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Shayne Davies #1
Moi, rousse et fauchée
When it comes to talented new recruits at the Federal Underworld Agency, Nora Jacobs is only half the story…
The Devil to Pay is the first book in Jackie May’s companion series to Nora Jacobs, set in the same urban fantasy Detroit, sharing several supporting characters (hello, Nick Gorgeous), but with a new main character, Shayne Davies. This series can be enjoyed on its own, but readers of the Nora Jacobs books will be more familiar with the world and its characters.
As a fox shifter, Shayne Davies gets no respect in an underworld run by the fearsome and powerful—werewolves and vampires, sorcerers, demons, and mythical faerie creatures. Even at home, Shayne is still treated like the brat of the pack. Her mom constantly nags; her intended (but unwanted) mate ensures plenty of awkward silences, and Shayne is even expected to act submissive to the pack’s future alpha…a six year old.
Yeah. Time for Plan B.
All Shayne wants is to prove that she’s got what it takes to run with the big dogs, which is why she is constantly hounding Nick Gorgeous to make her an agent at the “Double D”, the Detroit Division of the FUA. That’s an easy “No” for Gorgeous, who keeps a strict “No Shayne Davies” policy. Well, never say never. When mysterious underworld criminals steal a load of bomb materials, the FUA picks up a messy case nobody wants to touch. It’s bad enough that a demon horde is involved, but now the annoying FBI has sent out an agent to babysit the investigation. To make matters worse, the notoriously uncooperative master vampire Henry Stadther has control over what may be the only key to breaking the case: a handsome human detective.
The whole thing’s a hopeless disaster.
So guess what, Shayne? You’re hired!
The Devil to Pay is the first book in Jackie May’s companion series to Nora Jacobs, set in the same urban fantasy Detroit, sharing several supporting characters (hello, Nick Gorgeous), but with a new main character, Shayne Davies. This series can be enjoyed on its own, but readers of the Nora Jacobs books will be more familiar with the world and its characters.
As a fox shifter, Shayne Davies gets no respect in an underworld run by the fearsome and powerful—werewolves and vampires, sorcerers, demons, and mythical faerie creatures. Even at home, Shayne is still treated like the brat of the pack. Her mom constantly nags; her intended (but unwanted) mate ensures plenty of awkward silences, and Shayne is even expected to act submissive to the pack’s future alpha…a six year old.
Yeah. Time for Plan B.
All Shayne wants is to prove that she’s got what it takes to run with the big dogs, which is why she is constantly hounding Nick Gorgeous to make her an agent at the “Double D”, the Detroit Division of the FUA. That’s an easy “No” for Gorgeous, who keeps a strict “No Shayne Davies” policy. Well, never say never. When mysterious underworld criminals steal a load of bomb materials, the FUA picks up a messy case nobody wants to touch. It’s bad enough that a demon horde is involved, but now the annoying FBI has sent out an agent to babysit the investigation. To make matters worse, the notoriously uncooperative master vampire Henry Stadther has control over what may be the only key to breaking the case: a handsome human detective.
The whole thing’s a hopeless disaster.
So guess what, Shayne? You’re hired!
336 pages, Pocket Book
First published September 18, 2018
545 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Jackie May
23 books723 followersJackie May started out writing young adult and contemporary romance under the name Kelly Oram, but she can’t seem to stay in one lane and loves all things paranormal so Jackie May was born. She loves playing RPGs and has her own set of dice that no one is allowed to roll but her. Unfortunately, those dice are cursed and only roll high numbers when she’s taking damage. Since that usually doesn’t work out so well for her, she has to achieve her victories and happy endings through her books. (After torturing her characters for a while first, of course.) She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and her cat, Vader. (Yes, as in Darth.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
February 9, 2019
I didn’t like this book as much as Jackie May’s other series of her character Nora Jacobs in the same world; Don’t Rush Me and Don’t Cheat Me. I felt like for this book May was trying too hard with the main character, Shayne Davies, to make her quirky and witty when she just became annoying.
Although there is a bit more action in this book, the secondary characters are not developed well. We meet a few similar characters from the other series and their personalities only come across if you’ve read the Nora Jacobs series. For the new secondary characters and love interests, the reader receives some background history that Shayne herself finds out but the dialogue is lacking in having their personalities come across. At the end when she kisses someone I was like ‘really?, when did that come about?’ So not a very good sign.
I was definitely disappointed in this one because I had enjoyed May’s other books and was excited to hear of a new book of hers. I’d recommend the others I wrote about above, but not The Devil to Play.
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Although there is a bit more action in this book, the secondary characters are not developed well. We meet a few similar characters from the other series and their personalities only come across if you’ve read the Nora Jacobs series. For the new secondary characters and love interests, the reader receives some background history that Shayne herself finds out but the dialogue is lacking in having their personalities come across. At the end when she kisses someone I was like ‘really?, when did that come about?’ So not a very good sign.
I was definitely disappointed in this one because I had enjoyed May’s other books and was excited to hear of a new book of hers. I’d recommend the others I wrote about above, but not The Devil to Play.
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September 19, 2018
I am sad to say this one was DNF for me. I just could not get into it and did not a care for the main character. Shayne Davies seemed very selfish and immature. I felt like she walked all over Terrance to get what she wanted in the beginning and then purposely embarrassed Oliver and other F. U. employees just to try and make a point. I stopped reading not long after that. I really like the author's other series so I might try to re-read this another day to see if it gets better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2018
This book is beautiful chaos and I loved every second.
A heroine with sass and street smarts, and action that never stops. So highly recommended.
A heroine with sass and street smarts, and action that never stops. So highly recommended.
September 22, 2018
What a joke
I don't think I've been this let down by a book I had high hopes for in quite a while. First off the main character talks to the reader like she know we are reading her story, it is EXTREMELY annoying! Second chapter 3 is a paragraph saying we had sex all night long but I'm not going to even write about that cause it would be like 100 pages long, ugh that is even worse then undetailed or fade to black sex. If you are going to do something like that why even write about a sexualy promiscuous character? Third the Male main character of the book was described as hot but not very bright, and he wasnt... Am I supposed to even like him? Well I didn't and I really didn't like Shayne all that much either, actually none of the characters but the supporting ones that were already in her other series were even worth mentioning.
Let's see I did give this 2 stars because the editing was good.
I don't think I've been this let down by a book I had high hopes for in quite a while. First off the main character talks to the reader like she know we are reading her story, it is EXTREMELY annoying! Second chapter 3 is a paragraph saying we had sex all night long but I'm not going to even write about that cause it would be like 100 pages long, ugh that is even worse then undetailed or fade to black sex. If you are going to do something like that why even write about a sexualy promiscuous character? Third the Male main character of the book was described as hot but not very bright, and he wasnt... Am I supposed to even like him? Well I didn't and I really didn't like Shayne all that much either, actually none of the characters but the supporting ones that were already in her other series were even worth mentioning.
Let's see I did give this 2 stars because the editing was good.
January 18, 2022
Once i got past the jarring breaking of the third wall and Shayne's snarky voice, i began to enjoy the book. The plot was fast paced and kept me engaged until the end. There is a lot going on in this book, not all of it resolved in this one. Shayne is an interesting character, she's a fox shifter, she's super intuitive, she's driven when she wants to be, and she is a bit of a ditz at times. I was a bit confused at times about one of the characters until i actually looked up the author and realized this is a spin off or connected to another series. Apparently, I was supposed to read the first two books in that series first. Other than feeling like i was missing a few things It didn't really affect my enjoyment.
March 27, 2020
Fox shifter Shayne stumbles into some criminal enterprise.
Nobody believes her so it's up to her to save the day and beat the bad guys.
I loved this book.
But.
I think this is a book you'll either love or loathe. There won't be any in-between.
Download the sample. You will know from that which group you fall into.
Nobody believes her so it's up to her to save the day and beat the bad guys.
I loved this book.
But.
I think this is a book you'll either love or loathe. There won't be any in-between.
Download the sample. You will know from that which group you fall into.
June 21, 2019
There's a lot that could be fun in this series as it continues to play out, but something about this first book just wasn't clicking with me. I don't know if it was the general immaturity of the main character, or the way she made these logic leaps that seemed way out of left field and I just couldn't follow. I mean, to the point where I wondered if it was going to be revealed that she was psychic.
I think I was also miffed at the way other characters (I'm looking at you, Nick Gorgeous) treated her like trash. She could be a little silly, for sure, and it occasionally grated ... but she did good work and she was ALWAYS focused on helping. Given her immaturity, I honestly expected more selfishness from her, but honestly, she was pretty much a caretaker/protector type. The constant quipping was just an overly-tuned defense mechanism. And given all that, I didn't understand why the Agency - and her family - treated her like she was useless. It made them look incompetent and awful. Also, given how much a lot of these characters have bent over backwards for Nora in the other series, it raises the question: are these people all actually assholes, but they are nice to Nora because of her charm/curse? That would be disappointing, because I like them very much in the Nora Jacobs series.
But I liked a lot of the cast, and my interest is piqued. I'll definitely pick up the next in the series and see where it goes from here.
I think I was also miffed at the way other characters (I'm looking at you, Nick Gorgeous) treated her like trash. She could be a little silly, for sure, and it occasionally grated ... but she did good work and she was ALWAYS focused on helping. Given her immaturity, I honestly expected more selfishness from her, but honestly, she was pretty much a caretaker/protector type. The constant quipping was just an overly-tuned defense mechanism. And given all that, I didn't understand why the Agency - and her family - treated her like she was useless. It made them look incompetent and awful. Also, given how much a lot of these characters have bent over backwards for Nora in the other series, it raises the question: are these people all actually assholes, but they are nice to Nora because of her charm/curse? That would be disappointing, because I like them very much in the Nora Jacobs series.
But I liked a lot of the cast, and my interest is piqued. I'll definitely pick up the next in the series and see where it goes from here.
February 25, 2023
Awesome Main Character
I love that Shayne isn’t a powerful bada$$, but she is still amazing. She is smart, clever, and has a crazy mouth! I liked her a lot. Nothing comes easy to her, but she does it anyways. Great book!
I love that Shayne isn’t a powerful bada$$, but she is still amazing. She is smart, clever, and has a crazy mouth! I liked her a lot. Nothing comes easy to her, but she does it anyways. Great book!
September 27, 2020
3.5 stars
Read
August 9, 2019DNF'd at 26%
I really like this author's Nora Roberts series, but I just couldn't get into this one. I even pushed through longer than I normally would as I want to read these series together and as this is a spin-off set in the same time I don't want to miss anything. Maybe I'll give it another try later as now I know what to expected, but I am afraid this series just isn't for me and I'll stick with the Nora Roberts series.
A few of the things I struggled is what the pace of the story, Shayne's personality, the writing style and frankly nothing that really kept my attention. This story starts of with this weird pace, sort of slow, but there is plenty of action and things going on, but it doesn't mesh well together and I just sat there wondering what the point is. Shayne lives out of her car and trying to find a job, I liked how she easily found out information, but then she was rude to shove that in people's faces. Almost desperate at times. She also acted quite unlikable at times and I just didn't like her or her behavior. I tried, but didn't warm up to her.
There also is this weird thing were the fourth wall gets broken multiple times and Shayne talks directly to the reader and it was just weird and pulled me out of the story. I think it was supposed to be funny and it kinda was at times, but it also ruined the whole pace and pulled me out of the story.
I am really sad I didn't get into this one as I wanted to love it as much as the Nora series. I do think it's impressive how different the whole feel and vibe of this series is than Nora.
I really like this author's Nora Roberts series, but I just couldn't get into this one. I even pushed through longer than I normally would as I want to read these series together and as this is a spin-off set in the same time I don't want to miss anything. Maybe I'll give it another try later as now I know what to expected, but I am afraid this series just isn't for me and I'll stick with the Nora Roberts series.
A few of the things I struggled is what the pace of the story, Shayne's personality, the writing style and frankly nothing that really kept my attention. This story starts of with this weird pace, sort of slow, but there is plenty of action and things going on, but it doesn't mesh well together and I just sat there wondering what the point is. Shayne lives out of her car and trying to find a job, I liked how she easily found out information, but then she was rude to shove that in people's faces. Almost desperate at times. She also acted quite unlikable at times and I just didn't like her or her behavior. I tried, but didn't warm up to her.
There also is this weird thing were the fourth wall gets broken multiple times and Shayne talks directly to the reader and it was just weird and pulled me out of the story. I think it was supposed to be funny and it kinda was at times, but it also ruined the whole pace and pulled me out of the story.
I am really sad I didn't get into this one as I wanted to love it as much as the Nora series. I do think it's impressive how different the whole feel and vibe of this series is than Nora.
April 8, 2019
3.5 Stars
Overall Rating ★★★★
Plot ★★★
Humor ★★★★
Characters & Character Development ★★★
Narration ★★★★
Story: This was a pretty good story although I felt that Shayne was extremely immature, jealous and not too bright for most of the time. I was disappointed that she still felt loyal to her family considering they treat her like absolute trash. She got better towards the end but for the most part, I found her self centered.
Narration: Chandra Skyye - She's alright
Overall Rating ★★★★
Plot ★★★
Humor ★★★★
Characters & Character Development ★★★
Narration ★★★★
Story: This was a pretty good story although I felt that Shayne was extremely immature, jealous and not too bright for most of the time. I was disappointed that she still felt loyal to her family considering they treat her like absolute trash. She got better towards the end but for the most part, I found her self centered.
Narration: Chandra Skyye - She's alright
January 21, 2019
I wasn't sure what to expect from this new spin off from the Nora Jacobs series, especially when it itself is so new, but I wasn't disappointed. I think I actually like Shayne more then Nora as a lead female.
She's plucky, mischievous, headstrong and resilient. Shayne is also, and most importantly, a smartass. She IS NOT a damsel in distress or a Mary Sue. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at her antics and quips.
The only part I'm unsure about is the talking directly to the reader narration. It's not typically something I enjoy while reading. Amazingly, it didn't turn me off from the book so I was still able to immerse myself in the story. I'll hold off on judgement to see if the authors can pull off that balance in book 2, which I am really looking forward to.
She's plucky, mischievous, headstrong and resilient. Shayne is also, and most importantly, a smartass. She IS NOT a damsel in distress or a Mary Sue. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at her antics and quips.
The only part I'm unsure about is the talking directly to the reader narration. It's not typically something I enjoy while reading. Amazingly, it didn't turn me off from the book so I was still able to immerse myself in the story. I'll hold off on judgement to see if the authors can pull off that balance in book 2, which I am really looking forward to.
September 19, 2018
Couldn't finish this book
Well I only made it to chapter five. The main characters dialogue is ridiculous and the way chapter three is a paragraph explaining why there isn't a chapter is idiotic. After Nora Jacob's which is great then to read this one it's very disappointing.
Well I only made it to chapter five. The main characters dialogue is ridiculous and the way chapter three is a paragraph explaining why there isn't a chapter is idiotic. After Nora Jacob's which is great then to read this one it's very disappointing.
September 20, 2018
Yuuuuuuuuus, Queen, I praise you.
UF. Paranormal. Comedic. MC is a fox shifter. I'm not going to say any more. I'm just telling you to read this. It's hysterical. It's clever. It's fast paced. It's everything you want in a Jackie May book.
UF. Paranormal. Comedic. MC is a fox shifter. I'm not going to say any more. I'm just telling you to read this. It's hysterical. It's clever. It's fast paced. It's everything you want in a Jackie May book.
Read
November 6, 2019DNF at 26%
It really does not bode well for a book if I have no problem putting it down, have no desire in picking it up again and prefer to to re-read some of my favorites
It really does not bode well for a book if I have no problem putting it down, have no desire in picking it up again and prefer to to re-read some of my favorites
February 17, 2021
A peine quelques pages lues et déjà une première claque, énorme, les auteurs ont osé : ils ont brisé le quatrième mur ! Shayne s'adresse directement aux lecteurs, c'est elle qui vient nous raconter son histoire. Et rien que pour ça je tombe tout de suite sous le charme du récit. L'originalité que cela apporte est juste géniale, c'est comme retrouver une vieille copine après plusieurs mois sans se voir et se raconter nos petites anecdotes. En bref, dès les premières pages j'ai senti le coup de cœur frapper à ma porte.
Et puis Shayne est juste incroyable : drôle, rafraîchissante et complètement frappée. Je l'ai adoré dès les premières pages et je suis complètement tombée sous son charme. On retrouve une franchise et une transparence que l'on voit rarement dans un roman, et ce parce que l'héroïne peut directement s'adresser aux lecteurs et lui dire ses quatre vérités. J'ai passé ma lecture le sourire vissé aux lèvres. Elle ne se prend pas au sérieux, et surtout elle ne prend pas non plus le roman en lui-même au sérieux. Elle vient avec tout le naturel du monde démonter complètement les clichés du monde de la Bit Lit avec beaucoup de répartie et d'humour. Et honnêtement je me suis éclatée en lisant son histoire.
Pour ceux qui se demandent si on peut lire l'histoire de Shayne Davis avant celle de Nora Jacobs je dirais oui et non. Oui si vous n'avez pas peur de vous faire spoiler quelques détails de l'histoire de base, détails tout de même assez importants. Non si vous aimez connaître le contexte précis dans lequel évoluent les personnages. En effet on retrouve les personnages de Nora, des informations la concernant ou à propos des relations qu'elle peut entretenir avec chacun. Cependant l'histoire de Shayne se détache suffisamment pour que vous puissiez décider par vous-mêmes.
Par contre on retrouve exactement la même capacité à se fourrer dans les problèmes chez les deux héroïnes. Ce qui leur fait au moins un point en commun.
Malgré tout l'humour et l'autodérision dont fait preuve le texte, il n'en reste pas moins que l'on retrouve une véritable intrigue au cœur du roman. Une histoire sombre, complexe et qui demande à nos personnages sacrifices et efforts. Et la encore un point commun avec Nora, le roman se joue sur fond d'enquête policière. Ce qui le rend d'autant plus prenant et intriguant. On se prend au jeu essayant nous aussi d'enquêter sur les faits, de trouver les coupable et d'obtenir des réponses.
J'ai adorée l'aspect très décalé de l'histoire et le coup de frais que cela apporte au genre. Mais malheureusement je trouve qu'il y a quelques lenteurs dans le texte, certains passages sont un peu moins plaisants à lire et je me suis surprise à parfois perdre patience. Pourtant cela ne m'a pas empêchée d'adorer le roman.
Ce roman c'est juste un concentré de bonne humeur. Je me suis régalée de la première à la dernière page. Si j'avais adoré Nora Jacobs je suis littéralement amoureuse de Shayne. Une chose est certaine, les auteurs font maintenant partie de mes valeurs sûres.
Et puis Shayne est juste incroyable : drôle, rafraîchissante et complètement frappée. Je l'ai adoré dès les premières pages et je suis complètement tombée sous son charme. On retrouve une franchise et une transparence que l'on voit rarement dans un roman, et ce parce que l'héroïne peut directement s'adresser aux lecteurs et lui dire ses quatre vérités. J'ai passé ma lecture le sourire vissé aux lèvres. Elle ne se prend pas au sérieux, et surtout elle ne prend pas non plus le roman en lui-même au sérieux. Elle vient avec tout le naturel du monde démonter complètement les clichés du monde de la Bit Lit avec beaucoup de répartie et d'humour. Et honnêtement je me suis éclatée en lisant son histoire.
Pour ceux qui se demandent si on peut lire l'histoire de Shayne Davis avant celle de Nora Jacobs je dirais oui et non. Oui si vous n'avez pas peur de vous faire spoiler quelques détails de l'histoire de base, détails tout de même assez importants. Non si vous aimez connaître le contexte précis dans lequel évoluent les personnages. En effet on retrouve les personnages de Nora, des informations la concernant ou à propos des relations qu'elle peut entretenir avec chacun. Cependant l'histoire de Shayne se détache suffisamment pour que vous puissiez décider par vous-mêmes.
Par contre on retrouve exactement la même capacité à se fourrer dans les problèmes chez les deux héroïnes. Ce qui leur fait au moins un point en commun.
Malgré tout l'humour et l'autodérision dont fait preuve le texte, il n'en reste pas moins que l'on retrouve une véritable intrigue au cœur du roman. Une histoire sombre, complexe et qui demande à nos personnages sacrifices et efforts. Et la encore un point commun avec Nora, le roman se joue sur fond d'enquête policière. Ce qui le rend d'autant plus prenant et intriguant. On se prend au jeu essayant nous aussi d'enquêter sur les faits, de trouver les coupable et d'obtenir des réponses.
J'ai adorée l'aspect très décalé de l'histoire et le coup de frais que cela apporte au genre. Mais malheureusement je trouve qu'il y a quelques lenteurs dans le texte, certains passages sont un peu moins plaisants à lire et je me suis surprise à parfois perdre patience. Pourtant cela ne m'a pas empêchée d'adorer le roman.
Ce roman c'est juste un concentré de bonne humeur. Je me suis régalée de la première à la dernière page. Si j'avais adoré Nora Jacobs je suis littéralement amoureuse de Shayne. Une chose est certaine, les auteurs font maintenant partie de mes valeurs sûres.
February 5, 2021
J'ai adoré le premier tome de Nora Jacobs, puis j'ai ensuite été un peu déçue au fur et à mesure des tomes, je n'ai pas adhéré à l'évolution de Nora. Cependant, l'univers me plaisait beaucoup, ainsi que le mélange enquête et surnaturel, donc je partais plutôt confiante avec ce spin off.
Le personnage féminin principal est Shayne, une métamorphe renarde hyperactive, qui va se retrouver à enquêter sur une histoire d'explosifs, avec des démons et des vampires...
J'ai été déroutée par la narration. C'est écrit à la première personne, ce qui d'habitude permet de s'identifier au personnage. Mais ici, Shayne s'adresse au lecteur, elle nous parle, fait des commentaires qui se veulent humoristiques. Et malheureusement, je n'ai pas trouvé ça drôle, j'ai plutôt trouvé ça lourd. Pour moi, cela a cassé la fluidité de lecture et je ne me suis pas du tout ni identifiée, ni attachée au personnage de Shayne. Je suis plus intriguée par l'agent du FBI.
Bien qu'on retrouve l'univers et la touche de suspens, je n'ai pas eu l'impression de lire un roman du même auteur que Nora Jacobs.
Je ne suis pas sûre de lire la suite.
Le personnage féminin principal est Shayne, une métamorphe renarde hyperactive, qui va se retrouver à enquêter sur une histoire d'explosifs, avec des démons et des vampires...
J'ai été déroutée par la narration. C'est écrit à la première personne, ce qui d'habitude permet de s'identifier au personnage. Mais ici, Shayne s'adresse au lecteur, elle nous parle, fait des commentaires qui se veulent humoristiques. Et malheureusement, je n'ai pas trouvé ça drôle, j'ai plutôt trouvé ça lourd. Pour moi, cela a cassé la fluidité de lecture et je ne me suis pas du tout ni identifiée, ni attachée au personnage de Shayne. Je suis plus intriguée par l'agent du FBI.
Bien qu'on retrouve l'univers et la touche de suspens, je n'ai pas eu l'impression de lire un roman du même auteur que Nora Jacobs.
Je ne suis pas sûre de lire la suite.
September 24, 2022
good start to a series 3.5 star listen
good narration - fits the storyline, enjoyable storyline with mfc being a fox shifter.
shifters, demons and humans. human and super law enforcement. Im not sure if i like the love interest at this stage, hes a little boring and the only fault i have with the narration was his voice .... wasnt a fan. Lucky enough for this series to have been bought by my library so ill defo continue the series.
good narration - fits the storyline, enjoyable storyline with mfc being a fox shifter.
shifters, demons and humans. human and super law enforcement. Im not sure if i like the love interest at this stage, hes a little boring and the only fault i have with the narration was his voice .... wasnt a fan. Lucky enough for this series to have been bought by my library so ill defo continue the series.
October 10, 2018
A pretty interesting and unusual character. Shayne Davies is not your typical heroine. She isn't the strongest or the most liked individual in this book, but she perseveres where others wouldn't.
February 12, 2021
Lecture assez sympa !
On reste dans l’univers de Nora Jacobs (les événements se déroulent en parallèle du tome 1), mais c’est différent.
Shayne est plus frontale, tête brûlée et plutôt rigolote.
On reste dans l’univers de Nora Jacobs (les événements se déroulent en parallèle du tome 1), mais c’est différent.
Shayne est plus frontale, tête brûlée et plutôt rigolote.
February 5, 2022
I don’t like books written where the character is talking to the reader but I’ll give them a try. This one was a flop, in my opinion. Lots of “har har” moments that not only made me roll my eyes, but pulled me out of the story. I don’t quite understand why an author would want to intentionally pull a reader from their book, but I feel like that was the intention; To consistently remind you that this is a book.
The author also did some 4th wall self deprecation which was a turnoff right off the bat.
Then, I felt the focus on Nora was a bit heavy and self-advertisy. Another 4th wall crack was made here.
I had no idea what Shayne was doing or what her goal was 4 chapters in. No idea who Dario was, no idea why she wanted to home with him. Actually, there’s so much focus on shit jokes and characters from the other series that the plot of THIS book took too long to surface.
I was originally excited to read this book. A Fox shifter? Hell yeah! But the writing did everything it could possibly do to repel me and I soon had to abide that by putting the book down.
Perhaps if the first 2 chapters didn’t have so many baseball jokes I would have made it through to the plot.. but then again, maybe not.
