Very different kind of series
592618
We lost this particular book out of our series so I bought this to replace it. I was so grateful to be able to do so without having to buy a whole new set. It was in great condition.
2261862
great fantasy series with a unique heroine struggling in a world where magic is real
2086929
I haven't read much sci-fi so i can't really speak to the originality of this series.  To me it seemed like The Matrix took a lot of ideas from this series.  Tad Williams books are a tad slow but it is usually very acceptable as he is such a good writer.  This series was full of fun twists and very unique.
4975615
It is definitely different type of paranormal, so if you are interested in something that's unusual, violence, and with some romance. I liked it so much that I had to buy the set after reading the free one and I have limited income, so it takes a extremely good story for me to buy a set. Thanks
2419709
Nice Series like the way whole plot plays out
2231455
I've really enjoyed reading this series. It is and isn't a "zombie" story in that the zombies are not dead but virus ridden, brain fried humans who are alive, are cannibals but some still retain some intelligence and ability to communicate. The presence of more than one kind of foe makes for a more interesting storyline. Definitely a unique series, and I look forward to reading the rest of them.
1277901
I liked this series, but was hard getting into them at first.  The farther I read the more I wanted to read more.  It is a bit different ,fantasy, and
magical and young people.  This is a book young teens would probably love.  But since I have read all three, I am now waiting for book 4 to come out so I can find out what happens in the end.

Since this is book 3, My advice would be get the other 2 and read before you get book 3.  Look for Gemma Doyle Series.
4923670
I really enjoy this series. It is different than the typical mystery series. I enjoy the ghost aspect and learning more about the secondary characters, Julio, Rosa, Kris, etc. This particular novel also branched out into a larger issue, one that faces us all in today's world. I also enjoy the tidbits about Santa Fe. Those details help set the scene for me. No spoilers, but I am very excited to read the rest of the books in the series.
536890
This entire "Modern Witch" series is just terrific.  This particular book's subject is unusual -- think "Modern Witch" encompassing people with disabilities.  It forces you to take a different look at the whole witching thing going on in this series.  Very worthwhile.
1360658
There's a lot to this series . The action is intense at times. And then there are thoughtful philosophical discussions about the implications of technology on society. There is an interesting discussion about politicians and how many of them operate.
1185421
This whole series leaves me breathless. I never know who is doing what to one another. Although it an different world it is very interesting and multi leveled. Man is not the only person in control. Woman are leaders.
4030137
This is more of a review of this series.  So this series is a unique, but a growing subset, in the young adult paranormal genre.  The uniqueness being female authored with a male protagonist as the hero and a dark dark world.  The lead in each of these books is the same teenaged boy - -Cass.  I would compare it to Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride, or Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.  There seems to be a desire on the part of the paranormal reading crowd to read about male protagonists, so these books are definitely finding their niche readers.

Cass was born into a crime family, not a powerful one but the world in this series is divided into two parts:  those with magical abilities and those without.  People fear those with magical powers and due to unfair legislation, fear of people without magic, internments and round ups those with magical abilities are segregated in lifestyle from those without powers.  Everyone wears gloves.  All the time.  Why? The abilities people have  (just one - the magic workers have just one power each) are not fun and nor are the powers nice but instead, the powers are such that kill, powers to alter memories, powers to make people feel things that they would not feel on their own and the power to transform someone from one object into another.  But in order to work their curse, the magic workers need to use their bare fingers and touch bare skin on their target - - thus the gloves that everyone (even non magical workers) wear at all times.

I have trouble with stories and series where people with powers can just do whatever they want with no cost.  Holly Black created a world where magic exists but it isn't easy.  Everytime a magic worker puts a curse on someone there is a "blow back".  Memory workers lose parts of their own memories.  Emotion workers suffer through emotional ups and downs.  Death workers have parts of their bodies die off ... and on and on ...

There is an undercurrent of politics driven by fear throughout the series.  It is not overwhelming and the politics do not dominate the plot.  A question that I kept thinking is - shouldn't the non magical people be afraid?  What is a fair solution to protect the non magical people but not overly limit the ability of the magical people to live their lives?  I am not sure there is a solution and Holly Black shows that tension of what it would be like to live with real threats like death workers and memory workers.

So Curse Workers has some recycled clich young adult themes: hero doesn't know the extent of his powers, family is really out there, boarding school, boy kills off his girlfriend there is lots of blood, painful memories .... screeeeeeech ...okay maybe that is not an overused clich.

What I think Holly Black did really well is set up this story in a very familiar setting but then took it somewhere most young adult books do not go.  There is sex, there is drinking, there is death and sociopathic behavior and the ending of the series is not storybook at all.  So the ending is anti-everything we want for our kids or our parents dream about for us but you know what?  It is perfect for this series and I loved that Holly Black ended it the way she did.

Now I listened to this series in audio, despite also owning it in ebook.  I think I should have read it.  The narration was done well, I guess ... but it didn't grab me.  I need to say thought, that the narration does not detract or take away from the story at all.  Despite that, I would suggest reading this series.  I recommend this book to people who enjoy darker urban fantasy stories and who are okay with a slow build in the beginning of a story.
631359
IT HAS A LOT OF ACTION AND SCENTIFIC ACTION EVENTS. YOU WONDER WHERE SOME ONE GETS THOSE IDEAS AT. VERY GOOD SERIES.
2489520
The strange thing about this series is each book is written by a different author. Normally, I steer clear of this kind of thing because I don't like how different the writing style and "voice" are from book to book and author to author. I haven't found this to be the case with "The Series". Either these authors have a hive mind reminiscent of the Borg from Star Trek or there is a great deal of communication and critique happening between the group for each book, which is wonderful.

MENDED started with a bang and moved along at a fast pace. The resolution and identity of the villain wasn't glaringly obvious throughout the story as seems to be the case with a lot of erotic romance where plot sometimes gets the back burner. I was wrong about the villain right up until the last few chapters which I really enjoyed. It's nice to be surprised when the surprise makes sense to the plot.

The romance was great. I loved the Hero. He's the kind of man you want to hug and protect but he's perfectly capable of protecting himself and anyone else. He's the right amounts of vulnerable and alpha to make a great book boyfriend.

My only complaint is the young age and innocence of the heroines in this and the previous books. I get that most of these "scrolls" are sheltered their entire lives but I think they could be sheltered and somehow world-weary. I feel like the heroines would need to be more mature to navigate the situations presented in the books. The Heroes are also much older than the heroines and that's not a plot point I enjoy.

I like the simplicity of the cover of MENDED. It's intriguing and congruent with the genre without being porn.

I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Reviewer, Phoenix Andrews
4909253
I enjoy this series as a good read with unconventional characters.  Killing\assassination is not always a pleasant read, but the author does not dwell on it and victims are unsympathetic, so it is not disturbing.  I look forward to more in this series.
3052989
This book is part of a series. It just is not my usual type of reading.
2053048
What I think is so cool about this series is that it doesn't really seem like a series. If you should by the second book first, you don't HAVE to read the first in order to know what's going on. This first book was awesome-I read alot and haven't been able to discover many authors that I can sit down and read everything they've written. I'm glad I can do that with this.