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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I'd say this was a solid 3.5. Not terribly original, but written I an engaging way. I would read more by this author.
I’ve always had a problem with authority figures.
Especially authority figures who abuse their power, which probably accounts for about 99% of them.
And hypocritical authority figures, well… that’s just par for the course, isn’t it?
So Harmony doesn’t get five stars. If she tossed the badge and let go of all the self-righteousness, it would be a possibility. Because she’s absolutely no better than Dan, but those are some pretty big strikes against her.
But I love Jessie and the whole team, and the storyline sucked me in. I’m cautiously invested, for the time being.
Especially authority figures who abuse their power, which probably accounts for about 99% of them.
And hypocritical authority figures, well… that’s just par for the course, isn’t it?
So Harmony doesn’t get five stars. If she tossed the badge and let go of all the self-righteousness, it would be a possibility. Because she’s absolutely no better than Dan, but those are some pretty big strikes against her.
But I love Jessie and the whole team, and the storyline sucked me in. I’m cautiously invested, for the time being.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An excellent change of pace from the sardonic anti-hero of Daniel Faust. Schaefer continues his brilliant world building with a different MC in the spotlight. The journey through his multiverse, continues!
I’m loving a new set of characters. I know, I know. What else is new? Well, let me tell you that this ‘spin off’ series from Craig Schaefer’s Daniel Faust series is a “one-sit” wonder. Don’t be thinking you are going to be putting it down… ok… maybe a bathroom break, but other than that you will be pulled in fighting demons and hellspawn.
Harmony Black is Daniel Faust’s nemesis. If you haven’t read Daniel Faust series, you really need to give him a try too. Harmony works for the FBI as a witch and agent. Intrigued yet? She takes the bad supernatural elements and brings them to justice… all by herself. It’s a lonely life until she gets thrown in with a team that does what she does except they work together as a unit. Their ‘code’ name is Circus. It’s a fitting term.
Then we meet Jessie Temple. The quotes that come out of that woman’s mouth are hilarious from my point of view. She rivals Yancy Lazarus, Charley Davidson, Alix Hiboux (Owl), Sara Wilde, Bill the Vampire, Quincy Harker and others. It’s her coping mechanism with the scary horrible things she runs into. She also does not trust the government branch for which she works. You know, shadowy alphabet agency and whatnot. What’s not to trust?
Team Circus is thrown into a series of child kidnappings that quickly turns into a serial. Harmony has a vested interest as it’s her home town, her sister and her father’s killer. Harmony is a skilled witch, but this case exceeds her experience. If she were on her own, she would fail, but she finds out that working with a team maximizes their odds of success.
There are dangerous characters galore. There is chaos, mystery, serious maiming of bad guys with a little death thrown in and demons. JUST how I like it! What’s not to love?
Harmony Black is Daniel Faust’s nemesis. If you haven’t read Daniel Faust series, you really need to give him a try too. Harmony works for the FBI as a witch and agent. Intrigued yet? She takes the bad supernatural elements and brings them to justice… all by herself. It’s a lonely life until she gets thrown in with a team that does what she does except they work together as a unit. Their ‘code’ name is Circus. It’s a fitting term.
Then we meet Jessie Temple. The quotes that come out of that woman’s mouth are hilarious from my point of view. She rivals Yancy Lazarus, Charley Davidson, Alix Hiboux (Owl), Sara Wilde, Bill the Vampire, Quincy Harker and others. It’s her coping mechanism with the scary horrible things she runs into. She also does not trust the government branch for which she works. You know, shadowy alphabet agency and whatnot. What’s not to trust?
Team Circus is thrown into a series of child kidnappings that quickly turns into a serial. Harmony has a vested interest as it’s her home town, her sister and her father’s killer. Harmony is a skilled witch, but this case exceeds her experience. If she were on her own, she would fail, but she finds out that working with a team maximizes their odds of success.
There are dangerous characters galore. There is chaos, mystery, serious maiming of bad guys with a little death thrown in and demons. JUST how I like it! What’s not to love?
After Deadeye's dial-it-in blandness (different author), I wasn't sure I'd enjoy another 'urban fantasy.' But surprisingly, I enjoyed this one. I never got to a point where I didn't want to pick it up because I was bored the way I did with Deadeye and the Sookie books. I wasn't as excited as say, when reading an A. Lee Martinez outing, but hey, different styles, right?
Anyway, I don't normally like it when a plot is overly personal to the protagonist in the very first novel of a series, but Schaefer did it well enough that I didn't mind. And no, that's not a spoiler. It's kind of telegraphed from the get-go.
The magic wasn't big and flashy but it felt believable within its own framework. The demons were properly scary and maintained that throughout. There was never a point where plot needs overrode the story's internal logic and these days, that's a big deal. Instead, the world's logic provided a framework around which the plot had to maneuver. I am still a big believer in that making a story better.
The main character could come off as a bit bland, but the author is trying to present a character whose natural state is one of rigid morality, a safe-haven from a frightening and chaotic world. Once that became apparent, the generally staid behavior she exhibited made more sense and she became infinitely more likable.
The worst thing I can say about this book is that it isn't gonzo enough. I suppose that's my real complaint about Deadeye and why I appreciate Martinez so much.
For the first time in a while, I am looking at picking up not just more of this series, but the one that started it, too. Guess we'll see. I need to see if one of my theories plays out. Well...need is a bit of a stretch.
Easy, popcorn fluff with a fun setting.
Anyway, I don't normally like it when a plot is overly personal to the protagonist in the very first novel of a series, but Schaefer did it well enough that I didn't mind. And no, that's not a spoiler. It's kind of telegraphed from the get-go.
The magic wasn't big and flashy but it felt believable within its own framework. The demons were properly scary and maintained that throughout. There was never a point where plot needs overrode the story's internal logic and these days, that's a big deal. Instead, the world's logic provided a framework around which the plot had to maneuver. I am still a big believer in that making a story better.
The main character could come off as a bit bland, but the author is trying to present a character whose natural state is one of rigid morality, a safe-haven from a frightening and chaotic world. Once that became apparent, the generally staid behavior she exhibited made more sense and she became infinitely more likable.
The worst thing I can say about this book is that it isn't gonzo enough. I suppose that's my real complaint about Deadeye and why I appreciate Martinez so much.
For the first time in a while, I am looking at picking up not just more of this series, but the one that started it, too. Guess we'll see. I need to see if one of my theories plays out. Well...need is a bit of a stretch.
Easy, popcorn fluff with a fun setting.
Not a bad opener for a series. The title character is engaging and her backstory works perfectly for the book's plot. I don't find myself compelled to read any more of the series, tho, because I just don't know how the character could develop.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
