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Sophie Feegle #1
Sophie and The Odd Ones
Sophie Feegle needs a break. Rent is due on her crappy apartment and she's halfway through her last loaf of bread.
Sophie doesn't have big ambitions. She only wants a job that will keep her landlord off her back, enough extra cash for whiskey at the neighborhood bar and a bit of free time to hang out with the naughty old lady next door.
When a chance encounter with a quiet stranger leads to a job offer at the San Francisco City Morgue, Sophie jumps at the opportunity. She never expected to find her calling on the graveyard shift surrounded by dead bodies and the strange characters that make up the morgue's staff; but she quickly realizes that these are her people, and she has finally found her perfect gig.
And then things get... odd.
Unusual murders keep ending up on Sophie’s autopsy table, hinting at strange powers working within the city. Something nefarious is building in San Francisco, and it is up to Sophie and her friends to thwart the evil powers on the rise.
Sophie doesn't have big ambitions. She only wants a job that will keep her landlord off her back, enough extra cash for whiskey at the neighborhood bar and a bit of free time to hang out with the naughty old lady next door.
When a chance encounter with a quiet stranger leads to a job offer at the San Francisco City Morgue, Sophie jumps at the opportunity. She never expected to find her calling on the graveyard shift surrounded by dead bodies and the strange characters that make up the morgue's staff; but she quickly realizes that these are her people, and she has finally found her perfect gig.
And then things get... odd.
Unusual murders keep ending up on Sophie’s autopsy table, hinting at strange powers working within the city. Something nefarious is building in San Francisco, and it is up to Sophie and her friends to thwart the evil powers on the rise.
330 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2020
760 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
Gwen DeMarco
87 books114 followersGwen DeMarco is an avid reader, wine & coffee drinker, gardener and a lover of all things nerdy. Gwen loves to write paranormal romance novels with a focus on the weird and wonderful. She loves to write a good snarky heroine and a grumpy male lead. Sophie and the Odd Ones is her first foray into the world of shifters, fae, ogres and vampires.
Gwen is happily married to her high school sweetheart and has two teenage children. She can often be found with her nose in a book and a glass of wine or mug of coffee in her hand.
Gwen is happily married to her high school sweetheart and has two teenage children. She can often be found with her nose in a book and a glass of wine or mug of coffee in her hand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
December 20, 2020
Fun read, except...
Let me start off by saying that I really enjoyed the story, although the language was sometimes a bit more colorful than I prefer, the story and characters were really fun. I hope there are more books coming in the series.
That said, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, DO NOT WRITE AN ENTIRE BOOK IN -THIRD PERSON, PRESENT TENSE- EVER AGAIN.
It would be great in First Person, Present Tense, OR in Third Person, Past Tense, but this was so painful I almost couldn't read it.
Third Person, Present Tense can be used very effectively for dreams and visions. Even a prologue or epilogue in the right circumstance.
I'm sure it was an interesting writing exercise.
But it would be a much better book if written in a more traditional tense.
It would be easier to find typos, as well.
I did enjoy the book, and really hope to read more in the series. I'm terribly curious about Sophie's past, and her mysterious connection to the woman in her visions. I liked all the characters, as I said, and look forward to reading more about them.
Let me start off by saying that I really enjoyed the story, although the language was sometimes a bit more colorful than I prefer, the story and characters were really fun. I hope there are more books coming in the series.
That said, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, DO NOT WRITE AN ENTIRE BOOK IN -THIRD PERSON, PRESENT TENSE- EVER AGAIN.
It would be great in First Person, Present Tense, OR in Third Person, Past Tense, but this was so painful I almost couldn't read it.
Third Person, Present Tense can be used very effectively for dreams and visions. Even a prologue or epilogue in the right circumstance.
I'm sure it was an interesting writing exercise.
But it would be a much better book if written in a more traditional tense.
It would be easier to find typos, as well.
I did enjoy the book, and really hope to read more in the series. I'm terribly curious about Sophie's past, and her mysterious connection to the woman in her visions. I liked all the characters, as I said, and look forward to reading more about them.
April 5, 2021
3.5
The writing was a bit difficult in the beginning, but after I got use to the flow I ended up really liking the book!
It kind of reminds me of a little bit of a 2000's TV show called Tru Calling (not with the time travel) in that the h works in a morgue and gets visions of a persons death. But in this case our h, Sophie, is telling these death visions as more of fun make believe stories until a detective, Mac, finds out that her words might have some serious truth to them.
Not only that but Sophie is not alone in her strange powers- turns out the morgue she's working for is run by Shifters- and there is a whole wide world she never knew about circulating San Francisco. We've got ogres, dragons, vamps and fae all taking up residence along a lay line- making her city a veritable hub for supernatural activity.
Also, there is something seriously going down in the supernatural community with the possibility that the recent string of deaths Sophie has told stories about are connected to a larger plot.
The characters are interesting and they mystery is fun- I also liked the stirrings of romance we got. But overall I liked Sophie's take no shit attitude, and I'm thinking something weird is going on in her past with the vague family matters, her not being up on any pop culture references, and ambiguous background. Hopefully that will come up in future books- or her character is mysterious on purpose.
All in all will look out for the next book if this ends up becoming a series!
The writing was a bit difficult in the beginning, but after I got use to the flow I ended up really liking the book!
It kind of reminds me of a little bit of a 2000's TV show called Tru Calling (not with the time travel) in that the h works in a morgue and gets visions of a persons death. But in this case our h, Sophie, is telling these death visions as more of fun make believe stories until a detective, Mac, finds out that her words might have some serious truth to them.
Not only that but Sophie is not alone in her strange powers- turns out the morgue she's working for is run by Shifters- and there is a whole wide world she never knew about circulating San Francisco. We've got ogres, dragons, vamps and fae all taking up residence along a lay line- making her city a veritable hub for supernatural activity.
Also, there is something seriously going down in the supernatural community with the possibility that the recent string of deaths Sophie has told stories about are connected to a larger plot.
The characters are interesting and they mystery is fun- I also liked the stirrings of romance we got. But overall I liked Sophie's take no shit attitude, and I'm thinking something weird is going on in her past with the vague family matters, her not being up on any pop culture references, and ambiguous background. Hopefully that will come up in future books- or her character is mysterious on purpose.
All in all will look out for the next book if this ends up becoming a series!
November 13, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ should have been a 4 - 4.5 ⭐️ with better editing.
This started as an easy 4⭐️ read. Awesome sarcastic FMC, hilarious, adorable found family, interesting mystery, decent world building.
However, it lacked any backstory on any of the characters, in particular the FMC, which is why only 4⭐️’s.
Then when she was introduced to the hidden world, she was too blasé and accepting, it felt shallow and a bit off. Could have used a bit more substance, a touch less quips.
Moreover, when later information was revealed, her reaction was the complete opposite to what her personality had been set up with. Even going so far as to contradict her own words from an earlier scene.
This happened with a couple of other details, with notable contradictions.
Also conversational info was repeated, for no obvious reason, on several occasions, and strangely, emotional or vulnerable comments randomly came across as stilted and forced..?
It almost felt like it had been written in chunks, with the separate wholes not being fully integrated afterwards?
It was also filled with random scenes not necessary to the overall story. While good for character development, there were too many, and too random, slowing things down and diffusing tension and pacing.
I actually enjoyed the interspersed history lessons, but they needed to be fitted better. Time and place in several instances, also brevity.
Mind you, the humour and sarcasm was brilliant! The snarky interactions, so effortlessly done, and sooo much fun!
The mystery [while some aspects were obvious], was intriguing and entertaining.
If only it had been better paced…got a bit sludgey and struggling near the end. Add in the two TSTL blips, and the enjoyment dropped somewhat.
Overall, this was still awesome, but not what it could, and should, have been.
Needs a really good editing to bring it up the rating it otherwise deserves.
Still, I easily recommend, just be prepared to have to push through some parts, and accept some plot holes, that may be filled later [though in truth, it’s poor planning not to make it work for this story to begin with].
Ohh, ooh, BIRDIE! Worship at the slutty, wrinkly old biddies, awesome-ness😍😘
This started as an easy 4⭐️ read. Awesome sarcastic FMC, hilarious, adorable found family, interesting mystery, decent world building.
However, it lacked any backstory on any of the characters, in particular the FMC, which is why only 4⭐️’s.
Then when she was introduced to the hidden world, she was too blasé and accepting, it felt shallow and a bit off. Could have used a bit more substance, a touch less quips.
Moreover, when later information was revealed, her reaction was the complete opposite to what her personality had been set up with. Even going so far as to contradict her own words from an earlier scene.
This happened with a couple of other details, with notable contradictions.
Also conversational info was repeated, for no obvious reason, on several occasions, and strangely, emotional or vulnerable comments randomly came across as stilted and forced..?
It almost felt like it had been written in chunks, with the separate wholes not being fully integrated afterwards?
It was also filled with random scenes not necessary to the overall story. While good for character development, there were too many, and too random, slowing things down and diffusing tension and pacing.
I actually enjoyed the interspersed history lessons, but they needed to be fitted better. Time and place in several instances, also brevity.
Mind you, the humour and sarcasm was brilliant! The snarky interactions, so effortlessly done, and sooo much fun!
The mystery [while some aspects were obvious], was intriguing and entertaining.
If only it had been better paced…got a bit sludgey and struggling near the end. Add in the two TSTL blips, and the enjoyment dropped somewhat.
Overall, this was still awesome, but not what it could, and should, have been.
Needs a really good editing to bring it up the rating it otherwise deserves.
Still, I easily recommend, just be prepared to have to push through some parts, and accept some plot holes, that may be filled later [though in truth, it’s poor planning not to make it work for this story to begin with].
Ohh, ooh, BIRDIE! Worship at the slutty, wrinkly old biddies, awesome-ness😍😘
June 29, 2024
A morgue. I love a story set in a morgue. As another reviewer said, this reminds me a bit of the tv show Tru Calling. So this is a bit like CSI but with less science, more magic and a lot more fun. The morgue is full of quirky characters, diverse creatures, and powers all hiding from humans. But they still have to get the job done of figuring out how the unusual have died and if a culprit, try to help bring them to justice.
There is a real comradery among the characters. I love Sophie's neighbor, a retiree with lots of spunk. A slow burn romance exists but it doesn't overrun the rest of the story. Good action and dialogue but the tenses run amok sometimes which is distracting.
So if you are distracted by grammar mistakes this may not be for you but overall an enjoyable book.
There is a real comradery among the characters. I love Sophie's neighbor, a retiree with lots of spunk. A slow burn romance exists but it doesn't overrun the rest of the story. Good action and dialogue but the tenses run amok sometimes which is distracting.
So if you are distracted by grammar mistakes this may not be for you but overall an enjoyable book.
March 21, 2022
I really liked the idea of this story. The characters are awesome! Those 2 reasons are why I gave this book 3 stars instead of 1 or 2. I found it very easy to put this book down and walk away. Despite alk the goings on in this story, it just didn't hold my interest. I would recommend it to others though.
August 24, 2020
Amazing
I don't know where to start. I LOVED this book. It's been the best and my absolute favorite of the year. First it's so interesting and entertaining. I had to share with my partner and co workers. Our girl is very smart and witty. She's not your normal beauty queen and she definatly isn't a damsel in distress. At the beginning she is in desperate need of a job and through her kindness she is offered a job at the city morgue. This is where the story gets your attention and doesn't stop until the last word. Partly a shifter story it contains all the elements of the 'fae' world complete with orges. Her boss is an opposum shifter and all her co workers are shifters as well. She's not put off by the unusual smells or gross body parts that arrive at the morgue and that is amazing since this dept handles all the mystical deaths. She is quickly thrust into an entirely new world and all the things that she never knew existed. She's snarky and funny and just so likable that you instantly want her to do well. I can't wait for the next installment in this series. Our author is extremely talented and I am honestly recommending this as time well spent reading it. Give it a try and you will be as big a fan as me. New novel ideas and a great premise for a new series. Thank you Ms. Demarco... you rock!!!!!
I don't know where to start. I LOVED this book. It's been the best and my absolute favorite of the year. First it's so interesting and entertaining. I had to share with my partner and co workers. Our girl is very smart and witty. She's not your normal beauty queen and she definatly isn't a damsel in distress. At the beginning she is in desperate need of a job and through her kindness she is offered a job at the city morgue. This is where the story gets your attention and doesn't stop until the last word. Partly a shifter story it contains all the elements of the 'fae' world complete with orges. Her boss is an opposum shifter and all her co workers are shifters as well. She's not put off by the unusual smells or gross body parts that arrive at the morgue and that is amazing since this dept handles all the mystical deaths. She is quickly thrust into an entirely new world and all the things that she never knew existed. She's snarky and funny and just so likable that you instantly want her to do well. I can't wait for the next installment in this series. Our author is extremely talented and I am honestly recommending this as time well spent reading it. Give it a try and you will be as big a fan as me. New novel ideas and a great premise for a new series. Thank you Ms. Demarco... you rock!!!!!
September 26, 2023
Well....
This is the first time I've read anything by this Author, so it was a treat to read this book from Sophie's POV.. This book started out a little slow but not enough that I got bored and couldn't finish it.
I enjoyed the characters development and the friendships of their group dynamics.. Especially the arguments and foolishness between Ameria, Fritz and Ace.. But most definitely with Sophie and Mac.. Just hilarious..
Well off to book two to see what other secrets the author would reveal about our MFC Sophie.
Overall Rating:
4* ~ A Good Read
This is the first time I've read anything by this Author, so it was a treat to read this book from Sophie's POV.. This book started out a little slow but not enough that I got bored and couldn't finish it.
