With the dangerous Milus Dei cult collapsed, Gideon Black is trying to get used to his new life as a half-Fae, and the DeathSpeaker -- a legendary Other with the ability to compel the dead to speak. But when freshly murdered bodies turn up in New York with ankh-and-sword tattoos identifying them as cult members, Gideon realizes the battle is far from over.
While dealing with a singing dead man and a powerful Seelie noble out for revenge, Gideon discovers that the remaining Milus Dei survivors have skipped town. Their new target: his werewolf friend Sadie's estranged pack in the Appalachian Mountains.
Sadie's younger sister has been abducted, and Gideon and his newfound brother Taeral offer to help get her back. But the rescue mission soon turns deadly as they uncover the cult's true target -- and find that Milus Dei is not only far bigger than the New York branch, but also developing a biological weapon to turn their soldiers into unstoppable killing machines, capable of taking down any Other.
And Sadie's blood holds the key to perfecting that weapon.
After killing what he knew as all of Milus Dei members -- a dangerous cult whose sole purpose is to eradicate the Others -- Gideon was adjusting his new life with his half-brother Taeral, his crazy father Daoin, Sadie the werewolf, and other survivors (from book #1). But then freshly murdered corpses appear and they had Milus Dei tattoos on them, which indicates that there are more Milus Dei members exist. Not long after finding out about it, Sadie gets news that her younger sister has been kidnapped, she insists to go back to her family and save her. So Gideon and Taeral go along with her...
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Man, this was EXCITING! I was pleasantly surprised when I received a newsletter mail that said book #2 was already out, considering book #1, Wrong Side of Hell, was released only in January. Hey, quick release time between the two, I'm so NOT complaining! I was happy being back with Gideon and the gang.
The book just went so fast -- and I felt like I didn't have time to catch my breath. From the start where Gideon went to that new corpse until the very end. At first, I was a little miffed whenever Gideon passed out or lost consciousness (duly noted, most of the times, he was shot, rammed by cattle prod, or tortured) ... but then he was awesome when he finally able to get hold of his power. Hell yeah, Gideon kicked ass!!
In addition to the search rescue party, there was a very huge twist regarding Reun, the Seelie noble who worked with Milus Dei in the previous book, which I totally didn't see coming. It was an interesting progress and I would love to see how that worked out.
So yep, I enjoyed the hell out of this ... and I even feel okay with the lack of romance in it. Sadie, as the only major female character, still has complicated relationship with Taeral. So I don't want to see that becoming love triangle or something. I can't wait for the next book -- and I hope that it is being released as quickly as this one did *grin*
I'm sorry, even though I like books with drama, and trauma and nearly insurmountable odds...... I like them to end well. This book had a good ending. And I know it's not the fashionable thing right now, but hell. I've had a hard life, and want a little joy mixed in with my monsters, and fighting and drama, and crazy people and creatures as well. This book was successful in mixing it all up... For a good read, call "Fields of Blood".
Another good book in this series. I really enjoyed the storyline again. It can be exciting, thrilling, and intense but ends nicely, with most things sorted and nothing too horrific happening. The characters are still all great, even the new ones, and you really loathe the villain. There isn't a romance in these books so far, which I'm fine with, but I do like the hints we get. Weirdly though I do not know what this author's endgame is. Are we supposed to root for Gideon and Sadie or Taeral and Sadie? They're both possibilities at this stage, but I would like it to be clearer so I don't put my heart on the one that isn't going to happen. This series is a bit sit-com like at times and Sadie's character can be a bit overly emotional and expresses it in an unrealistic way. Constantly gasping and covering you mouth seems a tad over-dramatic. Anyway, this is a very good book in a very good series, but still hasn't blown me so far.
The second volume of the series goes all furry (werewolves).
The book mixes a handful of new/temporary colorful characters with a too-short look at werewolves in Bateman's universe. While the menace of the cult makes a good reason to get all wolfy, the bad guys are even more caricatures and straight unbelievable than in the previous book. Ok book, but could probably have been better.
Great Series! I practically devoured this one...and now I'm sad because I'll have to wait for the next book to read on.. :)) ...hope the third book comes out as swiftly as the second one did! That was a surprise (I thought I'd have to wait at least half a year)
So, after reading book 1, I just had to know where the author was going with this series so when Amazon had a sale on books 1-3 as a set, I snapped them up.
The author did not disappoint! The only thing wrong with this book is that the "torture" needs to be toned down a bit...not a lot ...but a bit. I understand shoot em ups and gunfights in supernatural fantasy novels but outright torture (even if the reason is explained) is not my cup of tea.
Oh, and the Boogeyman was missing!! :( However, there was a character inserted (Chester) that reminded me a lot (in attitude) of Butters from the Harry Dresden novels by Jim Butchers. I think Chester could easily become a favorite character. :)
This book continues with our heroes against the cult, Milus Dei, this time in Pennsylvania. The cult are after Sadie's werewolf clan to experiment on them. This is where they meet Chester, the "loony tunes" of the area only he's not crazy at all (ok maybe a little bit as he believes the cult are aliens). However, he is very technical savvy and has tons of information on the cult. Enter Gideon, Taeral, and Sadie. Mayhem ensues, torture is meted out on a regular basis, and a "good" time is had by all.
This story also develops Gideon's Deathspeaker talents and it also fleshes out the other main characters a little bit more. All in all, it's an interesting read. Now on to book 3.
I bailed at 29%. The writing wasn't sterling in the first book but I saw possibilities for the second. They weren't realized, instead all the writing flaws were ported over to this book. The characters stay flat and most of the cast from the first book disappear.
The plot is defined by action points, not character motives, internal decision making or clearly defined relationships. The main character went from clueless and shocked by violence to clueless and OK with killing strangers in no time during the first book. Here he's off to kill more people (not necessarily a bad thing) with very little information on hand and no plan. There's angry talk, nasty reactions and wild explanations passing for character development.
The storytelling is weak (and too rushed). The series plot has more holes added to those of the first book. The writing didn't seem to have major editing problems, the most obvious that I noticed was the overuse of "smirk" (my personal irritant). It's not great but it's not offensive. Since I was disappointed a quarter of the way through this volume, I don't see myself trying this series again.
Un second tome vraiment dans la lignée du premier et tout aussi sympa à lire.
Après les événements du premier tome, Gideon a finalement pris ses appartements avec son frère et les survivants. Alors qu'ils pensaient enfin être tranquille voici que de nouveaux cadavres apparaissent avec le tatouage de Milus Dei. Au même moment Sadie apprend que sa soeur a été kidnappée, ce pourrait-il que ça soit un nouveau groupe Milus Dei ? Gideon et Taeral décident de l'accompagner dans son village natal pour voir ce qu'il peut bien se passer sur place ...
J'ai approché ce tome avec la même circonspection que le premier tome. J'avais peur que vu que c'est de l'auto édition il y ai une chance qu'il ne soit pas aussi bien que le précédent et que finalement le fait que le premier m’ait plus n'ai été qu'un coup de chance. Mais finalement je l'ai apprécié tout autant !
On est ici dans de l'urban fantasy d'action. Le rythme est très soutenu tout au long du tome, mais sans que ça soit non plus une succession de batailles. L'autrice joue sur le fait que la tension n'a pas le temps de retomber qu'un nouvel élément arrive à se moment la, ne nous laissant pas un moment pour reprendre notre souffle.
Du coup oui une fois dedans on est vraiment dans un page-turner, on se laisse emporter et j'avoue que j'ai même eu du mal à m'arrêter à la fin. J'aurais volontiers enchaîné directement sur le suivant si je l'avais eu sous la main.
Il y a eu quelques bons retournements de situation dans ce tome. Le principal concernant Reun, le fae qui collaborait avec Milus Dei dans le tome précédent. Et franchement j'ai bien aimé cette partie parce c'est un élément récurant chez les fae ce fait d'être toujours dans une position ambiguë ou on ne sait finalement pas vraiment de quel coté ils sont. C'est un des classiques du genre et les fae étant mes "monstres" d'urban fantasy préféré j'aime bien retrouver les éléments qui me les ont fait aimer quand je lis une série à leur sujet.
Bon c'est vrai que les personnages ont des fois des réactions un peu exagéré qui font penser à une sit-com mais ça fait parti de l'ambiance et du rythme et du coup ça s’intègre bien dans le coté un peu foufou de la série sur certains points. Les amateurs de trucs carrés et sérieux ne s'y retrouveront sans doute pas mais si on ne lit que pour le coté fun et si on se laisse prendre au jeu on passe un excellent moment.
Et l'avantage c'est qu'il n'y a pas de romance ni de coté trop sentimental donc ça peut plaire aussi bien au lectorat masculin que féminin.
Au final je m'aperçois qu'en deux tomes je me suis vraiment attaché aux personnages et que le rythme rapide de l'intrigue me plait bien. Je pense que je vais me faire un plaisir de lire les tomes suivants assez rapidement.
Like the first one, this book is filled with action, suspense, danger, and peril, things I love. The MC passes out an exorbitant number of times from his injuries and mistreatments. There’s very little down time, the action just keeps going beginning from page one.
This continues a back story from the first book about the Werewolves that ousted Sadie. Our usual bad guys, the Milus Dei cult are back too. Gideon is learning more and more about who he is and what he’s capable of, not all good.
I didn’t like the story as much as the first one because again, it didn’t seem original. I also want to hear other people worrying over the person who is injured and there isn’t a ton of that, mostly just telling someone they are too hurt to join in the next battle. I want that deep acknowledged caring for other people that near death encourages.
I loved Chester and hope that he makes it in to another book.
DNF 11% I don't understand. I recall enjoying book 1 quite a bit. Sure, three years have passed since I read it, but things don't seem to be adding up from what I recalled and the review I left to what is in front of me in book 2. Gideon didn't quite his job? maybe I misunderstood that, but what is really disappointing me right is that there's a whole lot of telling and exposition going on. Some characters' interactions only appear in exposition, which is boring. i feel like it could have been really awesome to have those turned into scenes. What I once thought was a lovely and interesting world, turned in a shallow and flat glimmer of a memory of a wonderful book. Really disappointed.
So, of course, the second chapter to this wonderful series was just as awesome as the first chapter!! I even more think that this series could make an awesome movie or an even better television series!! Instead of reading this chapter in the series, I decided to listen to it being read to me. This now only allowed me to do other things while continuing the story, but it also allowed my imagination to soar and envision actors portraying Gideon and the rest of the characters!! I can't wait to read the next chapter!!! Awesome job, Sonya!!
I hate having to write a headline! Just read the review!!
This book is very well written & a joy to read. You can see a lot of what is coming, but even with that in mind, the book is still quite an excellent read & I had trouble putting it down & going about my actual life & not reading about Gideon's life, lol.
Also, while not quite as tense as the first book, I think this book was better or at least richer. The characters are really starting to flesh out & I was introduced to a new character that I thoroughly enjoy in one Chester Rigby (I think that is his last name).
Fields of Blood picks up where the first book left off. Gideon and company are o n a road trip to take Sadie home. They run into their enemies from Milis Dei and have some extremely hairy times - that often happens when werewolves are involved. Gideon continues to learn more about his heritage as a human/Fei hybrid and the story tears along at a rapid rollicking pace. Fun times!
This is an excellent sequel, again the Milus Dei try to capture Gideon and his friends. With the help of a human convinced aliens have landed, the group decide to ambush the compound that is experimenting with drugs to enhance strength and reduce the conscience of humans. They come across more friends and enemies along the way but are successful when something unexpected happens. A must read for all who love the supernatural.
Great book,as good as the first one,I will definitely be reading the rest of the series ,for anyone who likes urban fantasy,I. Would most definitely read other books by this author
Follow our group as they venture to save one of their own, but at what cost? Questions will be answered, I told you so's will be said and more questions will pop up. Absolutely love this book and this series!!
I've become intrigued by the Fae/Halfie/Werewolf trio. I look forward to all three having more depth and history brought out and then intertwined amongst each other. My only complaint is the repeated use of God's name in vain, specifically "G-- da--". He gets no mention other than that.
I read...a lot, and this is my new favorite supernatural mash up of a series. The writer has that spark that allows you to actually feel for his characters.
The characters have been developed more. I managed to loose myself in the book. It is a little reminiscent of 61 Nails and Rivers of London. Well worth a read.