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timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
A detective ex-mercenary among pirates, with sea monsters and strong characters of both genders. What's not to like?
It will help a little, or at least increase enjoyment, if you've already read one or more of the earlier Eddie LaCrosse books.
Fast-moving action draws your attention away from little niggles such as the impossibly capable good guys (Eddie can take anyone in single combat, can beat four at once if he's willing to take a few cuts ... and he's far less capable than Jane Argo, who one-hands a two-handed sword given to her by a man mountain of muscle).
The plot is not as predictable as one might fear, and there's plenty of humour.
On to the next volume!
It will help a little, or at least increase enjoyment, if you've already read one or more of the earlier Eddie LaCrosse books.
Fast-moving action draws your attention away from little niggles such as the impossibly capable good guys (Eddie can take anyone in single combat, can beat four at once if he's willing to take a few cuts ... and he's far less capable than Jane Argo, who one-hands a two-handed sword given to her by a man mountain of muscle).
The plot is not as predictable as one might fear, and there's plenty of humour.
On to the next volume!
klparmley's review against another edition
4.0
It doesn't have a happy ending. But, it has the right ending.
telerit's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-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? No
4.0
eyreguide's review against another edition
5.0
Adventure, mystery, ghosts, sea monsters, and pirates! There is a lot to love about this book! It’s an excellent plot-driven story, with strongly realized characters and packed with action and suspense. The main character, wry and sarcastic Eddie LaCrosse, takes us on his investigative journey to find a man who has been missing, dead or hidden for twenty years, and with such a cold trail, it's a wonder he manages to sniff out clues. The details in his logical approach to investigating was very interesting to a mystery-lover like me. His fellow sword jockey, Jane Argo, is a great character - a perfect foil to Eddie LaCrosse’s thoughtful, dispassionate approach to his work, and her antics which are sometimes funny, sometimes fierce and decisive, was always entertaining.
There are several tense scenes in this book that really drew me in and were perfectly captured in words by the author. The danger and mystery was in equal measure throughout and made it very difficult to put this book down. I highly recommend this book to all mystery and adventure fans!
There are several tense scenes in this book that really drew me in and were perfectly captured in words by the author. The danger and mystery was in equal measure throughout and made it very difficult to put this book down. I highly recommend this book to all mystery and adventure fans!
mamap's review against another edition
4.0
Never an easy read - and never easy answers. The question is - does the past ever go away?
About Angelina, the tavern owner.
About Angelina, the tavern owner.
bsmorris's review against another edition
4.0
Wisconsin author Alex Bledsoe knows how to draw in the reader with a fast paced plot. He has a great sense of humor as well. At times I get a little confused because the characters will all react in turn to something before Bledsoe will reveal all the details to the reader. That can be a bit annoying. However, I enjoy the Eddie Lacrosse character quite a bit. He is certainly flawed, letting violence and torture lead many of his actions. At the same time, he is reflective and usually motivated by a sense of justice, particularly for the weak and innocent. In other words, Lacrosse displays some sense of chivalry, which adds complexity and interest to his character.
In this novel, Lacrosse charts new territory (pun intended) as he takes to the seas in search of a pirate nobody has seen in twenty years. As always with Bledsoe's novels, the pacing is fast, although the action starts a little later than in Burn Me Deadly, since Lacrosse is hired for the job by a friend, thus leading to a development of the friend's previously undeveloped character. The reader needs some background to understand the friendship and what the job means to Lacrosse, thus the action begins in chapter two, rather than chapter one. There are some lulls in the action throughout the book, which only serve to build tension in both the reader and characters as the mystery builds to its conclusion.
Bit of a spoiler here - the incorporation of sea creatures is imaginative and gruesome, and really adds to the entertainment value, if in a dark way. Actually, there's moments in all of Bledsoe's novels that are gruesome, sometimes seemingly unnecessarily gruesome. On the other hand, perhaps that's the kind of detail that makes Bledsoe's semi-medieval world seem real.
Speaking of that, it always amuses me to see how Bledsoe incorporates modern touches to his non-industrial world. They read like throwaway details, but always make me laugh a little before continuing with the story. In this novel, it was the title of the book Lacrosse finds detailing the famous wreck of a pirate ship - it was very reminiscent of non-fiction book titles today, particularly those detailing mysterious or unexplained events.
Overall, I find Bledsoe's books entertaining and quick, but I wouldn't put too much thought into them. They are amusing and entertaining light reading, and I've read three of them in the last three days. I think I've exhausted the supply of Eddie Lacrosse novels, but that's ok with me.
In this novel, Lacrosse charts new territory (pun intended) as he takes to the seas in search of a pirate nobody has seen in twenty years. As always with Bledsoe's novels, the pacing is fast, although the action starts a little later than in Burn Me Deadly, since Lacrosse is hired for the job by a friend, thus leading to a development of the friend's previously undeveloped character. The reader needs some background to understand the friendship and what the job means to Lacrosse, thus the action begins in chapter two, rather than chapter one. There are some lulls in the action throughout the book, which only serve to build tension in both the reader and characters as the mystery builds to its conclusion.
Bit of a spoiler here - the incorporation of sea creatures is imaginative and gruesome, and really adds to the entertainment value, if in a dark way. Actually, there's moments in all of Bledsoe's novels that are gruesome, sometimes seemingly unnecessarily gruesome. On the other hand, perhaps that's the kind of detail that makes Bledsoe's semi-medieval world seem real.
Speaking of that, it always amuses me to see how Bledsoe incorporates modern touches to his non-industrial world. They read like throwaway details, but always make me laugh a little before continuing with the story. In this novel, it was the title of the book Lacrosse finds detailing the famous wreck of a pirate ship - it was very reminiscent of non-fiction book titles today, particularly those detailing mysterious or unexplained events.
Overall, I find Bledsoe's books entertaining and quick, but I wouldn't put too much thought into them. They are amusing and entertaining light reading, and I've read three of them in the last three days. I think I've exhausted the supply of Eddie Lacrosse novels, but that's ok with me.
lcdarkslayer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dreamerfreak's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Torture, Violence, Sexual violence, and Alcohol
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
Below is my review from 9 years ago. It still stands and even more so since I listened to it this time. Blood Groove was my first book by the author, but this was the one that hooked me to read all things Alex Bledsoe. Especially this series. Excellent thrill ride, funny, exciting, great worlld-building.
************
Having just finished BLOOD GROOVE, Alex Bledsoe's vampire novel set in 1975 and really fabulously grody (in the best possible way), I wasn't sure I was set to read another. Even though the series has been on the WWBL for some time and I've looked forward to reading this ARC I received from Becky (NoMoreGrumpyBookseller), I rarely read an author back-to-back.
So very glad I made an exception. I was getting cozied out a bit and wanted a fab UF/paranormal/fantasy to cleanse my palate. And it cleansed and then some. I love my cozies, but wanted something gritty.
WAKE OF THE BLOODY ANGEL made me grin from the beginning as Alex uses one of my favorite songs to base part of the story. The barmaid is named Brandy and met a sailor who she fell for after listening to his stories of the sea. He left one day, since the sea was his home. But he first gave her a gift...a braided silver chain.....
Brandy waited for him for twenty years, now it's time to find him and she hires Eddie LaCrosse to do so. Not all is at it seems and the adventure makes for a superb read.
This is the fourth in the series and I really need to go shopping to get the rest, especially SWORD-EDGED BLONDE, the title that captured my attention and the first in the series.
Highly recommendable!!
************
Having just finished BLOOD GROOVE, Alex Bledsoe's vampire novel set in 1975 and really fabulously grody (in the best possible way), I wasn't sure I was set to read another. Even though the series has been on the WWBL for some time and I've looked forward to reading this ARC I received from Becky (NoMoreGrumpyBookseller), I rarely read an author back-to-back.
So very glad I made an exception. I was getting cozied out a bit and wanted a fab UF/paranormal/fantasy to cleanse my palate. And it cleansed and then some. I love my cozies, but wanted something gritty.
WAKE OF THE BLOODY ANGEL made me grin from the beginning as Alex uses one of my favorite songs to base part of the story. The barmaid is named Brandy and met a sailor who she fell for after listening to his stories of the sea. He left one day, since the sea was his home. But he first gave her a gift...a braided silver chain.....
Brandy waited for him for twenty years, now it's time to find him and she hires Eddie LaCrosse to do so. Not all is at it seems and the adventure makes for a superb read.
This is the fourth in the series and I really need to go shopping to get the rest, especially SWORD-EDGED BLONDE, the title that captured my attention and the first in the series.
Highly recommendable!!