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corar's review against another edition
4.0
Hounds of the Underworld is a paranormal mystery that takes place in New Zealand. It follows a pair of siblings, one who is a scientist and only believes what there is evidence for and the other who has a connection to the world of the fantastic. I enjoyed reading this book. I especially liked the setting of New Zealand. It is not a location that many books I have read have featured and I appreciated the fact that this one took me somewhere new. Both of the authors are from New Zealand and although the book takes place in the near future (2040s) it still felt like I was getting a good feel for what Auckland would be like today.I liked both of the main characters and thought the dog was a good touch. My only criticism is that after finishing the book I am still not 100% sure of all of the paranormal stuff that was going on and I don't feel like I got to know Matai as well as Penny. I suspect that Matai's powers/background and the supernatural threat will be explored more in later books.
I received a free ebook from Library Thing's Early Reviewer group in return for an honest review.
I received a free ebook from Library Thing's Early Reviewer group in return for an honest review.
0hfortheloveofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
“All I see is more darkness. It follows us, clings to us, like a sickness, like...wild dogs”
A huge thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press for sending me a copy of Hounds of the Underworld in exchange for an honest review.
I did not read the synopsis beforehand so I had no expectations going into this book. I love going in blind and being surprised without having any preconceived ideas. I feel that really enhances my reading experience, I'm not waiting for certain things to happen. I am able to immerse myself in the story, the characters, the atmosphere. And Hounds of the Underworld delivered on all those points.
Hounds of the Underworld had two main characters, brother and sister Matiu and Penny. I loved the juxtaposition between them - Matiu was ruled by emotion, he had one foot in the shadow world, whereas Penny was purely scientific. It was an interesting insight being able to see the situations from both angles. I really enjoyed their relationship because it felt genuine. They bickered and disagreed and laid blame on the other in front of their parents but at it's core they're sweet and caring and protective. However, it was also infuriating because Penny needed to stand up for herself. Matiu all but takes over her investigation and she doesn't question it. In the next book, Teeth of the Wolf, I'd like to see a more equal relationship. Although, my favorite character was Mārama. She was haunting in speech, and ambiguous, yet comforting and steady to Matiu. I would love to see her play a bigger role in the next book.
Hounds of the Underworld was written by two authors, Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray, yet they were able to seamlessly blend their individual voices to create one cohesive story full of supernatural horror. I loved the feeling of this book. It was so atmospheric and tense, gritty at times, yet humorous and heartfelt. I loved how the tension would build and I'd get anxious but then it would abate slightly with the point of view shift, just to build up again. And the ending was just satisfying enough but left it open for a stellar book two.
A huge thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press for sending me a copy of Hounds of the Underworld in exchange for an honest review.
I did not read the synopsis beforehand so I had no expectations going into this book. I love going in blind and being surprised without having any preconceived ideas. I feel that really enhances my reading experience, I'm not waiting for certain things to happen. I am able to immerse myself in the story, the characters, the atmosphere. And Hounds of the Underworld delivered on all those points.
Hounds of the Underworld had two main characters, brother and sister Matiu and Penny. I loved the juxtaposition between them - Matiu was ruled by emotion, he had one foot in the shadow world, whereas Penny was purely scientific. It was an interesting insight being able to see the situations from both angles. I really enjoyed their relationship because it felt genuine. They bickered and disagreed and laid blame on the other in front of their parents but at it's core they're sweet and caring and protective. However, it was also infuriating because Penny needed to stand up for herself. Matiu all but takes over her investigation and she doesn't question it. In the next book, Teeth of the Wolf, I'd like to see a more equal relationship. Although, my favorite character was Mārama. She was haunting in speech, and ambiguous, yet comforting and steady to Matiu. I would love to see her play a bigger role in the next book.
Hounds of the Underworld was written by two authors, Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray, yet they were able to seamlessly blend their individual voices to create one cohesive story full of supernatural horror. I loved the feeling of this book. It was so atmospheric and tense, gritty at times, yet humorous and heartfelt. I loved how the tension would build and I'd get anxious but then it would abate slightly with the point of view shift, just to build up again. And the ending was just satisfying enough but left it open for a stellar book two.
aliciasirvid's review
5.0
I really loved this book, the two character viewpoints are so much fun. It was everything I look for in a book, quirky and original, funny but with real heart, and as a bonus there's just enough thriller to keep me on the edge of my seat.
The premise is that of a simple murder mystery. A locked room, a missing person, a bowl of blood: Pandora, the scientist, is hired to solve the mystery. This case could make or break her career, but is there more at stake?
Her brother Matiu thinks so. And he should know, this shadowy underworld is his bane.
Together they must solve the mystery and stay alive.
For reasons I can't quite pin down, it reminded me a little of Engines of Empathy by Paul Mannering, which I also adored. I think it's because the writing is just classy :)
I can't wait for the sequel
The premise is that of a simple murder mystery. A locked room, a missing person, a bowl of blood: Pandora, the scientist, is hired to solve the mystery. This case could make or break her career, but is there more at stake?
Her brother Matiu thinks so. And he should know, this shadowy underworld is his bane.
Together they must solve the mystery and stay alive.
For reasons I can't quite pin down, it reminded me a little of Engines of Empathy by Paul Mannering, which I also adored. I think it's because the writing is just classy :)
I can't wait for the sequel
daveversace's review
4.0
Nicely-done bit of mythic noir set in New Zealand's future (quite possibly the first book ever to earn that particular categorisation). Penny and Matui are siblings (he's adopted), with her feet planted firmly in the world of science (she's a forensic pathologist do freelance lab work for the police) and his mired in both the criminal and mythological underworlds. Authors Murray and Rabarts do an excellent job of alternating between the characters and stitching the multitude of genres into a very coherent (if gruesome) whole. There's locked-room murder, low-rest crimes like dog rustling, and Lovecraftian horror in the mix, but it all comes together in a fun read.
alanbaxter's review
4.0
A clever and fast-paced near future crime noir, skilfully blending horror, urban fantasy, and science fiction. Set in New Zealand, it’s refreshing in place and character, drawing on Maori and Chinese culture. I enjoyed this book a lot.
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