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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Loved this!!!
Amazing storytelling, fantastic characters, and a mix of magic & street smarts. Hope there's a sequel in the works, soon! :)
Amazing storytelling, fantastic characters, and a mix of magic & street smarts. Hope there's a sequel in the works, soon! :)
Should have stayed a short story
This book starts out fantastically. A fascinating urban fantasy with a loveable mc and hints of a really awesome romance. The problem is it starts dragging really badly right after the whole shrine god scene, which I think may be around where the original story ended. I really struggled to finish, there was just a lot of things that seemed unnecessary to the story. Super bummed, because I was excited
to re-read this.
This book starts out fantastically. A fascinating urban fantasy with a loveable mc and hints of a really awesome romance. The problem is it starts dragging really badly right after the whole shrine god scene, which I think may be around where the original story ended. I really struggled to finish, there was just a lot of things that seemed unnecessary to the story. Super bummed, because I was excited
to re-read this.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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:
Complicated
I never read the short story in the [b:Charmed and Dangerous|25912719|Charmed and Dangerous|Jordan Castillo Price|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437488487s/25912719.jpg|45800532] anthology that this book was expanded from. I do, however, love Rhys Ford's urban fantasy stories. I could read them all day. I love her mix of culture and mythology and her brand of storytelling.
Dim Sum Asylum is the name of the San Francisco Police division of Arcane Crimes and it's got to be an interesting place to work. Much less boring than cop shops that deal in the mundane guns and knives crime problems, for sure.
Roku MacCormick is a very cynical cop working in Arcane Crimes. He's got plenty of reason for his cynicism, though. His mother, who was Fae and also a cop, was assassinated and his human father's family is a Yakuza crime family. And if that wasn't enough, Roku's boyfriend and their two daughters were murdered. So if anyone has reason to be cynical and reluctant to get close to others, it's Roku. Roku has not had good luck with work partners, either. It's a wonder he doesn't feel like he's cursed.
Trent Leonard is Roku's new partner. There's plenty about Trent that is "off", but he really seems to want to do right by Roku. His past is as mysterious as his fashion sense and he almost seems like he's wearing a human suit, which I found quite endearing. Trent is a good foil for Roku, who needs serious grounding.
I enjoyed the story quite a lot. It was quirky and many things happened that I found unexpected. One thing I wish there had been more of, however, is steam and romance. It really took a backseat to the suspense plot. And while I am used to that with this author, more steam would not have been unwelcome. Loved the story, though, and would give it an overall 4 stars.
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ARC of Dim Sum Asylum was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Dim Sum Asylum is the name of the San Francisco Police division of Arcane Crimes and it's got to be an interesting place to work. Much less boring than cop shops that deal in the mundane guns and knives crime problems, for sure.
Roku MacCormick is a very cynical cop working in Arcane Crimes. He's got plenty of reason for his cynicism, though. His mother, who was Fae and also a cop, was assassinated and his human father's family is a Yakuza crime family. And if that wasn't enough, Roku's boyfriend and their two daughters were murdered. So if anyone has reason to be cynical and reluctant to get close to others, it's Roku. Roku has not had good luck with work partners, either. It's a wonder he doesn't feel like he's cursed.
Trent Leonard is Roku's new partner. There's plenty about Trent that is "off", but he really seems to want to do right by Roku. His past is as mysterious as his fashion sense and he almost seems like he's wearing a human suit, which I found quite endearing. Trent is a good foil for Roku, who needs serious grounding.
I enjoyed the story quite a lot. It was quirky and many things happened that I found unexpected. One thing I wish there had been more of, however, is steam and romance. It really took a backseat to the suspense plot. And while I am used to that with this author, more steam would not have been unwelcome. Loved the story, though, and would give it an overall 4 stars.
----------------------
ARC of Dim Sum Asylum was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I must be the slowest snail on the block, I really must!! There I was, reading this, and the thought hits me "I've read this before. Where have I read this before. Who stole Rhys Ford's work. How did they get it before it was released" All those thoughts hit me, and I got as far as writing at email to Ms Ford, telling her all this stoopid stuff going through my head.
THEN!! Then I read that little bit at the top of the blurb bit, saying its an expanded full length version of a short that appeared in the Charmed and Dangerous Anthology (published August 2015) But I didn't write a review for it, and I must have read at least this one. So, apologies Ms Ford, for being such a duh!
So, the book. An extremely well written book, with all the delights that Ford throws at us from San Francisco and China Town and the Arcane Crimes Division. Full of those little things she chucks in, you know the ones?? The ones that make you think "say what now??" and "did he just say that?" and "what did he just say?? no, that can't be so!" The ones that make ME slow down, and have to go back because, I'm sure he didn't just do what he did after that! Those sorts of things, this book is full of and I did love that.
BUT
For me, and this pains me deeply to say, this book didn't quite do it. I've no bloody idea why, either. It's told only from Roku's point of view, in the first. And I didn't mind that here. Yes of course I wanted to hear from Trent, but once I'd resigned myself to the fact he doesn't have a say, I was okay with it.
I should also mention this. While READING, I could hear (or at least a semblance of) Greg Tremblay. I could hear him reading this to me, and it makes me really really wish I had waited for (any possible) audio version of this book, because, while I'm not a fan of READING single point of view, when it comes to LISTENING, I do enjoy single point of view more.
And I'm beginning to waffle. So I'll stop now, because waffling does not make for a good review.
4 solid stars, (and I'm sorry I didn't love it!)
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I must be the slowest snail on the block, I really must!! There I was, reading this, and the thought hits me "I've read this before. Where have I read this before. Who stole Rhys Ford's work. How did they get it before it was released" All those thoughts hit me, and I got as far as writing at email to Ms Ford, telling her all this stoopid stuff going through my head.
THEN!! Then I read that little bit at the top of the blurb bit, saying its an expanded full length version of a short that appeared in the Charmed and Dangerous Anthology (published August 2015) But I didn't write a review for it, and I must have read at least this one. So, apologies Ms Ford, for being such a duh!
So, the book. An extremely well written book, with all the delights that Ford throws at us from San Francisco and China Town and the Arcane Crimes Division. Full of those little things she chucks in, you know the ones?? The ones that make you think "say what now??" and "did he just say that?" and "what did he just say?? no, that can't be so!" The ones that make ME slow down, and have to go back because, I'm sure he didn't just do what he did after that! Those sorts of things, this book is full of and I did love that.
BUT
For me, and this pains me deeply to say, this book didn't quite do it. I've no bloody idea why, either. It's told only from Roku's point of view, in the first. And I didn't mind that here. Yes of course I wanted to hear from Trent, but once I'd resigned myself to the fact he doesn't have a say, I was okay with it.
I should also mention this. While READING, I could hear (or at least a semblance of) Greg Tremblay. I could hear him reading this to me, and it makes me really really wish I had waited for (any possible) audio version of this book, because, while I'm not a fan of READING single point of view, when it comes to LISTENING, I do enjoy single point of view more.
And I'm beginning to waffle. So I'll stop now, because waffling does not make for a good review.
4 solid stars, (and I'm sorry I didn't love it!)
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I wanted to really like this book. And all the components were there. But the tone shifted so much from paragraph to paragraph it was hard to stay engaged. Overall, 3.7/5⭐️
This is one of those books where the world-building was more interesting than the romance. I didn't feel much of an attraction between Roku and Trent. When they did finally get together, it felt forced.
However, the mystery portion was quite interesting. I found myself fascinated by Roku's relationship with the criminal underbelly of San Francisco. That being said, there's a little too much going on, so at times, the story becomes overwhelming and confusing. The pacing also suffers as a result, as the plot moves sluggishly along.
However, the mystery portion was quite interesting. I found myself fascinated by Roku's relationship with the criminal underbelly of San Francisco. That being said, there's a little too much going on, so at times, the story becomes overwhelming and confusing. The pacing also suffers as a result, as the plot moves sluggishly along.
This is an ARC in exchange for an honest review is an urban fantasy story full of rich and colorful characters as well as scenery. This is my first urban fantasy book I have read and I will say I enjoyed it immensely. The main characters Roku and Trent are cops in a special unit with the San Francisco Police Department. Roku's life is complicated to say the least and still embodies everything cops strive to be loyal and moral compass in a messed up world. Trent, his partner, adds a layer of hope and trust that Roku needed in his life. Rhys makes the scenery and the secondary characters come alive as well. I love the melding of San Francisco Chinatown and the fantasy of Fairies, dragons and magic so much I felt like I was running through the streets with them. If you haven't tried an urban fantasy book before I strongly suggest this as your first. if you have read them before dive right in this book is amazing.
Rhys Ford is one of the first authors I read in this genre with the Cole McGinnis series. I really enjoy the unique Asian influence she infuses so masterfully into these books. Dim Sum Asylum contains lovely descriptions and names from the vibrant Chinatown setting where much of this story takes place. I loved the sights and sounds of this uniquely urban and highly magical world ...
But what is perhaps this book's greatest strength is also perhaps its biggest weakness as well. She sometimes over-does the descriptions which drags on the story and slows down the pacing. Same thing when it comes to the highly intriguing MCs, who came with tangled and convoluted backstories ... perhaps more complicated than they needed to be? Roku's history was interesting and I would have been fine with the yakusa/assassin backstory without the dead family thrown in. Trent's splice, covert military background was also really engaging but also felt like a heavy weight for this character to carry and didn't really have much influence in the main storyline in the end (which was unfortunate because I felt particularly drawn to that storyline). The book would have worked just as well if Trent was simply just ex-military without the rest that actually raises more questions without providing the reader with the consistency I craved and a satistfing ending ...
The bones of this story are excellent and absolutely worthy of a five star rating. Unfortunately what weighs this book down in the heavy handed writing and somewhat rushed (unsatisfying) ending. Otherwise, I really really liked this ... the things that work are absolutely brilliant. This book came so damn close to being an all time favourite read ...
But what is perhaps this book's greatest strength is also perhaps its biggest weakness as well. She sometimes over-does the descriptions which drags on the story and slows down the pacing. Same thing when it comes to the highly intriguing MCs, who came with tangled and convoluted backstories ... perhaps more complicated than they needed to be? Roku's history was interesting and I would have been fine with the yakusa/assassin backstory without the dead family thrown in. Trent's splice, covert military background was also really engaging but also felt like a heavy weight for this character to carry and didn't really have much influence in the main storyline in the end (which was unfortunate because I felt particularly drawn to that storyline). The book would have worked just as well if Trent was simply just ex-military without the rest that actually raises more questions without providing the reader with the consistency I craved and a satistfing ending ...
The bones of this story are excellent and absolutely worthy of a five star rating. Unfortunately what weighs this book down in the heavy handed writing and somewhat rushed (unsatisfying) ending. Otherwise, I really really liked this ... the things that work are absolutely brilliant. This book came so damn close to being an all time favourite read ...