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mnemosyne139's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think I liked this ever so slightly more than the first book, but I'm worried about the end of the trilogy. There's so many loose ends that will need to be wrapped up and I don't know that I'm going to love them. I still think the way the author describes the main character's skin color is off-putting (seriously, can you compare it to ANYTHING other than coffee?) especially as a white person, but I guess I appreciate her trying to bring more conversations to race issues. (Though, again, maybe not the best person to be starting those conversations)
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
This was just the book I needed to lift my mood. It was all I hoped it would be, packed with inventive creatures, new and interesting characters, plenty of romantic drama, and some shocking twists near the end!
The story moved at the same pace as the previous book, though it delved much deeper into the world and the tensions between the Old Races. I particularly enjoyed the selkies and their leader, and hope he plays a larger role.
Most of the book, however, concentrated on Margrit struggling to balance her human life now that she’s discovered the Old Races and they have ensnared her in their world. There were plenty of broken hearts and shouting matches, and I can only imagine what will come next!
Alban and Margrit’s relationship definitely grew, though she was more the focus of this book that he was. Still, it led to some memorable romance moments and carried a good weight at the end.
This book reminds me why I liked reading urban fantasy, and I would say it’s a fun genre to dive into if you’re looking for something to have fun with!
The story moved at the same pace as the previous book, though it delved much deeper into the world and the tensions between the Old Races. I particularly enjoyed the selkies and their leader, and hope he plays a larger role.
Most of the book, however, concentrated on Margrit struggling to balance her human life now that she’s discovered the Old Races and they have ensnared her in their world. There were plenty of broken hearts and shouting matches, and I can only imagine what will come next!
Alban and Margrit’s relationship definitely grew, though she was more the focus of this book that he was. Still, it led to some memorable romance moments and carried a good weight at the end.
This book reminds me why I liked reading urban fantasy, and I would say it’s a fun genre to dive into if you’re looking for something to have fun with!
hgranger's review against another edition
2.0
House of Cards - or “the sequel where everyone is stupid and makes incomprehensible dumb choices.” From not seeing an obvious threat (oh so these guys aren’t the bad guys. Gee, I should probably continue to completely ignore the fact that someone is), to Margrit mooning over Alban, then Tony, then Alban, then..., to Cole’s completely rude and wildly boundary overstepping behavior, to that terribly poorly imagined flying scene, to...I could keep going but I won’t. This book was a terrible disappointment. The two stars are for a few rare well/written moments and a couple of decent characters.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Nice sequel. Glad I continued with the trilogy.
I finished the first book in this series with slightly mixed feelings. I loved all the secondary characters (there really are some great multi-layered ones in here) as well as the love interest character, Alban, but felt little to nothing towards the protagonist, Margrit. I had nothing against her, exactly, but found her a bit dull overall. I think if she were stronger or I connected with her more, this series could move up from being really good, to great in an instant.
Still, I definitely enjoyed her more this time around. This book did everything a sequel should; it expanded on the word-building and history, it revealed a few secrets and answered some questions, and the characters progressed and became more interesting the more I found out about them. And there was progress on the romantic front too!
The audio narration is very good for this series if anyone is looking for a good Urban Fantasy to listen to. She handles all the different European accents very well.
4 Stars ★★★★
I finished the first book in this series with slightly mixed feelings. I loved all the secondary characters (there really are some great multi-layered ones in here) as well as the love interest character, Alban, but felt little to nothing towards the protagonist, Margrit. I had nothing against her, exactly, but found her a bit dull overall. I think if she were stronger or I connected with her more, this series could move up from being really good, to great in an instant.
Still, I definitely enjoyed her more this time around. This book did everything a sequel should; it expanded on the word-building and history, it revealed a few secrets and answered some questions, and the characters progressed and became more interesting the more I found out about them. And there was progress on the romantic front too!
The audio narration is very good for this series if anyone is looking for a good Urban Fantasy to listen to. She handles all the different European accents very well.
4 Stars ★★★★
snarkymotherreader's review against another edition
5.0
After battling dragons and djinns and gargoyles, oh my! Margrit Knight thinks she is up for any challenge, even convincing her former gargoyle protector to step out of the shadows and back into her life. It is not an easy task – more difficult even than battling the powerful Eliseo Daisani. If only she could stumble into a dangerous situation and prove just how vulnerable she was…
Opportunity knocks on several fronts. If a death at the workplace, a new career opportunity with a mysterious and deadly employer, and a debt owed to a dragon weren’t enough to send Margrit running to a land far, far away, the reemergence of a race formerly thought to be depleted just may do the trick. With this new discovery comes an upset in the balance of the Old Races, an upset that Margrit inadvertedly caused. Now Alban, the gargoyle whose name she cleared from murder charges, has no choice but to swoop back into her life and do what he can to keep her safe. With so many lives hanging in the balance, how can he hope to defend one lone human from the coming civil war among the Old Races?
