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lynseyisreading's review
3.0
An interesting glimpse at Jocelynn Drake's new world.
So, forgive me for being dense here, but I was under the impression this was going to be all about Trixie (whoever she may be) and therefore perhaps written from her POV. Colour me puzzled then when it's actually written in 1st person POV from a man—or a warlock as it happens—called Gage. It's about his first meeting with Trixie when she first came to Low Town, the setting for this new Urban Fantasy series. So, intrigued by this discovery I then went to read the blurb for the first full-length book, Angel's Ink, more closely (with my eyes open and everything) and saw that that is also going to be told from Gage's POV. Now, before you all start "duh"ing me, you have to admit the title and the cover art suggests a female main character. Does it or does it not? I don't read very many series with male main characters; only really my beloved Atticus from the Iron Druid Chronicles, which is also penned by a man. So this being written by a woman is doubly intriguing.
Of course, it's not the first time Drake has written from the male perspective. She did one of the books in her Dark Days series from Danaus' POV, but it still strikes me as an unusual way to go. And kinda misleading with the covers having girls on.
Anyway, once my confusion cleared I found I rather liked Gage. He seems like an interesting and likeable chap. Slightly flawed in his plans to be an asshole in order to keep the beautiful Trixie at bay, but nice nonetheless. He strikes me as the reluctant hero type. He tells you he's all bad, bad, bad but his actions prove otherwise.
Other characters we met were Jo, the ex-girlfriend/vampire guitar player. Bronx, the troll and partner at Gage's tattoo parlour. A few gargoyles. A delightful Chinese fellow called Chang who seems to be able to procure almost anything magical, for a price. And of course, Trixie. A woman who seems to be hiding a few secrets and is so far unaware that Gage is on to her.
So, it all looks very promising. There's a nice mix of supernatural species and the characters I've met seem interesting but flawed, with lots of secrets yet to be uncloaked. And most especially, I was pleased to see that the overall tone of the world and characters seems lighter that her previous series. I did enjoy Dark Days and read through them very quickly, but I never really connected to the main character, Mira. She was so cold, and some of the scenes were so violent— literal blood baths—that it got too much for me. But so far, from what I've seen from this small sample, it appears this isn't going to be quite as dark; there was some nice funny dialogue and Gage seems a much warmer character. Hopefully it will be just as exciting and fast-paced, though.
I'm looking forward to getting to Angel's Ink to find out more about everyone I've just met. And there's also another novella, The Asylum Interviews: Bronx, presumably about how Gage met his Troll friend, that I might get beforehand too.
3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
So, forgive me for being dense here, but I was under the impression this was going to be all about Trixie (whoever she may be) and therefore perhaps written from her POV. Colour me puzzled then when it's actually written in 1st person POV from a man—or a warlock as it happens—called Gage. It's about his first meeting with Trixie when she first came to Low Town, the setting for this new Urban Fantasy series. So, intrigued by this discovery I then went to read the blurb for the first full-length book, Angel's Ink, more closely (with my eyes open and everything) and saw that that is also going to be told from Gage's POV. Now, before you all start "duh"ing me, you have to admit the title and the cover art suggests a female main character. Does it or does it not? I don't read very many series with male main characters; only really my beloved Atticus from the Iron Druid Chronicles, which is also penned by a man. So this being written by a woman is doubly intriguing.
Of course, it's not the first time Drake has written from the male perspective. She did one of the books in her Dark Days series from Danaus' POV, but it still strikes me as an unusual way to go. And kinda misleading with the covers having girls on.
Anyway, once my confusion cleared I found I rather liked Gage. He seems like an interesting and likeable chap. Slightly flawed in his plans to be an asshole in order to keep the beautiful Trixie at bay, but nice nonetheless. He strikes me as the reluctant hero type. He tells you he's all bad, bad, bad but his actions prove otherwise.
Other characters we met were Jo, the ex-girlfriend/vampire guitar player. Bronx, the troll and partner at Gage's tattoo parlour. A few gargoyles. A delightful Chinese fellow called Chang who seems to be able to procure almost anything magical, for a price. And of course, Trixie. A woman who seems to be hiding a few secrets and is so far unaware that Gage is on to her.
So, it all looks very promising. There's a nice mix of supernatural species and the characters I've met seem interesting but flawed, with lots of secrets yet to be uncloaked. And most especially, I was pleased to see that the overall tone of the world and characters seems lighter that her previous series. I did enjoy Dark Days and read through them very quickly, but I never really connected to the main character, Mira. She was so cold, and some of the scenes were so violent— literal blood baths—that it got too much for me. But so far, from what I've seen from this small sample, it appears this isn't going to be quite as dark; there was some nice funny dialogue and Gage seems a much warmer character. Hopefully it will be just as exciting and fast-paced, though.
I'm looking forward to getting to Angel's Ink to find out more about everyone I've just met. And there's also another novella, The Asylum Interviews: Bronx, presumably about how Gage met his Troll friend, that I might get beforehand too.
3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
rclz's review
4.0
If Trixi and Bronx are any real gauge on Angel's Ink, the first full book in his series it's going to be a goody. I really enjoyed this book and the one before it. The characters are likeable the plots, interesting and work well.
I'll certainly try Angel's Ink when it comes out on the 16th.
I'll certainly try Angel's Ink when it comes out on the 16th.
jeanz's review
4.0
MY REVIEW
Again I purchased this one from Amazon.co.uk. As I had read Blood by Moonlight, I wanted to read more of The Asylum series. I will admit I have managed to read the Asylum Interview novellas all in the wrong order but, to be truthful it hasn't really mattered. I have still enjoyed the novellas. I have loved learning more about the characters.
The cover I admit to not been as keen on. The female on the front could be either Trixie or Jo.
We see the protective side of Gage when it turns out his ex-girlfriend Jo is being mis treated by her new nest master Chester. As Jo has returned to town there are no spaces left in her old nest. there are only a number of spaces allowed since the government brought in certain rules and regulations to keep the vampires in line. So when Michelle, the leader of Jo's old nest tells Jo there's no room at the moment. Jo is forced to join the other nest in town which is ruled by a rather more sadistic, cruel and somewhat weird Chester.
Gage is upset, disappointed and enraged when Trixie lets him know how Chester is mistreating Jo, his first reaction is to nip around and rip Chester's head off! Then he listens to reason and decides to be more careful for Jo's sake and use a bit of magic to help.
I like all the characters in this series that I have come across so far, the protective, kind, generous yet hard, tough tattoo artist Gage, the gentle giant troll Bronx and the cute little . . .well we don't officially know what she is yet so Trixie. we do know Trixie is hiding from someone or something as she is using glamour to disguise her appearance. Even though Gage can see through the glamour he keeps quiet, like Gage I am sure we will hear Trixie's Problem soon. So now we have met those that work at The Asylum tattoo parlour . . and some of Gage's friends too in Parker, Jill and Jo.
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, once again, I really did. Would I recommend? Yes, though with a warning these novellas so far give me the feeling this series is more adult themed and aimed. Will I read more of this Series? I already have and yes I hope to read even more! Would I read other books/novellas by Jocelynn Drake? Yes I think I would try other books by her.
Again I purchased this one from Amazon.co.uk. As I had read Blood by Moonlight, I wanted to read more of The Asylum series. I will admit I have managed to read the Asylum Interview novellas all in the wrong order but, to be truthful it hasn't really mattered. I have still enjoyed the novellas. I have loved learning more about the characters.
The cover I admit to not been as keen on. The female on the front could be either Trixie or Jo.
We see the protective side of Gage when it turns out his ex-girlfriend Jo is being mis treated by her new nest master Chester. As Jo has returned to town there are no spaces left in her old nest. there are only a number of spaces allowed since the government brought in certain rules and regulations to keep the vampires in line. So when Michelle, the leader of Jo's old nest tells Jo there's no room at the moment. Jo is forced to join the other nest in town which is ruled by a rather more sadistic, cruel and somewhat weird Chester.
Gage is upset, disappointed and enraged when Trixie lets him know how Chester is mistreating Jo, his first reaction is to nip around and rip Chester's head off! Then he listens to reason and decides to be more careful for Jo's sake and use a bit of magic to help.
I like all the characters in this series that I have come across so far, the protective, kind, generous yet hard, tough tattoo artist Gage, the gentle giant troll Bronx and the cute little . . .well we don't officially know what she is yet so Trixie. we do know Trixie is hiding from someone or something as she is using glamour to disguise her appearance. Even though Gage can see through the glamour he keeps quiet, like Gage I am sure we will hear Trixie's Problem soon. So now we have met those that work at The Asylum tattoo parlour . . and some of Gage's friends too in Parker, Jill and Jo.
So did I enjoy this novella? Yes, once again, I really did. Would I recommend? Yes, though with a warning these novellas so far give me the feeling this series is more adult themed and aimed. Will I read more of this Series? I already have and yes I hope to read even more! Would I read other books/novellas by Jocelynn Drake? Yes I think I would try other books by her.
jmshirtz's review
4.0
I'm starting to really like the Low Town world. I loved the interaction between Gage and Bronx, but I wish there had been more Trixie, especially since this is kind of her introduction to the boys. (She is, after all, introduced to the reader in [b:Angel's Ink|12947735|Angel's Ink (The Asylum's Tales, #1)|Jocelynn Drake|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1336010183s/12947735.jpg|18104456]). I did like how she isn't your typical damsel in distress, though. :) Overall, I wish there had been more Trixie/Gage interaction as opposed to Jo/Gage, but it was an interesting story with zero static characters!
triciab04's review
4.0
This was a quick fun read. If you read and enjoyed Angel's Ink, then reading this short story about how Trixie got her start at Asylum should be good fun for you. And right now the ebook is only 99 cents, so you really have no reason not to pick up this book! Now on to the Bronx interview!
pages_and_procrastination's review
4.0
If Bronx's story was an introduction to the characters, then Trixie's story is just a tease. I am glad that I have a review copy of Angel's Ink so that I can dive right in. I am definitely looking forward to it after finishing this story. I really like Gage, and not just because of the hidden power that he wields, because he really is a good guy. He has a lot of connections because he is often willing to do the right thing without much regards to himself. This is also a common trait found in his friends and co-workers. What I like so far, is that he is not the only character that stands out. I am more interested in his story, but that may be because we are seeing everything through his eyes and we are in his head. I am not complaining, just explaining why I am drawn to him as a character. I do wonder what's going on in the other characters minds. While I am hoping for a showdown between Gage and the Ivory Towers, I am also hoping to learn more about Trixie, Bronx, Jo, Jill and Parker. The gargoyles seem interesting as well. Ahh, there is so much that pulls you into the story.
4 stars ****
What's Next? Angel's Ink
4 stars ****
What's Next? Angel's Ink
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