The Librarian Soul

I enjoyed it a lot

Revisado: 02-02-25

I sat down and read the entire thing in one sitting, reading along as I listened to the Audible with Whispersync. It helps that the narrator is one of my favorites and he really aids immersion. I enjoyed the story, the unique spin on magic, the world building, and the character development. I am going straight to the next book!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Hidden Gem!

Revisado: 01-08-25

I am delighted to have found this book. Last year was one of the worst and hardest years of my entire life. We lost more than I can say, including two loved ones, and my family is struggling very hard with it. I am blessed to have found this book that I can share with them. It's not merely a very entertaining escape, but also full of mostly lighthearted ways that help the MC cope with trauma, which is super relatable. However, don't mistake me, aside from that aspect the story is a wonderful journey and a very worthy addition to the genre; the LitRPG game elements alone are solid and very immersive. As someone who always reads along as I listen with Whispersync, I highly recommend the narrator, as well. My absolute favorite part of the book is Mr. Snuggles and Company. I will be immediately moving on to book 2. As always, I add a million stars for having the courage and vocabulary in this genre (or any genre these days, really) to write a fantastic story without so many expletives that I need eye/ear bleach or to ensure my books can never be overheard by my family! That is truly a rockstar move in my opinion.

TL;DR: Nice world building, meaningful trauma facing in lighthearted ways, wholesome story and MC, true system/stat based LitRPG, very good writing, will continue series and author devotedly from here on.

1 million and 5 / 5 stars!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

1 Billion out of 5 Stars; on to Volume 3!

Revisado: 12-11-24

I love this series thus far. The world, character, and magic systems building Lee does are simply off-the-charts well done. The characters are very believable, retaining plenty of verisimilitude in comparison to how many people I know would certainly react given the same circumstances. The length of the book is excellent for those of us who love longer works and/or actively turn away from many short ones (as I do). I can't wait to read volume three and I have little doubt that I will faithfully move through this author's entire body of works as long as they continue in the same or a compatible vein.

 

Additionally, I always listen and read along with Whispersync, and as always, Travis Baldree does an epic job aiding immersion as narrator. I can’t emphasize enough how the Audible version, when done very well, enhances one’s reading experience. Though I began doing both simultaneously due to my low vision, I recommend everyone try it to enjoy the unique experiences.  

 

Last but ABSOLUTELY NOT least, Lee gets a billion extra stars from me for not being crazily foul-mouthed like so many current authors. Instead, this brilliant author uses very creative and wonderful euphemisms, which also serve to further enhance the world building in the process! 10^9 + 5* of 5*.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Refreshingly different spin

Revisado: 12-09-24

I thoroughly enjoyed this alternative twist on standard wedding themed stories. The sound effects and voice-acting were very much on point and definitely aided full immersion (the commercial was so believable that a family member thought Audible books had suddenly started having ads). The full cast of narrators all did outstanding jobs, as well. My one major complaint was that--as with so very many current works--it was so full of explicit language that I couldn't listen to it anywhere near my daughter, and even had to go so far as to turn my headset down to make ABSOLUTELY certain that she didn't overhear. A few parts were so foul mouthed that they disgusted me and I was forced to skip ahead in what was otherwise a very good story and production across the board. Because of such extremely foul language, it lost stars when it would have normally easily earned 5/5 instead of 3/5 in the story.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Gets Better Every Time

Revisado: 12-04-24

I am really enjoying this series so far. It is extremely impressive that the author manages to really make the most of the time magic / Groundhog Day movie-like theme; though I have experienced many stories using the same concept, Stovall deftly claims it and makes it fresh again. The heartfelt struggles and growth of the characters was present in the first book, but it's so much more intense in this one. Finch and Kull (and now Enzo, who I also love) are really enduring and believable characters that I am extremely attached to and grow ever more so with each page. By the last page of book two, I have laughed a lot, cried a little, and developed a deep hope for everyone going forward. Finch is just such an amazing, strong-hearted MC. I can't wait to experience more adventures with him and his new, growing agency! Also, as someone who always reads along and listens to the Audible with Whispersync, I thoroughly enjoyed the narration. This gets an easy 10/10, and I can't wait for the next Kindle and Audible pairing to be released!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Worth the wait, as always!

Revisado: 11-26-24

I have been super excited to dive into the newest character's story in the Croft verse for quite a while now. When the Audible finally dropped so that I might listen as I read along, I was thrilled. Unfortunately, I plowed through it in a single day, and now must wait again. I was delighted at the fresh perspective on the Croft verse that still manages to stay very true to it. Magnarella's story and character building chops are truly epic and he proves that yet again. I cannot wait to see where Maddy goes next, and she is wonderfully, fallibly real, just as Croft is. Naturally, so too are every other new character Magnarella introduces to populate Maddy's vibrant reality. As a side note, I also enjoyed the narration. As a complete James Patrick Cronin groupie, I was worried about anyone else even having a go. I did enjoy the new narrator exclusively for Maddie, though I absolutely prefer Cronin for all things Croft and found myself wishing for him to step him when--much to my delight--Croft appears! I hope for the future that perhaps they can work together. Amazing 10/10 job, again Mr. Magnarella, sir. Next book and audiobook, please!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Absolutely worth the hype!

Revisado: 10-27-24

I pre-ordered this book on the reviews of authors I very much enjoy and the powerhouse narration I knew would be included. In every single way, it surpassed my expectations. I cannot wait for the next adventure! Also, anyone not experiencing the audiobook is really missing out on amazing immersion and an awesome set of performances, and the overall story experience. Soundbooth Theater ROCKS! Also, bravo to both of these authors. I really needed the escape, and it was absolutely mission accomplished. Next, please?

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Much Anticipated and Over Too Soon!

Revisado: 10-08-24

I waited what felt like so very long (thank goodness it wasn’t actually long at all, but I’d still love for the next book to come out even more quickly) for book 2 in Aaron’s Tear Down Heaven series to be released. I haven’t been this excited since waiting with bated breath for each release in her too short D.F.Z. series.

I started reading and listening as soon as “Hell of a Witch” was released, bought, and downloaded. However, I actively fought to slow my pace to try to draw out my enjoyment a bit because otherwise I would have finished it in a single day. I enjoyed the continued world development, and was ultimately happy with where this book eventually left us to await the next chapter. The character development, while suffering from growing pains, felt realistic because of those very pains, and certainly opened up limitless possibilities for very good things going forward in the series. I eagerly await seeing what comes next. Book three, please!

For those who want an even more verbosely detailed review:
However, with that being said, I must say that I did cringe quite a bit at a great deal of the angst the main characters went through, but it had to happen. Aaron is very adept at making her characters go through things that people actually go through and then grow through, and this happened a lot in this book. I knew from the beginning where some of the stories were heading, and that the MCs would need to deal with very specific downturns and pitfalls that nearly every story with similar characters and elements contains. Love between two hopeless young underdogs out to buck the system (especially if one of them is a martyr in an infinite loop that only the other one can reboot)? Oh yeah, they have to stubbornly pick each other despite pointed pushback from authority figures. Naturally, they have to get burned for that choice somehow, too. Of course what ensues thereafter includes annoying the absolute mess out of me, the jaded reader. However, being extremely annoyed with the choices of the characters was a part of the immersion, as it was supposed to be. Thankfully, like the worst parts of puberty, the angst was necessary and now I very much hope it is entirely behind us.

The only exceptions that give me pause (and it’s very nearly a full stop, unfortunately) are the relationships of the Blades with the Princes. That was left wide open, raw, and festering, and I’m very much hoping it doesn’t get anymore cringe-worthy. It was weird and icky in book 1, and intensely and uncomfortably creepy and horrible in this one; I really hope it doesn’t get worse and the emphasis on them as a whole fades away, as I’m not a fan of that element of the story that feels somewhere between extreme domestic violence, deep demonic horror, and cult brainwashing. The chord it strikes simply doesn’t match the emotional and mental level of the rest of the book; I hope the dissonance resolves. Overall, I cannot wait for the next book!

For the listeners, audiophiles, and other ADHD squirrel-chasers:
Just after midnight on the planned release date for Hell of a Witch, to my profound delight, I found that the Kindle version had indeed dropped at the same time as the Audible version. Ah, sweet bliss! Both formats being released simultaneously is extremely vital for me because I must listen while I read along due to my poor vision. The narration is also good, and aids immersion for those of us with ADHD who are a bit too quick to wander off mentally at every perceived squirrel. I didn’t even wait for the Whispersync process to be completed, so I forfeited the hefty Audible discount and the automatic scrolling when using audio in the Kindle app. Instead, I just used both apps at once and did it manually like I used to need to do every time ages ago, but often don’t need to now as more books become properly Whisper synced. It was totally worth it!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A Light Within the Darkness

Revisado: 09-15-24

With so very many darknesses swirling around in our world, we as humans often tend to accidentally seek out more of the same even as we attempt to escape it in fiction. However, Shrubley relieves all of that. He addresses those darknesses we feel compelled to still read about and brings such a wonderful light to them and anyone who happens to reside in them or be passing through. I love, love, love this MC, his friends, this world, and the authors for telling this story. It restores my soul at a time when I desperately need every bit of healing I can get and there is precious little to be had anywhere. I can't wait for book 2's audiobook to come out so that I may continue the adventure! I always listen and read along. Of course, the excellent narrator is utterly amazing and aids immersion, but that goes without saying for the mighty Travis Baldree. Please keep up the excellent work! Oh, and the covers are fantastic!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Fantastic adventure!

Revisado: 06-27-24

Well written and excellently preformed. Memorable characters that had me laughing and crying. Definitely recommend!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña