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The Dowser #1
Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic
If you’d asked me a week ago, I would have told you that the best cupcakes were dark chocolate with chocolate cream cheese icing, that dancing in a crowd of magic wielders — the Adept — was better than sex, and that my life was peaceful and uneventful. Just the way I liked it.
That’s what twenty-three years in the magical backwater of Vancouver will get you — a completely skewed sense of reality. Because when the dead werewolves started showing up, it all unraveled … except for the cupcake part. That’s a universal truth.
That’s what twenty-three years in the magical backwater of Vancouver will get you — a completely skewed sense of reality. Because when the dead werewolves started showing up, it all unraveled … except for the cupcake part. That’s a universal truth.
232 pages, ebook
First published June 18, 2013
2587 people are currently reading
9950 people want to read
About the author
Meghan Ciana Doidge
45 books1,276 followersMeghan Ciana Doidge writes tales of true love conquering all, even death. Though sometimes the love is elusive, the vampires and werewolves come out to play in the daylight, and bloody mayhem ensues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,364 reviews
January 12, 2020
3.5 stars
Fun, campy read...
Jade is a half witch/ half ? and owns a scrumptious bakery in Vancouver that will have you craving cupcakes. Her Gram is a powerful witch, but Jade is happy to be a bakery owner and use her magic only when needed. In her spare time, she makes trinkets and takes the occasional yoga class. Jade's mother is somewhat out of the picture and her sister Sienna would rather spend time with her boyfriend, Rusty experimenting with her own magic, than really be there for Jade when she needs her.
When a Vampire arrives to investigate some murders, where Jade is considered a suspect, it becomes evident that darker magic is at play. Soon, Jade is pulled into the world of werewolves, a vampire and dark magic. With delicious sounding cupcakes thrown in!
This proved to be a fast entertaining read which was fun, campy and light. It's not trying to be great literature but excels at being entertaining. This was kind of a no brainier as nothing was too hard to figure out. But again, enjoyable, fun, campy and entertaining. It was just what I needed!
Fun, campy read...
Jade is a half witch/ half ? and owns a scrumptious bakery in Vancouver that will have you craving cupcakes. Her Gram is a powerful witch, but Jade is happy to be a bakery owner and use her magic only when needed. In her spare time, she makes trinkets and takes the occasional yoga class. Jade's mother is somewhat out of the picture and her sister Sienna would rather spend time with her boyfriend, Rusty experimenting with her own magic, than really be there for Jade when she needs her.
When a Vampire arrives to investigate some murders, where Jade is considered a suspect, it becomes evident that darker magic is at play. Soon, Jade is pulled into the world of werewolves, a vampire and dark magic. With delicious sounding cupcakes thrown in!
This proved to be a fast entertaining read which was fun, campy and light. It's not trying to be great literature but excels at being entertaining. This was kind of a no brainier as nothing was too hard to figure out. But again, enjoyable, fun, campy and entertaining. It was just what I needed!
February 4, 2017
More than 2 but definitely less than 3 stars. I didn't enjoy the read, but I didn't hate it either. I'm mostly neutral toward the story as a whole. Well, I'm mostly neutral toward a lot of things these days, and this book just happened to catch me at a bad time. (Going through another reading slump and haven't been able to find anything un-put-down-able.)
If you like baking, sweets, baking sweets, Vancouver, and some romance and magic in your urban fantasy, then you might like this book. You might even think it's cute, and I suppose it is. It's a light fluffy dessert that, while not for my particularsalty palate, can be enjoyable for people who like Sarah Addison Allen's books.
Full review at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
If you like baking, sweets, baking sweets, Vancouver, and some romance and magic in your urban fantasy, then you might like this book. You might even think it's cute, and I suppose it is. It's a light fluffy dessert that, while not for my particular
Full review at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
February 4, 2014
Cute book. The surprise twist ends up being pretty darn obvious, and there is some trouble with pacing. Sometimes the story drags and other times too much seems to happen too quickly. I think it could have benefited from some stricter editing (every sentence in the prose that starts with, "yes, I..." should have been cut. They're annoying, unnecessary and happen way too often).
The narrator, Jade, is a bit too little-miss-perfect for my tastes (gorgeous, gifted, is good at everything, has a line-out-the-door successful bakery at 23, and everyone loves her), but I did like she had obvious problems with her multiple, super hunky love interests being super stalky. Which, unfortunately, strays from the norm for the genre. And while, as a baker myself, I can appreciate the time, detail, and realism in describing the cupcakes, there were times it was a bit much.
Still, the book is focused more on magic lore and action than the many hunks, which is also a refreshing change from this sort of female-geared urban fantasy book. And if it was pared down just a little bit more, I'd find Jade's voice much more entertaining. I always did love snarky main characters.
Overall, it's a good beach read, but nothing overly special. Although I do have this to say: who has a problem with the smell of a bakery? Seriously.
The narrator, Jade, is a bit too little-miss-perfect for my tastes (gorgeous, gifted, is good at everything, has a line-out-the-door successful bakery at 23, and everyone loves her), but I did like she had obvious problems with her multiple, super hunky love interests being super stalky. Which, unfortunately, strays from the norm for the genre. And while, as a baker myself, I can appreciate the time, detail, and realism in describing the cupcakes, there were times it was a bit much.
Still, the book is focused more on magic lore and action than the many hunks, which is also a refreshing change from this sort of female-geared urban fantasy book. And if it was pared down just a little bit more, I'd find Jade's voice much more entertaining. I always did love snarky main characters.
Overall, it's a good beach read, but nothing overly special. Although I do have this to say: who has a problem with the smell of a bakery? Seriously.
June 30, 2013
Meghan, Meghan, Meghan! I am expecting cupcake stocks to sail through the roof, and a run on cupcake ingredients at local markets just from reading this book. Whee!!!
OK, listen to this . . . Bliss in a Cup - peanut butter-iced fudge cake (did I say fudge cake? OMG wait a sec, I have to go get a towel . . . whew, there) Now, where was I? Oh, yes. Sex in a Cup - chocolate butter icing with a wallop of cinnamon and cocoa in the batter. Or, this particular favorite of mine, Buzz in a Cup - mocha fudge cake with mocha butter icing . . . oh, yes, I could go on, but I might swoon from pure overload. . .
Jade is a sweetheart. A nice young half witch, half human (maybe. . . ) with a nasty tempered foster sister, a wild earth witch grandmother, and a cupcake bakery. A very popular cupcake bakery with a reputation for 'magical' tasting cupcakes. She has a quiet life, happy with her baking, her trinket making and her quiet, apparently fulfilling life.
Then, of course, things change. And not in a nice way. Poor Jade. Life will never be the same. Apparently she isn't who she thought she was. But then, who is she?
Cupcakes, hot werewolves, cupcakes, mystery, oh, did I mention cupcakes? Yummy, luscious, delicious, chocolate, fudge. . . Oh. My. Goddess. The hardest thing about reading the book? First, I am dying for cupcakes now. And second? Hurry! Hurry! Write the next one, Meghan! Please!
Highly recommended.
OK, listen to this . . . Bliss in a Cup - peanut butter-iced fudge cake (did I say fudge cake? OMG wait a sec, I have to go get a towel . . . whew, there) Now, where was I? Oh, yes. Sex in a Cup - chocolate butter icing with a wallop of cinnamon and cocoa in the batter. Or, this particular favorite of mine, Buzz in a Cup - mocha fudge cake with mocha butter icing . . . oh, yes, I could go on, but I might swoon from pure overload. . .
Jade is a sweetheart. A nice young half witch, half human (maybe. . . ) with a nasty tempered foster sister, a wild earth witch grandmother, and a cupcake bakery. A very popular cupcake bakery with a reputation for 'magical' tasting cupcakes. She has a quiet life, happy with her baking, her trinket making and her quiet, apparently fulfilling life.
Then, of course, things change. And not in a nice way. Poor Jade. Life will never be the same. Apparently she isn't who she thought she was. But then, who is she?
Cupcakes, hot werewolves, cupcakes, mystery, oh, did I mention cupcakes? Yummy, luscious, delicious, chocolate, fudge. . . Oh. My. Goddess. The hardest thing about reading the book? First, I am dying for cupcakes now. And second? Hurry! Hurry! Write the next one, Meghan! Please!
Highly recommended.
September 14, 2015
I found this book for free on bookbub awhile back and I finally decided to read it. I thought it was a cute tale, similar to The Discovery of Witches but with a few twists! I did manage to figure out who the bad guy was early on, but i still enjoyed this one. I'll definitely be purchasing the second book!
February 25, 2016
I did it! I finally finished this book! It was quite a mess. The most interesting fact: the beginning and the end were really good! But all in between? A strange mix of "I want this in my book and that and ooooooh, THAT sounds cool, too!" I knew so many things so soon and wanted to smack the main character ;)
Worst part was when my favorite character died much to soon. And returned as a... zombie? Really? I thought it was a stupid term in this constellation.
I wanted to like this book and I think with something more light and fluffy and not being Urban Fantasy I really could like the author's books. But this unfortunately wasn't something for me :(
Worst part was when my favorite character died much to soon. And returned as a... zombie? Really? I thought it was a stupid term in this constellation.
I wanted to like this book and I think with something more light and fluffy and not being Urban Fantasy I really could like the author's books. But this unfortunately wasn't something for me :(
August 6, 2021
So, this book/series was highly recommended on a Urban Fantasy group I follow. I can see how some reviewers say ‘it has good bones’ but there is a something lacking. For me, the main thing lacking was a main character I could get behind. I thought Jade was willfully ignorant at best and dangerously stupid at worst. Just so, so stupid. One moment, preening a bit because she is so good at this adulting thing and running a bakery, and the next moment letting her horrendous hag of a sister steal from her and worse, like casually playing around with death magic. Why was Jade so self absorbed that she didn’t even notice Sienna’s boyfriend dying before her eyes? There were so many examples of things that didn’t work for me in this book but I guess I’ll just leave it there. Still looking for another UF author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2015
4.5 stars (what can I say, I like to leave a little buffer!)
It is hard not to like a main character who speaks frequently of chocolate and cupcakes, and you wouldn't dislike her regardless - Jade is a good girl who you are happy to root for, while she tries to wade through the swamp that is her sweet, simple life turned upside down.
"Charm in a Cup" inspired lemon cupcakes with strawberry frosting.
This book is definitely my favorite Meghan Doidge book so far - even more than After the Virus. I am not sure if her writing has evolved, because the writing has always been good; I think it is more the right, dare I say it... recipe in this book. :-) The cast of characters, from Jade to the supporting cast of relatives and supernatural creatures, were all just right - a combination of mysterious, dangerous, interesting, and with unclear loyalties when it comes to Jade's welfare. The drama and action are both enough to keep you up past your bedtime, but not so unrelenting that you feel tempted to roll your eyes.
There is one plot development that might be considered a twist, except it did not come as a surprise. Honestly I am not sure if it was really meant to - we as readers are the observers after all, not the characters who themselves might be struck with surprise at some turns of events. I don't personally think it is an author's duty to always make such reveals a surprise (unless they set out explicitly to do so) rather it is to make the watching of events unfolding ingeresting regadless of whether we saw anything coming. That definitely succeeds in this book - when I began reading the book's climax, despite having expected the development, I was actually so engrosseed I got some extra time on the treadmill without even noticing. :-P (Got to earn the calories for the cupcakes anyone reading this book will be craving...)
Memorability Factor 9/10
Follow this author: already do. I can't wait for book 2!
Yummiest sounding cupcake from the book: I'm thinking Rapture in a Cup, or Sex in a Cup. (Although Buzz in a Cup sounds mighty tempting too!)
It is hard not to like a main character who speaks frequently of chocolate and cupcakes, and you wouldn't dislike her regardless - Jade is a good girl who you are happy to root for, while she tries to wade through the swamp that is her sweet, simple life turned upside down.
"Charm in a Cup" inspired lemon cupcakes with strawberry frosting.
This book is definitely my favorite Meghan Doidge book so far - even more than After the Virus. I am not sure if her writing has evolved, because the writing has always been good; I think it is more the right, dare I say it... recipe in this book. :-) The cast of characters, from Jade to the supporting cast of relatives and supernatural creatures, were all just right - a combination of mysterious, dangerous, interesting, and with unclear loyalties when it comes to Jade's welfare. The drama and action are both enough to keep you up past your bedtime, but not so unrelenting that you feel tempted to roll your eyes.
There is one plot development that might be considered a twist, except it did not come as a surprise. Honestly I am not sure if it was really meant to - we as readers are the observers after all, not the characters who themselves might be struck with surprise at some turns of events. I don't personally think it is an author's duty to always make such reveals a surprise (unless they set out explicitly to do so) rather it is to make the watching of events unfolding ingeresting regadless of whether we saw anything coming. That definitely succeeds in this book - when I began reading the book's climax, despite having expected the development, I was actually so engrosseed I got some extra time on the treadmill without even noticing. :-P (Got to earn the calories for the cupcakes anyone reading this book will be craving...)
Memorability Factor 9/10
Follow this author: already do. I can't wait for book 2!
Yummiest sounding cupcake from the book: I'm thinking Rapture in a Cup, or Sex in a Cup. (Although Buzz in a Cup sounds mighty tempting too!)
November 21, 2014
This was just a big bunch of meh for me. It came across as very amateurish. The story was told in the first person and the main character would break out of what she was telling us to say some lame wanna-be sassy thing like "I put the cupcake on a jadeite plate. Yes, my name is Jade and I collect jadeite." Ugh. Stop.
Also at one point she said her relief was "palatable." Um... pretty sure the word you're looking for is PALPABLE. But it gave her an excuse to spout out another lame baking joke.
Speaking of baking, maybe it was just me but I couldn't get past her cupcake names. Sin in a Cup, Bliss in a Cup, Lust in a Cup, Sunshine in a Cup. Please. Can you imagine being the poor person working at that bakery and having to explain what those completely vague names mean?
