A Time for Witches (Ghosts of Gotham #2)[September 15, 2024]

[Yanique, Thread Master]

This is a Buddy Read for A Time for Witches by Craig Schaefer starting on September 15, 2024.


Happy Reading

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Sometimes I just love the concept behind a book title, separate from the book... and this is one of those times...

Another good example is Marla Mason #1, Blood Engines (world is a Blood Engine, and the tank is running empty, due to the end of blood sacrifice religions/societies a few hundred years ago...)

With this one, it's (view spoiler)[Time for Heroes vs Time for Witches (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

I don't get that concept? Can you explain more?

Schedule & Links:
Ghosts of Gotham
1. Ghosts of Gotham Aug 15 [Link]
2. A Time for Witches Sept 15

Midnight Scoop
3. The Hungry Dreaming Oct 15 [Link]
4. The Wise Men of Gotham Nov 15 [Link]

Audio: can't find any library/subscription copies.
Ebook: all on KU

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Which one?...

[Nirkatze]

The one in your spoiler tag--(view spoiler)[is "Time for Heroes" a reference to something? That then is referenced by Time for Witches"? (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nirkatze wrote: "The one in your spoiler tag--[spoilers removed]"

spoilers for this book: (view spoiler)[it was part of the plot of Time for Witches... the bastard son of Zeus was releasing Hydras around the world to trigger an Age of Heroes, to unlock his God Powers, and the MCs thwarted it, and said something about A Time for Witches... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Ah, okay--an in-book reference, not some sort of general everyone-should-know reference. Thank you!

[Ann-Marie]

Started this, through part 2/ch 33 (view spoiler)[ and they are going full on Greek mythology and I am loving it! Lionel and Maddie have been separated so far but the way part 2 ended I wouldn't be surprised if that won't be remedied soon. Did I completely miss in the last book that her ex-husband was Jason as in the guy with the Argonauts? He is a total dick btw and that scene in the ghost hotel was some spectacular action, loved that! I am enjoying it quite a lot so far! (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

They danced around the fact... there are implications, if you extrapolate from what is said, but she goes by Maddie/Madeline instead of Medea for the most part... there was talk of a bad divorce, which was a vast simplification :D

I love this 2nd Ghosts of Gotham book... this is my 4th or 5th read of it, I think (when I start)...

I love the next book even more, maybe... The Hungry Dreaming... but it has an unfair advantage, in being a bit timey-wimey...

[Ann-Marie]

Finished and I loved this! If the next is even better then I am definitely anxious to read it :) (view spoiler)[I was glad that Lionel and Maddie did I loved the Greek mythology in this, it was so much fun. Solid action, especially the fight on the tractor trailer, so awesome and the Amazons were so kick-ass! I guess because I knew what was going on I enjoyed this more than the first? (hide spoiler)]

[Ann-Marie]

I am watching Kaos on Netflix and Jeff Goldblum as Zeus is everything, it seems I cannot get away from Greek mythology these days. I have only watched 4 episodes but I am loving it so far!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Next one is new characters / journalist...

One of the MCs is also trans... Craig transitioned into Heather Schaefer in real life sometime around the writing/release of Hungry Dreaming... Craig is a professional pseudonym now, instead...

I think Arachne is in the next one... or mentioned... but more of a villain than ally, sadly...

[Tonari no Emily]

Will be here before the end of the month... I super enjoyed my reread of the first, so I have a feeling I'll like this more on the reread too :)

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Next one is new characters / journalist...

One of the MCs is also trans... Craig transitioned into Heather Schaefer in real life sometime around the writing/release of Hungry Dreaming... Craig is ..."

Arachne is "real" and not unique to Jacka? Dammit, I need to brush up on Greek mythology some I guess.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Oh for sure... Arachne is a Greek mythological figure...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachne

Arachne beat Athena at a weaving contest, was attacked by Athena, committed suicide, and was turned into a spider...

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Oh for sure... Arachne is a Greek mythological figure...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachne

Arachne beat Athena at a weaving contest, was attacked by Athena, committed suicide, and was turned..."

