Review: The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the longest torture. It took me weeks to finish reading (listening) to this book.

On the one hand, Kate Reading, the narrator, could make a phone book or dictionary sound good. There were times when it felt that was exactly what she was reading. There is a lot of background knowledge that Anne Rice included in the book that didn’t seem necessary. But Ms. Kate kept my attention even through that.

On the other hand, there were exciting parts that kept me awake for hours as the narrator could do all the voices and give each character their own personality. So many voices she needed to create for this book!

There are books a person should probably save for daytime. This is one of those. Yet I did it before sleep every night. Ugh! I would try to end the experience on a boring part or positive note.

I don’t think I will read the rest of the Mayfair Witches series. I’ll stick with the television program. There are so many begats, like the Bible. The show does that in a different and concise way. I am hoping the birth of Lasher isn’t at all like the book. And I can’t stand that idea. The incest issues were also off-putting. That birth procedure creeped me out like the ending of Demon Seed. I wanted to throw the book! Ugh!

And Rowan is so much more interesting in the show. She’s barely there in the book and then disappears.

I hope I haven’t turned off others to try the book. But I must warn those who have the issues that I mentioned above. I’m not a fan of horror, and I would put this book in that category.

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Review: Becoming Crone by Lydia M. Hawke

Becoming Crone by Lydia M. Hawke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun book that, at last, didn’t have to do with someone under 60. It only took a couple of nights to get through. I do wish it were in Audible, but text-to-speech was still doable.

A mature woman whose marriage is over and the offspring has a child of his own finally finds her power, and boy, it’s a lot!

And her caretaker is a gargoyle. Her name is Kevin!

Hopefully, those weren’t spoilers.

It was such an entertaining book; I now have the second book lined up.

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Review: A Ghoulish Midlife by Lia Davis

A Ghoulish Midlife by Lia Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I needed a light read. This did the trick. Though it had scary topics, it was all tongue-in-cheek fun.
Coleen Marlo, the narrator, was fun to listen to, although her males sounded hoarse and hard to distinguish from each other.

This is a story for you if you like witchy stories with humor. It is a fast read; I think I read it in one night. It’s weird that I still call listening to a book ‘reading.’ But it goes in my head as if my eyes were on it. I like Audible because I don’t have to have the light on to read. I like how narrators can pronounce words that might not be common in my world. And in this case, Coleen giggled or nearly shouted at the appropriate moments, keeping me interested the whole time.

Sadly, I am not in the mood to reach out for the next book. I think it was the googly, girlie attitude toward the handsome man. I hate that stuff. Not romantic. Just small-minded reasons to do things. I like stronger, smarter characters.

Still, like I said before, it was a quick, fun read.

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Review: Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa

Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t know who recommended this, but it was an insightful read. Kate uses Tarot Major Arcana to tell a piece of a teen’s confusing life. I love how we learn the cards as a story unto themselves and how it applies to Elenor’s past.

Kate Sclesa is a young adult novel, and the romances cause angst. But I loved climbing into Elenor’s thoughts and seeing how she caused her worries to grow.

Stacey Glemboski (Narrator) brought this Audible version alive with her voice acting.

Quite an enjoyable and inspiring read.

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Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m on my second reading of this book. I read the actual hardback the first time. Now the eyes wouldn’t be able to. So I chose to listen to Jim Dale read the book to me. For the most part, he is a good narrator, but ugh, for the females. He makes them sound like he’s making fun of them. And he seems to use the voice of Hagrid for another character making it a bit confusing.

Still, I am raising my rating from three stars to four as I found this more pleasant this time. I don’t know if it is my interpretation of the book versus how Jim Dale portrayed it. I just remembered this book as scary and dark. Yet this time, I found it lighter and happier. Maybe I knew where it was going, so I didn’t shake in fear?

As with the first two books, I find them male-heavy, which is disappointing because it is a female author. Seeing that she chose to be more acceptable to males by having a male pseudonym makes me admire her less. But maybe now, she might not choose that path.

Since I have the collection on Audible, I plan to continue listening. I do wish there was another actor to play the females. Still, how many can say, “Buckbeak’s back” multiple times without tripping over their tongues? Jim Dale got points for that!

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Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is my second reading of the series. I noticed I haven’t changed my star rating. I’m still only giving it three stars. Jim Dale is part of the reason for this rating. His voice is suitable for all the males in the book but is horrid with the females. I do feel the grumpiness of Professor Minerva McGonagall and the hyper-energy of Hermoine. But for the most part, Mister Dale’s females sound demeaning and whiny.

But things I love about the book are the basilisk and the phoenix. These are two very fantastic beasts. Oh, and I love the idea of a diary that talks to you from someone else. I don’t like the Tom Riddle part or Voldemort parts, but I suppose we need the bad guy. I did like getting to know Tom’s back story.

When I read the tome about a decade ago, I thought it was a slower slog. This book was over quickly. And for these stressful days having something I know and enjoy, helps the sleep come faster at night.

I’ve already started book three. And I remember how each book gets darker. Maybe by the end, I won’t use these as bedtime books.

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Review: Fire by L.B. Gilbert

Fire by L.B. Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is it the pandemic or what? I think I would have loved this book before but…

Tanya Eby, narrator, was quite good at the many voices it took to tell the story. I tried just using the text-to-speech and found that dull. Maybe if my eyes were good enough to follow along I would like it more. I would have been able to get deeper into the story. Ms. Eby’s voice brought me into the world of the fire elemental.

I must have enjoyed it because I listened to the end. I did like the main character. But often I tired. I honestly don’t think it was the writing or character development. I really think this could have been the most exciting book ever. It was just my inability to concentrate. So don’t take my word for it. Check it out. Maybe when life settles I’ll try it again and see if I don’t actually love it.

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Review: Ever Strange by Alisa Woods

Ever Strange by Alisa Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It seemed I was on a witch-reading spree lately. Here’s another and, I think, better than the others. It was free, so that’s even better. The main character was well developed. The storyline kept me engaged. And if you need spice, this book has it without getting into the realms of erotica. Nice that fantasy leaves a bit to your imagination. You might enjoy this book. I did.

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Review: Payback’s a Witch by Constance Barker

Payback’s a Witch by Constance Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this and the second book out of order as I wasn’t sure which was which. I wish that the Kindle people would put a large number on the little image of books so that it wouldn’t happen the way it did for me.

That said, I wasn’t as far off in what I believed happened in the second book and first book. I was prepared to read number two again if I needed it, but it all straightened itself out in my head.

This series is very light and fun a kind of cozy mystery. So if you are looking for a fun quick read, check these out. And the plus is that they are free with Kindle Unlimited. I hope you get the chance to check them out.

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Review: No Crones About It by Amanda M. Lee

No Crones About It by Amanda M. Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you are looking for a fun distraction, nothing too heavy or crazy, this is it. This series is about fun. Of course, you have to be the kind of person who enjoys a bit of snark.

There is a bit of shapeshifter and witchy romance but it is far from angsty. It is just the right amount of tension and fun between two people.

I am grateful to Kindle Unlimited to get to read this little gem.

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