Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
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:
Yes
Pretty standard urban fantasy, but excited to see how the characters develop as we go.
Lord save me from whoever decided that all shapeshifter love interests have to be Like That™.
Ok look this book had a lot of good [or at least decent parts]. Although we don't actually get a lot of explanation for things here in the first book, I think the author did some interesting things with the world building, especially in how she portrayed vampires which is definitely different than most things I've seen before. I also liked how the world fluctuates between tech and magic and it's interesting to see the things people have to do to deal with that. Kate is so fair a fairly two-dimensional but still enjoyable character. I think I could definitely grow to like her if it wasn't for one thing ...
Fucking Curran. [bangs head on desk] W H Y I almost want to lower my rating to two stars just because of that but it was overall a well-written book and I feel like it does just barely deserve more than that.
Anyway, I'm gonna drop this series and just re-read October Daye at some point because it seems to be basically the same thing but better written and also Toby actually has good taste in men, something that is truly a rarity among female urban fantasy protagonists.
Ok look this book had a lot of good [or at least decent parts]. Although we don't actually get a lot of explanation for things here in the first book, I think the author did some interesting things with the world building, especially in how she portrayed vampires which is definitely different than most things I've seen before. I also liked how the world fluctuates between tech and magic and it's interesting to see the things people have to do to deal with that. Kate is so fair a fairly two-dimensional but still enjoyable character. I think I could definitely grow to like her if it wasn't for one thing ...
Fucking Curran. [bangs head on desk] W H Y
Spoiler
Listen I just don't have any patience for this alpha male bullshit [which like ...isn't even how wolves/pack animals ACTUALLY BEHAVE IN THE WILD and was first observed in zoos and then went on to RUIN MY FUCKING LIFE but I digress] and the fact that I know she is going to go on to be in a relationship with him after the way he treated her in this book is just infuriating and I can't deal with it. Ugh. Why do y'all eat this shit up? It's so unhealthy.Anyway, I'm gonna drop this series and just re-read October Daye at some point because it seems to be basically the same thing but better written and also Toby actually has good taste in men, something that is truly a rarity among female urban fantasy protagonists.
The magic world backstory is better developed in the Hidden Legacy series (so is the romance), but this one is still entertaining. And there's a dragon. I don't think that's a spoiler.
adventurous
reflective
This series has a lot of potential! I like this FMC she's tough but she's not cliche and being a mercenary isn't her entire personality ....... ☕️☕️☕️☕️
There's a mystery aspect to this book that I found difficult to follow. It's a lot of characters and a lot of moving pieces. But since it was interesting and I knew these characters would have a role, I didn't mind going back to remind myself who they were! Definitely will be reading the next book!
There's a mystery aspect to this book that I found difficult to follow. It's a lot of characters and a lot of moving pieces. But since it was interesting and I knew these characters would have a role, I didn't mind going back to remind myself who they were! Definitely will be reading the next book!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
warnings: language, violence, innuendos, sexual themes
Had friends highly recommend this author to me, but I just wasn't feeling this book/urban fantasy. Maybe I'll try again later.
...
Tried it again and finished! Not sure how I want to rate this one and I think it was just a little too adult for my comfort. So, I don't really want that to reflect my rating because it's my responsibility keeping my boundaries. Anyways...probably won't read on, but...yeah.
Had friends highly recommend this author to me, but I just wasn't feeling this book/urban fantasy. Maybe I'll try again later.
...
Tried it again and finished! Not sure how I want to rate this one and I think it was just a little too adult for my comfort. So, I don't really want that to reflect my rating because it's my responsibility keeping my boundaries. Anyways...probably won't read on, but...yeah.
I changed my mind and downgraded this from three stars. It was just okay for me. I'm told they get much more interesting but this one was work. However, I did find some things I really liked, and in deference to how iconic this book is in the genre, I'll focus on the things I learned.
Loved:
-Really cool world. Magic and tech waves, a recognizable yet foreign Atlanta. Super cool.
