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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
First in the Charlie Madigan urban fantasy series set in Atlanta. What has Atlanta done to the world to be the setting for so many urban fantasies?
My Take
I enjoyed this very much, but every once in a while, there's a tiny disconnect and it can be a bit juvenile, and it makes me take a step back, but for the most part, I liked this start to this series. There's a wide range of interesting characters from the truly good to the truly evil with a nice sprinkling in between. Gay has already set up differing levels of conflict between them with lots of potential for romance. There's even a dystopian element to it as well as a challenge to our own perceptions of devils and vampires of all sorts.
Devils? Vampires? Not the usual character type I think of when I hear the word "alien".
Our heroine has a nice bit of guilt built in with her non-actions the night her twin brother died. Then there's her conflict over her ex-husband with the daughter as a built-in goad. Lots of soul-searching with the realizations Charlie comes to about Bryn.
Gay also teases with all kinds of romantic possibilities. She's certainly left lots of room for things to develop. Gay was quite tricky in providing Charlie with her unusual abilities and how they came about, using it to usher in the issues that will plague this series while giving Charlie room to grow. She also did well in introducing the cast of characters that I suspect will be with us throughout the series. I did like the resolution at the end...phew...although there are still plenty of issues ahead.
Oh yeah, it's my kind of book:
I don't quite buy Charlie's "shyness". That whole scene at The Bath House where she insists on keeping her bra and panties on underneath the sheer robe is definitely not in keeping with being unobtrusive. Talk about making sure you stand out… I still don't grasp the idea of the Elysians. Gay talks about Hank being one and then there's Carruthers who is yet another definition whereas the Charbydons seem to be demon-like.
In some ways, Charlie reminds me of Anita Blake: all bluster, rushing in where fools fear to tread, and she doesn't care who she ticks off while being incredibly shy about her body.
It's rough with little finesse and yet thoroughly intriguing with loads of action.
The Story
A new drug is causing people to drop into comas, and it really hits home when one of those victims is Emma's adored babysitter and friend.
Charlie was already interested in finding the source. Having it affect Amanda simply ensures that Charlie will dig in and root them out.
The Characters
Detective Charlie Madigan is a cop with the Integration Task Force (ITF). She died six months ago, but was brought back. It's the how that is the question. Emma is her twelve-year-old daughter; Will is her recent ex and a successful building contractor. Bryn is her younger sister, an earth mage with a shop in Underground Atlanta. She's also a member of the Off-World Garden Society and the Atlanta League of Mages. Serious stuff. Gizmo, a gargoyle, is a very effective security system.
Detective Hank Williams is her siren partner with a magic voicebox. Liz is the medical examiner. Chief Abernathy is their boss with a major secret he'd rather not share. Doctor Katherine Berkowitz is the department shrink whom Charlie is ordered to see. Too bad she can't be ordered to wait to start up her shopping list till later.
Aaron is a warrior mage, a Magnus actually, with an interest in Bryn. Zara is the head concierge of The Bath House and very interested in Hank. Rex is a Revenant with a penchant for treading the boards. Auggie is a goblin with information.
Amanda Mott is Emma's babysitter, friend, and big sister all in one. Marti is her mother; her father Cassius is a jerk of the first order, into drugs, gambling, and more, all financed by his smarter, older brother, Titus. A scientist, Titus Mott is head of Mott Technologies and knows a lot more than he's saying. He also knows a lot less than he thinks. Andy Myers is Dr. Mott's assistant.
Mynogan (think "Mynie") is a High Elder of the House of Abaddon. Carreg is Lord Lieutenant of the House of Astarot. Normally the two would never mix. Otorius is a representative of the Charbydon Political Party and a real jerk.
Gregori Tennin is the jinn boss, the leader of the Atlanta tribe and a crime boss. Jinn are warriors, bodyguards to the nobility of Charbydon. Vicious. Len is one who hangs in there. Sian is Gregori's daughter; a lovely hybrid despised by all.
The ITF is law enforcement for all immigrant beings. Each partnership in the ITF is one human and one off-worlder. Elysia and Charbydon, think demons, exist on a parallel plane and share the ruling of their planet. It's been thirteen years since scientists discovered its existence. That these aliens had been visiting earth for thousands of years. Underground Atlanta is where most of the aliens congregate. The Adonai are divinities and consider themselves gods; the ruling elite of Elysia. Warlocks are a warrior sect of Elysian mage. Veritas is a super-secret club. Revenants are spirit entities who will grant you your greatest desire in exchange for your body. When it's time for that body to die. Wraiths are their evil cousins.
The Cover
The cover is a purply gray with a flash of burgundy in Charlie's shortie tank top and the gold gilt of the title. The style of the cover reminds me of Seanan McGuire's October Daye covers, although Charlie here is revealing a rounded tip on her ear! The background flits between misty and sharp and appears to be underground. That basement, perhaps?
I guess the title does refer to The Better Part of Darkness, seeing as Charlie has a type of success at the end.
My Take
I enjoyed this very much, but every once in a while, there's a tiny disconnect and it can be a bit juvenile, and it makes me take a step back, but for the most part, I liked this start to this series. There's a wide range of interesting characters from the truly good to the truly evil with a nice sprinkling in between. Gay has already set up differing levels of conflict between them with lots of potential for romance. There's even a dystopian element to it as well as a challenge to our own perceptions of devils and vampires of all sorts.
Devils? Vampires? Not the usual character type I think of when I hear the word "alien".
Our heroine has a nice bit of guilt built in with her non-actions the night her twin brother died. Then there's her conflict over her ex-husband with the daughter as a built-in goad. Lots of soul-searching with the realizations Charlie comes to about Bryn.
Gay also teases with all kinds of romantic possibilities. She's certainly left lots of room for things to develop. Gay was quite tricky in providing Charlie with her unusual abilities and how they came about, using it to usher in the issues that will plague this series while giving Charlie room to grow. She also did well in introducing the cast of characters that I suspect will be with us throughout the series. I did like the resolution at the end...phew...although there are still plenty of issues ahead.
Oh yeah, it's my kind of book:
You'd be amazed what a clearance sale at the Apple Store does to some people.
I don't quite buy Charlie's "shyness". That whole scene at The Bath House where she insists on keeping her bra and panties on underneath the sheer robe is definitely not in keeping with being unobtrusive. Talk about making sure you stand out… I still don't grasp the idea of the Elysians. Gay talks about Hank being one and then there's Carruthers who is yet another definition whereas the Charbydons seem to be demon-like.
In some ways, Charlie reminds me of Anita Blake: all bluster, rushing in where fools fear to tread, and she doesn't care who she ticks off while being incredibly shy about her body.
It's rough with little finesse and yet thoroughly intriguing with loads of action.
The Story
A new drug is causing people to drop into comas, and it really hits home when one of those victims is Emma's adored babysitter and friend.
Charlie was already interested in finding the source. Having it affect Amanda simply ensures that Charlie will dig in and root them out.
The Characters
Detective Charlie Madigan is a cop with the Integration Task Force (ITF). She died six months ago, but was brought back. It's the how that is the question. Emma is her twelve-year-old daughter; Will is her recent ex and a successful building contractor. Bryn is her younger sister, an earth mage with a shop in Underground Atlanta. She's also a member of the Off-World Garden Society and the Atlanta League of Mages. Serious stuff. Gizmo, a gargoyle, is a very effective security system.
Detective Hank Williams is her siren partner with a magic voicebox. Liz is the medical examiner. Chief Abernathy is their boss with a major secret he'd rather not share. Doctor Katherine Berkowitz is the department shrink whom Charlie is ordered to see. Too bad she can't be ordered to wait to start up her shopping list till later.
Aaron is a warrior mage, a Magnus actually, with an interest in Bryn. Zara is the head concierge of The Bath House and very interested in Hank. Rex is a Revenant with a penchant for treading the boards. Auggie is a goblin with information.
Amanda Mott is Emma's babysitter, friend, and big sister all in one. Marti is her mother; her father Cassius is a jerk of the first order, into drugs, gambling, and more, all financed by his smarter, older brother, Titus. A scientist, Titus Mott is head of Mott Technologies and knows a lot more than he's saying. He also knows a lot less than he thinks. Andy Myers is Dr. Mott's assistant.
Mynogan (think "Mynie") is a High Elder of the House of Abaddon. Carreg is Lord Lieutenant of the House of Astarot. Normally the two would never mix. Otorius is a representative of the Charbydon Political Party and a real jerk.
Gregori Tennin is the jinn boss, the leader of the Atlanta tribe and a crime boss. Jinn are warriors, bodyguards to the nobility of Charbydon. Vicious. Len is one who hangs in there. Sian is Gregori's daughter; a lovely hybrid despised by all.
The ITF is law enforcement for all immigrant beings. Each partnership in the ITF is one human and one off-worlder. Elysia and Charbydon, think demons, exist on a parallel plane and share the ruling of their planet. It's been thirteen years since scientists discovered its existence. That these aliens had been visiting earth for thousands of years. Underground Atlanta is where most of the aliens congregate. The Adonai are divinities and consider themselves gods; the ruling elite of Elysia. Warlocks are a warrior sect of Elysian mage. Veritas is a super-secret club. Revenants are spirit entities who will grant you your greatest desire in exchange for your body. When it's time for that body to die. Wraiths are their evil cousins.
The Cover
The cover is a purply gray with a flash of burgundy in Charlie's shortie tank top and the gold gilt of the title. The style of the cover reminds me of Seanan McGuire's October Daye covers, although Charlie here is revealing a rounded tip on her ear! The background flits between misty and sharp and appears to be underground. That basement, perhaps?
I guess the title does refer to The Better Part of Darkness, seeing as Charlie has a type of success at the end.
laureenreads's review against another edition
3.0
It didn't pick up until 60% of the way through. Once it did, though it was interesting. Some of it was very predictable, and sometimes I wonder if that's because it's really that predictable or if I've just read so many books in the genre that I've picked up on the formula.
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun book, though I felt a little... I don't know, I guess let down by the ending. I can't put my finger on why, exactly. I think I am just getting tired of books where our intrepid hero / heroine busts ass to save a bunch of worthless ingrates who have neither appreciation nor even interest in what she does to help them. "The whole world is against you" styled books are beginning to get tiresome to me. Mostly because it always seems to end up that the "whole world" working against them is filled with assholes that they always have to save. Meh. Let them die. Fuck em.
mellhay's review against another edition
4.0
Thought you had a rough day? Charlie has just had one, or a few, with just one thing after another coming up. It all started when she got the call of an unconscious girl on the bathroom floor at her daughters school, fearing she's another victim to ash. When she goes to investigate the scene she learns the girl is the girl who's babysat her daughter and is like a daughter to her. Then, her day just goes down hill from there; she gets beaten to a pulp by jinn, and her ex-husband wants to be with her again - after what he did. On top of all going wrong today the nightmares that started eight months ago, when she died, which have been haunting her every time she closes her eyes have pushed her to the exhausted state and now strange things are happening to her; emotionally and physically.
I enjoyed this book more and more as I read. I liked the world that Kelly has created here. She has taken the world we know and added a few extras to it. We have a sound explanation to where the different beings come from, and the abilities they have. Through these parallel planes we have mages, sirens, a being I like to call a vampire/elf mixed type but what Charlie calls aliens, and jinn along with a other beings as well. There was one small piece that threw me off only a few times and that was the sudden appearance of unexpected beings, or item. In these few moments I felt I might have missed a piece that would lead up to them, but this in no way affected the story happening.
Part of what I enjoyed the most was the storyline direction and mystery. Charlie was constantly in action and uncovering a piece of the puzzle. The story was constantly on forward movement, in a fast pacing. We got the pieces right along with Charlie as she went through the actions and we tried to piece them together, together.
The characters where great. As Charlie wasn't my favorite character in the story, it was no fault of hers. It was the secondary characters I enjoyed. They helped in drawing the character of Charlie. Her sister is a wonderful addition with her magic skills and friends. Her partner, Hank, is a nice addition with being a siren. Charlie's husband, or ex-husband...now he is one to watch as you read. And then we have Charlie's daughter, nice to see we have a main character who is a single mom and trying to make it work. And the relationship she has with her daughter is a great one.
In the end, I enjoyed the book very much and look forward to reading The Darkest Edge of Dawn. As the story here ends there is lots of room and a few questions to answer to follow through further in the series. Kelly has a great start to a fresh new series here. Kelly has done a wonderful job drawing a mystery in a fantasy world with enough similarities to ours, but with many amazing surprises.
I enjoyed this book more and more as I read. I liked the world that Kelly has created here. She has taken the world we know and added a few extras to it. We have a sound explanation to where the different beings come from, and the abilities they have. Through these parallel planes we have mages, sirens, a being I like to call a vampire/elf mixed type but what Charlie calls aliens, and jinn along with a other beings as well. There was one small piece that threw me off only a few times and that was the sudden appearance of unexpected beings, or item. In these few moments I felt I might have missed a piece that would lead up to them, but this in no way affected the story happening.
Part of what I enjoyed the most was the storyline direction and mystery. Charlie was constantly in action and uncovering a piece of the puzzle. The story was constantly on forward movement, in a fast pacing. We got the pieces right along with Charlie as she went through the actions and we tried to piece them together, together.
The characters where great. As Charlie wasn't my favorite character in the story, it was no fault of hers. It was the secondary characters I enjoyed. They helped in drawing the character of Charlie. Her sister is a wonderful addition with her magic skills and friends. Her partner, Hank, is a nice addition with being a siren. Charlie's husband, or ex-husband...now he is one to watch as you read. And then we have Charlie's daughter, nice to see we have a main character who is a single mom and trying to make it work. And the relationship she has with her daughter is a great one.
In the end, I enjoyed the book very much and look forward to reading The Darkest Edge of Dawn. As the story here ends there is lots of room and a few questions to answer to follow through further in the series. Kelly has a great start to a fresh new series here. Kelly has done a wonderful job drawing a mystery in a fantasy world with enough similarities to ours, but with many amazing surprises.
alikatson's review against another edition
BR with the MacHalos!
DNF @ 70%. This story had some potential but I just lost interest in trying to make sense of the whiplash story and character that is Charlie.
I may try again at some point.
DNF @ 70%. This story had some potential but I just lost interest in trying to make sense of the whiplash story and character that is Charlie.
I may try again at some point.
ktaylor1164's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine for a quick fix of brain candy. Not much else there.
vikingwolf's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books where I wasn't sure what to think of it or how to rate it. I liked bits of it but other bits seemed to drag and I would lose a bit of interest in it.
Charlie works for the Integration task force along with partner Hank who is a siren and an alien, one of many aliens choosing to live a new life on Earth. Now they are tracking a deadly drug that is killing and maiming users and may have come from one of the two planets now linked to Earth. Charlie's informant is killed by strange ninjas and she summons an unknown power to kill them, causing a diplomatic incident and forcing her on the run. What are these strange new powers and how did she get them? Is it connected to her return from death?
It got off to a good start with the beginning of the investigation and the attack on Charlie and her informant. There was a nice mixture of action and Charlie trying to be a good mother and juggle a dangerous job. At this point I had high hopes for the book and for Charlie but things started to go downhill a bit in places. There were parts of the book which really dragged especially the middle part where Charlie was investigating the people who saved her life and hanging out at the club to investigate. I didn't find this greatly interesting and it was becoming a bit repetitive. I actually left the book for nearly two weeks before I went back to finish it. The book does pick up a bit in the last third as we go towards the finale and parts of it were interesting again but I could not face reading that middle section again for anything.
I loved Hank. He was certainly my favourite character. I liked Charlie's sister Bryn who was a bit underused for me. I also liked Charlie at the start with her juggling being a cop and a mother, and trying to get over the trauma of being killed and brought back from the dead. Charlie's death was caused by her ex-husband dabbling in dark magic so I was really annoyed with her for nearly falling into bed with him because she can't resist his touch. Oh please! Thanks for turning what seemed to be a smart and tough heroine into a pathetic whiny little women who melts at the mere touch of a man. Gag! Jeez Charlie he cheated on you, his lover murdered you and you can't resist him??? Stop being so damn spineless!!! As the book progresses Charlie becomes very annoying with that 'I can do everything myself and don't need help thank you very much' attitude which leads to her constantly needing to be rescued. That becomes repetitive and very frustrating and I wanted to give her a good shake. She becomes a royal pain in the butt, frankly, the longer the book goes on.
One thing I did like though was the ending. The resolution of the story was quite satisfying and overall I did like most of the characters. I also liked the fact that for once we had a male and female team working together without the need to jump into bed. That was good! The action scenes were well written and there were some really good ideas and well written characters. I have complained about a few things that didn't appeal to me but it is not a 'bad' book. It is not poorly written. It has a decent story.
Gah this book had potential but I feel it just didn't fully deliver. The author had several different threads running through it-the Ash investigation, Charlie's love life, Charlie's death. I felt there was so much emphasis on the last two that the investigation into the drug fell by the wayside by halfway through the book-and that was the bit I found the most interesting. The book was mainly about her death and who caused it and it did overshadow a decent drug plot. Yes it was important for Charlie to get answers about her death and new powers but it did drag on a bit too much for me. The whole love life ex husband thing just bored me. I feel this book would have been better if the plot was tightened a bit and lost some of the padding.
There was a decent story in there which was well enough written but the slow sections just switched me off at times. The best characters were there it seems to rescue Charlie, who went from kickass female to idiot as we progressed, which was disappointing. I did finish the book but I decided not to continue with the series.
Charlie works for the Integration task force along with partner Hank who is a siren and an alien, one of many aliens choosing to live a new life on Earth. Now they are tracking a deadly drug that is killing and maiming users and may have come from one of the two planets now linked to Earth. Charlie's informant is killed by strange ninjas and she summons an unknown power to kill them, causing a diplomatic incident and forcing her on the run. What are these strange new powers and how did she get them? Is it connected to her return from death?
It got off to a good start with the beginning of the investigation and the attack on Charlie and her informant. There was a nice mixture of action and Charlie trying to be a good mother and juggle a dangerous job. At this point I had high hopes for the book and for Charlie but things started to go downhill a bit in places. There were parts of the book which really dragged especially the middle part where Charlie was investigating the people who saved her life and hanging out at the club to investigate. I didn't find this greatly interesting and it was becoming a bit repetitive. I actually left the book for nearly two weeks before I went back to finish it. The book does pick up a bit in the last third as we go towards the finale and parts of it were interesting again but I could not face reading that middle section again for anything.
I loved Hank. He was certainly my favourite character. I liked Charlie's sister Bryn who was a bit underused for me. I also liked Charlie at the start with her juggling being a cop and a mother, and trying to get over the trauma of being killed and brought back from the dead. Charlie's death was caused by her ex-husband dabbling in dark magic so I was really annoyed with her for nearly falling into bed with him because she can't resist his touch. Oh please! Thanks for turning what seemed to be a smart and tough heroine into a pathetic whiny little women who melts at the mere touch of a man. Gag! Jeez Charlie he cheated on you, his lover murdered you and you can't resist him??? Stop being so damn spineless!!! As the book progresses Charlie becomes very annoying with that 'I can do everything myself and don't need help thank you very much' attitude which leads to her constantly needing to be rescued. That becomes repetitive and very frustrating and I wanted to give her a good shake. She becomes a royal pain in the butt, frankly, the longer the book goes on.
One thing I did like though was the ending. The resolution of the story was quite satisfying and overall I did like most of the characters. I also liked the fact that for once we had a male and female team working together without the need to jump into bed. That was good! The action scenes were well written and there were some really good ideas and well written characters. I have complained about a few things that didn't appeal to me but it is not a 'bad' book. It is not poorly written. It has a decent story.
Gah this book had potential but I feel it just didn't fully deliver. The author had several different threads running through it-the Ash investigation, Charlie's love life, Charlie's death. I felt there was so much emphasis on the last two that the investigation into the drug fell by the wayside by halfway through the book-and that was the bit I found the most interesting. The book was mainly about her death and who caused it and it did overshadow a decent drug plot. Yes it was important for Charlie to get answers about her death and new powers but it did drag on a bit too much for me. The whole love life ex husband thing just bored me. I feel this book would have been better if the plot was tightened a bit and lost some of the padding.
There was a decent story in there which was well enough written but the slow sections just switched me off at times. The best characters were there it seems to rescue Charlie, who went from kickass female to idiot as we progressed, which was disappointing. I did finish the book but I decided not to continue with the series.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
I never get bored of a kick-ass heroine in a paranormal/fantasy setting and this one did not disappoint. Enjoyed the fact that she is a single mother, something you rarely see in novels like this and an fun and interesting plot to go a long with it. Will definitely continue the series!
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
Plot:
It has been over 10 years since the big revelation, that there are two other dimensions, what we used to call heaven and hell. But things are not that easy and not everything is black and white. Charlie Madigan is a cop, and single mum. She works on a special task force together with her partner trying to keep the city clean because the off-worlders do not always play nice. She also died 8 months ago and something is wrong with her, but what? Someone is selling a bad drug to the people of Atlanta and she needs every help she can get to stop it.
My thoughts:
New favourite UF author :D Yes I really want to dive right into book 2 but will stop myself. I would just read it in a day in a crazy haze like I did with this one. It was just that good.
Charlie is one kick-ass woman, and kick-ass and UF is what I love. She is a tough cop, but she does have nightmares from her death, and she has a strange super strength. I was so very curious about what was up with her. She has a sexy partner (sadly no action there), an ex she has not forgiven and an itch to scratch. Sadly not a hint of romance, but ok I can deal with that, still I hope an interest comes along. There were some good maybes in this book, and I wonder if the author will go down one of those roads.
Good cast, her partner Hank, a siren, her sister Bryn who practices magic, her kid, some bad guys, aye the bad guys are always the best. they bring the tension, they are evil, and I liked one of them. not gonna tell who now ;)
There is magic, and all kinds of cool off-worlders, she kicks ass, and there is plenty of action. The book ends kind of nicely too. Now big cliffhanger that makes me scream in protest, but I do want to know what happens. Cos oh my the changes at the end! The next book will have a lot to deal with.
This book had me glued to it from start to finish. The punches kept on rolling and being as curious as I am I did not want to put it down. I needed to know what was up.
Final thoughts and recommendation.
Hell yeah, read it, this is one UF book you should have a look at. Excellent world building, great characters and a promise of such cool things to come. I would love to just start book 2 at once and just eat it up.
Reason for reading:
I did think it sounded good
Cover:
Is that a necklace she is wearing? Hm
It has been over 10 years since the big revelation, that there are two other dimensions, what we used to call heaven and hell. But things are not that easy and not everything is black and white. Charlie Madigan is a cop, and single mum. She works on a special task force together with her partner trying to keep the city clean because the off-worlders do not always play nice. She also died 8 months ago and something is wrong with her, but what? Someone is selling a bad drug to the people of Atlanta and she needs every help she can get to stop it.
My thoughts:
New favourite UF author :D Yes I really want to dive right into book 2 but will stop myself. I would just read it in a day in a crazy haze like I did with this one. It was just that good.
Charlie is one kick-ass woman, and kick-ass and UF is what I love. She is a tough cop, but she does have nightmares from her death, and she has a strange super strength. I was so very curious about what was up with her. She has a sexy partner (sadly no action there), an ex she has not forgiven and an itch to scratch. Sadly not a hint of romance, but ok I can deal with that, still I hope an interest comes along. There were some good maybes in this book, and I wonder if the author will go down one of those roads.
Good cast, her partner Hank, a siren, her sister Bryn who practices magic, her kid, some bad guys, aye the bad guys are always the best. they bring the tension, they are evil, and I liked one of them. not gonna tell who now ;)
There is magic, and all kinds of cool off-worlders, she kicks ass, and there is plenty of action. The book ends kind of nicely too. Now big cliffhanger that makes me scream in protest, but I do want to know what happens. Cos oh my the changes at the end! The next book will have a lot to deal with.
This book had me glued to it from start to finish. The punches kept on rolling and being as curious as I am I did not want to put it down. I needed to know what was up.
Final thoughts and recommendation.
Hell yeah, read it, this is one UF book you should have a look at. Excellent world building, great characters and a promise of such cool things to come. I would love to just start book 2 at once and just eat it up.
Reason for reading:
I did think it sounded good
Cover:
Is that a necklace she is wearing? Hm