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rkiladitis's review against another edition
4.0
Nick's trying to get back to what passes for normal after the events of Black City Saint, but a serious evil is on the rise again, and both Nick and the Dragon are in its sights. With his shapeshifting buddy Fletch, the reincarnation of his eternal love, Claryce, and the ghost of the roman emperor that ordered his death, Nick finds himself taking on the Devil in the White City himself.
I love this series. Knaak brilliantly evokes Chicago's Jazz Age; Prohibition and gangs rule the day, and the cops seem to show up at the worst possible times for poor Nick. Fletch's attempts at street slang are as hilarious as they are painful to Nick, and his hard-boiled dialogue could give Sam Spade a run for his cigarettes. He blends the fantastic with the gritty realism of the Prohibition Era, leaving bits of each in the other's world while introducing an insidious horror - based in reality - that will keep you gripping the book until its conclusion.
I love this series. Knaak brilliantly evokes Chicago's Jazz Age; Prohibition and gangs rule the day, and the cops seem to show up at the worst possible times for poor Nick. Fletch's attempts at street slang are as hilarious as they are painful to Nick, and his hard-boiled dialogue could give Sam Spade a run for his cigarettes. He blends the fantastic with the gritty realism of the Prohibition Era, leaving bits of each in the other's world while introducing an insidious horror - based in reality - that will keep you gripping the book until its conclusion.
assaphmehr's review against another edition
5.0
Seems like I just can't stay away from these noir-historical-fantasy-detective blends... This is the second book in the Black City series; I've already read, loved, and reviewed [b:Black City Saint|26025681|Black City Saint|Richard A. Knaak|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1444020976s/26025681.jpg|45948993].
What to Expect
This book, while a separate adventure, continues straight from the previous one and builds up on the events therein. You can expect to learn more about Nick Medea's past, the world of Feirie, and Chicago's history.
Without spoilers, this novel expounds on a dark episode in Chicago's history (I'll only say unrelated to the gang-wars), whilst giving it a Feirie twist.
What I liked
As with the first volume, the plot is fast and twisty (this time picking up from the get-go). Once you start you just can't stop. Nick is navigating the complex world that Knaak created, and we given tantalising glimpses into his past.
The level of historical detail is as amazing as before, both in support for the main plot points and in weaving the rich background. Knaak paints a truly believable world, in style, architecture, personas, and events.
What to be aware of
This is a noir mystery. It is told in the classic hard-boiled style, as a first-person POV. It has gruesome bits, and our intrepid protagonist is not afraid to deal with them. Speaking of the protagonist, expect the attitudes and atmosphere commensurate with the 1920's, especially in dealing with gender and race issues.
The plot twists, which I find fantastic, are also not for the faint of heart. There is a lot going on, and as Nick tries to unravel events and their causes we are taken through a ride in both the human and Feirie realms.
As this is book two, I would strongly recommend you read them in order.
Summary
I think "WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK OUT?!?" sums it up pretty well. I want to know more about Nick's past, I want to see more of prohibition-era Chicago through his eyes (more gang wars!), and I want to learn more about Claryce and Feirie.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
This book, while a separate adventure, continues straight from the previous one and builds up on the events therein. You can expect to learn more about Nick Medea's past, the world of Feirie, and Chicago's history.
Without spoilers, this novel expounds on a dark episode in Chicago's history (I'll only say unrelated to the gang-wars), whilst giving it a Feirie twist.
What I liked
As with the first volume, the plot is fast and twisty (this time picking up from the get-go). Once you start you just can't stop. Nick is navigating the complex world that Knaak created, and we given tantalising glimpses into his past.
The level of historical detail is as amazing as before, both in support for the main plot points and in weaving the rich background. Knaak paints a truly believable world, in style, architecture, personas, and events.
What to be aware of
This is a noir mystery. It is told in the classic hard-boiled style, as a first-person POV. It has gruesome bits, and our intrepid protagonist is not afraid to deal with them. Speaking of the protagonist, expect the attitudes and atmosphere commensurate with the 1920's, especially in dealing with gender and race issues.
The plot twists, which I find fantastic, are also not for the faint of heart. There is a lot going on, and as Nick tries to unravel events and their causes we are taken through a ride in both the human and Feirie realms.
As this is book two, I would strongly recommend you read them in order.
Summary
I think "WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK OUT?!?" sums it up pretty well. I want to know more about Nick's past, I want to see more of prohibition-era Chicago through his eyes (more gang wars!), and I want to learn more about Claryce and Feirie.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
powder_and_page's review against another edition
4.0
I had high hopes for Black City Demon and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it lived up to my expectations. Once again, the art deco cover was gorgeous and Knaak’s skillful incorporation of historical events really enhanced the appeal of the story for me. I had a good bit of fun researching The Beast of Chicago and his reign of terror. There’s nothing more chilling than realizing what creeped you out in a work of fiction actually happened!
The story picks up not long after the events of Black City Saint, where Nick and the dragon burned Oberon to a crisp and set the Gate to rights. Of course, things didn’t just return to normal. The Frost Moon is followed by a wake that has drawn a very nasty individual back into the mortal plane. The Beast of Chicago, a serial killer operating around the time of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, wasn’t quite as dead as he seemed when he was hanged in 1896. The magic of the Frost Moon’s wake has allowed him (and the ghosts of those he murdered) to ‘live’ once again and now he’s trying to fully regain his life by murdering once again, but this time his victim list includes high fey. The Beast, aka Alexander Bond, is also after Nick because he needs the dragon’s power to fully anchor himself to life once again.
Black City Demon introduced several new characters and more clearly defined several others. Unfortunately, the characters that became better fleshed out weren’t the ones I was hoping for! I’d hoped that Claryce would let on more about her life, but she remained much the same. She remains the capable, stubborn woman that we met in Black City Saint. Another character that I had anticipated a greater role for was Officer Cortez, but he just shows up at all the crime scenes Nick happens to be at. I really wish Nick would let the poor guy in on the secret!! Kravayik ended up having the greatest amount of growth in the book, simply because he had a past encounter with The Beast.
Overall, I thought Black City Demon had a much more captivating storyline that Black City Saint. I found myself horrified by The Beast and legitimately creeped out on several occasions throughout the book, but the lack of character growth/definition kept me from rating this higher. I still think a prequel series would be both beneficial and awesome, especially considering that the ending of Black City Demon implied that someone from Nick’s distant past may show up in the third installment.
The story picks up not long after the events of Black City Saint, where Nick and the dragon burned Oberon to a crisp and set the Gate to rights. Of course, things didn’t just return to normal. The Frost Moon is followed by a wake that has drawn a very nasty individual back into the mortal plane. The Beast of Chicago, a serial killer operating around the time of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, wasn’t quite as dead as he seemed when he was hanged in 1896. The magic of the Frost Moon’s wake has allowed him (and the ghosts of those he murdered) to ‘live’ once again and now he’s trying to fully regain his life by murdering once again, but this time his victim list includes high fey. The Beast, aka Alexander Bond, is also after Nick because he needs the dragon’s power to fully anchor himself to life once again.
Black City Demon introduced several new characters and more clearly defined several others. Unfortunately, the characters that became better fleshed out weren’t the ones I was hoping for! I’d hoped that Claryce would let on more about her life, but she remained much the same. She remains the capable, stubborn woman that we met in Black City Saint. Another character that I had anticipated a greater role for was Officer Cortez, but he just shows up at all the crime scenes Nick happens to be at. I really wish Nick would let the poor guy in on the secret!! Kravayik ended up having the greatest amount of growth in the book, simply because he had a past encounter with The Beast.
Overall, I thought Black City Demon had a much more captivating storyline that Black City Saint. I found myself horrified by The Beast and legitimately creeped out on several occasions throughout the book, but the lack of character growth/definition kept me from rating this higher. I still think a prequel series would be both beneficial and awesome, especially considering that the ending of Black City Demon implied that someone from Nick’s distant past may show up in the third installment.
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Review to be posted in the spring newsletter of the Historical Novel Society at www.historicalnovelsociety.org with Goodreads to follow.
grmatthews's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this, the sequel to Black City Saint. Prohibition fantasy where St George and the Dragon continue to fight to protect the gate. This time the danger comes from a different direction and there is much mythos building - inc the history of St George and his reincarnating love interest.
If you like Dresden it is for certain you'll love this!
If you like Dresden it is for certain you'll love this!
alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
Better than book one. Here's the review - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2020/08/30/black-city-demon-by-richard-a-knaak/
assaphmehr's review
5.0
Seems like I just can't stay away from these noir-historical-fantasy-detective blends... This is the second book in the Black City series; I've already read, loved, and reviewed [b:Black City Saint|26025681|Black City Saint|Richard A. Knaak|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1444020976s/26025681.jpg|45948993].
What to Expect
This book, while a separate adventure, continues straight from the previous one and builds up on the events therein. You can expect to learn more about Nick Medea's past, the world of Feirie, and Chicago's history.
Without spoilers, this novel expounds on a dark episode in Chicago's history (I'll only say unrelated to the gang-wars), whilst giving it a Feirie twist.
What I liked
As with the first volume, the plot is fast and twisty (this time picking up from the get-go). Once you start you just can't stop. Nick is navigating the complex world that Knaak created, and we given tantalising glimpses into his past.
The level of historical detail is as amazing as before, both in support for the main plot points and in weaving the rich background. Knaak paints a truly believable world, in style, architecture, personas, and events.
What to be aware of
This is a noir mystery. It is told in the classic hard-boiled style, as a first-person POV. It has gruesome bits, and our intrepid protagonist is not afraid to deal with them. Speaking of the protagonist, expect the attitudes and atmosphere commensurate with the 1920's, especially in dealing with gender and race issues.
The plot twists, which I find fantastic, are also not for the faint of heart. There is a lot going on, and as Nick tries to unravel events and their causes we are taken through a ride in both the human and Feirie realms.
As this is book two, I would strongly recommend you read them in order.
Summary
I think "WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK OUT?!?" sums it up pretty well. I want to know more about Nick's past, I want to see more of prohibition-era Chicago through his eyes (more gang wars!), and I want to learn more about Claryce and Feirie.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
This book, while a separate adventure, continues straight from the previous one and builds up on the events therein. You can expect to learn more about Nick Medea's past, the world of Feirie, and Chicago's history.
Without spoilers, this novel expounds on a dark episode in Chicago's history (I'll only say unrelated to the gang-wars), whilst giving it a Feirie twist.
What I liked
As with the first volume, the plot is fast and twisty (this time picking up from the get-go). Once you start you just can't stop. Nick is navigating the complex world that Knaak created, and we given tantalising glimpses into his past.
The level of historical detail is as amazing as before, both in support for the main plot points and in weaving the rich background. Knaak paints a truly believable world, in style, architecture, personas, and events.
What to be aware of
This is a noir mystery. It is told in the classic hard-boiled style, as a first-person POV. It has gruesome bits, and our intrepid protagonist is not afraid to deal with them. Speaking of the protagonist, expect the attitudes and atmosphere commensurate with the 1920's, especially in dealing with gender and race issues.
The plot twists, which I find fantastic, are also not for the faint of heart. There is a lot going on, and as Nick tries to unravel events and their causes we are taken through a ride in both the human and Feirie realms.
As this is book two, I would strongly recommend you read them in order.
Summary
I think "WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK OUT?!?" sums it up pretty well. I want to know more about Nick's past, I want to see more of prohibition-era Chicago through his eyes (more gang wars!), and I want to learn more about Claryce and Feirie.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
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