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Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator #4
Smoke & Ashes
I like my whiskey like I like my women: stretching a metaphor way too far.
A couple of years ago I screwed up so badly that everybody I remotely cared about wound up dead, nearly dead, or just plain betraying me. Some days, I’m sober enough to care.
My list of “things I really don’t need right now” starts with a condescending octogenarian werewolf having a go at me for banging a Marchioness. As for where it ends, try the disembodied spirit of my ex-girlfriend stalking me in my dreams, a vindictive wizard-vampire from the first century on a vengeance crusade, being hired by the magical twin of my disanimated best friend and, oh yes, having to find the actual Holy Grail.
If I was a better person, I’d take this opportunity to put my life together. I’d find a way to fix everything I broke, save everybody I let down, and maybe pay a certain vampire back for leaving me to die. But I’m not a better person. I’m a hard-drinking half-faery train wreck on legs and if I hated myself less I might even say I liked it that way.
A couple of years ago I screwed up so badly that everybody I remotely cared about wound up dead, nearly dead, or just plain betraying me. Some days, I’m sober enough to care.
My list of “things I really don’t need right now” starts with a condescending octogenarian werewolf having a go at me for banging a Marchioness. As for where it ends, try the disembodied spirit of my ex-girlfriend stalking me in my dreams, a vindictive wizard-vampire from the first century on a vengeance crusade, being hired by the magical twin of my disanimated best friend and, oh yes, having to find the actual Holy Grail.
If I was a better person, I’d take this opportunity to put my life together. I’d find a way to fix everything I broke, save everybody I let down, and maybe pay a certain vampire back for leaving me to die. But I’m not a better person. I’m a hard-drinking half-faery train wreck on legs and if I hated myself less I might even say I liked it that way.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2020
22 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Hall
59 books15k followersOne of those intricate British queers.
Please note: I don’t read / reply to DMs. If you would like to get in touch, the best way is via email which you can find in the contact section on my website <3
Please note: I don’t read / reply to DMs. If you would like to get in touch, the best way is via email which you can find in the contact section on my website <3
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December 4, 2020Smashed through my reader's block like an out-of-control car driven at full speed. What an absolute pleasure.
It's book 4 and there is a large cast and a lot of backstory. I had no trouble picking the story up though it's been a couple of years I think since the last one [edit: it's been six months *eye twitch* Time no longer exists.] Anyway, Hall holds your hand through the cluing-in, but a new reader should still start on book 1 because you'd be missing out.
Massive fun with Arthurian legends, excellent use of TS Eliot, Tara becoming a much more sympathetic character, Kate spiralling further on the twin tracks of 'disaster lesbian' and 'ancient avatar of the Wild Hunt' and some hugely entertaining narration and dialogue. Can't wait for the next.
It's book 4 and there is a large cast and a lot of backstory. I had no trouble picking the story up though it's been a couple of years I think since the last one [edit: it's been six months *eye twitch* Time no longer exists.] Anyway, Hall holds your hand through the cluing-in, but a new reader should still start on book 1 because you'd be missing out.
Massive fun with Arthurian legends, excellent use of TS Eliot, Tara becoming a much more sympathetic character, Kate spiralling further on the twin tracks of 'disaster lesbian' and 'ancient avatar of the Wild Hunt' and some hugely entertaining narration and dialogue. Can't wait for the next.
January 10, 2021
She's back! Drunker, sadder and literally broken.
The plot. Having faced some truly devastating events in book three, Kate is now struggling with something as mundane as getting out of bed. She drinks, sleeps and literally fights her way through the day and is simply existing without living. She wouldn't be herself however if trouble didn't somehow find her crazy ass.
The characters. Kate. Fucking. Kane. Good grief the woman is a hot mess. I mean that literally because she's like catnip to pussies. Cats. I meant pussycats. You get what I mean. It's like the entire female population of London is trying to sleep with her (and some succeed)!
The writing. This fourth book in the Kate Kane series is a lot more grim than the previous books. Kate has been put through the wringer and it shows. She's losing friends and allies left right and center. The woman she loved turned out to be a jackass and it seems she may be suffering from a depression. Can someone just give her a hug, a banana, a glass of single malt and a couple of orgasms already?
The special. The thing about Kate is that despite how sad, detached and broken she is, I always find myself rooting for her. She's full of piss and vinegar and brutal snark at times but at the end of the day, she's fiercely loyal to those she cares about. I can't help but adore her and want her to have a happy ending.
The negative. Normally I have trouble finding anything to critique about Kate's adventures but this time I found myself rolling my eyes a few times. I get that she has to pull herself up by her bootstraps but bloody hell did it take long. I was missing a lot more action scenes and the narrative lagged a little with a slightly rushed ending but overall I still enjoyed the book very much.
The verdict. Not my favorite in the series by a long shot but still a great read. Overall score for this one ends in a 4* rating.
“I’m not your pet. True I’ve been staying in your house, eating your food, and generally leeching off you for quite a long time now, but that makes me a loser, not property.”
The plot. Having faced some truly devastating events in book three, Kate is now struggling with something as mundane as getting out of bed. She drinks, sleeps and literally fights her way through the day and is simply existing without living. She wouldn't be herself however if trouble didn't somehow find her crazy ass.
The characters. Kate. Fucking. Kane. Good grief the woman is a hot mess. I mean that literally because she's like catnip to pussies. Cats. I meant pussycats. You get what I mean. It's like the entire female population of London is trying to sleep with her (and some succeed)!
The writing. This fourth book in the Kate Kane series is a lot more grim than the previous books. Kate has been put through the wringer and it shows. She's losing friends and allies left right and center. The woman she loved turned out to be a jackass and it seems she may be suffering from a depression. Can someone just give her a hug, a banana, a glass of single malt and a couple of orgasms already?
The special. The thing about Kate is that despite how sad, detached and broken she is, I always find myself rooting for her. She's full of piss and vinegar and brutal snark at times but at the end of the day, she's fiercely loyal to those she cares about. I can't help but adore her and want her to have a happy ending.
The negative. Normally I have trouble finding anything to critique about Kate's adventures but this time I found myself rolling my eyes a few times. I get that she has to pull herself up by her bootstraps but bloody hell did it take long. I was missing a lot more action scenes and the narrative lagged a little with a slightly rushed ending but overall I still enjoyed the book very much.
The verdict. Not my favorite in the series by a long shot but still a great read. Overall score for this one ends in a 4* rating.
“I’m not your pet. True I’ve been staying in your house, eating your food, and generally leeching off you for quite a long time now, but that makes me a loser, not property.”
October 4, 2021
Here likes Kate Kane. Was in a hole; didn't stop digging. Beloved daughter. Sorely missed.
So much fun! I don't actually have a lot to say about this, since spoilers, but believe me, there's a lot of stuff that happens, a lot of action, a lot of advancement in the plot, a lot of supernatural madness, a lot of women swooning over Kate. So, business as usual! Sometimes series can be frustrating when they give you a bunch of mysteries and not a lot of answers with each successive book, but I think this walks a satisfying enough line. We're figuring out certain things, getting certain reveals, but there's always something keeping you guessing, further mysteries to solve. I love Alexis Hall's writing and his way of writing humour and banter and character interaction, and the ways different myths and supernatural beings are incorporated. Some stuff finally happened in this book that I was very happy with (though I have to admit, I'd have preferred seeing said event when it started). There was also a really touching and lovely moment with just a mundane character in this book, and I adored it. IDK what's coming next but there were some explosive occurrences near the end that made me super shocked/excited. It's definitely a happier ending than the last book, but also there's a sorta cliff-hanger? I can't wait for whatever comes next.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Henriette Meire, which was okay. I actually really liked her voice, and I thought her accent perfectly suited Kate, but it was definitely jarring after having listened to the last three books in quick succession with a different narrator. There wasn't any continuity. Julian suddenly had a French accent, Patrick suddenly had an American accent, Tara didn't have that husky quality that I loved... if she'd been the narrator from the beginning I wouldn't have cared, but this definitely threw me.
I can't believe I'm all caught up! This is why I usually avoid unfinished series; I hate having to wait lol. 😂 But I do think that this is a satisfying place to have to wait, if that's something you're worried about. I'll be looking forward to the coming instalment(s?) very eagerly.
Content warnings: .
December 2, 2020
I have missed you, Kate Kane!
I effing loved this and I'm excited for the fifth book in the series. I need more Kate, Elise and the big softy, Tara!
I effing loved this and I'm excited for the fifth book in the series. I need more Kate, Elise and the big softy, Tara!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2020
Me, after reading Fire & Water: Wow. Kate has reached Peak Disaster Lesbian. Surely she can’t keep making bad choices? Surely there are no more bad choices for her to make???? I’m looking forward to her attempting to get her life together!!! 👍
Kate Kane, hearing what I said about her after I read Fire & Water: *goes to climb on a unicorn* Hold my beer (whiskey).
I have such unbridled joy for Kate and this series. It’s going to be bittersweet when it ends.
Kate Kane, hearing what I said about her after I read Fire & Water: *goes to climb on a unicorn* Hold my beer (whiskey).
I have such unbridled joy for Kate and this series. It’s going to be bittersweet when it ends.
November 29, 2023
I need an ending 😭
January 7, 2021
YES!
This is one of the best of the series. A ride and a half indeed. Kate Kane picks you up, runs a bit, then has a drink, does something inappropriate, cusses, and gets laid a lot. I love her. And I will never view estate agents from Brentford in the same way ever again.
Well worth reading.
This is one of the best of the series. A ride and a half indeed. Kate Kane picks you up, runs a bit, then has a drink, does something inappropriate, cusses, and gets laid a lot. I love her. And I will never view estate agents from Brentford in the same way ever again.
Well worth reading.
December 15, 2020
Well, that was a ride!
And that ending, dear gods, that ending!
And that ending, dear gods, that ending!
December 4, 2022
I have now read the Kate Kane series. Really like all the characters and magical mayhem Kate gets into, although I think I liked the first 2 books the best. Poor Kate is sad and brooding for most of this book, and I'm looking forward to Book 5 to see how the story wraps up. But the truth is I would love a whole book about Elise & Ashriel. I can't get enough of them. :-)
October 21, 2025
I feel like this series takes a bit to get in to…. There are so many characters and so much going on in each book! But they’re totally worth it.
This one takes place a couple of years after book 3, which took me a minute to get used to. Kate’s in a bad place after losing her best friend and breaking up with her vampire prince girlfriend. Then a bunch of crazy, supernatural stuff happens, and Kate is left better than she was at the beginning (try for no spoilers!). And a new bad guy is introduced, so now I can’t wait for book 5!
I listened to the audio of this and it was a different narrator than the first 3 books, which was a bit jarring. I liked this narrator’s ability to do more accents and I think she did a great job, but personally I didn’t like her voice. The pitch was just not one that gets along with my ears, so I’ll likely be reading the physical book for any more in this series.
This one takes place a couple of years after book 3, which took me a minute to get used to. Kate’s in a bad place after losing her best friend and breaking up with her vampire prince girlfriend. Then a bunch of crazy, supernatural stuff happens, and Kate is left better than she was at the beginning (try for no spoilers!). And a new bad guy is introduced, so now I can’t wait for book 5!
I listened to the audio of this and it was a different narrator than the first 3 books, which was a bit jarring. I liked this narrator’s ability to do more accents and I think she did a great job, but personally I didn’t like her voice. The pitch was just not one that gets along with my ears, so I’ll likely be reading the physical book for any more in this series.
September 6, 2023
*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance during London Calling (July-September 2023)
About three years ago, shit has it been three years? Kate Kane's life went to hell. Technically literally, but that's another story. Her life was saved but in the process it also fell apart. She was betrayed by her girlfriend, Julian Saint-Germain, once again proving you can never trust vampires, and her best friend, Elise, was turned back into a statue. But the worst fate belonged to her ex Nimue, who lost half her face in the battle for the very soul of London and now lies in a coma. Since then Kate's done exactly what you'd expect her to do, drunkenly wallow. Although the thread count of the sheets in the bed she's been wallowing in have gone drastically up since she started banging Tara Vane-Tempest. Posh werewolves really do have a nice life. Although this posh werewolf is even starting to question Kate's life plan. One can't stay in bed forever drunk. Of course when Kate does get out of Tara's bed she often ends up in someone else's... Which she's not sure if Tara is OK with. But Kate's life is a train wreck so what does it matter if she destroys the one kind of good thing in it? Though things are about to change. Not for the better. The werewolves have been attacked. One was skinned. The perpetrator has links to Kate, links she'd rather not think about because the attacker happens to be the vampire that sired Patrick, her intolerable ex who is still listening to "Clair de Lune" on repeat. Her arrival would be problematic enough if she hadn't teamed up with the vampire who almost killed Kate three years previously, Sebastian Douglas, who has allied himself with the Queen of Winter, the King of Shadows. This is a clusterfuck of vengeance coming right for Kate and those few people she still tries to care about even if she's kind of lost touch with them. But Kate knows things are really about to kick off when her prophetic dreams return. The green lady who is and isn't Nimue tells Kate that all that is wrong is because Nim's life is in the balance. She needs to be killed or restored so that London can recover. Of course Kate doesn't want Nim to die, which means she has to find the Holy Grail. Yes, THAT Holy Grail.
How would I describe Smoke and Ashes? A damn stupid interminable vision quest without an actual ending. This volume, and to an extent the previous volume, seem to be prologue to whatever is coming in the final volume, Time and Tide, which is now two years overdue. Not that I actually care. Other than if the final volume was out I could read it and then never look back. Because all that I mildly enjoyed in this series has been slowly stripped away. The narrowing of focus has made this nothing more than bad King Arthur fanfic. And I like King Arthur fanfic, my love of Merlin, both the campy BBC series and the Sam Neill miniseries, should be enough to prove my bona fides. But I can't stand this. This stripping down of characters, this myopic drunken vision quest. If you would have told me I'd react so strongly to the removal of a Pudding Nun and Pygmalion I would have laughed at you. And I would have been so so wrong. And yes, I know Pygmalion was the sculptor, it just has such a nice alliterative ring that I couldn't pass it up. Taking away the most "memorable" characters has been tantamount to suicide. The supposed three years since the events of the previous book has seen Kate become a committed drunken whore. Which proves to me, time and again, that the main problem with this whole series is it's star, Kate Kane. And this volume really let me get to the heart of why I hate here. Kate is an immature ass. Literally. She has no emotional maturity. I mean, this could have something to do with Patrick and her traumatic teens, that somehow her development has been stunted at a time in her life where she wasn't fully formed and instead of dealing with the trauma she has created a persona versus a personality. But this might just be me trying to justify her being drunk in Tara's bed for three years. Because Kate is what an ill-informed teenager would think a PI is, a drunk who bangs the dames. Yes, I guess this could be a valid life choice, but it's so damn depressing and nihilistic. Kate's always assumed she'd die young so she doesn't bother to work on herself, she doesn't actually try, she's willing to stay childish, even needing bedtime stories. She stumbles around when she has to, but really, if you think about all her actions, they are really only reactions. I want to smack her and tell to grow the fuck up. But I really don't think that would help, she knows how to take a punch.
About three years ago, shit has it been three years? Kate Kane's life went to hell. Technically literally, but that's another story. Her life was saved but in the process it also fell apart. She was betrayed by her girlfriend, Julian Saint-Germain, once again proving you can never trust vampires, and her best friend, Elise, was turned back into a statue. But the worst fate belonged to her ex Nimue, who lost half her face in the battle for the very soul of London and now lies in a coma. Since then Kate's done exactly what you'd expect her to do, drunkenly wallow. Although the thread count of the sheets in the bed she's been wallowing in have gone drastically up since she started banging Tara Vane-Tempest. Posh werewolves really do have a nice life. Although this posh werewolf is even starting to question Kate's life plan. One can't stay in bed forever drunk. Of course when Kate does get out of Tara's bed she often ends up in someone else's... Which she's not sure if Tara is OK with. But Kate's life is a train wreck so what does it matter if she destroys the one kind of good thing in it? Though things are about to change. Not for the better. The werewolves have been attacked. One was skinned. The perpetrator has links to Kate, links she'd rather not think about because the attacker happens to be the vampire that sired Patrick, her intolerable ex who is still listening to "Clair de Lune" on repeat. Her arrival would be problematic enough if she hadn't teamed up with the vampire who almost killed Kate three years previously, Sebastian Douglas, who has allied himself with the Queen of Winter, the King of Shadows. This is a clusterfuck of vengeance coming right for Kate and those few people she still tries to care about even if she's kind of lost touch with them. But Kate knows things are really about to kick off when her prophetic dreams return. The green lady who is and isn't Nimue tells Kate that all that is wrong is because Nim's life is in the balance. She needs to be killed or restored so that London can recover. Of course Kate doesn't want Nim to die, which means she has to find the Holy Grail. Yes, THAT Holy Grail.
How would I describe Smoke and Ashes? A damn stupid interminable vision quest without an actual ending. This volume, and to an extent the previous volume, seem to be prologue to whatever is coming in the final volume, Time and Tide, which is now two years overdue. Not that I actually care. Other than if the final volume was out I could read it and then never look back. Because all that I mildly enjoyed in this series has been slowly stripped away. The narrowing of focus has made this nothing more than bad King Arthur fanfic. And I like King Arthur fanfic, my love of Merlin, both the campy BBC series and the Sam Neill miniseries, should be enough to prove my bona fides. But I can't stand this. This stripping down of characters, this myopic drunken vision quest. If you would have told me I'd react so strongly to the removal of a Pudding Nun and Pygmalion I would have laughed at you. And I would have been so so wrong. And yes, I know Pygmalion was the sculptor, it just has such a nice alliterative ring that I couldn't pass it up. Taking away the most "memorable" characters has been tantamount to suicide. The supposed three years since the events of the previous book has seen Kate become a committed drunken whore. Which proves to me, time and again, that the main problem with this whole series is it's star, Kate Kane. And this volume really let me get to the heart of why I hate here. Kate is an immature ass. Literally. She has no emotional maturity. I mean, this could have something to do with Patrick and her traumatic teens, that somehow her development has been stunted at a time in her life where she wasn't fully formed and instead of dealing with the trauma she has created a persona versus a personality. But this might just be me trying to justify her being drunk in Tara's bed for three years. Because Kate is what an ill-informed teenager would think a PI is, a drunk who bangs the dames. Yes, I guess this could be a valid life choice, but it's so damn depressing and nihilistic. Kate's always assumed she'd die young so she doesn't bother to work on herself, she doesn't actually try, she's willing to stay childish, even needing bedtime stories. She stumbles around when she has to, but really, if you think about all her actions, they are really only reactions. I want to smack her and tell to grow the fuck up. But I really don't think that would help, she knows how to take a punch.
November 25, 2020
I'm enjoying each book in the series more than the previous. I'm really really looking forward to the fifth book!
December 25, 2021
These books are so much fun and are getting better and better. Aaaall the magic, aaaall the tropes. New narrator needed some getting used to, but also works. The end sounded like the series could continue. 😃
Read
August 12, 2023Due to life circumstances reading hasn't been much of an option, though I did remain curious about the resolution of this book, Picked it back up about a month ago and as my life would allow listened in. I am now pretty much audiobooks only. I will say that the loss of Cat Gould as the narrator is immense. It took a lot of tries to be able to listen as all the voices have changed and it just doesn't sound even relatively the same, no longer able to know people by voice is a little disconcerting. On top of that the inflections are different and well Kate now sounds a bit Scottish or something. All the is critique of the audiobook only, the book itself if you are reading the series is solid, the same adventurous type combined with angst and self depreciation. Cannot wait for the next book, was happy to see that she is allowing the storylines to come to life naturally and not leaving issues hang for several books. There are still a ton of questions as to how this will all resole itself but the characters even the side characters are showing a ton of development. 5/5 Love this book!
February 8, 2023
2 yrs have past since book 3. Kate is drunk most of the time, barely works or functions. Sleeping with Tara in a fuck buddy kind of way. And partially so Kate doesn't have to return to empty home.
characters
julian - 800 yr old vampire, prince of cup/pleasure of london, kate ex lover, refused to risk self to save Kate from Sebastian.
Ashriel - reformed incubus, Julian right hand, upset about Elise, guilty choose Julian over saving Kate.
Sebastian Douglas - dead now, prince of wands (magic/artifacts), tried to sacrifice Kate to become Apollo, stopped by scoobies and Sofia choosing samuel/apollo over sebastian.
Hephaition - servant to Sebastian, animated statue, has connection to Elise
Patrick - Kates ex, worked for Prince of Wands cleaning up messes. Stuck as 18 yr old drama queen perpetually in love, transferred obsession to Sofia, proto delphic oracle, part of the scoobies
Mercy - Prince of sword, worn dual with Wolfs by threatening wolves kids
Thomas Price - Prince of Coins/money angry at K for killing progeny & having Aelica toss him from building
Halfdan the shaper - Regent of the North, directed cover up of Kate battle with percy that left him in burning building, appeared with scoobies to fight sebastian but disappeared before finale
Diego de FLores - vampire court Death, ex inquisitor, cold hearted, ruthless sadist, tried to bribe Kate to give up Julian for vote on kate trial
Sybil - High Priestess of Vampires, 3/4 gone, seems to want to kill Sophia for unknown reason
Abu Jabril al-Rashid - Emperor of Vampires from Istanbul
Kesmit - Justice of Vampires, dates back to pharaohs. looks 12, obsessed with death & judgement
Dr Acton Knight - Temperance of Vampire court, father to Patrick, collects & helps waif, now mentoring Tara brother Niel
Elsie - animated statue kate traded info for providing home & job. Trying to learn to fit in. Has understanding of inanimate objects, turned to statue by sebastian while trying to free Kate. Has multiple other sister clones
Tara - head of werewolves, prior Alpha undermine authority
Henry - werewolf
Nim - ex of Kate, witch queen of london, Kate swore fealty, defeated nearly killed by sebastian now in spelled coma,
Gabriel - witch court seer, Guardian of the North, has kids
Rachel -witch court communicating & Guardian of the east, King/Sebastian put in coma
Jacob witch court dead & underground & watcher, defeated by Vera King
Maeve - priestess of Quiet gods, Julian ex, impressioned for attacking Julian
Michelle Guardian of South & enforcer
Eve - Kates most recent ex, now runs a techno army fighting supernatural, part of scoobies
Corin - Kate rebound from Eve who betrayed her & killed partner. Sent to prison but escaped. Stole Morrigan urn, Hand of Glory/gives invisibility, and Tear, which need for ritual to turn god. Has disappeared after Kate wolves took tears from her
Henry Percy - vampire who tried to sacrifice Kate at 17 or 18 in ritual to become god Apollo, Kate saved by Patrick. Kidnapped Sophie, used to complete 1st part of ritual. Kate fought Percy, left unconscious in burning building, fight sebastian, burned to death.
Sophie- 17 yr old high school student, current object of Patricks obsessive love, descendent of Apollo delphi oracle, joined scoobies, her choosing Sam/Apollo over Sebastian wins fight
Samuel - Sophia new classmate/friend, really Apollo in disguise
Dame Claudia - in charge of secret government in charge of monitoring paranormal, working with Eve
Merchant/Sheyne - changeling runs pawn shop that requires for trade of every bit and piece, material & verbal. affiliated with for Fay King of shadows, Queen of winter
Red Rose - witch who runs club, fought with Nim to keep tears from King & Seb.
Fisher - wants tears to heal wound (fisher king) fought with Nim to keep tears from Seb & King
King - powerful witch wants to rule London, killed by Sebastian to get tears
Vera King - kings grandmother, was evil powerful witch in 50, killed by Kate in rade for child soul.
characters
julian - 800 yr old vampire, prince of cup/pleasure of london, kate ex lover, refused to risk self to save Kate from Sebastian.
Ashriel - reformed incubus, Julian right hand, upset about Elise, guilty choose Julian over saving Kate.
Sebastian Douglas - dead now, prince of wands (magic/artifacts), tried to sacrifice Kate to become Apollo, stopped by scoobies and Sofia choosing samuel/apollo over sebastian.
Hephaition - servant to Sebastian, animated statue, has connection to Elise
Patrick - Kates ex, worked for Prince of Wands cleaning up messes. Stuck as 18 yr old drama queen perpetually in love, transferred obsession to Sofia, proto delphic oracle, part of the scoobies
Mercy - Prince of sword, worn dual with Wolfs by threatening wolves kids
Thomas Price - Prince of Coins/money angry at K for killing progeny & having Aelica toss him from building
Halfdan the shaper - Regent of the North, directed cover up of Kate battle with percy that left him in burning building, appeared with scoobies to fight sebastian but disappeared before finale
Diego de FLores - vampire court Death, ex inquisitor, cold hearted, ruthless sadist, tried to bribe Kate to give up Julian for vote on kate trial
Sybil - High Priestess of Vampires, 3/4 gone, seems to want to kill Sophia for unknown reason
Abu Jabril al-Rashid - Emperor of Vampires from Istanbul
Kesmit - Justice of Vampires, dates back to pharaohs. looks 12, obsessed with death & judgement
Dr Acton Knight - Temperance of Vampire court, father to Patrick, collects & helps waif, now mentoring Tara brother Niel
Elsie - animated statue kate traded info for providing home & job. Trying to learn to fit in. Has understanding of inanimate objects, turned to statue by sebastian while trying to free Kate. Has multiple other sister clones
Tara - head of werewolves, prior Alpha undermine authority
Henry - werewolf
Nim - ex of Kate, witch queen of london, Kate swore fealty, defeated nearly killed by sebastian now in spelled coma,
Gabriel - witch court seer, Guardian of the North, has kids
Rachel -witch court communicating & Guardian of the east, King/Sebastian put in coma
Jacob witch court dead & underground & watcher, defeated by Vera King
Maeve - priestess of Quiet gods, Julian ex, impressioned for attacking Julian
Michelle Guardian of South & enforcer
Eve - Kates most recent ex, now runs a techno army fighting supernatural, part of scoobies
Corin - Kate rebound from Eve who betrayed her & killed partner. Sent to prison but escaped. Stole Morrigan urn, Hand of Glory/gives invisibility, and Tear, which need for ritual to turn god. Has disappeared after Kate wolves took tears from her
Henry Percy - vampire who tried to sacrifice Kate at 17 or 18 in ritual to become god Apollo, Kate saved by Patrick. Kidnapped Sophie, used to complete 1st part of ritual. Kate fought Percy, left unconscious in burning building, fight sebastian, burned to death.
Sophie- 17 yr old high school student, current object of Patricks obsessive love, descendent of Apollo delphi oracle, joined scoobies, her choosing Sam/Apollo over Sebastian wins fight
Samuel - Sophia new classmate/friend, really Apollo in disguise
Dame Claudia - in charge of secret government in charge of monitoring paranormal, working with Eve
Merchant/Sheyne - changeling runs pawn shop that requires for trade of every bit and piece, material & verbal. affiliated with for Fay King of shadows, Queen of winter
Red Rose - witch who runs club, fought with Nim to keep tears from King & Seb.
Fisher - wants tears to heal wound (fisher king) fought with Nim to keep tears from Seb & King
King - powerful witch wants to rule London, killed by Sebastian to get tears
Vera King - kings grandmother, was evil powerful witch in 50, killed by Kate in rade for child soul.
April 8, 2025
I started the nine-hour Smoke & Ashes audiobook immediately after the third installment in the series because I thought it would be excellent entertainment for a weekend morning. Unfortunately, I was really distracted by the new narrator with a strong accent who was introduced in this novel. To me, this new narrator was definitely not as good as the previous narrator because the other characters’ voices were tinged by this strong accent. This made all the characters difficult to distinguish from one another. Except for Julian St. Germain, which the narrator coated in a very heavy French accent that was not appropriate for a vampire who began “life” as an oysterer’s daughter in the twelfth century.
This installment of the series starts some time between twelve and eighteen months after the end of the previous installment. Not much has changed in Kate Kane’s existence. Alice her best friend is deanimated. Nimue the witch queen is comatose. Julian St Germain the vampire prince is out. Patrick the teenage vampire is in with a new teenage girlfriend. The only new development is that Kate Kane is a fixture in bedroom of Tara the alpha werewolf. So when Tara reads her the riot about getting her act together, she takes it seriously trying to do what is in her power to cure Nimue and resurrect Alice. But of course, there’s an evil power out there with unfinished business that complicates everything.
Even though the third installment did not end on a cliffhanger or a teaser and this fourth installment begins with a few minutes of prologue that summarizes the events of previous installments, I wouldn’t recommend undertaking this book without having finished the first three. There are too many characters and relationships with roots in the earlier books that a reader may miss the richness and complexity of the plot (and subplots) if they start with the fourth book.
I would definitely recommend this novel to readers interested in contemporary urban fantasy. It is a solid entry in the series. While I only have the slightest familiarity with that genre, I can say that this fourth novel does nod to classic fantasy stories, including Arthurian legend, in order to draw on the reader’s cultural literacy to fill in some context. Like its predecessors, this novel didn’t feel at all derivative or disrespectful to me.
This installment of the series starts some time between twelve and eighteen months after the end of the previous installment. Not much has changed in Kate Kane’s existence. Alice her best friend is deanimated. Nimue the witch queen is comatose. Julian St Germain the vampire prince is out. Patrick the teenage vampire is in with a new teenage girlfriend. The only new development is that Kate Kane is a fixture in bedroom of Tara the alpha werewolf. So when Tara reads her the riot about getting her act together, she takes it seriously trying to do what is in her power to cure Nimue and resurrect Alice. But of course, there’s an evil power out there with unfinished business that complicates everything.
Even though the third installment did not end on a cliffhanger or a teaser and this fourth installment begins with a few minutes of prologue that summarizes the events of previous installments, I wouldn’t recommend undertaking this book without having finished the first three. There are too many characters and relationships with roots in the earlier books that a reader may miss the richness and complexity of the plot (and subplots) if they start with the fourth book.
I would definitely recommend this novel to readers interested in contemporary urban fantasy. It is a solid entry in the series. While I only have the slightest familiarity with that genre, I can say that this fourth novel does nod to classic fantasy stories, including Arthurian legend, in order to draw on the reader’s cultural literacy to fill in some context. Like its predecessors, this novel didn’t feel at all derivative or disrespectful to me.
February 5, 2025
Considering how rare it is for me to read physical books nowadays, the way I devoured this one in such a short period should speak for itself. I've missed Kate and the odd cast of surpisingly nuanced, memorable, and lovable paranormal characters around her.
Kate is definitely a disaster lesbian, wallowing in self-loathing and misery from the previous book, so you may need a bit of patience right at the beginning. But once things pick up, they don't stop, and I wish I could just launch into the next book already!
Maybe I'm biased - I'm definitely team werewolves over vampires - but I've always really liked Tara, and we get a delicious amount of her here. I love how different she is from Julian and the surprising warmth we get to see in those private moments with Kate. I'd been holding out hope for Nimue because she really made an impression on me throughout the series, despite how rarely we see her. Buuuuut well... Tara's won me over, and she feels like a better match for Kate when it comes to the chaos. I think true Nimue's a little too "good" for Kate.
Is this series actually just about shipping Kate with different powerful women in each book??? Maybe. And I'm not upset about it. This is a rare series that gets me emotionally invested to the point where I think about these characters often and want to read fanfiction about them or look for fanart. These characters have been in my head for over a decade, and I want them to be happy, you know?
Aaaaanyway! I loved this book. It feels like coming home and eating comfort food with old friends. The mystery solving and action are satisfying, but it's the characters' relationships with each other that make it so much more.
Kate is definitely a disaster lesbian, wallowing in self-loathing and misery from the previous book, so you may need a bit of patience right at the beginning. But once things pick up, they don't stop, and I wish I could just launch into the next book already!
Maybe I'm biased - I'm definitely team werewolves over vampires - but I've always really liked Tara, and we get a delicious amount of her here. I love how different she is from Julian and the surprising warmth we get to see in those private moments with Kate. I'd been holding out hope for Nimue because she really made an impression on me throughout the series, despite how rarely we see her. Buuuuut well... Tara's won me over, and she feels like a better match for Kate when it comes to the chaos. I think true Nimue's a little too "good" for Kate.
Is this series actually just about shipping Kate with different powerful women in each book??? Maybe. And I'm not upset about it. This is a rare series that gets me emotionally invested to the point where I think about these characters often and want to read fanfiction about them or look for fanart. These characters have been in my head for over a decade, and I want them to be happy, you know?
Aaaaanyway! I loved this book. It feels like coming home and eating comfort food with old friends. The mystery solving and action are satisfying, but it's the characters' relationships with each other that make it so much more.
November 18, 2020
Solid and funny with characters you care about.
Smoke and Ashes is the latest in the Kate Kane Series a Urban Fantasy series set in London. The series employs a very terry pratchett style of humour and sensibility. So much comedy is mined from playing with standard UF tropes so Kate is a hard partying private eye with a laughingly complicated personal life who is a former chosen one and a half Fae. Kate is also gay with a wide circle of allies like the best uf there is a outstanding secondary cast and while there is a large comedic element like pratchett there is still real stakes and the characters feel like actual people rather then just caricatures.
The world building is really good with some really interesting takes faeries are more of an abstract idea then a actual person which leads to issues when drawing on there power. Vampires are unchanging while the process of becoming undead exaggerates parts of there personality to a unhealthy degree and Werewolvees are posh members of the aristocracy rather then the more working class type found more often in UF.
The books can be read as standalone s though there are overarching story plots from book to book so I do recommend reading the series in order.
As to the plot, Kate with her life in a mess and separated from her allies finds herself pulled into another mystery when a old enemy returns for vengeance. With an old friends life on the line and experiencing visions Kate must gather her Sh*t together to save the day one more time.
Smoke and Ashes is the latest in the Kate Kane Series a Urban Fantasy series set in London. The series employs a very terry pratchett style of humour and sensibility. So much comedy is mined from playing with standard UF tropes so Kate is a hard partying private eye with a laughingly complicated personal life who is a former chosen one and a half Fae. Kate is also gay with a wide circle of allies like the best uf there is a outstanding secondary cast and while there is a large comedic element like pratchett there is still real stakes and the characters feel like actual people rather then just caricatures.
The world building is really good with some really interesting takes faeries are more of an abstract idea then a actual person which leads to issues when drawing on there power. Vampires are unchanging while the process of becoming undead exaggerates parts of there personality to a unhealthy degree and Werewolvees are posh members of the aristocracy rather then the more working class type found more often in UF.
The books can be read as standalone s though there are overarching story plots from book to book so I do recommend reading the series in order.
As to the plot, Kate with her life in a mess and separated from her allies finds herself pulled into another mystery when a old enemy returns for vengeance. With an old friends life on the line and experiencing visions Kate must gather her Sh*t together to save the day one more time.
March 26, 2022
I've spent the past month and so reading books, and just moving on to the next one. Mostly didn't have the time to review, but I'm also a bit too lazy to go through all of them and review individually, so this review will loosely encompass my opinion concerning all of the books in this series.
First of all, this is great, I like the writing style, I like the characters, I like the plots. The two latest books moreso than the two first ones. I never imagined I'd be able to read a fantasy book and enjoy it this much since I have a history of dozing off just reading the first couple of pages. I would have really loved to see more of some characters rather than others, mostly Nimue instead of Julian. Whenever she was mentioned I rolled my eyes so far back I could almost see my brain. But I like Kate, she's not Micky Knight but she is fun to follow around and observe and judge. I do recommend this series since it changed my mind a bit, making fantasy a big no-no to a "eh, maybe I'll read this if the main character is a female and a lesbian"
I also recommend the audiobook, I listened to it while working and multitasking and enjoyed it immensely.
First of all, this is great, I like the writing style, I like the characters, I like the plots. The two latest books moreso than the two first ones. I never imagined I'd be able to read a fantasy book and enjoy it this much since I have a history of dozing off just reading the first couple of pages. I would have really loved to see more of some characters rather than others, mostly Nimue instead of Julian. Whenever she was mentioned I rolled my eyes so far back I could almost see my brain. But I like Kate, she's not Micky Knight but she is fun to follow around and observe and judge. I do recommend this series since it changed my mind a bit, making fantasy a big no-no to a "eh, maybe I'll read this if the main character is a female and a lesbian"
I also recommend the audiobook, I listened to it while working and multitasking and enjoyed it immensely.
January 19, 2023
Love this series, it is really what an urban fantast should be. The m/c Kate Kane is a great character with just the right level of power and a sense of humor that is just right for the situation.
Just about every woman Kate meets are trying or succeeding in bedding her (the remainder want to kill her)
One comment - this book is very British which mostly is not a problem given the exposure we have had to British TV and novels but sometimes the references get a bit too obscure (I had to Google who Bruce Forsyth was) also a rudimentary knowledge of the geography of England is helpful. For example motorways and A roads - I think these are like Interstate and state highways but shorter because, England!
I think the way to get the best out of this series would be to binge read all of them in one sitting as the cast of characters is large and hard to keep track of after too long between novels - hindsight is 20 20 and the final novel in the series is not available at the time of writing - looking forward to it.
Just about every woman Kate meets are trying or succeeding in bedding her (the remainder want to kill her)
One comment - this book is very British which mostly is not a problem given the exposure we have had to British TV and novels but sometimes the references get a bit too obscure (I had to Google who Bruce Forsyth was) also a rudimentary knowledge of the geography of England is helpful. For example motorways and A roads - I think these are like Interstate and state highways but shorter because, England!
I think the way to get the best out of this series would be to binge read all of them in one sitting as the cast of characters is large and hard to keep track of after too long between novels - hindsight is 20 20 and the final novel in the series is not available at the time of writing - looking forward to it.
April 22, 2021
I’m happy to admit I wasn’t sold on this series at the beginning - there was more quip (and I love quip) than I felt was warranted before we knew or cared about the characters and the plot didn’t really give us time to do that. These same things mean that each book feels better than the one before as you become more invested in the characters, the plot stays fast-paced and the “ha” moments don’t quit. This is Jessica Jones in London trying to hold her PI business together while making terrible choices and being propositioned by hot vampires, werewolves and the occasional real estate agent and honestly I’m there for it. In this one Kate’s trying to save her ex the witch queen of London while pursued as usual by a few different forces of darkness. Also Patrick (an immature vampire with a thing for posing as a teenager a la Edward Cullen) is still complicating things for Kate, Sofia AND his newest 16 year old girlfriend, Elaine. Figures!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2022
I'd read the first 2 books 5-6(??) years ago but didn't remember much about them besides I enjoyed them at the time. Picked up another book by Alexis Hall and was reminded of this series when I was reading the author webpage. Ended up setting that book down and blowing through the 4 Kate Kane books in about as many days. The 3rd and 4th books were definitely stronger than the first 2, but I liked all of them. I do think the endings for the books all feel a bit rushed because there are so many plot points going on (besides the first one, which had 1 main thing going on), but I still immensely enjoyed the series. I love the world and the characters that Hall has brought to life (despite the first book being a bit heavy on the parody) and am definitely looking forward to seeing what Kate Kane and friends gets up to in the next book :)
January 14, 2021
stayed up until 3am
ALEXIS HALL YOU’RE GONNA KILL US
Somehow, due to finals and hell week and the pandemic, I completely missed the fact that this book was coming out. Discover it about four hours ago on a lucky series reread, sped through the third book and headed to read this one.
A fantastic continuation to Kate’s difficulties from Book the Third, and a great introduction to new characters, new difficulties, and a book without much of characters we know and love. Fire&Water made me at first feel like something was ripped out, this one carries on in an almost soothing way, addressing Kate’s (many) issues.
I can’t wait for the next one, and this one I hope I can be aware of before it comes out, not too months later.
ALEXIS HALL YOU’RE GONNA KILL US
Somehow, due to finals and hell week and the pandemic, I completely missed the fact that this book was coming out. Discover it about four hours ago on a lucky series reread, sped through the third book and headed to read this one.
A fantastic continuation to Kate’s difficulties from Book the Third, and a great introduction to new characters, new difficulties, and a book without much of characters we know and love. Fire&Water made me at first feel like something was ripped out, this one carries on in an almost soothing way, addressing Kate’s (many) issues.
I can’t wait for the next one, and this one I hope I can be aware of before it comes out, not too months later.
January 29, 2021
Such a good read. It takes time (probably because the British vocab is sometimes... odd) but it’s oh so worth it. I finished it today and I’m feeling this hollow in my soul that you feel when you got really attached to the characters.
I’m extremely happy there’s another book in the series coming soon.
Oh, and did I mention I really liked the way it was published? The paper is very nice to touch. And the margins are bigger than in a regular paperback book. It felt very fresh (if you know what I mean)
Anyways, I very much recommend all the series. I can’t wait to see what happens with Nim (which I love deeply). And I couldn’t be happier that Elishtriel (Elise+Ashtriel) got together at last.
I’m extremely happy there’s another book in the series coming soon.
Oh, and did I mention I really liked the way it was published? The paper is very nice to touch. And the margins are bigger than in a regular paperback book. It felt very fresh (if you know what I mean)
Anyways, I very much recommend all the series. I can’t wait to see what happens with Nim (which I love deeply). And I couldn’t be happier that Elishtriel (Elise+Ashtriel) got together at last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2022
Oh how I adore Kate Kane and want to look into her violet eyes while she does evil yet wonderful things to me. She's a mess, a hot mess, shes snarky and funny and sarcastic and brilliant. I do like this series, the writing is addictive, the stories and characters are fun and it's hard to put these down cause the pace is so fast! But, I really miss Kate with Julian - and just missed Julian in general in this book. I really hope the author hasn't written her out. Tara is lovely and all but she's very one-dimensional and there's just nothing like the chemistry between Kate and Julian. Also Julian was just such a fantastic character.
I also felt there was a bit much "Kates in trouble, she fixes it by drawing on her mothers powers" in this book - it was kinda the same thing over and over.
I also felt there was a bit much "Kates in trouble, she fixes it by drawing on her mothers powers" in this book - it was kinda the same thing over and over.
February 16, 2021
There was a lot going on in this book. There were like 4 storylines and each one was interesting. This book was my introduction to the series and while I had to learn the characters quick, I feel like I was given enough information to understand what was happening. I really enjoyed it and would go back to read others in the series. The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is because there was so much happening, I felt lost at times. Like if someone was to ask me what this book was about, I wouldn't be able to give them a two sentence response. It would take time to explain.
April 25, 2021
3.5 stars
Flew through this as an audiobook — Henrietta Meire is a wonderful narrator and Alexis Hall remains a stellar writer, as always.
I’m looking forward to the next volume, which I believe is the last? I’m not quite sure where the romance in this is going in this series, but Tara is winning me over after Julian failed Kate so spectacularly in the previous volume, so that’s a plus. There’s also quite the cliffhanger here, with Kate figuring out that she mistakenly offered Lucifer (alias Nic) a favor in exchange for bringing Elise back to life... I need to know the pub date of book 5!
Flew through this as an audiobook — Henrietta Meire is a wonderful narrator and Alexis Hall remains a stellar writer, as always.
I’m looking forward to the next volume, which I believe is the last? I’m not quite sure where the romance in this is going in this series, but Tara is winning me over after Julian failed Kate so spectacularly in the previous volume, so that’s a plus. There’s also quite the cliffhanger here, with Kate figuring out that she mistakenly offered Lucifer (alias Nic) a favor in exchange for bringing Elise back to life... I need to know the pub date of book 5!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2025
Ok, this volume is as convoluted as the others before, and starts out with Kate at the lowest of low points. I do prefer her new lover to her last one, and I liked how she got her life slowly back together. By the end we get Elise back, and to me that is more important than all the rest. The epilogue sets us up for more books to follow.
There was a different narrator for the audiobook, which is always a little charring. She did not try to emulate her predecessor and was distinctly different. I am ok with it and found her equally capable.
There was a different narrator for the audiobook, which is always a little charring. She did not try to emulate her predecessor and was distinctly different. I am ok with it and found her equally capable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2021
4 1/2 stars. I've enjoyed this series and this one really takes it up to a new level. All the major supernatural forces connect and come into play. Kate's sarcastic snark hits new heights - there are some GREAT one liners. But there is also genuine emotion and pain that is very compelling. This is the smart lesbian Dresden Files - or perhaps, Dresden Files is the straight male version of Kate Kane.
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