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Nocturne City #3
Second Skin
When werewolves from Nocturne City's oldest packs start showing up shot through the head execution-style, police officer Luna Wilder must find out what's killing them and why…before she becomes the next victim.
Luna traces the killings to a band of shapeshifters made of smoke and shadow who drink the blood of their victims for strength. Believed to exist only in legend, their race is all too real—and now their leader, Lucas Kennuka, is out to wrest Luna's heart from her beloved Dmitri. To make matters worse, Dmitri is suffering from a mysterious illness brought on by a demon bite, and his condition grows more grave with each passing day. Now Luna must rely on Lucas to defeat an invisible enemy—a serial were-killer bringing death and destruction to all who stand in its path…
Luna traces the killings to a band of shapeshifters made of smoke and shadow who drink the blood of their victims for strength. Believed to exist only in legend, their race is all too real—and now their leader, Lucas Kennuka, is out to wrest Luna's heart from her beloved Dmitri. To make matters worse, Dmitri is suffering from a mysterious illness brought on by a demon bite, and his condition grows more grave with each passing day. Now Luna must rely on Lucas to defeat an invisible enemy—a serial were-killer bringing death and destruction to all who stand in its path…
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 3, 2009
16 people are currently reading
1280 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Kittredge
171 books1,119 followersCaitlin started writing novels at age 13. Her first was a Star Wars tie-in. Fortunately, she branched out from there and after a few years trying to be a screenwriter, a comic book writer and the author of copious amounts of fanfiction, she tried to write a novel again. Her epic dark fantasy (thankfully) never saw the light of day but while she was struggling with elves and sorcerers she got the idea of writing a story about a werewolf who fought crime.
Two years and many, many drafts later, she pitched Night Life to a bevy of agents and one of them, Rachel Vater, sold the series to St. Martin’s.
Caitlin collects comic books, print books, vintage clothes, and bad habits. She loves tea, loud music, the color black (especially mixed with the color pink) and ghost stories. She can drive a stick shift, play the violin and knows more English curses than American ones.
Caitlin lives in Olympia, WA with two pushy cats.
http://us.macmillan.com/bonegods/Cait...
Two years and many, many drafts later, she pitched Night Life to a bevy of agents and one of them, Rachel Vater, sold the series to St. Martin’s.
Caitlin collects comic books, print books, vintage clothes, and bad habits. She loves tea, loud music, the color black (especially mixed with the color pink) and ghost stories. She can drive a stick shift, play the violin and knows more English curses than American ones.
Caitlin lives in Olympia, WA with two pushy cats.
http://us.macmillan.com/bonegods/Cait...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 2, 2010
I had heard kind of mixed reviews about Kittredge so I decided to check her out and committed myself to reading the first three books in her Nocturne City werewolf series.
These books were so bad that, just for a second, let's put aside the poor storytelling and GAPING PLOT HOLES and consider the fact that for the first time ever in my long history of reading books, I wanted to punch the so-called heroine of a book right in the throat. Hard. Repeatedly.
Luna Wilder is such a cast-iron, grade A bitch that halfway through the frist novel in the series I found myself wishing the bitch would just die. I love me a smart-assed shit-kicking protagonist but this character just defied imagination. The weirdest thing of all is that Kittredge didn't seem to feel any need at all to explain why her werewolf heroine feels the need to insult and sneer at damn near everybody--even people who try to help her. Sure she's Insoli-a lone werewolf-and sure, most humans consider weres to be little better than bad-tempered dogs, but that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of why Luna feels the need to tell a police negotiator who just got a front-row seat to a man jumping off a four-story building to kiss pavement, that if he didn't clear her unit to leave the scene then "...someone is going to lose their temper and might punch you. Perhaps even in the face."
What a freakin' sweetheart.
Bottom line: save yourself a slow painful experience and don't pick up these books. Aside from the most annoying pissy protagonist to grace a page in probably a hundred years, the storytelling is poor and there were so many plot holes that I'm surprised I didn't break an ankle. Someone needs to tell Kittredge that b-i-t-c-h-y doesn't spell "relatable."
These books were so bad that, just for a second, let's put aside the poor storytelling and GAPING PLOT HOLES and consider the fact that for the first time ever in my long history of reading books, I wanted to punch the so-called heroine of a book right in the throat. Hard. Repeatedly.
Luna Wilder is such a cast-iron, grade A bitch that halfway through the frist novel in the series I found myself wishing the bitch would just die. I love me a smart-assed shit-kicking protagonist but this character just defied imagination. The weirdest thing of all is that Kittredge didn't seem to feel any need at all to explain why her werewolf heroine feels the need to insult and sneer at damn near everybody--even people who try to help her. Sure she's Insoli-a lone werewolf-and sure, most humans consider weres to be little better than bad-tempered dogs, but that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of why Luna feels the need to tell a police negotiator who just got a front-row seat to a man jumping off a four-story building to kiss pavement, that if he didn't clear her unit to leave the scene then "...someone is going to lose their temper and might punch you. Perhaps even in the face."
What a freakin' sweetheart.
Bottom line: save yourself a slow painful experience and don't pick up these books. Aside from the most annoying pissy protagonist to grace a page in probably a hundred years, the storytelling is poor and there were so many plot holes that I'm surprised I didn't break an ankle. Someone needs to tell Kittredge that b-i-t-c-h-y doesn't spell "relatable."
February 20, 2019
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56 points/100 (3 stars)
Luna Wilder is a homicide detective, and someone is killing the oldest packs of Nocturne City, execution style. The killings are traced back to something that was considered a legend. But that isn't the end of the story, there is more to this than meets the eye.
The investigation in Second Skin so far has been the most interesting thing about the series to date. It didn't exactly fix the worldbuilding, it is too late for that. It did, however, add interesting elements into the story. The investigation wasn't as poorly handled as the last few books, either.
Unfortunately, I still didn't much care the characters. Though some have some redeeming qualities, for the most part I just hate the people and I hate the attitudes of the people. Bryce, who was an asshole before, has grown up and comes to Luna for help, and he becomes one of the better characters of the series. This turnaround adds a lot to the story.
Luna and Dmitri are back together as of the end of the last book, and are now having relationship troubles. Because of course they are. These are two people with wildly different ideas about where they are going. Yet, they are determined to fucking do it anyway. This relationship has no business existing. They are fighting constantly. Luna doesn't want to be back, but Dmitri needs her to be pack. Dmitri hates the fact that she is a detective, yet Luna has to be a cop. The only aspects of their person we know, they hate in each other. Awful. They actually managed to fight the entire book.
The story is better than it was in Pure Blood, by a lot. That just isn't really saying much. At least this was mostly readable, even if it wasn't particularly enjoyable.
56 points/100 (3 stars)
Luna Wilder is a homicide detective, and someone is killing the oldest packs of Nocturne City, execution style. The killings are traced back to something that was considered a legend. But that isn't the end of the story, there is more to this than meets the eye.
The investigation in Second Skin so far has been the most interesting thing about the series to date. It didn't exactly fix the worldbuilding, it is too late for that. It did, however, add interesting elements into the story. The investigation wasn't as poorly handled as the last few books, either.
Unfortunately, I still didn't much care the characters. Though some have some redeeming qualities, for the most part I just hate the people and I hate the attitudes of the people. Bryce, who was an asshole before, has grown up and comes to Luna for help, and he becomes one of the better characters of the series. This turnaround adds a lot to the story.
Luna and Dmitri are back together as of the end of the last book, and are now having relationship troubles. Because of course they are. These are two people with wildly different ideas about where they are going. Yet, they are determined to fucking do it anyway. This relationship has no business existing. They are fighting constantly. Luna doesn't want to be back, but Dmitri needs her to be pack. Dmitri hates the fact that she is a detective, yet Luna has to be a cop. The only aspects of their person we know, they hate in each other. Awful. They actually managed to fight the entire book.
The story is better than it was in Pure Blood, by a lot. That just isn't really saying much. At least this was mostly readable, even if it wasn't particularly enjoyable.
September 21, 2009
This third book really was a disappointment. Luna needs to do something. She needs to progress and actually move forward. She needs to figure out something about herself and then she needs to change her life. It's called character development. She keeps making the same mistakes over and over again. She keeps doing the same stupid things again and again and the same people tell her not to do it and she does it.
We get no details about anyone else. Most of the other people are mere window dressing. What is the big deal with her family? Why after three books do we still have no details? This mystery should not be coming out so slowly. We don't know enough about the characters to care to keep reading the series. We aren't invested. At least I am not.
I need more detail. I need real development and growth. There is a great world here. There is great potential and it isn't being realized. It's depressing.
We get no details about anyone else. Most of the other people are mere window dressing. What is the big deal with her family? Why after three books do we still have no details? This mystery should not be coming out so slowly. We don't know enough about the characters to care to keep reading the series. We aren't invested. At least I am not.
I need more detail. I need real development and growth. There is a great world here. There is great potential and it isn't being realized. It's depressing.
November 3, 2019
This is the first book of the Nocturne City series that I have read, but I have also read several of the books in another series by Kittredge ($1/bag library book sale). So far, I have not been impressed. That's not to say the books are bad. But every one of them has taken me at least 3x's as long to read as it normally takes me to read a much thicker book. They lack that certain something that grabs your attention and sucks you in. I found myself repeatedly thinking that the writing style is a bit outdated, like reading something written in the 80's. The storyline was halfway decent and somewhat unique. Most urban fantasy seems to focus on the common paranormal species(weres, vamps, witches, demons), so the wendigo were something a bit different. Overall an ok read.
Read
January 20, 2020The series appears to be getting better as it progresses. And Luna is growing as a character as well. Nice. I still see a whole mess of areas that, being a frequent reader of mystery novels as I am, I would want tightened up, plot wise.
Still, the Fairlane. Oh well. Still, how could a police officer afford such a car?
And. Police departments, at least the ones I've worked with personally, are standardized, like the military. Pick a sidearm. Just being nitpicky.
Still, the Fairlane. Oh well. Still, how could a police officer afford such a car?
And. Police departments, at least the ones I've worked with personally, are standardized, like the military. Pick a sidearm. Just being nitpicky.
February 19, 2018
Finally finished this read. The last 50 pages took forever.
August 23, 2018
Same quality as the others, though there were a fair number more narrative risks taken. I wholly appreciated the way about half my expectations were subverted.
December 31, 2018
Ending left me wanting to know more, it felt rushed at to be wrapped up. Such a build-up to end so quickly.
August 12, 2019
Enjoyable addition to the series. Luna is a good character, and I loved the mystery. I definitely plan on reading more.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
February 5, 2021
Dmitri, sorry bud, but I’m team Lucas. Sorry not sorry.
April 2, 2016
I gave Caitlin Kittredge a try, a really good try.
I swear I did.
Scout's honor.
Jim Butcher's "Kittredge is a winner" on the jacket kept me reading her books long past the point where I normally would have thrown them in the shredder. I mean someone as good as Butcher can't be THIS wrong, can he?
So I read Night Life and Pure Blood, and though I wasn't all that impressed, forged on to Second Skin with hope in my heart and an eye out for the kind of subtle plot developments which would make the other two books (and Butcher's praise) make sense.
No such luck.
Luna Wilder (Yes. A werewolf named Luna. This is only matched by Jacqueline Carey's Loup Garron from Santa Olivia.) is a pathologically stubborn cop with a temper so bad one is hard pressed to imagine the circumstances under which she passed the psych review to get on the force, let alone five years of beat work in uniform and a promotion to Detective. Her werewolf condition makes her life difficult in random and yet conveniently controllable ways - despite nearly loosing control 3-4 times a book, Luna can be relied upon not to actually do so until an appropriate climax - and there is not a person in her life that she does not unremittingly bully, harass, shove away, and generally cuss out for the horrible crime of not wanting her to walk all over them. I enjoy a strong female character, but not so much a completely selfish one.
Much like Luna, the plot careens around from one graceless conflict to another. Much of the drama of the series is in the synthesis of what the reader knows about the real world and how life in Nocturne City, with its werewolves, witches, and other supernaturals, is different. But by book three, the neat factor (and believe me it *is* a neat world) has begun to fade and the lack of timely explanation in any of the books regarding what various supernaturals are, their limitations, customs and rules, generally means the plot twists are confusing rather than thrilling.
Finding out 'the butler did it' has only limited dramatic oomph if you didn't even know there was a thing called a butler in the first place.
The one thing I liked about this series was the world. Despite my misgivings about such an obvious naming scheme, "Nocturne City" is a place I'd like to go. It is well visualized, with a palpable history and atmosphere everywhere. As much as Jim Butcher's recommendation, I think my interest in the city, and the world that spawned it, kept me reading long past this series' expiry date.
If only the denizens of the city had such care in their formation, this series would be stellar.
I swear I did.
Scout's honor.
Jim Butcher's "Kittredge is a winner" on the jacket kept me reading her books long past the point where I normally would have thrown them in the shredder. I mean someone as good as Butcher can't be THIS wrong, can he?
So I read Night Life and Pure Blood, and though I wasn't all that impressed, forged on to Second Skin with hope in my heart and an eye out for the kind of subtle plot developments which would make the other two books (and Butcher's praise) make sense.
No such luck.
Luna Wilder (Yes. A werewolf named Luna. This is only matched by Jacqueline Carey's Loup Garron from Santa Olivia.) is a pathologically stubborn cop with a temper so bad one is hard pressed to imagine the circumstances under which she passed the psych review to get on the force, let alone five years of beat work in uniform and a promotion to Detective. Her werewolf condition makes her life difficult in random and yet conveniently controllable ways - despite nearly loosing control 3-4 times a book, Luna can be relied upon not to actually do so until an appropriate climax - and there is not a person in her life that she does not unremittingly bully, harass, shove away, and generally cuss out for the horrible crime of not wanting her to walk all over them. I enjoy a strong female character, but not so much a completely selfish one.
Much like Luna, the plot careens around from one graceless conflict to another. Much of the drama of the series is in the synthesis of what the reader knows about the real world and how life in Nocturne City, with its werewolves, witches, and other supernaturals, is different. But by book three, the neat factor (and believe me it *is* a neat world) has begun to fade and the lack of timely explanation in any of the books regarding what various supernaturals are, their limitations, customs and rules, generally means the plot twists are confusing rather than thrilling.
Finding out 'the butler did it' has only limited dramatic oomph if you didn't even know there was a thing called a butler in the first place.
The one thing I liked about this series was the world. Despite my misgivings about such an obvious naming scheme, "Nocturne City" is a place I'd like to go. It is well visualized, with a palpable history and atmosphere everywhere. As much as Jim Butcher's recommendation, I think my interest in the city, and the world that spawned it, kept me reading long past this series' expiry date.
If only the denizens of the city had such care in their formation, this series would be stellar.
March 3, 2009
Leslee of Night Owl Romance
4.5 / 5 Hearts
Reviewer Top Pick
Online at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nighto...
Oh my gosh, was this good! Second Skin opens with Luna on the job, only now she is an officer with SWAT after the events in Pure Blood got her demoted. She is at the scene of a jumper and the official negotiator fails. The man who jumps to his death is a John Doe. After dropping her SWAT gear and washing up to go home, she is surprised and annoyed to find her arch enemy Detective David Bryson waiting for her. He has landed a big case with several dead weres. The weres want to make Bryson disappear almost as much as Luna does. He begs her for her help on the case. She refuses and goes home to fight with Dmitri. That seems to be all they do anymore. He wants to protect her, make her a Redback. That is the last thing that Luna wants. What she wants is her job as a detective back so against her better judgment she decides to help Bryson. What is really going on is way bigger than either of them anticipated. Will Luna survive this case and get her gold shield back or will she finally kill Bryson and do the world a favor?
What I love about Luna is that she is true to her nature. She makes no excuses, she is a witch with a b and doesn’t care if you like it or not. But there are reasons for that attitude that come to light, slowly and oh so well done. Dmitri is sexy but they just don’t see eye to eye on anything. Bryson asking Luna for help was priceless. Talk about the most unlikely partnership, and boy was it a blast! I really enjoy the fact that Luna makes mistakes, she isn’t perfect. She doesn’t know everything and that puts her on equal footing with the reader. I loved the ending but I had to keep myself from reading the teaser in the back for Witch Craft (otherwise I would be intolerable until it is available). Ms. Kittredge keeps getting better and better with each book. If you aren’t reading this series, you should be!
© Night Owl Romance 2007-2009
4.5 / 5 Hearts
Reviewer Top Pick
Online at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nighto...
Oh my gosh, was this good! Second Skin opens with Luna on the job, only now she is an officer with SWAT after the events in Pure Blood got her demoted. She is at the scene of a jumper and the official negotiator fails. The man who jumps to his death is a John Doe. After dropping her SWAT gear and washing up to go home, she is surprised and annoyed to find her arch enemy Detective David Bryson waiting for her. He has landed a big case with several dead weres. The weres want to make Bryson disappear almost as much as Luna does. He begs her for her help on the case. She refuses and goes home to fight with Dmitri. That seems to be all they do anymore. He wants to protect her, make her a Redback. That is the last thing that Luna wants. What she wants is her job as a detective back so against her better judgment she decides to help Bryson. What is really going on is way bigger than either of them anticipated. Will Luna survive this case and get her gold shield back or will she finally kill Bryson and do the world a favor?
What I love about Luna is that she is true to her nature. She makes no excuses, she is a witch with a b and doesn’t care if you like it or not. But there are reasons for that attitude that come to light, slowly and oh so well done. Dmitri is sexy but they just don’t see eye to eye on anything. Bryson asking Luna for help was priceless. Talk about the most unlikely partnership, and boy was it a blast! I really enjoy the fact that Luna makes mistakes, she isn’t perfect. She doesn’t know everything and that puts her on equal footing with the reader. I loved the ending but I had to keep myself from reading the teaser in the back for Witch Craft (otherwise I would be intolerable until it is available). Ms. Kittredge keeps getting better and better with each book. If you aren’t reading this series, you should be!
© Night Owl Romance 2007-2009
November 21, 2012
I am being liberal with giving this book four stars because the more I think about it, the less I like it.
Here's Luna, a werewolf/cop/SWAT team member who teams up with the guy she absolutely despises (Bryson) and this woman is beat to hell about every other page. I get the werewolf thing and the fact that they heal fast and all of that but come on. Enough is enough already. She's like the Energizer Bunny or a Timex watch...she keeps going and going and going or she takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. Werewolf or not, she should have been dead by the middle of the book.
Then there's the matter of Dmitri. What the hell was that all about? I really liked him and I understand that Luna didn't want to be dominated but it got to a point where it was just flat selfishness on her part and I think he really loved her. But the problem is she really loved herself, too more than she loved him. Then at the end, she tells him goodbye after he's given up his pack and being the alpha. REALLY?!
Then at the very end in the epilogue she gets promoted to lieutenant and announces to the press that she's a werewolf like she's in an AA meeting or something. How patronizing.
I read the teaser for the next book and I'm not sure I'm going to read the rest of this series. She's hooked up with Bryson again and the two of hem don't impress me much.
Oh and let's not forget Lucas. I liked him a lot, too even though he was possessed. It wasn't a permanent deal and at the end, she denied knowing him. I kind of get it but if she was going to dump Dmitri, this guy might have been a nice match for her but she's so damn selfish. I'd hate for any decent guy to get hooked up with her. And after it was all said and done, he was a decent guy.
On a more positive note, the story was fast paced and had lots of action.
Here's Luna, a werewolf/cop/SWAT team member who teams up with the guy she absolutely despises (Bryson) and this woman is beat to hell about every other page. I get the werewolf thing and the fact that they heal fast and all of that but come on. Enough is enough already. She's like the Energizer Bunny or a Timex watch...she keeps going and going and going or she takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. Werewolf or not, she should have been dead by the middle of the book.
Then there's the matter of Dmitri. What the hell was that all about? I really liked him and I understand that Luna didn't want to be dominated but it got to a point where it was just flat selfishness on her part and I think he really loved her. But the problem is she really loved herself, too more than she loved him. Then at the end, she tells him goodbye after he's given up his pack and being the alpha. REALLY?!
Then at the very end in the epilogue she gets promoted to lieutenant and announces to the press that she's a werewolf like she's in an AA meeting or something. How patronizing.
I read the teaser for the next book and I'm not sure I'm going to read the rest of this series. She's hooked up with Bryson again and the two of hem don't impress me much.
Oh and let's not forget Lucas. I liked him a lot, too even though he was possessed. It wasn't a permanent deal and at the end, she denied knowing him. I kind of get it but if she was going to dump Dmitri, this guy might have been a nice match for her but she's so damn selfish. I'd hate for any decent guy to get hooked up with her. And after it was all said and done, he was a decent guy.
On a more positive note, the story was fast paced and had lots of action.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2009
In Second Skin we see Luna Wilder, takes a job that more suits her innate personality traits. Luna transfers from Homicide to SWAT. If you would think this would keep Luna out of trouble, you would be wrong.
She gets sucked back into investigating murders, when Weres are being murderd, and a former colleague contacts her for inside information on Were culture and society. But, Luna being Luna, is like a dog on a bone and she cannot stay away, and before she realizes it she is in danger of being thrown off the force. Not only is she jeopardizing her job, she is kidnapped and left as a sacrifice for a new blood hungry Supernatural.
When Luna goes to Sunny, her cousin, she finds out that these Sups are Wendigos and of old magic. Not only does she has to find and stop the rogue shaman and Wendigos that are threatening a more than a century old treaty between the Were and Wendigo community. She has to figure out who their next target is and when they will strike next.
The only thing is it, Luna will never be able to fathom who is really responsible, and all the ways it will affect her and the city.
At first I thought this would be another example of making a strong sassy character, but incapable of bending and learning. It gets frustrating when characters never learn and go off half cocked, rushing head long in to harm's way, and Luna has this in spades. But, near the end I saw a spark, so I am hoping to see growth in Luna in the next book Witchcraft, or else I will have to let go of the series
She gets sucked back into investigating murders, when Weres are being murderd, and a former colleague contacts her for inside information on Were culture and society. But, Luna being Luna, is like a dog on a bone and she cannot stay away, and before she realizes it she is in danger of being thrown off the force. Not only is she jeopardizing her job, she is kidnapped and left as a sacrifice for a new blood hungry Supernatural.
When Luna goes to Sunny, her cousin, she finds out that these Sups are Wendigos and of old magic. Not only does she has to find and stop the rogue shaman and Wendigos that are threatening a more than a century old treaty between the Were and Wendigo community. She has to figure out who their next target is and when they will strike next.
The only thing is it, Luna will never be able to fathom who is really responsible, and all the ways it will affect her and the city.
At first I thought this would be another example of making a strong sassy character, but incapable of bending and learning. It gets frustrating when characters never learn and go off half cocked, rushing head long in to harm's way, and Luna has this in spades. But, near the end I saw a spark, so I am hoping to see growth in Luna in the next book Witchcraft, or else I will have to let go of the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2009
I've very annoyed with the person who chose the title of this book. It has nothing to do with the story, and worse it uses the word SECOND when it's the THIRD book in the series. VERY ANNOYING! The one time I don't check book order before I start reading, I get burned and accidentally skip a book in a series. Bad editor - bad, bad! Oh, and the cover is stupid - she's wearing a slinky dress and heels when all she wears in the story is ripped up T-shirts and jeans. Bad, I say!
But the story is good. If you like contemporary paranormal crime/detective type stories that are a little bit dark, this is a great series. It's even got a pinch of romance mixed in.
The quick and dirty version of the plot: Luna Wilder (werewolf) got kicked off homicide after book 2, so now she's working SWAT. Bryson, a former colleague from homicide who she hates, calls her up desperate for help with a string of murders of prominent werewolves from all the different clans. Eventually, some freaky new creatures enter the story, but to tell you what they are and what they do would give too much away. Also, Luna's having relationship problems with her werewolf, demon-possessed boyfriend, Dimitri.
But the story is good. If you like contemporary paranormal crime/detective type stories that are a little bit dark, this is a great series. It's even got a pinch of romance mixed in.
The quick and dirty version of the plot: Luna Wilder (werewolf) got kicked off homicide after book 2, so now she's working SWAT. Bryson, a former colleague from homicide who she hates, calls her up desperate for help with a string of murders of prominent werewolves from all the different clans. Eventually, some freaky new creatures enter the story, but to tell you what they are and what they do would give too much away. Also, Luna's having relationship problems with her werewolf, demon-possessed boyfriend, Dimitri.
May 14, 2011
Second Skin is the third book in Nocturne City series by Caitlin Kittredge. I was not impressed by this book. I had hoped to be swept away. The previous book was so intense and so well structured that I became really excited with the series.
However the third book was nothing like that. I was hoping a lot more intensity and a great story. It's just the opposite.
First - the author does not explain why Luna got out of the force and is now with the SWAT team. There were no circumstances that could explain this change.
Second - Luna pissed me off in this book. What a awful character. She's got no real structure and what she does best is to bitch. Really.
Third - I really didn't like the way the author dealt with Dmitri and Luna. It was so clumsy.
It's so boring the fact that all Luna does is to be with a guy then she dumps him. What a stupid werewolf.
I'm really sad because the series did have a good chance to succeed.
I hope the fourth book is worth spending my time with.
I really am not in the mood to deal with the overly libertine Luna.
However the third book was nothing like that. I was hoping a lot more intensity and a great story. It's just the opposite.
First - the author does not explain why Luna got out of the force and is now with the SWAT team. There were no circumstances that could explain this change.
Second - Luna pissed me off in this book. What a awful character. She's got no real structure and what she does best is to bitch. Really.
Third - I really didn't like the way the author dealt with Dmitri and Luna. It was so clumsy.
It's so boring the fact that all Luna does is to be with a guy then she dumps him. What a stupid werewolf.
I'm really sad because the series did have a good chance to succeed.
I hope the fourth book is worth spending my time with.
I really am not in the mood to deal with the overly libertine Luna.
September 1, 2010
This series is more urban fantasy than PNR. It takes place in relatively present time in the fictional NW city of Nocturne City. Luna Wilder is a city cop and a werewolf. Recently demoted after the events of the last book, she's working in SWAT, but is drawn into an investigation by a previous co-worker when four werewolves are murdered.
In general I liked this book less than the previous two. Sure, the mystery is good and kept me guessing until the very end of the book, but I don't like Luna at all. And I like her dysfunctional relationships even less. Yes, she tries to do the right things and is passionate about her work, but it somehow isn't enough to make me like her. I'll be reading the next book simply b/c I already own it, but if the series continues as it did in this book, I won't be buying more. :-( Here's hoping that Luna gets her act together.
In general I liked this book less than the previous two. Sure, the mystery is good and kept me guessing until the very end of the book, but I don't like Luna at all. And I like her dysfunctional relationships even less. Yes, she tries to do the right things and is passionate about her work, but it somehow isn't enough to make me like her. I'll be reading the next book simply b/c I already own it, but if the series continues as it did in this book, I won't be buying more. :-( Here's hoping that Luna gets her act together.
August 29, 2011
Not sure if I like this third book. Luna has been thrown out of homicide and demoted to SWAT. She is selfish, bitchier and moodier than ever. At first I felt pity for Dmitri dealing with the demon bite, but even then Dmitri began grating on my nerves with his whiney attitude. I was even surprised at myself that I began liking Detective Bryson.
I love the mystery surrounding the killings, leading Luna to a group of shapeshifters that drink the blood of their victims. A great addition to the story with some yummy intrigue was Lucas, he's far more interesting than Dmitri.
The worst part of the read is not fully understanding the whole werewolf lore and hierarchy — as a reader it's annoying to get the information through baby steps. A tolerable read — where I hope we will see some character improvement in book 4.
I love the mystery surrounding the killings, leading Luna to a group of shapeshifters that drink the blood of their victims. A great addition to the story with some yummy intrigue was Lucas, he's far more interesting than Dmitri.
The worst part of the read is not fully understanding the whole werewolf lore and hierarchy — as a reader it's annoying to get the information through baby steps. A tolerable read — where I hope we will see some character improvement in book 4.
June 25, 2011
3.5 stars
I truly am VERY TIRED with Luna's attitude. She just easily loses her temper, snaps at people, and act pretty selfish. However, at the same time, I think Dmitri annoys me to the very end. His possessive attitude and him constantly reminding that Luna should be part of the pack, actually makes me want to see Luna kicks his ass. Seriously, I am not sad in anyway that he is gone. Good riddance I say.
Apart from that, I actually enjoy reading Luna working with David Bryson (gasp!) of all people. Bryson becomes tolerable when he works with Luna. The new character, Lucas, is intriguing. I like Luna when she is with Lucas. Funny thing, I actually find Luna to be sort of likeable when she is working with Bryson, Pete, and even Dr. Kronen. As long as she is nowhere near Dmitri.
Hopefully, in book #4, Luna can be slightly tolerable without Dmitri ...
I truly am VERY TIRED with Luna's attitude. She just easily loses her temper, snaps at people, and act pretty selfish. However, at the same time, I think Dmitri annoys me to the very end. His possessive attitude and him constantly reminding that Luna should be part of the pack, actually makes me want to see Luna kicks his ass. Seriously, I am not sad in anyway that he is gone. Good riddance I say.
Apart from that, I actually enjoy reading Luna working with David Bryson (gasp!) of all people. Bryson becomes tolerable when he works with Luna. The new character, Lucas, is intriguing. I like Luna when she is with Lucas. Funny thing, I actually find Luna to be sort of likeable when she is working with Bryson, Pete, and even Dr. Kronen. As long as she is nowhere near Dmitri.
Hopefully, in book #4, Luna can be slightly tolerable without Dmitri ...
Read
July 30, 2011Dunno, I didn't like this as much as the 1st 2. Frankly, I'm quite tired of the Dimitri issue, and hoping he's gone for good. Who wants to date an ex pimp drug dealer. Never quite saw the appeal there to begin with. Also way over bearing. Luna is exceptionally bitchy in this one, and the story just seems to go from one action scene to another, without any real plot in between. And the earthquakes? WTH? I was disappointed with this one. Not sure if I will read # 4 or not. I have it, debating on whether or not to read it or take it back to library unread. I may try out Street Magic and its sequel, though, see where those go. This wasn't awful, but it wasn't great. I'm generally not into mysteries, so I was surprised I liked the 1st 2. Maybe I'm just at the end of my mystery stinit?
June 8, 2014
So far this book was hard for me, I enjoy luna and the trouble she gets into but maybe because I started in the middle her frustration her lover makes little sense to me. I want to like this series but so far it was good writing and I enjoy the adventure and excitement that surrounds her but it like something is missing. I have the next book so I'm hoping that I"ll like Luna and her next man or the men that will enter her life but we shall see. I'm pretty much set on once you meet the man they wind up together no matter what happens so based on the reviews it isn't going to happen that way for Luna so I'm not sure I'm going to like it. But Luna is tough and I do like the main characters to have grit but occasionally they lean on someone and Luna doesn't seem to do that at all even with her cousin sooooo......we shall see.
September 19, 2012
Wow... there was a lot going on in this book. I always knew the main character of this book (Luna) to always be a bit everywhere, but in this novel things seemed to go to the next level. Dmitri wasn't as important in this novel as he was in others, but I think that it was just because of Luna's greater interest in her job (this aspect really frustrated me). The whole crime plot for this book also went quite slow at the start and then was just quickly rounded up at the end. I still loved the characters and even though that the dialogue for this book was better then the others. I am also still very surprised that Luna is still up and walking. I feel sorry for the person that pays her medical bills.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2009
Does Luna really have to be so unlikable??? Seriously, she grates on the nerves like no other. Frankly I think Dmitri is too good for her and she doesn't deserve a single person who is in her life. Why do they even bother with her? The other characters are far more interesting and likable than Luna is, including the villains. The only reason I gave the book 3 stars is because the storyline and supporting characters are great enough to hold an interest, and I was hoping (fruitlessly) that Luna Wilder will get a clue, learn to compromise, and stop being a class A lonely bitch. Very frustrating read. Only recommended if you enjoy a rough and forever lonely heroine.
July 17, 2010
I thought this was good, but not as good as the first one and second ones. And there are some details and plot points that were discussed in the second book, that were pretty vital, aren't even mentioned in this book, and from the sounds of it, not in the later books either, so it makes me wonder why she would add that point at all. Namely, the were elders told Luna she had to find a way to fix Dmitri and get rid of his demon bite by a certain time otherwise they'd kill her and in this one it wasn't even mentioned at all. Other than that, I thought it was good. I like Luna and I like reading about her. I think I'll read the rest of the series to see what happens.
February 1, 2010
2.5 Stars?
I've decided that I really still don't like Luna. LOL Why I am still reading them? Because I bought them and feel the urge to see it through, maybe I am a glutton for punishment. Luna is selfish and mean and bitchy. So far, I don't see any really good qualities. She should have learned something by now. She pushed everyone away, and is alone. again. Her and Dmitri? I felt bad for Dmitri. He was no picnic or night in shining armor, but she treated him like dirt. I was glad when he left. At least she had the decency to tell him to get lost at the end.
I'll read the final one, but after that, I don't think I will be buying any future Luna Books.
I've decided that I really still don't like Luna. LOL Why I am still reading them? Because I bought them and feel the urge to see it through, maybe I am a glutton for punishment. Luna is selfish and mean and bitchy. So far, I don't see any really good qualities. She should have learned something by now. She pushed everyone away, and is alone. again. Her and Dmitri? I felt bad for Dmitri. He was no picnic or night in shining armor, but she treated him like dirt. I was glad when he left. At least she had the decency to tell him to get lost at the end.
I'll read the final one, but after that, I don't think I will be buying any future Luna Books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2012
Meh..after 3 books, I am finally giving up on the series. Luna has to be the worst lead character ever. She's a bitch, yeah..got that. But why? And must she be a bitch to every.single.person she runs across, good or bad? A good character has layers..this is especially important in a lead! The male interests are icky..Dmitri is just now a whiny annoyance(which oddly reminds me of what Laurell K Hamilton did to Richard's character when she wanted to move on to other male characters..actually this whole series reminds me of a knock off of an early Anita Blake novel). The one bright spot that this series has going for it is world building...I do get a pretty clear sense of Nocturne City.
May 1, 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed the third book in this series. While Luna seems to be more stubborn than ever, there is a sense that Kittredge (especially at the close of the book) is setting up some hard-knocks revelations that will be coming Luna's way. I'm very much looking forward to the next "Witch Craft" to see if Luna's character development continues to move forward. Her stubbornness will become a series killer if there isn't some growth, but Kittredge is a skilled writer and she seems to building up to something.
October 1, 2009
Ok, at first this book started out just like the others and I was thinking oh no here we go again. About halfway through that changed and things got more interesting. I liked that it involved wendigo's cause that brought out more of the supernatural aspect to the story. I'm also glad that Luna and Dimitri have called it quits b/c that whole situation was getting on my nerves(although i wouldnt be surprised if they end up back together). I think the next book will be interesting since they have now given Luna her own "supernatural" department to run.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2011
As a police procedural this is a great book/series. I like the protagonist, Luna, but don't care for the love interest, Dimitri, so much. This 3rd book in the installment was an okay read. I'm not sure I cared for the antagonist so much. I think the fact that Luna is an Insoli both detracts and helps the story. I like Luna's independence but because she doesn't know about Were traditions and lore means that we the reader don't know that much. I'm hoping in future installments the author gets more into the actual lore of being a Were.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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