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Nightshades #1
Nightshades
Alex McKenna is the new Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations—the division tasked with investigating crimes involving shades.
Or vampires, as they’re more widely known.
Children have been going missing, and agents are routinely being slaughtered. It’s up to McKenna, and some unlikely allies, to get to the bottom of the problem, and find the kids before it’s too late.
Nightshades is a new gritty urban fantasy from Melissa F. Olson.
Or vampires, as they’re more widely known.
Children have been going missing, and agents are routinely being slaughtered. It’s up to McKenna, and some unlikely allies, to get to the bottom of the problem, and find the kids before it’s too late.
Nightshades is a new gritty urban fantasy from Melissa F. Olson.
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2016
170 people are currently reading
2736 people want to read
About the author
Melissa F. Olson
42 books1,740 followersMelissa F. Olson is a writer and film professor. Her work includes the comic ARCHAIC, the feminist horror novel The Other Frankenstein, and more than 20 urban fantasy novels and novellas, including the Scarlett Bernard series and the Boundary Magic novels. Her journalism and academic work has been published in The International Journal of Comic Art, the compilation Images of the Modern Vampire, Tor.com, and the Everyone's Gone to the Movies series.
Melissa has been a writing teacher, English professor, and TEDx presenter, but she now divides her time between writing and conventions, where she speaks about issues related to genre, feminism, writing, and parenting. Read more about her life and work at MFOlson.com.
Melissa has been a writing teacher, English professor, and TEDx presenter, but she now divides her time between writing and conventions, where she speaks about issues related to genre, feminism, writing, and parenting. Read more about her life and work at MFOlson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
July 19, 2016
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
It's no secret that I don't like Dead Things: ghosts, zombies, ghouls . . . vampires . . .
Vampires are an exception more frequently than other Dead Things, but they're rarely something I deliberately look for when picking out a book.
BUT.
Occasionally an author manages to strike a balance that is pleasing to mine eyes.
Someone manages to capture to undeadliness, the bloodthirsty ruthlessness, while setting apart an individual or small group of individuals who have tenaciously clung to their former humanity, shunning the brutality of their more old school counterparts.
*tips hat*
Meet Lindy, or Sieglind to not-her-friends, who despite vampires coming out of the proverbial closet, still lives and works among the humans.
Secretly, of course.
Until the one vamp the government has managed to capture gives her up, anyway.
But rather than slaughtering the puny human who attempts to corner her, then hitting the road, she agrees to help him.
Lindy has a broader vision of the future than some of her vampire brethren. She dreams of a world where her kind can coexist with the humans. And in order for that dream to become reality, a powerful vampire hell-bent on teaching humans their place in the food chain must be stopped.
This is the story of how, with the help of humans, she begins to do just that. And lemme tell you, the obstacles encountered along the way kept me flying through the pages of my favorite Tor.com short story to date. FYI.
It's not a new spin on vampires, but what Olson does with the well-known creature is highly entertaining. In a world where the existence of the supernatural is undeniably revealed, there are a million ways humanity can respond to that knowledge, and NIGHTSHADES is hopefully the first of many installments in Olson's version of that brave new world. Highly recommended.
It's no secret that I don't like Dead Things: ghosts, zombies, ghouls . . . vampires . . .
Vampires are an exception more frequently than other Dead Things, but they're rarely something I deliberately look for when picking out a book.
BUT.
Occasionally an author manages to strike a balance that is pleasing to mine eyes.
Someone manages to capture to undeadliness, the bloodthirsty ruthlessness, while setting apart an individual or small group of individuals who have tenaciously clung to their former humanity, shunning the brutality of their more old school counterparts.
*tips hat*
Meet Lindy, or Sieglind to not-her-friends, who despite vampires coming out of the proverbial closet, still lives and works among the humans.
Secretly, of course.
Until the one vamp the government has managed to capture gives her up, anyway.
But rather than slaughtering the puny human who attempts to corner her, then hitting the road, she agrees to help him.
Lindy has a broader vision of the future than some of her vampire brethren. She dreams of a world where her kind can coexist with the humans. And in order for that dream to become reality, a powerful vampire hell-bent on teaching humans their place in the food chain must be stopped.
This is the story of how, with the help of humans, she begins to do just that. And lemme tell you, the obstacles encountered along the way kept me flying through the pages of my favorite Tor.com short story to date. FYI.
It's not a new spin on vampires, but what Olson does with the well-known creature is highly entertaining. In a world where the existence of the supernatural is undeniably revealed, there are a million ways humanity can respond to that knowledge, and NIGHTSHADES is hopefully the first of many installments in Olson's version of that brave new world. Highly recommended.
September 16, 2018
Cross The X-Files with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and you'll about have it.*
I kind of liked Olson's book, Midnight Curse, so when a fellow reader mentioned this as one of her favorite books of the year, I was tempted, then further interested by the description of 'gritty,' which would, I felt, potentially cancel out some of the silliness in Midnight Curse. While this was not silly, it was also not that interesting.
I can totally see it as a pilot for a new television series starring a pair of hunky young best friends and FBI agents, and an attractive, willowy, curvy (both descriptors are used) vampire woman who acts as their 'consultant' on a recent spate of kidnappings and killings, presumably done by vampires. It's surprisingly generic storyline: substitute 'serial killer' for 'vampire' (there's even a scene that overtly references Hannibal Lector) and it would flow as readily.
World-building is straightforward, although vamps are for some reason called 'shades.' It's a time where the public is aware of them, vaguely, yet somehow doesn't care all that much. The government is vaguely working on defining as to whether or not they are 'human' and thus citizens (apparently this process is limited because they don't have a dead vamp to autopsy). They are super-human fast, can live centuries, and their eyes turn red with blood-lust.
Plot points include the creepyserial killer vamp who is a prisoner and indirect 'consultant,' the mandatory speech by the Head Bad Guy in which he reveals his bizarro plans for world domination, and obligatory attraction between leads (sadly, not the two FBI BFFs).
Oh, and let's not forget the predominantly white male cast, although POC and women can have side roles. Characterization falls along the lines of television-episode generic, with one or two characteristics standing in for personhood. Interestingly, there's a lot of description given to a Chinese woman who is their tech consultant, and an African American guy who is in charge of the vamp prisoner, but very little description given to Alex, the male lead. So Olson fails the awareness test by only bothering to make sex/description a point when people are different.
I think what makes it 'gritty' is that there's a very high body count of good guys, bad guys, and innocents, and people feel bad about it at the end. But there's no shades of grey here, or moral ambiguity, or dusty Western wind, or whatever makes something 'gritty.' It's straightforward and clean as a crew cut.
So the last chapter has a mild cliff-hanger, and the epilogue has a major one. This seems to be a novella length book, capitalizing on the recent spate of Tor-published books made for quick reads, à la Murderbot and The Dispatcher. This, while competently written, doesn't really bring any new ideas to the table, but if you are a vampire fan, or fan of the FBI investigation set-up, you could do worse.
The day-after update: not for me. Definitely not for me.
*For those of you who are too young to recognize those tv shows, you will find links on my blog post: https://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2018/...
I kind of liked Olson's book, Midnight Curse, so when a fellow reader mentioned this as one of her favorite books of the year, I was tempted, then further interested by the description of 'gritty,' which would, I felt, potentially cancel out some of the silliness in Midnight Curse. While this was not silly, it was also not that interesting.
I can totally see it as a pilot for a new television series starring a pair of hunky young best friends and FBI agents, and an attractive, willowy, curvy (both descriptors are used) vampire woman who acts as their 'consultant' on a recent spate of kidnappings and killings, presumably done by vampires. It's surprisingly generic storyline: substitute 'serial killer' for 'vampire' (there's even a scene that overtly references Hannibal Lector) and it would flow as readily.
World-building is straightforward, although vamps are for some reason called 'shades.' It's a time where the public is aware of them, vaguely, yet somehow doesn't care all that much. The government is vaguely working on defining as to whether or not they are 'human' and thus citizens (apparently this process is limited because they don't have a dead vamp to autopsy). They are super-human fast, can live centuries, and their eyes turn red with blood-lust.
Plot points include the creepy
Oh, and let's not forget the predominantly white male cast, although POC and women can have side roles. Characterization falls along the lines of television-episode generic, with one or two characteristics standing in for personhood. Interestingly, there's a lot of description given to a Chinese woman who is their tech consultant, and an African American guy who is in charge of the vamp prisoner, but very little description given to Alex, the male lead. So Olson fails the awareness test by only bothering to make sex/description a point when people are different.
I think what makes it 'gritty' is that there's a very high body count of good guys, bad guys, and innocents, and people feel bad about it at the end. But there's no shades of grey here, or moral ambiguity, or dusty Western wind, or whatever makes something 'gritty.' It's straightforward and clean as a crew cut.
So the last chapter has a mild cliff-hanger, and the epilogue has a major one. This seems to be a novella length book, capitalizing on the recent spate of Tor-published books made for quick reads, à la Murderbot and The Dispatcher. This, while competently written, doesn't really bring any new ideas to the table, but if you are a vampire fan, or fan of the FBI investigation set-up, you could do worse.
The day-after update: not for me. Definitely not for me.
*For those of you who are too young to recognize those tv shows, you will find links on my blog post: https://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2018/...
July 20, 2016
Oo I'm always on the look out for a different type of paranormal story and I just might have found one here. Now please don't shout or groan but yes it's about vampires or shades as they are referred to here. Obviously they have lived amongst humans for quite some time but in this story it's a recent revelation with just one in captivity but as our story begins its clear that things are escalating but why?
Allow me to introduce Lindy , a shade with a shady past ( sorry I couldn't resist!) and she's about to pull this story together. The FBI might have formed a unit to understand the shades but recently it's absolute bedlam with missing teenagers and dead agents. Alex is the agent in charge in Chicago but he realises he needs a team that will literally think outside the box and that's right when he gets his own particular brainwave! Who would understand the shades kidnapping and slaughtering better then one of their own? Yes you guessed it Lindy but her past might just be part of the present problem !
Ok from the first page I felt as if I was watching this on a screen . I'm not sure whether or not the author has written scripts but the timing was everything here. It's as if these characters are performing in the theatre of my mind and it made for a riveting although admittedly short read. Do I want more ? That's a huge yes please and there are still questions unanswered but one thing I know for certain I'm going to check out this authors back catalogue and sincerely hope she turns this book into a series
I was gifted a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Allow me to introduce Lindy , a shade with a shady past ( sorry I couldn't resist!) and she's about to pull this story together. The FBI might have formed a unit to understand the shades but recently it's absolute bedlam with missing teenagers and dead agents. Alex is the agent in charge in Chicago but he realises he needs a team that will literally think outside the box and that's right when he gets his own particular brainwave! Who would understand the shades kidnapping and slaughtering better then one of their own? Yes you guessed it Lindy but her past might just be part of the present problem !
Ok from the first page I felt as if I was watching this on a screen . I'm not sure whether or not the author has written scripts but the timing was everything here. It's as if these characters are performing in the theatre of my mind and it made for a riveting although admittedly short read. Do I want more ? That's a huge yes please and there are still questions unanswered but one thing I know for certain I'm going to check out this authors back catalogue and sincerely hope she turns this book into a series
I was gifted a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
January 16, 2018
in a rare moment of reflection i noticed i have read/am reading a fair number pf vampire novels as of late. so paul, my imaginary or potential review readers ask, what seperates this from the pack. ah im glad you asked(or that i asked for you). for one thing these vampires are unique, they spit in the face of established mythology
yet in a respectful manner. olson seemed to pay respect to the mythos while seeking literary means to bring a fresh perspective to it. and she didnt resort to sparkly vamps to do it. another way they are different is olson strips the emo angst but leaves the inherent sensuality.
ok so a tweaked spin on vampires, what else did the author do to earn 4 stars you ask.(awww who am i kidding we both know even though you didnt ask that im going to try to tell you anyhow).
olson developed a.FBI task.force.to deal with the outed vamp problem headed by Alex and even though there is sexual tension between our hero and the "good" vamp and romantic overtones it doesnt seem forced or contrived.
basically this is an urban fantasy action thriller novel. but dont take my word for it, read it.
yet in a respectful manner. olson seemed to pay respect to the mythos while seeking literary means to bring a fresh perspective to it. and she didnt resort to sparkly vamps to do it. another way they are different is olson strips the emo angst but leaves the inherent sensuality.
ok so a tweaked spin on vampires, what else did the author do to earn 4 stars you ask.(awww who am i kidding we both know even though you didnt ask that im going to try to tell you anyhow).
olson developed a.FBI task.force.to deal with the outed vamp problem headed by Alex and even though there is sexual tension between our hero and the "good" vamp and romantic overtones it doesnt seem forced or contrived.
basically this is an urban fantasy action thriller novel. but dont take my word for it, read it.
November 30, 2016
3.5 stars
Need to say this first: Cliffhanger is EVIL!! How could you, author?!?
I am familiar with Melissa F. Olson's other urban fantasy series (and I like them very much), so I don't really think twice of trying this new one of hers. The opening was quite a punch -- scary and gritty. Then the story rolled.
I liked Olson's portrayal of vampires ... or shades. I liked the characters introduced as well. Alex McKenna, the new SAC of Bureau of Paranormal Investigations Chicago, who has a chip on his shoulder, trying to prove himself being his own man, without the family name behind him.
Then there's Lindy, a millenia-old vampire who tries to cut ties from other shades, and blends with humans. They team up to catch Hector, who has captured teenagers to .
The idea is intriguing ... but then, you know, cliffhanger (ARGH!). This is definitely more like a set-up, I think, to future books. I am going to follow it, just because I need to know what will happen
Need to say this first: Cliffhanger is EVIL!! How could you, author?!?
I am familiar with Melissa F. Olson's other urban fantasy series (and I like them very much), so I don't really think twice of trying this new one of hers. The opening was quite a punch -- scary and gritty. Then the story rolled.
I liked Olson's portrayal of vampires ... or shades. I liked the characters introduced as well. Alex McKenna, the new SAC of Bureau of Paranormal Investigations Chicago, who has a chip on his shoulder, trying to prove himself being his own man, without the family name behind him.
Then there's Lindy, a millenia-old vampire who tries to cut ties from other shades, and blends with humans. They team up to catch Hector, who has captured teenagers to .
The idea is intriguing ... but then, you know, cliffhanger (ARGH!). This is definitely more like a set-up, I think, to future books. I am going to follow it, just because I need to know what will happen
June 18, 2020
Pinpointing the exact genre for this is difficult. Mainly it is a police procedural. It does have a hint of romance but only toward the end. The only thing making this a fantasy is the fact that it has vampires in it.
It's a good start to the series. Although I liked it, I couldn't get absorbed in the story. The focus was on catching the vampires committing murders. I wish more time had been spent on character development. Alex was an accomplished FBI agent and seemed to have no personal life. Not a lot of information was given about his background. Lindy was smart and knew how to handle herself in a fight. Her past was interesting. I thought it was odd when she easily acquiesced to Alex's demands during their first encounter. Their goals were in alignment, but I expected her to put up a better fight for her freedom and independence.
The vampires aren't overly romanticized. They aren't described as exceptionally beautiful nor did their looks make them special. They are made is a way slightly different than in traditional lore. Saliva is the potent ingredient not blood. It has to be placed directly into the heart to be turned. That would have been some sick shit before needles were invented. I suppose it would have prevented accidentally turning someone.
I did like it enough that I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
It's a good start to the series. Although I liked it, I couldn't get absorbed in the story. The focus was on catching the vampires committing murders. I wish more time had been spent on character development. Alex was an accomplished FBI agent and seemed to have no personal life. Not a lot of information was given about his background. Lindy was smart and knew how to handle herself in a fight. Her past was interesting. I thought it was odd when she easily acquiesced to Alex's demands during their first encounter. Their goals were in alignment, but I expected her to put up a better fight for her freedom and independence.
The vampires aren't overly romanticized. They aren't described as exceptionally beautiful nor did their looks make them special. They are made is a way slightly different than in traditional lore. Saliva is the potent ingredient not blood. It has to be placed directly into the heart to be turned. That would have been some sick shit before needles were invented. I suppose it would have prevented accidentally turning someone.
I did like it enough that I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
February 17, 2017
**Reviews courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy**
Melissa F. Olson has become one of my insta-buy authors. I haven't read anything of hers I haven't liked, and NIGHTSHADES is no exception to that. NIGHTSHADES is a gritty police procedural in an awesome urban fantasy world.
NIGHTSHADES introduces a great cast of characters in what will hopefully turn into Olson's next series. NIGHTSHADES is a shorter novel, so it mainly focuses on three people in the newly minted Bureau of Paranormal Investigations. Despite the length of the novel I still felt like I got to know those three characters, and they were well developed.
Vampire are overdone. There are too many urban fantasy/paranormal romance books out there revolving around vampires at this point, so if you're going to use them you have to make them different. I'm not guaranteeing that someone else hasn't done vampires this way before, but I felt that NIGHTSHADES put a couple of different twists on vampires that made the story more enjoyable.
My only complaint about NIGHTSHADES is the same problem I have with lots of TV shows these days. Why in the world do you go into a situation with vampires, who can take a huge beating before going down in addition to being faster and stronger than you, with only government issue 9mms? These guys work for the FBI they have access to tactical shotguns that can shoot solid metal slugs many times the size of a 9mm bullet. But it's a common mistake made by people who aren't familiar with guns.
If you're looking for a fun, quick read pick up NIGHTSHADES. If you enjoy watching police procedural TV shows and would like to see that mixed with your favorite genre, urban fantasy, pick up NIGHTSHADES. If you just have $3 lying around pick up NIGHTSHADES, you won't regret it. I hope that Melissa F. Olson gets the go ahead from TOR to continue this series, because I'm eager to see what happens next.
Melissa F. Olson has become one of my insta-buy authors. I haven't read anything of hers I haven't liked, and NIGHTSHADES is no exception to that. NIGHTSHADES is a gritty police procedural in an awesome urban fantasy world.
NIGHTSHADES introduces a great cast of characters in what will hopefully turn into Olson's next series. NIGHTSHADES is a shorter novel, so it mainly focuses on three people in the newly minted Bureau of Paranormal Investigations. Despite the length of the novel I still felt like I got to know those three characters, and they were well developed.
Vampire are overdone. There are too many urban fantasy/paranormal romance books out there revolving around vampires at this point, so if you're going to use them you have to make them different. I'm not guaranteeing that someone else hasn't done vampires this way before, but I felt that NIGHTSHADES put a couple of different twists on vampires that made the story more enjoyable.
My only complaint about NIGHTSHADES is the same problem I have with lots of TV shows these days. Why in the world do you go into a situation with vampires, who can take a huge beating before going down in addition to being faster and stronger than you, with only government issue 9mms? These guys work for the FBI they have access to tactical shotguns that can shoot solid metal slugs many times the size of a 9mm bullet. But it's a common mistake made by people who aren't familiar with guns.
If you're looking for a fun, quick read pick up NIGHTSHADES. If you enjoy watching police procedural TV shows and would like to see that mixed with your favorite genre, urban fantasy, pick up NIGHTSHADES. If you just have $3 lying around pick up NIGHTSHADES, you won't regret it. I hope that Melissa F. Olson gets the go ahead from TOR to continue this series, because I'm eager to see what happens next.
July 14, 2017
TOO SHORT! TOO SHORT! I need more!
January 3, 2018
The Shades are out of the dark and shadowy closet and now humans are realizing they aren't quite the top of the food chain. In fact, they are the prey...
I took one look at the blurb and who was narrating and I was all-fired ready to give Melissa Olson and her paranormal thriller a go.
Nightshades is the introductory story in a new series. It does the job of introducing the background, setting, and the players. As I learned more about the Nightshades world and this version of vampires I was intrigued. The case of the disappearing teens and the death of one due to a shade attack, the formation of a new Preternatural Crimes Unit team, and the thrill of story moved along swiftly and steadily to a breathtaking climax.
The story took a while to get going, but that didn't matter. It actually was a quick listen and had some great action suspense scenes with a great group of characters. Alex McKenna is one of the leads with the enigmatic Lindy as the other. He's human and an FBI agent and he tracks her, a shade, down to help him solve the kidnapping and murders. It's earlier days for them, but they had great rapport, light banter, and a slow-burn attraction that has me excited to keep going with the series.
The big climax happened to finish off the main conflict of this book, but it also introduced what will be the series conflict. Ha! I knew Lindy was more than she seemed. The enemy is a worthy opponent for Alex and Lindy and the rest of the team. I can't wait to see what comes next.
Luke Daniels was his usual amazing self doing the narration. Whether it was light-hearted banter or an intense dangerous moment, female or male, sinister or innocent, he nailed it all. I really do need to listen to more off his backlist.
So, in summary, this venture into a new to me series was a resounding success. I definitely want more Nightshades action. Urban Fantasy lovers who like a good stirring vampire tale and an engaging FBI team should give this one a go.
My thanks to Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
I took one look at the blurb and who was narrating and I was all-fired ready to give Melissa Olson and her paranormal thriller a go.
Nightshades is the introductory story in a new series. It does the job of introducing the background, setting, and the players. As I learned more about the Nightshades world and this version of vampires I was intrigued. The case of the disappearing teens and the death of one due to a shade attack, the formation of a new Preternatural Crimes Unit team, and the thrill of story moved along swiftly and steadily to a breathtaking climax.
The story took a while to get going, but that didn't matter. It actually was a quick listen and had some great action suspense scenes with a great group of characters. Alex McKenna is one of the leads with the enigmatic Lindy as the other. He's human and an FBI agent and he tracks her, a shade, down to help him solve the kidnapping and murders. It's earlier days for them, but they had great rapport, light banter, and a slow-burn attraction that has me excited to keep going with the series.
The big climax happened to finish off the main conflict of this book, but it also introduced what will be the series conflict. Ha! I knew Lindy was more than she seemed. The enemy is a worthy opponent for Alex and Lindy and the rest of the team. I can't wait to see what comes next.
Luke Daniels was his usual amazing self doing the narration. Whether it was light-hearted banter or an intense dangerous moment, female or male, sinister or innocent, he nailed it all. I really do need to listen to more off his backlist.
So, in summary, this venture into a new to me series was a resounding success. I definitely want more Nightshades action. Urban Fantasy lovers who like a good stirring vampire tale and an engaging FBI team should give this one a go.
My thanks to Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2016
Fyi it's unclear from the blurb but this book is more of an introductory novella to a new series. It has a cliffhanger ending.
Nevertheless, it was still good. I like the way Olson does paranormal. I usually like my vampire books on the smutty side but Olson is fantastic with character development and weaving interesting mysteries to solve that I don't really care about the lack of sex.
I didn't think there were many more ways to make a vampire story original but this story certainly is. If you haven't read anything from Olson do yourself a favor and check out her work. I'm looking forward to more. Well done!
Nevertheless, it was still good. I like the way Olson does paranormal. I usually like my vampire books on the smutty side but Olson is fantastic with character development and weaving interesting mysteries to solve that I don't really care about the lack of sex.
I didn't think there were many more ways to make a vampire story original but this story certainly is. If you haven't read anything from Olson do yourself a favor and check out her work. I'm looking forward to more. Well done!
July 22, 2016
2,5 stars
My rating suggests I didn't like this book, but it's more to reflect how indifferent it left me. It's run-of-the-mill, paint it by numbers story about vampires. Very generic and absolutely nothing jumped at me as unique. Villain literally has this line:
"I am a king. And the stuff of nightmares.”
I admit I had some hopes, since Tor.com published some amazing novellas and especially since author wrote an article about Shadow Police series by Paul Cornell and I hoped that inspiration will shine through her work.
July 28, 2016
Unfortunately weak, as all her writing. She's got ideas, but the execution is often lacking. I feel something is missing, but if you ask me, I can't really pinpoint why.
The male lead sounds like an overexcited teen boy, not an FBI Special Agent. The plot didn't sound solid to me, neither world building, come to think of it.
It's a short, easy read, but nothing more than that.
The male lead sounds like an overexcited teen boy, not an FBI Special Agent. The plot didn't sound solid to me, neither world building, come to think of it.
It's a short, easy read, but nothing more than that.
August 10, 2016
3.5 Stars
A pretty entertaining paranormal urban fantasy story. Not my favourite genre, but this was fast, thrilling, well written and worth the time. As a novella it seems to be setup as a primer for either a series or a full length novel, (read cliffhanger) but not sure if that is the case as I cannot find any further info. Either way, I’d read more of this.
A pretty entertaining paranormal urban fantasy story. Not my favourite genre, but this was fast, thrilling, well written and worth the time. As a novella it seems to be setup as a primer for either a series or a full length novel, (read cliffhanger) but not sure if that is the case as I cannot find any further info. Either way, I’d read more of this.
October 23, 2019
A quick, easy read, tightly written, and essentially a police procedural with vampires (here called "shades" for a reason that doesn't make much sense to me). But the ending leaves the reader hanging off not one but two cliffs, making this pretty clearly part one of a much longer novel divided into who knows how many 200-page books. If cliff-hangers spoil your fun, you should be warned about two big twists that come after the climactic action scene: .
The publisher's blurb, reprinted at the beginning of this Goodreads page, gives precious little information about the story, and the second main character isn't even hinted at. What's more, she isn't introduced until page 57 in my edition of the book, which means she really belongs in spoiler territory. So I feel I need yet another spoiler tag to say what's special about her, even though that makes the backbone of the whole rest of the book. . Her relationship with Alex and her connection to the evildoers are the key to all the action that follows.
The premise of this book is that a vampire (sorry, "shade") has been captured and studied, and the revelation that vampires (sorry, "shades") exist made a big public splash but then people lost interest in the subject. The FBI, however, created a special branch called Bureau of Paranormal Investigations (BPI) with branches ("pods") in Washington, New York, and Chicago. When the Chicago "pod" investigates the kidnapping of several teenagers in a rural district, the agents are set upon and slaughtered; only Agent Ruiz survives, badly injured.
The BPI puts Alex McKenna in charge of the Chicago operation, and he forms a new team of agents and consultants (see spoiler above). Their courage in the face of what happened to their predecessors is one of the strong points of this novel, which, in the manner of classical adventure stories, stresses action over character development. The point of view shifts easily among members of the team, and the whole effect is very much like watching an action movie with horror elements. The vampires (sorry, "shades") have most of the expected strengths and weaknesses, with a little more stress than usual on the power of vampire (sorry, "shade") saliva, and the agents have a major learning curve trying to deal with them.
It's like watching a very enjoyable movie on your TV but then the power goes out just when it gets really interesting.
The publisher's blurb, reprinted at the beginning of this Goodreads page, gives precious little information about the story, and the second main character isn't even hinted at. What's more, she isn't introduced until page 57 in my edition of the book, which means she really belongs in spoiler territory. So I feel I need yet another spoiler tag to say what's special about her, even though that makes the backbone of the whole rest of the book. . Her relationship with Alex and her connection to the evildoers are the key to all the action that follows.
The premise of this book is that a vampire (sorry, "shade") has been captured and studied, and the revelation that vampires (sorry, "shades") exist made a big public splash but then people lost interest in the subject. The FBI, however, created a special branch called Bureau of Paranormal Investigations (BPI) with branches ("pods") in Washington, New York, and Chicago. When the Chicago "pod" investigates the kidnapping of several teenagers in a rural district, the agents are set upon and slaughtered; only Agent Ruiz survives, badly injured.
The BPI puts Alex McKenna in charge of the Chicago operation, and he forms a new team of agents and consultants (see spoiler above). Their courage in the face of what happened to their predecessors is one of the strong points of this novel, which, in the manner of classical adventure stories, stresses action over character development. The point of view shifts easily among members of the team, and the whole effect is very much like watching an action movie with horror elements. The vampires (sorry, "shades") have most of the expected strengths and weaknesses, with a little more stress than usual on the power of vampire (sorry, "shade") saliva, and the agents have a major learning curve trying to deal with them.
It's like watching a very enjoyable movie on your TV but then the power goes out just when it gets really interesting.
September 30, 2016
Firstly, I hope I'm not related to the author (having Nordic roots in Chippewa Falls) because this is not going to be the nicest review that I've ever put together. Because, honestly, there isn't a lot nice to be said about this book.
My number one, most critical issue with this book was how exceptionally predictable it was. As soon as something came up, a MacGuffin or a character or a plot thread, I would instantly come to a conclusion to as to how it would play out and what the result would be. And very, very unfortunately, I was not wrong a single time. I LIKE being wrong when I'm reading, otherwise, why am I reading? I could just write something myself, or re-read Raymond Chandler for the seventh time. A book is absolutely no fun when you know every single thing that is going to happen about fifty pages minimum in advance. Tying in with that, was the fact that the reason I was able to predict the "twists" was because they were all stock cliches.
Then there were the characters and their characterization. A word of advice, possible cousin Olson, do not include characters for the sake of them being there. (Eddy). If you don't know what to do with them, if they don't really have a place, hold off on using them until they actually fit in and have some personality. Honestly, I think that Ruiz was the only character I could actually think of as a person, and even that seemed to wane as the book went on.
This is all just a tad disappointing to me, since the first chapter actually showed some promise, enough to where I wanted to read the book even though I don't much feel like reading lately. So, even though this book was a letdown, at least it was fast paced and the first chapter was decent, and nothing made me livid while reading, it gets two stars.
My number one, most critical issue with this book was how exceptionally predictable it was. As soon as something came up, a MacGuffin or a character or a plot thread, I would instantly come to a conclusion to as to how it would play out and what the result would be. And very, very unfortunately, I was not wrong a single time. I LIKE being wrong when I'm reading, otherwise, why am I reading? I could just write something myself, or re-read Raymond Chandler for the seventh time. A book is absolutely no fun when you know every single thing that is going to happen about fifty pages minimum in advance. Tying in with that, was the fact that the reason I was able to predict the "twists" was because they were all stock cliches.
Then there were the characters and their characterization. A word of advice, possible cousin Olson, do not include characters for the sake of them being there. (Eddy). If you don't know what to do with them, if they don't really have a place, hold off on using them until they actually fit in and have some personality. Honestly, I think that Ruiz was the only character I could actually think of as a person, and even that seemed to wane as the book went on.
This is all just a tad disappointing to me, since the first chapter actually showed some promise, enough to where I wanted to read the book even though I don't much feel like reading lately. So, even though this book was a letdown, at least it was fast paced and the first chapter was decent, and nothing made me livid while reading, it gets two stars.
October 7, 2024
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
Melissa F. Olson (author of the Boundary Magic and Scarlett Bernard series) and Tor.com, have put together a short story called Nightshades that has plenty of intrigue and action that focuses on what would happen if the Mortal world discovered that the paranormal world actually existed and has been there the entire time. In this case, Olson has created shades, or if you like, vampires who are unafraid of pushing their weight around.
*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Review 07/28/2016 - Link to Follow
Pub Date: Jul 19 2016 Macmillan-Tor/Forge
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
Melissa F. Olson (author of the Boundary Magic and Scarlett Bernard series) and Tor.com, have put together a short story called Nightshades that has plenty of intrigue and action that focuses on what would happen if the Mortal world discovered that the paranormal world actually existed and has been there the entire time. In this case, Olson has created shades, or if you like, vampires who are unafraid of pushing their weight around.
*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Review 07/28/2016 - Link to Follow
Pub Date: Jul 19 2016 Macmillan-Tor/Forge
March 8, 2019
Good trilogy about a Chicago-based FBI agent whose division is charged with investigating vampires on a kidnapping and killing spree. He's aided by an ancient vampire who's helping partially by her own choice, partially by duress. A couple of the books had one of my least favorite literary devices, the unnecessary cliffhanger "epilogue".
June 13, 2018
That was fantastic - Melissa Olson brings back the deadly vampire, joining urban fantasy with FBI investigation in a brilliant mashup that showcased the best of both.
December 26, 2020
While enjoyable nothing really pulled me in. Can't decide if I want to move on to book 2.
It was an interesting take on "vampires" and how it is being handled by the public and government.
I can see why others gave it good reviews just don't think it's for me
It was an interesting take on "vampires" and how it is being handled by the public and government.
I can see why others gave it good reviews just don't think it's for me
May 6, 2018
Nightshades is one of my 2018 favorites; you'd think I'd have written a review long ago (I read this in early March). I have a harder time writing reviews for books I've really enjoyed. I'm afraid my review simply won't do it justice. But, since it is a favorite, I also feel that I should write a review for it. So here goes.
Nighshades, or shades, is the word used to describe vampires in Melissa F. Olson 's urban fantasy world. I like to think that this is because 'vampire' simply feels too movie-esque, dated, (which I personally think should be the case in an urban setting.
Similar to the vampires I love - and completely different from the vampires I loathed (I'm sorry, but to me a vampire should be a fearsome creature, not a brooding eternal youth who for some [definitely odd] reason decides to repeat high school over and over and over again) - shades consider humans as a food source. There has been a tentative peace between the two: the majority of humans fear shades, and with good reason. Shades are able, through just the slightest touch of saliva to the skin, via a seemingly innocent touch, make a human's mind suggestible. They, the shades, also possess supernatural strength, speed and healing abilities, making them a frightening enemy indeed.
Nightshades begins with a promotion, for Alex McKenna, an agent at the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations, a subdivision to the FBI, to head a special team who're assigned a case which clearly involves shades. Recently, several bodies of teens, drained of blood, have been discovered in a suburb to Chicago.
The team discovers a shade who has ostensibly adaped completely to the human lifestyle, Lindy, whose help they, more or less voluntarily, they employ to help solve the case. It would seem that Lindy has a closer relation to the murders than initally thought.
Nighthsades is an urban, gritty, fantasy, emphasis on the gritty. It's dark and eventful, just the way I like a book to be. I'm not usually a fan of Urban Fantasy (I read to escape reality), so me choosing this as a favorite of 2018 is really saying something.
My one big problem with this book was that it was too short - which is echoed by many other reviewers - but this is probably also one of the strenghts of the book: it gives the reader a longing for more, which they are given in the sequel Switchback , an equally strong, if not stronger, story than Nightshades. As a matter of fact, I found both so well written and interesting that I've already pre-ordered the third and final book, Outbreak which has a publication date set for June.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good vampire story, in which the vampires are indeed scary. Even if you're not an urban fantasy fan, give this book a chance, it's worth it.
Nighshades, or shades, is the word used to describe vampires in Melissa F. Olson 's urban fantasy world. I like to think that this is because 'vampire' simply feels too movie-esque, dated, (which I personally think should be the case in an urban setting.
Similar to the vampires I love - and completely different from the vampires I loathed (I'm sorry, but to me a vampire should be a fearsome creature, not a brooding eternal youth who for some [definitely odd] reason decides to repeat high school over and over and over again) - shades consider humans as a food source. There has been a tentative peace between the two: the majority of humans fear shades, and with good reason. Shades are able, through just the slightest touch of saliva to the skin, via a seemingly innocent touch, make a human's mind suggestible. They, the shades, also possess supernatural strength, speed and healing abilities, making them a frightening enemy indeed.
Nightshades begins with a promotion, for Alex McKenna, an agent at the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations, a subdivision to the FBI, to head a special team who're assigned a case which clearly involves shades. Recently, several bodies of teens, drained of blood, have been discovered in a suburb to Chicago.
The team discovers a shade who has ostensibly adaped completely to the human lifestyle, Lindy, whose help they, more or less voluntarily, they employ to help solve the case. It would seem that Lindy has a closer relation to the murders than initally thought.
Nighthsades is an urban, gritty, fantasy, emphasis on the gritty. It's dark and eventful, just the way I like a book to be. I'm not usually a fan of Urban Fantasy (I read to escape reality), so me choosing this as a favorite of 2018 is really saying something.
My one big problem with this book was that it was too short - which is echoed by many other reviewers - but this is probably also one of the strenghts of the book: it gives the reader a longing for more, which they are given in the sequel Switchback , an equally strong, if not stronger, story than Nightshades. As a matter of fact, I found both so well written and interesting that I've already pre-ordered the third and final book, Outbreak which has a publication date set for June.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good vampire story, in which the vampires are indeed scary. Even if you're not an urban fantasy fan, give this book a chance, it's worth it.
October 14, 2016
* I received this title for free from NetGalley in return for honest feed back*
When I first started into Nightshades, I instantly thought how great of a TV show this would be. Federal Agents hunting dark vampires? I’ll be there on my sofa, at 9pm Thursday evening waiting for Nightshades Chicago to come on. It would be great!
The action in the book starts right away. Special Agent Ruiz and his partner are in a rural area of Illinois, looking for shades (vampires). The shades had been kidnapping teenagers in the area and they were closing in. Nothing good comes of their pursuit in Heavenly, Illinois. Special Agent Alex McKenna, comes into the picture. He is interested in shades and he thinks he can track them down. His second in command Chase Eddy would be right there beside him through the whole operation (I’m telling you - TV SHOW). We also have Lindy, a language expert who will assist McKenna at all costs to bring down the shades.
Nightshades move very fast, with everything starting on Friday morning and ending Monday night. The timeline was only a drawback because I wanted more! I think this book could easily have been a solid 400 + pages and I would have sucked up every word! I really hope that Melissa Olson makes Nightshades a series of some kind. I became invested in the characters and McKenna’s mission to find the shades kidnapping the teenagers. There is a whole awesome and dark shade world! I would love to read more about Agent McKenna and his team going in and taking shades.
If “another vampire” book is making you sceptical, just put that side for a moment and pick up Nightshades. No one glitters here, there is no teenager blinding love. There is action, blood, and death. It was a quick read and I really enjoyed it! If you are going to the beach or by the pool, this would be a great book to pick up!
When I first started into Nightshades, I instantly thought how great of a TV show this would be. Federal Agents hunting dark vampires? I’ll be there on my sofa, at 9pm Thursday evening waiting for Nightshades Chicago to come on. It would be great!
The action in the book starts right away. Special Agent Ruiz and his partner are in a rural area of Illinois, looking for shades (vampires). The shades had been kidnapping teenagers in the area and they were closing in. Nothing good comes of their pursuit in Heavenly, Illinois. Special Agent Alex McKenna, comes into the picture. He is interested in shades and he thinks he can track them down. His second in command Chase Eddy would be right there beside him through the whole operation (I’m telling you - TV SHOW). We also have Lindy, a language expert who will assist McKenna at all costs to bring down the shades.
Nightshades move very fast, with everything starting on Friday morning and ending Monday night. The timeline was only a drawback because I wanted more! I think this book could easily have been a solid 400 + pages and I would have sucked up every word! I really hope that Melissa Olson makes Nightshades a series of some kind. I became invested in the characters and McKenna’s mission to find the shades kidnapping the teenagers. There is a whole awesome and dark shade world! I would love to read more about Agent McKenna and his team going in and taking shades.
If “another vampire” book is making you sceptical, just put that side for a moment and pick up Nightshades. No one glitters here, there is no teenager blinding love. There is action, blood, and death. It was a quick read and I really enjoyed it! If you are going to the beach or by the pool, this would be a great book to pick up!
July 26, 2018
Some issues. This was a little shorter than it should have been and the world-building is very sparse. So you're thrown in expecting to catch up and follow things, which is fine because there isn't a whole lot to grasp, but there's also a ton of stuff that wasn't explored at all. I needed more explanation for a few things and I feel like the characters themselves wouldn't have let those questions go unanswered. So that bothered me quite a bit.
My other complaint is the ending. It's a total set up for some backstabbing and I hate that.
However, I did enjoy it and it was an easy read. I love vamps and police procedurals and serial killer mysteries and twinges of a maybe future romance, so this is hitting all my buttons.... lightly.
I very much enjoyed the mythos of these vamps - the way they mesmerize humans and the relationship vamps have with humans on an evolutionary basis is unique and fascinating. Major bonus points for a mythos I've never seen before.
I'll definitely continue the series in hopes of getting some answers to these questions I'm left with.
My other complaint is the ending. It's a total set up for some backstabbing and I hate that.
However, I did enjoy it and it was an easy read. I love vamps and police procedurals and serial killer mysteries and twinges of a maybe future romance, so this is hitting all my buttons.... lightly.
I very much enjoyed the mythos of these vamps - the way they mesmerize humans and the relationship vamps have with humans on an evolutionary basis is unique and fascinating. Major bonus points for a mythos I've never seen before.
I'll definitely continue the series in hopes of getting some answers to these questions I'm left with.
August 25, 2022
This book is starting a new author for me and at first I thought this book would not be as good as I hoped when I read the summary. Boy, was I wrong! I really enjoyed learning about a new supernatural creature the "shade". I think I have read about shades in a few books by other authors but this was not what Melissa created in this book. They were not vampire-like at all. So, I think the twists in the book and the different prospective Melissa takes with these Shades. I enjoyed the originality this book gave to the night world of the book. I hope to get to read the next books in the series. Maybe they will go on sale for the holidays.
October 30, 2018
This was a short, fluffy, occasionally bloody vampire book. The romance was a bit rushed but the plot was fun. Many of the characters were more of outlines and this was clearly a set up for a series with a cliffhanger ending.
July 29, 2016
This is a book I saw on someone's blog and when I checked it out for my Kindle, it was less than $2.00 so I went ahead and grabbed it. And what's even more amazing is that I managed to read it less than a week after it was purchased. No sitting in the kindle queue getting lost and waiting to be stumbled on some far day in the future for this one. It's now finished and I'm ready for the next installment - like yesterday. Can we say "Cruel cliffhanger Ms. Olson?"
Nightshades introduces us to a world where vampires are known about and feared. Teens are being abducted and then showing up dead all around Chicago and it's up to the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations, who doesn't have a good track record of staying alive themselves, to discover who is at the helm of this latest problem. Alex McKenna has recently been promoted to head of the BPI and unbeknownst to the rest of his newly assembled team, their new specialist Lindy, is nothing short of the second oldest vampire in existence.
This is a wonderful start to what I hope is a long new series. I have been so pleased with the material Tor.com has been releasing lately and this once ranks right up there with my favorites. I loved getting to know the "new world" and the creative cast of characters Olson has assembled. This book does have a mean, cruel cliffhanger at the end, but some of the story line is resolved so the ending was satisfying as well. I can't wait to see what Olson has planned next and if you like your vampires mean and nasty, then give Nightshades a try!
Nightshades introduces us to a world where vampires are known about and feared. Teens are being abducted and then showing up dead all around Chicago and it's up to the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations, who doesn't have a good track record of staying alive themselves, to discover who is at the helm of this latest problem. Alex McKenna has recently been promoted to head of the BPI and unbeknownst to the rest of his newly assembled team, their new specialist Lindy, is nothing short of the second oldest vampire in existence.
This is a wonderful start to what I hope is a long new series. I have been so pleased with the material Tor.com has been releasing lately and this once ranks right up there with my favorites. I loved getting to know the "new world" and the creative cast of characters Olson has assembled. This book does have a mean, cruel cliffhanger at the end, but some of the story line is resolved so the ending was satisfying as well. I can't wait to see what Olson has planned next and if you like your vampires mean and nasty, then give Nightshades a try!
August 7, 2016
Read this in a couple of sittings, one at a Poetry Festival straight up for a two hours. A gritty take on the Vampire story, which still kept me hooked. despite nothing original about the story, this is still all sorts of fun.
Kept me hooked right until the end, Alex and Lindy made for great protagonists, one the FBI star agent and the other, the second oldest vampire? Put that way, it does sound a bit cheesy but trust me, Melissa writes a helluva story, full of. blistering action and thrills. not much of a character development, but am really not complaining. it's probably a prequel and I think it sets up really well for a roller coaster ride with the Shades going all ape-shit on the humans.
Kept me hooked right until the end, Alex and Lindy made for great protagonists, one the FBI star agent and the other, the second oldest vampire? Put that way, it does sound a bit cheesy but trust me, Melissa writes a helluva story, full of. blistering action and thrills. not much of a character development, but am really not complaining. it's probably a prequel and I think it sets up really well for a roller coaster ride with the Shades going all ape-shit on the humans.
November 11, 2019
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
This was a nice new start of an urban fantasy series. And yes, it did involve vampires, or shades as they are called, and of course, we have seen more than a fair share of them already in recent years, but still... It didn't bother me too much.
There was a lot ongoing in this book and a lot of characters that were being introduced and then, a huge cliffhanger...
Still planning to read the next one, though.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was a nice new start of an urban fantasy series. And yes, it did involve vampires, or shades as they are called, and of course, we have seen more than a fair share of them already in recent years, but still... It didn't bother me too much.
There was a lot ongoing in this book and a lot of characters that were being introduced and then, a huge cliffhanger...
Still planning to read the next one, though.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
July 3, 2016
It has become hard to do something different with vampires that is new yet not cheesy (sparkly). I got this in advance without knowing anything other than the blurb provided. Blurbs can be terrifying for authors and readers alike. I must say job well done. The blurb hooked me and the story reeled me in. I started this book and didn't put it down until I finished it. Everything was amazing from the light romance to the mystery to the light gore. I highly enjoyed it
November 7, 2016
3.5 stars, quite enjoyed. I didn't come to emote for the characters enough since this was a pretty dang fast tale. Lots of action, lots of interesting characters, but we don't get to know them extremely well to care about them tons yet. Though there is promise and I am looking forward to the next one to see where it goes.
A different type of vampire tale, power struggle amongst the alphas. lots to find out still.
A different type of vampire tale, power struggle amongst the alphas. lots to find out still.
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