Helpful Score: 6
I loved Carey's Kushiel series and I also read a lot of urban fantasy, so I was excited to see that Carey had tried her hand at an urban fantasy novel. This novel wasn't at all what I expected but I liked it quite a bit all the same.
Santa Olivia is a small area that is acting as a buffer zone between plague ridden Mexico and the United States. No one knows the town exists outside of the Army. The citizens of the town struggle to make it. This story tells a tale of two half-siblings; Tom and Loup. After their mother dies, Tom goes to live at the gym and train for the boxing matches that could be his ticket out of Santa Olivia. Loup is sent to live at the church with other orphans there. Loup is not quite human because of her genetically modified father and ensues on a series of semi-vigilante actions with the other orphans of the church.
This was a great story. The characters are interesting and engaging. The story compelling because you are constantly hoping that the characters will win the boxing matches and get their ticket out of this secret, rundown town. Loup is the most intriguing character because she does not fear (because of being not quite human). Carey does an excellent job of realistically dealing with the problems that come with being fearless when it comes into blending into society. All of the characters in (and out) out of the church are very well done and have interesting pasts.
I was also impressed that Carey did a great job at making such an isolated society realistic and reasonable. She does an excellent job showing how things are kept in check.
The story wasn't what I expected though. It was just different from most urban fantasy, much less action driven and more character driven. This ended up being okay and interesting...just unexpected. I also thought that Carey's writing style was a bit odd for this type of story. The profanity used by some of the characters came off as sounding a bit odd when paired with some of the more detailed descriptions or sensual scenes. It wasn't bad, it was just different. I think people who think this is some sort of super-hero like paranormal novel may be disappointed or at least taken by surprise...this book was just different from anything out there.
Overall I really liked the story and the characters. I hope that Carey does some additional stand-alone novels. The biggest problem with this book is that it may not appeal to the fans of her epic fantasy Kushiel series and it may be too different for the paranormal crowd...but if you are into both urban fantasy and Carey's previous works I would definitely give it a read.
Santa Olivia is a small area that is acting as a buffer zone between plague ridden Mexico and the United States. No one knows the town exists outside of the Army. The citizens of the town struggle to make it. This story tells a tale of two half-siblings; Tom and Loup. After their mother dies, Tom goes to live at the gym and train for the boxing matches that could be his ticket out of Santa Olivia. Loup is sent to live at the church with other orphans there. Loup is not quite human because of her genetically modified father and ensues on a series of semi-vigilante actions with the other orphans of the church.
This was a great story. The characters are interesting and engaging. The story compelling because you are constantly hoping that the characters will win the boxing matches and get their ticket out of this secret, rundown town. Loup is the most intriguing character because she does not fear (because of being not quite human). Carey does an excellent job of realistically dealing with the problems that come with being fearless when it comes into blending into society. All of the characters in (and out) out of the church are very well done and have interesting pasts.
I was also impressed that Carey did a great job at making such an isolated society realistic and reasonable. She does an excellent job showing how things are kept in check.
The story wasn't what I expected though. It was just different from most urban fantasy, much less action driven and more character driven. This ended up being okay and interesting...just unexpected. I also thought that Carey's writing style was a bit odd for this type of story. The profanity used by some of the characters came off as sounding a bit odd when paired with some of the more detailed descriptions or sensual scenes. It wasn't bad, it was just different. I think people who think this is some sort of super-hero like paranormal novel may be disappointed or at least taken by surprise...this book was just different from anything out there.
Overall I really liked the story and the characters. I hope that Carey does some additional stand-alone novels. The biggest problem with this book is that it may not appeal to the fans of her epic fantasy Kushiel series and it may be too different for the paranormal crowd...but if you are into both urban fantasy and Carey's previous works I would definitely give it a read.
Helpful Score: 5
When I first picked up this book, I was thinking that it was another version of a werewolf story. Not exactly, it is more of a sci-fi superhero story. In fact, parts of it reminded me of the tv show, "Dark Angel." In fact, if you look at the cover, her coat is made to look like a cape (and I do love the cover).
This book is such a great read. Even in the slower parts of the book, it builds tension as to what is coming next. You also have great characters in the book, all you either like right away or learn to like as the story goes on. And although there is some vigilante justice, there isn't that much in the book as perhaps you'd like, but it makes sense in the story. Plus, you really root for the Santitos (the orphan's nickname) because of why and how they chose to help the other unfortunate people in the outpost. It's just a fun ride and one that keeps going until the end. Unfortunately, it is the end why I could not give it 5 stars. It lost it's star because of the way it ends. It leaves way too many open questions. I couldn't find out if there was going to be another sequel or if this book is a stand alone. So, if it had given me, say 10 more chapters or guaranteed me a sequel (which I would certainly read), then it would regain it's last star.
I must also say that there is sexual content, some violence and a lot of cussing. So, I wouldn't recommend it to the very young set. Otherwise, I do recommend this book wholeheartedly! It is such a good read. I give it 4 stars!
This book is such a great read. Even in the slower parts of the book, it builds tension as to what is coming next. You also have great characters in the book, all you either like right away or learn to like as the story goes on. And although there is some vigilante justice, there isn't that much in the book as perhaps you'd like, but it makes sense in the story. Plus, you really root for the Santitos (the orphan's nickname) because of why and how they chose to help the other unfortunate people in the outpost. It's just a fun ride and one that keeps going until the end. Unfortunately, it is the end why I could not give it 5 stars. It lost it's star because of the way it ends. It leaves way too many open questions. I couldn't find out if there was going to be another sequel or if this book is a stand alone. So, if it had given me, say 10 more chapters or guaranteed me a sequel (which I would certainly read), then it would regain it's last star.
I must also say that there is sexual content, some violence and a lot of cussing. So, I wouldn't recommend it to the very young set. Otherwise, I do recommend this book wholeheartedly! It is such a good read. I give it 4 stars!
Helpful Score: 5
It may be that Jacqueline Carey will never recapture the magic she created in Terre d'Ange, but for once I agree wholeheartedly with one of the quotes on the book jacket. "At the novel's heart is the kind of grace Carey is known for: an illumination of the strength that lies hidden inside all of us." (Eric Van Lustbader) Loup is a fabulous character, and the way Carey keeps the perspective focused on her allows the reader to see the subtle changes her fearlessness creates in those around her despite Loup not understanding them herself.
At times, this books is basically an extended boxing training montage, and the ending was a little too conventionally neat and tidy...but I still really enjoyed this book. It was fluff, but very entertaining fluff. It's not at all what I expected, but I would definitely recommend it.
Helpful Score: 2
I agree with most of the reviewers - a lot more about boxing than I thought, and a lot less vigilantism that the back cover suggested. Loup is a fascinating main character, and Carey made her world feel pretty real. I had trouble figuring out how large a "town" Santa Olivia is. Sometimes it felt too small, sometimes it felt like there had to be more going on than the reader was told about.
The story ended abruptly - I was almost afraid about thirty pages from the end that there would just be an untidy cliff-hanger. Luckily, Carey wrapped the story up, but really left me wanting more. I think another few chapters, or a second novel, would give this book the completion it needs. It's NOT fantasy, but it IS paranormal or science fiction, but mostly it feels like a novel with extraordinary events.
The story ended abruptly - I was almost afraid about thirty pages from the end that there would just be an untidy cliff-hanger. Luckily, Carey wrapped the story up, but really left me wanting more. I think another few chapters, or a second novel, would give this book the completion it needs. It's NOT fantasy, but it IS paranormal or science fiction, but mostly it feels like a novel with extraordinary events.
Helpful Score: 2
What a delightful book! Loup, the daughter of an escaped genetic experiment, grows up in the small town of Santa Olivia in a militarized buffer zone between the US and Mexico. I really loved how this book focused on Loup building her own chosen family and how they bring hope, intentionally or not, to their oppressed community.
Helpful Score: 1
Another awesome novel from Carey and one in a completely different style than her fantasy novels. Hard to put down!
Helpful Score: 1
This book took forever to get interesting. I almost put it down in disgust...twice. Though I'm glad I persevered since it turned out to be a good story though it got rather boring with all the boxing training first with Tommy and then with Loup. As a rule I don't enjoy dystopian novels but this one was ok eventually once the action kicked up a notch.
There was some kind of virus that originated in Mexico and everyone who could fled across the border into Texas. The US military built a 50 square mile wall surrounding the area to keep them out and to keep the inflicted in. The main sport (recreation) was boxing with the prize of escape if anyone actually beat the champion...which of course no one ever did as the matches were fixed. The first half of the book is boring as it tells of Loup and Tommy's mother and her life. The second half relates Tommy and Loup's story which is much more interesting. It ended well enough that I will definitely read the second book in the series.
There was some kind of virus that originated in Mexico and everyone who could fled across the border into Texas. The US military built a 50 square mile wall surrounding the area to keep them out and to keep the inflicted in. The main sport (recreation) was boxing with the prize of escape if anyone actually beat the champion...which of course no one ever did as the matches were fixed. The first half of the book is boring as it tells of Loup and Tommy's mother and her life. The second half relates Tommy and Loup's story which is much more interesting. It ended well enough that I will definitely read the second book in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm not into boxing. And when I picked this up, I thought it was going to be a boxing book. While the sport does feature heavily in it, J. Carey does a masterful job once again of building a story the uses boxing as just one of hte vehicles for moving the tale foward.
The characters are like none of her other work; nitty gritty, uneducated, guided by gut and little else.
This is a great tale about a city kept in limbo by some government soemwhere on the US-Mexico border. And also about one near-human woman's attempt to learn about herself. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The characters are like none of her other work; nitty gritty, uneducated, guided by gut and little else.
This is a great tale about a city kept in limbo by some government soemwhere on the US-Mexico border. And also about one near-human woman's attempt to learn about herself. Thoroughly enjoyable.
