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Alex Caine #2
Obsidian
Alex is trying to rebuild his life with his Kin girlfriend, Silhouette, and deal with his newfound abilities. This doesn't last long, as he's soon enlisted into a clandestine operation to head off some impending doom foretold by Seers linked to Alex's destiny.
Elsewhere, when a company called the Black Diamond lets Claude Darvill know his father has gone missing after chasing Alex Caine, Darvill decides to take up the hunt himself.
And some amateur mages in Britain's north think they have uncovered ancient magic that will reveal unto them great powers. However, they are caught in a vortex and pulled through to a strange lost city, isolated in the void, taking Alex and company along for the ride.
Trapped in a place removed from everything they know, ruled by a hierarchy of monsters, Alex and his friends must find a way to escape Obsidian.
Elsewhere, when a company called the Black Diamond lets Claude Darvill know his father has gone missing after chasing Alex Caine, Darvill decides to take up the hunt himself.
And some amateur mages in Britain's north think they have uncovered ancient magic that will reveal unto them great powers. However, they are caught in a vortex and pulled through to a strange lost city, isolated in the void, taking Alex and company along for the ride.
Trapped in a place removed from everything they know, ruled by a hierarchy of monsters, Alex and his friends must find a way to escape Obsidian.
ebook
First published August 1, 2014
13 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Alan Baxter
135 books526 followersMy book rating system:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Brilliant, I bloody loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really good, highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyable, well worth a read.
I don't talk about ⭐⭐ and ⭐ reads because I only talking up the good stuff. That's why my Goodreads rarely has anything under a ⭐⭐⭐.
Bio: Alan Baxter is a British-Australian multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers, dark fantasy, and crime. He’s also a martial arts expert, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among the valleys of southern Tasmania.
Fond him online at www.alanbaxter.com.au
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Brilliant, I bloody loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really good, highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyable, well worth a read.
I don't talk about ⭐⭐ and ⭐ reads because I only talking up the good stuff. That's why my Goodreads rarely has anything under a ⭐⭐⭐.
Bio: Alan Baxter is a British-Australian multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers, dark fantasy, and crime. He’s also a martial arts expert, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among the valleys of southern Tasmania.
Fond him online at www.alanbaxter.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 4, 2015
Alex Caine returns in this bloody good adventure and follow up to Bound. Obsidian finds Alex and Silhouette looking for purpose and direction in their lives. When they are recruited by a mysterious organisation to combat evil magic, they find themselves transported and trapped in an alternate realm and city where magic, monsters and death lurk around every corner.
Like in Bound, I really enjoyed the easy and action packed style that Baxter writes with throughout the story. It is a fast paced, balls to the wall style that works extremely well alongside his characters and plot. I thought the fight scenes were well choreographed (again, like in Bound) and written, and I was fascinated by Alex's growth and direction throughout the story. I also adored how Silhouette grew from the first novel, becoming even more complex and interesting. The introduction of new organisations and characters also worked well overall in setting things up nicely for future books (although I thought the introduction of new character Claude Darvill was cliched initially, I soon found myself just enjoying his role in the book). I will admit I did a little dance when Black Diamond returned!
I also loved the elements of horror that Baxter brought to this book. The monsters were both exhilarating and creepy, and Obsidian itself was fascinating. If I had one small criticism it would be that I wanted more monsters and more fight scenes!
All in all Obsidian is a very worthy follow up to Bound. It is dark, creepy, and action packed. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. If you love dark urban fantasy or horror then Obsidian is the read you are looking for!
4 out of 5 Stars
Like in Bound, I really enjoyed the easy and action packed style that Baxter writes with throughout the story. It is a fast paced, balls to the wall style that works extremely well alongside his characters and plot. I thought the fight scenes were well choreographed (again, like in Bound) and written, and I was fascinated by Alex's growth and direction throughout the story. I also adored how Silhouette grew from the first novel, becoming even more complex and interesting. The introduction of new organisations and characters also worked well overall in setting things up nicely for future books (although I thought the introduction of new character Claude Darvill was cliched initially, I soon found myself just enjoying his role in the book). I will admit I did a little dance when Black Diamond returned!
I also loved the elements of horror that Baxter brought to this book. The monsters were both exhilarating and creepy, and Obsidian itself was fascinating. If I had one small criticism it would be that I wanted more monsters and more fight scenes!
All in all Obsidian is a very worthy follow up to Bound. It is dark, creepy, and action packed. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. If you love dark urban fantasy or horror then Obsidian is the read you are looking for!
4 out of 5 Stars
January 17, 2018
The story picks up where the last one left off. Alex and Sil are asked to join a secret organisation who police supernatural activity. They agree to freelance and having tracked a group of mages to Scotland they pass through a portal and into Obsidian. From this place Kin can come and go, but humans are trapped. Together they must figure out a way to get home, whilst overcoming the evil reign of a group of Kin.
The story is fast paced with loads of action and fight scenes. There were no sex scenes and this book appeared to have less course language or else I’ve just gotten used to it. Whilst I enjoyed the story I found it a smidge to formulaic lacking real twists. The hero never seemed to be in any real danger even after he was captured and he defeated his opponents too easily. I think Sil is a very underused character mainly because the book is too patriarchal. She spends too much time pining for Alex and not enough time being the kick arse bitch she is. The ending was too much. Alex has gone from enhanced human to superhero where he might as well be a Marvel avenger. Having said that, I will finish out the series as I want to know what happens.
The story is fast paced with loads of action and fight scenes. There were no sex scenes and this book appeared to have less course language or else I’ve just gotten used to it. Whilst I enjoyed the story I found it a smidge to formulaic lacking real twists. The hero never seemed to be in any real danger even after he was captured and he defeated his opponents too easily. I think Sil is a very underused character mainly because the book is too patriarchal. She spends too much time pining for Alex and not enough time being the kick arse bitch she is. The ending was too much. Alex has gone from enhanced human to superhero where he might as well be a Marvel avenger. Having said that, I will finish out the series as I want to know what happens.
June 13, 2017
I’d just finished reading ‘Bound’ - Alex Caine #1 and could not wait to get stuck into book 2 – Obsidian. So I didn’t. And my enthusiasm was rewarded.
Alan Baxter turned the dial up on this one. Evan faster paced than Bound and darker in the world he has created, Obsidian delivers another break neck adventure and stomach churning violence.
When Obsidian opens we find our heroes, Alex Caine and Silhouette, dealing with the impact of their first adventure and yet at a loose end. When your life has been irreversibly changed how do you deal with that? What do you focus on?
Along comes an offer from Armour, a secret organisation combating mystical threats to our world. They are facing something they can’t fathom and offer Caine and Silhouette money and more to help them. In the hands of other writers the idea of a powerful, centuries old secret organisation desperate for the help of two relatively inexperienced civilians might be tad annoying but Baxter is so straight forward in his writing style that I bought it. I never got the feeling I was being manipulated, played or taken for granted as a reader. That, and the pace of the action being so fast I didn’t have time to question it.
Caine and Silhouette take the offer and hit the road running.
In a call back to book 1, Claude Darvill, son of the big bastard from book 1 makes his entrance. He learns his father is missing after chasing Caine and whatever magical object he possesses. So Claude takes up the chase. Claude is a nutter with magical abilities and a pathological hatred for Caine. But they have to work together to face down the nasties they meet when they are transported to another dimension. I enjoyed this new character and the tension he brought to the story.
Caine, Silhouette and their Armour companions, along with Claude are magically thrown into the city of Obsidian, a hateful place governed by a monstrous elite. In this new world we learn more about the terrible power behind the stone embedded in Caine’s chest.
I loved the horrible monsters in Obsidian. They are good, traditional nasty buggers. And Caine is seriously outmatched. We see Caine use his cunning and determination as much as his magic and muscle to overcome these evil bastards.
As in Bound, the action is thrillingly dynamic. The fight scenes are outstanding. While Obsidian is an all-out screaming roller-coaster adventure, Obsidian is more brooding and vastly more worrying than bound. A week after reading it I’m still thinking about it and the dreadful world of Obsidian.
I tried stretching out my enjoyment of Obsidian. Rationing it out to just a chapter or two a day. But as it reached its climax I couldn’t take it and devoured the last third all at once. Reading Alan Baxter is like being given a big, warm hug and a kick in the guts at the same time. I’m looking forward to Book 3 – Abduction.
Alan Baxter turned the dial up on this one. Evan faster paced than Bound and darker in the world he has created, Obsidian delivers another break neck adventure and stomach churning violence.
When Obsidian opens we find our heroes, Alex Caine and Silhouette, dealing with the impact of their first adventure and yet at a loose end. When your life has been irreversibly changed how do you deal with that? What do you focus on?
Along comes an offer from Armour, a secret organisation combating mystical threats to our world. They are facing something they can’t fathom and offer Caine and Silhouette money and more to help them. In the hands of other writers the idea of a powerful, centuries old secret organisation desperate for the help of two relatively inexperienced civilians might be tad annoying but Baxter is so straight forward in his writing style that I bought it. I never got the feeling I was being manipulated, played or taken for granted as a reader. That, and the pace of the action being so fast I didn’t have time to question it.
Caine and Silhouette take the offer and hit the road running.
In a call back to book 1, Claude Darvill, son of the big bastard from book 1 makes his entrance. He learns his father is missing after chasing Caine and whatever magical object he possesses. So Claude takes up the chase. Claude is a nutter with magical abilities and a pathological hatred for Caine. But they have to work together to face down the nasties they meet when they are transported to another dimension. I enjoyed this new character and the tension he brought to the story.
Caine, Silhouette and their Armour companions, along with Claude are magically thrown into the city of Obsidian, a hateful place governed by a monstrous elite. In this new world we learn more about the terrible power behind the stone embedded in Caine’s chest.
I loved the horrible monsters in Obsidian. They are good, traditional nasty buggers. And Caine is seriously outmatched. We see Caine use his cunning and determination as much as his magic and muscle to overcome these evil bastards.
As in Bound, the action is thrillingly dynamic. The fight scenes are outstanding. While Obsidian is an all-out screaming roller-coaster adventure, Obsidian is more brooding and vastly more worrying than bound. A week after reading it I’m still thinking about it and the dreadful world of Obsidian.
I tried stretching out my enjoyment of Obsidian. Rationing it out to just a chapter or two a day. But as it reached its climax I couldn’t take it and devoured the last third all at once. Reading Alan Baxter is like being given a big, warm hug and a kick in the guts at the same time. I’m looking forward to Book 3 – Abduction.
November 26, 2018
Alex returns for this book, extending his adventure in the magical underworld.
For someone who doesn't really read magical thrillers, it was a bit hard to read initially, but you get into the swing of things. More diverse characters are added to this adventure, which makes it worth while, and while there are like 3-4 story arcs, they do intersect and come together. I'm looking forward to the next adventure of Alex's.
For someone who doesn't really read magical thrillers, it was a bit hard to read initially, but you get into the swing of things. More diverse characters are added to this adventure, which makes it worth while, and while there are like 3-4 story arcs, they do intersect and come together. I'm looking forward to the next adventure of Alex's.
November 16, 2014
This is another great read from Alan Baxter!
Book two picks up the story of Alex Caine and Silhouette not very long after book one. However, Alex is already feeling like a bit of a loose end needed direction. Along comes Armour! International secret society protecting the world from evil magic. I found myself wondering where these people were in book one. An explanation was given, but I found it a bit cliché. That was okay, the start of the first book was also a bit cliché and it turned out great.
A new character is also quickly introduced, Claude Darvill, son of the main villain in book one. His introduction, in hindsight, is also a bit cliché, but I didn’t notice while reading the book.
Also introduced early are a trio of would-be wizards seeking a mysterious magic treasure. As they hunt for the treasure, Alex (with friends) hunts them and Claude hunts Alex. They all come together and Alex’s special gem (stuck in his chest from book one.) triggers a trap that sends them all to Obsidian.
Obsidian is an interesting place and is well created. The rest of the story basically follows Alex, and friends, attempts to find a way out. This involves lots of all round action and drama; Another great roller coaster ride.
One slight disappointment, for me, was that I work out how it was going to end well before the end. This took a little bit of shin off the story, because I found it predicable, but I still enjoyed the read.
One other issue, for me, is the use of foul language. I get that Alex and friends are tough and talk tough. What I don’t get is an immortal creature that has been trapped in a pocket universe for some thousands of years also talking and swearing like someone from a pub in Kings Cross. It just frustrates me.
If you loved book one, you will like book two. However, book three is the best of all, and that will be my next review.
Book two picks up the story of Alex Caine and Silhouette not very long after book one. However, Alex is already feeling like a bit of a loose end needed direction. Along comes Armour! International secret society protecting the world from evil magic. I found myself wondering where these people were in book one. An explanation was given, but I found it a bit cliché. That was okay, the start of the first book was also a bit cliché and it turned out great.
A new character is also quickly introduced, Claude Darvill, son of the main villain in book one. His introduction, in hindsight, is also a bit cliché, but I didn’t notice while reading the book.
Also introduced early are a trio of would-be wizards seeking a mysterious magic treasure. As they hunt for the treasure, Alex (with friends) hunts them and Claude hunts Alex. They all come together and Alex’s special gem (stuck in his chest from book one.) triggers a trap that sends them all to Obsidian.
Obsidian is an interesting place and is well created. The rest of the story basically follows Alex, and friends, attempts to find a way out. This involves lots of all round action and drama; Another great roller coaster ride.
One slight disappointment, for me, was that I work out how it was going to end well before the end. This took a little bit of shin off the story, because I found it predicable, but I still enjoyed the read.
One other issue, for me, is the use of foul language. I get that Alex and friends are tough and talk tough. What I don’t get is an immortal creature that has been trapped in a pocket universe for some thousands of years also talking and swearing like someone from a pub in Kings Cross. It just frustrates me.
If you loved book one, you will like book two. However, book three is the best of all, and that will be my next review.
April 13, 2015
This was a good follow-up to Book 1, and much different in many ways. Where I liked the globe-trotting of the first book, there's only a little of that in the early stages of this book before things are changed completely.
Again, the pace is fast and I was turning pages and reading when I should have been doing other things, so the plot did grab me, even if it was a little heavy-handed at times in terms of the exposition and narrative development.
Obsidian is a much different book to its predecessor, almost a different genre, but the characters are style are consistent.
I liked Alex better in this, as he was becoming more assured in his powers, and Silhouette was less annoying for me too. The conflict between Darvill and Alex didn't really work for me, erupting and subsiding in strange ways. Jarrod was an interesting addition, but under-developed.
Armour was a curious addition, especially given the way these books were released. I would have expected some mention of them in Book 1, even if it was just backtracking and dropping some hints to their existence.
Again, the pace is fast and I was turning pages and reading when I should have been doing other things, so the plot did grab me, even if it was a little heavy-handed at times in terms of the exposition and narrative development.
Obsidian is a much different book to its predecessor, almost a different genre, but the characters are style are consistent.
I liked Alex better in this, as he was becoming more assured in his powers, and Silhouette was less annoying for me too. The conflict between Darvill and Alex didn't really work for me, erupting and subsiding in strange ways. Jarrod was an interesting addition, but under-developed.
Armour was a curious addition, especially given the way these books were released. I would have expected some mention of them in Book 1, even if it was just backtracking and dropping some hints to their existence.
October 27, 2014
I'm so glad I'm on long service leave at the moment - I'm making the most of some totally indulgent reading time! I had high hopes for Obsidian after finally getting to read Bound this week, and Alex Caine did not disappoint. It was a sensational read, with a fascinating and terrifying world, and an almost cinematic quality to the writing. I'd say more, but I'm pretty sure book 3 has finished downloading now, so I'm off to read that!
April 21, 2021
Alan Baxter’s Obsidian (Alex Caine) (Volume 2) makes for a really interesting follow-on to book one. In Bound, Alex Caine discovers he has powers–a lot of them. He’s tossed head-first into the world of magic and comes out the other side. In volume 2, he’s at a bit of a loss–he’s too powerful to get any joy out of fighting humans in cage matches any more, but demons are kinda dull too. Then an organization called Armor comes to call on him and Silhouette. They want help in dealing with three people who have stumbled onto a ritual that is way beyond their ability to control. At the same time, Claude Darvill, the son of Mr. Hood from book one, tries to track down Alex to find out what happened to his father. When the smoke clears, they’re all trapped in Obsidian, a magical city seemingly entirely cut off from Earth and run by a vicious cult.
As a minor note: there is way too much sneering in this book. Sometimes it feels like all the characters do is sneer at each other. Also, as Alex learns to use his elemental abilities in the previous book as well as this one, I find myself wondering why it never occurs to him to use air. A well-targeted tornado or two might have made several obstacles easier to overcome, or at least there might have been less collateral damage.
On the positive side: pretty much every time I found myself going, “hey wait a minute…” my concerns were addressed shortly thereafter. I like the fact that Armor has seers (not necessarily amazingly strong ones) who help them find supernatural threats that need to be dealt with.
I don’t want to get too much into talking about Obsidian, because it’s one of those things best unveiled a bit at a time as the story progresses. This is entirely a tonal break from the first book; the only joint threads are the presence of Alex and Sil.
I’m still enjoying this series and look forward to reading book three!
Content note: death/harm of mythical animals in combat.
Original review posted on my blog: https://www.errantdreams.com/2021/04/...
As a minor note: there is way too much sneering in this book. Sometimes it feels like all the characters do is sneer at each other. Also, as Alex learns to use his elemental abilities in the previous book as well as this one, I find myself wondering why it never occurs to him to use air. A well-targeted tornado or two might have made several obstacles easier to overcome, or at least there might have been less collateral damage.
On the positive side: pretty much every time I found myself going, “hey wait a minute…” my concerns were addressed shortly thereafter. I like the fact that Armor has seers (not necessarily amazingly strong ones) who help them find supernatural threats that need to be dealt with.
I don’t want to get too much into talking about Obsidian, because it’s one of those things best unveiled a bit at a time as the story progresses. This is entirely a tonal break from the first book; the only joint threads are the presence of Alex and Sil.
I’m still enjoying this series and look forward to reading book three!
Content note: death/harm of mythical animals in combat.
Original review posted on my blog: https://www.errantdreams.com/2021/04/...
December 25, 2018
In the aftermath of destroying an ancient evil, a secret agency, Armour, approaches Alex and Silhouette with an opportunity to work together, their task to thwart an impending doom foretold by Seers, who seem to know more than they should about Alex. Three amateur mages are meddling in a powerful magic, one that draws not only them, but Alex, Silhouette, and the Armour team into a dark, forbidding realm. And moments behind them is Claude Darvill, for he’s not letting Alex out of his sight until he learns the truth about his father’s mysterious disappearance.
Thrown together in a desperate means for survival, the group discovers the truth about this strange glittering world and its stranger inhabitants along with one frightening reality – there’s a way back, but only for those of Kin blood. When Silhouette refuses to leave his side, Alex knows he has to defeat the ones in power if there’s any hope of escape. Fighting one monster is hard enough – but a score of them? What hope do they have?
This book had so many twists and turns I was guessing (and hoping) the whole way through. Not all enemies are seen, nor all friendships hidden, and certainly not everyone is to be trusted. What I loved most is what a strong and fierce Silhouette is, yet she has no qualms using her feminine wiles to get what she wants.
Thrown together in a desperate means for survival, the group discovers the truth about this strange glittering world and its stranger inhabitants along with one frightening reality – there’s a way back, but only for those of Kin blood. When Silhouette refuses to leave his side, Alex knows he has to defeat the ones in power if there’s any hope of escape. Fighting one monster is hard enough – but a score of them? What hope do they have?
This book had so many twists and turns I was guessing (and hoping) the whole way through. Not all enemies are seen, nor all friendships hidden, and certainly not everyone is to be trusted. What I loved most is what a strong and fierce Silhouette is, yet she has no qualms using her feminine wiles to get what she wants.
June 29, 2017
I liked this book as much as the first one, possibly more. Alan Baxter knows how to write this genre well. The concept of Obsidian and its origins was highly imaginative - the idea of a whole city being, in a sense, unnaturally maintained comes across strongly and has some resonance with themes about modern science sustaining life artificially. The one thing that bothers me about Alex Caine is what he did to Hood in book one. It was worse than anything done by the book's villains - I wish Alan Baxter would go back and change that. But I look forward to the next book and the conclusion of the trilogy.
September 16, 2021
Good story!
I enjoyed this story. I’m particularly enjoying the characters. I liked this book more than book 1 because Alex was in more control over his murderous urges. This storyline incorporated some additional support for Silhouette and Alex which worked really well. I’m excited to see what happens in book 3.
The narration was very good. I really appreciate the way he performs all the different voices. He’s really good with female voices.
This is book 2 and the adventures continue in book 3.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
I enjoyed this story. I’m particularly enjoying the characters. I liked this book more than book 1 because Alex was in more control over his murderous urges. This storyline incorporated some additional support for Silhouette and Alex which worked really well. I’m excited to see what happens in book 3.
The narration was very good. I really appreciate the way he performs all the different voices. He’s really good with female voices.
This is book 2 and the adventures continue in book 3.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
October 18, 2019
Another enjoyable read of the Alex Caine series. Alex is a fully fledged mage now and has been transferred to a 'twilight' world called Obsidian where Kin (vampires) have a farm of Lowen (humans) to entertain and feed them. Alex has to find a way to get back home and to save all the Lowens. The story dragged a bit in the middle whilst the characters were stablising their situation and forming connections. There is a lot of action right at the end but other than that it is sporadic.
March 24, 2021
Alex try's going back to Cage fighting though this time it just no longer satisfies him after everything he gone through in book 1. At least he has Silhouette to talk with. Now they are approached by a organization called Armed, that want to speak with them. All this end up leading them to Obsidian where most of the story takes place. a lot of Human & Kin interaction, fights, hiding. Again I highly recommend this book. Narrator does a nice job on this story.
January 1, 2019
Another great read. Completely different to the first, but so engaging.
January 29, 2024
Alex drew one finger across his throat. "I fucking warned you, cunt".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2016
I read Obsidian after devouring (for the second time) the first novel in Alan Baxter's Alex Caine trilogy. While the first book I inhaled in an afternoon, this one took me a couple of weeks.
Let that not dissuade you from reading it; it says more about my lifestyle than it does about this book.
Having said that, Obsidian isn't the same inhale-in-a-second book that Bound was. This could be because it suffers from the dreaded second book syndrome. But it is more likely to be because the entire situation has to be set up, and the setup is not so effortless as it was in Bound. It's that delicate and difficult situation where your reader may not have read the first book, so how much is too much?
Happily, Obsidian gets over this about two thirds of the way through, where Baxter finds his stride and relaxes into his characters again. And that's the point at which I stopped turning pages and noticing the narrative, and began inhaling the story.
In Obsidian, Alex Caine and his Kin girlfriend Silhouette pick up a contract with an organisation called Armour, which exists to guard the world against what is essentially fey magic. If you've read any of Sergei Lukyanenko's works, you'll feel the parallel with the various Watches guarding the world. In any case, they end up among a group of variously skilled Armour personnel, one of whom is a Seer, Rowan. Rowan is a snivelling little cunt of a man who is also fey-ridden, meaning that he is doing the bidding of the Fey. And that bidding is to connive to get Caine, bearing a shard of the Darak stone as he does, to Obsidian.
Obsidian is a city made entirely of obsidian. It was created by a small number of Kin who farm humans and keep them subservient through a religious story.
As a result of some hapless humans who believe they can work with the Occult, having studied it much of their lives, the humans and the Armour guys all end up at Obsidian.
From there it's a battle to the end of the city, and for a while it's game on.
The book is filled with good fights, a bunch of forgivable and fun narrative props, and some epic monsters. And in the end our hero prevails - as we knew/hoped he would... Otherwise, there wouldn't be a third book, right?
The final third of the book was less an adventure in reading than it was an exercise in cramming the story into my brain as fast as I could.
And when I finished it, I exhaled happily. Looking up at the bookcase to my left I wondered if now would be a good time to start the next book. I hesitated, because once the third book is done, that's it. Sometimes the grief of a concluded story is worth putting off.
In any case, if you haven't read Bound, start there. Obsidian will be more fun, and make a whole lot more sense to you if you do. And if you have read Bound, don't wait to read Obsidian. There's no fun in putting off a good book.
Let that not dissuade you from reading it; it says more about my lifestyle than it does about this book.
Having said that, Obsidian isn't the same inhale-in-a-second book that Bound was. This could be because it suffers from the dreaded second book syndrome. But it is more likely to be because the entire situation has to be set up, and the setup is not so effortless as it was in Bound. It's that delicate and difficult situation where your reader may not have read the first book, so how much is too much?
Happily, Obsidian gets over this about two thirds of the way through, where Baxter finds his stride and relaxes into his characters again. And that's the point at which I stopped turning pages and noticing the narrative, and began inhaling the story.
In Obsidian, Alex Caine and his Kin girlfriend Silhouette pick up a contract with an organisation called Armour, which exists to guard the world against what is essentially fey magic. If you've read any of Sergei Lukyanenko's works, you'll feel the parallel with the various Watches guarding the world. In any case, they end up among a group of variously skilled Armour personnel, one of whom is a Seer, Rowan. Rowan is a snivelling little cunt of a man who is also fey-ridden, meaning that he is doing the bidding of the Fey. And that bidding is to connive to get Caine, bearing a shard of the Darak stone as he does, to Obsidian.
Obsidian is a city made entirely of obsidian. It was created by a small number of Kin who farm humans and keep them subservient through a religious story.
As a result of some hapless humans who believe they can work with the Occult, having studied it much of their lives, the humans and the Armour guys all end up at Obsidian.
From there it's a battle to the end of the city, and for a while it's game on.
The book is filled with good fights, a bunch of forgivable and fun narrative props, and some epic monsters. And in the end our hero prevails - as we knew/hoped he would... Otherwise, there wouldn't be a third book, right?
The final third of the book was less an adventure in reading than it was an exercise in cramming the story into my brain as fast as I could.
And when I finished it, I exhaled happily. Looking up at the bookcase to my left I wondered if now would be a good time to start the next book. I hesitated, because once the third book is done, that's it. Sometimes the grief of a concluded story is worth putting off.
In any case, if you haven't read Bound, start there. Obsidian will be more fun, and make a whole lot more sense to you if you do. And if you have read Bound, don't wait to read Obsidian. There's no fun in putting off a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2016
Having reread 'Bound', the first in this trilogy, I was looking forward to continuing the story of Alex Caine. And I wasn't disappointed, despite the different direction this book took.
Expecting more of the contemporary urban fantasy that I enjoyed in the first book (and his earlier 'MageSign' and 'Realmshift' books, which are set in the same world, but with a different protagonist), it was a little disconcerting at first to find out the reason behind the name of this book.
However, any disappointment was momentary, as I soon got lost in discovering more about Obsidian and the reason for its existence.
This is a great rollicking adventure story and I immediately went on to start the third in the series because I needed to find out what was going to happen to the main character and his band of companions.
Full disclosure: I won a copy of the trilogy signed by the author by winning a short story competition that he was a judge for. I entered the competition because he was one of the judges.
Expecting more of the contemporary urban fantasy that I enjoyed in the first book (and his earlier 'MageSign' and 'Realmshift' books, which are set in the same world, but with a different protagonist), it was a little disconcerting at first to find out the reason behind the name of this book.
However, any disappointment was momentary, as I soon got lost in discovering more about Obsidian and the reason for its existence.
This is a great rollicking adventure story and I immediately went on to start the third in the series because I needed to find out what was going to happen to the main character and his band of companions.
Full disclosure: I won a copy of the trilogy signed by the author by winning a short story competition that he was a judge for. I entered the competition because he was one of the judges.
January 3, 2015
The second in the Alex Caine series continues Alex’s experiences as an adept but in another realm, one made completely of the obsidian of the title. Again Alex finds that his unique abilities lead him into danger and heaps of trouble and only he can resolve the situation. Although cracking along at a good pace, I found this one a little less intense than book one, Bound, with fewer of the fight scenes that Alan Baxter writes so well. However the concept of a village bound by mage in a sub-reality was intriguing and Alan handled it well. I’m looking forward to reading book three in the series, Abduction.
December 22, 2014
This was a good follow up to the first book in the series. Alex and Sil agree to do a job that lands them in a place only magic could have created. its also somewhere that could easily kill them if their enemies don't get to them first.
In this book Alex finally seems to realise using is brain in addition to his brawn is just as valuable for survival and defeat of the bad buys. Its not a perfect book, but its enjoyable to read an urban fantasy with a magic world that has its roots in Australia. It'll be interesting to see if the books can somehow work in the rich history of aboriginal myth into future stories at some point.
In this book Alex finally seems to realise using is brain in addition to his brawn is just as valuable for survival and defeat of the bad buys. Its not a perfect book, but its enjoyable to read an urban fantasy with a magic world that has its roots in Australia. It'll be interesting to see if the books can somehow work in the rich history of aboriginal myth into future stories at some point.
August 11, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed this. When Obsidian kicks off, it seems as though Baxter is going to tread similar ground to Bound, book one of the series (which would have been fine by me). But then he cranks it up to a whole new level and keeps on cranking until the thrilling conclusion. I can't say too much more because I don't want to give it away. But it was great getting reacquainted with Alex and Sil, and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into book three.
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July 19, 2015Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
February 2, 2015
Absolutely a great adventure!
Baxter keeps up with the high powered action, great character interactions, fantastic magic, and great underdog storylines. Caine really is a blend of great power and understated humility. I highly recommend this for those of you that enjoy this genre and for you neophites!
Baxter keeps up with the high powered action, great character interactions, fantastic magic, and great underdog storylines. Caine really is a blend of great power and understated humility. I highly recommend this for those of you that enjoy this genre and for you neophites!
September 8, 2016
Picking up where it left off, Alex Caine learning to use his newly found abilities, gets pulled into something he didn't expect or could plan for.
Again, the story moves at a very fast pace, and you will end up finishing it before you know. Definitely on my "re-read" list.
Again, the story moves at a very fast pace, and you will end up finishing it before you know. Definitely on my "re-read" list.
September 23, 2020
Grabs the threads of book 1 and takes you on a whole new adventure with Alex and Silhouette. More action, another great plot, and the introduction of more fabulous villains.
Another slice of good world building and dark fantasy.
Great read.
Another slice of good world building and dark fantasy.
Great read.
September 30, 2015
I loved this book. It was packed with intriguing characters, awesome action and kept me guessing right to the end. Definitely a page turner and can't wait to read book three in the series.
August 17, 2016
I thought Bound was great. This adventure with Alex Caine is quite a move in a different, but equally exciting, direction. Now heading straight for the third in the series, Abduction.
October 13, 2016
An excellent, self-contained sequel to Bound. Looking forward to the third.
October 30, 2014
Reviewed in Aurealis #76.
April 5, 2017
In this installment, Alex Caine and crew undertake a mission in the strangely isolated micro-world of Obsidian, ruled with an iron fist by a depraved group of Kin. Alex and co must discover its secrets and do their best to free the enslaved populace before they themselves are uncovered.
While it is structurally quite a different book from its predecessor, Obsidian reprises all of the pleasing features of the first installment: hard-nosed characters plunging through a twisty narrative at breakneck pace, brutal and vivid action scenes, and an engaging cast of antiheroes and monsters who must find a way to survive the physical and moral challenges Obsidian pits against them.
While it is structurally quite a different book from its predecessor, Obsidian reprises all of the pleasing features of the first installment: hard-nosed characters plunging through a twisty narrative at breakneck pace, brutal and vivid action scenes, and an engaging cast of antiheroes and monsters who must find a way to survive the physical and moral challenges Obsidian pits against them.
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