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A review by dawn_marie
Midlife Demon Hunter: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel by Shannon Mayer
2.0
While Midlife Demon Hunter, the third volume in Shannon Mayer’s Forty Proof series included some of the entertaining elements from the first two volumes, I found this title to be a bit lackluster.
The plot was messy and disjointed. As in previous installments, there was the “case” (hide the goblin’s paperwork) that served as the novel’s “A” plot. While Bree worked that case, she picked up additional clues/information regarding the supernatural power structure in Savannah, the shadow elements looking to take over the city, and the deaths of her parents and grandmother. Elements of the main plot/case made little sense, almost as if they were put into the story because . . . . reasons? Everything goblin related was dull, fortunately the background plot lines were interesting enough to keep me somewhat engaged in the story.
Can we please just stop with the Crash-Bree-Corb drama? How many times are we going to go through the cycle of: I can’t trust him. But he’s hot and I really want to jump his bones. I think he likes me so it’s okay if we make-out like a couple of randy teenagers. Oh noes, he lied to me and now I can’t trust him. But he’s nice to me so let’s make-out. But he didn’t tell me this secret, so he’s not trustworthy. But he’s really hot. Rinse and repeat ad infinitum. It is becoming tedious. Sure, I understand that people (supernatural or otherwise) are complex beings and the relationships of all kinds (work, family, friends, lovers) are complicated, and of course there needs to be tension to keep the story engaging . . . but please, for goodness sake, find a different way/different types of tension rather than the same old tired cycle.
For a smart, no-nonsense woman – Bree makes some really stupid decisions. Really? Has she never heard the sentiment “Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me”? How many times is she going to “fall” for one of Corb’s lies or Crash’s mind-games? At some point you’d think she’d overrule her lust/hormones and take a moment to think things through.
At this point, the only man that seems to genuinely care for Bree as a person is Robert. Sad, sweet, lovely Robert.
Also, can people stop keeping secrets when there is no good reason for keeping the secret? It’s one thing when Corb (or anyone else) is spelled and physically is unable to tell Bree something; it is another thing when he (or anyone else) purposefully keeps useful, and potential lifesaving information from Bree. This also goes for Bree not telling others what she’s learned or what she’s doing. Bree, girl – you finally found a tribe of your own that loves and accepts you . . . don’t shut them out.
I did not like the fact that Feish, Suzy, and Eric were mostly sidelined this volume . . . they had little to do and less personality than in previous installments, serving as mere plot devices this installment.
Bridgette, while seemingly sweet, wasn’t really necessary. Especially if Bree . . . oh, I don’t know . . . .asked someone about goblins and goblin paperwork.
I did like seeing the council and it’s various members; and it was nice to have confirmation that the Hallows Group really is fraudulent.
What was the purpose of making Annie (the tarot reader) a member of the O’Sean family? So that Corb can reveal he once again is keeping secrets from Bree – with the secret being that he works for the enforcement arm of the council?
While I wasn’t not particularly fond of this installment, there were elements that I did enjoy. Ms. Mayer’s narrative dropped enough clues/bread crumbs to keep my interest and continue with the series.
The plot was messy and disjointed. As in previous installments, there was the “case” (hide the goblin’s paperwork) that served as the novel’s “A” plot. While Bree worked that case, she picked up additional clues/information regarding the supernatural power structure in Savannah, the shadow elements looking to take over the city, and the deaths of her parents and grandmother. Elements of the main plot/case made little sense, almost as if they were put into the story because . . . . reasons? Everything goblin related was dull, fortunately the background plot lines were interesting enough to keep me somewhat engaged in the story.
Spoiler
I really want to learn what kind of magical being Bree is and what her powers are as well as learning who killed her parents and grandmother and why the demon stole gran’s ghost. The set up for those storylines seem promising.Can we please just stop with the Crash-Bree-Corb drama? How many times are we going to go through the cycle of: I can’t trust him. But he’s hot and I really want to jump his bones. I think he likes me so it’s okay if we make-out like a couple of randy teenagers. Oh noes, he lied to me and now I can’t trust him. But he’s nice to me so let’s make-out. But he didn’t tell me this secret, so he’s not trustworthy. But he’s really hot. Rinse and repeat ad infinitum. It is becoming tedious. Sure, I understand that people (supernatural or otherwise) are complex beings and the relationships of all kinds (work, family, friends, lovers) are complicated, and of course there needs to be tension to keep the story engaging . . . but please, for goodness sake, find a different way/different types of tension rather than the same old tired cycle.
For a smart, no-nonsense woman – Bree makes some really stupid decisions. Really? Has she never heard the sentiment “Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me”? How many times is she going to “fall” for one of Corb’s lies or Crash’s mind-games? At some point you’d think she’d overrule her lust/hormones and take a moment to think things through.
At this point, the only man that seems to genuinely care for Bree as a person is Robert. Sad, sweet, lovely Robert.
Also, can people stop keeping secrets when there is no good reason for keeping the secret? It’s one thing when Corb (or anyone else) is spelled and physically is unable to tell Bree something; it is another thing when he (or anyone else) purposefully keeps useful, and potential lifesaving information from Bree. This also goes for Bree not telling others what she’s learned or what she’s doing. Bree, girl – you finally found a tribe of your own that loves and accepts you . . . don’t shut them out.
Spoiler
While Alan, who has always been portrayed as an abrasive, obnoxious lout, it was dialed up to eleven this time. Maybe being dead amplifies your personality traits – so the lout become extra lout-ish when dead? Or perhaps it is just that we are seeing him through Bree’s perspective, and now that she has some self-confidence and is out from under his control, she has the strength to see him as he really is? Either way – those sections were monotonous.I did not like the fact that Feish, Suzy, and Eric were mostly sidelined this volume . . . they had little to do and less personality than in previous installments, serving as mere plot devices this installment.
Bridgette, while seemingly sweet, wasn’t really necessary. Especially if Bree . . . oh, I don’t know . . . .asked someone about goblins and goblin paperwork.
I did like seeing the council and it’s various members; and it was nice to have confirmation that the Hallows Group really is fraudulent.
What was the purpose of making Annie (the tarot reader) a member of the O’Sean family? So that Corb can reveal he once again is keeping secrets from Bree – with the secret being that he works for the enforcement arm of the council?
While I wasn’t not particularly fond of this installment, there were elements that I did enjoy. Ms. Mayer’s narrative dropped enough clues/bread crumbs to keep my interest and continue with the series.