I enjoyed the characters development and the friendships of their group dynamics.. Especially the arguments and foolishness between Ameria, Fritz and Ace.. But most definitely with Sophie and Mac.. Just hilarious..
Well off to book two to see what other secrets the author would reveal about our MFC Sophie.
Overall Rating:
4* ~ A Good Read
January 5, 2022
I actually enjoyed this quite a bit and read both books back to back. I liked the leading lady Sophie and the world - San Francisco with paranormal - and there is a good supporting cast too. There is a crime/mystery in the back ground and we get the hints to figure it out. There's also some interesting history tidbits thrown into the mix. And the author apparently reworked the book to address the major complaint I saw in other reviews - so this is now written in third person past tense instead of the third person present tense mentioned by other reviewers. I look forward to book three.
December 2, 2020
Space Oddity
The book is written in limited-omniscient third-person present/future tense. It was an unusual choice and moderately distracting, TBH. However, the characters and plot were, if not good, per se, at least they were interesting. At the end, I wanted to read more about the AU and the adventures that the characters might have. I hope the author writes additional books, either a continuation of this book as a series, or new material.
The book is written in limited-omniscient third-person present/future tense. It was an unusual choice and moderately distracting, TBH. However, the characters and plot were, if not good, per se, at least they were interesting. At the end, I wanted to read more about the AU and the adventures that the characters might have. I hope the author writes additional books, either a continuation of this book as a series, or new material.
December 12, 2023
4.5 stars. Really fun urban fantasy with a snarky love interest.
Some mystery, some magic, and a fun side of romance. I'll be continuing this series.
Some mystery, some magic, and a fun side of romance. I'll be continuing this series.
April 23, 2022
3.5 I liked it stars
After a series of failed jobs, Sophie finally finds her people working at a morgue in San Francisco.
Thrown into a world she had no clue existed in her own, I really enjoyed her cautious enthusiasm. She had a fresh look on all things and didn’t judge anyone.
I’m really intrigued by her past which she seems to not want to talk about. She had a rocky start with some characters *cough* Mac *cough* but there’s a lot more to come from there.
This is an interesting urban fantasy with low drama and a world building and mystery. The characters are likable and not the usual shifters. They are creating their own family and I’m here for it. That ending really got me and the next book has a lot of promises to uphold.
Good start to the series !
After a series of failed jobs, Sophie finally finds her people working at a morgue in San Francisco.
Thrown into a world she had no clue existed in her own, I really enjoyed her cautious enthusiasm. She had a fresh look on all things and didn’t judge anyone.
I’m really intrigued by her past which she seems to not want to talk about. She had a rocky start with some characters *cough* Mac *cough* but there’s a lot more to come from there.
This is an interesting urban fantasy with low drama and a world building and mystery. The characters are likable and not the usual shifters. They are creating their own family and I’m here for it. That ending really got me and the next book has a lot of promises to uphold.
Good start to the series !
March 16, 2021
It's just...the quality of the whole thing...or the lack thereof, if you may.
First, the writing. Both the badly written sentences and the edit leftovers where "she sat next to him. ... then she stood up and walked toward him". I had to stop and try to figure out what was wrong with the text I was reading numerous times. And I'm not sure if it got a bit better towards the end, or if I just got used to it enough to stop noticing most of it.
Then, the story flow that went from interesting to more and more disappointing as it progressed.
This is of course my personal opinion, but I do believe that when you see "a human who by chance/desperation picks up a job in a morgue finds herself working for a supernatural division and discovers a whole world she didn't know existed" sounds intriguing and like it has a lot of promise/possibilities, while "a human who was offered a job in a morgue finds herself working for a supernatural division and discovers the whole supernatural world, then also of course suddenly discovers that she has this very convenient superpower that allows her to instantly know who the victim was and how they died" sounds just cheap and forced.
Then the whole way her power "developed". One day she is just telling storied she 'imagined' about the bodies that of course turn out to be 100% true, then as soon as she is told it must be her superpower she instantly gains full control of it, and now she can touch a dead person and have these lengthy detailed visions regarding their death. Just...really?
Thirdly, ... for the whole first part of the book the main character pretty much treats the dead people she works on as things. They are even referred to as things. Although they look completely human. I'm not saying she has to cry over each dead body and fall into depression, but don't you think some kind compassion and respect is necessary? They literally joke about wanting to eat sushi over a body of a dead mermaid. Very funny.
Then, only as MC realizes she has a supper power and has visons, she does a 180 and start showing some signs of actually caring that people are dead.
Fourthly, the whole 'plan' by the 'bad guys' and the things they did to accomplish is very badly connected logically and makes very little sense.
I think there are some interesting ideas and even good moments in there, especially with character relationship, but this book really much more polishing and editing. It's disjoined, it wastes potential with cheap conveniences, and sometimes is outright emotionally offensive...
First, the writing. Both the badly written sentences and the edit leftovers where "she sat next to him. ... then she stood up and walked toward him". I had to stop and try to figure out what was wrong with the text I was reading numerous times. And I'm not sure if it got a bit better towards the end, or if I just got used to it enough to stop noticing most of it.
Then, the story flow that went from interesting to more and more disappointing as it progressed.
This is of course my personal opinion, but I do believe that when you see "a human who by chance/desperation picks up a job in a morgue finds herself working for a supernatural division and discovers a whole world she didn't know existed" sounds intriguing and like it has a lot of promise/possibilities, while "a human who was offered a job in a morgue finds herself working for a supernatural division and discovers the whole supernatural world, then also of course suddenly discovers that she has this very convenient superpower that allows her to instantly know who the victim was and how they died" sounds just cheap and forced.
Then the whole way her power "developed". One day she is just telling storied she 'imagined' about the bodies that of course turn out to be 100% true, then as soon as she is told it must be her superpower she instantly gains full control of it, and now she can touch a dead person and have these lengthy detailed visions regarding their death. Just...really?
Thirdly, ... for the whole first part of the book the main character pretty much treats the dead people she works on as things. They are even referred to as things. Although they look completely human. I'm not saying she has to cry over each dead body and fall into depression, but don't you think some kind compassion and respect is necessary? They literally joke about wanting to eat sushi over a body of a dead mermaid. Very funny.
Then, only as MC realizes she has a supper power and has visons, she does a 180 and start showing some signs of actually caring that people are dead.
Fourthly, the whole 'plan' by the 'bad guys' and the things they did to accomplish is very badly connected logically and makes very little sense.
I think there are some interesting ideas and even good moments in there, especially with character relationship, but this book really much more polishing and editing. It's disjoined, it wastes potential with cheap conveniences, and sometimes is outright emotionally offensive...
March 25, 2021
The book had an entertaining cast of characters - when was the last time you read about shifters?!?!?! - and an interesting world, but I felt most of the character development was pretty superficial, and we learned about their backgrounds and their society in giant info dumps. There was a decent amount of telling rather than showing, which made the characters rather boring.
I thought the relationship between the FMC Sophie and Mac was a bit quick and dramatic and honestly could have been left out. The final battle was cheesy and dull - the enemies were defeated pretty quickly, and I didn't really get the point of trying to make it dramatic when we already knew that Why bother even trying to chase him down in the tower? Additionally, even though we saw so much death in the book, I was pretty emotionally detached and didn't really care for any of the people that had died.
Lastly, I had issues with Mac's ease of assembling a vigilante crime-solving unit as a cop. It's one thing to use an unofficial psychic, but to take a random team of morgue workers grave-robbing and burglarizing seemed a bit odd for someone that was supposed to stand up for the law.
I'm not really feeling any interest in continuing the series between the writing and the development of the characters and their relationships even though we're left on a dramatic cliffhanger.
I thought the relationship between the FMC Sophie and Mac was a bit quick and dramatic and honestly could have been left out. The final battle was cheesy and dull - the enemies were defeated pretty quickly, and I didn't really get the point of trying to make it dramatic when we already knew that Why bother even trying to chase him down in the tower? Additionally, even though we saw so much death in the book, I was pretty emotionally detached and didn't really care for any of the people that had died.
Lastly, I had issues with Mac's ease of assembling a vigilante crime-solving unit as a cop. It's one thing to use an unofficial psychic, but to take a random team of morgue workers grave-robbing and burglarizing seemed a bit odd for someone that was supposed to stand up for the law.
I'm not really feeling any interest in continuing the series between the writing and the development of the characters and their relationships even though we're left on a dramatic cliffhanger.
February 1, 2022
DNFd at Chapter 14.
I started reading this on a slow night, I couldn't sleep and didn't want something intense. So, it started off very illogical but at a pace I was willing to keep reading at. But by chapter 14, that same slow pace that initially invited me in is now annoying as fuck.
Why illogical? I'm taking a guess here, but Sophie might be the Fae assassin that was quickly mentioned. Why? She has no issues with dead bodies, her dreams/dead body storytelling that in one meeting suddenly turns into being called visions and the fact that she doesn't get pop culture references. Why the last one specifically? Because I think she probably crossed over, lost her memory/took on a persona. Even I've never watched an Indiana Jones movie but I know what it is, so it would stand to say, she isn't from here.
So all those things are on the back burner up until chapter 14, the plot really isn't progressing, then she started off not liking Mac and as I can see by the blurb in book 2, they'll be potentially dating?
Another thing that didn't make sense, why go through all the hassle of breaking into a cemetery, when Reggie was the coroner and he could have just ordered it done or Mac the cop could have made up some request for it? I like characters with common sense, even if it is a paranormal book.
I started reading this on a slow night, I couldn't sleep and didn't want something intense. So, it started off very illogical but at a pace I was willing to keep reading at. But by chapter 14, that same slow pace that initially invited me in is now annoying as fuck.
Why illogical? I'm taking a guess here, but Sophie might be the Fae assassin that was quickly mentioned. Why? She has no issues with dead bodies, her dreams/dead body storytelling that in one meeting suddenly turns into being called visions and the fact that she doesn't get pop culture references. Why the last one specifically? Because I think she probably crossed over, lost her memory/took on a persona. Even I've never watched an Indiana Jones movie but I know what it is, so it would stand to say, she isn't from here.
So all those things are on the back burner up until chapter 14, the plot really isn't progressing, then she started off not liking Mac and as I can see by the blurb in book 2, they'll be potentially dating?
Another thing that didn't make sense, why go through all the hassle of breaking into a cemetery, when Reggie was the coroner and he could have just ordered it done or Mac the cop could have made up some request for it? I like characters with common sense, even if it is a paranormal book.
November 27, 2022
A fun read
I liked Sophie’s snarkiness and all her sarcastic comebacks, but I wish someone had helped make sure that she didn’t repeat similar things too often. At times she was maybe trying a little too hard to be snarky.
I also had many questions about Sophie. It felt like I never really got to her her despite the author throwing out tidbits of her life. It wasn’t enough. Furthermore,
how does she see these visions of hers? Are they stories, is she reliving from the person who died’s perspective or is she an outsider? It felt like the author changed it to suit her story’s whims and that it had no real structure.
Lastly, Sophie almost messed up the ending with the classically annoying ‘person with no skills rushing into danger and somehow magically saves the day’. Luckily it did happen quite that way and I’m thankful.
A solid 3 stars - A good read
I liked Sophie’s snarkiness and all her sarcastic comebacks, but I wish someone had helped make sure that she didn’t repeat similar things too often. At times she was maybe trying a little too hard to be snarky.
I also had many questions about Sophie. It felt like I never really got to her her despite the author throwing out tidbits of her life. It wasn’t enough. Furthermore,
how does she see these visions of hers? Are they stories, is she reliving from the person who died’s perspective or is she an outsider? It felt like the author changed it to suit her story’s whims and that it had no real structure.
Lastly, Sophie almost messed up the ending with the classically annoying ‘person with no skills rushing into danger and somehow magically saves the day’. Luckily it did happen quite that way and I’m thankful.
A solid 3 stars - A good read
October 15, 2021
Explains explanations
First review for me but couldn’t finish. The dialog is jilted and boring, the story slogs along, everyone feels either dumb or so flat I’m assuming their dumb…
I liked the concept of ‘lesser’ shifters (swans, raccoons and foxes) but everything was gone over twice.
If there was a phone call, the phone call was repeated back (sometimes verbatim) to the group. This happens over and over again!
I started skipping paragraphs when I realized it was going over something we just covered two pages ago and gave up when the author copped to it!
*Mac texts us both*
‘Mac just text us!’ Reggie exclaims unnecessarily 🙄
First review for me but couldn’t finish. The dialog is jilted and boring, the story slogs along, everyone feels either dumb or so flat I’m assuming their dumb…
I liked the concept of ‘lesser’ shifters (swans, raccoons and foxes) but everything was gone over twice.
If there was a phone call, the phone call was repeated back (sometimes verbatim) to the group. This happens over and over again!
I started skipping paragraphs when I realized it was going over something we just covered two pages ago and gave up when the author copped to it!
*Mac texts us both*
‘Mac just text us!’ Reggie exclaims unnecessarily 🙄
July 19, 2020
A new mystery series
A new paranormal crime mystery series with a sassy main character who develops new powers and gets introduced to a whole new world when she accepts a job at the local morgue in order to pay the bills. There is some tension between her and another character, but no romance yet. And there is a cliffhanger, but it's well done. Certainly makes me want to read the next book!
A new paranormal crime mystery series with a sassy main character who develops new powers and gets introduced to a whole new world when she accepts a job at the local morgue in order to pay the bills. There is some tension between her and another character, but no romance yet. And there is a cliffhanger, but it's well done. Certainly makes me want to read the next book!
September 28, 2020
This was pretty bad. There were some decent ideas and the occasional funny. But the writing was just not good, for a variety of reasons. Telling not showing, over explaining, awkward point of view. Just bleh.
1.5.
1.5.
September 21, 2022
This book was pure fun. Sophie is an oddball just as all her friends, it was wonderful to see the development of her friendships/relationships with Burg, Birdie, Mac, Ace, Amari, Fitz, Reggie and and others. Yes, the book is over the top and you have to suspend belief along the way, but the writing is snappy, Sophie is no wilting Lilly, she stands her ground, she’s inquisitive, loyal, feisty, intelligent, and genuinely cares for others. I’m looking forward to book 2
January 12, 2022
Nicely done
I really enjoyed the character development. San Francisco is described beautifully in all of its glitz, glamor and mystery.
The female lead doesn't turn into a Mary Jane when she takes a job that teaches her she has a talent. She is still very human.
Moving on to the next book!
I really enjoyed the character development. San Francisco is described beautifully in all of its glitz, glamor and mystery.
The female lead doesn't turn into a Mary Jane when she takes a job that teaches her she has a talent. She is still very human.
Moving on to the next book!
August 1, 2021
This book hooked me from the start, it grabbed my attention an held on tight right to the end, and left me desperate for more. The story flowed beautifully, with an intrigueing mystery and some great plot twists, I fell in love with the characters immediately, they were unique, original and incredibly sweet. I'm desperately hoping for a book 2, this was just too good to be left as a single book, great narration by Janine Granda. I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 3, 2024
DNF at 80%- why is this so highly rated??
It’s not bad but it just is not compelling enough. The MC Sophie is a hard ass with a special power but I just cannot find enough in me to care.
Care about the building mystery, the “fae” and shifters angle, or the characters. Just meh.
It’s not bad but it just is not compelling enough. The MC Sophie is a hard ass with a special power but I just cannot find enough in me to care.
Care about the building mystery, the “fae” and shifters angle, or the characters. Just meh.
March 21, 2021
Unusual storyline
A thrilling joy ride of a read full of suspense, action and fun characters. A lurking mystery does end in a cliffhanger. Highly recommend.
A thrilling joy ride of a read full of suspense, action and fun characters. A lurking mystery does end in a cliffhanger. Highly recommend.
March 21, 2022
Pulling main character. Interesting story plot.
October 27, 2023
3.75⭐️
This is a solid start to a series. I discovered this book a while ago but decided to pick it up when I read a recommended by Nathan Lowell, who wrote The Wizard's Butler. I am glad I did.
Paranormal/Urban fantasy books are a hit or miss for me but this was a definite hit. I adored the characters and their banter and shenanigans and the world building. There is also the mystery of Sophie - why doesn't she know any pop culture references? Why is she so vague when it comes to talking about her past or family? And the cliffhanger of sorts at the end of the book will definitely take me back to the series.
This is a solid start to a series. I discovered this book a while ago but decided to pick it up when I read a recommended by Nathan Lowell, who wrote The Wizard's Butler. I am glad I did.
Paranormal/Urban fantasy books are a hit or miss for me but this was a definite hit. I adored the characters and their banter and shenanigans and the world building. There is also the mystery of Sophie - why doesn't she know any pop culture references? Why is she so vague when it comes to talking about her past or family? And the cliffhanger of sorts at the end of the book will definitely take me back to the series.
January 15, 2022
A lack luster disappointment
First of all, i do love the concept of this book. The story itself had so much potenial, but the writting was lack luster. It almost felt as if it was being written by a teenager - it lacked maturity. Everything was spelled out in painful detail. The heroine would make a quip which would be followed by "she said snarkily". The author did not leave the reader any way to infer things. The dialogue seemed forced and painful, even the F-word seemed unnatural. Sophie as a character was 1 dimensional - sometimes it felt like she only became a person once the book started. She has no friends, no family and no real back story. While the autor wanted to make Sophie mouthy and bold, she ended up sounding like a hot head on a playground, not a grown woman. The author also gives waaaay to much detail when Sophie has her visions, it's grating. Plus the dream sequence should be at the beginning of the story, not crammed in half way through like forgotten leftovers. To top ot all off,you need a Masters degree to be a pathology assistant! By completely brushing this off with Mr. opossum saying he doesn't care and does the hiring? Really? You insult everyone who studied hard for those skills. Did she even go to college at all? The book doesn't say.
First of all, i do love the concept of this book. The story itself had so much potenial, but the writting was lack luster. It almost felt as if it was being written by a teenager - it lacked maturity. Everything was spelled out in painful detail. The heroine would make a quip which would be followed by "she said snarkily". The author did not leave the reader any way to infer things. The dialogue seemed forced and painful, even the F-word seemed unnatural. Sophie as a character was 1 dimensional - sometimes it felt like she only became a person once the book started. She has no friends, no family and no real back story. While the autor wanted to make Sophie mouthy and bold, she ended up sounding like a hot head on a playground, not a grown woman. The author also gives waaaay to much detail when Sophie has her visions, it's grating. Plus the dream sequence should be at the beginning of the story, not crammed in half way through like forgotten leftovers. To top ot all off,you need a Masters degree to be a pathology assistant! By completely brushing this off with Mr. opossum saying he doesn't care and does the hiring? Really? You insult everyone who studied hard for those skills. Did she even go to college at all? The book doesn't say.
December 26, 2020
The first couple of chapters were rough, but after that either the writing smoothed out or I got used to it. I'm glad I continued, because the cast of characters was a delight. Opossum shifters, yes, please.
I appreciated how not all the characters were white, and explicit discussion of racism was included but not dwelled on; urban fantasy can be like a blizzard sometimes with its whiteout conditions. Less cool was how the one character with a Chinese names had two surnames (Zhang Liu). He was a minor character but every time his name came up it threw me off. Less time spent on writing a San Francisco travelogue and more time paying attention to those kinds of details would be nice.
I will definitely read more in the series with the hope that they get better. I appreciated the characters, the pace, and the light tone despite some serious stuff happening.
CW: death, violence, descriptions of murder, cops as both heroes and villains, references to sex, light romance
I appreciated how not all the characters were white, and explicit discussion of racism was included but not dwelled on; urban fantasy can be like a blizzard sometimes with its whiteout conditions. Less cool was how the one character with a Chinese names had two surnames (Zhang Liu). He was a minor character but every time his name came up it threw me off. Less time spent on writing a San Francisco travelogue and more time paying attention to those kinds of details would be nice.
I will definitely read more in the series with the hope that they get better. I appreciated the characters, the pace, and the light tone despite some serious stuff happening.
CW: death, violence, descriptions of murder, cops as both heroes and villains, references to sex, light romance
March 25, 2021
Couldn't finish
I couldn't get past the narration of the book. It was like reading a transcription of a poorly done commentary. DNF
I couldn't get past the narration of the book. It was like reading a transcription of a poorly done commentary. DNF
June 23, 2021
2.5 stars. The writing style is strange. The plot itself is not bad.
May 25, 2021
I read this book immediately after one where the author didn't want to describe what anyone or anywhere looked like, and in comparison to that, author Gwen DeMarco did a great job of this. I really appreciate descriptions of what the characters and locations in the stories I read look and/or feel like. I like my books to be an immersive experience. I also appreciated a lot of things about this book that I don't normally get.
I get upset at romance interests in books where the primary thing they have in their favor is that they are hot. I genuinely found *real* things about the main character to be charming, and about her love interest to be interesting and engaging. Not exactly a spoiler, but there is a conversation that Sophie has with her love interest on the history of fortune cookies, and that is 100% the type of conversation I would have with my husband. I appreciate that the author tries to make him a good and intelligent person who also happens to be good-looking, rather than prioritizing the good-looking part with just a sprinkling of personality, like you often get in these types of books. It really annoys me when I read a book where there is a love-interest situation and I cannot figure out what is appealing about them beyond 'they hott', but this book didn't have that problem. (For those who care about how... physical the romance gets in books they read, this is more of a slow-burn type of romance. No sex is depicted or happening in the first book for our main character, though there are dirty jokes, mostly through an old-lady neighbor who enjoys that kind of thing and is referred to as Sophie's best friend.)
I was genuinely ready to pick up the next book in this series after I finished this one, but it isn't out yet. I will likely check it out when it does come out, if I see it.
I get upset at romance interests in books where the primary thing they have in their favor is that they are hot. I genuinely found *real* things about the main character to be charming, and about her love interest to be interesting and engaging. Not exactly a spoiler, but there is a conversation that Sophie has with her love interest on the history of fortune cookies, and that is 100% the type of conversation I would have with my husband. I appreciate that the author tries to make him a good and intelligent person who also happens to be good-looking, rather than prioritizing the good-looking part with just a sprinkling of personality, like you often get in these types of books. It really annoys me when I read a book where there is a love-interest situation and I cannot figure out what is appealing about them beyond 'they hott', but this book didn't have that problem. (For those who care about how... physical the romance gets in books they read, this is more of a slow-burn type of romance. No sex is depicted or happening in the first book for our main character, though there are dirty jokes, mostly through an old-lady neighbor who enjoys that kind of thing and is referred to as Sophie's best friend.)
I was genuinely ready to pick up the next book in this series after I finished this one, but it isn't out yet. I will likely check it out when it does come out, if I see it.
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