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Berkeley Blackfriars #1
The Kingdom
An unhinged tycoon. A lodge of evil magicians.
A plan to steal every child from the face of the earth.
Fr. Richard Kinney is having a crappy week. He’s not at all sure he’s the best leader for the demon-hunting Berkeley Blackfriars, his boyfriend has just broken up with him, and his last exorcism did not go well.
Kat Webber is in over her head. After discovering her brother’s comatose body in the midst of a demonic ritual, her heart sinks as she realizes he was up to something sketchy…maybe even evil.
Reaching out to the Blackfriars for help, Kat and Richard uncover a lodge of evil magickians who make every avocado in the world disappear—then every dog.
It’s a race against time as Kat and the Blackfriars try to stop the magickians from eliminating their next target—every child on earth.
Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Preacher, The Dresden Files, and the Mercy Thompson series will love this spine-tingling yet humorous supernatural suspense novel.
A plan to steal every child from the face of the earth.
Fr. Richard Kinney is having a crappy week. He’s not at all sure he’s the best leader for the demon-hunting Berkeley Blackfriars, his boyfriend has just broken up with him, and his last exorcism did not go well.
Kat Webber is in over her head. After discovering her brother’s comatose body in the midst of a demonic ritual, her heart sinks as she realizes he was up to something sketchy…maybe even evil.
Reaching out to the Blackfriars for help, Kat and Richard uncover a lodge of evil magickians who make every avocado in the world disappear—then every dog.
It’s a race against time as Kat and the Blackfriars try to stop the magickians from eliminating their next target—every child on earth.
Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Preacher, The Dresden Files, and the Mercy Thompson series will love this spine-tingling yet humorous supernatural suspense novel.
428 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 31, 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars - Not Like Any Church I Know ... Yay!
Well, this wasn't like the church I grew up in, thank goodness. And who knew?! I guess J.R. Mabry did. His mix of a diverse cast of characters in a creative, well-built modern world of paranormal made for a nice foundation to start the series.
I liked all the characters among the Berkeley Blackfriars; how they were developed and worked together as a team; the collection of both gay and straight; the Bay Area setting; how real-life issues intruded upon their demon hunting; the non-intrusive, interesting way religion and theology were woven in; and the balance of the dark and heavy with light humor. The story arc came to a satisfactory conclusion; but it still left me hanging a bit, not as in a cliff, but unresolved for the characters. Granted, it's a series, so in that way it certainly propelled me on to book 2.
Well, this wasn't like the church I grew up in, thank goodness. And who knew?! I guess J.R. Mabry did. His mix of a diverse cast of characters in a creative, well-built modern world of paranormal made for a nice foundation to start the series.
I liked all the characters among the Berkeley Blackfriars; how they were developed and worked together as a team; the collection of both gay and straight; the Bay Area setting; how real-life issues intruded upon their demon hunting; the non-intrusive, interesting way religion and theology were woven in; and the balance of the dark and heavy with light humor. The story arc came to a satisfactory conclusion; but it still left me hanging a bit, not as in a cliff, but unresolved for the characters. Granted, it's a series, so in that way it certainly propelled me on to book 2.
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May 28, 2021My first experience in this world was reading the short story The Demon Bunny of Ipswich with Kat. I liked that it was humorous and she was foul mouthed with good attitude and it was that that made me want to get into the series despite being on my TBR for a few years.
Now, i did enjoy the different take on this group of characters being open minded of other backgrounds and a part of the lgbtq+ community while being Christians. I'm all for those that are accepting and want to spread love the right way with no ignorant exclusions. I'm not religious and i tried to keep up with the takes on Christianity that the characters were giving and i wouldn't really say i have an opinion on it since religion is not my thing and i wouldn't say i'm that educated on it but i do believe both religious and non religious people could both like and dislike some elements. I did like the family bond that the characters shared but i felt the writing could come across as choppy and some of the dialogue may have seemed a little forced.
I liked the characters enough and coming from the short story with Kat, i went in wanting to attach to her but was expecting a bit more from her. She was cool but a few times she almost came across as little whiny (not that she shouldn't with the shit she was going through, i guess) and i understand they had a "meant for each other" vibe but she fell in love a bit too quick. Same goes for Mikael with falling in love too soon. I also felt that she converted too soon. It should have been a developed thing. She came from being committed to Wicca and not being sure if she even believed in God to jumping for Dylan to baptize her and saying that their Jesus painting spoke to her and made her emotional. It's one of the things i didn't want to get too opinionated about because i think it's okay if she felt that way but she could have felt that emotion or spirituality through her sisterhood coven as well or through other means. However, that's just my opinion and like i said before it's totally fine for one coming from a different background or religion to have a deeper connection to Christianity if that's what they decide, it's just a thought.
The story was interesting with avocados and dogs disappearing from the world and everyone's reactions to it and the team dealing with Kat's brother's coven and a crazy psycho rich dude. Could i have had more action? Sure but, it wasn't necessary for the story. Though, there were a few parts that dragged because it was a quite a bit of sitting at the kitchen table and explaining and talking. Despite that, I could see myself coming back for more.
Now, i did enjoy the different take on this group of characters being open minded of other backgrounds and a part of the lgbtq+ community while being Christians. I'm all for those that are accepting and want to spread love the right way with no ignorant exclusions. I'm not religious and i tried to keep up with the takes on Christianity that the characters were giving and i wouldn't really say i have an opinion on it since religion is not my thing and i wouldn't say i'm that educated on it but i do believe both religious and non religious people could both like and dislike some elements. I did like the family bond that the characters shared but i felt the writing could come across as choppy and some of the dialogue may have seemed a little forced.
I liked the characters enough and coming from the short story with Kat, i went in wanting to attach to her but was expecting a bit more from her. She was cool but a few times she almost came across as little whiny (not that she shouldn't with the shit she was going through, i guess) and i understand they had a "meant for each other" vibe but she fell in love a bit too quick. Same goes for Mikael with falling in love too soon. I also felt that she converted too soon. It should have been a developed thing. She came from being committed to Wicca and not being sure if she even believed in God to jumping for Dylan to baptize her and saying that their Jesus painting spoke to her and made her emotional. It's one of the things i didn't want to get too opinionated about because i think it's okay if she felt that way but she could have felt that emotion or spirituality through her sisterhood coven as well or through other means. However, that's just my opinion and like i said before it's totally fine for one coming from a different background or religion to have a deeper connection to Christianity if that's what they decide, it's just a thought.
The story was interesting with avocados and dogs disappearing from the world and everyone's reactions to it and the team dealing with Kat's brother's coven and a crazy psycho rich dude. Could i have had more action? Sure but, it wasn't necessary for the story. Though, there were a few parts that dragged because it was a quite a bit of sitting at the kitchen table and explaining and talking. Despite that, I could see myself coming back for more.
January 2, 2018
J.R. Mabry has done a great job creating one of the most interesting collection of characters I've come across. The main characters are a group of Friars, who are part of the Old Catholic church - an independent group of churches that have separated from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholics - but they're not what you'd expect for Catholic clergy.
For starters they're decidedly not celibate, and there are a couple of rather explicit scenes involving gay sex. They swear, drink, smoke weed and will do pretty much whatever they need to in order to fight the very real demons that creep into our world - including learning practices from non-Christian faiths including Wicca, Enochian and Goetic magick and shamanism.
No, they're not traditional Friars, but the story makes it clear that there's no doubting the sincerity of their faith.
There's a lot of humour in the book and a lot of tension. Between the disappearance of all the avocados in the world, demonic possessions to dispel and their very human vulnerabilities, the Friars keep busy. I enjoyed just how real the characters come across. I found myself laughing, crying, celebrating and mourning with them - cheering them on and getting mad at them.
This is the first book of a trilogy and the next two parts are due to come out in the first half of 2018. I'm looking forward to seeing what they get to handle with next.
For starters they're decidedly not celibate, and there are a couple of rather explicit scenes involving gay sex. They swear, drink, smoke weed and will do pretty much whatever they need to in order to fight the very real demons that creep into our world - including learning practices from non-Christian faiths including Wicca, Enochian and Goetic magick and shamanism.
No, they're not traditional Friars, but the story makes it clear that there's no doubting the sincerity of their faith.
There's a lot of humour in the book and a lot of tension. Between the disappearance of all the avocados in the world, demonic possessions to dispel and their very human vulnerabilities, the Friars keep busy. I enjoyed just how real the characters come across. I found myself laughing, crying, celebrating and mourning with them - cheering them on and getting mad at them.
This is the first book of a trilogy and the next two parts are due to come out in the first half of 2018. I'm looking forward to seeing what they get to handle with next.
March 20, 2018
This book was such a surprising read for me. Based on the cover, I figured there would be an urban fantasy novel with magic, yet I never imagined that friars would be the dashing heroes in this novel. I never grew up with religion, so I tend to avoid novels that focus on God and Jesus. However, the author created the most unconventional priests, who make you smile and laugh. These characters are probably the most unconventional cast of characters I have ever read in a novel.
Mabry's writing also makes you attached to these unorthodox friars, who feel so realistic with their choices and feelings. You may not always approve of their decisions, yet you appreciate that these characters have flaws. After reading the first book in the trilogy, I am interested to read about the challenges and adventures they will go on. There are also other questions I have with the ending of this novel. I plan to keep a look out for the next book in the series.
I received this novel in a Good Reads Giveaway in return for an honest review. I want to thank the publisher for sending me a novel that made me obsessed. I feel like this novel is a hidden gem that needs to be shared.
Mabry's writing also makes you attached to these unorthodox friars, who feel so realistic with their choices and feelings. You may not always approve of their decisions, yet you appreciate that these characters have flaws. After reading the first book in the trilogy, I am interested to read about the challenges and adventures they will go on. There are also other questions I have with the ending of this novel. I plan to keep a look out for the next book in the series.
I received this novel in a Good Reads Giveaway in return for an honest review. I want to thank the publisher for sending me a novel that made me obsessed. I feel like this novel is a hidden gem that needs to be shared.
March 1, 2018
This is a brilliantly written book, with a wide variety of personalities and talents, to make up both the main and supporting characters, which meant the story was filled to the brim with an excellent depth of interaction and detail. The world was also excellently detailed, making the story very easy to connect with.
I found the overall story very interesting and unique. I loved the storyline and the way the characters and their actions took that and ran with it, really building a full story to delve into.
The book was very well written and definitely paid attention to all the little details needed to give a full perspective of a story with such depth, really building something that could be carried forward, into an excellent series. It has all the background needed to really become something that people are going to want to gobble up, the moment it is released.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and look forward to the next instalment!
I found the overall story very interesting and unique. I loved the storyline and the way the characters and their actions took that and ran with it, really building a full story to delve into.
The book was very well written and definitely paid attention to all the little details needed to give a full perspective of a story with such depth, really building something that could be carried forward, into an excellent series. It has all the background needed to really become something that people are going to want to gobble up, the moment it is released.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and look forward to the next instalment!
July 9, 2018
I won the book in a Goodread contest giveaway and I'm still trying to figure it out (not the fact that I entered and won) but the book. It's a great book on so many levels. I'm into my third rereading and still discovering levels to the book that went previously unnoticed. The book works as a fantasy because of the setting, the author gets into theological discussions (as how could he not when one - if not the major - characters is a gay monk? There is also a married religious couple added to the group of monks who actually don't belong to a legitimate religious order, something they don't discover until later in the book. Their handling of that situation is worth a second look by itself. The plot moves along quickly, the characters are all engaging and all are noteworthy. As a Catholic myself, I find some of their viewpoints enlightening and worthy of consideration, which is one of the reasons I've been re-reading the book. Entertaining and thought-provoking, win-win!
January 31, 2018
I was a First Read Winner of this Book and I really enjoyed it. I was not really sure what to expect but I found myself unable to put the book down because I just needed to know what would happen next. I loved the motley crew of old-catholic friars, who love to drink, smoke weed and are not afraid to use some colorful language. If you are offended by openly guy characters than this book is not for you, I found it rather refreshing. There was plenty of action, suspense, romance, magic, demons, angels and a very bad hombre. Of course I was emotionally invested in the storyline since I love me some guacamole and my dog is family, so I was really hoping that order could be restored to earth and lucky for us the Blackfriars did not disappoint. Can't wait to see what will happen next, very entertaining read.
February 22, 2018
Really don't know what to say about this book. Is fantasy, mystery, humor,God, and demons. Is written as a satire or a take off. Is weird! Has exorcists as main characters who fight demons through out. They are in process of being excommuncicated from the church due to their sinful appetites. Is laughable and serious at the same time. Very confusing at times as it is on the edge of truth. Thanks to Goodreads.
January 28, 2018
This is a great sci-fi story about some imperfect priests that perform exorcisms. Sounds scary but is mostly funny with true to life people facing their own problems while helping others. Their adventures and how they face them is inspiring. I will surely read the next two books in the series. I received this book from Goodreads for free.
July 22, 2020
Good Premise
This book is well written and the plot is fascinating . However I had two problems: one is the homosexuality of priests, very offending to me; and the second one is all the bad language, especially the misuse of the Lord's name and the "f" word! Other than that the story was riveting.
This book is well written and the plot is fascinating . However I had two problems: one is the homosexuality of priests, very offending to me; and the second one is all the bad language, especially the misuse of the Lord's name and the "f" word! Other than that the story was riveting.
January 23, 2018
A fun romp with a group of old-catholic friars trying to save the world from demons and magickians.
I enjoyed this story and I'm curious to see where it goes to next. I found the beginning a little frustrating but glad I stuck with it.
I enjoyed this story and I'm curious to see where it goes to next. I found the beginning a little frustrating but glad I stuck with it.
February 5, 2018
This book was soooo good!!! I won this book from a goodreads giveaway and sooo glad I did! I could not put it down! The story was compelling and intriguing!! The characters are unique and down to earth where they are connectable to you. I am sooo looking forward to more books!
February 8, 2018
Wow, wasn't sure what to expect but this was actually a lot of fun, irreverent and heretical maybe, but it pokes a bit of fun a religion while looking at what faith truly is meant to be, of course there's a great adventure at the same time, can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
December 24, 2023
Warm (love wins!), wild (lots of cursing, pot-smoking, troubled, promiscuous, non-straight priests), love the reapperance of
May 28, 2020
Eccentrically Entertaining
Unusual subject matter with various vagaries that all work well because this is an excellently written book. Great character depth and development of personalities.
Unusual subject matter with various vagaries that all work well because this is an excellently written book. Great character depth and development of personalities.
November 5, 2022
I wish there was a sixth, seventh, or eighth star to give this book. I don't like writing long reviews so I will simply say, it kicks ass.
November 19, 2018
If you like Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files then you should give this book a chance.
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February 19, 2018I won this book from a goodreads giveaway. I was looking for something different from my usual reading, and boy did I find it. This was a really good book. It was a page-turner. I loved the characters and wanted to know what was going to happen to each of them in their journey of saving the world from the demons. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I'll recommend it to my friends.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews