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Underworld Detection Agency #2
[Under Attack] (By: Hannah Jayne) [published: November, 2011]
Sophie Lawson is a human immune to magic, which comes in handy for helping paranormal beings transition into everyday life. But fallen angel Alex Grace and his search for the Vessel of Souls is one curse she never saw coming. Suddenly an unexplainable string of killings and destruction has even San Francisco's demons fearing for their immortal lives. And Sophie isn't about to trust Alex's all-too-vulnerable charm or his secret agenda. Now their hunt is revealing dangerous secrets about Sophie's past, and malevolent power hellishly close to turning one irreverent human into the ultimate supernatural weapon.
Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
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About the author
Hannah Jayne
27 books680 followersHannah is the author of the UNDERWORLD DETECTION AGENCY CHRONICLES from Kensington books and the upcoming young adult thrillers TRULY, MADLY, DEADLY and SEE JANE RUN available from Sourcebooks, Inc. When she's not battling the demons of the Underworld or tackling a murderer at Hawthorne High, Jayne kicks her feet up in her San Francisco bay area home and attempts to share couch space with two enormous cats.
Now that you're here, kick up your feet and stay awhile...
Now that you're here, kick up your feet and stay awhile...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
October 24, 2015
The characters in this series are a bunch of morons. Truly stupid. I figured out every single thing going on within a couple of pages and they spent the whole book bumbling around like kittens chasing the red dot. Going nowhere, accomplishing nothing.
Even cats wise up at some point, but these characters never seem to.
But, also like the kittens chasing a dot, it is funny. There are some absolutely hilarious moments in this book. Like when Sophie and her roommate, Nina, decide to break into a house. Since they need to wear all black, Nina brings Sophie the only all black thing she had - an evening gown. Sophie also told Nina to bring gloves so their fingerprints wouldn't show up, so Nina hands her black cashmere elbow-length gloves with rhinestones up the sides. And, for binoculars, Nina brought bejeweled opera glasses. The male character, Alex, also shows up to break-in to this house:
He grinned when he saw me. "I guess we both had the same idea here. Of course, my tux was at the cleaners...
And that's the thing about these books, the writer does great funny moments and witty dialogue. I just wish that the stories were as good. Or, at least some mysteries that are easier to figure out than a Scooby Doo cartoon. I'd settle for that too.
Even cats wise up at some point, but these characters never seem to.
But, also like the kittens chasing a dot, it is funny. There are some absolutely hilarious moments in this book. Like when Sophie and her roommate, Nina, decide to break into a house. Since they need to wear all black, Nina brings Sophie the only all black thing she had - an evening gown. Sophie also told Nina to bring gloves so their fingerprints wouldn't show up, so Nina hands her black cashmere elbow-length gloves with rhinestones up the sides. And, for binoculars, Nina brought bejeweled opera glasses. The male character, Alex, also shows up to break-in to this house:
He grinned when he saw me. "I guess we both had the same idea here. Of course, my tux was at the cleaners...
And that's the thing about these books, the writer does great funny moments and witty dialogue. I just wish that the stories were as good. Or, at least some mysteries that are easier to figure out than a Scooby Doo cartoon. I'd settle for that too.
November 4, 2012
Sophie Lawson is not your typical urban fantasy protagonist. She has a fondness for Pinwheels and sheath dresses, doesn't know how to fight, doesn't have powers, and is about as far from tough as you can get. When I read UNDER WRAPS, the first book in the Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles, it took me a while to get used to Sophie because the book cover depicted her as a fierce warrior when she's really more of a cutesy girly girl. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a cute protagonist but the covers really don't match the tone of the novels for this series, which is always jarring when you're not expecting it. So be forewarned: this is one case where you really can't judge the book by its cover. Yes, Sophie has a tazer, yes, she's a redhead, and yes, there are black feathers about, but there's definitely no bra and holster look in the book.
In fact, f I had to choose one word to describe this series, I'd probably go with "fluffy." Let me be clear, this isn't a criticism. It's just quite different from the usual books I read, which tend to have a grittier, darker tone. Hannah Jayne's books have serious moments but the general tone is more playful than what you'd see in the series I tend to gravitate toward. That being said, I enjoyed UNDER ATTACK. In fact, I thought it was better than UNDER WRAPS. The plot takes us in all kinds of directions. We get to learn a lot more about Sophie and why she's immune to magic. We also get to see what happens to the UDA in the aftermath of Pete's disappearance and where Sophie fits into things. There are also some fun scene with Nina, Sophie's vampire roommate, particularly when she's at work.
The one downside for me is that the villain of UNDER ATTACK was rather one-dimensional. Ophelia has some nice sneaky moments and she does an excellent job of messing with Sophie's mind but she didn't seem as fleshed out as the other characters in the novel, maybe because she's new and I'm more familiar with the rest of the cast from UNDER WRAPS.
Fans of dark urban fantasy may find this series a little silly but UNDER ATTACK is an enjoyable read if you approach it with the right expectations. I think Sophie and the Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles will really appeal to fans of MaryJanice Davidson's Betsy books or Janet Evanovich's (non-UF) Stephanie Plum series so if you like those books, this may be the book for you!
http://www.tyngasreviews.com
In fact, f I had to choose one word to describe this series, I'd probably go with "fluffy." Let me be clear, this isn't a criticism. It's just quite different from the usual books I read, which tend to have a grittier, darker tone. Hannah Jayne's books have serious moments but the general tone is more playful than what you'd see in the series I tend to gravitate toward. That being said, I enjoyed UNDER ATTACK. In fact, I thought it was better than UNDER WRAPS. The plot takes us in all kinds of directions. We get to learn a lot more about Sophie and why she's immune to magic. We also get to see what happens to the UDA in the aftermath of Pete's disappearance and where Sophie fits into things. There are also some fun scene with Nina, Sophie's vampire roommate, particularly when she's at work.
The one downside for me is that the villain of UNDER ATTACK was rather one-dimensional. Ophelia has some nice sneaky moments and she does an excellent job of messing with Sophie's mind but she didn't seem as fleshed out as the other characters in the novel, maybe because she's new and I'm more familiar with the rest of the cast from UNDER WRAPS.
Fans of dark urban fantasy may find this series a little silly but UNDER ATTACK is an enjoyable read if you approach it with the right expectations. I think Sophie and the Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles will really appeal to fans of MaryJanice Davidson's Betsy books or Janet Evanovich's (non-UF) Stephanie Plum series so if you like those books, this may be the book for you!
http://www.tyngasreviews.com
September 9, 2015
Sophie Lawson. Never have I been more enamored with a female heroine. What sets Sophie apart from the hundreds of other leading ladies is her status of idiot. Bumbling idiot, village idiot, whatever works, she is one. It's not her fault she's better with a stapler than a gun (any weapon, really). It's also not her fault that the reason the book covers for this series make no sense is because they indicate how Sophie sees herself when she's daydreaming about "being on the case". It's cute, really. As is Sophie. Such a normal character and I can see why many people will fault her for this. Blame it on the hordes of knife-wielding, leather-wearing, whip-toting ladies that grace the UF genre. Administrative assistant Sophie Lawson isn't any of those, but she dreams she is :)
Alex Grace is back and asking for Sophie's help in finding the Vessel of Souls. He was once in charge of helping guard the rather important item; because things kind of went to his head, not only did he lose the missing item, he was also stripped of his wings and earthbound. The Vessel of Souls is the one thing that can get him back in to Heaven and regain his wings. Needless to say, the Vessel is now his priority. The search is compounded by the fact that another member of the Fallen also wants the Vessel, only for much darker purposes.
In this installment, Sophie doesn't become more powerful, she isn't magically enhanced and dangerous, she still doesn't kick ass. When she does manage to take down an opponent, it is purely through a mixture of happenstance and brash decisions. I would say luck plays a part, but our Soph isn't a lucky gal. Some light is shed on her past, she learns quite a bit about her dead mother and her deadbeat father. Oh, and Grandma's back and canoodling with also-departed Ed McMahon. There is also a new character introduced, Will Sherman, the British firefighter and potential new love interest. He brought quite a lot to the table and I am interested to see where he fits in in future installments.
Bottom line - I recommend this series if you are looking for something quirky, fluffy, and different in the world of UF. This isn't the ass-kicking type of UF (as one would think from the covers), nor is it a serious series. It's more along the lines of MaryJanice Davidson where it's more fun and cutesy than anything. The old cliche about "don't judge a book by its cover" fits here nicely :)
Alex Grace is back and asking for Sophie's help in finding the Vessel of Souls. He was once in charge of helping guard the rather important item; because things kind of went to his head, not only did he lose the missing item, he was also stripped of his wings and earthbound. The Vessel of Souls is the one thing that can get him back in to Heaven and regain his wings. Needless to say, the Vessel is now his priority. The search is compounded by the fact that another member of the Fallen also wants the Vessel, only for much darker purposes.
In this installment, Sophie doesn't become more powerful, she isn't magically enhanced and dangerous, she still doesn't kick ass. When she does manage to take down an opponent, it is purely through a mixture of happenstance and brash decisions. I would say luck plays a part, but our Soph isn't a lucky gal. Some light is shed on her past, she learns quite a bit about her dead mother and her deadbeat father. Oh, and Grandma's back and canoodling with also-departed Ed McMahon. There is also a new character introduced, Will Sherman, the British firefighter and potential new love interest. He brought quite a lot to the table and I am interested to see where he fits in in future installments.
Bottom line - I recommend this series if you are looking for something quirky, fluffy, and different in the world of UF. This isn't the ass-kicking type of UF (as one would think from the covers), nor is it a serious series. It's more along the lines of MaryJanice Davidson where it's more fun and cutesy than anything. The old cliche about "don't judge a book by its cover" fits here nicely :)
December 24, 2011
*Rating* 3.0
*Genre* Urban fantasy
*Full Review*
Sophie Lawson has immunity to any form of magic, yet she remains human. She is the only human who works for the Underworld Detection Agency. With her former boss on the lame and pretty much stuck as a werewolf, Sophie’s job status at UDA comes under review and reconsideration.
Sophie also learns more than a few secrets about herself in this book, including facts about who her real father is and what she is “carrying” within her. She even gets a visit from her long deceased grandmother who, it appears, is sitting in heaven playing games with famous celebrities yet knows all about Sophie’s secrets.
Alex, the fallen angel who also plays an uncover FBI Agent who works with the San Francisco Police Department, is back from his sudden disappearance. He is still searching for the Vessel of Souls that he somehow allowed to be stolen away from him, and thus lost his wings and fell from Heaven. He will do just about anything to get it back. Funny thing about that.....
Does anyone else besides me really not like Nina LaShay, Sophie's vampire roommate? I mean, she's just so annoying about everything from her crush on the new boss, to her obsessive behavior with cloths. Ok, I'll admit that there were some really humorous moments with Nina and Sophie, and Nina does experience a major beat down at the hands of Sophie's fallen angel sister who shows up looking for the Vessel of Souls. Oh and she and Alex had a relationship once upon a time as well. It’s basically called keeping it in the family sexually.
Oh yeah, Sophie has a sister that she had no clue existed. They share the same father who may or may not be the Devil himself. Her name is Ophelia Szabo and she is a bad angel who wants the Vessel of Souls for herself to wreak havoc on the rest of the world while taking over Hell. Did I mention that she's crazier than Jack Nicholson in The Shining?
Ah, just when you thought Alex was the only person in Sophie's life and in her heart, along comes Will Sherman into the picture. Will is a guardian who is supposed to protect the Vessel of Souls. And, guess who the vessel of souls is? Ayup!
In the end, Sophie ends up with a new title and a new job and even more mysteries that she needs to solve….que the next chapter in this series which will be coming out May of 2012!
*Genre* Urban fantasy
*Full Review*
Sophie Lawson has immunity to any form of magic, yet she remains human. She is the only human who works for the Underworld Detection Agency. With her former boss on the lame and pretty much stuck as a werewolf, Sophie’s job status at UDA comes under review and reconsideration.
Sophie also learns more than a few secrets about herself in this book, including facts about who her real father is and what she is “carrying” within her. She even gets a visit from her long deceased grandmother who, it appears, is sitting in heaven playing games with famous celebrities yet knows all about Sophie’s secrets.
Alex, the fallen angel who also plays an uncover FBI Agent who works with the San Francisco Police Department, is back from his sudden disappearance. He is still searching for the Vessel of Souls that he somehow allowed to be stolen away from him, and thus lost his wings and fell from Heaven. He will do just about anything to get it back. Funny thing about that.....
Does anyone else besides me really not like Nina LaShay, Sophie's vampire roommate? I mean, she's just so annoying about everything from her crush on the new boss, to her obsessive behavior with cloths. Ok, I'll admit that there were some really humorous moments with Nina and Sophie, and Nina does experience a major beat down at the hands of Sophie's fallen angel sister who shows up looking for the Vessel of Souls. Oh and she and Alex had a relationship once upon a time as well. It’s basically called keeping it in the family sexually.
Oh yeah, Sophie has a sister that she had no clue existed. They share the same father who may or may not be the Devil himself. Her name is Ophelia Szabo and she is a bad angel who wants the Vessel of Souls for herself to wreak havoc on the rest of the world while taking over Hell. Did I mention that she's crazier than Jack Nicholson in The Shining?
Ah, just when you thought Alex was the only person in Sophie's life and in her heart, along comes Will Sherman into the picture. Will is a guardian who is supposed to protect the Vessel of Souls. And, guess who the vessel of souls is? Ayup!
In the end, Sophie ends up with a new title and a new job and even more mysteries that she needs to solve….que the next chapter in this series which will be coming out May of 2012!
May 25, 2020
RTC
Previous book reviews:
✦ Under Wraps (Underworld Detection Agency, #1)
November 5, 2011
Sophie works for the Underworld Detection Agency. They have brought in some new management around the same time Alex, a fallen angel who Sophie is somewhat involved with, shows up at her door step. He tells her that he is on a mission to find the Vessel of Souls. If he finds the vessel before the evil fallen angels do, then he might get his wings back. Sophie happily agrees to help him find it, and so does Nina, her roommate and work pal.
Sophie starts out light hearted and funny. I thought that she would be powerful, being the only human among the Underworld. I like a little change of pace, but her light hearted funny comments tend to pop up in situations that it isn’t called for. She can go from a weeping mess to a giggling woman in less than a second. I was also a little mystified by how she sees Alex. When he shows up the reader gets a re-cap on how he started some form of relationship with her, and then disappeared. He shows back up, and instead of refusing to see him, she lets him eat her food, and agrees to just about anything he wants.
Alex lets her know a fallen angel that he used to be ‘involved with,’ is out for the vessel, and the ex-girlfriend soon targets Sophie. There is a scene where he tells her he can’t always protect her, after bring all hell to her door, and gives her a stun gun. Considering what happens when the ex-girlfriend first shows up, she might as well stun him with it for all the good it might do her. Alex also made jokes non-stop, and clinched his jaw when he was annoyed, thinking and bothered, or any reason. Other than his looks, which sounded very nice, I didn’t much care for him. I wasn’t really sure why Sophie did.
The story wasn’t my cup of tea. Instead of being surprised by the plot twists, I was a little preoccupied with the whys’ and hows’. A lot of times I wanted to jump into the story and say, “I thought you said the vampires (angels, fallen angels, demons and most any other critters) could do this…” This made the characters seem dense. I understood that Sophie was a little bit of a ditz, usually I like that. The story is told in her POV, but we still figure stuff out before her. Most of the stuff she should have put together.
There is a great deal of action through the most part of the novel. The action does keep the story flowing, but it slowed down for towards the end. The characters often seem too similar, and unrealistic. This is a second novel in the series, and it does give the reader brief descriptions of what went on before.
-Beth (Guest Reviewer)
Sophie starts out light hearted and funny. I thought that she would be powerful, being the only human among the Underworld. I like a little change of pace, but her light hearted funny comments tend to pop up in situations that it isn’t called for. She can go from a weeping mess to a giggling woman in less than a second. I was also a little mystified by how she sees Alex. When he shows up the reader gets a re-cap on how he started some form of relationship with her, and then disappeared. He shows back up, and instead of refusing to see him, she lets him eat her food, and agrees to just about anything he wants.
Alex lets her know a fallen angel that he used to be ‘involved with,’ is out for the vessel, and the ex-girlfriend soon targets Sophie. There is a scene where he tells her he can’t always protect her, after bring all hell to her door, and gives her a stun gun. Considering what happens when the ex-girlfriend first shows up, she might as well stun him with it for all the good it might do her. Alex also made jokes non-stop, and clinched his jaw when he was annoyed, thinking and bothered, or any reason. Other than his looks, which sounded very nice, I didn’t much care for him. I wasn’t really sure why Sophie did.
The story wasn’t my cup of tea. Instead of being surprised by the plot twists, I was a little preoccupied with the whys’ and hows’. A lot of times I wanted to jump into the story and say, “I thought you said the vampires (angels, fallen angels, demons and most any other critters) could do this…” This made the characters seem dense. I understood that Sophie was a little bit of a ditz, usually I like that. The story is told in her POV, but we still figure stuff out before her. Most of the stuff she should have put together.
There is a great deal of action through the most part of the novel. The action does keep the story flowing, but it slowed down for towards the end. The characters often seem too similar, and unrealistic. This is a second novel in the series, and it does give the reader brief descriptions of what went on before.
-Beth (Guest Reviewer)
Read
October 30, 2011Once again, there’s a bit of a disconnect between the cover and the content of the latest Underworld Detective Agency book. Despite the fact that Sophie has both the stun gun and the gun pictured, she was much more likely to leave these weapons in her locker than wield them in such a kick butt fashion. Still, Sophie and her pals made it very easy to jump into UNDER ATTACK as my first book of the series. Accessible and engaging mythology coupled with characters that reminded me of the Jane True books, when it comes to hilarity and magical hi-jinx, mean that I'll definitely go back and pick up UNDER WRAPS so I can enjoy more of Hannah Jayne.
I’m also eager to pick up UNDER WRAPS to assuage my curiosity. My copy of UNDER ATTACK was an uncorrected proof, and I wonder if some of the pacing and character issues I noticed would have been smoothed out in a final draft. While individual scenes were well constructed, there were clunky transitions between them. Also, Sophie's final confrontation with the fallen angel Ophelia contained some magical inconsistencies that bothered me as well. These issues were minor overall, but were noticeable enough to take me out of the action and knock the world experience down a peg for me. Within each scene, the interactions between characters were tight and snappy. Alex was seductive, Nina and Sophie were a two woman comedy team, and Vlad was a pleasantly non-sullen, sullen teenager. My affection for Nina and Sophie made their interaction over the new UDA boss an annoyance. I kept expecting some magical explanation for Nina, normally so fiercely devoted to Sophie, to not support her best friend at work. If there was a reason, it wasn't resolved in UNDER ATTACK. Maybe book three will reveal some detail that will redeem Nina's betrayal in my eyes.
While I expect the transition issues to be resolved before the final printing, the minor character issues will probably be a part of the final story. All together they knocked the story down a bat, but I'll definitely be reading UNDER WRAPS to tip my verdict on book three one way or another. For those who have read UNDER WRAPS and enjoyed it, I'd say UNDER ATTACK will be a good bet for you. For others new to the series, feel free to join me in reading book one to decide if this fun, fluffy series holds up overall.
Sexual Content: Sexual daydreams, references to sex.
I’m also eager to pick up UNDER WRAPS to assuage my curiosity. My copy of UNDER ATTACK was an uncorrected proof, and I wonder if some of the pacing and character issues I noticed would have been smoothed out in a final draft. While individual scenes were well constructed, there were clunky transitions between them. Also, Sophie's final confrontation with the fallen angel Ophelia contained some magical inconsistencies that bothered me as well. These issues were minor overall, but were noticeable enough to take me out of the action and knock the world experience down a peg for me. Within each scene, the interactions between characters were tight and snappy. Alex was seductive, Nina and Sophie were a two woman comedy team, and Vlad was a pleasantly non-sullen, sullen teenager. My affection for Nina and Sophie made their interaction over the new UDA boss an annoyance. I kept expecting some magical explanation for Nina, normally so fiercely devoted to Sophie, to not support her best friend at work. If there was a reason, it wasn't resolved in UNDER ATTACK. Maybe book three will reveal some detail that will redeem Nina's betrayal in my eyes.
While I expect the transition issues to be resolved before the final printing, the minor character issues will probably be a part of the final story. All together they knocked the story down a bat, but I'll definitely be reading UNDER WRAPS to tip my verdict on book three one way or another. For those who have read UNDER WRAPS and enjoyed it, I'd say UNDER ATTACK will be a good bet for you. For others new to the series, feel free to join me in reading book one to decide if this fun, fluffy series holds up overall.
Sexual Content: Sexual daydreams, references to sex.
June 13, 2013
As seen on Rabidreads.ca:
Under Attack would be better, in some ways, as a weekly strip in the funny papers alongside Garfield, gorgonzola, and briefcase-toting cavemen. The red head on the cover shares little to no athletic ability with the donut-craving klutz we are lead to believe must save the universe. This "joke", the gun and stungun-toting red head on the cover is not who is roaming around L.A. under the cover, is one in a long line of deprecatory gags. Six hundred year old vampire trapped in a teenager's body protests the wimpy depiction of vampires in the media? Check. Six hundred or so year old vampire obsessed with fashion? Check. Bleu-cheese smelling troll who thinks he is a pornstar? Partial check. There definitely could have been more of Steve the troll in this installment. The reckless and relentless propulsion we once saw from this red head's world loses its push in character development.
Unfortunately, the more that we learn about our titular character the less her surrounding silly ghouls, wizards, fallen angels, and werewolves appear. If we might carry over the comic strip analogy, we receive too much of Garfield's backstory to appreciate his indulgence for lasagna. Things get too personal for Sophie Lawson. Previously in Under Wraps, Volume #1, her presence to the crime happenings always felt tangential like she were a careless bystander. Excuse me. Careless, unless it comes to the amount of grease streaming off her burger. I may be just picking a straw because Steve the troll made such a "stunning" impression on me the first time around. But you just cannot beat the hilarious image a troll moving company conjures. The smoking English-accented firefighter somewhat makes up for the loss but not quite.
Under Attack would be better, in some ways, as a weekly strip in the funny papers alongside Garfield, gorgonzola, and briefcase-toting cavemen. The red head on the cover shares little to no athletic ability with the donut-craving klutz we are lead to believe must save the universe. This "joke", the gun and stungun-toting red head on the cover is not who is roaming around L.A. under the cover, is one in a long line of deprecatory gags. Six hundred year old vampire trapped in a teenager's body protests the wimpy depiction of vampires in the media? Check. Six hundred or so year old vampire obsessed with fashion? Check. Bleu-cheese smelling troll who thinks he is a pornstar? Partial check. There definitely could have been more of Steve the troll in this installment. The reckless and relentless propulsion we once saw from this red head's world loses its push in character development.
Unfortunately, the more that we learn about our titular character the less her surrounding silly ghouls, wizards, fallen angels, and werewolves appear. If we might carry over the comic strip analogy, we receive too much of Garfield's backstory to appreciate his indulgence for lasagna. Things get too personal for Sophie Lawson. Previously in Under Wraps, Volume #1, her presence to the crime happenings always felt tangential like she were a careless bystander. Excuse me. Careless, unless it comes to the amount of grease streaming off her burger. I may be just picking a straw because Steve the troll made such a "stunning" impression on me the first time around. But you just cannot beat the hilarious image a troll moving company conjures. The smoking English-accented firefighter somewhat makes up for the loss but not quite.
April 16, 2012
Re read to get ready for book three though if Sophie doesn't stop with her whining and generally dumbarse-ness, I may not read it.
March 31, 2020
En la entrada anterior les comenté que estaba leyendo la segunda parte de esta saga y bueno, anoche digamos que estaba un poco desvelada y apreté el acelerador de lectura y lo terminé jajajaj
Mis sospechas respecto a Sophie Lawson eran ciertas, ella no es una simple humana, ella es algo mucho más importante. Pero Sophie no lo sabe, en este libro ella descubre su verdadera identidad y su árbol genealógico. Debo decir que a la pobre le pasa de todo, por momentos sentí tal frustración que casi revoleo la tablet jajajaj. Sophie puede ser la salvación o la perdición de los humanos. Todo aquel que desee obtener el poder la codicia.
Así es que después del episodio en el libro anterior, que casi intentaran matarla, perder a su jefe y ganar un nuevo compañero de investigación, uno pensaría que ella tiene el merecido descanso.....bueno, pues lamentablemente no. Perdí la cuenta de la cantidad de veces que la han intentado matar jajajajaj.
Por suerte para ella, cuenta con la ayuda de sus amigos: Nina, Vlad, el atractivo pero prohibido Alex Grace y algunos de sus compañeros de la ADI.
Siento que Sophie ha evolucionado un poco en cuanto a defenderse a si misma, su instinto de supervivencia está más activo. Pero aún le falta mucho. Por momentos pareciera que no toma conciencia del peligro que corre su vida, su humor irónico lo tapa todo hasta que se rompe y descarga lo que siente. Ella persiste.
Alex está en búsqueda del Recipiente de las Almas, sabe que está cerca pero aún no lo ha encontrado. Es su único medio para volver al cielo y redimirse. Así que vuelve a la vida de Sophie y le pide que lo ayude. Pero su búsqueda se va a ver frustrada por la presencia de otro ángel caído: Ophelia. Quien resulta ser su ex- novia y para colmo también está en la búsqueda del artefacto.
Algo que me llama la atención de Alex es que si bien no es un completo ángel caído -ya que aún no ha abrazado el lado oscuro-, no muestra ningún tipo de poder. Ni super fuerza o agilidad. Pareciera un humano más. Supongo que puedo llegar a esperar que algún poder despierte en los próximos libros.
No pude haber odiado más a Ophelia. Es realmente una villana con todas las letras. De apariencia dulce e inocente pero la mujer es el mismísimo mal. Y cuando encuentra a Sophie, le empieza a hacer la vida imposible, intenta jugar con su mente, volverla loca, dañar a sus seres queridos, todo para hacerse con el Recipiente.
En este libro aparece un nuevo personaje y que viene a formar el "triángulo amoroso": Will, el séptimo guardián del Recipiente de las Almas. Un hombre también atractivo y que parece sentirse atraído por Sophie. No se sabe mucho de él, pero por lo visto su papel será mayor en los siguientes libros. Y creo que hasta me gusta más que Alex.
A diferencia del primer libro, en éste hay mucha más acción y lucha. Es por eso que me mantuve prendida leyendo sin parar. Espero los siguientes libros sean iguales o mejores.
Mis sospechas respecto a Sophie Lawson eran ciertas, ella no es una simple humana, ella es algo mucho más importante. Pero Sophie no lo sabe, en este libro ella descubre su verdadera identidad y su árbol genealógico. Debo decir que a la pobre le pasa de todo, por momentos sentí tal frustración que casi revoleo la tablet jajajaj. Sophie puede ser la salvación o la perdición de los humanos. Todo aquel que desee obtener el poder la codicia.
Así es que después del episodio en el libro anterior, que casi intentaran matarla, perder a su jefe y ganar un nuevo compañero de investigación, uno pensaría que ella tiene el merecido descanso.....bueno, pues lamentablemente no. Perdí la cuenta de la cantidad de veces que la han intentado matar jajajajaj.
Por suerte para ella, cuenta con la ayuda de sus amigos: Nina, Vlad, el atractivo pero prohibido Alex Grace y algunos de sus compañeros de la ADI.
Siento que Sophie ha evolucionado un poco en cuanto a defenderse a si misma, su instinto de supervivencia está más activo. Pero aún le falta mucho. Por momentos pareciera que no toma conciencia del peligro que corre su vida, su humor irónico lo tapa todo hasta que se rompe y descarga lo que siente. Ella persiste.
Alex está en búsqueda del Recipiente de las Almas, sabe que está cerca pero aún no lo ha encontrado. Es su único medio para volver al cielo y redimirse. Así que vuelve a la vida de Sophie y le pide que lo ayude. Pero su búsqueda se va a ver frustrada por la presencia de otro ángel caído: Ophelia. Quien resulta ser su ex- novia y para colmo también está en la búsqueda del artefacto.
Algo que me llama la atención de Alex es que si bien no es un completo ángel caído -ya que aún no ha abrazado el lado oscuro-, no muestra ningún tipo de poder. Ni super fuerza o agilidad. Pareciera un humano más. Supongo que puedo llegar a esperar que algún poder despierte en los próximos libros.
No pude haber odiado más a Ophelia. Es realmente una villana con todas las letras. De apariencia dulce e inocente pero la mujer es el mismísimo mal. Y cuando encuentra a Sophie, le empieza a hacer la vida imposible, intenta jugar con su mente, volverla loca, dañar a sus seres queridos, todo para hacerse con el Recipiente.
En este libro aparece un nuevo personaje y que viene a formar el "triángulo amoroso": Will, el séptimo guardián del Recipiente de las Almas. Un hombre también atractivo y que parece sentirse atraído por Sophie. No se sabe mucho de él, pero por lo visto su papel será mayor en los siguientes libros. Y creo que hasta me gusta más que Alex.
A diferencia del primer libro, en éste hay mucha más acción y lucha. Es por eso que me mantuve prendida leyendo sin parar. Espero los siguientes libros sean iguales o mejores.
February 19, 2018
I gotta say, I'm a little disappointed. After the first book and having enjoyed the last few of the series, I guess I just expected to really tear through these books without wanting to stop. This book was good, don't get me wrong, but after the first book, I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much.
Sophie is still exactly who she started out as. She loves her job, surrounds herself with paranormals, and yet yearns to just be a normal girl. Oh, there's also the on-again/off-again relationship with fallen angel Alex Grace. While I didn't exactly love him in book 1, I found myself almost actively hating him in this one. The cocky attitude coupled with his inability to protect Sophie (she gets super beat up in this book!) made me wish Sophie could just quit him. The larger story, while very much leading into a bigger storyline, involved Sophie crying about 90% of the time while getting her butt kicked.
The story of the vessel hunt and the big bad here in the form of Ophelia made for a story where we learned what may or may not be true for Sophie's family tree. I completely don't remember how this series ends, so I'm in for the full ride, eager to start the next book. I'll hope for Sophie hooking up with the new character and dump Alex Grace (which probably won't happen) and will hope for more Nina, who is sadly becoming my preferred female character in this series.
Sophie is still exactly who she started out as. She loves her job, surrounds herself with paranormals, and yet yearns to just be a normal girl. Oh, there's also the on-again/off-again relationship with fallen angel Alex Grace. While I didn't exactly love him in book 1, I found myself almost actively hating him in this one. The cocky attitude coupled with his inability to protect Sophie (she gets super beat up in this book!) made me wish Sophie could just quit him. The larger story, while very much leading into a bigger storyline, involved Sophie crying about 90% of the time while getting her butt kicked.
The story of the vessel hunt and the big bad here in the form of Ophelia made for a story where we learned what may or may not be true for Sophie's family tree. I completely don't remember how this series ends, so I'm in for the full ride, eager to start the next book. I'll hope for Sophie hooking up with the new character and dump Alex Grace (which probably won't happen) and will hope for more Nina, who is sadly becoming my preferred female character in this series.
September 22, 2019
Sophie has new mgmt. show up at work the same time her old boyfriend/fallen angel Alex shows up wanting her help finding the Vessel.
What I enjoyed:
* This is pretty light-hearted and Sophie is more chick-lit than kick-a$$.
* Nina and Vlad are good comedy relief
* Poor Sophie finds out a bunch of stuff about her past
What could have been better:
* The characters seemed a bit silly at times, especially Ophelia.
*
* Looks like a possible love triangle
What I enjoyed:
* This is pretty light-hearted and Sophie is more chick-lit than kick-a$$.
* Nina and Vlad are good comedy relief
* Poor Sophie finds out a bunch of stuff about her past
What could have been better:
* The characters seemed a bit silly at times, especially Ophelia.
*
* Looks like a possible love triangle
December 6, 2011
I won a copy of this book from Literary Escapism (www.literaryescapism.com). Thanks guys!
This review has some spoilers from the first book in the series and I do talk about some plot points, without spoilers, so if you don’t want to know anything at all about this book, don’t read this review!
Under Attack takes place about six months after the end of the last book, Under Wraps, and Alex has yet again gone MIA, Mr. Sampson is apparently still dead (boo!) and a new vamp boss is about to take over the Underworld Detection Agency. There’s also the matter of the missing Vessel of Souls, the one thing which could give unlimited power to the one who holds it and the retrieval of which could help Alex get back into heaven. Added to the mix is an ex-girlfriend of Alex’s named Ophelia who torments and wants to kill Sophie, as she believes she’s protecting the Vessel. And she’s jealous as hell of Sophie for being with Alex.
Before I get into the review, what the hell’s with the woman on the cover? First off, it doesn’t look anything like the girl from the first cover (which kinda doesn’t matter ‘cause Sophie isn’t described as looking like either of them). Secondly, she sort of looks like the mother of the girl on the first cover (not that she looks old, but she looks a bit older than the first one and like she’s had mega-botox and airbrushing). And the freaking clothes?! Sophie doesn’t wear anything that even slightly resembles that outfit, which is worse than the outfit on the cover of the first book. And I’m pretty sure that if Sophie had a gun in one hand and a taser in the other she and someone near her would wind up mortally wounded. I really see why people feel misled by the covers because she’s basically a wimp with zero fighting abilities, which is fine, but don’t portray the main character as a badass on the cover if she’s nothing like that. However, if you read more than one page of the book, you'll realize this immediately. These books are definintely more chick-lit set in the supernatural world.
Some of my complaints about the first book carried into this one. The wagging of the head. The-sau-rus!!!! Though I must admit, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it was in the first book. And while she’s definitely less sex crazed, Sophie seemed to be breaking down every other page. Granted, if I found out that my ex’s ex was trying to kill me and , I’d be a mess as well, but I’d also be pissed and want to learn how to fight back. This time around, one inconsistency in the book was glaring. While Sophie says more than once that she’s thirty-three, it’s stated in the book that she was born June 27, 1982, which would only make her twenty-nine. And I’m not a fashion person at all, but even I know how to spell Manolo Blahnik.
While we do find out where the Vessel is hidden and there is somewhat of a resolution regarding the bad guys in this book , which I like, sometimes the same person coming after you over and over and over becomes boring and unbelievable, nothing has really been resolved about what to do with the Vessel, though I’m sure more people will be coming after it. I hope we learn more about this object, it’s history and so on, and we find out more about Sophie’s parentage.
And I have to say, even though I know it won’t happen, I wish Sophie would be spending more time at People’s Pants because I found those scenes to be pretty amusing.
I loved Nina in this book as much as I did in the first one. Vlad wasn’t in it as much but he and his VERM friends do pop up every once in a while for a bit of comic relief (I’ll never get tired of Sophie referring to him as Count Chocula). Sophie’s dead grandmother also makes an appearance in this book, and while I’m fine with her appearing on shiny surfaces, I thought the idea of her turning up on someone’s bald head or in a cantaloupe fairly ridiculous. And it’s obvious that Will is being introduced as a possible rival for Sophie’s affections since the whole “we can’t be together” thing is still going on with Sophie and Alex. As an aside, raise your hand if you didn’t know Sophie and Alex had had sex, ‘cause I didn’t. I kept expecting them to in one of the books and just thought that the author was just building major tension, then something happened that made me ask myself if they just did it. Then I read something else that led me to believe they might’ve hooked up in the last book. Now, I don’t need graphic sex scenes in my books, but if the couple in question are getting it on and I’m not even aware of it, I think I need a bit more than Sophie thinking of her naked shoulder against his or something!
