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tiffasaurusrex's review against another edition
2.0
Felt like the same old urban fantasy- Bad-A Girl rounds up a team of Tough Guys, most of which are in love with her. The story is more interesting, "rider" spirits and an Ex-Priest were fresh elements, but overall not anything special.
perednia's review against another edition
5.0
Jayne Heller was well on her way to being the prototypical slacker -- college dropout, boyfriend cheating on her, Bible Belt parents offering no support. The only person who ever supported her was Uncle Eric, who would swoop into town, give her a boost and leave again. Then he is killed and Jayne travels to Denver as Eric's sole heir.
Eric was far more than he seemed. For one, he was upper stratosphere rich. For another, he was a hunter. Of creatures like riders that take over human bodies. Especially riders under the control of Randolph Coin, a powerful member of the Invisible College seeking power. Eric also had colleagues who worked with him on various jobs, including a cadaverous old man who is a demon in the kitchen (among other things), a former priest, a scientific researcher and a fighting expert. These colleagues will come in handy, because the Invisible College killed Eric and now they're after Jayne.
Jayne and her new team take a few too many pages to go over the game plan once they determine they will have to take out Randolph Coin. It's almost like they're in hiding even though they have a self-imposed deadline to draw Coin out and kill him. But when the showdown comes, it's well worth the wait. There are spells cast, butts appropriately kicked and a well-plotted climax.
Although this is a fairly standard setup for urban paranormal action stories, Hanover has created a viable lead character in Jayne Heller. She's a young woman at the kind of crossroads that every young woman faces, just under extraordinary circumstances, and comes into her own in believable fashion. Her growth as a person and the realization that she may have extra abilities when it comes to this fighting demons thing mesh together well. The mutual attraction she and one of the team feel for each other has a conflict that is more than a Big Misunderstanding, and which can contribute to further plot twists and character development in later books. The secondary characters also are tremendously engaging. And, although it may not be feasible, it would be great to see all of them in subsequent volumes.
Hanover is particularly adept at discerning how a young heroine might respond to the circumstances thrown at her in the plot, especially considering that Hanover is Hugo-nominated Daniel Abraham. This well-crafted female protagonist should be used any time it is argued that men cannot create believable women. Unclean Spirits lays the groundwork for what could be a long-lasting, intriguing and enjoyable series.
Eric was far more than he seemed. For one, he was upper stratosphere rich. For another, he was a hunter. Of creatures like riders that take over human bodies. Especially riders under the control of Randolph Coin, a powerful member of the Invisible College seeking power. Eric also had colleagues who worked with him on various jobs, including a cadaverous old man who is a demon in the kitchen (among other things), a former priest, a scientific researcher and a fighting expert. These colleagues will come in handy, because the Invisible College killed Eric and now they're after Jayne.
Jayne and her new team take a few too many pages to go over the game plan once they determine they will have to take out Randolph Coin. It's almost like they're in hiding even though they have a self-imposed deadline to draw Coin out and kill him. But when the showdown comes, it's well worth the wait. There are spells cast, butts appropriately kicked and a well-plotted climax.
Although this is a fairly standard setup for urban paranormal action stories, Hanover has created a viable lead character in Jayne Heller. She's a young woman at the kind of crossroads that every young woman faces, just under extraordinary circumstances, and comes into her own in believable fashion. Her growth as a person and the realization that she may have extra abilities when it comes to this fighting demons thing mesh together well. The mutual attraction she and one of the team feel for each other has a conflict that is more than a Big Misunderstanding, and which can contribute to further plot twists and character development in later books. The secondary characters also are tremendously engaging. And, although it may not be feasible, it would be great to see all of them in subsequent volumes.
Hanover is particularly adept at discerning how a young heroine might respond to the circumstances thrown at her in the plot, especially considering that Hanover is Hugo-nominated Daniel Abraham. This well-crafted female protagonist should be used any time it is argued that men cannot create believable women. Unclean Spirits lays the groundwork for what could be a long-lasting, intriguing and enjoyable series.
alexiachantel's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
If you were to suddenly inherit an obscene amount of money and property do you know the first thing you would do? Find out how much you inherited, go shopping, check out one of the places you can now call home, kill some demons. Check, check, check, and...well most of us would skip on that last one.
JaynÉ is a young woman whose world gets turned upside down. When she finds out her uncle left everything to her she sees it as a chance to change her life. But the moment she steps into her uncle’s house and meets the cursed man she changes more than she knows. She is young and inexperienced so she makes mistakes, but she is smart enough to realize she needs talented knowledgeable people around her. This is how her team begins.
The men that JaynÉ picks to work for her are an eclectic bunch. Aubrey is a smart man that makes a stupid choice. Ex cloaks his true intentions, what they and his real feelings are will be an interesting journey to discover. Midian who is cursed yet also provides JaynÉ with guidance and sort of friendship. And last but not least is Chogyi Jake who connects with JaynÉ and seems to have her back.
Well-written characters and a great plot line is what you can expect from book one of The Black Sun’s Daughter. The end leaves the story open, JaynÉ and her new crew ready to rid the world of evil. So much has been hinted at and left so many questions. This is a great way to start a series.
Review to be posted at Reading Between the Wines blog.
If you were to suddenly inherit an obscene amount of money and property do you know the first thing you would do? Find out how much you inherited, go shopping, check out one of the places you can now call home, kill some demons. Check, check, check, and...well most of us would skip on that last one.
JaynÉ is a young woman whose world gets turned upside down. When she finds out her uncle left everything to her she sees it as a chance to change her life. But the moment she steps into her uncle’s house and meets the cursed man she changes more than she knows. She is young and inexperienced so she makes mistakes, but she is smart enough to realize she needs talented knowledgeable people around her. This is how her team begins.
The men that JaynÉ picks to work for her are an eclectic bunch. Aubrey is a smart man that makes a stupid choice. Ex cloaks his true intentions, what they and his real feelings are will be an interesting journey to discover. Midian who is cursed yet also provides JaynÉ with guidance and sort of friendship. And last but not least is Chogyi Jake who connects with JaynÉ and seems to have her back.
Well-written characters and a great plot line is what you can expect from book one of The Black Sun’s Daughter. The end leaves the story open, JaynÉ and her new crew ready to rid the world of evil. So much has been hinted at and left so many questions. This is a great way to start a series.
Review to be posted at Reading Between the Wines blog.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
DNF @ 50 %
This just isn't holding my attention right now. I think it's a case of the wrong time for the right book. I'd like to come back to it when I am more in the mood for it.
This just isn't holding my attention right now. I think it's a case of the wrong time for the right book. I'd like to come back to it when I am more in the mood for it.
nyxshadow's review against another edition
3.0
http://nyx-shadow.blogspot.com/2012/01/la-fille-du-soleil-noir-t1-esprits.html
alice2000's review against another edition
4.0
I'd read good reviews on this, but the more I got into it the more I wasn't sure I would like it. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be pretty damn good.
I think there is still more work to be done in the work, but this was a pretty good origin tale. Love me some Ex and Jayne was a very interesting character.
I look forward to the next one.
I think there is still more work to be done in the work, but this was a pretty good origin tale. Love me some Ex and Jayne was a very interesting character.
I look forward to the next one.
drey72's review against another edition
3.0
Jayné Heller is twenty-two, aimless, and alone when she finds out that her uncle Eric is dead (murdered) and she's his heir. She also finds out that he was involved in hunting riders--beings who possess humans and take 'em over. Kinda like parasites. Yes, this means believing in demons and magic and all that stuff...
While checking out one of her new living quarters, she comes across Midian, who's a corpse-like vampiric creature who can cook like a superstar chef. And then the bad guys come a-visiting, and Jayné displays some very talented kick-ass mojo. As in, she kicks ass. Of course, she doesn't know how she does it--can we say "girl, you've got something special going on, even if you're clueless about it"?
The reason I'm not in love with this story is that there's a lot left hanging. Like Jayné's powers... The way Eric's A-Team shows up... How quickly they get from Eric's death to planning retribution on his murderer... I mean, seriously, Jayné simply trusts them when they say the bad guy's bad. I was just waiting for the tables to be turned... Also, how quickly Jayné forms an attachment to the team. Like she's some pathetic thing who'll love anyone as long as they keep her around. That so doesn't jive with the vengeful kickass heroine image, does it? Last thing--this is apparently the first in the Black Sun's Daughter series. But there's no mention anywhere about anything remotely close to what that means... Frustrating!
I'm giving the series another chance with book #2, because the world is pretty neat--riders are the reason there are non-humans like vampires, weres, etc. around. And I want to find out how Jayné deals with the aftermath of the big showdown.
While checking out one of her new living quarters, she comes across Midian, who's a corpse-like vampiric creature who can cook like a superstar chef. And then the bad guys come a-visiting, and Jayné displays some very talented kick-ass mojo. As in, she kicks ass. Of course, she doesn't know how she does it--can we say "girl, you've got something special going on, even if you're clueless about it"?
The reason I'm not in love with this story is that there's a lot left hanging. Like Jayné's powers... The way Eric's A-Team shows up... How quickly they get from Eric's death to planning retribution on his murderer... I mean, seriously, Jayné simply trusts them when they say the bad guy's bad. I was just waiting for the tables to be turned... Also, how quickly Jayné forms an attachment to the team. Like she's some pathetic thing who'll love anyone as long as they keep her around. That so doesn't jive with the vengeful kickass heroine image, does it? Last thing--this is apparently the first in the Black Sun's Daughter series. But there's no mention anywhere about anything remotely close to what that means... Frustrating!
I'm giving the series another chance with book #2, because the world is pretty neat--riders are the reason there are non-humans like vampires, weres, etc. around. And I want to find out how Jayné deals with the aftermath of the big showdown.
seak's review against another edition
4.0
I don't read a lot of Urban Fantasy, but when I do, I read the Dresden Files.
Now, I read The Black Sun's Daughter as well.
(After putting this up, I realized that Stephen has a much better and awesomer review on this same concept. I didn't copy his [promise], but do check his out, that's the way to do it)
Unclean Spirits is the first of M.L.N. Hanover's Black Sun's Daughter series. As you may or may not know, M.L.N. Hanover is the pseudonym of the author Daniel Abraham (Abraham talks about his many pseudonyms here). I find he does a great job separating his different writing interests (Abraham - epic fantasy, Hanover - urban fantasy, Half of James S.A. Corey - science fiction) by using the whole pseudonym scheme, letting his readers know what they're in for.
Anyway, Unclean Spirits follows Jayné Heller, a twenty-something girl who inherits everything from her uncle, the black sheep of the family, who has recently died. Jayné quickly finds out that her uncle, Eric, was involved in not only some very dangerous, but highly unbelievable (i.e., supernatural) dealings, which she has now inherited as well.
Jayné quickly meets up with Aubrey, a male friend of Eric's whom she had thought was his lover, who later develops into a love interest. She also learns of of Eric's other friends who are immediately called in to help when she is attacked checking out her newly inherited condo. This after just meeting a walking dead guy (not quite zombie), another of Eric's "friends."
In this urban fantasy, the supernatural exists as demons who "ride" humans, essentially taking them over for their own, usually evil, purposes. Jayné finds out she has some type of power of her own, although I'm looking forward to finding out more about this. We only get a small glimpse in this installment.
Hanover/Abraham quickly dives you into the story, even introducing our main protagonist in a clever way - she arrives to find someone waiting with a sign - and helps us pronounce her often mispronounced name. We're then plunged into the thick of things quite speedily and yet completely logically - nothing happens just to provide more action.
Unclean Spirits is a hard book to put down, not only because of the seamless action and plot development, but because his prose is clever and compelling. It also helps that the print is quite large, the pages almost turn themselves.
Having known that Hanover is indeed a man, as I mentioned earlier, it was a bit odd at first reading about the thoughts of this first-person narrated female character, Jayné. I'm sorry if I ruin that for you here. Once I got into the swing of things, however, it's not bad at all and for a guy reading this, it worked well. I'm very curious to see what women think of this.
The one thing I didn't love, because honestly everything else was spot-on, was the love interest thing between Jayné and Aubrey. They're in a very intense situation, trying to keep themselves alive and probably many others, and yet they start to fancy each other. This, in itself, is quite normal and often used, but they even go so far as to go out on a date while they're trying to stay undercover. The complications that develop are great, but I as I said, I didn't love this part, but that means I didn't completely hate it either.
If you're an Urban Fantasy fan, Unclean Spirits is a series not to miss. If you're not an Urban Fantasy fan, maybe now's the time to become one. As the intro to this review says, I don't read a lot of Urban Fantasy, but I really enjoyed my time in Jayné's world. It's fun and full of action, lots of great characters and ideas and a pace that doesn't let up.
And just remember, stay tramp-stampy my friends.
3.5 out of 5 Stars (Really liked it)
Now, I read The Black Sun's Daughter as well.
(After putting this up, I realized that Stephen has a much better and awesomer review on this same concept. I didn't copy his [promise], but do check his out, that's the way to do it)
Unclean Spirits is the first of M.L.N. Hanover's Black Sun's Daughter series. As you may or may not know, M.L.N. Hanover is the pseudonym of the author Daniel Abraham (Abraham talks about his many pseudonyms here). I find he does a great job separating his different writing interests (Abraham - epic fantasy, Hanover - urban fantasy, Half of James S.A. Corey - science fiction) by using the whole pseudonym scheme, letting his readers know what they're in for.
Anyway, Unclean Spirits follows Jayné Heller, a twenty-something girl who inherits everything from her uncle, the black sheep of the family, who has recently died. Jayné quickly finds out that her uncle, Eric, was involved in not only some very dangerous, but highly unbelievable (i.e., supernatural) dealings, which she has now inherited as well.
Jayné quickly meets up with Aubrey, a male friend of Eric's whom she had thought was his lover, who later develops into a love interest. She also learns of of Eric's other friends who are immediately called in to help when she is attacked checking out her newly inherited condo. This after just meeting a walking dead guy (not quite zombie), another of Eric's "friends."
In this urban fantasy, the supernatural exists as demons who "ride" humans, essentially taking them over for their own, usually evil, purposes. Jayné finds out she has some type of power of her own, although I'm looking forward to finding out more about this. We only get a small glimpse in this installment.
Hanover/Abraham quickly dives you into the story, even introducing our main protagonist in a clever way - she arrives to find someone waiting with a sign - and helps us pronounce her often mispronounced name. We're then plunged into the thick of things quite speedily and yet completely logically - nothing happens just to provide more action.
Unclean Spirits is a hard book to put down, not only because of the seamless action and plot development, but because his prose is clever and compelling. It also helps that the print is quite large, the pages almost turn themselves.
Having known that Hanover is indeed a man, as I mentioned earlier, it was a bit odd at first reading about the thoughts of this first-person narrated female character, Jayné. I'm sorry if I ruin that for you here. Once I got into the swing of things, however, it's not bad at all and for a guy reading this, it worked well. I'm very curious to see what women think of this.
The one thing I didn't love, because honestly everything else was spot-on, was the love interest thing between Jayné and Aubrey. They're in a very intense situation, trying to keep themselves alive and probably many others, and yet they start to fancy each other. This, in itself, is quite normal and often used, but they even go so far as to go out on a date while they're trying to stay undercover. The complications that develop are great, but I as I said, I didn't love this part, but that means I didn't completely hate it either.
If you're an Urban Fantasy fan, Unclean Spirits is a series not to miss. If you're not an Urban Fantasy fan, maybe now's the time to become one. As the intro to this review says, I don't read a lot of Urban Fantasy, but I really enjoyed my time in Jayné's world. It's fun and full of action, lots of great characters and ideas and a pace that doesn't let up.
And just remember, stay tramp-stampy my friends.
3.5 out of 5 Stars (Really liked it)
rcollins1701's review against another edition
3.0
The first book in the series spends most of its time checking off the prerequisites of the genre. The plot is fine; the characters are fine, and the mythology is fine. The book is worth reading and enjoyable, but it's completely preoccupied with setting up the series. Had it spent the same energy on developing the protagonist and her relationship o the main cohort, it would've made for a stronger novel.