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Living with anxiety is no joke. Feeling more anxious than I have in a while. I recognize so much in this book! I haven’t had many panic attacks…though I did used to wake up with the racing heartbeats….well anyway it could be worse! Oh and I am enjoying the book.

Interesting but the writing feels shallow in places. International assassin with no knowledge of the basic tenets of bowling? There are places where assumptions are made without the groundwork being laid. Uneven! The storytelling is uneven. There is detail and just as quickly leaps in logic without sufficient explanation. Are we going for magical realism? Also, I thought the book was about Dante…

Interesting plot, but, if Dante is supposed to be a mysterious stranger, how did two characters know who/what he does/did before talking to him or immediately upon meeting him? And, during a conversation he just offers up his desire not to kill anyone. He doesn’t know anything about this woman! I mean, they shared a cheesecake, but she revealed nothing about herself. So disbelief is officially suspended!

Slowed down on reading….noticing how one dimensional the women are in the dialogue. Also much like a typical fantasy trope Mark is the ‘chose one’ and he is smart, funny, charming, and all around good guy. This, the entire world is willing to sacrifice anything to bring him home…..but hey, maybe I’m jaded.

Pacing!!! The book feels really technical which I enjoy! I realize there is a movie, but the details give me such visualization! Very near future NASA-punk! Mark is a very quippy, Marvel-esque character but I like the slow introduction of the other characters, plots and subplots. The women are not well drawn…maybe some of the minor plot characters aren’t either. But overall, good read so far!!

This took a minute to catch my imagination, but I’m invested now. I did have to check the book out again…so, thanks public library!

Such a good story!! Smart, crisp writing. Engrossing plot. Such a joy to read.

Interesting read so far.

Intriguing plot! The twists and turns! Clever, clever! Robust pacing akin to the first book. I am burning through this book! So well done!!!

Okay so far.

Started of at an amazing pace. Engaging plot with more revelations about our primary characters. Interesting subplots and side characters too.

Such good pacing! The method of storytelling is tight…it doesn’t feel like there is any filler or pointless exposition. The characters are great. There are passages talking about loss that are so relatable. The story is well-crafted! This book is a page-turner!

Being located in an elder care facility is brilliant because we get characters who aren’t the usual protagonists. MCs in their 70’s are not the norm in mass market publishing today, and they are a breath of fresh air!! 2/2

This book was a bit off-putting for me when I started and I am glad I stuck with it. So far Ann engrossing murder mystery with likeable protagonist, situated in an unlikely setting. Elizabeth’s background is certainly cryptic with allusions to possible spy craft. While Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron have backgrounds that are recognizable. 1/2

I love the world building here! The pacing is tight and the incorporation of civil-rights-like activism as well as how the author weaves the various uses and method of magic is really fascinating!

Still enjoying the analysis and research undertaken employed in writing this book.

Consistent across the book with inclusion of marginalized women in the narrative which I enjoy. Lots of statistics on single women through out history. Even an examination of how singlehood among black women was interpreted as pathology but when the same behavior was recognized in middle class white women it becomes about how ‘new ways of living and female empowerment’. Very telling…

I am enjoying the writing style. It is different from what I’m used to reading. But good. The world building is well done. I am there in the bookshop, in the little room upstairs, at the book festival! I really like this little book!!

Still enjoying the historical perspective and the specific facts about singlehood now. Very engaging.

The plot thickens!!! There are various strands in the story being woven together. I might not have enjoyed this book a few years ago, but luckily, in the today of things, I’m enjoying it greatly!

The plot is unfolding and I am enjoying the world building. I find the melding of alternate history and ‘star/slave’ magic highly entertaining and original! Not to mention the science weaves through with magic! Outstanding read so far.

Liking the inclusion of black women’s history in the work force as well as their inclusion and history as single women in this country.

Listen off and on…mostly off. Some good historical information about single women and their effect on the nation. At least some acknowledgment of the differing roles, social situations, and contributions made by black women.

Interesting slice of life. About loss and grief I think…I feel that…

The story so far seems promising. There are three books prior to this I may read if I like this one!