I looked these books up frankly because I was looking for another Jim Butcher book and came across his recommendation. I read all 4 in the series and loved them. They are a dark urban fantasy about sorcerers and magic but his world is so different from others I have read. His protagonists are flawed but I found them engaging enough to find out what happens next. The way the narrative is written you are as confused as the main character and while frustrating at times it is a fun read and lets you into his head just that much more. These books for whatever reason did not do well in sales. They deserve another look! The author is currently not writing more in the series although he says the ideas are there. The four written will not leave you hanging so I encourage you to give them a try. I read the books with the prequel first. The Twenty Palace Society and I am glad I did because it cleared up a few questions I would have had. Loved the books, action packed, well developed characters, and not afraid to look at questions about family and loyalty and other of lifes biggies. When I pick up a paranormal/urban fantasy novel, the first thing I look at is what makes it different from others in its genre. Connolly has broken away from the gene formula by bringing in a Lovecraftian theme to his stories in the form of enormous other dimensional predators who are trying to break through to our dimension to devour/enslave mankind. Standing against them is a group of magically enhanced people.Connolly's characters are interesting, the primary one being the main character of this novel. Coming from a criminal background, Ray is man trying to redeem himself for not only his criminal history, but also for his first attempt at taking out a predator. He has a nice level of inner conflict about him, though I found Connolly writing a bit too often about Ray's inner struggle. It seemed as if Ray was dwelling on his history at moments when a normal person would most likely be concentrating on staying alive and/or trying to get to the bottom of things that are going on. It became distracting at times, and took away some of Ray's strength as a character. Still, the other characters within this novel are well done, each with their own private motives for the safety of the town and the people who (at least to their minds) continue to help it grow and flourish. Everyone from the corrupt police to the old woman's high tea members plays a part in the web that is woven through the pages of this story and it helps create a nice mystery as you read through its pages. You know something is up, but thanks to Connolly, you really never get a good picture until it's right in front of Ray.Connolly's magic system is also well done, and different from most urban fantasy novels. There's a heavy price to it, and often left me wondering if it would be worth it to work it if I was in that world. (not to mention, parts of this book gave me a huge hankering for steak, lots of steak) The ghost knife was a well done, often used, bit of magic that I quite liked. Such a simple tool becomes one of the most effective weapons in this story, and I loved that about it. I did find however, that some of the action scenes became muddled as the action intensified. It was hard for me to form a mental image of everything that was going on as I read through them, often going back to question something that seemed out of place. Sometimes it was due to lack of detail, other times it was due to over detailing the situation and or location. Either way, it bogged the combat down, and often caused me to either reread the scene or skim read it just to get it out of the way, something I don't think anyone (including myself) likes to do.Lastly, no romance. That's right, no true romance. Instead, Connolly writes one of the most realistic sex scene aftermaths I have ever read in a paranormal genre novel. I have nothing but respect for Connolly's treatment of romance and lust within this book, and I am curious if it will continue as the series progresses. Connolly presents us with a unique world and duo of characters that I quite enjoyed, and I think anyone into the urban fantasy genre would also enjoy greatly. I recommend this book and will most likely read it again in the future. I hope the rest of the series maintains the elements that made this book a success in my mind.
What do You think about Feuerdämon (2012)?
I have to make my obligatory comment that I wonder if history will see this series -- as well as most of genre and adventure fiction of this moment -- as having been written in the shadow of the War Against Terror. In this case, protagonist Ray Lilly's discomfort with the draconian, collateral-damage-be-damned attitude of the shadowy peers certain resonates with some of our discomfort with the death-from-the-sky policies of our current administration.Bringing an Iraq vet in as a fellow (less stable) Wooden Man in the third installment of the series maybe strengthens this interpretation?And Harry's attitude towards "civilian life" at the start of the second volume recalls that closing sequence of "The Hurt Locker."I'm just saying ...
—a1sauce2307
This is a good, if not extraordinary, first effort for Mr. Connolly. The characters are believable, and he provides enough background to at least make them sympathetic. The plot is perhaps a little predictable, but well executed, with a couple twists along the way. His writing stye is consistent, and I felt that he told a complete story, without a lot of loose ends, but with enough room for further adventures.But for all of that, I never really got excited about the characters or the story. It just seemed to lack anything to tip me from "It's a good book" to "It's a great book." I'm hoping his next book will provide that something.
—Tony
Meaningless. Silly magic and lots of butchery.
—Genius
