Definitely needs more vampire slaying.. And editing. I also found myself wishing it should have been written by a woman. Because only a man could write such terrible characterisations of women. There is a lot of potential but it gets lost in a heap of unnecessary chapters.

The vampire in question is also preying Black children, as the Police do nothing, and it could have been a solid commentary on the reality of police investigation in Black neighbourhoods but no.. It is dropped quickly and the story moves on three years. Hugely disappointing and just feels like he wrote Black characters simply to kill them?

Character development is poor and gore high... So if that's your thing, you might just enjoy it.

TW for domestic violence and sexual assault.

Probably 2.5 rounded down for problematic content.

I put off reading this for ages, esp after reading CWF. With this, I found most of the same pros and cons:

Pros - easy to read, well written
Cons - awful characters, problematic content

I have also found myself identifying with the characters feelings at time, and then being horrendously frustrated at them. I gave CWF 3 stars but I really am past books like this where characters struggle to communicate with each other for literacy purposes.

I bought this book when it came out at the start of the year and read the main bulk in a day. I didn't want to review it however until I had completed the ten week work out plan.

I think the concept of the book is great and I love how it looks. I think for someone trying to find exercise joyful without punishment, the first section of the book will be extremely helpful in teaching them new skills and learning from Tally's own experience of diet culture. The section on intuitive eating is also excellent if this is a new concept for you. Having expert guest writers is a smart addition.

I think the book could have been better laid out to make it truly accessible however, esp as the tag line is a plan for every body. There is a lot of information and it can be difficult to process. It is the first time I've ever followed a structured fitness plan, and I was able to add to it in ways thanks to suggestion of challenges (I did virtual barre classes which I never would have been comfortable enough to do before), but the plan was so structured there were no tips for people in bodies that would struggle to do some of the moves. I have had a PT in the past so am confident in modifying moves or doing something else if I wasn't able to complete what the plan suggested. I was able to have a small home workout kit with a set of dumbbells and 2 KBs, but for folk who can't get to the gym or not afford to buy equipment it may be a barrier.

I loved that the plans showed different bodies completing the circuits but because of the lack of modifications I wondered if all people with those body types would be able to successfully complete the 10 weeks?

There are some definite pros to the book though and I hope if Tally does another or even a refresh of this, she can add to it to increase inclusivity. I feel stronger and am absolutely delighted I managed to complete the plan, and it's encouraged me to continue to work with my body, rather than against it.

A solid 3 stars, but could have been more.

I loved the Magic / PI mash up, and the undertone of family dynamics. It was an easy read if a bit predictable. I liked how the author dealt with Ivy's grief, and I don't think you were meant to like her but I found her wallowing took away from the rest of the story a bit. Mrs Webb totally underutilised!!!

Pros: the magic school and the teachers, the mix between magic and non magic.

Cons: Ivy and the other whiney characters.

Didn't expect to like it at all but I did. Anyone looking for a nice wee distraction to the coronavirus - this is it.