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A review by laurenjodi
Curse on the Land by Faith Hunter
4.0
Curse on the Land
4 Stars
Now a fully fledged PsyLED agent, Nell Ingram returns home to discover a malevolent sickness in her woods. Before she can determine its scope, Nell is called in to help investigate a strange paranormal contagion infecting first wildlife and then humans.
Although this second installment is enjoyable with several intriguing revelations and some solid character development, the writing is distractingly repetitious and the mystery is confusing.
The police procedural plot is poorly paced with long, overly convoluted and bizarre descriptions of magical technobabble and villains with competing agendas. Fortunately, the ongoing characterization makes it easier to wade through the flotsam.
Nell is a wonderful heroine whose ability to "read the earth" is original and intriguing. Nell is gaining in confidence as she emerges from the isolation of her rigid church upbringing, and the fact that she is able to use the lessons of her childhood and her "church mannerisms" to aid in her investigations is an extra bonus.
The real highlights of the book include the hints at a romance between Nell and Occam, who are so cute as they pussyfoot around one another, as well as the surprising truths behind Rick and Paca's relationship. While it is good to finally have some closure in this regard, one issue that grates is Hunter's tendency toward making excuses for Rick's prior actions in an attempt to rehabilitate his character. It would have been better if he had taken responsibility for the situation that his own ego created.
In sum, although Curse on the Land is not as tightly written as the Jane Yellowrock books, there is incredible potential in the ongoing storylines and the engaging characters. Hopefully, Hunter will soon get into her groove with this spin-off.
4 Stars
Now a fully fledged PsyLED agent, Nell Ingram returns home to discover a malevolent sickness in her woods. Before she can determine its scope, Nell is called in to help investigate a strange paranormal contagion infecting first wildlife and then humans.
Although this second installment is enjoyable with several intriguing revelations and some solid character development, the writing is distractingly repetitious and the mystery is confusing.
The police procedural plot is poorly paced with long, overly convoluted and bizarre descriptions of magical technobabble and villains with competing agendas. Fortunately, the ongoing characterization makes it easier to wade through the flotsam.
Nell is a wonderful heroine whose ability to "read the earth" is original and intriguing. Nell is gaining in confidence as she emerges from the isolation of her rigid church upbringing, and the fact that she is able to use the lessons of her childhood and her "church mannerisms" to aid in her investigations is an extra bonus.
The real highlights of the book include the hints at a romance between Nell and Occam, who are so cute as they pussyfoot around one another, as well as the surprising truths behind Rick and Paca's relationship. While it is good to finally have some closure in this regard, one issue that grates is Hunter's tendency toward making excuses for Rick's prior actions in an attempt to rehabilitate his character. It would have been better if he had taken responsibility for the situation that his own ego created.
In sum, although Curse on the Land is not as tightly written as the Jane Yellowrock books, there is incredible potential in the ongoing storylines and the engaging characters. Hopefully, Hunter will soon get into her groove with this spin-off.