2.5 starts. Some parts were just ok, some I liked.
I received a copy for free in exchange for an honest review. When I requested the book, I did not realize it was second in a series. The story is standalone, but naturally, there is a lot of back story and world building missing, so I would recommend starting with the first book.
Let's start with what I liked.
I think the world that is created in these books is interesting. It has some of the traditional supernatural aspects, and some new ones. It's well done.
The plot was engaging and pretty fast paced. There were a few times I felt like the team didn't catch on quick enough, or that they reacted differently than I expected them too, but all in all it was a good story.
And now the parts that I am just ok with:
The characters felt a little flat. I know that may be because I missed back story, but they were all missing some dimension. In some ways, I feel that they were all designed to fill a specific role and that they didn't stray far from the (almost) stereotype.
As I reader, I prefer a show, not tell, style of writing. Red Alert, for me, was a little to much telling. I didn't feel the emotions or the struggles, even when they were described to me. So much of the character's personalities are there instincts, and it was frustrating to read time and time again that something was bothering them, but not not actually feel that in the writing.
Although I struggled with parts of the book, I still think that it was an interesting story and would recommend for anyone that likes a good mystery with a side of steam.