Coates, Deborah: Wide Open

[calico_reaction]

Comments

[nymeria81]

Yes, the cover caught my eye when it was released (Did you say futile ? :P), I'm glad to see a review on it. The story does look nice though and you even liked it so, i'll try it (once my huge pile of books melts away... ^^')

[calico_reaction]

Oh, I feel the pain of the TBR.... If you ever get around to reading this, do let me know your thoughts!

[jonaskaite]

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I haven't been on LJ much, having been absolutely consumed by offline Stuff, and I literally squealed a little when I logged on for the first time in days and saw your review in my feed.

I actually stumbled across it entirely by accident, looking through some upcoming releases and being interested in buying an entirely different Wide Open, (I'm a public library book buyer) and when I pulled it up on Amazon for a more complete blurb, the Deborah Coates came up too

[calico_reaction]

You'll notice I made a point NOT to call it urban fantasy... I didn't want someone to see the label and immediately dismiss it.

Oooh, magical realism is a good call. I didn't pick up on that, but that description kind of pulls things together nicely, doesn't it?

The sequel will be really interesting. I'm not sure how quickly I can get around to it (there are other sequels I'd like to get to first), but I do hope to read it.

[nymeria_55]

The premise was interesting enough that I added the title to my "buy" list, but when I saw this:

McGuire fans will enjoy this, if they like the darkness in her October Daye series
I went in, hook, line and sinker. :-)

Thanks for the review!

[calico_reaction]

You're welcome! I don't know why I got the impression Toby Daye fans would like this. It's not something I can put my finger on, but maybe you all can read it and tell me how crazy I am for thinking so. ;)

[nymeria_55]

I don't know why I got the impression Toby Daye fans would like this

There is a common ground, between Toby and Hallie, that of determination, of the sheer willpower that carries them forward, no matter the cost. I'm certain I would have liked Hallie Michaels even without having "met" Toby first, but I must admit that the experience was enhanced because of it.

Great book, by the way, sustained by a very peculiar mood (for lack of a better word) that made it special. I was a bit surprised about *magic* popping up (somehow the word 'conspiracy' kept knocking on my door), but in the end it was all right.

Thanks again for the recommendation!

[calico_reaction]

I was a bit surprised about *magic* popping up (somehow the word 'conspiracy' kept knocking on my door)

Great observation. This kind of story DOES make you think there's some big government conspiracy! That it's magic and it fits so well with the atmosphere is what really makes this special.

[calico_reaction]

Ha! It is a trope, isn't it? I need to come up with a better name for it... :)

[starmetal_oak]

Yup, agree :) Here's my review if you haven't read it: http://starmetaloakreviews.com/2012/03/review-wide-open-by-deborah-coates/

It made my honourable mentions list for 2012.

[calico_reaction]

Thanks for the link! I remember seeing it when you read it last year and I remember you liked it. It'll be good to read the review now that I've read the book!