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Lilith #1
The Spawn of Lilith
Working in Hollywood is a living Hell in this “fast, fun, and unrelenting” urban fantasy series about a stuntwoman who slays paranormal creatures (Seanan McGuire, author of the October Daye novels). Out of the spotlight, in the darker corners of the studio backlots, Hollywood hides a remarkable secret. Actor or actress, set designer, electrician, best boy, or grip—in la-la land, it pays not to be human. Vampires, succubae, trolls, elementals, goblins—studios hire anyone and anything that can take direction, be discreet, and not eat the extras. (The less you know about your agent, the better.)Though only human, stuntwoman and struggling actress Lee Striga is a member of the legendary Katz Stunt Crew. They’re the best in the biz, in part because they can fly, and boast superhuman strength.When Lee lands a job on the movie Pale Dreamer, however, not everyone is following the script. It’s up to her to figure out who—or what—is killing the cast and crew. Especially when Lee goes from stuntwoman to lead role...and the next target.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2017
96 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Dana Fredsti
35 books284 followersDana Fredsti is ex B-movie actress with a background in theatrical sword-fighting. Through seven plus years of volunteering at EFBC/FCC (Exotic Feline Breeding Facility/Feline Conservation Center), Dana's had a full-grown leopard sit on her feet, kissed by tigers, held baby jaguars and had her thumb sucked by an ocelot with nursing issues. She's addicted to bad movies and any book or film, good or bad, which include zombies. Her other hobbies include surfing (badly), collecting beach glass (obsessively), and wine tasting (happily).
Along with her best friend Maureen, Dana was co-producer/writer/director for a mystery-oriented theatrical troupe based in San Diego. While no actual murders occurred during their performances, there were times when the actors and clients made the idea very tempting. Somewhere in the mists of time she lost a grip on what happened in real life and what she made up for her book.
She's written numerous published articles, essays and shorts, including stories in Cat Fantastic IV, an anthology series edited by Andre Norton (Daw, 1997), Danger City (Contemporary Press, 2005), and Mondo Zombie (Cemetery Dance, 2006). Her essays can be seen in Morbid Curiosity, Issues 2-7. Additionally she's written several produced low-budget screenplays and currently has another script under option. Dana was also co-writer/associate producer on Urban Rescuers, a documentary on feral cats and TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return), which won Best Documentary at the 2003 Valley Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Dana is currently working on the second book in the Murder for Hire series, The Big Snooze and writing erotic romance under the pen name Inara LaVey for Ravenous Romance.
Along with her best friend Maureen, Dana was co-producer/writer/director for a mystery-oriented theatrical troupe based in San Diego. While no actual murders occurred during their performances, there were times when the actors and clients made the idea very tempting. Somewhere in the mists of time she lost a grip on what happened in real life and what she made up for her book.
She's written numerous published articles, essays and shorts, including stories in Cat Fantastic IV, an anthology series edited by Andre Norton (Daw, 1997), Danger City (Contemporary Press, 2005), and Mondo Zombie (Cemetery Dance, 2006). Her essays can be seen in Morbid Curiosity, Issues 2-7. Additionally she's written several produced low-budget screenplays and currently has another script under option. Dana was also co-writer/associate producer on Urban Rescuers, a documentary on feral cats and TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return), which won Best Documentary at the 2003 Valley Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Dana is currently working on the second book in the Murder for Hire series, The Big Snooze and writing erotic romance under the pen name Inara LaVey for Ravenous Romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
June 26, 2017
I really like this cover, even if it does have the famous butt pose ;) She looks so kick-ass, and she has to be, cos she is a stunt woman. She knows how to fight, she knows how to fall down buildings. Aye she is cool.
There are supes everywhere, but the normal people do not know about them. Lee does know as her foster dad is one. But there are things not even she knows, but will find out ;)
I liked her. She was a non nonsense kind of person. Even even though she is not a supe, she still protects those near her (but then she is trained to kick butt too.)
There is this revelation at the end, so with that in mind this feels like an introduction to this world and to her. I got to see her work a crappy job, and then the job that shows the dangerous side of the supernatural world. How on earth she survived the crappy job I do not know, and the I do not mean survive as in dangerous, but in omg that stunt job sucks big time. Not all stunt jobs are awesome.
The second book promises to be interesting. Oh and I guess the tension between her and someone will continue to grow...that will be interesting to see too ;)
A nice first introduction do this world.
There are supes everywhere, but the normal people do not know about them. Lee does know as her foster dad is one. But there are things not even she knows, but will find out ;)
I liked her. She was a non nonsense kind of person. Even even though she is not a supe, she still protects those near her (but then she is trained to kick butt too.)
There is this revelation at the end, so with that in mind this feels like an introduction to this world and to her. I got to see her work a crappy job, and then the job that shows the dangerous side of the supernatural world. How on earth she survived the crappy job I do not know, and the I do not mean survive as in dangerous, but in omg that stunt job sucks big time. Not all stunt jobs are awesome.
The second book promises to be interesting. Oh and I guess the tension between her and someone will continue to grow...that will be interesting to see too ;)
A nice first introduction do this world.
September 2, 2018
Four stars, after considerable hesitation and actual re-reading of selected parts. The bulk of this novel is a narration in the first person by a movie stunt player, Lee Striga, who chronicles in detail her attempts to get her career back on track six months after a severe injury; we follow her interactions with her adoptive family of highly rated stunt players, the cast and crew of a disastrously bad movie, and the cast and crew of an innovative film that could do the trick for her.
This was a fascinating insider's view of low-budget film-making and stunt playing, especially combat, and struck me as very authentic, but the pace is quite leisurely and you wonder if there's really a plot here. It's a delightful idea that the really good stunt players all have super powers that they use sparingly, just enough to make their stunts spectacular without revealing their true nature, and that the crews of low-budget films are a haven for a wide variety of supernaturals ("supes") keeping a low profile. Most of the supes, though, act and feel like ordinary humans; the story never seems to take advantage of their talents.
Lee Striga's pleasant narration is interspersed with occasional unrelated horror vignettes, helpfully printed in italics and told from the point of view of the author to build suspense. In each one, an innocent is killed gruesomely; two different kinds of evil are introduced in this way. This double horror element, both in the vignettes and in the breath-taking action when the evil is finally released, I thought was excellent, once I re-read only the horror portions of the novel.
What didn't work for me was the world-building. Supes are identified by species but not tied to any fantasy structure. There's a short prologue that sketches the myth behind the title, and then nothing more is said about Lilith and her spawn till the confusing post-climactic explanation, which seems to be there to set up a sequel so it doesn't explain much (and one paragraph desperately needs editing because it's contradictory as it stands).
As a horror story this book is very effective, even in the way it strings you along with nonthreatening narrative while warning you (by the vignettes in italics) that all hell is probably going to break loose in the end. Certainly the horror action is done well and has a clear resolution. But the author does assume a lot of patience on the reader's part and leaves you scratching your head over a supernatural world that's still in the beginning stages of construction.
This was a fascinating insider's view of low-budget film-making and stunt playing, especially combat, and struck me as very authentic, but the pace is quite leisurely and you wonder if there's really a plot here. It's a delightful idea that the really good stunt players all have super powers that they use sparingly, just enough to make their stunts spectacular without revealing their true nature, and that the crews of low-budget films are a haven for a wide variety of supernaturals ("supes") keeping a low profile. Most of the supes, though, act and feel like ordinary humans; the story never seems to take advantage of their talents.
Lee Striga's pleasant narration is interspersed with occasional unrelated horror vignettes, helpfully printed in italics and told from the point of view of the author to build suspense. In each one, an innocent is killed gruesomely; two different kinds of evil are introduced in this way. This double horror element, both in the vignettes and in the breath-taking action when the evil is finally released, I thought was excellent, once I re-read only the horror portions of the novel.
What didn't work for me was the world-building. Supes are identified by species but not tied to any fantasy structure. There's a short prologue that sketches the myth behind the title, and then nothing more is said about Lilith and her spawn till the confusing post-climactic explanation, which seems to be there to set up a sequel so it doesn't explain much (and one paragraph desperately needs editing because it's contradictory as it stands).
As a horror story this book is very effective, even in the way it strings you along with nonthreatening narrative while warning you (by the vignettes in italics) that all hell is probably going to break loose in the end. Certainly the horror action is done well and has a clear resolution. But the author does assume a lot of patience on the reader's part and leaves you scratching your head over a supernatural world that's still in the beginning stages of construction.
August 18, 2017
I wanted to like this one, the blurb sounded good. However 100 pages in and not much has happened and I'm really bored. Bored enough that I don't really care if we find out if things pick up as the blurb states. In the end this one isn't for me.
June 18, 2019
2 1/2
Mostly a horror story, where I expected a UF. Not really a problem, it's mostly a nuance that separated one from the other. (Here the fantastic/paranormal was the prop, while the focus was on the horror/mistery.) It has an interesting story somewhere, watered down by some pretty serious info dump.
The real problem? That dump isn't world building or back story, it's about the everyday life of Hollywood people. The story is about a movie, how to make a movie, people working on a movie.. and at the end the horror that creeps around it. Some of this horror is paranormal and that's it. But the 'meat' of the story is 80 pages long top. The rest as I said is about the heroine's job as a stunt/actor.
It was a nice, if unexpected, read, with good twists until the ending chapters where you understand what is going on. The only thing is that you realize that the book is almost finished with (the revelation for me at 70%) and you don't really have a story going on.
Honestly, the ending, epilog included was a let down. I didn't get why she didn't explode or react in any meaningful way. (Nor did I understand the reason for the almost - amnesia, yes the cause, but what was the reason for it in the plot? Nor the prop that her family was.. )
So overall a good read, but not something I would recommend wholeheartedly nor something I will keep reading.
Mostly a horror story, where I expected a UF. Not really a problem, it's mostly a nuance that separated one from the other. (Here the fantastic/paranormal was the prop, while the focus was on the horror/mistery.) It has an interesting story somewhere, watered down by some pretty serious info dump.
The real problem? That dump isn't world building or back story, it's about the everyday life of Hollywood people. The story is about a movie, how to make a movie, people working on a movie.. and at the end the horror that creeps around it. Some of this horror is paranormal and that's it. But the 'meat' of the story is 80 pages long top. The rest as I said is about the heroine's job as a stunt/actor.
It was a nice, if unexpected, read, with good twists until the ending chapters where you understand what is going on. The only thing is that you realize that the book is almost finished with (the revelation for me at 70%) and you don't really have a story going on.
Honestly, the ending, epilog included was a let down. I didn't get why she didn't explode or react in any meaningful way. (Nor did I understand the reason for the almost - amnesia, yes the cause, but what was the reason for it in the plot? Nor the prop that her family was.. )
So overall a good read, but not something I would recommend wholeheartedly nor something I will keep reading.
January 3, 2019
I don't normally leave bad reviews but this was a huge disappointment, only reason it isn't getting a 1 star review is the fact that the author wrote well. It's edited well. The way she describe things is lovely and smooth but..
What the hell was she thinking?
I wish she'd rewrite the entire book, change it up a little bit.
I spent the entire time knowing what was going on and it bored me.
Spoilers:
"Spawn of Lilith" uhuu, okay, so yeah, we know she's the spawn of Lilith, she obviously doesn't know, but the medalion is definitely that. uhuu. okay. no big deal.
I love urban fantasy, I hate epic stories, I want everyday life stories with the heroine battling shit happening in her neighborhood, not off saving the world. This book should have been perfect. But while I was suffering the story of a seemingly 100% human for 80% of the book with boring, boring, boring, nothing exciting happening besides her having 0 self respect for herself and letting herself be walked all over over and over again. you got flashes from other people.
Oooh, someone is summoning demons. the demons are killing things.
some kind of demon twin pair is off the rocker too.
ooh. so mysterious. ooh.
No. No it wasn't. You knew exactly what was happening, the MC didn't of course, but YOU, the reader, did. You knew who the bad guy where, you knew why they where doing it, and you knew that the spawn of liliths role in it was entirely accidental.
Just one big fuck up for her to be told about her birthright.
And the sex?
Oh god,
Okay. I detest YA. I like my characters to be adult and do adult shit.
Like yes, having sex, without being too anal about it. Sex happens. its normal. and finding someone irl who is a prude and shy and doesnt want to have sex with her dates is near impossible so reading about them drives me mad.
But Lee? She spent half the book PITYING that boy. feeling bad. knowing he was into her. and her being very very very VERY firm that she didn't want to lead him on.
Had there been any ANY sign of attraction beforehand, I'd been cool with it. Because honestly, sometimes you sleep with people you don't think you should but you're too horny to think clearly.
But she stated, over and over, that she didn't find him attractive.
I hated this book.
I hated it so bad that even the authors beautiful writing couldn't make me read through the last few fight scenes, I SKIMMED them, simply because I wanted to finish the book. I wanted to see if I'd be wrong. if it would surprise me. and it didn't.
It's a nice idea, if the author had taken her deck of cards and reshuffled it a little.
For someone who enjoys her slice-of-life fantasy life, this shouldn't have bored me. but it did.
I was so annoyed at the end, I laid in bed ranting to myself about the book.
Talking up and down on what would be needed to fix all the flaws I saw in the book.
But. I'm just one voice.
I really did like the authors writing, but she needs a sounding board for the storyline.
What the hell was she thinking?
I wish she'd rewrite the entire book, change it up a little bit.
I spent the entire time knowing what was going on and it bored me.
Spoilers:
"Spawn of Lilith" uhuu, okay, so yeah, we know she's the spawn of Lilith, she obviously doesn't know, but the medalion is definitely that. uhuu. okay. no big deal.
I love urban fantasy, I hate epic stories, I want everyday life stories with the heroine battling shit happening in her neighborhood, not off saving the world. This book should have been perfect. But while I was suffering the story of a seemingly 100% human for 80% of the book with boring, boring, boring, nothing exciting happening besides her having 0 self respect for herself and letting herself be walked all over over and over again. you got flashes from other people.
Oooh, someone is summoning demons. the demons are killing things.
some kind of demon twin pair is off the rocker too.
ooh. so mysterious. ooh.
No. No it wasn't. You knew exactly what was happening, the MC didn't of course, but YOU, the reader, did. You knew who the bad guy where, you knew why they where doing it, and you knew that the spawn of liliths role in it was entirely accidental.
Just one big fuck up for her to be told about her birthright.
And the sex?
Oh god,
Okay. I detest YA. I like my characters to be adult and do adult shit.
Like yes, having sex, without being too anal about it. Sex happens. its normal. and finding someone irl who is a prude and shy and doesnt want to have sex with her dates is near impossible so reading about them drives me mad.
But Lee? She spent half the book PITYING that boy. feeling bad. knowing he was into her. and her being very very very VERY firm that she didn't want to lead him on.
Had there been any ANY sign of attraction beforehand, I'd been cool with it. Because honestly, sometimes you sleep with people you don't think you should but you're too horny to think clearly.
But she stated, over and over, that she didn't find him attractive.
I hated this book.
I hated it so bad that even the authors beautiful writing couldn't make me read through the last few fight scenes, I SKIMMED them, simply because I wanted to finish the book. I wanted to see if I'd be wrong. if it would surprise me. and it didn't.
It's a nice idea, if the author had taken her deck of cards and reshuffled it a little.
For someone who enjoys her slice-of-life fantasy life, this shouldn't have bored me. but it did.
I was so annoyed at the end, I laid in bed ranting to myself about the book.
Talking up and down on what would be needed to fix all the flaws I saw in the book.
But. I'm just one voice.
I really did like the authors writing, but she needs a sounding board for the storyline.
December 22, 2017
2.5-3⭐
Very mild spoileryness ahead, nothing major.
A solid 3.5 star rating that went down a bit towards the end as more insufferable male characters continued to be insufferable...er. And then a new insufferable jerk was introduced as possible new love interest / bad guy at the very end. No. Just no. There was a lot of great action here, perhaps oddly paced but nonetheless. I particularly loved the long and bloody climactic scene where Lee kicks some demon butt.
There were also a lot of good characters here, but so many more bad ones. And a lot of those bad ones were forgiven for their gross behaviour without much redemption happening. (Well, one rapey creep got beat unconscious. That was a good time.)
Also, there were implications that her stepbrother Seth might be in love with our main character...which I don't actually have a problem with, except that he treats her like garbage. He is condescending at best, and at worst downright hostile. His constant demoralizing comments and slut-shaming of Lee were such that I could almost no longer believe she was the kick-butt strong female protagonist I'd been led to believe she was - because who lets someone talk to them that way? She's not going to tell him to stop calling her a hoe, either outright or through unfair implications? I don't care if he's in love with her, and I don't care if he's jealous. His father (Sean, her adopted father, and one of the few characters I actually liked) should have taught him better. Probably DID teach him better. I was very frustrated that so much of Lee's "telling off" of these guys only happened in her head. On the job, sure - she's a stuntwoman (majorly cool, by the way), so she has to conduct herself with an air of professionalism. But her private life....is her private life. If some douche wants to show his disdain, he should get prepared to eat some right back. I get frustrated when that doesn't happen, I suppose...Seth needed telling off in a major way.
I know that this is going to be a series, however, and maybe that confrontation is being saved for the next book. Maybe it needed to wait because it's going to be such a spectacular explosion, and I can finally feel some satisfaction; one where Lee can finally demand the respect she deserves. Maybe.
But until then, say it louder for the people in the back: A man being rude and insulting to you is not excusable by jealousy or "romantic" feelings.
Lee doesn't seem like the kind of girl who falls in with that nonsense. I'll consider her innocent until proven guilty. Until then, I await book 2.
Very mild spoileryness ahead, nothing major.
A solid 3.5 star rating that went down a bit towards the end as more insufferable male characters continued to be insufferable...er. And then a new insufferable jerk was introduced as possible new love interest / bad guy at the very end. No. Just no. There was a lot of great action here, perhaps oddly paced but nonetheless. I particularly loved the long and bloody climactic scene where Lee kicks some demon butt.
There were also a lot of good characters here, but so many more bad ones. And a lot of those bad ones were forgiven for their gross behaviour without much redemption happening. (Well, one rapey creep got beat unconscious. That was a good time.)
Also, there were implications that her stepbrother Seth might be in love with our main character...which I don't actually have a problem with, except that he treats her like garbage. He is condescending at best, and at worst downright hostile. His constant demoralizing comments and slut-shaming of Lee were such that I could almost no longer believe she was the kick-butt strong female protagonist I'd been led to believe she was - because who lets someone talk to them that way? She's not going to tell him to stop calling her a hoe, either outright or through unfair implications? I don't care if he's in love with her, and I don't care if he's jealous. His father (Sean, her adopted father, and one of the few characters I actually liked) should have taught him better. Probably DID teach him better. I was very frustrated that so much of Lee's "telling off" of these guys only happened in her head. On the job, sure - she's a stuntwoman (majorly cool, by the way), so she has to conduct herself with an air of professionalism. But her private life....is her private life. If some douche wants to show his disdain, he should get prepared to eat some right back. I get frustrated when that doesn't happen, I suppose...Seth needed telling off in a major way.
I know that this is going to be a series, however, and maybe that confrontation is being saved for the next book. Maybe it needed to wait because it's going to be such a spectacular explosion, and I can finally feel some satisfaction; one where Lee can finally demand the respect she deserves. Maybe.
But until then, say it louder for the people in the back: A man being rude and insulting to you is not excusable by jealousy or "romantic" feelings.
Lee doesn't seem like the kind of girl who falls in with that nonsense. I'll consider her innocent until proven guilty. Until then, I await book 2.
August 1, 2018
3.5
This book was a fun ride, but it wasn’t everything I wanted it to be. First off, the plot the summary promises doesn’t happen until the last third of the book. Then there was some cringy stuff. And, of course, there’s the suggestion that Lee’s cousin (whom she was raised with) is mean to her because he likes her. In fact, most guys Lee comes across seem to like her in some capacity.
That said, where this book has the potential to fall into “I’m not like other girls” territory, it consistently promotes female friendships instead. Lee appreciates women for their differences and similarities, rather than acting like she’s superior for being a fighter.
Most of the twists were predictable, but I had fun watching how they came to fruition. There are also a lot of characters, several who come and go seemingly at random to serve Lee’s story. Lee is the only character that truly feels fleshed out. The epilogue also serves no purpose, seeming to only introduce a character that could just as easily be introduced in the next book.
All of that said, I did have fun reading this book. Overall, the writing was pretty good. I might even read the sequel when it finally comes out. This book was decent.
This book was a fun ride, but it wasn’t everything I wanted it to be. First off, the plot the summary promises doesn’t happen until the last third of the book. Then there was some cringy stuff. And, of course, there’s the suggestion that Lee’s cousin (whom she was raised with) is mean to her because he likes her. In fact, most guys Lee comes across seem to like her in some capacity.
That said, where this book has the potential to fall into “I’m not like other girls” territory, it consistently promotes female friendships instead. Lee appreciates women for their differences and similarities, rather than acting like she’s superior for being a fighter.
Most of the twists were predictable, but I had fun watching how they came to fruition. There are also a lot of characters, several who come and go seemingly at random to serve Lee’s story. Lee is the only character that truly feels fleshed out. The epilogue also serves no purpose, seeming to only introduce a character that could just as easily be introduced in the next book.
All of that said, I did have fun reading this book. Overall, the writing was pretty good. I might even read the sequel when it finally comes out. This book was decent.
June 14, 2017
I received this book free from Titan books for an honest review.
Lee is a stuntwoman and a very good one at that. Having trained most of her life to do the dangerous falls and fight scenes, her nerves are shaken after she falls from high story building and barely lives to tell the tale. Six months later and as she begins to start working again she is hired to work on a film which slowly escalates to her becoming the main lead as the first actress is killed.
I really enjoyed this novel. While it is set within the realms of the supernatural it doesn’t feel out of place or pushed on the reader. In fact I would personally say I would have loved to have seen more of the supernatural elements within the novel instead of them being a background feature. As the series progresses I can see how they can come to the forefront more and can aid Lee in hunting down the spawn of Lilith.
The actual detailing of what Lee is meant to accomplish and what she is wasn’t very well explained, or at least I didn’t fully understand. We are given a small bit of information at the beginning of the novel and then the next time it is mentioned is at its conclusion with a whole lot of nothing in the middle. There’s nothing particularly wrong with this except I wasn’t entirely sure of it in the beginning so for a huge info-dump at the end didn’t help cure my confusion. I got that she needs to kill other children of Lilith to set her free but I’m not sure why?? Hopefully that will be explained more in the upcoming books.
I liked Lee as a character, she did seem a bit two dimensional at times but, this may be due to the fact that she suffers from recent memory loss and is trying to rediscover her boundaries and relationships with people. She is very bad ass though. Like I wish I could be a stunt woman bad ass. She doesn’t take any crap and despite being a human still manages to hold her own with the supernaturals. What Lee also shows is how women are/can be treated within the entertainment industry. From the news reports and women speaking out we know have a better idea of the pay inconsistencies between men and women and what women have to do to get ahead within the industry. While Lee may not speak out all of the time she speaks out when it is required and will have an effect on the job she is doing.
Overall I loved the book. There is plenty that can be worked on and developed upon in future outings with Lee and I’m intrigued to see how it Lilith fits into Lee’s overall character progression and; I hope when she does make an appearance she lives up the mystery that currently surrounds her.
This book is released in the UK on the 20th June 2017.
Image from Goodreads.
Lee is a stuntwoman and a very good one at that. Having trained most of her life to do the dangerous falls and fight scenes, her nerves are shaken after she falls from high story building and barely lives to tell the tale. Six months later and as she begins to start working again she is hired to work on a film which slowly escalates to her becoming the main lead as the first actress is killed.
I really enjoyed this novel. While it is set within the realms of the supernatural it doesn’t feel out of place or pushed on the reader. In fact I would personally say I would have loved to have seen more of the supernatural elements within the novel instead of them being a background feature. As the series progresses I can see how they can come to the forefront more and can aid Lee in hunting down the spawn of Lilith.
The actual detailing of what Lee is meant to accomplish and what she is wasn’t very well explained, or at least I didn’t fully understand. We are given a small bit of information at the beginning of the novel and then the next time it is mentioned is at its conclusion with a whole lot of nothing in the middle. There’s nothing particularly wrong with this except I wasn’t entirely sure of it in the beginning so for a huge info-dump at the end didn’t help cure my confusion. I got that she needs to kill other children of Lilith to set her free but I’m not sure why?? Hopefully that will be explained more in the upcoming books.
I liked Lee as a character, she did seem a bit two dimensional at times but, this may be due to the fact that she suffers from recent memory loss and is trying to rediscover her boundaries and relationships with people. She is very bad ass though. Like I wish I could be a stunt woman bad ass. She doesn’t take any crap and despite being a human still manages to hold her own with the supernaturals. What Lee also shows is how women are/can be treated within the entertainment industry. From the news reports and women speaking out we know have a better idea of the pay inconsistencies between men and women and what women have to do to get ahead within the industry. While Lee may not speak out all of the time she speaks out when it is required and will have an effect on the job she is doing.
Overall I loved the book. There is plenty that can be worked on and developed upon in future outings with Lee and I’m intrigued to see how it Lilith fits into Lee’s overall character progression and; I hope when she does make an appearance she lives up the mystery that currently surrounds her.
This book is released in the UK on the 20th June 2017.
Image from Goodreads.
June 30, 2017
Wow wow wow!
This is what I've been looking for in a new Urban Fantasy series! Something completely different and so amazing! This definitely just jumped to the top of my favorite series list! I can't wait until the next book!
This is what I've been looking for in a new Urban Fantasy series! Something completely different and so amazing! This definitely just jumped to the top of my favorite series list! I can't wait until the next book!
July 8, 2017
Another great Dana Fredsti book! Love this character and really, REALLY, hope there is another book. Definitely recommend this book. :)
June 6, 2019
70% in and nothing has happened.... I still have no idea what the central idea of the story is... Dnf
September 3, 2020
Supernatural elements and a strong female lead. What more could you want?
May 11, 2020
The Spawn of Lilith by Dana Fredsti has promise, but ultimately didn’t give me everything I wanted. I wanted the chocolate fountain, and instead got like, a stream of chocolate milk that only landed half in the glass. The book takes place in Hollywood, where stunt double Lee Striga is trying to make a comeback after a near-fatal accident on the set of one of her movies. But Hollywood is still a tough town and she competes with all manner of supernatural creatures to get work, despite being human. When she ends up the lead on a movie where people keep ending up dead, though, she has to fight to stay alive and discover who she really is in the process.
So this book had all the aspects that should have made me love it and forcefully thrust it at anyone near me while screaming at them to read it. No, I don’t know how to casually recommend anything. Kickass heroine who loves coffee? Check. Dry, humorous dismissal of toxic masculinity? Check. Caustic wit directed toward Hollywood’s superficiality? Check. Demons, trolls, Nephilim, and goddesses and gods against a backdrop of movie production? Check. I should have been on this book like a cat on catnip. But here’s the rub.
The description on the back of the book mentioned she was joining this big movie and was going to end up the lead actress and all these people are dying on set. This was supposed to be the majority of the story and the major plot line, right? Except that little plot point? Didn’t happen till page two hundred. People didn’t start dying on set until fifty pages from the ending. There were only three hundred and fifty pages total. Whoever decided on the description for the back cover seriously messed up, my friend.
I picked up this book because I wanted death and destruction and a snarky heroine who rose above the odds to kick butt and take names and kill some demons. All while telling Hollywood to screw off with its impossible beauty standards. And while this book did give me that, it didn’t give me that until fifty pages from the end. I kept waiting and waiting for it to happen and I was finally excited to get to that part, only for the climax of the story to go out with a whimper instead of a bang. It was all of the anticipation and none of the satisfaction.
I‘ll give it 2.5/5, because I liked the character and the premise. I’ll even read the sequel to see if the author has figured out her pacing issues. But I’ll be going into it with my guard up, because no one likes to be left hanging.
So this book had all the aspects that should have made me love it and forcefully thrust it at anyone near me while screaming at them to read it. No, I don’t know how to casually recommend anything. Kickass heroine who loves coffee? Check. Dry, humorous dismissal of toxic masculinity? Check. Caustic wit directed toward Hollywood’s superficiality? Check. Demons, trolls, Nephilim, and goddesses and gods against a backdrop of movie production? Check. I should have been on this book like a cat on catnip. But here’s the rub.
The description on the back of the book mentioned she was joining this big movie and was going to end up the lead actress and all these people are dying on set. This was supposed to be the majority of the story and the major plot line, right? Except that little plot point? Didn’t happen till page two hundred. People didn’t start dying on set until fifty pages from the ending. There were only three hundred and fifty pages total. Whoever decided on the description for the back cover seriously messed up, my friend.
I picked up this book because I wanted death and destruction and a snarky heroine who rose above the odds to kick butt and take names and kill some demons. All while telling Hollywood to screw off with its impossible beauty standards. And while this book did give me that, it didn’t give me that until fifty pages from the end. I kept waiting and waiting for it to happen and I was finally excited to get to that part, only for the climax of the story to go out with a whimper instead of a bang. It was all of the anticipation and none of the satisfaction.
I‘ll give it 2.5/5, because I liked the character and the premise. I’ll even read the sequel to see if the author has figured out her pacing issues. But I’ll be going into it with my guard up, because no one likes to be left hanging.
July 26, 2017
"A Hollywood agent who's actually a demon?" Kyra shook her head. "What are the odds of that?"
"Fifty-fifty," Eden and I said at the same time.
The three of us cracked up.
Making it in Hollywood was an urban fantasy before there was urban fantasy. The tale of a young woman overcoming the challenges and seductions on her path to success is so ingrained in popular culture that slipping in non-metaphorical shifters and more than movie magic seems oddly natural. What makes this book stand out is that Lee Striga is a qualified stunt woman, rather than an up-and-coming actress, and that Dana Fredsti charts her progress with such insight, panache and humor.
Of course, Lee nearly doesn't survive the first chapter. That's the kind of place this is. As a full-blood human, she has always been at a slight disadvantage among the half-trolls and maybe quarter succubi, that even her adoption by the Katz family (legendary stunt people and vestigial Nephilim) cannot overcome. Determined to rebuild her career, independently of her paradoxically-protective guardians, Lee plunges into the realm of non-union gladiator movies and pretentious students. When an opportunity comes her way that looks too good to be true, she knows that's probably the case. But if her upbringing has taught her anything, it is to walk into danger with her eyes open. And that the best way of dealing with a priaptic demon is to knee it in the groin.
Lee's ordinary misadventures during filming ring hilariously true, and even those supernatural merge flawlessly from the mis en scene. Even the least of Fredsti's characters fairly crackles with personality and yes, there are shreddies. But there are also such memorable creations as Eden, who is an up-and-coming actress, the pale and interesting Herman Dobell, and Manny, keeper of the Oceans End bar and other things besides. In the course of saving the day, Lee makes friends and potential enemies that will stand her in excellent stead as she continue on her path. Because by the end of this volume, "success" for this particular young woman has taken on an alarming new dimension, with ramifications going as far into the future as they are rooted in the past.
Punchy, pacey, with a prickly edge of female experience, The Spawn of Lilith shows what urban fantasy can be--without studio interference.
"Fifty-fifty," Eden and I said at the same time.
The three of us cracked up.
Making it in Hollywood was an urban fantasy before there was urban fantasy. The tale of a young woman overcoming the challenges and seductions on her path to success is so ingrained in popular culture that slipping in non-metaphorical shifters and more than movie magic seems oddly natural. What makes this book stand out is that Lee Striga is a qualified stunt woman, rather than an up-and-coming actress, and that Dana Fredsti charts her progress with such insight, panache and humor.
Of course, Lee nearly doesn't survive the first chapter. That's the kind of place this is. As a full-blood human, she has always been at a slight disadvantage among the half-trolls and maybe quarter succubi, that even her adoption by the Katz family (legendary stunt people and vestigial Nephilim) cannot overcome. Determined to rebuild her career, independently of her paradoxically-protective guardians, Lee plunges into the realm of non-union gladiator movies and pretentious students. When an opportunity comes her way that looks too good to be true, she knows that's probably the case. But if her upbringing has taught her anything, it is to walk into danger with her eyes open. And that the best way of dealing with a priaptic demon is to knee it in the groin.
Lee's ordinary misadventures during filming ring hilariously true, and even those supernatural merge flawlessly from the mis en scene. Even the least of Fredsti's characters fairly crackles with personality and yes, there are shreddies. But there are also such memorable creations as Eden, who is an up-and-coming actress, the pale and interesting Herman Dobell, and Manny, keeper of the Oceans End bar and other things besides. In the course of saving the day, Lee makes friends and potential enemies that will stand her in excellent stead as she continue on her path. Because by the end of this volume, "success" for this particular young woman has taken on an alarming new dimension, with ramifications going as far into the future as they are rooted in the past.
Punchy, pacey, with a prickly edge of female experience, The Spawn of Lilith shows what urban fantasy can be--without studio interference.
January 9, 2021
Lee Striga is an orphaned stunt woman, an ingegral part of her uncle Sean's stunt troop . Following an horrific stunt gone wrong, and painfully slow rehab,she is desperate to get back to work,despite Sean's reluctance to let her chuck herself off buildings again
As well as gaining a fear of falling,she has lost many precious memories of her parents,leaving her with an amulet that she always keeps on her person to remain close to her mother.
As she navigates her way back into film work via a Z list horror film,she pulls back the curtain to reveal that those who make the movie magic so resonant, are otherworldly.
From nephilim to succubi,there is a sark side to the fame game and someone,or something,has set its sights on Lee...
A kick ass (quite literally) female figure,Lee explodes from the page,fully formed with a wickrd sense of humour. A spiritual sister to the Winchesters, she is someone who not only holds her own in male company,she will beat them up.with their own egos.
It's a fresh and original take on those making illusions looks realistic when in actual fact the magic is absolutely real. From demons to shifters they are hidden,quite literally, in full sight.
The exploration of identity and themes of being a female in a male dominates world without losing that sense of womanhood is really interesting to this reader-I immediately connected with Lee and her close knit family, especially her snarky back and forth banter with Sean's son Seth.
It has moments of pain, grimness and nuances of trying to find yourself in a world which has misplaced you in iy. Lee's identity is so aligned with her profession that without it,she needs to find herself anew.And I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her as she digs into her past, in order to tackle her place in the future.
As well as gaining a fear of falling,she has lost many precious memories of her parents,leaving her with an amulet that she always keeps on her person to remain close to her mother.
As she navigates her way back into film work via a Z list horror film,she pulls back the curtain to reveal that those who make the movie magic so resonant, are otherworldly.
From nephilim to succubi,there is a sark side to the fame game and someone,or something,has set its sights on Lee...
A kick ass (quite literally) female figure,Lee explodes from the page,fully formed with a wickrd sense of humour. A spiritual sister to the Winchesters, she is someone who not only holds her own in male company,she will beat them up.with their own egos.
It's a fresh and original take on those making illusions looks realistic when in actual fact the magic is absolutely real. From demons to shifters they are hidden,quite literally, in full sight.
The exploration of identity and themes of being a female in a male dominates world without losing that sense of womanhood is really interesting to this reader-I immediately connected with Lee and her close knit family, especially her snarky back and forth banter with Sean's son Seth.
It has moments of pain, grimness and nuances of trying to find yourself in a world which has misplaced you in iy. Lee's identity is so aligned with her profession that without it,she needs to find herself anew.And I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her as she digs into her past, in order to tackle her place in the future.
October 12, 2017
A solid 3.5 starrer
The 1st book in an urban fantasy thats fairly fun, harmless and not particularly complex gets that additional half star on account on the lead character, her actual profession and the setting of the book. Lee Striga, our lead, is a stunt actress who post a stunt gone wrong - is now recuperating and fighting her own personal demons. Attempting to strike out on her own as a stuntwoman, she gets pulled into the shooting of a low budget indie movie only to get pulled in when the bodies start dropping. This, in a LA, that has its fair share of supernatural creatures hiding under plain sight, very heavily involved in the movies business. As she grapples with saving her own self, she realizes that there are a lot more things at play including her own heritage
Lee is a fabulous character, a woman in what is traditionally a man's world and more often than not, holds her own. She is independent, strong, and a wise-ass taking no nonsense from anyone. Her supporting cast featuring her stunt crew is kind of well sketched out pretty much presenting a very comfortable family dynamic. The new set of friends she makes adds on another layer to Lee. With her backstory getting a bit of light, Lee is positioned in a pretty interesting spot and almost makes this book a prologue if you will. On the flip side, the book is pretty straightforward, its pretty obvious who is orchestrating the killings, and while the resolution is interesting, the stakes never felt that high - also maybe cos of having read so many urban fantasies over the last few years
The series has potential, definitely wouldnt mind picking up the next book in the series
The 1st book in an urban fantasy thats fairly fun, harmless and not particularly complex gets that additional half star on account on the lead character, her actual profession and the setting of the book. Lee Striga, our lead, is a stunt actress who post a stunt gone wrong - is now recuperating and fighting her own personal demons. Attempting to strike out on her own as a stuntwoman, she gets pulled into the shooting of a low budget indie movie only to get pulled in when the bodies start dropping. This, in a LA, that has its fair share of supernatural creatures hiding under plain sight, very heavily involved in the movies business. As she grapples with saving her own self, she realizes that there are a lot more things at play including her own heritage
Lee is a fabulous character, a woman in what is traditionally a man's world and more often than not, holds her own. She is independent, strong, and a wise-ass taking no nonsense from anyone. Her supporting cast featuring her stunt crew is kind of well sketched out pretty much presenting a very comfortable family dynamic. The new set of friends she makes adds on another layer to Lee. With her backstory getting a bit of light, Lee is positioned in a pretty interesting spot and almost makes this book a prologue if you will. On the flip side, the book is pretty straightforward, its pretty obvious who is orchestrating the killings, and while the resolution is interesting, the stakes never felt that high - also maybe cos of having read so many urban fantasies over the last few years
The series has potential, definitely wouldnt mind picking up the next book in the series
November 6, 2019
Spawn of Lilith is the first in a series that is a solid 3 1/2-star read. It’s a quirky, clever read in which the main character, Lee Striga, is a B-movie stuntwoman in a world and industry populated by supes to which most people (but not everyone) are blissfully unaware.
Lee is smart, self-aware, snarky in a BtVS fun way, and the writing is fast-paced with lots of world-building that is as much about agents, stunt coordination and fight choreography, and lining up work in an industry that values youth and beauty as it is about the things that go bump in the night yet live largely hidden in plain view among us. On the downside, there are some key plot points that are underdeveloped (e.g., was Lee’s nearly fatal accident actually an attempt on her life?, what saved her on the street at Venice Beach?, what were other ancillary characters getting out of conjuring the demons?, and is her friend Eden simply a coworker and friend or something else perhaps less benevolent?, etc.). The ending with the aftermath of the ritual scene had some real pacing problems and felt quite rushed, and the long-awaited “explanation” from Lee’s erstwhile stepfather Sean was not entirely satisfying.
The author was trying to write a mystery unfolding on a B-horror movie film set in an urban fantasy universe. At times, these dueling objectives/genres got in one another’s way. As a reader, you like Lee and are rooting for her. As such, I want to understand more of the world’s backstory—less the biblical Lilith piece and more where the supernaturals came from, how long they’ve been here, and whether everyone who sees them is themselves something “extra” vs. simply some sort of sensitive. For this reason, I’ll read the next book in the series, but to stick with it over the long haul, the author is going to need to have better pacing and less dropping of breadcrumbs for later.
Lee is smart, self-aware, snarky in a BtVS fun way, and the writing is fast-paced with lots of world-building that is as much about agents, stunt coordination and fight choreography, and lining up work in an industry that values youth and beauty as it is about the things that go bump in the night yet live largely hidden in plain view among us. On the downside, there are some key plot points that are underdeveloped (e.g., was Lee’s nearly fatal accident actually an attempt on her life?, what saved her on the street at Venice Beach?, what were other ancillary characters getting out of conjuring the demons?, and is her friend Eden simply a coworker and friend or something else perhaps less benevolent?, etc.). The ending with the aftermath of the ritual scene had some real pacing problems and felt quite rushed, and the long-awaited “explanation” from Lee’s erstwhile stepfather Sean was not entirely satisfying.
The author was trying to write a mystery unfolding on a B-horror movie film set in an urban fantasy universe. At times, these dueling objectives/genres got in one another’s way. As a reader, you like Lee and are rooting for her. As such, I want to understand more of the world’s backstory—less the biblical Lilith piece and more where the supernaturals came from, how long they’ve been here, and whether everyone who sees them is themselves something “extra” vs. simply some sort of sensitive. For this reason, I’ll read the next book in the series, but to stick with it over the long haul, the author is going to need to have better pacing and less dropping of breadcrumbs for later.
April 24, 2020
This was a weird one. The back summary part of the plot only starts in the last third of the book, so for the most part it's a pretty low-key story. We follow Lee around as she recovers from a bad accident, does some low-budget work, makes friends, beats an asshole up, etc. There was a lot of brand name-dropping, which was a little weird, but the story was engaging and even though there wasn't technically a lot going on, I was still invested enough to follow along like a good little reader.
Those last fifty or sixty pages, though, were something else. The "twist" is that the book's genre is horror, not urban fantasy. It got incredibly gory in a matter of pages and the writing style changed to accommodate all the desperate fights to the death. It was hard to stick with in a way that the almost-aimless story of the earlier book hadn't been.
Also, a bunch of minor characters kept wandering around during a demon attack like NPCs that the main character had to herd to safety. (These characters were aware of the demons, too. It was a charged moment where everyone was afraid they were going to die horrifically, except that a bunch of people were just... completely mindless about it.)
I already own the second one, so I'm going to keep reading, but phew. That was just something else.
Those last fifty or sixty pages, though, were something else. The "twist" is that the book's genre is horror, not urban fantasy. It got incredibly gory in a matter of pages and the writing style changed to accommodate all the desperate fights to the death. It was hard to stick with in a way that the almost-aimless story of the earlier book hadn't been.
Also, a bunch of minor characters kept wandering around during a demon attack like NPCs that the main character had to herd to safety. (These characters were aware of the demons, too. It was a charged moment where everyone was afraid they were going to die horrifically, except that a bunch of people were just... completely mindless about it.)
I already own the second one, so I'm going to keep reading, but phew. That was just something else.
June 22, 2022
Interesting premise or should I say, using some interesting elements but... it all feels pretty... it's nice. And when you're looking for a read, you're usually looking for more than nice. Also, I totally skipped those italics parts. Just didn't bother. Didn't care.
I used to adore urban fantasy with kick-ass heroines. This one fits the bill. I am just not... I am not excited, you know? I don't have that many objections (except maybe those whatever it was POV's and the horror elements) but I also don't feel like I need to read the next one.
I have one queer urban fantasy waiting for me in my e-reader. I am not reading it. I am waiting. I need to savour it, I need to give it the respect and time it deserves, I want to treasure it and I can't wait to have that time to jump into its world.
And while I know not every book has that spark, that greatness, I am not sure I can settle for this or that I am looking forward to more demon hunting, if that's how they look. Not my kind of book, I guess.
I used to adore urban fantasy with kick-ass heroines. This one fits the bill. I am just not... I am not excited, you know? I don't have that many objections (except maybe those whatever it was POV's and the horror elements) but I also don't feel like I need to read the next one.
I have one queer urban fantasy waiting for me in my e-reader. I am not reading it. I am waiting. I need to savour it, I need to give it the respect and time it deserves, I want to treasure it and I can't wait to have that time to jump into its world.
And while I know not every book has that spark, that greatness, I am not sure I can settle for this or that I am looking forward to more demon hunting, if that's how they look. Not my kind of book, I guess.
October 2, 2017
This is a promising first book in a new series that's reminiscent in some ways of Richard Kadrey's Sandman Slim novels -- supernatural/occult intruding on the present-day, both even set in LA. But there's not really a resemblance. It's more to say that if you like one you're likely to enjoy the other. Smart-ass characters, in-jokes, generally enjoyable stuff as our heroine, a stuntwoman, has to work back after an accident, falls in with a crowd comprised of both the right and the wrong, and weathers a scene wherein a lot of folks in the movie biz turn out to be supernaturals. The main plotline here works well, though it could get rolling faster. Interjected here and there are side bits building up to the main event that almost get in the way of the main story, but they're brief. Overall, a strong start to a series with a lot of potential. I hope to read more about Lee's adventures soon, and dig into the stories behind some of her new friends along the way.
December 19, 2018
I enjoyed the book. I was confused based upon the blurb about the plot and direction. I spent half the book anticipating the action, which then happened all at the last minute at the end. So it was kind of a weird reading experience, but there were quite a few laughs due to the main character's inner commentary. And then once the action started, I was hooked until the end.
One thing that did bother me a bit was the odd nature of this Hollywood "other" culture existing alongside the "normal" world. I think it was treated a little too casually, almost to where you forgot at times there was supposed to be this expanded secret part of society that existed. When I say it bothered me - it wasn't something that made me want to stop reading or that ruined the book for me, it was just something I noticed. I guess I expected a bit more bleed from the one world to the other. Regardless, I would read more from this series, and would recommend for quick reading enjoyment.
One thing that did bother me a bit was the odd nature of this Hollywood "other" culture existing alongside the "normal" world. I think it was treated a little too casually, almost to where you forgot at times there was supposed to be this expanded secret part of society that existed. When I say it bothered me - it wasn't something that made me want to stop reading or that ruined the book for me, it was just something I noticed. I guess I expected a bit more bleed from the one world to the other. Regardless, I would read more from this series, and would recommend for quick reading enjoyment.
July 23, 2017
Lee Striga is a Hollywood stuntwoman who gets injured during a movie shoot and has to step back to reassess her life. It takes her a bit to figure out how to get back up on the horse, but in the end, Lee is a force worth reckoning with. She's fierce, not afraid to throw herself in harm's way, and quick to protect everyone without worrying about herself. I adore her.
The inside view of low-budget horror films is fascinating, but what really made the book for me was Dana's deft creation of characters. She writes people who are just likable. Some of my favorite parts of the book are when the women Lee meets just hang out and go to the mermaid bar to chat.
This was the perfect airplane read. I was entirely absorbed throughout a cross-country flight. What a fascinating world Dana has created! I can't wait for the next book.
The inside view of low-budget horror films is fascinating, but what really made the book for me was Dana's deft creation of characters. She writes people who are just likable. Some of my favorite parts of the book are when the women Lee meets just hang out and go to the mermaid bar to chat.
This was the perfect airplane read. I was entirely absorbed throughout a cross-country flight. What a fascinating world Dana has created! I can't wait for the next book.
February 20, 2020
A New Chapter on the Myth of Lilith
Urban Fantasy with Supernaturals is definitely a fertile field. Despite common elements it is refreshing to find new approaches to the mythos. The extensive storyline to introduce the characters of Lee, Sean, Seth and others has created a rich universe for this world. Initially, the seemingly unrelated events coalesced into a remarkable whole picture. The characters have life. The unanswered questions and mysterious unknown figures promise more to come. The weight of being a descendant of Lilith and owning a debt to free her appears to be incomprehensible and unfair to the individual. The kickass attitude of this woman is a character strength. Hopefully, she will lose some of her self-doubts as the series progresses. The book has great action. I would highly recommend this novel.
Urban Fantasy with Supernaturals is definitely a fertile field. Despite common elements it is refreshing to find new approaches to the mythos. The extensive storyline to introduce the characters of Lee, Sean, Seth and others has created a rich universe for this world. Initially, the seemingly unrelated events coalesced into a remarkable whole picture. The characters have life. The unanswered questions and mysterious unknown figures promise more to come. The weight of being a descendant of Lilith and owning a debt to free her appears to be incomprehensible and unfair to the individual. The kickass attitude of this woman is a character strength. Hopefully, she will lose some of her self-doubts as the series progresses. The book has great action. I would highly recommend this novel.
October 10, 2017
A good enjoyable fantasy with a who-dun-it mystery. The author keeps you guessing until the end, writes interesting characters, and doesn't give away much. You'll have to read the sequels to find out more. A fast read so you won't feel bogged down. There's not much sex or romance but does contain some gore. None of it is graphic.
The setting is a bit unusual. The supernatural characters are a big but hidden part of the Hollywood scene. The lead character is a human that holds her own working for company of supernatural stunt men and women. They don't hold that against her though.
A good start to what might be an interesting series. I hope the author builds a more in depth world around the main character though.
The setting is a bit unusual. The supernatural characters are a big but hidden part of the Hollywood scene. The lead character is a human that holds her own working for company of supernatural stunt men and women. They don't hold that against her though.
A good start to what might be an interesting series. I hope the author builds a more in depth world around the main character though.
May 28, 2018
I really enjoyed the unique setting used to tell Lee Striga's story. As a stunt woman in a Hollywood filled with all sorts of supernatural beings, Lee's humanity puts her at a distinct disadvantage. She must perform without the aid of super speed, strength, flight, or vision. Her limitations drive her to practice harder and dare more, but when a stunt goes horribly wrong, Lee's human-borne fragility sets her on a new path.
I want to say more about this new path, but it would be a spoiler. Let's just say that while this book resolves one mystery quite satisfactorily, there are some major plot points that get no resolution. Therefore, I assume there will be more books featuring this capable, witty, and resilient heroine.
I want to say more about this new path, but it would be a spoiler. Let's just say that while this book resolves one mystery quite satisfactorily, there are some major plot points that get no resolution. Therefore, I assume there will be more books featuring this capable, witty, and resilient heroine.
February 16, 2019
This is one of the books I found while exploring my library, something that I probably wouldn't have picked up any other time. And I am so glad that I did! This is another urban fantasy, and an author that I will check out more from. It was a fun read. Hollywood stuntwork, actors. But it's mixed with all sorts of paranormal goodies. From long forgotten deities of various pantheons, demons that have to get brutal to get turned on. And of course there is the human who is slightly more than human but doesn't know it. The mythos behind it is unique and it stems from the Adam and Lilith mythology. I wish that this was revealed earlier, so we could learn more about it. But this was just the beginning and does a good job of showing how tough Lee is without her knowing that she is more than human. It is also the first in a series and the second book will be coming out soon! Besides all of that, I liked Lee as a character -even if she did seem a bit bratty at times.
November 11, 2022
Wavering between 3.5 and 4 stars. I really loved the “insider information” on filming, stunt work, and Hollywood. I also loved the characters and their relationships. The story line was interesting, with definite horror elements that worked really well. The world building could have used some work, primarily around the supernaturals themselves. It seemed like EVERYONE in the book was a supe, and not a lot of explanation around that. I also struggled with the POV changes - some are about Lee, some are another entity, and they kicked me out of the easy flow of the main narrative. You don’t really find out what’s going on until the very end, and the reveal was a little abrupt. But overall a really great intro to a new series, and I’m really looking forward to continuing it.
September 19, 2017
It is well written, the characters are all varied and mostly fleshed out, and the book sucks you right into its world.
The problem I had was that this felt more like the first half of a longer novel than a stand alone book. I know more books are coming, and I will read them because I enjoyed this book, but the plot doesn't ... thicken (for lack of a better term) until there are only about 80 pages left.
I'm excited about where this series is going, but I wish the first installment would have given us a bit more plot. That said, the world building was interesting, and I really enjoyed Lee as a lead.
The problem I had was that this felt more like the first half of a longer novel than a stand alone book. I know more books are coming, and I will read them because I enjoyed this book, but the plot doesn't ... thicken (for lack of a better term) until there are only about 80 pages left.
I'm excited about where this series is going, but I wish the first installment would have given us a bit more plot. That said, the world building was interesting, and I really enjoyed Lee as a lead.
September 19, 2018
I bought this book based upon my experience with the Plague series. However, this book seemed to more about explaining things for more than three-quarters of the book and then the latter portion; things jumped to an exciting level and then we are at the end. The book was written way too fast it appears, in my opinion. I will buy the next book in the series with the hopes that with the discovery of exactly who she is and what her origins are (did not want to give out any real spoilers here) that one will be much, much better and have a more developed character and also include the action that should probably go along with this heroine.
October 10, 2019
So, I made a rookie mistake and purchased the book based on the "cool" cover. I know better. From a female stunt woman's prespective, this book was very interesting. Learning all about the different techniques that a stunt person has to use in order to avoid injury was definitely not what I expected. However, with the above being said, this book is very misleading and is really a horror novel. Yes, it has supernatural beings, but they aren't the main focus. The author just uses them as filler. I'm not going to trash the novel, but I don't do horror and I'm definitely not going to read another book by this author.
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