I looked it up after your post, I kind of wish I had known that when reading Alex Verus!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Ah, sorry... I just kinda assume most people know a fair bit of Greek mythology... between school and how often Greek mythology sneaks into Urban Fantasy settings... so at least among readers like us...

I'll try to mention things more, when they're not just gods/goddesses...

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Ah, sorry... I just kinda assume most people know a fair bit of Greek mythology... between school and how often Greek mythology sneaks into Urban Fantasy settings... so at least among readers like ..."

That's not on you, that is on me! I do enjoy mythology and would likely enjoy reading more about it, I'll look out for books that interest me. I haven't been using all of my Hoopla borrows each month since I have so many that I have bought so I can spare the reads ol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

There are some authors doing re-tellings and re-imaginings of the Greek myths... I haven't really read any that are set in Ancient Greece tho...

[Tonari no Emily]

Right so I went and binged Kaos today, you had me at Jeff Goldbum as Zeus Ann-Marie. Rather loved it and theres no confirmation of a second season and that worries me!
But at least I brushed up some mythology so im ready for more!

[Ann-Marie]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Right so I went and binged Kaos today, you had me at Jeff Goldbum as Zeus Ann-Marie. Rather loved it and theres no confirmation of a second season and that worries me!
But at least I brushed up so..."

I stopped after episode 6 so I can savor it which is completely out of character for me lol Glad you enjoyed it, Jeff Goldblum has been absolutely perfect so far and that guy who plays Poseidon is perfect too! Honestly the cast i sperfect :)

[Nirkatze]

Read this yesterday and enjoyed my reread more than the first time. Pretty much agree with everything Ann-Marie said--(view spoiler)[I love the Greek Mythology aspects and the Amazons especially were awesome! I liked the opening sequences when Lionel was separate from Maddy--following the furies and meeting the photographer obsessed with road language. I also really enjoyed the reveal of the rich dude's obsession with kleos and his plan with the hydras... that was an epic reveal. I also love that I am up enough on Greek mythology to call pretty much everything well before the reveals. Makes me feel smart.

I am still not on board with the Lionel/Maddy relationship... In addition to my knee-jerk reflex on mentor/mentee pairings, I also don't like immortal characters who don't act their age. Maddy is.... way too insecure and unstable to have survived as long as she has. I find it hard to swallow. Though I do like the author's spin on the Medea tale--I find it interesting how all the adaptations of her story I have read cast her as a tragic figure instead of the villain, like authors taking on the challenge of making the worst of crimes understandable. (hide spoiler)]

Also going to have to look up that Netflix series... y'all had me at Jeff Goldblum, Greek Mythology is just icing.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I feel like the romance is the easiest part of a story to dislike, and still enjoy the story overall (as long as romance isn't the main point of the story)...

[Ann-Marie]

I was okay with the romance here, (view spoiler)[it started before the mentor/mentee dynamic started and with her history I kind of understand why she is insecure when it comes to men. I like them together :) (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

I did end up liking my reread more than first time too! I was neither super into or super turned off by the romance in these, it just existed for me. Definitely agree with Iain about being able to set aside the romance for the greater enjoyment of the book!

(view spoiler)[ I found the political figure setting himself up as the hero interesting... I don't think a politician is the right kind of set up for generally beloved modern day hero though... Too divisive.. But what kind of public figure would be good for that? (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "I did end up liking my reread more than first time too! I was neither super into or super turned off by the romance in these, it just existed for me. Definitely agree with Iain about being able to ..."

Was the villain a politician?... I thought he was more of an Elon Musk archetype Fortune 500 CEO (with a better public image and charisma, doing charitable works, so maybe more modern day Bill Gates vs Old School evil Bill Gates before the Microsoft Antitrust cases broke up the monopoly in the 90s)...

[Ann-Marie]

He was more Elon Musk which made it so much better to see his fall <3

[Tonari no Emily]

Oh you're right about that... Not sure why I was thinking politician lol