Grave Mistake

Codex Blair Series, Book 1

By: Izzy Shows

Narrated by: Gemma Dawson

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

I am Blair Sheach, and my life will never be the same. Newfound powers don't make a hero overnight, but somehow I've become the last line of defense for the city of London. Vampires and demons crawl the streets, magic cops suck at keeping them in line, and the easy job I took to pay my rent has turned into something far more complicated. The cheating deadbeat my client hired me to find just so happens to be the necromancer hell-bent on destroying London, and it's up to me to stop him.

I'm out of luck and out of time. And to save my city, the decision I have to make is one I can't take back.

©2017 Izzy Shows (P)2017 Tantor

good

slow and boring at first but then gets really good...
Don't give up on it too soon it is a good book.

Feels like Dresden Fan Fiction evolved

While not a bad book, I felt there was a lot of elements that probably started off as a Harry Dresden Fan fiction story and was later changed for publication.

Outside of that I think the only problem was the vast amount of Paranormal entities assisting Blair. It feels as if the author could come up with a way for her to find the solution on her own so Blair had to be thrown a life line from time to time.

So, while not a great book it was a good book. l may continue the series when I have more time.

Interesting Story

I found this story interesting. It had this “adult Harry Potter” feel to it.

First, let me say that there’s nothing wrong with this story. It just wasn’t for me. The writing style matched my own so well, which any writer will tell you - we don’t like reading our own work. Same phrases, repetitive words, and actions that I have in my own writing style. It made me pause the story and look up the author a few times, or giggle even because it felt like I had a twin! It’s rare when we come across another like ourselves.

Pros: the characters felt real to me. Each had their own habits and quirks to make them unique. Every time I thought about a character, the author brought them back in, which shows a talent for story telling. I liked the fact that each event in the book, some seemingly insignificant, were in fact, significant.

Cons: I wasn’t a fan of the narrated voice - I felt like she didn’t match the personality of the MC, and failed when she tried. She matched the wizard’s personality more than she did the MC. I’m not a narrator, so my review isn’t based on Gemma’s voice, but I thought it worth the note.

I didn’t not care for all the cursing. I do, and have, enjoyed curse words in books, but I felt it was overdone in this book. Again, this may be because I listened to this book instead of read.

My only reason for a 4 star instead of 5 star: several repeated phrases, words, and actions, and I felt like the story moved too quickly... like the MC was too fast to accept this world she was thrusted into. The author did an excellent job describing people, but left little detail where she could have expanded (atmosphere, senses, mystical magic). This is personal preference. The book had a very dark feel to it, but I would have loved to see the author pull more from that - to make me shiver or have goosebumps.

Pretty sure there's a lawsuit in here...

So we have a poor wizard PI in modern day, whose magic messes with electronic, has a cop best friend that works supernatural cases, a disembodied guide of great knowledge, a loyal servant of God that fights like knights of old, fights a necromancer that has to keep a beat to move undead, gives her name (which of course have power) to suspect sources and at the end befriends small creature that's obsessed with common place goodies....

Switch genders and place in America and you have Dresden files.

Mind you, the narrator is great. The main character is great. And for a first book of a series it does a good job. But I'm just going to think of it as Dresden Files fanfic going forward.

interesting

for me I struggled to finish this book. didn't like the narrator her accent bothered me

A fun story and fun performance

The Story

This is a fun story. Great lead and supporting characters, great plot full of adventure and with nicely done humour, all well written and very enticing. This is definitely a series to watch, a truly fun ride - and I'm looking forward to the next story.

The Performance

Gemma Dawson was a neat choice for narrator. I was actually surprised with the choice of a British speaker but her voice was clear, sharp and expressive and the British accent really gave a London setting for the listener's imagination. Loads of fun.

Great first Audiobook

It was a compelling story, told in an interesting way. Gemma Dawson does a good job voicing characters separate from narration, without it being confusing. This was my first audiobook, and I will be coming back for more, from both Izzy Shows and Gemma Dawson.

ehh it was ok at best

i had a really hard time finishing this one. it isnt bad by any means, it just isnt my usual style. some parts drag on.

Pass on this one!

One of the worst books I’ve read in a while. 3/4 of the book is just thoughts in the head of the main character. Story line would have been ok other than the fact it felt like it was a book that was three times the length that got shortened. Felt like a lot of much needed info was left out. Not a well thought out book.

What happens when you are trying too hard!

this book is so everywhere that it can't be a good book. the story got weird, and to top it off the main character came across as dumb and smart which is annoying.