Scan barcode
laureenreads's review
3.0
Earlier this month I started reading Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey. I'm a huge fan of some of her other pieces, such as the Kushiel series. I was expecting a lot of the same flavour as that series, but this is very much an urban fantasy series, and it comes across very well as an urban fantasy, while still maintaining some of the same characteristics from the Kushiel series.
Daisy is an interesting character, a half-demon who is Hel's liaison in the mortal world. While there aren't a lot of obvious correlations between this series and the Kushiel series, there are the hints of bisexuality that I have fallen in love with in previous books. Daisy is a caring friend, and a strong, mostly independent character. There aren't a lot of times when she really needs help, but when she does there is always a strong, handsome man who is on hand to assist,
Cory is another interesting character, a werewolf that would prefer that no one really know about his affliction. He's had his heart broken before, and is the main crush for Daisy (though not the only one).
What brings this all together is the rich world of mythology that plays out in the underworld in this series. Much like in the Kushiel series, Carey draws a rich world full of mythology that is tweaked just enough to fit in with the modern world, yet fits smoothly. This, I think, is the best part of reading a Jaquieline Carey book. The way she writes is evocative and draws the reader right in, and she blends the real world with mythology so well that it seems beyond realistic.
While this probably isn't my favourite book by Carey. it's a solid read and well worth the time to read.
Daisy is an interesting character, a half-demon who is Hel's liaison in the mortal world. While there aren't a lot of obvious correlations between this series and the Kushiel series, there are the hints of bisexuality that I have fallen in love with in previous books. Daisy is a caring friend, and a strong, mostly independent character. There aren't a lot of times when she really needs help, but when she does there is always a strong, handsome man who is on hand to assist,
Cory is another interesting character, a werewolf that would prefer that no one really know about his affliction. He's had his heart broken before, and is the main crush for Daisy (though not the only one).
What brings this all together is the rich world of mythology that plays out in the underworld in this series. Much like in the Kushiel series, Carey draws a rich world full of mythology that is tweaked just enough to fit in with the modern world, yet fits smoothly. This, I think, is the best part of reading a Jaquieline Carey book. The way she writes is evocative and draws the reader right in, and she blends the real world with mythology so well that it seems beyond realistic.
While this probably isn't my favourite book by Carey. it's a solid read and well worth the time to read.
kmcquage's review
3.0
Shaky start, but ramped up to a nicely taut ending. The characters were drawn well, and the world building excellent. The writing was sharp and funny. While it didn't meet the bar set by the engrossing Kushiel books, I look forward to what comes next.
yodamom's review
5.0
4.5
Throw your idea of the normal supernatural regulars out with this book. There are more varieties and they are unique; Werewolves, Brownies, Vampires, Ghouls, Mermaids and more. The head Ghoul, is sexy with a beating heart and blood in his veins. Hel is a Norse goddess who rules supreme over the edritch (supernatural others) that live there.
Daisy is a half demon and agent of Hel. She was raised by her mother, and taught to be 'good.' She has to avoid temptation, called the seven deadlies. If not- She will gain enormous power and then hell on earth will reign. Not easy when she's quick to lose her temper and her demon father is always trying to get her to come over to the dark side. She is single and looking, and there are some nice men to look at. She is a bit immature, and acts a bit like a teen, IMHO. She is new at this, and she grows up before the end of the book.
When a Frat boy turns up drowned, and his death points to supernatural causes, Daisy is partnered up with hot police officer Cody Fairfax. He long time crush. They work together hunting clues and trying to keep her on the non-evil side of the force. -She is a hot head- They meet up with Stefen, the head ghoul and hunky hotness that he his, he stole the show for me. : ) He has powers that can help and offers them. But can he be trusted ?
The humans is town don't like the supernaturals and this killing brings all the craziness out to disgrace the town and the police department. This could be the end of the uneasy balance the town has. The clock is set and them team must rush to solve this case before it gets really bad.
The bad-I was bothered by Daisy's tail, it is brought up too much. it was twitching, it was rubbing, it was...okay I get it she has a tail. The sexual torture, I hate this subject, but it was not detailed nor graphic and I appreciated that. I was also miffed at the lack of romance, but when dealing with the subject of the story i am relieved it was left out. It would have been totally inappropriate. So I guess it's not a problem, I just wanted it. LOL
There are two more books planned and I am jumping on them asap.
Throw your idea of the normal supernatural regulars out with this book. There are more varieties and they are unique; Werewolves, Brownies, Vampires, Ghouls, Mermaids and more. The head Ghoul, is sexy with a beating heart and blood in his veins. Hel is a Norse goddess who rules supreme over the edritch (supernatural others) that live there.
Daisy is a half demon and agent of Hel. She was raised by her mother, and taught to be 'good.' She has to avoid temptation, called the seven deadlies. If not- She will gain enormous power and then hell on earth will reign. Not easy when she's quick to lose her temper and her demon father is always trying to get her to come over to the dark side. She is single and looking, and there are some nice men to look at. She is a bit immature, and acts a bit like a teen, IMHO. She is new at this, and she grows up before the end of the book.
When a Frat boy turns up drowned, and his death points to supernatural causes, Daisy is partnered up with hot police officer Cody Fairfax. He long time crush. They work together hunting clues and trying to keep her on the non-evil side of the force. -She is a hot head- They meet up with Stefen, the head ghoul and hunky hotness that he his, he stole the show for me. : ) He has powers that can help and offers them. But can he be trusted ?
The humans is town don't like the supernaturals and this killing brings all the craziness out to disgrace the town and the police department. This could be the end of the uneasy balance the town has. The clock is set and them team must rush to solve this case before it gets really bad.
The bad-I was bothered by Daisy's tail, it is brought up too much. it was twitching, it was rubbing, it was...okay I get it she has a tail. The sexual torture, I hate this subject, but it was not detailed nor graphic and I appreciated that. I was also miffed at the lack of romance, but when dealing with the subject of the story i am relieved it was left out. It would have been totally inappropriate. So I guess it's not a problem, I just wanted it. LOL
There are two more books planned and I am jumping on them asap.
sarahrheawerner's review
3.0
Jacqueline Carey is a WONDERFUL writer with a great mind for what makes for great characters and great dialogue... but unfortunately, her considerable skill wasn't enough to elevate this novel from what it was: a perfectly by-the-book (no pun intended) PNR standard. Love triangles, mythical beasts, sociopaths, and a murder mystery should make for an immensely compelling story. But unfortunately, we've seen it all before, and all too often.
magikspells's review
3.0
Fun quick read. Good setting, interesting characters, I would definitely read more of this series.
holly3769's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
songwind's review
4.0
Granular rating, 3.5 stars.
This is an enjoyable story with an unusual setting and protagonist.
Daisy Johansen exists in a variety of half-states. She's personally half-demonic, her mother having been the victim of a demonic assault. She stands between the mundane and supernatural worlds as Hel's liaison. She's a part time clerk for the police force, but also their go-to resource on crimes with a supernatural element.
The plot is a functional, if somewhat sloppy, police procedural as Daisy and actual cop Cody attempt to find out what was really behind the drowning of a college kid from a nearby town.
Where the book functions best is in its exploration of Daisy and her attempts to navigate her position. Being hellspawn, Daisy's emotional state is prone to extremes, and naturally drawn toward the seven deadly sins. This means we spend a lot of time deep in Daisy's head as she deals with them. As is probably to be expected in a book by Carey, lust is one that takes up a lot of her attention. The other is wrath. A former bullied kid with a strong sense of justice and a hair trigger spends a lot of time pretty hot under the collar. Her inner conflicts between loyalties to humans and the eldritch, police and Hel, etc are a running theme.
The other intriguing portion is the world building. In some ways its a fairly standard "hidden world" sort of set up, with a variety of non-human sapients living on the fringes and below the radar of human society. But the exact form is pretty unusual, and Carey gives us enough information to make it relateable but keep the reader guessing. The choice by the community of Pemkowet to lean into the presence of the otherworldly in their midst, encouraging supernatural tourism, is an interesting take.
The flaws in the novel were enough to momentarily break my immersion without making it impossible to read. Fantasy fans who are also major police/crime buffs would probably be frustrated by the haphazard approach to the police work. (Why didn't the wealthy suspect lawyer up?) World building enthusiasts might find the inconsistent relationship between the eldritch and secular worlds jarring. And while the book seems very strongly to be setting itself as a paranormal romance, no actual romance occurs for the main character.
On the balance, this was an enjoyable book with some very intriguing characters and world building, held back by some awkward execution.
This is an enjoyable story with an unusual setting and protagonist.
Daisy Johansen exists in a variety of half-states. She's personally half-demonic, her mother having been the victim of a demonic assault. She stands between the mundane and supernatural worlds as Hel's liaison. She's a part time clerk for the police force, but also their go-to resource on crimes with a supernatural element.
The plot is a functional, if somewhat sloppy, police procedural as Daisy and actual cop Cody attempt to find out what was really behind the drowning of a college kid from a nearby town.
Where the book functions best is in its exploration of Daisy and her attempts to navigate her position. Being hellspawn, Daisy's emotional state is prone to extremes, and naturally drawn toward the seven deadly sins. This means we spend a lot of time deep in Daisy's head as she deals with them. As is probably to be expected in a book by Carey, lust is one that takes up a lot of her attention. The other is wrath. A former bullied kid with a strong sense of justice and a hair trigger spends a lot of time pretty hot under the collar. Her inner conflicts between loyalties to humans and the eldritch, police and Hel, etc are a running theme.
The other intriguing portion is the world building. In some ways its a fairly standard "hidden world" sort of set up, with a variety of non-human sapients living on the fringes and below the radar of human society. But the exact form is pretty unusual, and Carey gives us enough information to make it relateable but keep the reader guessing. The choice by the community of Pemkowet to lean into the presence of the otherworldly in their midst, encouraging supernatural tourism, is an interesting take.
The flaws in the novel were enough to momentarily break my immersion without making it impossible to read. Fantasy fans who are also major police/crime buffs would probably be frustrated by the haphazard approach to the police work. (Why didn't the wealthy suspect lawyer up?) World building enthusiasts might find the inconsistent relationship between the eldritch and secular worlds jarring. And while the book seems very strongly to be setting itself as a paranormal romance, no actual romance occurs for the main character.
On the balance, this was an enjoyable book with some very intriguing characters and world building, held back by some awkward execution.
berls's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
skycrane's review
4.0
I've liked almost every book by Jacqueline Carey, and this is no exception. It's a quite fun urban fantasy series (does that genre still fit if it takes place in a small town?) about essentially a supernatural cop solving problems revolving around the interaction between humans and the "eldritch". You've got your fairies, vampires, werewolves, and witches, as well as some more unusual creatures like the ghouls that feed off human emotions. One thing I quite liked about the series is how very local it feels. Despite Daisy's backstory creating this kind of looming threat, the actual plots of the books revolve around problems facing the town of Pemkowet (a fictional version of Saugatuck, Michigan). There's also some fun supernatural romance, just generally a very enjoyable series.
mlcutter's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Daisy Johansen is Hel's representative, Hel of Norse Mythology, not the underworld. She is also a file clerk for the local police department so she is available to handle any weirdness that comes up. Daisy is also half-demon, which makes her life harder and gives her a tail... no really. Daisy ends up partnering up with Cody, a werewolf, who she has crushed on since high school, to investigate the seemingly accidental death of a local teen. The small town is famous for supernatural sightings so it is important for the tourist trade that the case is closed quickly, but something is not right and Daisy and Cody have to dig deep.
This book has terrific world building and wonderful side characters. I'm writing an angels and demons trilogy so I'll read pretty much any urban fantasy book with either species. This is one that would make me break my vow to not buy any new books! I desperately want to read more. It will be marked in my spreadsheet as a must read more! 5 stars!
This book has terrific world building and wonderful side characters. I'm writing an angels and demons trilogy so I'll read pretty much any urban fantasy book with either species. This is one that would make me break my vow to not buy any new books! I desperately want to read more. It will be marked in my spreadsheet as a must read more! 5 stars!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape