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Connor Grey #2
Unquiet Dreams
Fueled by a mysterious new drug, Celtic fairies and Teutonic elves battle for turf and power-with humans caught in the middle. As the body count rises, Connor Grey uncovers a vast conspiracy that threatens to destroy not only the city, but the world.
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 29, 2008
14 people are currently reading
863 people want to read
About the author
Mark Del Franco
13 books365 followersCATHARGO (2016) is Mark Del Franco's latest fantasy novel, an alternative history where chance and coincidence set the stage for an entire continent to be plunged into war over the use of magic.
WHIRLWIND (2014)is Mark Del Franco's first young adult novel, an urban fantasy featuring teens with elemental powers.
Mark is the author of the adult urban fantasy Connor Grey books. The best order to read the series is:
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
UNPERFECT SOULS
UNCERTAIN ALLIES
UNDONE DEEDS
The Laura Blackstone urban fantasy books, also set in the Convergent World, are
SKIN DEEP and FACE OFF.
Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids Just Won't Die.
WHIRLWIND (2014)is Mark Del Franco's first young adult novel, an urban fantasy featuring teens with elemental powers.
Mark is the author of the adult urban fantasy Connor Grey books. The best order to read the series is:
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
UNPERFECT SOULS
UNCERTAIN ALLIES
UNDONE DEEDS
The Laura Blackstone urban fantasy books, also set in the Convergent World, are
SKIN DEEP and FACE OFF.
Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids Just Won't Die.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 19, 2011
For a full review, check the Bitten by Books website: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/
April 5, 2025
A true 3.5 star read - distinctly better than book 1, yet not quite a keeper for me. I picked this one up used in a desert bookstore for $4, and that’s about how much I’m willing to pay to continue this series. Things I like: our hero is starting to see that there are times in which his powerlessness is actually a benefit, and I like the comfortably snarky relationships he has with his friends and allies.
January 20, 2009
This book depending on who you ask could be considered urban fantasy or a paranormal. I read the first novel in the series, and I liked it, but the second is a great improvement. Del Franco is a talented new writer who really has improved from his first effort. In his universe the Fey have come over and are openly living in human society and have for quite some time. His main character Connor used to be a detective with the Fey Guild, but he was kicked out when he lost most of his powers in a freak accident. Now he is a druid who can only look at essence (the way Del Franco describes magical energies) but not manipulate them. In this book, he is involved in a mystery involving the death an important guild official and a teenage human gang member who no one cares about. Read the story, to find out what happens.
The series reminds me a bit of Kelly McCullough's Code Spell series as well as Simon Hawk's Nightside only better written than Nightside. If you like either one of those series, I think you'll like this book. Also, if you're fond of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden, I think you'd like this series only in this book, the main character isn't growing in power in a world that doesn't believe in magic, he's trying to figure out how to regain his power or live without it in a world where he used to be a powerful person.
The series reminds me a bit of Kelly McCullough's Code Spell series as well as Simon Hawk's Nightside only better written than Nightside. If you like either one of those series, I think you'll like this book. Also, if you're fond of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden, I think you'd like this series only in this book, the main character isn't growing in power in a world that doesn't believe in magic, he's trying to figure out how to regain his power or live without it in a world where he used to be a powerful person.
May 14, 2014
Very imaginative, and the climactic scenes are snazzy.
I like Connor, the main character, a druid with mysteriously damaged powers.
I also like his friends: Murdock, a human cop who’s acquired some strange new personal energy (known as essence in the vocabulary of their world); Meryl, who’s an astonishingly powerful druidess with an endless supply of sarcasm and whose description sounds as if she’d love to hit the mall with Abby from NCIS; and Joe--AKA Stinkwort--a flit (small fairy), who is a funny and adorable sidekick.
I also like that Connor and Meryl are still in the flirting stage and that she gives him a hard time about his attitude.
The plot was very political, with lots of backstabbing and evasiveness.
I like Connor, the main character, a druid with mysteriously damaged powers.
I also like his friends: Murdock, a human cop who’s acquired some strange new personal energy (known as essence in the vocabulary of their world); Meryl, who’s an astonishingly powerful druidess with an endless supply of sarcasm and whose description sounds as if she’d love to hit the mall with Abby from NCIS; and Joe--AKA Stinkwort--a flit (small fairy), who is a funny and adorable sidekick.
I also like that Connor and Meryl are still in the flirting stage and that she gives him a hard time about his attitude.
The plot was very political, with lots of backstabbing and evasiveness.
October 13, 2010
When Connor Grey got a phone call at 7 AM from his friend, Detective Leonard Murdock, about a dead teenager who seemed to be dropped from the sky, he didn't expect that the kid would ended up as a part of another investigation by the Guild: the death of a one of the directors at Boston Guildhouse, Alvud Krudge. Soon, the two deaths brought Connor and his group of friends: Murdock, the hip researcher Meryl Dian, and oreo-loving flits, Joe, into a conspiracy that threathened to destroy the Guilds and Consortium, with humans caught in the middle.
I must say that the second book flows better for me that the first. Maybe because all of the world-building with its technical jargons have been introduced in the first book. This time, it is easier for me to get into Connor and his relationship with Murdock, Meryl, and Joe. There is a couple of twists here that I don't see coming, one being Connor having a big brother (that is a "whoa" moment for me) and the climax when the brain of the conspiracy is revealed. A good mystery with a touch of magic and the Fey universe, as well as characters that I'm quite fond of (most especially Joe, the flits, love him!).
I love how Connor starts to learn about how his past arrogance when he is still a Guild member is wrong, that the true friends he have are those who still stick with him even if he no longer has ability (except for sensing essence). I would love to know more about what the mass in his head is all about (how it can help him now), the progress with Murdock (I think he will become more than just a human detective, much like Karen Murphy in Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series), as well as, uhm, can I count a small romance between Connor and Meryl?!? *grin*
I'm a fan of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden and I definitely enjoy this too. It's a good addition to a VERY FEW urban fantasy series with male protagonist. I'm looking forward to reading book #3 and #4
I must say that the second book flows better for me that the first. Maybe because all of the world-building with its technical jargons have been introduced in the first book. This time, it is easier for me to get into Connor and his relationship with Murdock, Meryl, and Joe. There is a couple of twists here that I don't see coming, one being Connor having a big brother (that is a "whoa" moment for me) and the climax when the brain of the conspiracy is revealed. A good mystery with a touch of magic and the Fey universe, as well as characters that I'm quite fond of (most especially Joe, the flits, love him!).
I love how Connor starts to learn about how his past arrogance when he is still a Guild member is wrong, that the true friends he have are those who still stick with him even if he no longer has ability (except for sensing essence). I would love to know more about what the mass in his head is all about (how it can help him now), the progress with Murdock (I think he will become more than just a human detective, much like Karen Murphy in Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series), as well as, uhm, can I count a small romance between Connor and Meryl?!? *grin*
I'm a fan of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden and I definitely enjoy this too. It's a good addition to a VERY FEW urban fantasy series with male protagonist. I'm looking forward to reading book #3 and #4
February 10, 2009
Another good entry into this series. The gee-whiz portion of world-building was mostly taken care of in the first book, so this one got to delve into the relationships a little deeper as well as explore the world a little more. I must say that the big plot twist actually surprised me...usually those things don't. Will have to reread someday to see if it was because I was truly bamboozled or if there were a lack of clues. Now, onto the third book!
October 23, 2018
In the same day, Connor examines two different crime scenes: One, a dead human teenager, the other, a prominent elf and Guild director who has also been murdered. The cases appear to be connected with a strange new drug and a brewing gang war, but what is truly behind the deaths has far greater implications than anyone anticipates.
It's been a couple of years since I read the first book, but I got back into this world easily enough. Another quick and entertaining read.
It's been a couple of years since I read the first book, but I got back into this world easily enough. Another quick and entertaining read.
June 2, 2013
Very good urban fantasy in which Connor encounters trolls and dwarves and tree spirits, oh my!
September 14, 2012
Second in the Connor Grey urban fantasy series about a down-and-out Druid with very little power in Boston.
My Take
Lots of misdirection in this one and an interesting peek into gang warfare from street to the upper levels of society.
This is good experience for Conner (as I sit here in my easy chair) as he discovers the hard way how the little people feel, how they're treated. He used to be one of the elite. Thinking the same way. I have to wonder if del Franco is setting us up for a future installment where Connor takes a top position.
Oh, that's a good one. I love Meryl's remark about getting more evil eye repellant up as she's infested with Christian missionaries. I suspect a romance down the road between Meryl and Murdock. I have my doubts about Keeva. She screwed up in Unshapely Things and she does it again here. I'm curious as to how she'll muff it in the next story, Unfallen Dead .
Poor Murdock, everybody makes him as a cop.
It's typical police work. Lots of late night visits to bars, nightclubs, and back alleys. Pushing and poking at the powers that be. Examining everyone's angle.
Whoa, I can understand Connor's backhanded appreciation for the black mass in his brain that won't allow him to use his magic anymore. I...I guess it's a good thing when it saves the world.
Cute. Connor and Meryl are having this running conflict about dating. Shoe's suddenly on the other foot and I'm curious as to where it will go.
Snicker...I love Connor's statement at the end to Nigel. And it was so true! And so typical of a governing body.
The Story
Gang wars do have their unintended victims, but evidence uncovers drugs and then the possibility of a real estate grab. When one of the victims turns out to be a rather prominent activist, it really hits the fan and Connor uncovers more than expected with the pissing contests just getting messier and messier.
The fallout ranges from Briallen's appointment of Connor as a Guild Director, which upsets all the right people and the Guildmaster's command that Connor ferret out information on some dangerous people against the High Druid's advice.
Damn lucky that he's now a Guild Director, however temporary, when he comes under fire.
The Characters
Connor Grey is a disabled Druid, kicked out of his cushy position at the Guild and really feeling the kicks to his ego in this one. It's certainly a good lesson in being polite to everyone you meet. Stinkwort, a.k.a., Joe, is a flit and has been hanging about Connor since before he can remember. He's a foot tall with wings and the ability to teleport. Lady Briallen ab Gwyll is a powerful Druidess in the world of the fae and she's Connor's friend. She's also named him as her alternate for the Guild board if she ever has to be out of town. Virgil is a gargoyle who drops cryptic comments to Connor. Callin Grey is his older, screw-up brother who lives on the shady side.
Detective Leo Murdock is the cop that Connor works with on fey cases. In Unshapely Things , his essence changed, which is all for the good in this story.
Keeva macNeve is the new Community Liaison Officer from the Guild and the Guild and the local police get on as well as the cops and the FBI.
Druids
High Druid of the Bosnemeton Circle, Gerin Cuthbern leads all the druids and druidesses in New England. A major jerk. Somehow he missed the memo on equality AND manners. Meryl Dian is the Guild's archivist and a Druidess with a strong dreaming ability and she and Connor have become friends. Nigel Martin is a powerful Druid and was Connor's mentor; Conner was his prize pupil. Since the accident he wants nothing to do with him and belittles him every chance he gets.
Hala is a drys. They are essence incarnate, the heart of the oak. Almost a goddess to the druids. The essence of Float.
The Dananns
Ryan macGoren is the current fairy golden boy. Handsome, rich, powerful, no morals, and a Guild Director. Just the guy for Keeva. The Clure leads the Cluries, a clan of hard-drinking fairies who specialize in chaos. They either start the party or know where one is. I'll bet they end every party... Gillen Yor is High Healer at Avalon Memorial and is an Old One as is Briallen; Maeve, the High Queen at Tara. Guildmaster Manus ap Eagan is the power in the Guild and he's dying. Tibs is a brownie who's been with him for almost ever and is Connor's buddy in and out of bed.
Elves
I suspect that Janey Likesmith, a dark elf with the Office of the City Medical Examiner is going to become a part of the cast. The Marchgraf, Alvud Kruge, is an elf activist working to clean up the Tangle, the worst part of the Weird. Trying to get beings off drugs, employed. He was also a member of the Guild board. Now his wife Eorla, Marchgrafin Kruge, is agitating for it. Donor Elfenkonig, the elf king. Bergin Vize is an environmental terrorist elf who couldn't handle the power coming off a ring.
Street Gangs
Moke and C-Note are trolls and rival gang leaders facing off. Moke leads the TunnelRats, dwarves, while C-Note heads up the TruKnights, all fairies and elves. Banjo leads a gang of dwarf mercenaries and can see the future. Dennis Farnsworth was in the wrong place while Crystal Finch simply got lucky.
The street gangs are mostly race-restricted with the fairies sticking to their own, the elves and dwarves to theirs and the humans to theirs. It's when you get to those upper levels that it gets much trickier. Croda was a troll who worked as a cleaning lady at Unity for Kruge.
The Weird is a neighborhood in Boston to which the fairies, elves, and things that go bump in the night gravitate.
The Cover
The cover is a bit hokey with its graveyard scene and the tilting tombstones, but it is accurate for its finale with Connor at the cemetery.
The title is a bit lame as it simply refers to the Unquiet Dreams that Connor and Meryl are each having.
My Take
Lots of misdirection in this one and an interesting peek into gang warfare from street to the upper levels of society.
This is good experience for Conner (as I sit here in my easy chair) as he discovers the hard way how the little people feel, how they're treated. He used to be one of the elite. Thinking the same way. I have to wonder if del Franco is setting us up for a future installment where Connor takes a top position.
Oh, that's a good one. I love Meryl's remark about getting more evil eye repellant up as she's infested with Christian missionaries. I suspect a romance down the road between Meryl and Murdock. I have my doubts about Keeva. She screwed up in Unshapely Things and she does it again here. I'm curious as to how she'll muff it in the next story, Unfallen Dead .
Poor Murdock, everybody makes him as a cop.
It's typical police work. Lots of late night visits to bars, nightclubs, and back alleys. Pushing and poking at the powers that be. Examining everyone's angle.
Whoa, I can understand Connor's backhanded appreciation for the black mass in his brain that won't allow him to use his magic anymore. I...I guess it's a good thing when it saves the world.
Cute. Connor and Meryl are having this running conflict about dating. Shoe's suddenly on the other foot and I'm curious as to where it will go.
Snicker...I love Connor's statement at the end to Nigel. And it was so true! And so typical of a governing body.
The Story
Gang wars do have their unintended victims, but evidence uncovers drugs and then the possibility of a real estate grab. When one of the victims turns out to be a rather prominent activist, it really hits the fan and Connor uncovers more than expected with the pissing contests just getting messier and messier.
The fallout ranges from Briallen's appointment of Connor as a Guild Director, which upsets all the right people and the Guildmaster's command that Connor ferret out information on some dangerous people against the High Druid's advice.
Damn lucky that he's now a Guild Director, however temporary, when he comes under fire.
The Characters
Connor Grey is a disabled Druid, kicked out of his cushy position at the Guild and really feeling the kicks to his ego in this one. It's certainly a good lesson in being polite to everyone you meet. Stinkwort, a.k.a., Joe, is a flit and has been hanging about Connor since before he can remember. He's a foot tall with wings and the ability to teleport. Lady Briallen ab Gwyll is a powerful Druidess in the world of the fae and she's Connor's friend. She's also named him as her alternate for the Guild board if she ever has to be out of town. Virgil is a gargoyle who drops cryptic comments to Connor. Callin Grey is his older, screw-up brother who lives on the shady side.
Detective Leo Murdock is the cop that Connor works with on fey cases. In Unshapely Things , his essence changed, which is all for the good in this story.
Keeva macNeve is the new Community Liaison Officer from the Guild and the Guild and the local police get on as well as the cops and the FBI.
Druids
High Druid of the Bosnemeton Circle, Gerin Cuthbern leads all the druids and druidesses in New England. A major jerk. Somehow he missed the memo on equality AND manners. Meryl Dian is the Guild's archivist and a Druidess with a strong dreaming ability and she and Connor have become friends. Nigel Martin is a powerful Druid and was Connor's mentor; Conner was his prize pupil. Since the accident he wants nothing to do with him and belittles him every chance he gets.
Hala is a drys. They are essence incarnate, the heart of the oak. Almost a goddess to the druids. The essence of Float.
The Dananns
Ryan macGoren is the current fairy golden boy. Handsome, rich, powerful, no morals, and a Guild Director. Just the guy for Keeva. The Clure leads the Cluries, a clan of hard-drinking fairies who specialize in chaos. They either start the party or know where one is. I'll bet they end every party... Gillen Yor is High Healer at Avalon Memorial and is an Old One as is Briallen; Maeve, the High Queen at Tara. Guildmaster Manus ap Eagan is the power in the Guild and he's dying. Tibs is a brownie who's been with him for almost ever and is Connor's buddy in and out of bed.
Elves
I suspect that Janey Likesmith, a dark elf with the Office of the City Medical Examiner is going to become a part of the cast. The Marchgraf, Alvud Kruge, is an elf activist working to clean up the Tangle, the worst part of the Weird. Trying to get beings off drugs, employed. He was also a member of the Guild board. Now his wife Eorla, Marchgrafin Kruge, is agitating for it. Donor Elfenkonig, the elf king. Bergin Vize is an environmental terrorist elf who couldn't handle the power coming off a ring.
Street Gangs
Moke and C-Note are trolls and rival gang leaders facing off. Moke leads the TunnelRats, dwarves, while C-Note heads up the TruKnights, all fairies and elves. Banjo leads a gang of dwarf mercenaries and can see the future. Dennis Farnsworth was in the wrong place while Crystal Finch simply got lucky.
The street gangs are mostly race-restricted with the fairies sticking to their own, the elves and dwarves to theirs and the humans to theirs. It's when you get to those upper levels that it gets much trickier. Croda was a troll who worked as a cleaning lady at Unity for Kruge.
The Weird is a neighborhood in Boston to which the fairies, elves, and things that go bump in the night gravitate.
The Cover
The cover is a bit hokey with its graveyard scene and the tilting tombstones, but it is accurate for its finale with Connor at the cemetery.
The title is a bit lame as it simply refers to the Unquiet Dreams that Connor and Meryl are each having.
February 27, 2020
Three stars for this one. I find the fantasy elements quite overtly taking place in modern day Boston exactly my kind of fun. The story itself is a standard cop procedural, following predictable story beats as the protagonist uncovers a Deeper Plot in the seemingly simple gang hit he is tasked (arguably tasks himself) to solve.
There's a commentary about gentrification and segregation in modern day cities in the subtext of the story, and legitimate critique of making urban areas playgrounds for those who can afford it at the cost of the residents, who are often vulnerable to the whims of the powerful attempting to accrue more power. However, this theme is abandoned as more is revealed in favor of standard myth villain tropes. I can only hope that the series continues to address these very real problem, as it more accurately reflects modern day and Boston's notorious practices for at least the last couple centuries.
Either way, I'm resolved to keep reading the series and go back...To The Weird!
There's a commentary about gentrification and segregation in modern day cities in the subtext of the story, and legitimate critique of making urban areas playgrounds for those who can afford it at the cost of the residents, who are often vulnerable to the whims of the powerful attempting to accrue more power. However, this theme is abandoned as more is revealed in favor of standard myth villain tropes. I can only hope that the series continues to address these very real problem, as it more accurately reflects modern day and Boston's notorious practices for at least the last couple centuries.
Either way, I'm resolved to keep reading the series and go back...To The Weird!
January 28, 2022
Unquiet Dreams (Connor Grey #2) by Mark Del Franco is definitely an improvement on the first book in the series. I'm glad I decided to continue on with it. We get to see a little more of the Weird world and I was especially pleased that we get more character work. I'm definitely looking forward to trying book three, Unfallen Dead. If you're a fan of The Dresden Files, you'll want to try this.
December 24, 2010
Synopsis: Connor Grey's druidic powers may be diminished, but he is still able to consult for the Boston Police Department. Now Murdock and Connor try to link the murders of a gang member to a high-ranking elven diplomat. Both are caught in a power struggle between Celtic fairies and Teutonic elves. Grey the traces the source of these hostilities to a powerfully compulsive drug called Float. Which, of course, leads to a conspiracy that could destroy the fragile unity of the fey and human communities.
This book moved alot slower than I liked for the first 200 pages or so. First, Murdock and Connor are called out to investigate the death of a human boy who died wearing the colors of a gang. It appeared the boy was dropped from some height. Which then leads them to the death of Alvud Kruge who had been trying to unify the races together. Of course, Keeva, who has been drugged with Float, finds every way possible to stall the investigation into Alvud's murder. Of course, they are put in their place and refused access to the information concerning Alvud's death.
Then, of course, it took the entire book before the real villian was exposed which after you read it, makes alot of sense in so many different ways. I was actually hoping it was Keeva since she is a nasty piece of work, but no such luck this time around.
I like the interraction between Murdock and Connor, and NO, I don't want the writer to take his personal preferences and put them into this book. It's even more interesting now that Murdock seems to have gained some essence in his body after almost being killed in Unshapely Things. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the series, Connor still has a block in his brain that nobody can figure out. It keeps his powers diminished, but not unable to protect himself. And, NO, he actually does NOT get his powers back in this book. He is given a boost from a source that leads him to stop the destruction around him.
Of course, this wouldn't be a good series without Meryl, the snarky but courageous druid that Connor has a thing for. Joe, the flit is back, and we even have a sighting of Connor's long lost brother who comes and helps save the day.
Overall, this is a good read, but not a great one. There is only two real action packed sequences, and they come near, or at the very end.
This book moved alot slower than I liked for the first 200 pages or so. First, Murdock and Connor are called out to investigate the death of a human boy who died wearing the colors of a gang. It appeared the boy was dropped from some height. Which then leads them to the death of Alvud Kruge who had been trying to unify the races together. Of course, Keeva, who has been drugged with Float, finds every way possible to stall the investigation into Alvud's murder. Of course, they are put in their place and refused access to the information concerning Alvud's death.
Then, of course, it took the entire book before the real villian was exposed which after you read it, makes alot of sense in so many different ways. I was actually hoping it was Keeva since she is a nasty piece of work, but no such luck this time around.
I like the interraction between Murdock and Connor, and NO, I don't want the writer to take his personal preferences and put them into this book. It's even more interesting now that Murdock seems to have gained some essence in his body after almost being killed in Unshapely Things. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the series, Connor still has a block in his brain that nobody can figure out. It keeps his powers diminished, but not unable to protect himself. And, NO, he actually does NOT get his powers back in this book. He is given a boost from a source that leads him to stop the destruction around him.
Of course, this wouldn't be a good series without Meryl, the snarky but courageous druid that Connor has a thing for. Joe, the flit is back, and we even have a sighting of Connor's long lost brother who comes and helps save the day.
Overall, this is a good read, but not a great one. There is only two real action packed sequences, and they come near, or at the very end.
January 26, 2014
Book 2 in the Connor Grey series.
Things haven’t changed that much, Connor is still struggling with the black spot in his head. He is flirting with intent with Meryl and he has made contact with his brother, but things are strained between them. He still helps out Murdock who after the finale of the last book has some issues with his bodily essence. His aura is messed up and affects his physical strength. No one knows what is going on with him.
They start with two deaths; one, a street kid, a human and maybe part of a gang, and the second, is more of an explosion than a death. The scene is very gruesome. The remains are identified as Kruge, a high ranking elf and a member of the Guild board. He has been campaigning for years to clean up the Weird and help people who live in the Tangle; the worst section of it. This is an unpopular decision with property developers who would prefer to just move people out.
Keeva pushed them both off the influential case, but the more they investigate, the more they think the two are linked, but politics boxes them in at every turn. Plus Connor is distracted. Briallen had named him her druid alternate for the Guild meetings and never changed it after he lost his powers. She is away and he causes some consternation when he attends in her place, but luckily, is given an all access magic Guild rep ID card. Phew… just as well. He needs it. There is major conflict between all the factions: druid, elf, fae, dwarf, unseelie, human and solitary fae.
And there is a new drug on the streets called Float. It is more dangerous than recreational because it has a compulsive behaviour altering affect. It may be supplied by the gangs, one recently taken over by a new troll in town.
Everyone has to attend Kruge’s funeral, setting it up for another huge finale.
There is more back story and more information about existing characters, a couple of new characters and a lot more input from other races.
On a rethink, I upped it to four stars. It deserves more than some other books I have given three to recently.
Things haven’t changed that much, Connor is still struggling with the black spot in his head. He is flirting with intent with Meryl and he has made contact with his brother, but things are strained between them. He still helps out Murdock who after the finale of the last book has some issues with his bodily essence. His aura is messed up and affects his physical strength. No one knows what is going on with him.
They start with two deaths; one, a street kid, a human and maybe part of a gang, and the second, is more of an explosion than a death. The scene is very gruesome. The remains are identified as Kruge, a high ranking elf and a member of the Guild board. He has been campaigning for years to clean up the Weird and help people who live in the Tangle; the worst section of it. This is an unpopular decision with property developers who would prefer to just move people out.
Keeva pushed them both off the influential case, but the more they investigate, the more they think the two are linked, but politics boxes them in at every turn. Plus Connor is distracted. Briallen had named him her druid alternate for the Guild meetings and never changed it after he lost his powers. She is away and he causes some consternation when he attends in her place, but luckily, is given an all access magic Guild rep ID card. Phew… just as well. He needs it. There is major conflict between all the factions: druid, elf, fae, dwarf, unseelie, human and solitary fae.
And there is a new drug on the streets called Float. It is more dangerous than recreational because it has a compulsive behaviour altering affect. It may be supplied by the gangs, one recently taken over by a new troll in town.
Everyone has to attend Kruge’s funeral, setting it up for another huge finale.
There is more back story and more information about existing characters, a couple of new characters and a lot more input from other races.
On a rethink, I upped it to four stars. It deserves more than some other books I have given three to recently.
March 4, 2019
Grey is asked to help with investigating the death of a young man, someone the Guild doesn't care about, who seems to be connected . But it turns out his case might be connected to the death of a major figure. To add, there are politics between the faeries and elves making the situation even more complex. But there's some sort of plot brewing involving Guild politics as well, and Grey might be caught in the middle of something he's not equipped for.
October 28, 2015
I highly recommend this book to every urban fantasy fan. It's excellent - it has an intriguing plot, it's set in a very interesting world and the characters are simply lovable. Connor, Meryl, Murdock, Joe... We learn more about them and they become richer and more colorful. A fantastic continuation of a great series!
July 2, 2017
I love the blend of urban fantasy and mystery. The writing is engaging and the plot moved swiftly. It's a great mix of magic and sleuthing.
June 8, 2018
If the following paragraphs sound familiar, it is because I copied some from my review of the first book in the series, Unshapely Things. This second Conner Grey murder mystery follows the same plot pattern set in the first mystery, except the story is even more dramatic and graphic.
‘Unquiet Dream’, the second novel in the six-book Connor Grey series, was a fun read! A genre bender, it’s a murder mystery series set in a fantasy alternative universe with humans, fairies, elves, dwarves and trolls. There also are the cutest little things called flits - who rarely are larger than a foot tall. But they carry swords, and they are not to be messed with.
Hundreds of years ago an unexpected convergence of universes occurred which destroyed the world of the fey. Reluctantly, they live among humans now in neighborhoods in big cities. Each type of fey has a different set of magical abilities. The fey are monitored by The Ward Guild which is governed by Queen Maeve, High Queen at Tara in Ireland. Anywhere fey are concentrated there is a guildhouse. A diplomatic corp as well as a police force work out of each local guildhouse.
Connor Grey is an ex-guildhouse police detective, once a powerful young druid with a high profile in society and the media. Now he collects disability at age forty and lives in poverty in a cheap apartment. He lost a struggle with an environmentalist elf at a nuclear reactor. The elf had a power ring which somehow bottled up most of Grey’s druid abilities. To supplement his disability checks, he works as an amateur detective. He partners often with human Detective Lieutenant Leo Murdock of the Boston Police Department.
Most of Grey’s previous friends dropped him after the power ring incident, but a flit, Stinkwort, continues to help him. Sometimes. If Grey has oreo cookies in his kitchen. Grey doesn’t eat oreos, but he makes certain to stock them anyway. Flits for some unknown reason will attach to someone or a family, regardless of cookies, but Grey kinda likes the flit. Grey also has a powerful druid friend, Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll, who once was his teacher. She is beautiful, and very old, so her druid powers, based on her personal essence, are enormous.
The druids often find themselves playing the peacemakers between the elves and the fairies, who hate each other. However, in this novel, the druids are working against each other as well as the against the fairies and elves. The murder of a respected elf has completely roiled the Boston Guildhouse politically. Since the dead elf, Alvud Kruge, was a famous Boston Guild council member who was internationally prestigious and important, the entire community is shocked. His death also means there is an empty chair on the Guildhouse council. A troll was also murdered with Kruge, both of their bodies discovered in the worst part of the Weird, the fey district of Boston, called the Tangle. Plus a human gangbanger’s body was found a few blocks away. He was wearing the colors of a gang known to be selling powerful drugs. The Guild are not convinced all of these murders are connected.
When Connor examines the dead boy’s body, a human, Connor’s nose tells him the murdered troll’s blood is on the kid’s shoe. Because the kid is human, his murder is Murdock’s case, which is also why Connor is there on the case. But the Guild refuses to believe Kruge’s murder would be in any way involved with human drug dealers. Prejudice of the fey against humans, and especially against a druid who has lost his powers, is extreme.
But Connor is unexpectedly appointed to the Guild Council as a temporary replacement for his good friend Briallen, a Guild councilor, who was called away and unable to help elect the replacement for Kruge! Connor uses his new position to snoop around the Guild’s records, as well as sneaking into the investigation of Kruge’s murder.
It isn’t long until Connor has druids, elves, fairies, trolls AND the gangs all trying to stop him from finding out what is really going on! Plus, omg, Conner’s semi-alcoholic ne’er-do-well brother suddenly turns up....
The story is a little slow in the beginning, but the world-building is interesting, for the first few chapters. As the plot unfolds, the pace of the mystery picks up until at the last chapter the crisis is literally one which might change the world!
This is a fun beach read.
‘Unquiet Dream’, the second novel in the six-book Connor Grey series, was a fun read! A genre bender, it’s a murder mystery series set in a fantasy alternative universe with humans, fairies, elves, dwarves and trolls. There also are the cutest little things called flits - who rarely are larger than a foot tall. But they carry swords, and they are not to be messed with.
Hundreds of years ago an unexpected convergence of universes occurred which destroyed the world of the fey. Reluctantly, they live among humans now in neighborhoods in big cities. Each type of fey has a different set of magical abilities. The fey are monitored by The Ward Guild which is governed by Queen Maeve, High Queen at Tara in Ireland. Anywhere fey are concentrated there is a guildhouse. A diplomatic corp as well as a police force work out of each local guildhouse.
Connor Grey is an ex-guildhouse police detective, once a powerful young druid with a high profile in society and the media. Now he collects disability at age forty and lives in poverty in a cheap apartment. He lost a struggle with an environmentalist elf at a nuclear reactor. The elf had a power ring which somehow bottled up most of Grey’s druid abilities. To supplement his disability checks, he works as an amateur detective. He partners often with human Detective Lieutenant Leo Murdock of the Boston Police Department.
Most of Grey’s previous friends dropped him after the power ring incident, but a flit, Stinkwort, continues to help him. Sometimes. If Grey has oreo cookies in his kitchen. Grey doesn’t eat oreos, but he makes certain to stock them anyway. Flits for some unknown reason will attach to someone or a family, regardless of cookies, but Grey kinda likes the flit. Grey also has a powerful druid friend, Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll, who once was his teacher. She is beautiful, and very old, so her druid powers, based on her personal essence, are enormous.
The druids often find themselves playing the peacemakers between the elves and the fairies, who hate each other. However, in this novel, the druids are working against each other as well as the against the fairies and elves. The murder of a respected elf has completely roiled the Boston Guildhouse politically. Since the dead elf, Alvud Kruge, was a famous Boston Guild council member who was internationally prestigious and important, the entire community is shocked. His death also means there is an empty chair on the Guildhouse council. A troll was also murdered with Kruge, both of their bodies discovered in the worst part of the Weird, the fey district of Boston, called the Tangle. Plus a human gangbanger’s body was found a few blocks away. He was wearing the colors of a gang known to be selling powerful drugs. The Guild are not convinced all of these murders are connected.
When Connor examines the dead boy’s body, a human, Connor’s nose tells him the murdered troll’s blood is on the kid’s shoe. Because the kid is human, his murder is Murdock’s case, which is also why Connor is there on the case. But the Guild refuses to believe Kruge’s murder would be in any way involved with human drug dealers. Prejudice of the fey against humans, and especially against a druid who has lost his powers, is extreme.
But Connor is unexpectedly appointed to the Guild Council as a temporary replacement for his good friend Briallen, a Guild councilor, who was called away and unable to help elect the replacement for Kruge! Connor uses his new position to snoop around the Guild’s records, as well as sneaking into the investigation of Kruge’s murder.
It isn’t long until Connor has druids, elves, fairies, trolls AND the gangs all trying to stop him from finding out what is really going on! Plus, omg, Conner’s semi-alcoholic ne’er-do-well brother suddenly turns up....
The story is a little slow in the beginning, but the world-building is interesting, for the first few chapters. As the plot unfolds, the pace of the mystery picks up until at the last chapter the crisis is literally one which might change the world!
This is a fun beach read.
Read
December 25, 2020This is the second book in the Connor Grey series, and it keeps the story arc moving along well. Conner and Murdock are called in to investigate a murder where the corpse has been dropped from mid-air, which implies that some sort of flying being, if not the murderer, is somehow involved. Coincidentally, a wealthy philanthropist also dies on the same night in what appears to be a magical battle, and Conner and Murdock arrive on the scene to be immediately dismissed by agents of the Guild who are called to investigate. Conner, of course, believes that the two incidents are linked, and ends up trying to figure out what the tie-in could be.
One of Conner's mentors, Briallen, has designated him as her alternate on the Guild board of directors while she is on sabbatical, so he also gets dragged into some high level political wranglings in the city. The philanthropic murder victim, Alvid Kruge, was also a member of the board, and the selection of his replacement is high on the list of issues to consider. Conner hates politics these days, but seems to enjoy his role of monkey wrench in the works of the backroom deals.
With the help of the flit, Joe, and others, Conner eventually unravels the mystery, getting into all sorts of interesting scrapes along the way. There's a minor subplot of a developing flirtation between Conner and Meryl, his former coworker who enjoys giving him access to information from the Guild archives that he should be allowed.
A fun sequel. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in this series.
One of Conner's mentors, Briallen, has designated him as her alternate on the Guild board of directors while she is on sabbatical, so he also gets dragged into some high level political wranglings in the city. The philanthropic murder victim, Alvid Kruge, was also a member of the board, and the selection of his replacement is high on the list of issues to consider. Conner hates politics these days, but seems to enjoy his role of monkey wrench in the works of the backroom deals.
With the help of the flit, Joe, and others, Conner eventually unravels the mystery, getting into all sorts of interesting scrapes along the way. There's a minor subplot of a developing flirtation between Conner and Meryl, his former coworker who enjoys giving him access to information from the Guild archives that he should be allowed.
A fun sequel. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in this series.
February 6, 2009
Book was read in english, but review is in german. Sorry to those who cannot comprehend it... ;o)
An diversen Stellen habe ich Rezensionen gelesen, die besagen: „Der erste war besser!“ Und allzu oft ist es ja auch tatsächlich so: Ein Autor hat eine tolle Idee für ein Buch und wird entweder sofort vom Verlag beschwatzt, doch lieber eine Serie daraus zu machen, oder aber dies geschieht, nachdem das erste erschienen ist und es reißenden Absatz fand. Deswegen bin auch ich bei Folgebänden immer gern etwas mißtrauisch, insbesondere wenn der Opener so gelungen war, wie »Unshapely Things« rechne ich unwillkürlich für Band zwei mit Schlimmem.
Meine Erwartungen wurden in dieser Hinsicht enttäuscht, denn tatsächlich gelingt es Del Franko im zweiten Band nochmal eine Schippe aufzulegen und er hat sich nicht auf den Lorbeeren für den ersten Roman ausgeruht. Tatsächlich hat man den Eindruck, dass er seine Welt jetzt bereits deutlich besser kennt und virtuoser darauf spielt als im ersten Teil. Deswegen kurz vorab: Auch »Unquiet Dreams« weiß auf ganzer Linie zu überzeugen!
Als das Telefon früh am Morgen klingelt, weiß Druide und Privatermittler Connor Grey, dass das kein gutes Zeichen ist. Und tatsächlich ist sein »Partner« Murdock vom Boston Police Department an der Strippe und fordert Connor als Consultant an. Im Weird, dem heruntergekommenen Fey-Bezirk, wurde eine Leiche gefunden: menschlich, männlich, jugendlich, möglicherweise Gangmitglied, also eigentlich ein »ganz normaler Fall«. Dummerweise sind die Todesumstände »eigenartig«, deswegen man Grey hinzu holt. Während die Ermittler noch grübeln, stolpert man über eine andere Leiche und diesmal ist das definitiv ein Fall für die Gilde, die sich exklusiv mit Fey-Straftaten befasst, denn der Tote ist ein hochrangiger teutonischer Elf. Und die beiden Fälle scheinen zusammen zu hängen und Fey-Drogen sind ebenfalls mit im Spiel...
Und so wird aus einem scheinbar einfachen Fall ein Komplott, welches droht, das fragile Gleichgewicht zwischen den Fey zu zerstören, die Gilde in einen Machtkampf sondergleichen zu schicken und an den Grundfesten der konvergierten Gesellschaft zu rütteln.
Das Konzept bleibt dasselbe: Grey, des größten Teils seiner Fähigkeiten beraubt, bemüht sich trotzdem seinen Weg im Leben zu finden und dabei vielleicht auch noch etwas Gutes zu tun. Wir begegnen selbstverständlich diversen Charakteren aus dem ersten Roman wieder, es werden aber durchaus auch neue eingeführt und wiederum versteht es der Autor vortrefflich, die beiden klischeebeladenen Genres Fantasy und (Privatermittler-) Krimi zu etwas Neuem zu verweben, das mehr ist als die Summe der Einzelteile. Die Charakterisierungen sind so gut wie im ersten Band, allerdings merkt man meiner Ansicht nach deutlich, dass der Autor seine Welt noch besser im Griff hat, denn trotz der fantastischen Einlagen wirkt das Setting noch realistischer, noch glaubwürdiger, als in »Unshapely Things« und so kauft man ihm auch das Auftauchen so unwahrscheinlicher Lebewesen wie Trolle unbesehen ab.
Der Schreibstil ist kurzweilig, weist trotz des stellenweise düsteren Themas einen angenehmen Humorlevel auf und führt einen auch noch weiter in die für den Leser immer noch weitestgehend unbekannte Welt der Fey ein, ohne wie ein Geschichts- oder Politikwerk daher zu kommen. Grey weiß Bescheid, aber Del Franko wirft dem Leser neben der Kriminalstory ständig Fleischbrocken zu, die man puzzleartig zusammensetzen kann, um nach und nach ein globaleres Bild der Welt zu bekommen. Was bei anderen Schreibern vielleicht aufgesetzt wirken könnte, meistert der Autor souverän. Auch Running Gags nerven ebenso wenig wie Dialoge, denn die sind aus dem Leben gegriffen und gewisse Frotzeleien zwischen den Haupt-Protagonisten kann man nachvollziehen, hat man sie doch selbst in ähnlicher Form schon einmal gebracht oder gehört.
Gegen Ende zum Showdown geht es richtig gut zur Sache, was im restlichen Roman nicht so ist, der verzichtet nämlich weitestgehend auf die Darstellung von Action und Gewalt, vom Mord eingangs mal abgesehen. Auch die Auflösung ist überraschend und das ist dann auch der einzige, kleine Schwachpunkt des Romans, denn ganz überzeugen konnten mich weder der präsentierte Übeltäter noch dessen Motivation. Das mindert den Lesespaß allerdings nicht wirklich.
Mark Del Franko hatte mich mit dem Erstling »Unshapely Things« auf Anhieb für sich eingenommen, auch wenn ich zuerst an eine Harry Dresden-Epigone glaubte. Die Parallelen sind unübersehbar, aber es wäre in hohem Maße unfair, Connor Grey einfach nur als eine Kopie des Chicagoer Magiers anzusehen, denn in den Erzählungen um den Bostoner Druiden stecken jede Menge Eigenständigkeit sowie neue Ideen und es ist eine deutliche Charakterentwicklung zu bemerken. Und zu meiner großen Freude muss ich feststellen, dass Del Franko es schafft, auch über den ersten Band hinaus originell zu bleiben und sich sogar noch zu steigern. Das lässt für folgende Romane hoffen!
Auch hier, wie schon beim ersten Band: Wer auf Urban Fantasy mit Privatermittlern steht (oder auch: wer auf Urban Fantasy und Privatermittler steht, letztere auch in einem ganz normalen Krimi), der sollte dringend einen Blick auf »Unquiet Dreams« werfen (allerdings schlauerweise erst nachdem er »Unshapely Things« gelesen hat) und wird garantiert ob des famosen Garns nicht enttäuscht.
Wer Elfen, Fairies und Trolle in ihrem »natürlichen Habitat« einer herkömmlichen Fantasy-Welt sehen möchte und dazu vielleicht noch ein wenig klassische »Sword and Sorcery«, der ist hier falsch.
Auf meiner Leseliste steht aber definitiv der Ende Januar erschienene dritte Band: »Unfallen Dead«.
An diversen Stellen habe ich Rezensionen gelesen, die besagen: „Der erste war besser!“ Und allzu oft ist es ja auch tatsächlich so: Ein Autor hat eine tolle Idee für ein Buch und wird entweder sofort vom Verlag beschwatzt, doch lieber eine Serie daraus zu machen, oder aber dies geschieht, nachdem das erste erschienen ist und es reißenden Absatz fand. Deswegen bin auch ich bei Folgebänden immer gern etwas mißtrauisch, insbesondere wenn der Opener so gelungen war, wie »Unshapely Things« rechne ich unwillkürlich für Band zwei mit Schlimmem.
Meine Erwartungen wurden in dieser Hinsicht enttäuscht, denn tatsächlich gelingt es Del Franko im zweiten Band nochmal eine Schippe aufzulegen und er hat sich nicht auf den Lorbeeren für den ersten Roman ausgeruht. Tatsächlich hat man den Eindruck, dass er seine Welt jetzt bereits deutlich besser kennt und virtuoser darauf spielt als im ersten Teil. Deswegen kurz vorab: Auch »Unquiet Dreams« weiß auf ganzer Linie zu überzeugen!
Als das Telefon früh am Morgen klingelt, weiß Druide und Privatermittler Connor Grey, dass das kein gutes Zeichen ist. Und tatsächlich ist sein »Partner« Murdock vom Boston Police Department an der Strippe und fordert Connor als Consultant an. Im Weird, dem heruntergekommenen Fey-Bezirk, wurde eine Leiche gefunden: menschlich, männlich, jugendlich, möglicherweise Gangmitglied, also eigentlich ein »ganz normaler Fall«. Dummerweise sind die Todesumstände »eigenartig«, deswegen man Grey hinzu holt. Während die Ermittler noch grübeln, stolpert man über eine andere Leiche und diesmal ist das definitiv ein Fall für die Gilde, die sich exklusiv mit Fey-Straftaten befasst, denn der Tote ist ein hochrangiger teutonischer Elf. Und die beiden Fälle scheinen zusammen zu hängen und Fey-Drogen sind ebenfalls mit im Spiel...
Und so wird aus einem scheinbar einfachen Fall ein Komplott, welches droht, das fragile Gleichgewicht zwischen den Fey zu zerstören, die Gilde in einen Machtkampf sondergleichen zu schicken und an den Grundfesten der konvergierten Gesellschaft zu rütteln.
Das Konzept bleibt dasselbe: Grey, des größten Teils seiner Fähigkeiten beraubt, bemüht sich trotzdem seinen Weg im Leben zu finden und dabei vielleicht auch noch etwas Gutes zu tun. Wir begegnen selbstverständlich diversen Charakteren aus dem ersten Roman wieder, es werden aber durchaus auch neue eingeführt und wiederum versteht es der Autor vortrefflich, die beiden klischeebeladenen Genres Fantasy und (Privatermittler-) Krimi zu etwas Neuem zu verweben, das mehr ist als die Summe der Einzelteile. Die Charakterisierungen sind so gut wie im ersten Band, allerdings merkt man meiner Ansicht nach deutlich, dass der Autor seine Welt noch besser im Griff hat, denn trotz der fantastischen Einlagen wirkt das Setting noch realistischer, noch glaubwürdiger, als in »Unshapely Things« und so kauft man ihm auch das Auftauchen so unwahrscheinlicher Lebewesen wie Trolle unbesehen ab.
Der Schreibstil ist kurzweilig, weist trotz des stellenweise düsteren Themas einen angenehmen Humorlevel auf und führt einen auch noch weiter in die für den Leser immer noch weitestgehend unbekannte Welt der Fey ein, ohne wie ein Geschichts- oder Politikwerk daher zu kommen. Grey weiß Bescheid, aber Del Franko wirft dem Leser neben der Kriminalstory ständig Fleischbrocken zu, die man puzzleartig zusammensetzen kann, um nach und nach ein globaleres Bild der Welt zu bekommen. Was bei anderen Schreibern vielleicht aufgesetzt wirken könnte, meistert der Autor souverän. Auch Running Gags nerven ebenso wenig wie Dialoge, denn die sind aus dem Leben gegriffen und gewisse Frotzeleien zwischen den Haupt-Protagonisten kann man nachvollziehen, hat man sie doch selbst in ähnlicher Form schon einmal gebracht oder gehört.
Gegen Ende zum Showdown geht es richtig gut zur Sache, was im restlichen Roman nicht so ist, der verzichtet nämlich weitestgehend auf die Darstellung von Action und Gewalt, vom Mord eingangs mal abgesehen. Auch die Auflösung ist überraschend und das ist dann auch der einzige, kleine Schwachpunkt des Romans, denn ganz überzeugen konnten mich weder der präsentierte Übeltäter noch dessen Motivation. Das mindert den Lesespaß allerdings nicht wirklich.
Mark Del Franko hatte mich mit dem Erstling »Unshapely Things« auf Anhieb für sich eingenommen, auch wenn ich zuerst an eine Harry Dresden-Epigone glaubte. Die Parallelen sind unübersehbar, aber es wäre in hohem Maße unfair, Connor Grey einfach nur als eine Kopie des Chicagoer Magiers anzusehen, denn in den Erzählungen um den Bostoner Druiden stecken jede Menge Eigenständigkeit sowie neue Ideen und es ist eine deutliche Charakterentwicklung zu bemerken. Und zu meiner großen Freude muss ich feststellen, dass Del Franko es schafft, auch über den ersten Band hinaus originell zu bleiben und sich sogar noch zu steigern. Das lässt für folgende Romane hoffen!
Auch hier, wie schon beim ersten Band: Wer auf Urban Fantasy mit Privatermittlern steht (oder auch: wer auf Urban Fantasy und Privatermittler steht, letztere auch in einem ganz normalen Krimi), der sollte dringend einen Blick auf »Unquiet Dreams« werfen (allerdings schlauerweise erst nachdem er »Unshapely Things« gelesen hat) und wird garantiert ob des famosen Garns nicht enttäuscht.
Wer Elfen, Fairies und Trolle in ihrem »natürlichen Habitat« einer herkömmlichen Fantasy-Welt sehen möchte und dazu vielleicht noch ein wenig klassische »Sword and Sorcery«, der ist hier falsch.
Auf meiner Leseliste steht aber definitiv der Ende Januar erschienene dritte Band: »Unfallen Dead«.
January 26, 2019
Series 2nd Chapter Works
This series works because of the well drawn characters living in a familiar but turned around world. On to the next to see what more depth Connie discovers in himself and his friends.
This series works because of the well drawn characters living in a familiar but turned around world. On to the next to see what more depth Connie discovers in himself and his friends.
July 27, 2025
It wasn’t quite as good as the first but I liked where Connor’s story arch headed in this book.
September 28, 2010
This book deserves 4.5 stars.
I really like this series. I enjoyed the Jim Butcher books that I've read and this is similar, but I have to admit I like this series more. The characters are appealing and I like where Del Franco's going with Murdock's character. It's great that he doesn't reveal everything about each character in the first book, that we continue to learn more about each of them as the series progresses.
In this book, a human teen is found dead as is a powerful elf, and though the Guild doesn't seem to thing they're related, Connor believes differently and goes about trying to find the connection while managing to get involved in other politically-charged issues with the Guild. Del Franco also introduces us to fey and human gangs, a powerful new drug that has just hit the streets, trolls and other supernatural beings that I'm not going to discuss so as not to give away any plot points.
I've seen some people complain that there's no progression in finding out what's in Connor's head but in book one we're told that is has already been a year since this all happened and that no human or supernatural doctor can figure out what's wrong. Also, this is only the second book in the series and the whole premise of the series is that he's a formerly powerful druid investigator who solves cases with the Boston P.D. after losing his powers on a case and being sacked from his job at the Guild. Additionally, we find out that Connor's band from entering Germany, where Vize is believed to be, so for right now there's not much he can do about it, and he still has to earn a living!
I actually like the fact that, while Bergin Vize is mentioned briefly, the book isn't about Connor hunting him down and getting his powers back. It's also interesting how, though Connor doesn't have his powers and instead has a dark unknown mass in his head, both facts are able to affect how he handles situations and how certain powers and spells do or do not affect him.
Very slight spoiler about the addition of a character ahead!
Finally, it'll be interesting to see if Del Franco eventually has Connor go after Vize (I don't see how he cannot) and if he'll allow him to get his powers back. It would definitely take the series in a new direction if he does, to see the changes in Connor, if he'd go to work at the Guild again, and how he would deal with past and current relationships. Though I kinda hope this doesn't happen for at least a few more books, it's too much fun to read about a practically powerless druid living in the Weird and working with a human normal.
I can't wait to read the next two books in the series, which I've already bought.
I really like this series. I enjoyed the Jim Butcher books that I've read and this is similar, but I have to admit I like this series more. The characters are appealing and I like where Del Franco's going with Murdock's character. It's great that he doesn't reveal everything about each character in the first book, that we continue to learn more about each of them as the series progresses.
In this book, a human teen is found dead as is a powerful elf, and though the Guild doesn't seem to thing they're related, Connor believes differently and goes about trying to find the connection while managing to get involved in other politically-charged issues with the Guild. Del Franco also introduces us to fey and human gangs, a powerful new drug that has just hit the streets, trolls and other supernatural beings that I'm not going to discuss so as not to give away any plot points.
I've seen some people complain that there's no progression in finding out what's in Connor's head but in book one we're told that is has already been a year since this all happened and that no human or supernatural doctor can figure out what's wrong. Also, this is only the second book in the series and the whole premise of the series is that he's a formerly powerful druid investigator who solves cases with the Boston P.D. after losing his powers on a case and being sacked from his job at the Guild. Additionally, we find out that Connor's band from entering Germany, where Vize is believed to be, so for right now there's not much he can do about it, and he still has to earn a living!
I actually like the fact that, while Bergin Vize is mentioned briefly, the book isn't about Connor hunting him down and getting his powers back. It's also interesting how, though Connor doesn't have his powers and instead has a dark unknown mass in his head, both facts are able to affect how he handles situations and how certain powers and spells do or do not affect him.
Very slight spoiler about the addition of a character ahead!
Finally, it'll be interesting to see if Del Franco eventually has Connor go after Vize (I don't see how he cannot) and if he'll allow him to get his powers back. It would definitely take the series in a new direction if he does, to see the changes in Connor, if he'd go to work at the Guild again, and how he would deal with past and current relationships. Though I kinda hope this doesn't happen for at least a few more books, it's too much fun to read about a practically powerless druid living in the Weird and working with a human normal.
I can't wait to read the next two books in the series, which I've already bought.
August 9, 2011
I had some reservations about this series after reading "Unshapely Things" (in particular the Fey politics) that made me unsure of whether I would continue the series. When I started Unquiet Dreams, I thought I'd stop here since those same issues are suddenly the focus of the plot. However, Del Franco is an excellent writer. I was pleasantly surprised that I got caught up in the story, and blown away by yet another superb ending.
Instead of roiling in the background, Fey politics take center stage. Connor is called in on the murder of a sixteen-year old human boy. The scene indicates he was dropped in the center of a field by something with wings. Meanwhile, across town, a high-ranking elf and guild director is brutally murdered. Connor is sure the cases are connected, but the Guild refuses consider it. The annoying jurisdictional fighting between police and Guild from book one is now a plot tool that will shake the Guild to its foundations. In another twist, Connor is summoned to the Guild Master and asked to investigate another guild director. He's knee-deep in political maneuvering, and being treated as nothing more than a lowly pawn. Pawn is right on the mark, as a careful game of chess quickly ensues and draws the reader in. The surface similarities of fey politics to today's world are still there, but we get a deeper look at the divisions between the Fey and within the Guild itself. Yet, Connor never forgets the dead boy who deserves justice. In addition to a clever plot, several character developments made for great reading.
I loved the budding romance between Connor and Meryl. In addition to spicing up the book with witty dialog and flirting, Connor also gains another ally. His relationship with Murdock is strengthening, and the powering of Murdock's essence after the final battle of book one is a great new twist to the character. What does it mean and could it answer questions about Connor's own disability? Joe has solidly taken on the role of side-kick, adding a lot of humor, without weakening the character and some new players are introduced. The ending was fantastic. All the threads came together cleanly; I love a good battle and Connor's sharp comments about the Fey being blinded by their own power and arrogance were right on. Pawn takes king. The ending hints that maybe Connor is finally getting some grudging respect from those he used to hobnob with, which is a welcome development.
Though the ending of book one was excellent, the story was resolved by temporarily giving Connor his powers back which I thought was a bit of a cop out. Here, Connor comes out on top through strength and intelligence, despite his lack of power. But, the aftermath leaves his world changed. This book was excellent, but one thing kept it from being five stars. I really want to see some progress on Connor's power block. It's getting old that no one understands it, but yet it figures prominently in the plot. Connor's learned how the other side lives, he's learned some humility - it's about time he got his power back to truly shake up the Fey. Highly recommended series.
Instead of roiling in the background, Fey politics take center stage. Connor is called in on the murder of a sixteen-year old human boy. The scene indicates he was dropped in the center of a field by something with wings. Meanwhile, across town, a high-ranking elf and guild director is brutally murdered. Connor is sure the cases are connected, but the Guild refuses consider it. The annoying jurisdictional fighting between police and Guild from book one is now a plot tool that will shake the Guild to its foundations. In another twist, Connor is summoned to the Guild Master and asked to investigate another guild director. He's knee-deep in political maneuvering, and being treated as nothing more than a lowly pawn. Pawn is right on the mark, as a careful game of chess quickly ensues and draws the reader in. The surface similarities of fey politics to today's world are still there, but we get a deeper look at the divisions between the Fey and within the Guild itself. Yet, Connor never forgets the dead boy who deserves justice. In addition to a clever plot, several character developments made for great reading.
I loved the budding romance between Connor and Meryl. In addition to spicing up the book with witty dialog and flirting, Connor also gains another ally. His relationship with Murdock is strengthening, and the powering of Murdock's essence after the final battle of book one is a great new twist to the character. What does it mean and could it answer questions about Connor's own disability? Joe has solidly taken on the role of side-kick, adding a lot of humor, without weakening the character and some new players are introduced. The ending was fantastic. All the threads came together cleanly; I love a good battle and Connor's sharp comments about the Fey being blinded by their own power and arrogance were right on. Pawn takes king. The ending hints that maybe Connor is finally getting some grudging respect from those he used to hobnob with, which is a welcome development.
Though the ending of book one was excellent, the story was resolved by temporarily giving Connor his powers back which I thought was a bit of a cop out. Here, Connor comes out on top through strength and intelligence, despite his lack of power. But, the aftermath leaves his world changed. This book was excellent, but one thing kept it from being five stars. I really want to see some progress on Connor's power block. It's getting old that no one understands it, but yet it figures prominently in the plot. Connor's learned how the other side lives, he's learned some humility - it's about time he got his power back to truly shake up the Fey. Highly recommended series.
February 7, 2009
Connor Grey used to work for the Guild. But as a druid who has lost his powers he's not much use to them anymore. They still play their silly games and politicking. When Connor comes in to consult on the murder of a young gang-member in the Weird he has no idea what a twisted web of intrigue he is about to get sucked into. A turf war between elves and fairies is brewing not just in the boardroom but in the streets and everyone caught in the middle is suffering. Just because Connor doesn't have his druidic abilities anymore doesn't mean he can't stop the madness.
I shouldn't have read this book. I had a hard time with the first in the series. Mostly because the author, in my humble opinion, hadn't seperated his own voice from that of his character. It happens sometimes in the first book of a series and then the author gets stronger in the second. Thankfully that was the case. Connor seemed more real to me this time around and I was able to get drawn into the story this time. Del Franco is a good writer, he can set a scene and I like his dialog.
What doesn't work for me as a reader is the plots of his stories. They feel muddled and patched together. I like Connor and his supporting characters but both books have left me with no sense of where this is all going. Will Connor ever get his powers back? At first I thought that was what was the ultimate goal of the series but now I am not so sure. I don't think I can remain interested if each book is just another weak drug related mystery. There are better stories of this ilk being told by other writers.
For now, I'm done with this one. If you like a male protagonist in a great urban fantasy series I would suggest trying Nightlife (Cal Leandros, Book 1) or WebMage (Ravirn, Book 1) which I enjoyed more.
I shouldn't have read this book. I had a hard time with the first in the series. Mostly because the author, in my humble opinion, hadn't seperated his own voice from that of his character. It happens sometimes in the first book of a series and then the author gets stronger in the second. Thankfully that was the case. Connor seemed more real to me this time around and I was able to get drawn into the story this time. Del Franco is a good writer, he can set a scene and I like his dialog.
What doesn't work for me as a reader is the plots of his stories. They feel muddled and patched together. I like Connor and his supporting characters but both books have left me with no sense of where this is all going. Will Connor ever get his powers back? At first I thought that was what was the ultimate goal of the series but now I am not so sure. I don't think I can remain interested if each book is just another weak drug related mystery. There are better stories of this ilk being told by other writers.
For now, I'm done with this one. If you like a male protagonist in a great urban fantasy series I would suggest trying Nightlife (Cal Leandros, Book 1) or WebMage (Ravirn, Book 1) which I enjoyed more.
May 20, 2009
Unquiet Dreams, Book 2 of Mark Del Franco's Connor Grey series, is a decent enough followup to the first one. In this episode, Connor's called upon to investigate the death of a human boy who has connections to local non-human gangs--a case which he fears is related to the gruesome murder of a high-profile elven community leader. Working through both these cases gives Connor a good hard look at the upper echelons of the Guild that turned him out after the accident that crippled his powers, brings him across the path of his brother, and may, just may, be handing him a further clue about what exactly has happened to his magic.
In terms of overall quality this series isn't standing head and shoulders above its urban fantasy compatriots, but that's fine; Connor's character development arc as a previously arrogant man humbled by his magic's loss is the interesting thing here for me. And I'll also admit to liking the angle of dwarf and elf gangs in this novel, as well as the added data about the backstory of how denizens of Faerie came to live in "our" world. I could do with a little bit less of Connor trying too hard to convince himself he's not an asshole anymore HONEST, but one hopes that as the series progresses and he becomes more comfortable with his maturity, he'll stop that.
Still interested and will check out the third book when I can. For this one, three stars.
In terms of overall quality this series isn't standing head and shoulders above its urban fantasy compatriots, but that's fine; Connor's character development arc as a previously arrogant man humbled by his magic's loss is the interesting thing here for me. And I'll also admit to liking the angle of dwarf and elf gangs in this novel, as well as the added data about the backstory of how denizens of Faerie came to live in "our" world. I could do with a little bit less of Connor trying too hard to convince himself he's not an asshole anymore HONEST, but one hopes that as the series progresses and he becomes more comfortable with his maturity, he'll stop that.
Still interested and will check out the third book when I can. For this one, three stars.
March 17, 2008
I liked this book a lot better than the first one. It felt like its own thing rather than The Dresden Files lite.
The story was interesting, though I'm afraid that story arc about how and why Connor lost his powers is going to become annoying fairly quickly. I find my tolerance for the long drawn out story arc with little resolution is fairly low ever since X-Files. But I could be wrong. It's early yet.
It was fun to see more of Meryl. She's probably one of my favorite characters, though honestly I enjoy all the main characters, Murdock, Joe, and Connor. I think I'd like his high powered druidess friend, too, but we didn't really see much of her in this book. I liked the hint of sexual tension with Murdock in the last book, though he's straight, so nothing could come from that anyway. Still, I missed it.
I liked the introduction of Connor's brother, I think it'll be interesting to learn more about that relationship, both the history of their interaction and how Connor's loss of power will affect things.
The world continues to be very well developed. I like all of the political intrigue and I like that even as Connor tries to avoid it he starts to play the political game.
Also, Meryl kicks ass. I'm just saying. And she's exactly the kind of person Connor needs in his life.
The story was interesting, though I'm afraid that story arc about how and why Connor lost his powers is going to become annoying fairly quickly. I find my tolerance for the long drawn out story arc with little resolution is fairly low ever since X-Files. But I could be wrong. It's early yet.
It was fun to see more of Meryl. She's probably one of my favorite characters, though honestly I enjoy all the main characters, Murdock, Joe, and Connor. I think I'd like his high powered druidess friend, too, but we didn't really see much of her in this book. I liked the hint of sexual tension with Murdock in the last book, though he's straight, so nothing could come from that anyway. Still, I missed it.
I liked the introduction of Connor's brother, I think it'll be interesting to learn more about that relationship, both the history of their interaction and how Connor's loss of power will affect things.
The world continues to be very well developed. I like all of the political intrigue and I like that even as Connor tries to avoid it he starts to play the political game.
Also, Meryl kicks ass. I'm just saying. And she's exactly the kind of person Connor needs in his life.
November 26, 2014
Franco’s second book in the series, Unquiet Dreams, delves into the world of gangs and drugs. Moke and C-Note are both trolls and rival gang leaders and a powerful Druid ends up dead at the center where he has created a safe heaven for the street kids in The Weird. During his investigation Connor stumbles across a new drug, that seems to have some unusual magical abilities. He must find the source of the drug, stop the gangs from fighting, all before a big political meeting takes place.
While some aspects of the story still remind me of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series, Franco has created his own little world in Boston and his books are an enjoyable read. Connor is intelligent, but the questions remains whether he is smart enough to understand that we all evolve as beings. That very few people remain as they have always been. Embracing our changing natures, growing as people, and learning to empathize with those around us are valuable lessons. Hopefully Connor learns them soon enough to effect real change in his life and contribute to successful lasting friendships.
Read more at Absurdly Nerdly
While some aspects of the story still remind me of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series, Franco has created his own little world in Boston and his books are an enjoyable read. Connor is intelligent, but the questions remains whether he is smart enough to understand that we all evolve as beings. That very few people remain as they have always been. Embracing our changing natures, growing as people, and learning to empathize with those around us are valuable lessons. Hopefully Connor learns them soon enough to effect real change in his life and contribute to successful lasting friendships.
Read more at Absurdly Nerdly
June 9, 2008
I WANT to like this series more than I am. This is book #2, and I'd thought it would develop a bit more than the first, making me feel more attached. I still liked it, but some of the development is still lacking. First of all, I'm sick of reading about Grey's lost abilities. In these urban fantasies, you want your hero to always have one or two tricks up his sleeve, some powers that are too awesome for the bad guys to overcome. Grey always pulls it out, but usually due to someone else helping him or making it happen. Also, the politics of this series is a bit more nebulous and harder to follow than I'm used to.
In this book, Grey (working as a consultant for the police, since he's no longer powerful enough to be in the supernatural "Guild") is investigating the murder of a human teenager, which seems to be connected both to supernatural gangs and drugs... as well as an also-murdered supernatural VIP. Told to stay AWAY from the VIP case, he can't because he knows they are connected.
One more book, when it comes out, then I'd better like it more, and Grey needs to regain at least some of his powers.
In this book, Grey (working as a consultant for the police, since he's no longer powerful enough to be in the supernatural "Guild") is investigating the murder of a human teenager, which seems to be connected both to supernatural gangs and drugs... as well as an also-murdered supernatural VIP. Told to stay AWAY from the VIP case, he can't because he knows they are connected.
One more book, when it comes out, then I'd better like it more, and Grey needs to regain at least some of his powers.
February 23, 2011
The second of the "Connor Grey" series. Grey is a magic-crippled druid in a world still dealing with the "Convergence" of both Celtic and Teutonic fey into the world. Mysteriously injured before the series begins, he now ekes out a living as a consultant to the Boston PD on fey issues, while he tries to rebuild his life and regain his self-respect.
Del Franco does some great worldbuilding here. He does best in dealing with the nitty-gritty of politics and crime and society, less so when power levels escalate and he has to woo-woo his way around magical stuff. That hurts the tale some, but it's made up for by some very nice characterization. Grey is interesting enough, wavering between self-pity and the vestiges of arrogance, but the supporting cast (fey and otherwise) also shine.
As with the first book, the climactic battle between the forces of etc. is, in some way, the weak point, never quite gelling like the rest of the tale did. But the rest of the tale is done well enough to keep me coming back.
Recommended for folks who like urban fantasy (particularly the Dresden Files).
Del Franco does some great worldbuilding here. He does best in dealing with the nitty-gritty of politics and crime and society, less so when power levels escalate and he has to woo-woo his way around magical stuff. That hurts the tale some, but it's made up for by some very nice characterization. Grey is interesting enough, wavering between self-pity and the vestiges of arrogance, but the supporting cast (fey and otherwise) also shine.
As with the first book, the climactic battle between the forces of etc. is, in some way, the weak point, never quite gelling like the rest of the tale did. But the rest of the tale is done well enough to keep me coming back.
Recommended for folks who like urban fantasy (particularly the Dresden Files).
March 25, 2008
Fairies in Boston! Woo!
OK, aside from the fact that this series is set in my hometown, I'm so glad to have discovered another satisfying urban fantasy series. As a teen, I devoured every urban fantasy I could find (Charles de Lint, Terri Windling, Emma Bull, etc.) and I'm always on the lookout for a new world to wander in to. Mark del Franco's series reminds me a bit of the Bordertown series, in terms of a human, mortal city colliding with Faerie of the (original, dark) stories, but it also stands on its own as a procedural mystery with a beaten down but optimistic Druid detective at the center. I appreciate the characters a lot, as I care about them, and the frequent exchanges of wit and humor lighten up what is often a fairly grim murder or vicious event at the center. This is also a series that would totally work for older teens -- I myself would've read this in a heartbeat as a 16 year old, and while there are references to sex and violence, nothing's too explicit or excessive.
OK, aside from the fact that this series is set in my hometown, I'm so glad to have discovered another satisfying urban fantasy series. As a teen, I devoured every urban fantasy I could find (Charles de Lint, Terri Windling, Emma Bull, etc.) and I'm always on the lookout for a new world to wander in to. Mark del Franco's series reminds me a bit of the Bordertown series, in terms of a human, mortal city colliding with Faerie of the (original, dark) stories, but it also stands on its own as a procedural mystery with a beaten down but optimistic Druid detective at the center. I appreciate the characters a lot, as I care about them, and the frequent exchanges of wit and humor lighten up what is often a fairly grim murder or vicious event at the center. This is also a series that would totally work for older teens -- I myself would've read this in a heartbeat as a 16 year old, and while there are references to sex and violence, nothing's too explicit or excessive.
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