magic and mystery!
Yet another great book and series from Deborah Wilde.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Yet another great book and series from Deborah Wilde.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
gypsydawn's review against another edition
5.0
Bloody brilliant!!
This is smart, smoothly written and very complex. While each book, so far, is a condensed story, in line with the urban fantasy genre, the meta plot that is developing is superb. Ash is fast talking and highly intelligent, buffeted by a distrusting streak a mile wide and more snark than is probably wise - though it makes for one funny read. Add in a host of intriguing and lovable side characters (#friendgoals), not to mention a handsome, if jaded, love/nemesis interest, and you’ve got a tale sure to entertain for hours. I loved it. Can’t wait till June when book 3 is out!
This is smart, smoothly written and very complex. While each book, so far, is a condensed story, in line with the urban fantasy genre, the meta plot that is developing is superb. Ash is fast talking and highly intelligent, buffeted by a distrusting streak a mile wide and more snark than is probably wise - though it makes for one funny read. Add in a host of intriguing and lovable side characters (#friendgoals), not to mention a handsome, if jaded, love/nemesis interest, and you’ve got a tale sure to entertain for hours. I loved it. Can’t wait till June when book 3 is out!
rebeeps's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
_camk_'s review against another edition
3.0
+Second books can me a make or break it for how relationships are going to be in books, either super mushy or dramatic but there is still a lot of funny banter between Levi and Ash.
+Ash. Ash is such a well rounded characters; her flaws are far from hidden. She may be the cool, sarcastic, no shits given female that is prominent in a lot of books now but she is also very self-aware of her insecurities.
+There is some interesting detective work.
+Ash. Ash is such a well rounded characters; her flaws are far from hidden. She may be the cool, sarcastic, no shits given female that is prominent in a lot of books now but she is also very self-aware of her insecurities.
+There is some interesting detective work.