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Beaumont and Beasley #5
The Geppetto Codex
The puppets have cut their strings...
Timid faun Gareth Llewellyn and hot-tempered dryad Sylvia Kirke are not exactly the most skilled or valued agents of Beaumont and Beasley Investigations. So, when an opportunity arises for them to finally prove their worth to their employers, they jump at the chance.
The citizens of the city of Vetri are turning into wooden statues, and no one can determine the cause. Gareth and Sylvia trace the threat to an abandoned monastery; home to a family of living, evil puppets.
It’s all right, though. They can handle this. Can’t they?
Perhaps not. When a crucial mistake turns the entire situation on its head, Gareth and Sylvia must decide whether to stand and fight against impossible odds…or accept a dark bargain from an old enemy.
Timid faun Gareth Llewellyn and hot-tempered dryad Sylvia Kirke are not exactly the most skilled or valued agents of Beaumont and Beasley Investigations. So, when an opportunity arises for them to finally prove their worth to their employers, they jump at the chance.
The citizens of the city of Vetri are turning into wooden statues, and no one can determine the cause. Gareth and Sylvia trace the threat to an abandoned monastery; home to a family of living, evil puppets.
It’s all right, though. They can handle this. Can’t they?
Perhaps not. When a crucial mistake turns the entire situation on its head, Gareth and Sylvia must decide whether to stand and fight against impossible odds…or accept a dark bargain from an old enemy.
Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2020
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About the author
Kyle Robert Shultz
41 books156 followersKyle Robert Shultz is the creator of the Aftermythos, an interconnected collection of stories set in an alternate universe where fairy tales and mythology are history. Shultz is a completely ordinary human being with no remarkable qualities whatsoever. Accounts suggesting that he is a dangerous wizard exiled from a parallel reality, a cleverly-disguised magical creature passing off the history of another world as original fiction, a mysterious trickster entity described in the folklore of a circumscribed region of Wales, or a pseudonym adopted by three talking otters stacked up in a trench coat should be dismissed as not entirely accurate.
Note: I'm not active on Goodreads, so I may not see messages or other notifications. I only use this profile for business, so don't be offended if I don't accept your friend request. If you want to get in touch with me, email me at kyle@aftermythos.com.
Note: I'm not active on Goodreads, so I may not see messages or other notifications. I only use this profile for business, so don't be offended if I don't accept your friend request. If you want to get in touch with me, email me at kyle@aftermythos.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 15, 2022
The next Beaumont and Beasley novel!
Featuring Gareth (nervous faun), Sylvia (very not nervous dryad), terrifying puppets and dashes of Pinocchio, and the Afterverse version of Venice!
Characters old and new make an appearance, along with fascinating Hints and Things, and returning villains at the most unexpected times...
And, of course, some Very Interesting epilogues and prologue which have me dying to get my hands on the next book! O_O
Through it all, there's the humor and banter and snarky and magical shenanigans one comes to expect from the Beaumont and Beasley books. :D
(Also, this is my first read of 2020! Take that, future.)
(I may write a more complete review when this releases, if I remember. XD)
(Disclaimer: as the Editor of the Afterverse, I edited this book. I decided to share my unbiased opinion as an uber-fan of the Afterverse. ;))
(Okay, I'm done talking in parentheses, I promise.)
Featuring Gareth (nervous faun), Sylvia (very not nervous dryad), terrifying puppets and dashes of Pinocchio, and the Afterverse version of Venice!
Characters old and new make an appearance, along with fascinating Hints and Things, and returning villains at the most unexpected times...
And, of course, some Very Interesting epilogues and prologue which have me dying to get my hands on the next book! O_O
Through it all, there's the humor and banter and snarky and magical shenanigans one comes to expect from the Beaumont and Beasley books. :D
(Also, this is my first read of 2020! Take that, future.)
(I may write a more complete review when this releases, if I remember. XD)
(Disclaimer: as the Editor of the Afterverse, I edited this book. I decided to share my unbiased opinion as an uber-fan of the Afterverse. ;))
(Okay, I'm done talking in parentheses, I promise.)
April 13, 2020
At last book #5 of the Beaumont and Beasley series is heeere!
And, wow, did this one take a bit of a different turn. Being as how *GASP* Nick and Cordelia are not our main characters. But no fear, there was still plenty of fun (and feels) to go ‘round!
Literally since book #3, The Stroke of Eleven, there has been this sense of…THE WORLD IS ENDING. The players are being set into position, tension is high, and, as the blurb of this one suggests, the end of Beaumont and Beasley has begun. (Don’t mind me sobbing in the corner. I’M FINE.) This book is yet another piece in the ever-growing puzzle of danger and mayhem and doooom we are no doubt going to experience very soon.
NOTE: This book will probably not make much sense at all unless you’ve read the books prior to it. It ALSO has a tie-in to the Crockett and Crane series, namely Deadwood, Crockett and Crane #2. If you haven’t read the C&C books, you can still understand this one, BUT it’ll have more meaning of you’ve read basically…all of the books prior to this one. Which you should do. Because these books are amazing. Period. The end. Goodnight.
THE RUNDOWN
While Nick and Cordelia are dealing with some, erm, internal struggles, they send out part of the Beaumont and Beasley B team to deal with a problem in the city of Vetri (which is the Afterverse version of Venice and just yessss, so here for this!).
Remember the “mythfits” who first appeared in book #2? YES. This book features two of them as the main characters!
Gareth the timid faun and Sylvia the not-so-timid dryad go from being the “Botanical Department” of the Beaumont and Beasley agency to investigating why people in the city of Vetri are being turned to wood. But when what was supposed to be a fairly straightforward mission turns into something way more personal and dangerous, they question if they’re equipped to handle such a case.
THE CHARACTERS
It was truly a delight getting up close and personal with a couple of the mythfits. I love how every single character in this series has their own story, their own struggles, their own unique personalities. And though I did desperately miss Nick and Cordelia, I adored getting to know Gareth and Sylvia more closely.
Gareth was my favorite! This cinnamon roll of a faun is, well, not very confident. He struggles with self-consciousness about…everything, really. But it just makes him all that more endearing. His awkwardness and timidity is precious.
THEN you couple that with Sylvia and ooooh YES! Sylvia is a dryad who, um, is just about as opposite from Gareth as you can get. She’s loud, she’s brave, she really, really loves hitting things and bad guys alike with a big stick. But she also loves Gareth and just BE STILL MY HEART. The mousy person coupled with the I-will-punch-everyone-in-the-face-except-my-true-love personality is basically my FAVE. They made such a hilarious, but utterly adorable pairing.
I especially loved how they admired each other’s separate strengths, instead of judging the other for being so different. Healthy relationships FTW!
Aside from Gareth and Sylvia, we had a few more new faces. I especially liked Ioan and the whole subplot involving him.
And the VILLAINS. Ooooh man. They were fascinating. And creepy. But fascinating! Probably one of my favorite things in the whole book. Those villains were something else, let me tell you.
The Afterverse books are always brimming with a colorful cast, and this one was no different. I loved getting up close and personal with some side characters, while also meeting fresh faces.
THE PLOT
Like I mentioned earlier, this book takes place in Vetri, which is the Afterverse’s version of Venice. And excuse me but just YES!!! I adooore reading stories set in Venice. And then add in fantasy creatures, a mystery, and people being turned into wood and you’ve got yourself one epic setting.
I also really liked the culture of fauns and dryads. The worldbuilding was so rich in this one, and the abilities and politics of the two races were fascinating! I just love how the characters in these books aren’t always straight up humans. We totally need more stories with epic fantasy creatures as main characters!
I do feel like the beginning was full of quite a bit of exposition explaining the cultures and things, but it was information we needed. It seems like books these days are so scared of telling instead of showing, they don’t really, ya know, give us important info. So I did appreciate things being explained, even if some parts dragged. But it definitely picked up more in the second half. Boy did it ever!
If the title doesn’t give it away, this book follows the Pinocchio strings (see what I did there?) that have been hinted at in other books, namely Deadwood. But there’s another well-known story woven in there too. In fact, SO many of the fairy tales/myths the previous books have touched on are coming at a headway, and it. is. EPIC.
I can’t say too much about the overall plot without giving away spoilers, but it is a fabulous ride from the fresh setting, adorkable characters with unique gifts, deliciously creepy villains, spot-on humor, and some GREAT plot twists. I totally should have guessed one twist but I didn’t and ALJLSJLKJSDF. It sent me on a wild ride! That's all I’m sayin’.
What I especially loved was the different character dynamics and relationship growth. In between, you know, trying not to die, Gareth and Sylvia really learned a lot about one another and themselves and grew from it.
In addition to that, there was a theme about how being humble can be a GOOD thing and just YES. THANK YOU! In this world of self-love, it seems like we’re trying to kill humility. But humility is GOOD. I’m 1000% with Sylvia on her thoughts of humility being totally attractive. Give me a humble guy any day, please and thank you. I just really appreciated that theme.
Overall, it was a solid plot with a lot of great characters—some old, some new—plenty of humor, and a dash of feels.
But my actual favorite part of this book? THE EPILOGUES. Literally, it’s worth reading this book for the epilogues alone. Eeeeeverything is coming together! EVERYTHING. And I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for the next book.