-I liked all the different monsters and most of their characterizations. I'd like to learn more about People and really liked how vampires worked here. I also enjoyed the array of Pack.
-There was a positive relationship between two women!!
-Casual mention of people of color with no strong stereotyping or food names
-Good modern language
Learned:
-Infodumps don't work any better in fantasy
-Segues are everything
-Reminders are good when you have lots of characters or scenes
-Suspense requires understanding the emotional importance of a moment and what it means for people we care about
-I am interested in reading a story about "alphas" that don't use physical or sexual dominance for their status
-It is upsetting when the strong woman is treated like an object without her being part of that plan in the first place
-Rape should be used very carefully in stories
-Wrap-up endings aren't my favorite
Loved:
-Really cool world. Magic and tech waves, a recognizable yet foreign Atlanta. Super cool.
-I liked all the different monsters and most of their characterizations. I'd like to learn more about People and really liked how vampires worked here. I also enjoyed the array of Pack.
-There was a positive relationship between two women!!
-Casual mention of people of color with no strong stereotyping or food names
-Good modern language
Learned:
-Infodumps don't work any better in fantasy
-Segues are everything
-Reminders are good when you have lots of characters or scenes
-Suspense requires understanding the emotional importance of a moment and what it means for people we care about
-I am interested in reading a story about "alphas" that don't use physical or sexual dominance for their status
-It is upsetting when the strong woman is treated like an object without her being part of that plan in the first place
-Rape should be used very carefully in stories
-Wrap-up endings aren't my favorite
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm a big fan of urban fantasy as a genre and have been looking for a new series to start reading. I love the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter so I was trying to find something with a badass female lead.
I've had the first in the Kate Daniels series on my TBR for a while - no explanation as to why I haven't picked it up before now other than too many books, too little time. Since I was looking for a new urban fantasy series, I went to my trusted book group and searched for Kate Daniels and to my delight, found a number of readers in the group who really enjoy this series.
That was enough for me and I jumped right into the book. All I can say is that I'm glad it is cold and snowy outside as it gives me an excuse to put off going out and running errands and stay cozied up with tea and reading. I really enjoyed this first installment and plan to jump into the second immediately. I do love to binge read series when I can.
The book is not without its over-used tropes. For example, Kate is on her own, having lost her parents and her guardian, and has to rely on her skills as a mercenary to survive. However, these oft-over-used tropes are balanced by unique and creative world building where magic battles technology and where the monsters are not all sparkly and lovable. Kate is likable and often recognizes that she can be a walking stereotype (and her own worst enemy).
The monsters are scary, particularly the main bad person that Kate needs to defeat in this story. The way that the various groups of monster fighters are set up is also interesting. Everything from an old world guild featuring knights to a modern paranormal police force.
I'm looking forward to reading more about Kate and her world.
I've had the first in the Kate Daniels series on my TBR for a while - no explanation as to why I haven't picked it up before now other than too many books, too little time. Since I was looking for a new urban fantasy series, I went to my trusted book group and searched for Kate Daniels and to my delight, found a number of readers in the group who really enjoy this series.
That was enough for me and I jumped right into the book. All I can say is that I'm glad it is cold and snowy outside as it gives me an excuse to put off going out and running errands and stay cozied up with tea and reading. I really enjoyed this first installment and plan to jump into the second immediately. I do love to binge read series when I can.
The book is not without its over-used tropes. For example, Kate is on her own, having lost her parents and her guardian, and has to rely on her skills as a mercenary to survive. However, these oft-over-used tropes are balanced by unique and creative world building where magic battles technology and where the monsters are not all sparkly and lovable. Kate is likable and often recognizes that she can be a walking stereotype (and her own worst enemy).
The monsters are scary, particularly the main bad person that Kate needs to defeat in this story. The way that the various groups of monster fighters are set up is also interesting. Everything from an old world guild featuring knights to a modern paranormal police force.
I'm looking forward to reading more about Kate and her world.
Read this in order to grade a term paper fairly. Was great fun, didn't expect that. Better review later, not sure when I'll be less lazy but I just hope future-me will be better than present-me.