“I now know, it is possible for a black lady to visibly blush”
This is where I threw the towel in. Not sure if it’s the author who was amazed black people could blush, or she just wanted to show her character has minimal knowledge of any non-white people. Either way, it’s such a stupid comment that I can’t. Im not claiming racist btw, just *rubs face with hand* it’s so fucking stupid
The author also did some 4th wall self deprecation which was a turnoff right off the bat.
Then, I felt the focus on Nora was a bit heavy and self-advertisy. Another 4th wall crack was made here.
I had no idea what Shayne was doing or what her goal was 4 chapters in. No idea who Dario was, no idea why she wanted to home with him. Actually, there’s so much focus on shit jokes and characters from the other series that the plot of THIS book took too long to surface.
I was originally excited to read this book. A Fox shifter? Hell yeah! But the writing did everything it could possibly do to repel me and I soon had to abide that by putting the book down.
Perhaps if the first 2 chapters didn’t have so many baseball jokes I would have made it through to the plot.. but then again, maybe not.
“I now know, it is possible for a black lady to visibly blush”
This is where I threw the towel in. Not sure if it’s the author who was amazed black people could blush, or she just wanted to show her character has minimal knowledge of any non-white people. Either way, it’s such a stupid comment that I can’t. Im not claiming racist btw, just *rubs face with hand* it’s so fucking stupid
October 6, 2018
Don’t read this book unless you’ve read Nora Jacobs first. Book 1 of Shayne and book 2 of Nora take place simultaneously. When Nora is getting strangled by a fairy, Shayne is getting some from a sex glutton.
When Shayne tells Gorgeous that there’s something brewing with the Huron River Pack he dismisses it, two days later he finds out she was right.
Shayne is the type of Underworlder that no one takes seriously. A Fox, or vixen if you want to get technical. She is actually living in her car and aspires to be an agent of the FUA, too bad no one takes her seriously.
Don’t worry she becomes an agent. Sort of. What’s it called when your made into a proxy/deputized because no one with a real career who to get within smelling distance of the shit storm that just landed? Congrats Shayne! If you solve the case everyone looks good. If you fail, your nothing but a newbie weak Underworlder who was doomed anyway.
Let’s not forget demons of The East and The West Side slums. Or the bombs masterminded by a dying warmonger.
Can’t forget the human cop. The agent from Washington. The agents of FAU. Terrance. HENRY STADTHER! Foxes, coyotes, and demon hybrids! I almost forgot Ben! Shaynes coyote betrothed who she was promised as a mate too went they were just babies. It’s kinda funny that he didn’t get the memo, good thing too, his persistence managed to keep her alive.
Poker fans WILL LOVE SHAYNE!
When Shayne tells Gorgeous that there’s something brewing with the Huron River Pack he dismisses it, two days later he finds out she was right.
Shayne is the type of Underworlder that no one takes seriously. A Fox, or vixen if you want to get technical. She is actually living in her car and aspires to be an agent of the FUA, too bad no one takes her seriously.
Don’t worry she becomes an agent. Sort of. What’s it called when your made into a proxy/deputized because no one with a real career who to get within smelling distance of the shit storm that just landed? Congrats Shayne! If you solve the case everyone looks good. If you fail, your nothing but a newbie weak Underworlder who was doomed anyway.
Let’s not forget demons of The East and The West Side slums. Or the bombs masterminded by a dying warmonger.
Can’t forget the human cop. The agent from Washington. The agents of FAU. Terrance. HENRY STADTHER! Foxes, coyotes, and demon hybrids! I almost forgot Ben! Shaynes coyote betrothed who she was promised as a mate too went they were just babies. It’s kinda funny that he didn’t get the memo, good thing too, his persistence managed to keep her alive.
Poker fans WILL LOVE SHAYNE!
May 19, 2025
Shayne Davies has no plan to just let what is expected of her, instead she is a fox shifter who works for the FUA (Federal Underworld Agency). Shayne knows she is frowned upon at FUA, no one sees her as in asset but one thing about Foxes they are wily and when given the chance Shayne finds herself embroiled in a case with a human from the FBI. Not everything is going as planned but Shayne is determined to solve it, will she?
This was ok for me. I wasn't pulled in with this one as much as I hoped. I liked Shayne but think because I had just finished the Nora Jacobs series I was a bit jaded. Will retry again.
This was ok for me. I wasn't pulled in with this one as much as I hoped. I liked Shayne but think because I had just finished the Nora Jacobs series I was a bit jaded. Will retry again.
dnf
September 9, 2020Dropped it after realizing it was a companion to nora jacobs. I can't get past the bitter after taste of that one. I know, it's in the blurb but it took me until the first appearance of Nora herself for the weird familiarity to snap into place and everything came back to me. Names are not the anchors my brain uses to recognize people so until that lightbulb moment I had no idea who nora jacobs was supposed to be <.<
I feel like I am doing the book an injustice somehow especially because breaking the fourth wall as well as the other silliness very much amused and intrigued me but I am just so done with the rest of that universe I can't imagine another story being enjoyable while being set so close to the main series.
I didn't even write a review to that series because I couldn't put into words what was wrong with it all. It just felt all wrong. Every fibre in me kept protesting more and more insistently to just stop.
I feel like I am doing the book an injustice somehow especially because breaking the fourth wall as well as the other silliness very much amused and intrigued me but I am just so done with the rest of that universe I can't imagine another story being enjoyable while being set so close to the main series.
I didn't even write a review to that series because I couldn't put into words what was wrong with it all. It just felt all wrong. Every fibre in me kept protesting more and more insistently to just stop.
September 22, 2018
Good book
Loved this book. Shayne was a total bad as s who was smart and tough but got scared and wasn't immune to getting hurt. This book broke the 4th wall so if you don't like that it's not for you. The.story line was almost too fast paced. Sometimes the scene would change with no warning inbetween paragraphs. It made it seem like the book was flying. I am excited to see where this series is going to go from here.
Loved this book. Shayne was a total bad as s who was smart and tough but got scared and wasn't immune to getting hurt. This book broke the 4th wall so if you don't like that it's not for you. The.story line was almost too fast paced. Sometimes the scene would change with no warning inbetween paragraphs. It made it seem like the book was flying. I am excited to see where this series is going to go from here.
September 30, 2018
DNF Don’t like the h.
September 24, 2018
This is a hard one to review for me. First of all, kudos to the author for writing a character that is absolutely nothing like her debut character, Nora, in the original series. This series happens in the same world and as far as I could tell fairly parallel time-wise to book one of Nora's series. Secondly, this book is well written and really funny. Shayne, the MC, is also the narrator and, at numerous points in the story, does the book version of breaking the fourth wall. Shayne is also, as she comments herself in the book, kind of ADHD and spazzy and this reflects in the narration and pacing of the book, which makes sense, because Shayne is the narrator. But, at times it was almost headache inducing for me and I wished Shayne would slow down a sec and just let us all take a breath.
For me personally, Shayne could be annoying at times. She's immature and irresponsible, which is sometimes endearing in the book, but others times, for me, came across as just annoying. I both liked and disliked her lack of unique powers. She more than makes up for it with other skills and a quick wit, but as reading is very subjective, I personally was a little disappointed that she reads almost like a human character. That said, I liked that the author went there- that we got to see someone who is not really a special snowflake (like ehem Nora ehem) step up to the plate and be someone we want to root for.
My one major gripe was the lack of swearing or real sex scenes. Shayne is kind of criminally delinquent or morally ambivalent or what have you, mainly when it comes to small time stuff. She also openly admits she has sex often with a lot of different people, including inappropriate people like the doctor who diagnosed her ADHD. She has this badass, wrong side of the tracks, casual sex persona, yet the book is written pretty darn PG. I would have liked to hear her say "f**k", in fact, she seemed like someone who would use that word a lot. And I would have expected the book to be a little sexier and a little less fade to black. To me, it didn't quite fit. The characterization is very adult but the writing is firmly YA.
For me personally, Shayne could be annoying at times. She's immature and irresponsible, which is sometimes endearing in the book, but others times, for me, came across as just annoying. I both liked and disliked her lack of unique powers. She more than makes up for it with other skills and a quick wit, but as reading is very subjective, I personally was a little disappointed that she reads almost like a human character. That said, I liked that the author went there- that we got to see someone who is not really a special snowflake (like ehem Nora ehem) step up to the plate and be someone we want to root for.
My one major gripe was the lack of swearing or real sex scenes. Shayne is kind of criminally delinquent or morally ambivalent or what have you, mainly when it comes to small time stuff. She also openly admits she has sex often with a lot of different people, including inappropriate people like the doctor who diagnosed her ADHD. She has this badass, wrong side of the tracks, casual sex persona, yet the book is written pretty darn PG. I would have liked to hear her say "f**k", in fact, she seemed like someone who would use that word a lot. And I would have expected the book to be a little sexier and a little less fade to black. To me, it didn't quite fit. The characterization is very adult but the writing is firmly YA.
February 10, 2022
As a lot of other readers, I came to this book after "Nora Jacobs" series. So, I came already introduced to this world and some characters, but with a certain expectation. Unfortunately, that expectation was not met. That has nothing to do with the pace of this book, it was quicker and I actually preferred this pace. My biggest problem was the characters I had already met in "Nora Jacobs". They were either portrayed as mean or shallow or uncaring about anything except themselves. At some point i started to wonder why these characters are so different in this book? Have they always been so awful and I just liked them in Noras story? Had Noras song had anything with them being good people and in this book we actually see who and what they truly are? That ticked the wrong way and instead of getting an anticipated meeting with characters I liked, it ruined this book for me.
Now. Shayne is nothing like Nora. She is overly chatty to the point of being idiotic, but also reckless to the point of being crazy. That part somehow went well with her being a fox shifter and some animal personality bleeding through. However, her relationships are all screwed. Every single one. Her family is just horrible, her colleagues treat her like dirt, she is constantly used and abused verbally. Her love interest is all brawn and no brain, I found it hard to understand what Shayne saw in him.
Lots of scenes felt like missing chunks. It was hard to follow Shaynes leaps of logic with her sexual interests and actual actions. Please note that there are no spicy scenes in this book. At all. While I had no problem with that part, some readers may be dissapointed.
And, while this book is set in the same world as Noras books, the only underworlders we really encounter are demons and a spare coyote. Lots of demons.
Anyway. Is this a bad book? No. Its decent. And maybe my problem actually lies in reading this straight after Noras Jacobs series. Despite them being advised to be read as interspersed series. It just really didn't work for me.
Now. Shayne is nothing like Nora. She is overly chatty to the point of being idiotic, but also reckless to the point of being crazy. That part somehow went well with her being a fox shifter and some animal personality bleeding through. However, her relationships are all screwed. Every single one. Her family is just horrible, her colleagues treat her like dirt, she is constantly used and abused verbally. Her love interest is all brawn and no brain, I found it hard to understand what Shayne saw in him.
Lots of scenes felt like missing chunks. It was hard to follow Shaynes leaps of logic with her sexual interests and actual actions. Please note that there are no spicy scenes in this book. At all. While I had no problem with that part, some readers may be dissapointed.
And, while this book is set in the same world as Noras books, the only underworlders we really encounter are demons and a spare coyote. Lots of demons.
Anyway. Is this a bad book? No. Its decent. And maybe my problem actually lies in reading this straight after Noras Jacobs series. Despite them being advised to be read as interspersed series. It just really didn't work for me.
March 28, 2021
Cela fait très longtemps que je n’ai pas lu ce genre de livre et même si le résumé et la réputation des auteurs étaient attrayants, j’ai hésité avant de me lancer dans ce premier tome.
Heureusement, en quelques pages j’ai été rassuré. Mention spéciale pour le chapitre trois. Donc nous suivons Shayne, une métamorphe renarde qui rêve d’être engagée dans l’Agence. Malheureusement, à chaque fois, elle se fait éconduire jusqu’au jour où elle est impliquée dans une affaire bien plus grosse que prévu.
Ici, laissez un peu de côté une partie de ce que l’on lit souvent dans la Bit-Lit et je dois dire que cela fait un bien fou. Shayne est amusante, un peu fofolle mais sans trop en faire. On se consacre vraiment à l’intrigue teintée d’humour bien sûr et raconter avec un poil de dérision par notre héroïne en herbe. On y rencontre toute une galerie de personnages comme les membres du groupe/ famille de Shayne, des démons, des métamorphes et des humains dont Brenner, notre policier légèrement en dérive.
Pour l’intrigue, on nous donne quelques pistes et indices pour au final nous concentrer sur le grand méchant et ses motivations. L’histoire est dynamique, trépidante, bourrée d’action et d’humour.
Pour un premier tome, il a été dépaysant et amusant. Je me suis attaché à certains personnages en peu de temps. Il est sûr que je lirai la suite avec plaisir.
https://la-bibliotheque-du-labyrinthe...
Heureusement, en quelques pages j’ai été rassuré. Mention spéciale pour le chapitre trois. Donc nous suivons Shayne, une métamorphe renarde qui rêve d’être engagée dans l’Agence. Malheureusement, à chaque fois, elle se fait éconduire jusqu’au jour où elle est impliquée dans une affaire bien plus grosse que prévu.
Ici, laissez un peu de côté une partie de ce que l’on lit souvent dans la Bit-Lit et je dois dire que cela fait un bien fou. Shayne est amusante, un peu fofolle mais sans trop en faire. On se consacre vraiment à l’intrigue teintée d’humour bien sûr et raconter avec un poil de dérision par notre héroïne en herbe. On y rencontre toute une galerie de personnages comme les membres du groupe/ famille de Shayne, des démons, des métamorphes et des humains dont Brenner, notre policier légèrement en dérive.
Pour l’intrigue, on nous donne quelques pistes et indices pour au final nous concentrer sur le grand méchant et ses motivations. L’histoire est dynamique, trépidante, bourrée d’action et d’humour.
Pour un premier tome, il a été dépaysant et amusant. Je me suis attaché à certains personnages en peu de temps. Il est sûr que je lirai la suite avec plaisir.
https://la-bibliotheque-du-labyrinthe...
February 10, 2019
This book tricked me. When it first started I groaned and wondered if I'd manage to finish it. I didn't have high hopes. I was annoyed that the main character broke the fourth wall to speak directly to the reader. I disliked that it seemed so focused on sex (though I appreciated that she was allowed to be sexual). I thought Shayne seemed too silly to relate to and I disliked that she was basically lying to everyone about actually working for the agency. It felt very child-like. As did the fact that the agency captain allowed her to pull the tricks she did. It was like watching an adult pander to a child. I honestly almost just gave up.
But as I continued, I found I like Shayne a lot. Her ditzy blond routine was just that, an act. She was a lot more capable than her unreliable narration led me to believe. I appreciated that while there were hints at romance somewhere in the series, this book is UF, not PNR. And even having finished this book, I'm not sure which way the author will take it. The writing is snappy and there's quite a lot of wit, though you sense the characters work at it. This could easily have felt like the author trying too hard, but I took it more as the characters trying to one-up each other.
All in all, despite the rough start, I'd be more than happy to read more of May's writing.
But as I continued, I found I like Shayne a lot. Her ditzy blond routine was just that, an act. She was a lot more capable than her unreliable narration led me to believe. I appreciated that while there were hints at romance somewhere in the series, this book is UF, not PNR. And even having finished this book, I'm not sure which way the author will take it. The writing is snappy and there's quite a lot of wit, though you sense the characters work at it. This could easily have felt like the author trying too hard, but I took it more as the characters trying to one-up each other.
All in all, despite the rough start, I'd be more than happy to read more of May's writing.
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