CONCLUSION
We’ve come a long way with Beaumont and Beasley, and it’s clear things are gettin’ SERIOUS. This book really helped connect so very many threads from the previous stories, all while upping the stakes even MORE.
It was a delightful addition to the B&B series, with a fresh cast of endearing characters, some great themes, a fantastic setting, and so. much. danger. I cannot wait to see where it all leads in the next books!
Review originally posted on my blog: https://christinesmithauthor.com/2020/04/book-review-the-geppetto-codex-by-kyle-robert-shultz/
And, wow, did this one take a bit of a different turn. Being as how *GASP* Nick and Cordelia are not our main characters. But no fear, there was still plenty of fun (and feels) to go ‘round!
Literally since book #3, The Stroke of Eleven, there has been this sense of…THE WORLD IS ENDING. The players are being set into position, tension is high, and, as the blurb of this one suggests, the end of Beaumont and Beasley has begun. (Don’t mind me sobbing in the corner. I’M FINE.) This book is yet another piece in the ever-growing puzzle of danger and mayhem and doooom we are no doubt going to experience very soon.
NOTE: This book will probably not make much sense at all unless you’ve read the books prior to it. It ALSO has a tie-in to the Crockett and Crane series, namely Deadwood, Crockett and Crane #2. If you haven’t read the C&C books, you can still understand this one, BUT it’ll have more meaning of you’ve read basically…all of the books prior to this one. Which you should do. Because these books are amazing. Period. The end. Goodnight.
THE RUNDOWN
While Nick and Cordelia are dealing with some, erm, internal struggles, they send out part of the Beaumont and Beasley B team to deal with a problem in the city of Vetri (which is the Afterverse version of Venice and just yessss, so here for this!).
Remember the “mythfits” who first appeared in book #2? YES. This book features two of them as the main characters!
Gareth the timid faun and Sylvia the not-so-timid dryad go from being the “Botanical Department” of the Beaumont and Beasley agency to investigating why people in the city of Vetri are being turned to wood. But when what was supposed to be a fairly straightforward mission turns into something way more personal and dangerous, they question if they’re equipped to handle such a case.
THE CHARACTERS
It was truly a delight getting up close and personal with a couple of the mythfits. I love how every single character in this series has their own story, their own struggles, their own unique personalities. And though I did desperately miss Nick and Cordelia, I adored getting to know Gareth and Sylvia more closely.
Gareth was my favorite! This cinnamon roll of a faun is, well, not very confident. He struggles with self-consciousness about…everything, really. But it just makes him all that more endearing. His awkwardness and timidity is precious.
THEN you couple that with Sylvia and ooooh YES! Sylvia is a dryad who, um, is just about as opposite from Gareth as you can get. She’s loud, she’s brave, she really, really loves hitting things and bad guys alike with a big stick. But she also loves Gareth and just BE STILL MY HEART. The mousy person coupled with the I-will-punch-everyone-in-the-face-except-my-true-love personality is basically my FAVE. They made such a hilarious, but utterly adorable pairing.
I especially loved how they admired each other’s separate strengths, instead of judging the other for being so different. Healthy relationships FTW!
Aside from Gareth and Sylvia, we had a few more new faces. I especially liked Ioan and the whole subplot involving him.
And the VILLAINS. Ooooh man. They were fascinating. And creepy. But fascinating! Probably one of my favorite things in the whole book. Those villains were something else, let me tell you.
The Afterverse books are always brimming with a colorful cast, and this one was no different. I loved getting up close and personal with some side characters, while also meeting fresh faces.
THE PLOT
Like I mentioned earlier, this book takes place in Vetri, which is the Afterverse’s version of Venice. And excuse me but just YES!!! I adooore reading stories set in Venice. And then add in fantasy creatures, a mystery, and people being turned into wood and you’ve got yourself one epic setting.
I also really liked the culture of fauns and dryads. The worldbuilding was so rich in this one, and the abilities and politics of the two races were fascinating! I just love how the characters in these books aren’t always straight up humans. We totally need more stories with epic fantasy creatures as main characters!
I do feel like the beginning was full of quite a bit of exposition explaining the cultures and things, but it was information we needed. It seems like books these days are so scared of telling instead of showing, they don’t really, ya know, give us important info. So I did appreciate things being explained, even if some parts dragged. But it definitely picked up more in the second half. Boy did it ever!
If the title doesn’t give it away, this book follows the Pinocchio strings (see what I did there?) that have been hinted at in other books, namely Deadwood. But there’s another well-known story woven in there too. In fact, SO many of the fairy tales/myths the previous books have touched on are coming at a headway, and it. is. EPIC.
I can’t say too much about the overall plot without giving away spoilers, but it is a fabulous ride from the fresh setting, adorkable characters with unique gifts, deliciously creepy villains, spot-on humor, and some GREAT plot twists. I totally should have guessed one twist but I didn’t and ALJLSJLKJSDF. It sent me on a wild ride! That's all I’m sayin’.
What I especially loved was the different character dynamics and relationship growth. In between, you know, trying not to die, Gareth and Sylvia really learned a lot about one another and themselves and grew from it.
In addition to that, there was a theme about how being humble can be a GOOD thing and just YES. THANK YOU! In this world of self-love, it seems like we’re trying to kill humility. But humility is GOOD. I’m 1000% with Sylvia on her thoughts of humility being totally attractive. Give me a humble guy any day, please and thank you. I just really appreciated that theme.
Overall, it was a solid plot with a lot of great characters—some old, some new—plenty of humor, and a dash of feels.
But my actual favorite part of this book? THE EPILOGUES. Literally, it’s worth reading this book for the epilogues alone. Eeeeeverything is coming together! EVERYTHING. And I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for the next book.
CONCLUSION
We’ve come a long way with Beaumont and Beasley, and it’s clear things are gettin’ SERIOUS. This book really helped connect so very many threads from the previous stories, all while upping the stakes even MORE.
It was a delightful addition to the B&B series, with a fresh cast of endearing characters, some great themes, a fantastic setting, and so. much. danger. I cannot wait to see where it all leads in the next books!
Review originally posted on my blog: https://christinesmithauthor.com/2020/04/book-review-the-geppetto-codex-by-kyle-robert-shultz/
August 11, 2024
I was sad to discover that Nick actually is not the POV character in this fifth book of Beaumont and Beasley, but Gareth and Sylvia are delightful characters, as well. Although I was disappointed that Nick and Cordelia weren’t bigger players in this story, I ended up really enjoying Gareth and Sylvia’s POVS; they were the perfect choice for this tale. (But no one can beat Nick and Cordelia.)
Gareth, with his shy, nervous, humble demeanor, and Sylvia, with her bold, intimidating, capable personality, are members of the group Nick affectionately dubbed “the Mythfits.” And I loved getting more insight into their characters! I’m in awe: somehow, the author manages to write every character in this series distinctly, memorably, and uniquely, even though the books are all written in first person. It’s absolutely amazing.
The author’s epilogues are always fantastic. And these are no exception. *chokes* THOSE EPILOGUES. WHAT. WHAT WERE THOSE. (But they’re so GOOD! Everything is starting to come together...although I’m still terrified for these characters...)
This was an awesome fifth book in the Beaumont and Beasley series (they’re all awesome, guys).
And I don’t think I’m ever going near a puppet again.
Content: a few nondescript kisses, mild violence, magic
Gareth, with his shy, nervous, humble demeanor, and Sylvia, with her bold, intimidating, capable personality, are members of the group Nick affectionately dubbed “the Mythfits.” And I loved getting more insight into their characters! I’m in awe: somehow, the author manages to write every character in this series distinctly, memorably, and uniquely, even though the books are all written in first person. It’s absolutely amazing.
The author’s epilogues are always fantastic. And these are no exception. *chokes* THOSE EPILOGUES. WHAT. WHAT WERE THOSE. (But they’re so GOOD! Everything is starting to come together...although I’m still terrified for these characters...)
This was an awesome fifth book in the Beaumont and Beasley series (they’re all awesome, guys).
And I don’t think I’m ever going near a puppet again.
Content: a few nondescript kisses, mild violence, magic
March 1, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this one. I never quite adjusted to being in Gareth or Sylvia's POVs and I really missed Nick and Cordelia. Nor do I particularly enjoy Gareth and Sylvia's relationship (just personal opinion). But once the plot started really going (from about the halfway point) it was so much fun! The way Shultz has twisted the Geppetto/Pinocchio story is one of my favorite aspects of the Afterverse. I'm not sure what that says about me. lol. I also really appreciated the way this story fits into the series as a whole. There are lots of ties to the other stories in this book and it really feels like a major step forward in the overall plot, tying in major plot threads from The Janus Elixir, The Stroke of Eleven, and Deadwood. The way Shultz is masterfully weaving them all together is nothing short of impressive. It is pure imagination and I am really enjoying putting the giant puzzle together piece by piece with each of these new installments. His unbridled creativity is so refreshing and inspiring in a media market where rehashing the same stories over and over seems to be the dominant trend.
January 29, 2020
To say that this book was brilliant would be an understatement. No. It was not only brilliant, it was epic in every sense of the word.
Emotions experienced: laughter, joy, confusion, anger, surprise, wonder.. among other things.
