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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
3.25 stars, rounded down.
This one started with a lot of promise, though it was slightly exposition-heavy as the worldbuilding for the series was established. The problems were in the last third of the book, though. First off, the narrative pace was flagging, with not enough immediate tension to keep the story moving. My other big problem was with the motives of some of the characters, which didn't seem compelling enough to explain their actions.
On the bright side the performance for the audiobook was quite good, though a little more differentiation in character voices would have been appreciated.
This one started with a lot of promise, though it was slightly exposition-heavy as the worldbuilding for the series was established. The problems were in the last third of the book, though. First off, the narrative pace was flagging, with not enough immediate tension to keep the story moving. My other big problem was with the motives of some of the characters, which didn't seem compelling enough to explain their actions.
Spoiler
Butch's motive for killing two people was perhaps somewhat plausible, but Jeremy (who was telegraphed as Emma's killer way in advance) went from loving-but-concerned boyfriend to sociopathic killer without any great motive except...people wouldn't like him if they broke up? That's it? I'm just not buying it.On the bright side the performance for the audiobook was quite good, though a little more differentiation in character voices would have been appreciated.
Another excellent urban fantasy from Helen Harper.
I was also impressed that all her earning derived from pre-order of this book were channeled into charities!
I was also impressed that all her earning derived from pre-order of this book were channeled into charities!
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
I liked it well enough but it is set in 'London'. It is a London not of this earth though it purports to be. In fact this London is closer to being a village or small town than a huge city. Strange. The plotting is mostly an obvious detective story, the characters a little thin. The vampire lord is rather ridiculous.
I was taking a break from the series I had primarily decided to try out Amazon's Kindle Unlimited feature for, and was looking for something else to read while the trial was active. I settled on this. And honestly, I loved it. I don't have some of the cultural reference-- as it is about a policewoman in London, and I live in the US-- but it was still really enjoyable anyway, and that never made it feel difficult to relate, but more small reminders like when someone says "call 999" or something like that, it reminds me. This was a lovely "urban fantasy police procedural who-dunnit murder mystery". I felt that the main character was fairly grounded and relatable, while also being good enough (but not Mary Sue levels) at her job for me to want to take her seriously in that role.
I don't like to get spoilery in my reviews if I can help it, so I won't, but I feel like everything about her mentor for her rotation in The Supernatural Squad, the 4 Werewolf clans, and the only real vampire to which we are introduced in this first story give an excellent base for grounding the story and for worldbuilding. I was eager to get into Book #2 after finishing this one.
I don't like to get spoilery in my reviews if I can help it, so I won't, but I feel like everything about her mentor for her rotation in The Supernatural Squad, the 4 Werewolf clans, and the only real vampire to which we are introduced in this first story give an excellent base for grounding the story and for worldbuilding. I was eager to get into Book #2 after finishing this one.
Excellent urban fantasy
I was surprised at how good this was. The blurb was only ok, but the story was intricate, clever, and woven to keep a constantly evolving mystery throughout. I'm very presently surprised, teaching to get book 2 of the series right now.
I was surprised at how good this was. The blurb was only ok, but the story was intricate, clever, and woven to keep a constantly evolving mystery throughout. I'm very presently surprised, teaching to get book 2 of the series right now.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
fast-paced