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kevinwkelsey's review against another edition
2.0
This was my first Urban Fantasy novel, and I’m pretty sure that this genre just isn’t for me. I don’t really like the idea of writing a whole genre off like that, but I’ll get around to explaining my reasoning a little later.
The world building was well thought out, and I really appreciated the unique take on trying to explain the usual mythological creatures from a biological angle, but the story was just so generic, the characters pretty see-through, and the writing merely competent.
It’s one of those books where you can read the first 3-4 chapters, flip to the back and read the last 2 and call it done. It started out with some pretty fun wish fulfillment, moved on to a romance that never felt organic, and then there were three quick action sequences with a whole lot of waiting around in between. Meanwhile, the characters explain the plot to each other quite a lot. So if you’re into Urban Fantasy, it’s probably a totally okay series to read. It’s occasionally kind of fun, but never really much better than serviceable.
The reason I say that urban fantasy may just not be for me, is that I am usually willing to forgive all of these shortcomings in a novel if there are concepts about the story, or world building that are really interesting to me. I overlook bad prose or a generic story all the time in Science Fiction novels, because there’s some cool thing going on the background, or I’m really into the setting, etc. I don’t think I can do that with with Urban Fantasy because I just don’t care enough about demons or vampires or zombies, etc to read a boring story.
If there is some Urban Fantasy with outstanding prose, or a really killer story, or ridiculously good characters, point me in that direction and I’ll check it out.
The world building was well thought out, and I really appreciated the unique take on trying to explain the usual mythological creatures from a biological angle, but the story was just so generic, the characters pretty see-through, and the writing merely competent.
It’s one of those books where you can read the first 3-4 chapters, flip to the back and read the last 2 and call it done. It started out with some pretty fun wish fulfillment, moved on to a romance that never felt organic, and then there were three quick action sequences with a whole lot of waiting around in between. Meanwhile, the characters explain the plot to each other quite a lot. So if you’re into Urban Fantasy, it’s probably a totally okay series to read. It’s occasionally kind of fun, but never really much better than serviceable.
The reason I say that urban fantasy may just not be for me, is that I am usually willing to forgive all of these shortcomings in a novel if there are concepts about the story, or world building that are really interesting to me. I overlook bad prose or a generic story all the time in Science Fiction novels, because there’s some cool thing going on the background, or I’m really into the setting, etc. I don’t think I can do that with with Urban Fantasy because I just don’t care enough about demons or vampires or zombies, etc to read a boring story.
If there is some Urban Fantasy with outstanding prose, or a really killer story, or ridiculously good characters, point me in that direction and I’ll check it out.
malkav11's review against another edition
5.0
I have been an enduring fan of the urban fantasy genre, but it's certainly true that certain paths in it seem rather well worn, and many of the authors that work in the genre are what I would describe as competent, perhaps with a few particularly good ideas, rather than exceptional. M.L.N. Hanover is an example of the latter. The concept behind this series' version of urban fantasy is solid and reasonably original (supernatural creatures are all variations on the theme of parasitic extradimensional creatures "riding" human hosts), but what makes it really stand out is the expert plotting, pacing and characterization.
I particularly adored the character of Midian, whose gravelly "que sera sera" approach to life and expert cooking provide a lovely sort of straight man to the drama infusing the rest of the book. But I am really a fan of everyone involved, from the protagonist, disowned by uber-Christian parents and struggling to find her place in life only to be bowled over by her uncle's legacy, to Ex, awkward and overly paternalistic yet well meaning ex-priest and exorcist, to calm, wise ex-addict Chogyi Jake, to parasitologist hunk Aubrey. I love the hints at deeper mysteries with Jayne's mysterious fighting prowess and the unexplored contents of her uncle's many properties. I love the way magic is described - potent, evocative, yet coherent and consistent. I love the expertly timed chapter breaks and plot reveals. I just plain love this book. (And the rest of the series promises to be every bit as good.)
I particularly adored the character of Midian, whose gravelly "que sera sera" approach to life and expert cooking provide a lovely sort of straight man to the drama infusing the rest of the book. But I am really a fan of everyone involved, from the protagonist, disowned by uber-Christian parents and struggling to find her place in life only to be bowled over by her uncle's legacy, to Ex, awkward and overly paternalistic yet well meaning ex-priest and exorcist, to calm, wise ex-addict Chogyi Jake, to parasitologist hunk Aubrey. I love the hints at deeper mysteries with Jayne's mysterious fighting prowess and the unexplored contents of her uncle's many properties. I love the way magic is described - potent, evocative, yet coherent and consistent. I love the expertly timed chapter breaks and plot reveals. I just plain love this book. (And the rest of the series promises to be every bit as good.)
mcummings's review against another edition
3.0
Promising start to a new series for me. Interesting worldbuilding, storyline and characters.
chessakat's review against another edition
4.0
Good, solid urban fantasy here! I really enjoyed Jayne's character and the author's take on the paranormal was interesting. There were a few unexpected shocks (and I consider myself unshockable!) which made for a fun read. Looking forward to the next in the series.
behindthepages's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh what did I just read? This book is in dire need of a decent editor.
The concept of riders, demons that push out the souls of humans and take them over like a parasite, was interesting. However, no matter how much an idea catches my interest, the writing needs to be good quality. I can handle some cliches and bad grammar, but Hanover's writing was sluggish, like trying to dig down past the crap to find a few nuggets of decent writing.
My first problem: why give a character a name you won't use? Chogyi was given the name Jake to make it easier for Jayne to identify him. But instead the author refers to him as Chogyi Jake. Why? There is no other Jake to confuse him with. Then as the story progresses he's just Chogyi. Um, what?
Second problem: too many inconsistencies with point of view. For example, when Jayne first sees Coin, he's described as having tattoos, yet she mentions she can't see them. Why are you describing him with tattoos to the reader when your character can't even see them?
And the amount of cliches, grammar school descriptions and repetitious writing..... If I could give this no stars as an actual rating I would.
The concept of riders, demons that push out the souls of humans and take them over like a parasite, was interesting. However, no matter how much an idea catches my interest, the writing needs to be good quality. I can handle some cliches and bad grammar, but Hanover's writing was sluggish, like trying to dig down past the crap to find a few nuggets of decent writing.
My first problem: why give a character a name you won't use? Chogyi was given the name Jake to make it easier for Jayne to identify him. But instead the author refers to him as Chogyi Jake. Why? There is no other Jake to confuse him with. Then as the story progresses he's just Chogyi. Um, what?
Second problem: too many inconsistencies with point of view. For example, when Jayne first sees Coin, he's described as having tattoos, yet she mentions she can't see them. Why are you describing him with tattoos to the reader when your character can't even see them?
And the amount of cliches, grammar school descriptions and repetitious writing..... If I could give this no stars as an actual rating I would.
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