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abinthebooks
Ugh, this was literally so fun! The author compares this to Hocus Pocus, and I can definitely get down with that comparison (although I will be bold and admit I don’t like Hocus Pocus…). The small town vibes compared with the fall feels really gives it that atmosphere. The romance was also so freaking cute. It’s a second chance romance, which I usually hate, but actually really loved in here. It made sense why the hero and heroine separated, and I really did think they had enough chemistry to continue their relationship. I also adored the hero, Rhys. He was so witty and charming—some of my favorite contenders in romance hero’s. Rhys definitely gave me golden retriever vibes, he just had that hyperactive energy and goofy quips. I loved this man so much you guys don’t understand.
I should also probably mention the witchy aspects (no shit, Abi), which were all so fun! I loved the different types of magic, and especially the curse aspect. It was really funny for Vivi, our heroine, and Rhys to break the curse that Vivi set on him, and to see them grow from it. This is definitely the perfect book for fall; very fun, atmospheric, and cozy. I really don’t understand the low rating this book has! If you’re daunted by the average rating, don’t be; especially if you’re just looking for the perfect fall vibes. The Ex Hex is a perfect contender! Can’t wait to read more from this author this fall!
4 stars
* * *
So cute and cozy, RTC
I should also probably mention the witchy aspects (no shit, Abi), which were all so fun! I loved the different types of magic, and especially the curse aspect. It was really funny for Vivi, our heroine, and Rhys to break the curse that Vivi set on him, and to see them grow from it. This is definitely the perfect book for fall; very fun, atmospheric, and cozy. I really don’t understand the low rating this book has! If you’re daunted by the average rating, don’t be; especially if you’re just looking for the perfect fall vibes. The Ex Hex is a perfect contender! Can’t wait to read more from this author this fall!
4 stars
* * *
So cute and cozy, RTC
*4.5
If I was rating this book critically, it would probably be 3 stars. The main character Lily was (objectively) annoying, and reminded me a lot of someone that that calls The Smiths “underground.” The plot was also full of very odd plot holes. All of these things would usually bother me, but I absolutely loved this book for some reason. The romance between the two MC’s was so cute, and I thought they had so much chemistry, both on and off paper.
The family dynamics were also so fun, as was the best friend relationship between our FMC, Lily and her best friend Isabel. And that’s really what P.S. I Like You was. It was a load of fun for me to read, and I didn’t read this book at all critically. This was just so sweet, and cute that I couldn’t help but fall in love with this story.
I’ve read almost the entirety of Kasie West’s books, and she’s always been a big hit-or-miss author for me. Some of her books have really stuck with me, and some I’ve given 1 star to…That being said however, P.S. I Like You is absolutely my favorite by her, and this has kind of reminded me of the love I have for her. I just really thougt this was such a fun summer read, with a very fluffy plot and romance. I would absolutely reread this in the future. Such a fun read, so glad I’ve read this author again after a long time away from her!
4.5 stars
If I was rating this book critically, it would probably be 3 stars. The main character Lily was (objectively) annoying, and reminded me a lot of someone that that calls The Smiths “underground.” The plot was also full of very odd plot holes. All of these things would usually bother me, but I absolutely loved this book for some reason. The romance between the two MC’s was so cute, and I thought they had so much chemistry, both on and off paper.
The family dynamics were also so fun, as was the best friend relationship between our FMC, Lily and her best friend Isabel. And that’s really what P.S. I Like You was. It was a load of fun for me to read, and I didn’t read this book at all critically. This was just so sweet, and cute that I couldn’t help but fall in love with this story.
I’ve read almost the entirety of Kasie West’s books, and she’s always been a big hit-or-miss author for me. Some of her books have really stuck with me, and some I’ve given 1 star to…That being said however, P.S. I Like You is absolutely my favorite by her, and this has kind of reminded me of the love I have for her. I just really thougt this was such a fun summer read, with a very fluffy plot and romance. I would absolutely reread this in the future. Such a fun read, so glad I’ve read this author again after a long time away from her!
4.5 stars
I absolutely adored the first book in this series, A Promise of Fire, and I gave it 5 stars. I was blown away, by the complexity of the world, the heroine, and the swoony romance. However, it’s sequel, Breath of Fire was very much a let down for me.
With book 1, I loved the plot and how we followed Cat through it. In book 2 however, the plot was not very concise, and almost felt like a lot of scenes just thrown into one book. Nothing happens in here. Like this could have been so much shorter, because only a few important things happen. One of the big plot twists/reveals was also done off page????? which pissed me off so much. Our heroine, Cat, is keeping a huge secret from her love interest, Griffin, and he learns of the secret literally off the page. It was so weird, and made me so angry.
Not only that, but all Griffin and Cat do is fuck in this book. I’m fine with a few sex scenes. Honestly if it’s adult and doesn’t have smut I probably won’t read it tbh. But literally every 30 pages these two were raw dogging. Even when there were people near them. Like, guys??? Chill out, the world is literally in fucking chaos and you guys are trying to get off. It made me so mad.
Also I knew it was going to happen from the first chapter, but a surprise fucking baby is in here, and I hate babies and pregnancy and I’m so pissed off I’m going to have to read about kids in the next book. I wanted a fantasy romance series, and now I’m getting parenting??? Ugh.
Anyways, this reviews sucks, but I just really need to put my thoughts down like this. I’m just really irritated about this book, especially since book one was so good. Like the plot, the characters, the writing. Everything about book 1 made me think this series was going to be a new favorite. However, this book was just not only boring, but I hated the direction this author took. I’m going to finish the series eventually (I got this far), but this really read like second book syndrome. Nothing happens, and what did happen was stupid anyways.
3 stars
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Changed rating from 3.5 to a 3.
* * *
I have very mixed thoughts about this one. Rating may change, RTC.
With book 1, I loved the plot and how we followed Cat through it. In book 2 however, the plot was not very concise, and almost felt like a lot of scenes just thrown into one book. Nothing happens in here. Like this could have been so much shorter, because only a few important things happen. One of the big plot twists/reveals was also done off page????? which pissed me off so much. Our heroine, Cat, is keeping a huge secret from her love interest, Griffin, and he learns of the secret literally off the page. It was so weird, and made me so angry.
Not only that, but all Griffin and Cat do is fuck in this book. I’m fine with a few sex scenes. Honestly if it’s adult and doesn’t have smut I probably won’t read it tbh. But literally every 30 pages these two were raw dogging. Even when there were people near them. Like, guys??? Chill out, the world is literally in fucking chaos and you guys are trying to get off. It made me so mad.
Also I knew it was going to happen from the first chapter, but a surprise fucking baby is in here, and I hate babies and pregnancy and I’m so pissed off I’m going to have to read about kids in the next book. I wanted a fantasy romance series, and now I’m getting parenting??? Ugh.
Anyways, this reviews sucks, but I just really need to put my thoughts down like this. I’m just really irritated about this book, especially since book one was so good. Like the plot, the characters, the writing. Everything about book 1 made me think this series was going to be a new favorite. However, this book was just not only boring, but I hated the direction this author took. I’m going to finish the series eventually (I got this far), but this really read like second book syndrome. Nothing happens, and what did happen was stupid anyways.
3 stars
* * *
Changed rating from 3.5 to a 3.
* * *
I have very mixed thoughts about this one. Rating may change, RTC.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
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
*3.5
I’ve always been really excited to read Kate Daniels because of how well loved this series and this author-duo is. And I can happily say that I did enjoy a lot of my time reading this first book, Magic Bites.
My main complaints of Magic Bites is the writing and the slow pacing. The writing in this story is quite dry, with a lot of it being “overwritten”. To many descriptions is basically what I’m saying. The pacing was also kind of weird. The beginning of this story felt very slow, and it marginally picked up at the end. I know it’s the first book in a very big series with a (supposedly) big complex world, so I get it, the pacing just bothered me. Speaking of the world; the world was also very interesting, though very “small” so far. However, I’m not really going to fully complain about it because of how many books there are in this series. I just know there will be such good development.
Moving on the from the negatives, my favorite thing about this story was easily our FMC, Kate Daniels, a witty 20-something magical mercenary for-hire. Her one-liners were the absolute best, as was her abilities and attitude. Kate is really the poster-girl type of heroine I love to see in PNR and Urban Fantasy. She’s funny in a smartass way, smart, powerful but not overpowered, and ready to get her shit done. She was so very fun to follow, and I’m so excited to read about her again. I also really liked the developing romance between Kate and Curran! Curran was a very cool character, and I’m really excited to see where his story and his relationship with Kate goes.
Despite Magic Bites having some remarkable flaws, I think this story really does hold up, especially as a first in a very long PNR series. Nothing felt very outdated or to “old”. This wasn’t anything remarkable, but it was really fun with a complex FMC, an entertaining plot, and a cool world. I’m really excited to read book 2 and see where Kate goes after this story. I can only imagine the growth these characters have as this series goes on and I can’t wait to read about it.
* * *
It had its issues, but I really ended up enjoying this. RTC.
I’ve always been really excited to read Kate Daniels because of how well loved this series and this author-duo is. And I can happily say that I did enjoy a lot of my time reading this first book, Magic Bites.
My main complaints of Magic Bites is the writing and the slow pacing. The writing in this story is quite dry, with a lot of it being “overwritten”. To many descriptions is basically what I’m saying. The pacing was also kind of weird. The beginning of this story felt very slow, and it marginally picked up at the end. I know it’s the first book in a very big series with a (supposedly) big complex world, so I get it, the pacing just bothered me. Speaking of the world; the world was also very interesting, though very “small” so far. However, I’m not really going to fully complain about it because of how many books there are in this series. I just know there will be such good development.
Moving on the from the negatives, my favorite thing about this story was easily our FMC, Kate Daniels, a witty 20-something magical mercenary for-hire. Her one-liners were the absolute best, as was her abilities and attitude. Kate is really the poster-girl type of heroine I love to see in PNR and Urban Fantasy. She’s funny in a smartass way, smart, powerful but not overpowered, and ready to get her shit done. She was so very fun to follow, and I’m so excited to read about her again. I also really liked the developing romance between Kate and Curran! Curran was a very cool character, and I’m really excited to see where his story and his relationship with Kate goes.
Despite Magic Bites having some remarkable flaws, I think this story really does hold up, especially as a first in a very long PNR series. Nothing felt very outdated or to “old”. This wasn’t anything remarkable, but it was really fun with a complex FMC, an entertaining plot, and a cool world. I’m really excited to read book 2 and see where Kate goes after this story. I can only imagine the growth these characters have as this series goes on and I can’t wait to read about it.
* * *
It had its issues, but I really ended up enjoying this. RTC.
