Michelle R. (mreneerouser) -
Helpful Score: 8
The best book I've read all year! So far, I've read 314 books this year. That should tell you something.
The main character, Eva is your kick-butt heroine. She is witty, sarcastic, stubbon and loving. The other characters are varied and complex including vampires, weres, fey and half breeds. Eva is a Hunter. Her job is to keep the community (the Dregs) in line. But, things are not what they seem.
Right from the start, you learn that Eva is dead and now undead. She only has three days to figure out how she died and why she was brought back. In addition, she has relationships that may or may not be what they seem as well.
The author does an incredible job of detailing the environment making you feel like you are right there with Eva. When she is nervous, scared, angry, I felt it. However, the author didn't overdue the details. It's been a long time since my heart raced right along with the book. My only complaint was when I hit the last page. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
The book is more urban fantasy with a touch of romance (very small but necessary in the scheme of the entire story).
The main character, Eva is your kick-butt heroine. She is witty, sarcastic, stubbon and loving. The other characters are varied and complex including vampires, weres, fey and half breeds. Eva is a Hunter. Her job is to keep the community (the Dregs) in line. But, things are not what they seem.
Right from the start, you learn that Eva is dead and now undead. She only has three days to figure out how she died and why she was brought back. In addition, she has relationships that may or may not be what they seem as well.
The author does an incredible job of detailing the environment making you feel like you are right there with Eva. When she is nervous, scared, angry, I felt it. However, the author didn't overdue the details. It's been a long time since my heart raced right along with the book. My only complaint was when I hit the last page. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
The book is more urban fantasy with a touch of romance (very small but necessary in the scheme of the entire story).
Helpful Score: 4
I had a lot of trouble with this book. The premise was interesting and it started out well but quickly started dragging on and on but it didn't seem to be getting anywhere important. Both Evy and Wyatt were flat almost two-dimensional and the romance between them was forced. She claims not to love him but sleeps with him anyway (seemingly out of gratitude for saving her life). The next thing you know they are in love and inseparable. Huh? It was almost as if the author needs to give them a reason to live and fight but just doesn't quite make it believable.
I thoroughly enjoyed First Break and wished the book focused more on this well developed world. It was a fascinating place and I guess it will be further explored in future books. But honestly I won't be reading them because there was just something missing from this story. I really wish I could put my finger on what's bugging me about this story. It had so much going on - vampires, halfies, goblins, elves, trolls, gargoyles, humans, magic, psychic gifts and the fey - but nothing really clicked. It was as if everything but the kitchen sink was tossed into the mix. A lot of the "extras" could easily have been introduced in later installments as they didn't have any impact on the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed First Break and wished the book focused more on this well developed world. It was a fascinating place and I guess it will be further explored in future books. But honestly I won't be reading them because there was just something missing from this story. I really wish I could put my finger on what's bugging me about this story. It had so much going on - vampires, halfies, goblins, elves, trolls, gargoyles, humans, magic, psychic gifts and the fey - but nothing really clicked. It was as if everything but the kitchen sink was tossed into the mix. A lot of the "extras" could easily have been introduced in later installments as they didn't have any impact on the story.
Helpful Score: 4
I really wanted to like this book. It had almost all of the components that i enjoy but I just couldn't get into it. I found myself putting it down and coming back to it.
This would have been a great second book.
There is so much back story about the characters that could have helped us along. I didn't feel invested in Wyatt and his feelings for the protagonist because we didn't know where it came from. I feel this is more sequel than first novel.
Glad t see others enjoy it so much.
This would have been a great second book.
There is so much back story about the characters that could have helped us along. I didn't feel invested in Wyatt and his feelings for the protagonist because we didn't know where it came from. I feel this is more sequel than first novel.
Glad t see others enjoy it so much.
Helpful Score: 2
Dark, Raw Imaginative and Gritty. Awesome Book! Sent straight to the top of my favorite books read in 2010 list.
Kelly Meding has created a hard-to-put down world that will have you on the edge of your seat, and reading into the wee hours of the morning. This is a perfect addition to the Urban fantasy genre that doesnt dissapoint. Even though the opening chapters are somewhat confusing, the more the book progreses, the easier it is to understand. I was thrilled to pieces when i opened the 2nd book up to the exact scene where the first left off..... now for my review:
Evangeline Stone is a Dreg Hunter. (Dreg=any paranormal being, aka: Goblins, Gargoyles, Gremlins, Elves, Trolls, Vampires, Shapeshifters/Weres etc. All of which we meet in this book)
She wakes up on a morge table only to find she is now inhabiting someone elses body. She quickly learns her Triad (group that she hunts with) has been killed, and a species of Owlkins were assisnated protecting her, by another group of Triads that were told she had gone rouge. After she finds her Handler, Wyatt Truman, she learns he purchased a spell from an Elf that allowed her to be brought back to life for 3 days. But with any purchase, comes a price. He brought her back to get information she withheld before she died. Someone is creating monsters in the city, a war is brewing, and the clock is ticking. 3 days until she dies again.
I cannot give enough praise for this book. its full of action, suspence and raw emotion. Lots of blood and gore with mystery and mixture of paranormal. Evy is a strong character that fights for what she belives in, but is able to show weakness at the same time. This is not a book for the faint hearted. There is cursing, fighting, and fuschia blood splattered everywhere. Definitely a series to follow. 5 stars all around!
Kelly Meding has created a hard-to-put down world that will have you on the edge of your seat, and reading into the wee hours of the morning. This is a perfect addition to the Urban fantasy genre that doesnt dissapoint. Even though the opening chapters are somewhat confusing, the more the book progreses, the easier it is to understand. I was thrilled to pieces when i opened the 2nd book up to the exact scene where the first left off..... now for my review:
Evangeline Stone is a Dreg Hunter. (Dreg=any paranormal being, aka: Goblins, Gargoyles, Gremlins, Elves, Trolls, Vampires, Shapeshifters/Weres etc. All of which we meet in this book)
She wakes up on a morge table only to find she is now inhabiting someone elses body. She quickly learns her Triad (group that she hunts with) has been killed, and a species of Owlkins were assisnated protecting her, by another group of Triads that were told she had gone rouge. After she finds her Handler, Wyatt Truman, she learns he purchased a spell from an Elf that allowed her to be brought back to life for 3 days. But with any purchase, comes a price. He brought her back to get information she withheld before she died. Someone is creating monsters in the city, a war is brewing, and the clock is ticking. 3 days until she dies again.
I cannot give enough praise for this book. its full of action, suspence and raw emotion. Lots of blood and gore with mystery and mixture of paranormal. Evy is a strong character that fights for what she belives in, but is able to show weakness at the same time. This is not a book for the faint hearted. There is cursing, fighting, and fuschia blood splattered everywhere. Definitely a series to follow. 5 stars all around!
Very good debut by Ms Meding. Evangeline Stone is a dreg hunter. She dies while working a case and wakes up in another woman's body. The twists and turns will keep you turning the pages to discover who is behind this complicated tale. 4 stars
It takes a lot for me to follow a series after the first book. I probably only continue on about 20% of the time. This one falls into the small minority.
The book is relentlessly paced, using the built-in countdown to sustain and build the tension throughout the course of the story. It often requires the same suspension of belief that the show 24 needed, so the reader doesn't start questioning the lapse of time, but as a lover of that show, this worked for me on more than one level. I was intrigued enough by all the unanswered questions to continue on with Evy in search of them, and I admired her strength to merit investing in her as a heroine. While not perfect - with the focus on the action, the emotional side is often cheated - the author shows definite promise in creating an escapist read. I'm picking up the second book to see if she can sustain it.
The book is relentlessly paced, using the built-in countdown to sustain and build the tension throughout the course of the story. It often requires the same suspension of belief that the show 24 needed, so the reader doesn't start questioning the lapse of time, but as a lover of that show, this worked for me on more than one level. I was intrigued enough by all the unanswered questions to continue on with Evy in search of them, and I admired her strength to merit investing in her as a heroine. While not perfect - with the focus on the action, the emotional side is often cheated - the author shows definite promise in creating an escapist read. I'm picking up the second book to see if she can sustain it.
This is the first book in the Dreg City series. There are four book total in this series, there were supposed to be seven but the publisher dropped the series after the fourth book. This series was pretty typical urban fantasy; nothing bad but nothing all that original either.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was decent. The narrator did a good job distinguishing characters voices and conveying emotion. My one complaint would be that Evys voice was kind of breathy sounding which totally didnt match Evys character-type (at least I didnt think so).
This was an urban fantasy series about a Bounty hunter named Evangeline who hunts Dregs (the cities dark creatures like goblins, vamps, etc). Evangeline starts the book waking up in a new body thats not hers. For the whole book she is trying to remember and hunt down critical information that she knew when she died, information that could save the world. Evangeline (Evy) has been resurrected into the body of a young woman who committed suicide, Chalice. She was resurrected by her friend Wyatt, who is determined to help her hunt down her memories.
While I thought the idea behind the world was interesting, there wasn't a ton creative here and the world wasn't expanded much beyond the initial premise of fey-like creatures hiding out in the bad parts of the city.
Evangeline was your typical urban fantasy heroine, except for the fact that she was killed and brought back into a different body at the beginning of the book. She complains some about Chalices body not reacting like her own. Still she seems to do fairly well in fights despite the fact that Chalices body is untrained. The fact that she only has three days to solve the mystery of this unknown information does lend more urgency to this story.
Wyatt was okay but not all that inspiring as a male lead. He seemed a bit weak and easily led...I didnt really feel great chemistry between him and Evy. In fact I didn't find any of the characters to be all that intriguing or engaging in this book.
The plot was also fairly predictable, there are some twists and turns but things end up pretty much how I thought they would in the end. This is a pretty dark story as well with torture, rape, and dank bleak settings. So those who dislike really dark urban fantasy should probably skip this and look elsewhere.
Overall this was an okay read, but nothing that really stood out in the urban fantasy genre for me. The world was kind of interesting but not all that well filled out, Evy is in an interesting situation with her resurrection and all, but I didnt like her all that much as a character. Nothing really offensive here, but nothing great either. This is a dark setting with rape and torture as part of the story, so just a heads up to those who dont like those subjects in their reading. There is so much excellent urban fantasy out there that I wouldnt really recommend this series. I dont plan on reading any more of this series.
For excellent urban fantasy check out Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series, Richard Kadreys Sandman Slim series, Seanan McGuires InCryptid or October Daye series, Jim Butchers Dresden Files, Jennifer Esteps Elemental Assassin series, or Jeaniene Frosts Night Huntress series.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was decent. The narrator did a good job distinguishing characters voices and conveying emotion. My one complaint would be that Evys voice was kind of breathy sounding which totally didnt match Evys character-type (at least I didnt think so).
This was an urban fantasy series about a Bounty hunter named Evangeline who hunts Dregs (the cities dark creatures like goblins, vamps, etc). Evangeline starts the book waking up in a new body thats not hers. For the whole book she is trying to remember and hunt down critical information that she knew when she died, information that could save the world. Evangeline (Evy) has been resurrected into the body of a young woman who committed suicide, Chalice. She was resurrected by her friend Wyatt, who is determined to help her hunt down her memories.
While I thought the idea behind the world was interesting, there wasn't a ton creative here and the world wasn't expanded much beyond the initial premise of fey-like creatures hiding out in the bad parts of the city.
Evangeline was your typical urban fantasy heroine, except for the fact that she was killed and brought back into a different body at the beginning of the book. She complains some about Chalices body not reacting like her own. Still she seems to do fairly well in fights despite the fact that Chalices body is untrained. The fact that she only has three days to solve the mystery of this unknown information does lend more urgency to this story.
Wyatt was okay but not all that inspiring as a male lead. He seemed a bit weak and easily led...I didnt really feel great chemistry between him and Evy. In fact I didn't find any of the characters to be all that intriguing or engaging in this book.
The plot was also fairly predictable, there are some twists and turns but things end up pretty much how I thought they would in the end. This is a pretty dark story as well with torture, rape, and dank bleak settings. So those who dislike really dark urban fantasy should probably skip this and look elsewhere.
Overall this was an okay read, but nothing that really stood out in the urban fantasy genre for me. The world was kind of interesting but not all that well filled out, Evy is in an interesting situation with her resurrection and all, but I didnt like her all that much as a character. Nothing really offensive here, but nothing great either. This is a dark setting with rape and torture as part of the story, so just a heads up to those who dont like those subjects in their reading. There is so much excellent urban fantasy out there that I wouldnt really recommend this series. I dont plan on reading any more of this series.
For excellent urban fantasy check out Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series, Richard Kadreys Sandman Slim series, Seanan McGuires InCryptid or October Daye series, Jim Butchers Dresden Files, Jennifer Esteps Elemental Assassin series, or Jeaniene Frosts Night Huntress series.
Irene L H. (NonExistence) -
After reading many Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy novels, I sometimes wonder how a new author will manage to create a fantasy world with characters that will grab my attention and wow me with something different.
I have a good sense of Kelly Meding's world and the rules that govern it, and yet I feel truly connected and engaged with her characters. Evy especially. Evy is a heroine that grabbed my attention immediately and I was pulling for her throughout the story.
Vampires, goblins, the Fey, trolls, and many more mythical creatures play major roles in Evy's city.
This debut novel is fast paced, suspenseful and full of unexpected twists.
I have a good sense of Kelly Meding's world and the rules that govern it, and yet I feel truly connected and engaged with her characters. Evy especially. Evy is a heroine that grabbed my attention immediately and I was pulling for her throughout the story.
Vampires, goblins, the Fey, trolls, and many more mythical creatures play major roles in Evy's city.
This debut novel is fast paced, suspenseful and full of unexpected twists.
I felt that this book was a little slow to start, but once it picked up, I couldn't put it down. I also felt a little lost during the book, but I suppose I was relating to the way the main character, Evy, must have been feeling. I'm looking forward to the second book in the series!
Just finished the first book and put the second in the series on my Wish List. Meding has created a very interesting world inhabited by characters with distinct talents and traits that could lead to fascinating plots. I really enjoyed the Evy/Chalice character and her devoted Handler Wyatt, but got as much enjoyment out of the secondary characters much like you would reading Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series. If I had to rate this against Briggs' series, I'd give Brigg's an A+ and this one a B+ but that's because it's her first book and she's bound to get better as she gets more experience. I think this series has great potential.
Ok....here goes....I was confused throughout most of the book. But, in a good way. The imagination of this author left me wondering...what the heck just happened?
I'm still wondering by the way.
It was an enjoyable read....I'd like to read the next in the series...just to see where she takes us.
Because waking up from being dead in a body that's not your own is a new twist to me.
What other twists she can make us readers wonder about?
I'm still wondering by the way.
It was an enjoyable read....I'd like to read the next in the series...just to see where she takes us.
Because waking up from being dead in a body that's not your own is a new twist to me.
What other twists she can make us readers wonder about?
I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that this was the best book that I've read this year, but overall it was a fairly entertaining read.
There were some parts of the story that seemed a bit jumbled and confusing, and I felt that a lot of the side characters didn't get enough development. I also didn't feel that the author made the dangerous characters seem dangerous enough... the vamps seemed almost too wimpy and I think she could have made the mastermind of the book's conspiracy a bit more powerful and built him up a bit more. I'm not a huge fan of the whole "memory loss" theme either, so at times I found that aspect of the book to be a bit frustrating also.
What I did like was that the story offered almost non-stop action. It literally felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book! It held my attention fairly well. I do believe that I will continue on to see what happens in book 2 of this series.
There were some parts of the story that seemed a bit jumbled and confusing, and I felt that a lot of the side characters didn't get enough development. I also didn't feel that the author made the dangerous characters seem dangerous enough... the vamps seemed almost too wimpy and I think she could have made the mastermind of the book's conspiracy a bit more powerful and built him up a bit more. I'm not a huge fan of the whole "memory loss" theme either, so at times I found that aspect of the book to be a bit frustrating also.
What I did like was that the story offered almost non-stop action. It literally felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book! It held my attention fairly well. I do believe that I will continue on to see what happens in book 2 of this series.
A little different. Enjoyed it alot.
