Getting Wilde

A nice read. The story is well balanced, flows well, and research is evident in the writing. I read through book 6 and don’t, however, recommend this series, but there is a prequel novella that should be read first for those who want to dive in anyway. While the information isn’t very relevant to this book, it is later in the series and provides insight with what to expect. This book also ends in a cliffhanger.

The parameters of mind reading are unclear. It’s said that Sara’s mind is closed to others but Kreios and Armaeus clearly have access with all their reading and whispering. At times she complains about it as if she has no agency over it, but at others she is able to shut them out. It’s also unclear how the tyet is supposed to help if the one Sara’s warding against can simply remove it.

Sara makes efforts to avoid spending more time than necessary with and eventually goes as far as to find wards against Armaeus, all ways in which she has rejected his advances. Armaeus ignores these rejections and treats others as “no for now” or “she’s only saying no to intercourse” and perpetuates problematic messages about consent. No means no, and applies to all advances, not just intercourse. Consent isn’t not saying no, it’s saying yes.

The number of guys who want to get into Sara’s pants in general is obnoxious and unnecessary, and the whole “Lay on Hands” deal is blatant perversion.

I do not recommend the rest of the series. There’s a host of continuity errors and lack of due diligence. The story drags, the recapping of previous books adds up, Sara’s plot armor features regularly, and there isn’t a compelling case for her contrived “romance” with Armaeus, which repeatedly cries for attention.

The touch of the arcane and the personal interplay of Sara with the Magician as Sara goes on her personal quest to save the children keeps you turning the pages. Suspend your disbelief and enter a world where the mundane and the arcane meet. Sara is able to see more into symbols as her powers begin to expand, I can only wonder what mischief and mayhem will come her way and she works to save the young connecteds?

Jenn Stark continues to work her magic. This second book was not disappointing. This writer is proving to be one of my favorites. I love how we learn Sara’s passion for saving young psychics who are being kidnapped and sold on the black market has been demonstrated in this second book. The reader is also pulled into the increased intensity of Sara's relationship with the Magician. Sara is introduced further into the world of the Aracana Counsil which plays an intrical part in the series. This second book has performed it’s role of full entertainment and desire to begin the third book now.