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kathydavie's review against another edition
2.0
First in the Nocturne City urban fantasy series about two cousins: one a blood witch and the other a bitten werewolf/cop set in an alternate Earth.
My Take
I really wanted to like this since I love her Black London series so much. I gave it a "2" instead of a "1" because Kittredge does have an interesting concept. Just wish her editor had worked with her more.
Kittredge was so busy dropping hints that very little actually was clear. Not much tension built up for the demon, the "ancient evil". It was kind of weird that all the victims had Slavic last names; I kept waiting for a connection.
WTF. Kittredge has Luna doing all kinds of stupid things both on and off the job. It's like she's watched too many cop shows and wants Luna to be this hard ass, but hasn't a clue how to make her one. She just comes across as an idiot. A childish, immature fool. She keeps telling one of the suspects [whom she is convinced is not…a suspect, that is] everything about the case. I mean, c'mon, the guy is an Alpha leader, and he has told her from the get-go that he is obligated to seek revenge and then she's all surprised when he wants to follow through on "what he has already told her"! But, hey, she figures that he's "going to figure it out eventually". Oh, well, that's all right then. She's constantly reminding him that she's a cop; then she calls him up for backup, for a gun, for a ride to the crime scene… Luna jumps into situations without thought or investigation. Is it any surprise how easy it is to set her up for murders??? I just wanted to grab a gun and shoot her myself. Put her out of everyone's misery.
Yup, Luna is a tad concerned about using her department-issue cellphone as part of a spell. Well, hey, it's got a photograph on it of a sigil, and they need the photograph. The fact that Luna has state-of-the-art computer equipment on which she could simply print the image off is…um…well, that would require thinking.
Luna's actions when she wants her hated grandmother, Rhoda, to call the mark are just childish and stupid…are you picking up on the theme, yet?
Okay, in the scene where Dmitri and Luna are searching the DA's house and they enter Stephen's bedroom, I do not understand why having the room decorated in his school colors, the portrait of him in his lacrosse uniform, or mostly trophies in the bookcase instead of books makes the kid screwed up. Wouldn't it have been considered more of a sign of "oddity" if the kid had had books instead of the trophies?? Then there's the attic where Stephen is changing, and Luna just has to stick around for it. Please, God, let Stephen bite her to death!! The penultimate scene is symptomatic of the rest — her stupid, unthinking approach. I think Kittredge was tired of the story by this point and just wanted it over with.
Then there's this whole romance with Dmitri. I can't tell if it's supposed to be a trashy, violent "courtship" or if Kittredge just doesn't know how to find that balance between a truly awkward romance and the usual "oh, I don't want to be attracted" one.
Awkward, irritating, and I think I'll skip the rest of the series.
The Story
Girls are being horribly murdered, and Luna can't tell anyone that it's a werewolf. She must work the case with hostile cops, hostile suspects, and hostile witnesses all around her [yeah, I know why everyone is hostile towards Luna; even her cousin is hostile! I certainly can't find the attraction Dmitri sees].
As the case evolves, a DA's son becomes involved. Witchcraft beyond the expected marks her. Somehow Luna must balance pack law with unknown magics and an ancient criminal case that threatens to unleash a daemon that will destroy the world.
The Characters
Detective Luna Wilder is the cop-slash-werewolf…is this name a "cliché" or what??? with a mouth that just can't stop and a brain that just won't think. And, no. Only her lieutenant, Troy McAllister, knows that Luna has some really hairy issues once a month.
Sunflower "Sunny" is Luna's cousin and roommate. As a blood-witch, she's trying to help Luna figure out a way to avoid the change at the full moon. I suspect she's almost as fed up with Luna's mouth and brain as I am.
The assholes all include Wilbur Roenburg, Luna's captain and one of the cops not in favor of a woman on the force; Regan Lockhart, an assistant to the District Attorney, Alistair Duncan whose son, Stephen Duncan, is one of the suspects; and, Detective David Bryson is a sexual harassment lawsuit walking around.
Dmitri Sandovsky is an Alpha with his own Pack in Ghosttown. Luna thinks he's a sexy hunk, irresistible enough to ignore a wide range of departmental regulations.
The Cover
Well, except for the eyes on the cover model [whom I assume is Luna], the cover is generic enough with its very-elaborate, fuchsia pentagram projected onto the dark behind the tank top-clad woman wearing the pentagram necklace.
My Take
I really wanted to like this since I love her Black London series so much. I gave it a "2" instead of a "1" because Kittredge does have an interesting concept. Just wish her editor had worked with her more.
Kittredge was so busy dropping hints that very little actually was clear. Not much tension built up for the demon, the "ancient evil". It was kind of weird that all the victims had Slavic last names; I kept waiting for a connection.
WTF. Kittredge has Luna doing all kinds of stupid things both on and off the job. It's like she's watched too many cop shows and wants Luna to be this hard ass, but hasn't a clue how to make her one. She just comes across as an idiot. A childish, immature fool. She keeps telling one of the suspects [whom she is convinced is not…a suspect, that is] everything about the case. I mean, c'mon, the guy is an Alpha leader, and he has told her from the get-go that he is obligated to seek revenge and then she's all surprised when he wants to follow through on "what he has already told her"! But, hey, she figures that he's "going to figure it out eventually". Oh, well, that's all right then. She's constantly reminding him that she's a cop; then she calls him up for backup, for a gun, for a ride to the crime scene… Luna jumps into situations without thought or investigation. Is it any surprise how easy it is to set her up for murders??? I just wanted to grab a gun and shoot her myself. Put her out of everyone's misery.
Yup, Luna is a tad concerned about using her department-issue cellphone as part of a spell. Well, hey, it's got a photograph on it of a sigil, and they need the photograph. The fact that Luna has state-of-the-art computer equipment on which she could simply print the image off is…um…well, that would require thinking.
Luna's actions when she wants her hated grandmother, Rhoda, to call the mark are just childish and stupid…are you picking up on the theme, yet?
Okay, in the scene where Dmitri and Luna are searching the DA's house and they enter Stephen's bedroom, I do not understand why having the room decorated in his school colors, the portrait of him in his lacrosse uniform, or mostly trophies in the bookcase instead of books makes the kid screwed up. Wouldn't it have been considered more of a sign of "oddity" if the kid had had books instead of the trophies?? Then there's the attic where Stephen is changing, and Luna just has to stick around for it. Please, God, let Stephen bite her to death!! The penultimate scene is symptomatic of the rest — her stupid, unthinking approach. I think Kittredge was tired of the story by this point and just wanted it over with.
Then there's this whole romance with Dmitri. I can't tell if it's supposed to be a trashy, violent "courtship" or if Kittredge just doesn't know how to find that balance between a truly awkward romance and the usual "oh, I don't want to be attracted" one.
Awkward, irritating, and I think I'll skip the rest of the series.
The Story
Girls are being horribly murdered, and Luna can't tell anyone that it's a werewolf. She must work the case with hostile cops, hostile suspects, and hostile witnesses all around her [yeah, I know why everyone is hostile towards Luna; even her cousin is hostile! I certainly can't find the attraction Dmitri sees].
As the case evolves, a DA's son becomes involved. Witchcraft beyond the expected marks her. Somehow Luna must balance pack law with unknown magics and an ancient criminal case that threatens to unleash a daemon that will destroy the world.
The Characters
Detective Luna Wilder is the cop-slash-werewolf…is this name a "cliché" or what??? with a mouth that just can't stop and a brain that just won't think. And, no. Only her lieutenant, Troy McAllister, knows that Luna has some really hairy issues once a month.
Sunflower "Sunny" is Luna's cousin and roommate. As a blood-witch, she's trying to help Luna figure out a way to avoid the change at the full moon. I suspect she's almost as fed up with Luna's mouth and brain as I am.
The assholes all include Wilbur Roenburg, Luna's captain and one of the cops not in favor of a woman on the force; Regan Lockhart, an assistant to the District Attorney, Alistair Duncan whose son, Stephen Duncan, is one of the suspects; and, Detective David Bryson is a sexual harassment lawsuit walking around.
Dmitri Sandovsky is an Alpha with his own Pack in Ghosttown. Luna thinks he's a sexy hunk, irresistible enough to ignore a wide range of departmental regulations.
The Cover
Well, except for the eyes on the cover model [whom I assume is Luna], the cover is generic enough with its very-elaborate, fuchsia pentagram projected onto the dark behind the tank top-clad woman wearing the pentagram necklace.
booksnart2023's review against another edition
5.0
I loved how the author got straight to the point. It was very easy to relate to heroine. Luna's character reminds me a lot of myself. The book flowed and kept me interested.
moon419's review against another edition
5.0
I loved how the author got straight to the point. It was very easy to relate to heroine. Luna's character reminds me a lot of myself. The book flowed and kept me interested.
cathybruce208's review against another edition
3.0
This book was alright.There was a lot of backstory to the character and the setting, the fictional Nocturne City. Luna, a cop and solitary werewolf (of course), lives with her cousin Sunny, a caster witch. Sometime in the recent past, the werewolves and witches rioted (not sure why) and destroyed part of Nocturne City. The magical critters mostly live in the abandoned or seedy parts of town and the normal people like to pretend they don't exist.
There's a lot going on in this book and I haven't even mentioned the serial murderer that's loose. This book is the first in the series, but it feels like being thrown in the deep end to sink or swim. I wasn't quite sure what was going on some of the time. This has potential as a series, it might get better as it goes along.
There's a lot going on in this book and I haven't even mentioned the serial murderer that's loose. This book is the first in the series, but it feels like being thrown in the deep end to sink or swim. I wasn't quite sure what was going on some of the time. This has potential as a series, it might get better as it goes along.
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
2.0
It was very confusing. I'm not sure I can go on to the next one (it's at the library--I'm not investing more money) simply because I'm not sure what really happened? There was a lot going on and it started really slow, only picked up about halfway through.
emmanovella's review
2.0
1.75.
ummm well... could've been worse but oh my god Luna is a flat af 2D character and I hate her.
Also, she bangs on about how all her fam except cousin Sunny hate that she's a were.. right, fine, they're witches after all... BUT WHY THE FUCK DID THEY NAME YOU LUNA LIKE JESUS HER NAME IS ALMOST AS OBVIOUS AS PROFESSOR R J LUPIN OMG
ummm well... could've been worse but oh my god Luna is a flat af 2D character and I hate her.
Also, she bangs on about how all her fam except cousin Sunny hate that she's a were.. right, fine, they're witches after all... BUT WHY THE FUCK DID THEY NAME YOU LUNA LIKE JESUS HER NAME IS ALMOST AS OBVIOUS AS PROFESSOR R J LUPIN OMG
bookloverchelle's review
3.0
This was my first book from Caitlin Kittredge and I’m not 100% sure this story sold me on the series. It definitely had its good points. I enjoyed Luna, I thought she was smart and resourceful even though she may have had a TSTL moment here and there. The overall murder investigation kept you on your toes. What makes me a little reluctant was the relationship between Luna and Dmitri. I actually didn’t like Dmitri very much. I didn’t like that he was a pimp, I didn’t like how quickly he and Luna fell in together, and I don’t really like how their storyline ended. Now, that could be intentional to draw me in to the next in the series but I’m not sure if I want to pick it up. If it falls in my lap, I’m sure I’ll read it but I don’t know if I’ll but looking for it.
flajol's review
2.0
An OK read. Parts of it didn't flow too well, and made me feel a bit lost now and again, but not enough to make me toss the book.
Luna would be much more likeable if she didn't waste so much energy on hating herself.
Luna would be much more likeable if she didn't waste so much energy on hating herself.
git_r_read's review
5.0
Caitlin Kittredge is no longer a 'new voice' in dark fantasy. She has Nocturne City series, Icarus Project (with Jackie Kessler), Black London and Iron Codex. All highly excellent either from the reviews or actual books I've read.
I won the first two books of the Nocturne City series from Bitten By Bookshttp://www.bittenbybooks.com/ a couple of years ago and, for whatever reason, the two books sat in the third drawer of chest of drawers number one since. I started my campaign of clearing the drawers and shelves before buying more books...at least in theory...and found the two waiting for me. I pulled the two of them and brought them to work since it's been so quiet. And read them in quick succession.
Luna Wilder is indeed tough. She has to be since she's a lone werewolf in a world that knows supernatural beings exist and not everyone is happy about it.
She and Dmitri don't exactly get off to a good start since Luna is positive that Dmitri is the prime suspect in the deaths of women all around Nocturne City and Dmitri is all alpha pack leader macho which rubs Luna the wrong way to say the least...as much as she's drawn to him. Makes her nuts.
I don't like paranormal romance and this could read that way, but it's more action on the streets than in between the sheets.
Five action on the streets beans.....
I won the first two books of the Nocturne City series from Bitten By Bookshttp://www.bittenbybooks.com/ a couple of years ago and, for whatever reason, the two books sat in the third drawer of chest of drawers number one since. I started my campaign of clearing the drawers and shelves before buying more books...at least in theory...and found the two waiting for me. I pulled the two of them and brought them to work since it's been so quiet. And read them in quick succession.
Luna Wilder is indeed tough. She has to be since she's a lone werewolf in a world that knows supernatural beings exist and not everyone is happy about it.
She and Dmitri don't exactly get off to a good start since Luna is positive that Dmitri is the prime suspect in the deaths of women all around Nocturne City and Dmitri is all alpha pack leader macho which rubs Luna the wrong way to say the least...as much as she's drawn to him. Makes her nuts.
I don't like paranormal romance and this could read that way, but it's more action on the streets than in between the sheets.
Five action on the streets beans.....