Category: Urban Fantasy Page 42 of 44

So, this is still a really well-written series, with a rich cast of characters and a fully-realized setting that puts The Caster Chronicles ahead of several similar series. However, this installment — by and large — seems rather pointless. Its main task seems to be setting the stage for Book 4.

Yes, there’s some character development — but not enough, it’s like they’re afraid to go too far with some of the supporting characters (like Link and Ridley) at this point, they have to leave something for the next installment. Yes, we get some vital back story, but . . . well, that’s pretty much it. There’s a couple hundred pages of set up, a quick action scene and a conclusion that isn’t.

A few other notes:

It took Ethan and Lena far too long to decode the song lyrics. They’ve been doing this for about 2 years now, right? And they’re this slow? Hard to root for people when they’re acting far stupider than they are — especially this many of them at once.
For people who talk about loving and respecting each other as much as these people do — they don’t communicate. On those rare occasions when they do, actual progress is made. Amma and Ethan, in particular, should’ve conversed, not hidden things from each other.
For a series with such a strong sense of place, man, these authors show such contempt for the citizenry and culture of Gatlin. Isn’t it possible to talk about problems with the society without vilifying it?
I was unclear whether the devastation brought about by Lena’s choice (and Abraham Ravenwood & Co’s reaction to it) was limited to Gatlin, or if it extended beyond that. If it’s just Gatlin — where’s the press, the scientific community, the feds, looky-loos, etc. converging on the area to investigate it? If it’s a larger area affected, what are the explanations? Assuming they’re able to defeat Abraham in the next book, how does the world go back to normal?
So many things — Ethan’s taste issues, Link’s abilities, foremost amongst them — are introduced, and explored a little bit, and then dropped. Why?

I have confidence that Garcia and Stohl will pull this off (mostly) in the last 50 pages or so of Beautiful Redemption, and this will just fade into memory as a prolonged setup. But right now, it’s left a sour taste in my mouth.

Blood Work by Kim Harrison

By HCNewton

On July 19, 2013

In Comics, F-J, Fiction, Kim Harrison, The Hollows (Rachel Morgan), Urban Fantasy

Blood Work by Kim Harrison
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I’m trying to come up with a nice way to talk about this one, but I don’t think I can.

The writing was . . . lacking. It seemed like notes for a story more than anything else. My guess was that Harrison was learning how to write a comic script, knew she couldn’t put the same kind of detail she normally puts in her 400+ page novels, and over-corrected. It’s a potentially interesting tale, but just one poorly told.

And the art? Stiff, unnatural, not terribly consistent. It didn’t look so much like capturing motion or movement, but a series of awkward poses.

Honestly, I gave this an extra star because it scratched the itch wondering how things started between the two (didn’t eliminate the itch as it’s only part of the story, and so poorly told). Really, that’s the best that can be said for this waste of time. Despite this, I’ll probably read the sequel, just to find out what happens. And I’ll probably not be thrilled with myself throughout it.

Dream Dark by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

By HCNewton

On July 17, 2013

In Fiction, Urban Fantasy, YA/MG/Children's Books

Dream Dark by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is pretty much the textbook definition of “meh.” The primary purpose of this short story “of Gatlin’s first, and only, Linkubus” is to provide a bridge between Beautiful Darkness and Beautiful Chaos, which is does well enough.

But the thing is, there’s already a land-bridge between the two books — Chapter 1 of Beautiful Chaos. Dream Dark is totally unnecessary.

Add to that the fact that practically nothing happens. Nothing we need to know, anyhow. We get more details on the aftermath of Link being bitten by the half-Incubus, and how he deals with it early on — but we don’t learn anything we need to know. And it’s not even that particularly entertaining.

If this story’d been told from Link’s POV rather than Ethan’s, maybe that could’ve been enough to justify this. But as it is…meh.

—–

P.S. For the record, I’d have felt this way about the story even if I hadn’t bought the e-copy and then discovered that it was printed in the back of my paperback copy of Beautiful Chaos. Really.

Indexing, Episode 4: Blended Family by Seanan McGuire

By HCNewton

On July 4, 2013

In Fiction, Indexing, Seanan McGuire, Urban Fantasy

Wow. Read the episode and am writing about it within two days of release? Yay me.

—-

Indexing by Seanan McGuire
Series: Indexing, #1.4

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Episode 4: Blended Family
McGuire’s feeling confident enough in this world she’s created to throw out her typical approach to this episode (it feels weird to say things like that about a 4th installment, but I’ve been reading this long enough now, that it feels like more). She plays with time, POV, structure and her reader’s expectations.

The result is a very strong episode. We get a much better idea of what makes’ Sloane tick, how her mind works in abeyance, the struggles she faces as someone in that state. We also get to see a Narrative Intrusion handled in a way we’re not used to (and we’re not the only ones who think that way).

Best of all, the ending sets up a potentially very exciting episode or more for the future. Possibly even the bulk of the series. Unlike the last episode, I thought this one displayed the strengths of this episodic method of story telling, and I’m looking forward to Episode 5 with a larger sense of anticipation than I have the rest of the series.

Indexing, Episode 3: Honey Do by Seanan McGuire

By HCNewton

On July 2, 2013

In Fiction, Indexing, Seanan McGuire, Urban Fantasy

One day, hopefully before the last episode, I will read/review the episode within 24 hours of it being posted. It’s a small goal, yet one I can’t seem to reach…

—-

Indexing by Seanan McGuire
Series: Indexing, #1.3

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Episode 3, Honey Do
This episode shows the weakness of this distribution model — McGuire had to wrap things up too quickly, too neatly. This was something that deserved more exploration, not to be wrapped up in a bow after so many words. If I were to read somewhere that McGuire realized that this part was too long, so she had to rush to the conclusion, I’d buy that in a heartbeat. I like that explanation better than anything else.

Is there any other training the group does besides on-the-job? Seriously. The Pied Piper is clearly not ready for field work — moreover, the team isn’t ready to work with her. Henry, in particular, throws her at a situation without thinking through the ramifications, and turns a bad situation worse. Are things really so dire that they have to rush the recruits into the field before anyone knows what to do with them? Was the team unable to handle things before she came aboard? (I mean, other than the incident that made them activate her).

This points to my biggest problem with this Episode: Henry. She’s a lousy leader. Other than tendency to bark orders at people, I saw nothing to make me think, “yeah, she’s a good leader — capable, competent, resourceful.” I was just unimpressed with her, and I’m pretty sure we’re not supposed to be.

Despite that . . . I enjoyed this one over all. Particularly the use of Sloane — who had been the part of the series I thought worked least. But we got a better picture of her as an agent, not just a comic foil, or shoe shopper. More of this, please. I thought the rest of the supporting cast — up to, and including, our Goldilocks — were just what they needed to be. Just need to get Henry to a better place and keep Sloane where she is now, and this thing will really start cooking.

Tricked by Kevin Hearne

By HCNewton

On July 1, 2013

In Fiction, Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne

Tricked by Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles, #4

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Atticus is back with a bang (several, actually), man, I forgot just how fun this dude can be. This book picks up right where the last left us–and all the zowie plotlines–so from page 1, Atticus & co. are in the middle of several problems, there’s no waiting around for a chapter or so to establish things.

Again, Hearne doesn’t just deal with one people’s pantheon–Tricked is a mashup of Irish, Norse and Navajo stories (with a side order of several representatives from other continents). Not to mention a returning cast of urban fantasy monsters, and plain ole humans. Of course, Oberon gets time to shine after being absent for so much of Hammered, and he steals every scene he’s in.

Great story, well-paced, dynamite action and strong character development throughout. Great, great read.

Hexed by Kevin Hearne

By HCNewton

On July 1, 2013

In Dogs, Fiction, Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne

Hexed by Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles, #2

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While dealing with the fallout from Hounded, Atticus finds himself in even more trouble–this time there’s a very nasty coven that wants to come in and take over the Tempe area–and their first step will be eliminating all other magic practitioners.

So our hero has to suck up his prejudice against witches and team up with the very same group that threatened him last time out to defend the home turf and maybe even clean up some long unfinished business.

The whole cast of characters from the first book are back for more–plus a couple of new faces. Fast, fun, and full of excitement, The Iron Druid Chronicles delivers again.

Hounded by Kevin Hearne

By HCNewton

On July 1, 2013

In Dogs, Fiction, Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne

Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles, #1

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took no time at all for this book to grab me, and another 15 pages for me to fall in love with this. Right off the bat we get a solid action sequence, get the basics of our hero’s magic system, and meet a goddess. Not a bad start–it helps a lot that Atticus’ personality and charm comes through right away and draws you in.

Then we get a talking dog. Technically a dog (Oberon the Irish Wolfhound) that can communicate telepathically with Atticus, but why get picky? Oberon’s snarky, smart and pop culturally savvy–he runs a close second behind Harry Dresden’s Mouse for coolest pooch in Urban Fantasy. I’d be willing to read a book that’s nothing but Atticus and Oberon hanging out.

Throw in a helpful werewolf pack, a friendly vampire, a troublesome local coven, and a fight with an ancient Celtic deity and you get yourself a dynamic intro to what seems to be one of the best Urban Fantasy series around.

Hunted by Kevin Hearne

By HCNewton

On June 28, 2013

In Dogs, Fiction, Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne

Hunted by Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles, #6

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Try as I might, I can’t figure out a way to get Goodreads to let me give this as many stars as it deserves — 6. I don’t think it’s possible for Hearne to write a bad book, but Hunted is beyond good. Not that Hearne has ever seemed anything but self-assured and capable (sorta like Atticus), but he’s really firing on all cylinders here — from the jaw-dropping and series-changing events of Chapter 1 through all the plot, twists, character moments, quips, action, and development that follows — Hearne delivers with verve and panache.

I don’t know how to describe the storyline without plunging neck-deep into spoiler territory, so let’s just say that this picks up minutes (if not seconds) from Trapped and keeps going from there. Virtually every character from the previous five novels makes an appearance (if only with a name-drop), and we get a few new characters from the pages of myth (Irish, Greek and Roman predominantly, but most of Europe is well-represented here) as well from Hearne’s own imagination. Our favorite Druids face off with a couple of new opponents, try to broker a peace with Greek and Roman pantheons, prepare for Ragnarok, and try to suss out who amognst the Tuatha Dé Danann might be working to bring about their untimely demise. (clearly, our heroes don’t get a lot of rest in these fast-moving 300 pages to get all that addressed)

Not that Atticus has had an easy go of it since the beginning of Hounded, but Hearne really puts the hurt on him this time around. He has two of the closest calls I can remember a first-person narrator dealing with in recent history — and he gets both of them in one book! Though honestly, the emotional and intellectual challenges he faces are probably harder for him to deal with — his Bear charm and tattoos can’t help him with those. Naturally, he rises to the challenges and even pulls off a couple of schemes that would make his buddy Coyote proud. While remaining Atticus at his core, there are flashes of a ruthlessness and hardness that we haven’t seen much of before. A good reminder that a Celtic warrior was formidable opponent (thankfully, there are things that still make him balk!)

While most of the book is told from Atticus’ POV as usual, we do get a few chapters from Granuaile’s POV. I appreciated seeing things from her perspective (not just the parts that Atticus couldn’t relate, either) and I learned a lot more about a character I thought I knew pretty well already. I think she’s just about at the point where we could get Granuaile novels with minimal use of Atticus (see the Joe Pike novels) and not feel we were missing much — if anything, the fight scenes might be a bit more savage. There’s a danger here (I think Atticus himself sees this) in her becoming too much of an eco-warrior (think Captain Planet as told by Tarantino), and I think that could make for problematic reading if it went on too long or too extreme. But until then, I’m enjoying the heck out of this warrior woman.

If you’re already reading this series, you’re in love with Oberon (or have no soul). If you’re not reading it, you’ve probably not read this far — but if you have, just know that it’s worth buying the 6 books just to spend time with this most wonderful of Irish Wolfhounds. When I described Chapter 1 in words similar to my first paragraph to my wife (who’s a couple books behind), she simply stopped me, “He didn’t kill Oberon, did he?” I got the distinct impression that my books would be headed for the trash pile (or would be tossed on the barbeque) if I answered yes. Thankfully (on many levels), that’s not the case. Even better, this is the best use of Oberon yet — of course, he’s hilarious and inappropriate as always — but he also gets to be heroic, inspiring and even moving. I’m not kidding, my eyes got misty a couple of times just because of him.

Any book that does all that while pulling off things like citing Wheaton’s Law within a few pages of quoting Dante (in the original!) needs to be celebrated. Now the wait for book 7 begins. (sigh)

Blood Trade by Faith Hunter

By HCNewton

On June 18, 2013

In Authors, F-J, Faith Hunter, Fiction, Jane Yellowrock/Soulwood, Urban Fantasy

Blood Trade by Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock, #6
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jane Yellowrock is slowly, but surely, becoming a real favorite of mine. In the beginning, she struck me as a fairly generic vampire hunter, with an obnoxious streak and a complicated ethnic/childhood background that was passed off as interesting. Nothing special, but good enough to keep reading.

But lately, I’ve found myself anticipating the next installment. Blood Trade resolved a few dangling plotlines from previous books, developed a couple more, and set the stage for at least 2-3 more books in the series. And while doing so, provided a story with good action, some nice twists, and some genuine heart.

I really, really liked the new characters introduced here — two former classmates of Jane’s back from her Christian school days and the child of one of those classmates. It was good to see Jane through the eyes of people that didn’t primarily know her as a vampire killer.

Jane’s relationship with Eli and the Kid grew in a positive way, and I really like the shape of their relationships, and hope they continue to develop in this fashion.

One thing I hope Hunter improves on — although I don’t see it happening — is the romance front. I couldn’t care less about Jane’s vacillating between various romantic (using the term as broadly as possible here) interests here. It’s tedious, Jane’s usually shown as little more than base desires, and constantly self-sabotaging. If there was some growth there, some change at least, I might feel differently. But Hunter shows no sign of moving off this point, and I bet I’m one of the few who don’t like it. So I need to continue to deal with it.