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Reconstructionist #1
Catching Echoes
I preferred it when life came in tidy packages. When it didn’t — when something went awry — I was exceedingly skilled at packaging it back up. It was my job to do so after all. I was a reconstructionist. I collected the puzzle pieces, then I gave those pieces to an investigative team to sort out. I didn't ask questions. I didn't offer answers. I saw. I recorded. I moved on. I didn't dwell or obsess. I didn’t hunt down suspects. I didn’t follow clues to find a killer. And I certainly didn’t work side by side with anyone. Least of all, a vampire who I strongly suspected might turn out to be the major missing component at the end of the trail. Then I saw something I couldn't forget. It wasn't the bloodiest thing I'd ever seen. It wasn't even close. But it haunted me. I didn't like being haunted. And I couldn't figure out how to get it out of my head. Someone was killing teenaged boys in the Pacific Northwest. Despite my misgivings, if I could help catch a killer, I had to at least try. ------------------ This 68,000 word urban fantasy is the first book in the Reconstructionist Series by author Meghan Ciana Doidge. Author’s The ideal reading order of Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1) is after the first six books in the Dowser Series and the three books in the Oracle series, but it's not actually necessary to read the Dowser or the Oracle series before reading the Reconstructionist Series.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2016
469 people are currently reading
807 people want to read
About the author
Meghan Ciana Doidge
46 books1,288 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 112 reviews
February 1, 2017
Meghan Doidge is a good writer, and as good writers go, they still make mistakes. The mistake here was putting this book in print before reworking it into something that had more zing.
The premise of this new series: a proud, disciplined 30-something witch with impeccable taste and a too-controlled temperament works with a Scooby-doo gang of a flakey tech witch and super powerful vampire to solve a series of murders.
There's so much possibility here, and I think that with another edit the story might have acquired a gleam, but sadly it was not and did not. Too much telling, too much repetitive suggesting of emotions (skin pimpling fear in Kett's presence), too many references to childhood trauma without real investigation of how it shows up in her daily life, too many tossed in asides re. her evil uncle (a Justin-Morningside-like character), too much info dumping and vampire-making discussions, and finally, the topper, a one-sided flirtation, that wasn't sexy as much as creepy. I wonder if she's writing and publishing too fast? Or if maybe she's only relying on her beta readers, and frankly they aren't doing their job?
The premise of this new series: a proud, disciplined 30-something witch with impeccable taste and a too-controlled temperament works with a Scooby-doo gang of a flakey tech witch and super powerful vampire to solve a series of murders.
There's so much possibility here, and I think that with another edit the story might have acquired a gleam, but sadly it was not and did not. Too much telling, too much repetitive suggesting of emotions (skin pimpling fear in Kett's presence), too many references to childhood trauma without real investigation of how it shows up in her daily life, too many tossed in asides re. her evil uncle (a Justin-Morningside-like character), too much info dumping and vampire-making discussions, and finally, the topper, a one-sided flirtation, that wasn't sexy as much as creepy. I wonder if she's writing and publishing too fast? Or if maybe she's only relying on her beta readers, and frankly they aren't doing their job?
August 18, 2025
Another amazing Adept novel
I was so excited to finally get my hands on Wisteria's story. The interactions in other books had intrigued me and- as with so many other characters of Meghan's- I wanted to know more about her. This book is another amazing addition to the Adept universe books. Witty dialogue, fast paced action and characters you can't get enough of. Fans of the other books will love this new series just as much as the others! Can't wait for more :)
I was so excited to finally get my hands on Wisteria's story. The interactions in other books had intrigued me and- as with so many other characters of Meghan's- I wanted to know more about her. This book is another amazing addition to the Adept universe books. Witty dialogue, fast paced action and characters you can't get enough of. Fans of the other books will love this new series just as much as the others! Can't wait for more :)
February 7, 2017
eARC kindly provided by publishing house via NetGalley in exchanged for an honest review.
I should start by disclosing I didn't get far with Meghan Ciana Doidge Dowser series (2 books) & never heard of her Oracle series at all. To be clear I'm essentially reading this spin off series as a starting point. That's important bc I've no preconceived notion or knowledge of any backstory. The author did a decent job introducing me to the characters. I was able to discern differences in relationships & personalities. I look forward to learning more about our h's past. Perhaps even determining why Wisteria is overly conservative in her life choices & willfully ignorant in political matters. It seems Wisteria's play it safe & keep your nose clean motto is near its end. I agree with Khett when he said he looks forward to seeing her revenge take place. With family like hers enemies seem hardly worth fretting about. The author did an excellent job ensuring I continue this series after that surprising twist at the end. That twist opens up a fantastic amount of exciting possibilities & I'm determined to see them come to fruition by following along with book 2. 4.5 solid stars
I should start by disclosing I didn't get far with Meghan Ciana Doidge Dowser series (2 books) & never heard of her Oracle series at all. To be clear I'm essentially reading this spin off series as a starting point. That's important bc I've no preconceived notion or knowledge of any backstory. The author did a decent job introducing me to the characters. I was able to discern differences in relationships & personalities. I look forward to learning more about our h's past. Perhaps even determining why Wisteria is overly conservative in her life choices & willfully ignorant in political matters. It seems Wisteria's play it safe & keep your nose clean motto is near its end. I agree with Khett when he said he looks forward to seeing her revenge take place. With family like hers enemies seem hardly worth fretting about. The author did an excellent job ensuring I continue this series after that surprising twist at the end. That twist opens up a fantastic amount of exciting possibilities & I'm determined to see them come to fruition by following along with book 2. 4.5 solid stars
January 6, 2017
I love that I pre-ordered this so when I checked my Kindle library for the next book to read on my birthday, this one just popped up. Happy Birthday to me!
I was also tickled to see one of the characters was named after my son, Declan (not really but I can pretend). It’s like my own personal Easter egg.
Blending some new characters with old, this first book in the Reconstructionist series explores the Adept world from the POV of Wisteria Fairchild, a witch with a very specific skill set. Wisteria can reconstruct magical scenes, usually in conjunction with helping solve a crime involving the supernatural.
In this case, she gets pushed out of her carefully constructed comfort zone when Kett, an elder the vampire Conclave, requests her aid in solving the deaths of teenage boys who have been partially turned into vampires. Though she has strong values regarding the use of her magic and her role in the Adept world, Wisteria finds that she needs to help these boys despite risks to her personal safety.
There are hints of a dark past and magical potential as yet not realized, providing nice internal conflict along with the plot-driven action.
For those of us familiar with Kett from the Dowser series, viewing him through Wisteria’s eyes is quite enlightening. He really gets to show us more of his character in this book, and it’s a tad unsettling.
You can dive right in with this book but I highly recommend following the author’s reading order of all of the series.
I was also tickled to see one of the characters was named after my son, Declan (not really but I can pretend). It’s like my own personal Easter egg.
Blending some new characters with old, this first book in the Reconstructionist series explores the Adept world from the POV of Wisteria Fairchild, a witch with a very specific skill set. Wisteria can reconstruct magical scenes, usually in conjunction with helping solve a crime involving the supernatural.
In this case, she gets pushed out of her carefully constructed comfort zone when Kett, an elder the vampire Conclave, requests her aid in solving the deaths of teenage boys who have been partially turned into vampires. Though she has strong values regarding the use of her magic and her role in the Adept world, Wisteria finds that she needs to help these boys despite risks to her personal safety.
There are hints of a dark past and magical potential as yet not realized, providing nice internal conflict along with the plot-driven action.
For those of us familiar with Kett from the Dowser series, viewing him through Wisteria’s eyes is quite enlightening. He really gets to show us more of his character in this book, and it’s a tad unsettling.
You can dive right in with this book but I highly recommend following the author’s reading order of all of the series.
April 4, 2017
This is a bit of a tough book to review. It's a new trilogy set in an existing world where many of the characters are already known if you've read the previous books. I have not read the other trilogies (two I think) and this series is being marketed as not needing to. But after reading it I think it's probably much more enjoyable if you have read the other books.
It's clear there's an elaborate paranormal version of our world built here but I never felt like I was immersed in it. Instead I felt like there were some scratches on the surface but that I was missing a lot of somethings.
Our characters are fairly one-dimensional. A typical, all too powerful, gorgeous vampire and the timid, not so good at magic witch. It's just been done and I didn't feel there was anything here to really stand this book apart from the very saturated paranormal genre. In fact, for me, it felt like a not as good version of Guilty Pleasures by Laurel K. Hamilton, without the smut. Hamilton may be onto something when it comes to having lots of sexual tension and release in her books; maybe this genre just really needs that to make it palatable...