Rarely do I encounter a sequel that not only lives up to but also exceeds the expectations created by the first book. House of Cards pleasantly shattered those expectations and raised the bar to an unreachable height. It was gritty, dangerous, sensual, and thrilling from page one to its startling conclusion. C.E. Murphy outdid herself when creating this magical world in which the characters must struggle to survive by any means necessary.
Admittedly, I tend to root for the bad guys. They do, after all, propel the plot and force the protagonist to grow and succeed or remain static and perish. In the Negotiator trilogy, it is difficult to pinpoint who the bad guys really are. Daisani, a ruthless killer in his own right, hides secrets of opportunities lost with a mortal woman. Janx, not one to hide his own ruthless nature, has indeed built a house of cards. Unfortunately, it is one easily tumbled. In its fall, his outer shell is shattered and the dragon within released. Both beings have shown their extent of influence and their ability to exact revenge if necessary, but they do so under a code of honor that supersedes human understanding. Margrit herself, driven by a need to right all wrongs and protect those she doesn’t think can protect themselves, does more harm than good in her meddling.
There are so many unanswered questions following House of Cards that I’m anxious to have explained. The fate of the Old Races, with whom Margrit will end up, and the backlash from the attempted overthrow of Janx’s domain will all be decided in the final installment of the Negotiator trilogy, Hands of Flame. I don’t want the journey into this world to end, but if it must, I’m sure I will be blown away in the aftermath.
Opportunity knocks on several fronts. If a death at the workplace, a new career opportunity with a mysterious and deadly employer, and a debt owed to a dragon weren’t enough to send Margrit running to a land far, far away, the reemergence of a race formerly thought to be depleted just may do the trick. With this new discovery comes an upset in the balance of the Old Races, an upset that Margrit inadvertedly caused. Now Alban, the gargoyle whose name she cleared from murder charges, has no choice but to swoop back into her life and do what he can to keep her safe. With so many lives hanging in the balance, how can he hope to defend one lone human from the coming civil war among the Old Races?
Rarely do I encounter a sequel that not only lives up to but also exceeds the expectations created by the first book. House of Cards pleasantly shattered those expectations and raised the bar to an unreachable height. It was gritty, dangerous, sensual, and thrilling from page one to its startling conclusion. C.E. Murphy outdid herself when creating this magical world in which the characters must struggle to survive by any means necessary.
Admittedly, I tend to root for the bad guys. They do, after all, propel the plot and force the protagonist to grow and succeed or remain static and perish. In the Negotiator trilogy, it is difficult to pinpoint who the bad guys really are. Daisani, a ruthless killer in his own right, hides secrets of opportunities lost with a mortal woman. Janx, not one to hide his own ruthless nature, has indeed built a house of cards. Unfortunately, it is one easily tumbled. In its fall, his outer shell is shattered and the dragon within released. Both beings have shown their extent of influence and their ability to exact revenge if necessary, but they do so under a code of honor that supersedes human understanding. Margrit herself, driven by a need to right all wrongs and protect those she doesn’t think can protect themselves, does more harm than good in her meddling.
There are so many unanswered questions following House of Cards that I’m anxious to have explained. The fate of the Old Races, with whom Margrit will end up, and the backlash from the attempted overthrow of Janx’s domain will all be decided in the final installment of the Negotiator trilogy, Hands of Flame. I don’t want the journey into this world to end, but if it must, I’m sure I will be blown away in the aftermath.
jajorgen's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second in what is supposed to be a trilogy (I think) and for a middle book it is very well done. Often the middle book will sag a little because it is neither the set-up nor the denouement (think The Two Towers). But enough changed in this one or progressed to make it well worthwhile.
ac223's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, I think I am done with this series. I just keep thinking that I am wasting time that could be used to read a really good book, and instead I am reading one that is just ok. I'm glad Grit and Alban finally hooked up. Quite a few unexpected twists at the end.
zeezeemama11's review against another edition
5.0
the most action pacted of the series yet. i cant wait to see what else this author has to offer. ive been hooked since her shaman series and cant get enough of her writing style and unique characters. the plot description on the back of the book is deceptive and paints a picture of an storyline that might be to predictable. c. e. murphy has twists and turns that keep you guessing through out the series. so dont be fooled by faulty descriptions of her books, decide for yourselves.
alexrambles's review against another edition
4.0
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series thus far but I can't get past the similarities between this series and the "Gargoyles" TV series by Greg Weisman that I loved so much as a child. 
Goliath you dog- changing your name to Alban and leaving your cop for a lawyer?? The scandal!
On one hand, that makes this almost like an extension of what really was one of my favorite TV series EVER. On the other hand, the similarities really do bother me.
Can't figure out if this guy would be Malik or Janx though. Hmmm...
On one hand, that makes this almost like an extension of what really was one of my favorite TV series EVER. On the other hand, the similarities really do bother me.
Can't figure out if this guy would be Malik or Janx though. Hmmm...