There’s a lot thrown at Sophie and us, the readers, about her family background. I almost feel like I should be annoyed because there’s so much stuff going on with her which should be kind of unbelievable, even for fiction, and, as I stated, she’s crying practically non-stop, but I’m not and I can’t figure out why. Maybe because I like the characters and it’s a very fun, light paranormal read.
I’ll definitely be picking up the next installment in the series, Under Suspicion, due out next year. I’ll also be trying to figure out who is on the cover (because it’s sure not the same chick from either of the other covers) and why the hell they keep putting Sophie in those damn outfits!
This review has some spoilers from the first book in the series and I do talk about some plot points, without spoilers, so if you don’t want to know anything at all about this book, don’t read this review!
Under Attack takes place about six months after the end of the last book, Under Wraps, and Alex has yet again gone MIA, Mr. Sampson is apparently still dead (boo!) and a new vamp boss is about to take over the Underworld Detection Agency. There’s also the matter of the missing Vessel of Souls, the one thing which could give unlimited power to the one who holds it and the retrieval of which could help Alex get back into heaven. Added to the mix is an ex-girlfriend of Alex’s named Ophelia who torments and wants to kill Sophie, as she believes she’s protecting the Vessel. And she’s jealous as hell of Sophie for being with Alex.
Before I get into the review, what the hell’s with the woman on the cover? First off, it doesn’t look anything like the girl from the first cover (which kinda doesn’t matter ‘cause Sophie isn’t described as looking like either of them). Secondly, she sort of looks like the mother of the girl on the first cover (not that she looks old, but she looks a bit older than the first one and like she’s had mega-botox and airbrushing). And the freaking clothes?! Sophie doesn’t wear anything that even slightly resembles that outfit, which is worse than the outfit on the cover of the first book. And I’m pretty sure that if Sophie had a gun in one hand and a taser in the other she and someone near her would wind up mortally wounded. I really see why people feel misled by the covers because she’s basically a wimp with zero fighting abilities, which is fine, but don’t portray the main character as a badass on the cover if she’s nothing like that. However, if you read more than one page of the book, you'll realize this immediately. These books are definintely more chick-lit set in the supernatural world.
Some of my complaints about the first book carried into this one. The wagging of the head. The-sau-rus!!!! Though I must admit, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it was in the first book. And while she’s definitely less sex crazed, Sophie seemed to be breaking down every other page. Granted, if I found out that my ex’s ex was trying to kill me and , I’d be a mess as well, but I’d also be pissed and want to learn how to fight back. This time around, one inconsistency in the book was glaring. While Sophie says more than once that she’s thirty-three, it’s stated in the book that she was born June 27, 1982, which would only make her twenty-nine. And I’m not a fashion person at all, but even I know how to spell Manolo Blahnik.
While we do find out where the Vessel is hidden and there is somewhat of a resolution regarding the bad guys in this book , which I like, sometimes the same person coming after you over and over and over becomes boring and unbelievable, nothing has really been resolved about what to do with the Vessel, though I’m sure more people will be coming after it. I hope we learn more about this object, it’s history and so on, and we find out more about Sophie’s parentage.
And I have to say, even though I know it won’t happen, I wish Sophie would be spending more time at People’s Pants because I found those scenes to be pretty amusing.
I loved Nina in this book as much as I did in the first one. Vlad wasn’t in it as much but he and his VERM friends do pop up every once in a while for a bit of comic relief (I’ll never get tired of Sophie referring to him as Count Chocula). Sophie’s dead grandmother also makes an appearance in this book, and while I’m fine with her appearing on shiny surfaces, I thought the idea of her turning up on someone’s bald head or in a cantaloupe fairly ridiculous. And it’s obvious that Will is being introduced as a possible rival for Sophie’s affections since the whole “we can’t be together” thing is still going on with Sophie and Alex. As an aside, raise your hand if you didn’t know Sophie and Alex had had sex, ‘cause I didn’t. I kept expecting them to in one of the books and just thought that the author was just building major tension, then something happened that made me ask myself if they just did it. Then I read something else that led me to believe they might’ve hooked up in the last book. Now, I don’t need graphic sex scenes in my books, but if the couple in question are getting it on and I’m not even aware of it, I think I need a bit more than Sophie thinking of her naked shoulder against his or something!
There’s a lot thrown at Sophie and us, the readers, about her family background. I almost feel like I should be annoyed because there’s so much stuff going on with her which should be kind of unbelievable, even for fiction, and, as I stated, she’s crying practically non-stop, but I’m not and I can’t figure out why. Maybe because I like the characters and it’s a very fun, light paranormal read.
I’ll definitely be picking up the next installment in the series, Under Suspicion, due out next year. I’ll also be trying to figure out who is on the cover (because it’s sure not the same chick from either of the other covers) and why the hell they keep putting Sophie in those damn outfits!
January 12, 2021
It’s been a year since Sophie’s world turned upside down after being tortured, her boss killed and the man she wants disappeared: sometimes.
I am so glad I don’t have Sophie’s job. I hate working with customers and having them with paranormal abilities would make it a lot worse. Then to add it the evil people after her and a clueless sometimes boyfriend. I’m amazed she’s sane.
Fave scenes: (mostly food-oriented) frozen peas & corn, grandma in the mirror, coconut rum and the empty Pinwheel shelf.
I am so glad I don’t have Sophie’s job. I hate working with customers and having them with paranormal abilities would make it a lot worse. Then to add it the evil people after her and a clueless sometimes boyfriend. I’m amazed she’s sane.
Fave scenes: (mostly food-oriented) frozen peas & corn, grandma in the mirror, coconut rum and the empty Pinwheel shelf.
March 29, 2018
I enjoyed this book and will be reading the next book in the series. The series has a very supernatural Janet Evanovich feel; a good blend of story, humor, and character. I do need to see more character development and more back story included. Grandma had some cameos in this book but to no real solid end. I know she was a psychic when she was alive but if I don’t see more of her previous relationship with her granddaughter then I won’t care about her input and I sense I should care.
November 14, 2021
After book one of this series, I didn’t hold out much hope, but if anything it was worse than Under Wraps.
The main character is just annoying, the story was boring and honestly, I don’t have anything positive to say about it! It didn’t even tell us what the message was from her former boss, which was the only reason I even bothered to give this series a second chance!
Needless to say, I think I will make it through life without finding out what happens at the end of the series!
The main character is just annoying, the story was boring and honestly, I don’t have anything positive to say about it! It didn’t even tell us what the message was from her former boss, which was the only reason I even bothered to give this series a second chance!
Needless to say, I think I will make it through life without finding out what happens at the end of the series!
March 27, 2017
Sophie and Alex have proven that Sampson was innocent of the murders which were in fact done by the police chief. Unfortunately, there is no sign of him anywhere and no way to contact him. Now the UDA is under new management who want nothing to do with Sophie because she is human.
In this book Sophie learns more about her heritage, and what Alex is.
In this book Sophie learns more about her heritage, and what Alex is.
April 22, 2019
Wow
Another fantabulous book in this series.
Psycho sister hunting Sophie down!
Hot English guardian!
Hot Fallen Angel!
Losing her job, finding a new one and it going up in smoke!
Bff kidnapped and tortured......... I need a rest, I'm tired for her lol.
Love it 👍👍👍
Another fantabulous book in this series.
Psycho sister hunting Sophie down!
Hot English guardian!
Hot Fallen Angel!
Losing her job, finding a new one and it going up in smoke!
Bff kidnapped and tortured......... I need a rest, I'm tired for her lol.
Love it 👍👍👍
April 24, 2023
I was totally sucked into this book, I’m enjoying most of the humor and the characters. Multiple fatphobic ‘jokes’ though, yikes. There was a cliff hanger at the end of book one that was never resolved or mentioned in book 2 so I’m still wondering!
March 30, 2018
this book is funny. despite the plot beating around the bush. and yes the cover is totally deceiving
April 5, 2019
Good follow-up to the starter.
Still rom-com with some action-adventure mixed in.
And still a story that the cover does not fit.
Recommended.
Still rom-com with some action-adventure mixed in.
And still a story that the cover does not fit.
Recommended.
June 21, 2019
Really not sure why I kept reading these...
March 25, 2020
2.5 stars
December 22, 2024
Immunity to magic is helpful at times but underpinning that effect is a heritage that make life difficult. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. Libby Library Audiobook.
July 1, 2012
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A sequel quite like the first book, with a bit more danger and a lot more confusion.
Opening Sentence: It’s nearly impossible to get hobgoblin slobber out of raw silk.
The Review:
The second book in this series finds our much beloved Sophie in more trouble than before, and this time it’s very personal. This time, the scary evil is coming directly for her, and only her.
You see, not only does Sophie have a bit of mystical powers, but it also appears she is some sort of theological holy object that everyone wants to get their hands on. All these things are made only better when Sophie finds out in which direction her family tree’s roots really do grow.
Following Sophie’s journey is, as always, her hunk of fallen angel love, Alex. Man on a mission, he is, and we reluctantly find out exactly what role Sophie plays in his end goal.
Also joining us on today’s trip is a man named Will, full time fireman, part time guardian of mystical objects. Will comes complete with hot fireman calendar looks and an English accent. His latest job is keeping Sophie alive and out of the hands of fallen angels just like Alex. And Sophie, being Sophie, makes his job all that much harder.
And there in the middle is poor Sophie. I actually found myself saying, out loud even, “Would you please just let this poor woman have sex already?” I mean, really, when the gorgeous, unattached male you have the hots for — and who wouldn’t — literally jumps into your bed with you, you take him up on his oh-so generous offer. Also, by the end of this book, she has two love interests, and fawning over two dudes at the same time — like talking with one while thinking of the other — is just rude. This paints a really horrible picture of a female’s mind, all wishy-washy while trailing two guys on a line. Also, I kind of found her whole stuck on sex thing to be a little off putting. Wanting to have sex with a person is fine, but to be the way she is through a lot of the book is…I don’t know, I guess you can add your own adjective here. It just wasn’t my style.
Anyway, Sophie manages to take out the threat to her life with her own two hands. Way to go. But I’m not altogether sure this should qualify her as one of the UDA’s best like it says in the synopsis. Throughout most of the book, Sophie is a bumbling ball of ineptitude — she keeps her gun in the freezer, for example. Her triumphs are more blind luck than skill.
I am afraid to say that I do have to agree with my fellow reviewer’s take on this series. Though urban fantasy may have been this author’s intention, this book and the others in the series fall quite a bit short of the line. Urban fantasies are not made by simply taking a character, a city with some paranormal elements, some danger, a hot counterpart and a vampire or two, throwing them in then turning the crank on the salad spinner.
Notable Scene:
It was the raspy sound of sneakers on concrete coming to an abrupt stop. The sound of heavy breathing—distinct, though barely audible on the late-night breeze.
“Maybe it’s just—“
My words were cut off by the sound of a blade slicing through the air. I felt a body make contact with mine; then the wind as it left my chest when I made contact with the cold, damp concrete. I only knew Alex had been hit when I heard the strangled sound of his groan.
“Sophie, run!”
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion and Alex’s command didn’t even sound like him. It was higher, more menacing, and I kicked my feet, sliding on the concrete until I got some traction, then stopped dead, seeing the dark figure in front of Alex.
Our attacker was dressed entirely in black and stood a half-head taller than Alex, his face obscured by a black knit ski mask that only revealed sinister hooded eyes that remained fixed on us. He held his blade aloft once more and I heard my own scream when I saw the blood—Alex’s blood—dripping from the cold steel.
FTC Advisory: Kensington Books provided me with a copy of Under Attack. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A sequel quite like the first book, with a bit more danger and a lot more confusion.
Opening Sentence: It’s nearly impossible to get hobgoblin slobber out of raw silk.
The Review:
The second book in this series finds our much beloved Sophie in more trouble than before, and this time it’s very personal. This time, the scary evil is coming directly for her, and only her.
You see, not only does Sophie have a bit of mystical powers, but it also appears she is some sort of theological holy object that everyone wants to get their hands on. All these things are made only better when Sophie finds out in which direction her family tree’s roots really do grow.
Following Sophie’s journey is, as always, her hunk of fallen angel love, Alex. Man on a mission, he is, and we reluctantly find out exactly what role Sophie plays in his end goal.
Also joining us on today’s trip is a man named Will, full time fireman, part time guardian of mystical objects. Will comes complete with hot fireman calendar looks and an English accent. His latest job is keeping Sophie alive and out of the hands of fallen angels just like Alex. And Sophie, being Sophie, makes his job all that much harder.
And there in the middle is poor Sophie. I actually found myself saying, out loud even, “Would you please just let this poor woman have sex already?” I mean, really, when the gorgeous, unattached male you have the hots for — and who wouldn’t — literally jumps into your bed with you, you take him up on his oh-so generous offer. Also, by the end of this book, she has two love interests, and fawning over two dudes at the same time — like talking with one while thinking of the other — is just rude. This paints a really horrible picture of a female’s mind, all wishy-washy while trailing two guys on a line. Also, I kind of found her whole stuck on sex thing to be a little off putting. Wanting to have sex with a person is fine, but to be the way she is through a lot of the book is…I don’t know, I guess you can add your own adjective here. It just wasn’t my style.
Anyway, Sophie manages to take out the threat to her life with her own two hands. Way to go. But I’m not altogether sure this should qualify her as one of the UDA’s best like it says in the synopsis. Throughout most of the book, Sophie is a bumbling ball of ineptitude — she keeps her gun in the freezer, for example. Her triumphs are more blind luck than skill.
I am afraid to say that I do have to agree with my fellow reviewer’s take on this series. Though urban fantasy may have been this author’s intention, this book and the others in the series fall quite a bit short of the line. Urban fantasies are not made by simply taking a character, a city with some paranormal elements, some danger, a hot counterpart and a vampire or two, throwing them in then turning the crank on the salad spinner.
Notable Scene:
It was the raspy sound of sneakers on concrete coming to an abrupt stop. The sound of heavy breathing—distinct, though barely audible on the late-night breeze.
“Maybe it’s just—“
My words were cut off by the sound of a blade slicing through the air. I felt a body make contact with mine; then the wind as it left my chest when I made contact with the cold, damp concrete. I only knew Alex had been hit when I heard the strangled sound of his groan.
“Sophie, run!”
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion and Alex’s command didn’t even sound like him. It was higher, more menacing, and I kicked my feet, sliding on the concrete until I got some traction, then stopped dead, seeing the dark figure in front of Alex.
Our attacker was dressed entirely in black and stood a half-head taller than Alex, his face obscured by a black knit ski mask that only revealed sinister hooded eyes that remained fixed on us. He held his blade aloft once more and I heard my own scream when I saw the blood—Alex’s blood—dripping from the cold steel.
FTC Advisory: Kensington Books provided me with a copy of Under Attack. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
February 7, 2014
Sophie’s life is going miserably – what with a shakeup at work forcing her to find new employment and creating a rift between her and Mina
And into this comes Alex, the Fallen Angel, looking for the Vessel of Souls which is mega shiny and powerful and vital. He needs it now because Ophelia, also Fallen Angel only much much much more evil is looking for the vessel.
That’s a quest that puts Sophie firmly in the middle – and directly under threat. Especially as we learn more about exactly who Sophie is and who her family are.
I think this book improved on a few elements of the first one…
…and lo it was damned with the very faintest of praise. Especially since it was even worse with some others.
Many of the problems of the first book continue – one of the most annoying is that it’s still like that guy at the pub who thinks he’s funny but really isn’t. There is so much of this book that is hammered in for comic relief that isn’t even slightly amusing – Vlad and Nina’s main purposes is to be a constant source of hilarity which I’m sure is meant to have me cracking up and falling from my chair. I did not crack a smile – and find both characters so ridiculous to the point of being intensely irritated whenever they appear. And now they’re joined by pointless-cantaloupe-grandma-ghost. No, that isn’t a typo. No, it isn’t funny.
This book is also rammed with pointlessness and “twists” that I neither understand nor care about. They just fill space – and this is a flaw that is even worse than the first book. Sophie had work trouble – added nothing to the story. Changed job – added nothing to the story. Sophie’s sister – nothing added to the story, nothing about the story changed. Sophie’s father – not followed up enough to make it relevant to the story. Ghostly grandma – added nothing to the story – not even clumsy exposition. Will the Guardian… who doesn’t do much guarding. There’s just all of this stuff crammed into the book that doesn’t really do anything – and it’s not just these elements added, there are a lot of scenes as well. Like Sophie deciding to go to her boss and give him a piece of her mind – it doesn’t DO anything, she doesn’t even really see it through. Or Alex giving Sophie a stun gun – we have a whole scene about it but there’s no real reason for it. Or Sophie being arrested to then have that whole plot line pointlessly fizzle into nothing. This book is lost in Chekhov’s junkshop.
Which is another element that fails dismally – Sophie is supposed to being tormented by Ophelia through telepathy. But she never sees anything through! So the arrest… fizzles out. Her food being made disgusting… only happens once. The rest of the time it can be summed up with “Ophelia’s being mean” which is apparently sufficient to turn Sophie into a snivelling wreck of weepiness and despair.
On the plus side, Sophie is less completely useless in this book – marginally. But only because no-one actually expects her to do anything about anything. She’s not useless merely because she’s not really given any tasks to fail. She spends most of the book sobbing, wailing, angsting, worrying or fighting with the voice in her head; usually all of this angst and drama is about those excess, unnecessary elements that have been squeezed in the book just because. This woman is supposed to be in her thirties, she’s ridiculously childish (almost as childish as Nina – who is supposed to be centuries old). And, of course, when she actually does drag herself into actually doing something she decides to ditch all her helpers and run off alone for… no, there’s not even an ATTEMPT to explain it. She’s just Sophie, and abject foolishness is what we can expect
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And into this comes Alex, the Fallen Angel, looking for the Vessel of Souls which is mega shiny and powerful and vital. He needs it now because Ophelia, also Fallen Angel only much much much more evil is looking for the vessel.
That’s a quest that puts Sophie firmly in the middle – and directly under threat. Especially as we learn more about exactly who Sophie is and who her family are.
I think this book improved on a few elements of the first one…
…and lo it was damned with the very faintest of praise. Especially since it was even worse with some others.
Many of the problems of the first book continue – one of the most annoying is that it’s still like that guy at the pub who thinks he’s funny but really isn’t. There is so much of this book that is hammered in for comic relief that isn’t even slightly amusing – Vlad and Nina’s main purposes is to be a constant source of hilarity which I’m sure is meant to have me cracking up and falling from my chair. I did not crack a smile – and find both characters so ridiculous to the point of being intensely irritated whenever they appear. And now they’re joined by pointless-cantaloupe-grandma-ghost. No, that isn’t a typo. No, it isn’t funny.
This book is also rammed with pointlessness and “twists” that I neither understand nor care about. They just fill space – and this is a flaw that is even worse than the first book. Sophie had work trouble – added nothing to the story. Changed job – added nothing to the story. Sophie’s sister – nothing added to the story, nothing about the story changed. Sophie’s father – not followed up enough to make it relevant to the story. Ghostly grandma – added nothing to the story – not even clumsy exposition. Will the Guardian… who doesn’t do much guarding. There’s just all of this stuff crammed into the book that doesn’t really do anything – and it’s not just these elements added, there are a lot of scenes as well. Like Sophie deciding to go to her boss and give him a piece of her mind – it doesn’t DO anything, she doesn’t even really see it through. Or Alex giving Sophie a stun gun – we have a whole scene about it but there’s no real reason for it. Or Sophie being arrested to then have that whole plot line pointlessly fizzle into nothing. This book is lost in Chekhov’s junkshop.
Which is another element that fails dismally – Sophie is supposed to being tormented by Ophelia through telepathy. But she never sees anything through! So the arrest… fizzles out. Her food being made disgusting… only happens once. The rest of the time it can be summed up with “Ophelia’s being mean” which is apparently sufficient to turn Sophie into a snivelling wreck of weepiness and despair.
On the plus side, Sophie is less completely useless in this book – marginally. But only because no-one actually expects her to do anything about anything. She’s not useless merely because she’s not really given any tasks to fail. She spends most of the book sobbing, wailing, angsting, worrying or fighting with the voice in her head; usually all of this angst and drama is about those excess, unnecessary elements that have been squeezed in the book just because. This woman is supposed to be in her thirties, she’s ridiculously childish (almost as childish as Nina – who is supposed to be centuries old). And, of course, when she actually does drag herself into actually doing something she decides to ditch all her helpers and run off alone for… no, there’s not even an ATTEMPT to explain it. She’s just Sophie, and abject foolishness is what we can expect
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February 19, 2012
This review was first published on http://www.rubysreads.com.
I was delighted when Hannah Jayne first contacted me to offer a review copy of Under Wraps, and even more delighted when I discovered that it was a gem of a novel. Part Urban Fantasy and part humorous suspense, Under Wraps and I were a perfect fit. Then, to put the icing on the cake, I was lucky enough to be sent a review copy of the sequel--Under Attack--without a murmur of begging on my part! So, I want to thank Hannah Jayne for the review copy. I was exquisitely kind of her.
When we last left Sophie, our heroine, her world had been turned upside down by the loss of her boss, and the entrance of an angel into her life. When we pick up her story, it's some time later, and the sexy angel--Alex Grace--has up and disappeared. On top of that, the UDA is getting a new boss--one who doesn't appreciate Sophie's less-than-paranormal nature. Things aren't looking up for Sophie. And that's when her life gets even more complicated. Not only does Alex return, but he brings a whole mess of trouble and revelation with him.
Sophie continues to be a sweet, slightly hapless heroine. She's a familiar, friendly sort of character, which is kind of refreshing amidst the many kickass heroines currently dominating Urban Fantasy. I don't mean to imply that Sophie is spineless, but that it's nice to meet an MC who can battle the paranormal without suddenly "discovering" a power of some sort. I don't know about you, but when I read about Katana-wielding Merit, I find myself thinking, "Well, if Ethan turned me into a vampire, I could do all that too." With Sophie, this isn't necessary, and that's what makes her so wonderful. I mean, it's unlikely I'll ever have to face down anything worse than a irate parent, but Sophie makes me feel it could happen.
There's also a delightful, equally humorous cast of supporting characters. In fact, f you're looking for angst, this isn't the series for you. Hannah plays on paranormal lore, which I love. Her vampires are more funny than scary, which makes me laugh especially when I compare them to, say, the Dark-Hunter variety. There are lots of little, chuckle-inducing details and personailties that make the Underworld Detection Agency books total comfort reads for me. Especially when I'm craving a break from the uber-angst of most Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy these days.
However, despite all these things to recommend it, Under Attack did not delight me as much as Under Wraps. I spent the first part of the book confused and trying to build the bridge from the events of the last book to this new one. Even now, having read it from cover to cover, I'm still not clear on what happened with Alex and Sophie. Also, because of the way Alex has been dangling Sophie along despite his desire to "go home" makes me want to kick him in the shins. Or someplace more painful. I'm hoping the next book moves away from that relationship because Sophie definitely deserves better. On the other hand, I'm not looking forward to yet another love triangle.
In all, Under Attack was a solid sophomore performance, but didn't live up to book one. I'm looking forward to re-experiencing intoxication with book three.
I was delighted when Hannah Jayne first contacted me to offer a review copy of Under Wraps, and even more delighted when I discovered that it was a gem of a novel. Part Urban Fantasy and part humorous suspense, Under Wraps and I were a perfect fit. Then, to put the icing on the cake, I was lucky enough to be sent a review copy of the sequel--Under Attack--without a murmur of begging on my part! So, I want to thank Hannah Jayne for the review copy. I was exquisitely kind of her.
When we last left Sophie, our heroine, her world had been turned upside down by the loss of her boss, and the entrance of an angel into her life. When we pick up her story, it's some time later, and the sexy angel--Alex Grace--has up and disappeared. On top of that, the UDA is getting a new boss--one who doesn't appreciate Sophie's less-than-paranormal nature. Things aren't looking up for Sophie. And that's when her life gets even more complicated. Not only does Alex return, but he brings a whole mess of trouble and revelation with him.
Sophie continues to be a sweet, slightly hapless heroine. She's a familiar, friendly sort of character, which is kind of refreshing amidst the many kickass heroines currently dominating Urban Fantasy. I don't mean to imply that Sophie is spineless, but that it's nice to meet an MC who can battle the paranormal without suddenly "discovering" a power of some sort. I don't know about you, but when I read about Katana-wielding Merit, I find myself thinking, "Well, if Ethan turned me into a vampire, I could do all that too." With Sophie, this isn't necessary, and that's what makes her so wonderful. I mean, it's unlikely I'll ever have to face down anything worse than a irate parent, but Sophie makes me feel it could happen.
There's also a delightful, equally humorous cast of supporting characters. In fact, f you're looking for angst, this isn't the series for you. Hannah plays on paranormal lore, which I love. Her vampires are more funny than scary, which makes me laugh especially when I compare them to, say, the Dark-Hunter variety. There are lots of little, chuckle-inducing details and personailties that make the Underworld Detection Agency books total comfort reads for me. Especially when I'm craving a break from the uber-angst of most Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy these days.
However, despite all these things to recommend it, Under Attack did not delight me as much as Under Wraps. I spent the first part of the book confused and trying to build the bridge from the events of the last book to this new one. Even now, having read it from cover to cover, I'm still not clear on what happened with Alex and Sophie. Also, because of the way Alex has been dangling Sophie along despite his desire to "go home" makes me want to kick him in the shins. Or someplace more painful. I'm hoping the next book moves away from that relationship because Sophie definitely deserves better. On the other hand, I'm not looking forward to yet another love triangle.
In all, Under Attack was a solid sophomore performance, but didn't live up to book one. I'm looking forward to re-experiencing intoxication with book three.
May 21, 2014
When Sophie opens up the novel talking about hobgoblin slobber, you know you're in for another treat. (NOT the hobgoblin slobber. YES, Sophie and co.) One of the things I love most about Sophie is her quirky sense of humor that comes out even in the most dangerous of situations. Along with the humor comes the tendency to ramble on, and then maybe delve into a sexual fantasy or two. While it does make the plot less streamlined and tight-knit as it could be, I love this trait of Sophie's. It keeps the story light-hearted and fun to read. And, sometimes, one needs to be able to coast through a story that isn't wrought with tension, suspense, and ominous clouds.
I adore the scandalous conversations between Sophie and Nina. They remind me of the insults some sisters at heart will exchange in a way that really means to say, "I love you" and "BFF 4Ever." They're such girls like that. And the way they'll talk about delicious men they can just eat up! The story never lacks for humor and entertainment be it Sophie's own narration or her interactions with others. Okay, Sophie can be a bit of a drama queen at times, and when she's down and doesn't get the comfort treatment that she wants, she'll lash out at people, but I can't stay annoyed at her for long. Her personality is just so vibrant and compelling.
The supporting cast is as fun as ever. I'm glad to see some familiar faces return along with references to occurences from the first book, such as Steve and his new love life. (Who knew that one could get fond of a stinky troll?) Vlad is another character that I love and am glad to see return. He's the perfect image of an angsty teenager who, inside, is really a big softie with a good heart. Alex is as sexy as ever, if a bit antsy and overprotective of Sophie in this novel, and Will is a charming addition to the group. He isn't around much though, so I don't have much to comment on—only that I look forward to seeing more of him in the future.
Still, I have to confess that I liked the first novel more. I liked exploring the demon world much more than the fallen angel side. The whole specter part was weird, especially as it didn't really seem to have anything to add to the plot other than bizarre conversations with the specter. There didn't seem to be much keeping the plot moving, as Sophie doesn't know enough about the situation to take the initiative to investigate. She can only live life and respond to changes in the situation. Also, unlike the first novel, this one doesn't do a good job standing on its own. Going into the final pages, many plot threads were still unresolved, and it felt rushed at the end. Even then, some things remain to be addressed in future installments in the series.
Overall, this is proving to be a fun series filled laugh-out-loud humor, sexiness, and heart-pounding action. I love Sophie and her friends and am looking forward to reading Under Suspicion, the third installment in the Underworld Detection Agency series!
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
I adore the scandalous conversations between Sophie and Nina. They remind me of the insults some sisters at heart will exchange in a way that really means to say, "I love you" and "BFF 4Ever." They're such girls like that. And the way they'll talk about delicious men they can just eat up! The story never lacks for humor and entertainment be it Sophie's own narration or her interactions with others. Okay, Sophie can be a bit of a drama queen at times, and when she's down and doesn't get the comfort treatment that she wants, she'll lash out at people, but I can't stay annoyed at her for long. Her personality is just so vibrant and compelling.
The supporting cast is as fun as ever. I'm glad to see some familiar faces return along with references to occurences from the first book, such as Steve and his new love life. (Who knew that one could get fond of a stinky troll?) Vlad is another character that I love and am glad to see return. He's the perfect image of an angsty teenager who, inside, is really a big softie with a good heart. Alex is as sexy as ever, if a bit antsy and overprotective of Sophie in this novel, and Will is a charming addition to the group. He isn't around much though, so I don't have much to comment on—only that I look forward to seeing more of him in the future.
Still, I have to confess that I liked the first novel more. I liked exploring the demon world much more than the fallen angel side. The whole specter part was weird, especially as it didn't really seem to have anything to add to the plot other than bizarre conversations with the specter. There didn't seem to be much keeping the plot moving, as Sophie doesn't know enough about the situation to take the initiative to investigate. She can only live life and respond to changes in the situation. Also, unlike the first novel, this one doesn't do a good job standing on its own. Going into the final pages, many plot threads were still unresolved, and it felt rushed at the end. Even then, some things remain to be addressed in future installments in the series.
Overall, this is proving to be a fun series filled laugh-out-loud humor, sexiness, and heart-pounding action. I love Sophie and her friends and am looking forward to reading Under Suspicion, the third installment in the Underworld Detection Agency series!
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
April 30, 2012
Sophie Lawson is back and now she has time on her hands since she just got fired to help her sometimes boyfriend Alex find his Vessel Of Souls and get back into Heaven. Conflicted on whether she wants him to go or stay she decides to help for the greater good of mankind. Finding the Vessel proves to be problematic even for a human immune to magic and as another fallen hell-bent on finding it to comes into the picture to challenge her, Sophie will have to use her wits to make it out alive. She’ll also have to come to terms with her shadowy patronage and family secrets best left unknown.
With Mr Sampson supposedly dead, a new boss is being brought in…..a vampire. Dixon is bent on shaping up the UDA and that includes letting go of the only human employee, Sophie. After saving the world in Under Wraps, Sophie figured her job was safe, it now appears she was mistaken. Jobless, the last thing Sophie needs is more drama. Of course that’s when Alex shows up again after leaving her at the end of the last book. Alex, really a fallen angel, claims that to get back into Heaven he has to find the Vessel Of Souls. Also looking for the Vessel is Ophelia, another fallen who isn’t quite as nice as Alex is. Since the Vessel is hidden in plain sight, finding it proves to be a problem and Ophelia knows more about it then anyone else seems to. Her constant attacks on Sophie feel more personal than just her association with Alex.
Sophie’s family heritage comes to light in Under Attack and believe me it isn’t all puppies and rainbows. A dead mother and absentee father are both fueling the events that happen within the pages and poor Sophie is caught in the middle. Ophelia is a vicious opponent that isn’t opposed to mental suggestion to get what she wants or beating down Sophie. The arrival of a guardian to the Vessel Of Souls brings Will into Sophie’s life as well as giving Alex a run for his money. Is Alex being truthful or is his fierce protection of Sophie a cover for his ultimate plans to get back into grace?
Once again the cover is completely off base and Sophie spends much of the book banged up by random attacks both from Ophelia and other sources. She’s a magnet for bruises and bumps. Though she tries to save herself, she constantly requires help from her vamp room mate and her nephew who is determined that the vampires rise against well, everyone. I can’t figure Vlad out. Just a crazy mis-informed teenager (cough 117 year old teenager cough) or man who needs to be watched because he may just be a little crazy?
I’m ticked at Alex for bringing the destruction to Sophie’s doorstep too. He can say he’s sorry all he wants but I have to wonder at his motivation. When push comes to shove and he has to make a decision on whether to bring the Vessel Of Souls home so he can get back in to Heaven or staying earth bound….I just don’t know what he’ll choose. Which worries me for Sophie’s sake.
I again enjoyed this series with its fluffy,funny and engaging characters making it a worthwhile read. Lovers of urban fantasy with a softer edge should like this series and it’s got a recommendation from me!
I give Under Attack by Hannah Jayne 3.50 stars!
With Mr Sampson supposedly dead, a new boss is being brought in…..a vampire. Dixon is bent on shaping up the UDA and that includes letting go of the only human employee, Sophie. After saving the world in Under Wraps, Sophie figured her job was safe, it now appears she was mistaken. Jobless, the last thing Sophie needs is more drama. Of course that’s when Alex shows up again after leaving her at the end of the last book. Alex, really a fallen angel, claims that to get back into Heaven he has to find the Vessel Of Souls. Also looking for the Vessel is Ophelia, another fallen who isn’t quite as nice as Alex is. Since the Vessel is hidden in plain sight, finding it proves to be a problem and Ophelia knows more about it then anyone else seems to. Her constant attacks on Sophie feel more personal than just her association with Alex.
Sophie’s family heritage comes to light in Under Attack and believe me it isn’t all puppies and rainbows. A dead mother and absentee father are both fueling the events that happen within the pages and poor Sophie is caught in the middle. Ophelia is a vicious opponent that isn’t opposed to mental suggestion to get what she wants or beating down Sophie. The arrival of a guardian to the Vessel Of Souls brings Will into Sophie’s life as well as giving Alex a run for his money. Is Alex being truthful or is his fierce protection of Sophie a cover for his ultimate plans to get back into grace?
Once again the cover is completely off base and Sophie spends much of the book banged up by random attacks both from Ophelia and other sources. She’s a magnet for bruises and bumps. Though she tries to save herself, she constantly requires help from her vamp room mate and her nephew who is determined that the vampires rise against well, everyone. I can’t figure Vlad out. Just a crazy mis-informed teenager (cough 117 year old teenager cough) or man who needs to be watched because he may just be a little crazy?
I’m ticked at Alex for bringing the destruction to Sophie’s doorstep too. He can say he’s sorry all he wants but I have to wonder at his motivation. When push comes to shove and he has to make a decision on whether to bring the Vessel Of Souls home so he can get back in to Heaven or staying earth bound….I just don’t know what he’ll choose. Which worries me for Sophie’s sake.
I again enjoyed this series with its fluffy,funny and engaging characters making it a worthwhile read. Lovers of urban fantasy with a softer edge should like this series and it’s got a recommendation from me!
I give Under Attack by Hannah Jayne 3.50 stars!
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