Mr Terry F Maggert Jr

Book Title: Halfway Bitten
Book Author: Terry Maggert

Introduction: Terry Maggert gave me free copies of this series in return for an honest review.

Review:

"Like I said, I'm an adult. And I do adulty things."

Halfway Bitten is the second novel in the Halfway Witchy series. The first book was a home run so I wasn't sure how Terry would make a book that could outdo the first novel, but he managed it!! The second novel kept me interested right from the start, hooking me in with action and mysteries that I wanted to know more about.

The writing style improved a lot from the first book. I'm not sure what changed in Terry's head, but I really liked this novel better for the style of writing. It helped that there wasn't as much introduction as the first book (which you needed, since in the first novel we didn't know the characters), but it helped make this book move so much faster. It also made this book more interesting than the first one, and I was way more invested in finishing this book than book number one.

That doesn't mean that the first book didn't set this book up perfectly though. What lacked in the first book helped set up this novel - so you win some, you lose some.

This book starts off with a bang - dead bodies! What happened and why? Carlie has to deal with more drama and adventure in this novel, which helps develop Carlie's character. I liked seeing her slowly develop as she dealt with the cards at hand in this novel. Wulfric, Gran, Maggie - all of the characters we know and love - as well as all the new characters ignore this story into a beautiful firework of literature. It goes up and splashes a magnificent story to the reader.

There are some beautiful metaphors that heighten this reading experience - such as using the Cheshire Cat to describe a disappearing image. These metaphors and imagery give an added bonus to this already great novel. Add in Carlie's humor - snarky, sarcastic and overall sassy - a full packed twisty, turny, surprising plot and a spark of romance and you've got the full package!


It was a very different read for me - I enjoyed reading a book that was pulling from typical story tropes (love story, vampires, drama) and twisting it around with new tropes (circus, clowns). Overall, this book was absolutely fantastic. I need to read the next book ASAP!


Vampires. Circus. Dead Bodies. Magic. Witches. Crime. Necromancy. Clowns.

This book holds a lot of potential for the continuation of this series. It breaks your heart, sews it back together, takes it on a roller coaster and then throws it around - you'll get attached and desperately want to read more by Terry!! This indie author definitely does not disappoint!!

Four out of five stars.… (altro)

Note: This book works fine as a stand alone though I think you would enjoy some of the characters more if you read Book 1, Halfway Dead first.

Set in the picturesque, touristy New York town of Halfway, Carlie is still making waffles at the local diner. Wulfric is enjoying his new-found freedom, and Carlie’s company. Gus still appreciates having human slaves to open his tuna and provide a warm bed. But something is afoot, and it’s more than just the circus in town and the clowns cluttering up the diner. As more bodies pile up, Carlie and Gran must put their witchy powers to use. Vampires are crossing their territory and not all are behaving nicely.

This was another fun addition to the series. Carlie is a little older, a little wiser, but also completely smitten by her half-vampire Viking lover. I think her love life had her a little distracted throughout the book, but I can forgive her. It’s her first love and she’s fallen hard. Plus, Wulfric is an interesting character in his own right. Things are complicated a little by his previous girlfriend, a shape-shifter named Anna. They have a child together and so it’s unlikely that Anna will ever truly be out the picture, much to the irritation of Carlie.

The librarian was also a favorite character, even though I don’t recall his name. He’s a little awkward, totally geeky, and definitely a worthy ally. He helps Carlie dig up info on the first body and he doesn’t lose it when he actually sees the body. I also enjoyed the mail delivery lady. She has a wholesome sexuality that everyone enjoys. I am glad the author put this character in the story because she serves as counterpoint to Anna. Carlie goes off a few times about Anna’s promiscuity and it really borders on slut shaming, but then we have the mail delivery lady who Carlie likes. I’d like to point out we never actually see Anna behaving badly, we just hear about it from Carlie. Jealousy? Perhaps.

I really enjoyed Gran sharing one of her secret information sources, a certain ghost. That scene has stuck with me and still has me chuckling. I love that Gran is not only an important person in Carlie’s life but also a worthy mentor.

Eventually the mystery starts to unfold as more than one vampire attempts to cross the lands protected by the McEwan witches. And, of course, the clowns play into it as well. How could they not? If you find clowns a little creepy, then this story will raise your gooseflesh. I really liked the underlying mystery and Gran and Carlie have to go to battle with their witchy spells. I’m on the fence about whether or not I liked Wulfric’s role in the final battle.

Overall, this was a solid story and I got quite a bit of enjoyment out it. However, I did enjoy Book 1 more. Still, I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via The Audiobookworm.

The Narration: Erin Spencer does another good job with this installment in the series. She really sounds like a 20ish woman. I also like her accent for Wulfric and some of the clowns had accents as well. Her Gran is also growing on me quite a bit.… (altro)

I have the chance to get immersed in Carlie's world again of magic, mystery and more. I had a heck of a great time visiting with Carlie. With that said of course came Gran. She was still wise and knowing. We get some Wulric. Lots of mystery. And more characters to know. There are clowns, vamps, dead bodies, with one heck of a mystery surrounding them. Carlie was still my girl. She was full of compassion and anger. She felt so much and did what she could. She knew that this new day was going to be a big one. She could feel it.

I love things from Carlie POV. It makes for a deeper immersion in to what she thinks and feels. I think this was why I was able to connect so much with her. I love her character.

Narration, Erin Spencer, for me was a key factor in my enjoyment of this audio book. As I have stated before, in this series, Erin brings Carlie to life an makes her presence known. I could feel Carlie come to life though this narration. She gave Carlie life with her inflections, tone, moderation. I believe that she interpreted this character very well. I find Erin to be a perfect fit.… (altro)