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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I'm a fan of urban fantasies that hit the ground running in terms of action (Hello, Harry Dresden), but this was just a little too much. Too much crazy action, especially in the beginning, too many different paranormal species, too many times Sam seemed TSTL... it was a bit overwhelming. But I like the characters and the idea and will continue with the series.
A side note: I seem to be reading a lot of books lately where the hero's adoration of the heroine is unending, but the readers are never really told why that's the case. And here's another example. Why is Clive so smitten with Sam? I know she's our heroine, but that can't be the only reason. I'm hoping to learn more in the next installment. Because I'm tired of two-dimensional heroes with no discernable motivation.
A side note: I seem to be reading a lot of books lately where the hero's adoration of the heroine is unending, but the readers are never really told why that's the case. And here's another example. Why is Clive so smitten with Sam? I know she's our heroine, but that can't be the only reason. I'm hoping to learn more in the next installment. Because I'm tired of two-dimensional heroes with no discernable motivation.
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So much potential that just crashes down with a super-special-only-one-ever-magic main character making very dumb decisions.
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book isn't shy in embracing all the tired urban fantasy and paranormal romance clicheés.
If you can't suffer them anymore this will probably not be a good time for you.
But within all these incredibly overdone tropes it's actually surprisingly good.
The book feels somewhat clunky in places and gets repetitive at times but executes what it tries to be quite well.
Something that is particularly remarkable is how logical and reasonable the protagonists are. No stupid unnecessary drama, no logical flaws for the benefit of plot development. Judging by how heavily these writing flaws are present in the genre I expect that took quite some effort to pull off. (Or maybe other authors are just incredibly lazy in that regard, who knows.)
My main negative point has to be the incredible stupidity and ineffectiveness of the antagonists. Especially the main antagonist has lord Voldemort levels of stupid evil masterplans.
If you can't suffer them anymore this will probably not be a good time for you.
But within all these incredibly overdone tropes it's actually surprisingly good.
The book feels somewhat clunky in places and gets repetitive at times but executes what it tries to be quite well.
Something that is particularly remarkable is how logical and reasonable the protagonists are. No stupid unnecessary drama, no logical flaws for the benefit of plot development. Judging by how heavily these writing flaws are present in the genre I expect that took quite some effort to pull off. (Or maybe other authors are just incredibly lazy in that regard, who knows.)
My main negative point has to be the incredible stupidity and ineffectiveness of the antagonists. Especially the main antagonist has lord Voldemort levels of stupid evil masterplans.
THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB BOOKSTORE AND BAR by Seana Kelly is first book in the Sam Quinn urban fantasy series. The protagonist, Samantha (Sam) Quinn, is a werewolf book nerd and runs a combination bookstore and bar for the supernatural community of San Francisco. Well, almost all of the supernatural community. No other werewolves are allowed. When a female werewolf is found dead immediately outside her establishment and she is covered in scars identical to Sam’s, things begin to rapidly escalate.
Sam is a likeable character who is definitely someone you can root for. She is complex, scarred, unique, honest, witty, but somewhat aloof. The main secondary characters enhanced the story and their depth was built as the story progressed. The world-building was excellent. By the end of the book, Sam has become a strong protagonist and I expect she will grow even more in book two of the series. Themes include murder, relationships, power, secrets, assaults, friendship, trust, protection, romance and much more. While this story line has a romance component and there is a steamy scene near the end of the book, that is not the main theme.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining urban fantasy with plenty of action and a great start to a new series. There are some unusual plot twists. If you are a fan of urban fantasies or paranormal romances and want to start a new series, then you may want to check this one out. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Independent Publishers Group – NYLA and Seana Kelly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Sam is a likeable character who is definitely someone you can root for. She is complex, scarred, unique, honest, witty, but somewhat aloof. The main secondary characters enhanced the story and their depth was built as the story progressed. The world-building was excellent. By the end of the book, Sam has become a strong protagonist and I expect she will grow even more in book two of the series. Themes include murder, relationships, power, secrets, assaults, friendship, trust, protection, romance and much more. While this story line has a romance component and there is a steamy scene near the end of the book, that is not the main theme.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining urban fantasy with plenty of action and a great start to a new series. There are some unusual plot twists. If you are a fan of urban fantasies or paranormal romances and want to start a new series, then you may want to check this one out. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Independent Publishers Group – NYLA and Seana Kelly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
4.25 - Poor Sam! She has been through so much and carries the scars, inside and out. Her story is heartbreaking and painful, but it also a story of strength, recovery, found family and love. I adored Clive and the the other characters. I loved Sam and Clive and I am looking forward to reading more. I enjoyed that those who frequented The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar came in all types and they supported/loved Sam.
Trigger/Content Warning: rape (past, not on page), torture, threats and violence, recovery, bigotry (speciest) and parental death.
Trigger/Content Warning: rape (past, not on page), torture, threats and violence, recovery, bigotry (speciest) and parental death.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder
I struggled with this one a little.
I didn't dislike it, but I struggled with the constant attempted murder - I swear she had 2-3 attempts on her life per day - and the way people like that store lady just hated her utterly without ever having met her.
And I struggled with how, given all that, she still would do things like take walks alone at night. It was a bit TSTL.
I am giving her the benefit of the doubt, though, for a couple reasons. First, this is apparently a brand-new thing - she's lived here 7 years and it hasn't happened before, so she's caught by surprise. Second, Maybe. I'm willing to see where the next books goes, anyway.
I didn't dislike it, but I struggled with the constant attempted murder - I swear she had 2-3 attempts on her life per day - and the way people like that store lady just hated her utterly without ever having met her.
And I struggled with how, given all that, she still would do things like take walks alone at night. It was a bit TSTL.
I am giving her the benefit of the doubt, though, for a couple reasons. First, this is apparently a brand-new thing - she's lived here 7 years and it hasn't happened before, so she's caught by surprise. Second,
Spoiler
we find out later that someone has taken a cheese grater to her memories. So there's lots of stuff she doesn't know about her life, her family, her history ... and maybe that explains some of her stupid choices.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No