Nekko

Dodging a bullets is what he does best.

Reviewed: 07-06-18

I felt like this was more of a moving pieces on the board to advance the story in necessary ways and less of the intimate delving into the multiple characters than some of the other books. It left us with many taunting loose ends. But as in all 'families' the kids grow older and move away. Things shift. One wonders how it will all shake out. And still you feel Richard pulling strings from the darkness.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

This monster wears a fedora

Reviewed: 07-05-17

The old hard-bitten gumshoe thing, with Werewolves. I am a sucker for these and found my housework enjoyable as each case unfolded.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Tighter Coils and Straighter Straits

Reviewed: 07-03-17

This was one of the better of the recent books with all of the machinations and evil and racing from danger to more impossible danger we have come to expect from this series. I love the mental elements of his stories. Verus takes you along on his brain bending desperate schemes to just stay alive and keep his little family of friends both alive and sane, while behind it all his 'Moriarty', Richard Drakh chillingly moves his agenda forward, implacable as a glacier and seemly as unstoppable as he is inscrutable.

This set of moves on the chess board makes one feel like we can almost see the end game but not quite-and the end also leaves us as usual desperately wanting know what happens next.

One of the things I love best about his character Alex Verus is that he is not the most powerful player on the field, in fact in is a bit under-powered for the game; hampered by morals and ties of affection and compassion. He knows he is being maneuvered and even his divination can't see the long game. In the world of mages and magic he is an Everyman doing his best in an impossible situation.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

Step outside of rational time and space....

Reviewed: 12-29-15

What if there were places that did not act the same as our reality? What if those places held hostile ancient evils and ..what if those abominations began to invade our reality?

What if it was your job to save your own and countless other worlds from such creatures.

Well then you might be Michael Bishop and you might work for a shadow organization simply called 'the facility'.......

I have loved the books and now I can enjoy the audio version of the first in this fast paced series. I liked the narration and felt the narrator's voice matched the character in my mind. I might have preferred a slightly faster pacing, but overall it was a great read. I hope the next two in the series are also done in audio version.

If you are a fan of James Bond and espionage thrillers. If you like SF and adventure with some steampunk flavor. You will love this series.

The way this is written it would be suitable for young adult up and adult. Adults will find this series reminiscent of the classic SF of the 50's and 60's-Bradbury and Lovecraft.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A lady never raises her voice while kicking ass.

Reviewed: 11-15-15

The narrator's soft voiced style was a perfect vehicle for this character. What do you do when your neighbors are put at risk by a species they are not even aware exist? Do you put your faith in the surly shape shifter who aggressively guards what he considers his or do you try to play nice with the dangerous and culturally complex vampires- who's involvement is plain yet hidden?
And all hell breaks loose when the house itself gets involved....
Charming with a quiet humor and subtle romance.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

stilted and ridiculous

Reviewed: 11-15-15

I really wanted to try and get past my initial reaction. I think perhaps if I had only read this story the presentation would not have seemed so cliché ridden. Perhaps it is the wrong narrator for this particular story. Not sure but I could not hold on past the first chapter or two. I would have liked to see where the storyline went and if it redeemed itself.
I may try it without narration and see how it goes. But as an audio book I was forced to give it low marks. My apologies to the author.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Sweet and raw, with a side of hot.

Reviewed: 11-14-15

This is a story of love amid violence and the bitter leftovers of abuse. It manages to be sexy without falling too far into cuteness or vulgarity. Police detective falls for a fragile victim. Old story with a sweet gender twist. The characters appeal and the story kept a good pace. Very enjoyable... and hot-did I mention hot?
I picked this one up after reading the author's newest foray into urban fantasy, Black Dog Blues, which I had chosen not realizing the writer's background in BL. After the first read I wanted to see some of his other writing.
Conclusion I like his Elven character best so far, but he spins a good tale in either genre. Narrators are well matched to the characters and for the most part blend pleasingly.
.........and did I mention HOT,

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fresh take on Elven urban fantasy

Reviewed: 11-12-15

Some days it sucks to be an Elf. And other days it sucks more. Kie was raised by one tough human and his 9 to 5 is a job most don't want. But its his life and given his past he wants to keep it just the way it is....as far away from 'his people' as he can get.
If you are a fan of sexy vampires then you will probably like this sexy Sidhe. No sparkling. Promise.
A liberal sexual outlook (though not too explicit) it worked. Fair amount of gore and violence. I really liked it. Hope Rhys is writing the next one fast....

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

Lord of the Rings meets Doctor Who

Reviewed: 10-27-15

This is a very engaging story. With many unique elements. It keeps you held with no down time or boring buildups. I am hoping this will have a few in the series. An epic adventure with lots of magic and a good story. This one would appeal to young adult up. Lots of violence but all making sense within the logic of the story. A very likable rapscallion and a well intentioned but angst-ridden mage.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Paraormal urban fantasy with a cuteness level

Reviewed: 10-19-15

This will resonate with any middle child who ever felt like they were born into the wrong family. How do you win the day when you got nothing to fight with, when you stand out and not in a good way, and when the deal is stacked against you -by your own family?
There is a definite moral message hidden in among the kicking doors and taking names..... Ok the trying to kick doors and occasionally taking a name.
Be prepared for teen angst and lots of bizarre paranormal creatures. Hoarders, deceased cat spirits, los Vegas style gangsters, earth spirits and oh ya some dragons.
Thinking this will appeal teen to young adult. The narrator is mostly spot on with only the occasional grating accent. A fair amount of silly-level violence.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful