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Garnet Lacey #1
Tall, Dark & Dead
The line between magic and sanity is very thin.
That’s part of why I, Garnet Lacey, quit cold turkey.
Never touch the stuff. No exceptions.
But magic is so addictive...and my inner Goddess Lilith is hard to resist. Besides, restraint isn’t easy when you manage Wisconsin’s premiere occult bookstore, and get customers like Sebastian Von Traum—piercing brown eyes, a sexy accent, and a killer body in denim and black leather. The only thing missing is an aura. Which means he’s dead... And that means trouble. I guess I’m a sucker for it. The Vatican witch hunters are on to us. My long-lost vampire ex has crawled out of the woodwork looking for action. And Sebastian’s frustrated ex is stirring in her grave. So what’s a girl to do if she’s hot for a dead man walking? Run like hell—and take full advantage of the nights...
That’s part of why I, Garnet Lacey, quit cold turkey.
Never touch the stuff. No exceptions.
But magic is so addictive...and my inner Goddess Lilith is hard to resist. Besides, restraint isn’t easy when you manage Wisconsin’s premiere occult bookstore, and get customers like Sebastian Von Traum—piercing brown eyes, a sexy accent, and a killer body in denim and black leather. The only thing missing is an aura. Which means he’s dead... And that means trouble. I guess I’m a sucker for it. The Vatican witch hunters are on to us. My long-lost vampire ex has crawled out of the woodwork looking for action. And Sebastian’s frustrated ex is stirring in her grave. So what’s a girl to do if she’s hot for a dead man walking? Run like hell—and take full advantage of the nights...
295 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
58 people are currently reading
5197 people want to read
About the author
Tate Hallaway
21 books731 followersA Scorpio with a Leo Rising, Tate Hallaway is an amateur astrologer and practicing Witch. Tate has been a fan of vampire fiction since she first read Poppy Z. Brite in high school. Her first short fiction acceptance was to a vampire ‘zine called Nocturnal Ecstasy Vampire Coven. Tate lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with three black cats.
This author also writes science fiction under the name Lyda Morehouse.
This author also writes science fiction under the name Lyda Morehouse.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
April 9, 2010
Very. Very. Very.
Disappointed.
Review forthcoming.
/edit
Mood:
- DISAPPOINTED
If I had read Flooze's review or talked to her about it then maybe, just maybe I could have saved myself the major disappointment of having to read this book. But I didn't. I read it with the high hopes that this book was going to be good. I mean the premise is pretty unique, the writing seemed light and fresh and I loved the covers. I mean, I only waited three or four years to get my hands on this book.
Well, life is not fair. I read this with high hopes only to be slapped in the face with the wake up call that this book is like that c+ student you can't help but you know that he/she has potential so you agonize on how to help them.
The theme in this short review is "potential" brought to you by the later "p".
Plot - potential. A Goddess living inside of a witch whose coven members were murdered by Vatican officials. OOOO. I like that. A crossing over of religions in which the bad one is the Catholic Church. Ok. I can get behind that. Oh wait...this avenue went nowhere. Ok, not nowhere, there was definitely a thread line of plot here but the sheer amount of...*takes a deep breath* Ok, no, I promised myself I wouldn't go there. You can always check out my status updates to figure out how I really felt about the very confusing representation of both the Goddess Lilith and her various associations (note the word association). I'll just link to it instead: http://www.goodreads.com/comment/list...
Character - Oh Ms Lacey, you annoyed me with your back and forth and free vagina. I'm a feminist, maybe not a proper, one but I celebrate women who own their sexuality. A woman who has sex with various people is not necessarily a slut. But Garnet, you do not own your sexuality so much as you loan it out to whomever is available. You are in no way a slut, I'm not calling you that. I'm calling you an idiot. So yes, as a character you an idiot. A big fat idiotic idiot. Oh, did I mention that you're a hypocrite? I should've, because not being willing to give your blood to your vampire boyfriends (whom you swore off) and then being pissed to the point of cheating on them, when they go off and take blood from another is pretty hypocritical. Just like sort of kind of sleeping with your ex is after your current lover is running around the town dying.
Everyone else was pretty much developed.
Theme - not sure what it was but I guess because I wasn't distracted by it, it did its job?
Ok, So maybe this review is a bit more scathing than I normally write. As a writer and a hopeful published writer, I should probably try to understand where the writer was coming from. I can't though. Why? I waited THREE YEARS to get my hands on a copy only to be disappointed.
As my mother has always said to me. "I'm not mad, just disappointed."
Disappointed.
Review forthcoming.
/edit
Mood:
- DISAPPOINTEDIf I had read Flooze's review or talked to her about it then maybe, just maybe I could have saved myself the major disappointment of having to read this book. But I didn't. I read it with the high hopes that this book was going to be good. I mean the premise is pretty unique, the writing seemed light and fresh and I loved the covers. I mean, I only waited three or four years to get my hands on this book.
Well, life is not fair. I read this with high hopes only to be slapped in the face with the wake up call that this book is like that c+ student you can't help but you know that he/she has potential so you agonize on how to help them.
The theme in this short review is "potential" brought to you by the later "p".
Plot - potential. A Goddess living inside of a witch whose coven members were murdered by Vatican officials. OOOO. I like that. A crossing over of religions in which the bad one is the Catholic Church. Ok. I can get behind that. Oh wait...this avenue went nowhere. Ok, not nowhere, there was definitely a thread line of plot here but the sheer amount of...*takes a deep breath* Ok, no, I promised myself I wouldn't go there. You can always check out my status updates to figure out how I really felt about the very confusing representation of both the Goddess Lilith and her various associations (note the word association). I'll just link to it instead: http://www.goodreads.com/comment/list...
Character - Oh Ms Lacey, you annoyed me with your back and forth and free vagina. I'm a feminist, maybe not a proper, one but I celebrate women who own their sexuality. A woman who has sex with various people is not necessarily a slut. But Garnet, you do not own your sexuality so much as you loan it out to whomever is available. You are in no way a slut, I'm not calling you that. I'm calling you an idiot. So yes, as a character you an idiot. A big fat idiotic idiot. Oh, did I mention that you're a hypocrite? I should've, because not being willing to give your blood to your vampire boyfriends (whom you swore off) and then being pissed to the point of cheating on them, when they go off and take blood from another is pretty hypocritical. Just like sort of kind of sleeping with your ex is after your current lover is running around the town dying.
Everyone else was pretty much developed.
Theme - not sure what it was but I guess because I wasn't distracted by it, it did its job?
Ok, So maybe this review is a bit more scathing than I normally write. As a writer and a hopeful published writer, I should probably try to understand where the writer was coming from. I can't though. Why? I waited THREE YEARS to get my hands on a copy only to be disappointed.
As my mother has always said to me. "I'm not mad, just disappointed."
April 12, 2010
True friends don't let their pals read bad books. In this I have failed. To prevent letting down any others, I shall say that this book was heaps and heaps of meh, with a side of lukewarm disappointment. As CJ (that friend I failed) said in her review:
With a hypocritical heroine and a promising idea gone completely unexplored, Tall, Dark & Dead goes on the list of Books I Shan't Recommend. I can't even claim that First Book Syndrome dragged it down--for inexplicable reasons, I read Dead Sexy and that too was a disappointment. It showed some improvement, but not enough that I'd encourage people to stick with it.
I read this with high hopes only to be slapped in the face with the wake up call that this book is like that c+ student you can't help but you know that he/she has potential so you agonize on how to help them.
With a hypocritical heroine and a promising idea gone completely unexplored, Tall, Dark & Dead goes on the list of Books I Shan't Recommend. I can't even claim that First Book Syndrome dragged it down--for inexplicable reasons, I read Dead Sexy and that too was a disappointment. It showed some improvement, but not enough that I'd encourage people to stick with it.
May 12, 2008
I couldn't really get into this book. I usually love paranormal books, but this premise and story just didn't appeal to me.
The main character, Garnet, is a witch and is also host to the goddess Lilith. She is on the run from Vatican agents, witch-hunters essentially, who killed her entire coven.
I just think this book needed a bit more time brewing. The concepts are there but just not complete. It all came across as just kind of weird. I still don't have a clear picture of these bad guys. Present-day preists that slaughter entire groups of people? We finally meet them over halfway through the book but they just seemed like generic bad-guys not at all specifically like murderous agents of the vatican. I just wasn't feeling this author's antagonists.
In fact, none of the characters really stood out to me, and I just got plain old annoyed with the whole Lilith-popping-up angle. I don't plan to continue on with the series.
The main character, Garnet, is a witch and is also host to the goddess Lilith. She is on the run from Vatican agents, witch-hunters essentially, who killed her entire coven.
I just think this book needed a bit more time brewing. The concepts are there but just not complete. It all came across as just kind of weird. I still don't have a clear picture of these bad guys. Present-day preists that slaughter entire groups of people? We finally meet them over halfway through the book but they just seemed like generic bad-guys not at all specifically like murderous agents of the vatican. I just wasn't feeling this author's antagonists.
In fact, none of the characters really stood out to me, and I just got plain old annoyed with the whole Lilith-popping-up angle. I don't plan to continue on with the series.
November 10, 2016
This story turned out to be kind of "meh" for me. It had interesting characters, but both they and the plot left a bit to be desired. I liked Garnet, the MC, but one minute she was hot for Sebastian, the next minute she was horrified by him, and in the end he was "someone I trusted so profoundly." All I could say in the end was, "Uhm. . .what, now?"
Also, the spine of the book says that this is a Paranormal Romance. It wasn't. Sure, there was sex in this book, but romance? If Garnet had stuck by Sebastian and believed in him throughout the book, then I might have felt that this book deserved the genre label of "paranormal romance." Instead, though, she *grrr*
(And to make matters worse, Parrish )
I had thought going into this book that it was a paranormal mystery, but that didn't work for it either. There was a bit of a mystery, or rather a bit of suspense, caused by the Vatican Agents being after Sebastian's mysterious formula, but everything just seemed to fall flat for me. Mostly because of Garnet's in-lust-with-Sebastian--hate-for-Sebastian feelings.
There was one line that made me laugh early in the story, on page 15, but if anything, this line makes Garnet's subsequent pull-back from Sebastian all the more annoying to me. The line that made me laugh? . . .
Perhaps needless to say, but though I liked this book (it was sort-of good, just aggravating), I do not plan to read more of this Garnet Lacey series. This first story just aggravated me too much and it didn't really flow very well.
But if I do someday decide to revisit this series, in the end, Garnet and Sebastian
I must say that I had to put a bit of thought into figuring out who the "two bodies" were. It came to me pretty quick, though:
This reminds me, though. . . Rosa and the Guy with the Bow (or whatever Garnet called him), the two remaining Vatican agents. . . Did they really buy Garnet's show that So . . . ??? But . . .
No, I am not going to read more in this series, so I guess, sadly, I just don't care.
Also, the spine of the book says that this is a Paranormal Romance. It wasn't. Sure, there was sex in this book, but romance? If Garnet had stuck by Sebastian and believed in him throughout the book, then I might have felt that this book deserved the genre label of "paranormal romance." Instead, though, she *grrr*
(And to make matters worse, Parrish )
I had thought going into this book that it was a paranormal mystery, but that didn't work for it either. There was a bit of a mystery, or rather a bit of suspense, caused by the Vatican Agents being after Sebastian's mysterious formula, but everything just seemed to fall flat for me. Mostly because of Garnet's in-lust-with-Sebastian--hate-for-Sebastian feelings.
There was one line that made me laugh early in the story, on page 15, but if anything, this line makes Garnet's subsequent pull-back from Sebastian all the more annoying to me. The line that made me laugh? . . .
"Fuck me," [Sebastian] swore. While I was thinking, Yes, I'd like to. . .":-) So I had high hopes that Garnet and Sebastian would hit it off, and they did, but then Sebastian So Garnet's pull-back from him, though I understand her reasoning, just aggravated me no-end. And Sebastian wasn't much better. He went from being rather nice (and hot) to being a douche and a loser. . . Only to once again be in charity with Garnet by the end, such that he was the "someone I trusted so profoundly." *ARGH!!!*
Perhaps needless to say, but though I liked this book (it was sort-of good, just aggravating), I do not plan to read more of this Garnet Lacey series. This first story just aggravated me too much and it didn't really flow very well.
But if I do someday decide to revisit this series, in the end, Garnet and Sebastian
I must say that I had to put a bit of thought into figuring out who the "two bodies" were. It came to me pretty quick, though:
This reminds me, though. . . Rosa and the Guy with the Bow (or whatever Garnet called him), the two remaining Vatican agents. . . Did they really buy Garnet's show that So . . . ??? But . . .
No, I am not going to read more in this series, so I guess, sadly, I just don't care.
May 24, 2021
3.5 stars
So I bought books 2 and 3 of this series in an audible 2 for 1 sale about 4 years ago I think, because the narrator was/is Amanda Ronconi and I love her. But I didn't have book one.... So years later my stepson's mom has become an audio addict (thanks to yours truly) and she now owns tons of books I've been meaning to get to and what do ya know, she let's me borrow this book, book 1 of the series I planned on reading 4 years ago. Lol!
So obviously the narration was great. And the book was pretty good too. It has the signature light, funny quality most the books Ronconi seems to narrate have. And the paranormal elements were pretty standard. I love the small town feel and that the main character, Garnet Lacey, manages an occult shop. Very Buffy-esque 😊 in fact, I had a brief Buffy flash, when, very early in the story a vampire sharing remarkable resemblance to Spike comes into the magic shop. But that was pretty much it.
There is a love triangle that so far, is More annoying than anything. So we'll see how that plays out. Overall, a fun read and I'm eager to listen to more.
So I bought books 2 and 3 of this series in an audible 2 for 1 sale about 4 years ago I think, because the narrator was/is Amanda Ronconi and I love her. But I didn't have book one.... So years later my stepson's mom has become an audio addict (thanks to yours truly) and she now owns tons of books I've been meaning to get to and what do ya know, she let's me borrow this book, book 1 of the series I planned on reading 4 years ago. Lol!
So obviously the narration was great. And the book was pretty good too. It has the signature light, funny quality most the books Ronconi seems to narrate have. And the paranormal elements were pretty standard. I love the small town feel and that the main character, Garnet Lacey, manages an occult shop. Very Buffy-esque 😊 in fact, I had a brief Buffy flash, when, very early in the story a vampire sharing remarkable resemblance to Spike comes into the magic shop. But that was pretty much it.
There is a love triangle that so far, is More annoying than anything. So we'll see how that plays out. Overall, a fun read and I'm eager to listen to more.
April 14, 2011
The book started off lacking and imbalanced: the unimportant things seemed to be explained in too much detail (like her clothes and the habits of her co-workers, who in the end don't play a very large role) while I was left wondering why other points of interest were left largely explained. Sure, it's good for a novelist to leave some mysteries to unfold as the plot thickens, but I felt as though I knew too little about the heroin to truly care about her or relate, and some of those mysteries seemed to stay mysteries, even after the book had ended. For example, why is her coven killed? Why does she have to run from the Vatican? How'd the Vatican learn about the coven, and what'd the coven do to spark the attack? The bad guys the protagonist was running from just didn't seem to have any dimension or explanation to them. By the end of the book, it has become clear (sorta) that the attack on the coven was just blind prejudice, like the klu klux klan hanging people, but that wasn't explained in the book, so I spend most of the book wondering, "did I miss the first book? There's so much here left unexplained."
Speaking of the flat and unexplained, there is a sex scene early on in the book which to me seemed a bit forced. The characters hardly knew each other, and I as the reader hardly knew either of them, including the heroine, so it was hard to put the scene in any context beyond mere sex for the sake of sex.
The story wasn't without merit. It turned out to be far more interesting than I'd expected it to be because as the novel continued, the plot twisted, changed, and erupted like a summer blockbuster movie, though, disappointingly, it ended with another sex scene which, although well integrated into the plot, still felt forced to me (she was supposed to have healing sex with a guy that she didn't really know very well, and she even admits to not trusting completely - trust, to me, is a pretty essential ingredient to the kind of sex that strengthens and heals the soul). Also, there were some fun characters; unfortunately, some of those characters felt like loose ends to me - like their subplots weren't really tied up (the main character's friend who works at a coffee shop is there for a dramatic scene in which she realizes that vampires are real, etc, then she is never seen again ... we never find out how she feels about her friend, now that she knows she's a witch. Are they still friends?)
All in all, the writer has potential, but the story itself felt like a rough draft.
Speaking of the flat and unexplained, there is a sex scene early on in the book which to me seemed a bit forced. The characters hardly knew each other, and I as the reader hardly knew either of them, including the heroine, so it was hard to put the scene in any context beyond mere sex for the sake of sex.
The story wasn't without merit. It turned out to be far more interesting than I'd expected it to be because as the novel continued, the plot twisted, changed, and erupted like a summer blockbuster movie, though, disappointingly, it ended with another sex scene which, although well integrated into the plot, still felt forced to me (she was supposed to have healing sex with a guy that she didn't really know very well, and she even admits to not trusting completely - trust, to me, is a pretty essential ingredient to the kind of sex that strengthens and heals the soul). Also, there were some fun characters; unfortunately, some of those characters felt like loose ends to me - like their subplots weren't really tied up (the main character's friend who works at a coffee shop is there for a dramatic scene in which she realizes that vampires are real, etc, then she is never seen again ... we never find out how she feels about her friend, now that she knows she's a witch. Are they still friends?)
All in all, the writer has potential, but the story itself felt like a rough draft.
October 6, 2009
Synopsis:
Garnet Lacey vowed never to do magic again. Not after that scene with the Vatican assassins in Minneapolis where she called on the Goddess Lilith, who left a swath of destruction so huge Garnet had to leave town. Eight months later, and several hundred miles away, she’s now the manager of Mercury Crossing, Madison, Wisconsin’s premier occult bookstore and herb emporium where the employees are prime examples of witches without a clue.
One day, just as she’s closing the bookstore, in walks trouble, with a capital T for Tall, Tough, and Tasty. She might have blown him off, except for one thing: his aura. He doesn’t have one.
That would make him dead. And a mystery to unravel. Unfortunately, the assassins Garnet has worked so hard to avoid are after her mystery man, and now she finds herself facing her own brutal past.
Review:
Tall, Dark and Dead is the first edition in the Garnet Lacey series. There's four so far and unfortunately HONEYMOON OF THE DEAD(book5) is going to be the last. :(
Tall, Dark and Dead is written in first person from Garnet’s point of view and has great humor. The first novel has her hot with Sebastian, a vampire. While her equally hot and even more vampire like ex boyfriend, Parrish comes back on in the picture.
Garnet isn't your usual witch, she happens to share her body with a goddess, Lilith, who she called on for vengeance after finding her coven slaughtered by Vatican witch-hunters.
There's a few sex scenes, but it's not a major part in the story and it's not too graphic which is good for this book. I think the cutest part is she has a cat familiar who is allergic to magic. :) There's a lot of action and excitement and the perfect amount of comedy. I love the characters and her writing is fun to read and keeps you on your seat. I loved each book and cannot wait for HONEYMOON OF THE DEAD in 2010.
Garnet Lacey vowed never to do magic again. Not after that scene with the Vatican assassins in Minneapolis where she called on the Goddess Lilith, who left a swath of destruction so huge Garnet had to leave town. Eight months later, and several hundred miles away, she’s now the manager of Mercury Crossing, Madison, Wisconsin’s premier occult bookstore and herb emporium where the employees are prime examples of witches without a clue.
One day, just as she’s closing the bookstore, in walks trouble, with a capital T for Tall, Tough, and Tasty. She might have blown him off, except for one thing: his aura. He doesn’t have one.
That would make him dead. And a mystery to unravel. Unfortunately, the assassins Garnet has worked so hard to avoid are after her mystery man, and now she finds herself facing her own brutal past.
Review:
Tall, Dark and Dead is the first edition in the Garnet Lacey series. There's four so far and unfortunately HONEYMOON OF THE DEAD(book5) is going to be the last. :(
Tall, Dark and Dead is written in first person from Garnet’s point of view and has great humor. The first novel has her hot with Sebastian, a vampire. While her equally hot and even more vampire like ex boyfriend, Parrish comes back on in the picture.
Garnet isn't your usual witch, she happens to share her body with a goddess, Lilith, who she called on for vengeance after finding her coven slaughtered by Vatican witch-hunters.
There's a few sex scenes, but it's not a major part in the story and it's not too graphic which is good for this book. I think the cutest part is she has a cat familiar who is allergic to magic. :) There's a lot of action and excitement and the perfect amount of comedy. I love the characters and her writing is fun to read and keeps you on your seat. I loved each book and cannot wait for HONEYMOON OF THE DEAD in 2010.
April 11, 2011
Don't let the cover fool you on this one...it is not in any way funny or cartoony. Garnet is a witch inhabited by the Goddess Lillith, and Sebastian is a vampire warlock who has created a spell allowing him to walk in the sun. He has a mostly dead ex-wife and a dhampyr son. Garnet has a vampire prostitute ex-boyfriend who says he's still in love with her. They're all being chased by Vatican assassins.
Sound like fun? Well, it is.....parts of it were really campy, but it was action-packed! I'm really looking forward to the next installment!
Sound like fun? Well, it is.....parts of it were really campy, but it was action-packed! I'm really looking forward to the next installment!
June 24, 2018
Many of us can understand the horror of being in over our heads, and this is clearly transmitted in a first-person narrative in which major plot points are produced by the narrator's negligence, carelessness, or downright stupidity. So much so, in fact, that I put the book down halfway through and debated whether to finish it, picking it up again a whole month later. My final rating is rounded up to two stars, meaning that I found enough redeeming features that it wouldn't be true to say "I hated it" (one star) but at the same time I'm uncomfortable with the meaning Goodreads assigns to two stars ("it was okay").
Redeeming features first: the style of the narration is eminently readable and somewhat witty, and I thought the secondary characters (Sebastian, Parrish, Izzy, William, and even Sebastian's son) were well developed--they felt real to me. Although I had trouble relating to the main character, Garnet Lacey, perhaps the best thing in the novel for me was her ethical pondering, moving at least partway along an arc of "flighty girl becomes responsible young woman."
On to the problems. A very unsatisfactory ending; you're warned. The normal human characters William and Izzy, both of whom I liked and wished Garnet would stick with, kind of disappear. There are enough action scenes to keep me happy, but physical and magical action tend to blur together. Garnet, a witch who sees auras, has sworn off magic because of the trouble it's caused her, but she uncorks some magical powers when she can't think of what else to do, with the result that I don't really know what sort of magic arsenal she's toting around. In general in this story, I didn't know what to expect from Garnet, even though she's sharing her thought processes with the readers. Even worse are the bad guys.
The story starts when Garnet, tardy as usual, shows up at her Minneapolis coven meeting to find all twelve of the other witches, "my friends, all the family I had," viciously murdered by Vatican assassins who were still there doing last rites. In desperation Garnet summons the Goddess Lilith into herself and blacks out. When she comes to, those assassins are dead too, and Lilith inhabits Garnet for the rest of the story. The Vatican assassins are from the secret Order of St. Eustace, who have been hunting and killing witches since the Middle Ages, and they operate in this novel like a diabolus ex machina, turning up unexpectedly to attack and then not showing up when you think they will. Big credibility problems of all kinds here, most of them deep in spoilerland , but you've probably thought of the biggest problem: why aren't the mass murders of covens around the world public knowledge?
We meet Garnet again eight months later in Madison, Wisconsin, in deep disguise and managing a magic shop for its absent owner, and right on page 5 Lilith rises within her and melts her Minnesota driver's license, which she's neglected to turn in for a Wisconsin license, . Sometimes Lilith takes over, sometimes she rises and sinks back, sometimes she just "stirs" in Garnet's belly and then "goes back to sleep." Strange goddess, strange relationship.
Besides Garnet's vampire ex-lover Parrish , the central characters of the novel turn out to be Garnet, Lilith, and Sebastian, an enigmatic supernatural with vampiric and other qualities who gives Garnet wonderful sex both before and after Parrish does. All in two days, I think, and while they are intermittently being violently attacked or running for their lives or going about their ho-hum business (see diabolus ex machina above). Garnet is helpless or cowering through much of the action, and it's not always clear to me how or why she escapes or overcomes. She tends to think and talk about trivia in the midst of heavy action, but this may be the author's presentation of a defense mechanism.
Redeeming features first: the style of the narration is eminently readable and somewhat witty, and I thought the secondary characters (Sebastian, Parrish, Izzy, William, and even Sebastian's son) were well developed--they felt real to me. Although I had trouble relating to the main character, Garnet Lacey, perhaps the best thing in the novel for me was her ethical pondering, moving at least partway along an arc of "flighty girl becomes responsible young woman."
On to the problems. A very unsatisfactory ending; you're warned. The normal human characters William and Izzy, both of whom I liked and wished Garnet would stick with, kind of disappear. There are enough action scenes to keep me happy, but physical and magical action tend to blur together. Garnet, a witch who sees auras, has sworn off magic because of the trouble it's caused her, but she uncorks some magical powers when she can't think of what else to do, with the result that I don't really know what sort of magic arsenal she's toting around. In general in this story, I didn't know what to expect from Garnet, even though she's sharing her thought processes with the readers. Even worse are the bad guys.
The story starts when Garnet, tardy as usual, shows up at her Minneapolis coven meeting to find all twelve of the other witches, "my friends, all the family I had," viciously murdered by Vatican assassins who were still there doing last rites. In desperation Garnet summons the Goddess Lilith into herself and blacks out. When she comes to, those assassins are dead too, and Lilith inhabits Garnet for the rest of the story. The Vatican assassins are from the secret Order of St. Eustace, who have been hunting and killing witches since the Middle Ages, and they operate in this novel like a diabolus ex machina, turning up unexpectedly to attack and then not showing up when you think they will. Big credibility problems of all kinds here, most of them deep in spoilerland , but you've probably thought of the biggest problem: why aren't the mass murders of covens around the world public knowledge?
We meet Garnet again eight months later in Madison, Wisconsin, in deep disguise and managing a magic shop for its absent owner, and right on page 5 Lilith rises within her and melts her Minnesota driver's license, which she's neglected to turn in for a Wisconsin license, . Sometimes Lilith takes over, sometimes she rises and sinks back, sometimes she just "stirs" in Garnet's belly and then "goes back to sleep." Strange goddess, strange relationship.
Besides Garnet's vampire ex-lover Parrish , the central characters of the novel turn out to be Garnet, Lilith, and Sebastian, an enigmatic supernatural with vampiric and other qualities who gives Garnet wonderful sex both before and after Parrish does. All in two days, I think, and while they are intermittently being violently attacked or running for their lives or going about their ho-hum business (see diabolus ex machina above). Garnet is helpless or cowering through much of the action, and it's not always clear to me how or why she escapes or overcomes. She tends to think and talk about trivia in the midst of heavy action, but this may be the author's presentation of a defense mechanism.
September 28, 2024
3.5 stars!
I was in a reading slump and my sister said I just needed something quick and cute and fun so she loaned me this book. And, indeed it was! Little did I know tho, it is a series! Now I wanna know how it all ends!
But definitely a quick read!
I was in a reading slump and my sister said I just needed something quick and cute and fun so she loaned me this book. And, indeed it was! Little did I know tho, it is a series! Now I wanna know how it all ends!
But definitely a quick read!
November 9, 2011
What I liked:
The premise was great and different.
The naming of the main character Garnet Lacey. Nice mix of hard and soft qualities. And also more than happy to see one less Diamond, Ruby, type of name for a character. Not to say I hate gem stone names. But seriously the usual ones get a little played out for me.
Vatican witch hunters is still kind of cool in a way.
Loved the witchy magical element.
What I disliked:
How ADD the author seemed to be with her characters. I mean I get Garnet had some obvious character conflictions being possessed by a murderous Goddess. But what was the deal with Sebastian? I mean first he is a vamp, then he is a mechanic, then he also does alchemy and is a witch too. I can usually see how all this would play out in another story in a much smoother format. But with this author there didn't see a flow to these parts of the character at all. But yet and still said author made Garnet think they were so fabulous that she wound up having sex way too early with him.
Speaking of that the sex wasn't even special. It was just hop on him after a faild attempt at warning him about witch hunters. I wasn't expecting fire works or feeling like a brand new woman sort of thing. But seriously it came and it went and all she got was a bite on the shoulder and some OJ when she woke up.
The whole unresolved feelings thing with regard to Garnet and her ex vamp boyfriend. And even more unresolved issues between Sebastian and his son. I get everyone has issues sometime. But seriously at the end of the day I felt like neither of these issues really progressed the story any at all. And just sat and festered. Didn't add any intrigue, humor or anything.
Not sure if I can really recommend this to anybody. This is a pick up and read for yourself book and decide if you want more or not. Which personally I'll continue for the spells and magic. But the characters I think I'm just going to skim over them til they get a lot more interesting.
The premise was great and different.
The naming of the main character Garnet Lacey. Nice mix of hard and soft qualities. And also more than happy to see one less Diamond, Ruby, type of name for a character. Not to say I hate gem stone names. But seriously the usual ones get a little played out for me.
Vatican witch hunters is still kind of cool in a way.
Loved the witchy magical element.
What I disliked:
How ADD the author seemed to be with her characters. I mean I get Garnet had some obvious character conflictions being possessed by a murderous Goddess. But what was the deal with Sebastian? I mean first he is a vamp, then he is a mechanic, then he also does alchemy and is a witch too. I can usually see how all this would play out in another story in a much smoother format. But with this author there didn't see a flow to these parts of the character at all. But yet and still said author made Garnet think they were so fabulous that she wound up having sex way too early with him.
Speaking of that the sex wasn't even special. It was just hop on him after a faild attempt at warning him about witch hunters. I wasn't expecting fire works or feeling like a brand new woman sort of thing. But seriously it came and it went and all she got was a bite on the shoulder and some OJ when she woke up.
The whole unresolved feelings thing with regard to Garnet and her ex vamp boyfriend. And even more unresolved issues between Sebastian and his son. I get everyone has issues sometime. But seriously at the end of the day I felt like neither of these issues really progressed the story any at all. And just sat and festered. Didn't add any intrigue, humor or anything.
Not sure if I can really recommend this to anybody. This is a pick up and read for yourself book and decide if you want more or not. Which personally I'll continue for the spells and magic. But the characters I think I'm just going to skim over them til they get a lot more interesting.
October 28, 2013
I kind of started off liking this book. But then I kept feeling this constant ache behind my eyes... Reading this book physically hurt. lol
So where am I? Wondering how some authors make schizophrenia sound cool and Hallaway manages to make it sound like rape, dysfunction, and kind of just what she ordered all at the same time. I get the "instinct" most times, just this book feels wrong. It takes something that is kind of an amazing premise and twists the feel to where I seriously didn't enjoy the next page.
I know every book has the "twist" its just that this particular books twist seemed really not so bad, but the main character Garnet manages to make us feel bad for her. She didn't want to kill all those people, she just ... well prayed for it to happen.
The premise should have spoken more to me, but the mood/voice of the story is not a strong main character but a whiny, cry baby who has more power than anyone she knows at the beginning of the story and still manages to let everyone take advantage of her.
Also for someone so secretive her friends seem more than willing to blab about her, her name, where she works entirely too easily.
So where am I? Wondering how some authors make schizophrenia sound cool and Hallaway manages to make it sound like rape, dysfunction, and kind of just what she ordered all at the same time. I get the "instinct" most times, just this book feels wrong. It takes something that is kind of an amazing premise and twists the feel to where I seriously didn't enjoy the next page.
I know every book has the "twist" its just that this particular books twist seemed really not so bad, but the main character Garnet manages to make us feel bad for her. She didn't want to kill all those people, she just ... well prayed for it to happen.
The premise should have spoken more to me, but the mood/voice of the story is not a strong main character but a whiny, cry baby who has more power than anyone she knows at the beginning of the story and still manages to let everyone take advantage of her.
Also for someone so secretive her friends seem more than willing to blab about her, her name, where she works entirely too easily.
February 5, 2009
This is the first book by Tate Hallaway I've read and I really enjoyed it. I'm glad I have the next two in the series on my TBR, unfortunately I'm on a challenge to read 9 books by authors I've never read in this month. So I'm trying to hold off reading the next two Garnet Lacey books!
I love the Wiccan with a habit of dating dead dudes. I love, even more, the killer priest army the Vatican sends out. My gosh, this is the best yet conspiracy theory of the Vatican I've come across. They train witches, tattoo them, and send them off to... kill witches. Because we can't have witches, now can we? Guess it is OK if they are being paid by the Vatican... sounds like something one of the popes would set up in the dark ages. HA!
I love the Vampire Alchemist. Even more I like his son, and boy does that kid have his panties in a wad.
And then there's the hapless friends that kind of get sucked into the fray, the poor things. Life is about to become a little stranger in their small town.
I love the Wiccan with a habit of dating dead dudes. I love, even more, the killer priest army the Vatican sends out. My gosh, this is the best yet conspiracy theory of the Vatican I've come across. They train witches, tattoo them, and send them off to... kill witches. Because we can't have witches, now can we? Guess it is OK if they are being paid by the Vatican... sounds like something one of the popes would set up in the dark ages. HA!
I love the Vampire Alchemist. Even more I like his son, and boy does that kid have his panties in a wad.
And then there's the hapless friends that kind of get sucked into the fray, the poor things. Life is about to become a little stranger in their small town.
January 12, 2014
Quirky, quick paced, and engaging. I thought the cover was cute and was hoping to find a hidden gem (because the Sookie books have cartoonish covers).
It was a solid 4 star and I was all set to read the entire series until Garnet grossed me out by sleeping with 2 different guys within 2 days. I don't even care about the logistics of it. It's just that she was supposedly into Sebastion, then her ex shows up and she just kind of falls on her back for him just because he still looks hot and she was slightly upset with Sebastion. Also, her Ex was kind of sleazy so I was annoyed.
Idk why it rubbed me wrong. I would have been OK if Sebastion was just a one night stand but he wasn't. Only Anita Blake can get away with that with me.
Garnet doesn't think before speaking, making her tactless. Her magical abilities aren't explained in depth. If you're looking for light paranormal fun, you may like it. I'll probably read the next one.
It was a solid 4 star and I was all set to read the entire series until Garnet grossed me out by sleeping with 2 different guys within 2 days. I don't even care about the logistics of it. It's just that she was supposedly into Sebastion, then her ex shows up and she just kind of falls on her back for him just because he still looks hot and she was slightly upset with Sebastion. Also, her Ex was kind of sleazy so I was annoyed.
Idk why it rubbed me wrong. I would have been OK if Sebastion was just a one night stand but he wasn't. Only Anita Blake can get away with that with me.
Garnet doesn't think before speaking, making her tactless. Her magical abilities aren't explained in depth. If you're looking for light paranormal fun, you may like it. I'll probably read the next one.
July 6, 2020
Given the sweet cover I had really no high expectations of this but it's summer and that's what the light books are for, right?
I won't lie, when I saw that the main character's lust interest was called Von Traum, I wanted to stop reading because it just sounded too sweet and too cheesy but I kept reading as the pace was quite fast and the writing style overall was decent.
We get to follow a witch whose coven was slaughtered and who tries to disappear as the killers might go after her. She's got an ace up her sleeve, thought. Somehow she shares her body with a goddess who protects her. Enters dark and broody sex on legs with fangs. You know where this is going, right? He happens to be dealing with magic, too, so at least they have something to talk about, right? Ehm... And if you add weird exes and family members, there's drama all over the place.
It was a rollecoaster of hormones, action and bad decisions so it wasn't entirely without charm. Will I remember the book in a couple of years, though? I doubt that. It was just similar to so many sucky romances I've read and never crossed the line of mediocre. But that is a beach book requirement, right? You don't want to ponder about the story much.
I won't lie, when I saw that the main character's lust interest was called Von Traum, I wanted to stop reading because it just sounded too sweet and too cheesy but I kept reading as the pace was quite fast and the writing style overall was decent.
We get to follow a witch whose coven was slaughtered and who tries to disappear as the killers might go after her. She's got an ace up her sleeve, thought. Somehow she shares her body with a goddess who protects her. Enters dark and broody sex on legs with fangs. You know where this is going, right? He happens to be dealing with magic, too, so at least they have something to talk about, right? Ehm... And if you add weird exes and family members, there's drama all over the place.
It was a rollecoaster of hormones, action and bad decisions so it wasn't entirely without charm. Will I remember the book in a couple of years, though? I doubt that. It was just similar to so many sucky romances I've read and never crossed the line of mediocre. But that is a beach book requirement, right? You don't want to ponder about the story much.
July 9, 2023
It has a strong start, but the more I read the less interesting it became
December 28, 2021
Hmmm it was somewhere between okay to good. I liked the story but wasn't a fan of the main character. I will read the 2nd and hope it gets better.
June 8, 2018
This is the first book in the Garnet Lacey series; there are five books in this series. This was an okay start to a paranormal romance series involving a witch, some vampires, and the Vatican operatives that hunt them down.
The characters were okay but the heroine, Garnet, really wasn't the type of heroine I enjoy reading about. She was honestly a bit...well...slutty (I know, I know I shouldn't say this but she really was) and seemed a bit confused about why the things that happened to her, well, happened. She made a lot of bad decisions and I get frustrated with heroines like that.
The romance was pretty thin and the sex scenes were poorly written. The paranormal aspects were pretty typical witch/vampire themes. This book didn't shine in either the paranormal aspects or the romance aspects.
The story plot was a bit thin as well and the side characters weren't that well done. My favorite side character was William who is one of Garnet's co-workers; he was way more interesting than any of the main characters….which was kind of sad given how little he’s in the story.
Overall, while this was an okay light paranormal romance read and an okay diversion, I wasn't really impressed by anything here. I don't plan on continuing the series.
August 16, 2025
2.5
not quite as campy as i was promised. very messy though
not quite as campy as i was promised. very messy though
July 15, 2010
I gave this book a chance because after reading something like High Stakes by Erin McCarthy, I thought these light, “chick lit” paranormal romances weren’t that bad, and could be a great light read after potential heavy reads.
This one is slightly more darker, and with more action but not enough to take it away from the romance/chick lit genre. However what I really enjoyed the most out of this book was the humor. There was plenty of it. It’s Garnet Lacey’s wit that draws you to the story, and also makes you like her as a character. She’s not your typical romantic heroine either, which also makes for her appeal. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments in the book -even coming from the bad guys in the novel as well.
The main story plot is pretty good and well written. The story arc with Garnet and the Vatican is very interesting. The romantic plot isn’t too bad (mind you, I’m not one for romances so I am biased in this aspect of the book). Although I have to say, Garnet and Sebastian as a couple...it’s a little off. I didn't find any chemistry between them, and didn't find them a great couple to begin with. Garnet and Parrish is the same way. Perhaps a little work is needed on giving the couples a little more chemistry to make the match more enjoyable to read, instead of just being together for the sake of having a main couple for the novel. I found it a little odd how Sebastian and Garnet instantly become an ‘item’ after a night..it baffles me still. Yet perhaps how my idea of how a couple should start off is much different than how the author pictured.
The story arc with Lilith is interesting and got me wanting to read further into this series I’m intrigued as to what is going to happen. Lilith has her own plans and this builds intrigue and mystery into the book which is enjoyable to read. There was one particular moment in the book where Garnet had to ‘be on top’ (get my meaning?) because of Lilith (if you are familiar with mythology and Lilith then you’ll understand what I’m trying to get at). I thought that was so cheesy and silly it was enough for me to utter an awful comment or two out loud. It wasn’t necessary and might probably induce a lot of eye rolling from readers who are well familiar with the Lilith myth.
Yet thanks to the humor, and Garnet as a character (whom I enjoyed reading very much) this was enough for me to carry on and enjoy the book. I recommend this book to those who feel like a light read, with a dark twist throughout. It’s got humor, it’s got romance, a little bit of action, and it’s a nice blend to make the story fun to read, and also makes you want to know what’s going to happen next.
This one is slightly more darker, and with more action but not enough to take it away from the romance/chick lit genre. However what I really enjoyed the most out of this book was the humor. There was plenty of it. It’s Garnet Lacey’s wit that draws you to the story, and also makes you like her as a character. She’s not your typical romantic heroine either, which also makes for her appeal. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments in the book -even coming from the bad guys in the novel as well.
The main story plot is pretty good and well written. The story arc with Garnet and the Vatican is very interesting. The romantic plot isn’t too bad (mind you, I’m not one for romances so I am biased in this aspect of the book). Although I have to say, Garnet and Sebastian as a couple...it’s a little off. I didn't find any chemistry between them, and didn't find them a great couple to begin with. Garnet and Parrish is the same way. Perhaps a little work is needed on giving the couples a little more chemistry to make the match more enjoyable to read, instead of just being together for the sake of having a main couple for the novel. I found it a little odd how Sebastian and Garnet instantly become an ‘item’ after a night..it baffles me still. Yet perhaps how my idea of how a couple should start off is much different than how the author pictured.
The story arc with Lilith is interesting and got me wanting to read further into this series I’m intrigued as to what is going to happen. Lilith has her own plans and this builds intrigue and mystery into the book which is enjoyable to read. There was one particular moment in the book where Garnet had to ‘be on top’ (get my meaning?) because of Lilith (if you are familiar with mythology and Lilith then you’ll understand what I’m trying to get at). I thought that was so cheesy and silly it was enough for me to utter an awful comment or two out loud. It wasn’t necessary and might probably induce a lot of eye rolling from readers who are well familiar with the Lilith myth.
Yet thanks to the humor, and Garnet as a character (whom I enjoyed reading very much) this was enough for me to carry on and enjoy the book. I recommend this book to those who feel like a light read, with a dark twist throughout. It’s got humor, it’s got romance, a little bit of action, and it’s a nice blend to make the story fun to read, and also makes you want to know what’s going to happen next.
September 1, 2015
Solid 3 star book, but I rounded a star down because of the unnecessary sex. It was rushed and just thrown in there. I'm not slut shaming, but it is hard for me to root for the heroine when she is blatantly cheating on her boyfriend just because she was mad over something that happened 5 minutes ago! Even the first section scene was thrown in way too quickly and caught me off guard.
Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy! It's been less than 24 hours and I'm gonna screw you baby!
Then I'm gonna freak out and be uber possessive when you leave for your JOB in the morning. You put me 2nd to your work?!? Even though you literally just met me and we had sex without any mention of commitment? The Nerve!
I however am allowed to go have sex with my ex when we ARE in a committed relationship , just because I'm mad, and it's cool.
Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy! It's been less than 24 hours and I'm gonna screw you baby!
Then I'm gonna freak out and be uber possessive when you leave for your JOB in the morning. You put me 2nd to your work?!? Even though you literally just met me and we had sex without any mention of commitment? The Nerve!
I however am allowed to go have sex with my ex when we ARE in a committed relationship , just because I'm mad, and it's cool.
February 24, 2014
More like 3.5 stars, I'd say.
I enjoyed the story well enough, but the book could use some thorough editing IMO. The way some things were overexplained reminded me of fanfiction somehow (not that there's anything wrong with fanfic btw - I've had some great times reading fanfic in the past).
The suspense was building up well for the last few chapters, but the resolution of it felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic to me.
But all in all, a quick and enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the story well enough, but the book could use some thorough editing IMO. The way some things were overexplained reminded me of fanfiction somehow (not that there's anything wrong with fanfic btw - I've had some great times reading fanfic in the past).
The suspense was building up well for the last few chapters, but the resolution of it felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic to me.
But all in all, a quick and enjoyable read.
May 24, 2014
Garnet Lacey has a lot going on in a days time. From sun up to sun down she has her hands full with her sexy brown eyed boyfriend Sebastian. Hot as hell ex boyfriend who wants to crash with her. And (Goddess) Lilith is a bucket of drama all by herself. Last but not lest there are people trying to kill her left and right. Very funny, very sexy but not to sexy and I enjoyed it till the end. Tate Hallaway did great work with Garnet and the gang, I will be looking for more from Tate.
February 9, 2012
Whoa...did Deborah Harkness read this? A witch and a vampire, a history of science professor who studies alchemy...? A mysterious book with the secret of eternal life that everyone wants? This is much less dull than Discovery of Witches, but whoa, the similarities.
May 9, 2012
This book was okay....didnt really get me hooked. I must admit it only became interesting once they got to the "love scene". after that it was an okay read. something to past the time. i dont think i'll continue on with the series though
June 4, 2017
Oh my, I really wish I'd read the reviews. This book is so bad I couldn't even finish it.
The main character is unlikeable and a hypocrite to boot. The plot doesn't seem to know where it wants to go. It was a waste of time.
The main character is unlikeable and a hypocrite to boot. The plot doesn't seem to know where it wants to go. It was a waste of time.
July 5, 2009
A fun read! A witch possessed by a goddess (a nasty one), a warm-blooded vampire good guy and a hit squad of Vatican fanatics chasing around Madison, Wisconsin. Thoroughly enjoyable!
October 4, 2020
On the surface, this book is good. It’s funny, had a good pace, an ok plot. Most of the funny dies off about 1/2 of the way through though.
Dive any deeper and the books isn’t great.
Characters: Garnet doesn’t have a personality. Her thoughts are taken up by her craft, escaping issues of her past, and the man she likes. She has no likes or dislikes, quirks, or mannerisms. She’s just flat. And I would say that she doesn’t believe in herself or her own ability but even those thoughts are washy at best. She doesn’t come up with ideas to get herself out of situations but relies on the men around her to figure it out for her.
Sebastian was bland. Also lacking a personality, I think he’s supposed to come off as mysterious, but after the first chapter or so all the mystery is gone and he just spills the beans. That’s when the blandness starts.
There are three other characters but they aren’t any better and don’t play a big enough part without spoilers to mention them.
World building: I was SO confused! All within the first chapter, I thought magic was out in the world, then hidden, then out again, then hidden again! And I still don’t understand the rules of magic in this world or the real power of Lacey or witches in general. Plus, what the hell is happening with the Sebastian?! What are the rules around his existence bc they seem to be made up as the book went on. Kind of felt like the author got to a point in the story where a question needed to be answered and wrote down whatever thought came into their mind whether it made sense or not.
Plot/Story: Garnet only has two “friends” who serves basically no purpose in the story what so ever. I’m thinking back and realize that you can literally lift them both from the story and nothing changes. They don’t give offer guidance, give comfort or support, or even really interact with Garnet that much. This really misses the mark of creating a believable character in a believable world.
The book takes place over 4 (maybe 5) days. DAYS! Yet Garnet (as many heroines do in romance books) falls in love without actually knowing any more than the guy’s backstory. How could she when he has no personality?! People don’t generally fall in love in 4 days. People don’t fall in love without having had more than 3 conversations. At the beginning of the book, it seemed like Garnet was lusting after him (that’s fine) but all of the sudden she’s in love with him.
So just, you know, not a great book. The saving grace was that Amanda Ronconi narrated the audiobook and there was some humor thrown in there.
Dive any deeper and the books isn’t great.
Characters: Garnet doesn’t have a personality. Her thoughts are taken up by her craft, escaping issues of her past, and the man she likes. She has no likes or dislikes, quirks, or mannerisms. She’s just flat. And I would say that she doesn’t believe in herself or her own ability but even those thoughts are washy at best. She doesn’t come up with ideas to get herself out of situations but relies on the men around her to figure it out for her.
Sebastian was bland. Also lacking a personality, I think he’s supposed to come off as mysterious, but after the first chapter or so all the mystery is gone and he just spills the beans. That’s when the blandness starts.
There are three other characters but they aren’t any better and don’t play a big enough part without spoilers to mention them.
World building: I was SO confused! All within the first chapter, I thought magic was out in the world, then hidden, then out again, then hidden again! And I still don’t understand the rules of magic in this world or the real power of Lacey or witches in general. Plus, what the hell is happening with the Sebastian?! What are the rules around his existence bc they seem to be made up as the book went on. Kind of felt like the author got to a point in the story where a question needed to be answered and wrote down whatever thought came into their mind whether it made sense or not.
Plot/Story: Garnet only has two “friends” who serves basically no purpose in the story what so ever. I’m thinking back and realize that you can literally lift them both from the story and nothing changes. They don’t give offer guidance, give comfort or support, or even really interact with Garnet that much. This really misses the mark of creating a believable character in a believable world.
The book takes place over 4 (maybe 5) days. DAYS! Yet Garnet (as many heroines do in romance books) falls in love without actually knowing any more than the guy’s backstory. How could she when he has no personality?! People don’t generally fall in love in 4 days. People don’t fall in love without having had more than 3 conversations. At the beginning of the book, it seemed like Garnet was lusting after him (that’s fine) but all of the sudden she’s in love with him.
So just, you know, not a great book. The saving grace was that Amanda Ronconi narrated the audiobook and there was some humor thrown in there.
August 10, 2018
*
Garnet Lacey is a witch. After her coven got murdered by Catholic vaticans (witch hunters), Garnet decides to live her life without magic. One day, she meets an attractive vampire named Sebastian. Soon, she discovers that the vaticans are also after him. In short, this first book (of a five book series) tells the story of Garnet's struggle between her power over her magic, the Goddess that inhabits her body, and her romantic relationships.
Witches, spells, magic, vampires, ghosts, Catholic witch hunters, action, and romance. This book semed to have all the elements for a great book. And, all of the characters were adults, and not high schoolers! Yay! However, early on into the book, I sort of wished they were high schoolers.... All of the irresponsibility, immaturity, selfishness, and dumb decision after dumb decision that went on throughout the book left a lot to desire.
****SPOLIERS AHEAD****
I found it really hard to like Garnet. First, she had sex with Sebastian, not even 24 hours after they first met, and then got mad at him for leaving her to go to work the next morning. Then, the following night she has sex with her ex-boyfriend, Parrish, because.... she still found him attractive?? Throughout the whole book, I couldn't seem to understand who she wanted. At times, it seemed like she never got over Parrish and wanted a relationship with him. At times, it seemed like she wanted Sebastian, so much so that she put her life and her friends' lives in danger. Aside from her wishy-washy ways, Garnet was irresponsible. As stated before, she put her friends' lives at risk and she doesn't really check up on them, after that. And she gives Sebastian's grimoire (his life depended on this) to her ex-boyfriend, Parrish, a professional thief! Her lovers, Sebastian and Parrish, I also found to be unlikable. Really many of the characters were unlikable! However, I did want to know more about Matyas. He had a lot more to offer to the book than some of the other characters. At one point, I almost wished the series revolved around him.
I don't think this is a series I will continue reading in the near future. However, IF I do continue on, it will be to know what happens with Matyas and his mother, Tereza.
Garnet Lacey is a witch. After her coven got murdered by Catholic vaticans (witch hunters), Garnet decides to live her life without magic. One day, she meets an attractive vampire named Sebastian. Soon, she discovers that the vaticans are also after him. In short, this first book (of a five book series) tells the story of Garnet's struggle between her power over her magic, the Goddess that inhabits her body, and her romantic relationships.
Witches, spells, magic, vampires, ghosts, Catholic witch hunters, action, and romance. This book semed to have all the elements for a great book. And, all of the characters were adults, and not high schoolers! Yay! However, early on into the book, I sort of wished they were high schoolers.... All of the irresponsibility, immaturity, selfishness, and dumb decision after dumb decision that went on throughout the book left a lot to desire.
****SPOLIERS AHEAD****
I found it really hard to like Garnet. First, she had sex with Sebastian, not even 24 hours after they first met, and then got mad at him for leaving her to go to work the next morning. Then, the following night she has sex with her ex-boyfriend, Parrish, because.... she still found him attractive?? Throughout the whole book, I couldn't seem to understand who she wanted. At times, it seemed like she never got over Parrish and wanted a relationship with him. At times, it seemed like she wanted Sebastian, so much so that she put her life and her friends' lives in danger. Aside from her wishy-washy ways, Garnet was irresponsible. As stated before, she put her friends' lives at risk and she doesn't really check up on them, after that. And she gives Sebastian's grimoire (his life depended on this) to her ex-boyfriend, Parrish, a professional thief! Her lovers, Sebastian and Parrish, I also found to be unlikable. Really many of the characters were unlikable! However, I did want to know more about Matyas. He had a lot more to offer to the book than some of the other characters. At one point, I almost wished the series revolved around him.
I don't think this is a series I will continue reading in the near future. However, IF I do continue on, it will be to know what happens with Matyas and his mother, Tereza.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
Sebastian Von Traum is tall dark and handsome, which is the quality most striking to our heroine, Garnet Lacey, when he walks into the magic shop in which she works. Then she squints to see his aura and discovers that he has none, not even ‘that faint purple glimmer you get from a well-made zombie‘. He is dead. Naturally, she goes for a coffee with him.
In a well-deployed bit of back story, we learn that Garnet is sometimes possessed by a deadly goddess called Lilith. She called on this goddess for help one Halloween night in Minneapolis when six Vatican witch hunters from the Order of St. Eustace assassinated the rest of her coven. As I was raised in the One True Faith I should be uncomfortable with Vatican villains but the book is so enjoyably daft you can’t take the slander seriously. Unlike ‘The Da Vinci Code’ this does not even pretend to resemble reality. Anyway, Lilith killed all the witch hunter priests and Garnet had to dispose of the bodies. She got her vampire boyfriend Parrish to help her. Then she fled to Madison, Wisconsin, to start a new life, and it’s there our tale begins.
The book is written in the first person from Garnet’s point of view. It is similar to a hard-boiled detective novel of old except the hero is a feisty witch woman instead of a shrewd male private eye, though she’s as ready for sex as Phil Marlowe ever was. The chapters are named after Astrological divisions, First House, Second House, and so on, for Garnet is into horoscopes as well as witchery.
Raymond Chandler once said that if a story flags you just have a man walk in with a gun. Tate Hallaway has a man walk in with fangs or a Vatican witch hunter with a gun. Each of the early chapters starts with Garnet being surprised by somebody new entering the fray. This works well and the plot clicks along very nicely. Garnet is a charming little witch with an agreeable narrative voice, often humorous. She’s not as deeply thoughtful as Phil Marlowe but is probably better looking.
Reader, there are no such things as vampires. Magic doesn’t work, the Vatican does not employ killer priests and Astrology is pure twaddle. Even so, this is an excellent book in the pure trash genre - well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I recommend it.
In a well-deployed bit of back story, we learn that Garnet is sometimes possessed by a deadly goddess called Lilith. She called on this goddess for help one Halloween night in Minneapolis when six Vatican witch hunters from the Order of St. Eustace assassinated the rest of her coven. As I was raised in the One True Faith I should be uncomfortable with Vatican villains but the book is so enjoyably daft you can’t take the slander seriously. Unlike ‘The Da Vinci Code’ this does not even pretend to resemble reality. Anyway, Lilith killed all the witch hunter priests and Garnet had to dispose of the bodies. She got her vampire boyfriend Parrish to help her. Then she fled to Madison, Wisconsin, to start a new life, and it’s there our tale begins.
The book is written in the first person from Garnet’s point of view. It is similar to a hard-boiled detective novel of old except the hero is a feisty witch woman instead of a shrewd male private eye, though she’s as ready for sex as Phil Marlowe ever was. The chapters are named after Astrological divisions, First House, Second House, and so on, for Garnet is into horoscopes as well as witchery.
Raymond Chandler once said that if a story flags you just have a man walk in with a gun. Tate Hallaway has a man walk in with fangs or a Vatican witch hunter with a gun. Each of the early chapters starts with Garnet being surprised by somebody new entering the fray. This works well and the plot clicks along very nicely. Garnet is a charming little witch with an agreeable narrative voice, often humorous. She’s not as deeply thoughtful as Phil Marlowe but is probably better looking.
Reader, there are no such things as vampires. Magic doesn’t work, the Vatican does not employ killer priests and Astrology is pure twaddle. Even so, this is an excellent book in the pure trash genre - well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I recommend it.
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