Grave Mistake (Codex Blair Book 1)

Great story, well written. It gives the feel of Dresden Files, only starting from when Blair discovers she has power. You get to see her character grow, which you don't always find in stories. Blair has trouble fitting in and freely admits it. Her determination to find out who she is pulls you into the story. The people she interacts with are portrayed well. I love her best friend and the demon. Can't wait to see the next book.

Blair, the heroine of Grave Mistake, was a study in contradictions. The description made it seem like Blair was a strong heroine who would take charge and step up as needed. I didn't feel that at all. Every time I turned around she was crying about something, but we keep being told she's tough. As a kid raised in the foster care system I can see why she has feelings of being unloved, but I would think that would make a stronger, more determined person. I really didn't see that. She is prone to temper tantrums and flying off the handle which makes her seem unstable, something I'm not a fan of in my heroines. She also can't hold down a job, but we don't know why. She's antisocial, but that shouldn't make you lose jobs left and right.

While we have some interesting secondary characters, they are not fully explored and lack any real depth. Make me care about them as people so they matter. Everyone in the book could have been wiped off the face of the earth and I wouldn't have cared. I would have loved to learn more about them and their backstories.

The plot is also pretty basic and the world building is almost nonexistent. If I found out a whole supernatural world existed that I didn't know about I would have a ton of questions. Blair had maybe 2. **SPOLIERS** We meet a vampire that is angry with her mentor and we are only given a cursory explanation because she doesn't question it much. They summon a demon and end up with the wrong one, yet it's someone her mentor knows, but she never asks who this demon is or what he does. The demon calls to her, pulls her into another realm, and they have a conversation. Instead of going to her mentor and asking about the demon, she goes about her say like nothing is wrong. She runs into a supernatural protector who tells her that her mentor isn't strong enough to end the necromancer threat. Instead of trying to explain this to her mentor, she yells at him, insults him, and storms out of the house because he doesn't believe her. Of course he doesn't believe her, she hasn't said anything of importance except insult him.

Overall the plot was lacking, the characters were shallow, and the heroine had me almost constantly groaning in frustration. With 6 novels in the series, I hope these issues have been corrected in the future offerings, but I won't be checking any time soon.

Blair is a believable and feisty character even though she is unsure of herself at times. The plot and pace maintain the reader’s interest as Blair explores the newly discovered world of supernatural creatures and magic. I liked the mystery/amateur detective aspect of this story.

I would recommend this read to those who are interested in stories about characters discovering their magic or if you like paranormal detective type of mysteries—especially if you like stories about characters who feel lost, until they figure out where they belong.

I received a copy of Grave Mistake from the author in exchange for an honest review

This book would have been much better with the help of a good editor. There is a decent book in there but as it is now is in need of refinement. The main character tried for self deprecating but just ended up unlikable. Some of the plot drags on needlessly to the point where half way through the book I gave up. I would have given it two stars but as I said, there is a good book buried and with some polish it will come through.

The main character constantly rolls her eyes and even some of the side characters do it too. It happens so much I almost started a drinking game based on it. A good editor would notice this and use different phrasing.

This is an interesting new UF book that starts off well but sort of finishes in a bit of a rush. I enjoyed Blair, the FMC, maybe because she is relatable and not perfect...don’t always like her decisions but that is the beauty of her!! Will be interesting to read book 2 and see what happens next. If you like UF then read this book.

Enjoyed reading this book. Had me remembering a number of rather painful events growing up, but eventually getting past. Deceit is never a good option and will bite. Everyone is worthy, even you, regardless of what others have drummed into you. Definitely will read more by this author.

I received Grave Mistake, book 1 of the Codex Blair series, as a free copy from the author. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion. A surprisingly engaging story line with a snarky, clueless (although, not an idiot) heroine named Blair. The plot was steady-paced with a few interesting surprises and twists on folk lore. I enjoyed this first story and look forward to starting immediately on book 2, Blood Hunt.

Grave Mistake by Izzy Shows is a fantastic urban fantasy with magic, demons, wizards, and a newbie mage. Lots of action, humor, great fantasy, sorcerer-type powers, talking ravens, (yep, talking ravens, it will make sense when you read the book), women in armor, and lots of kick butt fighting. It is my kind of fantasy novel! I enjoyed it completely! I am ready for book 2. The author was generous enough to let me read this, thanks so much. The least I can do is tell the world what I think of it. IT IS F*#KING AWESOME. There, got that out of my system. I love the well developed characters, very unique and wonderful. I really want to see how the relationship develops between Mel and Blair. Adding Fred was an act of brilliance. I just love all the characters! The plot was well planned and delivered like a rich piece of tiramisu while being on a diet, it arriving just when was I needing it and wanting it the most. It is refreshing to find a new kind of fantasy that makes me excited. Thanks again.

Blair suffers from the real life fears and struggles we all don’t want to admit to when it comes to friends and relationships. Throw in new found magic and the story just keeps you coming back for more. Such a great read.

I pick stories apart as I read, skipping though pages because my attention wanes. So it's a wonderful surprise when I find a story I really enjoy. Not quite up there with my favorites; L Hamiton, K Chance, P Briggs, K Harrison , etc., but an author on her way.

Blair is a messed up misfit who finds things about herself she never knew, magical abilities she didn't know she had and becomes the reluctant hero savior of the world - or her ccity, at least. A truly absorbing and entertaining read. Kudos, Izzy Shows.

Urban fantasy with a gusty yet relatable strong female lead. Fast paced action packed storyline that somehow manages to make this short book seem so much longer.
WARNING: contains some graphic violence that made even this jaded reader blink.

I really like these books. The story lines flow well and the actions is great. It is difficult not to draw comparisons to Jim Butchers Dresden files, but that is no detriment to the series.

My one and only criticism is that the writing style is so obviously American. The stories are set in London and it drives me to distraction, we don't have trash cans in the UK we have 'bins', London has an Underground not a Metro and Policemen are not 'Cops'!

But other than that I love the books

This book is exceedingly hard to read for the first half. I admit to starting it three times before I managed to get through it. While the story is good it just reads like a technical manual. I feel horrible for saying it. It isn't often I have to expend effort and plow through a book like it's three feet of wet snow. I think the next book will be better hopefully now that the depressing ground work has been laid.

Well written and edited. But So many things were introduced in this book with little to no explanation. The main character is discovering this crazy magic worls along with us and that would be ok if I didn't disagree with most of her decisions. She just stumbled along from scene to scene in an emotional daze that annoyed me so much I got 85% thru the book ( to the final battle) and couldn't finish. I just couldn't stand anymore of her angst.

I forced myself to make it, to chapter nine. Could not read any more, seriously this is how you see women? Rolling her eyes ,sticking her tongue out, being snarky ,dropping the f bomb every ten words but adding arse in to not be offensive. Magic appears in her life, vampires and a wizard she questions none of it. Sorry this is terrible unless your a 6th grader.

This could have been a better book with editing, better world building, and more clarity. The series has potential, however, there were just too many issues to make me want to pick up the next in the series.

I was looking forward to the storyline.
I think it had the elements for a potential good story but fell flat. It was too rushed and disjointed. It didn't keep my attention. I could barely finish it. For all the awards it was supposed to have been given, it was disappointing read. Not recommend.

Just couldn't get interested in the story my attention span kept wandering. When I read a good book i can't put it down. This wasn't one of those good reads, but I usually don't read this type of book and that to be fair may have been the problem.

This story has potential, but the writing is sorely lacking. The pacing is inconsistent, moving either way too slow or too quickly. At times, the inner monologues drag on and don't contribute to the story at all. The characters' motivations are unbelievable at best. The book would have seriously benefited from a better editor.

I expected so much more. Very gory and constant horrid language was hard to even get through to see the actual plot. Based on other review I had expected this series to be top notch....however I will not be reading anymore.