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crochetchrisie's review
5.0
Could not put it down... love Nell and how she's progressing. Is there a book or novella about her time at Spook School though? I would totally read that. I really wish I hadn't taken Blood in Her Veins back to the library. I had expected to get it back before I read this. Oh well, I'll read it when I can.
mamap's review
4.0
Enjoying the development of the character - interesting discussion on what one creates if one uses magic - what is the unseen impact?
And yes, I'd like to see her end up with a man - to feel true love and intimacy - Is it weird to care so much for a character in a book and want her to feel true love?
I don't always understand the "mistakes" she makes, but I do like that one woman can change the world.
And yes, I'd like to see her end up with a man - to feel true love and intimacy - Is it weird to care so much for a character in a book and want her to feel true love?
I don't always understand the "mistakes" she makes, but I do like that one woman can change the world.
tessisreading2's review
2.0
I assumed I would find this one easier going than its predecessor and that was mostly true: the lack of focus on Nell's family and cult upbringing meant that I could just pretend it hadn't happened, mostly. Nell herself and her relationship with her family both make no sense if you think too hard about her described background - she's now a law enforcement official to her fingertips, and we're supposed to believe that happened in a six-month training course? - although Hunter does occasionally remember, which leads to ridiculousness like Nell's using all sorts of complex jargon and terminology and then announcing she doesn't know what "CEO" means.
That said, I know I’m nitpicking, but late in the book we learn that
That said, I know I’m nitpicking, but late in the book we learn that
Spoiler
the bad magic is an outgrowth of a WWII-era spell created by witches in Germany working for the Nazis; the side effects were so bad that the witches eventually committed suicide. The family of witches we meet, both in WWII and later in the US? Jewish. Jewish witches working for the Nazis during WWII… and the only “revenge” they want is for what happened to witches during WWII. The Holocaust is mentioned only in the context of affecting witches, not in terms of affecting Jewish people. I’m a mixture of gobsmacked and confused. Like, did Hunter forget that the Nazis were committing genocide against the Jews during WWII? Was the Holocaust not actually committed against Jewish people in her alternate reality and she just never mentioned that? (And if that’s the narrative choice she made I’m not thrilled with it.) Either way, it’s discomfiting, particularly when most of Hunter’s main characters are explicitly practicing religious Christians (and also note the only modern-day Jewish characters we meet in this book are villains).wellingtonestatelibrary's review
4.0
Parts of this -the magic system, Nell's research into WWII, the mystery- were really complicated and hard to wrap my head around. Still, I am in awe of the way Faith Hunter's mind works. She has come up with another completely unique magic system, characters, story, series. I still enjoy getting to know the characters, though some of the characters were not as likable in this second installment (Tandy). I also appreciate how we were able to get some answers for Jane. I hope we will get to see her reactions to this new information in Cold Reign that comes out in a few days. Faith Hunter is extremely adept at wrapping up a good book while leaving enough questions to keep us wanting more. It will be hard to wait until December!
wonderd's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-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
nelljustice's review
5.0
This is a urban fantasy, no sex, lots of blood, lots of magic, plenty of death (but no one we know) and a cameo from Nervous_Nellie_100Jane Yellowrock. There is no cliffhanger and maybe a tiny hint of romance. I listened to this book via audiobook.
Faith Hunter is one of my favorite authors. Khristine Hvam is one of my favorite narrators. Nell Ingram is now one of my favorite heroines. It took finishing this book before I was totally sold on Nell. I kept thinking that no one can be as good as Jane Yellowrock and while that is true, no one can now be as good as Nell Ingram. Both women are strong in their own way and talented in different areas. Nell is an incredible investigator and even though she does go "rodeo" as Ricky Bo calls it, she does know how to take one for the team. She uses her upbringing to her advantage and my favorite parts of the story is when she reverts to church-speak to gain confidences of witnesses.
Yes, Ricky Bo is still in this series. I know, I know. Ricky Bo is Nell's boss so where else would he be? Well, Rick badge plays more of a role than boss in this book. I got to see more about the agony that his were-taint is causing him. I nearly felt sorry for the man. Nearly. He still broke Jane's heart, but now I know how much he's really suffering and how scary and uncertain his existence really is.
Seriously, this was a really good book. Khristine Hvam is a top shelf narrator and even though she does narrate the Jane Yellowrock, she modulates her voice enough to distinguish between Jane and Nell. That, to me, is incredible talent. If you like Jane Yellowrock, please give this series a shot. I was skeptical at first, just because it featured Ricky Bo, but Nell outshines all the characters in the book and she's brilliant.
Faith Hunter is one of my favorite authors. Khristine Hvam is one of my favorite narrators. Nell Ingram is now one of my favorite heroines. It took finishing this book before I was totally sold on Nell. I kept thinking that no one can be as good as Jane Yellowrock and while that is true, no one can now be as good as Nell Ingram. Both women are strong in their own way and talented in different areas. Nell is an incredible investigator and even though she does go "rodeo" as Ricky Bo calls it, she does know how to take one for the team. She uses her upbringing to her advantage and my favorite parts of the story is when she reverts to church-speak to gain confidences of witnesses.
Yes, Ricky Bo is still in this series. I know, I know. Ricky Bo is Nell's boss so where else would he be? Well, Rick badge plays more of a role than boss in this book. I got to see more about the agony that his were-taint is causing him. I nearly felt sorry for the man. Nearly. He still broke Jane's heart, but now I know how much he's really suffering and how scary and uncertain his existence really is.
Seriously, this was a really good book. Khristine Hvam is a top shelf narrator and even though she does narrate the Jane Yellowrock, she modulates her voice enough to distinguish between Jane and Nell. That, to me, is incredible talent. If you like Jane Yellowrock, please give this series a shot. I was skeptical at first, just because it featured Ricky Bo, but Nell outshines all the characters in the book and she's brilliant.