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tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
The book is much more focused on the inner turmoil of the Ragtag Band of Misfits - about five of whom are viewpoint characters - than anything resembling actual plot. It’s not great, because the world-building is complicated and this is the second book in the series. Maybe the first book had more background - but there’s so much in this one that if so, it must have been nothing BUT background. There are a lot of characters, mostly with very short names, two of which start with C.
I also question the choice to place Russian vampires in Southie, but that’s a Boston thing. Polish, okay, maybe they walked from Dorchester. (And why does everyone refer to a character as “Dunyasha”? Her boss, sure, it’s a power play, but surely she’d insist that everyone else use Dunya or even Avdotya?)
I also question the choice to place Russian vampires in Southie, but that’s a Boston thing. Polish, okay, maybe they walked from Dorchester. (And why does everyone refer to a character as “Dunyasha”? Her boss, sure, it’s a power play, but surely she’d insist that everyone else use Dunya or even Avdotya?)
amibunk's review against another edition
3.0
Fun with interesting characters, but the plot wasn't extraordinary.
schomj's review against another edition
3.0
Scooby-squad UF, with more gore than romance.
I think this is probably best read in one sitting. I dragged it out a little over a week and found it hard to get back into each time I'd pick it up. Part of that is probably because of the lack of info dumping, which would normally delight me, but I would also normally get this read within a weekend so wouldn't need the reminders about what's happened.
I've found myself becoming more attentive to the diversity within books lately, so I'll note: main characters include (all White) humans, vampires, and monster hunters. It's hinted that a few secondary characters may be Black, but not stated. Which makes me wonder what's better: characters are default White unless stated otherwise or no characters get racial designations? (I'm assuming the Russian and Irish characters are White though, given the 21st century setting.). Two main characters are out lesbians in a committed relationship and there are hints that another may be gay or bi. All are able bodied as far as I could tell.
I think this is probably best read in one sitting. I dragged it out a little over a week and found it hard to get back into each time I'd pick it up. Part of that is probably because of the lack of info dumping, which would normally delight me, but I would also normally get this read within a weekend so wouldn't need the reminders about what's happened.
I've found myself becoming more attentive to the diversity within books lately, so I'll note: main characters include (all White) humans, vampires, and monster hunters. It's hinted that a few secondary characters may be Black, but not stated. Which makes me wonder what's better: characters are default White unless stated otherwise or no characters get racial designations? (I'm assuming the Russian and Irish characters are White though, given the 21st century setting.). Two main characters are out lesbians in a committed relationship and there are hints that another may be gay or bi. All are able bodied as far as I could tell.
ibri's review against another edition
4.0
Not bad, decent characters. Would consider their characterization above average for urban fantasy.
sarrie's review against another edition
4.0
I immensely enjoyed the first book in this series so I was incredibly excited for this one. It was excellent, as I expected, though it didn't quite grab me the way the first did.
This volume seemed to focus much more on the dynamics of the relationships in the group. I especially appreciated the little to no drama approach we got from the few romantic entanglements that appeared.
A fun and I think unique urban fantasy
This volume seemed to focus much more on the dynamics of the relationships in the group. I especially appreciated the little to no drama approach we got from the few romantic entanglements that appeared.
A fun and I think unique urban fantasy
glennisleblanc's review
3.0
The second book is a set only a few months after the end of the first book and everyone is trying to deal with the changes and losses in their lives. Elly is working for the Stregi, the Boston group of vampires as they are dealing with a turf war. Cavale is tracking down a necromancer that has moved into the neighborhood. And both Elly and Cavale are tiptoeing around talking about their shared childhood, separation and how they will handle the future together as adults. Both story lines blend by the end of the book and bring everyone from the previous books together again and you also learn more about Sunny and Lia as well. Justin is adjusting to being a a vampire with a little extra in the mix of his making A good second book and a book that you can read without reading the first book since you are still finding so much out about these characters.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
behindthepages's review
5.0
Another quick, fun, supernatural read. Lauren M. Roy is slowly working her way towards being a favorite of mine.
I did figure out the big mystery before her characters. However, I still enjoyed the challenges they had to face in order to figure it out for themselves.
I love her characters and the relationships that have grown with them in this book. Chaz and Val exchanging sarcastic quips never fails to make me laugh, and the evolution of Elly is subtle yet progressive. Roy isn't rushing her characters, which makes me believe we have quite a journey ahead of us in her series and I am excited to see what comes next.
I did figure out the big mystery before her characters. However, I still enjoyed the challenges they had to face in order to figure it out for themselves.
I love her characters and the relationships that have grown with them in this book. Chaz and Val exchanging sarcastic quips never fails to make me laugh, and the evolution of Elly is subtle yet progressive. Roy isn't rushing her characters, which makes me believe we have quite a journey ahead of us in her series and I am excited to see what comes next.
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