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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Okay, to be fair, the biggest problem I have with this book is that it's just not my style. Basically a plot-driven thriller with lots of fight scenes, quips from people who think they're being bad ass and edgy, and gory descriptions. The writing itself is fine. I think I could still have gotten behind it if there were more world building, and most importantly character development!! An element of mystery can be interesting for sure, but by the end of the book I don't care enough about it to keep going in the series to find out what's happening to tech/magic in the world, nor what Kate's super-strong secret magical power is. Even the monsters in this book are flat - just the basic descriptions they come with in classic legend with no dimension. This could still be really fun for a quick, easy read if the genre is your style though!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gore
adventurous
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this, but it was the least well put together of the books I've read from these authors yet. I would have continued on anyway, but I'm glad for the heads up everyone has given me that this series improves. Mostly, I'm fed up with the alpha dick measuring that Curran and his pack have going on. I find it very irritating and I hope he knocks it off.
So this is the first book in the much beloved Kate Daniels urban fantasy series, which certain friends of mine have been on at me for years to read. And it's finally time! It takes place in a future world (not sure how far) where technology is being edged out (literally eaten? I think?) by magic. Our main character is a young woman of uncertain origin (hiding great power, of course) whose job it is to clean up magical situations for hire. Basically she's a mercenary, and a bit of a loner. When her former guardian is murdered, she takes it upon herself to solve the crime and punish those responsible. This brings her into contact with the Pack, a group of shapeshifting humans ruled over by the Pack Lord Curran. (I know they are going to end up together. I defy anyone on this website who has fantasy reading friends not to know that.)
This book hints at a lot of promise in future books. I liked the hints of character development for Kate, and even if the way they went about explaining their worldbuilding was a bit rushed and confusing, I think I liked what I saw of it. At times, I also liked the antagonistic relationship developing between Kate and Curran. As mentioned above, I'm not a huge fan of alpha characters, and definitely not ones who feel the need to assert their power with mindgames like he does here. Hopefully that stops as the series goes on.
I've got the sequel penciled in for December, and hopefully I can finish out the series (and it's sprawling side-books and novellas) in 2022.
[3.5 stars, rounding down to leave room for improvement]
So this is the first book in the much beloved Kate Daniels urban fantasy series, which certain friends of mine have been on at me for years to read. And it's finally time! It takes place in a future world (not sure how far) where technology is being edged out (literally eaten? I think?) by magic. Our main character is a young woman of uncertain origin (hiding great power, of course) whose job it is to clean up magical situations for hire. Basically she's a mercenary, and a bit of a loner. When her former guardian is murdered, she takes it upon herself to solve the crime and punish those responsible. This brings her into contact with the Pack, a group of shapeshifting humans ruled over by the Pack Lord Curran. (I know they are going to end up together. I defy anyone on this website who has fantasy reading friends not to know that.)
This book hints at a lot of promise in future books. I liked the hints of character development for Kate, and even if the way they went about explaining their worldbuilding was a bit rushed and confusing, I think I liked what I saw of it. At times, I also liked the antagonistic relationship developing between Kate and Curran. As mentioned above, I'm not a huge fan of alpha characters, and definitely not ones who feel the need to assert their power with mindgames like he does here. Hopefully that stops as the series goes on.
I've got the sequel penciled in for December, and hopefully I can finish out the series (and it's sprawling side-books and novellas) in 2022.
[3.5 stars, rounding down to leave room for improvement]
adventurous
dark
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
I was craving something awesome and my wonderful friend Angie thrusted this book into my hands. Oh, it was wonderful. The heroine - Kate - she's amazing. I want to be her when I grow up. I love the banter that goes on in this book. I also liked that time just flew by in this book. It was an easy read and I'm eagerly reading the next chapter in Kate's life. :o)
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated