This novel was . . . alright. I was expecting more story, more plot more. . . suspense. Unfortunately I learned very little more then I did by reading the book's back cover. Even though you learn Jane's future mother-in-law is a powerful witch before reading the first sentence, Jane herself doesn't figure it out until the second half of the book. That is a very long time to wait for the storyline to pick up it's pace. This is not a boring story its just takes forever to develop. ( )

666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce is about a young woman and aspiring architect named Jane Boyle who is seduced into marrying Malcolm Doran and into one of the most financially and socially powerful families in New York: the Doran Clan.


Besides being one of the most feared and revered families in Manhattan, Jane Boyle soon discovers her soon-to-be-mother-in-law is a witch—and that both her life and her newfound magical powers are at risk.

Though the title, 666 Park Avenue, seems to be a somewhat superficial title, this young adult paranormal fiction is nothing to scoff at. Aside from a few introductory clichés, the narrative will compel you to turn the page and continue to do so throughout in anticipation of what might happen next. I literally did not want to put the book down and in doing so, allowed me to finish it in only two sittings.


The characters are as archetypal as they are entertaining, from Lynne Doran’s matriarchal power and poise to her ability at extreme self-control, deception, and manipulation. She is as cold as she is vindictive and at the core, a dark and evil source of power.

To read more of my review, please visit my blog at The Bibliotaphe's Closet: http://zaraalexis.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/666-park-avenue-a-review/

Thanks,
Zara ( )

I started reading the book yesterday, and the writing and the setting are very interesting. I want to see what will happen next. The book reminds me a lot of the movie Hush (1998) starring Gwyneth Paltrow. A woman falls in love with a man who is handsome rich and so in love with her and then she meets his crazy mom and everything goes nuts after that, add witchcraft to the mix and you've got the book... But I have a bad feeling about Malcolm, he doesn't feel right... I still haven't finished, I'll see what will happen next and edit my review.

OMG!!!! The book was great!!! I loved it!!! Every twist was a surprise! and the ending was open for another book.

I wish Jane would end up with Harris! ( )

I started reading the book yesterday, and the writing and the setting are very interesting. I want to see what will happen next. The book reminds me a lot of the movie Hush (1998) starring Gwyneth Paltrow. A woman falls in love with a man who is handsome rich and so in love with her and then she meets his crazy mom and everything goes nuts after that, add witchcraft to the mix and you've got the book... But I have a bad feeling about Malcolm, he doesn't feel right... I still haven't finished, I'll see what will happen next and edit my review.

OMG!!!! The book was great!!! I loved it!!! Every twist was a surprise! and the ending was open for another book.

I wish Jane would end up with Harris! ( )

I'll give this three stars, 'cause it's not a bad book. But I have to say it didn't live up to it's über attractive cover and meticulously decorative pages. Nope, not at all.

The vast majority of the book is dedicated to Jane's interactions with her monstrous mother-in-law to-be, no magic required. In fact there's hardly magic at all until the end of the book. It could have been basic chic lit. Then again, the way Malcolm swept her off her feet it could be a romance. But there is eventually magic, so are we talking urban fantasy or paranormal romance? There's a murder with a bit of a mystery in there too and the terror in the attic could almost pass for light horror. So, I'm not entirely sure what genre this is even supposed to fall into. It's a little schizophrenic.

[SPOILER ALERT] If all of that didn't leave me baffled enough I then have to wonder at the characters' actions. Honestly, bringing Jane to NY and forcing a wedding of the century on her doesn't seem to make any sense for what the baddies hope to accomplish. Nor does Mrs. Doran's overbearing attitude. She wants something. You'd think she could at least fake being nice long enough to get it. Everything they hoped to accomplish could have been gained by simply smiling and welcoming her into their family. Seriously, that's all it would have taken to get exactly what they wanted. So, why all the dramatics?

Then there is Jane...Jane. Jane. Jane. Jane, who learns that she has been lied to, manipulated and conned and then instantly decides she can still trust this person. Um, why? Based on what? Then after giving him that second chance, she learns of yet another betrayal--this one even bigger than the last. Does she finally curse him? Nope, instant forgiveness. What?

I also didn't feel that characters were well fleshed out. I mean Malcolm was in the book for a collective 30 pages, maybe (probably less). He's like a prop to get Jane to NY and keep her there. It's his family that she interacts with. This lack of face-time with Malcolm also means the reader, or at least this reader, was unable to reconcile how he could be the heartless man who did the things he did, the helpless boy-man that needs rescuing, a victim and trustworthy all at the same time. But I assure you, we are apparently supposed to be able to. Further, while I liked Jane's apparent backbone and the smarts it takes to pick some battles and let others go, we learn very little about what makes her willing to remain in her situation even after it has become patently ridiculous. Oh, and isn't it convenient that she developed all that power just in time!?

I liked the writing well enough, simple as it is. There are some funny bits. The book itself is stunning. But there is very little that attracts me to pick up the next volume. ( )