I didn't read the Hunting Ground review since I am reading it right now. But: you were disappointed in it?! OK I've been thinking: Is it just me? Am I in the wrong mood? PMS? But something bugs me. The writing is EXCELLENT but something feels repetitious and I CAN'T put my finger on what. I have to ponder as I keep reading. I may decide that it IS me. Still processing.
We're talking about HUNTING GROUND, right? It's not just you. When you finish, read my review as well as the comments. Others agree. I don't want to say more because I don't want to influence your reading. And while technically speaking, Briggs's ability to put a sentence together is fine (though I'm never, ever, EVER comfortable in Charles's POV), I wouldn't say the writing (which encompasses characterization, setting, world-building, plot, AND technique) is good on the whole. :) You may disagree, which will be fun! :)
This is definitely one of those books NOT to be judged by the cover. I hate it too, but I had faith in the author, and it's well placed. If it'll make you feel better (honestly, this helped me as stupid as it'll sound), go to Amazon and look up the second book, DARKER ANGELS, and you'll find a much prettier cover to look at. :)
Your enthusiasm made me smile - I love it when we get a book we can be passionate about.
I reviewed this back in Feb for genrereviews (can't find the review there but I have it here) and thought it was decent. It's flaws got in the way too much for me.
I hear you about the cover though. Also, this kind of cover - back shot of chick in leather with knives - is starting to get common. I saw some others with essentially the same cover (different illustration) in the Fantasy section recently.
Thanks for the link! That's a fair review and I see where you're coming from. I know I was personally refreshed by the fact that the plot came from the characters instead of the other way around (for the most part), because so much of urban fantasy is reacting to stuff that happens, you know? And it's nice that Jayne is oblivious to Ex, because otherwise her thoughts would be consumed over which guy to choose, and that is also tiring. For me, anyway. :)
Protagonists who are really protagonists - you'd think that'd be more popular!
I agree about Jayne and Ex - unrequited love always makes me sympathetic for them though, so I rather liked Ex for that reason. (I can remember him, but I can't remember the married guy!)
So I picked this book after reading the non-spoilery section of your review. I had also just read Hunting Ground and had very similar views to yours about the book
( ... )
Continued from above because I was blathering too much.
Especially when I read a standalone novel so close to a series as happened here (I just finished A Certain Slant of Light before I read Unclean Spirits). Both forms have pros and cons but now that I have started thinking about it I am not sure which I prefer.
Sorry that sort of petered out into nothing substantial but it was just what finishing Unclean Spirits made me think about.
I really enjoyed A Certain Slant of Light - once I had finished it - it is beautifully written but I had a few issues with pacing. It was worth sticking through because the ending made up for this. (As always I would be very interested to read your review).
I know this is an old review, but I'm going through urbanfantasyfan, looking for books to read. I saw this book at the store but was kind of reluctant to buy it. The reason is that the heroine knew nothing of the life her uncle was leading and after his death, she has to become part of it. That's fine. I just want to know how long does it take her to realize that there is that kind of life out there and how long does it take her to accept it? I like reading books where the heroine right off the bat knows what's going on and doesn't get into this whole denial thing almost all the way up till the end.
Well, I don't recall it taking too awful long, but she doesn't start out KNOWING everything either. It's a good enough voice and writing that I think you'll be fine if you pick it up. :)
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I reviewed this back in Feb for genrereviews (can't find the review there but I have it here) and thought it was decent. It's flaws got in the way too much for me.
I hear you about the cover though. Also, this kind of cover - back shot of chick in leather with knives - is starting to get common. I saw some others with essentially the same cover (different illustration) in the Fantasy section recently.
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I agree about Jayne and Ex - unrequited love always makes me sympathetic for them though, so I rather liked Ex for that reason. (I can remember him, but I can't remember the married guy!)
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Especially when I read a standalone novel so close to a series as happened here (I just finished A Certain Slant of Light before I read Unclean Spirits). Both forms have pros and cons but now that I have started thinking about it I am not sure which I prefer.
Sorry that sort of petered out into nothing substantial but it was just what finishing Unclean Spirits made me think about.
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I really enjoyed A Certain Slant of Light - once I had finished it - it is beautifully written but I had a few issues with pacing. It was worth sticking through because the ending made up for this. (As always I would be very interested to read your review).
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I know this is an old review, but I'm going through urbanfantasyfan, looking for books to read. I saw this book at the store but was kind of reluctant to buy it. The reason is that the heroine knew nothing of the life her uncle was leading and after his death, she has to become part of it. That's fine. I just want to know how long does it take her to realize that there is that kind of life out there and how long does it take her to accept it? I like reading books where the heroine right off the bat knows what's going on and doesn't get into this whole denial thing almost all the way up till the end.
Thank you!
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