This collection of essays was thought-provoking. I don’t know that I’d go so far as to echo the cover blurb verbiage of “beguiling,” but it was interesting to read one former skeptic’s perspective on topics such as “repentance” and “prayer.”

Ordinarily I wouldn’t read the first book in a series until more had been published, but I couldn’t resist the hype. This book was grim yet compelling, sort of a 1984 set in maybe 2015. I’ll read the future books too. (Hope they come out soon.)

I enjoyed it, but I think it would have been even better had I read Wicked. I’ll read that soon and then maybe reread this one.

I loved this book—my favorite Neil Gaiman yet.

A fun read for the WWII slang and milieu, even though the story itself dragged in places. This character is worth following in future books.

Series characters frequently turn out to have some mystery in their past. Mary Russell’s past is particularly interesting. It was good to read this book closely on the heels of the previous one, since some of the events intertwine.

I enjoy a good academic cozy as much as anyone, and I’ve read several Sarah Deane books, but I had a tough time getting into this one. Finally ended up skipping a huge chunk of the book (between the finding of the first body and the revelation of the evildoer). Maybe the problem was that I just couldn’t relate to the boarding school setting.

I haven’t read any other Weetzie Bat books, but I sure liked this one. For one thing, I can’t help but love a book with such a cool 40yo heroine. For another, the magic realism and the L.A. environs made me nostalgic for the time when I first fell in love. This was a light read and a thoroughly enjoyable one.

Alas, I couldn’t finish this book. Nothing against the author—I just can’t bring myself to read books in which young children (particularly young girls the same age as my daughters) are harmed. Too bad, too, because I love with Pronzini is doing with this series. Nameless’ new partners are fascinating characters. I’ll be looking for the next book in the series.

I wish I knew how many books were planned for this series. Five? Seven? Three? So far, the Merchant Princes have been highly engrossing urbane fantasy, with interesting B-school factoids tossed in. I’m now seeking out other books by this author.