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Section Thirteen Case Files #1
The Thirteenth Child
A Section Thirteen story Immortal sidhe Tuulois MacColewyn is living rough. After nearly two centuries of life as one of Faerie Queen Titania's prized wolves and a handful of years as a Roaring Twenties mob boss's favorite enforcer, he's now exiled to New York, making rent doing dirty jobs for other fey outcasts. He used to consult on the occult for Detective James Corhagen at the NYPD, but since their highly combustible friendship burned itself out a year ago, Cole hasn't heard from him. All that changes when Corhagen summons Cole right out of his shower and into the middle of a crime scene. The NYPD is facing a rash of messy black-magic murders, complete with exploding hearts and very little forensic evidence, not to mention the sinister disappearance of several half-fey children. However hard he tries to deny it—and his inconvenient attraction to the sidhe—Corhagen needs Cole’s help. A persistent police inspector rounds out the team, but when their investigation comes too close to the truth, suddenly it’s their lives on the line. With a powerful killer on the loose, Cole, James, and Inspector Vallimun must race against time to stop the monster out to claim the thirteenth child.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2011
6 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
J.L. O'Faolain
12 books30 followersJ.L. O’Faolain was born the youngest, with four older sisters, in the backwoods of the Deep South. Those that have braved getting to know him have attributed this to being the root of his growing insanity. A teased bibliophile in his youth, O’Faolain spent his years prior to getting published as a cook, laundry man, delivery boy, grease monkey, and retail stocker. He has a plethora of skills and abilities, none of which would work well on a job application. In his spare time, O’Faolain enjoys weightlifting, philosophy, deconstruction, reading, writing, porn, and the Internet in general. Aside from becoming a successfully published author, he would very much like to pilot a giant robot while Two-Mix’s “Rhythm Emotion” is playing in the background. Either that, or travel the world in a dirigible. In short, the general consensus by all, including himself, is that he is a mighty strange fellow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 2, 2011
3.5 stars
The Thirteenth Child is the first in the series of thirteen planned books. I'm not sure how it was marketed, but it's obvious the publisher didn't do a very good job if so many readers expected romance and got urban fantasy instead. They didn't do any favors to the author and they also missed the opportunity to attract the new readers - those who prefer this genre over romance.
I have to comment on something at the beginning because I've read the complaints from other reviewers. Like many readers, I don't like my guys to have relationships with women within M/M romance. But, as I said, this isn't a romance and, more importantly, the protagonist isn't human. The human sexuality and morals do not and cannot be applied to Cole. He is a sidhe and, therefore, he is not gay or straight or even bisexual. Hi is omnisexual in the broadest sense of the word, since his relationships do not cross just over the gender, but also across the species lines. I have to give credit to the author for not making any compromises with Cole in that respect. That said, there is no on-page sex with a woman - Cole mentions a one-night stand with the woman and imagines one idealized - and impossible - future in which he is in relationship with a woman, although it has more to do with with the fact that this future would make his friendship with James possible.
Another aspect of Cole's character in which author doesn't pull any punches is his morals. In the very first scene of the novel, he kills a bunch of teenage gangbangers to pay his rent (although, he gave them every opportunity to run away). When he was banished to the human world, he spent years as an enforcer for a mob boss. He is prone to mischief, lust and anger - a true fay. Cole is probably the best part of this novel, a complex and interesting character, with sufficiently dark and not yet fully disclosed past. He has one major flaw though: he doesn't have enough flaws. He is powerful and never in any real danger through the entire novel. That could fly in one book, but I doubt it will be enough in thirteen. We'll see.
It is obvious that the author was heavily influenced by Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series. Some scenes are direct homages to Harry Dresten novels - like pizza eating pixies. There were other similarities and I was fine with that, once again, because it was the first novel in the series. Hopefully, the author will move on from the influences and continue to develop the world and his protagonist.
The major flaw of the book was the character of James. No, not because he didn't end up with Cole. In fact, I'm hoping he will not end up with Cole (someone will, I've read somewhere that the author plans to develop the romance subplot over several books). I wasn't bothered that he got married to the woman who was obviously a liar and a cheat. What bothered me was that he was an asshole, hypocrite and wuss. He jumps in a sack with Cole (and Vallimun) and than blames Cole. Hello?! Are you five or are you a grown man? By the end of the book, I disliked him so much I hoped he would be killed and I couldn't for the life of me understand what Cole saw in him. What is worse, I've read so many urban fantasies AND romances that I can already see several scenarios how the wife (That bitch!) could be removed from the picture. Hopefully, the author will not choose one of them and Cole will accept what Vallimun is offering. At least he will have some hot, unapologetic sex.
As the first brick in the wall, this wasn't a bad novel. But, it was only the first brick in the wall. Many story threads were left dangling and some of them will hopefully be dealt with in the next book. I know I will read it.
The Thirteenth Child is the first in the series of thirteen planned books. I'm not sure how it was marketed, but it's obvious the publisher didn't do a very good job if so many readers expected romance and got urban fantasy instead. They didn't do any favors to the author and they also missed the opportunity to attract the new readers - those who prefer this genre over romance.
I have to comment on something at the beginning because I've read the complaints from other reviewers. Like many readers, I don't like my guys to have relationships with women within M/M romance. But, as I said, this isn't a romance and, more importantly, the protagonist isn't human. The human sexuality and morals do not and cannot be applied to Cole. He is a sidhe and, therefore, he is not gay or straight or even bisexual. Hi is omnisexual in the broadest sense of the word, since his relationships do not cross just over the gender, but also across the species lines. I have to give credit to the author for not making any compromises with Cole in that respect. That said, there is no on-page sex with a woman - Cole mentions a one-night stand with the woman and imagines one idealized - and impossible - future in which he is in relationship with a woman, although it has more to do with with the fact that this future would make his friendship with James possible.
Another aspect of Cole's character in which author doesn't pull any punches is his morals. In the very first scene of the novel, he kills a bunch of teenage gangbangers to pay his rent (although, he gave them every opportunity to run away). When he was banished to the human world, he spent years as an enforcer for a mob boss. He is prone to mischief, lust and anger - a true fay. Cole is probably the best part of this novel, a complex and interesting character, with sufficiently dark and not yet fully disclosed past. He has one major flaw though: he doesn't have enough flaws. He is powerful and never in any real danger through the entire novel. That could fly in one book, but I doubt it will be enough in thirteen. We'll see.
It is obvious that the author was heavily influenced by Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series. Some scenes are direct homages to Harry Dresten novels - like pizza eating pixies. There were other similarities and I was fine with that, once again, because it was the first novel in the series. Hopefully, the author will move on from the influences and continue to develop the world and his protagonist.
The major flaw of the book was the character of James. No, not because he didn't end up with Cole. In fact, I'm hoping he will not end up with Cole (someone will, I've read somewhere that the author plans to develop the romance subplot over several books). I wasn't bothered that he got married to the woman who was obviously a liar and a cheat. What bothered me was that he was an asshole, hypocrite and wuss. He jumps in a sack with Cole (and Vallimun) and than blames Cole. Hello?! Are you five or are you a grown man? By the end of the book, I disliked him so much I hoped he would be killed and I couldn't for the life of me understand what Cole saw in him. What is worse, I've read so many urban fantasies AND romances that I can already see several scenarios how the wife (That bitch!) could be removed from the picture. Hopefully, the author will not choose one of them and Cole will accept what Vallimun is offering. At least he will have some hot, unapologetic sex.
As the first brick in the wall, this wasn't a bad novel. But, it was only the first brick in the wall. Many story threads were left dangling and some of them will hopefully be dealt with in the next book. I know I will read it.
August 28, 2011
This is an incredible book and one that made me pull out a beaten soapbox I own.
Let's talk about the book first. Make no mistake, this is an urban fantasy and one written by a good storyteller. The main character's voice was strong as were the secondary characters. There was action and the world building was tight. I'm going to recommend this book to anyone I think enjoys a good urban fantasy with a dash of spice to it.
Now for the soapbox. This isn't a romance. This is one of many books slotted into the M/M genre that people expect to be a romance or erotica because the M/M category isn't set up into different genres as it should be. Everything is packaged as M/M so a majority of readers EXPECT it to follow a certain formula. Boy meets boy. Boys fall in love. Something happens to strain boys' relationship. Boys overcome obstacle and HEA.
The M/M genre is evolving into a larger arena than that and this book is a result of that evolution.
O'Faolain has written a SOLID and intriguing book based off of a banished sidhe. I want to see more. I was pissed the book ended not because I wanted a HEA but because there was no more to read.
Viva la evolution! And write, O'Faolain! Damn it. I want more of your world and your Cole (I've got a Cole too. It was a bit disconcerting but I overcame that quickly). You kicked ass with this novel. I've not enjoyed an urban fantasy in a long time. There have been a few exceptions by particular writers and you are now on that list of writers to watch and buy.
Well done.
Let's talk about the book first. Make no mistake, this is an urban fantasy and one written by a good storyteller. The main character's voice was strong as were the secondary characters. There was action and the world building was tight. I'm going to recommend this book to anyone I think enjoys a good urban fantasy with a dash of spice to it.
Now for the soapbox. This isn't a romance. This is one of many books slotted into the M/M genre that people expect to be a romance or erotica because the M/M category isn't set up into different genres as it should be. Everything is packaged as M/M so a majority of readers EXPECT it to follow a certain formula. Boy meets boy. Boys fall in love. Something happens to strain boys' relationship. Boys overcome obstacle and HEA.
The M/M genre is evolving into a larger arena than that and this book is a result of that evolution.
O'Faolain has written a SOLID and intriguing book based off of a banished sidhe. I want to see more. I was pissed the book ended not because I wanted a HEA but because there was no more to read.
Viva la evolution! And write, O'Faolain! Damn it. I want more of your world and your Cole (I've got a Cole too. It was a bit disconcerting but I overcame that quickly). You kicked ass with this novel. I've not enjoyed an urban fantasy in a long time. There have been a few exceptions by particular writers and you are now on that list of writers to watch and buy.
Well done.
January 11, 2012
So-so m/m urban fantasy about an exiled sidhe living in New York City who gets called in by his "straight" ex to help the police solve a series of murders and child abductions. This had potential that wasn't realized due to clunky style and pacing. As with so many other releases from this publisher, it needed indepth editing to realize that potential. Also, be aware that there's virtually no romance in this one.
January 1, 2012
3.5
OVER THE TOP is the first and last thing that comes to mind concerning this book. I knew two things going into this read from sneaking a peek at a few reviews: it was an urban fantasy in every sense of the word and not to expect any romance whatsoever. This was fine as I'm trying to stretch my fantasy limits and taking a break from romance can make going back to romance that much better.
I have to agree with Feliz when she mentioned this book was crammed with just about every type of creature there was, many I had never even heard of before. It got to the point where I was desensitized and they no longer had any effect. Astonishingly enough, the book did hold my attention and I was snorting and cracking up all over the place. I had fun (and I hope it was meant to be fun) through all the smart-ass comments, through all the ludicrous B-movie type violence, blood and gore. I enjoyed it enough to want to see what else this author comes up with in this world and yeah, I'd like to follow Cole through another outrageous adventure where he hopefully does find some romance. Ahh, I guess I can't let the romance go after all. :)
OVER THE TOP is the first and last thing that comes to mind concerning this book. I knew two things going into this read from sneaking a peek at a few reviews: it was an urban fantasy in every sense of the word and not to expect any romance whatsoever. This was fine as I'm trying to stretch my fantasy limits and taking a break from romance can make going back to romance that much better.
I have to agree with Feliz when she mentioned this book was crammed with just about every type of creature there was, many I had never even heard of before. It got to the point where I was desensitized and they no longer had any effect. Astonishingly enough, the book did hold my attention and I was snorting and cracking up all over the place. I had fun (and I hope it was meant to be fun) through all the smart-ass comments, through all the ludicrous B-movie type violence, blood and gore. I enjoyed it enough to want to see what else this author comes up with in this world and yeah, I'd like to follow Cole through another outrageous adventure where he hopefully does find some romance. Ahh, I guess I can't let the romance go after all. :)
May 19, 2011
There is zero romance in this book, so I went into reading this with expectations that were not met. Plus, Cole fantasises about a possible future with his (female) roommate and at the end he sleeps with another woman for comfort. Too many women for my taste. The urban fantasy part was ok. It seems the first book in a series, maybe I'll read the next, if it promises me romance.
gave-up
December 16, 2013What the hell happened to my reviews for this? For that matter, what happened to my reviews for the rest of the series? I definitely commented on how this book read like a repurposed cross-over fanfic between Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series and Jim Butcher's Dresden files. Or at least, a blatant rip-off of Hamilton's Merry-Gentry-verse with bits of Dresden files thrown in. I sure as hell didn't remove them, so where did they go? And if they were removed, why was I not informed? I did email DSP about this (in July, I believe), and they emailed back saying something like they were "looking into it," but somehow I feel like that's CYA-bs for "yeah, thanks. (aside:oh, shit. we need to be more careful about not getting noticed.)"
Of course, I'm conjecturing quite severely, mostly because I'm pissed my stuff mysteriously disappeared from GR.
Since I don't remember what I originally put here, I'm going to copy+paste the email I sent to DSP by way of warning future readers of the possibility of intellectual theft:
In reading Book one of J.L. O'Faolain's Section Thirteen series, The Thirteenth Child, I discovered some startling similar - and in some cases, blatantly identical - points between the universe used in O'Faolain's works and that of authors Laurell K. Hamilton and Jim Butcher.
O'Faolain's series is about a Sidhe who has been exiled and has done police consulting work in the past. Author Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series is about a Sidhe princess who has been exiled and works as a private investigator. Beyond the similarities in the book's premise, though, certain points of o'Faolain's universe have been blatantly plagiarized from Hamilton's Merry Gentry Series. The Hand of Power concept described in the Section Thirteen series is identical to that created by author Laurell K. Hamilton in her Merry Gentry. Not only is the premise the same but the terminology used is also exactly the one used by Hamilton. The nightflyer race, also, is one previously unique to Hamilton's Merry Gentry universe. The descriptions in this book are identical to those in Hamilton's books.
The pizza-pixie combination, as well as the nature of the "dirty jobs for other fey" described in the blurb are reminiscent of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. In no other series and especially not in traditional lore have I encountered that interpretation of the lesser fae before, which, after seeing the ripped off elements and terminology from Hamilton's series, led me to suspect that it was "strongly influenced" by Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. While I can conceivably understand how the pizza-eating-pixie concept might develop coincidentally, there is no way the author could have coincidentally come up with the concepts of Hands of Power and the nightflyers in such detailed exactitude.
Although I had not reread Hamilton's books for years previous to reading O'Faolain's The Thirteenth Child, the detailed descriptions of Hamilton's universe created so strong an impact on me that I almost immediately recognized the copied elements in O'Faolain's book, which led me at first to think it was repurposed fanfiction.
Even though O'Faolain's books appear to feature a different cast of characters from Hamilton's series, O'Faolain's universe is almost an exact carbon copy of Hamilton's and raised concerns in me that Hamilton's intellectual property was being ripped off.
**
I actually wanted to enjoy this because there's so little M/M Sidhe stuff out there, and I kind of tried to rationalize it with myself about people wanting some M/M action about of Merry-Gentry-verse, but the taint of intellectual theft overcame me and I couldn't in good conscience finish it.
If, by some chance, J.L. O'Faolain is a pseudonym of Laurell K. Hamilton for her forays into M/M, then more power to her, but for some reason, I doubt that this is the case here.
Of course, I'm conjecturing quite severely, mostly because I'm pissed my stuff mysteriously disappeared from GR.
Since I don't remember what I originally put here, I'm going to copy+paste the email I sent to DSP by way of warning future readers of the possibility of intellectual theft:
In reading Book one of J.L. O'Faolain's Section Thirteen series, The Thirteenth Child, I discovered some startling similar - and in some cases, blatantly identical - points between the universe used in O'Faolain's works and that of authors Laurell K. Hamilton and Jim Butcher.
O'Faolain's series is about a Sidhe who has been exiled and has done police consulting work in the past. Author Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series is about a Sidhe princess who has been exiled and works as a private investigator. Beyond the similarities in the book's premise, though, certain points of o'Faolain's universe have been blatantly plagiarized from Hamilton's Merry Gentry Series. The Hand of Power concept described in the Section Thirteen series is identical to that created by author Laurell K. Hamilton in her Merry Gentry. Not only is the premise the same but the terminology used is also exactly the one used by Hamilton. The nightflyer race, also, is one previously unique to Hamilton's Merry Gentry universe. The descriptions in this book are identical to those in Hamilton's books.
The pizza-pixie combination, as well as the nature of the "dirty jobs for other fey" described in the blurb are reminiscent of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. In no other series and especially not in traditional lore have I encountered that interpretation of the lesser fae before, which, after seeing the ripped off elements and terminology from Hamilton's series, led me to suspect that it was "strongly influenced" by Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. While I can conceivably understand how the pizza-eating-pixie concept might develop coincidentally, there is no way the author could have coincidentally come up with the concepts of Hands of Power and the nightflyers in such detailed exactitude.
Although I had not reread Hamilton's books for years previous to reading O'Faolain's The Thirteenth Child, the detailed descriptions of Hamilton's universe created so strong an impact on me that I almost immediately recognized the copied elements in O'Faolain's book, which led me at first to think it was repurposed fanfiction.
Even though O'Faolain's books appear to feature a different cast of characters from Hamilton's series, O'Faolain's universe is almost an exact carbon copy of Hamilton's and raised concerns in me that Hamilton's intellectual property was being ripped off.
**
I actually wanted to enjoy this because there's so little M/M Sidhe stuff out there, and I kind of tried to rationalize it with myself about people wanting some M/M action about of Merry-Gentry-verse, but the taint of intellectual theft overcame me and I couldn't in good conscience finish it.
If, by some chance, J.L. O'Faolain is a pseudonym of Laurell K. Hamilton for her forays into M/M, then more power to her, but for some reason, I doubt that this is the case here.
October 1, 2020
I loved this.
I normally run away at the mention of the Fey. I like fantasy in film...but tend to be wary in print.
But, I love Urban fantasy. Weird huh. Idk, I just like to have one foot in, and one foot out.
This was great for me. It has a lot of fantasy, but it's also grounded.
Yes, I can see Jim Butcher influence. The other influence, that others have mentioned...I wouldn't know, since I haven't read them. But, it's an influence, not a fanfic or ripoff. I love Jim Butcher, so why would I dislike something that reminded me of his books? Not the writing. Just some of the world details, in general. Jim Butcher freely admits to the Odex Alera series being based on Roman empire and Pokémon. There is a difference between being influenced, and theft. I think this case is influence.
I liked the characters. I quickly got fed up with James. I admit, I really don't care for him, but he is interesting as a side character. I loved all the other characters, and felt connected to most of them.
During the blessing kisses, I whoop out a HOORAY! When a certain kiss was deepened. I wasn't really rooting for that out come yet...but I was so glad to have something happen that grabbed Cole's attention, that wasn't James. From that moment on, I started shipping.
Cole doesn't pretend to be guy in the white hat. The book starts out with him preforming a hit, as his way of income. He was also an enforcer for the mob in the past. He's unapologetic. I love him as a MC.
I gotta say, when I started this book, I wasn't expecting much. The book is almost 6 years old, and only has 156 ratings. But I'm really glad I found it. I'll speed right though the remaining books. I just hope there are more published soon. I don't think it should be marked down for not being focused on the romance. Romance wasn't the focus. I liked what was there, and it appears that it is going for a slow build up over multiple books.
~~~~~~~~~~
re-read 1/3/18
guilty pleasure book.
Yep, still loved it.
I liked the smaller details this time. The ones I didn't think about to much the first time around.
This series isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.
~~~~~~~~~~
re-read 10/1/20
I had forgotten a lot.
I don't know why I love it so much.
My son always makes fun of me for reading romances and will make up the most ridiculous lines that he thinks it would read like. This book is that, but much worse in the descriptions of anything sexual. If I started quoting I'd never stop. I think if I read some of those descriptions in anther book it would cause me to throw the book down. But somehow here I just laugh it off. It happens so often it must be intentional. Some of them crack me up.
Sometimes the sex scenes come out of nowhere, and you think, damn that's an odd place to add in sex....but then it makes sense. It's not there without a purpose. It's odd, but it's normally a magical way to make the story line progress.
This series makes me laugh, and sometimes groan. I keep coming back to it, and keep wishing there were more books in the series.
I normally run away at the mention of the Fey. I like fantasy in film...but tend to be wary in print.
But, I love Urban fantasy. Weird huh. Idk, I just like to have one foot in, and one foot out.
This was great for me. It has a lot of fantasy, but it's also grounded.
Yes, I can see Jim Butcher influence. The other influence, that others have mentioned...I wouldn't know, since I haven't read them. But, it's an influence, not a fanfic or ripoff. I love Jim Butcher, so why would I dislike something that reminded me of his books? Not the writing. Just some of the world details, in general. Jim Butcher freely admits to the Odex Alera series being based on Roman empire and Pokémon. There is a difference between being influenced, and theft. I think this case is influence.
I liked the characters. I quickly got fed up with James. I admit, I really don't care for him, but he is interesting as a side character. I loved all the other characters, and felt connected to most of them.
During the blessing kisses, I whoop out a HOORAY! When a certain kiss was deepened. I wasn't really rooting for that out come yet...but I was so glad to have something happen that grabbed Cole's attention, that wasn't James. From that moment on, I started shipping.
Cole doesn't pretend to be guy in the white hat. The book starts out with him preforming a hit, as his way of income. He was also an enforcer for the mob in the past. He's unapologetic. I love him as a MC.
I gotta say, when I started this book, I wasn't expecting much. The book is almost 6 years old, and only has 156 ratings. But I'm really glad I found it. I'll speed right though the remaining books. I just hope there are more published soon. I don't think it should be marked down for not being focused on the romance. Romance wasn't the focus. I liked what was there, and it appears that it is going for a slow build up over multiple books.
~~~~~~~~~~
re-read 1/3/18
guilty pleasure book.
Yep, still loved it.
I liked the smaller details this time. The ones I didn't think about to much the first time around.
This series isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.
~~~~~~~~~~
re-read 10/1/20
I had forgotten a lot.
I don't know why I love it so much.
My son always makes fun of me for reading romances and will make up the most ridiculous lines that he thinks it would read like. This book is that, but much worse in the descriptions of anything sexual. If I started quoting I'd never stop. I think if I read some of those descriptions in anther book it would cause me to throw the book down. But somehow here I just laugh it off. It happens so often it must be intentional. Some of them crack me up.
Sometimes the sex scenes come out of nowhere, and you think, damn that's an odd place to add in sex....but then it makes sense. It's not there without a purpose. It's odd, but it's normally a magical way to make the story line progress.
This series makes me laugh, and sometimes groan. I keep coming back to it, and keep wishing there were more books in the series.
July 13, 2011
The thirteenth Child is a hard one for me to rate. For a long while I really didn’t know what to think about it. It definitely wasn’t what I expected after reading the blurb, but that is not always a bad thing. I liked the fantasy elements and seeing mythical creatures like fae in a modern world (which makes it urban fantasy, I guess) can be very interesting. What stopped me from really liking it were three things: there was way too much violence for my tastes (I expected some, but not in this much gruesome detail), the two main characters not just hated each other in the beginning but they really didn’t admit their feelings even at the end (romance failure), and there was more cheating going on than I was able to shake a stick at, so to speak (some of it with women, which I REALLY didn’t expect).
Now, don’t get me wrong: some of what attracted me in the blurb was really well done. The characters obviously grabbed me enough to make me mad at them, so that part was great. The world with all its rules and creatures was well developed, even though I hated how awful some of the bests were. The suspense about what was going on and who was behind it all kept me reading. But my biggest complaint is that nothing was resolved at the end. The heroes were still pretty much at each other’s throats, not even a hint of a HFN and the overall plot has left enough questions open for me to want a sequel - but there is no hint of one to be found anywhere I checked. And to be quite honest, I am no even sure I’d want to read it – being afraid I’d be heading for another disappointment.
All in all, the reasons why I couldn’t like this book are purely personal. If you like urban fantasy, don’t mind cheating heroes and don’t expect a romance, the world building, urban fantasy elements and overall plotline will probably keep your interest and let you like this book a lot more than I did.
Now, don’t get me wrong: some of what attracted me in the blurb was really well done. The characters obviously grabbed me enough to make me mad at them, so that part was great. The world with all its rules and creatures was well developed, even though I hated how awful some of the bests were. The suspense about what was going on and who was behind it all kept me reading. But my biggest complaint is that nothing was resolved at the end. The heroes were still pretty much at each other’s throats, not even a hint of a HFN and the overall plot has left enough questions open for me to want a sequel - but there is no hint of one to be found anywhere I checked. And to be quite honest, I am no even sure I’d want to read it – being afraid I’d be heading for another disappointment.
All in all, the reasons why I couldn’t like this book are purely personal. If you like urban fantasy, don’t mind cheating heroes and don’t expect a romance, the world building, urban fantasy elements and overall plotline will probably keep your interest and let you like this book a lot more than I did.
May 27, 2015
Have to admit I'm a sucker for urban fantasy where otherworld beings live among us humans more or less out in the open and even better if the author is able to make the differences believeable not only in different looks and magical abilities. That is definately the case here: Cole is an exiled sidhe and we get to know right form the start that moral aspects and the pratical view on our world is different for fairies. It was fun to watch the clash of the human and sidhe point of views and the fact that nevertheless there is a constant mix of species which than again is one of the motivations of the murder case Cole is summoned to support. Unfortunately I also have to admit that I had no idea that the anglo-celtic fairy realm has so many species I know nothing about and never heard of. That took away a bit of the fun for me because the majority of the faries in this story are of that kind and I had a hard time to come up with pictures in my mind that might or might not fit. What I also had a hard time with is understanding the attraction Cole has for James Corhagen. There might be a reason for that in their past but that time is left in the dark. Might be because The Thirteenth Child is more a written action movie than romance novel but for me that unmotivated stange attraction is a dark hole in the middle of the story and made me often wonder if I'm going to follow the series or just enjoy the amusing action roller-coaster of this single story. I'm still not so sure about it and also the 4 rating is more a rounded up three-dot-something but at the end I got accustomed to flawless Cole and the potential of his story and of course the world creation of J.L. O'Faolain - just need an fairy almanac next time.
May 20, 2011
This was a good start to the series. There's plenty of action, and a nice who dunnit. I liked Cole's character, he's very upfront and doesn't pretend; he can't be easily labeled as gay or straight, b/c he was involved in a threesome w/a woman and a man. And though he has a special connection with another female character, I think it was more like he envisioned this future with her b/c it would be easier and less complex than the one he has with James. But it's just an idea and not reality. Still at the end he has a one night stand with a woman and prior to that he had a 3some w/James and Inspector Joss Vallimun; so I think it's more like he's not hung up on gender when it comes to bed partners and just enjoys the attraction to males or females in equal measure.
Now James, I wanted to understand him and his whole dilemma with coming out or accepting the fact that he likes men; but he made it really difficult and only managed to frustrate me and made me dislike him a little. Especially b/c after each time he was together with Cole he acted like he'd been unwilling.
The story ends in a sort of cliffhanger b/c there's still some matters left unresolved and unanswered questions; and while there is no actual romance in this one, there's a potential love interest for Cole.
I was really happy with this,so I'm definitely hoping for more.
Now James, I wanted to understand him and his whole dilemma with coming out or accepting the fact that he likes men; but he made it really difficult and only managed to frustrate me and made me dislike him a little. Especially b/c after each time he was together with Cole he acted like he'd been unwilling.
The story ends in a sort of cliffhanger b/c there's still some matters left unresolved and unanswered questions; and while there is no actual romance in this one, there's a potential love interest for Cole.
I was really happy with this,so I'm definitely hoping for more.
May 18, 2011
Not quite 4 stars but is probably more than a 3 star read. As others have stated, this appears to be the first novel in an urban fantasy series. It can also be classed as a suspense/whodunnit novel as Cole, an exiled sidhe, becomes involved with a homicide/kidnap investigation that has fae or magical overtones. Unfortunately (for me anyway), it cannot be classed as a true romance novel.
It soon becomes apparent that Corhagan, the detective who brings Cole into the investigation, has had a romantic entanglement with Cole in the past, and now bitterly regrets it... Or does he? Then a third person, a police inspector, becomes involved with the investigation, and the path ahead for the investigation and any emotional partnerships, becomes muddy and unclear. The course of the investigation leads to glimpses of Coles past, offering snippets of knowledge regarding his family, career, and allegiances. But despite a hint or two, nothing is really revealed concerning the reason for his exile.
While the world building and character development seems solid, the actual story line has left me feeling dissatisfied as by the end, nothing had been truly resolved. I would certainly consider reading any future books in the series, but I would probably wait until it has been reviewed.
It soon becomes apparent that Corhagan, the detective who brings Cole into the investigation, has had a romantic entanglement with Cole in the past, and now bitterly regrets it... Or does he? Then a third person, a police inspector, becomes involved with the investigation, and the path ahead for the investigation and any emotional partnerships, becomes muddy and unclear. The course of the investigation leads to glimpses of Coles past, offering snippets of knowledge regarding his family, career, and allegiances. But despite a hint or two, nothing is really revealed concerning the reason for his exile.
While the world building and character development seems solid, the actual story line has left me feeling dissatisfied as by the end, nothing had been truly resolved. I would certainly consider reading any future books in the series, but I would probably wait until it has been reviewed.
October 15, 2011
This story struck me as if it tried to pack as many creatures of the sidhe lore in as possible, including pizza-eating pixies, sidhe warriors, gods and goddesses, brownies, hags, witches, ghosts, then mixed it with a couple of closeted policemen, a little bit of shapeshifting and a whole lot of blood, gore, undeads, severed limbs and scratched-out eyes. The whole mix was spiced up with a pinch of mansex, even a threesome, which really didn't have much to do with the plot nor helped the presumed relationship between Cole, James and/or Joss along much; in addition to that, the sex mostly occured under quite untoward circumstances, for example while the characters should have been busy fighting off an army of animated, claw-bearing scarecrows or a jumble of out-of-control fey bastard children. Speaking of plot, having the main character encounter a bunch of weird occurences isn't much of a plot, and the mystery is solved with the baddie appearing out of the left field without preamble.
The whole thing was at least fairly well-written and interesting enough that I finished it, hence the second star. Yet, the end result was just ....strange. If I hadn't read this book, I wouldn't miss it.
The whole thing was at least fairly well-written and interesting enough that I finished it, hence the second star. Yet, the end result was just ....strange. If I hadn't read this book, I wouldn't miss it.
May 17, 2011
While I agree that this book is more urban fantasy than strictly romance, it does contain a romantic conflict and hints at a possible romantic developement in the future - but be that as it may, I enjoyed this book a lot.
J.L. O´Faolain is a new author (well new to me at any rate) and I was impressed by the writing and by the world building, that while working with known props of the fantasy genre, nevertheless put a new spin on the old fa(e)iry tale.
I am definitely looking forward to more from this author and thankfully there are enough story threads remaining to justify at least one more book.
J.L. O´Faolain is a new author (well new to me at any rate) and I was impressed by the writing and by the world building, that while working with known props of the fantasy genre, nevertheless put a new spin on the old fa(e)iry tale.
I am definitely looking forward to more from this author and thankfully there are enough story threads remaining to justify at least one more book.
May 16, 2011
What I like about The Thirteenth Child is that the characters are flawed, pretty violent plot and a death with enough of sex and humor to abstain this fast paced supernatural story from mainstream. The bad part is this is the first of the series (?).Imagine myself knocking the wall with the ending. When will the second be out?
November 12, 2011
Yeah, that was a wild ride. The M/M/M scene was the cream in the jeans for me. Oh man, and the next book is coming out soon. Nice one J.L. O'Faolain.
January 10, 2016
3.5 Stars
May 22, 2012
A Campy and Chaotic Great Time
Exiled from Faerie for almost a century, full-blooded sidhe Tuulois MacColewyn is working in New York City, minding his own business and taking the occasional enforcer job whenever his funds start getting low or he's feeling a bit of ennui. He is, in fact, just washing off the effects of a job when an old friend grabs Cole's attention...and Cole himself...right out of the shower, and yanks him through a portal straight into an active crime scene.
It's been a year since Cole last saw Detective James Corhagen. A year since the end of a friendship and loose working partnership that Corhagen decided was too intensely complicated to continue, and a relationship that the detective, intent on having a family, claimed he no longer wanted. Now Cole is standing, naked and wet, in a summoning circle Corhagen drew, at the command of a spell that the detective had cast.
Cole is just twisted enough to enjoy every moment of the turning worm, even as Corhagen informs him of the supernatural nature of the three homicides and kidnappings that prompted Corhagen's spellcasting. Cohagen has come to Cole...or summoned Cole to come to him...to ask the sidhe for the sort of help he once freely provided. With no clues and no way to stop a potentially supernatural killer with a taste for kidnapping infants, Corhagen desperately needs Cole's unique skills to have any hope of stopping these crimes before more babies are ripped from their parents' mutilated corpses.
Cole, being Cole, agrees to do what he can...for the right price...and if he just happens to get some personal pleasure out of the job, well, no self-respecting Fey wouldn't.
~*~
The Thirteenth Child isn't a perfect book. The plot is fast and packed with wild characters and wicked action, but the narrative is chaotic in places and some of the characters didn't get much definition. Character motivations and emotions didn't always translate well, which limited the emotional impact of some major scenes. The world-building and character backstory were unique and imaginative, but inconsistent, and at times seemed contradictory or lacking in clarity. The timeline, both for the past relationship between Corhagen and Cole as well as the current storyline, was hard to get a solid handle on and also seemed inconsistent in places. And Cole's abilities and powers seemed to fluctuate based on need and he came off as Mary Sue at times (I don't know the term for the male equivalent, sorry).
That being said, I sort of loved this book. It was delightfully campy in places, with Cold Hands of Death and pitchfork-imbued scarecrow constructs, power-hungry half-sidhe monsters with a Mommy fetish and teenage military-weapons hoarders, and Cole. I love Cole. He is an irreverent, insouciant rogue with a wicked sense of humor and nothing resembling shame. Despite any critical issues, I couldn't help being quickly drawn in and getting totally invested in his life and his story.
He really is the backbone of the book, but the supporting cast also included some spectacular secondary characters who I loved. Corhagen wasn't one of them. He was my least favorite of them all, in fact. His issues and his history with Cole were a point of contention between them throughout the story. It got a little old, especially as the rejection of his core needs and desires, as well as any lingering feelings he has for Cole annoyed me from start to finish.
Fortunately, there were a couple of other secondary characters who were real scene-stealers in their own right. I was particularly enamored with Robyn, who was the most kick-ass kid-sized weapons specialist and demolition...expert (she likes to make things go boom) I've ever had the pleasure to read. Inspector Vallimun, whose presence allowed me to deal with my dislike of Corhagen, also grew on me more and more as the story progressed. I ended up liking him far more than Corhagen.
The story has twists and turns that set up some truly great scenes of mass destruction. I love those scenes. There were also elements of mystery or at least secrecy shrouding Cole's past and those elements get woven into the present-day plot threads in pleasantly surprising ways. Not everything was explained as well as I would have liked, not all my questions got answered, but I got enough to keep me entertained.
M/M purists should be warned about one thing, though. Cole isn't exactly gay. I actually can't say that any of the characters I met in this book are. If labels are important, I'd broadly classify those who participate in the described sex scenes (which are all M/M or M/M/M) as bi-sexual. There are mentions of Cole having sex with, or thinking of having sex with, more than one woman in this book, though none of those sex scenes are described in any detail. That doesn't bother me, but I know some readers prefer their M/M stories to have no mention of hetero sex at all, so I wanted to mention it.
In Cole's case, he's sidhe, and in this world, the sidhe are a highly sexual race, just as likely to have healthy and frequent sexual relationships for everything from offering comfort to expressing friendship to procreating with mates, and they are just as likely to be with males as females, Fey or human, or any combination and number of one or all of the above. Personally, I liked the racial distinction and thought it helped define aspects of Cole's nature.
So The Thirteenth Child isn't perfect, but perfection is highly overrated. What it is, is a rousing good time with memorable characters and an imaginative story. It's a little wacky, a little corny, hella sexy at times, and not always completely clear. It's tongue-in-cheek and wryly sardonic. It's Cole, who can do everything from shape shift to freeze with a touch; who will work if you pay him but fight to the death if he cares. Who will taunt you and tease you and force you to see the hardest truths. Who you want on your side, and who you want to see again and again. I know I do.
Disclosure: A copy of this book was provided to me by publisher Dreamspinner Press. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Exiled from Faerie for almost a century, full-blooded sidhe Tuulois MacColewyn is working in New York City, minding his own business and taking the occasional enforcer job whenever his funds start getting low or he's feeling a bit of ennui. He is, in fact, just washing off the effects of a job when an old friend grabs Cole's attention...and Cole himself...right out of the shower, and yanks him through a portal straight into an active crime scene.
It's been a year since Cole last saw Detective James Corhagen. A year since the end of a friendship and loose working partnership that Corhagen decided was too intensely complicated to continue, and a relationship that the detective, intent on having a family, claimed he no longer wanted. Now Cole is standing, naked and wet, in a summoning circle Corhagen drew, at the command of a spell that the detective had cast.
Cole is just twisted enough to enjoy every moment of the turning worm, even as Corhagen informs him of the supernatural nature of the three homicides and kidnappings that prompted Corhagen's spellcasting. Cohagen has come to Cole...or summoned Cole to come to him...to ask the sidhe for the sort of help he once freely provided. With no clues and no way to stop a potentially supernatural killer with a taste for kidnapping infants, Corhagen desperately needs Cole's unique skills to have any hope of stopping these crimes before more babies are ripped from their parents' mutilated corpses.
Cole, being Cole, agrees to do what he can...for the right price...and if he just happens to get some personal pleasure out of the job, well, no self-respecting Fey wouldn't.
~*~
The Thirteenth Child isn't a perfect book. The plot is fast and packed with wild characters and wicked action, but the narrative is chaotic in places and some of the characters didn't get much definition. Character motivations and emotions didn't always translate well, which limited the emotional impact of some major scenes. The world-building and character backstory were unique and imaginative, but inconsistent, and at times seemed contradictory or lacking in clarity. The timeline, both for the past relationship between Corhagen and Cole as well as the current storyline, was hard to get a solid handle on and also seemed inconsistent in places. And Cole's abilities and powers seemed to fluctuate based on need and he came off as Mary Sue at times (I don't know the term for the male equivalent, sorry).
That being said, I sort of loved this book. It was delightfully campy in places, with Cold Hands of Death and pitchfork-imbued scarecrow constructs, power-hungry half-sidhe monsters with a Mommy fetish and teenage military-weapons hoarders, and Cole. I love Cole. He is an irreverent, insouciant rogue with a wicked sense of humor and nothing resembling shame. Despite any critical issues, I couldn't help being quickly drawn in and getting totally invested in his life and his story.
He really is the backbone of the book, but the supporting cast also included some spectacular secondary characters who I loved. Corhagen wasn't one of them. He was my least favorite of them all, in fact. His issues and his history with Cole were a point of contention between them throughout the story. It got a little old, especially as the rejection of his core needs and desires, as well as any lingering feelings he has for Cole annoyed me from start to finish.
Fortunately, there were a couple of other secondary characters who were real scene-stealers in their own right. I was particularly enamored with Robyn, who was the most kick-ass kid-sized weapons specialist and demolition...expert (she likes to make things go boom) I've ever had the pleasure to read. Inspector Vallimun, whose presence allowed me to deal with my dislike of Corhagen, also grew on me more and more as the story progressed. I ended up liking him far more than Corhagen.
The story has twists and turns that set up some truly great scenes of mass destruction. I love those scenes. There were also elements of mystery or at least secrecy shrouding Cole's past and those elements get woven into the present-day plot threads in pleasantly surprising ways. Not everything was explained as well as I would have liked, not all my questions got answered, but I got enough to keep me entertained.
M/M purists should be warned about one thing, though. Cole isn't exactly gay. I actually can't say that any of the characters I met in this book are. If labels are important, I'd broadly classify those who participate in the described sex scenes (which are all M/M or M/M/M) as bi-sexual. There are mentions of Cole having sex with, or thinking of having sex with, more than one woman in this book, though none of those sex scenes are described in any detail. That doesn't bother me, but I know some readers prefer their M/M stories to have no mention of hetero sex at all, so I wanted to mention it.
In Cole's case, he's sidhe, and in this world, the sidhe are a highly sexual race, just as likely to have healthy and frequent sexual relationships for everything from offering comfort to expressing friendship to procreating with mates, and they are just as likely to be with males as females, Fey or human, or any combination and number of one or all of the above. Personally, I liked the racial distinction and thought it helped define aspects of Cole's nature.
So The Thirteenth Child isn't perfect, but perfection is highly overrated. What it is, is a rousing good time with memorable characters and an imaginative story. It's a little wacky, a little corny, hella sexy at times, and not always completely clear. It's tongue-in-cheek and wryly sardonic. It's Cole, who can do everything from shape shift to freeze with a touch; who will work if you pay him but fight to the death if he cares. Who will taunt you and tease you and force you to see the hardest truths. Who you want on your side, and who you want to see again and again. I know I do.
Disclosure: A copy of this book was provided to me by publisher Dreamspinner Press. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
March 2, 2018
So, I went back and forth on this for a bit. I think if I was more of a pure fantasy reader I would have liked it more. I was looking for more romance than I got. Also in regards to that I had a hard time connecting with the main character and his involvement with others. I am use to romance and so the lack of that connection to "someone" created a bit of a hole in the read for me.
I am trying to look at this past all of that. The plot was interesting along with the characters. I do feel that there could have been better world building. It felt a little like the author didn't take the time to really create his world. There was more of a placing of current time with the fact that the fae actually exist and the rest was just thrown in as needed.
This was still a good read. There was a lot of action to keep me reading along. I did notice that this series goes to book 4 and many have commented that it looked to have been planned for more books but that was many years ago. I doubt I will continue with it because just ending was it was suggested book 4 ended would only frustrate me.
I am trying to look at this past all of that. The plot was interesting along with the characters. I do feel that there could have been better world building. It felt a little like the author didn't take the time to really create his world. There was more of a placing of current time with the fact that the fae actually exist and the rest was just thrown in as needed.
This was still a good read. There was a lot of action to keep me reading along. I did notice that this series goes to book 4 and many have commented that it looked to have been planned for more books but that was many years ago. I doubt I will continue with it because just ending was it was suggested book 4 ended would only frustrate me.
November 29, 2017
Despite the cover and a few explicit sex scenes, this was a pretty run of the mill urban fantasy and not a romance. I did laugh at the use 'his sidhehood', but I guess why not!
May 21, 2020
2.5 Stars
This was a generally confusing and clunky book that did not pace itself well.
This was a generally confusing and clunky book that did not pace itself well.
December 17, 2011
Tuulois MacColewyn, Cole for short, is one of the fey. An sidhe, fairy warrior, one of the wolves of Queen Titania. Banished from home by King Oberon, he now lives in New York, and survives by taking odd jobs from various fey in the city. He is also an on-again off-again consultant with the NYPD on cases involving things that make regular detectives uncomfortable. But that relationship has been difficult of late. Strained. Especially since he fell out with James Corhagen, his old contact, sometime friend and...whatever the hell else they were to each other. Now James is married, a father, and the two haven't talked in over a year.
But that changes when Cole is Summoned, drawn out of the shower into a summoning circle by James. It seems there have been a series of murders with very unusual circumstances, that require special handling and understanding and experience. Men and women killed in a most grotesque manner, their hearts literally exploding out of their bodies and yes, exploding. And worse yet, their infants missing.
Pulled right into the middle of a crime scene, Cole senses the magic involved. After a promise of double the pay, Cole reluctantly agrees to investigate the crimes. Working with James is strained, as the man is reluctant to acknowledge that Cole and he have a past. But at least they have a third to cut some of the tension - Inspector Joss Vallimun.
As the investigation deepens, it appears the murders can be traced back to one of the sidhe. Can Cole, James and Joss stop the murders, or will it be the end of an immortal?
This is a fantastic, brilliant, imaginative vision of the legend of the fey in present day New York. J.L. O'Faolain has drawn together supernatural creatures, suspense, murder, humor and yes, unlikely romance, into an exciting, unexpectedly sensitive, sometimes wistful and heady romp of a tale. I found myself swept up into this world, with its colorful undertones and dark dangerous characters. This is not just a murder mystery, fantasy novel, romance, or urban thriller, but a fiery and fun mix of all these genres.
And it rocks.
Cole is a hugely complex character, not human, but after having intermingled with them for almost a century, he is not purely fey either. His interactions and relationships are not traditional, and no single person has been able to fill the gap left in him by being exiled from home.
"It doesn't do any good to try to hold onto something as it slid impossibly through your fingers". Such is Cole's life - him never changing, those he loves growing old, away, dying.
I loved this book. It is not your mama's romance, your boyfriend's thriller, or your little brother's/sister's fantasy. It is SO much more.
Fun. Touching in an odd way. And oh, so good.
Tom
But that changes when Cole is Summoned, drawn out of the shower into a summoning circle by James. It seems there have been a series of murders with very unusual circumstances, that require special handling and understanding and experience. Men and women killed in a most grotesque manner, their hearts literally exploding out of their bodies and yes, exploding. And worse yet, their infants missing.
Pulled right into the middle of a crime scene, Cole senses the magic involved. After a promise of double the pay, Cole reluctantly agrees to investigate the crimes. Working with James is strained, as the man is reluctant to acknowledge that Cole and he have a past. But at least they have a third to cut some of the tension - Inspector Joss Vallimun.
As the investigation deepens, it appears the murders can be traced back to one of the sidhe. Can Cole, James and Joss stop the murders, or will it be the end of an immortal?
This is a fantastic, brilliant, imaginative vision of the legend of the fey in present day New York. J.L. O'Faolain has drawn together supernatural creatures, suspense, murder, humor and yes, unlikely romance, into an exciting, unexpectedly sensitive, sometimes wistful and heady romp of a tale. I found myself swept up into this world, with its colorful undertones and dark dangerous characters. This is not just a murder mystery, fantasy novel, romance, or urban thriller, but a fiery and fun mix of all these genres.
And it rocks.
Cole is a hugely complex character, not human, but after having intermingled with them for almost a century, he is not purely fey either. His interactions and relationships are not traditional, and no single person has been able to fill the gap left in him by being exiled from home.
"It doesn't do any good to try to hold onto something as it slid impossibly through your fingers". Such is Cole's life - him never changing, those he loves growing old, away, dying.
I loved this book. It is not your mama's romance, your boyfriend's thriller, or your little brother's/sister's fantasy. It is SO much more.
Fun. Touching in an odd way. And oh, so good.
Tom
January 27, 2012
This urban fantasy erotica is the first in a series. The narrator is Tuulois MacColewyn, an exiled sidhe who usually just goes by the name ‘Cole.’ He’s been living in NYC since at the very least, the 1920’s after his exile. There are missing chunks of his back-story but we do know that he was Queen Titania’s ‘wolf’ and was exiled by Lord Oberon and that he has helped detective James Corhagen with odd cases in the past.
The men have a tumultuous past and a great deal of sexual tension and desire between them (though I must admit, I felt that more from Cole than James). James, however is married with two kids and one on the way, and his wife Sarah is a very sore point between them (Cole doesn’t believe the first child is James). Cole is very comfortable with his bisexuality. James seems far less so.
When James magically summons Cole right out of the apartment he shares with young Katalina (platonically), Cole isn’t thrilled. James needs his help. Someone is murdering people in seriously bizarre ways and their children have gone missing. One of Cole’s sidhe abilities is to raise the dead and it’s soon evident that there is a plot afoot and that the children are the center of it. With the help of Vallimun, Corhagen’s boss, they have to unravel the mystery before the thirteenth child is kidnapped and another family dies.
Overall, I enjoyed this. I know other reviewers were disappointed in the lack of romance but that is the appeal to me. Because it really isn’t romantic. It’s flat out urban fantasy with erotica in it and I couldn’t think of a better meeting of subgenres. For me, romantic subplots are fine, full on romance as the main plot, not so much so. I liked Cole a lot though I thought both Corhagen and Vallimun needed fleshing out more (though since this is through Cole’s eyes that is easier said than done). I liked the research put into the faeries but thought some of the police procedural aspects were a tad iffy.
On the negative side, I didn’t see a good reason why Cole is so wrapped up in Corhagen (there seemed to be more chemistry with Vallimun and there is a three way mutual attraction thing in the storyline). Corhagen seemed more cold and distant than anything but that could be a side effect of the denial Cole seems to believe James is in living in. For those looking for a lot of sex scenes, there aren’t that many. This did not bother me. I was put off a little by the timing of some of the sex scenes (as in the dumbest time ever to take your clothes off sort of thing) and the continued reminders of how huge everyone was (well, I suppose that’s part of the genre). I would definitely buy the next one in the series. Cole and his world were interesting.
The men have a tumultuous past and a great deal of sexual tension and desire between them (though I must admit, I felt that more from Cole than James). James, however is married with two kids and one on the way, and his wife Sarah is a very sore point between them (Cole doesn’t believe the first child is James). Cole is very comfortable with his bisexuality. James seems far less so.
When James magically summons Cole right out of the apartment he shares with young Katalina (platonically), Cole isn’t thrilled. James needs his help. Someone is murdering people in seriously bizarre ways and their children have gone missing. One of Cole’s sidhe abilities is to raise the dead and it’s soon evident that there is a plot afoot and that the children are the center of it. With the help of Vallimun, Corhagen’s boss, they have to unravel the mystery before the thirteenth child is kidnapped and another family dies.
Overall, I enjoyed this. I know other reviewers were disappointed in the lack of romance but that is the appeal to me. Because it really isn’t romantic. It’s flat out urban fantasy with erotica in it and I couldn’t think of a better meeting of subgenres. For me, romantic subplots are fine, full on romance as the main plot, not so much so. I liked Cole a lot though I thought both Corhagen and Vallimun needed fleshing out more (though since this is through Cole’s eyes that is easier said than done). I liked the research put into the faeries but thought some of the police procedural aspects were a tad iffy.
On the negative side, I didn’t see a good reason why Cole is so wrapped up in Corhagen (there seemed to be more chemistry with Vallimun and there is a three way mutual attraction thing in the storyline). Corhagen seemed more cold and distant than anything but that could be a side effect of the denial Cole seems to believe James is in living in. For those looking for a lot of sex scenes, there aren’t that many. This did not bother me. I was put off a little by the timing of some of the sex scenes (as in the dumbest time ever to take your clothes off sort of thing) and the continued reminders of how huge everyone was (well, I suppose that’s part of the genre). I would definitely buy the next one in the series. Cole and his world were interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2012
5 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
What can I say about this book except LOVED IT.? Cute Pixies, misunderstood Goblins, a Little Red Riding Hood with a basket full of weapons and a Troll with a cold and those are kinda like the Good guys? The opening scene shows you that this is not your usual paranormal fantasy where humans are sacred and the supernaturals have to take what they dish out. This book has its dark part’s, it’s ‘Oh riggghhhttt’ parts and is humorous most of the way through.
Tuulois ‘Cole’ MacColewyn survives by doing jobs for other supernaturals; he tries to protect those that are like family to him. James Corhagen is a detective just doing his job and living so far back in the closet that Narnia should ask him to become a citizen. Inspector Joss Vallimun seems to be a stick in the mud and you don’t really get to know much about him really, but everything may not be as so straight forward as it seems with him.
This book is not a happy ever after. Cole and James don’t go skipping off into the sunset holding hands and James doesn’t realize suddenly that the closet is cold and lonely. We do find out, however, that there may be another love interest for Cole.
The story is brilliant and slightly twisted it has you trying to figure out what happens next and you’d be wrong. There aren’t many sex scenes but the story more than makes up for it and we actually get to know the characters pretty well. When I finished the book I moaned ‘noooo you can’t just stop there’. So I truly believe this author is pure evil incarnate because I want to read the second book NOW and it’s not published yet.
I really can see this author being a huge hit because the way he has written this you know there will be a series (I’ve heard 13 books) and hopefully a prequel where Cole and James meet. (J.L. O’Faolain if you read this hint hint).
So, I recommend that you all run out and buy this book, if you haven’t already, ‘cuz really, what’s wrong with you all… it’s brilliant. If you want insta love, tons of sex and romance poring off the pages then this isn’t for you. If you want a real story line, in-depth characters and the promise of more to come then what are you waiting for, go get it.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
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What can I say about this book except LOVED IT.? Cute Pixies, misunderstood Goblins, a Little Red Riding Hood with a basket full of weapons and a Troll with a cold and those are kinda like the Good guys? The opening scene shows you that this is not your usual paranormal fantasy where humans are sacred and the supernaturals have to take what they dish out. This book has its dark part’s, it’s ‘Oh riggghhhttt’ parts and is humorous most of the way through.
Tuulois ‘Cole’ MacColewyn survives by doing jobs for other supernaturals; he tries to protect those that are like family to him. James Corhagen is a detective just doing his job and living so far back in the closet that Narnia should ask him to become a citizen. Inspector Joss Vallimun seems to be a stick in the mud and you don’t really get to know much about him really, but everything may not be as so straight forward as it seems with him.
This book is not a happy ever after. Cole and James don’t go skipping off into the sunset holding hands and James doesn’t realize suddenly that the closet is cold and lonely. We do find out, however, that there may be another love interest for Cole.
The story is brilliant and slightly twisted it has you trying to figure out what happens next and you’d be wrong. There aren’t many sex scenes but the story more than makes up for it and we actually get to know the characters pretty well. When I finished the book I moaned ‘noooo you can’t just stop there’. So I truly believe this author is pure evil incarnate because I want to read the second book NOW and it’s not published yet.
I really can see this author being a huge hit because the way he has written this you know there will be a series (I’ve heard 13 books) and hopefully a prequel where Cole and James meet. (J.L. O’Faolain if you read this hint hint).
So, I recommend that you all run out and buy this book, if you haven’t already, ‘cuz really, what’s wrong with you all… it’s brilliant. If you want insta love, tons of sex and romance poring off the pages then this isn’t for you. If you want a real story line, in-depth characters and the promise of more to come then what are you waiting for, go get it.
March 30, 2013
This is an entertaining, if imperfect, romp through paranormal NYC as seen through the eyes of an exiled sidhe. This reads like a first book, which I believe it is. And when you see terms like "meat tube" and "white-hot flesh rod", you've got a pretty good idea that you're dealing with a young male writer who might need to put a little more polish on his prose skills. Nonetheless, the book was much more humorous than I expected it to be, and it moved right along without noticeable dead spots in the plot. I especially loved the Red Riding Hood character who carried around a bottomless purse (her "bag of goodies") full of things like bazookas, napalm bombs, and rocket launchers. Also, although the book could have used a lot more general world building, I thought the author did a good job of giving us some sense of Cole's life history in NYC.
Unfortunately, there were other problems in the book as well. For one thing, there was a scene with pixies and pizza that was obviously stolen straight from Harry Dresden's universe. For another, there were some inconsistency problems and confusing timelines. For example, MC Corhagen has apparently been married for roughly a year. His wife was pregnant when they married; the kid was born a month after the wedding. Yet now, apparently just a year later, she is already supposed to be pregnant with their THIRD child. But Corhagen and Cole also supposedly slept together for the first time between one and two years ago ("more than a year"). But when Cole tops Corhagen in the book, he supposedly lets go of "years" of frustration. You see the problems here.
More plot problems -- the magic within the book was disorganized and poorly rationalized or explained. And then the MCs never could quite figure out what they were or were not going to do with each other -- were they, weren't they, were they again, or maybe this other guy will do the trick -- and sex scenes kept popping up right in the middle of life-threatening emergencies. Things like that kept irritating me throughout, but not enough to ruin the reading experience.
With some more thought and writing practice, this might turn into a reasonably good series. Small warning: for those strongly opposed to girly bits in their mm, there are one or two brief girly scenes. Nothing much, just something to be aware of.
Unfortunately, there were other problems in the book as well. For one thing, there was a scene with pixies and pizza that was obviously stolen straight from Harry Dresden's universe. For another, there were some inconsistency problems and confusing timelines. For example, MC Corhagen has apparently been married for roughly a year. His wife was pregnant when they married; the kid was born a month after the wedding. Yet now, apparently just a year later, she is already supposed to be pregnant with their THIRD child. But Corhagen and Cole also supposedly slept together for the first time between one and two years ago ("more than a year"). But when Cole tops Corhagen in the book, he supposedly lets go of "years" of frustration. You see the problems here.
More plot problems -- the magic within the book was disorganized and poorly rationalized or explained. And then the MCs never could quite figure out what they were or were not going to do with each other -- were they, weren't they, were they again, or maybe this other guy will do the trick -- and sex scenes kept popping up right in the middle of life-threatening emergencies. Things like that kept irritating me throughout, but not enough to ruin the reading experience.
With some more thought and writing practice, this might turn into a reasonably good series. Small warning: for those strongly opposed to girly bits in their mm, there are one or two brief girly scenes. Nothing much, just something to be aware of.
December 16, 2011
This was a delightful surprise! I thought I was getting a gay romance, but this truly was an urban fantasy with a romantic element. That element is completely secondary as Cole and his former boyfriend are no longer a couple; Cole’s love life is left undeveloped until the end with a promise of more in the sequel. Moreover, the world-building is very creative with a familiar, but rarely used, element – the Sidhe. Most urban fantasies concentrate on the more common werewolves or vampires, but O’Faolain develops his story around an exiled Sidhe Lord, Cole. And he has some pretty cool powers!
I like the Fae because they offer more variety in characters, setting and magic. There is also an existing mythology for them that an author can draw on, tweak, and expand. Cole is fully developed, likeable and interesting as the protagonist. We get a little background on him, but he’s still somewhat of a mystery (such as why he was exiled). I found the detective annoying: a man who chooses to dump his boyfriend to marry a woman & have a family, and is bitter about it. I’ve encountered this conceit in gay romances before and I’m not a fan of it. However, the author handles it better than I have read before, and the conclusion indicates this will not dominate the sequel. The mystery is somewhat simple, but that works for the introduction to a new series and new “world.”
Though this is a well-developed fantasy, it is also very much a Dreamspinner Press title. There is an extremely explicit, and hot, gay sex scene about mid-way through and some other erotic moments sprinkled throughout (and a fair bit of humor). Urban fantasy fans should enjoy this if the erotic content isn’t a deal breaker. I look forward to reading the sequel, and hopefully more to come. Highly recommended.
I like the Fae because they offer more variety in characters, setting and magic. There is also an existing mythology for them that an author can draw on, tweak, and expand. Cole is fully developed, likeable and interesting as the protagonist. We get a little background on him, but he’s still somewhat of a mystery (such as why he was exiled). I found the detective annoying: a man who chooses to dump his boyfriend to marry a woman & have a family, and is bitter about it. I’ve encountered this conceit in gay romances before and I’m not a fan of it. However, the author handles it better than I have read before, and the conclusion indicates this will not dominate the sequel. The mystery is somewhat simple, but that works for the introduction to a new series and new “world.”
Though this is a well-developed fantasy, it is also very much a Dreamspinner Press title. There is an extremely explicit, and hot, gay sex scene about mid-way through and some other erotic moments sprinkled throughout (and a fair bit of humor). Urban fantasy fans should enjoy this if the erotic content isn’t a deal breaker. I look forward to reading the sequel, and hopefully more to come. Highly recommended.
September 1, 2011
This book was an excellent read. J.L. O'Faolain is a very clever writer. The story has a wonderfully designed fantasy setting in modern day New York City with all the creatures of the faerie world. I think this book could easily be made into a movie. It seems to be the beginning of a series and I really can't wait for the next book. There is a cast of fantastic characters including a weapons crazy Red Riding Hood and a spirit of a former sorcerer who was sealed in a spell book. There is an ongoing undertheme of romance between our hero Cole and his associate Police Detective James Corhagen and possible the police inspector Villamun. Cole is an absolutely lovable character. He is a fierce warrior but he is also humorous and caring and not afraid to cry. Corhagen is a real sad case. He is trapped in a sham marriage and refuses to abandon his deceitful wife and two children who may or may not be his. The wife Sarah seems so evil that I am sure she will turn out to be part demon or some other evil thing. Cole is truly in love with James but he just can't persuade James to throw off the self imposed chains of his marriage. I feel sorry for both characters because Cole just cant move on from his love for James and it is heartbreaking to watch, while James is wasting his life and hurting Cole by being stuck in such a strong case of self-denial. It is sad because Sarah probably knows that James loves someone else but she refuses to set him free. I am very eager to see what the sequel will bring. I just hope that eventually Cole will get his HEA because he has been lonely for so long.
November 12, 2014
Wow I loved this. I'm surprised at how much this rocked my world! I love me a good romance, but this is not that, The Thirteenth Child is a sexy urban paranormal centering on the fae world- I don't know if there are any other supernatural creatures in this 'verse but i'm cool with that. I am a huge Hollows fan and this felt very much like slipping into that kind of book- filled with paranormal mystery and intrigue- and OMG THE SEX. I plead temporary insanity but I was totally into it!! The thing with the god was really weird, but I warmed up to it after I was for sure he wasn't Cole's actual father >_<
Can I just take a moment to applaud O'Faolain on creating a Fae pureblood who doesn't give a fuck what anyone thinks about what choices he's made or does in his life? It was so refreshing to see a non-angsty supernatural MC totally comfortable with who and what he is- even if that makes him a monster to a more shame-filled human race (well other than the whole James thing). Let me talk about the James thing. I did not like Corhagen. I did not particularly enjoy Cole's obsession with Corhagen- and I was not super pleased with the portrayal of the evil wife, she seemed very trope-y, generic "evil bitch". That scene in the hospital, I did not understand.
But all in all, BIG thumbs up! I have to thank the November Monthly Challenge for picking this book up, I probably would not have read it if it wasn't for that ^___^
Can I just take a moment to applaud O'Faolain on creating a Fae pureblood who doesn't give a fuck what anyone thinks about what choices he's made or does in his life? It was so refreshing to see a non-angsty supernatural MC totally comfortable with who and what he is- even if that makes him a monster to a more shame-filled human race (well other than the whole James thing). Let me talk about the James thing. I did not like Corhagen. I did not particularly enjoy Cole's obsession with Corhagen- and I was not super pleased with the portrayal of the evil wife, she seemed very trope-y, generic "evil bitch". That scene in the hospital, I did not understand.
But all in all, BIG thumbs up! I have to thank the November Monthly Challenge for picking this book up, I probably would not have read it if it wasn't for that ^___^
October 20, 2013
3,75 stars
The mystery part was quite interesting, the sex scenes, well let's say I tried to skip them, because they sounded like something from a cheap porn movie. It's not a romance, I mean Cole has feelings for James, his old lover, who is still in denial, but he slep with a girl, with the inspector who joins them and James at the same time, then there is the consort, who also had sex with him. I hope that will get better in the second book, since he seemed to be interested in Joss, the former mentioned inspector.
As to what happpened: People are killed in a gruesome way, which the police cannot explain and their kids are kidnapped. Detective James decides to call his ex-lover, who he left to merry his cheating girlfriend, who was pregnant at that time, since he clearly needs someone familiar with the supernatural. Cole is a fey, who was exiled to lived among the mortal. He still has feelings for his ex and reluctantly agrees to help to help, since the police is clearly dealing with something paranormal and they are not equiped to handel it.
One character David, Cole's godson, reminded me of a character from Gargoyles. He rebuilded a castle, which he importet from the old country, on the top of a sky scraper.
The mystery part was quite interesting, the sex scenes, well let's say I tried to skip them, because they sounded like something from a cheap porn movie. It's not a romance, I mean Cole has feelings for James, his old lover, who is still in denial, but he slep with a girl, with the inspector who joins them and James at the same time, then there is the consort, who also had sex with him. I hope that will get better in the second book, since he seemed to be interested in Joss, the former mentioned inspector.
As to what happpened: People are killed in a gruesome way, which the police cannot explain and their kids are kidnapped. Detective James decides to call his ex-lover, who he left to merry his cheating girlfriend, who was pregnant at that time, since he clearly needs someone familiar with the supernatural. Cole is a fey, who was exiled to lived among the mortal. He still has feelings for his ex and reluctantly agrees to help to help, since the police is clearly dealing with something paranormal and they are not equiped to handel it.
One character David, Cole's godson, reminded me of a character from Gargoyles. He rebuilded a castle, which he importet from the old country, on the top of a sky scraper.
July 18, 2012
This one was a hard one to rate, the plot was good but there was just things with the story that bothered me. Cole was a mess in my opinion, he didn't mind who he was getting it on with but at the same time it seemed like he wanted James/Corhagen (there's no romance really but the action/fighting kind of makes up for it). Also at the beginning the interchange between using James last name and first name was confusing especially since there was a good amount of "C" names in my opinion and a lot of characters being introduced (I admit I'm a bit awful with names....). There was also that feel of being thrown into a crowd where you're new but everyone else already knows each other making it hard to get into the book (took me 100 pages in to get into the book and then the unexpected menage kind of turned me off of it). James kind of left an awful mark on my mind. I just hated him for being a user, hater and a cheater. The ending gave me a little hope for the next book which to be truthful I was dreading to read since this book wasn't as good as I thought it would be. Hopefully Cole's relationship with Vallimun will be better than his failed relationship with James.
May 13, 2012
Read for m/m team bingo challenge.
Like some other reviewers said, this book had potential. The beginning was very interesting and I was hooked. So as the story progressed, when it didn't quite seem to reach its full potential that I felt was promised at the beginning, I was left disappointed. It wasn't that this wasn't romance. I enjoy urban fantasy and having read some of the reviews here before purchasing, I knew not to expect romance here. Still the couple of sex scenes present in the book happened at odd points (it felt to me) when I was mostly impatient to just get it over with, so that the plot could go on. Especially the dreamscape scene (I expected something fantastic and adventurous, in order for them to find their way out)---what actually happened, I didn't get the point of at all.
There still were too many questions left unanswered, and nothing at all felt resolved by the end. I had already purchased the second book a while ago, so I can just start reading that now and hope for better experience and some solid answers.
Like some other reviewers said, this book had potential. The beginning was very interesting and I was hooked. So as the story progressed, when it didn't quite seem to reach its full potential that I felt was promised at the beginning, I was left disappointed. It wasn't that this wasn't romance. I enjoy urban fantasy and having read some of the reviews here before purchasing, I knew not to expect romance here. Still the couple of sex scenes present in the book happened at odd points (it felt to me) when I was mostly impatient to just get it over with, so that the plot could go on. Especially the dreamscape scene (I expected something fantastic and adventurous, in order for them to find their way out)---what actually happened, I didn't get the point of at all.
There still were too many questions left unanswered, and nothing at all felt resolved by the end. I had already purchased the second book a while ago, so I can just start reading that now and hope for better experience and some solid answers.
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