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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Read the full review at my site https://wp.me/p89tYT-g7
“Thanks for that. I think you pissed her off.” “I hope so. It’s important to make a good first impression.”
The "Harmony Black” series, written by Craig Schaefer, is an urban fantasy starring a female FBI agent who is also a sorcerer. The series consists of 3 books so far. Harmony Black made her appearance first in the Daniel Faust books. She is a tough plucky FBI agent who is part of a black ops group which deals with magical problems.
I binged read all of Craig Schaefer's books in the last week. Of the three series, he's written, 'Harmony Black' is the weakest. On its own, it will be acceptable urban fantasy starring a female hero along the lines of Mercy Thompson or Kate Daniels. But, when compared to the brilliant 'Revanche Cycle' and the unique 'Daniel Faust' series, it falters.
Read the full review at my site https://wp.me/p89tYT-g7
“Thanks for that. I think you pissed her off.” “I hope so. It’s important to make a good first impression.”
The "Harmony Black” series, written by Craig Schaefer, is an urban fantasy starring a female FBI agent who is also a sorcerer. The series consists of 3 books so far. Harmony Black made her appearance first in the Daniel Faust books. She is a tough plucky FBI agent who is part of a black ops group which deals with magical problems.
I binged read all of Craig Schaefer's books in the last week. Of the three series, he's written, 'Harmony Black' is the weakest. On its own, it will be acceptable urban fantasy starring a female hero along the lines of Mercy Thompson or Kate Daniels. But, when compared to the brilliant 'Revanche Cycle' and the unique 'Daniel Faust' series, it falters.
Read the full review at my site https://wp.me/p89tYT-g7
Sigh, another one
As if I didn't have enough series to follow... However this book was intriguing enough that I would like to read more about these characters and their world.
As if I didn't have enough series to follow... However this book was intriguing enough that I would like to read more about these characters and their world.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fast, fun read, but ... at least for me ... nothing special. I'm not sorry I read it, but, I'm not inclined to recommend it either.
If you're familiar with Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series, my guess is that you, too, will be disappointed. It's a similar concept (with, yes, plenty of differences), and, while there's plenty of action, there's just less ... of everything ... character development, color, depth, vocabulary, and ... dare I say it ... style. (OK, there's also less magical mumbo-jumbo, which is fine, but it's consistent with everything else.)
I don't mean to be overly critical, particularly since I read the book quite quickly - it moved along at a nice pace. But, other than the momentum, I just couldn't get past ... OK... So, yeah, it's OK... but I kept thinking it could have been much, much better (with a little time, some editing, and more of the various elements I mentioned, above)....
I been skeptical of the (obviously limited) monthly Kindle First offerings, concerned that just because it's free (with Amazon Prime), doesn't mean it's worth reading or, more importantly, better than the stack of books already sitting in the house on a shelf or in one of my to-read stacks. While I've (really) enjoyed some of the Kindle First options, and while I found this entertaining enough, the price (free) felt right for me on this one.
It is what it is: the author - who appears to have generated a modest but loyal following with a related, but distinct, series - (and Amazon) was (were) willing to offer me the first book in a series for free, hoping that I'd pay money for the books that followed. My guess is plenty of readers will find this good enough to try one more. Alas, I didn't enjoy it enough, so I doubt I'll be considering the sequels.
If you're familiar with Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series, my guess is that you, too, will be disappointed. It's a similar concept (with, yes, plenty of differences), and, while there's plenty of action, there's just less ... of everything ... character development, color, depth, vocabulary, and ... dare I say it ... style. (OK, there's also less magical mumbo-jumbo, which is fine, but it's consistent with everything else.)
I don't mean to be overly critical, particularly since I read the book quite quickly - it moved along at a nice pace. But, other than the momentum, I just couldn't get past ... OK... So, yeah, it's OK... but I kept thinking it could have been much, much better (with a little time, some editing, and more of the various elements I mentioned, above)....
I been skeptical of the (obviously limited) monthly Kindle First offerings, concerned that just because it's free (with Amazon Prime), doesn't mean it's worth reading or, more importantly, better than the stack of books already sitting in the house on a shelf or in one of my to-read stacks. While I've (really) enjoyed some of the Kindle First options, and while I found this entertaining enough, the price (free) felt right for me on this one.
It is what it is: the author - who appears to have generated a modest but loyal following with a related, but distinct, series - (and Amazon) was (were) willing to offer me the first book in a series for free, hoping that I'd pay money for the books that followed. My guess is plenty of readers will find this good enough to try one more. Alas, I didn't enjoy it enough, so I doubt I'll be considering the sequels.
For those of you who wear make-up, I have a little quiz. Quickly name three items you consider essential. Got them? Okay, now pick an additional item that you thought about but decided not quite. Were any of those items eye shadow? Yeah, I didn't think so.
I really enjoy Craig Schaefer's Daniel Faust series (first is [b:The Long Way Down|22743827|The Long Way Down (Daniel Faust, #1)|Craig Schaefer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405769210s/22743827.jpg|41333196]), but this spin-off for a side character, Harmony Black, felt more like a first book than the work of a published--and polished--author. That little mistake above was only one of many that stuck out to me, putting me in mind of O'Malley's mistakes with Myfanwy in [b:The Rook|10836728|The Rook (The Checquy Files, #1)|Daniel O'Malley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327619585s/10836728.jpg|15750881]. Please, authors--if you are writing a character that may not feel, you know, natural to you, at least run it by a person of that persuasion or inclination. Because nobody, absolutely nobody, that I know considers eye-shadow part of bare-minimum make-up. I'm not obsessive or anything. It's just a detail that doesn't square.
You know what else doesn't square? A kid whose family left town when she was six remembering where a motel was on the edge of the town. A woman who grew up being taught witchcraft needing to be convinced by her law-enforcement partner that 'we can't spread the word on the occult or people will freak out.' Similar details prickled at me, making me quite unable to sink as fully into the story as I would have like, definitely a bummer. You see, the Daniel Faust series has been my companion on the gym recline bike, the place I go when to break up home routine and swimming, and it's been perfectly reliable at keeping me engaged and motivated to work-out longer, just so I could read. I was hoping Black would do the same thing, thus providing me with enough gym fodder to last until spring (I really don't go as often as I should).
That said, Schaefer knows how to keep plot moving and action sequences flowing. There were plenty of interesting developments that I certainly didn't feel bored. A few developments felt a bit too convenient and a bit too obvious, as if investigation wasn't really done by the agents but was instead done by Coincidence. I fell for a red herring, which is always fun, that clever turn-about of giving enough clues that perhaps the reader who thinks she is clever knows what the 'reveal' will be and then not having that happen.
Writing was enjoyable, with enough detail to give the feel of the setting and the action, without being bogged down by exposition and description. In this book, characters felt a little more stereotypical than in Faust, perhaps because Schafer was coloring within the genre lines of a straight-laced FBI agent brought into a black-ops group.
End of the day, not sorry I bought it, and it was entertaining enough to lead me to buy the next. Clear off the exercise bike--I'm on my way (sans make-up).
I really enjoy Craig Schaefer's Daniel Faust series (first is [b:The Long Way Down|22743827|The Long Way Down (Daniel Faust, #1)|Craig Schaefer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405769210s/22743827.jpg|41333196]), but this spin-off for a side character, Harmony Black, felt more like a first book than the work of a published--and polished--author. That little mistake above was only one of many that stuck out to me, putting me in mind of O'Malley's mistakes with Myfanwy in [b:The Rook|10836728|The Rook (The Checquy Files, #1)|Daniel O'Malley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327619585s/10836728.jpg|15750881]. Please, authors--if you are writing a character that may not feel, you know, natural to you, at least run it by a person of that persuasion or inclination. Because nobody, absolutely nobody, that I know considers eye-shadow part of bare-minimum make-up. I'm not obsessive or anything. It's just a detail that doesn't square.
You know what else doesn't square? A kid whose family left town when she was six remembering where a motel was on the edge of the town. A woman who grew up being taught witchcraft needing to be convinced by her law-enforcement partner that 'we can't spread the word on the occult or people will freak out.' Similar details prickled at me, making me quite unable to sink as fully into the story as I would have like, definitely a bummer. You see, the Daniel Faust series has been my companion on the gym recline bike, the place I go when to break up home routine and swimming, and it's been perfectly reliable at keeping me engaged and motivated to work-out longer, just so I could read. I was hoping Black would do the same thing, thus providing me with enough gym fodder to last until spring (I really don't go as often as I should).
That said, Schaefer knows how to keep plot moving and action sequences flowing. There were plenty of interesting developments that I certainly didn't feel bored. A few developments felt a bit too convenient and a bit too obvious, as if investigation wasn't really done by the agents but was instead done by Coincidence. I fell for a red herring, which is always fun, that clever turn-about of giving enough clues that perhaps the reader who thinks she is clever knows what the 'reveal' will be and then not having that happen.
Writing was enjoyable, with enough detail to give the feel of the setting and the action, without being bogged down by exposition and description. In this book, characters felt a little more stereotypical than in Faust, perhaps because Schafer was coloring within the genre lines of a straight-laced FBI agent brought into a black-ops group.
End of the day, not sorry I bought it, and it was entertaining enough to lead me to buy the next. Clear off the exercise bike--I'm on my way (sans make-up).
Sort of like Charles Stross' Laundry Files books, but not funny. It was good though, and I'll probably try another one in the series.
4.5
*Book source ~ Kindle First
Harmony Black is an FBI agent in a covert organization named Vigilant Lock. She’s also a witch and her job is to hunt monsters. After her last job goes south and a new job turns up in her home town, her boss puts her on a team for the first time. No longer working solo takes some getting used to, but she’s fitting in pretty well considering she’s facing her childhood monster – The Bogeyman.
The only drawback to this intriguing paranormal tale of monsters and mystery is that there is some repetitiveness that gets a bit irritating. Otherwise this is a one hell of a ride with action nearly from the start. The plot is fast moving, the writing is pretty good and the characters are awesome. Monsters, magic, the occult, mysteries and conspiracies upon conspiracies, where the hell is this series going? I have no idea, but it looks like it’s going to be quite a fun ride!
*Book source ~ Kindle First
Harmony Black is an FBI agent in a covert organization named Vigilant Lock. She’s also a witch and her job is to hunt monsters. After her last job goes south and a new job turns up in her home town, her boss puts her on a team for the first time. No longer working solo takes some getting used to, but she’s fitting in pretty well considering she’s facing her childhood monster – The Bogeyman.
The only drawback to this intriguing paranormal tale of monsters and mystery is that there is some repetitiveness that gets a bit irritating. Otherwise this is a one hell of a ride with action nearly from the start. The plot is fast moving, the writing is pretty good and the characters are awesome. Monsters, magic, the occult, mysteries and conspiracies upon conspiracies, where the hell is this series going? I have no idea, but it looks like it’s going to be quite a fun ride!
Fun, simple, enjoyable doesn't promise more than it can offer. Nice urban fantasy with some horror elements.