Reviews

Fever Season by Barbara Hambly

lsneal's review

4.0

Hambly's writing is as evocative as ever, as she continues this series set in 1830s New Orleans. The divisions between Creole and American, free colored and enslaved black are as stark as ever, but the portrayal of how members of the different groups interact with each other are nuanced and fascinating. It's a grim book in many ways, but I can't help but want to read more about Benjamin January and his friends (and enemies).

hekate24's review

4.0

Still liking this series quite a lot. It's weird because oftentimes I have trouble following the actual mystery; it often gets lost under a sea of names and old grievances and financial scores (it's slightly embarrassing since I'm usually no slouch at following along with a mystery.) But the characters remain delightful, and the world itself is fascinating. And even if I couldn't really follow along with how January is drawing conclusions the growing sense of dread is such a palpable thing here. Like the first book, it's such a blistering portrayal of the psychological effects of slavery and classism. Every time January deals with a white person he has to read the situation and respond perfectly, and sometimes even responding perfectly doesn't save him from retaliation. It's infuriating to read about, and it was the life of countless people. So, yes, I'm going to continue this series. Not really for the mysteries, but for the characterization and sense of place.

julieputty's review

4.0

Really enjoyable, though these books give me the creeps. So many swamps and bayous and diseases and sweat and... bleargh.

Sensationalist ending, but it didn't last a super long time. Hambly combines the realistic with the sensational in an odd way, but I do enjoy her writing.

nilchance's review

4.0

This book does slow horror and claustrophobic dread better than actual horror, and worse because it's based on real events.

I've been tensed for bad shit to go down since Lalaurie appeared in a crowd scene in the first book, and lo, it did.

However, it's also the start of a surprisingly sweet romance. And the source of the word "Borgialatin", truly an underestimated word of our times.

hyenas's review

4.0

Unrelenting. But, per my mother, if someone can live it, you can read about it. I'm alternating these books with other more cheerful books. I'm going to need about two or three after this book.