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amybraunauthor's review
4.0
Great book, as I expected, with a lot more growth in Fort's character. The mystery and conspiracy was surprising and unexpected, though again, the final battle left something to be desired. I actually really liked how the tension between Fort and Chivalry played out. Normally I adore Chivalry, but it was nice to see the brothers butt heads. As always, Suze was awesome, and Prudence was terrifying. Can't wait to see where the next book goes!
kblincoln's review
4.0
Still liking this series...enough to go ahead and order the next one despite some resolution in the main-arc romance.
This is Urban Fantasy with vampires, were-animals, and some particularly blood-thirsty fae. There's nothing really too unique here, except for some biology-of-vampires stuff, but what draws me into this series are the skillful murder mystery plots woven together with novel-spanning story arcs as well as some snarky, geeky humor.
The main character uses caramel to draw a Star Trek federation symbol on his pancakes when he's trying to cheer himself up. He's also turning into a vampire and is dealing with sudden bloodlusts. He also is in love with a prankster of a kitsune who glues googly eyes to improbable things all over his apartment.
And he's dealing with a were-bear murder.
You could read this novel without having read the prior two books-- buy really, why would you want to? Without reading the first one, the slow, horrific realizations Fortitude has about the nature of his brother's (Chivalry) marriages, as well as the not-as-benevolent-as-he-thought dictatorship of his mother over the various supernatural species wouldn't be as interesting. And why miss the slow burn of Fort and Suzume's attraction across novels?
Fort-Suzume shippers finally get thrown a bone in this book, and delightfully it doesn't descend into shmaltzy, shoopy (except for Fort's grin) romantic drivel. Both characters stay true to themselves.
Entertaining urban fantasy for great escapist reading from the hands of a highly competent writer.
This is Urban Fantasy with vampires, were-animals, and some particularly blood-thirsty fae. There's nothing really too unique here, except for some biology-of-vampires stuff, but what draws me into this series are the skillful murder mystery plots woven together with novel-spanning story arcs as well as some snarky, geeky humor.
The main character uses caramel to draw a Star Trek federation symbol on his pancakes when he's trying to cheer himself up. He's also turning into a vampire and is dealing with sudden bloodlusts. He also is in love with a prankster of a kitsune who glues googly eyes to improbable things all over his apartment.
And he's dealing with a were-bear murder.
You could read this novel without having read the prior two books-- buy really, why would you want to? Without reading the first one, the slow, horrific realizations Fortitude has about the nature of his brother's (Chivalry) marriages, as well as the not-as-benevolent-as-he-thought dictatorship of his mother over the various supernatural species wouldn't be as interesting. And why miss the slow burn of Fort and Suzume's attraction across novels?
Fort-Suzume shippers finally get thrown a bone in this book, and delightfully it doesn't descend into shmaltzy, shoopy (except for Fort's grin) romantic drivel. Both characters stay true to themselves.
Entertaining urban fantasy for great escapist reading from the hands of a highly competent writer.
bookish_babe's review
4.0
Once again ML Brennan shows us how truly unique her writing is by giving us an exciting Urban Fantasy unlike any other on the market. She breaks down traditional expectations and gives you something you never knew you wanted until you had it. Where Generation V started out with a large amount of humor, Tainted Blood is darker, more mysterious, and deliciously decadent. We still see some laughs as we follow Fort and Suze, our dynamic duo, but book three has some more serious notes as Fort takes on his first assignment with the family business. What I am constantly floored by in Brennan's books are her attentions to every single detail. The family dynamics make this book that much better. His sister, Prudence, is one scary biatch! Their interactions were among some of my favorite throughout the story though I would have liked to see Chilvalry a bit more, and while I felt a bit behind because I have not yet read Iron Night, I was still able to really enjoy this installment.
I feel as though we have barely scratched the surface on the Scott family. Poor Fort is kept in the dark you start to feel sorry for him and we learn so much more about his family in this book that they become more than just the siblings and mother that Fort has the disfortune of being a part of. It is safe to say that I am hooked on Brennan's books which means a review of Iron Night will be coming soon as it has leapt its way to the top of my TBR pile. I cannot believe I am behind on this amazingly unique series.
I feel as though we have barely scratched the surface on the Scott family. Poor Fort is kept in the dark you start to feel sorry for him and we learn so much more about his family in this book that they become more than just the siblings and mother that Fort has the disfortune of being a part of. It is safe to say that I am hooked on Brennan's books which means a review of Iron Night will be coming soon as it has leapt its way to the top of my TBR pile. I cannot believe I am behind on this amazingly unique series.
leelah's review
4.0
Oh, Fort..... You adorable, clueless dork. :)
Ok, if you haven't jump aboard Generation V ship and you love UF- you are missing out. In a genre of bad-ass heroines and Harry Dresden look-alikes, Fortitude Scott continues to be unique hero material. :)
So, last time we saw Fort he was taking over family business of enforcing his mother's rules from Chivalry, who needed some time with his dying wife. Unsurprisingly, that is how Tainted Blood starts: with Buhmika's funeral.
Chivalry still needs time off to mourn,so Fort is sent to investigate the murder of karhu of the metsän kunigas (that's PC term for leader of werebears). As Fort looks into possible suspects and clues, it becomes clear that various fractions of sups think that Fort is one Scott they want on their side.
I loved the way Brennan made this world larger in previous novel, showing us different supernaturals in Providence. It's not just that she dipped into different mythologies, even some we are not used to see so often (like rusalka, which is russian take on mermaids), but she also in a very amusing and clever way combined these creatures with modern life..like witches who are usually in the business of medicine or ghouls.:)
For me the best and most intriguing arc that's stretching through entire series is of course, Scott family dynamic. In this novel it went even further because we got to see other side of Madeline, Prudence and especially Chivalry. If story got complicated in second book, here it was tangled and turned around completely... Our baby vamp is in for some wake up call when it comes to being a vampire.
Characterization in this plot arc is excellent... every book we discover something new about Scotts and i feel like we barely scratched the surface.
There is one general theme that's waved into this novel: it deals with difficulties of relationship between different species with accent on human/supernaturals. We have that with Keiko (Suze's sister), Chivalry and his wives, Dan and his boyfriend, Bears and their husbands... It's like Fort gets to see how it's working (or not working) with all of them, and it brings a different more serous perspective on the fact he wants to date Suze.
Which brings me to romance: one thing that's left hanging in the air from [b:Iron Night|18079746|Iron Night (American Vampire, #2)|M.L. Brennan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386180425s/18079746.jpg|25387041] is Fort admitting to Suze how he feels about her. Suze is being Suze, she is a trickster, a playful, teasing kitsune you can't really woo if she doesn't want to have anything with you. And this why I think Fort was great about this: he came clean and he stuck to it, carefully waiting, not pressuring, but he never left any doubt to Suze about his feelings. It's still Fort we got to know (he's still blushing and diverting eyes every time one of the female shifters lose clothes after shifting back for example), but he knows what he wants and once he said it, he doesn't try to downplay it.
Star is chucked off because main plot- mystery about karhu murder-was somewhat weak. It dragged at the beginning a bit, but mainly, it was a very small group of possible suspects who acted in a cliche ways for mystery. I pegged the killer pretty much as soon as Fort and Suze came to murder scene. It also, doesn't help that entire family intrigue was particularly interesting, so I was pulled into that completely and bears didn't interest me as much.
There are some very interesting questions left to be answered about Fort's transition and somehow I feel that Fort got himself into trouble that would prove to be a problem with his family in the future, so I am crazy relieved we have fourth book to look forward to.
bananatricky's review
4.0
Another great book in the series. Fort is getting involved in the family business more as Chivalry is otherwise engaged with his wife.
Madeleine's health is fading and the other supernaturals are watching the succession race with interest, several groups approach Fort with thoughts about future alliances.
In the interim, Fort is called to investigate the death of the Bear shifter leader Mattias. The bears suspect the Ad-hene who share the woods which border both territories. Fort and Suzume think the murderer is closer to home and enlist the help of the Neighbours and the witches to help investigate the murder.
Closer to home, Fort's older sister Prudence takes more of an interest in his education showing him how to sustain himself and teaching him the safe period that he can go without blood once he transitions.
Another great investigation while the story arc about Madeleine's heir continues apace.
Madeleine's health is fading and the other supernaturals are watching the succession race with interest, several groups approach Fort with thoughts about future alliances.
In the interim, Fort is called to investigate the death of the Bear shifter leader Mattias. The bears suspect the Ad-hene who share the woods which border both territories. Fort and Suzume think the murderer is closer to home and enlist the help of the Neighbours and the witches to help investigate the murder.
Closer to home, Fort's older sister Prudence takes more of an interest in his education showing him how to sustain himself and teaching him the safe period that he can go without blood once he transitions.
Another great investigation while the story arc about Madeleine's heir continues apace.
sarrie's review
4.0
4.75*s
I'm really enjoying the shaping up of this family. The initial book gave me strong feelings, in various flavors, for each character and each book since has evolved and shaped them all into unique characters. Not only that but getting to see a genuinely good guy like Fortitude struggle with what and who he is refreshing. You get used to seeing vampires in fiction so self assured and selfish in that their needs have to be met to survive that it's nice to see one actually ask the question 'Am I worth that?'
Besides the characters I love, the story in this one was solid. A good convoluted mystery that though I suspected the culprit I was still surprised at the venom of the individual. They were well concealed and I thought played their part well. As always I highly recommend this series.
I'm really enjoying the shaping up of this family. The initial book gave me strong feelings, in various flavors, for each character and each book since has evolved and shaped them all into unique characters. Not only that but getting to see a genuinely good guy like Fortitude struggle with what and who he is refreshing. You get used to seeing vampires in fiction so self assured and selfish in that their needs have to be met to survive that it's nice to see one actually ask the question 'Am I worth that?'
Besides the characters I love, the story in this one was solid. A good convoluted mystery that though I suspected the culprit I was still surprised at the venom of the individual. They were well concealed and I thought played their part well. As always I highly recommend this series.
saphirablue's review
4.0
Oh, I really like this one.
The case is not that interesting and I guessed early on who the murderer is but I still like reading about Suze and Fort trying to figure it out and how this supernatural community deals with such things.
I really love to read more about Forts family and the power dynamics within it. And how that affects the other supernatural beings in their territory. It will be very interesting to read what will happen when Madleine dies - to Fort and everyone else.
I also like that Fort starts to realize what it means to be a Vampire -> the body count. I wonder how he will deal with it, especially in the beginning.
I also "like" that we get to see Fort losing his control. I mean, my heart is breaking for him in this regard but he also has been a bit too perfect in controling his urges up to this point. So, a heartbreaking Yay! for that.
I really, really, really like that Forts roommate Dan has a boyfriend and the Gil, the were bear, has a husband. ♥ It's a small thing but it's there.
I love Suze. I want to have a whole book about her and the her adventures as a kitsune. Pretty please.
The lovestory? Thankfully in the background. We'll see how it turns out and how it affects everything else.
All in all, I'm looking forward to the next part. :)
The case is not that interesting and I guessed early on who the murderer is but I still like reading about Suze and Fort trying to figure it out and how this supernatural community deals with such things.
I really love to read more about Forts family and the power dynamics within it. And how that affects the other supernatural beings in their territory. It will be very interesting to read what will happen when Madleine dies - to Fort and everyone else.
I also like that Fort starts to realize what it means to be a Vampire -> the body count. I wonder how he will deal with it, especially in the beginning.
I also "like" that we get to see Fort losing his control. I mean, my heart is breaking for him in this regard but he also has been a bit too perfect in controling his urges up to this point. So, a heartbreaking Yay! for that.
I really, really, really like that Forts roommate Dan has a boyfriend and the Gil, the were bear, has a husband. ♥ It's a small thing but it's there.
I love Suze. I want to have a whole book about her and the her adventures as a kitsune. Pretty please.
The lovestory? Thankfully in the background. We'll see how it turns out and how it affects everything else.
All in all, I'm looking forward to the next part. :)
megankass's review
5.0
Oh Fort, you fool, you are so doomed if you ever lose your street smart kitsune bud, because you know nothing, Fort Snow. But I will continue to love reading this series!
susanmasf's review
5.0
This is the third of the the three Generation V books that I won in a raffle at Phoenix Comicon this past weekend, and the series just keeps getting better.
It's urban fantasy at its best (plus I love a good mystery). M.L. Brennan takes the vampire mythology that we all know and changes it to make sense in her world. She makes them make sense biologically as Apex predators (and does a fantastic job of populating her world with other mythological creatures).
Her characters are compelling and nuanced and their interactions are extremely well written. I encourage everyone who likes supernatural/urban fantasy to start at book one and keep going! I'm really looking forward to seeing where this series goes.
It's urban fantasy at its best (plus I love a good mystery). M.L. Brennan takes the vampire mythology that we all know and changes it to make sense in her world. She makes them make sense biologically as Apex predators (and does a fantastic job of populating her world with other mythological creatures).
Her characters are compelling and nuanced and their interactions are extremely well written. I encourage everyone who likes supernatural/urban fantasy to start at book one and keep going! I'm really looking forward to seeing where this series goes.