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Nicolas Lenoir #1
Darkwalker
He used to be the best detective on the job. Until he became the hunted...
Once a legendary police inspector, Nicolas Lenoir is now a disillusioned and broken man who spends his days going through the motions and his evenings drinking away the nightmares of his past. Ten years ago, Lenoir barely escaped the grasp of the Darkwalker, a vengeful spirit who demands a terrible toll on those who have offended the dead. But the Darkwalker does not give up on his prey so easily, and Lenoir has always known his debt would come due one day.
When Lenoir is assigned to a disturbing new case, he treats the job with his usual apathy—until his best informant, a street savvy orphan, is kidnapped. Desperate to find his young friend before the worst befalls him, Lenoir will do anything to catch the monster responsible for the crimes, even if it means walking willingly into the arms of his own doom…...
Once a legendary police inspector, Nicolas Lenoir is now a disillusioned and broken man who spends his days going through the motions and his evenings drinking away the nightmares of his past. Ten years ago, Lenoir barely escaped the grasp of the Darkwalker, a vengeful spirit who demands a terrible toll on those who have offended the dead. But the Darkwalker does not give up on his prey so easily, and Lenoir has always known his debt would come due one day.
When Lenoir is assigned to a disturbing new case, he treats the job with his usual apathy—until his best informant, a street savvy orphan, is kidnapped. Desperate to find his young friend before the worst befalls him, Lenoir will do anything to catch the monster responsible for the crimes, even if it means walking willingly into the arms of his own doom…...
360 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
25 people are currently reading
1764 people want to read
About the author
E.L. Tettensor
2 books53 followersNative Canadian, longtime New Yorker, purveyor of fine mysteries. Nicolas Lenoir is the first series by EL Tettensor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
December 9, 2013
Update: An interview with the author on the blog and a giveaway http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...
Wow, what a surprising and fantastic paranormal debut from E.L. Tettensor. With its dark mystery vibes and Victorian era inspired fantasy setting, this book was practically screaming my name when it was first brought to my attention, and even then I ended up with much more than I bargained for. That's definitely one way to make me a happy reader.
Darkwalker is the first book of the new Nicolas Lenoir series, starring the eponymous main character who was once a greatly esteemed and talented police inspector known for his tenacity and respect for justice. But now Lenoir is a shadow of who he once was, a jaded man who has grown dismissive of his work as well as the people around him, much to the annoyance of Sergeant Kody, who had thought being assigned to the legendary inspector would be the opportunity of a lifetime.
No one knows that behind that contemptuous demeanor and the apathy, Nicolas Lenoir is actually hiding a secret past. Something hunts him, a vindictive spirit known as the Darkwalker that will not stop once he has marked someone for death. Now a disturbing new case has brought the Darkwalker to Lenoir's neck of the woods, and the detective has to solve the mystery before the spirit of vengeance catches up to him...and time runs out for a young boy he cares for.
First, looking back at the notes I took for this review, I almost feel like I need to apologize to the book for brushing off its introduction as "slow". Granted, it took me longer than I expected to read the first sixty or so pages, not only because so little happens during this stage of setting up the story but also because I reacted so negatively to the main character's attitude. Simply put, Lenoir is a jerk. The way he treated Kody and looked down his nose on the case in the opening chapter made me want to punch him in the face. At this point, I almost started to dread the idea of reading further. But I shouldn't have doubted! Now that I'm done with the book, I could see that everything happened for a reason. I wouldn't have enjoyed this one so much if not for all the information that was given to me in the introduction, and likewise I would not have appreciated Lenoir for who he is at the end had not acted like such a curmudgeon at the beginning.
On that note, this story definitely includes one of those mystery plots that will have the reader flipping back the pages to a previous spot in the book, just to marvel at how the author had been dropping bits of clues and other details from the very start. I was still genuinely shocked at how things turned out; the answer came as unexpectedly to me as it did to the inspector.
Darkwalker also impresses me on the fantasy side of things. Lenoir works out of a city called Kennian, part of the Five Villages area, described as a rather backwater part of the book's world. The setting reminds me of turn-of-the-19th-century England, home to a population that largely does not acknowledge the existence of the paranormal, making the thing hunting Lenoir all the more creepy and unsettling. In addition, E.L. Tettensor has created a group of people and culture called the Adal, a society of pastoral nomads persecuted for their outsider status as well as the actions of a few bad apples. The subject of Adali magic plays a big role in the case, and Tettensor has also crafted a very thorough and rich history for her fictional race. I am overall very pleased with the amount of world building presented in this book.
Everything in the plot just came together so well. Once you reach the point where the story takes off, it doesn't slow down. After making it through the introductory chapters, I was quickly drawn in by the intrigue and mystery, especially when I was treated to a brief glimpse of the brilliant and passionate detective Lenoir used to be. I found I could not bear to put this book down during the final hundred pages, and stayed up into the wee hours of the night just to finish.
Of course, there is still the big question of Nicolas Lenoir's past, which did not go fully addressed. So I was so glad to see this would be a series, even though this book can certainly be read as a stand alone with no cliffhangers or glaring loose ends to worry about. I would love to see further exploration into his character and this world, or heck, even stories about Lenoir that take place in an earlier time. Regardless of what comes next, I'm really looking forward to book two!
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...
Wow, what a surprising and fantastic paranormal debut from E.L. Tettensor. With its dark mystery vibes and Victorian era inspired fantasy setting, this book was practically screaming my name when it was first brought to my attention, and even then I ended up with much more than I bargained for. That's definitely one way to make me a happy reader.
Darkwalker is the first book of the new Nicolas Lenoir series, starring the eponymous main character who was once a greatly esteemed and talented police inspector known for his tenacity and respect for justice. But now Lenoir is a shadow of who he once was, a jaded man who has grown dismissive of his work as well as the people around him, much to the annoyance of Sergeant Kody, who had thought being assigned to the legendary inspector would be the opportunity of a lifetime.
No one knows that behind that contemptuous demeanor and the apathy, Nicolas Lenoir is actually hiding a secret past. Something hunts him, a vindictive spirit known as the Darkwalker that will not stop once he has marked someone for death. Now a disturbing new case has brought the Darkwalker to Lenoir's neck of the woods, and the detective has to solve the mystery before the spirit of vengeance catches up to him...and time runs out for a young boy he cares for.
First, looking back at the notes I took for this review, I almost feel like I need to apologize to the book for brushing off its introduction as "slow". Granted, it took me longer than I expected to read the first sixty or so pages, not only because so little happens during this stage of setting up the story but also because I reacted so negatively to the main character's attitude. Simply put, Lenoir is a jerk. The way he treated Kody and looked down his nose on the case in the opening chapter made me want to punch him in the face. At this point, I almost started to dread the idea of reading further. But I shouldn't have doubted! Now that I'm done with the book, I could see that everything happened for a reason. I wouldn't have enjoyed this one so much if not for all the information that was given to me in the introduction, and likewise I would not have appreciated Lenoir for who he is at the end had not acted like such a curmudgeon at the beginning.
On that note, this story definitely includes one of those mystery plots that will have the reader flipping back the pages to a previous spot in the book, just to marvel at how the author had been dropping bits of clues and other details from the very start. I was still genuinely shocked at how things turned out; the answer came as unexpectedly to me as it did to the inspector.
Darkwalker also impresses me on the fantasy side of things. Lenoir works out of a city called Kennian, part of the Five Villages area, described as a rather backwater part of the book's world. The setting reminds me of turn-of-the-19th-century England, home to a population that largely does not acknowledge the existence of the paranormal, making the thing hunting Lenoir all the more creepy and unsettling. In addition, E.L. Tettensor has created a group of people and culture called the Adal, a society of pastoral nomads persecuted for their outsider status as well as the actions of a few bad apples. The subject of Adali magic plays a big role in the case, and Tettensor has also crafted a very thorough and rich history for her fictional race. I am overall very pleased with the amount of world building presented in this book.
Everything in the plot just came together so well. Once you reach the point where the story takes off, it doesn't slow down. After making it through the introductory chapters, I was quickly drawn in by the intrigue and mystery, especially when I was treated to a brief glimpse of the brilliant and passionate detective Lenoir used to be. I found I could not bear to put this book down during the final hundred pages, and stayed up into the wee hours of the night just to finish.
Of course, there is still the big question of Nicolas Lenoir's past, which did not go fully addressed. So I was so glad to see this would be a series, even though this book can certainly be read as a stand alone with no cliffhangers or glaring loose ends to worry about. I would love to see further exploration into his character and this world, or heck, even stories about Lenoir that take place in an earlier time. Regardless of what comes next, I'm really looking forward to book two!
December 9, 2014
Well, I see lots of 5 star ratings here. Hummm....I think I'm about to, inflame some emotions. Sorry. Let me say up front that if you enjoyed the book I'm happy for you, ecstatic even. Enjoy. I on the other hand...didn't.
Did you ever hear the saying that it was more exciting to "watch paint dry"? Yeah...I went looking for paint to watch.
This claims to be urban fantasy. Well, look hard and you'll find the fantasy part. Mostly this is a mystery set in Victorian England. There is an underlying theme that crosses over toward UF but it sort hangs around behind the curtain sort of peeking through with its green eyes. Our "hero" is sort of a clinically depressed and possibly bipolar Hercule Poirot. The rest of the Metropolitan Police don't have much use for him...but he's an inspector so he ranks people, especially his sergeant. He generally isn't interested in doing any actual police work and what little effort he asserts is to explain why cases can't be solved and should mostly be forgotten about.
Oh yes...something horrible happened 10 years ago and it's why he's such a miserable, unlikable, pointless jerk. It is of course haunting him and he's convinced "it" will one day catch up with him.
Good wind up. I trudged through half this book...disappearances and dead bodies, some bloody gory scenes, a few hints as to what else is going on... and a lot of yawns. I kept forcing my mind back to the book, making myself stick with it as obviously it was going to get better. The interesting story would jump out at me at any time.
It didn't. I skimmed through the rest of the book...and returned it.
If it's your cup of tea fine enjoy. If on the other hand you generally like the same books I do I'd recommend....
Save yourself! Run fast, run far!
Can't recommend this one.
Did you ever hear the saying that it was more exciting to "watch paint dry"? Yeah...I went looking for paint to watch.
This claims to be urban fantasy. Well, look hard and you'll find the fantasy part. Mostly this is a mystery set in Victorian England. There is an underlying theme that crosses over toward UF but it sort hangs around behind the curtain sort of peeking through with its green eyes. Our "hero" is sort of a clinically depressed and possibly bipolar Hercule Poirot. The rest of the Metropolitan Police don't have much use for him...but he's an inspector so he ranks people, especially his sergeant. He generally isn't interested in doing any actual police work and what little effort he asserts is to explain why cases can't be solved and should mostly be forgotten about.
Oh yes...something horrible happened 10 years ago and it's why he's such a miserable, unlikable, pointless jerk. It is of course haunting him and he's convinced "it" will one day catch up with him.
Good wind up. I trudged through half this book...disappearances and dead bodies, some bloody gory scenes, a few hints as to what else is going on... and a lot of yawns. I kept forcing my mind back to the book, making myself stick with it as obviously it was going to get better. The interesting story would jump out at me at any time.
It didn't. I skimmed through the rest of the book...and returned it.
If it's your cup of tea fine enjoy. If on the other hand you generally like the same books I do I'd recommend....
Save yourself! Run fast, run far!
Can't recommend this one.
October 11, 2014
An Interesting Start with Problems - 3.5 Stars
Also Posted at The Literary Lawyer.ca
In this interesting introduction to Inspector Nicolas Lenoir, we are introduced to an urban fantasy world set in the Victorian era. The book is atmospheric and the reader might expect Jack the Ripper to make an appearance. This debut novel had some hits and some misses but succeeds in being more positive than negative.
Plot summary
Nicolas Lenoir is a legendary inspector of the Metropolitan Police force. Unfortunately he is not feeling quite so legendary these days. Bad choices and compromise have left him lazy while questioning his future. When a series of kidnappings and grave robberies bear similar signatures and point to a "gypsy" community, Lenoir is content to ignore the situation until it hits him close to home. Having a personal stake in the investigation, Lenior dusts off his skills and dives into the investigation. Little does he know is that he will be forced to deal with a darkness from his past and face his own mortality while fighting for another's future.
The Good
Who Doesn't Love a Tortured Genius
I found Lenoir to be an interesting character. He shows flashes of genius while preferring inaction and a greased palm to hard police work. We are given the impression that his reticence goes beyond simple laziness. While Lenoir's past could have been better developed, I found him an interesting character nonetheless. The author does a passable job of presenting a troubled character whose guilt and underlying good nature manages to prevail in the midst of the darkness.
The novel is well written with clean prose. The story doesn't move at a quick pace as it is, in part, a story of the internal struggles of the inspector. The supernatural is present but not pervasive. There are whispers of magic and the appearance of a supernatural being. The world of the mythical is clouded with disbelief and mystery. Don't expect Harry Dresden or even Peter Grant. I had the sense that the author wanted a "Sherlockian" main character who is forced to deal with mystical and unknown.
The Bad
Did I Miss Something?
While it may seem to be contradictory, the novel felt like both a stand alone novel and the second book in a series. In the first third of the book I consistently had the feeling I had missed some information about the characters and the world. As a result, it took too long to feel integrated into the story. While I still enjoyed the story, I can understand how some readers might abandon the story in the early going. The story also lacked the sense that this was part of a series. While the main character was developed, his police agency, friends and coworkers were simply background noise. If this is to be a series that I will continue to read over the long term, I want to see development outside of Lenoir.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Darkwalker is the start to a promising new series. Despite some warts, the story presents a main character who is beset by his own darkness ("Le Noir" - kinda obvious isn't it) while possessing positive, albeit restrained goodness. If the author continues her solid writing and improves her world building, this could be a successful and interesting series for years to come.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 1.5
There is some insinuation that a character is running a business in which some immoral activity is occurring. This is not a major point in the story and there is minimal space devoted to it. There is a the sense of romantic interested but nothing overtly sexual. Sexual content is acceptable for all ages.
Language - 2
Very little language stood out. I do not recall any usage of the f-word and some minor usage of mild obscenities. I would say the language is acceptable for all ages.
Violence - 3
The story is not especially violent. There are several scene in which characters are beaten in the streets. There is some fantasy violence with mild (but non-gory) horror elements. Part of the plot include young boys being kidnapped. It is understood that they are being harmed and hurt. Several scene include boys screaming in pain and terror but the method is not disclosed. There is a gun fight and some other minor violence.
Also Posted at The Literary Lawyer.ca
In this interesting introduction to Inspector Nicolas Lenoir, we are introduced to an urban fantasy world set in the Victorian era. The book is atmospheric and the reader might expect Jack the Ripper to make an appearance. This debut novel had some hits and some misses but succeeds in being more positive than negative.
Plot summary
Nicolas Lenoir is a legendary inspector of the Metropolitan Police force. Unfortunately he is not feeling quite so legendary these days. Bad choices and compromise have left him lazy while questioning his future. When a series of kidnappings and grave robberies bear similar signatures and point to a "gypsy" community, Lenoir is content to ignore the situation until it hits him close to home. Having a personal stake in the investigation, Lenior dusts off his skills and dives into the investigation. Little does he know is that he will be forced to deal with a darkness from his past and face his own mortality while fighting for another's future.
The Good
Who Doesn't Love a Tortured Genius
I found Lenoir to be an interesting character. He shows flashes of genius while preferring inaction and a greased palm to hard police work. We are given the impression that his reticence goes beyond simple laziness. While Lenoir's past could have been better developed, I found him an interesting character nonetheless. The author does a passable job of presenting a troubled character whose guilt and underlying good nature manages to prevail in the midst of the darkness.
The novel is well written with clean prose. The story doesn't move at a quick pace as it is, in part, a story of the internal struggles of the inspector. The supernatural is present but not pervasive. There are whispers of magic and the appearance of a supernatural being. The world of the mythical is clouded with disbelief and mystery. Don't expect Harry Dresden or even Peter Grant. I had the sense that the author wanted a "Sherlockian" main character who is forced to deal with mystical and unknown.
The Bad
Did I Miss Something?
While it may seem to be contradictory, the novel felt like both a stand alone novel and the second book in a series. In the first third of the book I consistently had the feeling I had missed some information about the characters and the world. As a result, it took too long to feel integrated into the story. While I still enjoyed the story, I can understand how some readers might abandon the story in the early going. The story also lacked the sense that this was part of a series. While the main character was developed, his police agency, friends and coworkers were simply background noise. If this is to be a series that I will continue to read over the long term, I want to see development outside of Lenoir.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Darkwalker is the start to a promising new series. Despite some warts, the story presents a main character who is beset by his own darkness ("Le Noir" - kinda obvious isn't it) while possessing positive, albeit restrained goodness. If the author continues her solid writing and improves her world building, this could be a successful and interesting series for years to come.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 1.5
There is some insinuation that a character is running a business in which some immoral activity is occurring. This is not a major point in the story and there is minimal space devoted to it. There is a the sense of romantic interested but nothing overtly sexual. Sexual content is acceptable for all ages.
Language - 2
Very little language stood out. I do not recall any usage of the f-word and some minor usage of mild obscenities. I would say the language is acceptable for all ages.
Violence - 3
The story is not especially violent. There are several scene in which characters are beaten in the streets. There is some fantasy violence with mild (but non-gory) horror elements. Part of the plot include young boys being kidnapped. It is understood that they are being harmed and hurt. Several scene include boys screaming in pain and terror but the method is not disclosed. There is a gun fight and some other minor violence.
June 15, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I didn’t connect with this character as much as I did the characters in the author’s other series (The Bloodbound, Erin Lindsey), but I still enjoyed the reading experience. I’m not gonna lie, I found many of the plot points to be a bit predictable, but the writing was good enough that I was willing to forgive that. I do like a paranormal detective story, even if Nicolas Lenoir is a moody, often drunken jerk. There’s a bit too much lingering (without details) on the big bad awful thing that happened in his past that left him in this detached state.
He may initially remind the reader of Sherlock Holmes, but there are significant differences. His alcohol dependence resembles Holmes’ drug habit, but the reasons behind them are different. Holmes indulges occasionally when he’s bored, Lenoir drinks every night to forget the dark event in his past. Holmes, for all his disdain for regular people, is pretty honest & upright. Lenoir is open to bribery and willing to slack on investigations that he doesn’t consider particularly important. With his snarly, detached demeanour, Lenoir is certainly lacking a sidekick like Watson, although he has Sergeant Kody waiting in the wings to fill the position. In this volume, Lenoir has Zach, a wily orphan boy, who stands in for all the Baker Street Irregulars, to help him with his inquiries.
The setting is Victorian without being set in London. This world is obviously not ours and we learn the differences as the story progresses. Magic is very much a thing in this reality and has to be taken into account. The Adali people are very Romany-like and provide an exotic source of tension.
This author will be at the August conference that I’ll be attending. I think I’ll have read all of her books by then! She has attended before and I enjoyed her perspectives on fiction and writing, so I’m looking forward to more of the same.
I didn’t connect with this character as much as I did the characters in the author’s other series (The Bloodbound, Erin Lindsey), but I still enjoyed the reading experience. I’m not gonna lie, I found many of the plot points to be a bit predictable, but the writing was good enough that I was willing to forgive that. I do like a paranormal detective story, even if Nicolas Lenoir is a moody, often drunken jerk. There’s a bit too much lingering (without details) on the big bad awful thing that happened in his past that left him in this detached state.
He may initially remind the reader of Sherlock Holmes, but there are significant differences. His alcohol dependence resembles Holmes’ drug habit, but the reasons behind them are different. Holmes indulges occasionally when he’s bored, Lenoir drinks every night to forget the dark event in his past. Holmes, for all his disdain for regular people, is pretty honest & upright. Lenoir is open to bribery and willing to slack on investigations that he doesn’t consider particularly important. With his snarly, detached demeanour, Lenoir is certainly lacking a sidekick like Watson, although he has Sergeant Kody waiting in the wings to fill the position. In this volume, Lenoir has Zach, a wily orphan boy, who stands in for all the Baker Street Irregulars, to help him with his inquiries.
The setting is Victorian without being set in London. This world is obviously not ours and we learn the differences as the story progresses. Magic is very much a thing in this reality and has to be taken into account. The Adali people are very Romany-like and provide an exotic source of tension.
This author will be at the August conference that I’ll be attending. I think I’ll have read all of her books by then! She has attended before and I enjoyed her perspectives on fiction and writing, so I’m looking forward to more of the same.
June 1, 2017
2.5
To be honest, my feelings and opinion on this book are all over the place. It starts decent enough. The first scene in the book is a man digging up a grave of a nine-year-old. You are thrown into what seems to be an ordinary grave-robbing case. The two called to investigate are the protagonist Nicolas Lenoir and his Sergeant Kody. Their relationship is strained. Kody is sick of Lenoir's inaction and outright dismissal of anything that might move the case forward. He would have to work, you see. Lenoir isn't very likeable, but a comment here and there shows a keen and able mind. I can accept a protagonist who is reluctant to do stuff (it's been done well before and it can work), I am also patient enough to get to the point where he 'wakes up'. However, the moment he allows a barman to beat up a starving young man for a month of free food then you know he is going to need to do a lot to make up for it.
The grave-digging case soon becomes something way more sinister. Dark magic is involved too.
The reason Lenoir is like that is because of the corruption. Poor thing. He did something bad in the past and drew the attention of a vengeful spirit, who hunts people who offended the dead. Lenoir ran to another country, far far away from his city and spent the last ten years having nightmares and looking over his shoulder. He is full of self-loathing. It is well deserved.
Nothing seems to move the good inspector to do his job until his young friend, a nine-year-old street urchin goes missing. Now, that seems to light a fire under Lenoir and a good thing too. I would have hated him with passion if he had been indifferent. You can't but love the boy.
Besides the adorable street urchin, the story gets a point for not trying to make the majority of people there bad. The book was a bit preachy at times when it comes to the nomadic Adali. The not all repetitions got a bit annoying. Especially when the Adali themselves aren't doing much to improve their image.
As for the genres, Darkwalker is not urban fantasy. It takes place in an imaginary world similar to Victorian one.
Overall, the story is a combination of good and bad. That Darkwalker is a good idea. I hope this wasn't the last time we see him. Yes, I'm going to read the second book too because Lenoir does 'wake up' and redeems himself.
To be honest, my feelings and opinion on this book are all over the place. It starts decent enough. The first scene in the book is a man digging up a grave of a nine-year-old. You are thrown into what seems to be an ordinary grave-robbing case. The two called to investigate are the protagonist Nicolas Lenoir and his Sergeant Kody. Their relationship is strained. Kody is sick of Lenoir's inaction and outright dismissal of anything that might move the case forward. He would have to work, you see. Lenoir isn't very likeable, but a comment here and there shows a keen and able mind. I can accept a protagonist who is reluctant to do stuff (it's been done well before and it can work), I am also patient enough to get to the point where he 'wakes up'. However, the moment he allows a barman to beat up a starving young man for a month of free food then you know he is going to need to do a lot to make up for it.
The grave-digging case soon becomes something way more sinister. Dark magic is involved too.
The reason Lenoir is like that is because of the corruption. Poor thing. He did something bad in the past and drew the attention of a vengeful spirit, who hunts people who offended the dead. Lenoir ran to another country, far far away from his city and spent the last ten years having nightmares and looking over his shoulder. He is full of self-loathing. It is well deserved.
Nothing seems to move the good inspector to do his job until his young friend, a nine-year-old street urchin goes missing. Now, that seems to light a fire under Lenoir and a good thing too. I would have hated him with passion if he had been indifferent. You can't but love the boy.
Besides the adorable street urchin, the story gets a point for not trying to make the majority of people there bad. The book was a bit preachy at times when it comes to the nomadic Adali. The not all repetitions got a bit annoying. Especially when the Adali themselves aren't doing much to improve their image.
As for the genres, Darkwalker is not urban fantasy. It takes place in an imaginary world similar to Victorian one.
Overall, the story is a combination of good and bad. That Darkwalker is a good idea. I hope this wasn't the last time we see him. Yes, I'm going to read the second book too because Lenoir does 'wake up' and redeems himself.
January 5, 2015
Fantasy Review Barn
A jaded police investigator in a Victorian setting. His star struck young partner disillusioned at finding his hero a shell of the stories told about him. Petty crimes proving to be forbearers of something more sinister. A plucky child in danger proving to be the linchpin needed to solve the mystery. Darkwalker is the type of cozy mystery I most enjoy; quick pacing, a tight plot, and just enough supernatural to keep everything off balance.
Nicolas Lenoir is the aforementioned grizzled investigator. Prepare to dislike him from the start. He seems uninterested in cases, quick to snipe at his partner, and all too ready to get back to town hang out in a cozy social club. That he is a man of legend among his own force suggests there is a backstory we are not seeing which of course comes out in due time (though when it hits it proves to be one of the few confusing aspects of an otherwise solid story). Along with his partner Kody he is looking into a grave robbery in an outlying village. Kody is his opposite in every way. Young, athletic and a dead shot with a crossbow. He is also, thankfully, quite intelligent despite a bit of youthful brashness. It is good to see partners on a bit more equal footing than the norm. Though Lenoir is obviously the alpha, and Kody despises the man he has become, Kody is still allowed to proceed right past Lenoir’s occasional objections.
A nice genre mix-up is involved in Darkwalker. There is a mystery that stands as the core of the book. Typical piece the clues together and hope we are not too late stuff, but well written. It comes complete with a bit of ‘a friend is in deep trouble,’ which conveniently kicks Lenoir out of his lethargy. But this is also very much an urban fantasy; the faux-Victorian setting here proving that steampunk is not the only one who can own the conventions of the time. The fantasy aspects from the titular Darkwalker, an original creation that deserves his own page in the great big book of awesome supernatural creatures. The Darkwalker is a legend from an outcast group called the Adali who obviously proves to have a root in fact. His tie to Lenoir is a bit hazy but takes some incredible turns that caught this jaded reader by surprise.
I really enjoyed the setting of this tale; the creation of the Five Villages and their budding legal system especially. Already, despite phenomenal success in some cases, a jaded feeling is showing. As would be expected in a land with a noble class the law is there for certain people and not others. Certain people are untouchable at this point but that is something that Lenoir seems unwilling to allow to continue. Like a more serious version of Pratchett’s city guards Darkwalker runs a sub current (beneath all the other things it is working on of course) of a police forces still trying to find itself; its limits, and its potential.
I also was a bit fan of the Adali culture; a nomadic herding culture dealing with persecution with the five cities. I especially was a fan of the unique economy they used and the social implications of it. But if I worry about anything it comes from two years of conversing about speculative fiction with others; I know there are some questions to be asked with the only magic comes from a shamanistic dark skin ‘other’ people. I just hope the people of the Five Villages eventually show that they too have magical affinities at some point. I also had a few minor points that stayed confused in my eyes dealing with Lenoir’s earlier association with the Darkwalker but they were nothing the broke the flow of the tale.
Something cozy but a bit different. Urban fantasy in a secondary world. What is not to like, right?
4 Stars
A jaded police investigator in a Victorian setting. His star struck young partner disillusioned at finding his hero a shell of the stories told about him. Petty crimes proving to be forbearers of something more sinister. A plucky child in danger proving to be the linchpin needed to solve the mystery. Darkwalker is the type of cozy mystery I most enjoy; quick pacing, a tight plot, and just enough supernatural to keep everything off balance.
Nicolas Lenoir is the aforementioned grizzled investigator. Prepare to dislike him from the start. He seems uninterested in cases, quick to snipe at his partner, and all too ready to get back to town hang out in a cozy social club. That he is a man of legend among his own force suggests there is a backstory we are not seeing which of course comes out in due time (though when it hits it proves to be one of the few confusing aspects of an otherwise solid story). Along with his partner Kody he is looking into a grave robbery in an outlying village. Kody is his opposite in every way. Young, athletic and a dead shot with a crossbow. He is also, thankfully, quite intelligent despite a bit of youthful brashness. It is good to see partners on a bit more equal footing than the norm. Though Lenoir is obviously the alpha, and Kody despises the man he has become, Kody is still allowed to proceed right past Lenoir’s occasional objections.
A nice genre mix-up is involved in Darkwalker. There is a mystery that stands as the core of the book. Typical piece the clues together and hope we are not too late stuff, but well written. It comes complete with a bit of ‘a friend is in deep trouble,’ which conveniently kicks Lenoir out of his lethargy. But this is also very much an urban fantasy; the faux-Victorian setting here proving that steampunk is not the only one who can own the conventions of the time. The fantasy aspects from the titular Darkwalker, an original creation that deserves his own page in the great big book of awesome supernatural creatures. The Darkwalker is a legend from an outcast group called the Adali who obviously proves to have a root in fact. His tie to Lenoir is a bit hazy but takes some incredible turns that caught this jaded reader by surprise.
I really enjoyed the setting of this tale; the creation of the Five Villages and their budding legal system especially. Already, despite phenomenal success in some cases, a jaded feeling is showing. As would be expected in a land with a noble class the law is there for certain people and not others. Certain people are untouchable at this point but that is something that Lenoir seems unwilling to allow to continue. Like a more serious version of Pratchett’s city guards Darkwalker runs a sub current (beneath all the other things it is working on of course) of a police forces still trying to find itself; its limits, and its potential.
I also was a bit fan of the Adali culture; a nomadic herding culture dealing with persecution with the five cities. I especially was a fan of the unique economy they used and the social implications of it. But if I worry about anything it comes from two years of conversing about speculative fiction with others; I know there are some questions to be asked with the only magic comes from a shamanistic dark skin ‘other’ people. I just hope the people of the Five Villages eventually show that they too have magical affinities at some point. I also had a few minor points that stayed confused in my eyes dealing with Lenoir’s earlier association with the Darkwalker but they were nothing the broke the flow of the tale.
Something cozy but a bit different. Urban fantasy in a secondary world. What is not to like, right?
