Sunday, February 20, 2011

666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce

666 Park Avenue: A NovelFrom HarperCollins:
What if your mother-in-law turned out to be an evil, cold-blooded witch . . . literally?
Ever since fabulously wealthy Malcolm Doran walked into her life and swept her off her feet, fledgling architect Jane Boyle has been living a fairy tale. When he proposes with a stunning diamond to seal the deal, Jane can't believe her incredible luck and decides to leave her Paris-based job to make a new start with Malcolm in New York.
But when Malcolm introduces Jane to the esteemed Doran clan, one of Manhattan's most feared and revered families, Jane's fairy tale takes a darker turn. Soon everything she thought she knew about the world—and herself—is upended. Now Jane must struggle with newfound magical abilities and the threat of those who will stop at nothing to get them.
Honestly, I didn't quite know what to think when I received this book. I thought it was going to be some campy take on a contemporary paranormal romance. Not quite. Actually, there is Jane. Jane is a witch, but doesn't know it. Her family decided it would be safer and give her a chance at a normal childhood. Unfortunately, that didn't happen anyway. Her parents died in a car crash and left her in the care of her eccentric grandmother who saw danger in every crack and shadow that lurked. So after living a sheltered and bored life, Jane moved to Paris as soon as she was old enough. When Jane meets Malcolm, it seems as though her world opens up in new ways not thought possible. As she leaves the familiarity of France, she faces a new life in NY and life with the whole family under one roof. She finds that life with Gran was a lot less suffocating than life under the roof with the Dorans. 

That pretty much is the basic premise. After this I won't tell you as I would want it to be a surprise as it was to me. Jane grows emotionally and dangers reveal themselves slowly. With Jane you also wonder whom you can trust and how much everyone knows. You also get a glimpse as to how powerful Jane could prove to be as a witch. However there is the ending. It's not exactly a cliffhanger but it seems to abruptly stop before throwing you off the cliff. I was left scratching my head wondering where the rest of the chapter had gone. I do understand it was a way of leaving things for the next book. *sigh* So, I give this book a high 3 1/2 stars. It's a surprisingly compelling read. I recommend it for people who enjoy an adult contemporary type of paranormal read.

I received this book from LibraryThing early reviewers and the publisher. No compensation for my review was given.


LibraryThing Early Reviewers

14 comments:

  1. I wasn't sure based on the blurb or the cover whether I would like that book. Your review makes it sound like I would like it---right up to the end (not a big fan of the cliffhanger). Still though adding it to my list to read :)

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  2. What if your mother-in-law turned out to be an evil, cold-blooded witch . . . literally? - My first thought was to make a joke but I stopped myself.

    Like Felicia, I'm of mixed minds about this one. The blurb tells me I probably wouldn't enjoy it but your reviews tells me I might. Perhaps our library may have a copy in which case I'd probably read it. Not one for my wish list though.

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  3. Definitely something I would read only if I had an opportunity to borrow it. Your splendid review encouraged me to do as much - otherwise I wouldn't come near it at all. Overall not too bad, taking my anti-romance attitude. ;)

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  4. I kinda really like the sounds of it! Maybe I will have to check it out! Thanks for the great review Melissa!

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  5. I had to put down another book about a witch who doesn't know her own powers because it was getting to be disappointing. Maybe this one will fill the vacuum the other created? But I'm worried about the abrupt ending. I can take cliffhangers as long as there's a bit of resolution.

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  6. I had to put down another book about a witch who doesn't know her own powers because it was getting to be disappointing. Maybe this one will fill the vacuum the other created? But I'm worried about the abrupt ending. I can take cliffhangers as long as there's a bit of resolution.

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  7. I think...not for me, ok it does sound good and all, but that ending. So no, I have enough anyway

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  8. This one does sound really interesting, I always like stories where the character has some sort of latent magical ability they didn't know about and then have to deal with:) Not so excited about the oddly truncated ending, but the rest of it sounds great!

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  9. @Felicia... I wasn't sure either. I was surprised. It's not exactly a cliffhanger... but a sudden stop.

    @...Petty...LOL It might surprise you too.

    @anachronist... if it makes you feel better, there really is no big romance. It's more about Jane's journey. ;)

    @Avery... Thank you!

    @Stephanie...The story has resolution, but the last chapter just ends abruptly. It's just odd.

    @Blodeuedd... Wha??? Enough? One can never have enough books. ;)

    @Jenny.. You might enjoy it!

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  10. While it sounds intriguing think I will leave this one to others to read, my new resolution to myself is think long and hard about it before you commit to reading any new authors and book series! (Hope the resolution lasts, my book willpower sucks!)

    Glad at least you liked it well enough to recommend it anyway Melissa...

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  11. I definitely want to check this one out... I love witches!

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  12. Why does this sound a bit like the Jolie Wilkins series? Well, the only thing that relates is the undiscovered witch powers. LOL!

    The romance sounds sweet, but the family not so much. Hmm... Still trying to decide if this one would bewitch me? I like surprises, but not of the left wondering variety. :P

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  13. I thought about requesting this book when it showed up in LT batch I ended up requesting something else~ Since it's not 4+ starish, I don't think I'll end up reading it. Hehe

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  14. You know this sounds like a cute read. :) Glad you enjoyed this one and this is a great review!

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