I laughed, almost cried (very nearly), gasped, yelled and sputtered.
Shultz never ceases to amaze and the next book cannot come fast enough.
Emotions experienced: laughter, joy, confusion, anger, surprise, wonder.. among other things.
I laughed, almost cried (very nearly), gasped, yelled and sputtered.
Shultz never ceases to amaze and the next book cannot come fast enough.
July 12, 2020
Oh man, how has it taken me this long to review The Geppetto Codex?
Simply put, this book was perfect. I hadn't realized I wanted a book where the main characters were a dryad and faun, but boy did I ever! Shultz delves into so many cool uses of their powers. The creativity is off the charts, and it's hilarious in the bargain.
One thing I greatly appreciated about this was the opportunity it offered to get to know Gareth and Sylvia more. They've shown up in some other Beaumont and Beasley stories, but I never felt like I really got to know them before this book. Now I love them dearly. It was brilliant to give them a book by themselves without being overshadowed by Nick and Cordelia, and I can't wait to see how they keep growing in future stories.
The subplots are fantastic, the themes are genuine, the fun is constant, the magic magical. Backstory from Deadwood is fleshed out in a way that surprised me.
There's a particular moment where the point-of-view writing blew my mind from a craft perspective.
And that ending. Endings like that should come with a warning label. My imagination is swirling with implications for future books.
You don't want to miss this brilliant installment in the B&B series.
Simply put, this book was perfect. I hadn't realized I wanted a book where the main characters were a dryad and faun, but boy did I ever! Shultz delves into so many cool uses of their powers. The creativity is off the charts, and it's hilarious in the bargain.
One thing I greatly appreciated about this was the opportunity it offered to get to know Gareth and Sylvia more. They've shown up in some other Beaumont and Beasley stories, but I never felt like I really got to know them before this book. Now I love them dearly. It was brilliant to give them a book by themselves without being overshadowed by Nick and Cordelia, and I can't wait to see how they keep growing in future stories.
The subplots are fantastic, the themes are genuine, the fun is constant, the magic magical. Backstory from Deadwood is fleshed out in a way that surprised me.
There's a particular moment where the point-of-view writing blew my mind from a craft perspective.
And that ending. Endings like that should come with a warning label. My imagination is swirling with implications for future books.
You don't want to miss this brilliant installment in the B&B series.
May 7, 2020
That was something!
PROS:
--We get to be inside Gareth and Sylvia's head for the entire book. Which is great! I've really been wanting to get backstory for the mythfits since they were introduced. We learn about their little flaws and how entirely adorable they are together.
--It takes place in the afterverse version if Italy, so we get a cool new atmosphere to add the mystery of what's going on.
--A lot of interesting new characters including the villains which was pretty cool. And creepy. Definitely creepy.
--The epilogues, per usual, were mystifying and baffling and torturous to read, but they absolutely made me wish the other books were out.
--The focus on humility was a really nice touch and I think it added a little extra something to the story.
CONS:
--This one did feel a little rushed to me. Minor beef and I'm not even sure if this my fault for reading it too fast, or not.
Overall, the stakes are rising, tensions are high with bad guys lurking behind every corner and now I must wait until the next book to find out what comes next. Definitely read this one, afterversians. You won't regret it.
PROS:
--We get to be inside Gareth and Sylvia's head for the entire book. Which is great! I've really been wanting to get backstory for the mythfits since they were introduced. We learn about their little flaws and how entirely adorable they are together.
--It takes place in the afterverse version if Italy, so we get a cool new atmosphere to add the mystery of what's going on.
--A lot of interesting new characters including the villains which was pretty cool. And creepy. Definitely creepy.
--The epilogues, per usual, were mystifying and baffling and torturous to read, but they absolutely made me wish the other books were out.
--The focus on humility was a really nice touch and I think it added a little extra something to the story.
CONS:
--This one did feel a little rushed to me. Minor beef and I'm not even sure if this my fault for reading it too fast, or not.
Overall, the stakes are rising, tensions are high with bad guys lurking behind every corner and now I must wait until the next book to find out what comes next. Definitely read this one, afterversians. You won't regret it.
December 23, 2020
The Geppetto Codex is another riveting chapter in the Beaumont and Beasley saga! It was so much fun to see some more development for the side characters of Silvlia and Gareth. They grew quite a bit in this installment, and I dig their relationship! I love the way that Silvia sees within Gareth all the great qualities that he cannot see within himself. Not to mention, all the morbid twists that Shultz incorporates into the Pinocchio fairytale make for one of the most captivating retellings yet—if not the very most captivating! The plot of The Gepetto Complex is especially unpredictable, complete with an unprecedented number of surprising twists and turns.
That said, while I appreciated the further development for Gareth and Silvia, they did not quite hold their own for me the way that Nick and Company do. I personally feel like Gareth and Silvia work best as secondary characters, and I feel like they could have gotten further development while still holding a secondary role in the story. I also had a particularly hard time with the narrative voice. Gareth and Silvia alternate as narrators in the book, but I felt like their narrative voices were nearly identical. So many times, I lost track of who was narrating the current chapter. I felt like Shultz could have done a better job at incorporating personality into the way each narrator expresses themselves to the reader—or even perhaps told this story in the third person.
Even if I missed our old friends from previous installments, The Geppetto Codex is a creepy and engrossing twist on the classic story of Pinocchio that further cements Kyle Robert Shultz as a master of retellings!
That said, while I appreciated the further development for Gareth and Silvia, they did not quite hold their own for me the way that Nick and Company do. I personally feel like Gareth and Silvia work best as secondary characters, and I feel like they could have gotten further development while still holding a secondary role in the story. I also had a particularly hard time with the narrative voice. Gareth and Silvia alternate as narrators in the book, but I felt like their narrative voices were nearly identical. So many times, I lost track of who was narrating the current chapter. I felt like Shultz could have done a better job at incorporating personality into the way each narrator expresses themselves to the reader—or even perhaps told this story in the third person.
Even if I missed our old friends from previous installments, The Geppetto Codex is a creepy and engrossing twist on the classic story of Pinocchio that further cements Kyle Robert Shultz as a master of retellings!
February 10, 2022
For the first book in the series that was not from Nick Beasley's POV at all, I liked The Geppetto Codex more than I expected. Gareth and Sylvia grew on me, and the storyline with the puppets was kind of creepy in a good way. The writing was entertaining, as always.
But for me, the climax lacked...something. I'm not sure how to explain it. I was just hoping for more.
Those epilogues, though! They really piqued my interest for book 6. The only problem? There is no book 6 in the series yet! 😩 What am I supposed to do now?
I guess I'll just have to read everything else by Kyle Robert Shultz I can get my hands on.
But for me, the climax lacked...something. I'm not sure how to explain it. I was just hoping for more.
Those epilogues, though! They really piqued my interest for book 6. The only problem? There is no book 6 in the series yet! 😩 What am I supposed to do now?
I guess I'll just have to read everything else by Kyle Robert Shultz I can get my hands on.
February 8, 2020
...
...
No. This is unacceptable. It is impossible. It cannot be done.
How?
How, Shultz?
What even WAS this? What WERE those epilogues, that part of a story I most anticipate and dread?
These cliffhangers.
WHY
...
No. This is unacceptable. It is impossible. It cannot be done.
How?
How, Shultz?
What even WAS this? What WERE those epilogues, that part of a story I most anticipate and dread?
These cliffhangers.
WHY
April 2, 2020
Didn't quite like it as much as the others, probably because Nick and Cordelia weren't the protagonists, but the ending made up for it.
I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP
I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP
January 14, 2023
original review January 2020:
(Free ARC received in exchange for a review)
Holy storming cow.
I loved so much about this--the plot twists and the reveals (the epilogues are the best parts of Afterverse books for that and it's great) and the echoes of Deadwood and the expanded worldbuilding and Ioan and Renata/Callum and the absolute CREEPINESS of certain villain(s)--but probably my favorite aspect was Gareth's arc. For a book full of adventure and suspense and action, it was so nice to have side by side with that a thoughtful development of a character who up till now has been more on the sidelines, especially a development that resonated so strongly with some of my own personal struggles. Also watching him work on his relationship with Ioan was extremely satisfying and I approve entirely and I want more brother-brother page time please and thank you
(Of course, this whole "getting attached to more of Kyle Shultz's characters" thing is probably going to come back to bite me later down the line because that's how he writes, but OH WELL TOO LATE NOW)
also can we please admire the variety of creepy that was the puppets though? because that was amazing
(Free ARC received in exchange for a review)
Holy storming cow.
I loved so much about this--the plot twists and the reveals (the epilogues are the best parts of Afterverse books for that and it's great) and the echoes of Deadwood and the expanded worldbuilding and Ioan and Renata/Callum and the absolute CREEPINESS of certain villain(s)--but probably my favorite aspect was Gareth's arc. For a book full of adventure and suspense and action, it was so nice to have side by side with that a thoughtful development of a character who up till now has been more on the sidelines, especially a development that resonated so strongly with some of my own personal struggles. Also watching him work on his relationship with Ioan was extremely satisfying and I approve entirely and I want more brother-brother page time please and thank you
(Of course, this whole "getting attached to more of Kyle Shultz's characters" thing is probably going to come back to bite me later down the line because that's how he writes, but OH WELL TOO LATE NOW)
also can we please admire the variety of creepy that was the puppets though? because that was amazing
August 9, 2021
Original review, boasting a general lack of substantive review:
This was amazing. Review to come.
This was amazing. Review to come.
January 18, 2020
**Note: I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
A quick summary: Sylvia and Gareth, now known as the "Botanical Department" of Beaumont and Beasley, are called to investigate a case in Vetri, where people are being turned into wooden statues under mysterious circumstances. (Okay, unless you're a dryad like Syliva, I suppose turning into a wooden statue under any circumstance would be mysterious.) When they're there, they'll uncover more about Geppetto, the dark works he created, and why you should never, ever, trust someone who works with puppets. Period.
What to know before going into the book: It takes places after The Hound of Duville and a few super important things from that book are referenced here. Also, though the events Deadwood aren't *directly* referenced, you'll get more out of the book if you have read it. So, my advice, it seems, is basically to read all of Beaumont & Beasley and the Crockett & Crane books beforehand.
Also, this book is narrated by Sylvia and Gareth, so Nick and Cordelia don't have a lot to do with it-- but there's still enough Nick and Cordelia to satisfy me...for the time being.
Also, the epilogues of this book are possibly the greatest so far (and they've all been great so far). My mouth dropped open on one of them.
Anyway. 5/5 stars. Another great read for fans of B&B and C&C!
A quick summary: Sylvia and Gareth, now known as the "Botanical Department" of Beaumont and Beasley, are called to investigate a case in Vetri, where people are being turned into wooden statues under mysterious circumstances. (Okay, unless you're a dryad like Syliva, I suppose turning into a wooden statue under any circumstance would be mysterious.) When they're there, they'll uncover more about Geppetto, the dark works he created, and why you should never, ever, trust someone who works with puppets. Period.
What to know before going into the book: It takes places after The Hound of Duville and a few super important things from that book are referenced here. Also, though the events Deadwood aren't *directly* referenced, you'll get more out of the book if you have read it. So, my advice, it seems, is basically to read all of Beaumont & Beasley and the Crockett & Crane books beforehand.
Also, this book is narrated by Sylvia and Gareth, so Nick and Cordelia don't have a lot to do with it-- but there's still enough Nick and Cordelia to satisfy me...for the time being.
Also, the epilogues of this book are possibly the greatest so far (and they've all been great so far). My mouth dropped open on one of them.
Anyway. 5/5 stars. Another great read for fans of B&B and C&C!
January 17, 2020
The Geppeto Codex by Kyle Robert Shultz is the long awaited fifth book in his popular Beaumont and Beasley series. And I devoured it.
Unlike the first four books, this one features neither Nick Beasley Nor Cordelia Beaumont. Though they both make breif cameos, the main characters are instead Gairth the time and humble faun and Silvia the kick butt dryad.
I liked them both as minor characters in the Tomb of the Sea Witch and they had a fun short in Christmas in Talesend. So I wasn't too worried that they could carry a whole book.
Gairth and Silvia were perfect, and the story was enticing and the twists were astounding.
But more then that, it was all a teaser. There are three separate epilogues at the end of this book. Any satisfaction you get out of the ending is quickly dissipated as Shultz drops tease after tease for future books.
Guys, it's all connected. Go back right now and read Shultz's entire body of work. You aren't going to want to leave anything out. Maybe by the time you finish he'll finally have another book out.
*I was provided a electronic copy of this story via Booksprout. My review is my own honest opinion of the provided material.*
Unlike the first four books, this one features neither Nick Beasley Nor Cordelia Beaumont. Though they both make breif cameos, the main characters are instead Gairth the time and humble faun and Silvia the kick butt dryad.
I liked them both as minor characters in the Tomb of the Sea Witch and they had a fun short in Christmas in Talesend. So I wasn't too worried that they could carry a whole book.
Gairth and Silvia were perfect, and the story was enticing and the twists were astounding.
But more then that, it was all a teaser. There are three separate epilogues at the end of this book. Any satisfaction you get out of the ending is quickly dissipated as Shultz drops tease after tease for future books.
Guys, it's all connected. Go back right now and read Shultz's entire body of work. You aren't going to want to leave anything out. Maybe by the time you finish he'll finally have another book out.
*I was provided a electronic copy of this story via Booksprout. My review is my own honest opinion of the provided material.*
January 29, 2020
delightfully creepy (seriously, the hand-spiders were TERRIFYING). also, it was nice to get into the POVs of Gareth & Sylvia, but i missed Nick & Cordelia. <3
my only quibble is that i feel the ending wrapped up a little too quickly? idk, it may be just me, but it felt like i blinked & it was all over. *shrugs*
all in all, can't wait for the next Beaumont & Beasley book. hopefully with more Nick & Cordelia. <3
my only quibble is that i feel the ending wrapped up a little too quickly? idk, it may be just me, but it felt like i blinked & it was all over. *shrugs*
all in all, can't wait for the next Beaumont & Beasley book. hopefully with more Nick & Cordelia. <3
January 16, 2020
From the moment I read the first chapter, I realized how much I'd missed these Beaumont & Beasley books. After a long wait, Kyle Robert Shultz brings home another solid novel to add to the series. It's great fun hanging out inside Gareth and Sylvia's minds, getting to know them better, and they both get plenty of time to shine here. Some of my favorite parts are the scariest parts--I've always thought puppets and dolls were creepy, but some of the stuff in this book is downright unnerving. The exposition was a little heavy in some parts, and there were a few concepts I thought could have benefited from spending more time with them, but that can be chalked up to an overabundance of good ideas. And those epilogues ... big things are on the horizon for Beaumont & Beasley. Can't wait to see what happens next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 25, 2020
ahhh I can't wait to read The Hare and the Hatter!
March 10, 2020
I loved getting more of Gareth and Sylvia's POV. And am thoroughly impressed by Kyle's ability to make wooden puppets freakishly disturbing.
January 30, 2025
clever and engaging
Well written fantasy using bit of old fairy tales in clever new ways
The covers are getting better too! Don’t judge a book by its poor cover
Well written fantasy using bit of old fairy tales in clever new ways
The covers are getting better too! Don’t judge a book by its poor cover
January 20, 2020
*internal screaming*
RTC
RTC
May 3, 2022
I kinda need the next book……
April 22, 2020
*casually backtracks shelf to leave a review*
Positives: Setting. Just...setting. It's good to the point where you don't want it to be this good because you get too invested in it. Wait, no, that sounded too much like an opinion. ummm...Characters are solidly done!! They have an arc and development that's natural and everything! Relationships are good, beginning and ending are-uh *perspires* How can I leave an unbiased review of the positives?!?! Character arcs good. Setting amazing and well-built. Plot tied up and resolved. Villains, sooo good. Build up and relationship, excellently misleading.
Negatives: I did think the pacing was a bit more abrupt rather than just fast-paced...and the new characters were slightly suspicious but it actually worked so, so wonderfully. Maybe also sliiightly expositiony but honestly, no problem because they actually help in the worldbuilding.
Opinion: I think if I screamed, the sound would carry across the interwires and burst someone's eardrums. But it's fine...fine. I mean, there's no option to die in peace to ressurect when the next book comes out, but it's fine...
Again, can't say much without spoilers because the book is one large spoiler because the author is that good in having everything well-organized and connected, so...
You know how authors say, "This is a lighthearted books whose purpose is to make you laugh" and then do the exact opposite by making you internally sob? Or maybe not because you're laughing hysterically? *points at the entire series plus supporting ones*
That's all...all...Heart? In palpitations
Content: Very clean! A bit creepy for the more sensitive readers, but fortunately this is one of those books that embrace both the creepy and utterly ridiculous. :)
Positives: Setting. Just...setting. It's good to the point where you don't want it to be this good because you get too invested in it. Wait, no, that sounded too much like an opinion. ummm...Characters are solidly done!! They have an arc and development that's natural and everything! Relationships are good, beginning and ending are-uh *perspires* How can I leave an unbiased review of the positives?!?! Character arcs good. Setting amazing and well-built. Plot tied up and resolved. Villains, sooo good. Build up and relationship, excellently misleading.
Negatives: I did think the pacing was a bit more abrupt rather than just fast-paced...and the new characters were slightly suspicious but it actually worked so, so wonderfully. Maybe also sliiightly expositiony but honestly, no problem because they actually help in the worldbuilding.
Opinion: I think if I screamed, the sound would carry across the interwires and burst someone's eardrums. But it's fine...fine. I mean, there's no option to die in peace to ressurect when the next book comes out, but it's fine...
Again, can't say much without spoilers because the book is one large spoiler because the author is that good in having everything well-organized and connected, so...
You know how authors say, "This is a lighthearted books whose purpose is to make you laugh" and then do the exact opposite by making you internally sob? Or maybe not because you're laughing hysterically? *points at the entire series plus supporting ones*
That's all...all...Heart? In palpitations
Content: Very clean! A bit creepy for the more sensitive readers, but fortunately this is one of those books that embrace both the creepy and utterly ridiculous. :)
October 20, 2022
You can find a full review of all of the Afterverse books here.
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