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lomeraniel's review
3.0
Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookreviews/book-review-tallow-jones-wizard-detective-trevor-h-cooley/
Asher, Detective Douglas’ son, disappears without a trace. The police’s investigations are not fruitful and the case gets cold. Soon after, Tallow Jones, one of Douglas uncles, reappears after a long time, in order to assist with Asher’s case.
There were many things I enjoyed from this book: an intriguing plot, interesting and likable characters, a great narration. I loved Asher’s little sister, even though her abilities being just eight years old seemed a bit unrealistic. As a knitter myself, I really enjoyed the comments about her knitting, and I had to smile when she complained that ‘acrylic squeaks on the needles’ because it’s absolutely true! Only knitters will understand this.
I think this was an interesting plot, but sadly I lost soon interest after a while since it seemed that Asher had dissipated into thin air. I expected a little bit more from his point of view, but from a certain point, the book is just about Tallow and Douglas looking here and there. While I was listening to the story, and after the big reveal, I thought that the other part would have been much more interesting. It’s true that I haven’t read the other books within The Bowl of Souls, so maybe Cooley deals with the other aspects of the story in a different book.
I also felt that this book was addressed to Young Adults, but the character appearing in the story are adults and an eight-year old, which seems odd. Due to some gruesome scenes this book is not appropriate for young kids. Somehow the story and characters don’t really match the audience this book is targeted, and the fact that we seem to be missing the best part of the story felt a bit underwhelming.
What I absolutely loved was Andrew Tell’s narration. He used a compelling tone that kept me interested until the very end. The book was okay, but what kept me going was Tell’s narration. He delivered great character’s interpretations, giving each of them different voices and styles. Perfect narration and perfect audio production!
Although this was just an okay book, I am curious to listen to other books by this author. I think The Bowl of Souls saga would work better for me.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
Asher, Detective Douglas’ son, disappears without a trace. The police’s investigations are not fruitful and the case gets cold. Soon after, Tallow Jones, one of Douglas uncles, reappears after a long time, in order to assist with Asher’s case.
There were many things I enjoyed from this book: an intriguing plot, interesting and likable characters, a great narration. I loved Asher’s little sister, even though her abilities being just eight years old seemed a bit unrealistic. As a knitter myself, I really enjoyed the comments about her knitting, and I had to smile when she complained that ‘acrylic squeaks on the needles’ because it’s absolutely true! Only knitters will understand this.
I think this was an interesting plot, but sadly I lost soon interest after a while since it seemed that Asher had dissipated into thin air. I expected a little bit more from his point of view, but from a certain point, the book is just about Tallow and Douglas looking here and there. While I was listening to the story, and after the big reveal, I thought that the other part would have been much more interesting. It’s true that I haven’t read the other books within The Bowl of Souls, so maybe Cooley deals with the other aspects of the story in a different book.
I also felt that this book was addressed to Young Adults, but the character appearing in the story are adults and an eight-year old, which seems odd. Due to some gruesome scenes this book is not appropriate for young kids. Somehow the story and characters don’t really match the audience this book is targeted, and the fact that we seem to be missing the best part of the story felt a bit underwhelming.
What I absolutely loved was Andrew Tell’s narration. He used a compelling tone that kept me interested until the very end. The book was okay, but what kept me going was Tell’s narration. He delivered great character’s interpretations, giving each of them different voices and styles. Perfect narration and perfect audio production!
Although this was just an okay book, I am curious to listen to other books by this author. I think The Bowl of Souls saga would work better for me.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
andrewv's review
3.0
The conversations often seemed contrived to allow the wizard to explain something, or seemed forced and/or repetitive. For example, he shows proof of magic at least three times throughout the book, always using an element he's 'not very strong with'. The magic system was illogical/inconsistent; he uses elements he's not very strong with all the time and never fails to succeed, very Deus ex machina. No fleshing out of spell system.
The overarching plot was solid, and the twist was a fantastic idea. An imaginative use of creatures with some likeable characters (Aggie was my favourite).
I wasn't a big fan of the main character. I'm not sure if this is due to the writing or the voice acting, but there seemed to be too much humble bragging/explaining and very little personality in the first 2/3 of the book. He only became human towards the end of the book.
2.5/5 stars but I rounded up to three.
The overarching plot was solid, and the twist was a fantastic idea. An imaginative use of creatures with some likeable characters (Aggie was my favourite).
I wasn't a big fan of the main character. I'm not sure if this is due to the writing or the voice acting, but there seemed to be too much humble bragging/explaining and very little personality in the first 2/3 of the book. He only became human towards the end of the book.
2.5/5 stars but I rounded up to three.
hpstrangelove's review
5.0
(NOTE: I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.)
Audiobook review. Narrator: Andrew Tell
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
This was a fun, easy read. It is book 1 in a new offshoot series of the Bowl Of Souls. I am not familiar with the other books in the Bowl of Souls series so I had no idea of what to expect in this book. It takes place in our world but with 'magic' crossing over from another world. It's a missing person mystery on the surface, but gets complicated when Tallow Jones, Wizard Detective, enters the picture to help the police in their missing person search.
A plot twist, which happens about 2/3 rds of the way through, really took me by surprise. I love it when an author can do that, although maybe if I were familiar with the Bowl Of Souls universe I wouldn't have been so shocked by the turn of events.
The narrator also did a fantastic job with the different voices of the characters. I was never confused by who was doing the talking.
My only issue with the book, which is why I knocked it down by a 1/2 star, is that there were several places with point-of-view (POV) shifting without any natural break. In Chapter 6, for example, Doug and Ross, the two police detectives, are discussing Tallow Jones and it is from Doug's POV. Doug then gets a phone call and the POV suddenly switches from Doug to Ross. Now the reader is inside Ross' head, with Ross thinking he felt uncomfortable. There's another place I marked in Chapter 12, but I don't want to detail that here as it would contain spoilers. The switches are pretty quick, and overall mostly minor, with it flipping for just a sentence or two and then back. Most readers probably won't notice it, but it's something that jumps out at me and I can't ignore it.
The story is pretty much self contained but left open for more to be written in the series; I look forward to the next book and hope it will also be in audiobook form.
Audiobook review. Narrator: Andrew Tell
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
This was a fun, easy read. It is book 1 in a new offshoot series of the Bowl Of Souls. I am not familiar with the other books in the Bowl of Souls series so I had no idea of what to expect in this book. It takes place in our world but with 'magic' crossing over from another world. It's a missing person mystery on the surface, but gets complicated when Tallow Jones, Wizard Detective, enters the picture to help the police in their missing person search.
A plot twist, which happens about 2/3 rds of the way through, really took me by surprise. I love it when an author can do that, although maybe if I were familiar with the Bowl Of Souls universe I wouldn't have been so shocked by the turn of events.
The narrator also did a fantastic job with the different voices of the characters. I was never confused by who was doing the talking.
My only issue with the book, which is why I knocked it down by a 1/2 star, is that there were several places with point-of-view (POV) shifting without any natural break. In Chapter 6, for example, Doug and Ross, the two police detectives, are discussing Tallow Jones and it is from Doug's POV. Doug then gets a phone call and the POV suddenly switches from Doug to Ross. Now the reader is inside Ross' head, with Ross thinking he felt uncomfortable. There's another place I marked in Chapter 12, but I don't want to detail that here as it would contain spoilers. The switches are pretty quick, and overall mostly minor, with it flipping for just a sentence or two and then back. Most readers probably won't notice it, but it's something that jumps out at me and I can't ignore it.
The story is pretty much self contained but left open for more to be written in the series; I look forward to the next book and hope it will also be in audiobook form.
morebookspleaseblog's review
4.0
Just when you think the world is normal and everything is fine, you find out (the hard way) there are other worlds out there and human trafficking is happening between them. There’s something funky happening with a certain travel agency in Atlanta and Atlanta’s finest are keeping an eye on them… but so is Asher Jones… who is making more headway than Atlanta PD. When Asher goes missing, things go awry and it’s Uncle Tallow to the rescue. Problem? No one has ever heard of Uncle Tallow! Ashers’s sister, Agatha, is skeptical at best, but if Uncle Tallow can help find Asher, then let’s do it!
There are incredible twists and turns and extremely interesting developments. There laugh out loud moments and moments where I was eagerly anticipating what would happen next. The humor and sarcasm were fantastic. Andrew Tell was a fantastic narrator. The personality given to Agatha was perfect. She was a no-nonsense 8-year-old, and I loved it. It was a nice start to the series. I look forward to book 2!
There are incredible twists and turns and extremely interesting developments. There laugh out loud moments and moments where I was eagerly anticipating what would happen next. The humor and sarcasm were fantastic. Andrew Tell was a fantastic narrator. The personality given to Agatha was perfect. She was a no-nonsense 8-year-old, and I loved it. It was a nice start to the series. I look forward to book 2!
peterseanesq's review against another edition
5.0
Please give my review a helpful vote - https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1QEXYW3UYW4EN?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp
When Asher Jones, the teenage son of Atlanta Detective Douglas Jones, goes missing, Detective Jones long-lost uncle shows up to help out in the search for Asher. It turns out that Uncle Errand has changed his name to "Tallow" for some reason that is never explained. It also turns out that Uncle Tallow is a private detective. More importantly, it turns out that Uncle Tallow is a wizard who learned magic in some other world.
Uncle Tallow is a definite help to the investigation. He puts the investigation on the right track, uses Elf magic to heal, and unleashes lightning bolts as the occasion demands.
This is a nice book. The characters are nice. Detective Jones is learning not to swear. He has a precocious eight-year-old daughter. The other characters are equally nice.
This is obviously the introductory story of a series where we get introduced to series' characters and tropes. We learn something about the monsters that are showing up in Atlanta from the world of magic. We also learn quite a bit about the magic system that exists in that world.
I enjoyed the story. It was a bit too easy, I thought, with respect to unraveling the mystery. Likewise, Uncle Tallow's never-ending bag of tricks might make him more than a match for any situation, but the story moved along and was rather enjoyable.
When Asher Jones, the teenage son of Atlanta Detective Douglas Jones, goes missing, Detective Jones long-lost uncle shows up to help out in the search for Asher. It turns out that Uncle Errand has changed his name to "Tallow" for some reason that is never explained. It also turns out that Uncle Tallow is a private detective. More importantly, it turns out that Uncle Tallow is a wizard who learned magic in some other world.
Uncle Tallow is a definite help to the investigation. He puts the investigation on the right track, uses Elf magic to heal, and unleashes lightning bolts as the occasion demands.
This is a nice book. The characters are nice. Detective Jones is learning not to swear. He has a precocious eight-year-old daughter. The other characters are equally nice.
This is obviously the introductory story of a series where we get introduced to series' characters and tropes. We learn something about the monsters that are showing up in Atlanta from the world of magic. We also learn quite a bit about the magic system that exists in that world.
I enjoyed the story. It was a bit too easy, I thought, with respect to unraveling the mystery. Likewise, Uncle Tallow's never-ending bag of tricks might make him more than a match for any situation, but the story moved along and was rather enjoyable.