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Gavyn Donatti #1
Master of None
ONE UNLUCKY THIEF. ONE UNLIKELY GENIE. ONE VERY ODD COUPLE.
Gavyn Donatti is the world’s unluckiest thief. Just ask all the partners he’s lost over the years. And when he misplaces an irreplaceable item he was hired to steal for his ruthless employer, Trevor—well, his latest bungle just might be his last. But then his luck finally right when Trevor’s thugs have him cornered, a djinn, otherwise known as a genie, appears to save him.
Unfortunately, this genie—who goes by the very non-magical name of “Ian”—is more Hellboy than dream girl. An overgrown and extremely surly man who seems to hate Donatti on the spot, he may call Donatti master, but he isn’t interested in granting three wishes. He informs Donatti that he is bound to help the thief fulfill his life’s purpose, and then he will be free. The problem is that neither Donatti nor Ian has any idea what exactly that purpose is.
At first Donatti’s too concerned with his own survival to look a gift genie in the mouth, but when his ex-girlfriend Jazz and her young son get drawn into the crossfire, the stakes skyrocket. And when Ian reveals that he has an agenda of his own—with both Donatti and the murderous Trevor at the center of it—Donatti will have to become the man he never knew he could be, or the entire world could pay the price. . . .
Gavyn Donatti is the world’s unluckiest thief. Just ask all the partners he’s lost over the years. And when he misplaces an irreplaceable item he was hired to steal for his ruthless employer, Trevor—well, his latest bungle just might be his last. But then his luck finally right when Trevor’s thugs have him cornered, a djinn, otherwise known as a genie, appears to save him.
Unfortunately, this genie—who goes by the very non-magical name of “Ian”—is more Hellboy than dream girl. An overgrown and extremely surly man who seems to hate Donatti on the spot, he may call Donatti master, but he isn’t interested in granting three wishes. He informs Donatti that he is bound to help the thief fulfill his life’s purpose, and then he will be free. The problem is that neither Donatti nor Ian has any idea what exactly that purpose is.
At first Donatti’s too concerned with his own survival to look a gift genie in the mouth, but when his ex-girlfriend Jazz and her young son get drawn into the crossfire, the stakes skyrocket. And when Ian reveals that he has an agenda of his own—with both Donatti and the murderous Trevor at the center of it—Donatti will have to become the man he never knew he could be, or the entire world could pay the price. . . .
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2010
24 people are currently reading
1866 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
April 25, 2011
This was a pleasant surprise! It’s told from a male POV, and that's very refreshing. There are very few urban fantasy novels with male protagonists. In fact, Harry Dresden is the only one that comes to mind right now.
Gavyn Donatti (or Houdini, as his ex girlfriend calls him) is a lone thief – pretty much anybody who ever came close to him got screwed over in an instant. The problem is, Donatti never does this on purpose, accidents just happen around him. Apparently, Murphy's law is the only law he lives by.
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Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong!
During one of his disasterous adventures, he gets into trouble and ends up being saved by an extremely pissed off djinn. It turns out that the djinn, Ian, had no choice but to save him – Gavyn is his only descendant and he needs to stay alive or the realm in which the djinn exist will be destroyed. The story that follows is fast paced, sometimes moving and often very funny.
I liked Ian, he is a great character. He reminded me a lot of Grouchy Smurf. He was always angry about something, always growling and threatening Donatti.
Most of all, I liked Gavyn and his way of handling new information: a healthy dose of humor, a not-so-healthy dose of self-deprecation, all spiced with heavy sarcasm and lots of love for his family. Despite his criminal background and his constant avoidance of responsibility, Gavyn is essentially a very positive character. He is extremely likeable and if I continue reading this series, it will be solely because of him.
Gavyn Donatti (or Houdini, as his ex girlfriend calls him) is a lone thief – pretty much anybody who ever came close to him got screwed over in an instant. The problem is, Donatti never does this on purpose, accidents just happen around him. Apparently, Murphy's law is the only law he lives by.
[image error]
Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong!
During one of his disasterous adventures, he gets into trouble and ends up being saved by an extremely pissed off djinn. It turns out that the djinn, Ian, had no choice but to save him – Gavyn is his only descendant and he needs to stay alive or the realm in which the djinn exist will be destroyed. The story that follows is fast paced, sometimes moving and often very funny.
I liked Ian, he is a great character. He reminded me a lot of Grouchy Smurf. He was always angry about something, always growling and threatening Donatti.
Most of all, I liked Gavyn and his way of handling new information: a healthy dose of humor, a not-so-healthy dose of self-deprecation, all spiced with heavy sarcasm and lots of love for his family. Despite his criminal background and his constant avoidance of responsibility, Gavyn is essentially a very positive character. He is extremely likeable and if I continue reading this series, it will be solely because of him.
February 10, 2015
I was not prepared for this book. Sure, it says urban fantasy, mentions djinns and such, has a jinxed thief and all that, but it is way better than one can read in the blurb.
Don't read this expecting a tough male character right from the start, but the humour he finds in the most horrible situations is enough to like him. Gavyn Donatti is the jinx among the thieves. His partners usually end up in prison or worse. It is not his fault (some of it gets explained in the book). He isn't betraying them. He is just jinxed so he constantly loses partners.
We first see Donatti running away from thugs sent by Trevor, a completely crazy criminal who hired Donatti to steal a dagger for him. Well, our thief kind of lost the thing and he is aware Trevor won't believe him. When they do find him, he is saved by a very pissed off djinn. The first chapter sets the good-bad side and the rest of the book slowly reveals the reason this djinn (I guess he likes the name Ian) saved him, a lot of djinn history and politics and as far as I can see, we see where the next book will go. I loved most of the characters. But most of all I like the humour. Romance isn't forced either. It is simply as it should be.
There, no spoilers.
Don't read this expecting a tough male character right from the start, but the humour he finds in the most horrible situations is enough to like him. Gavyn Donatti is the jinx among the thieves. His partners usually end up in prison or worse. It is not his fault (some of it gets explained in the book). He isn't betraying them. He is just jinxed so he constantly loses partners.
We first see Donatti running away from thugs sent by Trevor, a completely crazy criminal who hired Donatti to steal a dagger for him. Well, our thief kind of lost the thing and he is aware Trevor won't believe him. When they do find him, he is saved by a very pissed off djinn. The first chapter sets the good-bad side and the rest of the book slowly reveals the reason this djinn (I guess he likes the name Ian) saved him, a lot of djinn history and politics and as far as I can see, we see where the next book will go. I loved most of the characters. But most of all I like the humour. Romance isn't forced either. It is simply as it should be.
There, no spoilers.
March 21, 2010
If you took parts of the Arabian Nights and remade them in an urban fantasy mold, one of the stories would come out something very similar to Sonya Bateman’s Master of None. Gavyn Donatti, a professional thief, is hired to steal a small item for a local crime boss, but somehow Gavyn manages to lose the item before handing it over to his employer, and this bit of bad luck ends up sending Gavyn on the run. He is saved along the way by a Djinn named "Ian." When circumstances outside of their control lead them into a contentious partnership, they must learn to work together in order to save their loved ones and maybe the world.
I loved the concept of the book. I've not yet come across an urban fantasy that involves genies. There are plenty of things to like in Master of None: unique concept, humor, and interesting characters. Sonya Bateman does a nice job of making her characters believable with their own personalities. The genies themselves are very cool characters — not like any genie you'd expect. Their powers are limited and are not at all "wish" based. I would have liked to explore more of the Djinn world (we only get a small taste of it), but I'm guessing this will be explored in later books.
Sonya Bateman is also quite capable of writing intense action. The action scenes were probably the second most endearing thing to me besides the story concept itself. The action was realistic, intense, and almost never resolved in a way I expected. Complex and daring plans tended to end with mixed results, much like they would in the real world. There were plenty of moments in Master of None that had me anxious to turn the page.
"Wow sounds great Justin!, but why only 2.5 stars?" Funny you should ask, because I'm about to tell you. There were many moments in the story that felt awkward. First, the opening was very hard to swallow. I know one of the toughest things to do in urban fantasy is to make your magical world fit into reality, but since that's what pretty much defines the genre, it's important to pull it off smoothly — and Sonya Bateman doesn't. Gavyn buys being tossed into a world that has genies just a little too quickly. I had to mentally set that aside in order to make the story work. There were also moments in the dialog that were out of place. Here's an example in the form of a multiple choice question:
Q: The love of your life has just been witness to the aftermath of a loved one having been skinned alive. You’re in the car heading away from the scene. What do you do?
A. Offer consoling words of love and support
B. Vow revenge on the perpetrator
C. Get all hot with passion at the site of your lover’s resolve
D. All the above
Well, if you’re the main character in Master of None, you choose option D. Talk about awkward. "Hey babe, sorry about Jenny being skinned alive, I’ll kill the bastard who did this. My god, that perfume you're wearing... it’s so hot!" Okay, it wasn't quite that bad, but it was still a moment that stuck with me throughout the whole story.
Secondly, the magic system was annoyingly inconsistent. At the beginning of the story, Ian is capable of making Gavyn's needs appear. He gets thirsty, he somehow ends up with beer. He needs a smoke, all he has to do is check his pocket. Then you get towards the end and everybody is dying of thirst... suddenly genies are no longer able to generate anything useful. Beer and smokes are fine, but water is out of the question? That’s just poor planning on the author's part. There were many of these little inconsistencies throughout the book. Taken individually they seem small, but added together I couldn't overlook them.
