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Underdogs #0.5
Underdogs
Ariadne Willow is a private investigator with a secret weapon: she's canidae, a person with the ability to change into a wolf at will. Her abilities grant her the ability to get into secure areas without causing alarm, and her heightened senses make tracking people a snap. With the added help of her assistant Dale Frye, there isn't a case Ari can't crack.
Whether checking on the welfare of a runaway daughter or taking down a trio of canidae jewel thieves, Ari's special abilities get her into places ordinary investigators can't go. Occasionally her canidae side throws her a complication, like suddenly going into heat during a case or leaving her naked with partial amnesia in the middle of a field. Fortunately Ari isn't just a furry face and has a trick or two up her sleeves even when she's human.
Whether checking on the welfare of a runaway daughter or taking down a trio of canidae jewel thieves, Ari's special abilities get her into places ordinary investigators can't go. Occasionally her canidae side throws her a complication, like suddenly going into heat during a case or leaving her naked with partial amnesia in the middle of a field. Fortunately Ari isn't just a furry face and has a trick or two up her sleeves even when she's human.
166 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2011
2 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Geonn Cannon
114 books227 followersGeonn Cannon is a male author who grew up in Oklahoma, thousands of miles from the nearest coastline, who found his calling in stories about women who live on an island in the Pacific Northwest. In 2010, Geonn became the first male author to win the prestigious Golden Crown Literary Society Award for his novel "Gemini." In 2015, he won it again for "Dogs of War." He has written two official tie-in novels for Stargate SG-1, and his Riley Parra novels have been turned into an Emmy-nominated webseries by Tello Films. His first name is pronounced just like "John."
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 19, 2022
The fun part of taking advantage of NetGalley's "Read Now" collection is there is always some hidden pleasure or another to discover. A one-sitting canidae (werewolf to the tediously traditional readers like me) led urban fantasy chase story, this meets lots of my expectations. I was really amused and drawn to the very first pages' freshening-up of Little Red Riding Hood in particular...bringing to it that little something extra that comes from an eyewitness account of a crime as opposed to a polished and practiced witness-stand testimony via the Brothers Grimm. Much new information comes to light.
In general, I'm a lycanthropy fan. In this explicit case, I'm on a spiky fence because I question some of the judgment calls an author must always make...there seemed to me to be a peculiarly removed vibe to this fun take on a lesbian private eye-cum-werewolf urban fantasy. It's clearly an authorial choice, I must say, because it's in the structure of the sentences that're written in passive voice. It isn't, however, alienating to me as a reader. Honestly this surprised me because, under most every circumstance, I am hate-reading passive constructions in short order. So that was a surprise but was it a good one? I can't decide.
What made me finish the book in that one sitting mentioned above was the clarity of the conflict between Ari, our wolf sleuth, and her nemeses. If I can feel the pull of the story despite a narrative construct I'm not fond of, then there's something extra to this writer's storytelling chops. Kudos for that!
In general, I'm a lycanthropy fan. In this explicit case, I'm on a spiky fence because I question some of the judgment calls an author must always make...there seemed to me to be a peculiarly removed vibe to this fun take on a lesbian private eye-cum-werewolf urban fantasy. It's clearly an authorial choice, I must say, because it's in the structure of the sentences that're written in passive voice. It isn't, however, alienating to me as a reader. Honestly this surprised me because, under most every circumstance, I am hate-reading passive constructions in short order. So that was a surprise but was it a good one? I can't decide.
What made me finish the book in that one sitting mentioned above was the clarity of the conflict between Ari, our wolf sleuth, and her nemeses. If I can feel the pull of the story despite a narrative construct I'm not fond of, then there's something extra to this writer's storytelling chops. Kudos for that!
August 20, 2012
These stories drew me in right away, but then I was a bit disappointed by all the overt eroticism. I like subtlety and "friendly" lovemaking, not in-your-face and violent eroticism. I would have also liked it more if it was one fluid story and not a bunch of short stories jumbled together - each of the short stories could easily be transformed into individual books! The characters are fun and different, and I think with a little development this could easily rival the Sookie Stackhouse series!
July 14, 2021
Underdogs is the first book in the Underdogs series by Geonn Cannon. Ariadne Willow is a private investigator with a secret weapon. She’s a canidae, a person with the ability to transform into a wolf at will. Using her heightened senses to track and her shapeshifting to follow people without being seen, she’s made a decent business for herself and her associate Dale Frye. When one of the richest women in Seattle wishes to hire her, Ari and Dale think their ship has finally come in. All Ari has to do is observe the client’s tabloid-friendly daughter, fresh out of rehab, and confirm that she’s truly clean. Ari thinks the case will be a piece of cake, but a moment of shocking violence changes everything. Soon Ari finds herself backed into a corner with no way out, forced to either run or risk losing everything she holds dear by fighting an enemy with unlimited power and resources. With Dale refusing to leave her side, Ari decides to make a stand to remind her enemies that there’s only one rule in betting.
Underdogs is a urban fantasy mystery with a little bit of everything. There is the paranormal element, which was different enough from things I have already read that I kept wondering what else might exist in that world, and who else might be other. The detective and mystery portion had some twists that I rather expected but some that took me by surprise. The world and character building was very well done, and I felt like a good amount of reveals were made without any overwhelming info dumps. Although, I would not mind more information on some past events in some kind of novella or prequel. Not that that would be necessary, but rather because I liked the characters enough to want more. Ari and Dale make a great team, and there are clearly some interesting stories in both their pasts. I am not sure where the series will go from here, but I do plan on finding out.
There are some triggers in here- there are several kinds of abuse and betrayal referenced that might be hard for survivors to get past. Just so those that need to prepare themselves can.
Underdogs is a solid series starter that left me satisfied but intrigued.
Underdogs is a urban fantasy mystery with a little bit of everything. There is the paranormal element, which was different enough from things I have already read that I kept wondering what else might exist in that world, and who else might be other. The detective and mystery portion had some twists that I rather expected but some that took me by surprise. The world and character building was very well done, and I felt like a good amount of reveals were made without any overwhelming info dumps. Although, I would not mind more information on some past events in some kind of novella or prequel. Not that that would be necessary, but rather because I liked the characters enough to want more. Ari and Dale make a great team, and there are clearly some interesting stories in both their pasts. I am not sure where the series will go from here, but I do plan on finding out.
There are some triggers in here- there are several kinds of abuse and betrayal referenced that might be hard for survivors to get past. Just so those that need to prepare themselves can.
Underdogs is a solid series starter that left me satisfied but intrigued.
May 17, 2021
Underdogs by Geonn Cannon is about Ari, who runs a private detective agency with the help of her assistant Dale. The fact that she can turn into a wolf at will makes some of her tasks easier. She is assigned to observe Laura, an heiress of a very influential family with past drug problems. During the assignment, she becomes more deeply involved than initially thought.
The story is well written and makes you curious about the resolution. In addition to the main story, there is also a small love story running alongside, which lightens things up a bit. I would have liked a little more explanation about the shapeshifting or shapeshifters itself, but by the obviousness in the narrative, I have not questioned this as a reader.
I received a copy from netgalley in exchange for a an honest review.
The story is well written and makes you curious about the resolution. In addition to the main story, there is also a small love story running alongside, which lightens things up a bit. I would have liked a little more explanation about the shapeshifting or shapeshifters itself, but by the obviousness in the narrative, I have not questioned this as a reader.
I received a copy from netgalley in exchange for a an honest review.
June 9, 2021
Ariadne is a private investigator and able to transform into a werewolf, together with her friend Dale, she is assigned to look after a wealthy socialite. Male author but hey, well written with the female lead depicted well. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it kept me entertained to the end. Easy to read in a couple of quick sessions.
April 13, 2015
FourStars
These short stories were well written, They are very easy quick reads.
I really enjoyed the dynamics between Ari and Dale. Ari and Dale are hard not to love. No matter what life throws at them they figure out a way to get through it and become stronger from it. I absolutely love that there commitment to each other is so strong even though they arent in a relationship.
You never know what these two will get into next but whatever it is you know it will be interesting.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Ambe
These short stories were well written, They are very easy quick reads.
I really enjoyed the dynamics between Ari and Dale. Ari and Dale are hard not to love. No matter what life throws at them they figure out a way to get through it and become stronger from it. I absolutely love that there commitment to each other is so strong even though they arent in a relationship.
You never know what these two will get into next but whatever it is you know it will be interesting.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Ambe
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews