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kathydavie's review
3.0
Second in the Charlie Madigan urban fantasy series revolving around a human evolving into something much more.
My Take
It's a fascinating world that Gay has built---I do wish she would explain better about the Elysians and Charbydons. The way she flings Charbydon around, I can't tell if they're both a species and a planet or what. Gay talks about the Charbydons ruling Elysia then she states that the moon around Charbydon is dying. So...maybe Charbydon is the planet and a species and Elysia is a country??
Charlie is starting to irritate me too. Why do so many authors like to create characters who refuse to deal with the hand they're dealt? Charlie's been thrown these powers, and she has a strong desire to protect her family, friends, and the public. So, how does she handle this? Yup, by ignoring it. It's like knowing you're sick and refusing to see the doctor. 'Cause if you do ignore it, it'll go away... Annnddd just often does that work?
If this happened to me, yeah, I'd kick and scream about, and then I'd settle in and get serious about learning how to use this new weapon. It's a skill that could trip me up if I don't understand it. It's a power that could save lives, then I'm gonna learn!
I don't know, what would you do? Is this a reasonable annoyance on my part, or am I shoving my own prejudices onto other people's creations?
Oh brother, then there's her reaction to Hank. Sure I can understand being leery of someone as incredibly gorgeous as he is, but Charlie is acting like she's in middle school for godsake. She's been married. She had an active sex life. I'm assuming that she's "dated" before. Had sex before. WHAT is the big deal here?
The Story
Charlie and Hank are on the federal task force and have all sorts of leeway to investigate and capture the bad guys. And they don't come much badder than aliens plotting to instigate war for their own ambitions.
And that ash addiction? Seems it's a side effect, Llyran and Grigori were counting on.
The Characters
Charlie Madigan is no longer a detective with the Integration Task Force (ITF). Not after her actions in Better Part of Darkness, 1. Nor is she strictly human, not with that injection changing her DNA at a cellular level. Emma is her twelve-year-old daughter; Will, her ex, desperate to get back together with her, took yet another shortcut that didn't work. Bryn is her younger sister force-addicted to ash in Better Part of Darkness. Gizmo, a gargoyle, is a very effective security system at Bryn's shop, Hodgepodge. Aaron is a loner nymph and warrior mage, a Magnus actually, who has finally gotten Bryn interested. Rex is a Revenant who discovers several new, distracting realities. Brimstone is a hellhound Charlie rescued from a crime scene.
Hank Williams is Charlie's siren partner whose voicebox is inoperable. Seems Hank is also known as Malakim. Zara is the head concierge of The Bath House and was in love with Hank. Liz is the medical examiner and necromancer; Elliot is her new apprentice. Chief Abernathy got tossed out of the ITF along with Hank and Charlie, but he's still their boss. Sian is Gregori's daughter; a lovely hybrid despised by all who is now working with Charlie and Hank.
Detective Ashton Perry is a former ITF coworker who hates Charlie for her choices in Better Part of Darkness.
Amanda Mott, Emma's friend, is addicted to ash as well. Marti is her abandoned mother. A scientist, Titus Mott, is Amanda's uncle and head of Mott Technologies, the man who discovered the portals to Charbydon.
Pendaran is the dragonshifting King of the Druids who rules the Kinfolk. Daya Machanna is a nymph with Magnus-level magic---and more ambition than sense. Cerise is a sidhé fae Elder and worked with Daya at the Fernbank Museum.
Gregori Tennin is the jinn boss, the leader of the Atlanta tribe and a crime boss dealing in drugs. Vendelan Grist is the jinn Storyteller. Ebelwyn is a real estate agent.
Llyran, an Elysian, is a serial killer. "Akhneri was the Creator's Chosen One, his "star". With her fall from grace, she became known as Vengeance, and she wields Urzenamelech. Nuallan Gow is a Master Crafter and a ghoul.
Jinn are vicious warriors, bodyguards to the nobility of Charbydon. Their primary desire is to take back their old power. The ITF is law enforcement for all immigrant beings. Underground Atlanta is where most of the aliens congregate. Revenants are drifting souls who will bargain for the use of your body when you die. The Kinfolk are a Celtic influence---the Druids, nymphs, sidhé fae, darkling fae, and shapeshifters---who have purchased a chunk of Piedmont Park for their realm. First Ones are a myth that many believe. That they are "the genetic foundation of all three noble races": Charbydon nobles (thing demons), Elysian Adonai (angelic-looking beings who think they are gods), and humans. Warlocks are a warrior sect of Elysian mage. The Elysians and Charbydon are enemies living on a parallel plane who must share the ruling of their planet. Crafters worship King Solomon, call him the Father of Crafting. Armed with anger and ambition, Solomon created a new religion, the Sons of Dawn.
The Cover
The cover is black, browns, and a very subdued gold with Charlie hanging by a handhold outside a skyscraper, aiming her gun at us through a bullet-holed window.
It is The Darkest Edge of Dawn, just before a day which Earth may never view.
My Take
It's a fascinating world that Gay has built---I do wish she would explain better about the Elysians and Charbydons. The way she flings Charbydon around, I can't tell if they're both a species and a planet or what. Gay talks about the Charbydons ruling Elysia then she states that the moon around Charbydon is dying. So...maybe Charbydon is the planet and a species and Elysia is a country??
Charlie is starting to irritate me too. Why do so many authors like to create characters who refuse to deal with the hand they're dealt? Charlie's been thrown these powers, and she has a strong desire to protect her family, friends, and the public. So, how does she handle this? Yup, by ignoring it. It's like knowing you're sick and refusing to see the doctor. 'Cause if you do ignore it, it'll go away... Annnddd just often does that work?
If this happened to me, yeah, I'd kick and scream about, and then I'd settle in and get serious about learning how to use this new weapon. It's a skill that could trip me up if I don't understand it. It's a power that could save lives, then I'm gonna learn!
I don't know, what would you do? Is this a reasonable annoyance on my part, or am I shoving my own prejudices onto other people's creations?
Oh brother, then there's her reaction to Hank. Sure I can understand being leery of someone as incredibly gorgeous as he is, but Charlie is acting like she's in middle school for godsake. She's been married. She had an active sex life. I'm assuming that she's "dated" before. Had sex before. WHAT is the big deal here?
The Story
Charlie and Hank are on the federal task force and have all sorts of leeway to investigate and capture the bad guys. And they don't come much badder than aliens plotting to instigate war for their own ambitions.
And that ash addiction? Seems it's a side effect, Llyran and Grigori were counting on.
The Characters
Charlie Madigan is no longer a detective with the Integration Task Force (ITF). Not after her actions in Better Part of Darkness, 1. Nor is she strictly human, not with that injection changing her DNA at a cellular level. Emma is her twelve-year-old daughter; Will, her ex, desperate to get back together with her, took yet another shortcut that didn't work. Bryn is her younger sister force-addicted to ash in Better Part of Darkness. Gizmo, a gargoyle, is a very effective security system at Bryn's shop, Hodgepodge. Aaron is a loner nymph and warrior mage, a Magnus actually, who has finally gotten Bryn interested. Rex is a Revenant who discovers several new, distracting realities. Brimstone is a hellhound Charlie rescued from a crime scene.
Hank Williams is Charlie's siren partner whose voicebox is inoperable. Seems Hank is also known as Malakim. Zara is the head concierge of The Bath House and was in love with Hank. Liz is the medical examiner and necromancer; Elliot is her new apprentice. Chief Abernathy got tossed out of the ITF along with Hank and Charlie, but he's still their boss. Sian is Gregori's daughter; a lovely hybrid despised by all who is now working with Charlie and Hank.
Detective Ashton Perry is a former ITF coworker who hates Charlie for her choices in Better Part of Darkness.
Amanda Mott, Emma's friend, is addicted to ash as well. Marti is her abandoned mother. A scientist, Titus Mott, is Amanda's uncle and head of Mott Technologies, the man who discovered the portals to Charbydon.
Pendaran is the dragonshifting King of the Druids who rules the Kinfolk. Daya Machanna is a nymph with Magnus-level magic---and more ambition than sense. Cerise is a sidhé fae Elder and worked with Daya at the Fernbank Museum.
Gregori Tennin is the jinn boss, the leader of the Atlanta tribe and a crime boss dealing in drugs. Vendelan Grist is the jinn Storyteller. Ebelwyn is a real estate agent.
Llyran, an Elysian, is a serial killer. "Akhneri was the Creator's Chosen One, his "star". With her fall from grace, she became known as Vengeance, and she wields Urzenamelech. Nuallan Gow is a Master Crafter and a ghoul.
Jinn are vicious warriors, bodyguards to the nobility of Charbydon. Their primary desire is to take back their old power. The ITF is law enforcement for all immigrant beings. Underground Atlanta is where most of the aliens congregate. Revenants are drifting souls who will bargain for the use of your body when you die. The Kinfolk are a Celtic influence---the Druids, nymphs, sidhé fae, darkling fae, and shapeshifters---who have purchased a chunk of Piedmont Park for their realm. First Ones are a myth that many believe. That they are "the genetic foundation of all three noble races": Charbydon nobles (thing demons), Elysian Adonai (angelic-looking beings who think they are gods), and humans. Warlocks are a warrior sect of Elysian mage. The Elysians and Charbydon are enemies living on a parallel plane who must share the ruling of their planet. Crafters worship King Solomon, call him the Father of Crafting. Armed with anger and ambition, Solomon created a new religion, the Sons of Dawn.
The Cover
The cover is black, browns, and a very subdued gold with Charlie hanging by a handhold outside a skyscraper, aiming her gun at us through a bullet-holed window.
It is The Darkest Edge of Dawn, just before a day which Earth may never view.
mellhay's review
4.0
Two months after the darkness came from the night Mynogan performed the ritual, in which Charlie played a huge part, the darkness is still hanging over Atlanta. Relations between the Charbydon and the law enforcement then between the Charbydon and Elysians is rather shaky. The darkness is making all in the town edgy. Charlie is doing her best at learning to handle and use her newly engineered off-worldly abilities with the help of Aaron. Charlie and Hank are members of a new elite part of the law for dealing with the unruly off-worlders. They are now investigating a dead body, and a case to find six missing top elite Elysian's of the Adonai (a race that will not go down with out a fight, if they even go down) had disappeared to without a trace. The deeper Charlie and Hank go the more they find out, and they are standing in the middle of a deadly battlefield between two powerful races. The secret history of all the races is important. The further Charlie and Hank dig into this case and history they could jeopardize their lives, friends lives, and many relationships... including theirs. Can Charlie solve her case and stop the war from happening? She has one week to do so.
We dive into the book right as Charlie and Hank are entering the warehouse where one dead body was found. And with in the beginning of the first few chapters you are dropped right into the action and start getting trails for the investigation.
I have to say Kelly is amazing at filling a book packed full of action. When the actions not in full swing we are digging deep into the great world building. I learned more of the myths and history of the different races. The history and cultures are very nicely drawn out for you to understand, more so towards the end of the book you learn the most.
As a second book in the series Kelly dives us into the action and gives us the little drops of information to refresh our memories. I like that Kelly doesn't rehash everything from the first book right up front, but uses the events happening now to share that information. This brings us right back up to speed, not even knowing that's what shes doing. The book at times seemed to sway from the plot some, but that is to build the characters more.
Overall, this is a wonderful action read. I would suggest this book to anyone loving lots of action in their Urban Fantasy reads.
We dive into the book right as Charlie and Hank are entering the warehouse where one dead body was found. And with in the beginning of the first few chapters you are dropped right into the action and start getting trails for the investigation.
I have to say Kelly is amazing at filling a book packed full of action. When the actions not in full swing we are digging deep into the great world building. I learned more of the myths and history of the different races. The history and cultures are very nicely drawn out for you to understand, more so towards the end of the book you learn the most.
As a second book in the series Kelly dives us into the action and gives us the little drops of information to refresh our memories. I like that Kelly doesn't rehash everything from the first book right up front, but uses the events happening now to share that information. This brings us right back up to speed, not even knowing that's what shes doing. The book at times seemed to sway from the plot some, but that is to build the characters more.
Overall, this is a wonderful action read. I would suggest this book to anyone loving lots of action in their Urban Fantasy reads.
blodeuedd's review
4.0
Plot:
There is a constant darkness over Atlanta, eternal night. Charlie is trying to understand her new powers, while hunting a serial killer, and dealing with her own life.
My thoughts:
I could go on and on how much I enjoyed this book, Kelly is an amazing author. She writes dark books, but still the book feels so light to read. I mean to save this book, since the next is out first in 8 months, but I could no longer fight it. I had to read it.
In this one she is dealing with the knowledge of what she had become, her sister is addicted to ash and sad, her ex is dead and a revenant has taken control over him and stays with them, and I do love Rex. Such a fun character. Then there is the hellhound in the backyard, such a cutie. And her partner Hank, and oh now there is sexual tension between this that wants to explode. Nice, cos I needed some loving, but then he is a siren and that is what sirens do so she is confused.
Great plot as always, crazy angelic serial killer, that stalks her. More plans that has to do with Elysia and Charbydon, action, and just everything that made me unable to put this book down.
Great characters, and I love that it ends with an ending. Sure there is the big we promise more, but it does nto end with an cliffhanger. So I wont go crazy waiting for the next book, I will just go crazy cos I want it now because she is such a good writer.
Very happy with this book, it delivered just what I wanted and more.
Recommendation and final thoughts:
Yes, of course I recommend this series. It is a stay up late reading book. Just my kind of UF and I will be waiting for the next one and hoping that one rocks too. So go read it now.
Cover:
Very kick-ass.
Reason for reading:
They are awesome!
There is a constant darkness over Atlanta, eternal night. Charlie is trying to understand her new powers, while hunting a serial killer, and dealing with her own life.
My thoughts:
I could go on and on how much I enjoyed this book, Kelly is an amazing author. She writes dark books, but still the book feels so light to read. I mean to save this book, since the next is out first in 8 months, but I could no longer fight it. I had to read it.
In this one she is dealing with the knowledge of what she had become, her sister is addicted to ash and sad, her ex is dead and a revenant has taken control over him and stays with them, and I do love Rex. Such a fun character. Then there is the hellhound in the backyard, such a cutie. And her partner Hank, and oh now there is sexual tension between this that wants to explode. Nice, cos I needed some loving, but then he is a siren and that is what sirens do so she is confused.
Great plot as always, crazy angelic serial killer, that stalks her. More plans that has to do with Elysia and Charbydon, action, and just everything that made me unable to put this book down.
Great characters, and I love that it ends with an ending. Sure there is the big we promise more, but it does nto end with an cliffhanger. So I wont go crazy waiting for the next book, I will just go crazy cos I want it now because she is such a good writer.
Very happy with this book, it delivered just what I wanted and more.
Recommendation and final thoughts:
Yes, of course I recommend this series. It is a stay up late reading book. Just my kind of UF and I will be waiting for the next one and hoping that one rocks too. So go read it now.
Cover:
Very kick-ass.
Reason for reading:
They are awesome!
git_r_read's review
5.0
I admire Charlie Madigan. Career women with a family is hard enought, but Charlie is a single mother with a tough job as an Atlanta Police Homicide Detective. This in a world that has humans and beings from the worlds of Charbydon and Elysian. All living in a city that is in full on darkness. Charlie is smart and has the best stubborn desire to make everything right.
This is urban fantasy at its finest, with fab world building of above and below ground Atlanta, believable creatures and beings, good and evil and all that falls in between.
I absolutely loved the first in the series, THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS, http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/better-part-of-darkness-kelly-gay.html
and cannot wait to read THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES that comes out on 30 Aug 2011. My copy is pre-ordered!
Five sparkly UF at its finest diamonds......
This is urban fantasy at its finest, with fab world building of above and below ground Atlanta, believable creatures and beings, good and evil and all that falls in between.
I absolutely loved the first in the series, THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS, http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/better-part-of-darkness-kelly-gay.html
and cannot wait to read THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES that comes out on 30 Aug 2011. My copy is pre-ordered!
Five sparkly UF at its finest diamonds......
hgranger's review
1.0
When Charlie isn’t getting beaten up, she flounders around aimlessly, getting her friends and family hurt. She still asks for help like she did in book one and that’s great, but she seems incapable of moving the story along on her own. And that scene with Hank at his apartment was ridiculous. You know it’s bad when there’s a killer on the loose and you can’t quite root against him because everyone is else isn’t worth cheering for...Even the characters who were great in book one, were disappointing in the sequel; Bryn, Aaron (whose brief appearance was underwhelming at best...), even Rex, and Charlie’s daughter weren’t great. And Charlie just switches between being weak and beaten, being irrationally angry and rude, or being super unique with extra special powers. Disappointing.
andimontgomery's review
4.0
I thought this was better than the first one. I'm definitely going to buy the third in this series!
felinity's review
3.0
More confusing than book 1, it still held me interest enough for me to - at some point - read book 3. The plot didn't really engage me though, and I felt too distant from the characters, but I will probably continue reading whenever they come across my path till either they get worse or I reach the end of the series. I don't anticipate any re-reads.
ria_mhrj's review
4.0
Kelly Gay has really impressed me so far - her world is gritty, beautifully crafted and utterly engrossing. I also love Charlie, it's always great to read from the point of view of a flawed character who is so bursting with personality, it's like they are sitting beside you and telling you their tale. This book capitalised on lots of the seeds sewn in book one and promises interesting things for book 3.
aphelia88's review
5.0
Now that Charlie has uncovered the truth behind the off-worlds DNA manipulation that allowed her to live, she is being targets for the unusual, rare power that she holds - power that she still doesn't understand.
Atlanta is still in the grip of the Darkness, and Charlie and her Siren partner Hank are on the trail of a serial killer draining the lifeforce of the angelic Elysian elites known as Adonai.
Meanwhile, Grigori Tennin, leader of the brutish, mob-like Jinn, is making his own play for power in the city, after Charlie spoiled his last power grab (the making of the drug ash). And when a powerful nymph working on some magical relics turns up dead, Charlie and Hank face additional pressure to find the serial killer from the Druid King - who happens to shapeshift into a very badass dragon.
With only a week until the Winter Solstice when all magical power will be at its peak and any ritual is likely to place, Charlie and Hank are left running around the city, trying to put the puzzle pieces of multiple hidden agendas into place.
Complicating matters are Charlie's growing attraction to Hank, which she is furiously suppressing, not wanting to mess up their friendship and working relationship. Having been promoted to their own elite team, they rely on each other for their lives, and Charlie's not sure if what she's feeling is real or just lust. And Hank is not acting like himself, moody and unpredictable from having his Siren powers rendered useless by his fused voice mod.
Charlie's daughter Emma is feeling smothered by Charlie's deep (and warranted) concern for her safety and they frequently butt heads, especially over the rescued hellhound Brimstone. And Charlie's sister Bryn is deeply suffering from her exposure to ash, and resents the maintenance doses she needs to take to stay alive.
No matter what Charlie does, she can't seem to win. Queen of Denial, it would serve her far better to confront her emotions instead of just trying to push them down - as they are integral to managing her new superpowers. However, the action happens at a breakneck pace, not giving her much time to think. Really strong second series book, looking forward to the third!
Atlanta is still in the grip of the Darkness, and Charlie and her Siren partner Hank are on the trail of a serial killer draining the lifeforce of the angelic Elysian elites known as Adonai.
Meanwhile, Grigori Tennin, leader of the brutish, mob-like Jinn, is making his own play for power in the city, after Charlie spoiled his last power grab (the making of the drug ash). And when a powerful nymph working on some magical relics turns up dead, Charlie and Hank face additional pressure to find the serial killer from the Druid King - who happens to shapeshift into a very badass dragon.
With only a week until the Winter Solstice when all magical power will be at its peak and any ritual is likely to place, Charlie and Hank are left running around the city, trying to put the puzzle pieces of multiple hidden agendas into place.
Complicating matters are Charlie's growing attraction to Hank, which she is furiously suppressing, not wanting to mess up their friendship and working relationship. Having been promoted to their own elite team, they rely on each other for their lives, and Charlie's not sure if what she's feeling is real or just lust. And Hank is not acting like himself, moody and unpredictable from having his Siren powers rendered useless by his fused voice mod.
Charlie's daughter Emma is feeling smothered by Charlie's deep (and warranted) concern for her safety and they frequently butt heads, especially over the rescued hellhound Brimstone. And Charlie's sister Bryn is deeply suffering from her exposure to ash, and resents the maintenance doses she needs to take to stay alive.
No matter what Charlie does, she can't seem to win. Queen of Denial, it would serve her far better to confront her emotions instead of just trying to push them down - as they are integral to managing her new superpowers. However, the action happens at a breakneck pace, not giving her much time to think. Really strong second series book, looking forward to the third!