This one just didn't work for me.
Also at one point she said her relief was "palatable." Um... pretty sure the word you're looking for is PALPABLE. But it gave her an excuse to spout out another lame baking joke.
Speaking of baking, maybe it was just me but I couldn't get past her cupcake names. Sin in a Cup, Bliss in a Cup, Lust in a Cup, Sunshine in a Cup. Please. Can you imagine being the poor person working at that bakery and having to explain what those completely vague names mean?
This one just didn't work for me.
November 16, 2016
Vampires, Werewolves, shifters, necromancers and witches oh my. It was a cute cozy type para-mystery read with a few grizzly bits, a good introduction into this world of baked goodies and supernaturals.
July 5, 2013
I give very few 5 star ratings. Mostly because I figure there's always a little room for improvement but also because it's very few that knock my socks off AND knock me over. This book did that! I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this story. I love the voice...humor tossed in with the most delicious descriptions of people and food ever. I love the story...girl who makes cupcakes and trinkets for a living but who also happens to have magic. Oh how I wish I could be her! She thinks she's half-witch, half-human...when really she's not even half-human, she's half-something-else. What? I have no idea. She still doesn't know either, and the mystery of it is also delicious.
I love that this included vampires and werewolves but that they weren't the focus of the story. As in, they weren't the protagonist. And they both seemed out to help her, not eat her. I get tired of the typical vampire story pretty fast but this wasn't like that.
I loved the dialogue between the main character, Jade, and her sister. It was so typically like siblings that it always made me laugh.
I loved that the obvious mentors, Mom and Grandma, weren't around to rescue Jade or make things easy on her. She's finding out who she is and WHAT she is, and in the meantime making the most awesome sounding cupcakes ever. I want to buy those cupcakes. *hint...the author has recipes for them on her website. How cool is that?*
Seriously fun read. Not too long, not too short, great pace, fun dialogue and a mystery too. What's not to like? Now excuse me, I have to go find a cupcake.
I love that this included vampires and werewolves but that they weren't the focus of the story. As in, they weren't the protagonist. And they both seemed out to help her, not eat her. I get tired of the typical vampire story pretty fast but this wasn't like that.
I loved the dialogue between the main character, Jade, and her sister. It was so typically like siblings that it always made me laugh.
I loved that the obvious mentors, Mom and Grandma, weren't around to rescue Jade or make things easy on her. She's finding out who she is and WHAT she is, and in the meantime making the most awesome sounding cupcakes ever. I want to buy those cupcakes. *hint...the author has recipes for them on her website. How cool is that?*
Seriously fun read. Not too long, not too short, great pace, fun dialogue and a mystery too. What's not to like? Now excuse me, I have to go find a cupcake.
July 15, 2020
4 Stars
Review:
I think my favorite thing about this book was the really interesting magic system. The main character comes from a family of witches. She herself doesn't have much magic that she knows of, but she sort of attracts magical creatures, and she can taste magic. She also makes little trinkets out of objects she finds that have residual magic in them. There were also shifters and a vampire in this book, each with their own powers and flavors of magic. The MC was a bit on the airheaded side sometimes, but not so much as to be unlikeable. The other characters were interesting. There was a good plot with a good mystery---and don't let the cute cupcake cover or the fact that the MC is a baker fool you, this isn't a cozy mystery series; it's more intense and violent than I think cozies are and definitely what I'd consider urban fantasy. Overall, it was a solid start to a series that I enjoyed!
As for the audio, I wasn't quite as big of a fan. The narration was a little dramatic for my taste, every other syllable changing pitch and emphasis, and the male voices were so-so. That being said, I have these problems with many audiobooks, and having listened to multiple books in this series already, I've gotten used to the narration and have come to quite enjoy the audio.
*I've read this book multiple times. This review was written after my 2nd read.*
Reread Ratings:
3.5 Stars (1st Read - 2015)
4 Stars (2nd Read - 2018)
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
I think my favorite thing about this book was the really interesting magic system. The main character comes from a family of witches. She herself doesn't have much magic that she knows of, but she sort of attracts magical creatures, and she can taste magic. She also makes little trinkets out of objects she finds that have residual magic in them. There were also shifters and a vampire in this book, each with their own powers and flavors of magic. The MC was a bit on the airheaded side sometimes, but not so much as to be unlikeable. The other characters were interesting. There was a good plot with a good mystery---and don't let the cute cupcake cover or the fact that the MC is a baker fool you, this isn't a cozy mystery series; it's more intense and violent than I think cozies are and definitely what I'd consider urban fantasy. Overall, it was a solid start to a series that I enjoyed!
As for the audio, I wasn't quite as big of a fan. The narration was a little dramatic for my taste, every other syllable changing pitch and emphasis, and the male voices were so-so. That being said, I have these problems with many audiobooks, and having listened to multiple books in this series already, I've gotten used to the narration and have come to quite enjoy the audio.
