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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
csadin's review
3.0
I definitely enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of her Kushiel books, which are masterfully written, and I definitely like this one too. This one is definitely a lot lighter than the Kushiel books, but they are still well written. I enjoy the informality of the writing!
It was a fast read, just two days, which is great for me right now. Also, I really loved the magic in the book, the way it wove together the real and the myth. I loved that certain cities had underworlds ruled by old gods and goddesses, and that the reason that mythical creatures still existed was because of these gods and goddesses.
Something that definitely ramped up the stakes of the book was the fact that if the domain of the god or goddess was destroyed (and it could be destroyed by humans) the god or goddess and all of the mythical creatures that lived there would slowly vanish. Scary though!
Anyway, I enjoyed it and I would recommend this book!
It was a fast read, just two days, which is great for me right now. Also, I really loved the magic in the book, the way it wove together the real and the myth. I loved that certain cities had underworlds ruled by old gods and goddesses, and that the reason that mythical creatures still existed was because of these gods and goddesses.
Something that definitely ramped up the stakes of the book was the fact that if the domain of the god or goddess was destroyed (and it could be destroyed by humans) the god or goddess and all of the mythical creatures that lived there would slowly vanish. Scary though!
Anyway, I enjoyed it and I would recommend this book!
jmitschke's review
4.0
A good blend of familiar urban fantasy tropes with new ideas (ghouls! Lamia! Niflheim/Hel!). Not as sexy as I expected from Carey but still very fun. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
darkcrystal1839's review
4.0
I first fell for Jacqueline Carey when I read her Kushiel books - which are amazing. I was less than impressed by her foray into the young adult with her Santa Olivia series. So you can imagine that when I came across these I was a little leery. But I have to say these books were a very pleasant surprise. They were just the right blend of Young Adult fantasy-fluff and the harder adult edge that Carey is so very good at.
WARNING: These books might reference things that are a little mature for some younger readers. (I read both this and the second right in a row, so I may be blending them together - I don't remember if there is any actual sex in this first book, but there is most definitely in the second.) Either way, if you're not a fan of frequent references to arousal and sexy-times, you probably want to shy away from this book. Some might also fine the main characters comments on the hotness of various other characters a little tiresome as well - think Bella never shutting up about hot beautiful Edward is - but I didn't mind. They're quickly dashed off and the story moves right along. So the main character Daisy is just a little hot-blooded, okay. Just part of her charm.
That being said, this interesting fantasy world just sucked me in. Set in a modern town in Michigan, the story is filled with fantastic creatures from every mythology you can think of, all coexisting happily. Well, somewhat tenuously. But coexisting well enough. Add this this spicy society a dash of crime and a detective story line? I'm hooked. You've combined all of my favorite elements - fantasy, mystery, crime, and romance.
I highly recommend this book to fans of any of the above. This was a book that had me antsy to pick up the next as soon as I finished.
WARNING: These books might reference things that are a little mature for some younger readers. (I read both this and the second right in a row, so I may be blending them together - I don't remember if there is any actual sex in this first book, but there is most definitely in the second.) Either way, if you're not a fan of frequent references to arousal and sexy-times, you probably want to shy away from this book. Some might also fine the main characters comments on the hotness of various other characters a little tiresome as well - think Bella never shutting up about hot beautiful Edward is - but I didn't mind. They're quickly dashed off and the story moves right along. So the main character Daisy is just a little hot-blooded, okay. Just part of her charm.
That being said, this interesting fantasy world just sucked me in. Set in a modern town in Michigan, the story is filled with fantastic creatures from every mythology you can think of, all coexisting happily. Well, somewhat tenuously. But coexisting well enough. Add this this spicy society a dash of crime and a detective story line? I'm hooked. You've combined all of my favorite elements - fantasy, mystery, crime, and romance.
I highly recommend this book to fans of any of the above. This was a book that had me antsy to pick up the next as soon as I finished.
whimsykat's review against another edition
Copaganda. Lead character and the person gearing up to become the love interest are cops. Not interested.
melindavan's review
5.0
I really liked this. Though I didn't especially care for the protagonist's name: Daisy. I kept picturing the Dukes of Hazard. I realize the author is probably not old enough to know who the Dukes were, much less Daisy...but there ya go. Since Daisy is half hell-spawn, the juxtaposition was more than a little awkward for me. I know she's living in a tiny town, but still...Daisy? Hell spawn Daisy?
That said...I loved the story. She's an Agent of Hel...that's the Norse Goddess, not Hell...it's not a mis spelling. She's not your typical kick-butt heroine. She's more an every girl with a tail. Yes, tail. But she grows from every day girl to Agent during the story. I can see a great future for her, one where she becomes the kick butt heroine she's meant to be. As soon as she learns how to control her temper ;-)
I'll definitely be reading the next one!
That said...I loved the story. She's an Agent of Hel...that's the Norse Goddess, not Hell...it's not a mis spelling. She's not your typical kick-butt heroine. She's more an every girl with a tail. Yes, tail. But she grows from every day girl to Agent during the story. I can see a great future for her, one where she becomes the kick butt heroine she's meant to be. As soon as she learns how to control her temper ;-)
I'll definitely be reading the next one!
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
I have absolutely no idea why it took me so long to start the Agent of Hel series but I absolutely loved it! Daisy, the daughter of a incubus and human, is one sin away from starting a war that ends the world but she doesn't let that affect her day job, data entry at the local police station. Oh, and she's also the liaison between the human (mundane) world and Hel, Norse goddess. Normally an easy task but when a young man from a nearby college town drowns in the lake suddenly she finds she's helping to lead the investigation with the help of Officer Cody Fairfax, long time crush and on the down-low werewolf. Can they discover the real reason behind his death before the human and paranormal worlds erupt? Absolutely loved the world building and characters. Can't wait to continue the series!
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Daisy Johanssen is the daughter of a demon and she works as a file clerk and a liaison for the goddess Hel, in the small resort town of Pemkowat where all manor of folk, human and eldritch, live together but when a young man drowns there are signs that everything is not as obvious as it seems.
Daisy teams up with her childhood crush Cody to try to solve the mystery, but the more they uncover the worse things look. At the same time Daisy must find a way to encourage tourism as it's fallen off since the drowning which seems like it's an obscure side quest but it helps set up book 2.
I forgot how busy this story is so I'm glad I reread it, Daisy is smart, sarcastic and strong, as she has to resist her father temptation scenarios in the midst of everything else she's got going on, and her relationships with family and friends are all interesting in different ways.
Daisy Johanssen is the daughter of a demon and she works as a file clerk and a liaison for the goddess Hel, in the small resort town of Pemkowat where all manor of folk, human and eldritch, live together but when a young man drowns there are signs that everything is not as obvious as it seems.
Daisy teams up with her childhood crush Cody to try to solve the mystery, but the more they uncover the worse things look. At the same time Daisy must find a way to encourage tourism as it's fallen off since the drowning which seems like it's an obscure side quest but it helps set up book 2.
I forgot how busy this story is so I'm glad I reread it, Daisy is smart, sarcastic and strong, as she has to resist her father temptation scenarios in the midst of everything else she's got going on, and her relationships with family and friends are all interesting in different ways.
nevclue's review
3.0
A lighthearted urban fantasy. Set in a small town in Michigan (new one for me in this genre!) that's turned into a paranormal tourist trap. Daisy was a likable and believable heroine. Hits many of the expected notes for the genre, but the characters are well drawn and fit with the setting of the story. Will read the next one.