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The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone #1
Von der Hölle gefürchtet
Man legt sich niemals mit einem jungen Mädchen in der Nähe von James Brownstone an.
Es spielt dabei keine Rolle, welchem Verbrechersyndikat man angehört, damit kommt er einfach nicht zurecht.
Die Welt hat sich verändert, seit die Existenz von Oriceran zwanzig Jahre zuvor offenbart wurde. Inzwischen haben sich Länder auf der ganzen Welt darauf geeinigt, ein Kopfgeldsystem für gefährliche Kriminelle, die fortschrittliche Magie oder Spitzentechnologie nutzen, einzusetzen.
Leute, die zu mächtig sind, als dass die Polizisten mit ihnen fertig werden könnten.
Magische Kriminelle, Schläger und Kopfgeldjäger – in der Zukunft greifen wir auf das zurück, was in der Vergangenheit funktioniert hat.
Wenn du herausfindest, dass du von Brownstone gejagt wirst, empfehlen wir dir, dich zu stellen.
Es wird dir einen monumentalen Tritt in den Arsch ersparen.
Brownstone mag sein einfaches Leben, aber das Leben ist dabei, ihm einen gewaltige Arschkarte zu verpassen.
HINWEIS: Dieses Buch enthält Fluchen. Vielleicht humorvoll fluchend, aber trotzdem fluchend. Wenn dich das stört, schlagen wir dir vor, dieses Buch besser nicht zu lesen.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2019
1871 people are currently reading
1896 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
June 30, 2018
This book came up several times as comparable to the Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews. I have not clue what those reviewers were smoking but yeah, NO.
As in head shaking, totally confused - NO.
As in HAYELL NO.
Writing is fair but not engaging. Characters are flat and sophomoric. Struggled to 52% and if I had to read one more time how the female protagonist, Shay, was so offended that James didn't find her irresistible I was going to stab myself in the eye. I assume it was meant as snark but it just came across as spoiled, foot-stomp high school princess. Story direction was chaotic and choppy. Glad so many found it a good read, but sooooo not for me.
As in head shaking, totally confused - NO.
As in HAYELL NO.
Writing is fair but not engaging. Characters are flat and sophomoric. Struggled to 52% and if I had to read one more time how the female protagonist, Shay, was so offended that James didn't find her irresistible I was going to stab myself in the eye. I assume it was meant as snark but it just came across as spoiled, foot-stomp high school princess. Story direction was chaotic and choppy. Glad so many found it a good read, but sooooo not for me.
May 23, 2018
I’m a bit torn by this one. I love Michaels Kutherian Gambit series and personally find his crazy sense of humour is right up my street. I didn’t know when I bought this that it is based in a universe with a lot of back story and this book doesn’t enlighten you at ALL. There is no easy catch up. No attempt to fill in any of that back story and as a result I don’t recommend it as an entry book.
There is a lot to like in it. Great lead character and two good supports. Michael’s usual hilarious style and BBQ. I mean what’s not to love? It’s pretty much John Grimes in one of his other lives with different problems and of course .. it’s a fast read. BUT ....
I have no idea how anything works in the world. It’s confusing and nothing is explained. What the hell is Oricean? What happened? How did we get to where the book starts?
It turns out there is an entire other series that apparently covers this. But I bought this book which is SUPPOSEDLY the first book in a 3 book trilogy and it doesn’t even give any good clues!
So I sighed and went to look at the other series. However I absolutely couldn’t get on with Martha Carr’s writing style, it’s far too slow and clunky for my taste. So I don’t want to go and read her 8 books ( I couldn’t even completely finish the first one) to find out what the hell is going on.
So my recommendation would be either go and read the KU series by Michael, beginning with Death Becomes Her or if you’re looking something more action and science based and a little ( only a little but there is less swearing) softer pick up the series that Ell Leigh Clarke writes (sort of with Michael) beginning with Awakening. But if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like jumping into the middle a story with no explanation I’d give this one a miss. Sorry but the book feels ... ungrounded if you’re not prepared to read a bunch of other pretty shitty books.
There is a lot to like in it. Great lead character and two good supports. Michael’s usual hilarious style and BBQ. I mean what’s not to love? It’s pretty much John Grimes in one of his other lives with different problems and of course .. it’s a fast read. BUT ....
I have no idea how anything works in the world. It’s confusing and nothing is explained. What the hell is Oricean? What happened? How did we get to where the book starts?
It turns out there is an entire other series that apparently covers this. But I bought this book which is SUPPOSEDLY the first book in a 3 book trilogy and it doesn’t even give any good clues!
So I sighed and went to look at the other series. However I absolutely couldn’t get on with Martha Carr’s writing style, it’s far too slow and clunky for my taste. So I don’t want to go and read her 8 books ( I couldn’t even completely finish the first one) to find out what the hell is going on.
So my recommendation would be either go and read the KU series by Michael, beginning with Death Becomes Her or if you’re looking something more action and science based and a little ( only a little but there is less swearing) softer pick up the series that Ell Leigh Clarke writes (sort of with Michael) beginning with Awakening. But if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like jumping into the middle a story with no explanation I’d give this one a miss. Sorry but the book feels ... ungrounded if you’re not prepared to read a bunch of other pretty shitty books.
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August 5, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/5/2019)! 🎁
September 17, 2023
My eldest is a fan of this series, so I thought I would give it a try.
I like the protagonist, and the story works well if you're graving a quick bite. It's like a popcorn movie.
But language - well, in my opinion, a lot of the book aims towards a simplified language, which is fine, because direct and down to earth is a good way to describe Mr. Brownstone.
But some sentences try to sound high and mighty, although it's like a child trying to sound like an adult. Mostly, but not limited to the dialogues.
This inconsistency somewhat diminishes the fun (together with the bland rip-off of John Wick, in the way that gang talks about him and how he kills everyone because of his dog).
But I have to admit that I've only read the German translation, and it might very well be that those inconsistency in the language is a result of the translation and not the author's responsibility.
I like the protagonist, and the story works well if you're graving a quick bite. It's like a popcorn movie.
But language - well, in my opinion, a lot of the book aims towards a simplified language, which is fine, because direct and down to earth is a good way to describe Mr. Brownstone.
But some sentences try to sound high and mighty, although it's like a child trying to sound like an adult. Mostly, but not limited to the dialogues.
This inconsistency somewhat diminishes the fun (together with the bland rip-off of John Wick, in the way that gang talks about him and how he kills everyone because of his dog).
But I have to admit that I've only read the German translation, and it might very well be that those inconsistency in the language is a result of the translation and not the author's responsibility.
November 23, 2019
I thought the blind girl Alison was going to be the MC and was a bit annoyed, as a reader, when this Lara Croft knock off Shay shows up. And she is a pain to read.
My teeth hurt, I am gripping my jaw so hard.
So Shay decides that James is gay and she constantly tells him to come out of the closet [ugh - no; that’s not actually your decision to ‘out’ him even if he WAS gay.]
Plus, her big wound is having a guy say she should give him a blowjob when she was fifteen. Yeah, that’s it. [That shit started with me when I was way younger than that and I am not hot. And certainly wasn't at that age.]
Anderle has no idea what 'hot' women put up with every single hour of their lives. And clearly didn’t bother to ask any.
It makes sense that she’d be a Lara Croft knock off as Brownstone is a John Wick one; they killed his dog… cue endless retribution.
Plus,
It makes no sense.
The writing is repetitive. Say Keep it Simple Stupid, one more time…
There is a scene missing where they bother to tell Alison what happened to her mother. Unless it’s in the next book and that was the cliffhanger/hook? Shrugs.
Plus, he did his research on barbecue but didn't seem to on Catholicism. No catholic, no matter how out of date, will walk into a church without genuflecting; dipping their finger in the holy water and crossing themselves. The confession scenes felt 'on the nose' as Jerry Jenkins would say. You get your absolution and then you go and DO the act of contrition - you pray.
For a man who is supposed to be religious Brownstone doesn't pray. He doesn't even cross himself before he does anything.
That shit is in your bones if you are raised catholic, and James has been raised by a priest.
It reads like Anderle followed the classic pulp fiction recipe: lots of action, lots of hints of sex, exotic travel/locations, weird enemies.
Skipped scenes - you know the thing where the character wonders how they are going to land in the jungle; scene break - they made it - one says ‘I don’t know how we made that landing.’
You know the stuff…
I read it quickly and it’s as I am writing this review that the grade is sliding down.
I didn't know this was a spin off from a previous world, [I think the kutherian gambit world? not sure ] so there’s not a lot of world building in here. it's relatively easy to pick up, but still. The aliens / magic planet /Oriceran stuff messes with the real world, so there is a mix of everything; tech, magic, and analog.
I’d heard a LOT about Anderle and I picked up the box set for 99c in a recent sale. He has worked out how to make mega bucks (legally) from the KU set up - and good luck to him; he's taking other writers with him on that ride.
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/...
But personally, I am almost at the point of asking for my 99c back.
1 star
Shay forced a smile onto her face as she walked away from the table. She’d seen Brownstone checking her out, but the guy kept acting like he didn’t care. Brownstone did care. He had to. All men cared about hot women. They couldn’t help it. That was the way they were wired. That was how most men were, really—a dick tangentially connected to a pair of eyes, totally bypassing the brain.
Shay wasn’t into pretending she wasn’t hot as fucking sin.
Sometimes that could be an advantage when trying to manipulate men, but it didn’t mean she had to like it when men leered at her. She wasn’t a fucking piece of meat to sate their damned hunger.
Brownstone was no different. Just because he could play it cool didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking about her. She’d prove it yet.
Her pace slowed at a sudden thought. Unless he was gay.
My teeth hurt, I am gripping my jaw so hard.
So Shay decides that James is gay and she constantly tells him to come out of the closet [ugh - no; that’s not actually your decision to ‘out’ him even if he WAS gay.]
Plus, her big wound is having a guy say she should give him a blowjob when she was fifteen. Yeah, that’s it. [That shit started with me when I was way younger than that and I am not hot. And certainly wasn't at that age.]
Anderle has no idea what 'hot' women put up with every single hour of their lives. And clearly didn’t bother to ask any.
It makes sense that she’d be a Lara Croft knock off as Brownstone is a John Wick one; they killed his dog… cue endless retribution.
Plus,
It makes no sense.
The writing is repetitive. Say Keep it Simple Stupid, one more time…
There is a scene missing where they bother to tell Alison what happened to her mother. Unless it’s in the next book and that was the cliffhanger/hook? Shrugs.
Plus, he did his research on barbecue but didn't seem to on Catholicism. No catholic, no matter how out of date, will walk into a church without genuflecting; dipping their finger in the holy water and crossing themselves. The confession scenes felt 'on the nose' as Jerry Jenkins would say. You get your absolution and then you go and DO the act of contrition - you pray.
For a man who is supposed to be religious Brownstone doesn't pray. He doesn't even cross himself before he does anything.
That shit is in your bones if you are raised catholic, and James has been raised by a priest.
It reads like Anderle followed the classic pulp fiction recipe: lots of action, lots of hints of sex, exotic travel/locations, weird enemies.
Skipped scenes - you know the thing where the character wonders how they are going to land in the jungle; scene break - they made it - one says ‘I don’t know how we made that landing.’
You know the stuff…
I read it quickly and it’s as I am writing this review that the grade is sliding down.
I didn't know this was a spin off from a previous world, [I think the kutherian gambit world? not sure ] so there’s not a lot of world building in here. it's relatively easy to pick up, but still. The aliens / magic planet /Oriceran stuff messes with the real world, so there is a mix of everything; tech, magic, and analog.
I’d heard a LOT about Anderle and I picked up the box set for 99c in a recent sale. He has worked out how to make mega bucks (legally) from the KU set up - and good luck to him; he's taking other writers with him on that ride.
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/...
But personally, I am almost at the point of asking for my 99c back.
1 star
February 20, 2019
I read the first 10 books of this series back to back a while ago. It's formulaic, but entertaining. It seems to have been written for men. The characters were usually likable, but not complex enough for my taste. Everything was rah rah military/boys in blue and "give respect to get respect". I can't count the number of times those ideas were repeated. It was tiresome. I'm used to urban fantasy that has more character depth and lots of grays. This series is very black and white. The good guys vs. the bad guys, and the bad guys are always taught a lesson using extreme violence. The big bad bounty hunter as a 30 year old virgin with strong ties to the Catholic church was kind of over the top, too. One of the books - I forget which - used the phrase "my little angel" so many times that I might have ripped out the page had it not been on kindle. This publisher believes in quantity above all else. I'm guessing they don't put much effort into editing, so it's actually shocking that the books are as good as they are. Heck, I'm complaining plenty, but I still gave it a 4. The series is actually very entertaining; it's a light (and violent) read that doesn't go too dark in the first 10 books.
On the plus side, it's imaginative, and the main character did grow as he expanded his circle of friends and family. A lot of time is spend on the growth of those relationships, and there are always interesting bad ass fight scenes. I gave up after book 10 because book 11 seemed a bit darker than I wanted to read.
On the plus side, it's imaginative, and the main character did grow as he expanded his circle of friends and family. A lot of time is spend on the growth of those relationships, and there are always interesting bad ass fight scenes. I gave up after book 10 because book 11 seemed a bit darker than I wanted to read.
July 15, 2018
The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone
NO Spoilers. First book in the Series. A Little over the top in ability and speed, with significant 'anger issues', Mr. James Brownstone is a bounty hunter of extraordinary talent. He hunts human and non-human entities for money and because they offend his sense of justice. Make NO mistake, Mr. Brownstone (through his own admission) does not Think of himself as a shiny crusader for 'right', nor a paladin of righteousness. He has had a hard life growing up and is a bit standoff-ish and untrusting. He has a dog, a good Priest who hears his confessions and also raised him out of an orphanage. The Priest also has a lot of connections and finds bounties for James and lets him know of Relics and otherworldly artifacts that can be turned around for profit. He is, by turns, a combination of Mack Bolan, Mitch Rapp and the Hulk, a protagonist who can be crafty if necessary, or go Blasting in the front door if the situation is called for. He also can make use of magical portions, a protective artifact and all types of weapons, magical or man-made. Enjoy this ride and the upcoming books in the series.
NO Spoilers. First book in the Series. A Little over the top in ability and speed, with significant 'anger issues', Mr. James Brownstone is a bounty hunter of extraordinary talent. He hunts human and non-human entities for money and because they offend his sense of justice. Make NO mistake, Mr. Brownstone (through his own admission) does not Think of himself as a shiny crusader for 'right', nor a paladin of righteousness. He has had a hard life growing up and is a bit standoff-ish and untrusting. He has a dog, a good Priest who hears his confessions and also raised him out of an orphanage. The Priest also has a lot of connections and finds bounties for James and lets him know of Relics and otherworldly artifacts that can be turned around for profit. He is, by turns, a combination of Mack Bolan, Mitch Rapp and the Hulk, a protagonist who can be crafty if necessary, or go Blasting in the front door if the situation is called for. He also can make use of magical portions, a protective artifact and all types of weapons, magical or man-made. Enjoy this ride and the upcoming books in the series.
April 10, 2018
Not what I was expecting, even better!
With a name like Me Brownstone, I pictured a Sherlock Holmes type character with a tweed suit and a bowler hat. Couldn't have been further from the actual character. James Brownstone is a bounty Hunter who is helping with some of the chaos that has followed with the gate between Oriceran and Earth. When he's not out taking care of the criminals he's living and breathing (and also eating) barbeque. Whether it's watching coming shows, reading books on the history of barbeque, or going out to eat in, James Brownstone loves his barbeque. He lives his life ruled by KISS (keep it simple, stupid). But when he meets a teenage girl, his life starts to get complicated. Lots of action and humor I've come to expect from Michael Anderle's novels. And if you love barbeque too, Michael has included some of his fans home made recipes in the back of the book.
With a name like Me Brownstone, I pictured a Sherlock Holmes type character with a tweed suit and a bowler hat. Couldn't have been further from the actual character. James Brownstone is a bounty Hunter who is helping with some of the chaos that has followed with the gate between Oriceran and Earth. When he's not out taking care of the criminals he's living and breathing (and also eating) barbeque. Whether it's watching coming shows, reading books on the history of barbeque, or going out to eat in, James Brownstone loves his barbeque. He lives his life ruled by KISS (keep it simple, stupid). But when he meets a teenage girl, his life starts to get complicated. Lots of action and humor I've come to expect from Michael Anderle's novels. And if you love barbeque too, Michael has included some of his fans home made recipes in the back of the book.
April 17, 2018
kindle unlimited, this takes place after the Oriceran books/Oriceran opened up all way, including The Leira Chronicles {see list at end} which Anderle is co-writer of, then this one which has different co-writer on, plus of course all his Kurtherian Gambit books/series.
You never mess with a young girl around James Brownstone. It doesn't matter what crime syndicate you belong to, that just doesn't sit well with him.
The world has changed since the news of Oriceran came out twenty years before. Now, countries all over the world have agreed to using a bounty system for dangerous criminals using advanced magic or advanced technology. People too powerful for the cops to deal with.
Magical criminals, thugs and bounty hunters, in the future we revert to what worked in the past.If you find out you are hunted by Brownstone, we suggest you turn yourself in. It will save you a monumental ass-kicking.
Brownstone likes his life simple, but Life is about to throw him a wicked curveball.
---
NOTE: This book contains cursing. Perhaps humorous cursing, but cursing nevertheless. If this offends you, I don't suggest reading this book.
---
An Urban Fantasy Action Adventure (The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone)
Feared By Hell Book 1
Rejected By Heaven Book 2
The Leira Chronicles -- The Revelations of Oriceran
Quest For Magic - Prequel to Waking Magic (0.5) {this one was later put in with book 1 copies as prelude type}
Waking Magic (1)
Release Of Magic (2)
Protection of Magic (3)
Rule of Magic (4)
Trick or Troll: The 2017 YTT Halloween Special (4.5)
Dealing in Magic (5)
Christmas at Estelle's: The 2017 YTT Christmas Special (#5.5)
Theft of Magic (6)
Enemies of Magic (7)
Guardians Of Magic (8)
You never mess with a young girl around James Brownstone. It doesn't matter what crime syndicate you belong to, that just doesn't sit well with him.
The world has changed since the news of Oriceran came out twenty years before. Now, countries all over the world have agreed to using a bounty system for dangerous criminals using advanced magic or advanced technology. People too powerful for the cops to deal with.
Magical criminals, thugs and bounty hunters, in the future we revert to what worked in the past.If you find out you are hunted by Brownstone, we suggest you turn yourself in. It will save you a monumental ass-kicking.
Brownstone likes his life simple, but Life is about to throw him a wicked curveball.
---
NOTE: This book contains cursing. Perhaps humorous cursing, but cursing nevertheless. If this offends you, I don't suggest reading this book.
---
An Urban Fantasy Action Adventure (The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone)
Feared By Hell Book 1
Rejected By Heaven Book 2
The Leira Chronicles -- The Revelations of Oriceran
Quest For Magic - Prequel to Waking Magic (0.5) {this one was later put in with book 1 copies as prelude type}
Waking Magic (1)
Release Of Magic (2)
Protection of Magic (3)
Rule of Magic (4)
Trick or Troll: The 2017 YTT Halloween Special (4.5)
Dealing in Magic (5)
Christmas at Estelle's: The 2017 YTT Christmas Special (#5.5)
Theft of Magic (6)
Enemies of Magic (7)
Guardians Of Magic (8)
February 13, 2020
I have yet to read one of his books I truly enjoyed. They all seem to me to be to many cooks in the kitchen as in a mis-mash of ideas of maybe extra writers !!!!!
November 17, 2023
These are urban fantasy candy, not to deep, fast paced, quick read, some humor, and an irreverent hero.
May 13, 2019
An interesting start to the book followed by a fight that was a bit ridiculous. In fact this set the pattern for the rest of the book, it was a real mixed bag.
The main character, James Brownstone, was really good, but as soon as ‘Shay’ was introduced the story seemed to degenerate into annoying banter.
Once the story became about Brownstone’s war on the Harriken it became a more interesting, if simplistic story.
If possible I would have given 2.5stars, but as I quite liked Brownstone I have rounded this up to 3.
The main character, James Brownstone, was really good, but as soon as ‘Shay’ was introduced the story seemed to degenerate into annoying banter.
Once the story became about Brownstone’s war on the Harriken it became a more interesting, if simplistic story.
If possible I would have given 2.5stars, but as I quite liked Brownstone I have rounded this up to 3.
December 11, 2018
WARNING: minor spoilers.
Stuff I liked:
– Quick, breezy read.
– Lots of carnage. Many bad guys get tossed in the meat grinder. Satisfying for those who want the crooks to get what they deserve.
– Some characters are interesting, with potential to become better, depending on how the author handles subsequent novels
– BBQ.
Stuff I didn't like:
– Lackluster worldbuilding. The author never really explains how the world became chaotic and filled with magic items and supernatural beings. I don't expect an encyclopedic infodump, but ya gotta give us something besides vague snippets.
– Brownstone's powers aren't explained. He appears to have superstrength, even without his arsenal of wacky items? How? And what about invulnerability? What are the potions for? Can we get a better explanation of the amulet? Too many questions, and not enough consistency.
– Shay is an irritating character. I don't understand how the “boss bitch” style of character persists. In reality, people avoid these pains-in-the-arse; in fiction, the characters kowtow to them and try to heal their mental wounds. It's ludicrous that Brownstone, a no-nonsense loner if there ever was one, continues to put up with her because she might be useful on bounty hunter jobs.
– The novel doesn't feel fresh. Several aspects come straight from other media: the Catholicism from “Daredevil,” the vengeance-for-killed-dog from “John Wick.” The urban fantasy tropes are hewed to without much originality.
– Too much in this book screams, “Read the next book to find out more!” Even in a series, a novel should stand alone, should be its own logical world. This novel leaves too much unsaid. (See above.)
Potential was there, but end result was only mediocre.
Stuff I liked:
– Quick, breezy read.
– Lots of carnage. Many bad guys get tossed in the meat grinder. Satisfying for those who want the crooks to get what they deserve.
– Some characters are interesting, with potential to become better, depending on how the author handles subsequent novels
– BBQ.
Stuff I didn't like:
– Lackluster worldbuilding. The author never really explains how the world became chaotic and filled with magic items and supernatural beings. I don't expect an encyclopedic infodump, but ya gotta give us something besides vague snippets.
– Brownstone's powers aren't explained. He appears to have superstrength, even without his arsenal of wacky items? How? And what about invulnerability? What are the potions for? Can we get a better explanation of the amulet? Too many questions, and not enough consistency.
– Shay is an irritating character. I don't understand how the “boss bitch” style of character persists. In reality, people avoid these pains-in-the-arse; in fiction, the characters kowtow to them and try to heal their mental wounds. It's ludicrous that Brownstone, a no-nonsense loner if there ever was one, continues to put up with her because she might be useful on bounty hunter jobs.
– The novel doesn't feel fresh. Several aspects come straight from other media: the Catholicism from “Daredevil,” the vengeance-for-killed-dog from “John Wick.” The urban fantasy tropes are hewed to without much originality.
– Too much in this book screams, “Read the next book to find out more!” Even in a series, a novel should stand alone, should be its own logical world. This novel leaves too much unsaid. (See above.)
Potential was there, but end result was only mediocre.
April 4, 2020
What was the point of this book. Ok. There were a few funny lines here and there, but I could barely make it halfway through.
Here goes.
-The dialogue was for the most part choppy and awkward. The author doesn’t know how to make his writing sound realistic and it took away from the story.
-The plot started a bit interesting but very quickly became awkward and blocky.
-Characters reasoning and reactions to were weird and often dumb. It was occasionally humorous-ish.
-Characters would just go ahead and blurt out random and somewhat important information.
*Show, don’t tell rules were not followed.
-Characters kind of just mentioned their own important character traits and everyone else belated noticed things that might have made these things obvious. People just weren’t very aware of what was going on with other characters at any point.
-Everyone was over dramatic and acted ridiculous at the smallest of things.
——For example, a random gang member (also not relevant to the story except to make James, the main character, look better) had considered attacking James, but when his buddies showed him a video of James in action, this dude fell to his knees in front of the rest of his gang in horror when he realized how close to dying he had come. What an idiot.
-Shay, the female secondary character, was useless. She didn’t help the story in any way, and had an enormous chip on her shoulder that could’ve been interesting if she wasn’t so one dimensional and completely illogical. She’s completely aware of her “hotness”, but is so insecure that when James doesn’t try to molest her, she knows he has to be gay. And that’s why she visits his house after their mission... to make sure he’s gay.
This was dumb. I don’t know how I made it halfway through the book.
Ah well.
Here goes.
-The dialogue was for the most part choppy and awkward. The author doesn’t know how to make his writing sound realistic and it took away from the story.
-The plot started a bit interesting but very quickly became awkward and blocky.
-Characters reasoning and reactions to were weird and often dumb. It was occasionally humorous-ish.
-Characters would just go ahead and blurt out random and somewhat important information.
*Show, don’t tell rules were not followed.
-Characters kind of just mentioned their own important character traits and everyone else belated noticed things that might have made these things obvious. People just weren’t very aware of what was going on with other characters at any point.
-Everyone was over dramatic and acted ridiculous at the smallest of things.
——For example, a random gang member (also not relevant to the story except to make James, the main character, look better) had considered attacking James, but when his buddies showed him a video of James in action, this dude fell to his knees in front of the rest of his gang in horror when he realized how close to dying he had come. What an idiot.
-Shay, the female secondary character, was useless. She didn’t help the story in any way, and had an enormous chip on her shoulder that could’ve been interesting if she wasn’t so one dimensional and completely illogical. She’s completely aware of her “hotness”, but is so insecure that when James doesn’t try to molest her, she knows he has to be gay. And that’s why she visits his house after their mission... to make sure he’s gay.
This was dumb. I don’t know how I made it halfway through the book.
Ah well.
March 4, 2019
Wow
I cant finish this book. Im disappointed that the best you can do is cursing. There are more impressive words than what you used. It shows your intellect and maturity level.
And honestly what girl is so full of herself that she complains when men only see her for her body but complains when a man sees her for her intelligence.
If you want a book that has no intelligence in it and want to expand your swearing this is totally a book for you. But if you want any intelligence move on.
I cant finish this book. Im disappointed that the best you can do is cursing. There are more impressive words than what you used. It shows your intellect and maturity level.
And honestly what girl is so full of herself that she complains when men only see her for her body but complains when a man sees her for her intelligence.
If you want a book that has no intelligence in it and want to expand your swearing this is totally a book for you. But if you want any intelligence move on.
December 24, 2022
Definitely not high literature, but this is knowingly a caricature that reminds me of cheesy, but enjoyable and endearing sci-fi network TV in the 90s. James Brownstone is oddly a combination of super beefy testosterone action hero and loveable lug.
September 24, 2021
I had one big problem with this book which is how POV is done.
The narration is 3d person limited for the most part but it isn't consistent somehow.
I don't know the proper terms so I'll try to awkwardly explain it in my own words.
The POV somehow changes distance frequently. Sometimes we have this up-close view over the current POVs shoulder and sometimes the POV moves away so far it sounds like locally omniscient narration.
It never reveals anything the characters don't see but it delivers the information from this weird pseudo-omniscient distant POV.
A related issue I had was that I sometimes couldn't really tell which perspective I was currently in for entire sections. There might have been a bit of head-jumping as well but I am really not sure what exactly caused the confusion. I can't rule out that the audiobook narration exacerbated the problem.
One thing I've noticed is that the author uses the typical "character name verb" section beginning to emphasize in which POV we currently are but he also uses this phrasing when talking about characters we are not currently following mid-scene so it doesn't work as a POV change marker.
While the story itself wasn't very original I could tell (maybe a bit too easily) that the author paid careful attention to a lot of typical low-effort urban fantasy flaws.
This means his characters are intentionally flawed and layered. Maybe a bit too obviously so.
There is a lot of very unsubtle virtue signaling going on which can be translated as "racism bad" and "prejudice bad" to which I can only think duh! People that haven't gotten the message by now won't change their minds after reading this book. I guess there is a place for this kind of thing in YA to some degree but this book didn't need any of that.
Something related was the constant overemphasis on how bad the people that get killed are and how the author endlessly reiterates how killing them is not only not bad but even gods work.
We even have the bad guys spouting classic incriminating phrases in a totally unbelievable way right at the MCs face to justify him killing them right after.
For a book in which the author explicitly seemed to have paid close attention and care to not fall into old clichées, this was a bit of a letdown.
But let's end on a positive. I very much appreciated how the author actually thought the power dynamics behind the whole gang structure through. This is something that, while I've noticed it for a long time already, started to bother me more and more in recent times.
Gangs aren't based on a hierarchy of people that compare dick sizes by how evil they are.
Which this author got right!
This insight has far-reaching consequences on how believable the entire power structure in a world ends up being and it gives me hope that this series will refrain from bullshit character motivations.
I will definitively read the next one in the series and hope the clunky POV will smooth out as the author gets more familiar with his characters.
The narration is 3d person limited for the most part but it isn't consistent somehow.
I don't know the proper terms so I'll try to awkwardly explain it in my own words.
The POV somehow changes distance frequently. Sometimes we have this up-close view over the current POVs shoulder and sometimes the POV moves away so far it sounds like locally omniscient narration.
It never reveals anything the characters don't see but it delivers the information from this weird pseudo-omniscient distant POV.
A related issue I had was that I sometimes couldn't really tell which perspective I was currently in for entire sections. There might have been a bit of head-jumping as well but I am really not sure what exactly caused the confusion. I can't rule out that the audiobook narration exacerbated the problem.
One thing I've noticed is that the author uses the typical "character name verb" section beginning to emphasize in which POV we currently are but he also uses this phrasing when talking about characters we are not currently following mid-scene so it doesn't work as a POV change marker.
While the story itself wasn't very original I could tell (maybe a bit too easily) that the author paid careful attention to a lot of typical low-effort urban fantasy flaws.
This means his characters are intentionally flawed and layered. Maybe a bit too obviously so.
There is a lot of very unsubtle virtue signaling going on which can be translated as "racism bad" and "prejudice bad" to which I can only think duh! People that haven't gotten the message by now won't change their minds after reading this book. I guess there is a place for this kind of thing in YA to some degree but this book didn't need any of that.
Something related was the constant overemphasis on how bad the people that get killed are and how the author endlessly reiterates how killing them is not only not bad but even gods work.
We even have the bad guys spouting classic incriminating phrases in a totally unbelievable way right at the MCs face to justify him killing them right after.
For a book in which the author explicitly seemed to have paid close attention and care to not fall into old clichées, this was a bit of a letdown.
But let's end on a positive. I very much appreciated how the author actually thought the power dynamics behind the whole gang structure through. This is something that, while I've noticed it for a long time already, started to bother me more and more in recent times.
Gangs aren't based on a hierarchy of people that compare dick sizes by how evil they are.
Which this author got right!
This insight has far-reaching consequences on how believable the entire power structure in a world ends up being and it gives me hope that this series will refrain from bullshit character motivations.
I will definitively read the next one in the series and hope the clunky POV will smooth out as the author gets more familiar with his characters.
August 21, 2021
I so rarely write reviews...
If you cut Shay out of the book this would have been worth reading.
Shay was the sort of female personality-wise that just GRATES.
A woman who knows she's pretty--probably has been abused because she was pretty--but decides to make her beauty be the thing that defines all her interactions with people.
She's beautiful so she is pre-emptively aggressive to men. Man looks at her? Kick him in the balls.
If a man doesn't find her to be Gods gift to men--they must be gay, couldn't be that he's just not a thirsty piece of dog excrement, nope, must be gay. (Show us where the bad man touched you on the dolly. I get it, apparently you (the author) were trying to set up a character with systemic sexual abuse as many people who act this way in real life have been or have been around people who have been sexually abused to the point that their defense mechanism is to shove men away so hard they can't make it back and if they DO make it back they can't get it up to do anything about it.)
Now that it comes to it not sure if Mr. Brownstone's sexual preference was really defined, to be honest. He might in fact be gay. He had females throwing themselves at him.
He complained about being "hideous" in appearance so he apparently hasn't had much, if any?
I don't know as there was actually a definition.
Don't really care.
I'm not here to police what should or shouldn't be going on in characters bedrooms, but the female lead was annoying about it.
Do you really have this much time, when you are walking through a house with multiple murders to be wondering about if the person you're tailing takes it in the front or the rear? Really? How have you not gotten shot, stabbed or otherwise dead because you are so busy rubbing one out? Shoo. You bother me.
Don't get me wrong, I know a good portion of males who are thirsty pieces of dog excrement just like Shay talks about.
I mostly hope they don't reproduce or that because they are excrement they probably just ding-dong-ditch the women they knock up and they won't be around their child to infect them with their personality traits.
Gotta admit I skimmed the last 50% of the book, so saying it's read is a little cheaty, but honestly...WHY would anyone want to read this with that character in it? I am going to pick up book 2 and hope since this is a long running series that Shay either improves or was cut out of the book directly after the last scene in this book.
If you cut Shay out of the book this would have been worth reading.
Shay was the sort of female personality-wise that just GRATES.
A woman who knows she's pretty--probably has been abused because she was pretty--but decides to make her beauty be the thing that defines all her interactions with people.
She's beautiful so she is pre-emptively aggressive to men. Man looks at her? Kick him in the balls.
If a man doesn't find her to be Gods gift to men--they must be gay, couldn't be that he's just not a thirsty piece of dog excrement, nope, must be gay. (Show us where the bad man touched you on the dolly. I get it, apparently you (the author) were trying to set up a character with systemic sexual abuse as many people who act this way in real life have been or have been around people who have been sexually abused to the point that their defense mechanism is to shove men away so hard they can't make it back and if they DO make it back they can't get it up to do anything about it.)
Now that it comes to it not sure if Mr. Brownstone's sexual preference was really defined, to be honest. He might in fact be gay. He had females throwing themselves at him.
He complained about being "hideous" in appearance so he apparently hasn't had much, if any?
I don't know as there was actually a definition.
Don't really care.
I'm not here to police what should or shouldn't be going on in characters bedrooms, but the female lead was annoying about it.
Do you really have this much time, when you are walking through a house with multiple murders to be wondering about if the person you're tailing takes it in the front or the rear? Really? How have you not gotten shot, stabbed or otherwise dead because you are so busy rubbing one out? Shoo. You bother me.
Don't get me wrong, I know a good portion of males who are thirsty pieces of dog excrement just like Shay talks about.
I mostly hope they don't reproduce or that because they are excrement they probably just ding-dong-ditch the women they knock up and they won't be around their child to infect them with their personality traits.
Gotta admit I skimmed the last 50% of the book, so saying it's read is a little cheaty, but honestly...WHY would anyone want to read this with that character in it? I am going to pick up book 2 and hope since this is a long running series that Shay either improves or was cut out of the book directly after the last scene in this book.
August 28, 2022
This is not good writing. The dialogue is terrible, the characters are two dimensional stereotypes at best, the plot is a thin excuse for action scenes, and the worldbuilding is non-existent. Perhaps all the worldbuilding happens in the other novels of this shared-universe setting, but certainly none of it happens here.
If you were to come into this series expecting something like Simon R Green's John Taylor, you'd be sorely disappointed. We don't get anyone nearly as interesting as John Taylor. Instead the Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone is a boring and yet basically unstoppable killing machine. Imagine a Deadpool-type, only without the clever, snarky dialog of the actual Deadpool. Now attempt to add personality and depth by giving him some Catholic guilt, and an obsession with Texas barbeque. Pro tip: An obsession with Texas barbeque does not actually make the character interesting. The character's religious beliefs only come into play after the ass-kicking is done. It's not much more than, "It sounds like you killed some terrible people, but it was for a good cause, promise to try not to kill quite so many people next time."
That said, I was entertained by this story, and I have read more from the series. If you can successfully treat most of the novel as a setup for the ass-kicking action sequences, it's kind of fun.
Just don't pay too much attention to the terrible dialog, and do your best to ignore the cliches, stereotypes, and tone-deaf characterization. Imagine it's the written equivalent of a low-budget action movie, and enjoy it for what it is.
If you were to come into this series expecting something like Simon R Green's John Taylor, you'd be sorely disappointed. We don't get anyone nearly as interesting as John Taylor. Instead the Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone is a boring and yet basically unstoppable killing machine. Imagine a Deadpool-type, only without the clever, snarky dialog of the actual Deadpool. Now attempt to add personality and depth by giving him some Catholic guilt, and an obsession with Texas barbeque. Pro tip: An obsession with Texas barbeque does not actually make the character interesting. The character's religious beliefs only come into play after the ass-kicking is done. It's not much more than, "It sounds like you killed some terrible people, but it was for a good cause, promise to try not to kill quite so many people next time."
That said, I was entertained by this story, and I have read more from the series. If you can successfully treat most of the novel as a setup for the ass-kicking action sequences, it's kind of fun.
Just don't pay too much attention to the terrible dialog, and do your best to ignore the cliches, stereotypes, and tone-deaf characterization. Imagine it's the written equivalent of a low-budget action movie, and enjoy it for what it is.
October 18, 2022
Michael Anderle writes a lot of books, both on his own and in collaboration with other authors.
"Feared by Hell", first in the 'Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone series' is his alone. And that is not necessarily a good thing - it's full of good ideas, gallops along at a great pace, has some fine action scenes but it seems to have been written at speed with little or no care given to whether the world or the characters are properly fleshed out.
For example, one character is blind, but says "I’ve seen a few of the Ancestor’s Quest movies." How?
The basic plot is that The Thing (James Brownstone) teams up with Lara Croft (Shay Carson) in a world full of alien magic. After a short trip to Peru to battle with blood sorcerers for a powerful artefact it is time to protect a young girl whose mother has disappeared.
It is achieved through the use of extreme violence - Mr. Brownstone being almost indestructible certainly helps. Shay, though willing to lay down heavy firepower, is mostly just there making snarky comments. And, despite her conviction that all men go weak at the knees in her presence, she's almost deranged in her behaviour with Brownstone.
Then the group who threaten the safety of the girl make a very, very big mistake - they butcher his dog, Leeroy. It's time to ramp up the violence to the maximum.
As action novels go it is not the worst I have read but in this case a second author, one who was willing to put in the work to make the read better, was certainly called for. Either that or a damned good editor.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
"Feared by Hell", first in the 'Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone series' is his alone. And that is not necessarily a good thing - it's full of good ideas, gallops along at a great pace, has some fine action scenes but it seems to have been written at speed with little or no care given to whether the world or the characters are properly fleshed out.
For example, one character is blind, but says "I’ve seen a few of the Ancestor’s Quest movies." How?
The basic plot is that The Thing (James Brownstone) teams up with Lara Croft (Shay Carson) in a world full of alien magic. After a short trip to Peru to battle with blood sorcerers for a powerful artefact it is time to protect a young girl whose mother has disappeared.
It is achieved through the use of extreme violence - Mr. Brownstone being almost indestructible certainly helps. Shay, though willing to lay down heavy firepower, is mostly just there making snarky comments. And, despite her conviction that all men go weak at the knees in her presence, she's almost deranged in her behaviour with Brownstone.
Then the group who threaten the safety of the girl make a very, very big mistake - they butcher his dog, Leeroy. It's time to ramp up the violence to the maximum.
As action novels go it is not the worst I have read but in this case a second author, one who was willing to put in the work to make the read better, was certainly called for. Either that or a damned good editor.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
December 20, 2023
Oh, Wow!
This Book had me fixated from the first sentence to the last.
It was gritty, and sometimes hard to take in, as all the brutality, the greed, the sheer horror of that darkness we can all have deep inside us, was brought out into the light, by a man who, while convinced that he, himself is a monster, actually shows, through a heart that shines with brightness, that it's never in the way that we look, that shows how we can be defined.
I already love James Brownstone, and understand how he looks at himself through the eyes of others, but still doesn't realise that Alison was so right in her description of him.
And then Shay comes along, and she fits so well within James' life.
I love how she, too, is so oblivious to what is happening between them both.
I'm going to quickly go finish this review, with the advice for you to go buy this series, because I can see it becoming just as much a favourite of mine, as the Kurtherian Gambit was, and still is!
So, as soon as I've finished this review, I'm going straight on to book two of this already awesome series: 'Rejected By Heaven', to continue learning about these awesome characters, who already feel like friends to me.
So, once I've read book two, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I'm thinking about it - and if it's anything like book one, I know I'm in for one heck of a ride!
This Book had me fixated from the first sentence to the last.
It was gritty, and sometimes hard to take in, as all the brutality, the greed, the sheer horror of that darkness we can all have deep inside us, was brought out into the light, by a man who, while convinced that he, himself is a monster, actually shows, through a heart that shines with brightness, that it's never in the way that we look, that shows how we can be defined.
I already love James Brownstone, and understand how he looks at himself through the eyes of others, but still doesn't realise that Alison was so right in her description of him.
And then Shay comes along, and she fits so well within James' life.
I love how she, too, is so oblivious to what is happening between them both.
I'm going to quickly go finish this review, with the advice for you to go buy this series, because I can see it becoming just as much a favourite of mine, as the Kurtherian Gambit was, and still is!
So, as soon as I've finished this review, I'm going straight on to book two of this already awesome series: 'Rejected By Heaven', to continue learning about these awesome characters, who already feel like friends to me.
So, once I've read book two, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I'm thinking about it - and if it's anything like book one, I know I'm in for one heck of a ride!
January 15, 2020
2nd Time Read
I seldom read a book for a second time, I can't keep up with all the books by great writers whose work I want to enjoy.
The books I've read a second time have all been written by award winning authors who have been admitted to some genres Hall of Fame. I don't know if Mr. Anderle will be recognized as being in a group with the likes of Bob Heinlein, Rita McCaffrey, J. R. R. Tolkien, Doug Adams, Octavia Butler or Andre Norton (I've been reading Science Fiction and Fantasy before it was cool), but this book is awesome.
The barrier between Earth and another planet in a parallel dimension has broken down. Oriceran (?) is a planet of magic wielders comprised of creatures who are the stuff of fantasy and legend (Elves - both Light and Dark, trolls, etc) and some of which that don't even have legends.
The protagonist is a bad asz bounty hunter who tracks down extreme bad guys, whether magical, users of magic or just plain nasty humans. He helps a young blind girl, runs afoul of a Japanese gang, rescues an Elven Princess who has been tortured and dies while slaughtering bad guys of all types.
This is a grand adventure that continues into other books and continues to entertain.
I seldom read a book for a second time, I can't keep up with all the books by great writers whose work I want to enjoy.
The books I've read a second time have all been written by award winning authors who have been admitted to some genres Hall of Fame. I don't know if Mr. Anderle will be recognized as being in a group with the likes of Bob Heinlein, Rita McCaffrey, J. R. R. Tolkien, Doug Adams, Octavia Butler or Andre Norton (I've been reading Science Fiction and Fantasy before it was cool), but this book is awesome.
The barrier between Earth and another planet in a parallel dimension has broken down. Oriceran (?) is a planet of magic wielders comprised of creatures who are the stuff of fantasy and legend (Elves - both Light and Dark, trolls, etc) and some of which that don't even have legends.
The protagonist is a bad asz bounty hunter who tracks down extreme bad guys, whether magical, users of magic or just plain nasty humans. He helps a young blind girl, runs afoul of a Japanese gang, rescues an Elven Princess who has been tortured and dies while slaughtering bad guys of all types.
This is a grand adventure that continues into other books and continues to entertain.
Read
January 20, 2021I've read the first four books of this series, so I can say that it's entertaining enough to keep reading. I really enjoy the main character. The level/type of humour hits the right spot for me.
Having said that, there are issues. The single most important is the portrayal of women (especially in this first book, but to a lesser degree in the rest). Most of the male characters, even if they should be unlikable, are presented in a sympathetic manner. Great! The female characters, not so much. Shay in particular comes across, even when using her own POV, as unpleasant. In fact, she doesn't seem "real" but rather a hostile male view of a strong (and supposedly attractive) woman. Her backstory sounds like weak justification rather than explanation. I could ignore this if it was only one female character, but most of them are either shallow or nasty (see Lt. Maria Hall introduced in book 3).
A lesser issue, or maybe not an issue depending on reading tastes, is the ease at which Brownstone solves his problems. The plot feels like a straight charge from A to B. I like fast pacing, but I also enjoy more layering in the plot and some setbacks. Still, it's a lighter, less stressful read than some other UF series and a good option for switching up after reading something heavier.
Having said that, there are issues. The single most important is the portrayal of women (especially in this first book, but to a lesser degree in the rest). Most of the male characters, even if they should be unlikable, are presented in a sympathetic manner. Great! The female characters, not so much. Shay in particular comes across, even when using her own POV, as unpleasant. In fact, she doesn't seem "real" but rather a hostile male view of a strong (and supposedly attractive) woman. Her backstory sounds like weak justification rather than explanation. I could ignore this if it was only one female character, but most of them are either shallow or nasty (see Lt. Maria Hall introduced in book 3).
A lesser issue, or maybe not an issue depending on reading tastes, is the ease at which Brownstone solves his problems. The plot feels like a straight charge from A to B. I like fast pacing, but I also enjoy more layering in the plot and some setbacks. Still, it's a lighter, less stressful read than some other UF series and a good option for switching up after reading something heavier.
June 21, 2021
3 Surly Teenagers Were Far More Unsettling Stars
Feared By Hell is the first book in the Urban Fantasy Action Adventure series The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone by Michael Anderle.
⛔️ Lots of spoilers below. ⛔️
———————————————————-
A solid 3 🌟’s. But that’s honestly all I can allocate towards this book. It definitely had the makings for more. Except there were many dialogues that made me queasy. Mainly pertaining towards Shay’s inner monologue. The annoying back and forth of her being pissed about guys looking at her, assuming if they don’t they can only be gay, and then being offended if a dude isn’t checking her out. Because and I quote she; “knows she’s hot”. Please chill.
I mostly enjoyed Alison and Anderle’s interesting take on supplementing eyesight with her ‘soul-reading’ ability. I wish her mother would be in the next book because she was so intriguing and Drow. My absolute favorite aspect of the Oriceran universe is the Drow race. Hopefully there is more of their culture overlaid into this series as we get deeper in.
Also: Full-stop minus 1 🌟 because the dog died. How dare you take away the main characters sidekick? And let’s not even get into how very annoyingly John Wick this plot was. Don’t. Touch. The. Dog. And you’ll live. Simple.
Feared By Hell is the first book in the Urban Fantasy Action Adventure series The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone by Michael Anderle.
⛔️ Lots of spoilers below. ⛔️
———————————————————-
A solid 3 🌟’s. But that’s honestly all I can allocate towards this book. It definitely had the makings for more. Except there were many dialogues that made me queasy. Mainly pertaining towards Shay’s inner monologue. The annoying back and forth of her being pissed about guys looking at her, assuming if they don’t they can only be gay, and then being offended if a dude isn’t checking her out. Because and I quote she; “knows she’s hot”. Please chill.
I mostly enjoyed Alison and Anderle’s interesting take on supplementing eyesight with her ‘soul-reading’ ability. I wish her mother would be in the next book because she was so intriguing and Drow. My absolute favorite aspect of the Oriceran universe is the Drow race. Hopefully there is more of their culture overlaid into this series as we get deeper in.
Also: Full-stop minus 1 🌟 because the dog died. How dare you take away the main characters sidekick? And let’s not even get into how very annoyingly John Wick this plot was. Don’t. Touch. The. Dog. And you’ll live. Simple.
May 25, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
3.25*
I thought I posted this years ago.
I liked the MC.
I liked the other characters and I liked the world.
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
3.25*
I thought I posted this years ago.
I liked the MC.
I liked the other characters and I liked the world.
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
September 21, 2018
So, here is the thing. Ideally, I should not like this book. It does not have any major world building (since that is part of the Oriceran book and this is a completely different spin off). The hero is a typical manly cave mannish, alpha type who grunts rather than speaks, swears profusely and perfers fighting above everything else. The story is a standard action type where the hero wins - mostly after getting in to unreal situations and taking on huge number of villains at one go - he manages to kill all. He is the Ultimate Man ( and I do not like such characters).
But, I love this series. Brownstone is awesome! That is because when you look closer, he is an alpha but is not an douche one. He respects women, even if they might be stronger. ( A trait I credit Michael A for since its visible in all his books). The testosterone might be high but the way the writer shapes the story - such situations are funny. The action is invigorating and the books are short.
I follow the series regularly.
But, I love this series. Brownstone is awesome! That is because when you look closer, he is an alpha but is not an douche one. He respects women, even if they might be stronger. ( A trait I credit Michael A for since its visible in all his books). The testosterone might be high but the way the writer shapes the story - such situations are funny. The action is invigorating and the books are short.
I follow the series regularly.
September 12, 2018
Super fun and the characters were good too
This was my first foray into any of Michael Anderle's worlds. Short story, shorter, I'm starting the Kutherian (hope I spelled that right) series next. His writing is crisp and tart like a good apple. At least the kind that I like. His characters are fun to watch in my head and while I wish there was a little more description of them, the tantalizing glimpses he provides alloed me to build a picture that none of you can destroy. The storyline is quick and explosive with few slow spots and they werre at most a coupld of pages.
I really appreciated that the characters' backstories were brought out through the story and not through inner monolog that never seems to end. It was also fund to watch the two porcupines dance around each other trying to figure the other out.
Gotta say, I'm heading back to read some more of Mr. Anderle.
This was my first foray into any of Michael Anderle's worlds. Short story, shorter, I'm starting the Kutherian (hope I spelled that right) series next. His writing is crisp and tart like a good apple. At least the kind that I like. His characters are fun to watch in my head and while I wish there was a little more description of them, the tantalizing glimpses he provides alloed me to build a picture that none of you can destroy. The storyline is quick and explosive with few slow spots and they werre at most a coupld of pages.
I really appreciated that the characters' backstories were brought out through the story and not through inner monolog that never seems to end. It was also fund to watch the two porcupines dance around each other trying to figure the other out.
Gotta say, I'm heading back to read some more of Mr. Anderle.
July 5, 2019
BBQ rules! Don't mess with a man's best friend
I enjoyed the story. I was disappointed in the editing that still needs to happen. To find errors still is very disappointing. Who know if the author ever reads these reviews. I read all of his stuff. It's the least he can do. Sure your busy but if you have anyone checking these errors should have been corrected by now. After and during the reading of this book, I am dying for some BBQ. The fact that it's the fourth of July is not helping that craving. I like James. The fact that he goes to confession cracks me up. Who are confesses ?? I am pretty sure that goes against the whole purpose of confession. I read Allison's books first so it is kind of nice to see where everything started. Go forth and eat BBQ!
I enjoyed the story. I was disappointed in the editing that still needs to happen. To find errors still is very disappointing. Who know if the author ever reads these reviews. I read all of his stuff. It's the least he can do. Sure your busy but if you have anyone checking these errors should have been corrected by now. After and during the reading of this book, I am dying for some BBQ. The fact that it's the fourth of July is not helping that craving. I like James. The fact that he goes to confession cracks me up. Who are confesses ?? I am pretty sure that goes against the whole purpose of confession. I read Allison's books first so it is kind of nice to see where everything started. Go forth and eat BBQ!
December 10, 2021
This was very enjoyable. The main characters are written well, I really like the lead and two supporting and since they will be the main focus of the series as it continues, I feel like that's a good thing. It's weird reading about Alison here compared to Alison in the Alison Brownstone series and the Alison School of Necessary Magic series. We learn her real name and how she truly meets James, we see her before she goes to school. Shay's POVs are nice to read about, she's such a powerhouse and as for James, he's hilarious, it's a fast read.
However, if you're not acquainted with the world, you're going to be confused about Oriceren, to be honest, it's not really explained in the other books, even with the ones by Martha Carr.
However, if you're not acquainted with the world, you're going to be confused about Oriceren, to be honest, it's not really explained in the other books, even with the ones by Martha Carr.
May 24, 2022
An explosive and bullet riddled start to the series. One that is fast pace and action packed. Something for everyone in this book, including a universe I’ve only recently started to explore, the Oriceran.
There were a few points that stood out here. Not only was it action filled but it didn’t go overboard on the details. Though it did have enough to satisfy any action lover. The pace was faster than normal and the book could have benefited from a few more scenes in it to give a more human approach to the start of the series.
Overall, an excellent start to the series and I’m ready for the next one. Let’s see what James Brownstone gets into in the next book, both in barbeque and bounty hunting.
There were a few points that stood out here. Not only was it action filled but it didn’t go overboard on the details. Though it did have enough to satisfy any action lover. The pace was faster than normal and the book could have benefited from a few more scenes in it to give a more human approach to the start of the series.
Overall, an excellent start to the series and I’m ready for the next one. Let’s see what James Brownstone gets into in the next book, both in barbeque and bounty hunting.
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