Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
This was a really fun read. :) Solid world building, intriguing urban paranormal story that kept me hooked even without any romance. Love the main character. She's pretty badass. Promptly reading #2. I really need lightweight, entertaining reading this week. ;)
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
This is an urban fantasy, with strong emphasis on 'fantasy'. It follows the lead character who has unidentified magical abilities and great conventional fighting abilities. She is tough and well respected.
It took me a bit to get into this story as it is not a normal genre for me, but the story is so well written it really drew me in. Still deciding if I would read more in the series, but would definitely read more from this author.
It took me a bit to get into this story as it is not a normal genre for me, but the story is so well written it really drew me in. Still deciding if I would read more in the series, but would definitely read more from this author.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was alright, but not memorable to me. The main character has this though lady thing going on, which even a character in the story finds a bit much.
There's an underlying mystery that's hinted at, but it didn't grab me. I think part of it is that I generally don't find action sequences in books that engaging.
There's an underlying mystery that's hinted at, but it didn't grab me. I think part of it is that I generally don't find action sequences in books that engaging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
This seems to be part of a much larger series
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
I really wanted to like this book, I did. However, I felt like it seriously suffered from a lack of explanation. The world, the characters, and the magic -- no explanation. Why are there waves of magic and tech? Why does Kate have special blood that makes her extra magically special to the baddy? No idea, no explanation given. This on its own is a sign of bad writing, but the writing isn't great in other ways too. I didn't really like Kate as a main character; she just seemed grouchy for the whole book rather than tough.
I will likely still give the second in the series a go, just since it's such a popular series, but I am highly disappointed with this book.
I will likely still give the second in the series a go, just since it's such a popular series, but I am highly disappointed with this book.
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:
Complicated
I am shocked that this was recommended to me, first by Reddit, then by my local bookstore. This is a pretty bog standard yet paper-thin piece of urban fantasy. The writing is cheesy but not in a way I would consider particularly self-aware. In fact, the writing gives off a lazy impression, probably because the book doesn't dig into its subject matter. The world-building is fairly nonexistent, and even after finishing the book, I hardly know a thing about the protagonist other than she's "quippy." I enjoy a good popcorn adventure every now and then, but this was the bad kind of popcorn. It was an absolute drag to read despite being short. I would not recommend it, even if you're a fan of this genre.
Magical sci-fi: Georgia, ATL in the future when magic crashes into technology in waves and mythical creatures are no longer mythical
A magical defense contractor's last family member is murdered so she tries to figure out his murder that looks like a plot to force a war between two supernatural factions.
Our hero is a typical one for this genre: tough, not quite pretty but athletic, gruff and mean. I'm always a fan.
Obviously there is a love triangle that she doesn't know about but it falls a little flat. (Why did she date the doctor? What is his involvement in the story after their breakup?)
I liked the magical system which was unique in this genre but not completely different and the involvement of various cultures' mythologies.
The mystery behind the plot mystery is our hero's lineage and why she's a powerful player in this world.
Magical system/world: 5/5
Sidekick: 4/5
Love triangle: 2/5
Contains: swearing, discussion of r*pe
Does not contain: smut
A magical defense contractor's last family member is murdered so she tries to figure out his murder that looks like a plot to force a war between two supernatural factions.
Our hero is a typical one for this genre: tough, not quite pretty but athletic, gruff and mean. I'm always a fan.
Obviously there is a love triangle that she doesn't know about but it falls a little flat. (Why did she date the doctor? What is his involvement in the story after their breakup?)
I liked the magical system which was unique in this genre but not completely different and the involvement of various cultures' mythologies.
The mystery behind the plot mystery is our hero's lineage and why she's a powerful player in this world.
Magical system/world: 5/5
Sidekick: 4/5
Love triangle: 2/5
Contains: swearing, discussion of r*pe
Does not contain: smut
I was looking for another urban fantasy series in the vein of Jim Butcher or Richard Kadrey. This aspires to be both but ends up being neither.
I'm sure there is a market for this kind of pulp but I know it isn't me.
In short, it was dreadful.
I'm sure there is a market for this kind of pulp but I know it isn't me.
In short, it was dreadful.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kate Daniels is a mercenary who cleans up magical messes in Atlanta where magic and technology battle for dominance. It's not a glamours life, but then again she's not really someone searching for luxury or fame. When her guardian is murdered, Kate is determined to find his killer, even if it means getting in between two of the most powerful magic factions in the city and their power war.
This book has been popping up in my GoodReads recommendations for a while now. When I saw it at the library's yearly book sale I scooped it up, but it's been sitting there on my bookshelf unread for about a year now... I don't understand why I waited so long to finally give it a chance! Kate had me hooked from the get go. Her humor and take no prisoners attitude, while still having and admitting to her flaws, made the book difficult to put down.
And she really has no filter which makes the situations she gets herself into interesting to say the least.
You get thrown into her urban fantasy world without much explanation, so if you're new to the fantasy genre it's going to take a while to get your footing. There's also a bit of a detective/mystery vibe going on, but it's done in such a way that even though I'm not a particular fan of that genre I still enjoyed it and wanted to know who done it. I will definitely be getting my hands on book two the next time I'm at the library.
This book has been popping up in my GoodReads recommendations for a while now. When I saw it at the library's yearly book sale I scooped it up, but it's been sitting there on my bookshelf unread for about a year now... I don't understand why I waited so long to finally give it a chance! Kate had me hooked from the get go. Her humor and take no prisoners attitude, while still having and admitting to her flaws, made the book difficult to put down.
And she really has no filter which makes the situations she gets herself into interesting to say the least.
You get thrown into her urban fantasy world without much explanation, so if you're new to the fantasy genre it's going to take a while to get your footing. There's also a bit of a detective/mystery vibe going on, but it's done in such a way that even though I'm not a particular fan of that genre I still enjoyed it and wanted to know who done it. I will definitely be getting my hands on book two the next time I'm at the library.