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assaphmehr's review against another edition
5.0
Black City Dragon is the third installment in the series, one I have been waiting for since I first came across it. Nor was I disappointed.
What to Expect
This novel deal a lot with the protagonist's past (Nick Medea, aka St George). As such it is imperative to read the first two volumes first - just so you'd get that the build-up of excitement to the backstory dealt with in this volume. Here we learn more about Nick's past, with his relationship of the dragon and Cleolinda as well as more about the complex world he lives in. As more is revealed about the world, about Feirie and other powers, it also raises new questions - a perfect setup for the next book in the series.
There is also an extra short story at the end, Black City Shadows, which was originally published in Grimdark Magazine. Who doesn't love great bonus material?
What I liked
I absolutely love the hardboiled detective style first-person narration mixed in with high and mighty fantasy elements. The fact that it is on the background of an exciting historical period is just the cherry on top. Speaking of which, Knaak certainly brings Chicago of the 1920's to life with amazing research and trivia (from slang, to gangs, to architecture). This all gels together for a rich and immersive world in which his wonderful and unique characters thrive.
What to be aware of
There are definite elements of alternate history (besides the obvious inclusion of magic), so bear with the author. However, the period is depicted extremely well which includes the attitudes of the protagonist towards women. Don't mistake them for the attitudes of the author - all his characters are strong and capable - but some might find issues with it.
As this is book three and references previous events, I would strongly recommend you read them in order.
Summary
If the idea of a noir-historical-fantasy-detective blend appeals to you, this is definitely a good read. It does a great job of bringing together elements of urban fantasy into the historically-accurate 1920's Chicago setting. An excellent novel - which you would know if you read the first two (and you should read in order).
--
[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 novel deal a lot with the protagonist's past (Nick Medea, aka St George). As such it is imperative to read the first two volumes first - just so you'd get that the build-up of excitement to the backstory dealt with in this volume. Here we learn more about Nick's past, with his relationship of the dragon and Cleolinda as well as more about the complex world he lives in. As more is revealed about the world, about Feirie and other powers, it also raises new questions - a perfect setup for the next book in the series.
There is also an extra short story at the end, Black City Shadows, which was originally published in Grimdark Magazine. Who doesn't love great bonus material?
What I liked
I absolutely love the hardboiled detective style first-person narration mixed in with high and mighty fantasy elements. The fact that it is on the background of an exciting historical period is just the cherry on top. Speaking of which, Knaak certainly brings Chicago of the 1920's to life with amazing research and trivia (from slang, to gangs, to architecture). This all gels together for a rich and immersive world in which his wonderful and unique characters thrive.
What to be aware of
There are definite elements of alternate history (besides the obvious inclusion of magic), so bear with the author. However, the period is depicted extremely well which includes the attitudes of the protagonist towards women. Don't mistake them for the attitudes of the author - all his characters are strong and capable - but some might find issues with it.
As this is book three and references previous events, I would strongly recommend you read them in order.
Summary
If the idea of a noir-historical-fantasy-detective blend appeals to you, this is definitely a good read. It does a great job of bringing together elements of urban fantasy into the historically-accurate 1920's Chicago setting. An excellent novel - which you would know if you read the first two (and you should read in order).
--
[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.
srlemons42's review against another edition
5.0
The books in this series have all been very fun to read. Prohibition era Chicago, the Fae, and dragons what's not to love!? I really like a lot of the characters. Nick Medea, the main character, is the gatekeeper between our world and The Fae. He's a bit world-weary without being to cynical. His inner monologues with the dragon are sometimes funny, sometimes threatening. The only character I am not the biggest fan of is the love interest Claryce. I'm not sure why she sometimes annoys me but I find her mostly dull. Even so, she is mostly a neutral in my mind and doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
I really liked this book, and am looking forward to any others in the series!
I really liked this book, and am looking forward to any others in the series!
assaphmehr's review
5.0
Black City Dragon is the third installment in the series, one I have been waiting for since I first came across it. Nor was I disappointed.
What to Expect
This novel deal a lot with the protagonist's past (Nick Medea, aka St George). As such it is imperative to read the first two volumes first - just so you'd get that the build-up of excitement to the backstory dealt with in this volume. Here we learn more about Nick's past, with his relationship of the dragon and Cleolinda as well as more about the complex world he lives in. As more is revealed about the world, about Feirie and other powers, it also raises new questions - a perfect setup for the next book in the series.
There is also an extra short story at the end, Black City Shadows, which was originally published in Grimdark Magazine. Who doesn't love great bonus material?
What I liked
I absolutely love the hardboiled detective style first-person narration mixed in with high and mighty fantasy elements. The fact that it is on the background of an exciting historical period is just the cherry on top. Speaking of which, Knaak certainly brings Chicago of the 1920's to life with amazing research and trivia (from slang, to gangs, to architecture). This all gels together for a rich and immersive world in which his wonderful and unique characters thrive.
What to be aware of
There are definite elements of alternate history (besides the obvious inclusion of magic), so bear with the author. However, the period is depicted extremely well which includes the attitudes of the protagonist towards women. Don't mistake them for the attitudes of the author - all his characters are strong and capable - but some might find issues with it.
As this is book three and references previous events, I would strongly recommend you read them in order.
Summary
If the idea of a noir-historical-fantasy-detective blend appeals to you, this is definitely a good read. It does a great job of bringing together elements of urban fantasy into the historically-accurate 1920's Chicago setting. An excellent novel - which you would know if you read the first two (and you should read in order).
--
[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 novel deal a lot with the protagonist's past (Nick Medea, aka St George). As such it is imperative to read the first two volumes first - just so you'd get that the build-up of excitement to the backstory dealt with in this volume. Here we learn more about Nick's past, with his relationship of the dragon and Cleolinda as well as more about the complex world he lives in. As more is revealed about the world, about Feirie and other powers, it also raises new questions - a perfect setup for the next book in the series.
There is also an extra short story at the end, Black City Shadows, which was originally published in Grimdark Magazine. Who doesn't love great bonus material?
What I liked
I absolutely love the hardboiled detective style first-person narration mixed in with high and mighty fantasy elements. The fact that it is on the background of an exciting historical period is just the cherry on top. Speaking of which, Knaak certainly brings Chicago of the 1920's to life with amazing research and trivia (from slang, to gangs, to architecture). This all gels together for a rich and immersive world in which his wonderful and unique characters thrive.
What to be aware of
There are definite elements of alternate history (besides the obvious inclusion of magic), so bear with the author. However, the period is depicted extremely well which includes the attitudes of the protagonist towards women. Don't mistake them for the attitudes of the author - all his characters are strong and capable - but some might find issues with it.
As this is book three and references previous events, I would strongly recommend you read them in order.
Summary
If the idea of a noir-historical-fantasy-detective blend appeals to you, this is definitely a good read. It does a great job of bringing together elements of urban fantasy into the historically-accurate 1920's Chicago setting. An excellent novel - which you would know if you read the first two (and you should read in order).
--
[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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