Interesting concept and magic system.
Enjoyed the writing style however what definitely ruined it for me was the fact that this wasn’t marked as a series.
This was a heavy jumpstart into an existing universe that I had no idea existed and then also gave away everything from the previous books.

If read as a series I imagine this to be much better but this way for me it was just confusing and at parts overwhelming.

As someone who hasn't read the full series, it was challenging to jump straight into this one. However, since picking up this book, our bookstore has also acquired the full series, and I've recommended it to readers looking for an interesting magic system and a mystery to solve. While this one wasn't a favorite for me, I'm sure I'll be able to find the right readers for it!

Initially, I felt a little lost because I hadn't read the Jackaby series, then it gave away everything from those books all at once, and I just got more confused.

The magic system was really cool. Based on ambiance, I'd never seen a magic system like this, which I really enjoyed.

However, a cool magic system cannot redeem a book. I felt like the characters were flat and lacking, and I wasn't altogether engaged with the plot. Overall, cool magic system and cover, but I didn't find myself getting into the book like I wanted to.

This was an enjoyable read although I think it would've been more investing for me if I knew the characters well. Recommend reading as a series.

TW// mentions of murder, violence

Before I get into my review, I need to give a little disclaimer. This book can be read as a standalone BUT if you have any desire to read the previous books in the Jackaby series, do not read Rook until you’ve read the rest of the series. This book spoils the massive twists in the main series as well as the result of the final conflict.

I read this book as a standalone and my thoughts on the book may be different if I’d read the rest of the series first. However, I have a strong suspicion that I would’ve quit the series midway through if the other books were anything like this one.

The only thing I truly liked about this book was the magic system. It was super unique. I liked the way the seer’s powers drew in colors and scents. I have never seen anything like it before.

I’m not someone who can fall in love with a book based solely on a magic system though, so this book ultimately felt very lacking.

I could tell that the author was going for a Sherlock and Watson dynamic with Jackaby and Abigail, but I felt that it wasn’t done well enough. They felt like only faint impressions of Sherlock and Watson. I usually love the Sherlock/Watson dynamic, but Jackaby and Abigail just didn’t have enough of those dynamics.

None of the other characters really caught my eye. Most of the characters felt really bland and lacking in strong personalities, especially Charlie.

I’ve seen some reviewers saying that this book is predictable if you’ve read the other books in the series, but if I’m being honest, it was even predictable for someone who hasn’t read the entire series. I guessed who the true villain was right after I read the first sentence describing them.

The writing style also never truly clicked for me. It wasn’t bad; it was just bland.

I’m probably not going to pick up the rest of the Jackaby series now. I think that if the characters were replaced with a more interesting cast and the magic system was kept the same, I could’ve actually enjoyed the series. However, Rook didn’t work for me and I can’t imagine the other books in the series working for me either.

A paranormal mystery that is a mashup of Sherlock Holmes and Buffy, it revolves around Rook, Jackaby's former assistant. As she grapples with new powers, her help is sought in solving a murder and missing individuals.

I did not realize it was part of a series until after I started reading it. By that time, I was already hooked. Rook works well as a standalone. I did not have any trouble trying to understand the world or the events that led to Rook gaining the gift of Sight–she sees auras. The paranormal elements were the draw for me, and Rook did not disappoint in this aspect. The world is an interesting one with paranormal entities coexisting with humans. Despite the cases Rook is on, it’s a rather light read.

If you’re curious about the series and are not a fan of spoilers, you’ll have to start with book one. I will add that I’m a lot more likely to read the Jackaby series now. Pick up Rook if you’re a fan of the series or if you’re looking for an entertaining paranormal read. It is a combination of Sherlock and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with Watson or Willow at the helm. (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
🔎 I adored the detective mystery feel and the witty banter from Jackaby. It felt like Sherlock Holmes with a paranormal twist that I liked.

🔎 I loved seeing an FMC with imposter syndrome overcome that. I definitely foresaw a lot of growth in her, coming from a sheltered background where she wasn’t allowed to do things for herself to the beginning of the story where she was the only one with the ability to do the task needed. Watching her grow and develop into a confident seer was beautifully executed and ingeniously done. I also liked that in the end, it wasn’t Jackaby that helped her solve the case. That was super shocking and refreshing.

🔎 I knew nothing about Alina before this book, but I loved her the first chapter she appeared. She was direct and honest, but at least you knew where she stood. I love fierce female characters and she was a baddie for sure.

🔎 I always love a mystery that I don’t see the ending coming to, and this was no exception.

🔎 There were a lot of good quotes that I liked:
“Life goes on- which I have always felt was rude on life’s part.”

---
“Progress demands discomfort. New Fiddleham is growing to become a better version of itself, just as we all are. Every scuffle in the streets or angry bit of vandalism is merely a growing pain. Throwing yourself at New Fiddleham’s problems before you overcome your own isn’t going to help anyone – lease of all you.”

---
“Confidence first, Miss Rook – competence to follow.”

---
Rook: I can’t do this. You knew how to be the Seer. I just make a mess of everything.

Jackaby: You think I didn’t make messes? My life has been one long series of messes, strung together like sausages. The trick, as far as I’ve been able to tell, is to clean up slightly more messes than you cause. Keep the scales tipped in your favor.

---
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned doing this work, it’s that being a leader is not the same thing as being independent. In fact, they’re quite the opposite. Being a good leader doesn’t mean not letting other people help you. Real leadership is about trust. It’s about accepting that others trust you, and trusting them in return. Most of all – hardest of all – it’s about trusting yourself.”

---
“The quickest way to get to the bottom of a trap, is to fall into it.”

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 could have been better:

🔎 While there was nothing that didn’t make sense because of me having not read the original series (this was a self-contained mystery), I felt there were past references, character arcs, and the entire worldbuilding elements missing from my understanding. I think with a little more emphasis on the worldbuilding and character backstories added in, that would have made this standalone a little better for me, a new reader to the series.

4 stars!

This story was exactly what I needed to fill the void after the events of the Jackaby series. I adored the supernatural take on Sherlock Holmes-esque tale. These books really do stand out.
Rook takes place about six months after the end of the Jackaby series. Abigail has inherited the sight and has been trying to adjust. Even after the prolonged amount of time, she does not quite have it figured out. This is refreshingly realistic. This book could stand on it’s own, but I would highly recommend reading the other four books that take place in this world in order to become familiar with all of the characters since most of them do make a reappearance - Douglas too!
The story includes murder, mayhem, betrayal, twists and turns. The elements of mystery and character development are divine. I love Jackaby trying to be normal.
This is perfect for fans of paranormal mystery.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for a digital arc of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Solid book. Interesting world. Fun mystery overall. Never read any of the other books, but makes me interested to read the rest of this author's catalog.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**

Actual rating: 3.5

William Ritter returns to the world of Jackaby with the newest installment, Rook. Miss Abigail Rook has been having a bit of difficulty adjusting to her inherited magical Sight, but the magical crimes in New Fiddleham are stacking up. When multiple members of the magical community are missing and others are dead, Miss Rook can't afford to keep to the sidelines for an adjustment period. Rook and Jackaby investigate a new series of cases with Rook in the lead and face the scariest obstacle of all- Rook's parents.

This book is described as a standalone adventure in the world of Jackaby. I would argue that this is very much book 5 and would be a difficult buy-in as a standalone. The plot line is contained to this book, but the nature of the character development achieved in the Jackaby series combined with where this book picks up means that a reader would be best served by reading the Jackaby quartet before diving into Rook. I would not suggest that readers new to the world start here.

Part of what made the Jackaby series charming for me as a reader was having Jackaby himself as the lead. Having him as the supporting role in Rook was less satisfying for me personally, but gave a lot of space for Rook to come into her own.

With Rook learning the Sight and her new role as Seer combined with facing her parents, this book was aptly named as it was all about her development personally. As such, I do wish Charlie had a bigger role to play, but understand why he was predominantly sidelined. The exploration of Charlie and Rook growing into their relationship together was something that might have been valuable, but was cramped into asides to make room for the rest of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Rook and would absolutely read any further installments from Ritter in the world of Jackaby.

What a wonderful addition to the beloved Jackaby series by Ritter! I read this as a standalone and while I really enjoyed elements of the tale (paranormal creatures, rich characters, laugh out loud scenes, etc.) I really wish I would have read this after reading the series it was meant to chronologically follow. I think readers who do not miss out on caring about the key relationships, and since the whole motive behind solving the mystery is rooted in preexisting relationships, those are pretty important to feel as a reader. Lastly, I echo everyone’s comps to Sherlock x Supernatural!

Thank you to NetGalley, William Ritter, and Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This middle grade book was so good! I absolutely loved it. I seriously read it in one sitting I could not put it down. I have to read more of this series. Love!!
I just reviewed Rook by William Ritter. #Rook #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

This was an entertaining read. I wasn't aware at first that it was a new book in an established series, but the references to past happenings throughout made it obvious that there were books that had come before it. I wish I'd read those first, because now I've been spoiled for how they turn out and I do want to read them!
Some aspects of this book that I really enjoyed were that Rook maintains a polite, friendly, and kind nature in contrast to the cookie-cutter female protagonists we've gotten of late, who are all rude, pushy, etc.; Jackaby is so likable and fun; the setting and historical period; the mysteries themselves that unfold; and that it's written in a pretty innocent and clean way, appropriate for younger readers but still enjoyable to even us adults who prefer to not have adult content or language in all our books.
There were some scenes that were a bit cheesy, which I remember thinking at the time, but I can't remember the scenes now, so they didn't ruin my experience as a whole!
All in all, this was a solid read for those looking for a fun mystery set in a historical period, with relatable and entertaining characters, that doesn't rely on adult themes to make it interesting. It's appropriate for young teens all the way up to . . . well, older people. I'm 41 and enjoyed it.

Rook is a great middle grade read. I loved Abigail and her shenanigans. The supernatural aspect of Rook was entertaining. I recommend Rook to any middle grade reader who wants a magical adventure!

This book is perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries.
Abigail Rook has recently been given the power of the Sight and must learn to use her newfound power to find out what is happening to all the supernaturals that are disappearing.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I felt that the ending was kind of predictable, so that is why I gave it the rating that I did. Other than that, it was pretty good. I was not familiar with the Jackaby series before I read this book but I am considering reading it after having read this book set in the same universe. I liked the plot and setting of this book as well as the characters. I would recommend this book to those who like mystery and maybe a little bit of supernatural elements to go with the mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

William Ritter’s Rook is a blessed return to form with its quirky, mystery-solving duo of Abigail Rook and R.F. Jackaby that demonstrates the true strength of the original Jackaby series. This novel picks up several months after the previous book, where an inter-dimensional war was waged, the veil between New Fiddleham and the other side was left partially open, and Abigail Rook inherited the title of the Seer from Jackaby. While it does essentially operate as a “standalone mystery” within the world Ritter has created, my first attempt at reading Rook—having only read the first book in the series—felt like jumping into a television series at the halfway point, i.e. watching Teen Wolf for the first time but starting with season 3B.

After holing herself up in 929 Augur Lane for months trying to understand and test her new powers, Abigail Rook returns to her role as a detective and is shocked to find how much supernatural chaos has been happening on the streets of New Fiddleham. Tasked with a new case, it is up to Abigail herself to solve a string of homicides and missing persons cases that threatens the new, tenuous dynamic between humans and the supernatural world.

I truly enjoyed seeing the way in which Abigail is struggling to adjust to her new role as the Seer and the shift in dynamic between her and Jackaby, now that he has lost the sight. (The Watson has become the Holmes, if you will.) Their different personalities and manners of investigating have been a fun draw to this series for me and I appreciated that the change in the role of Seer did not completely alter their dynamic and, frankly, further enhanced their friendship.

The original four books in the Jackaby series have their highs and lows and, while this may not technically be the fifth installment, I would consider it among the highs of the world Ritter created. These books shine when focused on the nitty-gritty of investigating odd supernatural mysteries, the dynamic between Rook and Jackaby, and their complicated love of the city of New Fiddleham and people—and creatures—who have made their home there.

Rook features the same characters and is set in the same world as the author’s highly popular Jackaby series. I only read the first book in that series, but Rook can easily be read as a standalone without any confusion.

This is a delightful novel that I finished in two sittings. Abigail is still getting accustomed to her new power of the Sight, but with supernatural mayhem alive and well in New Fiddleham she’s ready to assist local law enforcement and dive into some mysteries. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed the relationship between Jackaby and Abigail. Seeing the two of them in nearly opposite roles (he lost the power of the Sight) is an unusual situation, and his efforts at assistance (antics) had me laughing several times over the course of the story. Abigail’s fiance’ Charlie is a sweetheart, and he’s put under the microscope when her parents show up unexpectedly. They’re a bit overbearing, but I liked how Charlie didn’t cower in a corner.

The story moves along at a brisk pace, and even though it’s not difficult to figure out who Abigail and Jackaby are chasing, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the novel. If you’re a fan of towns filled with quirky characters – paranormal and human alike, humorous banter, and supernatural mysteries, Rook checks those boxes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Reading Rook was like coming home to someplace I didn't realize I missed so much! Rook follows the story of Abigail, the new Seer of New Fiddleham. It is a companion novel to the fantastic Jackaby saga, but as it is a standalone you can read it with no issue!
I'm not gonna lie, I didn’t realize how worried I was about Abigail and Jackaby until I read Rook. I love these books so much and the characters feel like old friends! Rook contains an entire world full of magic and mayhem that practically jumps off the page. Its pages are rich with mystery, humor, and just pure FUN!

Sherlock Holmes cross with Supernatural.

*Read as standalone.*

Although the author stated that this could be read as a standalone, I recommend reading it as part of the series.

Abigail Rook's power of Sight grants her the extraordinary ability to discern and comprehend auras, including those of both human and nonhuman origin. Even though she's still learning this new ability, she's assisting Jackaby in his investigations of the disappearances of magical creatures and beings.

Even though I like the idea and concept, I did not find anything that particularly caught my attention. Overall, an okay read. Would still recommend it to fans of Sherlock Holmes and the Jackaby series.

*** Thank you to NetGalley, William Ritter, and Algonquin Young Readers for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

It was so much fun being back in this world! Absolutely love this story and this author!

These are books that I would comfortably recommend to any reader!
It has mystery, it has romance, it has suspense, it has amazing friendships and is just plain fun to read!

All the stars for William Ritter and I can't wait to see what he writes next!