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666 Park Avenue: A Novel
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666 Park Avenue: A Novel
Unavailable
666 Park Avenue: A Novel
Ebook309 pages4 hours

666 Park Avenue: A Novel

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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About this ebook

“Both chilling and chic, frightening, yet fashionable—pure evil has never been this much fun!”
New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks,

“Dark secrets and truly wicked socialites—666 Park Avenue is a thrill to the very last page.”
New York Times bestselling author Zoey Dean

 

Elite Upper East Side Witches Rule Park Avenue! 666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce kicks off a wonderfully  high concept   and  richly gothic contemporary series about the darkness lurking behind the gilded halls of New York City high society. For the original Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries fan who’s grown up and is ready for an edgier, more sophisticated read, 666 Park Avenue is the perfect paranormal diversion. 

LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarperCollins
Release dateFeb 1, 2011
ISBN9780062059437
Unavailable
666 Park Avenue: A Novel
Author

Gabriella Pierce

Gabriella Pierce is an American living in Paris with her two dogs.

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Reviews for 666 Park Avenue

Rating: 3.642857142857143 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A really good book . I enjoy witches and other supernatural beings so this was not a disappointment at all. I wish I could see the television show but I don't get the channel.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    It has a great concept and interesting plot - just different enough from the typical paranormal novel. Not an amazing book, but I'll definitely check out the next installment.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    What if your mother-in-law turned out to be an evil, cold-blooded witch . . . literally? Ever since fabulously wealthy Malcolm Doran walked into her life and swept her off her feet, fledgling architect Jane Boyle has been living a fairy tale. When he proposes with a stunning diamond to seal the deal, Jane can't believe her incredible luck and decides to leave her Paris-based job to make a new start with Malcolm in New York. But when Malcolm introduces Jane to the esteemed Doran clan, one of Manhattan's most feared and revered families, Jane's fairy tale takes a darker turn. Soon everything she thought she knew about the world - and herself - is upended. Now Jane must struggle with newfound magical abilities and the threat of those who will stop at nothing to get them.My Thoughts:I am three episodes into the tv series and I have to say it is nothing like the book. The book is a paranormal romance with only a few chills along the way. I found the book very chick lit with a witchy theme.The book was very easy and quick to read but I found it could have been a bit more darker being as it was supernatural themed. I didn’t get bored with the book but don’t feel that there is enough for me to go and get the next one in the series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a good change. I really liked the main character Jane, she was strong when she needed to be and soft when she needed to be. Malcolm was a guy that you utterly adored at first and then he faded really fast. I wanted more Harris in there. I don't know if there will be a 2nd book, but there should be. The ending stoped really abruptly, there definately could be enough for another book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    "666 Park Ave" was an enjoyable read. I felt that I "got along" well with the character of Jane. She is just sentimental enough to be real, but with a vein of grit running through her that developed believably through the story.The details in the book are bright and imposing. The characters are knife-edged with detailed physical descriptions. Jane's surroundings and objects in the story truly came to life in my mind through Pierce's writing (i.e., the red-and-gold duvet).Jane's development within the story is believable but her background is not solid enough for such a strong personality, nor would someone as kind as Jane not visit the woman who raised her for six years. I also didn't buy Jane's quickness to trust Malcolm post-revelation.I did feel that both the "big reveal" and eventual betrayal were predictable. I also felt the book ended on too light of a note for the danger Jane supposedly faced from the Doran's. The book was enjoyable and I would read the implied sequel, although I do hope it doesn't pick up on the same flippant air on which this book ended.The matter-of-fact reveal of magic in a seemingly blasé and posh world is titillating, and readers will enjoy viewing New York high society through Jane's naivety, while experiencing the thrill of a story that is part mystery, part fairy-tale.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Already had this in my to-read pile, when I saw a note in a magazine that one of the networks was developing a series, 666 Park Avenue. Thought I may have gotten a spoiler when I read it was based on a couple moving into a haunted building. Uh, no. The series may be about that but the novel definitely isn't. Poor girl. I hope she can recover from the events of this story in the next one.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    666 Park AvenueByGabriella PierceSummary…From GoodReads…What if your mother-in-law turned out to be an evil, cold-blooded witch . . . literally? Ever since fabulously wealthy Malcolm Doran walked into her life and swept her off her feet, fledgling architect Jane Boyle has been living a fairy tale. When he proposes with a stunning diamond to seal the deal, Jane can't believe her incredible luck and decides to leave her Paris-based job to make a new start with Malcolm in New York. But when Malcolm introduces Jane to the esteemed Doran clan, one of Manhattan's most feared and revered families, Jane's fairy tale takes a darker turn. Soon everything she thought she knew about the world—and herself—is upended. Now Jane must struggle with newfound magical abilities and the threat of those who will stop at nothing to get them.My thoughts…This book was a fast paced and intense reading experience for me. I can also say it was a bit of a nail biter. It was a totally captivating magical story. It had everything…a Prince Charming who is not who we are led to believe he is, lots of magic, and lots of witches…some evil and some not so evil. Jane falls in love with Malcolm, is swept off of her feet and moves to New York with Malcolm. They live with Malcolm’s parents and Jane has to learn to live with the strangeness of the Doran family. Malcolm’s mother is quite demanding and fierce and Jane struggles to maintain her uniqueness as she is overwhelmed by the mysteries of Malcolm’s strange family. While struggling to find her own way in her new city, Jane discovers that she has witchlike powers of her own. She has always felt different…lights go off and on when she is in a room, computers sizzle and appliances sort of freak out around her but she has been shielded from the truth about herself by an overprotective grandmother. The build up to Jane and Malcolm’s wedding and their plan to break free of his family is extremely delicious. Jane joins a coven of witches and begins to fully develop her powers. This places her in danger and only Jane can save herself. As I said earlier…the last quarter of this book was an extreme nail biter for me. I couldn’t move until I raced through to the ending.I loved this book. It was fresh and new and different and exciting. I hope to read more from this first time author.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Not really my thing. Too much chick lit, brand name dropping, pop culture shout outs (but not in a fun enough way to really pull it off), twists that are obvious about 20 chapters earlier.

    Readable, but not more.

    Possibly ok as a setup for a series, at this point I'm more interested in the secondary characters, so I might pick up the next book, just to see where it goes.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fun tale of a young woman who discovers her witch-y inheritance and uncovers the evil intent behind her future mother-in-law's magical schemes. Jane Boyle's attempt to penetrate into the wealthy Doran family has some unexpected results, especially as she goes toe to toe with Lynne, her potential mother-in-law, who turns out to be a witch with plans for Jane's powers. A fun read, 666 Park Avenue is filled with the highlights of New York and offers the twist of high society matrons cast as powerful witches. I would recommend this book to someone looking for something light and a little different to read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    For me this book is a blend of ChicLit and Urban Fantasy. I generally do not like that particular marriage as the heroine tends to be snarky to the point that I just don't enjoy the fantasy aspects. I am pleasantly surprised by this novel.The story of Jane, a woman who gets engaged to a man and finds that her future mother-in-law is a witch. Literally, a witch. And not a very nice one. Jane finds that she is also a witch but that is only the beginning of her trials while on the way to the altar. There are twists and turns in the book.As a first novel I thought it played out very well and the author's writing style is easy to follow and it all flowed for me.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This books was a fun, fast, and entertaining read. It had a bit of a mystery story to it that I wasn't expecting. I liked learning about the witch history and reading bits about the story of Ambika and the seven witch families. I wish the author had included more of this backstory, but she only included the tidbits that were important for Jane to know. It's interesting to note that though the summary of the book says outright that Jane's mother-in-law is a witch, that is something that Jane doesn't figure out until over halfway through the book. For the most part, Jane was concerned with finding ways to control her own powers that she had inherited from her own witch family, which she had just realized she was a part of in the beginning of the novel (the fact the Jane was a witch was never even mentioned in the summary in the Goodreads giveaways, so it was a nice surprise and a good twist to the story for me.) *Spoilers*In the first half of the book, I honestly couldn't see why Lynne was described to be so evil. She hd come across as controlling to me, someone who is used to getting what she wants, but I didn't find her to be particularly evil. However, Lynne eventually showed all that she was capable of in the last half of the book. While I had sympathized with her in the beginning, that certainly didn't last. Wanting desperately to carry on the female line and preserve the family's magic is one thing; trying to kill a woman in order to keep her plan in motion is plain evil, and Lynne just got worse and worse as the book progressed. Though, I do wonder if maybe most of Lynne's evilness actually stems from a mental breakdown she most likely suffered after losing her daughter. The book doesn't give any picture of what Lynne was like before she lost Annette, so I can't be sure, but I expect she wasn't born evil or even grew up evil but that her insanity and desperation makes her do evil things.*End Spoilers*The ending was left open, and I could see a sequel coming out of it.**Received finished copy for review
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It was a slow start for me, but often the first in a series are as you are still getting to know all the major characters and what not. I enjoyed the book and will be reading book 2 before too long.I'm intrigued to see what ABC does with the TV show. The promos and such sound like there are a lot of changes
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    666 PARK AVENUE, by Gabriella Pierce, is a surprising and satisfying novel. After reading it, I still find it hard to put into one genre. There was the obvious supernatural element of the witches, but some of it read closer to a chick-lit. And other times it read like a suspenseful mystery. Either way, I had a blast reading it and I highly (highly!) recommend it. Jane Boyle is my hero. She is strong, intelligent, and clever. Her relationship with Malcolm is like a fairy-tale. He is handsome, rich, successful, and madly in love with Jane (as she is with him). And I have to say their bedroom escapades were definitely hot and steamy! And if there ever was a witch with a capital 'B' it is Jane's future mother-in-law, Lynne. I got the creeps anytime she stepped onto the pages. But if anyone could handle that woman, it was Jane.I really enjoyed the process that Jane used to practice and perfect her powers. I felt bad for Jane at times because she was technically an orphan. Her likable personality afforded her new friends who worked hard to get Jane prepared for whatever Lynne had up her sleeve. Pierce truly created a wonderful story. There were twists and turns throughout the book that always kept me guessing. I am excited to read the next book to see where Pierce takes the lovely Jane!A cover note: For as simple as the cover is, I think it is gorgeous. The color scheme makes me think of Halloween (i.e. witches) and the tree leaves forming bats is a creative addition.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Interesting bit of chic lit. NY high society romance with a twist: witchcraft. I thought the concept was fun and the story idea interesting but I just couldn't get into any of the major characters. Jane, the heroine, was just so wussy and it was unbelievable the stuff she was willing to put up with from a guy she was engaged to after just one month (not seeing him for weeks at a time with no communication or real explanation!?!?), when she did start to find some inner strength it was too little too late. When she finally got strong enough to be interesting the story was over. That said if there was a sequel, I think I'd be inclined to read it just because I was just starting to really like her.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed this. Sure, it was chick-lit-y and a bit formulaic (I could see the main "twist" a mile away) but it was a fun read and an interesting take on a popular topic. It was much less romancy than it could have been, which I appreciated. I read through it quickly and, while there isn't a LOT for me to praise, I didn't see anything to really critique, either. I'll read the next one, for sure :)
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Twenty-three year old Parisian Jane Boyle is completely swept off her feet by handsome, romantic, rich New Yorker Malcolm Doran. She's an orphan, so she has no reason to say no when, after only a month of dating, Malcolm proposes that they move to New York and get married. The only loose end to tie up is a visit to Jane's estranged grandmother in the French countryside whom, they discover upon arriving, has in fact been dead for some time. Grandmother Boyle left Jane a hidden note informing her that she is a witch, from a long line of witches. With this new secret spinning around in her head, Jane and Malcolm arrive in New York where Jane discovers that a) her mother-in-law-to-be is a horrible bitch, and b) the Doran family has way more secrets than Jane does.It's hard for me to say exactly what irked me about this book. I think Jane is just too shallow for me to really root for her as a heroine. Sure, her weird behavior re: Malcolm is somewhat explained later, but it was still a bit like Rachel from Friends realizing she's a witch. There's a bit too much talk about fashion designers and brand names for my taste. I would expect that from Lynne (Malcolm's mother), but not from Jane. I did like a lot of the minor characters, however, like Lynne and Maeve and Harris. I enjoyed reading the book, and the ending was particularly excellent, and I might continue the series if I get around to it, but I think it's a bit too "girly" for me to honestly recommend it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I enjoyed reading this novel, and only got annoyed with our heroine a few times for being so resigned to her ignorance. Good god, girl, can't you even open you mouth and talk to people? Ask questions? Get a clue? There were great plot twists here and there in the story, enough to keep me very interested in what happened next despite some rather obvious foreshadowing.All in all a good read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Although I picked this up because I so loved the television series based on it, 666, I just have to say: I haven't the faintest idea how they ended up turning this book into that television show. That said, I loved it just as much in all different ways.First, I want to note that the only real similarities between this book and that television series is the names of the main characters, which are mostly the same even while the relationships are entirely twisted between mediums. Where the television series focuses on a haunted/haunting hotel, however, this series focuses on a young woman/witch who has only just discovered who she is and the real story behind her past, as well as how her present is tangled up in matters she never would have imagined. The book hinges on moods of romance, mystery, and suspense, and is a far reach from the horror that Hollywood turned it into (much as I loved that horror, it's true). Pierce's writing, though, is luxuriant and graceful, and her narrative is as fast-moving as her characters are fun. All in all, this is a wonderful read, and everything you'd want in a quiet and easy escape.For followers of the cancelled television series, I reluctantly have to accept (and share): I doubt that any closure for the story-lines in the television show will be found by following this series through. BUT, this is maybe all the more fascinating for what it was eventually turned into, and there are strains of horror here, any of which I can imagine being taken further in future installments.Simply, I have to recommend it. I had more fun reading this than I've had with a book in ages. Absolutely recommended. It takes a few chapters to take off, giving backstory, but it speeds up quickly and delivers on all of the suspense and questions it sets up.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    2½ stars. I wanted to read before the tv series premiered and it was a quick read so was a perfectly good read. Jane was initially a likable character that did eventually get a clue and a backbone (maybe a little too slowly for my tastes). A bit of New-York-shopping-mecca-social-climbing with some 1970's style gothic eeriness thrown in (stayed strictly paranormal with overbearing mother-in-law-to-be without degenerating into horror genre). Even with developing mind-reading abilities the other characters in the book came off pretty flat, initial romance ickily sweet and made Jane somewhat of a doormat or would have rated another star for me.

    There are elements there that could make a good TV series and the previews look good so will watch the TV pilot (hopefullly series has someone else responsible for her relative's death, that revelation was unpleasant for me particularly as seemed to not be any really big deal to Jane or have repercussions--after all aren't you supposed to understand/have-sympathy-for and forgive people with messed up childhood or family dynamics...yuck, yuck, yuck!)

    Have second in series with a description that sounds like could be interesting twists. Not sure when or if will read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    666 Park Avenue is a quirky but exciting portrayal of a young witch (24 years old) who doesn't know she's a witch, but is about to find out in some unexpected ways.When Jane meets Malcolm, he sweeps her off her feet and proposes within a month. She leaves her beloved Paris to live in New York City with him, but as it turns out, Malcolm's mom is a little more than she bargained for. Follow Jane as she tries to negotiate social life with the Doran family, all the while hiding her witchy powers.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I picked this book up because I enjoyed the television series. It was obvious that the book was nothing like the series, but I tried to give it a chance. I found the plot uninteresting, and the main character boring. I gave the book two stars instead of one though, because somehow it kept me reading to the end.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I love the artsy cover for 666 Park Avenue - the texture is a little different, but I seriously love having this book on my shelf because the design is so pretty! What can I say? Sometimes I'm a superficial reader :) Also, I swear it wasn't until I finally had time to read this book that I realized how truly evil the title is with such unlucky numbers!666 Park Avenue is kinda like a whirlwind that will seriously sweep you off your feet and make spine tingle with delicious anticipation. I was not sure what to expect from such an interesting premise, but it definitely delivered more than my hopes for sparkling writing and memorable characters! While I would have liked to see more topsy-turviness when Jane hops across the ocean to New York and finds herself swimming among the sharks of Upper East Side, I think that would have been simply unnecessary fluff and there was a lot of more important ground to cover.I didn't really see too much of the other characters who came in and out of Jane's life, which I think was done on purpose. I have 2 theories - the first being that it really demonstrated how clueless Jane was about her magical inheritance and how desperately others wanted to steal it from her. She didn't really know anybody, and everyone kept their distance or had some ulterior motive. Which leads to the 2nd theory that Gabriella Pierce had plotted and twisted so neatly and cleverly to prime us for the spectacular ending of 666 Park Avenue.Because unexpected and slightly heart-breaking it was.I am eager to see if 666 Park Avenue will continue onward as Jane comes into her powers, especially since the ending seems to hint on there being a sequel.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I got an ARC of this and when i picked it up new it would be good, it captured my attention from the get go and look forward to the next in the series
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    666 Park avenue by Gabriella PierceReviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews. What if your mother-in-law turned out to be an evil, cold-blooded witch . . . literally? Ever since fabulously wealthy Malcolm Doran walked into her life and swept her off her feet, fledgling architect Jane Boyle has been living a fairy tale. When he proposes with a stunning diamond to seal the deal, Jane can't believe her incredible luck and decides to leave her Paris-based job to make a new start with Malcolm in New York. But when Malcolm introduces Jane to the esteemed Doran clan, one of Manhattan's most feared and revered families, Jane's fairy tale takes a darker turn. Soon everything she thought she knew about the world—and herself—is upended. Now Jane must struggle with newfound magical abilities and the threat of those who will stop at nothing to get them.This is a 2011 debut novel! When reading this book, I was not sure just where to put in genre wise. It’s not really a paranormal romance, but it’s not chick lit either. It’s more in the middle of the two, and somehow Pierce made it work! This book was fast paced and a fun read! I have always enjoyed books with witches and Pierce put her own spin so to speak on them. I do wish we learned more about Jane, but I liked how she handled everything and her new powers. The ending seemed a bit odd to me, and I really hope that this will become a series of books so we can learn more about Jane.Overall rating:****4 out of 5 starsCover art:I like the whimsical and spooky feel.Obtained:I won a copy from library thing early reviewers thank you!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Well, I decided to give this book a try mainly because of the TV show, except that the two are completely different. I'm not bothered by that too much, it was a nice surprise. It took me quite a while to get into the book. By chapters 10-12 I was ready to give up but I kept going. It wasn't necessarily that bad, it was just not interesting and I didn't care for all the labels and fancy things Jane wears.
    About halfway into the book I couldn't stop reading, mainly because of the relationship between Jane and her future mother in law. As much as Lynne's character frustrated me, I was more frustrated with Jane's lack of a backbone and I wanted Jane to do something about it. There was so much going on that by the time the wedding came, I was ready for it to be over.
    With that said, it wasn't that bad of a book. It took me far too long to get into it, but I don't really regret reading it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I found this to be a good first book for a series. It took a while to set up the storyline, but by the end I was interested enough that I would pick up a second book to see what happens to Jane as she interacts with the people she meets outside of the Doran family. The senior Doran is the only one of the family I would like to ever meet in person. The characters are a little sketchily drawn, but a second book would allow her to fix that. I would like to see Malcolm have some redeeming qualities that would make me want to like him. A good setup for a series, not strong enough to stand on its own.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    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.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I decided to read this book because I enjoyed the TV series and was sad that it was canceled and wanted more of the characters. The book is vastly different from the series. It was still a good story though. It reminded me of Charmed, Sookie Stackhouse series aka True Blood and a bit of Twilight too. It's very much a paranormal romance type book with some action and suspense. I enjoyed it and will most likely read more in this series.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Fun, but totally forgettable. Our heroine is the well-dressed daughter of a line of witches than only finds out upon the death of her grandmother, coinciding with the time when she meets Mr. Eligible Bachelor of NY. Only to find out - that's right - her soon-to-be mother-in-law is also a witch - a mean, horrible witch. Generally, the story was fun and entertaining. Very light. The main character is charming, pleasant, and somewhat dense. She seems to be good at making friends, rotten at taking care of herself. I would say I enjoyed the book overall, but there was too much discussion about wedding dresses and too little action. Also, a personal pet peeve, the book ends with a clear cliffhanger for a sequel instead of a real conclusion. The story feels unfinished, well, because it is, and that's annoying.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I can never resist a novel about witches. There's just something about 'em that calls out to me. *Shrugs* So, when I happened upon 666 Park Avenue while perusing the shelves of my local library one day, I just knew I would have to give it a try. This is an extremely fun, fast-paced read. The plot definitely sucked me in, and the references to magic were, of course, extremely satisfying. The only aspect of the story that bothered me was the pacing. Pierce wrote wonderful scenes, filled with excitement, drama, and romance, but her descriptions of them seemed somewhat rushed. It felt as though she was in a terrible hurry to just "get on with" the story. Being as this is a trilogy, I will, of course, be reading the other two novels in the series. I just hope that, in her continued divulgence of the saga of Jane Boyle, Pierce is able to slow down a bit.