They thought it was an ordinary investigation. But it was a werewolf hunt.After losing her partner in the line of duty, Agent Sidney Shaw is forced to team up with a renegade bounty hunter. And she doesn’t’ like it. John Smoke - an incarcerated wild card - is released into her custody, only to push her vaunted training to the limits and toss the FBI playbook out. But a vast hidden network of criminals with the terrifying ability to shapeshift into monsters is spreading its supernatural sickness in the very fabric of human society. Innocents end up dead or missing. Hunting malevolent fiends into the darkest most secret corners of Washington, DC, Smoke and Sid collide with supernatural forces that will stop at nothing to kill them while destroying a nation. Can they set egos aside in time, or will they destroy each other first?
Craig Halloran grew up a role playing fiend and dungeon master's nightmare. Since, he's turned his boundless creativity into more than 80 acclaimed novels that span a wide variety of fantasy fiction sub-genres, from epic fantasy, sword-and-sorcery to future world apocalypse. Creator of the bestselling Darkslayer and the Chronicles of the Dragon series, he imagines unique worlds and wonders that are breathtaking in concept, and then brings them to life in stories brimming with excitement, suspense, and surprise. A former military policeman who now labors in the realm of the remarkable, Halloran has a large and loyal following of devoted fans who eagerly devour his page-turning, action-packed tales of fantastic adventure.
Or drop him a line anytime as he loves to hear from readers: craig@thedarkslayer.com
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#1 Bestseller of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery & KDP All-Star!
Dragon Wars (20 Books) releasing 2020-21
The Darkslayer Series #1 (6 Books)
The Darkslayer Series #2 (10 books)
The Chronicles of Dragon, Series #1 (10 Books)
The Chronicles of Dragon, Series #2 (10 Books)
The Odyssey of Nath Dragon, Prequel series, (5 Books)
The Supernatural Bounty Hunter Files (10 books)
The Henchmen Chronicles (5 Books)
The Red Citadel and the Sorcerer's Power (1 Stand Alone Book)
The Gamma Earth Cycle (2 Books, Work in Progress)
Zombie Impact (3 Books)
Top Spot: Epic Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Coming of Age Anthologies, Werewolves & Shifters Top 5: Thrillers & Suspense/Supernatural/Werewolves & Shifters/Vampires Top 10: Dark Fantasy Top 10: Coming of Age Top 100: Genre Fiction
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: (Free in Kindle Store) #1 Epic Fantasy #1 Sword & Sorcery #1 Coming of Age #1 Urban #1 Horror #1 Dark Fantasy #1 Genetic Engineering #1 Thrillers/Supernatural/Werewolves & Shifters and Vampires
I’d be very curious to know how much of this series Craig Halloran plotted out in advance of writing the first book, because all ten novels hang together very well, and the climatic conclusion depends very much on character development begun in book one.
On the surface, this is an urban fantasy about an ex-special forces soldier and an FBI agent who find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to hunt down supernatural creatures that they (and everyone else in the world) don’t believe exist. But this isn’t the X Files. While there is a lot of investigation, there is also a ton of simply wonderful action and some tremendously enjoyable banter that keeps the novels more on the fun side than on the serious side.
At its heart, the story is about character. Can people resist the temptations of great power, remain true to themselves, and fight the good fight no matter what the cost. Their ability to do that depends very heavily on the relationships they forge, but of course, that is also a great weakness for them as the bad guys are more than happy to use loved ones against our heroes.
I am really glad I stumbled across this series. And highly recommend it for anyone looking for an action-packed, playful, romp through the supernatural world. It’s also great for any lover of urban fantasy tired of seeing only the same old werewolves and vampires appear in every novel. There are a lot of rarely used supernatural creatures here—giants, minotaurs, harpies, and gargoyles to name a few. So if you’re looking for a character driven, guns blazing, urban fantasy with lots of great monsters, join forces with Smoke and Sydney. It’s a heck of a ride.
Ok yes I’m a bit of a stickler for grammar and punctuation so this book crawled up my nerves. Within the first few chapters I noticed several punctuation errors and an unhealthy use of commas and fragmented sentences. There were even a few sentences the author repeated items as if perhaps he tried to restructure the sentence but then maybe didn’t finish it? It’s quite annoying. I understand the benefits of self-pub for an author, but an editor should still be utilized.
That being said, the storyline and plot were actually well developed. There were some serious cliches used and seen and I got through the first book with a lot of cringes, but it wasn’t wholly bad. There’s enough action to keep it moving even though Sidney’s personality fell flat for me at times. Smoke was fun to read, though and I enjoyed him. He really held it together for me. I really felt this book would have been fantastic with a little extra help, but the author didn’t do half-bad with what he has going here.
If you like your FMC A TSTL doormat this is the story for you. Sid would act all badass towards Storm, but she was a bumbling doormat…I am ashamed that she was portrayed as an Air Force Dog Handler…makes us look like bumbling dumbasses. Story had same damn letter repeating same words, and Sid and Storm take turns being the one in danger. Too formulaic
Every published writer has a voice, a particular way of phrasing things, a particular vocabulary of words that have special and defined meanings within the pages of the author’s work. A way of saying things aimed precisely to get and hold the attention of the readers who are likely to pick up the author’s offering.
Craig Halloran goes beyond the ordinary in this regard. I have reviewed many of Craig’s books in his various series. Craig speaks in many different voices, each one honed sharply to the nature of an individual series and expressive of the series’ characters. The Darkslayer series has a completely different feel from the Dragon Wars series, which was written for the young adult market. Nath Dragon is different from both of those.
Now, we are reading the Supernatural Bounty Hunter series, of ten volumes. Guess what! The authorial voice in this series is completely different. These are detective adventure novels at the highest levels. They grab your attention and keep you rolling in suspense from the first to the last page and leave you wanting more, which you will of course get in the following Dragon Hunter series.
Smoke and Sid, the two main protagonists are strongly written characters who will keep you interested and amused. The plots run hot and heavy and leave plenty of room for your curiosity and speculation. You will also encounter some characters from Craig’s other worlds, occasionally.
Without repeating or revealing ten volumes of content, here, I simply wish to assure you that you will be reading a new series, quite different from Craig’s earlier works and well worth your reading time.
Glad there's more to come. Actually more ready to read.
I was unable to read front to back without interruption as I had other tasks to do. But, hey! We're talking 10 books here. :) And, I never left because of boredom and I was always able to finish a book (of 10). I got back to reading with every opportunity eager to go on.
There were many twists through out and interest never lagged. The Sid and Smoke characters were well developed and the ancillary characters had enough development for them to be interesting. I don't think I will be giving away any spoilers by saying the monsters/creatures were interesting/fun/creative.
I haven't decided whether to go for the Dragon Hunter series next or go for the Dark Slayer series though there is a 2nd volume of the Bounty Hunter series and with more of Sid and Smoke.
This one never lets you rest and keeps you jumping to the next book or books as is the case here. Thoroughly enjoyed this book until it introduced the 'cloning'. I guess there had to be a way to create' deaders ' and I'm sure at this point you're wondering why I'm on board with all the supernatural side of things but not' deaders'? Well cloning things isn't anything supernatural and seeing as to how these days its a reality although we're being told this isn't going on with humans? Well food for thought my fellow readers. Still all in all a very quick paced read and I'm sure I'll be reading the next in this series.😁
Sid is an FBI agent suddenly given an assignment to work with Smoke, who is currently in jail, to work on the Black Slate. The Black Slate are special criminals that no one has been able to capture. This starts a wild ride of good and evil. Shifters of all types, a vampire and someone who believes he is a god are just some of TBE characters we meet. Sometimes people are not are not what or who we believe they are. Ordinary people beating extraordinary odds. I was captivated.
Serial novel has FBI agent Sidney going to a prison in Huntsville, Alabama to get a prisoner named john smoke.Her life is turned topsy turvy when she realizes that she's gotten involved to uncover a conspiracy that will affect everyone....would make a better dark universe than the proposed one.enjoyed,read slower when I got towards the end.hope you enjoy it!
The problem with reading a collection is that you sometimes need a break - like the one you’d have had of you read the book as and when they were published. This was no different and I got just past halfway when I needed a break from the issues Sid had with being with Smoke and also the repeated attempts on their lives. All in all, it was not a bad series and in the end, most got what they deserved.
This series has some wild twist and turns in the drama. You think one way and a book or two later and you are turned around. I only found 3 errors in the series. That is my only complaint. Oh my second is John Smoke should have said, in his supernatural form, I’m Batman. That would have been so him in his corny way. Smoke is just a great character.
This is a action packed 10 book series. Each book contained 35-40 chapters each.
Action packed, lite supernatural, which I liked because I’m not into the supernatural genre. No sex, light romance. I wish it was more balanced in equal levels.
If you want a very good action pack series that reads like an action movie, this is it.
An extremely well written series that pulls you in until you have finished. Lots of twists, turns and action to keep you involved in the story. From knights, werewolves, Minotaurs, gargoyles and more. A definite must read for those who love action and everything paranormal; it won’t disappoint.
I really enjoyed this book I got the audio Book too which had amazing actor read this series.
If you like supernatural and initially the books have some FBI elements the later are more about the main characters trials and tribulations but each book has some main plotline most books within the series take down a bad guy.
I loved each book more than the one before. So much action, suspense, and FUN! Every book in the series is a complete story, but it is best to read the whole series, in order, for the mega story arch. Generally I get bored halfway through a series this long, but Halloran easily maintains the tension and suspense and keeps the characters evolving.
The best I can say for these books is that they were just OK. They started out with promise, but as the books went on, it was a different version of the same thing over and over again. The slow burning romance was no romance at all, the plot lines were not well thought through. I couldn’t continue reading past fourth book.
Decent outline but the female agent "follows orders" to the point of stupidity. I'm only on book two so maybe it gets better? I've been bored since 1/4 of the way through book one. Kept hoping she wouldn't keep making stupid decisions that drag the book out. It's got room to get better but I kind of doubt it will.
Look the book would be great if the main character Sidney wasn't in it.she is supposed to be an aweso.e fbi field agent but really isnt.the sid character is probably one of the worse characters I've ever read.rewrite this book leave out the Sidney character and it would be a great read.
Sidney is an FBI agent. Smoke is currently in prison. The FBI have files on supernatural events. Smoke has been a naval Seal also a Bounty Hunter. With special skills. FBI puts the two together to investigate the supernatural files. Interesting book not my usual read.
Although I never take the time to review books I made a rare exception with this series. Purchased the audiobooks to go along with the written. Worth every penny. 5 stars
Wonderfully done! I am hoping that the characters and similar story lines are forth coming. I just can't think anything else I read after this is going to make the grade.
I've enjoyed this series immensely. Interesting characters and world building. I hope he continues with this series someday! ( insert subtle hint here)
This review covers all ten books. I enjoyed this very well-defined tale, with characters.who are both ordinary and extraordinary. Smoke and Sid have snarkiness down to a fine art. I recommend this for a long weekend's read.
First this series is different and has a number of good points however the characters are juvenile and the story goes on for way to long. If you want a holiday read ie read and forget this is the one for you
An intriguing plot with a well written story line.
A bit outlandish at times yet with twists that keep it interesting as you follow the plot. Well written and with enjoyable character developments through all 10 books. A fun imaginary read with lots of action.
Totally loved this boxed set! Smoke and Sidney are a fabulous duo. Add in Sam, Guppy, Mal, Asia, and the other supporting characters and you have a great bunch of characters. Love the storyline, the villains, the intrigue! Highly recommend!