Scan barcode
sarknado's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
nikurashii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
gt_guest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
soapsbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Okay wo fange ich am besten an?
Es war eine spannende Geschichte, mit vielen Fantasy Elementen in einer Stadt wie Las Vegas, von der man auch ohne eine magische Welt denken könnte, dass dort auch Wunder passieren können.
Daniel Faust hat magische Fähigkeiten, die er zu seiner Verteidigung und der Verteidigung seiner selbstgewählten Familie auch einsetzt. Anfangs war er mir nicht sonderlich sympathisch, da ich ihn einfach nicht verstehen konnte, allerdings macht er innerhalb des Buches eine gute Charakterentwicklung mit, sodass ich ab der Hälfte ungefähr die ganze Zeit mit ihm mitgefiebert habe und gehofft habe, dass er durchkommt. Was eigentlich klar war, da er der Hauptcharakter ist und das hier der Auftakt einer Reihe. Wäre schon blöd, den Protagonisten direkt im ersten Buch sterben zu lassen, allerdings würde ich das manchen Autor*innen auch durchaus zutrauen.
Caitlin war mir hingegen von Anfang an sympathisch. Sie ist die Verkörperung von Frauenpower und brauch keinen Mann um sich selbst zu verteidigen, was ich sehr liebe.
Auch Daniels Familie ist sehr sympathisch und gefällt mir gut und ich hoffe, dass es im zweiten Band mehr von ihnen zu lesen gibt!
Allerdings muss ich zum einen sagen, dass mir eine ganz klare Triggerwarnung gefehlt hat, die hier auch mehr als angebracht gewesen wäre und auch, dass mir noch so ein kleines extra gefehlt hat.
Deswegen gibt es von mir 4 von 5 möglichen Sternen und eine Empfehlung für Urban-Fantasy Liebhaber*innen :)
Es war eine spannende Geschichte, mit vielen Fantasy Elementen in einer Stadt wie Las Vegas, von der man auch ohne eine magische Welt denken könnte, dass dort auch Wunder passieren können.
Daniel Faust hat magische Fähigkeiten, die er zu seiner Verteidigung und der Verteidigung seiner selbstgewählten Familie auch einsetzt. Anfangs war er mir nicht sonderlich sympathisch, da ich ihn einfach nicht verstehen konnte, allerdings macht er innerhalb des Buches eine gute Charakterentwicklung mit, sodass ich ab der Hälfte ungefähr die ganze Zeit mit ihm mitgefiebert habe und gehofft habe, dass er durchkommt. Was eigentlich klar war, da er der Hauptcharakter ist und das hier der Auftakt einer Reihe. Wäre schon blöd, den Protagonisten direkt im ersten Buch sterben zu lassen, allerdings würde ich das manchen Autor*innen auch durchaus zutrauen.
Caitlin war mir hingegen von Anfang an sympathisch. Sie ist die Verkörperung von Frauenpower und brauch keinen Mann um sich selbst zu verteidigen, was ich sehr liebe.
Auch Daniels Familie ist sehr sympathisch und gefällt mir gut und ich hoffe, dass es im zweiten Band mehr von ihnen zu lesen gibt!
Allerdings muss ich zum einen sagen, dass mir eine ganz klare Triggerwarnung gefehlt hat, die hier auch mehr als angebracht gewesen wäre und auch, dass mir noch so ein kleines extra gefehlt hat.
Deswegen gibt es von mir 4 von 5 möglichen Sternen und eine Empfehlung für Urban-Fantasy Liebhaber*innen :)
troll_for_initiative's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Daniel Faust reiht sich gleich neben Alex Verus, Peter Grant, Harry Dresden und sogar John Constantine auf meiner Liste der fragwürdigen Magier ein. Dieser Charakter trifft also ganz genau meinen Geschmack mit seinem snarky Humor und seiner gepeinigten Seele, die niemals nie und überhaupt gar kein Glück oder gar Spaß verdient hat, nein nein.
Dan ist Straßenmagier und Privatdetektiv in Las Vegas (Betonung liegt hier auf Magier) und wird in diesem ersten Buch der Reihe in einen höchst brisanten Fall verwickelt, der nicht weniger als die verfrühte Apokalypse nach sich ziehen könnte. Diese Story ist nichts für Zartbesaitete, Schaefer hält sich nicht zurück, wenn es um brisante und nicht jugendfreie Thematiken geht. Auf den 400 Seiten bzw. in den 11h30min ist ganz schön viel untergebracht, aber das Pacing ist gut, man kommt gut mit. Alles in allem ist dieses Buch ein guter Auftakt für eine Reihe wie die Flüsse von London oder die Dresden Files.