*I've read this book multiple times. This review was written after my 2nd read.*
Reread Ratings:
3.5 Stars (1st Read - 2015)
4 Stars (2nd Read - 2018)
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
July 5, 2024
WOW!
So, I went into this book with some low expectations; I've been reading a lot of cozy mysteries involving cupcakes and... not all have been great.
BUT! I've been blown away. I'm also really craving cupcakes.
On to the story!
This book is about Jade, a half-witch, who owns a cupcake store that is doing pretty well considering she has about 4 employees and an ever-present line of customers. Jade is startled from her peaceful, well formed life, when a vampire suddenly appears outside her shop. He brings to light that something is amiss in her town and also, with her. Before Jade can come to terms with the vampire (Kett) she's in the middle of a murder mystery with both Kett and a pack of shifters pushing her to the limits of her abilities, forcing her to find the culprit.
Out of her depth and unable to ask her grandmother (who is out of town) the new questions she has or for help, Jade stumbles around trying her best to solve the mystery and stay alive.
I was expecting a cozy mystery, and that isn't what this is. It is a fantasy semi-cozy mystery. There is such a world here, I just want to dive in an swim in the sweet frosting of a story it is. Sweet? Yes and No... mostly no but it definitely is rich.
The magic system was interesting but, since there is a lot unknown by Jade, the reader also doesn't get to know much. I think in the following books Jade will learn more therefore teaching and including the readers more into the world. This really seemed like an introduction to the series, as it should, and I'm really excited to read more about Jade's adventures and what she learns about herself.
Magic: Thought it was great but, want to know more
Characters: Some development, some left behind BUT I'm assuming we learn more in the following books.
Romance: ... let me cry over a lost lead man. I do see this perhaps becoming a, dare I say, Love triangle but, I could be wrong.
Plot: The story went along really fast. There was always something going on, barely any down time it seemed but, that might have been how the writing just makes you want to devour the book. I enjoyed the mystery while predictable it still provoked emotions when seeing Jade work it out for herself...even if she didn't want to.
Definitely recommend this book and I'll probably get around to the sequels when I can.
So, I went into this book with some low expectations; I've been reading a lot of cozy mysteries involving cupcakes and... not all have been great.
BUT! I've been blown away. I'm also really craving cupcakes.
On to the story!
This book is about Jade, a half-witch, who owns a cupcake store that is doing pretty well considering she has about 4 employees and an ever-present line of customers. Jade is startled from her peaceful, well formed life, when a vampire suddenly appears outside her shop. He brings to light that something is amiss in her town and also, with her. Before Jade can come to terms with the vampire (Kett) she's in the middle of a murder mystery with both Kett and a pack of shifters pushing her to the limits of her abilities, forcing her to find the culprit.
Out of her depth and unable to ask her grandmother (who is out of town) the new questions she has or for help, Jade stumbles around trying her best to solve the mystery and stay alive.
I was expecting a cozy mystery, and that isn't what this is. It is a fantasy semi-cozy mystery. There is such a world here, I just want to dive in an swim in the sweet frosting of a story it is. Sweet? Yes and No... mostly no but it definitely is rich.
The magic system was interesting but, since there is a lot unknown by Jade, the reader also doesn't get to know much. I think in the following books Jade will learn more therefore teaching and including the readers more into the world. This really seemed like an introduction to the series, as it should, and I'm really excited to read more about Jade's adventures and what she learns about herself.
Magic: Thought it was great but, want to know more
Characters: Some development, some left behind BUT I'm assuming we learn more in the following books.
Romance: ... let me cry over a lost lead man. I do see this perhaps becoming a, dare I say, Love triangle but, I could be wrong.
Plot: The story went along really fast. There was always something going on, barely any down time it seemed but, that might have been how the writing just makes you want to devour the book. I enjoyed the mystery while predictable it still provoked emotions when seeing Jade work it out for herself...even if she didn't want to.
Definitely recommend this book and I'll probably get around to the sequels when I can.
April 18, 2021
2.5 stars
I really didn’t like the writing. It was just very bland and mediocre. The writing style was kind of like “I walked to the fridge. I grabbed a cookie. I ate the cookie. A crumb fell. What a shame.” It was just very boring and not engaging whatsoever.
I didn’t like the protagonist. All she talked about was how her baking skills were amazing and how gorgeous she was and how everybody loved her. It was annoying. I felt like the author tried to make her “humble” when she wrote the character but it definitely did not seem that way. The MC and other characters in the story were just very snarky and one-dimensional. Literally nobody had any physical or emotional flaws in this book. FLAWS ARE WHAT MAKE CHARACTERS UNIQUE. FLAWS ARE GOOD. INCLUDE FLAWS.
The “plot twist” was way too obvious. Mystery books should be mysterious, but this was just predictable.
Some parts of this book were just very cringy and cliche. I literally skipped the dance scene part, descriptions of some characters (*cough* Hudson *cough*) which were along the lines of “OH MY GOSH HE’S SO HOT”, and some scenes towards the end which were just weird and unesscary. It was too much to bare.
The story wasn’t that bad, but at the same time, I didn’t like how it started or how everything played out. I think the author should have focused on world building and said the word “vampire” and “werewolf” about 100 times less. It wasn’t awful, but it also wasn’t memorable and it felt very rushed and incomplete if that makes sense. It got better towards the end, but it wasn't good enough for me to forget the rocky beginning and overall weird and clunky writing.
instagram | goodreads
I really didn’t like the writing. It was just very bland and mediocre. The writing style was kind of like “I walked to the fridge. I grabbed a cookie. I ate the cookie. A crumb fell. What a shame.” It was just very boring and not engaging whatsoever.
I didn’t like the protagonist. All she talked about was how her baking skills were amazing and how gorgeous she was and how everybody loved her. It was annoying. I felt like the author tried to make her “humble” when she wrote the character but it definitely did not seem that way. The MC and other characters in the story were just very snarky and one-dimensional. Literally nobody had any physical or emotional flaws in this book. FLAWS ARE WHAT MAKE CHARACTERS UNIQUE. FLAWS ARE GOOD. INCLUDE FLAWS.
The “plot twist” was way too obvious. Mystery books should be mysterious, but this was just predictable.
Some parts of this book were just very cringy and cliche. I literally skipped the dance scene part, descriptions of some characters (*cough* Hudson *cough*) which were along the lines of “OH MY GOSH HE’S SO HOT”, and some scenes towards the end which were just weird and unesscary. It was too much to bare.
The story wasn’t that bad, but at the same time, I didn’t like how it started or how everything played out. I think the author should have focused on world building and said the word “vampire” and “werewolf” about 100 times less. It wasn’t awful, but it also wasn’t memorable and it felt very rushed and incomplete if that makes sense. It got better towards the end, but it wasn't good enough for me to forget the rocky beginning and overall weird and clunky writing.
instagram | goodreads
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November 22, 2014Really liked this UF/mystery w/ its unique humour & storytelling mixed w/ some darker flavour. Somewhat reminiscent of MaryJanice Davidson re: quirky humour (also Eve Langlais―but alas, strictly PG-13). And IMO, use of 1POV of Jade, a half-witch, worked brilliantly in this story. But damn, mentions of such luscious cupcakes made me crave sweets while reading. Been a while since world-building & characters in UF captured my interest so quickly; can't wait for next book. (Um,there is a next book, right?)
July 12, 2018
This was a free ebook from bookbub & the first i've ever read from this author. I find the protagonist willfully ignorant with immense room for personal growth. I'm hoping this was done purposely by the author & not a character flaw. This was slow moving & predictable at best an average book. I always try to read book 2 in a series before i decide not to follow a series.
December 1, 2022
The rating is for the whole of the series. I don't remember enough to do a good enough review but I can never forget how annoying the heroine was. She is a twat who tries to portray herself as crazy fun but comes across as a boring wannabe. Oh and the way she is so naive and weak and uneducated but always manages to do everything perfectly and turns out the most powerful of them... Yeah, no.
March 29, 2025
What a cute story. I love the combo of baking, mysteries, and magic so Meghan Ciana Doidge's Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic totally worked for me.
December 23, 2016
A freebie from Amazon, amongst literally hundreds of others I have accumulated, this one stood out for the title. Generally I prefer urban fantasy to paranormal romance, and was worried that this was going to turn into yet another vampire/werewolf love triangle, so appreciated the lack of romance and focus on the mystery here.
Jade is half-witch, having been raised by her grandmother, a powerful witch, as her mother had her as a teenager then abandoned her. Jade only uses her magic for light fun and is happy running her bakery in Vancouver, but her adopted sister Sienna, who has different powers, is more interested in darker spells. When a vampire arrives to investigate the murders of local werewolves using magic involving the trinkets Jade makes as a hobby, she is dragged into dangerous dark magic.
I enjoyed this, although Jade was pretty annoying with her constant references to her own stupidity, which are supposed to be endearingly self-deprecating, I suppose. The twist was completely obvious, but redeemed by the ending, and I will carry on with the series (there are currently 4 more, which is manageable.)
Jade is half-witch, having been raised by her grandmother, a powerful witch, as her mother had her as a teenager then abandoned her. Jade only uses her magic for light fun and is happy running her bakery in Vancouver, but her adopted sister Sienna, who has different powers, is more interested in darker spells. When a vampire arrives to investigate the murders of local werewolves using magic involving the trinkets Jade makes as a hobby, she is dragged into dangerous dark magic.
I enjoyed this, although Jade was pretty annoying with her constant references to her own stupidity, which are supposed to be endearingly self-deprecating, I suppose. The twist was completely obvious, but redeemed by the ending, and I will carry on with the series (there are currently 4 more, which is manageable.)
July 9, 2014
I hate people who blatantly lie but, most of all, I hate people who know they're being lied to and do nothing to get to the truth. Those two things are my biggest pet peeves with this book. The MC wilfully let her mother and grandmother control her life through half-truths. She never questioned anything they ever said, no matter how ridiculous it sounded, and then she gets pissed when her sister and Kett threw that in her face. She also blatantly ignored her sister's evilness. Were you fooled? 'Cause I wasn't. Not from the first time she showed up. When Jade actually caught Rusty's magic in the zombie...I immediately thoughtSienna! How Jade managed to be hurt and shocked is beyond me. How the whole werewolf/vampire thing ended? No surprise there 'cause that's just how high-handed both her mom and gran are. Sure as hell won't stop trying to control her life now only 'cause she found their lies. Stupid girl. I really liked the premise but Jade annoys me a lot. She's incredibly ignorant of her own life and power and that always pisses me off. Not sure about further reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2021
This was a good cozy UF. I enjoyed it quite a lot. I guessed the perpetrator pretty early on, but I appreciated that I didn't feel the MC was just ignorantly missing it.
The story flowed nicely and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
I was pretty bummed when .
3.5 stars
The story flowed nicely and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
I was pretty bummed when .
3.5 stars
February 17, 2019
4 Stars... This is a new to me author and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book... It incorporates all genres of supernatural including witches, vampires, werewolves, and shifters... The story follows a young witch, Jade, who considers herself a mediocre talent until a dangerous vampire and a deadly shifter pack began to follow her... Once murder is involved, Jade's life takes a turn into a darkness she could never imagine... Those she thought she could trust become enemies and those perceived as enemies become her strongest allies, and in the end Jade will discover an inner power she never knew she possessed... I am certainly intrigued by this storyline and the characters were dynamic and entertaining; even though some aspects of the story were obvious and Jade, at times, demonstrated a level of immaturity, I still found myself compelled to read it and invested in the overall storyline... I look forward to witnessing the growth of Jade's character and the outcomes of some of these newly formed relationships.:)
July 26, 2018
Looking out for number one
Terrific. She has run the bakery and used her small amount of magic to make trinkets that her feelings draw her too. All this changes when she finds a vampire outside her bakery. Someone has been corrupting her trinkets and used them for evil. That someone has led them to her. However as she is left violently ill after coming in contact with the evil, they now seek another. Werewolves, vampires and necromancer are spun into a tale of one seeking more power than they have to gain even more. How many more will die? Who is behind it all? Will she be able to stop them? Who is her father? A great plot and wonderful characters from the slightly aloof, enigmatic vampire, to our sweet, naive heroine.
Terrific. She has run the bakery and used her small amount of magic to make trinkets that her feelings draw her too. All this changes when she finds a vampire outside her bakery. Someone has been corrupting her trinkets and used them for evil. That someone has led them to her. However as she is left violently ill after coming in contact with the evil, they now seek another. Werewolves, vampires and necromancer are spun into a tale of one seeking more power than they have to gain even more. How many more will die? Who is behind it all? Will she be able to stop them? Who is her father? A great plot and wonderful characters from the slightly aloof, enigmatic vampire, to our sweet, naive heroine.
August 7, 2015
With names like, Bliss in a Cup, Rapture in a Cup, and Thrill in a Cup, how could you go wrong with the book.
The author's description of events and people made you see them in your mind..."His magic coated his pale skin with an icy aura." "Magic tasted like dark-fruity chocolate (more berry than citrus)".
The main character Jade is comfortable with her life and her business. People love her cupcakes and business is good. Then two individuals come into her life and make her desire to find out her roots. This course she travels deepens who and what she is as she finds out more about herself and her strength.
A very good quick read that has you captivated from the first sentence.
The author's description of events and people made you see them in your mind..."His magic coated his pale skin with an icy aura." "Magic tasted like dark-fruity chocolate (more berry than citrus)".
The main character Jade is comfortable with her life and her business. People love her cupcakes and business is good. Then two individuals come into her life and make her desire to find out her roots. This course she travels deepens who and what she is as she finds out more about herself and her strength.
A very good quick read that has you captivated from the first sentence.
June 9, 2017
Jade owns a cupcake shop and is a half witch. She doesn't really practice magic or deal with other Adepts (supernatural). She notices a vampire at her shops door one day and her life is turned upside down from then on.
Jade was fun and I loved learning about her. I enjoyed when she was finally understanding more about how magic worked and about the other Adepts. I hope to see more of the shape shifters and Kett in future books in the series.
Jade was fun and I loved learning about her. I enjoyed when she was finally understanding more about how magic worked and about the other Adepts. I hope to see more of the shape shifters and Kett in future books in the series.
August 31, 2014
I was really disappointed by this one. I was expecting a fun, exciting read, and it definitely wasn't either of those things. The main character kept saying that she wasn't smart enough and I started to believe her. The main baddie was painfully obvious early on and yet Jade was oblivious right up until the baddie basically slapped her in the face. I don't plan on continuing with this series.
January 4, 2016
*3,5 stars*
September 26, 2019
I couldn't put this down. A great story, lighthearted and fun. Fans of Janet Evanovich are sure to love this. Will be being the second book soon!
January 20, 2025
Paranormal murder mystery? I had so much fun! Especially the magic system, the details of it all so so good! Yes it was really predictable, our dear author just gave way too many hints 🤭 but the atmosphere of it all was so nice! I listened to the audiobook in one sitting!
June 19, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Meghan Ciana Doidge.)
23-year-old Jade is half-witch/half-human, and runs a small cupcake bakery in Vancouver. Usually she’s busy dealing with customers who can’t get enough of her cupcakes, so when a vampire turns up at her door it is certainly unusual!
The vampire has an agenda though, it seems that two supernaturals have been murdered in the area, and both were found dead with one of the small trinkets that Jade hangs in the window of her bakery.
When it becomes clear that Jade isn’t the murderer, she’s instead tasked with tracking who the murderer is, even though that’s not something she’s ever done before, and something that’s far more difficult than her normal cupcake making activities.
Who is killing the supernaturals? Why are Jade’s trinkets turning up at the scene of the crime? And is Jade really the right person to be trying to track the murderer?
This was a fun, action filled urban fantasy that will also have you running to bake cupcakes!
Jade was a sweet girl, and having a vampire turn up on her doorstep was definitely a new one for her. She tried to keep herself safe though, whilst still trying to have a life which wasn’t an easy job.
I loved how devoted she was to her foster sister and her bakery though, and I would love to have been buying cupcakes from her! They sounded so good! Her passion for her bakery was something that was really evident though, and it was good to see this kind of love and devotion for her work.
I liked the storyline, it kinda reminded me of some of Keri Arthur’s books, and I loved the unpredictability of not knowing what would happen next. We met quite a few different supernaturals in this story, and it wasn’t easy to guess who the overall culprit was.
I totally loved the cupcake part of the story though. I was barely 2 pages into this before I found myself in the kitchen making cupcakes! Don’t read this if you’re on a diet! This really was a fun, action-filled, but sweet urban fantasy story, which would be perfect for a lighter sort of paranormal read.
Overall; I enjoyed this story, and I also enjoyed the cupcakes!
7 out of 10.
23-year-old Jade is half-witch/half-human, and runs a small cupcake bakery in Vancouver. Usually she’s busy dealing with customers who can’t get enough of her cupcakes, so when a vampire turns up at her door it is certainly unusual!
The vampire has an agenda though, it seems that two supernaturals have been murdered in the area, and both were found dead with one of the small trinkets that Jade hangs in the window of her bakery.
When it becomes clear that Jade isn’t the murderer, she’s instead tasked with tracking who the murderer is, even though that’s not something she’s ever done before, and something that’s far more difficult than her normal cupcake making activities.
Who is killing the supernaturals? Why are Jade’s trinkets turning up at the scene of the crime? And is Jade really the right person to be trying to track the murderer?
This was a fun, action filled urban fantasy that will also have you running to bake cupcakes!
Jade was a sweet girl, and having a vampire turn up on her doorstep was definitely a new one for her. She tried to keep herself safe though, whilst still trying to have a life which wasn’t an easy job.
I loved how devoted she was to her foster sister and her bakery though, and I would love to have been buying cupcakes from her! They sounded so good! Her passion for her bakery was something that was really evident though, and it was good to see this kind of love and devotion for her work.
I liked the storyline, it kinda reminded me of some of Keri Arthur’s books, and I loved the unpredictability of not knowing what would happen next. We met quite a few different supernaturals in this story, and it wasn’t easy to guess who the overall culprit was.
I totally loved the cupcake part of the story though. I was barely 2 pages into this before I found myself in the kitchen making cupcakes! Don’t read this if you’re on a diet! This really was a fun, action-filled, but sweet urban fantasy story, which would be perfect for a lighter sort of paranormal read.
Overall; I enjoyed this story, and I also enjoyed the cupcakes!
7 out of 10.
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