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Kai Gracen #1
Black Dog Blues
2nd Edition
The Kai Gracen Book One
Ever since being part of the pot in a high-stakes poker game, elfin outcast Kai Gracen figures he used up his good karma when Dempsey, a human Stalker, won the hand and took him in. Following the violent merge of Earth and Underhill, the human and elfin races are left with a messy, monster-ridden world, and Stalkers are the only cavalry willing to ride to someone’s rescue when something shadowy appears.
It’s a hard life but one Kai likes—filled with bounty, a few friends, and most importantly, no other elfin around to remind him of his past. And killing monsters is easy. Especially since he’s one himself.
But when a sidhe lord named Ryder arrives in San Diego, Kai is conscripted to do a job for Ryder’s fledgling Dawn Court. It’s supposed to be a simple run up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman seeking sanctuary. Easy, quick, and best of all, profitable. But Kai ends up in the middle of a deadly bloodline feud he has no hope of escaping.
No one ever got rich being a Stalker. But then few of them got old either and it doesn’t look like Kai will be the exception.
The Kai Gracen Book One
Ever since being part of the pot in a high-stakes poker game, elfin outcast Kai Gracen figures he used up his good karma when Dempsey, a human Stalker, won the hand and took him in. Following the violent merge of Earth and Underhill, the human and elfin races are left with a messy, monster-ridden world, and Stalkers are the only cavalry willing to ride to someone’s rescue when something shadowy appears.
It’s a hard life but one Kai likes—filled with bounty, a few friends, and most importantly, no other elfin around to remind him of his past. And killing monsters is easy. Especially since he’s one himself.
But when a sidhe lord named Ryder arrives in San Diego, Kai is conscripted to do a job for Ryder’s fledgling Dawn Court. It’s supposed to be a simple run up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman seeking sanctuary. Easy, quick, and best of all, profitable. But Kai ends up in the middle of a deadly bloodline feud he has no hope of escaping.
No one ever got rich being a Stalker. But then few of them got old either and it doesn’t look like Kai will be the exception.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2013
110 people are currently reading
2034 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Ford
79 books1,890 followersRhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series and is a two-time LAMBDA finalist and a multiple Gold and Silver Medalist by the Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Awards. She is published by Dreamspinner Press, DSP Publications and Rogue Firebird Press.
She shares the house with Harley, a gray tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled former alley cat, and Gojira, a mercurial Tabico as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird named Tengu and enjoys murdering make-believe people.
She shares the house with Harley, a gray tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled former alley cat, and Gojira, a mercurial Tabico as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird named Tengu and enjoys murdering make-believe people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
September 1, 2016
In theory, I should have loved this book. In reality, I didn't.
To start, I love urban fantasy books. Give me a great plot, some humor, and some supernatural beings, and I'm along for the ride. I don't care if there is a lick of romance, I just need that special something and I'm in it. In addition, this book was narrated by one of my favorites, Greg Tremblay. I also adore Rhys Ford, who has written some of my favorite books in the past few years.
But when you put it all together, it still fell a bit flat.
I had a really hard time connecting to Kai, so much so that I DNFed this book in ebook form. I picked it up again in audio, but my disconnect with him was still there. He is bitter and sometimes randomly harsh on people, and I had a very difficult time getting into his mindset. There isn't much humor in this book, so that wasn't a way for me to connect, and when you combine that with Kai's sort of surly personality, I had a hard time getting engaged. I also didn't see Ryder as a strong character, and I didn't really get why he was so enamored with Kai.
To top it off, the plot felt a bit... unfocused. There was something about the pace or the set up that felt far more boring than it ought to have based on the amount of action in the story. I wasn't excited at all, and I faced the twists and turns far more casually than I usually do, especially with an audiobook.
If I had to rate this book on content alone, I would give it 2 stars. I simply didn't jive with the plot or characters all that much, and I felt very wishy-washy, overall.
However, the narration is another story. I LOVE Greg Tremblay, and I think he really did a fantastic job with this one. I loved how Kai's voice was different than Cole's (Dirty Kiss), with a faint Irish accent and far more attitude. I loved how Greg really thought about each character and what they would sound like. His narration was so nuanced that it made me able to get through a story that I had such difficulties with in ebook form. I'd give 5 solid stars to the narration, no question.
Unfortunately, a good audio does not a good experience make. I'm certainly quitting this series at this story, but I encourage other fans to give this one a shot. I think if you like something edging more towards high fantasy, this might work better for you.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
July 4, 2019
Audiobook: ***5 Stars***
Story: ***3.5 Stars***
I swear upon this holy book, Greg Tremblay can make me go to and enjoy the hell out of places usually so out of my league it's not even funny!
I mean, giant dogs with wings? Mating dragons in destroyer-mode? Babies born in an eggshell? Elfin? Monsters? Gore galore? And just a whiff of romance?
BUT... I have a thing for tortured heroes and torture them Rhys Ford did! Well, at least one of them. This author has quite a mean streak and apparently I share it, so probably it's a good thing I for one don't write books. Another good thing is that Kai Gracen has more lives than his damned cat, so I can't wait for more of histortures adventures. ;-)
What bothered me, though, was that Kai went into flirtation-mood with each and every female character in this book whenever they only so much as batted their eyelashes and I didn't like the ending. Tbh, I'm a bit scared where it might lead to and I'm not a fan of that. Only one way to find out, though, so on to the next! :)
Story: ***3.5 Stars***
I swear upon this holy book, Greg Tremblay can make me go to and enjoy the hell out of places usually so out of my league it's not even funny!
I mean, giant dogs with wings? Mating dragons in destroyer-mode? Babies born in an eggshell? Elfin? Monsters? Gore galore? And just a whiff of romance?
BUT... I have a thing for tortured heroes and torture them Rhys Ford did! Well, at least one of them. This author has quite a mean streak and apparently I share it, so probably it's a good thing I for one don't write books. Another good thing is that Kai Gracen has more lives than his damned cat, so I can't wait for more of his
What bothered me, though, was that Kai went into flirtation-mood with each and every female character in this book whenever they only so much as batted their eyelashes and I didn't like the ending. Tbh, I'm a bit scared where it might lead to and I'm not a fan of that. Only one way to find out, though, so on to the next! :)
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December 9, 2014Ah, Kai.
He is a special kitten of mine. This book is pretty full on Urban Fantasy with a kind of a twist with Kai being well... sexually okay with men and maybe women. He's open but that doesn't really define him. Not as much as being a bounty hunter for the monsters the elfin have unleashed upon the merged world of Earth and Underhill.
Ryder, however, has other ideas. He intends to have Kai in his bed. That's pretty much a given in his mind.
I've written this in nearly a pure urban fantasy scheme. It's different from the other books I've written and kind of is a pet project. I'll be updating the series over time... kind of on the side. While my focus is primarily on the M/M genre, I do have a love for Urban Fantasy so Kai is a part of that love. This book has had a long journey and publishing it is just the first step in this series. I enjoyed doing research for it... actual research... and creating a unique but operational world for Kai to exist in.
Hope you enjoy it. Thank you all.
He is a special kitten of mine. This book is pretty full on Urban Fantasy with a kind of a twist with Kai being well... sexually okay with men and maybe women. He's open but that doesn't really define him. Not as much as being a bounty hunter for the monsters the elfin have unleashed upon the merged world of Earth and Underhill.
Ryder, however, has other ideas. He intends to have Kai in his bed. That's pretty much a given in his mind.
I've written this in nearly a pure urban fantasy scheme. It's different from the other books I've written and kind of is a pet project. I'll be updating the series over time... kind of on the side. While my focus is primarily on the M/M genre, I do have a love for Urban Fantasy so Kai is a part of that love. This book has had a long journey and publishing it is just the first step in this series. I enjoyed doing research for it... actual research... and creating a unique but operational world for Kai to exist in.
Hope you enjoy it. Thank you all.
July 10, 2019
Audio – 5++ stars!!
Story – 5 stars!!!
After my expressed disappointment with Dim Sum Asylum this past January, my GR friend R recommended I give the Kai Gracen series a try (thank you darlin', R!!), because it has everything I liked about Dim Sum Asylum without the OTT insta. Then I recently came across my GR friend Simone’s review and her comment of “a whiff of romance” had me remembering I needed to give this series a try. Even better, the books in this series are currently on sale for $1.99 each. Talk about the book stars being aligned!!
Kai Gracen is not an asshole. Try walking a day in his shoes and see how jolly you would be. I loved him. My heart went out to him. I do want him to find true love, as long as it’s not at a break neck speed. The only whip lash I want to experience is from keeping up with the fast-paced action and all the unique creature killings scenes. Hopefully, Kai's Mustang, Oketsu, will be ready to take on more the craziness.
If the other two books are as riveting as this one, I’m ready to call this series an all-time favorite.
Story – 5 stars!!!
After my expressed disappointment with Dim Sum Asylum this past January, my GR friend R recommended I give the Kai Gracen series a try (thank you darlin', R!!), because it has everything I liked about Dim Sum Asylum without the OTT insta. Then I recently came across my GR friend Simone’s review and her comment of “a whiff of romance” had me remembering I needed to give this series a try. Even better, the books in this series are currently on sale for $1.99 each. Talk about the book stars being aligned!!
Kai Gracen is not an asshole. Try walking a day in his shoes and see how jolly you would be. I loved him. My heart went out to him. I do want him to find true love, as long as it’s not at a break neck speed. The only whip lash I want to experience is from keeping up with the fast-paced action and all the unique creature killings scenes. Hopefully, Kai's Mustang, Oketsu, will be ready to take on more the craziness.
If the other two books are as riveting as this one, I’m ready to call this series an all-time favorite.
June 13, 2018
If you like Black Dog Blues, it’s because you like the main character, Kai. Me, I love Kai. Kai is my favorite type of character – the tough, scrappy, outcast, snark-monger extraordinaire. He is swimming in snark, splashing about happily and not caring if he drowns everyone else with his vicious wit.
What do you give a man like that for love, balance, and story conflict? What could match all that snark? Aristocratic arrogance, of course. Which is why I also love Ryder. Oh he’s a prat, but an adorably clueless one. And he really likes Kai. Which, let’s be clear, I sympathize with. So I can’t really get too mad at him. Although Kai sure does, pretty much right off the bat.
“I wanted to crawl into his mouth, down his body, and possibly under his skin. If I hadn’t already decided I hated him on sight, it would have made me start.”
Black Dog Blues is much more fighting and more violent than I usually read. But I kind of guessed that going in, from the cover and blurb, so I was too perturbed. It has other elements that I enjoy. For example I like it when immortals act like immortals, which is to say slightly confused by and utterly un-connected to the pettiness and emotional resonance of mortality. I appreciate a Pinocchio character.
“My reflection in the bathroom mirror surprised me, as it always did. I forgot I wasn’t human.”
I loved the world building of this series. It’s based on a clear and simple concept, as much of the best world building is. That the fae realm and ours collided, destroying much of each and leaving behind the weird-post apocalyptic California with vast empty areas filled with vicious wild dragons, and lost cities, and new elf ones merged on top of or inside our own. This leaves behind humans who are only just surviving, and elves who are slowly fading away. Of course, this world is a metaphor for Kai himself ~ a merged creation, annihilated and mutilated in the act of birth, but possibly greater than the sum of his parts.
So with a warning only on the violence and physical (not sexual) abuse, this books certainly gets a big fat recommendation from me all round, great world-building, fun characters, snappy dialog, and good pacing.
What do you give a man like that for love, balance, and story conflict? What could match all that snark? Aristocratic arrogance, of course. Which is why I also love Ryder. Oh he’s a prat, but an adorably clueless one. And he really likes Kai. Which, let’s be clear, I sympathize with. So I can’t really get too mad at him. Although Kai sure does, pretty much right off the bat.
“I wanted to crawl into his mouth, down his body, and possibly under his skin. If I hadn’t already decided I hated him on sight, it would have made me start.”
Black Dog Blues is much more fighting and more violent than I usually read. But I kind of guessed that going in, from the cover and blurb, so I was too perturbed. It has other elements that I enjoy. For example I like it when immortals act like immortals, which is to say slightly confused by and utterly un-connected to the pettiness and emotional resonance of mortality. I appreciate a Pinocchio character.
“My reflection in the bathroom mirror surprised me, as it always did. I forgot I wasn’t human.”
I loved the world building of this series. It’s based on a clear and simple concept, as much of the best world building is. That the fae realm and ours collided, destroying much of each and leaving behind the weird-post apocalyptic California with vast empty areas filled with vicious wild dragons, and lost cities, and new elf ones merged on top of or inside our own. This leaves behind humans who are only just surviving, and elves who are slowly fading away. Of course, this world is a metaphor for Kai himself ~ a merged creation, annihilated and mutilated in the act of birth, but possibly greater than the sum of his parts.
So with a warning only on the violence and physical (not sexual) abuse, this books certainly gets a big fat recommendation from me all round, great world-building, fun characters, snappy dialog, and good pacing.
April 13, 2017
3.5 Stars
For inquiring minds, I felt that this was basically an amalgam of Ford's 2 most popular series. Take Sinner's descriptive, purple prose and mix it with McGinnis's gritty, harsh realism. Then place that into an alternate universe, where humans and sidhe coexist in the complete opposite of friendly and peaceful.
I will admit that not everything is neatly explained. Kai is still quite the mystery. He's hostile and purposely detached, having carefully formed a few safe friendships, while putting up a solid wall against any extra feelings or affection. Of course his predictable existence is thrown for a loop when he's tasked for a job to help Ryder, a sidhe high lord. As he gets more and more involved, Kai's horrific past unfortunately comes to the forefront.
So there's pretty extensive world building here. There's definitely race politics featuring the usual dark and light courts that make up the sidhe, and predictably there's continuous power plays and ulterior motives constantly at work. In and amongst all that, Ryder makes it no secret that he finds Kai intriguingly enticing, and tho Kai feels the same way, he adamantly maintains his distance. Of course, no man is an island, and though he may say he doesn't care, Kai inevitably is led by his morality and falls deeper and deeper into the sidhe world he's so fiercely avoided. Begrudgingly and quite in denial, he forms a tenuous attachment to the seductive Ryder.
As many have said, this is not a romance. Yet.
Of course Ford has a plan and knows the exact journey herantihero is going to traverse. I'm intrigued. It helps a lot to have listened to Tremblay expertly narrate this. Hopefully love is on the horizon, but I know it's going to be a tough journey for Kai because he definitely isn't going to go down easily without a fight.
For inquiring minds, I felt that this was basically an amalgam of Ford's 2 most popular series. Take Sinner's descriptive, purple prose and mix it with McGinnis's gritty, harsh realism. Then place that into an alternate universe, where humans and sidhe coexist in the complete opposite of friendly and peaceful.
I will admit that not everything is neatly explained. Kai is still quite the mystery. He's hostile and purposely detached, having carefully formed a few safe friendships, while putting up a solid wall against any extra feelings or affection. Of course his predictable existence is thrown for a loop when he's tasked for a job to help Ryder, a sidhe high lord. As he gets more and more involved, Kai's horrific past unfortunately comes to the forefront.
So there's pretty extensive world building here. There's definitely race politics featuring the usual dark and light courts that make up the sidhe, and predictably there's continuous power plays and ulterior motives constantly at work. In and amongst all that, Ryder makes it no secret that he finds Kai intriguingly enticing, and tho Kai feels the same way, he adamantly maintains his distance. Of course, no man is an island, and though he may say he doesn't care, Kai inevitably is led by his morality and falls deeper and deeper into the sidhe world he's so fiercely avoided. Begrudgingly and quite in denial, he forms a tenuous attachment to the seductive Ryder.
As many have said, this is not a romance. Yet.
Of course Ford has a plan and knows the exact journey her
May 16, 2017
Totally regret not reading this sooner.
Because I'm the sort of degenerate reader who reads the second book before the first or the fourth in a series and then hodgepodge the rest in randomly--yeah, I'm one of those--I wish I'd dusted off my patootie and jumped straight back to this one after reading the sequel. And holy crackerdoodles I hope there's more in this series--I want. There's a book due this year, right?
Gimmee. *throws money*
Nasty acid-spittle demon dogs, a half-breed elf bounty hunter and the golden prince. Jeez... this is just awesome. I totally was on board with the post-apocalyptic Southern California with humans and elves just out of a war and hating each other--YES! Oh yeah, and dragons. And a suped-up Mustang! God, I miss cars you could actually fix without a computer.
Because I'm the sort of degenerate reader who reads the second book before the first or the fourth in a series and then hodgepodge the rest in randomly--yeah, I'm one of those--I wish I'd dusted off my patootie and jumped straight back to this one after reading the sequel. And holy crackerdoodles I hope there's more in this series--I want. There's a book due this year, right?
Gimmee. *throws money*
Nasty acid-spittle demon dogs, a half-breed elf bounty hunter and the golden prince. Jeez... this is just awesome. I totally was on board with the post-apocalyptic Southern California with humans and elves just out of a war and hating each other--YES! Oh yeah, and dragons. And a suped-up Mustang! God, I miss cars you could actually fix without a computer.
September 15, 2016
I have a new book boyfriend and his name is...
Kai Gracen...yep,, I'm in lust love, yeah, that's it I'm in love. I've been trying to get around to reading this one for ages now and finally I made it happen because book 2 was waiting on the horizon.
What did I love about this book...well besides Kai. The author, I 'm a huge fan of Rhys Ford so right there I knew I was in for a treat. It's urban fantasy and I love urban fantasy and now Kai Gracen is on my list of must read Urban Fantasy series. He's cynical and jaded possibly even a little bitter about the hand life has dealt him, but hell, if I had his family I'd be more than a little jaded and bitter as well. But underneath it all he's got a heart of gold and a sense of humor that's dryer than the Sahara Desert and he may even be admittedly a little bit crazy, at least where Ryder's concerned...
Ryder's a Sidhe Lord who's come to San Diego to establish a Dawn Court and it turns out he'd also like to start something with Kai. But Kai's not having any of that. He's got no interest in working for Ryder so romantic entanglements are so not going to happen. While there's not a romance going on in this series...yet, there is a relationship building between Kai and Ryder that hints at a possible future for them but it's a slow burn...we're talking trying to light a fire in a windstorm slow and while I'm not often a fan of this slow of a burn I'm willing to wait this one out because I think when it finally happens my e-reader might spontaneously combust and damned if I want to miss out on something that hot.
AND...on top of the potential heat from Kai and Ryder there's an awesome story and DRAGONS!!!!!!!!!! Seriously folks 'there be dragons here' and if you know me, you know I love dragons. So, Kai ends up taking the job for Ryder because hey, money and it's an easy run up the coast during dragon mating season...what could possibly go wrong?...right?
I love the world that Rhys Ford has created with the beginning of this series. It's not the San Diego that we have now it's not even a San Diego that most would ever imagine. The world that this story is set in is post-merge. Somehow...somewhere... something went wrong and the Underhill which is the world of the Elfin and the world of Humans have collided and merged creating a world where both must learn to co-exist and survive the devastation and the monsters created by the merge.
If you enjoy books like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files or Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series I strongly recommend checking out Kai Gracen.
Kai Gracen...yep,, I'm in lust love, yeah, that's it I'm in love. I've been trying to get around to reading this one for ages now and finally I made it happen because book 2 was waiting on the horizon.
What did I love about this book...well besides Kai. The author, I 'm a huge fan of Rhys Ford so right there I knew I was in for a treat. It's urban fantasy and I love urban fantasy and now Kai Gracen is on my list of must read Urban Fantasy series. He's cynical and jaded possibly even a little bitter about the hand life has dealt him, but hell, if I had his family I'd be more than a little jaded and bitter as well. But underneath it all he's got a heart of gold and a sense of humor that's dryer than the Sahara Desert and he may even be admittedly a little bit crazy, at least where Ryder's concerned...
"I'm not an anarchist."
"I see you're not denying you're psychotic."
"I don't even know what qualifies someone as psychotic, but if it's wanting to stuff the person who hired me into a trunk, then yes, I'm definitely psychotic."
Ryder's a Sidhe Lord who's come to San Diego to establish a Dawn Court and it turns out he'd also like to start something with Kai. But Kai's not having any of that. He's got no interest in working for Ryder so romantic entanglements are so not going to happen. While there's not a romance going on in this series...yet, there is a relationship building between Kai and Ryder that hints at a possible future for them but it's a slow burn...we're talking trying to light a fire in a windstorm slow and while I'm not often a fan of this slow of a burn I'm willing to wait this one out because I think when it finally happens my e-reader might spontaneously combust and damned if I want to miss out on something that hot.
AND...on top of the potential heat from Kai and Ryder there's an awesome story and DRAGONS!!!!!!!!!! Seriously folks 'there be dragons here' and if you know me, you know I love dragons. So, Kai ends up taking the job for Ryder because hey, money and it's an easy run up the coast during dragon mating season...what could possibly go wrong?...right?
I love the world that Rhys Ford has created with the beginning of this series. It's not the San Diego that we have now it's not even a San Diego that most would ever imagine. The world that this story is set in is post-merge. Somehow...somewhere... something went wrong and the Underhill which is the world of the Elfin and the world of Humans have collided and merged creating a world where both must learn to co-exist and survive the devastation and the monsters created by the merge.
If you enjoy books like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files or Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series I strongly recommend checking out Kai Gracen.
November 30, 2015
I bought this book long ago but I never read it. I'm not sure why, as I adore Rhys Ford. Maybe it was because it's not a romance but fantasy? I dunno. Then I read Lori's review on the blog and moved this to the top of my list.
Gonna read this ASAP!
************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Welp, I finally got around to reading this and it just goes to show how stupid my brain sometimes is. I mean, I knew I would end up loving this. Come on, I've loved all of Rhys's books! I had gotten it into my stupid head that because it is not a romance that I would like it less.
I loved this!
Yes, it is an urban fantasy and not a romance. But, according to me, Rhys Ford can write no wrong. Kai is an AMAZING character and may just be giving Cole McGinnis a run for his money as my favorite of Rhys's MC's. I liked Ryder too but not nearly as much as I did Kai. And of course there are the excellent secondary characters I got to enjoy. And the story! The plot! There was excitement and mayhem and shenanigans galore! I couldn't ask for a better story! I was on the edge of my seat throughout. The world building was top notch. I really liked that there was no info dump in the beginning, but that the details were sprinkled throughout the story. That way, along with the wonderfully descriptive words, I was pulled into the story and got to actually experience it for myself instead of just being told how this world works.
Really, what the hell is wrong with me that I put this off for so long?
I highly highly recommend this to UF lovers, M/M lovers, PNR lovers, hell everyone.
READ IT!
P.S. I like the original cover better. Jussayin'
February 5, 2019
3,5 stars actually
I have to admit I dived into this one looking forward to reading the second book. That one got me super intrigued. I had it on my TBR for a while and needed to see what it was all about this awesome author everyone loves. I do this all the time, I keep adding and get interested in paranormal books, even if it's really not my thing.
Anyway, this was a pleasant surprise, but I still have a few problems with the story. TOO many descriptions and too little dialogue. Too many creatures and action and too little romance. The writing is engaging and I was curious to find out what happens next, BUT the action gets pretty boring at times. Especially with all the fighting! And I would have wanted more from Kai. I get it, he had such a rough childhood, to say the least, and he's determined to be a good Stalker, but even if I absolutely loved his snarky comments, in the end I wanted more romance. Kai seems to flirt with everyone.
So it gets only 3 stars from me. I understand why others loved this. It just wasn't enough for me. Looking forward to reading more and I hope we'll get more romance in the second book.
I have to admit I dived into this one looking forward to reading the second book. That one got me super intrigued. I had it on my TBR for a while and needed to see what it was all about this awesome author everyone loves. I do this all the time, I keep adding and get interested in paranormal books, even if it's really not my thing.
Anyway, this was a pleasant surprise, but I still have a few problems with the story. TOO many descriptions and too little dialogue. Too many creatures and action and too little romance. The writing is engaging and I was curious to find out what happens next, BUT the action gets pretty boring at times. Especially with all the fighting! And I would have wanted more from Kai. I get it, he had such a rough childhood, to say the least, and he's determined to be a good Stalker, but even if I absolutely loved his snarky comments, in the end I wanted more romance. Kai seems to flirt with everyone.
So it gets only 3 stars from me. I understand why others loved this. It just wasn't enough for me. Looking forward to reading more and I hope we'll get more romance in the second book.
January 31, 2017
*phew* this was... Yeah, not my cup of tea!
And I'm sad, because I've found a special place in my shrunken, black heart for Rhys Ford, but this one was a BIG miss.
So Kai, would normally be JUST my type of character. He's gritty, he's clever, he's independent and he's sarcastic (bordering on rude/shameless/snarky). I liked him a lot, WHEN there was no lovey-dovey involved.
But his bisexuality and his "kissing"/flirting with EVERYBODY as well as "liking" everybody, ruined it for me. Especially because the dark parts of this story were FREAKING dark, and somethinglighthearted? Positive? Certain? with Ryder would have turned this around for me.
The last 5 lines of this story, pretty much sums up why it did NOT work for me in the end. I have marked my last 'highlight' as a spoiler, but have no clue how it presents in this review, so here they are, and the reason that the romance was ruined and my TBR will not include the second book.
It's not that I have anything against bisexuality or 'sharing' if all partners agree, but this was just... Unnecessary, and it made me sad.
Kai has not had an easy upbringing (to say the least), and he has suffered SO MUCH abuse, from all kinds of people in his life; I would have LOVED it if the "relationship" between Kai and Ryder had been more... Positive. Or maybe more developed? Or more clear? It could have been a great counterpoint to the SHITFEST that is Kai's life, and would have made me more hopeful.
Instead I put this book down and I just feel sad.
Sad for Kai's life, sad that Ryder did not 'redeem' himself, sad that all the horrible stuff in this book 'wins'...
So yeah, well-written (it IS Rhys Ford after all) but horrible plot and character-"development".
I will do a re-read of Murder and Mayhem instead, that will make me love her again.
And I'm sad, because I've found a special place in my shrunken, black heart for Rhys Ford, but this one was a BIG miss.
So Kai, would normally be JUST my type of character. He's gritty, he's clever, he's independent and he's sarcastic (bordering on rude/shameless/snarky). I liked him a lot, WHEN there was no lovey-dovey involved.
But his bisexuality and his "kissing"/flirting with EVERYBODY as well as "liking" everybody, ruined it for me. Especially because the dark parts of this story were FREAKING dark, and something
The last 5 lines of this story, pretty much sums up why it did NOT work for me in the end. I have marked my last 'highlight' as a spoiler, but have no clue how it presents in this review, so here they are, and the reason that the romance was ruined and my TBR will not include the second book.
It's not that I have anything against bisexuality or 'sharing' if all partners agree, but this was just... Unnecessary, and it made me sad.
Kai has not had an easy upbringing (to say the least), and he has suffered SO MUCH abuse, from all kinds of people in his life; I would have LOVED it if the "relationship" between Kai and Ryder had been more... Positive. Or maybe more developed? Or more clear? It could have been a great counterpoint to the SHITFEST that is Kai's life, and would have made me more hopeful.
Instead I put this book down and I just feel sad.
Sad for Kai's life, sad that Ryder did not 'redeem' himself, sad that all the horrible stuff in this book 'wins'...
So yeah, well-written (it IS Rhys Ford after all) but horrible plot and character-"development".
I will do a re-read of Murder and Mayhem instead, that will make me love her again.
June 24, 2013
I think "unfocused" is the word I would use to describe this. There is lots to like but somehow it doesn't all quite fit together as seamlessly as it should. Without a doubt Kai is an attractive main character but the supporting cast seem to lack substance. Ryder doesn't pull off that quality of ruthlessness and brooding masculinity necessary to convince the reader that he is ever going to get Kai into bed or that he even deserves to. As for Kai's undetermined sexual preferences and dilute yearnings personally I prefer a romance ( even if romance is only a subplot) to be a bit more certain in its direction. As my granny used to say, pee or get off the potty. There is no sex in this book and I think it suffers from that omission, given the suggestive nature of many of the interactions, the aim may have been to invoke tension, the result is reader frustration.The setting was reminiscent of Tinker with an infusion of Kate Daniels but this is not a criticism rather an observation borne of a long immersion in urban fantasy's classic landscapes and favoured tropes. The various strands of intrigue and mystery, violence and perversion are left unravelled but they are sufficiently tantalising. As the first book in a new urban fantasy series Black Dog Blues has lots of promise even if it does not live up to the polished brilliance and sensuality of Rhys Ford's other books.
February 10, 2024
Alas, this really didn't work for me.
Ford's angle is twofold: the unusual premise of merged modern/fae worlds and a bisexual protagonist. (Pauses to reflect). Yep, pretty sure that's the hook.
Kai is the twenty-something protagonist who is working as a dangerous fae animal-killer. Circumstances, or course will soon be forcing him to take a gig escorting someone to an Elf Court and thus uncovering both his forgotten and also hidden past (Reclaiming One's Heritage). The road trip is the most fun, reminding me in parts of Zelazny's Damnation Alley. But alas, there's more to the book than that.
The tone bothered me too. It could be the protagonist and the age--so very many ups and downs. Horny, depressed, self-sacrificing, prudish, self-pitying, selfish, generous, arrogant, wounded--quite dizzying for me. Let's stabilize the mood and focus on the plot.
And the writing. Sometimes I liked it; other times I was just confused.
"The dance floor set half a story below had me trembling like a newborn. If the group outside made me flinch, the dancing throngs under the flashing lights made my stomach churn. I couldn’t imagine the money spent to alter the bodies writhing to the cacophony pouring from the speakers... The monsters were rubbing up against one another, some nearly fornicating through their clothes as they danced."
Oh yes, the third thing Ford brings to to her story is descriptive past torture. Definitely not my jam. I'll pass.
Ford's angle is twofold: the unusual premise of merged modern/fae worlds and a bisexual protagonist. (Pauses to reflect). Yep, pretty sure that's the hook.
Kai is the twenty-something protagonist who is working as a dangerous fae animal-killer. Circumstances, or course will soon be forcing him to take a gig escorting someone to an Elf Court and thus uncovering both his forgotten and also hidden past (Reclaiming One's Heritage). The road trip is the most fun, reminding me in parts of Zelazny's Damnation Alley. But alas, there's more to the book than that.
The tone bothered me too. It could be the protagonist and the age--so very many ups and downs. Horny, depressed, self-sacrificing, prudish, self-pitying, selfish, generous, arrogant, wounded--quite dizzying for me. Let's stabilize the mood and focus on the plot.
And the writing. Sometimes I liked it; other times I was just confused.
"The dance floor set half a story below had me trembling like a newborn. If the group outside made me flinch, the dancing throngs under the flashing lights made my stomach churn. I couldn’t imagine the money spent to alter the bodies writhing to the cacophony pouring from the speakers... The monsters were rubbing up against one another, some nearly fornicating through their clothes as they danced."
Oh yes, the third thing Ford brings to to her story is descriptive past torture. Definitely not my jam. I'll pass.
August 14, 2016
Not sure what took me so long to read this! I loved it. I think I would be remiss, though, if I did not mention that this is not a romance. I knew that going in, so it was no surprise to me. There are hints of a possible setup for a romance between Kai and Ryder, though, and I do hope that this is explored in subsequent books. There is also no steam, at all, which, since there was no romance, I was ok with.
What there was, though, was some amazing world building and story telling! I really enjoyed it. The story takes place in San Diego some years after our world merges with that of the sidhe (pronounced "she"). I love that Rhys Ford used Celtic mythology and Gaelic in the story. My Gaelic is more than a bit rusty, but I loved loved loved seeing and hearing it in my head.
Kai is best described as a feral cat. He's very prickly and doesn't exactly trust easily. And Ryder is someone that Kai simply does. Not. Want. To. Be. Attracted. To. Ever. Heh. But there is just something that sings between them. Ryder is a sidhe lord that has conscripted Kai into a mission to bring a pregnant human back to San Diego. Yeah, that turns out to be quite the adventure and the gift that keeps on giving.
I can't wait to dig onto book 2 (which I'll be starting today), and see where this story goes!
What there was, though, was some amazing world building and story telling! I really enjoyed it. The story takes place in San Diego some years after our world merges with that of the sidhe (pronounced "she"). I love that Rhys Ford used Celtic mythology and Gaelic in the story. My Gaelic is more than a bit rusty, but I loved loved loved seeing and hearing it in my head.
Kai is best described as a feral cat. He's very prickly and doesn't exactly trust easily. And Ryder is someone that Kai simply does. Not. Want. To. Be. Attracted. To. Ever. Heh. But there is just something that sings between them. Ryder is a sidhe lord that has conscripted Kai into a mission to bring a pregnant human back to San Diego. Yeah, that turns out to be quite the adventure and the gift that keeps on giving.
I can't wait to dig onto book 2 (which I'll be starting today), and see where this story goes!
June 21, 2019
Since this is a DSP Publications title, I didn't expect it to be romantic. But I wanted I bit more than I got.
Kai Gracen is definitely a weird creature. In every sense of the word. It's not enough that he's an elfin, he also talks to himself. And to his cat, but that I can forgive, I talk to my dogs all the time. He's not just muttering and cursing, everyone does that. But whole sentences about reasonable things. That's just weird as hell. No offense to anyone who does that.
The world-building is good, but I got confused about a few things, which might have been the author's intention. For a long time I thought that the elfin and the sidhe are a different race. Which made some of the dialogues confusing, when they talked about sidhe traditions. And then I finally realized that the elfin is the race, and elfins are either sidhe (good ones) or unsidhe (evil ones). But it just didn't register at first.
Also there is this thing with Kai and touching. I'm not sure if elfins are some kind of empath creatures, or what. Coz he seemed to want to touch everyone to feel something, but also didn't want to touch anyone because of his abused and tortured past. So it was like his nature was fighting with him constantly, but it was never said that the elfin possessed the ability to feel emotion through touch, or that they craved it. So I think it was specifically a Kai thing.
I didn't like that everyone tried to shove their tongue down his throat, men or women, he's very popular in all circles.
The whole story was a bit flat. I was missing something, not sure what.
But I felt engaged enough to finish it.
Kai Gracen is definitely a weird creature. In every sense of the word. It's not enough that he's an elfin, he also talks to himself. And to his cat, but that I can forgive, I talk to my dogs all the time. He's not just muttering and cursing, everyone does that. But whole sentences about reasonable things. That's just weird as hell. No offense to anyone who does that.
The world-building is good, but I got confused about a few things, which might have been the author's intention. For a long time I thought that the elfin and the sidhe are a different race. Which made some of the dialogues confusing, when they talked about sidhe traditions. And then I finally realized that the elfin is the race, and elfins are either sidhe (good ones) or unsidhe (evil ones). But it just didn't register at first.
Also there is this thing with Kai and touching. I'm not sure if elfins are some kind of empath creatures, or what. Coz he seemed to want to touch everyone to feel something, but also didn't want to touch anyone because of his abused and tortured past. So it was like his nature was fighting with him constantly, but it was never said that the elfin possessed the ability to feel emotion through touch, or that they craved it. So I think it was specifically a Kai thing.
I didn't like that everyone tried to shove their tongue down his throat, men or women, he's very popular in all circles.
The whole story was a bit flat. I was missing something, not sure what.
But I felt engaged enough to finish it.
September 4, 2013
An excellent start to an new urban fantasy series. The world building is really well done, and made me feel a part of the world without any sort of info dumping. I liked the characters both primary, and supporting. They were a diverse, and well developed group. I especially liked Kai. It was nice having such an openly sexual character without having sex become the primary focus of the story. I liked what I learned of his back story. It was dark, and while Kai is troubled he never felt whiny or self pitying. The plot was fast paced, and kept me on the edge of my seat. Once I started I really didn't want to stop. I am really looking forward to reading more in this series. I need to know where things go from here.
August 14, 2019
Just reading the title to this book made me want to read it. Ms Ford's writing style is one of my favorites. The way she weaves the suspense and sexual tension together is at times unbelievably vivid. The images of ravaged territories and all the wild beasts that inhabit them explode in vibrant kaleidoscope of colors that make the story even more thrilling. I love it! Magic and practicality go hand in hand in the world where its population is constantly at war be it covert between the elfin courts or out in the open between the elfin and the humans.
Kai Gracen is the kind of man who you want at your side - resilient, scrappy and wicked smart. The life hasn't dealt him an easy hand, but he is a survivor, and all that he has is his own. He is his own man, and he will never be under the rule of another. His work as a Stalker brings him no joy, but that's all he knows and he is good at it. His past still has a hold on him in his nightmares and even walking hours, but he is strong enough to push back. When a job appears that he has no choice but to accept, he comes in contact with all that he loathes - elfin court and a sidhe lord that burrows deep under his skin. The run turns deadly and dangerous, the secrets buried deep resurface to haunt Kai and hurt him anew. Will he run from his past and hide or will he come out and fight to have something more in his life? I liked Kai's sarcastic attitude, his willingness to help even to the detriment of himself. The courage he possesses is born from the pits of hell he has been through, but it carries him through the darkest times when nothing stands between him and danger but his weapon and will to live.
Ryder, the sidhe lord of the Dawn Court, appears to be entitled and a bit arrogant at first glance. But as the journey continues, Ryder sheds the mantle of authority to show the man underneath - compassionate, thoughtful, steadfast and a bit playful. He never waivers when Kai tells him that which should horrify him, he is there for him when death seems imminent and he sees beneath the surface to the loyal man that Kai is. I loved their word play, their bickering and teasing. By the end of the book I really wanted there to be something between them - it would be glorious.
The whole book is one unending roller coaster. It's angry, gory, fast-paced adventure mixed with Court intrigues, schemes and bids for rule. Cruelty and pain go hand in hand with power play, family and blood mean nothing to those who are willing to kill. But in all that chaos stand those who never surrender, who do what is right even if it means their demise, who choose to be brave in the face of evil. Kai and Ryder's story has only just begun. I expect it will get even better. I loved it so much! Superb story that I highly recommend!
Kai Gracen is the kind of man who you want at your side - resilient, scrappy and wicked smart. The life hasn't dealt him an easy hand, but he is a survivor, and all that he has is his own. He is his own man, and he will never be under the rule of another. His work as a Stalker brings him no joy, but that's all he knows and he is good at it. His past still has a hold on him in his nightmares and even walking hours, but he is strong enough to push back. When a job appears that he has no choice but to accept, he comes in contact with all that he loathes - elfin court and a sidhe lord that burrows deep under his skin. The run turns deadly and dangerous, the secrets buried deep resurface to haunt Kai and hurt him anew. Will he run from his past and hide or will he come out and fight to have something more in his life? I liked Kai's sarcastic attitude, his willingness to help even to the detriment of himself. The courage he possesses is born from the pits of hell he has been through, but it carries him through the darkest times when nothing stands between him and danger but his weapon and will to live.
Ryder, the sidhe lord of the Dawn Court, appears to be entitled and a bit arrogant at first glance. But as the journey continues, Ryder sheds the mantle of authority to show the man underneath - compassionate, thoughtful, steadfast and a bit playful. He never waivers when Kai tells him that which should horrify him, he is there for him when death seems imminent and he sees beneath the surface to the loyal man that Kai is. I loved their word play, their bickering and teasing. By the end of the book I really wanted there to be something between them - it would be glorious.
The whole book is one unending roller coaster. It's angry, gory, fast-paced adventure mixed with Court intrigues, schemes and bids for rule. Cruelty and pain go hand in hand with power play, family and blood mean nothing to those who are willing to kill. But in all that chaos stand those who never surrender, who do what is right even if it means their demise, who choose to be brave in the face of evil. Kai and Ryder's story has only just begun. I expect it will get even better. I loved it so much! Superb story that I highly recommend!
December 1, 2015
This had what I've come to think of as the trademark Rhys Ford elements--a very messed up, very attractive MC, a lovingly-drawn California setting, and a cool, engaging cast of secondaries. This also sported a fantastic paranormal set-up, somewhat reminiscent of Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series, in which magic, in the form of the Elves/Sidhe, has exploded into our world with mostly disastrous results.
Like some other reviewers I found the overall plot uneven: there were too many scenes with the titular black dogs and not enough with the other characters or developing the Elven politics, giving the action a repetitive feel, and the final climactic sequence just piled on one thrill/near escape/danger/new attack/near miss after another, to the point that it felt almost ridiculous. Also, though I did find Ryder very sexy and promising as a love interest, I was pretty shocked at how little time was spent developing their relationship (Read no sex!!!) On the other hand, I really liked that Kai was bisexual and refreshingly amorphous sexually, and would have been happy to see him with Alexa or Dalia or someone else if we couldn't see him get it on with Ryder.
Despite those reservations, I found this a wonderfully entertaining read: Kai is a terrific character, my new favorite of Ford's, and I love the world she's created.
Bottom line: can't wait for book 2.
Like some other reviewers I found the overall plot uneven: there were too many scenes with the titular black dogs and not enough with the other characters or developing the Elven politics, giving the action a repetitive feel, and the final climactic sequence just piled on one thrill/near escape/danger/new attack/near miss after another, to the point that it felt almost ridiculous. Also, though I did find Ryder very sexy and promising as a love interest, I was pretty shocked at how little time was spent developing their relationship (Read no sex!!!) On the other hand, I really liked that Kai was bisexual and refreshingly amorphous sexually, and would have been happy to see him with Alexa or Dalia or someone else if we couldn't see him get it on with Ryder.
Despite those reservations, I found this a wonderfully entertaining read: Kai is a terrific character, my new favorite of Ford's, and I love the world she's created.
Bottom line: can't wait for book 2.
July 26, 2019
5 amazing talented stars audio!
3.5 entertaining action adventure stars story!!!!!
3.5 entertaining action adventure stars story!!!!!
June 22, 2019
Freaking fabulous. Best voice from Greg I've heard so far.
August 11, 2019
Audiobook: 5+ Stars!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Book: 4 Stars!!
Loved the world-building and the slow burn in here! I’ll be honest and say that this is the FIRST RHYS FORD BOOK I’VE REALLY ENJOYED!
Book: 4 Stars!!
Loved the world-building and the slow burn in here! I’ll be honest and say that this is the FIRST RHYS FORD BOOK I’VE REALLY ENJOYED!
March 14, 2022
It was a really good first book in the series. I am intrigued.
Kai reminds me a bit of Harry Dresden. In a good way. I feel that the two would either get along well or hate each other instantly. Lol. He is definitely a very tortured hero and for that reason it is very easy to sympathize with him. Plus, he has his heart on the right side. There is something cute even in his stubbornness. I liked the way Ryder tries to look after Kai, but also appreciates who he is. Even if Kai drives him crazy sometimes.
Rhys Ford's stories are always so unique. They derive from a culture that does not appear so often in books of this genre. At the same time, they perfectly mix different mythologies and themes. All together it creates a very unique but coherent world. Despite the fact that the world created by the author is so complex, I had no major difficulties with understanding the general rules and who is who.
The plot was interesting and suspenseful. We discovered not only who Kai really is, but also follow the entire story with two newborns who he is supposed to keep safe. There is a lot of violence in this book, so it is hardly a story for those who shun that sort of thing. Kai is seriously injured many times.
You could definitely sense the sexual tension between Kai and Ryder. I guess I would even like a little more to happen between them. I am a little worried that in the next books there may be a love triangle, and Kai may be interested in both Ryder and his cousin. However, I hope I am wrong. Will see.
Kai reminds me a bit of Harry Dresden. In a good way. I feel that the two would either get along well or hate each other instantly. Lol. He is definitely a very tortured hero and for that reason it is very easy to sympathize with him. Plus, he has his heart on the right side. There is something cute even in his stubbornness. I liked the way Ryder tries to look after Kai, but also appreciates who he is. Even if Kai drives him crazy sometimes.
Rhys Ford's stories are always so unique. They derive from a culture that does not appear so often in books of this genre. At the same time, they perfectly mix different mythologies and themes. All together it creates a very unique but coherent world. Despite the fact that the world created by the author is so complex, I had no major difficulties with understanding the general rules and who is who.
The plot was interesting and suspenseful. We discovered not only who Kai really is, but also follow the entire story with two newborns who he is supposed to keep safe. There is a lot of violence in this book, so it is hardly a story for those who shun that sort of thing. Kai is seriously injured many times.
You could definitely sense the sexual tension between Kai and Ryder. I guess I would even like a little more to happen between them. I am a little worried that in the next books there may be a love triangle, and Kai may be interested in both Ryder and his cousin. However, I hope I am wrong. Will see.
December 4, 2015
Spending time with Kai is like being strapped into a roller coaster that you can't get off of. You love it and you're scared at the same time and you really don't care if you get to the end because it's all about the journey of getting there. I wish I could read it again for the first time. Not to be missed.
December 25, 2014
Five freaking fantastic stats.
This offering, from author of the month Rhys Ford, was amazing - I devoured all 246 pages of it as quickly as I possibly could. Set in the San Diego of an alternate universe, this story has elfin and humans living side by side. A great war had taken place between the two races many years before and a very uneasy peace reigned.
Kai (oh how I love Kai) is an elfin, won as spoils of a card game and raised by Stalker Dempsey. Compassion was a word that was not in Dempsey's vocabulary, he did what he had to to survive and Kai was dragged up by this man...yet it was still better than the life he had before. (And I, as Kai does, believe there is more to Dempsey than meets the eye. I'm not entirely convinced that he's as mean as he is portrayed).
Kai has to deal with prejudice every day. He is an elfin who identifies as human - and most humans hate the elfin race. A Stalker, like the man who raised him, Kai kills the beasts that roam the country, and delivers their hides as proof to get a wage from the government. Life is tough. It gets even tougher when Ryder enters the scene. An elfin Lord with ideals that most don't agree with. He sees a future that of peace between the elfin races and the humans. To him it is the only way the elfin races will survive, and he needs Kai to help him with this. Basically he's a huge pain in Kai's arse.
I have a confession to make - my first Rhys Ford book didn't really work for me. And it was a me thing, even though I wasn't keen, I could still see the quality of the writing - I did however let this sway me into choosing other authors first. So, whilst I always intended to get to another Rhys Ford book (and we have some huge fangirls in the stable) I hadn't quite got round to it...until she became AOTM and I read Clockwork Tangerine as our group read. I loved it. Then a request for Black Dog Blues came in, and instead of shying away and leaving it to one of the established fans, I thought I'd give it a go. Best. Decision. Ever.
The story was interesting - I loved the AU, and the world building was brilliantly executed. No long descriptions of the differences between races but information dripped into the text that gave me a full understanding of how the world worked. As well as a wonderful way of world building, Rhys strings descriptive prose together in a way that I loved.
It was enticing, describing images I could imagine perfectly in just a few short lines. I knew these woods - my childhood and intervening years knew these woods. Instant picture and on with the story. The story of highs and lows...and lows...and damn if that bloody elfin can't keep out of the crap. I will not stop reading til I've read this chapter..and this one...and - we'll we've all been there, right?
Of course, no story can survive without the best of characters to tell it. And Rhys does characters so well. Kai, Ryder, Dempsey...all the characters were brilliant. Good or bad, they had their place. I want to read more about all of them. About Kai's evil brother, the father and life he would rather die than go back to. I want to know more about Ryder's plans, about how he is going to make them work when the few voices that want them too are more than outweighed by the many voices that don't.
Of course, most of all I want to see how the relationship between Kai and Ryder develops. Kai is almost refusing to let it be more than a working relationship. To disillusioned for love - will Ryder convince him otherwise? I bloody hope so.
There is so much I could say about this story, but I want you to experience it for yourselves. I love fantasy books, and when I come across a well written one...well, it just about made my Christmas. Move over Jenni Lea and Ann, there's a new Rhys Ford fangirl in the house.
Oh, one last thing though...this book is re-released by DSP on Feb 3rd 2015. I'd advise you to put that date on your calendar or pre-order it if possible!
"Singlish is a really ugly language. It has it's toes in many lingual puddles, from old Britain to Cantonese with hot dashes of wasabi Japanese, but there were times when only the ugly gutter back street Nippon would do.
This was definitely one of those times."
This offering, from author of the month Rhys Ford, was amazing - I devoured all 246 pages of it as quickly as I possibly could. Set in the San Diego of an alternate universe, this story has elfin and humans living side by side. A great war had taken place between the two races many years before and a very uneasy peace reigned.
Kai (oh how I love Kai) is an elfin, won as spoils of a card game and raised by Stalker Dempsey. Compassion was a word that was not in Dempsey's vocabulary, he did what he had to to survive and Kai was dragged up by this man...yet it was still better than the life he had before. (And I, as Kai does, believe there is more to Dempsey than meets the eye. I'm not entirely convinced that he's as mean as he is portrayed).
Kai has to deal with prejudice every day. He is an elfin who identifies as human - and most humans hate the elfin race. A Stalker, like the man who raised him, Kai kills the beasts that roam the country, and delivers their hides as proof to get a wage from the government. Life is tough. It gets even tougher when Ryder enters the scene. An elfin Lord with ideals that most don't agree with. He sees a future that of peace between the elfin races and the humans. To him it is the only way the elfin races will survive, and he needs Kai to help him with this. Basically he's a huge pain in Kai's arse.
I have a confession to make - my first Rhys Ford book didn't really work for me. And it was a me thing, even though I wasn't keen, I could still see the quality of the writing - I did however let this sway me into choosing other authors first. So, whilst I always intended to get to another Rhys Ford book (and we have some huge fangirls in the stable) I hadn't quite got round to it...until she became AOTM and I read Clockwork Tangerine as our group read. I loved it. Then a request for Black Dog Blues came in, and instead of shying away and leaving it to one of the established fans, I thought I'd give it a go. Best. Decision. Ever.
The story was interesting - I loved the AU, and the world building was brilliantly executed. No long descriptions of the differences between races but information dripped into the text that gave me a full understanding of how the world worked. As well as a wonderful way of world building, Rhys strings descriptive prose together in a way that I loved.
"Nothing looked out of place to me. It was the kind of place someone would expect to find a gingerbread house nibbled on by two little children or a lost girl in a red hooded cape. All perfectly safe and pretty, except for the witch and wolf lurking just off the page."
It was enticing, describing images I could imagine perfectly in just a few short lines. I knew these woods - my childhood and intervening years knew these woods. Instant picture and on with the story. The story of highs and lows...and lows...and damn if that bloody elfin can't keep out of the crap. I will not stop reading til I've read this chapter..and this one...and - we'll we've all been there, right?
Of course, no story can survive without the best of characters to tell it. And Rhys does characters so well. Kai, Ryder, Dempsey...all the characters were brilliant. Good or bad, they had their place. I want to read more about all of them. About Kai's evil brother, the father and life he would rather die than go back to. I want to know more about Ryder's plans, about how he is going to make them work when the few voices that want them too are more than outweighed by the many voices that don't.
Of course, most of all I want to see how the relationship between Kai and Ryder develops. Kai is almost refusing to let it be more than a working relationship. To disillusioned for love - will Ryder convince him otherwise? I bloody hope so.
There is so much I could say about this story, but I want you to experience it for yourselves. I love fantasy books, and when I come across a well written one...well, it just about made my Christmas. Move over Jenni Lea and Ann, there's a new Rhys Ford fangirl in the house.
Oh, one last thing though...this book is re-released by DSP on Feb 3rd 2015. I'd advise you to put that date on your calendar or pre-order it if possible!
July 29, 2015
This was such a pleasure to listen to.
The story is excellent and the narration is superb! The narration and the story are a brilliant combination and I am so glad it was given to me for review. This is urban fantasy and not really a romance. Of course there is the frisson of a romance within the story but it isn't the whole story. The 'whole story' is really an adventure in a post-apocalyptic world after war between humans and the Sidhe comes to an end. The Sidhe have been defeated and there is an uneasy peace with Sidhe and Unsidhe running their affairs in separate courts and human beings living in a world which is drastically changed. And never the twain worlds shall meet. Except they do.
Kai Gracen is from one world but lives in the other. He is an elven outcast who makes his living among humans as a stalker, hunting and killing black dogs. The black dogs are the creatures of the Dusk Sidhe court. A court which is part of Kai's painful past. Kai's life very much revolves around stalking and killing these black dogs and spending time with his friend Darla and his surrogate 'father' Dempsey, until the day he is given a job to do for the Dawn Court.
Kai finds himself pressured into working for the Ryder the Sidhe prince of the Dawn court who is involved in a plan to increase the births of elven people. Unfortunately not everyone agrees with this plan and there are assassins and conspiracies afoot to make sure this plan is thwarted. Kai finds that he is thrown into this conspiracy even though he has turned his back on his elven heritage and lives alongside humanity, albeit at the margins.
Kai is thrust into an adventure that he doesn't want to be part of. Content with his life at the margins he is thrust into transporting a human surrogate who is about to give birth to Sidhe children, an abomination to the Sidhe. Kai is therefor pressured from all sides. Pushed into this job by human authorities, pressured by the matriarch of the Dawn Court, hunted by his real father the King of the Dusk Court and wanted by Ryder, Prince of the Dusk Court.
Pressured on all sides and of course pursued by Black Dogs.
As Kai gets drawn deeper and deeper into the elven affairs he finds he has to fight for his own free identity as well as deal with the pains and scorn from his past.
This is a brilliant story with a very rich cast of characters. I think the narrator did a very good job in capturing the voices of the different characters and it enriches the story. I took my time, listening to this over a few days and it was always a delight to come back to. The story draws the listener in and I soon became vested in the characters, rooting for them from the sidelines.
This isn't your run of the mill m/m story. It is a fast paced urban fantasy adventure, in an unfamiliar world, with an unfolding mystery at it's heart.
I didn't have any expectations when I started reading this. Reading it was a bit like peeling an onion with layers and layers of the story becoming increasingly more fascinating as the story progresses. That's how stories should be, drawing you further and further along and that's what this story does. It is a brilliantly entertaining read even without the audio and with the audio it is an exhilarating adventure come to life, drama for the ears and I loved it.
I find that audiobooks make it very easy to identify with the characters. I thought Kai was brilliant. Wounded by his past and difficult upbringing he is someone who lives despite others, despite the pain of the past, despite the exclusion and inspite of the reaction of others to his mixed heritage. He just doesn't give a damn and he is beholden to no one. He is a bit like an elven 'John Wayne' and this came across in his 'I don't give a s**t' attitude. He isn't someone who falls easily in love either and he knows the score from the beginning and is aware of himself.
I loved this. No angst for Kai Gracen. The pain is there but he wears it and owns it and even in the most vulnerable times he wears his vulnerability as well. Unafraid, uncowed he makes an excellent but unlikely hero.
So it is clear that I liked this story, really liked it. I thought the audio was fab with an excellent narration from Greg Tremblay.
I will definitely read more books written by Rhys Ford and Greg Tremblay is now one of my top narrators.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.
And a good job too!!
The story is excellent and the narration is superb! The narration and the story are a brilliant combination and I am so glad it was given to me for review. This is urban fantasy and not really a romance. Of course there is the frisson of a romance within the story but it isn't the whole story. The 'whole story' is really an adventure in a post-apocalyptic world after war between humans and the Sidhe comes to an end. The Sidhe have been defeated and there is an uneasy peace with Sidhe and Unsidhe running their affairs in separate courts and human beings living in a world which is drastically changed. And never the twain worlds shall meet. Except they do.
Kai Gracen is from one world but lives in the other. He is an elven outcast who makes his living among humans as a stalker, hunting and killing black dogs. The black dogs are the creatures of the Dusk Sidhe court. A court which is part of Kai's painful past. Kai's life very much revolves around stalking and killing these black dogs and spending time with his friend Darla and his surrogate 'father' Dempsey, until the day he is given a job to do for the Dawn Court.
Kai finds himself pressured into working for the Ryder the Sidhe prince of the Dawn court who is involved in a plan to increase the births of elven people. Unfortunately not everyone agrees with this plan and there are assassins and conspiracies afoot to make sure this plan is thwarted. Kai finds that he is thrown into this conspiracy even though he has turned his back on his elven heritage and lives alongside humanity, albeit at the margins.
Kai is thrust into an adventure that he doesn't want to be part of. Content with his life at the margins he is thrust into transporting a human surrogate who is about to give birth to Sidhe children, an abomination to the Sidhe. Kai is therefor pressured from all sides. Pushed into this job by human authorities, pressured by the matriarch of the Dawn Court, hunted by his real father the King of the Dusk Court and wanted by Ryder, Prince of the Dusk Court.
Pressured on all sides and of course pursued by Black Dogs.
As Kai gets drawn deeper and deeper into the elven affairs he finds he has to fight for his own free identity as well as deal with the pains and scorn from his past.
This is a brilliant story with a very rich cast of characters. I think the narrator did a very good job in capturing the voices of the different characters and it enriches the story. I took my time, listening to this over a few days and it was always a delight to come back to. The story draws the listener in and I soon became vested in the characters, rooting for them from the sidelines.
This isn't your run of the mill m/m story. It is a fast paced urban fantasy adventure, in an unfamiliar world, with an unfolding mystery at it's heart.
I didn't have any expectations when I started reading this. Reading it was a bit like peeling an onion with layers and layers of the story becoming increasingly more fascinating as the story progresses. That's how stories should be, drawing you further and further along and that's what this story does. It is a brilliantly entertaining read even without the audio and with the audio it is an exhilarating adventure come to life, drama for the ears and I loved it.
I find that audiobooks make it very easy to identify with the characters. I thought Kai was brilliant. Wounded by his past and difficult upbringing he is someone who lives despite others, despite the pain of the past, despite the exclusion and inspite of the reaction of others to his mixed heritage. He just doesn't give a damn and he is beholden to no one. He is a bit like an elven 'John Wayne' and this came across in his 'I don't give a s**t' attitude. He isn't someone who falls easily in love either and he knows the score from the beginning and is aware of himself.
I loved this. No angst for Kai Gracen. The pain is there but he wears it and owns it and even in the most vulnerable times he wears his vulnerability as well. Unafraid, uncowed he makes an excellent but unlikely hero.
So it is clear that I liked this story, really liked it. I thought the audio was fab with an excellent narration from Greg Tremblay.
I will definitely read more books written by Rhys Ford and Greg Tremblay is now one of my top narrators.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.
And a good job too!!
July 30, 2016
Now this was some damn interesting world building. Wow. Throw in the always excellent narration by Greg Tremblay and I was one happy reader.
It behooves me to note this isn't a romance. It's more along the lines of Rhys's Ink and Shadows, and has hints of possible romance to happen in the series, but it's first and foremost about Kai and the world building.
Based in an alternate universe where Kai Gracen is an elfin outcast and a Stalker (which is kind of like a bounty hunter, but much, much cooler) just trying to eke out a living in a world where humans and elfin races are at odds, monsters abound, and violence is the norm.
Kai is prickly, bitter, sometimes harsh and wants nothing to do with race politics or the dark and light Sidhe courts, but when he's forced into helping Ryder, a sidhe lord, into making a run through dragon territory into the light court to pick up a pregnant human everything unravels and his life will never be the same.
I really enjoyed this, though I'll admit that has a lot to do with Greg Tremblay's narration because it is absolutely perfect for this story. Kai has a sort of gravelly slight-Irish accent that really suits the character and helps make listening a real pleasure. For fans of fantasy and audio this should definitely make it on your list!
Okay...so now I'm psyched and really looking forward to Mad Lizard Mambo (Kai Gracen #2).
Audio copy of Black Dog Blues provided by DSP Publications in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
August 12, 2017
I absolutely loved this but I didn't have much doubt I would. I really love how Rhys Ford spins her stories and her world building is phenomenal. Urban fantasy is one of my favorites and Rhys does it so, so well. I knew there was no romance going in and that didn't bother me as I truly didn't need it, I was fascinated and entertained enough on the world, plot and storytelling alone.
Kai is kind of a harsh character but as the book plays out, he becomes more and more sympathetic. I was only amazed that he managed as much "humanity" as he did and more that he keeps buried, though it does sneak out at times.
Lots of interesting characters and amazing world building along with an exciting, fast moving plot is taking me right to the next book *and also made me cry when I saw there are no more right now*!!
Kai is kind of a harsh character but as the book plays out, he becomes more and more sympathetic. I was only amazed that he managed as much "humanity" as he did and more that he keeps buried, though it does sneak out at times.
Lots of interesting characters and amazing world building along with an exciting, fast moving plot is taking me right to the next book *and also made me cry when I saw there are no more right now*!!
November 18, 2013
Rhys is an auto-buy for me, even since Sinner's Gin (my first read of hers)....I love her books.
December 5, 2023
Got this out of the library on a whim, found myself enjoying the book but not the experience of reading on Libby because holding my phone aggravates the arthritis in my hands, discovered the book was on sale for $1.99, bought it.
Kind of post-apocalyptic, in that something called the Merge has stitched together the Sidhe/Unsidhe and human worlds, with many unpleasant results including the appearance in the human world of monsters, such as the Black Dogs of the title. Our hero, Kai Gracen, is a Stalker, i.e. a bounty hunter of said monsters, who's apparently elfin but lives in the human world and has murky memories of a traumatic past. He has a gritty decency that I think he himself would deny, even despite the self-sacrificing heroism he shows during the climactic conflict.
[ETA: I should note, probably, that we find out a good deal about the tortures Kai underwent. They are imaginative and dreadful and might well be Too Much for a lot of people. In general, also, this is one of the darker and more violent books I've read lately.]
Kai's eventual love interest (though I gather they don't properly get together till the third or fourth book) is a Sidhe lord named Ryder, whose characterization I found somewhat less persuasive, in that he doesn't seem quite un-human enough despite his rank and his magical powers. I think the difficulty lies with his dialogue, which often struck me as too idiomatic for someone speaking what's in effect his second language.
The plot has to do with the retrieval, at Ryder's behest, of a pregnant human woman from a Sidhe city. In connection with this, one giant plot hole and one seriously annoying episode of childbirth. For once, it wasn't the childbirth itself getting on my nerves but rather Kai's reaction to it, including the hallowed line "Some things a man just wasn't meant to see," which oh come on.
I have to laugh at myself for being so peeved about this, given that pregnancy and childbirth are no-goes for me as well, but the idea that somehow it's especially terrible for a man to be exposed to it ground my gears. It seemed out of keeping with the rest of the book, which is full of interesting women characters (i.e., ladies are not gross), and also makes no sense whatever for Kai, who in the opening scene is up close and personal with the blood, guts, and general disgustingness of a Black Dog that he's hunting. He can deal with that, but labor is too much for him? Ohhh-kay.
I thought of putting the plot hole behind a spoiler, but it isn't much of one. The ruler of the city the pregnant woman is being retrieved from wants the offspring killed. But the ruler is, you know, the ruler, and a nasty piece of work even apart from the whole yen for infanticide, so ... how come she hasn't just had the pregnant woman killed? And, given that the woman is near term, why has Ryder waited till now to retrieve her? What's she doing in the elfin city to begin with? Et cetera.
Strictly on its merits I should probably have given this three stars, but I kind of had to go with four, considering that (a) I couldn't stop reading (b) I promptly bought the next two books in the series, which are also on sale for $1.99.
Kind of post-apocalyptic, in that something called the Merge has stitched together the Sidhe/Unsidhe and human worlds, with many unpleasant results including the appearance in the human world of monsters, such as the Black Dogs of the title. Our hero, Kai Gracen, is a Stalker, i.e. a bounty hunter of said monsters, who's apparently elfin but lives in the human world and has murky memories of a traumatic past. He has a gritty decency that I think he himself would deny, even despite the self-sacrificing heroism he shows during the climactic conflict.
[ETA: I should note, probably, that we find out a good deal about the tortures Kai underwent. They are imaginative and dreadful and might well be Too Much for a lot of people. In general, also, this is one of the darker and more violent books I've read lately.]
Kai's eventual love interest (though I gather they don't properly get together till the third or fourth book) is a Sidhe lord named Ryder, whose characterization I found somewhat less persuasive, in that he doesn't seem quite un-human enough despite his rank and his magical powers. I think the difficulty lies with his dialogue, which often struck me as too idiomatic for someone speaking what's in effect his second language.
The plot has to do with the retrieval, at Ryder's behest, of a pregnant human woman from a Sidhe city. In connection with this, one giant plot hole and one seriously annoying episode of childbirth. For once, it wasn't the childbirth itself getting on my nerves but rather Kai's reaction to it, including the hallowed line "Some things a man just wasn't meant to see," which oh come on.
I have to laugh at myself for being so peeved about this, given that pregnancy and childbirth are no-goes for me as well, but the idea that somehow it's especially terrible for a man to be exposed to it ground my gears. It seemed out of keeping with the rest of the book, which is full of interesting women characters (i.e., ladies are not gross), and also makes no sense whatever for Kai, who in the opening scene is up close and personal with the blood, guts, and general disgustingness of a Black Dog that he's hunting. He can deal with that, but labor is too much for him? Ohhh-kay.
I thought of putting the plot hole behind a spoiler, but it isn't much of one. The ruler of the city the pregnant woman is being retrieved from wants the offspring killed. But the ruler is, you know, the ruler, and a nasty piece of work even apart from the whole yen for infanticide, so ... how come she hasn't just had the pregnant woman killed? And, given that the woman is near term, why has Ryder waited till now to retrieve her? What's she doing in the elfin city to begin with? Et cetera.
Strictly on its merits I should probably have given this three stars, but I kind of had to go with four, considering that (a) I couldn't stop reading (b) I promptly bought the next two books in the series, which are also on sale for $1.99.
August 12, 2017
I have very mixed feelings about this book, so I am going to stick to my golden rule: When in doubt, go by the tags :D
ALERTS and WARNINGS:
No romance of any kind, m/m or m/f
Girl cooties (sucking face and pawing)
Boy cooties (sucking face and pawing)
Grammar: - 2 stars
Misplaced modifiers. Yep. Those pesky things.
They might not bother some readers, and I want to say "It's OK" and skip it, but on the second thought - NO. Butchered grammar is never OK. "Screaming like a banshee, my foot kicked out..." (don't remember the exact wording, sorry) is not OK. Talking, swearing, grabbing for weapons/air pissed off body parts or inanimate objects are NOT OK, unless they are from Toy Story.
Similes. I can take a few, but not in every paragraph. Just write a separate book about that classic by now 'chihuahua pooping in the snow' or 'a butt cheek, whining like a dog in heat', and get over it already.
To be fair: English is not my native and I know my grammar suffers. However, I do not publish books and charge readers 7 bucks for an unfinished product.
Adventure: - 3.5 stars
I loved the story, I loved the bad-assness of it, I loved that Kai didn't talk his head off at the most critical moments, just shot, knifed, drove through the person that posed a threat.
On the downside, no matter when, no matter where, while most desperate, Kai always had unexpected help, always. O.o
M/M, M/F, Romance:
There is no romance in this book whatsoever. I can't even tag it m/m or m/f. Kai wanted girls and boys alike and it didn't bother me a bit. Girl cooties alert, tho ;)
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic: - 4.5 stars
Post-Apocalyptic - check. Some time ago, looks like in the beginning of 21st century, human and magical worlds collided, resulting in The Merge. There are some cataclysmic consequences, but in the long run I think humans and Earth benefited from it. Turns out, Elves are very environmentally savvy. Unfortunately, there is not enough background on the actual events.
Elves - check. The honest to God tall and beautiful pointy eared magical creatures shooting arrows.
Sci-Fi - check. Technologically advanced elves. Yep :)
Final rating - 3.5 stars
PS I really dislike this new cover. The guy on the red Mustang looked much hotter.
ALERTS and WARNINGS:
No romance of any kind, m/m or m/f
Girl cooties (sucking face and pawing)
Boy cooties (sucking face and pawing)
Grammar: - 2 stars
Misplaced modifiers. Yep. Those pesky things.
They might not bother some readers, and I want to say "It's OK" and skip it, but on the second thought - NO. Butchered grammar is never OK. "Screaming like a banshee, my foot kicked out..." (don't remember the exact wording, sorry) is not OK. Talking, swearing, grabbing for weapons/air pissed off body parts or inanimate objects are NOT OK, unless they are from Toy Story.
Similes. I can take a few, but not in every paragraph. Just write a separate book about that classic by now 'chihuahua pooping in the snow' or 'a butt cheek, whining like a dog in heat', and get over it already.
To be fair: English is not my native and I know my grammar suffers. However, I do not publish books and charge readers 7 bucks for an unfinished product.
Adventure: - 3.5 stars
I loved the story, I loved the bad-assness of it, I loved that Kai didn't talk his head off at the most critical moments, just shot, knifed, drove through the person that posed a threat.
On the downside, no matter when, no matter where, while most desperate, Kai always had unexpected help, always. O.o
M/M, M/F, Romance:
There is no romance in this book whatsoever. I can't even tag it m/m or m/f. Kai wanted girls and boys alike and it didn't bother me a bit. Girl cooties alert, tho ;)
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic: - 4.5 stars
Post-Apocalyptic - check. Some time ago, looks like in the beginning of 21st century, human and magical worlds collided, resulting in The Merge. There are some cataclysmic consequences, but in the long run I think humans and Earth benefited from it. Turns out, Elves are very environmentally savvy. Unfortunately, there is not enough background on the actual events.
Elves - check. The honest to God tall and beautiful pointy eared magical creatures shooting arrows.
Sci-Fi - check. Technologically advanced elves. Yep :)
Final rating - 3.5 stars
PS I really dislike this new cover. The guy on the red Mustang looked much hotter.
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