Helpful Score: 12
The characters:
Janet, Mick, Coyote, and the cop Nash Jones
The story:
Janet Begay, a half Navajo Stormwalker, can call the power of any storm and manipulate it to her liking. The Navajo and Stormwalker side of her is from her father. Her mother, an evil Goddess in a place called the Beneath, wants Janet to join with her so they can rule the Beneath AND with their combined powers, take over the world.
Janet not only has the physical struggles against the evil that has been unleashed by her mother but she also has to struggle internally with the insecurities of being only half Navajo and the daughter of an evil, power crazy Goddess.
Adding to her internal struggles, Janet does not know whom to trust. There is Mick her on again off again, super hot boyfriend who performs disappearing acts at all the wrong moments. Then there is the sarcastic, witty Coyote God, appropriately named "Coyote", the town cop named Nash Jones who seems to have a vendetta against Janet or the super hilarious Magic Mirror with a wisecracking mouth that will make you laugh non-stop.
Lost In The World:
The descriptions of the hotel, the desert, the small diner, even the railroad tracks made the setting so realistic. The author does a great job of making the reader feel like you are there.
Will I read the next book in the series?
Not only will I read it, I'll probably pre-order it. I really liked the book and especially how strong minded but vulnerable Janet was. I loved the relationship between Janet and Mick. The book had all the elements I love, it was scary and surprising, it had romance (and hot sex) and it had paranormal elements that were perfectly woven into the story line making it seem so realistic.
Janet, Mick, Coyote, and the cop Nash Jones
The story:
Janet Begay, a half Navajo Stormwalker, can call the power of any storm and manipulate it to her liking. The Navajo and Stormwalker side of her is from her father. Her mother, an evil Goddess in a place called the Beneath, wants Janet to join with her so they can rule the Beneath AND with their combined powers, take over the world.
Janet not only has the physical struggles against the evil that has been unleashed by her mother but she also has to struggle internally with the insecurities of being only half Navajo and the daughter of an evil, power crazy Goddess.
Adding to her internal struggles, Janet does not know whom to trust. There is Mick her on again off again, super hot boyfriend who performs disappearing acts at all the wrong moments. Then there is the sarcastic, witty Coyote God, appropriately named "Coyote", the town cop named Nash Jones who seems to have a vendetta against Janet or the super hilarious Magic Mirror with a wisecracking mouth that will make you laugh non-stop.
Lost In The World:
The descriptions of the hotel, the desert, the small diner, even the railroad tracks made the setting so realistic. The author does a great job of making the reader feel like you are there.
Will I read the next book in the series?
Not only will I read it, I'll probably pre-order it. I really liked the book and especially how strong minded but vulnerable Janet was. I loved the relationship between Janet and Mick. The book had all the elements I love, it was scary and surprising, it had romance (and hot sex) and it had paranormal elements that were perfectly woven into the story line making it seem so realistic.
Helpful Score: 10
Everyone has already written such lovely reviews that it's hard to come up with something original to say. I will start by admitting that I'm not a fan of Allyson James' other works. I picked up Stormwalker based on the fabulous reviews on PaperbackSwap and belatedly realized that the author was responsible for one of my least favorite paranormal romances ever! Dragon Heat was so bad I never finished it and returned it asap to the Borders from which I purchased it, profusely apologizing to the staff that I simply never return books but had to get this one out of my sight. With that bad experience in mind I reluctantly made a bet with myself that I would give Stormwalker a few chapters to convince me not to take it back. I expected some very bad writing but was very much pleasantly surprised!
I don't know if Dragon Heat was a fluke or if the author's writing has evolved into something that I like or what, but the other reviewers are right in saying that the plot of Stormwalker is very engaging and readable, the characters diverse and intriguing, and the world different enough to stand out from other paranormal books saturating the market. I will definitely pick up the sequel, Firewalker, in November. The story has plenty of romance and some sex, but it could easily be marketed as a straight fantasy. The character dynamics make you more intrigued with their byplay and less with who ends up with whom.
Meanwhile I'm going to have to see about possibly giving the author's Dragon Series another chance . . .
I don't know if Dragon Heat was a fluke or if the author's writing has evolved into something that I like or what, but the other reviewers are right in saying that the plot of Stormwalker is very engaging and readable, the characters diverse and intriguing, and the world different enough to stand out from other paranormal books saturating the market. I will definitely pick up the sequel, Firewalker, in November. The story has plenty of romance and some sex, but it could easily be marketed as a straight fantasy. The character dynamics make you more intrigued with their byplay and less with who ends up with whom.
Meanwhile I'm going to have to see about possibly giving the author's Dragon Series another chance . . .
Helpful Score: 4
Great read-action paranormal. It's a Coyote story, of course I loved it! But beyond that, it's beautifully written. The plot is page turning and the setting is warmly evocative of the Southwest areas near the Navajo Reservation. The characters are rich and sometimes quirky. You've got to love the magic mirror with lust on it's mind, Sheriff Nash who is so rigidly determined to remain an unbeliever, and of course there's Coyote...
The heroine has issues that make 'Mommy, Dearest' look like the Waltons. Her mother is an evil Goddess from Beneath [don't worry if you don't know anything about the myths, legends, and religious beliefs of the Southwest - the author does a fantastic job of providing the information without sounding like you're reading from the Cliff Notes] who wants out into our world. To accomplish this, she takes over young women who move too close to the vortexes and send them out to find a sperm donor for the purpose of creating a child she will then control. So far only one child has been successfully born [that we are aware of] - our heroine, Janet, who has no intention of being controlled.
The hero is Mick who has many secrets, secrets that upset the heroine's world when she finally learns them...
The are several subplots in addition to Janet vs the Goddess - Janet is looking for a missing girl, a dead body shows up in her basement, and she's renovating the shell of an old hotel to open as a business. I really enjoyed it and have the sequel on pre-order.
FYI 'A Little Night Magic' concerns Jamison Kee and Coyote - good story though it's not important to read it first.
Stormwalker
A Little Night Magic (2009) (in Hot for the Holidays)
1. Stormwalker (2010)
2. Firewalker (2010)
The heroine has issues that make 'Mommy, Dearest' look like the Waltons. Her mother is an evil Goddess from Beneath [don't worry if you don't know anything about the myths, legends, and religious beliefs of the Southwest - the author does a fantastic job of providing the information without sounding like you're reading from the Cliff Notes] who wants out into our world. To accomplish this, she takes over young women who move too close to the vortexes and send them out to find a sperm donor for the purpose of creating a child she will then control. So far only one child has been successfully born [that we are aware of] - our heroine, Janet, who has no intention of being controlled.
The hero is Mick who has many secrets, secrets that upset the heroine's world when she finally learns them...
The are several subplots in addition to Janet vs the Goddess - Janet is looking for a missing girl, a dead body shows up in her basement, and she's renovating the shell of an old hotel to open as a business. I really enjoyed it and have the sequel on pre-order.
FYI 'A Little Night Magic' concerns Jamison Kee and Coyote - good story though it's not important to read it first.
Stormwalker
A Little Night Magic (2009) (in Hot for the Holidays)
1. Stormwalker (2010)
2. Firewalker (2010)
Helpful Score: 4
Stormwalker has been 1 of my Top 10 of 2010!!! i loved this very cool, very new way of Urban Fantasy!!! Janet a stormwalker, is kick ass, high energy, tryin 2 do the "right" thing. Her bf Mick is some 'unknown' kind of kick asser. and the cop Nash is pretty funny too. Coyote is a trip, but def. needed in the story. They all come 2gether 2 defeat her crazy Mom, in the ground basically. A whole nother world that wants Janet and her powers in a Bad way!! The closer Janet gets 2 her mom and the portals, the more she endures the evil lurking and things that go bump in the night. Watching Janet & Mick evolve was great. They have great bedroom stuff!!! very very envious. & Nash being part of the 'nonbeliever' becomes a believer, and not too happy bout it. Loved loved loved this book!!! Cannot wait til Firewalker comes out, which is about Mick n his big dark secrets. YAY! U will not be disappointed by this crazy world, that's right under our noses!! 5 *s
Helpful Score: 1
I have read her other series the immortals which she uses her name Jennifer Ashley. have always been a fan of hers,. I came upon this pseudnym name Allyson James, in an anthology, as where i found the prequel to her Stormwalker series. Have read her Firewalker (#2 in series), and have rated both as 5 stars. Like the way she weaves all the characters together, and u have a variety of the different beings. Plus she weaves a good story line..closing all the gaps, and narrator of a good urban fantasy of which is one of my most popular genres.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book in the Stormwalker series. The fifth book in that series will be titled, Dreamwalker, and is expected to release in June 2015. This was an action packed paranormal romance with a story that was incredibly flawed.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was okay. It was nothing spectacular but the narrator did a decent job distinguishing between character voices.
Janet Begay is a Stormwalker whose mother is a Goddess from Beneath. Janet moves back to her hometown to face her mother once and for all and to investigate the disappearance of a young woman. Right after her arrival things start to get tricky. Janet is being attacked by Skinwalkers and her ex-boyfriend (the mysterious Mick) shows up to help. Janet hasnt seen Mick in five years but is still drawn to him. Together they try and track down the missing woman, all the while dodging evil attacks from Janets mother.
I was intrigued by the idea of a character, Janet, who can harness the power of storms. The idea ended up being cooler than what was actually done in this book. I actually struggled to finish this book, it was just so ridiculous. Considering I was listening to this as an audiobook while I languished in traffic, thats saying something...I hardly ever stop reading an audiobook.
There were a lot of problems with this story and a lot of things I didn't enjoy about the story. My main issue was the relationship between Mick and Janet, which left a lot to be desired. Pretty much if they have any problems they just have sex and then everything is good until they have problems again. So silly.
Sex is a huge part of this book, Janet is pretty much obsessed with sex. Which I dont have a problem with...except the sex scenes were very poorly done. They are boring and not at all creative. I feel like if you are going to make a book that features sex, you should be able to write about it in a way that is engaging.
Even sillier is the part where Mick tells Janet that he's not sleeping with her again until she decides that she really wants Mick in her life...then...you guessed it...a couple chapters later they get pissed at each other and have sex. Huge eye roll here.
When Mick reveals his big secret Janet gets all whiny and immature about it all. I swear she acted like a two year old throwing a tantrum. I mean is she seriously that blind that she didnt see something was going on with Mick? I understand she is pissed about the secret thing, however she is the one who lets this guy walk all over her without ever questioning his motives. In general Janet's character is extremely immature and makes a lot of bad decisions throughout the book. I hate dumb heroines.
There was some good action scenes in here and the fight scenes are decently done. However, there were also a lot of parts where things don't quite make sense or are over-explained. There is some awkward dialogue as well.
Overall this was a paranormal romance (PNR) that epitomizes a lot of things I hate about poorly done PNR. There is an abusive relationship (that is pushed as being a loving one), a stupid and dense heroine, lots of sex that is poorly done, and an underdeveloped world. The book does have a bit of an urban fantasy feel to it because there is a lot of action, but there is also a lot of relationship drama and sex that reminded me more of a PNR. I pretty much detested this book and won't be reading any more of this series.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was okay. It was nothing spectacular but the narrator did a decent job distinguishing between character voices.
Janet Begay is a Stormwalker whose mother is a Goddess from Beneath. Janet moves back to her hometown to face her mother once and for all and to investigate the disappearance of a young woman. Right after her arrival things start to get tricky. Janet is being attacked by Skinwalkers and her ex-boyfriend (the mysterious Mick) shows up to help. Janet hasnt seen Mick in five years but is still drawn to him. Together they try and track down the missing woman, all the while dodging evil attacks from Janets mother.
I was intrigued by the idea of a character, Janet, who can harness the power of storms. The idea ended up being cooler than what was actually done in this book. I actually struggled to finish this book, it was just so ridiculous. Considering I was listening to this as an audiobook while I languished in traffic, thats saying something...I hardly ever stop reading an audiobook.
There were a lot of problems with this story and a lot of things I didn't enjoy about the story. My main issue was the relationship between Mick and Janet, which left a lot to be desired. Pretty much if they have any problems they just have sex and then everything is good until they have problems again. So silly.
Sex is a huge part of this book, Janet is pretty much obsessed with sex. Which I dont have a problem with...except the sex scenes were very poorly done. They are boring and not at all creative. I feel like if you are going to make a book that features sex, you should be able to write about it in a way that is engaging.
Even sillier is the part where Mick tells Janet that he's not sleeping with her again until she decides that she really wants Mick in her life...then...you guessed it...a couple chapters later they get pissed at each other and have sex. Huge eye roll here.
When Mick reveals his big secret Janet gets all whiny and immature about it all. I swear she acted like a two year old throwing a tantrum. I mean is she seriously that blind that she didnt see something was going on with Mick? I understand she is pissed about the secret thing, however she is the one who lets this guy walk all over her without ever questioning his motives. In general Janet's character is extremely immature and makes a lot of bad decisions throughout the book. I hate dumb heroines.
There was some good action scenes in here and the fight scenes are decently done. However, there were also a lot of parts where things don't quite make sense or are over-explained. There is some awkward dialogue as well.
Overall this was a paranormal romance (PNR) that epitomizes a lot of things I hate about poorly done PNR. There is an abusive relationship (that is pushed as being a loving one), a stupid and dense heroine, lots of sex that is poorly done, and an underdeveloped world. The book does have a bit of an urban fantasy feel to it because there is a lot of action, but there is also a lot of relationship drama and sex that reminded me more of a PNR. I pretty much detested this book and won't be reading any more of this series.
Helpful Score: 1
I decided to read this book because it got such great reviews, and because I love paranormal and indian stories. I have to admit, it started out a bit slow for me. Things were a bit confusing in the beginning, and I found myself not liking Janet's boyfriend Mick very much. It didn't pick up for me until about a third of the way through the book, when Mick finally gets some emotions, and things in the story start making more sense. Janet's character got a bit grating for a while as well, flipping constantly between being weak and simpering and being all-powerful.
The story really grabbed me after that, but then the ending was kind of weird. The book is working up to a big ending, and then the mystery part of it just fizzled out. (I'd figured it out by then anyway.) Then the story starts back up again with a big battle scene that seemed sort of out of place, and then it just ends, and leaves you hanging on for the sequel. Overall, it's a fairly good read, but I hope there are some stylistic changes and a better ending in the next one.
The story really grabbed me after that, but then the ending was kind of weird. The book is working up to a big ending, and then the mystery part of it just fizzled out. (I'd figured it out by then anyway.) Then the story starts back up again with a big battle scene that seemed sort of out of place, and then it just ends, and leaves you hanging on for the sequel. Overall, it's a fairly good read, but I hope there are some stylistic changes and a better ending in the next one.
I enjoyed this book. and shared it with my dad, who is now demanding the second one.
Janet is a Stormwalker born to a Navajo couple via intervention of an evil goddess from Beneath. She is hired to find a missing woman and decides to renovate a local hotel. Her on again/off again boyfriend, Mick, is a powerful enigma. Add a Coyote god, a pissed off sherriff and a wisecracking magic mirror. Stir/shake vigorously and find a good urban fantasy. 4 stars
Reminds me of Rachel Caine's weather warden stories, but in a chaotic or convoluted form. Novel is hard to classify. Not interested in the next book so maybe that says it the best.
Stormwalker Janet Begay is a product of a demoness and a Native American with hereditary earth powers. her mother has been trying to get Janet to open the void between the Beneath and earth to release her and the other demons. Janet has a few allies - Mick, Coyote and Nash. The fighting is fierce and so is the love making.
Boyfriend Mick is an anomaly - Janet is very certain of what he is not but hasn't a clue as to his origins, his species or even his full name. He's possessive and secretive - two things guaranteed to drive a woman crazy. Oh and he's sexy as hell and a dynamo in bed. It's no wonder she keeps taking him back.
A fabulous start to the Stormwalker series and Mick's story is next. I can't wait.
Boyfriend Mick is an anomaly - Janet is very certain of what he is not but hasn't a clue as to his origins, his species or even his full name. He's possessive and secretive - two things guaranteed to drive a woman crazy. Oh and he's sexy as hell and a dynamo in bed. It's no wonder she keeps taking him back.
A fabulous start to the Stormwalker series and Mick's story is next. I can't wait.
Loved the book but hated Nash. I've never disliked one of the "good" guys so much. Definitely continuing the series.
Enjoyed this read immensely. While the story slowly developed it soon whirled into a read that one finds difficult to lay aside. Janet Begay is a stormwalker, one who can harness the energy of wind, lightening and water when a storm draws near enough for her to do so. What she doesn't know is that Mick, her handsome protective boyfriend is a dragon who has taken human form to murder her. Janet's mother rules beneath, an embodiment of evil but she cannot come out for any length of time without the help of her daughter who is a blend of earth magic and beneath magic. Janet cherishes her earthbound friends and has no intention of joining her mother or letting her mother move freely in the land she loves, particularly when she discovers that any time her mother possesses another woman she leaves her dead. However, Mick is not certain about Janet's motives. Neither is Coyote who watches her every move. The author has done an outstanding job of blending the mythology of the native tribes of the Southwest with magic, evil and good. So the forces duel for control of the land and provide an exciting reading experience and find one eagerly wanting to read the next book in the series, Firewalker.
Great read! Couldn't put it down.