It's really too bad because the writing is decent and the plot was intriguing; but it just wasn't enough for me. Maybe I've read too many paranormal books but I just wanted something more.
If you're interested in this book I would suggest going to the beginning if the series as a whole; as many people love this world so there's hopefully something there to build off that is missing if you jump in at the beginning of this trilogy.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review. Don't believe me? Check out the other books I've had eARCs for that I gave great reviews to. I always give my opinion whether good or bad.
It's clear there's an elaborate paranormal version of our world built here but I never felt like I was immersed in it. Instead I felt like there were some scratches on the surface but that I was missing a lot of somethings.
Our characters are fairly one-dimensional. A typical, all too powerful, gorgeous vampire and the timid, not so good at magic witch. It's just been done and I didn't feel there was anything here to really stand this book apart from the very saturated paranormal genre. In fact, for me, it felt like a not as good version of Guilty Pleasures by Laurel K. Hamilton, without the smut. Hamilton may be onto something when it comes to having lots of sexual tension and release in her books; maybe this genre just really needs that to make it palatable...
It's really too bad because the writing is decent and the plot was intriguing; but it just wasn't enough for me. Maybe I've read too many paranormal books but I just wanted something more.
If you're interested in this book I would suggest going to the beginning if the series as a whole; as many people love this world so there's hopefully something there to build off that is missing if you jump in at the beginning of this trilogy.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review. Don't believe me? Check out the other books I've had eARCs for that I gave great reviews to. I always give my opinion whether good or bad.
October 7, 2021
4 Stars
Review:
First things first, this is kind of a spin-off of the Dowser series, though it doesn't really involve the main characters from that (unless you count Kett), so you could probably read this without having read the Dowser books. However, you'll probably have more understanding of the world and magic if you've read them. Now to my review...
Ahhh, Kett! You creepy motherfucker. I got so used to how much he changed around Jade that I kinda forgot his intro to the series was him lurking on Jade's balcony, threatening her. It's also been a while since I read those books, and I forgot how inhuman and threatening he is in general. But that's what makes him so interesting! I love Kett. He's my favorite character in the Dowser series so far, so I'm happy to have a series in which, from what I understand, he's the love interest, even though there was none of that love yet in this book.
The rest was good too! Wisteria's reconstruction magic was cool and unique. Kett's vampireness, and how powerful he is, was interesting. The mystery / crime-solving element kept me wondering but made sense in the end. There was an action-filled, magic-filled fight in a cemetery. I don't have much feeling about Wisteria as a character yet, but I liked her alright. Overall a solid paranormal/urban fantasy book.
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes witches, vampires, characters dealing with past trauma, and mystery / crime solving.
More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
First things first, this is kind of a spin-off of the Dowser series, though it doesn't really involve the main characters from that (unless you count Kett), so you could probably read this without having read the Dowser books. However, you'll probably have more understanding of the world and magic if you've read them. Now to my review...
Ahhh, Kett! You creepy motherfucker. I got so used to how much he changed around Jade that I kinda forgot his intro to the series was him lurking on Jade's balcony, threatening her. It's also been a while since I read those books, and I forgot how inhuman and threatening he is in general. But that's what makes him so interesting! I love Kett. He's my favorite character in the Dowser series so far, so I'm happy to have a series in which, from what I understand, he's the love interest, even though there was none of that love yet in this book.
The rest was good too! Wisteria's reconstruction magic was cool and unique. Kett's vampireness, and how powerful he is, was interesting. The mystery / crime-solving element kept me wondering but made sense in the end. There was an action-filled, magic-filled fight in a cemetery. I don't have much feeling about Wisteria as a character yet, but I liked her alright. Overall a solid paranormal/urban fantasy book.
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes witches, vampires, characters dealing with past trauma, and mystery / crime solving.
More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight
August 12, 2019
I do prefer her to Jade, plus the plot feels less manipulated.
Want to read
September 16, 2019Free on amazon 16th September 2019
May 29, 2023
So engrossing and unpredictable!
January 2, 2017
Loved this start to a new series.
Wisteria is a little rigid at first, but she comes around and jumps in and helps save the day. I love that Kett is going to play a role in the series as well, because he's always fun to have around. I loved Jasmine and her technomancy skills.
Great start can't wait for the next one.
Wisteria is a little rigid at first, but she comes around and jumps in and helps save the day. I love that Kett is going to play a role in the series as well, because he's always fun to have around. I loved Jasmine and her technomancy skills.
Great start can't wait for the next one.
January 21, 2017
This started out really well. I definitely like Wisteria better than Jade (although not as much as Rochelle). It went down hill, though, especially with the abrupt ending/too much material after the climax. There was also rather a lot of bludgeoning of the reader with Wisteria's mysterious past and untapped/unknown power (Ms. Doidge's favorite recurring trope). These are increasingly less suited to be stand-alones. I would definitely recommend that they be read starting from Dowser 1 and then in the sequence suggested by Ms. Doidge, otherwise they will be completely incomprehensible.
That being said, I'll certainly read the next Reconstructionist story. I just hope that the pending Necromancer set isn't about the one we met in this book. I didn't find her a sympathetic character and I'm not sure I care much about her story.
That being said, I'll certainly read the next Reconstructionist story. I just hope that the pending Necromancer set isn't about the one we met in this book. I didn't find her a sympathetic character and I'm not sure I care much about her story.
July 24, 2023
Spectacular start to a good series. I love the character of Kett from Diodge's other Dowser series so I was thrilled to read that he was a main character in this new series. This book left me yearning for more and isn't that what a good book should do? If you haven't read Diodge before then you're missing something truly magical. Either start here or even better, start at the very beginning of the converging story lines and seek out the first book, Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser Series Book 1) or get the first three books the Dowser series boxed set (there are six books so far). You seriously won't regret it.
January 4, 2017
Catching Echoes is the first book in Doidge's new series, Reconstructionist. It can be read alone; Doidge gives enough back story to the characters that you will have a good understanding of who they are in the Adept world. However, that would be shame because you have a much more intimate look into the characters if you have read the other series.
Much like the first book in both the Dowser and Oracle series, Catching Echoes draws you in and leaves you wishing fervently that the next book in the Reconstructionist series was already out. Luckily for all Doidge is a faster writer than most so the wait between books is never too long.
Having read the previous books I went into this book with an intense love of Kett and a weary curiosity about Wisteria. She didn't seem friendly in the Dowser series and this book hints at details as to why she is that way while setting up the second book in the series for explanations. In a real life example, it's like someone who is actually a really friendly person, but has been burned one too many times OR has epic RBF, maybe both. I really liked her at the end of this book and I really enjoyed her interactions with both her cousin and Kett...but especially her cousin, there is a wealth of feeling between those two that is usually hard to convey in writing but Doidge manages to do just that.
As far as the ending, all I can say is that I didn't see it coming... in a good way. Looking back, there were subtle clues in the story (Doidge tends to do this with all of her books). That's all I'm going to say on that subject though. I am really looking forward to rereading this knowing what I now know. It's going to change the story for me and make it even better.
Much like the first book in both the Dowser and Oracle series, Catching Echoes draws you in and leaves you wishing fervently that the next book in the Reconstructionist series was already out. Luckily for all Doidge is a faster writer than most so the wait between books is never too long.
Having read the previous books I went into this book with an intense love of Kett and a weary curiosity about Wisteria. She didn't seem friendly in the Dowser series and this book hints at details as to why she is that way while setting up the second book in the series for explanations. In a real life example, it's like someone who is actually a really friendly person, but has been burned one too many times OR has epic RBF, maybe both. I really liked her at the end of this book and I really enjoyed her interactions with both her cousin and Kett...but especially her cousin, there is a wealth of feeling between those two that is usually hard to convey in writing but Doidge manages to do just that.
As far as the ending, all I can say is that I didn't see it coming... in a good way. Looking back, there were subtle clues in the story (Doidge tends to do this with all of her books). That's all I'm going to say on that subject though. I am really looking forward to rereading this knowing what I now know. It's going to change the story for me and make it even better.
May 12, 2017
Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist Book 1) Kindle Edition
by Meghan Ciana Doidge
I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley for review purposes.
Doidge's talent of creating not only a new type of CSI, but a new kind of magic is FANTASTIC. Her lead, Wisteria Fairchild, is a multi-layered, complex and Complete Female Character with wit as well as the magic of reconstruction. I love the spine of steel or maybe adamantium that the character has, and the ever present and gently laid breadcrumbs that are given to her tragic past.
Reconstruction is the magical form of crime scene reconstruction. Absolutely, fascinating!