Das Hörbuch ist hervorragend produziert; Tim Gössler hat eine sehr angenehme Stimme und schafft es, die Charaktere gut zu differenzieren, was sehr gut ist, da er der einzige Sprecher für dieses Buch ist. Die Vertonung hat keine extra Soundeffekte, abgesehen von ein bisschen Gedudel am Anfang und am Ende, wie die meisten Hörbücher.
Dan ist Straßenmagier und Privatdetektiv in Las Vegas (Betonung liegt hier auf Magier) und wird in diesem ersten Buch der Reihe in einen höchst brisanten Fall verwickelt, der nicht weniger als die verfrühte Apokalypse nach sich ziehen könnte. Diese Story ist nichts für Zartbesaitete, Schaefer hält sich nicht zurück, wenn es um brisante und nicht jugendfreie Thematiken geht. Auf den 400 Seiten bzw. in den 11h30min ist ganz schön viel untergebracht, aber das Pacing ist gut, man kommt gut mit. Alles in allem ist dieses Buch ein guter Auftakt für eine Reihe wie die Flüsse von London oder die Dresden Files.
Das Hörbuch ist hervorragend produziert; Tim Gössler hat eine sehr angenehme Stimme und schafft es, die Charaktere gut zu differenzieren, was sehr gut ist, da er der einzige Sprecher für dieses Buch ist. Die Vertonung hat keine extra Soundeffekte, abgesehen von ein bisschen Gedudel am Anfang und am Ende, wie die meisten Hörbücher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Gore, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Murder, Blood, Torture, Child death, and Child abuse
rebellkatten's review against another edition
3.0
Okay read. Don't really like the Christian myths with angel and demons and stuff.
The magic is mostly unexplained.
Don't know if I want to keep reading the series.
The magic is mostly unexplained.
Don't know if I want to keep reading the series.
mellhay's review against another edition
4.0
The story is dark with the deaths and 'monsters' but there is a humor in the comments as well. I was excited to keep listening to the story, to see what happened and what comment Daniel would have. There is sex and death, murders, and ghosts. It's all soooo well mingled together creating a world and story that is addicting. I'm looking forward to continuing on with Daniel in his adventures, as there will be more with how somethings end in this book (and there are already more books out).
****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author or narrator.
When the police didn't seem to help Jud, he hired Daniel Faust to look into Stacy, his granddaughter's, murder. The time of death by drowning is wrong, by two days, from the date of the storm that she was to drown in. Daniel agrees to look into it, not expecting there to be much of a case. What Daniel finds in the sewers is something else. Stacy was definitely murdered, but the ghost he found in her place is not what he's seen of ghosts. Her screams are powerful and dangerous. What had she become? "This has the stink of magic all over it." Daniel will fix it, solve the poor girls murder along with sending the deadly specter on, but when he digs deeper he finds demons and more are present and have others in the magic world spooked.
Adam has made my list of favorite narrators after just this one book! Adam starts strong and in character from the first word. I didn't feel like he had to ease into the story or characters at all. He had me believing he was, is, Daniel Faust at first sound. He even does voice differences for other characters, like with Jud an old man meeting with Daniel to easily differentiate the characters and draw us to them. Adam embodies the characters in tone and personality as he speaks. Yes! Adam makes the story fun to listen to! When he does the voice of a demon... I enjoyed it! Adam really is all the characters at all times.
Daniel.... Daniel has the feel of a vigilante when it comes to the magic world and the evil people in it. He's a strong character and has some serious power to him. We see part of it here, but what I've learned of his past and what Caitlin says about his past really has me curious as to how powerful he is. Daniel uses cards with his magic, fitting for being in Las Vegas. Neat! I really liked Daniel! Daniel seems to have morals, yet he's willing to cross a line to help people too. Daniel had a terrible history with his dad and the home he found himself part of when on the run but he tries to help those in dangerous situations or suffered from others terrible acts upon then.
I love the relationship started in this book with Daniel. There will be obstacles for them and they know it, but they are positive about it and willing to work through together.
There was a great balance in the writing here. We have dark deeds done and dark magic yet there is a sense of humor weaved through the story with Daniel and his friends. Also there is a being who says, magician toes tasting like candy... LOL! Well, I don't know if it's true, but it's one of the things that came up that kept the story light for me in this dark world. It made me smile at the thought.
Craig has done a fantastic job of writing sex into the story line as it's part of the plot. What Stacy was mixed up in with a few others is not pretty, and what she lived through was definitely not as well. The thing is it's the plot and not the whole world and only thought of all the characters. Well done! We do have a succubus present as well, and the thoughts do gravitate toward sex at times, but it's not the focus of the story. Now, there is a relationship started and the scenes felt to flow and fit the characters and story for them. I loved this balance and use.
I'm finding, after listening to his fantasy series and now this book, I'm a huge fan of Craig's writing style. He tells of the settings through the story that makes the surroundings real. I can mentally see and know the smells that's here with ease. Craig is wonderful at balancing delicate subjects in the proper ways to not seem overly dark or to let take over the story being told.
The story is dark with the deaths and 'monsters' but there is a humor in the comments as well. I was excited to keep listening to the story, to see what happened and what comment Daniel would have. There is sex and death, murders, and ghosts. It's all soooo well mingled together creating a world and story that is addicting. I'm looking forward to continuing on with Daniel in his adventures, as there will be more with how somethings end in this book (and there are already more books out).
****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author or narrator.
When the police didn't seem to help Jud, he hired Daniel Faust to look into Stacy, his granddaughter's, murder. The time of death by drowning is wrong, by two days, from the date of the storm that she was to drown in. Daniel agrees to look into it, not expecting there to be much of a case. What Daniel finds in the sewers is something else. Stacy was definitely murdered, but the ghost he found in her place is not what he's seen of ghosts. Her screams are powerful and dangerous. What had she become? "This has the stink of magic all over it." Daniel will fix it, solve the poor girls murder along with sending the deadly specter on, but when he digs deeper he finds demons and more are present and have others in the magic world spooked.
Adam has made my list of favorite narrators after just this one book! Adam starts strong and in character from the first word. I didn't feel like he had to ease into the story or characters at all. He had me believing he was, is, Daniel Faust at first sound. He even does voice differences for other characters, like with Jud an old man meeting with Daniel to easily differentiate the characters and draw us to them. Adam embodies the characters in tone and personality as he speaks. Yes! Adam makes the story fun to listen to! When he does the voice of a demon... I enjoyed it! Adam really is all the characters at all times.
Daniel.... Daniel has the feel of a vigilante when it comes to the magic world and the evil people in it. He's a strong character and has some serious power to him. We see part of it here, but what I've learned of his past and what Caitlin says about his past really has me curious as to how powerful he is. Daniel uses cards with his magic, fitting for being in Las Vegas. Neat! I really liked Daniel! Daniel seems to have morals, yet he's willing to cross a line to help people too. Daniel had a terrible history with his dad and the home he found himself part of when on the run but he tries to help those in dangerous situations or suffered from others terrible acts upon then.
I love the relationship started in this book with Daniel. There will be obstacles for them and they know it, but they are positive about it and willing to work through together.
There was a great balance in the writing here. We have dark deeds done and dark magic yet there is a sense of humor weaved through the story with Daniel and his friends. Also there is a being who says, magician toes tasting like candy... LOL! Well, I don't know if it's true, but it's one of the things that came up that kept the story light for me in this dark world. It made me smile at the thought.
Craig has done a fantastic job of writing sex into the story line as it's part of the plot. What Stacy was mixed up in with a few others is not pretty, and what she lived through was definitely not as well. The thing is it's the plot and not the whole world and only thought of all the characters. Well done! We do have a succubus present as well, and the thoughts do gravitate toward sex at times, but it's not the focus of the story. Now, there is a relationship started and the scenes felt to flow and fit the characters and story for them. I loved this balance and use.
I'm finding, after listening to his fantasy series and now this book, I'm a huge fan of Craig's writing style. He tells of the settings through the story that makes the surroundings real. I can mentally see and know the smells that's here with ease. Craig is wonderful at balancing delicate subjects in the proper ways to not seem overly dark or to let take over the story being told.
The story is dark with the deaths and 'monsters' but there is a humor in the comments as well. I was excited to keep listening to the story, to see what happened and what comment Daniel would have. There is sex and death, murders, and ghosts. It's all soooo well mingled together creating a world and story that is addicting. I'm looking forward to continuing on with Daniel in his adventures, as there will be more with how somethings end in this book (and there are already more books out).
alikatson's review against another edition
4.0
A great start to a series on the darker side of UF. This book stars Daniel Faust, a card wielding magician. No, really he channels his magic with cards. He gets asked to investigate a suspicious murder and finds himself in a nasty situation.
He has awesome magical buddies, meets a badass demon, and cares a little too much. Vegas is the perfect setting!
I’m also looking for a but more information about how magic works or at least how Daniel uses his magic.
I enjoyed the audio but it the accents were off, not a huge deal but I do like it a lot when the accents are good.
He has awesome magical buddies, meets a badass demon, and cares a little too much. Vegas is the perfect setting!
I’m also looking for a but more information about how magic works or at least how Daniel uses his magic.
I enjoyed the audio but it the accents were off, not a huge deal but I do like it a lot when the accents are good.
boju's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes