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Path of Ra #1
Hounds of the Underworld
On the verge of losing her laboratory, her savings, and all respect for herself, Pandora (Penny) Yee lands her first contract as scientific consult to the police department. And with seventeen murder cases on the go, the surly inspector is happy to leave her to it. Only she's going to need to get around, and that means her slightly unhinged adopted brother, Matiu, will be doing the driving. But something about the case spooks Matiu, something other than the lack of a body in the congealing pool of blood in the locked room or that odd little bowl.
Matiu doesn't like anything about this case, from the voices that screamed at him when he touched that bowl, to the way his hateful imaginary friend Makere has come back to torment him, to the fact that the victim seems to be tied up with a man from Matiu's past, a man who takes pleasure in watching dogs tear each other to pieces for profit and entertainment.
Hounds of the Underworld blends mystery, near-future noir and horror. Set in New Zealand it's the product of a collaboration by two Kiwi authors, one with Chinese heritage and the other Māori. This debut book in The Path of Ra series offers compelling new voices and an exotic perspective on the detective drama.
Matiu doesn't like anything about this case, from the voices that screamed at him when he touched that bowl, to the way his hateful imaginary friend Makere has come back to torment him, to the fact that the victim seems to be tied up with a man from Matiu's past, a man who takes pleasure in watching dogs tear each other to pieces for profit and entertainment.
Hounds of the Underworld blends mystery, near-future noir and horror. Set in New Zealand it's the product of a collaboration by two Kiwi authors, one with Chinese heritage and the other Māori. This debut book in The Path of Ra series offers compelling new voices and an exotic perspective on the detective drama.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published July 26, 2017
About the author
Dan Rabarts
39 books17 followersI am a writer of fantasy novels and speculative fiction, sometime narrator of podcasts (including stories for the Hugo award-winning StarShipSofa), occasional sailor of sailing things, and father of two wee miracles in a little house on a hill, under the southern sun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 24, 2018
A clever and fast-paced near future crime noir, skilfully blending horror, urban fantasy, and science fiction. Set in New Zealand, it’s refreshing in place and character, drawing on Maori and Chinese culture. I enjoyed this book a lot.
February 8, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the narration on this book! It was great how during different chapters or breaks in the story there was music playing and bells, it really set the creepy tone. The story itself had me really interested from the beginning but sadly it was hard to hold my attention throughout. I did really love the supernatural elements of the book, just not the biggest fan of detective stories.
I really enjoyed the narration on this book! It was great how during different chapters or breaks in the story there was music playing and bells, it really set the creepy tone. The story itself had me really interested from the beginning but sadly it was hard to hold my attention throughout. I did really love the supernatural elements of the book, just not the biggest fan of detective stories.
October 25, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review
The things I liked about this book were mostly the plot and the setting. I've never read a book set in New Zealand before so that was cool, although I wish the glossary of terms in the back was linked to the text because I was generally too lazy to flip back and figure it out so I just took a lot of things on context clues. Still it was definitely an interesting blend of mystery-thriller, sci-fi, and horror set in a place I don't have much experience with. Although I would personally have liked a little bit more horror and a little less police-procedure, and I also definitely wasn't happy with the cliffhanger ending.
The things I couldn't stand about this book were the characters. I would say I hated both the main characters but it's more like I hated Matiu and that made me hate Penny by extension. Matiu is just a straight-up jerk and while I can generally get behind the 'trouble mysterious sarcastic loner' bit to a certain extent, I just couldn't stand how much of an asshole he was to Penny. Let him be a dick to everyone else but if they're going to be working together the entire time he could at least be nice to one person - her. And while I liked Penny at first, after awhile I couldn't stand her either because she just lets everyone walk all over her constantly and ended up trailing after Matiu the entire book doing what he wanted even though it was supposed to be HER investigation.
This book basically reminds me of a quote by the creator of Gravity Falls when he was asked why he made Mabel the wild out of control twin while Dipper was the uptight one and he said because when it's the other way around it's exactly like every other tired cliched show out there. And that is basically what this is - cool wildcard Matiu being followed around by his horrible naive nagging sister. The setting and general idea were enough for me to give it three stars and that fact that it flowed well as I was reading it, but I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
The things I liked about this book were mostly the plot and the setting. I've never read a book set in New Zealand before so that was cool, although I wish the glossary of terms in the back was linked to the text because I was generally too lazy to flip back and figure it out so I just took a lot of things on context clues. Still it was definitely an interesting blend of mystery-thriller, sci-fi, and horror set in a place I don't have much experience with. Although I would personally have liked a little bit more horror and a little less police-procedure, and I also definitely wasn't happy with the cliffhanger ending.
The things I couldn't stand about this book were the characters. I would say I hated both the main characters but it's more like I hated Matiu and that made me hate Penny by extension. Matiu is just a straight-up jerk and while I can generally get behind the 'trouble mysterious sarcastic loner' bit to a certain extent, I just couldn't stand how much of an asshole he was to Penny. Let him be a dick to everyone else but if they're going to be working together the entire time he could at least be nice to one person - her. And while I liked Penny at first, after awhile I couldn't stand her either because she just lets everyone walk all over her constantly and ended up trailing after Matiu the entire book doing what he wanted even though it was supposed to be HER investigation.
This book basically reminds me of a quote by the creator of Gravity Falls when he was asked why he made Mabel the wild out of control twin while Dipper was the uptight one and he said because when it's the other way around it's exactly like every other tired cliched show out there. And that is basically what this is - cool wildcard Matiu being followed around by his horrible naive nagging sister. The setting and general idea were enough for me to give it three stars and that fact that it flowed well as I was reading it, but I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
September 18, 2017
I received a free copy of this book via LibraryThing.
What I enjoyed
The skill of the writers. Robarts and Murray clearly have what it takes. The writing flows – well enough to nearly make me forget for moments at a time that it was written in the present tense. There are little flashes of lyrical/purple phrasing, but not enough to be annoying. Just enough to give the writing a unique texture.
Matiu. Matiu is a Man With A Past, and also a Man With A Gift. He has some kind of paranormal talent passed down from his mother, which is inconvenient or dangerous more often than not, and an imaginary friend who may not be imaginary. I liked his voice, his sense of humour, and his willingness to break the rules – legal or social.
What I did not enjoy
Present tense narration. I loathe present tense narration. I realise it’s very trendy and ‘in’ at the moment, but I find it distracting, like fingernails scraping across a blackboard. If I’d known that this book was written in the present tense, I would never have requested a copy – as it is, I nearly gave up early on. I’m reasonably glad I soldiered on, as there was enough about this book that I quite liked to nearly make up for the present tense.
Penny. Going by the blurb, I expected this to be about a scientist who discovers that there’s more to the world than science, and then has to deal with that – while still keeping her employers happy. In fact, it’s about Matiu, who has to solve the case while dealing with a whiny, snippy, blinkered scientist. I wonder if the decision to write the blurb as if Penny is the main character was a publisher’s decision, given the current fashion for ‘strong female leads’? Penny is not a strong female lead. She definitely plays second fiddle to Matiu, and Matiu is the one doing most of the investigating. Penny is essentially dead weight. The story wouldn’t have changed all that much if she had been eliminated completely, except that she provides a reason for Matiu to be. Maybe that will change in later books, and she’ll do less complaining and more investigating.
What I think could have been better
The mystery/investigation. Again, it might be because this is the first book in a series, but it felt more like half a book. Much is left unexplained and/or uninvestigated. Just enough is done to sort out the police investigation, but what really happened is just passed off with a few comments and assumptions. It’s disappointing to read about characters who seem to be willing to just walk away with a job half done. Or maybe that’s just me.
Editing. Just little things, like the way Penny talks about cancer – she talks like a layman, not like a scientist. And at other times, she went off into needless technical explanations that just didn’t seem realistic – they were obviously aimed at the reader, not the other characters. And the firearm that switched back and forth between being a rifle and being a shotgun, sometimes within the same chapter.
Conclusion
I’m giving this three stars because this is supposed to be a personal review from me, and I can’t stand present tense narration and I wanted to smack Penny. Plus, the job isn’t finished until the paperwork is done and the tools are put away. You don’t just say ‘good enough’ and walk away as soon as you’ve concocted a tale that will satisfy your boss.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind present tense narration, I can see that this would be a four or five star book – I contemplated four stars myself. The setting is interesting, there are some very good ideas, and I think Matiu is a great character.
Will I read any more books in this series? On balance, probably not. Although there was much I liked, for me there wasn’t quite enough to outweigh the negatives.
What I enjoyed
The skill of the writers. Robarts and Murray clearly have what it takes. The writing flows – well enough to nearly make me forget for moments at a time that it was written in the present tense. There are little flashes of lyrical/purple phrasing, but not enough to be annoying. Just enough to give the writing a unique texture.
Matiu. Matiu is a Man With A Past, and also a Man With A Gift. He has some kind of paranormal talent passed down from his mother, which is inconvenient or dangerous more often than not, and an imaginary friend who may not be imaginary. I liked his voice, his sense of humour, and his willingness to break the rules – legal or social.
What I did not enjoy
Present tense narration. I loathe present tense narration. I realise it’s very trendy and ‘in’ at the moment, but I find it distracting, like fingernails scraping across a blackboard. If I’d known that this book was written in the present tense, I would never have requested a copy – as it is, I nearly gave up early on. I’m reasonably glad I soldiered on, as there was enough about this book that I quite liked to nearly make up for the present tense.
Penny. Going by the blurb, I expected this to be about a scientist who discovers that there’s more to the world than science, and then has to deal with that – while still keeping her employers happy. In fact, it’s about Matiu, who has to solve the case while dealing with a whiny, snippy, blinkered scientist. I wonder if the decision to write the blurb as if Penny is the main character was a publisher’s decision, given the current fashion for ‘strong female leads’? Penny is not a strong female lead. She definitely plays second fiddle to Matiu, and Matiu is the one doing most of the investigating. Penny is essentially dead weight. The story wouldn’t have changed all that much if she had been eliminated completely, except that she provides a reason for Matiu to be. Maybe that will change in later books, and she’ll do less complaining and more investigating.
What I think could have been better
The mystery/investigation. Again, it might be because this is the first book in a series, but it felt more like half a book. Much is left unexplained and/or uninvestigated. Just enough is done to sort out the police investigation, but what really happened is just passed off with a few comments and assumptions. It’s disappointing to read about characters who seem to be willing to just walk away with a job half done. Or maybe that’s just me.
Editing. Just little things, like the way Penny talks about cancer – she talks like a layman, not like a scientist. And at other times, she went off into needless technical explanations that just didn’t seem realistic – they were obviously aimed at the reader, not the other characters. And the firearm that switched back and forth between being a rifle and being a shotgun, sometimes within the same chapter.
Conclusion
I’m giving this three stars because this is supposed to be a personal review from me, and I can’t stand present tense narration and I wanted to smack Penny. Plus, the job isn’t finished until the paperwork is done and the tools are put away. You don’t just say ‘good enough’ and walk away as soon as you’ve concocted a tale that will satisfy your boss.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind present tense narration, I can see that this would be a four or five star book – I contemplated four stars myself. The setting is interesting, there are some very good ideas, and I think Matiu is a great character.
Will I read any more books in this series? On balance, probably not. Although there was much I liked, for me there wasn’t quite enough to outweigh the negatives.
March 18, 2019
“All I see is more darkness. It follows us, clings to us, like a sickness, like...wild dogs”
A huge thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press for sending me a copy of Hounds of the Underworld in exchange for an honest review.
I did not read the synopsis beforehand so I had no expectations going into this book. I love going in blind and being surprised without having any preconceived ideas. I feel that really enhances my reading experience, I'm not waiting for certain things to happen. I am able to immerse myself in the story, the characters, the atmosphere. And Hounds of the Underworld delivered on all those points.
Hounds of the Underworld had two main characters, brother and sister Matiu and Penny. I loved the juxtaposition between them - Matiu was ruled by emotion, he had one foot in the shadow world, whereas Penny was purely scientific. It was an interesting insight being able to see the situations from both angles. I really enjoyed their relationship because it felt genuine. They bickered and disagreed and laid blame on the other in front of their parents but at it's core they're sweet and caring and protective. However, it was also infuriating because Penny needed to stand up for herself. Matiu all but takes over her investigation and she doesn't question it. In the next book, Teeth of the Wolf, I'd like to see a more equal relationship. Although, my favorite character was Mārama. She was haunting in speech, and ambiguous, yet comforting and steady to Matiu. I would love to see her play a bigger role in the next book.
Hounds of the Underworld was written by two authors, Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray, yet they were able to seamlessly blend their individual voices to create one cohesive story full of supernatural horror. I loved the feeling of this book. It was so atmospheric and tense, gritty at times, yet humorous and heartfelt. I loved how the tension would build and I'd get anxious but then it would abate slightly with the point of view shift, just to build up again. And the ending was just satisfying enough but left it open for a stellar book two.
A huge thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press for sending me a copy of Hounds of the Underworld in exchange for an honest review.
I did not read the synopsis beforehand so I had no expectations going into this book. I love going in blind and being surprised without having any preconceived ideas. I feel that really enhances my reading experience, I'm not waiting for certain things to happen. I am able to immerse myself in the story, the characters, the atmosphere. And Hounds of the Underworld delivered on all those points.
Hounds of the Underworld had two main characters, brother and sister Matiu and Penny. I loved the juxtaposition between them - Matiu was ruled by emotion, he had one foot in the shadow world, whereas Penny was purely scientific. It was an interesting insight being able to see the situations from both angles. I really enjoyed their relationship because it felt genuine. They bickered and disagreed and laid blame on the other in front of their parents but at it's core they're sweet and caring and protective. However, it was also infuriating because Penny needed to stand up for herself. Matiu all but takes over her investigation and she doesn't question it. In the next book, Teeth of the Wolf, I'd like to see a more equal relationship. Although, my favorite character was Mārama. She was haunting in speech, and ambiguous, yet comforting and steady to Matiu. I would love to see her play a bigger role in the next book.
Hounds of the Underworld was written by two authors, Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray, yet they were able to seamlessly blend their individual voices to create one cohesive story full of supernatural horror. I loved the feeling of this book. It was so atmospheric and tense, gritty at times, yet humorous and heartfelt. I loved how the tension would build and I'd get anxious but then it would abate slightly with the point of view shift, just to build up again. And the ending was just satisfying enough but left it open for a stellar book two.
May 20, 2017
Detective noir meets Lovecraftian horror
Set in a bleak New Zealand in the near future, where pollution clogs the air and waterways and only the few own cars, Hounds of the Underworld is an intriguing tale of mystery and horror.
When Penny (Pandora Yee) is hired by the police as lead scientific consult on a crime scene, her parents order her adopted brother, Matiu, to drive Penny around and keep an eye on her. The murder is a classic closed room. The door was locked from the inside, but no body was found. Only a large pool of blood, a man’s discard clothes and a small bowl. Whose blood is it and where is the body? What has happened to media personality, Darius Fletcher, who had rented the warehouse and whose sister now reports him missing?
Between Penny’s science and Matiu’s intuition and strong connection to the spirit world, they follow the leads – and they take them to some very dark places…
It's an intriguing, fast-paced novel. I was reading Hounds of the Underworld one morning on the bus to work, and was so engrossed I almost missed my stop. I loved the characters – the pragmatic, rational, OCD Penny; the haunted, intuitive Matiu with one foot in the spirit world; the heroic golden Labrador, Cerberus. The settings were fabulous but disturbing - from the dark hell of dog-fighting, and the horrific Hanson who peddles these wretched canines, to the decaying splendour of the Egyptian rooms at the museum.
I can’t wait to read the next one!
Set in a bleak New Zealand in the near future, where pollution clogs the air and waterways and only the few own cars, Hounds of the Underworld is an intriguing tale of mystery and horror.
When Penny (Pandora Yee) is hired by the police as lead scientific consult on a crime scene, her parents order her adopted brother, Matiu, to drive Penny around and keep an eye on her. The murder is a classic closed room. The door was locked from the inside, but no body was found. Only a large pool of blood, a man’s discard clothes and a small bowl. Whose blood is it and where is the body? What has happened to media personality, Darius Fletcher, who had rented the warehouse and whose sister now reports him missing?
Between Penny’s science and Matiu’s intuition and strong connection to the spirit world, they follow the leads – and they take them to some very dark places…
It's an intriguing, fast-paced novel. I was reading Hounds of the Underworld one morning on the bus to work, and was so engrossed I almost missed my stop. I loved the characters – the pragmatic, rational, OCD Penny; the haunted, intuitive Matiu with one foot in the spirit world; the heroic golden Labrador, Cerberus. The settings were fabulous but disturbing - from the dark hell of dog-fighting, and the horrific Hanson who peddles these wretched canines, to the decaying splendour of the Egyptian rooms at the museum.
I can’t wait to read the next one!
July 25, 2020
Hounds of the Underworld is a murder mystery with Lovecraftian elements set in New Zealand in the year 2045. The authors are of Chinese and Maori heritage, respectively, as are their protagonists. The POV alternates between Penny, a steadfastly rational scientist, and her cousin and adoptive brother Matiu, who has been plagued his whole life by a malignant specter named Makere only he can see.
While I liked mystery aspect, the characterization fell flat. Penny and Matiu are supposed to be squabbling siblings who exasperate but ultimately love each other, but their dynamic comes across as uncomfortably aggressive. There are several instances where Matiu does something that could potentially cause Penny major problems or put her in serious danger, despite her begging him not to or being kept unaware he's doing it. In one especially glaring incident he drove her to a completely different location from what she asked, despite the fact that she was late for an appointment there. Fuel rationing means most people in this future, including Penny, don't drive, so she is entirely dependent on Matiu for transportation. Her toxic parents likewise use their financial loan as leverage over her. The overall impression I get is of someone who badly needs to distance herself from a domineering family who don't respect her. Hopefully this is addressed in the sequel.
Content warning for animal abuse (dogs).
While I liked mystery aspect, the characterization fell flat. Penny and Matiu are supposed to be squabbling siblings who exasperate but ultimately love each other, but their dynamic comes across as uncomfortably aggressive. There are several instances where Matiu does something that could potentially cause Penny major problems or put her in serious danger, despite her begging him not to or being kept unaware he's doing it. In one especially glaring incident he drove her to a completely different location from what she asked, despite the fact that she was late for an appointment there. Fuel rationing means most people in this future, including Penny, don't drive, so she is entirely dependent on Matiu for transportation. Her toxic parents likewise use their financial loan as leverage over her. The overall impression I get is of someone who badly needs to distance herself from a domineering family who don't respect her. Hopefully this is addressed in the sequel.
Content warning for animal abuse (dogs).
July 24, 2017
I received a free copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's program in exchange for a review.
This is the first book in a series set in near future New Zealand. The story is told from the perspective of a sister and brother, one a forensic scientist, and the other an ex-con driver for their parents transport company. The plot is essentially a murder mystery with lots of fantastical elements.
I was impressed with this book. It grabbed my attention with the first scene and I was pretty engaged throughout the story. The characters feel real and speak in what feels like a realistic manner. The plot moves along, and is interesting, if somewhat predictable and not very original. The plot is a decent mix of action and mystery type elements. There is not a lot of background detail, at least initially, but some details of the world were added as needed throughout the story. Generally, I thought this method of revealing the details of the world worked well for this novel.
Overall, I would recommend the book, and there is a decent chance I would continue reading the later books in this series.
This is the first book in a series set in near future New Zealand. The story is told from the perspective of a sister and brother, one a forensic scientist, and the other an ex-con driver for their parents transport company. The plot is essentially a murder mystery with lots of fantastical elements.
I was impressed with this book. It grabbed my attention with the first scene and I was pretty engaged throughout the story. The characters feel real and speak in what feels like a realistic manner. The plot moves along, and is interesting, if somewhat predictable and not very original. The plot is a decent mix of action and mystery type elements. There is not a lot of background detail, at least initially, but some details of the world were added as needed throughout the story. Generally, I thought this method of revealing the details of the world worked well for this novel.
Overall, I would recommend the book, and there is a decent chance I would continue reading the later books in this series.
June 11, 2017
If you have ever read Sherlock Holmes, and enjoyed his ability to solve every mystic mystery with science and logic, you'll love this novella more. Set in a probably future, sibling-cousins solve an impossible mystery both ways - with science and with mysticism - leaving the reader to continue to contemplate, long after finishing, whether both can be true. But that is not all this book offers, the authors' skill with language shows us insights into a world we both know well, and know well is coming, without using heavy metaphors or symbolism. Finally, who can not compare their own sibling relationship to the main characters as they undermine each other in their personal lives while being their for each other in their professional ones. I have been recommending this book from page one.
July 30, 2017
Hounds of the Underworld is a gripping new novel, co-written by Kiwi authors Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray. Packed with action, chilling drama and otherworldly terrors, it brilliantly blends supernatural horror with crime-noir. Set in near-future Auckland in the 2040’s, the noir setting becomes all the more appropriate.
The two main characters, Penny the career-driven lab-technician and her adopted brother/cousin Matiu, are at odds from the outset, yet they’re dependent on each other’s different skill-set to get the job done. Matiu’s criminal past is a constant headache for Penny who has just received her first assignment from the police to help solve a crime. Unfortunately, Matiu’s shady connections to a man dealing in dog-fights offers a breakthrough in Penny’s case that she cannot turn her back on. To make things worse, she’s reliant on him as a driver, since in this day and age, not everyone can afford a car. There’s also a deep undercurrent of paranormal danger, as Matiu struggles with a dark entity, Makere who has haunted him since he was a boy. A constant shadow at his side and whisper in his ear, Makere constantly prompts Matiu to cause trouble. As a woman of science, Penny dismisses Matiu’s imaginary friend as a construct of his troubled mind. She can never trust his gut-feelings no matter how on the mark they are. This contrast in perspectives makes the blend of genre’s work particularly well, casting a wide net for readers of varying interests.
Thoroughly researched Murray and Rabart’s world-building is subtle and evocative. The setting is unique and fresh and engaging throughout, woven masterfully within the story-telling. Lovely detail is paid to creating the feeling of a future where resources are strained, but not so far as to be post-apocalyptic. A native New Zealand bird species, the Takahe, is extinct and Penny has to watch how long her shower is to avoid running out of her daily allowance. The science is solid with believable leaps to near future tech. I particularly love Penny’s DNA typing machine, the Breadmaker™ and how Penny notes; “if science gets any easier she’ll be out of a job”.
Some wonderful descriptions bring a Lovecraftian tone to some of the paranormal drama. One of my favourites: “He knocks again. This time, when no one answers, he reaches out, wraps a hand around the door handle. It’s cold as death in his grip. He turns it. With a soft crack, like the sound of the thin ice in the centre of a pond surrendering to some brave and foolish child’s weight on a frosty winter morning, the door swings in.”
The strongest part of the book for me is easily the two protagonists. Their characters are deep and engaging and beautifully juxtaposed so that as their situation becomes more perilous, we see the tension reflected in their relationship. The writers swing effortlessly between humour and drama, adding a layer of dark humour to what might otherwise be a more bleak and grim tale. Sometimes, Penny and Matiu’s troubles are heart-wrenching, but sometime they’re wonderfully hilarious. I was reminded fondly of the pairing of Scully and Moulder from the X-files. However, in this case the lab-nerd is teamed up with an ex-con with no regard for rules or fear of losing his job. Matiu’s slight personality disorder allows him to test his sister’s patience far beyond what most normal adult siblings would. However, his emotional depth reveals itself in his personal battle with his inner-demons and his perception of the spiritual realm.
Secondary characters provide a nice broad array of personalities for Penny and Matiu to bounce off. Though they are sometimes not as developed as I might have liked, there should be scope to flesh them out more in the sequels. Rabarts and Murray do a great job of picking moments to let secondary characters shine, without dropping the pace. The suspense builds nicely towards a gruesome climax that is satisfyingly horrible. There are moments I felt that the writers were holding back a bit too much from the reader, mostly when it came to unveiling the truth behind events of the crime or the killer’s motives, however, I understand why they’d want to hold a few cards to play in the sequel by keeping us guessing.
All in all, Murray and Rabarts deliver a page-turning killer of a tale, I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
The two main characters, Penny the career-driven lab-technician and her adopted brother/cousin Matiu, are at odds from the outset, yet they’re dependent on each other’s different skill-set to get the job done. Matiu’s criminal past is a constant headache for Penny who has just received her first assignment from the police to help solve a crime. Unfortunately, Matiu’s shady connections to a man dealing in dog-fights offers a breakthrough in Penny’s case that she cannot turn her back on. To make things worse, she’s reliant on him as a driver, since in this day and age, not everyone can afford a car. There’s also a deep undercurrent of paranormal danger, as Matiu struggles with a dark entity, Makere who has haunted him since he was a boy. A constant shadow at his side and whisper in his ear, Makere constantly prompts Matiu to cause trouble. As a woman of science, Penny dismisses Matiu’s imaginary friend as a construct of his troubled mind. She can never trust his gut-feelings no matter how on the mark they are. This contrast in perspectives makes the blend of genre’s work particularly well, casting a wide net for readers of varying interests.
Thoroughly researched Murray and Rabart’s world-building is subtle and evocative. The setting is unique and fresh and engaging throughout, woven masterfully within the story-telling. Lovely detail is paid to creating the feeling of a future where resources are strained, but not so far as to be post-apocalyptic. A native New Zealand bird species, the Takahe, is extinct and Penny has to watch how long her shower is to avoid running out of her daily allowance. The science is solid with believable leaps to near future tech. I particularly love Penny’s DNA typing machine, the Breadmaker™ and how Penny notes; “if science gets any easier she’ll be out of a job”.
Some wonderful descriptions bring a Lovecraftian tone to some of the paranormal drama. One of my favourites: “He knocks again. This time, when no one answers, he reaches out, wraps a hand around the door handle. It’s cold as death in his grip. He turns it. With a soft crack, like the sound of the thin ice in the centre of a pond surrendering to some brave and foolish child’s weight on a frosty winter morning, the door swings in.”
The strongest part of the book for me is easily the two protagonists. Their characters are deep and engaging and beautifully juxtaposed so that as their situation becomes more perilous, we see the tension reflected in their relationship. The writers swing effortlessly between humour and drama, adding a layer of dark humour to what might otherwise be a more bleak and grim tale. Sometimes, Penny and Matiu’s troubles are heart-wrenching, but sometime they’re wonderfully hilarious. I was reminded fondly of the pairing of Scully and Moulder from the X-files. However, in this case the lab-nerd is teamed up with an ex-con with no regard for rules or fear of losing his job. Matiu’s slight personality disorder allows him to test his sister’s patience far beyond what most normal adult siblings would. However, his emotional depth reveals itself in his personal battle with his inner-demons and his perception of the spiritual realm.
Secondary characters provide a nice broad array of personalities for Penny and Matiu to bounce off. Though they are sometimes not as developed as I might have liked, there should be scope to flesh them out more in the sequels. Rabarts and Murray do a great job of picking moments to let secondary characters shine, without dropping the pace. The suspense builds nicely towards a gruesome climax that is satisfyingly horrible. There are moments I felt that the writers were holding back a bit too much from the reader, mostly when it came to unveiling the truth behind events of the crime or the killer’s motives, however, I understand why they’d want to hold a few cards to play in the sequel by keeping us guessing.
All in all, Murray and Rabarts deliver a page-turning killer of a tale, I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
July 17, 2017
Actual 3 1/2 Stars
Hounds of the Underworld was a bit of a toss up for me.
On the one hand the book started with an interesting and unique crime scene. Immediately you discover the two main characters are complete opposites in a way that are sure to entertain. Penny, a crime scene analyst, now owner/operator of her own laboratory is in desperate need to do well on this, her first case for the police department since opening her own lab, in hopes of garnering more work from the department. Matiu, Penny's easygoing brother/cousin has what many would call a "gift" that is known primarily by the family. If he were to share everything about this "gift" then it would be clear he is burdened by something closer to a curse that would break a weaker person. This gift/curse throws him into Penny's investigation, between it and his connections from a seedier time in his life, he leads Penny to where she is needed to find clues to what's going on that otherwise would not have been done. From this and evidence she's analyzed in the lab she comes up with connections and satisfactory explanations to the investigators on the case for her presence at significant hot spots involving the investigation without exposing Matiu's special involvement.
On the other hand, while keeping in consideration this is the 1st book in a series, I still feel some items could've come with a little more information and still been able to garner the interest of the reader to find out more from the series. The story is set in 2045, in nothing more important than passing comments or filler, the reader discovers that in less than 30 years from now that food is rationed to a degree, clean water is such a finite resource to feel guilt to let the water run till heated for taking a hot shower and only the rich can afford fuel to drive their own car. No mention of the how's or why's for any of it. To not cause spoilers the next areas are being purposely vague. Makere I'm sure will play a bigger role in books to come but a little backstory on him would've helped to create more of an investment in what he's putting Matiu through. And Marama is almost forgotten for as little as she was involved or told about. Overall major situations were tied up too easily through out the story, mostly just with an explanation from Penny, the state of the laboratory after the Breadmaker situation, events at Dr Buchanan's office and especially the museum.
All that being said it does create interest in the following books of the series. As a stand alone book it does work, those niggling questions aren't to the extreme as to stand in the way of the overall story. They just made the difference for me as a good read compared to a great read.
Hounds of the Underworld was a bit of a toss up for me.
On the one hand the book started with an interesting and unique crime scene. Immediately you discover the two main characters are complete opposites in a way that are sure to entertain. Penny, a crime scene analyst, now owner/operator of her own laboratory is in desperate need to do well on this, her first case for the police department since opening her own lab, in hopes of garnering more work from the department. Matiu, Penny's easygoing brother/cousin has what many would call a "gift" that is known primarily by the family. If he were to share everything about this "gift" then it would be clear he is burdened by something closer to a curse that would break a weaker person. This gift/curse throws him into Penny's investigation, between it and his connections from a seedier time in his life, he leads Penny to where she is needed to find clues to what's going on that otherwise would not have been done. From this and evidence she's analyzed in the lab she comes up with connections and satisfactory explanations to the investigators on the case for her presence at significant hot spots involving the investigation without exposing Matiu's special involvement.
On the other hand, while keeping in consideration this is the 1st book in a series, I still feel some items could've come with a little more information and still been able to garner the interest of the reader to find out more from the series. The story is set in 2045, in nothing more important than passing comments or filler, the reader discovers that in less than 30 years from now that food is rationed to a degree, clean water is such a finite resource to feel guilt to let the water run till heated for taking a hot shower and only the rich can afford fuel to drive their own car. No mention of the how's or why's for any of it. To not cause spoilers the next areas are being purposely vague. Makere I'm sure will play a bigger role in books to come but a little backstory on him would've helped to create more of an investment in what he's putting Matiu through. And Marama is almost forgotten for as little as she was involved or told about. Overall major situations were tied up too easily through out the story, mostly just with an explanation from Penny, the state of the laboratory after the Breadmaker situation, events at Dr Buchanan's office and especially the museum.
All that being said it does create interest in the following books of the series. As a stand alone book it does work, those niggling questions aren't to the extreme as to stand in the way of the overall story. They just made the difference for me as a good read compared to a great read.
November 28, 2017
I have to admit something. I was selected back in July to receive an Early Reviewers copy from LibraryThing of 'Hounds of the Underworld' and I didn't start reading it till a few hours ago.
I just felt I needed to be in a different place, to read a sci-fi thriller like this. You see, this setting takes place in a future New Zealand, but I learned it mixes well with the ancient.
Pandora (a.k.a. Penny ) Yee opened a crime lab and is hired to consult on a crime scene. Penny has quirks in that she won't drive so she is being driven around by her brother, Matiu. Penny is well educated and feels her overbearing parents scrutinize her more closely than Matiu who's adopted and has an imaginary friend Makere.
I found the duo to be devoted to one another. Matiu has instincts the tightly wound Penny trusts. And, he shadows her well. So, it seems she is not only comforted by this, but dependent upon it.
As a reader, I appreciate their tongue - in - cheek relationship. And, unlike the last book I read that has wolves in it, this book, has a Pit Bull - Satffie mix, named Cerberus, among other dogs.
Amidst toxic fumes and crashed crime scenes, this short, quick read has everything and everyone in a state of uncontrolled excitement, including this reader.
Yes, I enjoyed the writing and truly liked the ending. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I just felt I needed to be in a different place, to read a sci-fi thriller like this. You see, this setting takes place in a future New Zealand, but I learned it mixes well with the ancient.
Pandora (a.k.a. Penny ) Yee opened a crime lab and is hired to consult on a crime scene. Penny has quirks in that she won't drive so she is being driven around by her brother, Matiu. Penny is well educated and feels her overbearing parents scrutinize her more closely than Matiu who's adopted and has an imaginary friend Makere.
I found the duo to be devoted to one another. Matiu has instincts the tightly wound Penny trusts. And, he shadows her well. So, it seems she is not only comforted by this, but dependent upon it.
As a reader, I appreciate their tongue - in - cheek relationship. And, unlike the last book I read that has wolves in it, this book, has a Pit Bull - Satffie mix, named Cerberus, among other dogs.
Amidst toxic fumes and crashed crime scenes, this short, quick read has everything and everyone in a state of uncontrolled excitement, including this reader.
Yes, I enjoyed the writing and truly liked the ending. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
December 23, 2018
“Spread out before him in shades of blood and bone he can see the shape of human history to come. Gradual decay and violent collapse all rolled into one brutal augury which he, for all his cursed vision, is too blind to comprehend. Like rot and sand and despair, and this stink of death just a distraction. An afterthought.”
Pandora “Penny” struggling to keep her lab afloat, takes on a contract to use her lab to help the police solve a puzzling case, a locked empty room with a only a bowl and a strange amount of blood. Uncovering weird evidence, Penny takes to solving the case, alongside her brother and driver Matiu. But something about the case doesn’t feel right. Something more sinister is happening.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Set in the near future (the 2040s), Hounds of the Underworld creates a unique story with the perfect blend of crime, horror, science fiction, and noir. I think my favourite thing about this novel is that it’s set in New Zealand and uses local terms and that there’s a glossary included at the back for all of them. I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel with this setting before so it was fun to read. The beginning starts off a bit slow but then REALLY picks up pace towards the middle. I don’t want to say to much in case I spoil the plot, but the part with the dogs gets pretty intense. I loved Penny as a character and thought she was really smart with her actions. My only issues with this book is that there is some unnecessary family drama I could have done without and I would have liked to see more information on the world in the 2040s, but the date is only ever mentioned in passing conversation. Overall, I really enjoyed it. This books raises a lot of questions and sets up a lot of excitement for the second book, which I’m excited to get to.
Pandora “Penny” struggling to keep her lab afloat, takes on a contract to use her lab to help the police solve a puzzling case, a locked empty room with a only a bowl and a strange amount of blood. Uncovering weird evidence, Penny takes to solving the case, alongside her brother and driver Matiu. But something about the case doesn’t feel right. Something more sinister is happening.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Set in the near future (the 2040s), Hounds of the Underworld creates a unique story with the perfect blend of crime, horror, science fiction, and noir. I think my favourite thing about this novel is that it’s set in New Zealand and uses local terms and that there’s a glossary included at the back for all of them. I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel with this setting before so it was fun to read. The beginning starts off a bit slow but then REALLY picks up pace towards the middle. I don’t want to say to much in case I spoil the plot, but the part with the dogs gets pretty intense. I loved Penny as a character and thought she was really smart with her actions. My only issues with this book is that there is some unnecessary family drama I could have done without and I would have liked to see more information on the world in the 2040s, but the date is only ever mentioned in passing conversation. Overall, I really enjoyed it. This books raises a lot of questions and sets up a lot of excitement for the second book, which I’m excited to get to.
July 16, 2017
Something of the description of this from the Library Thing's Early Reviewer list got my attention, but I don't remember what, which is odd for me - I thought something about Lovecraftian meets Holmes. The genre is not one I frequent so I have a short measuring stick with which to compare it. I got this advance read from Raw Dog Screaming Press via Library Thing.
For me, it was slow to get into...the scene shifts with teaser hints may have been designed to engage and drawn in, but I found the abrupt transitions to be off-putting - and the development slow and disconcerting. Again, no comparator, so that may be the norm. (This review is my impression, and I always allow that others may like something more than I...) The pace did pick up in the last third, racing to the end, but leaving me wondering "what did I just read?" The connections to the un/supernatural seemed tenuous for a novel written in that vein, and the detective elements underdeveloped, but I do understand that this is the first in the series and that the authors are trying to set a stage for the follow-ons. But I found the unnatural elements too odd to grab me. (Remember, these are my impressions...your mileage may vary...everyone sees things from their own cultural, experiential perspective!) I had no issue with the Kiwi perspective...that was stimulating.
Now, I did find the main two characters engaging - reasonably defined and at times funny, though the unnatural connector through the brother not quite defined - but the secondary characters (police, parents, perps, ...) interchangeably superfluous, though the brother thread seemed deliberately obscured, teasing references that for some might invoke "tell me more", and for others, "any time now..." And there were oddly melodramatic interjections like "It's heavy, weighted with the sorrows of untold ages past."
Pop culture observation #1: Ms. J. K. Rowling might be flattered at a reference - [something was] "stabbed like a Horcrux"
Great line note #1: "Don't disbelieve everything you can't find on the internet." [Love it!!]
Overall, I'd like to see more depth with the two mains, and this piqued my curiosity.
For me, it was slow to get into...the scene shifts with teaser hints may have been designed to engage and drawn in, but I found the abrupt transitions to be off-putting - and the development slow and disconcerting. Again, no comparator, so that may be the norm. (This review is my impression, and I always allow that others may like something more than I...) The pace did pick up in the last third, racing to the end, but leaving me wondering "what did I just read?" The connections to the un/supernatural seemed tenuous for a novel written in that vein, and the detective elements underdeveloped, but I do understand that this is the first in the series and that the authors are trying to set a stage for the follow-ons. But I found the unnatural elements too odd to grab me. (Remember, these are my impressions...your mileage may vary...everyone sees things from their own cultural, experiential perspective!) I had no issue with the Kiwi perspective...that was stimulating.
Now, I did find the main two characters engaging - reasonably defined and at times funny, though the unnatural connector through the brother not quite defined - but the secondary characters (police, parents, perps, ...) interchangeably superfluous, though the brother thread seemed deliberately obscured, teasing references that for some might invoke "tell me more", and for others, "any time now..." And there were oddly melodramatic interjections like "It's heavy, weighted with the sorrows of untold ages past."
Pop culture observation #1: Ms. J. K. Rowling might be flattered at a reference - [something was] "stabbed like a Horcrux"
Great line note #1: "Don't disbelieve everything you can't find on the internet." [Love it!!]
Overall, I'd like to see more depth with the two mains, and this piqued my curiosity.
May 11, 2023
Is Matiu going crazy and hearing voices? Or is Pandora (Penny) too focused on the science to see the supernatural?
This was an interesting mix of fantasy/horror and crime mystery. Penny (a forensic scientist hired by the police to collect and process evidence from crime scenes) and her brother Matiu (an ex-con who drives her around) end up deeply entrenched in a case. How did the body disappear from a locked room leaving only blood and an old artifact bowl behind?
I loved trying to figure out if the supernatural elements were real or not, if Matiu was going crazy or not, if Makere was a figment of Matiu's imagination or an actual demonic creature.
At the end of the book, I still don't know the answer to that.
I loved that the audiobook was narrated by one of the authors. I also loved how heavily the book included elements of New Zealand (the culture, the language, etc) into the story without it feeling obnoxious or over-the-top (how I find Spanish inclusions to be a lot of the time).
4 stars - I really liked it, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
This was an interesting mix of fantasy/horror and crime mystery. Penny (a forensic scientist hired by the police to collect and process evidence from crime scenes) and her brother Matiu (an ex-con who drives her around) end up deeply entrenched in a case. How did the body disappear from a locked room leaving only blood and an old artifact bowl behind?
I loved trying to figure out if the supernatural elements were real or not, if Matiu was going crazy or not, if Makere was a figment of Matiu's imagination or an actual demonic creature.
At the end of the book, I still don't know the answer to that.
I loved that the audiobook was narrated by one of the authors. I also loved how heavily the book included elements of New Zealand (the culture, the language, etc) into the story without it feeling obnoxious or over-the-top (how I find Spanish inclusions to be a lot of the time).
4 stars - I really liked it, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
February 12, 2023
Set in New Zealand - That was one thing that really attracted me to the audiobook. For some reason the mystery, crime stories involving New Zealand seem to be psychologically creepier and twisted. Your imagination is stimulated and the horror is more vivid. Happily I wasn't disappointed.
The colorful descriptions these authors use are brilliant. "The sun drowned by the sea" "her eyes drifting down, down like ash falling from the sky....." I really enjoyed this creepy audiobook. The music was a nice addition. Both narrators have great voices and are perfect for their parts.
I liked the characters, they were well developed. The book ended well and definitely left me with the desire to get the next book.
I'd like to thank RDS audio and NetGalley for this ARC audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own
The colorful descriptions these authors use are brilliant. "The sun drowned by the sea" "her eyes drifting down, down like ash falling from the sky....." I really enjoyed this creepy audiobook. The music was a nice addition. Both narrators have great voices and are perfect for their parts.
I liked the characters, they were well developed. The book ended well and definitely left me with the desire to get the next book.
I'd like to thank RDS audio and NetGalley for this ARC audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own
May 4, 2023
Being completely honest the story just didn't fully hold my attention. The narration was great, I liked the music included in the audiobook. This might be one of those stories that's better to read than listen to.
Thank you RDS audio for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you RDS audio for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2017
This was a great introduction into a new series focusing on the siblings Pandora "Penny" Yee and her brother Matiu. Where Penny is the no-nonsense scientist who only believes in facts and following the rules, her brother can see things other people can't and more often than not trusts his gut feeling.... The unlike duo is plunged headfirst into a mysterious case when Penny is called to a crime scene where a room was found closed and drenched in blood, but without a body. Penny's parents assigned Matiu the job of driving Penny around while at the same time keeping and eye on her. Following his instincts, he leads her to a place he knows from his criminal past - and unleashes an evil both of them are totally unprepared for.
The opposing characters of Penny and Matiu reminded me a bit of Scully and Mulder, and I loved the constant teasing going around between them. The unusual setting in a bleak near-future New Zealand added to the dark atmosphere. Also, it was interesting to learn several New Zealand and Maori phrases, thanks to the glossary thoughtfully added at the end of the book.
A very promising debut in a series we hopefully will be able to read more of soon.
(Thanks to LibraryThing, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
The opposing characters of Penny and Matiu reminded me a bit of Scully and Mulder, and I loved the constant teasing going around between them. The unusual setting in a bleak near-future New Zealand added to the dark atmosphere. Also, it was interesting to learn several New Zealand and Maori phrases, thanks to the glossary thoughtfully added at the end of the book.
A very promising debut in a series we hopefully will be able to read more of soon.
(Thanks to LibraryThing, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
September 2, 2017
I loved this book. Set in New Zealand at a time somewhere in the future, it begins with a crime scene.
Penny (AKA Pandora) is a forensic scientist and has just started her own CSI lab. This particular crime scene is the first case she’s called in on. Chauffeured there by her brother, Matiu, she arrives to find a warehouse, the door of which was locked from the inside. The walls are painted black, and, sitting on the floor, in the middle, is a carved bowl containing what looks like blood. What is conspicuously missing is the person who locked the door or the body of that person. Is this a murder scene? A suicide? Or, possibly, could it be the site of some sort of ritual sacrifice? We must read on to find out.
While Penny speaks with the officer in charge, Matiu, who ‘sees things in the shadows,’ is strangely drawn to the bowl and, despite the fact that the area is cordoned off, steps inside and picks it up, spilling its contents. Matiu, we later find out, has other issues. An ex-con, he has what Penny believes is an imaginary friend, Makere. But is Makere a friend and wholly imaginary? Again, we must read on to find out.
This novel is a fast-paced page-turner. The two main characters, Penny and Matiu, are beautifully drawn, complex, and, through their interactions with each other, the reader can sense a strong bond. I was fully invested in both of their fates as well as the outcome of the story.
Highly recommended for those who love mystery tinged with the paranormal. I look forward, with great anticipation, to the reading the second book in the series.
Penny (AKA Pandora) is a forensic scientist and has just started her own CSI lab. This particular crime scene is the first case she’s called in on. Chauffeured there by her brother, Matiu, she arrives to find a warehouse, the door of which was locked from the inside. The walls are painted black, and, sitting on the floor, in the middle, is a carved bowl containing what looks like blood. What is conspicuously missing is the person who locked the door or the body of that person. Is this a murder scene? A suicide? Or, possibly, could it be the site of some sort of ritual sacrifice? We must read on to find out.
While Penny speaks with the officer in charge, Matiu, who ‘sees things in the shadows,’ is strangely drawn to the bowl and, despite the fact that the area is cordoned off, steps inside and picks it up, spilling its contents. Matiu, we later find out, has other issues. An ex-con, he has what Penny believes is an imaginary friend, Makere. But is Makere a friend and wholly imaginary? Again, we must read on to find out.
This novel is a fast-paced page-turner. The two main characters, Penny and Matiu, are beautifully drawn, complex, and, through their interactions with each other, the reader can sense a strong bond. I was fully invested in both of their fates as well as the outcome of the story.
Highly recommended for those who love mystery tinged with the paranormal. I look forward, with great anticipation, to the reading the second book in the series.
November 27, 2017
Set in near future New Zealand, in a world where cars are too expensive for most people to own, water is rationed, and the skies are smoggy, this is a CSI-ish police procedural mixed with horror.
Penny Yee has just opened a crime lab with a large loan from her parents- who want her to marry for money instead of working- and this is her first case. She is saddled with her brother/cousin (cousin, but adopted into her family) Matiu, an ex-con who is somewhat psychic and has a personal demon that just may be real. He works for the family car service, and is Penny’s official driver/body guard.
The case is a locked room mystery- a room locked from the inside, with not even a dead body inside, just empty clothes, an inscribed bowl, and blood. Lots of blood. Matiu finds the bowl irresistible, and, despite the crime scene tape, picks it up and has a nasty vision, of the “We cannot stop here this is Lovecraft country” sort. Things get weirder with every encounter- a visit to a dog fighting camp turns into a full on horror fest.
There is a bit of an X-Files vibe, with Penny the rational scientist and Matiu the psychic. The world that the story is set in seems pretty grim, but it is not post-apocalyptic grim. The author uses present tense narration, which I frequently find annoying but he made it flow. My big gripe with the story is that it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, and I was not aware ahead of time that it was a series. Four stars.
Penny Yee has just opened a crime lab with a large loan from her parents- who want her to marry for money instead of working- and this is her first case. She is saddled with her brother/cousin (cousin, but adopted into her family) Matiu, an ex-con who is somewhat psychic and has a personal demon that just may be real. He works for the family car service, and is Penny’s official driver/body guard.
The case is a locked room mystery- a room locked from the inside, with not even a dead body inside, just empty clothes, an inscribed bowl, and blood. Lots of blood. Matiu finds the bowl irresistible, and, despite the crime scene tape, picks it up and has a nasty vision, of the “We cannot stop here this is Lovecraft country” sort. Things get weirder with every encounter- a visit to a dog fighting camp turns into a full on horror fest.
There is a bit of an X-Files vibe, with Penny the rational scientist and Matiu the psychic. The world that the story is set in seems pretty grim, but it is not post-apocalyptic grim. The author uses present tense narration, which I frequently find annoying but he made it flow. My big gripe with the story is that it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, and I was not aware ahead of time that it was a series. Four stars.
February 1, 2023
This one was a different kind of ride! So, there's a scientist who investigates, but it is obvious that her parents do not agree or like her choice of work. The parents want her to change her career choice and then marry a successful businessman. I love that she branches out and goes her way! That I enjoyed!
I enjoyed the many twists and turns of the narrative! I love the emphasis on science and enjoyed that the MC went her path and stuck with it! Penny is her person, and she is a forensic scientist, though she does take her adoptive brother on her adventures for safety. I loved the witty dialogue, as it was entertaining. The descriptions of the scenes and the opposite perspectives were nice.
This was an easy listen. The narrators fit the parts, and I enjoyed listening to the story! The narrators help build up the suspense!
Thank You, Netgalley and RDS Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this one!
I enjoyed the many twists and turns of the narrative! I love the emphasis on science and enjoyed that the MC went her path and stuck with it! Penny is her person, and she is a forensic scientist, though she does take her adoptive brother on her adventures for safety. I loved the witty dialogue, as it was entertaining. The descriptions of the scenes and the opposite perspectives were nice.
This was an easy listen. The narrators fit the parts, and I enjoyed listening to the story! The narrators help build up the suspense!
Thank You, Netgalley and RDS Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this one!
October 4, 2017
Nicely-done bit of mythic noir set in New Zealand's future (quite possibly the first book ever to earn that particular categorisation). Penny and Matui are siblings (he's adopted), with her feet planted firmly in the world of science (she's a forensic pathologist do freelance lab work for the police) and his mired in both the criminal and mythological underworlds. Authors Murray and Rabarts do an excellent job of alternating between the characters and stitching the multitude of genres into a very coherent (if gruesome) whole. There's locked-room murder, low-rest crimes like dog rustling, and Lovecraftian horror in the mix, but it all comes together in a fun read.
May 2, 2023
Hounds of the Underworld – The Path of Ra Book One Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray
May 2, 2023
Hounds of the Underworld was published in 2017 and is just now getting an audiobook version of it, which is how I listened/read it. This future gritty noir/supernatural book follows a brother and sister, Matiu and Penny as they team up to solve a man’s disappearance. Penny (short for Pandora) on the brink of losing her laboratory is hired by the police for her services. This is her first contract with them and she doesn’t want to mess it up. Matiu, her adopted Maori brother, tags along to the crime scene and accidentally touches a bloodied bowl on the floor when he hears a cacophony of screams in his head. In his childhood Matiu had an imaginary friend named Makere, who wakes up again when Matiu touches the bowl. The siblings are thrust into a dark world of dog fighting, murder and supernatural forces.
Hounds takes an interesting format not only in the printed book but the audiobook as well. About every other chapter is helmed by one of the two siblings. In the audiobook two people take over their narratives, Susan Holt for Penny and the books co-author Dan Rabarts for Matiu. I’ve listened to hundreds and hundreds of hours of audiobooks and this is really clever because it’s not performed by only one person, which often they are.
The book is from two authors Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray, two New Zealand genre authors. Lee Murray is of Chinese descent and Dan Rabarts is Maori, of the original native population of New Zealand. It brings a unique voice to a horror/crime novel. I can’t say I’ve ever read a book from these two cultures at the same time. Lee Murray spans the whole genre fiction spectrum with her works. She’s a multiple Bram Stoker Award winner and a 12 time Sir Julius Vogel Award winner. Dan Rabarts is Maori and seems to stick to horror or steampunk /dieselpunk in novella or short story form. This is the first of 3 Path of Ra books.
I’m a very curious person so learning about new cultures is fun for me so this story was so entertaining. The authors use tons of Maori terms and words throughout the novel. There is an index at the end of the book which is read on the audiobook after the actual book is done, which is just not helpful. In a physical book you could flip to the back to find out more about words easily, but in the audiobook it’s tacked onto the last chapter so even if you knew it was there it would be hard to access. Dan Rabarts, himself, produced the audiobook and if the other Ra books are made into audiobooks hopefully this can be fixed.
Named the Path of Ra series you can tell there’s a bit of Egyptian mythology in the story as well. So Chinese, Maori, and Egyptian cultures mashed together, how cool is that?
I read enough description of a book to ask to get a copy but rarely know the whole description before I read it. I liked to be surprised most often. If I would’ve read the whole synopsis I’d have learned about the dog fighting ring in the story. You may not know this but I have 2 lovely pit bulls. I’m a proponent of “It’s the owners not the breed opinion. It was shocking but accurate and personally heartbreaking when the book described the dog fighting ring. So beware if you’re a dog lover. I just wasn’t prepared at the time.
The book physically is 204 pages, the audiobook is 8 hours 13 minutes and is unabridged to my knowledge. The beginning focuses on the siblings’ relationship and stalls the pacing a bit. Obviously you need to know them but the squabbling got to be a bit much. The last half of the book is very fast paced and really fun. It ends on a cliffhanger so it makes you want to get book 2.
Overall I enjoyed the book. If I didn’t have so many reviews that I had to do I’d pick up the 2nd in the series. This also made me want to pick up some of the compilations with short stories from Dan Rabarts. Other than the index snafu it really was a solid audiobook and well mixed. If you’re a person wanting to read new voices in genre fiction pick this up. The audiobook is out today. 3.5/5 stars
May 2, 2023
Hounds of the Underworld was published in 2017 and is just now getting an audiobook version of it, which is how I listened/read it. This future gritty noir/supernatural book follows a brother and sister, Matiu and Penny as they team up to solve a man’s disappearance. Penny (short for Pandora) on the brink of losing her laboratory is hired by the police for her services. This is her first contract with them and she doesn’t want to mess it up. Matiu, her adopted Maori brother, tags along to the crime scene and accidentally touches a bloodied bowl on the floor when he hears a cacophony of screams in his head. In his childhood Matiu had an imaginary friend named Makere, who wakes up again when Matiu touches the bowl. The siblings are thrust into a dark world of dog fighting, murder and supernatural forces.
Hounds takes an interesting format not only in the printed book but the audiobook as well. About every other chapter is helmed by one of the two siblings. In the audiobook two people take over their narratives, Susan Holt for Penny and the books co-author Dan Rabarts for Matiu. I’ve listened to hundreds and hundreds of hours of audiobooks and this is really clever because it’s not performed by only one person, which often they are.
The book is from two authors Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray, two New Zealand genre authors. Lee Murray is of Chinese descent and Dan Rabarts is Maori, of the original native population of New Zealand. It brings a unique voice to a horror/crime novel. I can’t say I’ve ever read a book from these two cultures at the same time. Lee Murray spans the whole genre fiction spectrum with her works. She’s a multiple Bram Stoker Award winner and a 12 time Sir Julius Vogel Award winner. Dan Rabarts is Maori and seems to stick to horror or steampunk /dieselpunk in novella or short story form. This is the first of 3 Path of Ra books.
I’m a very curious person so learning about new cultures is fun for me so this story was so entertaining. The authors use tons of Maori terms and words throughout the novel. There is an index at the end of the book which is read on the audiobook after the actual book is done, which is just not helpful. In a physical book you could flip to the back to find out more about words easily, but in the audiobook it’s tacked onto the last chapter so even if you knew it was there it would be hard to access. Dan Rabarts, himself, produced the audiobook and if the other Ra books are made into audiobooks hopefully this can be fixed.
Named the Path of Ra series you can tell there’s a bit of Egyptian mythology in the story as well. So Chinese, Maori, and Egyptian cultures mashed together, how cool is that?
I read enough description of a book to ask to get a copy but rarely know the whole description before I read it. I liked to be surprised most often. If I would’ve read the whole synopsis I’d have learned about the dog fighting ring in the story. You may not know this but I have 2 lovely pit bulls. I’m a proponent of “It’s the owners not the breed opinion. It was shocking but accurate and personally heartbreaking when the book described the dog fighting ring. So beware if you’re a dog lover. I just wasn’t prepared at the time.
The book physically is 204 pages, the audiobook is 8 hours 13 minutes and is unabridged to my knowledge. The beginning focuses on the siblings’ relationship and stalls the pacing a bit. Obviously you need to know them but the squabbling got to be a bit much. The last half of the book is very fast paced and really fun. It ends on a cliffhanger so it makes you want to get book 2.
Overall I enjoyed the book. If I didn’t have so many reviews that I had to do I’d pick up the 2nd in the series. This also made me want to pick up some of the compilations with short stories from Dan Rabarts. Other than the index snafu it really was a solid audiobook and well mixed. If you’re a person wanting to read new voices in genre fiction pick this up. The audiobook is out today. 3.5/5 stars
August 1, 2017
I received a free copy of this from LibraryThing.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, as I had expected a novel that still would need a few more drafts before it would be publish worthy. It's not the case in this one though, as other than a few niggles I highly enjoyed it. The sister and brother duo, who both narrate the story, are from completely opposite spectrum of how they view life. Pandora is clinical, thinking exactly of how science can be applied to anything and is prone to breaking down experiments and situations as such. Her brother (Matiu) on the other hand, delves into the spiritual side with a presence that haunts him and a disruption of a past that keeps on intruding.
Both characters are not only likeable, in their own endearing ways, but I love how they bonce off each other. They enjoy a brother/sister relationship where they tease each other, worry about the other and at the same time appear to do acts that get the other in trouble. And yet at the same time, you can see how this all is down to keep the other safe, especially in the case of Matiu who usually has hidden meaning behind everything they do. The two clearly depend on each other, with their parents playing background characters who rarely feature other than to nag and be an irritating force. It was one of the few problems I had with this book, since I wanted to know more about the mother who was the main force against Pandora over her choices in life. I would have liked a bit more explanation of why she was like this, though I have a feeling it may be paid more attention in later books as this is just the first in a series. The father on the other hand is kept as nothing more than an authoritarian figure, who is mentioned as having two defining features and is not expanded further. He may be fleshed out further, but I felt that he might be able to share the personality of butting heads with Pandora.
There is one last side character that deserves a mention: the lab technician for the company that Pandora has set up. He appears to be more of the slap-stick side-kick than much else but I hope that he has more prominent time to become further involved. It is a very curious part of this novel, since it shows off the relationship between the brother and sister perfectly, but at the same time it makes all the other characters suffer to being only two or one dimensional.
The one last issue I had with this novel is something that slightly kicked me out of the story. It may be mentioned in the blurb on the final product, but when I first read the actual date the story is set on I thought that it was a misprint. It took a little while for my brain to wrap around this, but it was cleverly helped along by the mentions by Pandora mostly, though Matiu does have a few words within his thoughts on the matter since the authors use a growing problem that is occurring now to explain the changes of the future within the realm of possibility. I did have a few questions on certain outcomes, such as did the electric car fail completely? Or the one that had alternative fuel such as vegetables/wastes/etc in order to run it. There are little hints that water is rationed, as is food but electricity doesn't appear to be. it is expensive, but at the same time I could only attribute it to something Pandora said in regards to her company. I could have completely missed it, and it is such a little niggle that it barely takes off one of the points of a star for me.
It's only the combination of these above, as well as that is very difficult for me to give any book five stars, that puts this book down to four stars. I would highly recommend this book, and I will be buying a physical copy of this book when it is published.
Thank you for the copy send to my Kindle and I wish the authors best luck in the future.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, as I had expected a novel that still would need a few more drafts before it would be publish worthy. It's not the case in this one though, as other than a few niggles I highly enjoyed it. The sister and brother duo, who both narrate the story, are from completely opposite spectrum of how they view life. Pandora is clinical, thinking exactly of how science can be applied to anything and is prone to breaking down experiments and situations as such. Her brother (Matiu) on the other hand, delves into the spiritual side with a presence that haunts him and a disruption of a past that keeps on intruding.
Both characters are not only likeable, in their own endearing ways, but I love how they bonce off each other. They enjoy a brother/sister relationship where they tease each other, worry about the other and at the same time appear to do acts that get the other in trouble. And yet at the same time, you can see how this all is down to keep the other safe, especially in the case of Matiu who usually has hidden meaning behind everything they do. The two clearly depend on each other, with their parents playing background characters who rarely feature other than to nag and be an irritating force. It was one of the few problems I had with this book, since I wanted to know more about the mother who was the main force against Pandora over her choices in life. I would have liked a bit more explanation of why she was like this, though I have a feeling it may be paid more attention in later books as this is just the first in a series. The father on the other hand is kept as nothing more than an authoritarian figure, who is mentioned as having two defining features and is not expanded further. He may be fleshed out further, but I felt that he might be able to share the personality of butting heads with Pandora.
There is one last side character that deserves a mention: the lab technician for the company that Pandora has set up. He appears to be more of the slap-stick side-kick than much else but I hope that he has more prominent time to become further involved. It is a very curious part of this novel, since it shows off the relationship between the brother and sister perfectly, but at the same time it makes all the other characters suffer to being only two or one dimensional.
The one last issue I had with this novel is something that slightly kicked me out of the story. It may be mentioned in the blurb on the final product, but when I first read the actual date the story is set on I thought that it was a misprint. It took a little while for my brain to wrap around this, but it was cleverly helped along by the mentions by Pandora mostly, though Matiu does have a few words within his thoughts on the matter since the authors use a growing problem that is occurring now to explain the changes of the future within the realm of possibility. I did have a few questions on certain outcomes, such as did the electric car fail completely? Or the one that had alternative fuel such as vegetables/wastes/etc in order to run it. There are little hints that water is rationed, as is food but electricity doesn't appear to be. it is expensive, but at the same time I could only attribute it to something Pandora said in regards to her company. I could have completely missed it, and it is such a little niggle that it barely takes off one of the points of a star for me.
It's only the combination of these above, as well as that is very difficult for me to give any book five stars, that puts this book down to four stars. I would highly recommend this book, and I will be buying a physical copy of this book when it is published.
Thank you for the copy send to my Kindle and I wish the authors best luck in the future.
July 26, 2017
Disclaimer: The authors and I share a publisher. I received a hardcopy version of this book as a thank you for proofing an earlier version of the text.
On the surface, this book doesn’t seem to have a lot that would appeal to me as a reader. In an alternate universe, I probably bought a copy to support the fellow authors who write for the same indie press that I do and quietly left it on a shelf with a promise to read it “someday” (sadly, true for some books in our own universe). Instead, my editor asked me to read an earlier version of the submitted text with the promise that I’d make it through the horror bits okay.
I’m glad I did. I loved so much about this book.
The horror elements are more akin to the violence found in any good murder mystery, with the addition of some bonus otherworldly tentacled horrors that I was too busy being horrifically fascinated by to feel, well, horrified. I’m actually really interested to see where the supernatural elements of this book go further in the series, so consider me hooked despite my general disinclination toward the horror genre.
But what really made this novel shine is the characters and setting. And it’s not just because Wellington, New Zealand, is exotic to me as a reader. The near-future, vaguely dystopic representation of the city adds to the overall environment of the book, such as the government farms beyond the city limits and the allusions to what’s happening in the rest of the world.
As for the characters, I think I’d happily read about Penny and Matiu being snarky at each other even without the rest of the plot happening. It was delightfully refreshing to see a crime-solving duo that is NOT burdened by awkward sexual tension just to create a romantic subplot. Instead, the characters’ obvious affection for each other is balanced by the conflict born of all sibling relationships, and the team dynamic was fresh and enjoyable.
Individually, I loved that Penny’s internal narration showed that, at heart, she was a scientist first, which informed her interactions with her environment even when outside her laboratory. While the weird almost-romantic tension between her and her lab assistant seemed sometimes contrived, the awkward set-up with a government official by her meddling parents felt realistic to the point of genuine discomfort.
Matiu’s angst bordered on overwhelming at times, but I found his “imaginary friend” fascinating. In Matiu’s point of view scenes, there were just enough hints that he might be an unreliable narrator to keep me on my toes regarding what was true and what was not. It was subtle, but very well done.
This story ends on a tiny bit of a cliff-hanger — I was more than satisfied by the arc of the story I read, but at the same time, I’m anxiously awaiting more!
On the surface, this book doesn’t seem to have a lot that would appeal to me as a reader. In an alternate universe, I probably bought a copy to support the fellow authors who write for the same indie press that I do and quietly left it on a shelf with a promise to read it “someday” (sadly, true for some books in our own universe). Instead, my editor asked me to read an earlier version of the submitted text with the promise that I’d make it through the horror bits okay.
I’m glad I did. I loved so much about this book.
The horror elements are more akin to the violence found in any good murder mystery, with the addition of some bonus otherworldly tentacled horrors that I was too busy being horrifically fascinated by to feel, well, horrified. I’m actually really interested to see where the supernatural elements of this book go further in the series, so consider me hooked despite my general disinclination toward the horror genre.
But what really made this novel shine is the characters and setting. And it’s not just because Wellington, New Zealand, is exotic to me as a reader. The near-future, vaguely dystopic representation of the city adds to the overall environment of the book, such as the government farms beyond the city limits and the allusions to what’s happening in the rest of the world.
As for the characters, I think I’d happily read about Penny and Matiu being snarky at each other even without the rest of the plot happening. It was delightfully refreshing to see a crime-solving duo that is NOT burdened by awkward sexual tension just to create a romantic subplot. Instead, the characters’ obvious affection for each other is balanced by the conflict born of all sibling relationships, and the team dynamic was fresh and enjoyable.
Individually, I loved that Penny’s internal narration showed that, at heart, she was a scientist first, which informed her interactions with her environment even when outside her laboratory. While the weird almost-romantic tension between her and her lab assistant seemed sometimes contrived, the awkward set-up with a government official by her meddling parents felt realistic to the point of genuine discomfort.
Matiu’s angst bordered on overwhelming at times, but I found his “imaginary friend” fascinating. In Matiu’s point of view scenes, there were just enough hints that he might be an unreliable narrator to keep me on my toes regarding what was true and what was not. It was subtle, but very well done.
This story ends on a tiny bit of a cliff-hanger — I was more than satisfied by the arc of the story I read, but at the same time, I’m anxiously awaiting more!
April 4, 2023
**I was provided an advanced listening copy from the publisher through NetGalley.**
Content warning: Please be aware of violence against animals in this work and pursue further information about content before choosing to read.
Kiwi authors Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray present the first book in a new series, Hounds of the Underworld. Readers follow Penny Yee, a scientist on the verge of losing her laboratory who takes on a contract as a science consultant to the police force. As Penny doesn't drive, she has to rely on her adoptive brother Matiu to chauffer her to various locations for the contract. Matiu has a criminal history and is hearing voices that make him want nothing to do with the murder cases Penny has to investigate. Add to the fact that Matiu's imaginary friend, Makere has returned and is giving him no peace, and there is more to these murders than Penny may have anticipated.
Hounds of the Underworld blends aspects of horror, crime noir, and a hint of locked room mystery. Certainly, this is a take on the genre that I, personally, haven't read before. Author Dan Rabarts pulls dual duty as the audiobook narrator for Matiu and Susan Holt provides voice for Penny. I think the choice to use two narrators for the different perspectives was smart and that the narrators chosen really put in work that contributed to making this novel a success. Combined with sound effects reminiscent of old radio shows between scenes, the audiobook did well at personifying the noir style.
Unfortunately, in order to enjoy this work, there must be a very significant suspension of disbelief. The entire premise is a stretch. Penny doesn't seem to have any real subject matter expertise that would make her a suitable scientific consultant to the police, nor would a science consultant be allowed basically carte blanche to wander between crime scenes and actually investigate the crimes herself, particularly unaccompanied aside from her brother who has a significant criminal record. There is also a lot of uncertainty around Matiu and trying to determine how much of his experience is mental health related or whether the issues are supernatural. As such, I was repeatedly taken out of the story by the sheer absurdity of what was taking place, and feel that there was a little too much of an ask for me to buy in to the various plot points.
This leaves me middle of the road. The story was interesting and fun, but there were many factors which made it not for me. I do feel like there is an audience for this type of novel, but would not necessarily recommend it to anyone with interest or insight into actual police procedure. Go in for the vibes and enjoy.
Content warning: Please be aware of violence against animals in this work and pursue further information about content before choosing to read.
Kiwi authors Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray present the first book in a new series, Hounds of the Underworld. Readers follow Penny Yee, a scientist on the verge of losing her laboratory who takes on a contract as a science consultant to the police force. As Penny doesn't drive, she has to rely on her adoptive brother Matiu to chauffer her to various locations for the contract. Matiu has a criminal history and is hearing voices that make him want nothing to do with the murder cases Penny has to investigate. Add to the fact that Matiu's imaginary friend, Makere has returned and is giving him no peace, and there is more to these murders than Penny may have anticipated.
Hounds of the Underworld blends aspects of horror, crime noir, and a hint of locked room mystery. Certainly, this is a take on the genre that I, personally, haven't read before. Author Dan Rabarts pulls dual duty as the audiobook narrator for Matiu and Susan Holt provides voice for Penny. I think the choice to use two narrators for the different perspectives was smart and that the narrators chosen really put in work that contributed to making this novel a success. Combined with sound effects reminiscent of old radio shows between scenes, the audiobook did well at personifying the noir style.
Unfortunately, in order to enjoy this work, there must be a very significant suspension of disbelief. The entire premise is a stretch. Penny doesn't seem to have any real subject matter expertise that would make her a suitable scientific consultant to the police, nor would a science consultant be allowed basically carte blanche to wander between crime scenes and actually investigate the crimes herself, particularly unaccompanied aside from her brother who has a significant criminal record. There is also a lot of uncertainty around Matiu and trying to determine how much of his experience is mental health related or whether the issues are supernatural. As such, I was repeatedly taken out of the story by the sheer absurdity of what was taking place, and feel that there was a little too much of an ask for me to buy in to the various plot points.
This leaves me middle of the road. The story was interesting and fun, but there were many factors which made it not for me. I do feel like there is an audience for this type of novel, but would not necessarily recommend it to anyone with interest or insight into actual police procedure. Go in for the vibes and enjoy.
April 12, 2023
Many Thanks to NetGalley for an advance audio copy of this book.
So, I rather enjoyed this book, but there’s kind of deal breaker. Right in the beginning, one of the characters is musing- providing back story on another and she discusses repeatedly that this other character possibly has Asperger’s syndrome. Perhaps things are different outside of the US, but this term is no longer a diagnosis now - and has some very creepy Nazi associations. It is considered offensive by many in the Autism community so, I was dumbfounded to read that entire passage. On top of it, after reading the entire book- the character described in this way - showed none of the classical signs of any kind of autism. His issues appeared more like an ADHD presentation with a side of Schizo-affective or Schizophrenia. Since the book is set in the “2040’s” I’d like to think that this diagnosis wouldn’t even be around in the future, since it has already been rejected. Honestly it added nothing to the story, and if that entire chunk were removed, this would be a solid 4 star read. I know TikTok’s Book Tok will have a field day roasting away at this.
So- the story unfolds of two siblings from a wealthy family working together to solve a mystery. Mateiu and Penny. Penny is a pedantic, uptight person who seems to avoid reality by surrounding herself with lots of useless information. Mateiu is sort of rebel without a cause who works as a driver, mostly driving Penny around, but actually solving most of the mystery while Penny worries about details and protocols. Penny unfortunately doesn’t soften too much through the book, and remains kind of irritating. Mateiu is a difficult “black sheep” kind of guy who’s smart but a bit reckless.
Together, with a dog named Cerberus they awkwardly unravel a nice chunk of this mystery, allowing Penny’s lab to make a profit and Mateiu to simply stay alive.
The horror writing is very good. I was definitely too creeped out to listen after dark, and I did want to know what happens next. It’s just that one unfortunate reference to Asperger’s that I can’t quite get past.
So, I rather enjoyed this book, but there’s kind of deal breaker. Right in the beginning, one of the characters is musing- providing back story on another and she discusses repeatedly that this other character possibly has Asperger’s syndrome. Perhaps things are different outside of the US, but this term is no longer a diagnosis now - and has some very creepy Nazi associations. It is considered offensive by many in the Autism community so, I was dumbfounded to read that entire passage. On top of it, after reading the entire book- the character described in this way - showed none of the classical signs of any kind of autism. His issues appeared more like an ADHD presentation with a side of Schizo-affective or Schizophrenia. Since the book is set in the “2040’s” I’d like to think that this diagnosis wouldn’t even be around in the future, since it has already been rejected. Honestly it added nothing to the story, and if that entire chunk were removed, this would be a solid 4 star read. I know TikTok’s Book Tok will have a field day roasting away at this.
So- the story unfolds of two siblings from a wealthy family working together to solve a mystery. Mateiu and Penny. Penny is a pedantic, uptight person who seems to avoid reality by surrounding herself with lots of useless information. Mateiu is sort of rebel without a cause who works as a driver, mostly driving Penny around, but actually solving most of the mystery while Penny worries about details and protocols. Penny unfortunately doesn’t soften too much through the book, and remains kind of irritating. Mateiu is a difficult “black sheep” kind of guy who’s smart but a bit reckless.
Together, with a dog named Cerberus they awkwardly unravel a nice chunk of this mystery, allowing Penny’s lab to make a profit and Mateiu to simply stay alive.
The horror writing is very good. I was definitely too creeped out to listen after dark, and I did want to know what happens next. It’s just that one unfortunate reference to Asperger’s that I can’t quite get past.
July 30, 2017
Hounds of the Underworld
Great paranormal mystery set in near future New Zealand.
Penny is a scientist who has just opened a her own business. Her first criminal case includes a missing person, a large pool of blood and a ceremonial bowl.
Her brother, Matiu, is her driver in 2040s Auckland where pollution is rampant and few can afford private cars. Luckily, their rich parents run a car service, which is where Matiu works. Matiu has a criminal past and is recently out of prison on probation. Matiu has a special power.
"It's his blessing, his curse, to feel the veil that lies between the worlds, to touch it as it slips and slides in his grasp, rasps along his senses, teases at his dreams."
Matiu and Penny begin to solve the crime--not just do crime scene analysis as Penny has been contracted to do by the police. The clues to the solution are as varied as Rasputin and the Egyptian god Osiris.
The best part of the Hounds of the Underworld is the prickly but humorous sibling dynamics. Setting the novel in near future New Zealand is so brilliant! I've never read another novel with that setting so it feels fresh in a genre that frequently feels overused and stale. I also felt that the characters acted in ways that most people would react in similar circumstances. The ending was engrossing and a real page-turner. However, it did leave a couple of major plot points hanging so I took one star off for that. This is book one in a planned series so I understand the point of having a cliffhanger but I thought this was a bit too much. Hopefully, the next book in the Path to Ra series will be published soon!
I would highly recommend this book to any mystery lover who wants more diverse plot elements than your standard genre book. This novel combines four genres: mystery, fantasy, light science fiction and paranormal. And it does it with style! Just don't expect all the plot's skeins to be neatly rolled up at the end.
I received this book in a Librarything giveaway but that has not impacted my review.
Great paranormal mystery set in near future New Zealand.
Penny is a scientist who has just opened a her own business. Her first criminal case includes a missing person, a large pool of blood and a ceremonial bowl.
Her brother, Matiu, is her driver in 2040s Auckland where pollution is rampant and few can afford private cars. Luckily, their rich parents run a car service, which is where Matiu works. Matiu has a criminal past and is recently out of prison on probation. Matiu has a special power.
"It's his blessing, his curse, to feel the veil that lies between the worlds, to touch it as it slips and slides in his grasp, rasps along his senses, teases at his dreams."
Matiu and Penny begin to solve the crime--not just do crime scene analysis as Penny has been contracted to do by the police. The clues to the solution are as varied as Rasputin and the Egyptian god Osiris.
The best part of the Hounds of the Underworld is the prickly but humorous sibling dynamics. Setting the novel in near future New Zealand is so brilliant! I've never read another novel with that setting so it feels fresh in a genre that frequently feels overused and stale. I also felt that the characters acted in ways that most people would react in similar circumstances. The ending was engrossing and a real page-turner. However, it did leave a couple of major plot points hanging so I took one star off for that. This is book one in a planned series so I understand the point of having a cliffhanger but I thought this was a bit too much. Hopefully, the next book in the Path to Ra series will be published soon!
I would highly recommend this book to any mystery lover who wants more diverse plot elements than your standard genre book. This novel combines four genres: mystery, fantasy, light science fiction and paranormal. And it does it with style! Just don't expect all the plot's skeins to be neatly rolled up at the end.
I received this book in a Librarything giveaway but that has not impacted my review.
September 30, 2017
Two quick disclaimers to get this review rolling:
1) I received a free ebook copy of this through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers group, and am grateful to the publisher for the copy.
2) I'm a white settler American with almost no knowledge of Māori culture, and one of the authors is Māori, so please take my comments on that aspect of things with a massive grain of salt; my comments make reference to what is an intracommunity issue ultimately, but I wanted to note them for other non-Māori folk reading this book.
SO. This book was a delight--it was a fast read, and I was incredibly sucked into very early on. The dynamic of Penny and Matiu was so lovely, and the mystery itself really got me wanting to know what exactly happened. In the last 20% of the book, I had that panic moment that went "oh my god, there's not much time left!" and I definitely want to read more of this series. The suspense was super great, and the mystery itself felt like it came together over the course of the story, which is something I always enjoy when reading mysteries.
Two small caveats (well, one small and one fairly large haha.): 1) There's this commentary in the middle about autism that comes off as super uncomfortable, like both infantilizing and like over-positive? I have no idea if both authors are neurotypical, but it was just weird and jarring.
2) As a white settler, I have a Thing about not taking other people's worldviews and making them plot mechanics in stories; it makes me uncomfortable. This is troubled obviously by the fact that one of the authors is Māori, but it was something that made me nervous as a white settler and I want to identify it; I would love to hear actual Māori people speak about how they see this book, but my positionality as a reader and consumer of stories was something that was constantly on my mind as I ready this book.
Those being said, I really did enjoy this book and definitely would love to read the next in the series!
1) I received a free ebook copy of this through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers group, and am grateful to the publisher for the copy.
2) I'm a white settler American with almost no knowledge of Māori culture, and one of the authors is Māori, so please take my comments on that aspect of things with a massive grain of salt; my comments make reference to what is an intracommunity issue ultimately, but I wanted to note them for other non-Māori folk reading this book.
SO. This book was a delight--it was a fast read, and I was incredibly sucked into very early on. The dynamic of Penny and Matiu was so lovely, and the mystery itself really got me wanting to know what exactly happened. In the last 20% of the book, I had that panic moment that went "oh my god, there's not much time left!" and I definitely want to read more of this series. The suspense was super great, and the mystery itself felt like it came together over the course of the story, which is something I always enjoy when reading mysteries.
Two small caveats (well, one small and one fairly large haha.): 1) There's this commentary in the middle about autism that comes off as super uncomfortable, like both infantilizing and like over-positive? I have no idea if both authors are neurotypical, but it was just weird and jarring.
2) As a white settler, I have a Thing about not taking other people's worldviews and making them plot mechanics in stories; it makes me uncomfortable. This is troubled obviously by the fact that one of the authors is Māori, but it was something that made me nervous as a white settler and I want to identify it; I would love to hear actual Māori people speak about how they see this book, but my positionality as a reader and consumer of stories was something that was constantly on my mind as I ready this book.
Those being said, I really did enjoy this book and definitely would love to read the next in the series!
October 11, 2018
This book is set in Auckland NZ in the 2040’s when fossil fuels are no longer readily available. Pandora (Penny), is a contracting forensic scientist who is called to a grisly crime scene. Her adopted Maori brother, Matiu, works as a taxi-courier driver and accompanies her. He is possessed by a dark spirit and cannot help getting involved. Together they make an unusual duo, which works quite well as a double point of view story and there’s also the addition of the dog.
A dark fantasy crime thriller, this book moves along at a steady pace with sufficient action and intrigue to pull the reader through. The setting, being NZ, added to the story as did the smidge of Maori culture, although it did require me to look up words, typically because I didn’t find the glossary until the end. The dialogue is at times witty and quite clever. The descriptions of the scenes, including a dark version of Auckland and the surrounding countryside, really worked for me. Unusually for me, I liked the two lead characters who bring opposite perspectives. Penny the scientific mind; Matiu a more open-minded quasi-spiritual perspective. The only thing the book lacked was a clear-cut villain, which is this books Achilles heel. Not that there weren’t enough problems for our heroes to contend with, there was.
If you like dark fantasy this is a must. I have already procured the sequel and when I’m done with that I’ll be looking for other titles from Rabarts and Murray.
A dark fantasy crime thriller, this book moves along at a steady pace with sufficient action and intrigue to pull the reader through. The setting, being NZ, added to the story as did the smidge of Maori culture, although it did require me to look up words, typically because I didn’t find the glossary until the end. The dialogue is at times witty and quite clever. The descriptions of the scenes, including a dark version of Auckland and the surrounding countryside, really worked for me. Unusually for me, I liked the two lead characters who bring opposite perspectives. Penny the scientific mind; Matiu a more open-minded quasi-spiritual perspective. The only thing the book lacked was a clear-cut villain, which is this books Achilles heel. Not that there weren’t enough problems for our heroes to contend with, there was.
If you like dark fantasy this is a must. I have already procured the sequel and when I’m done with that I’ll be looking for other titles from Rabarts and Murray.
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