Difficult to rate this mix of urban fantasy, futuristic post apocalyptic world with a strong dash of PNR.
Pros: -- Good world-building -- Plot3 1/2 stars
Difficult to rate this mix of urban fantasy, futuristic post apocalyptic world with a strong dash of PNR.
Pros: -- Good world-building -- Plot: clear, intriguing, without any hole -- Good characters development, no black or white card-boards, but real fictional people with flaws.
Con: --None really. It's my preferences that fault this as a PNR more than UF story (which I prefer).
I found the team Rogers a hit or miss for me, but this series (like Wilder's Mate) is definitely my cup.
Merged review:
3 1/2 stars
Difficult to rate this mix of urban fantasy, futuristic post apocalyptic world with a strong dash of PNR.
Pros: -- Good world-building -- Plot: clear, intriguing, without any hole -- Good characters development, no black or white card-boards, but real fictional people with flaws.
Con: --None really. It's my preferences that fault this as a PNR more than UF story (which I prefer).
I found the team Rogers a hit or miss for me, but this series (like Wilder's Mate) is definitely my cup....more
It's quite difficult to forgive an author for the total lack of editing and proof reading. One book may be a temporary glitch, due to health problems,It's quite difficult to forgive an author for the total lack of editing and proof reading. One book may be a temporary glitch, due to health problems, more than one it smacks of unprofessional behavior. But Ms Daniels/Walker isn't the new girl on the block. Unfair maybe, but you can't stop thinking it's a money thing.
There was a good story somewhere in this book. Pity.
Merged review:
It's quite difficult to forgive an author for the total lack of editing and proof reading. One book may be a temporary glitch, due to health problems, more than one it smacks of unprofessional behavior. But Ms Daniels/Walker isn't the new girl on the block. Unfair maybe, but you can't stop thinking it's a money thing.
There was a good story somewhere in this book. Pity....more
I bought and read this book in 2010, but I forgot to add to my read shelf, god knows why.
I read it again today, and if it lost some shine, it's still
I bought and read this book in 2010, but I forgot to add to my read shelf, god knows why.
I read it again today, and if it lost some shine, it's still a pity the author has disappeared completely from the publishing world. The story is not really tight, and it suffers from this, plus some things are way too easily resolved. Still, it reads as easily :)
If you plan to buy the book, remember it has been written in 2010, before the big pnr explosion, and that there's no sequel. (The story is totally contained, though.)
Merged review:
I bought and read this book in 2010, but I forgot to add to my read shelf, god knows why.
I read it again today, and if it lost some shine, it's still a pity the author has disappeared completely from the publishing world. The story is not really tight, and it suffers from this, plus some things are way too easily resolved. Still, it reads as easily :)
If you plan to buy the book, remember it has been written in 2010, before the big pnr explosion, and that there's no sequel. (The story is totally contained, though.)...more
These are the stories I like more. Even if, should I be honest and not simply a fan, they really really need a stronger world building. Vamps do not liThese are the stories I like more. Even if, should I be honest and not simply a fan, they really really need a stronger world building. Vamps do not live on their own and it's highly incredible that humans simply ignore them and their wars, above all when hundreds die and buildings get bombed.
Merged review:
These are the stories I like more. Even if, should I be honest and not simply a fan, they really really need a stronger world building. Vamps do not live on their own and it's highly incredible that humans simply ignore them and their wars, above all when hundreds die and buildings get bombed....more
3.5 Human imperfect like the heroine, this book surprised me and gave me the adrenaline shot I usually get with the books I love more (those where you 3.5 Human imperfect like the heroine, this book surprised me and gave me the adrenaline shot I usually get with the books I love more (those where you are so into it your moods change with the story). It’s not perfect, but so much my alley I can’t believe I have to wait a year for its sequel.
Merged review:
3.5 Human imperfect like the heroine, this book surprised me and gave me the adrenaline shot I usually get with the books I love more (those where you are so into it your moods change with the story). It’s not perfect, but so much my alley I can’t believe I have to wait a year for its sequel....more
This story has a great idea and a boring execution. Most of it made no sense the way it was told, like there were missing pieces. I supposed this is dThis story has a great idea and a boring execution. Most of it made no sense the way it was told, like there were missing pieces. I supposed this is due in part to lack of characters' grow and coherence.
Please read Lisa's review which is right on point:
The book starts off with what could've been an interesting premise but fails in the execution. [...] The character development is entirely lacking and the plot suffers in that the author eliminates any sort of suspense
Many have noted the many mistakes in English. I'll add the mistakes in Italian.
In many language there is something called "gender" (to put it simply you have different ending for male and female, as in English we have she/he). In Spanish and Italian you have novia/novio, innamorata/innamorato and so on. In this book a woman (female) is called innamorato (male). And it's not the only one. Weirdly enough she is then called compagna (mate, with the right ending).
The funniest mistake is this: at the end of the book there is a challenge to (I guess) death. It's called Death Match (of course). In Italian this has been written of as I fiammiferi della morte. I couldn't stop laughing.
Match can be: - a game and - "a short slender piece of flammable material (as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts into flame when slightly heated through friction" (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...)
The author picked up this latter meaning, so in Italian it read literally as the matches of death (I guess they were a dangerous weapon...)
Merged review:
This story has a great idea and a boring execution. Most of it made no sense the way it was told, like there were missing pieces. I supposed this is due in part to lack of characters' grow and coherence.
Please read Lisa's review which is right on point:
The book starts off with what could've been an interesting premise but fails in the execution. [...] The character development is entirely lacking and the plot suffers in that the author eliminates any sort of suspense
Many have noted the many mistakes in English. I'll add the mistakes in Italian.
In many language there is something called "gender" (to put it simply you have different ending for male and female, as in English we have she/he). In Spanish and Italian you have novia/novio, innamorata/innamorato and so on. In this book a woman (female) is called innamorato (male). And it's not the only one. Weirdly enough she is then called compagna (mate, with the right ending).
The funniest mistake is this: at the end of the book there is a challenge to (I guess) death. It's called Death Match (of course). In Italian this has been written of as I fiammiferi della morte. I couldn't stop laughing.
Match can be: - a game and - "a short slender piece of flammable material (as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts into flame when slightly heated through friction" (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...)
The author picked up this latter meaning, so in Italian it read literally as the matches of death (I guess they were a dangerous weapon...)...more
It took close to 2 months to slog through this book, and that should tell you something. I read the sample, thought maybe, acSome mild spoilers ahead.
It took close to 2 months to slog through this book, and that should tell you something. I read the sample, thought maybe, actually bought the book and then I needed a full month before I was willing to read it. Got to the 70% mark (big reveal) in a few days … and stopped reading until today. I might be meaningless to you, but to me it spelled out I didn’t particularly enjoy Three Kinds of Lucky. The world was really interesting (and that’s I guess what kept me reading) but I didn’t like any of the characters, they were absolutely flat and unbelievable. The MC lacked any agency (or brain), as a reader I was bashed in the head with the hammer of Thor regarding some characters. There was no rhyme nor reason to the Benedict affair and I honestly loathed the dog. I can’t understand all the fuss about “oh my god she killed a pet, she should have warned us”. I would have gladly killed him myself (again think of that powerful hammer banging your head repeatedly). To me he wasn’t part of the story, it was a distraction, an constant burr under the saddle. But then the MC often was too. But that’s my reaction when a woman is written as a floofy, stupid person (because you lack a brain if after some disaster you enter a bathroom and after seeing your reflection of a mirror you start to wail … not because you are hurt, but because you look so ugly and your love interest was next to you). Nothing major but damn those burrs…
The end was baffling to say the least. I don’t think I’ll be reading the next....more
3.5 A really enjoyable read. One book of hers that I really liked. No, it’s not perfect, it has some pits (to me the ending, the way the mystery dissolv3.5 A really enjoyable read. One book of hers that I really liked. No, it’s not perfect, it has some pits (to me the ending, the way the mystery dissolved/resolved, the weak worldbuilding), but lovely anyway. I hope in the next books there will be some more solid foundation and that it will build on that....more
I’m not sure I’m going to read this book. Book 5 ended with a hell of a cliffhanger (after a thin plot), and now this book has no follow up, but a preI’m not sure I’m going to read this book. Book 5 ended with a hell of a cliffhanger (after a thin plot), and now this book has no follow up, but a prequel story. What the hell, Ms Chance?
Merged review:
I’m not sure I’m going to read this book. Book 5 ended with a hell of a cliffhanger (after a thin plot), and now this book has no follow up, but a prequel story. What the hell, Ms Chance?...more
I can’t pinpoint why I’m somewhat dissatisfied. This are my (purely personal) nits.
-Some of it is the lack of solid background. She’s now and was too I can’t pinpoint why I’m somewhat dissatisfied. This are my (purely personal) nits.
-Some of it is the lack of solid background. She’s now and was too 8 years ago a semigoddess. She hasn’t studied magic in the meantime. what’s the difference? A few uses of casual magic? yes, she now knows it can be done, but meh it doesn’t seem that solid to me. Right yea, solid not so much. She reacts in self defence even now, so why not 8 years ago? -Some is the fact they keep loosing all the battles (even if not the war). There’s no balance until there is. -I probably needed a better/longer ending too. I mean this world has realised it was all a lie. There’s a much bigger one outside. A one page ending doesn’t seem enough. :) [But this honestly was a weak point all along, it wasn’t solid at all. Not even the mission in the Wild made it so, a world like ours needs so much that some petrol isn’t enough]. -Sorry what did happen at the end with the order? Out of the blue they went balooney?
Purely a side note, there’s no vampire stalkering her. why that description? ...more
I can’t really say much about Truth in the Smoke. No, sorry. I know it’s not something I disliked, but I can’t say “wow how nice”. It’s a book that doI can’t really say much about Truth in the Smoke. No, sorry. I know it’s not something I disliked, but I can’t say “wow how nice”. It’s a book that doesn’t stand out in any way. Average and full of cliché. Plus cardboard characters don’t really help this story grow and develop. To the point I stopped reading near the end/resolution and totally forgot about it. It really wasn’t that gripping/interesting/you name your preferred qualities. I went back days after to finish it.
On the other side I did buy and read book 2 so…...more
First, let's get rid of the unpleasant. I can't believe Ms Saintcrow -who has been in the business more than 10 years - could not publish somethi3 1/2
First, let's get rid of the unpleasant. I can't believe Ms Saintcrow -who has been in the business more than 10 years - could not publish something better edited. Starting from the cover where you find a different name and ending with many missing words in the text. Nothing troubling, mind you, but she is still a very well published author. You really don't expect such mistakes, however minor.
The really good: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. If you have loved her stronger, most difficult heroines, Smoke let you see the beginning of her mould. It had for me that reckless feeling that causes me palpitations and a twin rage that I so loved in Dante.
It's not an easy book, nor an easy heroine. The first is at times bogged down by endless descriptions, the second is on a self destructive bend that is difficult to watch. I prefer that destruction going forward, I fear. For her fan, a must read, even if you might end hating it.
Merged review:
3 1/2
First, let's get rid of the unpleasant. I can't believe Ms Saintcrow -who has been in the business more than 10 years - could not publish something better edited. Starting from the cover where you find a different name and ending with many missing words in the text. Nothing troubling, mind you, but she is still a very well published author. You really don't expect such mistakes, however minor.
The really good: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. If you have loved her stronger, most difficult heroines, Smoke let you see the beginning of her mould. It had for me that reckless feeling that causes me palpitations and a twin rage that I so loved in Dante.
It's not an easy book, nor an easy heroine. The first is at times bogged down by endless descriptions, the second is on a self destructive bend that is difficult to watch. I prefer that destruction going forward, I fear. For her fan, a must read, even if you might end hating it....more
2.5 I can’t pinpoint exactly why this book falls short. It has a interesting plot (if somewhat dejavu backstory), a grumpy FMC that I liked, but not mu2.5 I can’t pinpoint exactly why this book falls short. It has a interesting plot (if somewhat dejavu backstory), a grumpy FMC that I liked, but not much gripping power. Maybe it’s due to shallow characterisation, plenty of them, none well fleshed out. Even the plot suffers from lack of well roundness (if that’s a word). (view spoiler)[ At the end of the story what did she tell to the sheriff? Cult doesn’t cover the disappearence of bodies nor Ashley’s story. I mean, she was there, did magic prevent her from seeing? And the girl attitude was all wrong/wierd. They want to sacrifice you and? No reaction? But I had the same problem (believe) at the start of the story. She’s an antisocial hermit but she caves to a ghost whining and search for a missing girl. The two points weren’t equal so her going out to search needed a much stronger motivation if you want your character to be coherent and cohesive. (hide spoiler)] Still I may read book 2....more
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