4 Stars
July 21, 2015
I waffled between a 2 1/2 (it's okay) and a 3 (liked it with reservations) with this one but ended up settling on 2 1/2 after much thought and some rereading. The beginning was tedious, but later parts of the book were better and even fun, though I was never excited about reading it. There's potential, but I thought the execution could have been much better.
Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2015/0...
Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2015/0...
January 5, 2014
U P D A T E ! ! ! U P D A T E ! ! ! U P D A T E ! ! ! 2014-01-05
My full review is now available. Therefore I moved my first impression to the end of this box. The following text has been posted on my blog Edi's Book Lighthouse and in modified version over at Aamazon where I post reviews under the nickname brienneselwyn.
================ Full Review
My Expectations
What more shall I expect as a most entertaining book with a Victorian setting and an antihero after reading following statement:
" E L Tettensor likes her stories the way she likes her chocolate: dark, exotic, and with a hint of bitterness." [Source]
The Delivery
The 360 pages are divided into 26 consecutively numbered chapters and an epilogue. Narration is in the third person via several different point-of-views, whereupon the most parts are told from Nicolas Lenoir's point of view.
I As I mentioned above, I saw the cover, read the blurb and ordered a copy immediately. The paperback arrived a few days later and I had a closer look.
Nicolas Lenoir ,that sounds French in my ears. The clothing of the man on the cover is in Victorian style. I know this because I sewed something similar last year. But neither the cover nor the blurb offer any information where and when the story takes place. It is charming to see how I have been convinced that Darkwalker takes place in Victorian era. This raised my curiosity to a new level.
I belong to the kind of readers who can't resist to get more information about towns, rivers, countries, dishes, drinks and more used in a book. English is not my first language which is the reason why I need a dictionary from time to time.
That said I sunk into the first chapters.
Nicolas Lenoir is the broken man as described in the blurb. He works in Kennion. Together with Brackensvale - with around 200 inhabitants a real backwater hamlet, Denouth, North Haven and Berryvine they are known as the five villages. To my surprise none of these villages exist in England. So my assumption to get a story set in England has been wrong. Several years ago Nicolas Lenoir has been a legendary police inspector in Serles. A town in France? No. The only Serles I found is an Austrian mountain. Nicolas Lenoir likes to eat steak serlois. Does that ring a bell? It sounds really similar to serloin steak. He has a marked preference for absinthe. Bingo!! Absinthe has been a famous drink in the 19th century. The people use horses and carriages for transport. They know flintlock and crossbows. horses,
Conclusion: E L Tettensor created her very own and unique world. She did it in a way that the reader feels familiar and smoothly peregrine at the same time. This is excellent because it intensifies the mesmerising effect of Darkwalker. Such a basement - which is sophisticated and down-to-earth at the same time - is the nearly consummate stage for an intensive, dark and emotional story and striking characters.
Darkwalker is not a one-man show. Based on all information delivered by the cover and the story, Nicolas Lenoir and a lot of other people are similar to us. In other words they are human beings. But there is also another, ancient race named Adali. If would play in our world it would be gypsy to act as Adali. They are a poor race as they are constantly faced with the prejudice to be vagabonds and thieves. Little is known about their culture and as we all know missing knowledge lead to distrust and hate. And when adjectives like magical and supernatural comes into play, it heatens animosity. It is a culture clash.
The Adali are he exotic touch in Darkwalker beside Darkwalker. Darkwalker? Yes, there is ......... It is up to you to discover Darkwalker in Darkwalker.
Before I add a few words to Nicolas Lenoir, it is worth to talk about two three other characters. The young boy Zach reminded me of the Artful Dodger, a character from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Mark my words. I said reminded and not copy. It is a talent to create a unique character in such a way that you as a reader get the impression that you know something about this character. Zach is a trigger for some events and has his own story.
I talked about the Adali. On of them is Lady Zera. She tries to establish a position in human society. She is intelligent, eloquent and witty. But she is also afraid that any Adali rumor will have a negative impact on her way into society.
Nicolas Lenoiris a police inspector. He works together with Sergeant Bran Kody. The young man is in many ways like an image of the young Nicolas Lenoir when yonder entered the police. You may imagine what it means to work together with a broken man whom you constantly remind of the past.
Nicolas Lenoir who is heavily laden with events of his past which he tries to drown with a lot of green fairy which is another expression for absinthe. He does not treat Sergeant Bran Kody well. To be honest this is an understatement. Nicolas Lenoir is no friend of the police routines he has to follow and he makes no secret of it. I know another brilliant detective who used drugs and doubted police methods. No, I will not name the detective I have in mind, If you can't guess then follow THIS LINK. I admit that I did not like the inspector in the beginning. I even thought I would not like him until the end of the story. But that changed .........
Again as she exercised her world building, E L Tettensor did a great job with her characters. They are sophisticated and down-to-earth at the same time. I have been impressed by the character development especially of Nicolas Lenoir.
Now it is time to speak about the plot. At first sight there is a "whodunit" crime novel blended with dark magic. But there is so much more. There are people who either try to find their place in society or to find their place at the job or to find a home ..... Furthermore there is Nicolas Lenoir with the burden of his past, the current events and an unknown future. And there is the Darkwalker ....
It is a real joy to read how E L Tettensor cope with the cornucopia of themes, topics and emotions . Believe it or not all the stuff mentioned is interwoven and delivered with a Victorian and slightly gothic touch. Not one thing works without another. Dialogue, inner dialogue, action, descriptions are wonderfully composed and delivered in a prose which fits perfectly.
I do not beat about the bush. E L Tettensor pulls no punches. The story itself is a dark one. People are hurt physically and mentally. Nevertheless the use of violence is not exaggerated.
Finally you should know that Darkwalker has a real end which let you leave the story satisfied BUT with the urgent need to read more about the past and future of Nicolas Lenoir ,,,,,,, and .... Darkwalker .... and .... the history of the world E L Tettensor has created ... and ....,,
The Inevitable
I did not like the story! I LOVED IT!!
E L Tettensor delivered a strong debut with Darkwalker. Plot, characters and world are sophisticated and down-to-earth at the same time.
You want to read a dark crime mystery with Victorian flair, an intriguing main character, thoroughly world building and an satisfying end which leaves you with the urge for more
THEN
Darkwalker is your book of choice.
These are my totally subjective closing words
I can't wait to read the sequel. Do I have to bother the author in order to get a date for the next book? NO!
E L Tettensor has been so kind to deliver this information in her GOODREADS profile:
"The sequel to Darkwalker is due December 2014." [Source]
E L Tettensor delivered more information about the sequel in an interview over at My Bookish Ways.
"The sequel to DARKWALKER, tentatively titled MASTER OF PLAGUES, comes out in December 2014. I’m really excited about that, because it’s a very different kind of mystery than its predecessor. Hopefully, Lenoir will be making an annual appearance after that."
========================= First Impression
What a debut novel! What an excellent start of a series!
A new world with Victorian traces. A dark mystery with detective novel elements and paranormal bits.
A main character who will not be loved by every reader. I must admit that after 50 pages I thought I will not like him but there is so much character development...
As one can read on the author's site, she likes her stories the way she likes her chocolate: dark, exotic, and with a hint of bitterness.
To be honest, that is exactly what you get.
Looking forward to read more books starring Nicolas Lenoir.
My full review is now available. Therefore I moved my first impression to the end of this box. The following text has been posted on my blog Edi's Book Lighthouse and in modified version over at Aamazon where I post reviews under the nickname brienneselwyn.
================ Full Review
My Expectations
What more shall I expect as a most entertaining book with a Victorian setting and an antihero after reading following statement:
" E L Tettensor likes her stories the way she likes her chocolate: dark, exotic, and with a hint of bitterness." [Source]
The Delivery
The 360 pages are divided into 26 consecutively numbered chapters and an epilogue. Narration is in the third person via several different point-of-views, whereupon the most parts are told from Nicolas Lenoir's point of view.
I As I mentioned above, I saw the cover, read the blurb and ordered a copy immediately. The paperback arrived a few days later and I had a closer look.
Nicolas Lenoir ,that sounds French in my ears. The clothing of the man on the cover is in Victorian style. I know this because I sewed something similar last year. But neither the cover nor the blurb offer any information where and when the story takes place. It is charming to see how I have been convinced that Darkwalker takes place in Victorian era. This raised my curiosity to a new level.
I belong to the kind of readers who can't resist to get more information about towns, rivers, countries, dishes, drinks and more used in a book. English is not my first language which is the reason why I need a dictionary from time to time.
That said I sunk into the first chapters.
Nicolas Lenoir is the broken man as described in the blurb. He works in Kennion. Together with Brackensvale - with around 200 inhabitants a real backwater hamlet, Denouth, North Haven and Berryvine they are known as the five villages. To my surprise none of these villages exist in England. So my assumption to get a story set in England has been wrong. Several years ago Nicolas Lenoir has been a legendary police inspector in Serles. A town in France? No. The only Serles I found is an Austrian mountain. Nicolas Lenoir likes to eat steak serlois. Does that ring a bell? It sounds really similar to serloin steak. He has a marked preference for absinthe. Bingo!! Absinthe has been a famous drink in the 19th century. The people use horses and carriages for transport. They know flintlock and crossbows. horses,
Conclusion: E L Tettensor created her very own and unique world. She did it in a way that the reader feels familiar and smoothly peregrine at the same time. This is excellent because it intensifies the mesmerising effect of Darkwalker. Such a basement - which is sophisticated and down-to-earth at the same time - is the nearly consummate stage for an intensive, dark and emotional story and striking characters.
Darkwalker is not a one-man show. Based on all information delivered by the cover and the story, Nicolas Lenoir and a lot of other people are similar to us. In other words they are human beings. But there is also another, ancient race named Adali. If would play in our world it would be gypsy to act as Adali. They are a poor race as they are constantly faced with the prejudice to be vagabonds and thieves. Little is known about their culture and as we all know missing knowledge lead to distrust and hate. And when adjectives like magical and supernatural comes into play, it heatens animosity. It is a culture clash.
The Adali are he exotic touch in Darkwalker beside Darkwalker. Darkwalker? Yes, there is ......... It is up to you to discover Darkwalker in Darkwalker.
Before I add a few words to Nicolas Lenoir, it is worth to talk about two three other characters. The young boy Zach reminded me of the Artful Dodger, a character from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Mark my words. I said reminded and not copy. It is a talent to create a unique character in such a way that you as a reader get the impression that you know something about this character. Zach is a trigger for some events and has his own story.
I talked about the Adali. On of them is Lady Zera. She tries to establish a position in human society. She is intelligent, eloquent and witty. But she is also afraid that any Adali rumor will have a negative impact on her way into society.
Nicolas Lenoiris a police inspector. He works together with Sergeant Bran Kody. The young man is in many ways like an image of the young Nicolas Lenoir when yonder entered the police. You may imagine what it means to work together with a broken man whom you constantly remind of the past.
Nicolas Lenoir who is heavily laden with events of his past which he tries to drown with a lot of green fairy which is another expression for absinthe. He does not treat Sergeant Bran Kody well. To be honest this is an understatement. Nicolas Lenoir is no friend of the police routines he has to follow and he makes no secret of it. I know another brilliant detective who used drugs and doubted police methods. No, I will not name the detective I have in mind, If you can't guess then follow THIS LINK. I admit that I did not like the inspector in the beginning. I even thought I would not like him until the end of the story. But that changed .........
Again as she exercised her world building, E L Tettensor did a great job with her characters. They are sophisticated and down-to-earth at the same time. I have been impressed by the character development especially of Nicolas Lenoir.
Now it is time to speak about the plot. At first sight there is a "whodunit" crime novel blended with dark magic. But there is so much more. There are people who either try to find their place in society or to find their place at the job or to find a home ..... Furthermore there is Nicolas Lenoir with the burden of his past, the current events and an unknown future. And there is the Darkwalker ....
It is a real joy to read how E L Tettensor cope with the cornucopia of themes, topics and emotions . Believe it or not all the stuff mentioned is interwoven and delivered with a Victorian and slightly gothic touch. Not one thing works without another. Dialogue, inner dialogue, action, descriptions are wonderfully composed and delivered in a prose which fits perfectly.
I do not beat about the bush. E L Tettensor pulls no punches. The story itself is a dark one. People are hurt physically and mentally. Nevertheless the use of violence is not exaggerated.
Finally you should know that Darkwalker has a real end which let you leave the story satisfied BUT with the urgent need to read more about the past and future of Nicolas Lenoir ,,,,,,, and .... Darkwalker .... and .... the history of the world E L Tettensor has created ... and ....,,
The Inevitable
I did not like the story! I LOVED IT!!
E L Tettensor delivered a strong debut with Darkwalker. Plot, characters and world are sophisticated and down-to-earth at the same time.
You want to read a dark crime mystery with Victorian flair, an intriguing main character, thoroughly world building and an satisfying end which leaves you with the urge for more
THEN
Darkwalker is your book of choice.
These are my totally subjective closing words
I can't wait to read the sequel. Do I have to bother the author in order to get a date for the next book? NO!
E L Tettensor has been so kind to deliver this information in her GOODREADS profile:
"The sequel to Darkwalker is due December 2014." [Source]
E L Tettensor delivered more information about the sequel in an interview over at My Bookish Ways.
"The sequel to DARKWALKER, tentatively titled MASTER OF PLAGUES, comes out in December 2014. I’m really excited about that, because it’s a very different kind of mystery than its predecessor. Hopefully, Lenoir will be making an annual appearance after that."
========================= First Impression
What a debut novel! What an excellent start of a series!
A new world with Victorian traces. A dark mystery with detective novel elements and paranormal bits.
A main character who will not be loved by every reader. I must admit that after 50 pages I thought I will not like him but there is so much character development...
As one can read on the author's site, she likes her stories the way she likes her chocolate: dark, exotic, and with a hint of bitterness.
To be honest, that is exactly what you get.
Looking forward to read more books starring Nicolas Lenoir.
December 12, 2013
In all honesty, what I loved the most about Darkwalker is that this book fell into almost none of the pitfalls that so many books fall into. Tettensor has her own unique vision and she carries it out almost flawlessly. She could have done so much that I’m sick of (sorry). She could have made a quippy protagonist who is jaded by life and waiting in a dusty office somewhere for his next job, which will doubtlessly pit him against the empire/kingdom/whatever. She could have done that so easily, but she didn’t. She never let Darkwalker turn into the stereotypical. She kept it clear from all of that and really let her imagination fly free. I can usually smell debut novels a mile away, but I honestly didn’t know that it was a debut until I sat down to write this review. That’s saying something quite impressive right there. If this is any sign, I think Tettensor has great things in store.
Read my full review here:
http://www.bookwormblues.net/2013/12/...
Read my full review here:
http://www.bookwormblues.net/2013/12/...
December 14, 2013
A wonderful new addition to the world of literature, Darkwalker promises great things for the upcoming series.
I was immediately sucked in by delicious vocabulary that paints a vivid picture of the fictitious, yet completely believable, town of Kennian. It is similar enough to Victorian London and while the author chooses to create a world for her characters, it never feels "fake." This is particularly fascinating since the story maintains a brisk and suspenseful pace and takes few moments to indulge in gratuitous world building.
The stock summary of this title gives you a good idea that this is a gritty suspense novel with a touch of the supernatural. While maintaining the point of view primarily of a very logical yet jaded police Inspector, Nicolas Lenoir, you come to be introduced to the mysterious race of the Adali and their mystical ways, a child Lenoir comes to care for, and a foe that isn't as clear cut as he might initially believed.
The portrayal of a hunted detective who has come to see the world with cynicism is excellent. The story gets where it has to in enough time to keep you entertained but informed. Every detail is important and pulled together without making you feel lost. It is genuinely a great mystery that leaves just enough pieces hanging to make you eager to come back for more. According to the author's Twitter, the sequel has already been submitted, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out.
This is definitely a book any lover of mystery, suspense, or simply good writing, should pick up.
I was immediately sucked in by delicious vocabulary that paints a vivid picture of the fictitious, yet completely believable, town of Kennian. It is similar enough to Victorian London and while the author chooses to create a world for her characters, it never feels "fake." This is particularly fascinating since the story maintains a brisk and suspenseful pace and takes few moments to indulge in gratuitous world building.
The stock summary of this title gives you a good idea that this is a gritty suspense novel with a touch of the supernatural. While maintaining the point of view primarily of a very logical yet jaded police Inspector, Nicolas Lenoir, you come to be introduced to the mysterious race of the Adali and their mystical ways, a child Lenoir comes to care for, and a foe that isn't as clear cut as he might initially believed.
The portrayal of a hunted detective who has come to see the world with cynicism is excellent. The story gets where it has to in enough time to keep you entertained but informed. Every detail is important and pulled together without making you feel lost. It is genuinely a great mystery that leaves just enough pieces hanging to make you eager to come back for more. According to the author's Twitter, the sequel has already been submitted, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out.
This is definitely a book any lover of mystery, suspense, or simply good writing, should pick up.
April 12, 2014
A vaguely Victorian London investigatory mystery with some fantasy elements; this had some promise in its characters (I have a backburner quest to find solid fantasy-mystery hybrids), especially since we're introduced to Inspector Lenoir as somewhat of an arrogant, uncaring fellow whose brilliance nonetheless led Sergeant Kody to request assignment under him. Naturally, Lenoir has a dark backstory that explains his attitude, and there are a couple of people who have squirmed under his shell: Zach, an orphan thief who provides useful street rumors and who aspires to join the Metropolitan Police as a "hound" himself, and Zera, the hostess of celebrated salons who needs his help outside of the grave-robbing case he's supposed to be working on.
Unfortunately, the book also descends into italicized sections where a mysterious unnamed figure does mysterious things; there's a nomadic race of people that hasn't quite integrated into mainstream society that provides most of the magic in the story, but not quite enough cultural richness for me. A terrifying spirit of vengeance is named...Vincent. I kept getting pulled out, and never quite made it back in despite some intriguing alliances and betrayals.
Unfortunately, the book also descends into italicized sections where a mysterious unnamed figure does mysterious things; there's a nomadic race of people that hasn't quite integrated into mainstream society that provides most of the magic in the story, but not quite enough cultural richness for me. A terrifying spirit of vengeance is named...Vincent. I kept getting pulled out, and never quite made it back in despite some intriguing alliances and betrayals.
July 22, 2016
Its not like I went into this expecting Darkwalker to be bad, exactly. I would never waste my time digging through a garbage bin hoping to find a suitcase of money hidden among the trash. My policy is pretty much the same for books. I'm not denying the possibility that the metaphorical suitcase could be there, but I never found the rewards of employing such a tactic worthwhile. I never would have picked Darkwalker up if I hadn't hoped to find at least something worthwhile. No, I went into this expecting the same thing I expect out of most books, mediocrity. Especially since I've never heard of the author before, even in passing.
So color me surprised to find that this book wasn't mediocre, or even above average, but really very good. It has it's flaws of course, but I've never read (or in this case listened to) a book without flaws. Let's get those out of the was first, since there are relatively few.
The first and the simplest to point out is that I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt that Lenoir was never going to die during this book. I was never afraid for is life. And before anyone jumps down my throat about spoilers I would direct you to the cover where it says Darkwalker: Book 1 of the Nicolas Lenoir NOVELS which is how I knew with such certainty. I'm not sure who's oversight this was, but it made me want to smack someone on the back of the head. It broke through the suspension of disbelief for me, but maybe that's just a personal thing.
Second was that while I was never bored with this novel, I was never shocked either. I would never go so far as to say it was predictable, but it felt a little....safe? There's a twist around the 3/4 mark in the novel that I didn't see coming until just before Lenoir did (and I mean JUST before, I realized what was going to happen and then Lenoir pieced it together a few seconds later) which was good, that's how a good twist/ reveal works, however my reaction was a bit more... subdued than it should of been. It went somewhere along the lines of "Huh. Well played." instead of, "NO. NO!!! Oh my god. Oh My GOD HOW DID I NOT SEE THAT!?!?!" Let's be clear, it by no means fell flat, and maybe other people will react to it more strongly than I did, but it didn't shock me to my very core.
Which brings me to the third weakness in this book, which I feel was hinted at in an earlier part of this review, the story has a problem with making me worry for the characters. that isn't to say I don't like the characters, quite the opposite, but I was only scared for one of the characters once and that was Zachery at he very end of the book. I was getting pretty tired toward the end though, maybe that has something to do with it.
It's also kind of sort, I finished it in one day. You can take that as a mixed bag, because on the one hand, it means I couldn't put it down and it makes me want more, but on the other hand that's a 19 dollar book that I finished in one day (dammit).
All that being said, everything else that I didn't mention gets a hearty thumbs up. I liked all of the characters, they were both entertaining and interesting, and I enjoyed being in the heads of all of them. Zachery was in the precarious position of potentially being an annoying bratty street urchin, but he ended up being my favorite character after Lenoir. Yay for good characterization of a child, its such a rare thing to see.
(Keep in mind that this next part is just for the audio book, this is basically just a copy paste of me review on audibe.)
The voice acting is superb, with Curless able to portray the people of varying ages and accents believably and his voice seemed to fit the story as no one else's could. I can't imagine Lenoir's voice as anyone else's now, which is always a good sign.
Tettensor is a master of description. I love the way she sets her scenes, and the way she fleshes out her characters through interactions with others, observations from onlookers, and through their own thoughts. After I finished the books I looked up Tettensor, wanting to read some of her other works, but I couldn't find anything else. I don't know if this is the first novel she has ever written, but it definitely a strong debut, it has moved me from being just interested to really excited to seeing where she's going to go from here. If I made this review sound like I'm being down on the novel, I want to make it clear here that nothing could be further from the truth, I give this a strong recommendation to anyone who anyone who comes across this book, whether you stumbled across it like me, or if it was referred to you by someone else. Darkwalker is something that should definitely be experienced.
(Phew, that was longer than I was expecting)
So color me surprised to find that this book wasn't mediocre, or even above average, but really very good. It has it's flaws of course, but I've never read (or in this case listened to) a book without flaws. Let's get those out of the was first, since there are relatively few.
The first and the simplest to point out is that I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt that Lenoir was never going to die during this book. I was never afraid for is life. And before anyone jumps down my throat about spoilers I would direct you to the cover where it says Darkwalker: Book 1 of the Nicolas Lenoir NOVELS which is how I knew with such certainty. I'm not sure who's oversight this was, but it made me want to smack someone on the back of the head. It broke through the suspension of disbelief for me, but maybe that's just a personal thing.
Second was that while I was never bored with this novel, I was never shocked either. I would never go so far as to say it was predictable, but it felt a little....safe? There's a twist around the 3/4 mark in the novel that I didn't see coming until just before Lenoir did (and I mean JUST before, I realized what was going to happen and then Lenoir pieced it together a few seconds later) which was good, that's how a good twist/ reveal works, however my reaction was a bit more... subdued than it should of been. It went somewhere along the lines of "Huh. Well played." instead of, "NO. NO!!! Oh my god. Oh My GOD HOW DID I NOT SEE THAT!?!?!" Let's be clear, it by no means fell flat, and maybe other people will react to it more strongly than I did, but it didn't shock me to my very core.
Which brings me to the third weakness in this book, which I feel was hinted at in an earlier part of this review, the story has a problem with making me worry for the characters. that isn't to say I don't like the characters, quite the opposite, but I was only scared for one of the characters once and that was Zachery at he very end of the book. I was getting pretty tired toward the end though, maybe that has something to do with it.
It's also kind of sort, I finished it in one day. You can take that as a mixed bag, because on the one hand, it means I couldn't put it down and it makes me want more, but on the other hand that's a 19 dollar book that I finished in one day (dammit).
All that being said, everything else that I didn't mention gets a hearty thumbs up. I liked all of the characters, they were both entertaining and interesting, and I enjoyed being in the heads of all of them. Zachery was in the precarious position of potentially being an annoying bratty street urchin, but he ended up being my favorite character after Lenoir. Yay for good characterization of a child, its such a rare thing to see.
(Keep in mind that this next part is just for the audio book, this is basically just a copy paste of me review on audibe.)
The voice acting is superb, with Curless able to portray the people of varying ages and accents believably and his voice seemed to fit the story as no one else's could. I can't imagine Lenoir's voice as anyone else's now, which is always a good sign.
Tettensor is a master of description. I love the way she sets her scenes, and the way she fleshes out her characters through interactions with others, observations from onlookers, and through their own thoughts. After I finished the books I looked up Tettensor, wanting to read some of her other works, but I couldn't find anything else. I don't know if this is the first novel she has ever written, but it definitely a strong debut, it has moved me from being just interested to really excited to seeing where she's going to go from here. If I made this review sound like I'm being down on the novel, I want to make it clear here that nothing could be further from the truth, I give this a strong recommendation to anyone who anyone who comes across this book, whether you stumbled across it like me, or if it was referred to you by someone else. Darkwalker is something that should definitely be experienced.
(Phew, that was longer than I was expecting)
August 21, 2014
3.5 stars
I had never heard of this book or the author prior to reading it. I mainly picked it up because I liked the cover so I went in with absolutely no expectations and was pleasantly surprised by what I found. It's not a great work of literature by any means and the main character, Inspector Nicolas Lenoir, isn't even especially likeable at the start of the story, having become extremely cynical and apathetic about both his police work and life in general. However, the author has a way with a phrase that, at times, made me wish it was snowing outside so I could curl up under a warm blanket while sipping a cup of hot cocoa.
The story is set in a fictional world that very much resembles our own, albeit in a much simpler past, when people still travelled by horse and buggy. The names of ethnicities, places, and religions are all different but still very recognizable, with it's Victorianesque feel, thus allowing the reader to slip right into the world without too much effort. That, coupled with the easy prose, made the whole book go down like good comfort food. You know, nothing overly fancy or complicated, just ultimately satisfying in its simplicity. I will definitely be checking out the second book, Master of Plagues, when it comes out next year.
I had never heard of this book or the author prior to reading it. I mainly picked it up because I liked the cover so I went in with absolutely no expectations and was pleasantly surprised by what I found. It's not a great work of literature by any means and the main character, Inspector Nicolas Lenoir, isn't even especially likeable at the start of the story, having become extremely cynical and apathetic about both his police work and life in general. However, the author has a way with a phrase that, at times, made me wish it was snowing outside so I could curl up under a warm blanket while sipping a cup of hot cocoa.
The story is set in a fictional world that very much resembles our own, albeit in a much simpler past, when people still travelled by horse and buggy. The names of ethnicities, places, and religions are all different but still very recognizable, with it's Victorianesque feel, thus allowing the reader to slip right into the world without too much effort. That, coupled with the easy prose, made the whole book go down like good comfort food. You know, nothing overly fancy or complicated, just ultimately satisfying in its simplicity. I will definitely be checking out the second book, Master of Plagues, when it comes out next year.
December 16, 2013
A promising beginning; it's clearly setting the stage for more stories, and gets the right balance of introducing the characters without hindering the plot.
And it's a mystery, but Lenoir is so jaded and apathetic that he doesn't start trying to solve it until halfway through the book, which gives the story more time to develop.
And it's a mystery, but Lenoir is so jaded and apathetic that he doesn't start trying to solve it until halfway through the book, which gives the story more time to develop.
March 29, 2017
Lenoir , the main character when first introduced, is an ass. And not in a lovable way. He's horrible, sneering and dismissive of his Sargent, openly takes bribes and is disinterested in all forms of his job. While described as jaded, that assumes a disbelief anymore in the purpose or sanctity of his job, and that is true to a certain point, but he's also unattached - he doesn't care or take an interest in anything. The one glimmer of personality and shred of caring we see is for the orphan he has befriended and gives occasional food and jobs to. While this makes the character seem unlikable and hard to care about - it does provide the foundation of the rest of the story and why one particular case catches his attention without being "the guardian for justice" or requiring the murder/imperilment of wife/daughter/female relation.
The first ten chapters are a slow build. While there's lots of detail and we get a good sense of the main character and how he fits into the society in which the story is set (or not) there's not a lot of plot, and we don't start to get much of his backstory until about a quarter of the book. I like this as it's not treated as him having a dark and mysterious past but as a slow unraveling of what we know about Lenoir. The writing is the main asset in these chapters, descriptive enough to keep your interest without being too overblown or ridiculous although as always YMMV. Some of the descriptions add to the atmosphere, for example:
"Where their glowing gaze could not reach, shadows crept slowly out into the street with the unobtrusive stealth of a predator stalking its prey. Lenoir could feel the crawling darkness like a physical presence closing in around him. Every foot the shadows gained was another bit of territory conquered for the green-eyed man. The invasion would not cease until Lenoir was surrounded, besieged by the darkness with no hope of escape."
Incidentally a note about the world building - a lot is done with assumptions. Many descriptions and air of the places Lenoir visits rely on standard examples, the slightly run down local which is broadly safe, the threatening place where all the cutthroats hang out, the rural village where visitors from the big city are regarded with suspicion and dread. The setting itself - a vague late Georgian/early Victorian England given a different name is nothing new, however while this makes it sound like everything is reduced to stereotypes it gives the story room to breath rather than feeling trite and overused.
One thing I loved was it got rid of the staid trope of the young Sargent, excited about a new lead/thought, rushing off on his own without backup - instead this one makes sure he has someone with him. It's a small thing, but one that really annoys me particularly when its used as a lazy driver of later action/tension
Once we get past chapter 10 events start happening thick and fast, and there's a switch, one that the blurb hints at but doesn't uncover completely and then the book becomes much more supernatural in nature. Prior to this it could read as a historical mystery but once events set in motion the supernatural aspect becomes much stronger in nature and the progress of the mystery speeds up. I really enjoyed the denouncement, the person behind the kidnappings. While it wasn't predictable to me, it did make logical sense and you can see the hints of it reading back through the book but only short snippets. The book also treats you as intelligent, not over explaining motive and opportunity but allowing you to connect the dots yourself to a limited degree.
The first ten chapters are a slow build. While there's lots of detail and we get a good sense of the main character and how he fits into the society in which the story is set (or not) there's not a lot of plot, and we don't start to get much of his backstory until about a quarter of the book. I like this as it's not treated as him having a dark and mysterious past but as a slow unraveling of what we know about Lenoir. The writing is the main asset in these chapters, descriptive enough to keep your interest without being too overblown or ridiculous although as always YMMV. Some of the descriptions add to the atmosphere, for example:
"Where their glowing gaze could not reach, shadows crept slowly out into the street with the unobtrusive stealth of a predator stalking its prey. Lenoir could feel the crawling darkness like a physical presence closing in around him. Every foot the shadows gained was another bit of territory conquered for the green-eyed man. The invasion would not cease until Lenoir was surrounded, besieged by the darkness with no hope of escape."
Incidentally a note about the world building - a lot is done with assumptions. Many descriptions and air of the places Lenoir visits rely on standard examples, the slightly run down local which is broadly safe, the threatening place where all the cutthroats hang out, the rural village where visitors from the big city are regarded with suspicion and dread. The setting itself - a vague late Georgian/early Victorian England given a different name is nothing new, however while this makes it sound like everything is reduced to stereotypes it gives the story room to breath rather than feeling trite and overused.
One thing I loved was it got rid of the staid trope of the young Sargent, excited about a new lead/thought, rushing off on his own without backup - instead this one makes sure he has someone with him. It's a small thing, but one that really annoys me particularly when its used as a lazy driver of later action/tension
Once we get past chapter 10 events start happening thick and fast, and there's a switch, one that the blurb hints at but doesn't uncover completely and then the book becomes much more supernatural in nature. Prior to this it could read as a historical mystery but once events set in motion the supernatural aspect becomes much stronger in nature and the progress of the mystery speeds up. I really enjoyed the denouncement, the person behind the kidnappings. While it wasn't predictable to me, it did make logical sense and you can see the hints of it reading back through the book but only short snippets. The book also treats you as intelligent, not over explaining motive and opportunity but allowing you to connect the dots yourself to a limited degree.
Read
December 19, 2013I don't use star ratings, so please read my review!
(Description nicked from B&N.com.)
“Once a legendary police inspector, Nicolas Lenoir is now a disillusioned and broken man who spends his days going through the motions and his evenings drinking away the nightmares of his past. Ten years ago, Lenoir barely escaped the grasp of the Darkwalker, a vengeful spirit who demands a terrible toll on those who have offended the dead. But the Darkwalker does not give up on his prey so easily, and Lenoir has always known his debt would come due one day.
When Lenoir is assigned to a disturbing new case, he treats the job with his usual apathy—until his best informant, a street savvy orphan, is kidnapped. Desperate to find his young friend before the worst befalls him, Lenoir will do anything catch the monster responsible for the crimes, even if it means walking willingly into the arms of his own doom.”
It’s interesting how expectations can shape your experience of a book. If you look at the above promo copy, you’ll notice that there’s no mention of where or when this story takes place. Pair this with the cover art, which features the main character in a rather Victorian setting, and you may do what I did: I got the impression that this tale takes place in a version of Western Europe. However, this isn’t the case, and it wasn’t until a few chapters in that I picked up on that little fact. Initially, this threw me off a little, as I realized I was reading through the book and trying to figure out if there were parallels to our world, but after a bit I was able to get past that and just enjoy the book.
And there is a lot to enjoy. Lenoir reminds me of a calmer, much less driven version of Sherlock Holmes. Part of his characterization, in fact, revolves around his apathy concerning police work. You’ll find out the source of that apathy as the story progresses, and you’ll also see how Lenoir begins to shed that feeling and re-engage with his work.
Some of the novel focuses on the experience of Bran Kody, Lenoir’s partner. Kody represents the side of Lenoir that was abandoned years before—the idealistic, straight-as-an-arrow officer who firmly believes in the power of the law. There are also appearances by Captain Reck, who runs the department and who is a more middle-of-the-road personality when it comes to police work. With these two characters around to contrast Lenoir’s ennui, readers not only get a look at what police are like across the spectrum in this world, but also at how Lenoir must have progressed through his emotions to get where he is.
The plot is a fairly straightforward “whodunit”, with the added spice of dark magic thrown in. Not only are the criminals possibly doing some nasty spells, but Lenoir is facing down the Darkwalker, who has reappeared in his life and is connected with the crimes. “Straightforward” doesn’t mean “boring” or “derivative”, though, as I quite enjoyed watching the clues come together and the action play out.
There are some interesting things going on in the background as the plot progresses. For one, there is a Gypsy-ish race known as the Adali who are universally scorned as vagabonds and thieves. Many of those in prison are Adali, and their culture isn’t well understood by those who are not part of it. The author plays with the obvious issues, such as profiling and unfair treatment, but she also goes for some more subtle things. For example, an Adali salon owner named Lady Zera is concerned about growing rumors about what goes on in her establishment. She knows that, as an Adali, rumors are more likely to be believed, more likely to be sensationalist, and more likely to inspire people to act against her.
The theme of the outsider also runs through Lenoir’s story, and even of that of the Darkwalker. When contemplating the possibility of his death at the Darkwalker’s hands, Lenoir has to wonder if anybody would miss him. Not only has he not made much effort to fit in where he works, but he’s also an outsider from a distant city. And the Darkwalker? Well, you’ll have to find out his story from the book, but suffice to say, he’s far more than just a one-dimensional dispenser of punishment.
Tettensor’s first novel tackles some complex issues while simultaneously delivering a Victorian-esque crime drama that is sure to have readers hoping for a sequel. Darkwalker is a strong debut that will appeal to fans of both fantasy and mystery.
This review originally appeared on Owlcat Mountain on December 5, 2013.
http://www.owlcatmountain.com/2013/12...
(Description nicked from B&N.com.)
“Once a legendary police inspector, Nicolas Lenoir is now a disillusioned and broken man who spends his days going through the motions and his evenings drinking away the nightmares of his past. Ten years ago, Lenoir barely escaped the grasp of the Darkwalker, a vengeful spirit who demands a terrible toll on those who have offended the dead. But the Darkwalker does not give up on his prey so easily, and Lenoir has always known his debt would come due one day.
When Lenoir is assigned to a disturbing new case, he treats the job with his usual apathy—until his best informant, a street savvy orphan, is kidnapped. Desperate to find his young friend before the worst befalls him, Lenoir will do anything catch the monster responsible for the crimes, even if it means walking willingly into the arms of his own doom.”
It’s interesting how expectations can shape your experience of a book. If you look at the above promo copy, you’ll notice that there’s no mention of where or when this story takes place. Pair this with the cover art, which features the main character in a rather Victorian setting, and you may do what I did: I got the impression that this tale takes place in a version of Western Europe. However, this isn’t the case, and it wasn’t until a few chapters in that I picked up on that little fact. Initially, this threw me off a little, as I realized I was reading through the book and trying to figure out if there were parallels to our world, but after a bit I was able to get past that and just enjoy the book.
And there is a lot to enjoy. Lenoir reminds me of a calmer, much less driven version of Sherlock Holmes. Part of his characterization, in fact, revolves around his apathy concerning police work. You’ll find out the source of that apathy as the story progresses, and you’ll also see how Lenoir begins to shed that feeling and re-engage with his work.
Some of the novel focuses on the experience of Bran Kody, Lenoir’s partner. Kody represents the side of Lenoir that was abandoned years before—the idealistic, straight-as-an-arrow officer who firmly believes in the power of the law. There are also appearances by Captain Reck, who runs the department and who is a more middle-of-the-road personality when it comes to police work. With these two characters around to contrast Lenoir’s ennui, readers not only get a look at what police are like across the spectrum in this world, but also at how Lenoir must have progressed through his emotions to get where he is.
The plot is a fairly straightforward “whodunit”, with the added spice of dark magic thrown in. Not only are the criminals possibly doing some nasty spells, but Lenoir is facing down the Darkwalker, who has reappeared in his life and is connected with the crimes. “Straightforward” doesn’t mean “boring” or “derivative”, though, as I quite enjoyed watching the clues come together and the action play out.
There are some interesting things going on in the background as the plot progresses. For one, there is a Gypsy-ish race known as the Adali who are universally scorned as vagabonds and thieves. Many of those in prison are Adali, and their culture isn’t well understood by those who are not part of it. The author plays with the obvious issues, such as profiling and unfair treatment, but she also goes for some more subtle things. For example, an Adali salon owner named Lady Zera is concerned about growing rumors about what goes on in her establishment. She knows that, as an Adali, rumors are more likely to be believed, more likely to be sensationalist, and more likely to inspire people to act against her.
The theme of the outsider also runs through Lenoir’s story, and even of that of the Darkwalker. When contemplating the possibility of his death at the Darkwalker’s hands, Lenoir has to wonder if anybody would miss him. Not only has he not made much effort to fit in where he works, but he’s also an outsider from a distant city. And the Darkwalker? Well, you’ll have to find out his story from the book, but suffice to say, he’s far more than just a one-dimensional dispenser of punishment.
Tettensor’s first novel tackles some complex issues while simultaneously delivering a Victorian-esque crime drama that is sure to have readers hoping for a sequel. Darkwalker is a strong debut that will appeal to fans of both fantasy and mystery.
This review originally appeared on Owlcat Mountain on December 5, 2013.
http://www.owlcatmountain.com/2013/12...
December 22, 2013
Darkwalker: A Nicolas Lenoir Novel by E. L. Tettensor is a novel set in a secondary world resembling the Victorian era with Sherlockian detective novel elements combined with bits of magic. Police inspector Nicholas Lenoir was once a legendary detective known for solving even the most difficult cases when some mysterious act of his brings him to the attention of a spirit known as the Darkwalker. Ten years later, Lenoir is living in a backwater town, bored out of his mind, and plagued with nightmares of his impending death at the hands of the Darkwalker when his young orphan informant, Zach, is kidnapped. Lenoir has discovered that bodies of 9 year old boys had been dug up for use in dark magic, and now live boys are being taken potentially for this same purpose.
Though it’s interesting to see a Sherlock Holmes style detective work in a magical world, what makes this novel so interesting is the Darkwalker character. As the novel progresses, we only get to see bits and pieces of this character and his mysterious background. He is a spirit whose purpose is to avenge wrongs done against the dead. We are left to interpret what that might entail. Additionally, we learn some things about the Darkwalker that leads us to believe that he’s not acting on his own free will. There’s obviously more to his story, but the focus of the novel is on solving the case and recovering Zach. I would love it if in future novels, Tettensor could give us more of a glimpse into the Darkwalker’s world. I want to know how he came to be the Darkwalker, and his struggle against whatever is driving him to carry out his purpose would make for an interesting story on its own.
I also found the culture of the Adali interesting. These are a gypsy-like group of people who are known for practicing magic and for their nomadic ways. Because their culture is so different from the culture of the city-dwellers, the Adali are often discriminated against and treated poorly. Again, we only get a small glimpse into their world, and only to serve the purposes of driving the plot forward. I hope future books delve a bit further into their world as well.
All in all, I would say this is a fantastic debut novel set in a wonderfully realized world that I really want to know more about. I’ll be picking up the next book in this series for sure.
Make sure you visit the author’s website at www.eltettensor.com. It’s one of the most beautiful author websites I think I’ve ever come across.
Though it’s interesting to see a Sherlock Holmes style detective work in a magical world, what makes this novel so interesting is the Darkwalker character. As the novel progresses, we only get to see bits and pieces of this character and his mysterious background. He is a spirit whose purpose is to avenge wrongs done against the dead. We are left to interpret what that might entail. Additionally, we learn some things about the Darkwalker that leads us to believe that he’s not acting on his own free will. There’s obviously more to his story, but the focus of the novel is on solving the case and recovering Zach. I would love it if in future novels, Tettensor could give us more of a glimpse into the Darkwalker’s world. I want to know how he came to be the Darkwalker, and his struggle against whatever is driving him to carry out his purpose would make for an interesting story on its own.
I also found the culture of the Adali interesting. These are a gypsy-like group of people who are known for practicing magic and for their nomadic ways. Because their culture is so different from the culture of the city-dwellers, the Adali are often discriminated against and treated poorly. Again, we only get a small glimpse into their world, and only to serve the purposes of driving the plot forward. I hope future books delve a bit further into their world as well.
All in all, I would say this is a fantastic debut novel set in a wonderfully realized world that I really want to know more about. I’ll be picking up the next book in this series for sure.
Make sure you visit the author’s website at www.eltettensor.com. It’s one of the most beautiful author websites I think I’ve ever come across.
February 3, 2014
First reviewed by me at I Smell Sheep Reviews at http://www.ismellsheep.com/2014/01/bo...
He used to be the best detective on the job. Until he became the hunted...
Once upon a time, police inspector Nicholas Lenoir was a legendary detective. Ten years later, he is disillusioned and broken man who doesn’t really try to solve anything, driving his partner, Sergeant Bran Kody, to disgust and anger. He spends his night drinking to drive away nightmares from his past, ones that center around a Darkwalker. But when cases of missing children of a certain age are stolen from their coffins, he tries to ignore the signs, until a street-wise orphan he has become friends with is kidnapped.
A good mixture of dark fantasy and suspense, set in a fantasy world rich in world building that seems to be built upon our own, the story drew me in. Especially when the Darkwalker comes to where Lenoir now lives and they join to find the young boy the police inspector is looking for.
If you enjoy mysteries and love horror too, then this novel is a perfect fit of the shudders and intrigue.
He used to be the best detective on the job. Until he became the hunted...
Once upon a time, police inspector Nicholas Lenoir was a legendary detective. Ten years later, he is disillusioned and broken man who doesn’t really try to solve anything, driving his partner, Sergeant Bran Kody, to disgust and anger. He spends his night drinking to drive away nightmares from his past, ones that center around a Darkwalker. But when cases of missing children of a certain age are stolen from their coffins, he tries to ignore the signs, until a street-wise orphan he has become friends with is kidnapped.
A good mixture of dark fantasy and suspense, set in a fantasy world rich in world building that seems to be built upon our own, the story drew me in. Especially when the Darkwalker comes to where Lenoir now lives and they join to find the young boy the police inspector is looking for.
If you enjoy mysteries and love horror too, then this novel is a perfect fit of the shudders and intrigue.
January 12, 2014
This book held my interest all the way through, though at the end I found myself a bit frustrated. I'm likely to pick up a sequel, because I found the main character, Lenoir, to be intriguingly ill-humored. But I think that unless he also grows in compassion, that attitude will grow tiresome very quickly. My biggest problem was with the epilogue, which verged on Too Stupid to Live territory. I'll be interested to hear what others think of this one.
January 14, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Fantasy noir is not a genre I seek out, and I pretty much hated the main character for the first quarter of the book, but once he stopped running away from his destiny, of course he became a character I could cheer for - and even when he was being a jerk, he was an interesting Sherlock-like jerk, so it kept my attention. The plot and fantasy setting were excellently woven in. I kept wondering if the cities mentioned were real places! Great writing all around.
May 29, 2016
This was a fairly straightforward fantasy about an apathetic police detective (Nicolas Lenoir) hiding from an old enemy, and suddenly faced with a graverobbing and kidnapping case he can't shrug off. It's a fantasy world not unlike pre-industrial Europe, and Lenoir interacts with powerful rich men as well as starving street children. One of those street kids is a clever thief and informant for Lenoir. The titled Darkwalker is a mythical figure who avenges wrongs against the dead.
August 16, 2014
Disappointing. The writing in itself is fairly good, but the lead character is so insufferably boring that it was very difficult to force my way through the book. The only redeeming quality was the boy Zach, who at least had a personality and allowed the (entirely predictable) story to move forward occasionally.
January 1, 2015
This book took a little getting used to. The character of Lenoir is not a "friendly" character, and he is hard to warm up to. A good "Police/detective" story with a bit of the supernatural thrown in.
Want to read
December 30, 2013Hi just letting you know that I won this great book to read from the Goodread Giveaways! It's on my list to read. I will of course let you know about the book as soon as I read it. :) Great job Goodread Giveways and Publishers and of course Authors! Keep writing I will keep reading.
January 22, 2014
Not really a scifi other than the world is alternate history and there is some magic but it is a really good mystery story and the character is sufficiently complex that I'd read another in the series.
January 19, 2014
This was really more mystery than fantasy, but I'm putting it in fantasy because this is not Earth…
Enjoyable read about a detective in the Sherlock Holmes vein who has lost his faith in the system….I look forward to more in the series….
Enjoyable read about a detective in the Sherlock Holmes vein who has lost his faith in the system….I look forward to more in the series….
Want to read
February 8, 20168 February 2016: $1.99 on Kindle
December 14, 2013
very cool
February 1, 2014
I loved it. This one was very Sherlock and Watson like.
April 14, 2025
A very satisfying fantasy mystery. Set in a Victorian-style fictional world, I imagine there are enough velvety parlors, dark alleys, gas-lit streets, grimey taverns, mud-strewn villages to keep most fans of the genre-setting happy. Tettensor is extremely good at creating scenes very quickly with minimal description as the venues rotate with ease and variety.
But it’s not all just mood and vibes: interesting characters abound. Some (in other reviews) scoff at Detective Lenoir for being an unlikable jerk. This completely misreads the character. He is a tragic, fallen character, nearly at the end of his tether. But this isn’t portrayed with melodrama, just the sad, cynical day-to-day grind of someone with very few flips left to give. And although he is the main character, he doesn’t dominate the narrative. The point of view changes often. There is his ardent young partner, a street-wise orphan quickly approaching “age-out”, and a variety of minor characters that grant critical windows for the reader to further the narrative.
Then there is the fantasy portion which is at once subtle and extremely in your face. It would be hard to say more without spoilers. I will say that this is a world that does not generally accept that supernatural forces exist (outside superstition or amongst certain marginalized peoples). But as the story goes along it becomes very clear that these forces definitely do exist. It’s just they are not well understood, even by those that do believe in them or even have some skill manipulating them. This puts the reader at the same level as most of the characters as everything unfolds, which harmonizes the narrative effectively. .
I don’t read enough mysteries to attest to how well the plot is crafted. That I figured out certain parts prior to the full reveal means that it can’t be too much a stumper since I tend to “read dumb”. But how the story unravels is at once sufficiently intriguing but also not so complicated as to be ridiculous. People are doing things for very good reasons even when they are despicable.
Adding on top of all this praise that this is a DEBUT novel definitely earns it five stars. Is it one of my “favorite” books? I still might give it that tag just because I’ve read few enough Victorian fantasy thrillers that the experience is still novel and I feel there is enough style and nuance here that Tettensor has a voice I’ll certainly be keeping my ear open to. On to Master of Plagues!
But it’s not all just mood and vibes: interesting characters abound. Some (in other reviews) scoff at Detective Lenoir for being an unlikable jerk. This completely misreads the character. He is a tragic, fallen character, nearly at the end of his tether. But this isn’t portrayed with melodrama, just the sad, cynical day-to-day grind of someone with very few flips left to give. And although he is the main character, he doesn’t dominate the narrative. The point of view changes often. There is his ardent young partner, a street-wise orphan quickly approaching “age-out”, and a variety of minor characters that grant critical windows for the reader to further the narrative.
Then there is the fantasy portion which is at once subtle and extremely in your face. It would be hard to say more without spoilers. I will say that this is a world that does not generally accept that supernatural forces exist (outside superstition or amongst certain marginalized peoples). But as the story goes along it becomes very clear that these forces definitely do exist. It’s just they are not well understood, even by those that do believe in them or even have some skill manipulating them. This puts the reader at the same level as most of the characters as everything unfolds, which harmonizes the narrative effectively. .
I don’t read enough mysteries to attest to how well the plot is crafted. That I figured out certain parts prior to the full reveal means that it can’t be too much a stumper since I tend to “read dumb”. But how the story unravels is at once sufficiently intriguing but also not so complicated as to be ridiculous. People are doing things for very good reasons even when they are despicable.
Adding on top of all this praise that this is a DEBUT novel definitely earns it five stars. Is it one of my “favorite” books? I still might give it that tag just because I’ve read few enough Victorian fantasy thrillers that the experience is still novel and I feel there is enough style and nuance here that Tettensor has a voice I’ll certainly be keeping my ear open to. On to Master of Plagues!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews