Pleasantly Surprised

I received this book free of charge in return for an honest review and although I was not truly expecting much when I started it was surprisingly good. The main character felt human and made stupid mistakes just like everyone else. I am already itching for the next book.

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1 person found this helpful

Not an exceptionally good book

Any additional comments?

This review refers to the first 4 books in the series which I have read so far. As a whole these books are fun easy to read or listen to, the writing is fluent and the plot is very simple and and entertaining, portraying the story of Cassie Scot a young (normal) female detective existing in a world of magic.

However since there is very little detective work or any real mysteries in these books, I’m not really sure how they ended up in the “Mysteries & Thrillers” category, if anything this series is more of a supernatural fantasy style book, and in reality it really is a romance novel (minus the sex parts). Still the world in which the plot unfolds is a world of sorcery, with powerful families of sorceress and a whole new spin on the world of magic.

Yet while I have for the most part been enjoying this series, the one thing that really bothered me is the lake of strong female characters, even in worlds of utter inequality some authors have managed to create very strong women, in this world however most women are depict as weak, either inherently so or made to be by circumstances. In a world where magic makes you strong and the more magic you have the more powerful you are, the only 2 women that are given any strength of character (Cassie and an old seer) are completely devoid of any magic, and there for of any real power.

Will I continue to listen to more books in this series, honestly I’m not sure, on the one hand I like to finish what I’ve started (if only to know how it ends), on the other hand there are large parts of dialogs which just frustrate me to where I just want to turn it off.

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This book hooked me from the beginning!

Would you listen to Cassie Scot again? Why?

Yes, I would, since I felt sad that it was over last night when I finished listening. Actually, I was almost "mad" when it ended - I wanted more, which is the sign of a brilliant writer and good plotting. Ms. Amsden is a superb writer. It's not easy for many young writers to get past the novice stage of overwriting, or distracted writing, or too much embellishment, repetition, or dropping tension - but this new writer is already on the top of her game, right out of the starting gate. She is a natural storyteller, and she writes with such fluid simplicity that the words seamlessly tell the story in a natural, suspenseful fashion. I'm very impressed with her style.

What other book might you compare Cassie Scot to and why?

I've never read many books in this genre. Well, actually, this is my first. But I'd say that although it's marketed as YA, the appeal is very broad and many adults will become hooked on the series, not unlike the Harry Potter books.

What does Melissa Reizian Frank bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really loved Melissa's dialog interpretations and her varied voices between men and women. Nicely done!. She sounded natural and enthusiastic, and showed great emotion when appropriate. I felt she was totally engaged in the story, and that was exciting to hear.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes! I kept getting mad at Cassie for her very "young," reactions to her world and relationships (not surprising for her character age) such as family and boyfriends. She assumed a lot, which sent her reeling off in wrong directions (often in her own mind). But the natural misinterpretations on her part were well told and absolutely believable, reminding me of real world people I know who do the same.

I laughed a lot - although this book has some pretty tense and scary scenes (being bitten multiple by a villainous vampire was pretty graphically described, and most frightening!), it also had a nice, light, cheeky sense of humor that I adored.

Any additional comments?

So many questions remain. I've heard there's a series and a sequel coming up soon, called Secrets and Lies.

Can't wait to find out why Cassie's parents disowned her - what was that all about? It had to be to protect her or their other children.

What is it about Evan they are so afraid of? There's something really big here, but we still don't know what it is.

Why is Cassie so intuitive, and is that really her "gift?" She showed that intuition all through the book, although she didn't recognize it in herself.

Why doesn't she react like most girls to men who obvious love her? (I kind of liked that part, having raised 3 teenage daughters who were NOT like that, LOL)

Will she be able to overcome her feelings of inadequacy in order to grow into a more confident woman in the future?

Will she resolve things with her family?

Will she marry Evan and have super special babies with powers?

I also want to know if Christine Amsden came from a large family like that of Cassie Scot. She described it so well. ;o)

Thanks, Ms. Amsden, for a great listen!

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6 people found this helpful

Hooked

I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and now I’m voluntarily leaving this honest review. Cassie Scot is an interesting, brave and strong character. She has no magic and lives in a town full of magic with her large family who is also full of magical talents. In this book she struggles with paving her own future and maintaining strength for the people in her life despite her deficiencies. I don’t like to give spoilers so I will say this is an interesting paranormal mystery read for those that are in to that sort of thing. I did figure out who the main villain was chapters before Cassie did but the book is full of other twists I didn’t see coming. The books ends with Cassie solving the overall mystery but leaves you needing the answers to others questions between her parents, her loves life and her future as a normal detective in a town full of powerful supernaturals. Can’t wait to find out what happens in book two.

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He wants to look after her, not own her.

A woman, setting up her own private detective agency, in an area where paranormal beings lived alongside humans.
Unfortunately, the first job she gets, leads into all sorts of strife.
What happens, well, that's best either read, or listened to, as the author intended.
It's an interesting first book into this series.

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Thoroughly charmed and caught in a spell

I have been thoroughly charmed and caught in a spell spun by Christine Amsden. I am not sure what I expected of Cassie Scot but what I got was a lovable and charming character that has won me over. Cassie a “Marilyn Munster” in a magical family has to carve her own way. When nothing is done for the simple reason of favor but has repercussions and debts to be paid, it can be a little tricky. Cassie runs her own detective agency and works with her former boss the police chief to solve magical and cases.

When a client comes into the office with hopes of Cassie serving a subpoena to a love potion making witch thing go from easy to puzzling when Cassie finds a dead body. Only the dead body turns out to be cousin to a powerful and childhood friend/crush Evan. A sorcerer that is rumored to place love spells on the women he meets. They begin to work together to find out who is behind the murders and quickly become gossip.

Added to the mayhem is a crazy and magical family that all live together in one house. All of Cassie’s siblings have magical ability. It is a wildly funny and chaotic atmosphere. All is not perfect in this household. Feeling less than and not good enough has plagued Cassie since childhood and continues.

Cassie struggles to figure out who she is and who she can trust. It’s hard with so many secrets and lies swirling around. Cassie is beginning to realize someone wants her dead. Who will help her? Who will cast her aside and who can she trust?

Such a good story that when I finished I immediately searched for book 2. Sadly we will have to wait till November. ((sad face)) I want it now mummy!

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Pleasant Story and Listen

There are several pop-culture references in this story that contribute to it’s enjoyability. References to squibs from Harry Potter as well as television shows and adult literature are incorporated. Society in this story seems to know about magic and some supernatural creatures, but seems satisfied essentially pretending they don’t exist.
The only real complaint I have about the story is a personal hang up. So many stories written by women involve love triangles and the inevitable conflicting emotions the cause. It has long been cliche, and I typically read/listen with the hope that “this time will be different.” On rare occasions this trite relationships are omitted, though not in this book.
The narration is solid, with some quality character voice work. There are some intonation issues, but not enough to impact overall enjoyment.

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The book wasn't written for me; you might like it.

I have not read many urban fantasies, and so my pool to judge from is small and unfortunately for Christine Amsden very skilled. The last urban fantasy I read was Magic Street by Orson Scott Card. He is a master of fiction in Fantasy and Sci-Fi and so I feel it is a little unfair to compare her against him. So I will endeavor not to.

This book seems to be written for young adult. I am not a young adult, and so I am likely not its intended audience. So when I say I feel this book had too much exposition, I may be the one at fault. I just found it difficult to be told something, and then be shown it or vice versa. I also felt there were a few times where something was only told, but I would have rather experienced it. The start of the story did not immediately grab my attention (though I suppose it is a fine balancing act having a story start in a way that grips you without being over the top.)

This is the first book in a series so it may be Christine's first ever, and if so I should show some grace in writing decisions, but I found it frustrating that I didn't know how old the main character was until quite a ways in the book (I may have missed it towards the beginning). It was hard knowing how to relate to the character in relation to her family without age.

As a conservative, some of the content was also not appreciated. Relationships are approached from a liberal mindset that I believe is ultimately harmful to those involved. Magic in the book is tied with symbols associated with the occult, which I associate with Satanic practices. I believe magic can be presented in our world in a way that does not lead individuals to dabble in practices that may involve evil beings.

If you're not a conservative and you're a young adult, you may like this book. If you, like me, found the beginning slow, give it some time. The ending is better than the beginning. In fact, the end did catch my interest enough that I did debate on buying the next book in the series.

Melissa Reizian Frank may be new to reading books, or she is sloppy. There were multiple places in the book where it was clear she had started a new recording due to changes in the ambient background noise and/or change in volume. I also found it difficult associating her mature, confident voice with Cassie. I didn't think she represented the characters in a diverse way, but again here I am comparing her with Michael Kramer and Kate Reading (Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson). These two are seasoned voice actors who do an amazing job of creating uniquely cadenced and pitched voices for each character.

As my headline reads, this book wasn't written for me. I still found it to be acceptable, and I have a passing interest in listening to the next. Don't let my review stop you from giving Cassie Scott a shot. I promise there are some great scenes in this book that you will enjoy.

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Exciting beginning

I think this is an exciting beginning to a series! The mixture of sorcery and vampires is interesting. And I can't forget Evan!! I will be getting the next book asap

*I requested this book and am voluntarily leaving this review

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Simply A Lot of Fun!

I love mysteries, fantasies and romances so putting the three together sounded like a lot of fun and I was not disappointed! This really was a great first book in a series but be warned you'll need to be ready with book two handy because it does leave off on a cliffhanger. To be honest the style reminds me of Twilight but she grew up in a wizarding home and she's not falling for the vampires she's and being hunted by them. The narration is well done and I really enjoyed listening to it.

Morality Rating - PG13 - there's some minor graphic violence and some steamy scenes but no actual sex scenes in this book.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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