There is one tiny, teensy flaw that appears in this book and many Canadian writer's novels. As someone who lives in the middle part of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon specifically, referencing Vancouver – either B.C. or WA without the modifier is confusing because, frankly, the two are close together in terms of the whole Pacific NW. Ms. Doidge goes almost a whole chapter without clarifying it. However, if you have never been to our beautiful corner of the world, Ms. Doidge has an amazing encyclopedic knowledge of the foodie situation as well as our gorgeous country.
Her characters are well done, and she establishing an interesting world without a massive data-dump at the beginning. I can't wait to visit again soon.
https://smile.amazon.com/Catching-Ech...
by Meghan Ciana Doidge
I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley for review purposes.
Doidge's talent of creating not only a new type of CSI, but a new kind of magic is FANTASTIC. Her lead, Wisteria Fairchild, is a multi-layered, complex and Complete Female Character with wit as well as the magic of reconstruction. I love the spine of steel or maybe adamantium that the character has, and the ever present and gently laid breadcrumbs that are given to her tragic past.
Reconstruction is the magical form of crime scene reconstruction. Absolutely, fascinating!
There is one tiny, teensy flaw that appears in this book and many Canadian writer's novels. As someone who lives in the middle part of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon specifically, referencing Vancouver – either B.C. or WA without the modifier is confusing because, frankly, the two are close together in terms of the whole Pacific NW. Ms. Doidge goes almost a whole chapter without clarifying it. However, if you have never been to our beautiful corner of the world, Ms. Doidge has an amazing encyclopedic knowledge of the foodie situation as well as our gorgeous country.
Her characters are well done, and she establishing an interesting world without a massive data-dump at the beginning. I can't wait to visit again soon.
https://smile.amazon.com/Catching-Ech...
June 7, 2020
I've read everything else in this universe, so I knew at some point I would pick up with the Reconstructionist set of books. I am not sure what I was hoping for, but this was something completely different.
This story is about Wisteria. She has been tasked with reconstructing a really weird incident in a cemetery, but typically that's where her job ends. Throwing in Kett makes everything that much stranger and ends up drawing both Wisteria and her cousin into some sort of vampire filled drama. It was interesting to get the inside scoop (or at least a teaser) about Wisteria. She and her cousin have some trauma in their past that we don't fully understand in this book (but I hope we will later).
So, the larger story - newly turned vampires (young boys) are dying. Since nobody should be turning anyone, this alarms both the vampire governing body and the witch governing body. Wisteria and Kett (and Jasmine) are tasked with hunting down who is doing this and making it go away. Along the way, we see Kett be bland, Wisteria be uptight, and Jasmine be the most interesting of all of them. While I'm sure there is a great story lurking in later books, this clearly was intended to simply set everything up. The last part was enough to perk me up and get me to want more, but it was tough.
This story is about Wisteria. She has been tasked with reconstructing a really weird incident in a cemetery, but typically that's where her job ends. Throwing in Kett makes everything that much stranger and ends up drawing both Wisteria and her cousin into some sort of vampire filled drama. It was interesting to get the inside scoop (or at least a teaser) about Wisteria. She and her cousin have some trauma in their past that we don't fully understand in this book (but I hope we will later).
So, the larger story - newly turned vampires (young boys) are dying. Since nobody should be turning anyone, this alarms both the vampire governing body and the witch governing body. Wisteria and Kett (and Jasmine) are tasked with hunting down who is doing this and making it go away. Along the way, we see Kett be bland, Wisteria be uptight, and Jasmine be the most interesting of all of them. While I'm sure there is a great story lurking in later books, this clearly was intended to simply set everything up. The last part was enough to perk me up and get me to want more, but it was tough.
April 12, 2021
As you can tell by fact i have read all the series, try to read in series order as the books are not stand alone stories.
Werewolves, Seers, Cupcakes, vampires, mages, Dragons and Chocolate
Below is the reading order though you can read this before but nice to read in order
1. Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic, Dowser 1
2. Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic, Dowser 2
3. Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic, Dowser 3
4. I See Me, Oracle 1
5. Shadows, Maps, and Other Ancient Magic, Dowser 4
6. Maps, Artifacts, and Other Arcane Magic, Dowser 5
7. I See You, Oracle 2
8. Artifacts, Dragons, and Other Lethal Magic, Dowser 6
9. I See Us, Oracle 3
10. Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1)
11. Tangled Echoes (Reconstructionist 2)
12. Unleashing Echoes (Reconstructionist 3)
13. Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic (Dowser 7)
14. Misfits, Gemstones, and Other Shattered Magic (Dowser 8)
15. Graveyards, Visions, and Other Things That Byte (Dowser 8.5)
16. Gemstones, Elves, and Other Insidious Magic (Dowser 9)
17. The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0) – bundled with Close to Home (Amplifier 0.5)
18. Demons and DNA (Amplifier 1)
19. Bonds and Broken Dreams (Amplifier 2)
20. Mystics and Mental Blocks (Amplifier 3)
21. Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4)
22. Misplaced Souls (Misfits of the Adept Universe 1)
23. Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0)
Werewolves, Seers, Cupcakes, vampires, mages, Dragons and Chocolate
Below is the reading order though you can read this before but nice to read in order
1. Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic, Dowser 1
2. Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic, Dowser 2
3. Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic, Dowser 3
4. I See Me, Oracle 1
5. Shadows, Maps, and Other Ancient Magic, Dowser 4
6. Maps, Artifacts, and Other Arcane Magic, Dowser 5
7. I See You, Oracle 2
8. Artifacts, Dragons, and Other Lethal Magic, Dowser 6
9. I See Us, Oracle 3
10. Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1)
11. Tangled Echoes (Reconstructionist 2)
12. Unleashing Echoes (Reconstructionist 3)
13. Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic (Dowser 7)
14. Misfits, Gemstones, and Other Shattered Magic (Dowser 8)
15. Graveyards, Visions, and Other Things That Byte (Dowser 8.5)
16. Gemstones, Elves, and Other Insidious Magic (Dowser 9)
17. The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0) – bundled with Close to Home (Amplifier 0.5)
18. Demons and DNA (Amplifier 1)
19. Bonds and Broken Dreams (Amplifier 2)
20. Mystics and Mental Blocks (Amplifier 3)
21. Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4)
22. Misplaced Souls (Misfits of the Adept Universe 1)
23. Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0)
February 12, 2018
I really liked this book, a lot. I even loved a lot of it. But there is this one part of it, at the end, that really skeeved me out, and it just... I dunno. Maybe my rating of the book will change when I get more of the story because that's really the only thing that is keeping me from saying it's amazing. I know that sounds impossible and kind of petty, but it's something that truly bothers me to the core. Otherwise, it's an amazingly written book like the others. I love Wisteria so far. There is so much darkness and secrecy, but then again, I have found that to be true in the other books as well. It's an addicting book. I had a hard time putting it down. I have actually changed the rating back to five starts even though that one part bothers me, it shouldn't take away from the overall feeling of the book. It is probably in there for a reason. I guess until I finish the others, I won't know. I still recommend this book!
February 7, 2019
Great Series. Started 1st Cupcakes, Trinkets and Other Deadly Magic on December 9th, then went binged all the others and today I start Unleashing Echoes.
1st reason - I've enjoyed this series is I really like the main characters and their friends. I've found for me, if I don't like the people I'm reading about I don't enjoy the story. Her characters are complex with flaws but they care and they are trying to do what's right, which is not always easy.
Plus each Main character saw the world through their experiences which definitely, for me, gave them life.
2nd reason - Story. The story in each book kept my interest from beginning to end and the humor found was refreshing and, while I don't care about sex in a story, you didn't make the sex more important than the story so it did a good job of enhancing both the story and characters.
1st reason - I've enjoyed this series is I really like the main characters and their friends. I've found for me, if I don't like the people I'm reading about I don't enjoy the story. Her characters are complex with flaws but they care and they are trying to do what's right, which is not always easy.
Plus each Main character saw the world through their experiences which definitely, for me, gave them life.
2nd reason - Story. The story in each book kept my interest from beginning to end and the humor found was refreshing and, while I don't care about sex in a story, you didn't make the sex more important than the story so it did a good job of enhancing both the story and characters.
January 19, 2020
Ever since Wisteria Fairchild was introduced in the Dowser series, I’ve been curious about her. She is so controlled and calm, it makes you wonder why. We finally got to learn some of her backstory and find out why she is the way she is. It is a little darker than the other stuff I’ve read from this author, but it is still good, and Jasmine provides the comedic relief in it. Kett is also portrayed in a new light, and it was interesting to see him through Wisteria’s point of view instead of Jade.
The story is interesting too and builds more on the Adept world and lets you know more of the rules. In being darker, it tells you more about the beings that walk the line between light and dark, which is fascinating to me.
Though you get more of the jokes/references if you’ve read the Dowser series, it’s not required to read it to read this series. It can be standalone.
The story is interesting too and builds more on the Adept world and lets you know more of the rules. In being darker, it tells you more about the beings that walk the line between light and dark, which is fascinating to me.
Though you get more of the jokes/references if you’ve read the Dowser series, it’s not required to read it to read this series. It can be standalone.
June 23, 2020
We briefly meet reconstructionist (a witch who can use residual magic to see and record for others events that transpire in various places)Wisteria Fairchild in previous books of this series. While she and her family are hinted about, it isn't until this trilogy interwoven with the Dowser and Oracle series that we get the full story of the Fairchild witches. It's one doozy of a story.
Despite this being its own trilogy, it is truly best to read the books in the author recommend order, which means reading all the previous books in the Adept series before beginning this one. There are character and plot points that won't make sense otherwise. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to books 2 and 3, but there were some worldbuilding issues - more additions to the Adept world rather than errors - that I felt needed better explanation.
Despite this being its own trilogy, it is truly best to read the books in the author recommend order, which means reading all the previous books in the Adept series before beginning this one. There are character and plot points that won't make sense otherwise. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to books 2 and 3, but there were some worldbuilding issues - more additions to the Adept world rather than errors - that I felt needed better explanation.
September 2, 2020
Wow! Great Book! I was caught up in this story right away. Wisteria Fairchild was a very complex character with a difficult childhood filled with many secrets. She was a very skilled crime scene reconstructionist and performed her duties flawlessly. However, she prefered to have as little contact with other people as she could manage. Slowly parts of Wisteria's past are being revealed answering some the questions about her unsociable behavior. Kettil, a powerful and ancient vampire sent by the witch's conclave, entered her mundane life and nothing could ever be the same again. This amazing story is so engrossing that I hated to pause for any reason. I enjoyed the mystery, the ensuing investigation, and the shocking, bizarre surprises along the way to the resolution of the case. Can't wait to find out what's ahead for Wisteria and Kitt. Friendship? Bonding? More????? Great Read!!!!!
March 19, 2023
Slow
I image the rest of the series gets better, but on its own, this story is dull. A lot of exposition and hinting about what’s to come, yet nothing really does. It seems like Doidge was trying to create a murder mystery with a magical twist —CSI meets Harry Potter— but the tension isn’t quite right. The whole book is about solving a few murders, but we never see the murderer until the end, so the big reveal lacks surprise. There’s also this perpetual suggestion about the main characters broken heart and traumatic past as the source of her restrained existence, but again we never really get the story. Even at the end, only a scrap of an anecdote comes to light. I haven’t read further yet, but I’m betting this book is skipable. All we get from it is that a Wysteria helps solve the case, and Kett is interested in mentoring her further.
I image the rest of the series gets better, but on its own, this story is dull. A lot of exposition and hinting about what’s to come, yet nothing really does. It seems like Doidge was trying to create a murder mystery with a magical twist —CSI meets Harry Potter— but the tension isn’t quite right. The whole book is about solving a few murders, but we never see the murderer until the end, so the big reveal lacks surprise. There’s also this perpetual suggestion about the main characters broken heart and traumatic past as the source of her restrained existence, but again we never really get the story. Even at the end, only a scrap of an anecdote comes to light. I haven’t read further yet, but I’m betting this book is skipable. All we get from it is that a Wysteria helps solve the case, and Kett is interested in mentoring her further.
January 9, 2017
Wisteria Fairchild is another of Doidge's multifaceted female characters. She has magic and hints at talent that is unused and feared. She is anxiety ridden, somewhat like Rochelle in the Oracle series. She is professional and respected like Jade, in the Dowser series. She certainly lacks Jade's ability to embrace different types of Adepts and to enjoy life to it's fullest. Ket, from the Dowser series, is featured prominently. I was used to Ket with Jade and forgot how intimidating he can be to others. Wisteria seems to gain strength from her experience with Ket and I suspect in upcoming books, their relationship will grow. This author is not one for fast romance. The build up takes time and is definitely worth it.
January 28, 2018
I'm thrilled to see a plot that features one of the more intriguing side characters, Ms. Wisteria Fairchild. Someone who has been on the sidelines, but never brought fully into the story. This is her story, and I'm loving it.
I'm also loving the fact that it includes my favorite character from this universe, Kettil the Executioner. Kett is a fascinating character - an enigma in so many ways, powerful, intriguing, and somehow with the ability to care, even though he's a vampire.
However, I found the lack of highly detailed sex scenes a refreshing change from some of the recent books in the series. The story is far beyond strong enough to stand on its own without needing to spell out - in great detail - something that is private between 2 people. It's not needed, and was not missed in this book at all.
I'm also loving the fact that it includes my favorite character from this universe, Kettil the Executioner. Kett is a fascinating character - an enigma in so many ways, powerful, intriguing, and somehow with the ability to care, even though he's a vampire.
However, I found the lack of highly detailed sex scenes a refreshing change from some of the recent books in the series. The story is far beyond strong enough to stand on its own without needing to spell out - in great detail - something that is private between 2 people. It's not needed, and was not missed in this book at all.
May 14, 2020
I am so in love with Meghan Ciana Doidge's Adept Universe. Even 10 books into the series(es), it's still fresh, exciting and interesting. I'm reminded of Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series where the books are told by varying narrators who live and move in the same supernatural circles. I do wish we got more information about Wisteria's past in this book, but I have a feeling that's coming in the next Reconstructionist book, which I'm excited to start reading. It's also really fun to read more about Kett, who is such an interesting character and definitely someone I want to learn more about.
October 1, 2019
Genre: Urban-fantasy
Catching Echoes is a stand-alone spin off of another series. I have not read any of the other books, so some of the references in this novel didn't mean anything to me, but I think it does still stand by itself. I really enjoyed the description of magic and reconstructions in this realm. The main character can use residual magic in a location to make visual reconstructions of past events, which are used to solve magic-related offenses. The vampire is a cool character and I liked the dynamic between them. I would definitely read the next one.
Catching Echoes is a stand-alone spin off of another series. I have not read any of the other books, so some of the references in this novel didn't mean anything to me, but I think it does still stand by itself. I really enjoyed the description of magic and reconstructions in this realm. The main character can use residual magic in a location to make visual reconstructions of past events, which are used to solve magic-related offenses. The vampire is a cool character and I liked the dynamic between them. I would definitely read the next one.
January 1, 2017
She's done it again.
Well Meghan has another successful series that's captured my imagination.
Wisteria is a complex character that is strong but seems to be slightly scared of the power she could be wielding.
I love Jasmine! The power she seems to have over computers is brill.
Kett, well he's just Kett. But I'm positive he may have a 'thing' for Wisteria. But we'll see.
Cant wait for more
Well Meghan has another successful series that's captured my imagination.
Wisteria is a complex character that is strong but seems to be slightly scared of the power she could be wielding.
I love Jasmine! The power she seems to have over computers is brill.
Kett, well he's just Kett. But I'm positive he may have a 'thing' for Wisteria. But we'll see.
Cant wait for more
January 16, 2017
I have enjoyed Ms. Doidge's "Dowser" and "Oracle" series, and this new "Reconstructionist" series is equally compelling and awesome.
We branch off into a new series of characters, and yet they are familiar. The world of Jade (Dowser) flows well into this story line. And lest we forget - we get more of Kett, the centuries-old vampire. What fun!!
Book 2 is too far away for my liking, but I'll wait.
We branch off into a new series of characters, and yet they are familiar. The world of Jade (Dowser) flows well into this story line. And lest we forget - we get more of Kett, the centuries-old vampire. What fun!!
Book 2 is too far away for my liking, but I'll wait.
March 6, 2018
Such an interesting book! Wisteria and Kettil make an unusual pairing. You have a reconstructionist and a vampire. One of Kett’s remarks in the beginning gives you a clue something is up. For a mystery which is well executed to bits of humor and even hints of romance, such and interesting book! I give this book more than five stars and I love the whole involvement of Jade and Jasmine! I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the next book in the series!
October 8, 2019
Good story. The MC has a LOT she refers to as her past and darkness and lost love but it’s not really ever talked about. It drives me nuts when book revolve so tightly around the past and it’s barely acknowledged. I suppose it’s so you read the next book and the next and the next... but I want to know the character better and understand their point of view better. And the story revolves tightly around her past so needless to say I never really got to know her.
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