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Half-Lich #1
Dark Siren
An Ashwood Novel
A nightmarish realm. A city of monsters. One girl’s soul caught in the middle.
Supernatural bounty hunter Alice Werner loves her job. She gets paid the big bucks to take down her targets and doesn’t ask her clients too many questions as long as the money’s good. But when a girl goes missing and the case feels all too familiar, Alice can’t help but act.
Concern for the girl’s safety draws her into a risky case. Compassion keeps her involved when the stakes begin to rise. Desperation forces her to call on an old flame for help. Despite their unfinished past, Alice and Isaac Moreau, a prominent Mage, must work together to save the girl.
When clues reveal more than meets the eye, Alice must face her deepest fears and confront demons from her past to protect the victim, and herself, from a fate worse than death.
Dark Siren is the first book of the Half-Lich Urban Fantasy series, a collection of tales set in the grim, unforgiving metropolis of Ashwood. If you like mysterious supernatural creatures, fast-paced suspense, and conflict-ridden romance, then you’ll love Dignam and Martinez’ otherworldly series starter which early reviewers are comparing to works by Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews and Ella Summers!
Buy Dark Siren and dive into the city of Ashwood today!
A nightmarish realm. A city of monsters. One girl’s soul caught in the middle.
Supernatural bounty hunter Alice Werner loves her job. She gets paid the big bucks to take down her targets and doesn’t ask her clients too many questions as long as the money’s good. But when a girl goes missing and the case feels all too familiar, Alice can’t help but act.
Concern for the girl’s safety draws her into a risky case. Compassion keeps her involved when the stakes begin to rise. Desperation forces her to call on an old flame for help. Despite their unfinished past, Alice and Isaac Moreau, a prominent Mage, must work together to save the girl.
When clues reveal more than meets the eye, Alice must face her deepest fears and confront demons from her past to protect the victim, and herself, from a fate worse than death.
Dark Siren is the first book of the Half-Lich Urban Fantasy series, a collection of tales set in the grim, unforgiving metropolis of Ashwood. If you like mysterious supernatural creatures, fast-paced suspense, and conflict-ridden romance, then you’ll love Dignam and Martinez’ otherworldly series starter which early reviewers are comparing to works by Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews and Ella Summers!
Buy Dark Siren and dive into the city of Ashwood today!
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2016
282 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
October 19, 2020
Dark Siren
(Half-Lich #1)
by Lee Dignam, Katerina Martinez
I really enjoyed this book! Alice makes a living dealing with things most people don't believe in but come to her when they have no other options. Her ex boyfriend still loves her and on the current case, she has to use his abilities. He is a necromancer with magic. Lots of fresh new fantasy ideas and interesting characters. The book ends with the case closing but a great teaser for the next book!
Good narration!
(Half-Lich #1)
by Lee Dignam, Katerina Martinez
I really enjoyed this book! Alice makes a living dealing with things most people don't believe in but come to her when they have no other options. Her ex boyfriend still loves her and on the current case, she has to use his abilities. He is a necromancer with magic. Lots of fresh new fantasy ideas and interesting characters. The book ends with the case closing but a great teaser for the next book!
Good narration!
November 1, 2016
Really difficult to get through. The story drags, the characters are one dimensional and the dialogue is almost robotic at times. Everything about the characters is over exaggerated- their actions, conversations, and reactions to events going on around them. Nothing feels believable and as a result, you don't care about what happens to them. It's impossible to immerse yourself in the story because the writing is so bad- it reads like a rough draft of a first-time author, unpolished and without any kind of finesse. The creativity is there- the overarching concept and storyline could have potential, but it's executed extremely poorly. Would not read anything else by the same authors if this is characteristic of their writing style (or lack thereof).
September 10, 2016
Shut the front door!!! This book was great it had me at the first chapter. I loved the world they told us just a little but enough to keep us interested and the main character Alice kept me guessing.The very best part of the book is the mage Isaac Moreau. I'm looking forward to next book. Five stars
October 8, 2016
I am so not impressed with the hero, Isaac.
Also, detailed OW encounter. Utterly tasteless.
Also, detailed OW encounter. Utterly tasteless.
February 17, 2020
Oh this one was really a gripping story for sure....it's a bit dark though and reading it when a storm was blowing outside sure added extra tension i could have done without as it make the story a little too real.
It's well written and the universe is interesting as well. Alice got some powers after being in contact with the supernatural in an unexpected and traumatic way ...she doesn't really knows what she has become , she only knows it came with a job....so when a young girl is snatched she can't stay away.
Isaac is an interesting mage, i really want to learn more about him but i love how he can act when it's needed even if it goes a bit against what he was taught.He want to do what is right and taking care of Alice is more than that.
The entities they are facing are really interesting as well but we don't learn a lot about them yet so even if the end hadn't been a cliffhanger i would have wanted to jump on next book to read more about all of them. thankfully teh series is complete so you don't have to wait .to be read in order
It's well written and the universe is interesting as well. Alice got some powers after being in contact with the supernatural in an unexpected and traumatic way ...she doesn't really knows what she has become , she only knows it came with a job....so when a young girl is snatched she can't stay away.
Isaac is an interesting mage, i really want to learn more about him but i love how he can act when it's needed even if it goes a bit against what he was taught.He want to do what is right and taking care of Alice is more than that.
The entities they are facing are really interesting as well but we don't learn a lot about them yet so even if the end hadn't been a cliffhanger i would have wanted to jump on next book to read more about all of them. thankfully teh series is complete so you don't have to wait .to be read in order
February 24, 2020
I’ve read a couple books by this author, and I went back to start this series as the author updated it and I was curious. I was actually blown away with how much I liked this. This book is almost a mix of genres: horror, urban fantasy, and a little romance. I really liked Alice and her journey in discovering what she is. Not only that, Isaac is a good foil for her as her ex-boyfriend. They’re both confident, but a little vulnerable. The story is really unique, too. I can’t wait to read the next book, and I hope it’s as good as this one. Highly recommend!
February 15, 2020
Spooky thrilling fantasy novel series
A dark fantasy novel, not one for those who don't like horror related things. A love interest thrown in along with magic and soul eating. Not one to read on a dark night!
A dark fantasy novel, not one for those who don't like horror related things. A love interest thrown in along with magic and soul eating. Not one to read on a dark night!
February 16, 2020
This is a fantastic and intriguing urban fantasy read! Well written this follows our kick ass supernatural bounty hunter on her journey and it’s fast paced, full of suspense, mysterious supernatural creatures, a little romance and I cannot wait to read more! Bring it on!!
February 18, 2020
I liked it, I liked it!
It has everything I've come to expect from a Katerina Martinez book: A unique fast paced story, unique magic, kick a$$ heroine and great characters! It was creepy and suspenseful and hard to put down. I've already downloaded book two. I've got to know what happens next!
"Seeing her like this was more than he had been prepared to deal with. Ghosts, magic, and crazy b!tches he could deal with, but this was something else entirely."
It has everything I've come to expect from a Katerina Martinez book: A unique fast paced story, unique magic, kick a$$ heroine and great characters! It was creepy and suspenseful and hard to put down. I've already downloaded book two. I've got to know what happens next!
"Seeing her like this was more than he had been prepared to deal with. Ghosts, magic, and crazy b!tches he could deal with, but this was something else entirely."
August 14, 2016
3.75 stars
Surprisingly this wasn’t the same old UF. It did have vampires, mages, and ghosts/evil spirits, but the world was different. Ghosts, poltergeists, and the like lived in an alternate realm, but sometimes they managed escape out of their world and into this one. Alice was the only person to have entered the other realm and lived to tell about it. Escaping that realm had consequences. Alice had a special one of a kind camera that allowed her to capture a soul in the picture, so people paid her to get rid of ghosts.
Alice wasn’t the usual do gooder type of heroine. Surviving was more important to her than trying to rid the world of evil and save the helpless. She wasn’t as heartless as she initially seemed. Isaac was Alice’s ex. He was a good guy but was also power driven. The chemistry between them was good, but they were nowhere near ready to be in a relationship again.
The world building was explained well enough that I wasn’t confused about what was going on, but some things did need more clarification. It was mentioned that vampires and mages lived in the world. People were oblivious of the vampires around them, but I wasn’t sure if that was because the vampires blended in so well or if people did not know they existed at all. I assume some of the things without solid explanations for why they happened are going to be explained later on in the series. I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Surprisingly this wasn’t the same old UF. It did have vampires, mages, and ghosts/evil spirits, but the world was different. Ghosts, poltergeists, and the like lived in an alternate realm, but sometimes they managed escape out of their world and into this one. Alice was the only person to have entered the other realm and lived to tell about it. Escaping that realm had consequences. Alice had a special one of a kind camera that allowed her to capture a soul in the picture, so people paid her to get rid of ghosts.
Alice wasn’t the usual do gooder type of heroine. Surviving was more important to her than trying to rid the world of evil and save the helpless. She wasn’t as heartless as she initially seemed. Isaac was Alice’s ex. He was a good guy but was also power driven. The chemistry between them was good, but they were nowhere near ready to be in a relationship again.
The world building was explained well enough that I wasn’t confused about what was going on, but some things did need more clarification. It was mentioned that vampires and mages lived in the world. People were oblivious of the vampires around them, but I wasn’t sure if that was because the vampires blended in so well or if people did not know they existed at all. I assume some of the things without solid explanations for why they happened are going to be explained later on in the series. I am looking forward to reading the next one.
February 5, 2017
Started a little slow but picked up. Enjoy reading this one. Great surprise at the end. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.
July 30, 2016
Wow! This was an amazing story. The characters were well developed and the world building was out of sight! If you're wondering whether or not to buy it, go for it. You won't be disappointed. I was upset that the heroine left the hero. But all is well in the end.
February 17, 2020
I am new to Katerina, but everything I have read so far has been so good!!! Dark Siren really captured my attention quick. Lee Dignam has also done an excellent job. It says this is his first move into the publishing world. These two together, I hope to see much more of!!!
The basis of the story is really interesting and one that I have not really read before. I enjoyed that very much. You definitely get a ghostbusters feel, which is one of my fave movies, but this storyline is unique and all its own. Alice is hilarious and witty! How in the world do you make a confident female lead, but also vulnerable and it work? But these two do. Isaac pretty much has it all. He is gorgeous, strong, smart and has some secrets of his own. These two do have a past, and watching them work around that was very interesting and enjoyable. They must work together to find a young girl who was taken to a different realm.
What happens while they are trying to rescue her proves to be a cant put down read until the end. I had to find out what happened next. Good thing the pace was fast and the action constant, I was done in no time at all. I would highly recommend this book.
The basis of the story is really interesting and one that I have not really read before. I enjoyed that very much. You definitely get a ghostbusters feel, which is one of my fave movies, but this storyline is unique and all its own. Alice is hilarious and witty! How in the world do you make a confident female lead, but also vulnerable and it work? But these two do. Isaac pretty much has it all. He is gorgeous, strong, smart and has some secrets of his own. These two do have a past, and watching them work around that was very interesting and enjoyable. They must work together to find a young girl who was taken to a different realm.
What happens while they are trying to rescue her proves to be a cant put down read until the end. I had to find out what happened next. Good thing the pace was fast and the action constant, I was done in no time at all. I would highly recommend this book.
December 27, 2016
I kind of hated this book. I would have stopped reading it if I hadn't been about 3/4 the way done and needing one more book read to finish my reading challenge for this year. I thought word choice was clunky throughout, and so many things weren't well explained. And without those explanations of how things worked in this world, or even how things *had* worked in this world (old incident from before the book that gets talked about, ish) it is nearly impossible to become properly invested in this world and this story for me. I think the author was trying to go for 'cliff-hanger' with the ending, but it was just unfinished and unfulfilling in my opinion. It started out as a solid 'ok' for me, but it got worse as it went on. It started to feel a little more like a fever dream than a fully developed story idea put to paper. The relationships between people were hollow, and even the world itself felt a little hollow to me. There were some interesting ideas at points, but for me, overwhelmingly, I wouldn't recommend this book and I *definitely* will not continue with this series.
May 9, 2017
This was an amazing story! Alice is a hunter of bothersome otherworldly creatures - think poltergeists and other ghosty types. And they way she goes about it was really unique. The tool of her trade is an old-school camera named Trapper. As the story goes on, Trapper almost seems like a character unto itself, and I really loved the whole concept behind how it worked.
When a young girl is dragged into another realm by one of the worst haunts out there, Alice and Trapper won't be enough to get her back. Enter the very distinguished Isaac Moreau. I really like Isaac. As a mage and museum coordinator, he's just stuffy enough to be cute without getting overbearing. And Alice is going to need his magic to help get the girl back.
The measures they will have to take are extreme and dangerous. And the adventure that unfolds on the pages was amazing. Wrapping up with quite an epic battle scene that will really get your heart racing. There's a bit of a cliffhanger. You'll want to jump right into the second book in the series and see what they are going to next!
When a young girl is dragged into another realm by one of the worst haunts out there, Alice and Trapper won't be enough to get her back. Enter the very distinguished Isaac Moreau. I really like Isaac. As a mage and museum coordinator, he's just stuffy enough to be cute without getting overbearing. And Alice is going to need his magic to help get the girl back.
The measures they will have to take are extreme and dangerous. And the adventure that unfolds on the pages was amazing. Wrapping up with quite an epic battle scene that will really get your heart racing. There's a bit of a cliffhanger. You'll want to jump right into the second book in the series and see what they are going to next!
February 13, 2019
It was spooky and creepy. It wasn't what I had originally expected it to be. I like paranormal and urban fantasy. I just wasn't expecting the depth of the creep. I described it to one of my friends as a horror/urban fantasy. Maybe I'm wrong to refer to it as horror, but it didn't leave me wanting to read this in the dark, even though I ended up finishing it at almost 11 pm.
However, in the midst of things, the creepy factor vanished or reappeared at will. I wouldn't have minded a good ol' haunting story, but the story that developed was a little awkward at times. Really, I could have done without a few of the scenes.
I would have liked a little more explanation about the setup with the Trapper and the photos. I know it's a mystery and we'll eventually find out some parts, but I would have liked to know what the different camera settings were, not just their acronyms.
I liked it enough that I want to read the next book in the series, I just wasn't in love with it.
However, in the midst of things, the creepy factor vanished or reappeared at will. I wouldn't have minded a good ol' haunting story, but the story that developed was a little awkward at times. Really, I could have done without a few of the scenes.
I would have liked a little more explanation about the setup with the Trapper and the photos. I know it's a mystery and we'll eventually find out some parts, but I would have liked to know what the different camera settings were, not just their acronyms.
I liked it enough that I want to read the next book in the series, I just wasn't in love with it.
March 29, 2019
This didn’t work for me. I thought it too much depended on past events that weren’t well integrated into the plot, the characters were fairly shallow—such that I never felt I got to know them—and the writing held far too many similes for comfort. Further, there were several instances of foreshadowing that never came to fruition in the book and the whole thing never really concludes. All in all, I wasn’t impressed.
Complicating matters further for me was that I also didn’t care for Laurel Schroeder’s narration style. Her intonation and speech patterns annoyed me. If I had to guess at the cause, without comparing it to the written text, I’d say she over-emphasized commas. This meant that instead of there being a brief, breath-length pause in the middle of a sentence or list, there were whole full stops. Everything felt broken up. This may be a preference thing and not bother others, but it annoyed the heck out of me.
Complicating matters further for me was that I also didn’t care for Laurel Schroeder’s narration style. Her intonation and speech patterns annoyed me. If I had to guess at the cause, without comparing it to the written text, I’d say she over-emphasized commas. This meant that instead of there being a brief, breath-length pause in the middle of a sentence or list, there were whole full stops. Everything felt broken up. This may be a preference thing and not bother others, but it annoyed the heck out of me.
February 17, 2020
The Wardbreaker Series introduced me to this author and I am really enjoying it so I thought I would give this one a try. Unfortunately, this different world just did not pull me in like I hoped it would. I had a struggle at the beginning; I had to start and stop a few times before I could start to grasp the storyline and get interested in the characters. I did not feel that instant grab that hooks me and throws me into the story. However, once I got about ¼ to halfway through I started to enjoy it more. It is an interesting world and the characters are complex with a bold and mysterious storyline. This is an urban fantasy read wrapped in horror, monsters, nightmares, and magic with suspenseful twists and turns. If you enjoy alternate realms, ghosts, evil spirits, mages, and other things that go bump in the night then you may want to give this one a try.
*I received an arc from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
*I received an arc from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
February 16, 2017
Awesome and original
Lately it seems as if books regarding magic, vampires, shifters or anything of that nature are coming out of the woodwork. Sadly most of them sound the same. You've read one, you've read them all. NOT this one! Totally original concept with an alternate dimension, the Reflection, and a woman who has survived being taken there and escaping. She didn't escape unscathed, however, and has some unnatural talents as a result. She uses those talents as a paranormal bounty hunter, of sorts, and helps people with ghost problems. She gets the case of a young girl taken while at work. Throw in some strange films, a Greek mirror, and an old mage boyfriend and BAM! You've got an awesome thrill-ride with a touch of vulnerability. Loved this book and will definitely recommend it to others!
Lately it seems as if books regarding magic, vampires, shifters or anything of that nature are coming out of the woodwork. Sadly most of them sound the same. You've read one, you've read them all. NOT this one! Totally original concept with an alternate dimension, the Reflection, and a woman who has survived being taken there and escaping. She didn't escape unscathed, however, and has some unnatural talents as a result. She uses those talents as a paranormal bounty hunter, of sorts, and helps people with ghost problems. She gets the case of a young girl taken while at work. Throw in some strange films, a Greek mirror, and an old mage boyfriend and BAM! You've got an awesome thrill-ride with a touch of vulnerability. Loved this book and will definitely recommend it to others!
February 15, 2020
Ok i Love Katerina's current books as i am very much into UF so decided to go back to the beginning and read some of her early stuff and although this is completely different and because of this i think i struggled with the first few chapters but about 1/4 of the way through the book i started to really enjoy this Dark and Twisted storey, so first pointer if like me the book doesn’t grab you initially persevere because it will be worth it!!!
Yes if this were made into a film it would be classed as a Horror suspense movie but the book is still a dark UF full of intrigue and mystery with a lot of Dark suspense. True UF as its very light on romance although there is a love interest.
The Storey develops nicely and as you start to get to know the characters the book pulls you in and is a very good read leaving you wanting to pick up the second book straight away.
Yes if this were made into a film it would be classed as a Horror suspense movie but the book is still a dark UF full of intrigue and mystery with a lot of Dark suspense. True UF as its very light on romance although there is a love interest.
The Storey develops nicely and as you start to get to know the characters the book pulls you in and is a very good read leaving you wanting to pick up the second book straight away.
February 21, 2019
The stubbornness of the heroine is refreshing. This is a truly imaginative story that keeps on developing in its magical essence. As I neared the plot’s climax it became increasingly harder to put the book down.
The creatures were interesting and in some places quite frightening where I felt suspense as to what they could do to Alice. Her stubbornness and persuasiveness gave the story character. Parts of the story was set in a large museum, with an endless scope for the paranormal to lurk, which always gives me the creeps anyway.
I had never read anything like this story when I first came across it. It has soul-sucking, witch-battling and kick-ass after-death spirits. Who wouldn’t want to carry on reading from that?
The creatures were interesting and in some places quite frightening where I felt suspense as to what they could do to Alice. Her stubbornness and persuasiveness gave the story character. Parts of the story was set in a large museum, with an endless scope for the paranormal to lurk, which always gives me the creeps anyway.
I had never read anything like this story when I first came across it. It has soul-sucking, witch-battling and kick-ass after-death spirits. Who wouldn’t want to carry on reading from that?
February 19, 2020
Supernatural Bounty Hunter is better than just any bounty hunter because you are taken on an exciting whirlwind of creepy in this thrilling book! I got sucked in with just the first chapter. Compared to her other book series I read first, the Amber Lee series, this one gave me chills. Imagine a world with the creatures where you actually see them. Thank you for this adventure! Cannot wait to see the world reading the second and third book!
February 27, 2020
suspenseful and creepy from start to finish!
this is a like adult ghostbusters without the giggles! its creepy and at times scary. And technically there is only one girl being able to trap the ghosts/spirits with her polaroid cámara. It will hooked you from the creepy intro! loved it! Im on to the next book because its a trilogy and the villain is one baddy who escaped and will haunt till she wins! 🙈🤩
this is a like adult ghostbusters without the giggles! its creepy and at times scary. And technically there is only one girl being able to trap the ghosts/spirits with her polaroid cámara. It will hooked you from the creepy intro! loved it! Im on to the next book because its a trilogy and the villain is one baddy who escaped and will haunt till she wins! 🙈🤩
June 8, 2017
This book was awesome. I listened to the audio-book version, partly because I wanted to read this book sooner than I knew I had time for, and partly because Laurel Schroeder did the narrating. I'm glad I did, because the book was highly entertaining for me. The imagery was awesome. The story was awesome. The depth was awesome. And I found myself genuinely creeped out by what was going on in the story, probably a good half-dozen times, at least. When a story can freak you out and keep you on the edge of your seat, you know it's good. It had me hooked, and creeped out, right from the beginning
I love the relationship between Alice and the super-hot, super smart, super-bad-ass, Isaac Moreau. They have undeniable chemistry that I felt came across really well, even despite her wanting and trying to be indifferent with him.
I'm curious and really want to find out about the ghost who lives in Nate's closet that has haunted the men in his family for generations. I have the feeling we haven't seen the last of Nate.
I thought the Good Doctor, connected with Isaac in a way I won't spoil, was a really creative character, and I love how the author wrote him in and how he and Isaac are connected. I also thought Alice's camera, Trapper, was creative, and the level of details given about the camera intrigued me... I still want to know what the different settings on the camera mean. Did I miss that? Will the camera make a reappearance in the next book?
As you can see, the authors did an excellent job of making mewant need to read the next book in this series. I'll be picking that up this weekend, for sure.
I love the relationship between Alice and the super-hot, super smart, super-bad-ass, Isaac Moreau. They have undeniable chemistry that I felt came across really well, even despite her wanting and trying to be indifferent with him.
I'm curious and really want to find out about the ghost who lives in Nate's closet that has haunted the men in his family for generations. I have the feeling we haven't seen the last of Nate.
I thought the Good Doctor, connected with Isaac in a way I won't spoil, was a really creative character, and I love how the author wrote him in and how he and Isaac are connected. I also thought Alice's camera, Trapper, was creative, and the level of details given about the camera intrigued me... I still want to know what the different settings on the camera mean. Did I miss that? Will the camera make a reappearance in the next book?
As you can see, the authors did an excellent job of making me
February 18, 2020
I loved this book , was hooked from the first chapter ,Alice is a true kick ass character who I wanted to find out more about from the first moment She is introduced in the book I enjoyed the Dark horror feel of the story and I'm looking forward to finding out what the next book has in store For Alice Nyx and Isaac .....
October 7, 2018
Interesting Story
I picked this up on a whim and I’m glad I did. The story and the characters are interesting, although I still am not quite sure what a Lich is. I’m anxious to start on book number two!
I picked this up on a whim and I’m glad I did. The story and the characters are interesting, although I still am not quite sure what a Lich is. I’m anxious to start on book number two!
February 10, 2020
If you like the supernatural and like a little horror, this book is for you! It has you interested in what is going to happen next from the very first pages. I love the cinema scene and how the story is set up. Alice, the FMC, is pretty bada** along with Isaac. Definitely worth the read.
February 19, 2020
It was a slow to start book, but then from the middle onwards, it was full speed ahead!
A good plot, great characters & when you reach the end of Dark Siren, you really want to get straight on to book two!
A good plot, great characters & when you reach the end of Dark Siren, you really want to get straight on to book two!
March 7, 2022
Excellent slow burn romance with a huge helping of urban fantasy! The characters, Alice and Isaac, are great together, and I’m going to love watching them work out their problems with each other. Great set up for the rest of the series.
May 17, 2017
Half lich
Was afraid I wasn't going to like it but after finally I have finished and it's not a bad read at all. This has been an intriguing look into a new world
Was afraid I wasn't going to like it but after finally I have finished and it's not a bad read at all. This has been an intriguing look into a new world
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews