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The Ustari Cycle #1
We Are Not Good People
From the “exhilarating, powerful, and entertaining” (Guardian) storyteller of the Avery Cates series comes a gritty supernatural thriller featuring a pair of unlikely heroes caught up in the underground world of blood magic.
The ethics in a world of blood are gray—and an underground strata of blood magicians has been engineering disasters for centuries in order to acquire enough fuel for their spells. They are not good people.
Some practitioners, however, use the Words and a swipe of the blade to cast simpler spells, such as Charms and Cantrips to gas up $1 bills so they appear to be $20s. Lem Vonnegan and his sidekick Mags fall into this level of mage, hustlers and con men all. Lem tries to be ethical by using only his own blood, by not using Bleeders or “volunteers.” But it makes life hard. Soon they might have to get honest work.
When the pair encounters a girl who’s been kidnapped and marked up with magic runes for a ritual spell, it’s clear they’re in over their heads. Turning to Lem’s estranged master for help, they are told that not only is the girl’s life all but forfeit, but that the world’s preeminent mage, Mika Renar, has earth-shattering plans for her—and Lem just got in the way. With the fate of the world on the line, and Lem both spooked and intrigued by the mysterious girl, the other nominates him to become the huckleberry who’ll take down Renar. But even if he, Mags, and the simpletons who follow him prevail, they’re dealing with the kind of power that doesn’t understand defeat, or mercy.
Book One in the Ustari Cycle, the first portion of We Are Not Good People was originally published in an altered form as Trickster (Pocket Books).
The ethics in a world of blood are gray—and an underground strata of blood magicians has been engineering disasters for centuries in order to acquire enough fuel for their spells. They are not good people.
Some practitioners, however, use the Words and a swipe of the blade to cast simpler spells, such as Charms and Cantrips to gas up $1 bills so they appear to be $20s. Lem Vonnegan and his sidekick Mags fall into this level of mage, hustlers and con men all. Lem tries to be ethical by using only his own blood, by not using Bleeders or “volunteers.” But it makes life hard. Soon they might have to get honest work.
When the pair encounters a girl who’s been kidnapped and marked up with magic runes for a ritual spell, it’s clear they’re in over their heads. Turning to Lem’s estranged master for help, they are told that not only is the girl’s life all but forfeit, but that the world’s preeminent mage, Mika Renar, has earth-shattering plans for her—and Lem just got in the way. With the fate of the world on the line, and Lem both spooked and intrigued by the mysterious girl, the other nominates him to become the huckleberry who’ll take down Renar. But even if he, Mags, and the simpletons who follow him prevail, they’re dealing with the kind of power that doesn’t understand defeat, or mercy.
Book One in the Ustari Cycle, the first portion of We Are Not Good People was originally published in an altered form as Trickster (Pocket Books).
514 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2013
24 people are currently reading
892 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Somers
69 books352 followersJeff Somers (www.jeffreysomers.com) began writing by court order as an attempt to steer his creative impulses away from engineering genetic grotesqueries. He has published nine novels, including the Avery Cates Series of noir-science fiction novels from Orbit Books (www.avery-cates.com) and the Ustari Cycle series of urban fantasy novels. His short story “Ringing the Changes” was selected for inclusion in Best American Mystery Stories 2006, his story “Sift, Almost Invisible, Through” appeared in the anthology Crimes by Moonlight edited by Charlaine Harris, and his story “Three Cups of Tea” appeared in the anthology Hanzai Japan. He also writes about books for Barnes and Noble and About.com and about the craft of writing for Writer’s Digest, which will publish his book on the craft of writing Writing Without Rules in 2018. He lives in Hoboken with his wife, The Duchess, and their cats. He considers pants to always be optional.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 9, 2014
I would have given this book four stars but for a few oddities. The first is that this book is just
Trickster
with another novel stapled onto the end of it. I'm not sure why the story was marketed as a completely different book when it's only half new material, but regardless, I got what I paid for: a continuation on Trickster. I just had to riffle through the middle of the book to figure out where to start reading.
The next oddity is that the new material starts out feeling like Avery Cates Redux: This Time With Magic. The protagonist really seemed like a recycled Avery Cates in a recycled version of the Avery Cates universe, and it wasn't until later in the book that things stopped feeling that way -- which was a relief, because I really did like the different characters and world that Trickster had introduced. And once it stopped feeling like a rerun, the book became very enjoyable and engaging again.
But there was still one more issue left to bother me. The ending is...not so satisfying. I read it twice because it seemed odd for the book to simply stop at that point -- especially since the scene felt like a flashback rather than a re-write of history (this book features both.) How things end makes sense -- I understand what the author was trying to do -- but it sure didn't give me much of a feeling of closure or satisfaction.
This is, on the balance, a good read and a cool new urban fantasy novel, but I wasn't as happy with it as I had been with Trickster.
The next oddity is that the new material starts out feeling like Avery Cates Redux: This Time With Magic. The protagonist really seemed like a recycled Avery Cates in a recycled version of the Avery Cates universe, and it wasn't until later in the book that things stopped feeling that way -- which was a relief, because I really did like the different characters and world that Trickster had introduced. And once it stopped feeling like a rerun, the book became very enjoyable and engaging again.
But there was still one more issue left to bother me. The ending is...not so satisfying. I read it twice because it seemed odd for the book to simply stop at that point -- especially since the scene felt like a flashback rather than a re-write of history (this book features both.) How things end makes sense -- I understand what the author was trying to do -- but it sure didn't give me much of a feeling of closure or satisfaction.
This is, on the balance, a good read and a cool new urban fantasy novel, but I wasn't as happy with it as I had been with Trickster.
March 8, 2016
I would like to give this book 3.5 stars, but that isn't possible.
I'm erring on the side of charity because when I first picked up the book, I had heard some bad reviews, and I think the book's weaknesses have been undeservedly overstated.
I also have the benefit of having never read Trickster, or, in fact, any other books by this author.
My major complaints about the book had more to do with the repetition of several phrases so often as to become irritating, and the occasional coincidence that got the protagonists out of trouble. Some of the foreshadowing could've been more well-executed. The beginning started at a slight drag. I've seen far worse literary sins perpetrated in both genre fiction and literature, even in books considered classics.
On the other hand, once I hit around page 50 or so, I couldn't stop reading. The action is well paced, the narrator's voice excellent, the characters well-crafted and interesting, and though the story bloats a bit as it barrels forward, it is well-constructed. It was enjoyable and entertaining. It exceeded my expectations.
There were flaws, but none of them damning, and overall it was a smooth, cool read.
I'm erring on the side of charity because when I first picked up the book, I had heard some bad reviews, and I think the book's weaknesses have been undeservedly overstated.
I also have the benefit of having never read Trickster, or, in fact, any other books by this author.
My major complaints about the book had more to do with the repetition of several phrases so often as to become irritating, and the occasional coincidence that got the protagonists out of trouble. Some of the foreshadowing could've been more well-executed. The beginning started at a slight drag. I've seen far worse literary sins perpetrated in both genre fiction and literature, even in books considered classics.
On the other hand, once I hit around page 50 or so, I couldn't stop reading. The action is well paced, the narrator's voice excellent, the characters well-crafted and interesting, and though the story bloats a bit as it barrels forward, it is well-constructed. It was enjoyable and entertaining. It exceeded my expectations.
There were flaws, but none of them damning, and overall it was a smooth, cool read.
January 24, 2015
Jeff Somers should have stopped with Trickster, 253 pages into this story. Unfortunately, he goes on for 257 pages more. The characterization of the first part of the book is excellent, and the story is an uncommon twist on magical universes, but unfortunately dissolves into chaos in the second half of the book. I kept thinking Somers would have to resort to a deus ex machine to resolve the story lines of this novel, so I was almost surprised when I came to an end that resolved nothing. Apparently Somers either reached his deadline or just ran out of gas, because the book ends without any satisfying resolution.
I gave this book two stars for the engaging first half, and would have given it one or two more if it ended there. I won't pass this book on to friends or family, and if I donate it, I'll have to write a note to the next reader to STOP! before turning to page 254.
I gave this book two stars for the engaging first half, and would have given it one or two more if it ended there. I won't pass this book on to friends or family, and if I donate it, I'll have to write a note to the next reader to STOP! before turning to page 254.
January 29, 2019
Please give a helpful vote to my Amazon review - https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
This is a well-written urban fantasy that posits an absolutely gritty, evil magical system. Author Jeff Somers posits that there is a hidden class of actual magicians, the "Ustari," who make magic happen by knowing the words of magic fueled by "gas," namely "blood." The more blood, the more powerful the magic. This has the effect of potentially making these people into very realistic vampires, although Our Hero, Lem, starts the book with the ethical imperative not to use the blood of other people, which leaves him scarred and perpetually anemic.
My first-reaction was to doubt that I would be able to get through more than 30 pages because of all the self-mutilation and blood flow, particularly when he brought in the subject of the "Bleeders," whose job is simply to bleed for the Ustari mages, the "Enustari."
However, the story moved along at a fast clip. Somers is a master at action sequences. I also liked the characters, Lem, and his good friend, Pitr Mageshkumi, and their predicaments on the edge of Ustari and human society.
The second reaction was that this was an excellent - 5 star - book. I purchased a few of the other Ustari Cycle short stories in response. Lem and Pitre face down an evil Enustari with the fate of the world at stake!
And this was only at 50% of the way into the book!
Unfortunately the last 30% let me down. The subject of time revision was introduced, and I felt that we were going over too much of the same territory with a deus ex machina feel. I also didn't like the final ending, which, apparently, constituted a complete reset from the beginning...perhaps. The fact that I was unclear is a reason for disappointment, but if I am right, then it cheapens the entire book in my mind. (Maybe I was the only one who wondered what the purpose in all the effort Ripley put into rescuing the kid in Aliens, only to have her written out in the sleep tube before the third movie.)
Nonetheless, while I give a fair warning on this book, your mileage may differ, and I definitely intend to read those other Ustari stories.
This is a well-written urban fantasy that posits an absolutely gritty, evil magical system. Author Jeff Somers posits that there is a hidden class of actual magicians, the "Ustari," who make magic happen by knowing the words of magic fueled by "gas," namely "blood." The more blood, the more powerful the magic. This has the effect of potentially making these people into very realistic vampires, although Our Hero, Lem, starts the book with the ethical imperative not to use the blood of other people, which leaves him scarred and perpetually anemic.
My first-reaction was to doubt that I would be able to get through more than 30 pages because of all the self-mutilation and blood flow, particularly when he brought in the subject of the "Bleeders," whose job is simply to bleed for the Ustari mages, the "Enustari."
However, the story moved along at a fast clip. Somers is a master at action sequences. I also liked the characters, Lem, and his good friend, Pitr Mageshkumi, and their predicaments on the edge of Ustari and human society.
The second reaction was that this was an excellent - 5 star - book. I purchased a few of the other Ustari Cycle short stories in response. Lem and Pitre face down an evil Enustari with the fate of the world at stake!
And this was only at 50% of the way into the book!
Unfortunately the last 30% let me down. The subject of time revision was introduced, and I felt that we were going over too much of the same territory with a deus ex machina feel. I also didn't like the final ending, which, apparently, constituted a complete reset from the beginning...perhaps. The fact that I was unclear is a reason for disappointment, but if I am right, then it cheapens the entire book in my mind. (Maybe I was the only one who wondered what the purpose in all the effort Ripley put into rescuing the kid in Aliens, only to have her written out in the sleep tube before the third movie.)
Nonetheless, while I give a fair warning on this book, your mileage may differ, and I definitely intend to read those other Ustari stories.
June 9, 2018
*** Possible Spoilers ***
This was very well written. The story was interesting and the pacing was brisk. The protagonist was a grifter living on the edge of the law; and, as suggested in the title, none of the characters were good people. Still, he was somewhat of a sympathetic individual so I didn't find myself hating him. On the other hand, I couldn't accept the premise that magic is inherently corrupting - or at least petty. There were low-level magicians like the protagonist and there were much more powerful individuals but NONE of them seemed to be living a satisfying life. That seems a bit of a stretch.
I didn't care much for the ending. Either it was a flashback or the author messed up his own constraints regarding magic with respect to altering the past. Also there were too many flashbacks throughout the book for my liking. I realize that it's a useful literary device but it can be used to excess. However, despite the shortcomings, I think I can recommend this book as being exciting and enjoyable.
This was very well written. The story was interesting and the pacing was brisk. The protagonist was a grifter living on the edge of the law; and, as suggested in the title, none of the characters were good people. Still, he was somewhat of a sympathetic individual so I didn't find myself hating him. On the other hand, I couldn't accept the premise that magic is inherently corrupting - or at least petty. There were low-level magicians like the protagonist and there were much more powerful individuals but NONE of them seemed to be living a satisfying life. That seems a bit of a stretch.
I didn't care much for the ending. Either it was a flashback or the author messed up his own constraints regarding magic with respect to altering the past. Also there were too many flashbacks throughout the book for my liking. I realize that it's a useful literary device but it can be used to excess. However, despite the shortcomings, I think I can recommend this book as being exciting and enjoyable.
August 1, 2017
The author created a dark and grim world, the blood magick throughout the book, and the different usage made my skin crawl, but then a turn happened and there were certain parts in the story that confused me especially with the time being alternated, and one of the characters dying. The first half of the story I give four stars, after the shift I have to take a star off because it took me a while to find my footing, and to understand finally what the hell was going on. The main character Lem I did not like and the fact he kept saying the book title name got on my nerve at time. His friend Mags, and Claire were my favorite. I loved Mags's innocence and Claire's fire was great. There so much about this world I wanted to know about, the origin of the magick, and also the big bad how she got the way she did, no one truly starts out as evil. This was an unique story, and it made start thinking about one of my character's history, and how she got to be the way she is too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2018
Okay so I actually just read the "Trixter" part so if I'm to do it right I should probably change the book to that other edition but I'm not gonna. I may read the other parts of this book in the future. Just not right now.
I enjoyed the gritty world building and the blood magic, though it did have some inconsistencies. I liked Lem and Claire too. What I didn't like, and was the major reason it took me half an eternity to read 250-something pages was that the writing and pacing was a bit off and i could never really get into it and find a good reading flow. Also I did not much like how Mags was portrayed as a dimwit.
I enjoyed the gritty world building and the blood magic, though it did have some inconsistencies. I liked Lem and Claire too. What I didn't like, and was the major reason it took me half an eternity to read 250-something pages was that the writing and pacing was a bit off and i could never really get into it and find a good reading flow. Also I did not much like how Mags was portrayed as a dimwit.
February 10, 2020
There is a lot of great world-building in thus book that I like. But that's as far as I like it. I didn't care for any of the characters; they all felt so bland and hopeless, and the plot was equally hopeless after "Trickster" with an ending that doesn't resolve anything and fizzles out unsatisfactorily. It's 400+ pages of "how hard can we fuck everyone over?" and it is just depressing to read about. It's more like a 1.5 from me but I am rounding up for Mags because I felt he had several excellent moment and the only likeable character of the whole story. They really are not good people.
September 17, 2024
DNF 56%
I think this book would be great for someone other than me who looks for much darker urban fantasy. The world here is so gray and depressing, and despite the plot being good I just wished there were more of a balancing force to the blood mages. Even an evil one like is done in WH40K. The MC side kick is odd, I disliked their relationship and the way he was described, even if it did fit the blood mage theme perfectly. I think the conflict would have worked better with a second source of magic to balance it out.
I think this book would be great for someone other than me who looks for much darker urban fantasy. The world here is so gray and depressing, and despite the plot being good I just wished there were more of a balancing force to the blood mages. Even an evil one like is done in WH40K. The MC side kick is odd, I disliked their relationship and the way he was described, even if it did fit the blood mage theme perfectly. I think the conflict would have worked better with a second source of magic to balance it out.
October 24, 2025
Overall the book is fantastic. The magic system feels fresh and the world building is immersive. The various characters and conflicts keep you turning the pages wanting to devour it as fast as yu possibly can. Read the whole thing in a blistering 2 days.
The only reason I didn't give this a 5 Star rating was because the ending was wholly unsatisfying. It is neat and logical but it felt contrived. After the energy and inventiveness of the story, the end feels like an after thought or a concession for someone who asked for or demanded a happily ever after.
The only reason I didn't give this a 5 Star rating was because the ending was wholly unsatisfying. It is neat and logical but it felt contrived. After the energy and inventiveness of the story, the end feels like an after thought or a concession for someone who asked for or demanded a happily ever after.
June 4, 2017
I have been struggling to find fiction that I found compelling enough to continue past the first chapter and this was the first other than American Gods to meet that criteria in almost a year.
I loved the writing style, the character development, and the plot twists.
I loved the writing style, the character development, and the plot twists.
February 28, 2020
Interesting and fun
Magic from blood sacrifice is not new, but setting that sacrifice in modern times feels fresh - like Interview With a Vampire decades ago. Enjoyable and assumes intelligence.
Magic from blood sacrifice is not new, but setting that sacrifice in modern times feels fresh - like Interview With a Vampire decades ago. Enjoyable and assumes intelligence.
December 17, 2023
Fantastic!
Thank you Jeff Somers.
We Are Not Good People reads like two separate novels (split at the halfway point of the book), while still tying everything together in a neat package with the ending.
It was an incredible, dark and mature story.
Bottom-line, loved it!
Thank you Jeff Somers.
We Are Not Good People reads like two separate novels (split at the halfway point of the book), while still tying everything together in a neat package with the ending.
It was an incredible, dark and mature story.
Bottom-line, loved it!
June 6, 2024
We need more entirely platonic bromances like this. Though admittedly, it was less about two friends and now like a boy and his dog. But it was fun!
The magic system is brutal and hard-hitting. Somers writes like he is sure of himself and knows his characters inside and out.
The magic system is brutal and hard-hitting. Somers writes like he is sure of himself and knows his characters inside and out.
November 3, 2017
Strange, dark, compelling. Felt a little better about this one after I read the novellas that followed.
October 5, 2014
Requisite disclaimer: I work for Simon & Schuster, of which Gallery Books is an imprint, and that's how I got a copy of this book. I have paid no money for it and I have an interest in getting you to buy it, but I wsn't paid to write this review, I read it of my own free will, my views are my own and are not representative of those of my employer, and I honestly think it's worth a read if you're into gritty urban fantasy.
I sniffed this bad boy out earlier in the production cycle but decided to wait until we had finished books to read. I don't know why. I thought it might itch my chronic Dresden-files longing but I think I'm just introducing a new obsession.
The Dresden comparison really is apt, though. The magic works a little differently--while Dresdenverse spells are fueled by the energy or soul of the caster, ustari magic works on blood. Sometimes a little, but frequently oceans of it, sometimes spilled willingly but all too often gushing out to the bleeder's horror, to create commensurately horrible, delightfully inventive effects. Same idea, different execution.
Lem's got a way with the Words that turn that blood into magic, but unfortunately for him he has too much of a conscience to spill the blood of others. And idimustari, the kind of low-level trickster-mage he is as a result? Not a thing you can put on a resume for a white collar job application. Lem and his giant of a man companion/pet Mags end up getting wrapped in some big-time mage's attempt to basically bleed the entire world dry when all they wanted was to find enough cash to buy some McD's to keep Mags and his bottomless appetite fed for another few weeks, and things go about as well as you would expect from a book with a razor blade on the cover. There just wouldn't be a story otherwise, would there?
I like this for a lot of the same reason I like the Dresden books: you have a flawed hero trying (and often failing) to maintain his morals in a totally amoral world, trying to balance his own personal happiness with saving an uncaring world from the apocalyptic nightmares shaking down around him. The side characters are intriguing and mostly believable, though Somers's work suffers from the comparison--he just hasn't had the time and space to build these characters up. I honestly feel like Somers has created a stronger cast in less time.
Sure, sure, there's a save-the-girl, save-the-world plot going on, but at its core this book is about Lem's deep friendship and love for Mags, about how far he's willing to go and how much he's willing to give up to save a world that ostensibly hasn't done shit for him.
I did have some issues with the pacing, especially toward the middle, when things seem to somehow both whip around and stall out. Things happen! Confusing things! But wait, we aren't any closer to our goals! It shows that this used to be a series before being repackaged into a single book, unfortunately, though if you look at the cover of Trickster, the original stand-alone? God, no wonder we started over. It looks like something I would have made in middle school, totally derivative from genre conventions. I'm not totally fond of the new cover, but it is far and away better than what we did initially.
Somers has given Lem a great voice and a quick wit, and it was truly a pleasure to spend the 500-odd pages with him. This is some choice-grade entertaining fiction with just enough depth to keep my brain happy and entertained on my (extremely long and tiring) commute. I know I've already established that I have an ulterior motive in telling you to read this, but I honestly think it's worth it if you're into urban fantasy. I don't consume horrible books in two days even if they're free.
I sniffed this bad boy out earlier in the production cycle but decided to wait until we had finished books to read. I don't know why. I thought it might itch my chronic Dresden-files longing but I think I'm just introducing a new obsession.
The Dresden comparison really is apt, though. The magic works a little differently--while Dresdenverse spells are fueled by the energy or soul of the caster, ustari magic works on blood. Sometimes a little, but frequently oceans of it, sometimes spilled willingly but all too often gushing out to the bleeder's horror, to create commensurately horrible, delightfully inventive effects. Same idea, different execution.
Lem's got a way with the Words that turn that blood into magic, but unfortunately for him he has too much of a conscience to spill the blood of others. And idimustari, the kind of low-level trickster-mage he is as a result? Not a thing you can put on a resume for a white collar job application. Lem and his giant of a man companion/pet Mags end up getting wrapped in some big-time mage's attempt to basically bleed the entire world dry when all they wanted was to find enough cash to buy some McD's to keep Mags and his bottomless appetite fed for another few weeks, and things go about as well as you would expect from a book with a razor blade on the cover. There just wouldn't be a story otherwise, would there?
I like this for a lot of the same reason I like the Dresden books: you have a flawed hero trying (and often failing) to maintain his morals in a totally amoral world, trying to balance his own personal happiness with saving an uncaring world from the apocalyptic nightmares shaking down around him. The side characters are intriguing and mostly believable, though Somers's work suffers from the comparison--he just hasn't had the time and space to build these characters up. I honestly feel like Somers has created a stronger cast in less time.
Sure, sure, there's a save-the-girl, save-the-world plot going on, but at its core this book is about Lem's deep friendship and love for Mags, about how far he's willing to go and how much he's willing to give up to save a world that ostensibly hasn't done shit for him.
I did have some issues with the pacing, especially toward the middle, when things seem to somehow both whip around and stall out. Things happen! Confusing things! But wait, we aren't any closer to our goals! It shows that this used to be a series before being repackaged into a single book, unfortunately, though if you look at the cover of Trickster, the original stand-alone? God, no wonder we started over. It looks like something I would have made in middle school, totally derivative from genre conventions. I'm not totally fond of the new cover, but it is far and away better than what we did initially.
Somers has given Lem a great voice and a quick wit, and it was truly a pleasure to spend the 500-odd pages with him. This is some choice-grade entertaining fiction with just enough depth to keep my brain happy and entertained on my (extremely long and tiring) commute. I know I've already established that I have an ulterior motive in telling you to read this, but I honestly think it's worth it if you're into urban fantasy. I don't consume horrible books in two days even if they're free.
December 6, 2014
This is not a good book. Apologies for taking the lowest-hanging fruit here, but that's really what it boils down to. It's not a particularly terrible book either, I should note; it's just...unremarkable in nearly every way. And in a sense, that's worse.
It's not often that I find myself so disinterested in a book, that I can't bring myself to finish it, but that was certainly the case here. After 112 pages, I felt like I was just reading Of Mice and Men with blood magic. Which sadly, isn't as cool as it sounds. First and foremost, you've got the pair of protagonists: the little, clever one, and the big, hulking dumb one, both transients, trying to get by with their limited skills, and usually ending up in more trouble than they'd bargained for. Except, Lem and Mags aren't as interesting as George and Lenny.
Lem is a two-bit "Trickster," a low-level blood mage by his own choice, since he refuses to use anybody's blood but his own to perform magic. And in case you forget that, the book takes every available opportunity to remind you, and explore exactly why, in great detail, at least three separate times in the 112 pages I read. And you know that part in most Dresden Files books, where Harry Dresden is fully tapped out, and can barely walk, let alone cast spells? That's Lem throughout most of this book, more or less to the letter.
And Mags is...well, he pretty much just is. A walking archetype of the big brute with a soft heart, he comes across as a less endearing (and more foul-mouthed) version of Lenny from the aforementioned Steinbeck novel.
But what really killed me were the inconsistencies. Lem is 33, except for, 50 pages later, when he's suddenly 29, with no jump in time. Then there's the girl who magic doesn't work on. Except when it does. Etc. and so on. This lack of continuity, coupled with the overall unmemorable nature of the story made this book a sore disappointment. There was some genuinely good imagery at work here and there, as well as some nice turns of phrase, but that alone can't save a very by-the-numbers story, whose underlying plot I've seen before (and done better) plenty of times.
I went into We Are Not Good People wanting to like it. I loved what Somers did with the Avery Cates books, but something just didn't work, here. There's a chance this novel might get truly astounding further on, but after reading a fifth of it and not becoming invested, I can't bring myself to find out for sure. Your mileage may vary.
It's not often that I find myself so disinterested in a book, that I can't bring myself to finish it, but that was certainly the case here. After 112 pages, I felt like I was just reading Of Mice and Men with blood magic. Which sadly, isn't as cool as it sounds. First and foremost, you've got the pair of protagonists: the little, clever one, and the big, hulking dumb one, both transients, trying to get by with their limited skills, and usually ending up in more trouble than they'd bargained for. Except, Lem and Mags aren't as interesting as George and Lenny.
Lem is a two-bit "Trickster," a low-level blood mage by his own choice, since he refuses to use anybody's blood but his own to perform magic. And in case you forget that, the book takes every available opportunity to remind you, and explore exactly why, in great detail, at least three separate times in the 112 pages I read. And you know that part in most Dresden Files books, where Harry Dresden is fully tapped out, and can barely walk, let alone cast spells? That's Lem throughout most of this book, more or less to the letter.
And Mags is...well, he pretty much just is. A walking archetype of the big brute with a soft heart, he comes across as a less endearing (and more foul-mouthed) version of Lenny from the aforementioned Steinbeck novel.
But what really killed me were the inconsistencies. Lem is 33, except for, 50 pages later, when he's suddenly 29, with no jump in time. Then there's the girl who magic doesn't work on. Except when it does. Etc. and so on. This lack of continuity, coupled with the overall unmemorable nature of the story made this book a sore disappointment. There was some genuinely good imagery at work here and there, as well as some nice turns of phrase, but that alone can't save a very by-the-numbers story, whose underlying plot I've seen before (and done better) plenty of times.
I went into We Are Not Good People wanting to like it. I loved what Somers did with the Avery Cates books, but something just didn't work, here. There's a chance this novel might get truly astounding further on, but after reading a fifth of it and not becoming invested, I can't bring myself to find out for sure. Your mileage may vary.
December 19, 2014
The first half of this book (which might simply be the author's previous novel Trickster, going off of some of the other reviews) is great. The second half is ... messy. I think it's arguably more ambitious, but it's messy. I was certainly entertained, but I feel like the author painted himself into a corner and had to try to write his way out of it.
The core concept of the novel, set in a world very much like our own, is that magic is real (but hidden), relying on blood being spilled to do anything (along with a language of Words). People's power depends in part on their mastery of the vocabulary and grammar of the language, but also on how much blood they have available. Since it doesn't matter *whose* blood it is, the most powerful tend to be rather immoral -- either killing others, or keeping a stable of "Bleeders" who will cut themselves on command.
The main character is not one of these -- willing only to bleed himself, he's one of the grifters of the magical world, using magic to do small scale cons and theft, just getting by with himself and his boon companion. At least he's a fast thinker with an even faster way with words (and Words). But then one of his grifts drifts across something BIG, and he's pulled into one of the biggest magical rituals there ever has been ...
That's the first half. The second half is dealing with the effects of having run into it. In a way , it's satisfying because the author pulls no punches: the second half doesn't simply hit the reset button (except where magic is concerned...). But on the other hand, it shifts to a world where it's not just about immediately reacting to things, but instead planning; the main character certainly isn't good at it, but the slower pace gives the reader more time to react and think about the setting. And the very ending is ... elliptical.
The core concept of the novel, set in a world very much like our own, is that magic is real (but hidden), relying on blood being spilled to do anything (along with a language of Words). People's power depends in part on their mastery of the vocabulary and grammar of the language, but also on how much blood they have available. Since it doesn't matter *whose* blood it is, the most powerful tend to be rather immoral -- either killing others, or keeping a stable of "Bleeders" who will cut themselves on command.
The main character is not one of these -- willing only to bleed himself, he's one of the grifters of the magical world, using magic to do small scale cons and theft, just getting by with himself and his boon companion. At least he's a fast thinker with an even faster way with words (and Words). But then one of his grifts drifts across something BIG, and he's pulled into one of the biggest magical rituals there ever has been ...
That's the first half. The second half is dealing with the effects of having run into it. In a way , it's satisfying because the author pulls no punches: the second half doesn't simply hit the reset button (except where magic is concerned...). But on the other hand, it shifts to a world where it's not just about immediately reacting to things, but instead planning; the main character certainly isn't good at it, but the slower pace gives the reader more time to react and think about the setting. And the very ending is ... elliptical.
November 17, 2014
I loved the Avery Cates books, and now Somers turns his hand to urban fantasy. You know, that strange sub-genre where you tend to get a mystery/thriller/adventure/crime story with a touch of magic.
This, as you can probably guess from the title, is a pretty gritty story with a slice of black humor. All magic here, you see, is powered by blood - and while our hero Lem has a moral code of sorts that means he'll only cut himself (thus limiting himself to small-time trickster magic) there are other more powerful magicians who use sacrifices, willing bleeders, or even engineer wars and destruction for truly mind blowing power.
So like Avery Cates, Lem is the underdog here. He's living day to day on his wits and small con jobs. But he gets mixed up in something much bigger, from people who have no problems with using others, yet he find he's one of the few who's willing to stand up.
Basically this is a dark and bloody rampage of an adult fantasy story that pulls no punches and yet gives (most) of the characters enough ambiguity to be interesting. Lem has a Mr Miyagi type mentor, for example, and a big dumb-but-loyal friend called Mags. There's a whole secret otherworld of fellow blood magicians complete with a bar where they meet up, where deals are made and gangland type fixers hang out.
5 out of 5 . Couldn't put it down.
This is the first book of the Ustari cycle and is the same as "Trickster" - this is essentially a longer, better re-release. There's a preview novella too called Fixer which you can get free but seems to be region dependant.
Highly looking forward to the rest of this series, and may even take a stab at the Dresden Files now (the "urban fantasy" standard bearer).
This, as you can probably guess from the title, is a pretty gritty story with a slice of black humor. All magic here, you see, is powered by blood - and while our hero Lem has a moral code of sorts that means he'll only cut himself (thus limiting himself to small-time trickster magic) there are other more powerful magicians who use sacrifices, willing bleeders, or even engineer wars and destruction for truly mind blowing power.
So like Avery Cates, Lem is the underdog here. He's living day to day on his wits and small con jobs. But he gets mixed up in something much bigger, from people who have no problems with using others, yet he find he's one of the few who's willing to stand up.
Basically this is a dark and bloody rampage of an adult fantasy story that pulls no punches and yet gives (most) of the characters enough ambiguity to be interesting. Lem has a Mr Miyagi type mentor, for example, and a big dumb-but-loyal friend called Mags. There's a whole secret otherworld of fellow blood magicians complete with a bar where they meet up, where deals are made and gangland type fixers hang out.
5 out of 5 . Couldn't put it down.
This is the first book of the Ustari cycle and is the same as "Trickster" - this is essentially a longer, better re-release. There's a preview novella too called Fixer which you can get free but seems to be region dependant.
Highly looking forward to the rest of this series, and may even take a stab at the Dresden Files now (the "urban fantasy" standard bearer).
July 23, 2015
Ultimately, this was confusing and repetitive but still fascinating. Here's the basic plot:
Lem can cast spells by using blood as the fuel. He has a strong moral code about this, and refuses to bleed anyone but himself for his own spells. His partner in crime is a big doofus nicknamed Mags, who has very limited mental ability.
Story: someone wants to kill everyone on Earth so they can be immortal. Lem and Mags want to stop it.
Why it's so confusing: the flashbacks aren't super obvious at first, so there will be this big tense moment and then suddenly we are in a totally different spot with different people. There are apparently multiple universes, which makes it harder to discern whether I am looking at a flashback or a different reality. Characters die, then don't die, then die, then don't die...
Less of an issue but still a mild annoyance: the hierarchy of mages. The book did manage to help with this to kind of reinforce which was which, but it was still sometimes hard to follow along with each one. Basically: all of them are more powerful than Lem.
The climax was less of a climax than I would have liked. I do like the idea behind it, where Lem uses Mags as his grounding point to fix the world because Mags is just a perfect being. Plus, the honesty of how selfish Lem was was refreshing. No bullshit about trying to save the world so much as just being mad at how selfish the higher-ups were.
The severity of the evil plan was gnarly. Every single being in the world bled dry. Dogs, cats, babies, kids, adults....but at least our big bad villain gets to live forever in a dead world, yes? It was definitely diabolical and totally befitting of a bad guy.
Lem can cast spells by using blood as the fuel. He has a strong moral code about this, and refuses to bleed anyone but himself for his own spells. His partner in crime is a big doofus nicknamed Mags, who has very limited mental ability.
Story: someone wants to kill everyone on Earth so they can be immortal. Lem and Mags want to stop it.
Why it's so confusing: the flashbacks aren't super obvious at first, so there will be this big tense moment and then suddenly we are in a totally different spot with different people. There are apparently multiple universes, which makes it harder to discern whether I am looking at a flashback or a different reality. Characters die, then don't die, then die, then don't die...
Less of an issue but still a mild annoyance: the hierarchy of mages. The book did manage to help with this to kind of reinforce which was which, but it was still sometimes hard to follow along with each one. Basically: all of them are more powerful than Lem.
The climax was less of a climax than I would have liked. I do like the idea behind it, where Lem uses Mags as his grounding point to fix the world because Mags is just a perfect being. Plus, the honesty of how selfish Lem was was refreshing. No bullshit about trying to save the world so much as just being mad at how selfish the higher-ups were.
The severity of the evil plan was gnarly. Every single being in the world bled dry. Dogs, cats, babies, kids, adults....but at least our big bad villain gets to live forever in a dead world, yes? It was definitely diabolical and totally befitting of a bad guy.
November 11, 2015
This book had so much potential - often reaching it, but just as often not. The main character was very well defined, some side characters were very lovable, if 2D, but the book suffers from Sorting Hat Syndrome where all wizards of this class fit this characteristic, that class that stereotype and without fail every character bowed to that profiling, which was unfortunate, because I loved so many of them. Oddly for a fantasy novel, no characters were really heroes, just villains and the poor schmucks who couldn't avoid them - except for Melanie, who we only saw from the pov of the schmucks who were intimidated by her. I like that the main character, Lem, wasn't a hero, that if he had to pick between the world and his best friend, he'd let the world burn.
The grammar in this book killed me, but I admit to being a snob. It was very much written as if picturing every scene in a movie, which is nice - focuses more on the action rather than the setup - but often left thoughts and sentences incomplete.
The book is broken down into four parts - part one being over half the book, whereas another part was 20 pages. Part one was a complete book and should have ended there. Parts 2-4 could have been edited to be a sequel and probably would have told a better story that way.
Overall, the characters were great, if simple and the world building was good. I just wish the ending made more sense.
The grammar in this book killed me, but I admit to being a snob. It was very much written as if picturing every scene in a movie, which is nice - focuses more on the action rather than the setup - but often left thoughts and sentences incomplete.
The book is broken down into four parts - part one being over half the book, whereas another part was 20 pages. Part one was a complete book and should have ended there. Parts 2-4 could have been edited to be a sequel and probably would have told a better story that way.
Overall, the characters were great, if simple and the world building was good. I just wish the ending made more sense.
November 13, 2014
Jeff Somers wrote a noir tale about blood magic last year. Instead of just make a sequel We are not Good People(trade from Gallery) rewrites the first so as to allow a sequel (minor changes) and adds the second half. Blood is magic using the proper words and the more blood the more powerful the magic. When we first meed Lem Vonnegan and his less bright partner Mags, Lem refuses to use any blood but his own; limiting him to minor scams. Then he comes into the perview of the most powerful mage, Mika Renar so old she’s practically a mummy and afraid of death. Her solution, immortality requires the death of most of life on earth. In the first version Lem was in the right place and time to stop the sacrifices that would trigger world death. In this version he almost does so. The problem is another piece of magic, Kurre-Nikas the that can reach into the past and change one thing. His enemies use it to bring about an earth filled with the dead and Mr. Sommers allows readers a tour of this horrible tour before. Lem resets the world to normal. The problem is that the Kurre-Nikas feels like deus-ex-machina,. Still the tale is fascinating and the world worth returning to. Review printed in the Philadelphia Weekly Press
January 14, 2015
I enjoyed the writing in this book and the gritty world. I would have given it four stars except for one reason... the author is obsessed with smoking.
All but one of the characters smokes and I would guess the non-smoking character smoked as well, but was never given the opportunity to do so while trying to save his ass.
Mind you, this book have a lot of characters so I am not talking about just three people; I am talking about well over thirty.
Somers details what kind of cigarettes they smoke too. White, brown, long, thin. He even goes into detail about the atmosphere in which the characters are trying to smoke. In one scene, they are in a dungeon of sorts in South America and the air is so humid, they have problems smoking their increasingly wet cigarettes. Another scene discusses how stale they are.
In the law of averages, this many people would not smoke especially when two years of an apocalypse have gone by. The product would no longer exist.
Honestly, it really took away from the novel as a whole which is a pity because Somers is an excellent writer and the story was fascinating.
I also didn't quite understand the ending, but I clock that up to my reading disability and not a failure on the author's part.
All but one of the characters smokes and I would guess the non-smoking character smoked as well, but was never given the opportunity to do so while trying to save his ass.
Mind you, this book have a lot of characters so I am not talking about just three people; I am talking about well over thirty.
Somers details what kind of cigarettes they smoke too. White, brown, long, thin. He even goes into detail about the atmosphere in which the characters are trying to smoke. In one scene, they are in a dungeon of sorts in South America and the air is so humid, they have problems smoking their increasingly wet cigarettes. Another scene discusses how stale they are.
In the law of averages, this many people would not smoke especially when two years of an apocalypse have gone by. The product would no longer exist.
Honestly, it really took away from the novel as a whole which is a pity because Somers is an excellent writer and the story was fascinating.
I also didn't quite understand the ending, but I clock that up to my reading disability and not a failure on the author's part.
February 22, 2016
Been a fan of Somers all through his brilliant Avery Cates series, and his latest series (dubbed The Ustari Cycle) shares a lot of the same morally grey, action heavy DNA as that. It's gritty urban fantasy where magic spells cost blood (so self-harm or the company of 'bleeders' is the only way to fuel powers) and Somers gets some good grim mileage out of that idea (the notion that huge spells require chain reactions of increasing bodycounts to generate enough blood is very neat), the action is still as visceral as you'd expect from Somers, and Lem and Mags are definitely characters I'd like to read more of. It doesn't quite hook me the same way as Avery Cates did, but I suspect that's largely down to personal preference (cyberpunky action floats my boat pretty damn hard and Cates would take a great deal to beat for me).
NOTE: the release of this was a little odd, in that the first half of the book was previously released under the title 'Trickster' and then later bundled up with the follow-up to make this book. Figured it was worth a mention in case people think they have to buy both! We Are Not Good People is the whole shebang.
NOTE: the release of this was a little odd, in that the first half of the book was previously released under the title 'Trickster' and then later bundled up with the follow-up to make this book. Figured it was worth a mention in case people think they have to buy both! We Are Not Good People is the whole shebang.
April 28, 2016
I hate that it took me so long to get around to reading this book!
I was the winner of a Goodreads giveaway for We Are Not Good People, and am so glad I got a chance to read Jeff Somers' novel. His writing style is catchy, dark, and masterfully nuanced. The second half of this novel, especially, begins to take on a very epic, New Testament feel, but the characters and action are still dogged by the modern, can't-catch-a-break grit that had me hooked from page one.
The characters are, by the way, easily the most addictive aspect of We Are Not Good People, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of the same from Mr. Somers. Each and every one of them was far too easy to fall in love with, to continue caring about, even, long after their role in the narrative appeared finished. And 'appeared' is a good word to keep in mind while reading this, because things seldom remain constant, and very little in this novel is what it at first appears.
I whole-heartedly recommend this book, five stars.
I was the winner of a Goodreads giveaway for We Are Not Good People, and am so glad I got a chance to read Jeff Somers' novel. His writing style is catchy, dark, and masterfully nuanced. The second half of this novel, especially, begins to take on a very epic, New Testament feel, but the characters and action are still dogged by the modern, can't-catch-a-break grit that had me hooked from page one.
The characters are, by the way, easily the most addictive aspect of We Are Not Good People, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of the same from Mr. Somers. Each and every one of them was far too easy to fall in love with, to continue caring about, even, long after their role in the narrative appeared finished. And 'appeared' is a good word to keep in mind while reading this, because things seldom remain constant, and very little in this novel is what it at first appears.
I whole-heartedly recommend this book, five stars.
November 27, 2014
Magic is real and within the grasp of almost anyone with a gift for the Words and a willingness to spill blood in order to use it. That’s the premise of this gritty urban fantasy by the author that brought us the Avery Cates sci-fi noir series, Jeff Somers.
We Are Not Good People is rich in characterization and ripe with vivid descriptions. The story clicks along quickly, following the modern-day grifters, Lem and Mags as they battle a powerful set of enemies and increasingly overwhelming odds in order to save each other and the world from a mysterious group of Magi hell-bent on achieving immortality, even if they have to kill every other living thing on the planet to get it. WANGP provides the sort of entertainment we've come to expect from one of today’s most gifted storytellers. I devoured this one in just a few sittings and now I eagerly await what I hope will be an “Ustari Cycle #2” in the near future.
We Are Not Good People is rich in characterization and ripe with vivid descriptions. The story clicks along quickly, following the modern-day grifters, Lem and Mags as they battle a powerful set of enemies and increasingly overwhelming odds in order to save each other and the world from a mysterious group of Magi hell-bent on achieving immortality, even if they have to kill every other living thing on the planet to get it. WANGP provides the sort of entertainment we've come to expect from one of today’s most gifted storytellers. I devoured this one in just a few sittings and now I eagerly await what I hope will be an “Ustari Cycle #2” in the near future.
December 6, 2016
Gosh, this was a tough one to finish. I'm not sure why, reading it just felt like work. It's not that it was bad, it was just... I dunno. It felt kind of disjointed, like it had been written in fragments then patched together. Had an awkward peak about halfway through (which makes sense, because the first half was its own novel, and the last half was an expansion of it), then never really picked up the same amount of steam for the last half.
Interesting world, though. I liked the mechanics of it, and I think it could make a really good movie. The ending was satisfying for me, considering I knew and accepted that it could never be wrapped up in a neat little package. I'll probably read more of the stories.
Interesting world, though. I liked the mechanics of it, and I think it could make a really good movie. The ending was satisfying for me, considering I knew and accepted that it could never be wrapped up in a neat little package. I'll probably read more of the stories.
July 1, 2015
Not sure Jeff Somers has been writing long enough for me to say that this is a "classic" Jeff Somers story - violent, despairing, apocalyptic, urban, relentlessly dirty and distressing. The main character again is a junkie (this time the drug of choice is magic) turned reluctant and quite honestly unconvincing hero, with a sidekick / best friend / talisman - a pattern shown in The Electric Church series. I was in the mood for a story like this and it fit the bill but, whew, now I feel like I need to read about rainbow unicorns and soft, clean things. And eat a good meal.
July 26, 2016
Bleed and say the Words.
Wow, this book was quite the ride, and I liked it a lot. The ustari may not, as Avery Cates so often reminds us, be good people; but Avery may be the best of the bunch. His affection and somewhat haphazard care for his friend, Mags, is his redeeming quality. The magic system is nifty. This is a dark and bloody book--I recommend it highly. I'm very much looking forward to the next book.
Wow, this book was quite the ride, and I liked it a lot. The ustari may not, as Avery Cates so often reminds us, be good people; but Avery may be the best of the bunch. His affection and somewhat haphazard care for his friend, Mags, is his redeeming quality. The magic system is nifty. This is a dark and bloody book--I recommend it highly. I'm very much looking forward to the next book.
October 18, 2014
Overall a great story with some interesting characters. I enjoyed how Jeff Somers approached the "magic" in this book with the use of blood and how each character took to that fact. The story itself was well done and worked very well with the characters. I enjoyed We Are Not Good People, and though i can see why some may not, We Are Not Good People was a great book.
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