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kk7's review against another edition
5.0
This book was great. It had magic that was interesting but also had its limitations, it had cool shifters, vampires, ex-lovers, new possible lovers and good action/mystery. I loved the darker, grittier feel. It was a stand out book to me, grabbing the next one immediately.
vividlygray's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful novel for those of us with a taste of the sub-genre of the preternatural world that has been formed. I believe that this novel is up to par with such other preternatural authors such as Laurel K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, and Charlaine Harris. Dakota Frost is a dynamic heroine with attitude. Her tattoos are enchanted and she wields them with alacrity in an alternate Atlanta. When a serial killer begins stalking Atlanta's tattooed elite, the police and the Feds seek Dakota's help. She's a bad ass heroine who isn't too badass to bounce back from the ass-kicking of her life.
jesslynh's review
4.0
This book was just as good the 2nd (maybe 3rd) time around
Kindle Hightlights:
I loved this book and really, really hope the author keeps it up.
Kindle Highlights:
“We’re all one big happy vampire family, respecting each other’s beliefs, and even managing to pretend Doug’s whing-whang isn’t hanging out.
Note: ROLF!
“It’s not just hazardous. Death by Vespa would be downright embarrassing.”
Note: Snicker
And her bloody mouth was sewn shut with silver
Note: Note: This dude is seriously psycho!
The Dragon, on the other hand, my masterwork . . . will take more time.
Note: Better keep your promise Mr. Francis!
Kindle Hightlights:
I loved this book and really, really hope the author keeps it up.
Kindle Highlights:
“We’re all one big happy vampire family, respecting each other’s beliefs, and even managing to pretend Doug’s whing-whang isn’t hanging out.
Note: ROLF!
“It’s not just hazardous. Death by Vespa would be downright embarrassing.”
Note: Snicker
And her bloody mouth was sewn shut with silver
Note: Note: This dude is seriously psycho!
The Dragon, on the other hand, my masterwork . . . will take more time.
Note: Better keep your promise Mr. Francis!
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
1.0
I got about half-way before I decided I couldn't read any more. At first I thought I'd really like the book, there was a hint of the early Anita Blake books about it. Tough chick helps police solve supernatural crimes style.
In reality I didn't like any of the characters. I often find men writing a female first person narrator unconvincing and this is no exception. Dakota reads like a man at times, she irritates me by saying every man she meets is hot but giving no real reasoning behind that opinion. Maybe a cursory description but no gut emotion behind it. Then it turns out she's got an ex-girlfriend. Hrm, I'm not convinced at all.
Then there's the attempt to fit in some S&M so it kind of feels like it's being written to a familiar template. Sorry, this one wasn't for me.
In reality I didn't like any of the characters. I often find men writing a female first person narrator unconvincing and this is no exception. Dakota reads like a man at times, she irritates me by saying every man she meets is hot but giving no real reasoning behind that opinion. Maybe a cursory description but no gut emotion behind it. Then it turns out she's got an ex-girlfriend. Hrm, I'm not convinced at all.
Then there's the attempt to fit in some S&M so it kind of feels like it's being written to a familiar template. Sorry, this one wasn't for me.
bibliocat08's review against another edition
2.0
I just couldn't get into this book so it is hardly fair that I am counting it as read. I tried, it just didn't do anything for me and I'm not even sure that I can pinpoint what the issue was.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
Technically(if one should need a technicality and genre label), this could be called a paranormal amateur sleuth mystery since Dakota Frost is a tattoo artist who gets pulled into the mystery. But mostly what this is, in actuality, is a kickass Urban Fantasy.
I am so glad that this is the beginning of a series. It took me a bit to get comfortable reading it in the beginning, the story felt a little rough around the edges. Once I got past page 20 or so, I was right at home with Dakota Frost and her urban fantasy world of vampires and were-kin and, best of all, magick filled tattoos. That’s what Dakota does, she creates tattoos, most of the magick-filled in the tattoo palace, The Rogue Unicorn. She’s tattooed her own and what I wouldn’t give to see the flowers, butterflies and especially the dragon that moves and reacts to stimuli.
Dakota is brought into a police investigation of a serial killer whose targeted victims have magical tattoos. She also has been hired to ink a specific magical tattoo on a werewolf who wants more control at the full moon. Both of these events soon yank her all the way into a murky world of human and the Edgeworld of paranormal creatures.
She meets up with police investigators, a ‘man in black’ Fed who work for the Department of Extraordinary Investigations, and has to deal with her ex, now the Queen of Little Five Points Vampires and working for the Vampire Consulate of Little Five Points. There is also the werewolf who needs her help, and possibly her companionship, to work the tattoo that will perhaps help him control his beast side.
There are so many possibilities of who could be the serial killer, but not irritatingly so. No, it was suspenseful each time a possibility showed up.
This is a SUPERB Urban Fantasy/paranormal amateur sleuth start of a series!!
MORE SOONEST, PLEASE sparkly diamonds!!!
I am so glad that this is the beginning of a series. It took me a bit to get comfortable reading it in the beginning, the story felt a little rough around the edges. Once I got past page 20 or so, I was right at home with Dakota Frost and her urban fantasy world of vampires and were-kin and, best of all, magick filled tattoos. That’s what Dakota does, she creates tattoos, most of the magick-filled in the tattoo palace, The Rogue Unicorn. She’s tattooed her own and what I wouldn’t give to see the flowers, butterflies and especially the dragon that moves and reacts to stimuli.
Dakota is brought into a police investigation of a serial killer whose targeted victims have magical tattoos. She also has been hired to ink a specific magical tattoo on a werewolf who wants more control at the full moon. Both of these events soon yank her all the way into a murky world of human and the Edgeworld of paranormal creatures.
She meets up with police investigators, a ‘man in black’ Fed who work for the Department of Extraordinary Investigations, and has to deal with her ex, now the Queen of Little Five Points Vampires and working for the Vampire Consulate of Little Five Points. There is also the werewolf who needs her help, and possibly her companionship, to work the tattoo that will perhaps help him control his beast side.
There are so many possibilities of who could be the serial killer, but not irritatingly so. No, it was suspenseful each time a possibility showed up.
This is a SUPERB Urban Fantasy/paranormal amateur sleuth start of a series!!
MORE SOONEST, PLEASE sparkly diamonds!!!
mermaid42's review against another edition
1.0
Really badly written characters. So many plot contrivances. Objectification of the main character and all the guys wanted her. So many icky things, especially in relation to the 13 year old that's involved in the book. Gratuitous violence and the threat of sexual assault.
paradoxically's review against another edition
4.0
This book is... interesting.
The main character, Dakota, is tall, has a mohawk, and inks magical tattoos. Sounds interesting, yes? Well, it is, for the most part. Several stereotypes just leap out at me (I was a bit 'meh' about Dakota's characterization when I started reading, but I liked it much more as I went on), while other things in the book are wholly surprising and kind of ridiculous, like the author attempted to break the stereotypes the genre has, but did it in such a manner that made me laugh and go, "Really now?" The first vampire scene is a prime example of this. It was surprising, but more than that, it was absolutely ridiculous. I'm still wavering between "that is hilarious" and "that is kind of stupid".
But that was my initial impression (I like starting reviews when I first think of something to say because first impressions are important). However, once the book starts moving, once the plot starts to really heat up, everything becomes very good. The author just seems to mellow out just the slightest bit and the plot races along, the pace is fast, and everything is very nicely done. The book is engaging and there are actually consequences to Dakota's actions--she doesn't just magically bounce back from whatever spot of trouble she gets herself into; she is affected by things, she gets traumatized by events, and she just seemed so much more real to me as I read further along.
The other characters are varied and are more or less fleshed out. Some of them were one dimensional, but a few others were fascinating in their own right (I do wish that they were more fleshed out overall, though). I like the fact that the main character has friends (more than one, even!) and is a nice person all around. She's not super competent, she can't really fight, but she's tough in her own way that was a joy to see.
The book is not perfect (the beginning for example) and a few things had me rolling my eyes (mainly scenes involving the vampires, then the meeting with a bunch of werewolves). They were fairly typical or over the top in a bad way. And of course there is this waifish orphan that hangs around the main character--but, well, I warmed up to the girl fairly quickly, so I suppose that's a vote in her favor.
A rocky beginning, but if you stick it out, you'll probably find yourself enjoying this book. I'd give it 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. I look forward to reading the next one.
The main character, Dakota, is tall, has a mohawk, and inks magical tattoos. Sounds interesting, yes? Well, it is, for the most part. Several stereotypes just leap out at me (I was a bit 'meh' about Dakota's characterization when I started reading, but I liked it much more as I went on), while other things in the book are wholly surprising and kind of ridiculous, like the author attempted to break the stereotypes the genre has, but did it in such a manner that made me laugh and go, "Really now?" The first vampire scene is a prime example of this. It was surprising, but more than that, it was absolutely ridiculous. I'm still wavering between "that is hilarious" and "that is kind of stupid".
But that was my initial impression (I like starting reviews when I first think of something to say because first impressions are important). However, once the book starts moving, once the plot starts to really heat up, everything becomes very good. The author just seems to mellow out just the slightest bit and the plot races along, the pace is fast, and everything is very nicely done. The book is engaging and there are actually consequences to Dakota's actions--she doesn't just magically bounce back from whatever spot of trouble she gets herself into; she is affected by things, she gets traumatized by events, and she just seemed so much more real to me as I read further along.
The other characters are varied and are more or less fleshed out. Some of them were one dimensional, but a few others were fascinating in their own right (I do wish that they were more fleshed out overall, though). I like the fact that the main character has friends (more than one, even!) and is a nice person all around. She's not super competent, she can't really fight, but she's tough in her own way that was a joy to see.
The book is not perfect (the beginning for example) and a few things had me rolling my eyes (mainly scenes involving the vampires, then the meeting with a bunch of werewolves). They were fairly typical or over the top in a bad way. And of course there is this waifish orphan that hangs around the main character--but, well, I warmed up to the girl fairly quickly, so I suppose that's a vote in her favor.
A rocky beginning, but if you stick it out, you'll probably find yourself enjoying this book. I'd give it 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. I look forward to reading the next one.