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Greywalker #3
Underground
Harper Blaine was your average small-time P.I. until she died for two minutes. Now Harper is a Greywalker -- walking the thin line between the living world and the paranormal realm. And she's discovering that her new abilities are landing her all sorts of "strange" cases.
Pioneer Square's homeless are turning up dead and mutilated, and zombies have been seen roaming the underground--the city buried beneath modern Seattle. When Harper's friend Quinton believes he may be implicated in the deaths, he persuades her to investigate. But the killer is no mere murderer--it is a creature of ancient legend. And Harper must deal with both the living and the dead to stop the monster and its master…...unless they stop her first.
Pioneer Square's homeless are turning up dead and mutilated, and zombies have been seen roaming the underground--the city buried beneath modern Seattle. When Harper's friend Quinton believes he may be implicated in the deaths, he persuades her to investigate. But the killer is no mere murderer--it is a creature of ancient legend. And Harper must deal with both the living and the dead to stop the monster and its master…...unless they stop her first.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
85 people are currently reading
2415 people want to read
About the author
Kat Richardson
33 books1,246 followersBestselling author of the Greywalker paranormal detective novels. Former theater brat, singer, dancer, gemology and jewelry course-writer, liveaboard boater, and editor. Currently lives in the wilds of far-western Washington with her husband and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
July 1, 2019
Oh, Quinton!
August 25, 2008
Okay, this series continues to entertain me much more than I initially expected it to. I was so pleased to get a copy of Underground for my birthday and I immediately dived right in. It picks up shortly after the events of Poltergeist and Harper is still dealing both physically and emotionally with the fallout from her ghost busting stint. Things with tall, blond, and lanky Will are less than stellar and distraction comes in the form of Harper's mysterious friend Quinton who shows up on her doorstep demanding she investigate a rather gruesomely dead body he ran across on the train tracks. It's not the first dead body to be found in a similar state in recent weeks and Harper and Quinton discover up close and personally that it won't be the last either. Together they traipse through the uncanny city underneath Seattle's streets in search of a mythical monster who may or may not be eating the city's homeless and may or may not be controlled by an ancient Native American god.
Once again, I simply love the way Kat Richardson describes Harper's Seattle. And this time around she's added Quinton's Seattle--a very different city altogether, populated by the homeless and the dissident, and located entirely underground. I've been wanting more on this particular character and storyline and Underground provides a satisfying amount of info while still saving a few secrets for future installments. Just like Harper, I was sucked into the mysteries behind each underground inhabitant, particularly Quinton and just who he's hiding from and why. This book had a slightly grander feel than its predecessors by nature of the monster they're fighting and I loved the inclusion of Seattle's more unusual history as well as the Native American legend and language. Harper remains a likable, scrappy character who I look forward to following. If you enjoyed Greywalker, make sure you pick this one up. Definitely my favorite Greywalker book thus far.
Once again, I simply love the way Kat Richardson describes Harper's Seattle. And this time around she's added Quinton's Seattle--a very different city altogether, populated by the homeless and the dissident, and located entirely underground. I've been wanting more on this particular character and storyline and Underground provides a satisfying amount of info while still saving a few secrets for future installments. Just like Harper, I was sucked into the mysteries behind each underground inhabitant, particularly Quinton and just who he's hiding from and why. This book had a slightly grander feel than its predecessors by nature of the monster they're fighting and I loved the inclusion of Seattle's more unusual history as well as the Native American legend and language. Harper remains a likable, scrappy character who I look forward to following. If you enjoyed Greywalker, make sure you pick this one up. Definitely my favorite Greywalker book thus far.
August 16, 2010
I always expect...and want these books to be better than they are. I forgot, in the elapsed time between the last one I read and this one exactly why I hadn't picked it up sooner.
I like good urban fantasy, and like many I try most new series hoping for "good-reads" :). These don't stink. I read the first 2 and then set the series aside...because they just aren't that good. They are a good idea, and they at times begin to draw me in, but then always lose me.
This one started out slowly but finally picked up once Harper "sort of" got her private life a little "sorted" out...in a way, a little, maybe, we hope. Well, maybe "almost sorted out", or something, (sigh). Some of you like more romance in your books than I do. Some doesn't bother me if it's handled right, but please deliver me from soap-opera. I will say no more lest I include a spoiler...but suffice it to say we needed to get the romance angle handled so we could "move on" with the story.
Here we follow Harper Blaine into more "Grey trouble" (I'm not sure why it's not "Gray" trouble since Ms. Richardson is American, but I suppose it's not that important...just makes one wonder???) as homeless people vanish...or have become zombies.
A note here, some writers can do social commentary in there books and not have it get in the way of the story, others....not so much. Nuff said.
The story rambles about a bit and then picks up. It drew in my interest, and lost it again several times. I'll give the writer this that after positing a fairly far out answer to her plot (even for a supernatural novel) she stayed with it and didn't flinch away...even when it did get a little silly.
With a mixture of strengths and weaknesses the book didn't completely drive me away, and I may get the audio of the next one (I had already listed it as "to read")as I can listen as I do other things... but so far these are still far from reads I'd "search out".
I like good urban fantasy, and like many I try most new series hoping for "good-reads" :). These don't stink. I read the first 2 and then set the series aside...because they just aren't that good. They are a good idea, and they at times begin to draw me in, but then always lose me.
This one started out slowly but finally picked up once Harper "sort of" got her private life a little "sorted" out...in a way, a little, maybe, we hope. Well, maybe "almost sorted out", or something, (sigh). Some of you like more romance in your books than I do. Some doesn't bother me if it's handled right, but please deliver me from soap-opera. I will say no more lest I include a spoiler...but suffice it to say we needed to get the romance angle handled so we could "move on" with the story.
Here we follow Harper Blaine into more "Grey trouble" (I'm not sure why it's not "Gray" trouble since Ms. Richardson is American, but I suppose it's not that important...just makes one wonder???) as homeless people vanish...or have become zombies.
A note here, some writers can do social commentary in there books and not have it get in the way of the story, others....not so much. Nuff said.
The story rambles about a bit and then picks up. It drew in my interest, and lost it again several times. I'll give the writer this that after positing a fairly far out answer to her plot (even for a supernatural novel) she stayed with it and didn't flinch away...even when it did get a little silly.
With a mixture of strengths and weaknesses the book didn't completely drive me away, and I may get the audio of the next one (I had already listed it as "to read")as I can listen as I do other things... but so far these are still far from reads I'd "search out".
January 3, 2009
I just finished "Underground". This is Kat Richardson's third novel of her 'Greywalker' series and I love it! Her heroine reminds me a bit of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake...without the sexcapades...or the guilt...or the constant killing. Ok, maybe not Anita Blake. Richardson's heroine is a strong character who wrestles with her choices while always trying to do the right thing...even when it's not the most comfortable thing.
Harper died...for about two minutes. When she came 'back', she came back with the ability to see what she calls the Grey, that realm between the worlds where time and space aren't quite the same. She also has the ability to 'slide into' the Grey...where she can see ghosts and the past overlaid on the present, and magic and energies have color and weight...very hard to describe, but very well done! In the first book "Greywalker", Harper tries to find out why the world is now so different to her, and how she can come to grips with what's happened to her. The second book "Poltergeist" had Harper learning a bit more about her abilities and the 'rules' of the Grey and it's also where Harper finds out there are more creatures 'living' in both worlds than she ever knew! Each book has a mystery and Harper earns her living as a private investigator, so by now we know that when a 'case' gets dropped in Harper's lap, there's going to be something a big, or a lot, strange about it.
This time something is killing the homeless in Seattle's Underground. When her friend Quinn worries that he may be connected to the case, he asks Harper for her help. What these two find out while investigating isn't pretty, but it IS pretty darn dangerous. Harper also has to deal with a few vampires, a witch or two, some necromancers, ghosts galore, creatures from Native American folklore, and her boyfriend who knows nothing about Harper's 'other' life...and doesn't want to.
This series has sucked me in but good. As soon as I pick up the new book I'm out of touch with this world until I finish. Harper is someone I'd like to have a beer with...as long as she assured me there weren't any unseen things hanging about! If you like fantasy, give Harper a shot. The first two books are in paperback, but this one is only available in hardcover. I have all three on my 'keeper' shelf!
Harper died...for about two minutes. When she came 'back', she came back with the ability to see what she calls the Grey, that realm between the worlds where time and space aren't quite the same. She also has the ability to 'slide into' the Grey...where she can see ghosts and the past overlaid on the present, and magic and energies have color and weight...very hard to describe, but very well done! In the first book "Greywalker", Harper tries to find out why the world is now so different to her, and how she can come to grips with what's happened to her. The second book "Poltergeist" had Harper learning a bit more about her abilities and the 'rules' of the Grey and it's also where Harper finds out there are more creatures 'living' in both worlds than she ever knew! Each book has a mystery and Harper earns her living as a private investigator, so by now we know that when a 'case' gets dropped in Harper's lap, there's going to be something a big, or a lot, strange about it.
This time something is killing the homeless in Seattle's Underground. When her friend Quinn worries that he may be connected to the case, he asks Harper for her help. What these two find out while investigating isn't pretty, but it IS pretty darn dangerous. Harper also has to deal with a few vampires, a witch or two, some necromancers, ghosts galore, creatures from Native American folklore, and her boyfriend who knows nothing about Harper's 'other' life...and doesn't want to.
This series has sucked me in but good. As soon as I pick up the new book I'm out of touch with this world until I finish. Harper is someone I'd like to have a beer with...as long as she assured me there weren't any unseen things hanging about! If you like fantasy, give Harper a shot. The first two books are in paperback, but this one is only available in hardcover. I have all three on my 'keeper' shelf!
December 19, 2010
Best yet. Good mystery, nice character development, as well as her relationship with Quinton.
April 21, 2020
Too much - too much cold, too much crawling/running through the underground, and throwing in the NSA only makes sense if it's somehow import to the future. The basic story was good. I just wish the rest was as good.
October 16, 2012
Third in the series. The mystery/plot seems to move along a little faster in this and we finally get to learn more of Quinton, but there's still that blandness holding it back.
There's a rich patina of history and in the unlikely event I find myself in Seattle I'd love to take that ghost tour underground. The concept of raising the street level was fascinating to me, and having the hidden level below. Meeting the 'undergrounders' aka tramps held huge potential for characterisation.
Unfortunately the characters still don't have any depth or spark. It's all strangely passionless, there's no emotion regardless of events, so what should be the most dramatic of scenes is dull. The best example of this is near the end; Mid dramatic chase we're told Harper parks her car on the grass by some museum (specified) that's on the corner that leads to.. and.., I don't want to hear that, I want to feel she's in danger whereas the fear and urgency get completely diluted.
There's always the history lesson. We don't know how busy the street is, only that that hotel's been there since the year dot, that there used to be a statue in the square. I respect the research and some is interesting but for to me it's too heavily woven in.
In this we find out hold old Harper is, she's still skinny to a point where I started to feel fat. There's a scene early on in the book where she asks Quinton a question and after the answer we're told 'I dismissed the trivalities' that made me flinch and the impression stuck with me. Harper investigates, when she's not she sits with her ferret, re-charges like a machine then continues working. Life is full of trivialities, we're supposed to believe these two have become friends so where's the casual chatter? the curiosity?
If you removed the names it would be impossible to guess whose speaking. In this we're spared too much of the 'quirky side-kicks' so no Irish blarney. The witch and her hubby still strike me as obnoxious teenagers in this book, playing on the edge of something dangerous because it's 'cool'. . Too often the conversations are data filled, people speaking with an expertise that doesn't make sense.
Will remains underdeveloped, when bad things happen he irratates me when objectively his response are the most logical. Vampires - the favour that keeps on giving - Carlos is supposed to be scary yet I see him as benign due to how quickly Harper always runs to him for information. People are oddly obliging towards her; Fish (mortician), I don't understand why he'd contact Harper with information.
The result is disconcerting. I want to love these books but they lack any colour, the humour here is the choice of monster - Sisiutl, apparently the name is funny I'm either pronouncing it wrong or have missed the joke. It's a pity, the work that's gone into the research of both the area and eldrich beasties should elevate this to the top of it's genre.
There's a rich patina of history and in the unlikely event I find myself in Seattle I'd love to take that ghost tour underground. The concept of raising the street level was fascinating to me, and having the hidden level below. Meeting the 'undergrounders' aka tramps held huge potential for characterisation.
Unfortunately the characters still don't have any depth or spark. It's all strangely passionless, there's no emotion regardless of events, so what should be the most dramatic of scenes is dull. The best example of this is near the end; Mid dramatic chase we're told Harper parks her car on the grass by some museum (specified) that's on the corner that leads to.. and.., I don't want to hear that, I want to feel she's in danger whereas the fear and urgency get completely diluted.
There's always the history lesson. We don't know how busy the street is, only that that hotel's been there since the year dot, that there used to be a statue in the square. I respect the research and some is interesting but for to me it's too heavily woven in.
In this we find out hold old Harper is, she's still skinny to a point where I started to feel fat. There's a scene early on in the book where she asks Quinton a question and after the answer we're told 'I dismissed the trivalities' that made me flinch and the impression stuck with me. Harper investigates, when she's not she sits with her ferret, re-charges like a machine then continues working. Life is full of trivialities, we're supposed to believe these two have become friends so where's the casual chatter? the curiosity?
If you removed the names it would be impossible to guess whose speaking. In this we're spared too much of the 'quirky side-kicks' so no Irish blarney. The witch and her hubby still strike me as obnoxious teenagers in this book, playing on the edge of something dangerous because it's 'cool'. . Too often the conversations are data filled, people speaking with an expertise that doesn't make sense.
Will remains underdeveloped, when bad things happen he irratates me when objectively his response are the most logical. Vampires - the favour that keeps on giving - Carlos is supposed to be scary yet I see him as benign due to how quickly Harper always runs to him for information. People are oddly obliging towards her; Fish (mortician), I don't understand why he'd contact Harper with information.
The result is disconcerting. I want to love these books but they lack any colour, the humour here is the choice of monster - Sisiutl, apparently the name is funny I'm either pronouncing it wrong or have missed the joke. It's a pity, the work that's gone into the research of both the area and eldrich beasties should elevate this to the top of it's genre.
August 31, 2018
3+
I think I liked this one better than the previous two. I wish I could put my finger on why I'm not finding it compelling enough to keep returning in the back-to-back way that I usually attack completed series, but there it is. I like it well enough to continue, but I'm perfectly happy to slide other things in between books in the series.
I think I liked this one better than the previous two. I wish I could put my finger on why I'm not finding it compelling enough to keep returning in the back-to-back way that I usually attack completed series, but there it is. I like it well enough to continue, but I'm perfectly happy to slide other things in between books in the series.
December 30, 2010
This is the third book in the Greywalker series by Kat Richardson. The 4th book, Vanished, had already been released and the 5th book, Labyrinth, is due out August 2010. There are six books under contract for this series last that I heard. I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good addition to the series. I listened to this on audio book. The audio book was fairly well done, sometimes the narrator has trouble distinguishing the different male voices, but other than that it was easy to listen to.
In this book Quentin contacts Harper about some weirdness happening in Seattle's Underground. Homeless people are going missing and are found dead. Even creepier, body parts have been found in the Underground and the occasional zombie has been seen wandering around. The weather has been strangely cold and wintery; Harper needs to figure out how this is all connected and find out if it is a threat to Seattle. This time the vampires bow out of helping; but luckily Harper has the very resourceful Quentin at her side.
As mentioned in previous reviews for this series, these books are mysteries with a paranormal bent to them. There isn't much romance, there is some action, but most of the book is focused on solving the case through investigative work. I again enjoyed Harper's analytical mind and practicality in getting the case solved. It was wonderful to learn some of Quentin's secrets too. He is a great character and I enjoyed having him play such a big role in this story.
As with previous books Richardson really does her research and gives us extensive detail on both the Underground of Seattle and the history of the Native Americans of that area. I enjoy this detail, but I could understand how some people might find it cumbersome. So again, if you have read previous books you are familiar with this, Richardson goes into great detail on things and I really enjoyed learning about them.
Harper does a great job incorporating the skills she has learned as a Greywalker in previous books to help solve her current case. It was nice to see Harper making use of all that she had learned. Additionally she again learns some new things about her power as a Greywalker.
The overall story is nicely summed up, as it has been with each book in this series. I am really enjoying this series. The books aren't incredibly exceptional but they are very well done and make for enjoyable reads. I love trying to race Harper to the conclusion of the mystery. Richardson does an excellent job summing things up and at the end of this book there is a little teaser to what the next book is going to be about.
Overall this has been an excellent series and this book was no exception to that. I look forward to reading the 4th book, Vanished, in this series.
In this book Quentin contacts Harper about some weirdness happening in Seattle's Underground. Homeless people are going missing and are found dead. Even creepier, body parts have been found in the Underground and the occasional zombie has been seen wandering around. The weather has been strangely cold and wintery; Harper needs to figure out how this is all connected and find out if it is a threat to Seattle. This time the vampires bow out of helping; but luckily Harper has the very resourceful Quentin at her side.
As mentioned in previous reviews for this series, these books are mysteries with a paranormal bent to them. There isn't much romance, there is some action, but most of the book is focused on solving the case through investigative work. I again enjoyed Harper's analytical mind and practicality in getting the case solved. It was wonderful to learn some of Quentin's secrets too. He is a great character and I enjoyed having him play such a big role in this story.
As with previous books Richardson really does her research and gives us extensive detail on both the Underground of Seattle and the history of the Native Americans of that area. I enjoy this detail, but I could understand how some people might find it cumbersome. So again, if you have read previous books you are familiar with this, Richardson goes into great detail on things and I really enjoyed learning about them.
Harper does a great job incorporating the skills she has learned as a Greywalker in previous books to help solve her current case. It was nice to see Harper making use of all that she had learned. Additionally she again learns some new things about her power as a Greywalker.
The overall story is nicely summed up, as it has been with each book in this series. I am really enjoying this series. The books aren't incredibly exceptional but they are very well done and make for enjoyable reads. I love trying to race Harper to the conclusion of the mystery. Richardson does an excellent job summing things up and at the end of this book there is a little teaser to what the next book is going to be about.
Overall this has been an excellent series and this book was no exception to that. I look forward to reading the 4th book, Vanished, in this series.
July 27, 2009
It's official: Underground, Book 3 of Kat Richardson's Greywalker series, is ten pounds of fun in a five pound jar. And I say that not just because the 'ship I was hoping for in this series sets sail as of this installment, either.
Now, zombies are the up-and-coming thing in urban fantasy these days, it seems. So I'm seeing more and more established series spend at least a little time doing a zombie plot, and this book is the Greywalker series' turn. That said, it's less of a zombie plot than you might expect, since what you get is a lot more supernatural of origin than it is viral or chemical, which seems to be where most zombie plots get started. Plus, as the plot really gets its feet under it, there's a lot involving Native American mythos of the Pacific Northwest--and this in particular helps anchor the story well and firmly in this locale. I've read my share of urban fantasy where the setting isn't terribly vivid, books you could set in any American city and have them still work as plots; this one, not so much. And I love it.
And like I said above, the 'ship I was hoping to see launch does indeed launch in this book, which fills my little heart with glee. It's not without a bittersweet note to it, since it's in the wake of Harper having to go through the deeply unpleasant experience of someone else she cares about being unable to deal with the life she's chosen to lead. Yet it's all for the good. Look for the tasty, tasty background revelations that come out about a certain mysterious hacker-type of Harper's acquaintance, which was for me by far the best part of the book. Four stars.
Now, zombies are the up-and-coming thing in urban fantasy these days, it seems. So I'm seeing more and more established series spend at least a little time doing a zombie plot, and this book is the Greywalker series' turn. That said, it's less of a zombie plot than you might expect, since what you get is a lot more supernatural of origin than it is viral or chemical, which seems to be where most zombie plots get started. Plus, as the plot really gets its feet under it, there's a lot involving Native American mythos of the Pacific Northwest--and this in particular helps anchor the story well and firmly in this locale. I've read my share of urban fantasy where the setting isn't terribly vivid, books you could set in any American city and have them still work as plots; this one, not so much. And I love it.
And like I said above, the 'ship I was hoping to see launch does indeed launch in this book, which fills my little heart with glee. It's not without a bittersweet note to it, since it's in the wake of Harper having to go through the deeply unpleasant experience of someone else she cares about being unable to deal with the life she's chosen to lead. Yet it's all for the good. Look for the tasty, tasty background revelations that come out about a certain mysterious hacker-type of Harper's acquaintance, which was for me by far the best part of the book. Four stars.
September 30, 2017
4 Stars
Underground by Kat Richardson is a fantastic continuation of our heroine Harper. This is a fast and somewhat short story that works by never being boring. I loved the further development of our heorine and her interactions with the Grey. Underground is a story that centers on a native American urban legend creature.
I really like this series.
Underground by Kat Richardson is a fantastic continuation of our heroine Harper. This is a fast and somewhat short story that works by never being boring. I loved the further development of our heorine and her interactions with the Grey. Underground is a story that centers on a native American urban legend creature.
I really like this series.
April 23, 2021
3.5 stars.
August 6, 2023
This is when the series picks up!
March 6, 2024
These books probably appeal to me because they're so evocative of Seattle to me-- the pre-Amazon Seattle, when SLU was warehouses and weird adult stores and artists spaces, not places serving $18 fries to 23yo software engineers. This era (mid 2000s) was when I was going to shows in Pioneer Square, parking under the Viaduct and drinking Rainier at Doc Maynard's. I can't recommend them for everyone, but for people who are setting readers who know Seattle, this is fantastic.
May 30, 2023
I loved this story, especially the whole underground world of Seattle. I'm not American so I have no idea about this underground level that exists under an old part of Seattle. It's very well described by Kat Richardson because when I searched Google about the underground of Seattle, it was exactly as I pictured it while reading. It's a wonderful setting for a mythical monster!
February 7, 2023
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
So Harper's pal/computer tech/security expert, Quinton, comes to her for a favor. Several homeless people in the area have gone missing, and some have shown up that look, well, eaten. By something large. Quinton would like Harper to look into it, see if there's something that's more up her particular alley than what the police are looking/equipped for.
Obviously, yes, or it'd be a very short -- and incredibly dull -- book.
Harper and Quinton end up on a search through the now underground remnants of Seattle's bygone days, through the city's homeless culture, and skirting the edge of local Native American myth (not nearly as mythic as most people think).
I've liked Quinton, and wanted to get to know him better. We get the opportunity to here -- actually, we learn a lot about him. What we learn makes him pretty distinctive in UF, he might be run of the mill in Suspense/Mystery novels, though -- but that makes sense. Richardson is basically writing Kinsey Millhone with ghosts and other supernatural whatnot.
Ben and Mara Danziger do make an appearance, but fairly late into the novel. I appreciated seeing them, but I was also glad that Harper doesn't have to run to them right away. Ben gets more of the action this time than Mara, which was a good switch. Also, he's a fun character. Many of the other characters from the previous two novels show up for a scene or two -- to provide continuity as well as information on just whatever is snacking on Seattle's poorest.
Pretty much everything worked well in these pages. Harper's personality is enough to pull you in. Quinton and the world he introduces Harper to are enough to keep you. The bits of Seattle history were very interesting -- even if most of it was variation on what I've read before about the underground city (and there's plenty of fodder for return trips for Harper down there). The Native American elements were a nice addition to this world. I do think it was a little too easy to figure out the non-monster mysteries, Richardson might as well have been putting flashing neon around certain sentences, reading "Pay attention, this'll be important." Still, over all, everything worked just right.
The previous Greywalker novel, Poltergeist, was one of the last things I read in 2012, and I've been meaning to get back to the series since. Don't ask me why I didn't -- I can't give you (or myself) a satisfactory answer. It won't be another 2 and a half years before I come back, I can tell you that. It's not the most dazzling and dynamic Urban Fantasy series out there, but it's good. And when you're this good? You don't have to be dazzling, you just have to deliver. Underground did.
---
So Harper's pal/computer tech/security expert, Quinton, comes to her for a favor. Several homeless people in the area have gone missing, and some have shown up that look, well, eaten. By something large. Quinton would like Harper to look into it, see if there's something that's more up her particular alley than what the police are looking/equipped for.
Obviously, yes, or it'd be a very short -- and incredibly dull -- book.
Harper and Quinton end up on a search through the now underground remnants of Seattle's bygone days, through the city's homeless culture, and skirting the edge of local Native American myth (not nearly as mythic as most people think).
I've liked Quinton, and wanted to get to know him better. We get the opportunity to here -- actually, we learn a lot about him. What we learn makes him pretty distinctive in UF, he might be run of the mill in Suspense/Mystery novels, though -- but that makes sense. Richardson is basically writing Kinsey Millhone with ghosts and other supernatural whatnot.
Ben and Mara Danziger do make an appearance, but fairly late into the novel. I appreciated seeing them, but I was also glad that Harper doesn't have to run to them right away. Ben gets more of the action this time than Mara, which was a good switch. Also, he's a fun character. Many of the other characters from the previous two novels show up for a scene or two -- to provide continuity as well as information on just whatever is snacking on Seattle's poorest.
Pretty much everything worked well in these pages. Harper's personality is enough to pull you in. Quinton and the world he introduces Harper to are enough to keep you. The bits of Seattle history were very interesting -- even if most of it was variation on what I've read before about the underground city (and there's plenty of fodder for return trips for Harper down there). The Native American elements were a nice addition to this world. I do think it was a little too easy to figure out the non-monster mysteries, Richardson might as well have been putting flashing neon around certain sentences, reading "Pay attention, this'll be important." Still, over all, everything worked just right.
The previous Greywalker novel, Poltergeist, was one of the last things I read in 2012, and I've been meaning to get back to the series since. Don't ask me why I didn't -- I can't give you (or myself) a satisfactory answer. It won't be another 2 and a half years before I come back, I can tell you that. It's not the most dazzling and dynamic Urban Fantasy series out there, but it's good. And when you're this good? You don't have to be dazzling, you just have to deliver. Underground did.
April 16, 2010
My bad! I'm usually so anal about reading a series in order that it is very rare for me to read books out of order. Since they weren't numbered, I read this, the third book, second. But I don't regret it one little bit. One of the things I love about these books is their sense of feel for Seattle, its history and the effects of the Native American culture there. This story is centered on the Underground and, while the "real world" Underground is only available for a few guided tours, the author has no such restriction and I am damn glad of it!
Basically, something is eating the homeless in the middle of one of the coldest winters in recent memory. Well, eating most of the bodies except for those it keeps alive for later dining. Kat's mysterious friend, Quinton, is a voluntary homeless person that chose to drop off the "grid" and needs her help to come to the rescue of his friends. To do so, involves a complex plotline steeped with Native American folklore with just a dash of NSA intervention added in to give it spice. Tasty!
Basically, something is eating the homeless in the middle of one of the coldest winters in recent memory. Well, eating most of the bodies except for those it keeps alive for later dining. Kat's mysterious friend, Quinton, is a voluntary homeless person that chose to drop off the "grid" and needs her help to come to the rescue of his friends. To do so, involves a complex plotline steeped with Native American folklore with just a dash of NSA intervention added in to give it spice. Tasty!
January 11, 2010
This is one of my favorite series, especially in the urban fantasy genre. I loved learning more about Quinton, a character the reader meets in the first book of the series and gets to know a little bit about to be supremely intrigued (I know I was). I was pleased to see a lot more of Quinton this time around and a lot less of Will, the boyfriend in book one and two.
Richardson uses folklore to create the monster that is attacking Seattle's homeless and what a monster it is. Freaked me right the hell out, but Lady K thought it was scary with a funny name. She named it Sissy-Doodle and that is the name that has stuck in my cranium (sorry Kat). Helped to take the ick out of the attacker's leftovers.
Zombies, vampires, ghosts, all that good stuff makes for a superb outing in this one, my favorite in the series so far.
Five ancient monsters named Sissy-Doodle beans......
Richardson uses folklore to create the monster that is attacking Seattle's homeless and what a monster it is. Freaked me right the hell out, but Lady K thought it was scary with a funny name. She named it Sissy-Doodle and that is the name that has stuck in my cranium (sorry Kat). Helped to take the ick out of the attacker's leftovers.
Zombies, vampires, ghosts, all that good stuff makes for a superb outing in this one, my favorite in the series so far.
Five ancient monsters named Sissy-Doodle beans......
September 2, 2009
This is one of those series that I enjoy - but, even among the brain candy I typically read, this is particularly cotton candy. I have a lot of trouble remembering details from previous books - it's only as the author refers back to specific things that I get a case of deja vu.
Am I reading too many similar things? Maybe. I don't have trouble with Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, etc, though. There's about 4 series that my brain seems to insist is one series, all with the same protagonist.
I'm not sure what it says about this series that I seem to remember it only in conjunction with others, but, it was fun reading.
Am I reading too many similar things? Maybe. I don't have trouble with Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, etc, though. There's about 4 series that my brain seems to insist is one series, all with the same protagonist.
I'm not sure what it says about this series that I seem to remember it only in conjunction with others, but, it was fun reading.
September 30, 2008
The third book in Kat Richardson's Greywalker series has got to be my favorite to date. It seems to be heading in one direction at the beginning, swerves a bit in the middle, and blows up with some serious action and intrigue at the end. Without giving too much away, I can say that the story revolves around the walking dead, mythical Native American figures, the dark history of Seattle and its underground, and of course Harper Blaine's ghosts. Above all, my favorite aspect of the story was the revelation about Quinton. Who he is, where he came from, and what he's after. Finally!
January 29, 2009
Underground is a solid third entry back into the grey. Harper is, as always, a protagonist I can relate to and is believable in her thoughts in actions. Although the plot was slow at times, it was still entertaining and usually kept my interest. I love Seattle as a setting, even if there are a few liberties (hey, I've never been there! :P), and will continue to pick up Ms. Richardson's books!
*slight spoilers*
I hope Will is gone for good (what a bore) and Quinton is as intriguing as he's always been.
*slight spoilers*
I hope Will is gone for good (what a bore) and Quinton is as intriguing as he's always been.
June 28, 2015
Three years ago. "Underground" was the book that introduced me to this author, Kat Richardson. I LOVED IT and upon finishing it, I bought everything else I could find by her. I devoured her books.
Now I'm reading them in order and following the store arc in sequence.
I'm having the best time! I remember exactly why I loved this book so much. It's fast paced and exciting. It's laugh-out-loud fun at times. It has the perfect blend of surprise, spooky, legend, adventure, mystery and intrigue. Don't miss the Greywalker series.
But it's only fair to caution you...you will lose some sleep.
Now I'm reading them in order and following the store arc in sequence.
I'm having the best time! I remember exactly why I loved this book so much. It's fast paced and exciting. It's laugh-out-loud fun at times. It has the perfect blend of surprise, spooky, legend, adventure, mystery and intrigue. Don't miss the Greywalker series.
But it's only fair to caution you...you will lose some sleep.
March 1, 2010
I had so much fun with this book! I like the Greywalker series anyway, and the Seattle setting, but this one covered a ton of real-life Seattle places that I am really familiar with.
Instead of a regular review, I did a photo-essay and took some snapshots of some of the places that appear in this book. Check it out if it sounds interesting to you!
Instead of a regular review, I did a photo-essay and took some snapshots of some of the places that appear in this book. Check it out if it sounds interesting to you!
May 4, 2013
After every earthquake or anything which disturbs the land, something comes from the underground and starts killing people. Quinton and Harper deal with this new threat together. She is almost never alone in this book. I liked it. She finds out more about him and discovers more than she expected about Albert.
Will is gone (I hope for good)-that alone deserves at least half a star. He is a wimp. Such character is so unnecessary in an urban fantasy even if there is need for romance.
Will is gone (I hope for good)-that alone deserves at least half a star. He is a wimp. Such character is so unnecessary in an urban fantasy even if there is need for romance.
July 18, 2012
I'm glad that Will is out and Quinton is in. I really enjoy this type of love interest - nerdy, smart and not at all pushy. The fact that he has a ~mysterious~ past is also thrown out the window in the interest of disclosure to main character so that she is not constantly left in the dark (well, any more than usual).
November 10, 2013
I loved the history of Seattle, its streets & the underground. The monster was a bit hard for me to take though it was very exciting action. It helped that it was a Native American monster. Her & Quinton? Too good to be true? We shall see!
December 18, 2021
Underground on Books On Track
RTC
Previous book reviews:
✦ Poltergeist (Greywalker #2)
November 6, 2014
Not the worst urban fantasy, and not the best. It's alright.
The characters are fine, but the plot design and storytelling are sloppy. This pretty much holds true for the entire series.
The characters are fine, but the plot design and storytelling are sloppy. This pretty much holds true for the entire series.
October 12, 2017
Overall, I actually enjoyed this story more than the second book. Involving a legendary Native American monster is definitely an different twist that I thought worked well , though I kinda wish that Fish had been the one to ultimately help with negotiating the ending rather than Ben, who really has no reason to be of much use in this situation. . The same could be said for Harper's initial attempt at asking the vampires for help solving the mystery of what's happening to the homeless people- in the end, it sort of felt like Edward, Carlos, Cameron and the Danzigers only showed up in the book because the author felt like they had to be included more than because they actually belonged there. . Also, for the record: I still hate love triangles. Plus: What's up with the horrible cliffhanger in the epilogue?
Somehow, despite all these things that do kinda bug me, the only reason I really thought of them is because I'm writing a review of the novel on Goodreads- they weren't big enough irritations to actually hamper my enjoyment of the book. :) I think this has actually been my favorite of the Greywalker novels yet, and I'm actually looking forward to seeing where the next one goes.
Somehow, despite all these things that do kinda bug me, the only reason I really thought of them is because I'm writing a review of the novel on Goodreads- they weren't big enough irritations to actually hamper my enjoyment of the book. :) I think this has actually been my favorite of the Greywalker novels yet, and I'm actually looking forward to seeing where the next one goes.
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