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katmari26's review
2.0
I wasn't thrilled with this book. I didn't enjoy that it was told from Jack's perspective rather than Pete's, and I kept getting confused by the world, and how magic worked. Maybe it had just been too long since I read the book before it, but I don't think I'm going to continue with this series.
hermesthecat's review
3.0
I was a little disappointed in the poor editing for this book. The story is interesting, but there were spelling and grammatical mistakes that I didn't appreciate. Also, I couldn't tell if the author had made up her own demon Kartimukha or had misspelled the name of the border guardian Kirttimukha from the Hindu pantheon. There was also a bit too wide of a story pushed into one book. Some of this storyline would have been better placed in either a short story format (there are so many supernatural anthologies these days) or placed into an intermediary book.
tatsgill's review
4.0
I still liked this book even while I bashed my head over the stream of stupid decisions and toxic behavior by the main characters, digging themselves ever deeper. The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” of urban fantasy. In this book the POV switched from the woman(Pete) to the man (Jack) and somehow Pete was relegated to being a paper cutout after being a robust character in the first book. It was rife with sexism and homophobia that I hope was just the authors way of painting a rotten character. But I loved the magic systems, the necromantic adventures, and the goth prose, and am still invested in the characters although they’re on my last nerve.
hixxup79's review
3.0
this book was hard for me to get into. it just didn't flow like the first one did, until the end. now I really want to read the next book.
kathydavie's review
5.0
Second in the Black London dark, dark fantasy series revolving around Pete Caldecott, former police inspector, and Jack Winter, crow-mage.
My Take
I really enjoy this series in spite of Jack's drug use…okay, I'm a prig…I love that Pete has forced Jack to kick the heroin habit, and that Jack truly is grateful for her support.
The two of them have such an adversarial relationship, and Kittredge has the jargon down so well — it sounds so real!
In this story, their brief sojourn in the country is quite funny with all the city amenities they moan about missing.
The Story
It seems that Pete and Jack have formed a paranormal investigative agency when we drop in on one of their cases where they have been booked to find out if the will Mummy and Daddy wrote up is the right one.
Seems the kids have been disinherited, and they're not happy. Which is rather too bad, as the case itself is way below Jack Winter's standards, and he doesn't hesitate to let everyone know.
The next case they investigate is much more interesting, since it's a preview of Jack's coming death-by-demon.
The Characters
Pete Caldecott first met Jack almost 13 years ago when he was dating her sister, and Jack enticed her to follow him to a crypt to see a bit of magic. A trip that backfired in so very many ways.
Jack Winter is a crow-mage who used to front for the Poor Dead Bastards — almost 13 years ago — before the events in the crypt.
The Cover and Title
The cover demonstrates that whoever designed it didn't read the book. Some git gave the artist a general description of Jack and whoever the woman is and this is what came up. The title, Demon Bound, is way too accurate, for Jack is indeed about to give it all up to a demon.
My Take
I really enjoy this series in spite of Jack's drug use…okay, I'm a prig…I love that Pete has forced Jack to kick the heroin habit, and that Jack truly is grateful for her support.
The two of them have such an adversarial relationship, and Kittredge has the jargon down so well — it sounds so real!
In this story, their brief sojourn in the country is quite funny with all the city amenities they moan about missing.
The Story
It seems that Pete and Jack have formed a paranormal investigative agency when we drop in on one of their cases where they have been booked to find out if the will Mummy and Daddy wrote up is the right one.
Seems the kids have been disinherited, and they're not happy. Which is rather too bad, as the case itself is way below Jack Winter's standards, and he doesn't hesitate to let everyone know.
The next case they investigate is much more interesting, since it's a preview of Jack's coming death-by-demon.
The Characters
Pete Caldecott first met Jack almost 13 years ago when he was dating her sister, and Jack enticed her to follow him to a crypt to see a bit of magic. A trip that backfired in so very many ways.
Jack Winter is a crow-mage who used to front for the Poor Dead Bastards — almost 13 years ago — before the events in the crypt.
The Cover and Title
The cover demonstrates that whoever designed it didn't read the book. Some git gave the artist a general description of Jack and whoever the woman is and this is what came up. The title, Demon Bound, is way too accurate, for Jack is indeed about to give it all up to a demon.
yodamom's review
4.0
Poor Jack, he made a deal, an unbreakable one to save his life. Now this deal will be the end of his life. He has a reason to live, Pete. His magic is not going to get him out of this. he'll make another deal. This deal, is not made with truths and fairness. His crow magic is drawing unwanted attention. Around him it draws two faced liars, demons, shadows and the black beady eyes. Nothing is easy or clear.
Pete has left the force, and works wit Jack as a ghost buster duo. Her magical developments just did not fit within her job description. She fights Jack, his demons and the outside world to keep some function of a life for them. Not and easy task when the demons are this monstrous. Her loyalty and resolve will be tested and tortured. Her heart beats for Jack no matter what the cost.
The journey goes from England to Bangkok from the bedroom to the blackness of the other. The story is heartwarming, heartbreaking and filled with dark. The world building complete and fascinating. The story flowed and was very enjoyable. I am thrilled because the first book in the series stumbled in the second half. A dark mystery urban fantasy with a touch of romance.
Pete has left the force, and works wit Jack as a ghost buster duo. Her magical developments just did not fit within her job description. She fights Jack, his demons and the outside world to keep some function of a life for them. Not and easy task when the demons are this monstrous. Her loyalty and resolve will be tested and tortured. Her heart beats for Jack no matter what the cost.
The journey goes from England to Bangkok from the bedroom to the blackness of the other. The story is heartwarming, heartbreaking and filled with dark. The world building complete and fascinating. The story flowed and was very enjoyable. I am thrilled because the first book in the series stumbled in the second half. A dark mystery urban fantasy with a touch of romance.
ladytiara's review
3.0
Demon Bound is a decent follow-up to Street Magic, although I didn't like it quite as much as the first one. In this installment of the series, Pete Caldecott has left the police force, and she and Jack are working together as sort of a supernatural detective team. Jack is struggling with his feelings for Pete, and there's trouble coming. We learn how Jack survived that fateful day in Highgate Cemetery 13 years earlier: he owes a demon his soul, and that demon has come to collect.
This premise makes for an interesting plot, and Kittredge's gritty world is developed even further. Midway through the book, the action switches from England to Thailand, and the book loses a little of its steam. Part of what I liked best about the first book was the paranormal underbelly of Jack and Pete's London. Once the characters were in Thailand, the world didn't really click for me as much.
Still, I enjoyed the book. Pete and Jack are compelling characters, and I liked that this book is from Jack's point of view so we get a look inside his head. The story is a good one, and the ending made me want to grab the next book and tear right into it.
This premise makes for an interesting plot, and Kittredge's gritty world is developed even further. Midway through the book, the action switches from England to Thailand, and the book loses a little of its steam. Part of what I liked best about the first book was the paranormal underbelly of Jack and Pete's London. Once the characters were in Thailand, the world didn't really click for me as much.
Still, I enjoyed the book. Pete and Jack are compelling characters, and I liked that this book is from Jack's point of view so we get a look inside his head. The story is a good one, and the ending made me want to grab the next book and tear right into it.
mellhay's review
4.0
There are a few things I enjoyed in the book. The gritty magic which Kittredge takes to the next level in this book with necromancers, fey, and death knocking on the door, then we have the banter and love/hate relationship between Jack and Pete. This couple is not for everyones taste (even the other characters in the books hate Jack), but I do love their sarcasm to cover some feelings and the brutal honesty toward each other on other feelings. Pete seems to be the one more honest and Jack seems to avoid the truth or tell lies until he has no other option.
This book seems to focus a little more on Jack and his past come back to bite him. When the book started Jack really came across to me as a royal *ss. And his royal treatment didn't seem to be aimed at one person but to everyone, even Pete whom he feels for and will protect her with his life. I even started to think Jack was like that mean little boy is school that loves to torment and pick on that one girl he really liked. As you see more into the depths of the characters through other emotions and situations you start to see there is more to them and see their growth. Pete, herself, has a tough rough exterior to her as well. She can dish out and take the punches, physically and verbally, with Jack and the best of them.
I was a little let down in I hoped this book would be geared more toward Pete learning to use her magic and growth, but it was set more for Jack. Which is a great story! I was just hoping for more Pete. I did get the feel this book has some of the second story or middle books syndrome. This book seemed to be the shifting book for the next story in plot and character setting. I do think with the way this book ended I will get more of Pete in the third one along with more on the Black and their guardians they work for.
This book seems to focus a little more on Jack and his past come back to bite him. When the book started Jack really came across to me as a royal *ss. And his royal treatment didn't seem to be aimed at one person but to everyone, even Pete whom he feels for and will protect her with his life. I even started to think Jack was like that mean little boy is school that loves to torment and pick on that one girl he really liked. As you see more into the depths of the characters through other emotions and situations you start to see there is more to them and see their growth. Pete, herself, has a tough rough exterior to her as well. She can dish out and take the punches, physically and verbally, with Jack and the best of them.
I was a little let down in I hoped this book would be geared more toward Pete learning to use her magic and growth, but it was set more for Jack. Which is a great story! I was just hoping for more Pete. I did get the feel this book has some of the second story or middle books syndrome. This book seemed to be the shifting book for the next story in plot and character setting. I do think with the way this book ended I will get more of Pete in the third one along with more on the Black and their guardians they work for.
amybraunauthor's review
3.0
I'd hoped that the sequel to STREET MAGIC would be a large improvement, especially since it would give more insight into Jack as the story is told from his perspective, but I was a bit let down again.
The story itself is interesting, the magic is fun, and the dialogue and words are well constructed, but Jack is still the failing part for me. He still treats Pete like garbage and expects sympathy and even love when he does nothing but lie and go behind her back. I found myself eager to skim to the action just so I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.
This is still not a bad book and I will keep giving it a chance, because I want to see what it will take for Pete to finally come to her senses and dump Jack for good.
The story itself is interesting, the magic is fun, and the dialogue and words are well constructed, but Jack is still the failing part for me. He still treats Pete like garbage and expects sympathy and even love when he does nothing but lie and go behind her back. I found myself eager to skim to the action just so I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.
This is still not a bad book and I will keep giving it a chance, because I want to see what it will take for Pete to finally come to her senses and dump Jack for good.
jazzrizz's review
4.0
Definite middle book syndrome with this book. I really enjoyed it, but it lacked the punch I got with [b:Street Magic|4415593|Magic The Complete Course in Becoming a Magician|Joshua Jay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255975684s/4415593.jpg|4463757].
I loved watching Jack deal (and not deal) with his sobriety. It was an interesting story reading about his past and dealing with unfortunate consequences of very bad decisions. Pete is an absolute saint for putting up with all the BS Jack manages to sling in this book.
While this was a bit of a struggle to get through, I'm happy with the ending & can hardly wait to see what's next.
I loved watching Jack deal (and not deal) with his sobriety. It was an interesting story reading about his past and dealing with unfortunate consequences of very bad decisions. Pete is an absolute saint for putting up with all the BS Jack manages to sling in this book.
While this was a bit of a struggle to get through, I'm happy with the ending & can hardly wait to see what's next.