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Fractured Conclave #1
A Usual Suspect
She can see the truth, but when she's accused of murder, no one believes she's innocent.
Hallie works as a skip tracer - hunting down people wanted by the law, for one reason or another. It's not glamourous, and it doesn't pay all that well. But it's legal work, and that's hard to come by in the cramped quarters of old town.
When a childhood friend calls her in a panic, Hallie goes to help and gets a lot more than she bargained for. One of the elite has been murdered and the special investigators are looking for someone to blame.
The moment Hallie is near a dead body of one of the ruling class, her hard work and clean record count for nothing. She just becomes a usual suspect. Worse, the real killer also wants Hallie dead.
Can she stay ahead of the investigators long enough to find the real killer and bring them to justice?
If you like your fantasy mixed with a bit of mystery, a bit of magic and a heroine who can hold her own, you will love this new series by Vanessa Nelson.
Hallie works as a skip tracer - hunting down people wanted by the law, for one reason or another. It's not glamourous, and it doesn't pay all that well. But it's legal work, and that's hard to come by in the cramped quarters of old town.
When a childhood friend calls her in a panic, Hallie goes to help and gets a lot more than she bargained for. One of the elite has been murdered and the special investigators are looking for someone to blame.
The moment Hallie is near a dead body of one of the ruling class, her hard work and clean record count for nothing. She just becomes a usual suspect. Worse, the real killer also wants Hallie dead.
Can she stay ahead of the investigators long enough to find the real killer and bring them to justice?
If you like your fantasy mixed with a bit of mystery, a bit of magic and a heroine who can hold her own, you will love this new series by Vanessa Nelson.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2024
862 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Nelson
32 books424 followersI am a fantasy author living in Scotland, United Kingdom and spending my days juggling the demands of an elderly, spoiled cat, two giant dogs and a host of fictional characters.
As far as the cat is concerned, she’s in charge and should always come first. The older dog’s favourite method of getting my attention is a gentle nudge with his head. At least, he would say it’s gentle. And the younger dog's attention-getting method generally involves playing with the loudest squeaky toy he can find.
You can find out more information at the following places:
Website: www.vanessanelsonwrites.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Taellaneth
As far as the cat is concerned, she’s in charge and should always come first. The older dog’s favourite method of getting my attention is a gentle nudge with his head. At least, he would say it’s gentle. And the younger dog's attention-getting method generally involves playing with the loudest squeaky toy he can find.
You can find out more information at the following places:
Website: www.vanessanelsonwrites.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Taellaneth
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
December 9, 2024
I enjoyed it, but I have to give it 3 stars because I had a really hard time sticking with it for the first half.
Not only is Hallie's (FMC) life lonely and depressing, but also we are treated to everyone abusing her. And she just takes it, to infinity.
The ruling class of this world are called the hochlen and they are basically enhanced humans, as best I can tell. Look human, but are stronger, faster, and super wealthy elite. And to sum up things, they're basically Nazis. They are utterly convinced of their own superiority, and uniformly believe normal humans are scum. They savagely beat, torture, murder at their whim. And this is true for every single one we meet in this book. Yes, I'm including the douchebag that I assume is the love interest - I threw up in my mouth a little at the thought, frankly - because even though he didn't lay a hand on the FMC, he had no problem standing there while others beat her, broke her cheekbone by deliberately slamming her face into the edge of a table, clubbed her with a shock stick, left her tied up in a moving vehicle so she's slammed from wall to wall as they drive around the city (yes, the same way cops murdered George Floyd, so if you didn't want us to think all hochlen are fascist pigs, including Girard, that was a poor choice), drugged her for interrogation (a drug that left her screaming in pain as it went through her system, so it's a two for one torture + truth serum, perfect for fascist monsters), and etc.
I want to read onward, and I will, but I don't know that this series is going to work for me. Frankly, I am tired of seeing Hallie walked all over. I want her to get an Uzi and mow down every cop and hochlen she sees. I want her to literally cleanse this city with fire.
And I know it won't happen.
I love this author. But something I have struggled with in every series is how much the FMC is willing to light herself on fire to keep other people warm. People who don't deserve her help. She had to help in this book because it was about clearing her name, but by all rights, she should hate every motherfucker that was in this book except Rosalia and the witches. She should spit on them if they approach her for help again (or better yet, Uzi).
We live in a world that has conclusively proven that turning the other cheek and offering kindness to people who hate you - who would happily kill you (something more than a few people in this book wanted to do) - gets you a world with people like Donald Trump and Marine Le Pen in charge. People with no decency, who believe you are subhuman and their minds cannot be changed. And I'm fucking tired of it. I'm tired of amazing female characters getting horribly beaten down by the world of their series, and getting back up to offer a helping hand to their abusers.
Nah, man. It's time to burn this shit down. Start with the mom who has the gall to disown her for...checks notes...getting attacked as a child (but still extorts her for protection money every month. No, I'm not kidding. Literally every character in this book is an absolute piece of shit, except for Hallie, Rosalie, and Hallie's witch friends). And end with the Nazi-hochlen up on their shining high hills. I'll bring the marshmallows.
Not only is Hallie's (FMC) life lonely and depressing, but also we are treated to everyone abusing her. And she just takes it, to infinity.
The ruling class of this world are called the hochlen and they are basically enhanced humans, as best I can tell. Look human, but are stronger, faster, and super wealthy elite. And to sum up things, they're basically Nazis. They are utterly convinced of their own superiority, and uniformly believe normal humans are scum. They savagely beat, torture, murder at their whim. And this is true for every single one we meet in this book. Yes, I'm including the douchebag that I assume is the love interest - I threw up in my mouth a little at the thought, frankly - because even though he didn't lay a hand on the FMC, he had no problem standing there while others beat her, broke her cheekbone by deliberately slamming her face into the edge of a table, clubbed her with a shock stick, left her tied up in a moving vehicle so she's slammed from wall to wall as they drive around the city (yes, the same way cops murdered George Floyd, so if you didn't want us to think all hochlen are fascist pigs, including Girard, that was a poor choice), drugged her for interrogation (a drug that left her screaming in pain as it went through her system, so it's a two for one torture + truth serum, perfect for fascist monsters), and etc.
I want to read onward, and I will, but I don't know that this series is going to work for me. Frankly, I am tired of seeing Hallie walked all over. I want her to get an Uzi and mow down every cop and hochlen she sees. I want her to literally cleanse this city with fire.
And I know it won't happen.
I love this author. But something I have struggled with in every series is how much the FMC is willing to light herself on fire to keep other people warm. People who don't deserve her help. She had to help in this book because it was about clearing her name, but by all rights, she should hate every motherfucker that was in this book except Rosalia and the witches. She should spit on them if they approach her for help again (or better yet, Uzi).
We live in a world that has conclusively proven that turning the other cheek and offering kindness to people who hate you - who would happily kill you (something more than a few people in this book wanted to do) - gets you a world with people like Donald Trump and Marine Le Pen in charge. People with no decency, who believe you are subhuman and their minds cannot be changed. And I'm fucking tired of it. I'm tired of amazing female characters getting horribly beaten down by the world of their series, and getting back up to offer a helping hand to their abusers.
Nah, man. It's time to burn this shit down. Start with the mom who has the gall to disown her for...checks notes...getting attacked as a child (but still extorts her for protection money every month. No, I'm not kidding. Literally every character in this book is an absolute piece of shit, except for Hallie, Rosalie, and Hallie's witch friends). And end with the Nazi-hochlen up on their shining high hills. I'll bring the marshmallows.
December 6, 2024
Vanessa Nelson is quick becoming an auto-buy author for me. I have read multiple series from her and have loved each one. In this new offering, we are treated to an urban fantasy (rather than straight fantasy) but it is just as compelling as any I have read so far!
Hallie (FMC) is such a fabulous yet tortured heroine! Her life is incredibly complex and in many ways heartbreaking. She lives and works as a skip tracer in the “human” or lower income part of a city that rises into the hills where the elite, dangerous and untouchable “hochlan” live. Their worlds are vastly different and rarely intersect. She has been ruthlessly disowned by her family, who are the head of a mafia-type ruling “vine” and truly struggles to make ends meet and pay her “fees” to stay in their territory now that she isn’t part of their hierarchy. To add insult to injury, in trying to help the one friend she has in the world, she is accused and arrested for murder… by the Elite and very dangerous Hochlan people she tries so hard to avoid! See? Complex is the least of it!
Throughout the story I absolutely ached for Hallie as she tries so hard to do right even in the face of almost impossible odds. There are points that are gut wrenching, yet she perseveres and doesn’t give up. I think this series just may be one of Ms. Nelson’s best yet!
Hallie (FMC) is such a fabulous yet tortured heroine! Her life is incredibly complex and in many ways heartbreaking. She lives and works as a skip tracer in the “human” or lower income part of a city that rises into the hills where the elite, dangerous and untouchable “hochlan” live. Their worlds are vastly different and rarely intersect. She has been ruthlessly disowned by her family, who are the head of a mafia-type ruling “vine” and truly struggles to make ends meet and pay her “fees” to stay in their territory now that she isn’t part of their hierarchy. To add insult to injury, in trying to help the one friend she has in the world, she is accused and arrested for murder… by the Elite and very dangerous Hochlan people she tries so hard to avoid! See? Complex is the least of it!
Throughout the story I absolutely ached for Hallie as she tries so hard to do right even in the face of almost impossible odds. There are points that are gut wrenching, yet she perseveres and doesn’t give up. I think this series just may be one of Ms. Nelson’s best yet!
July 2, 2024
Sometimes VN's series start out kinda depressing.
Hallie is incredibly alone, and her one friend in the world puts her into a terrible situation that she can't even help with because she has to go into hiding.
Everyone assumes the worst of Hallie, people who she thought at least respected her don't give her a chance, and go so far as to destroy what she has built for herself. Not to mention the beatings.
The story closes without a cliffy, thank goodness, but you know there is more coming. I'd wished for apologies or some sort of recognition of the misjudgment, but maybe next book...
I also found this world confusing, very class-conscious, but while the species of humans and better-than-humans made sorta sense, the last species seemed to consist of everything from shifters to aliens to trolls to... well you get my drift. But all lumped together.
Hallie is incredibly alone, and her one friend in the world puts her into a terrible situation that she can't even help with because she has to go into hiding.
Everyone assumes the worst of Hallie, people who she thought at least respected her don't give her a chance, and go so far as to destroy what she has built for herself. Not to mention the beatings.
The story closes without a cliffy, thank goodness, but you know there is more coming. I'd wished for apologies or some sort of recognition of the misjudgment, but maybe next book...
I also found this world confusing, very class-conscious, but while the species of humans and better-than-humans made sorta sense, the last species seemed to consist of everything from shifters to aliens to trolls to... well you get my drift. But all lumped together.
November 11, 2024
3.5 stars
This is my third series by the author - and as previously experienced with the other two, the world-building LACK information for readers. This one annoyed me more than the previous, because the author used terms like hochlen, karlen, veondken, without ANY definition in the story itself!! I spent the whole book trying to figure them out and it bothered my reading experience.
Apparently the terms are available in the "Places and Terminology" section, but I tend to go jump into the story first. So when the terms are not put in the story definition itself somewhat, it's just annoying to me.
But in overall, it was promising, even if Hallie isn't exactly an investigator (she got information about the killer in this book by a LOT of help!), and I usually was interested with a more procedural side of a murder mystery. However, I grew to care about Hallie and Rosalia (I hope I see their friendship flourished more in the second book, and maybe Rosalia could open her own restaurant!). I was curious with the two older witches, Kendra and Nelda. AND, as always, there might be romance in the future for Hallie and Girard Abbott.
So yes, I will check out the second book...
This is my third series by the author - and as previously experienced with the other two, the world-building LACK information for readers. This one annoyed me more than the previous, because the author used terms like hochlen, karlen, veondken, without ANY definition in the story itself!! I spent the whole book trying to figure them out and it bothered my reading experience.
Apparently the terms are available in the "Places and Terminology" section, but I tend to go jump into the story first. So when the terms are not put in the story definition itself somewhat, it's just annoying to me.
But in overall, it was promising, even if Hallie isn't exactly an investigator (she got information about the killer in this book by a LOT of help!), and I usually was interested with a more procedural side of a murder mystery. However, I grew to care about Hallie and Rosalia (I hope I see their friendship flourished more in the second book, and maybe Rosalia could open her own restaurant!). I was curious with the two older witches, Kendra and Nelda. AND, as always, there might be romance in the future for Hallie and Girard Abbott.
So yes, I will check out the second book...
Read
February 14, 2025British fantasy author, Vanessa Nelson, has published twenty-five books in five series since her debut novel in 2018. I decided to try out her lastest series, The Fractured Conclave, There are two books already in print and the third is due for release next month. I was hoping that ‘A Usual Suspect‘ (2024) was going to pull me into a new Urban Fantasy series.
It stared well. I was dropped straight into the action in the complex but intriguing world that Hallie lives in. Initially, my head was full of more questions than answers but they were questions that tickled my curiosity and got me speculating. For intance, the collective noun for non-humans was Veondkin. My search engine said Veond was a version of Feend in Middle English – an enemy and or a devil. Humans were referred to as Karlen which I thought might be from Old German meaning Freeman. I was intrigued and keen to learn more. I also liked that the plot had a slightly grimy, noirish feel.
Hallie's world had a lot of potential for drama and intrigue It was heavily stratified and segregated, with Hallie's species, the Karlen, living at the bottom in poverty that they survive by working in family clans and the physically superior hochlen at the top, living lives of wealth and privilege. In between were the Veondkin a fae-like set of creatures with magic at their fingertips.
Hallie is a bit of an outsider among the Karlen and is estranged from most of her family because of an incident that I was waiting patiently to get the details of which seems to have altered her physically so that she's not quite human.
I liked the plot, which put Hallie in the middle of a covert struggle between the hochlen and had her being hunted as the suspected murderer of a high-ranking hochlen.
I was less happy with some of some of the writing about the mechanics of moving through the plot. I felt it should have been tightened to take out the padding.
After the first third of the book, it seemed to me that the story started to lose momentum. At 58% I reluctantly set the book aside.
I’m sure that there was an interesting story in there somewhere but it wasn’t holding my attention. The prose was too clunky, the worldbuilding was too slow and I was tired of Hallie being kidnapped to move the plot forward.
It stared well. I was dropped straight into the action in the complex but intriguing world that Hallie lives in. Initially, my head was full of more questions than answers but they were questions that tickled my curiosity and got me speculating. For intance, the collective noun for non-humans was Veondkin. My search engine said Veond was a version of Feend in Middle English – an enemy and or a devil. Humans were referred to as Karlen which I thought might be from Old German meaning Freeman. I was intrigued and keen to learn more. I also liked that the plot had a slightly grimy, noirish feel.
Hallie's world had a lot of potential for drama and intrigue It was heavily stratified and segregated, with Hallie's species, the Karlen, living at the bottom in poverty that they survive by working in family clans and the physically superior hochlen at the top, living lives of wealth and privilege. In between were the Veondkin a fae-like set of creatures with magic at their fingertips.
Hallie is a bit of an outsider among the Karlen and is estranged from most of her family because of an incident that I was waiting patiently to get the details of which seems to have altered her physically so that she's not quite human.
I liked the plot, which put Hallie in the middle of a covert struggle between the hochlen and had her being hunted as the suspected murderer of a high-ranking hochlen.
I was less happy with some of some of the writing about the mechanics of moving through the plot. I felt it should have been tightened to take out the padding.
After the first third of the book, it seemed to me that the story started to lose momentum. At 58% I reluctantly set the book aside.
I’m sure that there was an interesting story in there somewhere but it wasn’t holding my attention. The prose was too clunky, the worldbuilding was too slow and I was tired of Hallie being kidnapped to move the plot forward.
July 25, 2024
If you liked the author's previous series, this is more of the same. Entertaining and fast paced with some hints of interesting world building.
July 12, 2024
Very nice. It's unclear if this is far future/backslid normal world (presumably gene modding generations back) 🌎 or aliens 👽 (dimensional or otherwise) 🤔 or a different planet as it's set all in a city.
Interesting all the same. Was shocked at the quality 😳 until I got to the "also written by" section and realized I mixed up my authors.
Pre-ordered book 2.
Interesting all the same. Was shocked at the quality 😳 until I got to the "also written by" section and realized I mixed up my authors.
Pre-ordered book 2.
June 29, 2024
A great start to a new series!
I love reading Vanessa Nelson books and she has done it again with this new series! Interesting characters, a whodunnit, and a strong but caring FMC. I’m excited to read the rest of the series as it comes out!
I love reading Vanessa Nelson books and she has done it again with this new series! Interesting characters, a whodunnit, and a strong but caring FMC. I’m excited to read the rest of the series as it comes out!
October 1, 2024
It’s a fairly straightforward mystery set in a dystopian AU and it all works pretty well. I enjoyed the settings, history, and characters, and while the story certainly wrapped up well, there’s still enough world building and character development that I am looking forward to the next instalment. The only annoyance is the same pet peeve that largely prevents me from reading any fantasy/sci-fi - unpronounceable names. Thankfully, the voerken/hoechlin/whatsiwhocareslen were somewhat limited terms that came, helpfully, with context clues, but the character names were fairly typical.
November 18, 2024
An original and intriguing universe, good narration, interesting characters: I found it quite convincing and very entertaining.
Only one downside, but a big one: the investigation work is ultra simplistic. The plot is too obvious, the reader used to crime novels will guess the culprit well before the heroine.
But the many mysteries that remain to be discovered and the atmosphere of the book invite you to read the following.
Only one downside, but a big one: the investigation work is ultra simplistic. The plot is too obvious, the reader used to crime novels will guess the culprit well before the heroine.
But the many mysteries that remain to be discovered and the atmosphere of the book invite you to read the following.
November 29, 2024
This was fast paced and pretty good though sometimes you wanted to smack Hallie into finding her common sense. The world building is pretty good as you find out the different sects and how they govern. Hallie being rejected from her family is considered non human. Helping a friend put her in the crosshairs of the police and security forces of the Elite and she works to clear her name.
August 24, 2024
I actually enjoyed that book and its story very much. Tit wasn’t perfect, yet it was really looking forward to the next installment. Sadly, I didn’t check on the release dates. I hope I won’t forget to remember this book series till then.
May 1, 2025
I started this, but lost interest at about 80%. The part I read wasn't bad, but it became long and ultimately didn't keep my interest.
June 30, 2024
Good
Hallie is a skip tracer by profession, but when a friend calls her for help when she runs across her the body of her murdered lover, Hallie immediately jumps in.
The two of them, as non-elites, are the immediate suspects, and it takes time and effort for Hallie to investigate; but Hallie always gets her skip, and she’s determined that this will not be the first to get away.
This is the first book in a new series by Vanessa Nelson, and the reader can expect all the usual complexities and intriguing situations we have come to expect from the author.
It’s an engrossing read, with the main story for this book nicely wrapped up, while the background story is only just beginning.
Hallie herself is a fascinating character, with some very unusual abilities- some she doesn’t exactly understand herself, and the world and characters she meets are intriguing. There are some very interesting events that make you think Hallie has a rather exciting future in store, so I’m looking forward to seeing where the next book in the series takes us.
An enjoyable contemporary/urban fantasy, this is for those who enjoy a complex fantasy world, with fascinating characters and an entertaining storyline.
Hallie is a skip tracer by profession, but when a friend calls her for help when she runs across her the body of her murdered lover, Hallie immediately jumps in.
The two of them, as non-elites, are the immediate suspects, and it takes time and effort for Hallie to investigate; but Hallie always gets her skip, and she’s determined that this will not be the first to get away.
This is the first book in a new series by Vanessa Nelson, and the reader can expect all the usual complexities and intriguing situations we have come to expect from the author.
It’s an engrossing read, with the main story for this book nicely wrapped up, while the background story is only just beginning.
Hallie herself is a fascinating character, with some very unusual abilities- some she doesn’t exactly understand herself, and the world and characters she meets are intriguing. There are some very interesting events that make you think Hallie has a rather exciting future in store, so I’m looking forward to seeing where the next book in the series takes us.
An enjoyable contemporary/urban fantasy, this is for those who enjoy a complex fantasy world, with fascinating characters and an entertaining storyline.
July 5, 2024
Never disappoints
This author has become an autobuy for me- I won’t even read the blurb before getting the book! This one is similar to her other books in that there’s a mystery that the heroine must solve. I love how her heroine is always innately kind and capable in spite of being mistreated by most people in the book. The spice in this book is non existent but you can see potential there. She’s a closed door author which I like as sometimes I’m in the mood for romance without the gratuitous sex scenes.
If you like a good investigative, paranormal police procedural book then you’ll love this book. It’s so well written with a great cast of secondary characters.
This author has become an autobuy for me- I won’t even read the blurb before getting the book! This one is similar to her other books in that there’s a mystery that the heroine must solve. I love how her heroine is always innately kind and capable in spite of being mistreated by most people in the book. The spice in this book is non existent but you can see potential there. She’s a closed door author which I like as sometimes I’m in the mood for romance without the gratuitous sex scenes.
If you like a good investigative, paranormal police procedural book then you’ll love this book. It’s so well written with a great cast of secondary characters.
November 28, 2024
The most generic and uninspired story I have read in some time and I encounter books like that constantly.
The story is decently well told but everything about it is clichéed and one-dimensional.
Initially I didn't even think about complaining about the utter stupidity of every single character in the entire book because it's such a tired plot-line to begin with that I could see every story-beat comming from miles away either way.
But I think it is nonetheless important to point out that all the characters share 2 braincells among themselves.
I won't continue this particular series but the writing is decent and I wouldn't mind reading a much better story writting in a similar style.
I enjoyed "The Taellaneth" by this author quite a lot more, especially the first book which felt much more unconventional at least at first, but it also fell back to using the same one-dimensional clichées in later volumes so I think the author is capable of writing more interesting stories if she focussed on it.
I haven't given up hope yet with this author despite this one as well as a few others having been duds so far. I really hope it just takes more time for this author to grow. I hope she won't stagnate writing ever the same simplistic stories over and over again like so many of them do.
The story is decently well told but everything about it is clichéed and one-dimensional.
Initially I didn't even think about complaining about the utter stupidity of every single character in the entire book because it's such a tired plot-line to begin with that I could see every story-beat comming from miles away either way.
But I think it is nonetheless important to point out that all the characters share 2 braincells among themselves.
I won't continue this particular series but the writing is decent and I wouldn't mind reading a much better story writting in a similar style.
I enjoyed "The Taellaneth" by this author quite a lot more, especially the first book which felt much more unconventional at least at first, but it also fell back to using the same one-dimensional clichées in later volumes so I think the author is capable of writing more interesting stories if she focussed on it.
I haven't given up hope yet with this author despite this one as well as a few others having been duds so far. I really hope it just takes more time for this author to grow. I hope she won't stagnate writing ever the same simplistic stories over and over again like so many of them do.
January 20, 2025
1 star for the first 70%
5 stars for the final 30%
Compromise 3 ⭐️ read
A singularly painful experience reading this book. I don’t know what that blockage was preventing me from finishing it but it literally took forever. The worst part? I somehow convinced myself I wasn’t allowed to read anything else until it was off my tbr.
The book really only picked up for me in the last 30%. I guess you could say this is an urban fantasy whodunnit. I don’t respect fmc please stand up 🙏🏾
Will I continue this series? Possibly. Probably. But not for a while yet.
5 stars for the final 30%
Compromise 3 ⭐️ read
A singularly painful experience reading this book. I don’t know what that blockage was preventing me from finishing it but it literally took forever. The worst part? I somehow convinced myself I wasn’t allowed to read anything else until it was off my tbr.
The book really only picked up for me in the last 30%. I guess you could say this is an urban fantasy whodunnit. I don’t respect fmc please stand up 🙏🏾
Will I continue this series? Possibly. Probably. But not for a while yet.
October 4, 2024
The book was very similar to her other books. Especially the Ageless books. The worldbuilding is easy to understand and explained throughout. It's a 3-tier society, lower class, middle class and upper class, with rather fixed boundaries and social norms. With supernatural creatures and humans. In an urban setting with cars and cell phones, but also magic.
I like the fact that the female lead loves and knows her town inside out (though sometimes she seemed to drive the same distance travelled in the same amount of time that she walked it!). One moment the city seemed very big. Then it seemed more like a village where you can walk from one side to the next in a couple of hours.
I adore the lead's sense of morality. GOODness. KINDness. FRIENDship. LOVE. Those kind of values, no matter the cost. She put everything on the line, because it was for her only friend in life. That's how much she valued their friendship and trusted her friend. She lives by her consciousness.
She's brave. Honest (literally can't lie easily). She hates unrighteousness. She stands up for the weak no matter what. She fights for the little guy. She has magic, but it's subtle and she's extremely careful when to use it, how and on who and for what reasons or outcomes. She prefer doing everything by the book. Rule- and law-abiding. Though she doesn't judge others too strictly, only herself.
She fights with her own skills that she herself developed, and don't wait to be rescued. But she also knows when not to fight, or when to team up. She's on her own, and okay with it. It hasn't cost her her empathy, sympathy, humanity or love for people. Even though most treat her unfair, or use or abuse her.
What I don't like, is that she lets her family walk all over her and treat her like a 2nd hand t-shirt. I don't exactly understand the reasons why she allows it, yet. I guess there's some kind of threat that I missed. That it's out of fear for the consequences. She's brave when facing monsters, just not when it's her family? I don't know.
The male lead isn't as great yet either and the reason I subtracted a star. I still have hope for him. But he didn't stand up for the weak, for righteousness or what is fair. Quite the opposite. At almost every opportunity he chooses to stand on the side, just watching. Even when she was unfairly hurt tremendously, he didn't interfere. Not when it was just him and one other guy. Nor when it was she and him against a bunch of others. And others mock him and he stands there with a surprise look on his face. No authority and very little knowledge, wisdom or insight. He didn't solve the case. He didn't win any fights. I don't really know (yet) what puts him apart, except his looks?!
He just didn't seem to have a similar moral sense of right and wrong, like she has. She think it is just "arrogance". Sorry. No. It's more than that. It's an innate goodness you have in you or don't, that will force you to speak up when a man breaks a woman's bones in your presence, no matter what you think of the woman. He came across as weak. Unjust. Unfair. A Coward.
Which is a pity. Because he seems like he may have other good qualities. And an interesting life that I hope will be explored in the next book(s). That we get to see his people, and not just the bad of them like now. But the good too. And maybe he'll find his moral compass and apologise profusely and make up for what he allowed to happen to her. Repeatedly.
She doesn't seem to be bothered, or traumatised though. Which I find a little strange. Her friend was traumatised and she understood that. When she faced similar things, we're suppose to believe it's normal not to fear those that did it or participate in it through their silent agreement? It's a little Stockholm syndrome for me.
Still, I devoured the book. It reads easily. I love the world. The people. The characters. The magic. The no-guns lower-tier society. Her job as a skip tracer. The life she carved out after some difficulties.
What I liked most about the book is that it read like a stand alone. Almost all threads were solved and connected in the end. Still with a clear plan that there will be more to follow. I'm very excited for the next one and hope somehow the male lead will redeem himself and his people. And that there will be less of a "mafia" feel to the lower and upper tier societies, and more "normality" too. Just a pity I have to wait a few weeks to find out.
I like the fact that the female lead loves and knows her town inside out (though sometimes she seemed to drive the same distance travelled in the same amount of time that she walked it!). One moment the city seemed very big. Then it seemed more like a village where you can walk from one side to the next in a couple of hours.
I adore the lead's sense of morality. GOODness. KINDness. FRIENDship. LOVE. Those kind of values, no matter the cost. She put everything on the line, because it was for her only friend in life. That's how much she valued their friendship and trusted her friend. She lives by her consciousness.
She's brave. Honest (literally can't lie easily). She hates unrighteousness. She stands up for the weak no matter what. She fights for the little guy. She has magic, but it's subtle and she's extremely careful when to use it, how and on who and for what reasons or outcomes. She prefer doing everything by the book. Rule- and law-abiding. Though she doesn't judge others too strictly, only herself.
She fights with her own skills that she herself developed, and don't wait to be rescued. But she also knows when not to fight, or when to team up. She's on her own, and okay with it. It hasn't cost her her empathy, sympathy, humanity or love for people. Even though most treat her unfair, or use or abuse her.
What I don't like, is that she lets her family walk all over her and treat her like a 2nd hand t-shirt. I don't exactly understand the reasons why she allows it, yet. I guess there's some kind of threat that I missed. That it's out of fear for the consequences. She's brave when facing monsters, just not when it's her family? I don't know.
The male lead isn't as great yet either and the reason I subtracted a star. I still have hope for him. But he didn't stand up for the weak, for righteousness or what is fair. Quite the opposite. At almost every opportunity he chooses to stand on the side, just watching. Even when she was unfairly hurt tremendously, he didn't interfere. Not when it was just him and one other guy. Nor when it was she and him against a bunch of others. And others mock him and he stands there with a surprise look on his face. No authority and very little knowledge, wisdom or insight. He didn't solve the case. He didn't win any fights. I don't really know (yet) what puts him apart, except his looks?!
He just didn't seem to have a similar moral sense of right and wrong, like she has. She think it is just "arrogance". Sorry. No. It's more than that. It's an innate goodness you have in you or don't, that will force you to speak up when a man breaks a woman's bones in your presence, no matter what you think of the woman. He came across as weak. Unjust. Unfair. A Coward.
Which is a pity. Because he seems like he may have other good qualities. And an interesting life that I hope will be explored in the next book(s). That we get to see his people, and not just the bad of them like now. But the good too. And maybe he'll find his moral compass and apologise profusely and make up for what he allowed to happen to her. Repeatedly.
She doesn't seem to be bothered, or traumatised though. Which I find a little strange. Her friend was traumatised and she understood that. When she faced similar things, we're suppose to believe it's normal not to fear those that did it or participate in it through their silent agreement? It's a little Stockholm syndrome for me.
Still, I devoured the book. It reads easily. I love the world. The people. The characters. The magic. The no-guns lower-tier society. Her job as a skip tracer. The life she carved out after some difficulties.
What I liked most about the book is that it read like a stand alone. Almost all threads were solved and connected in the end. Still with a clear plan that there will be more to follow. I'm very excited for the next one and hope somehow the male lead will redeem himself and his people. And that there will be less of a "mafia" feel to the lower and upper tier societies, and more "normality" too. Just a pity I have to wait a few weeks to find out.
July 9, 2025
I can’t say I enjoyed this book very much. It started with the first roughly 60% of the book was pretty boring. While stuff did happen, it was filled mostly with descriptions (with even the action scenes still being too descriptive), held quite a few unnecessary repetitions (yes girl, we got that you work alone, are shunned from your family and kept your ability to detect lies secret, no need to drive that home again and again) and was filled with little dialogue. Which I love, while I hate descriptions. So not a good start. Especially as despite all these many descriptions, the author still failed to give me the core information on Hallie and the world she lives in. That is, other that pretty much everyone but Hallie, her friend, the witches and possibly Girard are assholes.
Once Hallie started working with Girard on the case, it was okay, but that was mostly the last 120 pages - and still too many repetitions and descriptions.
To be honest, I would be intrigued to read on to find out more about Hallie’s mysterious change to something not human or her working together with Girard to solve more cases.
Problem is, I really, really don’t like this world. It’s too dark and separated into three classes, and too narrowly limited to her city. Okay, that’s common and I could live with that, but it’s so plump and overly simplified done. You basically have the enhanced humans, rich and privileged and all arrogant, racist, misogynistic bastards with a superiority complex, the humans organized in mafia-like families, where the head of families rule everything and extort the family members for their protection, so also not nice people, and then the witches and non-humans, that are all mixed together and while they walk and talk like werewolves, far, dwarfs and maybe even Aliens, that strangely enough is never specified further. And those are of course also dangerous and not to be trusted. The justice system is a joke, at least if you’re not the elite, and your guilt is assumed when convenient, including police brutality and self justice by private security for the elite. That’s just too obvious for me. I like my worlds a bit more complex, with clearer lines and good and bad on all sides. But most of all, I like worlds, that are not as dark and glum as this one.
So no more Hallie and her adventures for me.
Once Hallie started working with Girard on the case, it was okay, but that was mostly the last 120 pages - and still too many repetitions and descriptions.
To be honest, I would be intrigued to read on to find out more about Hallie’s mysterious change to something not human or her working together with Girard to solve more cases.
Problem is, I really, really don’t like this world. It’s too dark and separated into three classes, and too narrowly limited to her city. Okay, that’s common and I could live with that, but it’s so plump and overly simplified done. You basically have the enhanced humans, rich and privileged and all arrogant, racist, misogynistic bastards with a superiority complex, the humans organized in mafia-like families, where the head of families rule everything and extort the family members for their protection, so also not nice people, and then the witches and non-humans, that are all mixed together and while they walk and talk like werewolves, far, dwarfs and maybe even Aliens, that strangely enough is never specified further. And those are of course also dangerous and not to be trusted. The justice system is a joke, at least if you’re not the elite, and your guilt is assumed when convenient, including police brutality and self justice by private security for the elite. That’s just too obvious for me. I like my worlds a bit more complex, with clearer lines and good and bad on all sides. But most of all, I like worlds, that are not as dark and glum as this one.
So no more Hallie and her adventures for me.
August 23, 2024
I Didn’t Do It
FracturedConclave1
A new series, a new world.
This entry into paranormal urban fantasy is not an alternate reality. There are three racial groups: Karlen, Hochlen and Veondken, aka as human, superhuman and other creatures who look humanoid. Oddly enough, the karlen encompass witches as part of the common folk perhaps because they recognize families as vines.
The society is stratified with generational wealth being held by Hochlen, who have moved further and further up the hills of valley, and moving industry farther away from the original port. Low city, where most humans live, is crowded, with warrens and narrow streets, and rooftop gardens. Life is basic urban in low city.
Middle city has boulevards and green spaces, with newer construction and is largely the business and shopping district for the wealthy. It is where karlen and Hochlen interact and mingle.
High city is where the estates are. The families have personal security forces, and in the past have lived their own laws, regardless of most rules. But, an investigative force has been established. So, it is present day in technology, with the early form of Bow Street Runners.
Hallie Talbot, was born karlen, until an attack by a magical creature, and witch healing made her “other”. She has been disowned by her mother, the Talbot Magravine, and lives on its fringes, since the accident. Hallie works as a bounty hunter for her aunt’s firm, and has never lost a skip.
When a hochlen is murdered, and Hallie’s friend, Rosalia the most likely suspect, it draws both women into a vortex of danger. Because, karlen are the usual suspects.
Convincing authorities of their innocence? Not so easy when people want cut and dried answers. So Hallie stashes her friend and hunts for the perpetrators like she would a skip. And it works. She also gains a hochlen investigator as a “partner”; Girard believes her, and follows Hallie to see what she finds.
Getting to the heart of the matter takes some work. Threats abound, and Hallie has to struggle to keep a clear head. But, the truth eventually comes to light.
Next?
FracturedConclave1
A new series, a new world.
This entry into paranormal urban fantasy is not an alternate reality. There are three racial groups: Karlen, Hochlen and Veondken, aka as human, superhuman and other creatures who look humanoid. Oddly enough, the karlen encompass witches as part of the common folk perhaps because they recognize families as vines.
The society is stratified with generational wealth being held by Hochlen, who have moved further and further up the hills of valley, and moving industry farther away from the original port. Low city, where most humans live, is crowded, with warrens and narrow streets, and rooftop gardens. Life is basic urban in low city.
Middle city has boulevards and green spaces, with newer construction and is largely the business and shopping district for the wealthy. It is where karlen and Hochlen interact and mingle.
High city is where the estates are. The families have personal security forces, and in the past have lived their own laws, regardless of most rules. But, an investigative force has been established. So, it is present day in technology, with the early form of Bow Street Runners.
Hallie Talbot, was born karlen, until an attack by a magical creature, and witch healing made her “other”. She has been disowned by her mother, the Talbot Magravine, and lives on its fringes, since the accident. Hallie works as a bounty hunter for her aunt’s firm, and has never lost a skip.
When a hochlen is murdered, and Hallie’s friend, Rosalia the most likely suspect, it draws both women into a vortex of danger. Because, karlen are the usual suspects.
Convincing authorities of their innocence? Not so easy when people want cut and dried answers. So Hallie stashes her friend and hunts for the perpetrators like she would a skip. And it works. She also gains a hochlen investigator as a “partner”; Girard believes her, and follows Hallie to see what she finds.
Getting to the heart of the matter takes some work. Threats abound, and Hallie has to struggle to keep a clear head. But, the truth eventually comes to light.
Next?
January 19, 2025
A promising start to this series! 3.5 Stars
Even though I gave this book a solid 3.5 Stars I am still not comfortable giving it 4 stars (since there is no way to chose half stars I choose to select three stars and not four). It is a well written story that shows a lot of promise. To different factions, the human kind and the “other” referred to as hochlen, which apart from being stronger, faster, richer and have an air of superiority and a clear disdain for the human kind, remain much of a mystery. Hallie, the FMC works as a a skip tracer, apprehending targets or retrieving items of value. Although she is of the human kind, due to a tragic incident that happened to her in the past, she is now something different that she herself doesn’t quite yet understand. Most of her family wants nothing to do with her and she is now mostly on her own. In helping out her only friend, she is accused of killing a “hochlen” and now has to fight tooth and nail to catch the true killer and clear her name. I really liked the story and the mystery of it all. My only issue is that the interactions between the characters were at times very cold and emotionless. As the book progressed we started to see some connections forming and a bit more warmth. I have a feeling that as the series progresses, we will see more connections forming, get to uncover more of this intriguing world and be delightfully surprised. I will see how I feel after I have read the next book, but for now I DO recommend this first book 🥰
Even though I gave this book a solid 3.5 Stars I am still not comfortable giving it 4 stars (since there is no way to chose half stars I choose to select three stars and not four). It is a well written story that shows a lot of promise. To different factions, the human kind and the “other” referred to as hochlen, which apart from being stronger, faster, richer and have an air of superiority and a clear disdain for the human kind, remain much of a mystery. Hallie, the FMC works as a a skip tracer, apprehending targets or retrieving items of value. Although she is of the human kind, due to a tragic incident that happened to her in the past, she is now something different that she herself doesn’t quite yet understand. Most of her family wants nothing to do with her and she is now mostly on her own. In helping out her only friend, she is accused of killing a “hochlen” and now has to fight tooth and nail to catch the true killer and clear her name. I really liked the story and the mystery of it all. My only issue is that the interactions between the characters were at times very cold and emotionless. As the book progressed we started to see some connections forming and a bit more warmth. I have a feeling that as the series progresses, we will see more connections forming, get to uncover more of this intriguing world and be delightfully surprised. I will see how I feel after I have read the next book, but for now I DO recommend this first book 🥰
September 22, 2025
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this! The plot was a pretty standard high stakes murder mystery type of deal, and I really liked the way the FMC fluctuated back for forth between beating the shit out of people and getting her shit absolutely rocked.
I felt like the worldbuilding parts were kind of boring tho... very info dumpy at times. I also just couldn't really get attached to the FMC (Hallie). She's a bit whiny and immature at times, and the whole 'feeling betrayed by Girard' thing annoyed me quite a bit bc girl you've known him for like 1-3 days, and in that time, he's done absolutely nothing to stop his peers from abusing their authority to beat the ever loving shit out of you. But HE hasn't personally rocked your shit, so I guess we like him!! Yeah idk. Feels like pro-cop, pro-elite propaganda in the sense that he's 'one of the good ones,' but only when compared to how absolutely evil the other elites and cops all are. In Hallie's defense, she did mention that it was ridiculous for her to feel betrayed, buttttt idk I still just don't love the power dynamic here. I'm gonna stick it out tho.
I enjoyed this! The plot was a pretty standard high stakes murder mystery type of deal, and I really liked the way the FMC fluctuated back for forth between beating the shit out of people and getting her shit absolutely rocked.
I felt like the worldbuilding parts were kind of boring tho... very info dumpy at times. I also just couldn't really get attached to the FMC (Hallie). She's a bit whiny and immature at times, and the whole 'feeling betrayed by Girard' thing annoyed me quite a bit bc girl you've known him for like 1-3 days, and in that time, he's done absolutely nothing to stop his peers from abusing their authority to beat the ever loving shit out of you. But HE hasn't personally rocked your shit, so I guess we like him!! Yeah idk. Feels like pro-cop, pro-elite propaganda in the sense that he's 'one of the good ones,' but only when compared to how absolutely evil the other elites and cops all are. In Hallie's defense, she did mention that it was ridiculous for her to feel betrayed, buttttt idk I still just don't love the power dynamic here. I'm gonna stick it out tho.
July 2, 2024
Unusual
Vanessa anelson will always write a story you want to sink into. The beginning of this took some time to get into. It was initially a bit too wordy without giving you enough info. I felt as if I'd missed a book before this but this is the first in tue series. There are different classes and races that I wish were explained a bit more instead of writing as if we should know them already.
The overall story was great. A modern day whodunit with a heroine you can get behind. An underdog with past trauma who has been tossed to the side by her family at a time you would think they would have gotten behind her. She goes to help who she considers to be her only friend, only to find no good deed goes unpunished. There are so may nuances in here that will keep you locked in. But you see that even though Hallie feels she has no friends, her kindness and grit have endeared her to others in many little ways. I can't wait to see what this next book brings. And to see what happens w her and a certain someone.
Vanessa anelson will always write a story you want to sink into. The beginning of this took some time to get into. It was initially a bit too wordy without giving you enough info. I felt as if I'd missed a book before this but this is the first in tue series. There are different classes and races that I wish were explained a bit more instead of writing as if we should know them already.
The overall story was great. A modern day whodunit with a heroine you can get behind. An underdog with past trauma who has been tossed to the side by her family at a time you would think they would have gotten behind her. She goes to help who she considers to be her only friend, only to find no good deed goes unpunished. There are so may nuances in here that will keep you locked in. But you see that even though Hallie feels she has no friends, her kindness and grit have endeared her to others in many little ways. I can't wait to see what this next book brings. And to see what happens w her and a certain someone.
November 10, 2024
Checking out urban fantasy for my girls who loved The Cities Between series, and this one is promising. Man, is our heroine mistreated by nearly everyone, from her own mother to the city's elites, but Hallie seems to have a strong inner compass, and her kindness and fairness bear good fruit. While this fantasy world should be weary and exhausting, there's enough grace in the actions of a handful of decent characters that I have hopes that justice will be done and the imbalances of this city will be moving towards correction by the end of the series.
So this is a bloody murder mystery, with several fight scenes of bad guys or overzealous enforcement types trying to and sometimes succeeding in capturing our heroine, and it would definitely be a PG-13 movie for non-gratuitous violence. But no raunch or foul language makes this a book (or a series?) that I would absolutely let my girls read. I'm intrigued enough by the world and the characters, many of whom we just have glimpsed in this installment, that I want to keep reading.
So this is a bloody murder mystery, with several fight scenes of bad guys or overzealous enforcement types trying to and sometimes succeeding in capturing our heroine, and it would definitely be a PG-13 movie for non-gratuitous violence. But no raunch or foul language makes this a book (or a series?) that I would absolutely let my girls read. I'm intrigued enough by the world and the characters, many of whom we just have glimpsed in this installment, that I want to keep reading.
August 17, 2025
It had potential and overall I liked the premise of the book.
Main characters were fairly likeable as well. Maybe didnt love them or felt like I connected with them but I didnt outright hate them either. So that's always a plus
the writing was somewhat problematic though.
repetitive, talking in circles, with this annoying and frustrating habit of stopping smack in the middle of an action scene to go of on an explanation or a monologue of some kind for several paragraphs, sometimes a whole page of more and on needless, trivial things,
world building was fairly minimal and could've been a lot more fleshed out.
I also noticed that most of the other characters appeared very one-note/ one-dimensional. like apart from Girard all other cops/security people were portrayed as simple-minde, bloodthirsty thucks. somewhat reminiscend of old detective stories where the local plod was usually portrayed as a clueless idiot
Main characters were fairly likeable as well. Maybe didnt love them or felt like I connected with them but I didnt outright hate them either. So that's always a plus
the writing was somewhat problematic though.
repetitive, talking in circles, with this annoying and frustrating habit of stopping smack in the middle of an action scene to go of on an explanation or a monologue of some kind for several paragraphs, sometimes a whole page of more and on needless, trivial things,
world building was fairly minimal and could've been a lot more fleshed out.
I also noticed that most of the other characters appeared very one-note/ one-dimensional. like apart from Girard all other cops/security people were portrayed as simple-minde, bloodthirsty thucks. somewhat reminiscend of old detective stories where the local plod was usually portrayed as a clueless idiot
September 18, 2024
As amazing as I've come to expect anything from Vanessa Nelson!
A concise but rich story, "A Usual Suspect" delivers a divided territory and a tricky socioeconomical landscape, which seems to be just our normal world, but it's fresh and alien enough to be interesting and leave you wanting to know more about it.
All the different types of people, all the intricacies of the fantasy aspect of it, all the politics are fascinating and woven neatly into the book's plot, providing a solid jump for the overall series arch to build off off.
This was another great start to a new series, can't wait to see what Nelson does with it!
October 16, 2024
Detailed gritty world, tstl heroine
Well drawn world with interesting political structures at each level of society. The heroine is not bad, but she’s a skip tracer and she doesn’t know not to go to places she usually frequents when she herself is being skip-traced?! And she makes these kind of mistakes multiple times.
On the plus side, there was always plenty of action and plenty of layers to the mystery. Interesting variety of creatures in the world with their own politics and culture that I hope we see more of in the series. It was an enjoyable book when I wasn’t yelling at the heroine to use her brain.
Well drawn world with interesting political structures at each level of society. The heroine is not bad, but she’s a skip tracer and she doesn’t know not to go to places she usually frequents when she herself is being skip-traced?! And she makes these kind of mistakes multiple times.
On the plus side, there was always plenty of action and plenty of layers to the mystery. Interesting variety of creatures in the world with their own politics and culture that I hope we see more of in the series. It was an enjoyable book when I wasn’t yelling at the heroine to use her brain.
March 11, 2025
Always a pleasure to read. I saved it so I could read the whole series in one go.
I do share the disquiet about the violence towards Hallie and Rosalia, but one of the things I love about Vanessa Nelson’s books is that the downtrodden do fight back and eventually changes are made. It’s always a celebration of quiet kindness, just doing the right thing because it’s right and not for a reward.
Yes it is uncomfortable that Girard allowed the violence but for me one of themes of Vanessa’s books are how essentially decent people overcome their prejudice .
Thanks for a light in an increasingly darkening world!
I do share the disquiet about the violence towards Hallie and Rosalia, but one of the things I love about Vanessa Nelson’s books is that the downtrodden do fight back and eventually changes are made. It’s always a celebration of quiet kindness, just doing the right thing because it’s right and not for a reward.
Yes it is uncomfortable that Girard allowed the violence but for me one of themes of Vanessa’s books are how essentially decent people overcome their prejudice .
Thanks for a light in an increasingly darkening world!
July 4, 2024
I love this setting! It's so interesting. I really like seeing worlds that are similar to our Earth but are clearly not. I really like it when they have phones and cars and technology, makes it very interesting alongside the magic. It's familiar while still letting me forget about the complexities and difficulties of our world and get fully immersed in the story that's actually happening.
I really like Hallie as a protagonist. She's resourceful and clever, having realized a long time ago that she had to look out for herself. I like Girard too. Yes, he's hochlen, but he's willing to put aside his ego and learn when needed.
I can't wait for the next book!
I really like Hallie as a protagonist. She's resourceful and clever, having realized a long time ago that she had to look out for herself. I like Girard too. Yes, he's hochlen, but he's willing to put aside his ego and learn when needed.
I can't wait for the next book!
July 7, 2024
excellent work building and characters
Ms Nelson is doing her usual wonderful job of building a totally believable world without endless exposure. The characters come alive and the main character is sympathetic and interesting and gives so much room for development. The longterm romantic interest is setup without simplistic instant gratification.
The storyline develops nicely and quickly enough. I am looking forward to reading more stories in this setting and progressing in the started arcs.
Ms Nelson is doing her usual wonderful job of building a totally believable world without endless exposure. The characters come alive and the main character is sympathetic and interesting and gives so much room for development. The longterm romantic interest is setup without simplistic instant gratification.
The storyline develops nicely and quickly enough. I am looking forward to reading more stories in this setting and progressing in the started arcs.
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