I have a simple arrangement with the Faerie Court: I track down the beings they want found and in exchange for that, they let me live. But a girls gotta eat, even a banished banshee, so I do what I have to, even if that means working for humans. Rent money doesn’t grow on trees.
Darcey Thorne is one of the last of her kind — a banshee, harbinger of death — but due to a past indiscretion which saw her imprison her ex-lover, she now works as a bounty hunter for the Faerie Court.
When the Court jerks her chain and tells her to hunt down MacNa, an old friend, Darcey has no choice but to obey. Considering the last time she laid eyes on her prey, he tried to kill her, Darcey decides hunting him is the perfect mix of business and pleasure.
Dealing with witch-traffickers and a sexy ex-god boss is all in a day’s work for a bounty-hunting banshee, but being shot with iron bullets and being framed for murder is above and beyond the call of duty.
If Darcey doesn’t get to the heart of the matter soon, there will be one less banshee in the world.
I went into this with zero expectations and actually really ended up liking it...a lot. I would definitely continue the series. I love how short these are so you can read them in a sitting pretty easily but they still have enough substance to them to feel like a full length novel.
Review: Solid urban fantasy with a banshee main character! Something I found kinda cool was that she didn't operate entirely alone---she had quite a few allies as well some enemies and complicated relationships from her many years alive (she's one of the fae, so she lives a long time). In this book, there are some fae, a witch, and even a demon. The audiobook narrator was good too, gave the MC a kind of subdued vibe that seemed to fit her well. Overall the book wasn't groundbreaking, but it was enjoyable, and I always enjoy an uncommon supernatural.
Although this one made for a decent read there was just something about it that stopped it from being a great read. I can't quite put my finger on it, I guess it felt like the characters were tossed in, we had no real connection to any of them. Main character Darcey calls on friends or old acquaintances throughout this whole book but it never feels like she really knows these people, instead you get the impression the author pulled them out of thin air when she needed a convenient sidekick or even solution to a problem. There is a main character death here and normally i'd hide that under a spoiler but the truth here is that as much as she was supposed to be a main character, and was actually in a good chunk of the book, as a reader I felt no connection to her whatsoever.
There were hints of a more interesting connection between Darcey and Lunn but it felt overplayed, like the connection was being stretched and made too obvious because Sheehan wasn't sure how to build the chemistry up organically.
Although the characters were choppy, the world was decent and the plot workable. I might even be tempted to check out the sequel.
The way this book churns through side characters is pretty dizzying. Here's an acquaintance, no they actually have a longer history, look they're helpful, oops they're angry at her or dead. Repeated. Often. Also, how does she not get suspected of "helping" people to their death at that home, if everyone she shows up to "read" to dies within a few minutes to few days of her visiting them and she never visits anyone else?
The banshee as a central character is rare and an interesting set-up, but I actually lost interest in her as the book went on. Also, it ended very abruptly, just cutting off with no real wrap-up.
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** I listened to this on audiobook. I wish I read it instead, but I'm not gonna go through this thing again.
This was really not my kind of book and I will not be reading anything else from this author. I believe these books are primarily aimed at teenage girls.
So far the main character feels like a less interesting version of Jessica Jones. There is very little subtlety in this book, little is left to the imagination when something is said. A lot of the book could've been cut down if they removed some of the unnecessary details, like dedicating several sentences to walking over to a drawer, pull out one item, walk back, hand over the item and then remind them that the protagonist is a Banshee. We're very often reminded by the protagonist that she is a Banshee.
Halfway through the book. So far, all pale men are evil and practically cower whenever the male faye (the one the protagonist is interrested in and only one who makes her legs weak) walks into the room. She often references something that happened prior to this book, but because we're not really told what happened, I don't see how they relate to what's happening in the story at the time.
I think I fell asleep at some point because suddenly Darcey calls on a friend called Clary, who I cannot remember being introduced to. Last quarter of the book to go, and we're finally told who is behind everything. Of course, it's someone from Darcey's past whom we have yet to hear anything concrete about.
I did actually like how Darcey expressed anger at a half-breed merely existing, showing flaw and how she would judge someone purely based on their race because she was taught that while living in the fae world. It finally gave some info about the world she keeps mentioning, other than it being magical and inhabited by fae.
There seems to be inconcistencies in some of the dialogue. One conversation went somewhat like this: "...the 'got up and walked out'-kind of gone." *Bantering* "...So you're telling me they got up and walked out?" "Not exactly." But it was exactly what you said! Creating unnecessary confusion in order to get an opportunity for suspence is a recurring theme through the book.
The male faye previously mentioned seems to be the only friendly magical male in this book. Everyone else is aggressive, flirty in inappropriate times, dumb, annoying, and will only help for a price.
Banshee Blues by Bilinda Sheehan is the first part of the "Bones and Bounties" urban fantasy series, featuring Darcey Thorne, one of the few remaining banshees.
After running afoul of the Faerie Court, Darcey is beholden to them in exchange for being allowed to live. She acts as a bounty hunter for the Fae, but she also takes on jobs for humans as a private investigator. It's her mundane jobs that pay the bills. When two jobs land on her doorstep at nearly the same time, Darcey finds herself hunting down MacNa, a frenemy of sorts, searching for a wayward husband, tangling with witch traffickers, shot with iron bullets, and framed for murder. Worst of all, an adorable kitten has barged into her apartment and her life, and she can't seem to get rid of it. Hunted and betrayed, Darcey must rely on her wits and ingenuity if she is going to get out of this alive.
Hm. First of all, I felt like I'd begun watching a TV series somewhere in the middle of season three. I don't know if this book is a spin-off from another series, but a lot of Darcey's past was simply glossed over, which I found frustrating. Second, the plot was mainly comprised of Darcey going here to investigate and getting in a battle, or Darcey going there to speak to someone and getting into a battle. The narrative was choppy, for lack of a better word. Nevertheless, it was gripping and exciting and certainly kept me invested. The ending lacked resolution, which I also found disappointing.
This deserves a score of 3.5, but since I can't award half stars, I'm bumping it down to a 3 for the lack of backstory/world building and the unsatisfactory ending.
Darcey Thorne is a banshee and at the beck and call of the Unseelie Court. If they want her to do something, she must do it under the penalty of death. She's told to hunt down an old friend, and everything seems to unravel. She's framed for murder and the Court is breathing down her neck about getting the job done. She needs to find some answers soon or she may be keening over her own death.
This is the first in the urban fantasy series, Bones and Bounties. I love the premise of it. Darcey is a banshee, one of the last of her kind, and a bounty hunter for the Unseelie Court as well as a PI in the human world. She's a harbinger of death, not Death itself, and she must nurture that side of herself. She's only at half-power, though. Something happened a while ago with her ex and she lost a lot of power. I felt that I was missing a lot of the prequel to this story, as there was talk of what happened like the reader should understand. (I don't know if Darcey came from another series by the author as this is the first I've read by her.) Darcey has a good heart, willing to save a witch who was enslaved by witch hunters. There's a fun cast of side characters including Mazik and Lunn. Both who I want to know more about. This story has good bones and a main character that I enjoyed, but it needed to be more fleshed out. (Again, I could be missing things from a previous series.) I'm going to pick up the second book and see where Darcey takes me.
Great writing. I can't help but think I've missed a prequel with this first installment. The author talks about quite a few things as though the reader should already know the information. I read this in one sitting so maybe I was just tired but I did feel as though she alludes to things (ex. The town they're in) as though just by saying the name we should know what it means to be there. The story is about a banshee that has lost most of her powers and is under the thumb of the faerie court. We don't get a proper explanation but from what I can discern from the ending is that they think she killed her soulmate\another fae. Through the book we meet a few characters which I think will have interesting development in the next book such as a collared witch, witch hunters, a powerful far that seems to want to help but that our mc is afraid of, a scary eyeless thing, and hopefully some explanation of what the elite are. There were a few things I wish would have gotten wrapped up better but then I guess you wouldn't want to buy the next book.
It took me 2,5 hours to finish book one “Banshee Blues”. That is all the time it took to make me a fan of Bilinda Sheehan. Moreover I have not read many books about Banshees, who would have thought they could be the number 1 when it comes to beating the “bad supernaturals” instead of Werewolves and Vampires (also included species in the series by the way). I love the sassy stubbornness of the main character Darcey Thorne, the last living Banshee. She finds herself in a whole lot of trouble with multiple characters and of course there are issues with the infamous mysterious Faery Court. In addition you get to know a few romance possibilities. And last but not least her twisted dark past – which will be revealed slowly throughout the books. The thing I like about this series is that it focuses more on the detective/ Private Investigator side than the romance side (the romance is not excluded so don't you worry).
Fans of Jennifer Estep, Chloe Neill and Patricia Briggs will love the writing style and fantasy world Bilinda created in her series.
I liked it but it definitely needed to be longer. It lacked some explanation on back-stories and the world building in general. I have relatively good knowledge on folklore but due to the lack of explanations, even I was confused by the Mother of the Wild Hunt, the Elite and the faery court.
I thought the characters were interesting but as soon as we meet a character, the author whisks us away to another scene where Darcey introduces us to another character. As a result, we don't get the chance to connect with these characters and
3 1/2 stars. A banshee as the female protagonist is unusual. It gave what is a typical urban fantasy a unique twist. Darcey tries not to indulge her Unseelie instincts too often, other than screaming and mourning the dead which is part of her nature as a banshee. She recognizes when she enjoys someone else's pain and tries not to enjoy it too much or make it worse for the person. But she doesn't wallow in guilt about being an Unseelie and her instincts. Self-flagellation is not an attractive feature in a character.
Overall a good book. There are some threads left hanging and questions unanswered but nothing too annoying that makes you feel the book is unfinished. Just enough to make you want to read more in the series.
Great plot and likeable characters. I wish Darcy’s back story that keeps getting referenced had been explained a bit more because it gets a bit confusing sometimes trying to understand what had happened to her and why she didn’t have all her powers. But overall it was a great book.
I have read all three books, and while they were not mind blowing they were good enough to keep my attention. The characters are rather unique and it gives what could easily end up being a typical urban fantasy a unique twist.
The books are one continuous and very action packed adventure. Almost a bit too action packed, the poor girl never seems to be allowed to gather her breath and relax for just a moment.
I would have liked a bit more of a backstory, there is some stuff where I could have used a proper explanation.
Darcey is a Banshee - the Banshee wails (cries) at the time of death.
Life is complicated - she is being punished for the (presumed) murder of her boyfriend; the punishment is that she has to locate wanted Fae for the High Court; and she tries to earn some income as a PI for humans.
There is a lot of double-cross involved. You can't trust anyone.
Clary is a banshee of great power. She is an investigator. Can she keep every one she needs safe. With danger at every turn. Clary is the girl to kick the bad guys butt.
This story was interesting. The characters were entertaining and engaging and the storyline was intriguing. It was interesting that the faerie court were unable to see the truth though. Definitely want to read more.
I really enjoyed the book, but wish the author could have spent more time with the magical characters before they died. I was just getting into them and then they were gone. Maybe there's another book with them.
Overall it was an easy read but I felt as though I was missing huge pieces of information. The author throws you into the store with no character development or backstory. I would love a prequel to dive more into the characters that are so pertinent through the entire book.
I love Irish folklore. The characters were so true to their mythical counterparts. I could not out this down. I can't wait to read the next installment.
Ehhhhhh. I tried to get into this one, I really did, but it kept throwing me out quite a lot. I really liked the concept, and I LOVED Samira, but the rest of it just didn't really gel with me. The writing was meh, the execution was meh and most of the characters (besides my girl Samira) were meh. Not for me, I'm afraid.
I tried. Hard. But 50% and a bit more down the line, I don't really feel anything for the heroine, her predicament, or the plot. So I'm calling quits, because I could watch TV instead.
4. I do wish that somehow The reading public were made aware of the book being aimed at the YA market rather than disguising it by describing it as fantasy or Adult content. Such a load of rot.
I like kindle unlimited, it lets you try books/series and you can get an idea of what an author is like without committing actual money to them.
I've read a few of Bilinda's other books and enjoyed them maybe a fraction more, this book is good. It is, it just isn't as good. And it also has a few things not quite right with it.
It needed a little more editing, there were a few words that were wrong not misspelled but I noticed a 'now' instead of a 'not' nothing major just odd words, I didn't make a note of what that sentence was otherwise I'd quote it but there was definatly one instance of that and I'm sure if I was being ultra picky I could find more. This doesn't bother me so much, as long as the book isn't filled completely with grammatical errors or spelling errors I wouldn't say I judge a book like that. Heaven knows I make those mistakes too, this review probably has a few in. Just something to keep in mind if you're someone that dislikes it more than I do.
I'm a little confused with that the bananas is going on, its not a romance which I had assumed it was. Its a 'Banshee' is a slave story. I have heard of Banshees in terms I've heard the word but I have no idea what a Banshee is what they do etc. so finding out about them was actually interesting. I liked that, not sure its what they really do or the author's interpretation but hey I'll go along for the ride.
I also like her, shes funny and you see that she is a bad ass. You're not told but you actually see it. I wasn't sure I liked her but I like the side kicks, the wood fae (never heard of that before), the demon, the unseelie fae, the ginger kitten and the witch. I actually wish more is put into finding out about each of the characters, more actually about the kitten where did it come from? Why? The witch she isn't a human with magic, shes a specie, so what I know from previous books about witches I assume does not apply and clearly did not apply to her. I want to know more!!
Overall I really enjoyed this book, its a good start to a series I will be reading. I'm also insanely looking forward to it.
Reread May 25-26th, 2021 This wasn't a great reread. The writing was okay, and the novelty of having a banshee as the MC was still there, but the plot and other characters fell a bit flat for me. It wasn't entirely the book's fault; I was coming from a reread of the October Daye series, which is incredible, so there was some comparison happening. At any rate, I wanted more from this book than what I got. More power from Darcey, more character development, and more emotion from me as a reader. I don't think I'll reread more. 3 stars.
I really enjoyed this first book in what I hope is a long series. The world is new and interesting with three realms involved but you never are confused as to where the story takes place. The heroine is tough, damaged yet has a good heart that goes against her true nature. There wasn't a lot of romance maybe a hint but I hope that gets explored further into the books. I couldn't put it down!