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Alison Brownstone #1
Her Father’s Daughter
Drow Princess for Hire.
Skills include wielding dual magics, stabbing bad guys with the pointy end, and protecting the good people of Seattle from dark wizards.
Also wraps a mean sashimi roll.
The name Brownstone evokes a certain reaction no matter who hears it. And for Alison Brownstone that’s both a blessing and a curse.
But it’s time for her to step out of her dad’s shadow and make a new name for herself.
She just has to decide what she wants that name to mean.
At twenty-five years old, it’s time Alison chose who she wants to be now that she’s grown up. She has many role models who’ve shaped her and trained her into the woman she is now.
But she is her father’s daughter…
Old face, new attitude.
Join Alison as she faces off against technomagic, cults, criminal organizations, and the growing discrimination against all things magical.
NOTE: While the series continues in the same world with some returning characters, it takes place years later and does stand alone. No prior experience necessary.
Skills include wielding dual magics, stabbing bad guys with the pointy end, and protecting the good people of Seattle from dark wizards.
Also wraps a mean sashimi roll.
The name Brownstone evokes a certain reaction no matter who hears it. And for Alison Brownstone that’s both a blessing and a curse.
But it’s time for her to step out of her dad’s shadow and make a new name for herself.
She just has to decide what she wants that name to mean.
At twenty-five years old, it’s time Alison chose who she wants to be now that she’s grown up. She has many role models who’ve shaped her and trained her into the woman she is now.
But she is her father’s daughter…
Old face, new attitude.
Join Alison as she faces off against technomagic, cults, criminal organizations, and the growing discrimination against all things magical.
NOTE: While the series continues in the same world with some returning characters, it takes place years later and does stand alone. No prior experience necessary.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2018
1790 people are currently reading
1157 people want to read
About the author
Judith Berens
78 books198 followersJudith Berens is a figment of your imagination, made up of the fevered brainpower of Michael Anderle and Martha Carr, fueled by a lot of people helping them out - as well as all of you, The Fans. Great stories mixed with a lot of great readers equals more adventures to follow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
January 24, 2019
On the surface, this book seems pretty designed for me. You've got a confident woman as the main character ready and able to kick ass and take names with some (but not a ton) of magical ability and a desire to make her own way. She's presented with a personal problem she's got to sort out while handling her business and theoretically I should be invested and interested. But I just wasn't. I found myself skimming quickly, seemingly searching for something that would catch my attention and since this was still true as of Chapter 11 I figure I should just call it a day. It's been a real week of DNF but I've decided to be ruthless in what I'm consuming, Kondo style: if it's not bringing me joy I'm tossing it aside. I wonder if I would have been more patient and given this book more attention if I'd read the earlier series seemingly related to her earlier years in school. Her parents appear to be potentially interesting characters and if they're featured prominently in those I'm betting I would probably be more engaged. As it is, yawn yawn yawn. *shrug* I'd rather go back and re-read the Kate Daniels books or Mercy Thompson series.
July 24, 2019
Although I liked Alison in the ” The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone” books, I couldn’t get into the ” School of Necessary Magic” series, as I really couldn’t face another school of magic series.
This wasn’t a bad book, but I wonder why the author chose to start this series with Alison’s magic crippled by a manufactured disease. Then there was the annoying prologue, which was ignored for the rest of the book. I’m afraid for me, these just put a ‘downer’ on the whole book.
I also suspect I might have missed something, not having read the ‘School’ books, as there are constant references to previous events and characters.
Overall if the author hadn’t tried to put me off the book right from the start I might have given four stars, however I finally decided on two, but I will give the next book a try.
This wasn’t a bad book, but I wonder why the author chose to start this series with Alison’s magic crippled by a manufactured disease. Then there was the annoying prologue, which was ignored for the rest of the book. I’m afraid for me, these just put a ‘downer’ on the whole book.
I also suspect I might have missed something, not having read the ‘School’ books, as there are constant references to previous events and characters.
Overall if the author hadn’t tried to put me off the book right from the start I might have given four stars, however I finally decided on two, but I will give the next book a try.
December 6, 2018
Allison Brownstone starts her own version of the family business
Allison having graduated from a mundane university moves to Washington DC and starts her recovery specialist business with the usual Brownstone results. Rescues damsels, finding and recovering artifacts and busting bad guys and frightening the government functionaries and blowing up food courts.
Then she moves to Seattle Wa and incorporates with a few friends to get down to serious business! It is all good fun until billionaires battle, yards are trashed and a whole lot of bad guys bite the dust.
What's not to like?
Trust me, you'll like it!
Allison having graduated from a mundane university moves to Washington DC and starts her recovery specialist business with the usual Brownstone results. Rescues damsels, finding and recovering artifacts and busting bad guys and frightening the government functionaries and blowing up food courts.
Then she moves to Seattle Wa and incorporates with a few friends to get down to serious business! It is all good fun until billionaires battle, yards are trashed and a whole lot of bad guys bite the dust.
What's not to like?
Trust me, you'll like it!
January 20, 2021
This was a fun book. (audible review)
Always something happening, never a dull moment.
Story line is good and I really enjoyed the character development in the first book of this series. Lots of action, butt kicking and adventure. Allison is a strong female lead character with a lot of confidence.
Thoroughly enjoyable listen I recommend.
The narration is great. Kate Rudd does a great job with all the voices and you know who is speaking. She reads with emotion as called for and does the male voices very well. Great narration author combo.
Always something happening, never a dull moment.
Story line is good and I really enjoyed the character development in the first book of this series. Lots of action, butt kicking and adventure. Allison is a strong female lead character with a lot of confidence.
Thoroughly enjoyable listen I recommend.
The narration is great. Kate Rudd does a great job with all the voices and you know who is speaking. She reads with emotion as called for and does the male voices very well. Great narration author combo.
October 31, 2019
Didn't like this one to much... lots of violence.... not my style. Very little story or character development.
August 26, 2022
Terrible book. Ridiculous girl. Ridiculous situations. No forethought.
March 1, 2021
“NOTE: While the series continues in the same world with some returning characters, it takes place years later and does stand alone. No prior experience necessary.“
That’s not true! I read this book without the other stories and without them you are missing context.
You aren’t able to grasp the world and it’s characters with only reading this book. There are a lot of vague references to other characters or things that happened in the past and it’s not like you get to meet these characters.
The story itself was solid and had a lot of action but at some point it felt like it was a bundle of short stories.
That’s not true! I read this book without the other stories and without them you are missing context.
You aren’t able to grasp the world and it’s characters with only reading this book. There are a lot of vague references to other characters or things that happened in the past and it’s not like you get to meet these characters.
The story itself was solid and had a lot of action but at some point it felt like it was a bundle of short stories.
November 27, 2020
Well, this was a fun book. And, Alison could sure kick some ass. She killed so many bad guys in her home town it was suggested she move. The she killed more bad guys in Seattle once she move there. She spent time protecting billionaire Scott Carlyle, so I'm hoping something comes of that.
No romance yet and the F-bomb was used 42 times.
As for the narration: The main reason I tried this book was because it was being narrated by Kate Rudd, and you can't get mush better than her.
No romance yet and the F-bomb was used 42 times.
As for the narration: The main reason I tried this book was because it was being narrated by Kate Rudd, and you can't get mush better than her.
April 16, 2019
I did not quite finish this, in fact, but I was just too bored.
While the author(s) indicate(s) this series has a predecessor, they assure you it won't impact your experience if you start here.
I beg to differ. There were near-constant and often incredibly vague references to whatever books she wrote before this one. Characters were mentioned again and again who never showed up or only showed up in short (and boring) phone calls and, as someone who has no prior knowledge of those characters, this book gave me insufficient reason on its own to care about them. That problem extended to even the main character.
Add in some very poor judgement from that main character and a plot that was not very interesting or... continuous. More like random things happening because they just were. Like how she ends up moving all the way across the country.
Result? Yawn. But even without that this wouldn't rise above slightly below average.
While the author(s) indicate(s) this series has a predecessor, they assure you it won't impact your experience if you start here.
I beg to differ. There were near-constant and often incredibly vague references to whatever books she wrote before this one. Characters were mentioned again and again who never showed up or only showed up in short (and boring) phone calls and, as someone who has no prior knowledge of those characters, this book gave me insufficient reason on its own to care about them. That problem extended to even the main character.
Add in some very poor judgement from that main character and a plot that was not very interesting or... continuous. More like random things happening because they just were. Like how she ends up moving all the way across the country.
Result? Yawn. But even without that this wouldn't rise above slightly below average.
February 1, 2019
Great start for a new beginning
Yes, i did read the SoNM series before i came here and they introduced me to Alison. Wasn't overly fond of them, but I'm not their targeted demographic.
However, even with this series being marketed as YA, Ms Barens has completely enthralled me with the continuing saga of Ms Brownstone. I look forward to her further adventures!
Yes, i did read the SoNM series before i came here and they introduced me to Alison. Wasn't overly fond of them, but I'm not their targeted demographic.
However, even with this series being marketed as YA, Ms Barens has completely enthralled me with the continuing saga of Ms Brownstone. I look forward to her further adventures!
December 12, 2021
So, apparently, this book has some relation to the 'Revelations Of Oriceran' and/or the 'unbelievable Mr Brownstone' series (Micheal Andrele) that is like 40+ books long, not to mention there's the 'school of necessary magic' series, also by Berens. What I'm telling you is that you are missing a LOT of context, unless you aren't. I've read Her Father's Daughter, and also read Dark is her Nature, didn't care for either one, honestly. That being said, this book is filled with little references to: Allison's Adoption; Allison's time in the SoNM; Allison's friend who something, something bad; Allison being queen of the elves, or a faery princess, or whatever, Allison visiting the land of the elves and being taught magic by drow assasins or something. You know, one line, here or there, because none of those things are IMPORTANT or anything... or because I'm supposed to know all that, already...
So, if you're all caught up with all those however many books there are, yeah, this book might be slightly better than 2 stars... of course, I'm not sure why you're reading reviews on goodreads if that's the case.
/Rant over... or is it?
This is the story of Allison Brownstone Post all that stuff I mentioned above, her dad is a badA Bounty Hunter, Her Mom is Laura Croft and she, well, she's just Allison. The Blind but not blind Drow princess (she sees souls) with a single wish powered by all the magic of the elves (she's holding onto it for a rainy day) who does bounty work for fun because she's so rich she can blow up a bar and rebuild it out of petty cash. She has a chip on her shoulder because her dad (adopted) is a famous bounty hunter and another one because her ex boyfriend got his brain fried somehow and the guy who did it got away. She has other chips too, but I ran out of shoulders. Just Allison wishes to be a "problem solver" of some kind, which is completely different than what her famous dad does and everyone always just assumes that she hunts down badguys... not that she doesn't hunt down bad guys, she does, just not FOR the bounties. She even let her bounty hunter license expire! So yeah, totally not the same. Anyway Just Allison, the drow princess, is also cursed. CURSED! Never again will she be able to level an entire building with her magic, and she's limited to just enough magic to completely overwhelm a couple dozen people with guns and/or a half dozen professional assasins. Such curse. Much wow. Also, using magic is painful, and I guess I'm supposed to empathize with her for that? or respect her more for being willing/able to push through the pain? I don't really know. Mostly it comes off as just one more thing to complain about.
What I do know is that literally everything wrong with this book could easily be cured if you changed Allison Brownstone's name to Deborah Smith. The daddy issues, the kinda-sorta dead boyfriend and the vendetta that goes with it, the princess who refuses her destiny, even the blind/not-blind thing. My bet is that if you threw all of it away and just started over from ground zero, little, if anything, would really change for the worse. Well, Berens would need to figure out a reason why the Bill Gates of War-magitech is bending over backwards to do favors for a random bounty hunter that pops into his city for a laugh and a latte, but honestly she needs to do that anyway.
So, if you're all caught up with all those however many books there are, yeah, this book might be slightly better than 2 stars... of course, I'm not sure why you're reading reviews on goodreads if that's the case.
/Rant over... or is it?
This is the story of Allison Brownstone Post all that stuff I mentioned above, her dad is a badA Bounty Hunter, Her Mom is Laura Croft and she, well, she's just Allison. The Blind but not blind Drow princess (she sees souls) with a single wish powered by all the magic of the elves (she's holding onto it for a rainy day) who does bounty work for fun because she's so rich she can blow up a bar and rebuild it out of petty cash. She has a chip on her shoulder because her dad (adopted) is a famous bounty hunter and another one because her ex boyfriend got his brain fried somehow and the guy who did it got away. She has other chips too, but I ran out of shoulders. Just Allison wishes to be a "problem solver" of some kind, which is completely different than what her famous dad does and everyone always just assumes that she hunts down badguys... not that she doesn't hunt down bad guys, she does, just not FOR the bounties. She even let her bounty hunter license expire! So yeah, totally not the same. Anyway Just Allison, the drow princess, is also cursed. CURSED! Never again will she be able to level an entire building with her magic, and she's limited to just enough magic to completely overwhelm a couple dozen people with guns and/or a half dozen professional assasins. Such curse. Much wow. Also, using magic is painful, and I guess I'm supposed to empathize with her for that? or respect her more for being willing/able to push through the pain? I don't really know. Mostly it comes off as just one more thing to complain about.
What I do know is that literally everything wrong with this book could easily be cured if you changed Allison Brownstone's name to Deborah Smith. The daddy issues, the kinda-sorta dead boyfriend and the vendetta that goes with it, the princess who refuses her destiny, even the blind/not-blind thing. My bet is that if you threw all of it away and just started over from ground zero, little, if anything, would really change for the worse. Well, Berens would need to figure out a reason why the Bill Gates of War-magitech is bending over backwards to do favors for a random bounty hunter that pops into his city for a laugh and a latte, but honestly she needs to do that anyway.
January 19, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed getting back into Alison Brownstone's life with this book.
Finding out what had happened with Tanner was sad, but it was good that Alison had kept on with her life, and was starting to think more about her future, especially with the AMDS that she is suffering with.
But, despite any setbacks, this book shows Alison to be just what her adoptive parents, James and Shay, had hoped for - a truly skilled warrior, who doesn't necessarily have to rely on her magical abilities to still be the excellent kick-a** woman she'd become.
I found this first story of the new series very thought-provoking, as usual, as Alison has to deal with the consequences of the gates opening further between Earth and Oriceran.
It's now roughly 30 years since the rising levels, in the strength of the magical field, have really become so obvious on Earth.
But this sets off groups, such as Humans First, and New Veil, into demonstrating against this, showing their thick-headedness in trying to stop the tide of magic, and their utter contempt, for anyone not of their mindset.
But it's at one such demonstration, that Alison's life is changed, yet again!
As I said, this was a thought-provoking story, and it really showed just how far Alison has come since her school days.
I totally enjoyed reading this story, and was immediately hooked by both Alison, and the people she has started to gather around herself, and so I look forward to going on to the next book - that's book two of this series: 'On Her Own'.
So, once I've finished this review, I'll go straight on into reading book two and, once I've finished it, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think about it - and if it's anything like this first book, I'll be one happy reader!
Finding out what had happened with Tanner was sad, but it was good that Alison had kept on with her life, and was starting to think more about her future, especially with the AMDS that she is suffering with.
But, despite any setbacks, this book shows Alison to be just what her adoptive parents, James and Shay, had hoped for - a truly skilled warrior, who doesn't necessarily have to rely on her magical abilities to still be the excellent kick-a** woman she'd become.
I found this first story of the new series very thought-provoking, as usual, as Alison has to deal with the consequences of the gates opening further between Earth and Oriceran.
It's now roughly 30 years since the rising levels, in the strength of the magical field, have really become so obvious on Earth.
But this sets off groups, such as Humans First, and New Veil, into demonstrating against this, showing their thick-headedness in trying to stop the tide of magic, and their utter contempt, for anyone not of their mindset.
But it's at one such demonstration, that Alison's life is changed, yet again!
As I said, this was a thought-provoking story, and it really showed just how far Alison has come since her school days.
I totally enjoyed reading this story, and was immediately hooked by both Alison, and the people she has started to gather around herself, and so I look forward to going on to the next book - that's book two of this series: 'On Her Own'.
So, once I've finished this review, I'll go straight on into reading book two and, once I've finished it, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think about it - and if it's anything like this first book, I'll be one happy reader!
June 14, 2019
This is the third new series that I’ve started lately and it is definitely the one I am the most hopeful about. It is a spin off from The Unbelievable Brownstone series and it has a lot of the qualities of that series.
In particular there is a kick-ass and very likable main protagonist. The story is not bad although I have some reservations about one part of that story. More about that later. It’s quite well written. The dialogue and the supporting characters are also quite likable. Maybe there was a bit less cursing than in The Unbelievable Brownstone though. Not that this is very difficult to achieve of course.
Being the first book in a series there’s a lot of setup and this is where I have a serious gripe about the story. There’s going to be some spoilers here. Not really about how the story plays out but about the setup for the rest of the series. The series really starts with Alison’s powers getting crippled…and it looks like it’s permanent. I really dislike this kind of setup. There are some redeeming bits towards the end where it seems like Alison might recover, or rather learn how to recover, over time but it’s not really clear how much of a recovery that will be. I mean really, why start a book with a nice kick-ass heroin and the cripple her? This would have been a four star book if not for that crap.
Apart from that, from my point of view, this series has some nice promise. I liked most things about it apart from the above mentioned story part. Oh, on second though, what’s this obsession with Starbucks in books written by these authors? Seriously, couldn’t you find a better place to obsess about?
In particular there is a kick-ass and very likable main protagonist. The story is not bad although I have some reservations about one part of that story. More about that later. It’s quite well written. The dialogue and the supporting characters are also quite likable. Maybe there was a bit less cursing than in The Unbelievable Brownstone though. Not that this is very difficult to achieve of course.
Being the first book in a series there’s a lot of setup and this is where I have a serious gripe about the story. There’s going to be some spoilers here. Not really about how the story plays out but about the setup for the rest of the series. The series really starts with Alison’s powers getting crippled…and it looks like it’s permanent. I really dislike this kind of setup. There are some redeeming bits towards the end where it seems like Alison might recover, or rather learn how to recover, over time but it’s not really clear how much of a recovery that will be. I mean really, why start a book with a nice kick-ass heroin and the cripple her? This would have been a four star book if not for that crap.
Apart from that, from my point of view, this series has some nice promise. I liked most things about it apart from the above mentioned story part. Oh, on second though, what’s this obsession with Starbucks in books written by these authors? Seriously, couldn’t you find a better place to obsess about?
June 7, 2025
➺𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀
Always love me a good audiobook 🥰. This one started off on a fast pace with a badass female, Alison Brownstone as the main protagonist. The book is from a standalone series, but I believe Alison and some other characters had already been introduced in other books that took place in the same universe.
The book begins with Alison kicking the a*ses of bad guys, rescuing a damsel in distress, which is basically what she does for a living. She's 25 and following in the footsteps of her father who is a well renowned bounty hunter himself. [At times I was just counting how many times the fmc said a*shole because she said that quite a lot lol]. Alison then takes up a contract that lands her in Seattle, where future allies, and foes as well as a lot of interesting adventures await her.
Overall I'd say it's a good book with a lot of action going on, fun characters and more. I liked the concept of how magic coexisting in the modern world was shown. The end author's note gives us the hope that it's never too late to follow your dreams ❤️. Every now and then I try to support indie authors and I loved this book! .
𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 @𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚𝒚𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔
Always love me a good audiobook 🥰. This one started off on a fast pace with a badass female, Alison Brownstone as the main protagonist. The book is from a standalone series, but I believe Alison and some other characters had already been introduced in other books that took place in the same universe.
The book begins with Alison kicking the a*ses of bad guys, rescuing a damsel in distress, which is basically what she does for a living. She's 25 and following in the footsteps of her father who is a well renowned bounty hunter himself. [At times I was just counting how many times the fmc said a*shole because she said that quite a lot lol]. Alison then takes up a contract that lands her in Seattle, where future allies, and foes as well as a lot of interesting adventures await her.
Overall I'd say it's a good book with a lot of action going on, fun characters and more. I liked the concept of how magic coexisting in the modern world was shown. The end author's note gives us the hope that it's never too late to follow your dreams ❤️. Every now and then I try to support indie authors and I loved this book! .
𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 @𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚𝒚𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔
December 2, 2020
I have breezed through this series on audio. I had a cowl to knit and needed something to listen to, and the large volume of Alison Brownstone books available on Scribd hit the spot for me. I didn't initially realize that this was part of a series, but figured it out due to the detailed backstory and repeated references to past events. I'll probably go back and listen to those, too, but I don't feel that knowing something of what happened before is going to ruin those books for me.
Alison is an interesting figure. She verges on being too powerful to face believable challenges, but the limitations that she experiences prevent her from being boringly omnipotent. Over the course of the series, Hana has gotten on my nerves a fair amount but that's also how I feel about real-life people who behave that way so at least her characterization seems consistent. This is an engrossing but not mentally taxing series. I highly recommend it.
Alison is an interesting figure. She verges on being too powerful to face believable challenges, but the limitations that she experiences prevent her from being boringly omnipotent. Over the course of the series, Hana has gotten on my nerves a fair amount but that's also how I feel about real-life people who behave that way so at least her characterization seems consistent. This is an engrossing but not mentally taxing series. I highly recommend it.
March 27, 2019
A good but unrealistic adventure
Ok I really enjoyed reading this book but I find the fact that 1 girl mostly can defeat that many people virtually on her own. I'm all for girl power but I'm not unrealistic about it even if they have magic. I'm curious as to why it was decided she had to have a disease. I mean I'd she's going to do the impossible at least give her the edge. I guess you want her to do the impossible when she is not up to par. I'm still trying to figure out why Michael and Martha have the name Judith and not their names on the book. Where did Judith Berens come from anyway. How does one decide on a pen name? Sorry got carried away. It's a nice adventure with lots of butt kicking mostly by 1 girl so if you enjoy a powerful girl who can bring it definitely want to read this book.
Ok I really enjoyed reading this book but I find the fact that 1 girl mostly can defeat that many people virtually on her own. I'm all for girl power but I'm not unrealistic about it even if they have magic. I'm curious as to why it was decided she had to have a disease. I mean I'd she's going to do the impossible at least give her the edge. I guess you want her to do the impossible when she is not up to par. I'm still trying to figure out why Michael and Martha have the name Judith and not their names on the book. Where did Judith Berens come from anyway. How does one decide on a pen name? Sorry got carried away. It's a nice adventure with lots of butt kicking mostly by 1 girl so if you enjoy a powerful girl who can bring it definitely want to read this book.
August 25, 2020
In short, unoriginal and clichée.
The world is actually pretty unique even though it is built from common UF components but the plot and the character are clichée ridden caricatures of real people.
Additionally, we have lots of writing sins here.
If you make your mc competent you have to stick to that competence. Plot convenient brain farts and other out of the blue stupid decisions are just cheap.
Many conversations seem unnatural because everything is exaggerated and caricature-like.
Every one of the many villains is so cartoon-like I couldn't take any of them serious.
The battle scenes seemed to be round-based like in the older final fantasy games.
Furthermore, the MC is constantly and suddenly TSTL, typically mid-battle, just as a plot device to increase the drama and tension.
And lets not even talk about the constant blatant virtue signalling.
The world is actually pretty unique even though it is built from common UF components but the plot and the character are clichée ridden caricatures of real people.
Additionally, we have lots of writing sins here.
If you make your mc competent you have to stick to that competence. Plot convenient brain farts and other out of the blue stupid decisions are just cheap.
Many conversations seem unnatural because everything is exaggerated and caricature-like.
Every one of the many villains is so cartoon-like I couldn't take any of them serious.
The battle scenes seemed to be round-based like in the older final fantasy games.
Furthermore, the MC is constantly and suddenly TSTL, typically mid-battle, just as a plot device to increase the drama and tension.
And lets not even talk about the constant blatant virtue signalling.
December 10, 2018
I would’ve given this book a higher rating except for aIDS virus poops I mean AmDS virus
First of all I enjoy this character, the problem is you’r trivializing a disease that affects millions of people second of all your hobbling your character, a character that could be up there with Bethany ann. BA was not hobbled in any of her books, why are you starting out hobbling A be. In the book she lost an ability she had, let her regain that ability and the additional abilities that The story in the book showed she could achieve. That is true character growth. If you need to keep her magic and gun play balance find a different way than the AMDS virus. It’s too close to AIDS virus. I hope the people on your Facebook group agree with me.
First of all I enjoy this character, the problem is you’r trivializing a disease that affects millions of people second of all your hobbling your character, a character that could be up there with Bethany ann. BA was not hobbled in any of her books, why are you starting out hobbling A be. In the book she lost an ability she had, let her regain that ability and the additional abilities that The story in the book showed she could achieve. That is true character growth. If you need to keep her magic and gun play balance find a different way than the AMDS virus. It’s too close to AIDS virus. I hope the people on your Facebook group agree with me.
February 7, 2019
On her own at last?
Alison is kicking around trying to decide what she wants to do with her life. She tried bounty hunting. She tried tomb raider game. Now she is trying private security jobs. Unknown to her, she has been attacked by someone of influence and power who believes Earth should be for humans only, no magic. His team is behind the AMDS Virus. Her magic is slowly being affected. Meanwhile, she continues to fight bad guys, successfully complete retrieval jobs, rescue good people, and move clear across the country to establish herself in Seattle. Lots of action in this story! Some networking and meeting people who will be, I'm assuming, important in later books in Alison's story. Wonderful beginning to a new series. I enjoyed it loads and loads!
Alison is kicking around trying to decide what she wants to do with her life. She tried bounty hunting. She tried tomb raider game. Now she is trying private security jobs. Unknown to her, she has been attacked by someone of influence and power who believes Earth should be for humans only, no magic. His team is behind the AMDS Virus. Her magic is slowly being affected. Meanwhile, she continues to fight bad guys, successfully complete retrieval jobs, rescue good people, and move clear across the country to establish herself in Seattle. Lots of action in this story! Some networking and meeting people who will be, I'm assuming, important in later books in Alison's story. Wonderful beginning to a new series. I enjoyed it loads and loads!
December 8, 2021
Woahhhh Alison, you turned into someone who kicks but.
I remember seeing Alison in the original School of Necessary Magic series (Not the Raine spin-off)
It's like we're seeing a different version, I wish that we could've had this book take place right after she graduated so we could see her fall out of contact with friends, meet Lily, see her free a certain someone from a coma (No spoilers here hehe)
Now I enjoyed Alison more then Raine but the setting of the series I'm afraid has to go to the 2 School of Necessary Magic series. I did love how Izzy is mentioned and that they do occasionally keep in contact. CAN WE GET A SERIES ABOUT IZZY PLEASE AND THANKYOU!
I remember seeing Alison in the original School of Necessary Magic series (Not the Raine spin-off)
It's like we're seeing a different version, I wish that we could've had this book take place right after she graduated so we could see her fall out of contact with friends, meet Lily, see her free a certain someone from a coma (No spoilers here hehe)
Now I enjoyed Alison more then Raine but the setting of the series I'm afraid has to go to the 2 School of Necessary Magic series. I did love how Izzy is mentioned and that they do occasionally keep in contact. CAN WE GET A SERIES ABOUT IZZY PLEASE AND THANKYOU!
December 8, 2018
Alison is back!
The prologue is intriguing, very mysterious! A wonderful tease as we meet up with Alison again, some years after she has graduated form the school of Necessary Magic.
It’s fascinating watching Alison discover more things about herself, as she grows and matures more, and deals with the changes in her life.
The humour is there in spades, and we meet interesting new characters. Action and dealing with evil scum is also present, of course!
I’m loving reading about Alison’s forays as an adult and can’t wait for book #2!
The prologue is intriguing, very mysterious! A wonderful tease as we meet up with Alison again, some years after she has graduated form the school of Necessary Magic.
It’s fascinating watching Alison discover more things about herself, as she grows and matures more, and deals with the changes in her life.
The humour is there in spades, and we meet interesting new characters. Action and dealing with evil scum is also present, of course!
I’m loving reading about Alison’s forays as an adult and can’t wait for book #2!
October 28, 2019
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read. I enjoyed it but I noticed some definite backstory that was missing, upon further research I noted an entire previous series. I find the challenge the character is facing an interesting twist to a fantasy story. This story has magic, fighting, hint at the romantic tension, and friendship.
Read
December 11, 2019I like it!
Lots to like here! I look forward to reading more of this series, and fortunately there are several, and at present, they are available to read for free through Amazon Prime. Light urban fantasy / light romance elements , with good action sequences thrown in. Very entertaining and there is a surprising amount of established myth and cultural references thrown in. Author did a very nice bit of research to tie this all together. Properly edited and published this is a good read with a fair bit of shelf life ahead.
Lots to like here! I look forward to reading more of this series, and fortunately there are several, and at present, they are available to read for free through Amazon Prime. Light urban fantasy / light romance elements , with good action sequences thrown in. Very entertaining and there is a surprising amount of established myth and cultural references thrown in. Author did a very nice bit of research to tie this all together. Properly edited and published this is a good read with a fair bit of shelf life ahead.
December 22, 2019
I started this book once but the prologue turned me off. Fortunately, I gave it another try and discovered a story that I really enjoyed. There’s an incredible amount of action, lots of magic, some great sly humor and excitement on every page. Alison’s an amazing superwoman and her associates (especially Hana) make an fun and quick read. Another good thing is that I see that there are more stories that follow this one.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
September 10, 2022
I definitely enjoyed this book. I didn’t read the earlier series from when she was in school but I didn’t need to for this book. I’m intrigued by this entire series, but from what I’ve seen there was no romance in this book. I peaked into future reviews about this specifically and the romance is fairly limited with only a small amount of physical affection from future partner(s). I don’t need spice, but I definitely prefer a love story. I’ll probably use this story as a palate cleanser moving forward because I do want to know more about if or when she gets her magic back.
December 7, 2018
Great Book
Alison kicks butt and takes names. She finished college and has started her own security and retrieval business. After an incident in DC where she put down a terrorist cell, saved hundreds, and frightened government officials, the suggestion to move to Seattle seemed in order. No good deed goes unpunished. I like the action and humor. The characters are well done and have good chemistry. I look forward to the next book.
Alison kicks butt and takes names. She finished college and has started her own security and retrieval business. After an incident in DC where she put down a terrorist cell, saved hundreds, and frightened government officials, the suggestion to move to Seattle seemed in order. No good deed goes unpunished. I like the action and humor. The characters are well done and have good chemistry. I look forward to the next book.
December 9, 2018
Alison
Wow! This new series with Alison Brownstone on her own is off to a rowsing good start. Dark mages? Check. Psychotic terrorists? Check. Murderous billionaire with a contract out on her hot client? Check. Throw in a kitsune roommate, a mysterious annoying hacker, and an attractive rich benefactor and you won't want to miss this one. Thank you Judith Berens for bringing us this new excellent Alison series. 🤗
Wow! This new series with Alison Brownstone on her own is off to a rowsing good start. Dark mages? Check. Psychotic terrorists? Check. Murderous billionaire with a contract out on her hot client? Check. Throw in a kitsune roommate, a mysterious annoying hacker, and an attractive rich benefactor and you won't want to miss this one. Thank you Judith Berens for bringing us this new excellent Alison series. 🤗
December 11, 2018
Great Start to the New Series
Really enjoyed the book, although I did have a bit of a hard time getting into it to start with, but once I got into chapter 5 I really enjoyed it.
You can see and feel where she’s come from, but also appreciate that she’s building her own life. I also really like the way the world has moved on with more magic in the world and technology now flourishing.
Looking forward to the next one.
Really enjoyed the book, although I did have a bit of a hard time getting into it to start with, but once I got into chapter 5 I really enjoyed it.
You can see and feel where she’s come from, but also appreciate that she’s building her own life. I also really like the way the world has moved on with more magic in the world and technology now flourishing.
Looking forward to the next one.
December 11, 2018
Interesting start to the series. I really enjoyed the School of Necessary Magic series and so was looking forward to Alison’s story. Now that it’s here I have mixed emotions. The characters are great (really like Hana!) but the AMDS thing is weird and the consequence of having used her Drow wish was unexpected. I hope the series gets to the bottom if the disease bit sooner than later and those who developed it get what’s coming to them.
December 24, 2018
The adventures of Allison Brownstone begin
The adventures of Allison brownstone seven years after graduating from the school of necessary magic happen heard ventures begin. Great cast of characters and entertaining story as well as a continuing story of one of the characters from the first books of the necessary school of magic. Hopefully will find out more about some of the other characters from that class as well. Check it out
The adventures of Allison brownstone seven years after graduating from the school of necessary magic happen heard ventures begin. Great cast of characters and entertaining story as well as a continuing story of one of the characters from the first books of the necessary school of magic. Hopefully will find out more about some of the other characters from that class as well. Check it out
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