Over all, I still recommend giving Master of None a try, especially if you're getting tired of the monster hunter stories that currently saturate the urban fantasy market. Sonya Bateman's story has a lot of potential, and there's a good chance she'll hit it out of the park with the sequel because everything she needs for an amazing series is there. I'm anxious to see if she pulls it off in a second book.
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/
I loved the concept of the book. I've not yet come across an urban fantasy that involves genies. There are plenty of things to like in Master of None: unique concept, humor, and interesting characters. Sonya Bateman does a nice job of making her characters believable with their own personalities. The genies themselves are very cool characters — not like any genie you'd expect. Their powers are limited and are not at all "wish" based. I would have liked to explore more of the Djinn world (we only get a small taste of it), but I'm guessing this will be explored in later books.
Sonya Bateman is also quite capable of writing intense action. The action scenes were probably the second most endearing thing to me besides the story concept itself. The action was realistic, intense, and almost never resolved in a way I expected. Complex and daring plans tended to end with mixed results, much like they would in the real world. There were plenty of moments in Master of None that had me anxious to turn the page.
"Wow sounds great Justin!, but why only 2.5 stars?" Funny you should ask, because I'm about to tell you. There were many moments in the story that felt awkward. First, the opening was very hard to swallow. I know one of the toughest things to do in urban fantasy is to make your magical world fit into reality, but since that's what pretty much defines the genre, it's important to pull it off smoothly — and Sonya Bateman doesn't. Gavyn buys being tossed into a world that has genies just a little too quickly. I had to mentally set that aside in order to make the story work. There were also moments in the dialog that were out of place. Here's an example in the form of a multiple choice question:
Q: The love of your life has just been witness to the aftermath of a loved one having been skinned alive. You’re in the car heading away from the scene. What do you do?
A. Offer consoling words of love and support
B. Vow revenge on the perpetrator
C. Get all hot with passion at the site of your lover’s resolve
D. All the above
Well, if you’re the main character in Master of None, you choose option D. Talk about awkward. "Hey babe, sorry about Jenny being skinned alive, I’ll kill the bastard who did this. My god, that perfume you're wearing... it’s so hot!" Okay, it wasn't quite that bad, but it was still a moment that stuck with me throughout the whole story.
Secondly, the magic system was annoyingly inconsistent. At the beginning of the story, Ian is capable of making Gavyn's needs appear. He gets thirsty, he somehow ends up with beer. He needs a smoke, all he has to do is check his pocket. Then you get towards the end and everybody is dying of thirst... suddenly genies are no longer able to generate anything useful. Beer and smokes are fine, but water is out of the question? That’s just poor planning on the author's part. There were many of these little inconsistencies throughout the book. Taken individually they seem small, but added together I couldn't overlook them.
Over all, I still recommend giving Master of None a try, especially if you're getting tired of the monster hunter stories that currently saturate the urban fantasy market. Sonya Bateman's story has a lot of potential, and there's a good chance she'll hit it out of the park with the sequel because everything she needs for an amazing series is there. I'm anxious to see if she pulls it off in a second book.
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/
May 25, 2010
Finding male authors and/or protagonists in the urban fantasy genre can be tricky. I can probably count the ones I have found and enjoyed on one hand, with Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden shining like a supernova as the best of the bunch. I saw reviews for this book popping up on blogs and my interest was piqued. When I was offered it for review I anxiously said yes…. a male protag written by a woman? Could she pull it off and would I enjoy it? The answer to both of these questions for me is yes, tho I admit I would love to see a male’s review of this book to see their opinion on it.
Gavyn is a thief, and an unlucky one at that. When he loses an item he stole for a very dangerous man, he finds his life on the line and on the run as a new and dangerous magical world is revealed to him. I loved Gavyn’s character. He’s funny, sarcastic, and self deprecating; his mouth constantly getting him in even more trouble than his actions. This story is as much about his journey to finding out his own strengths and weaknesses as it is about the suspense plot.
Gavyn’s sidekick in this magical mystery tour of danger is Ian, a djinn(genie) prince. At first, Ian is crotchety, cranky, surly, and downright condescending. Yet I grew to love him as the story progressed and his relationship with Gavyn developed. The world of djinns created by Bateman was unique to me, my only other experience with them through Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series. Bateman’s djinns have their own realm, their own politics, their own battles and it is spilling out into our mortal world with possibly fatal consequences. The djinn are not all powerful beings enslaved to a master granting any wish requested, but instead they have power limitations and freedom of choice. Ian and his djinn counterparts are on equal footing with the other characters in this story, adding depth and credibility to the plot.
Master of None by Sonya Bateman is a good solid read from a debut author, a welcome addition to the Urban Fantasy genre. It is not without its slow segments and could use a bit more world building to add to the story, but the first person male character was done well and entertained me from the start. I don’t know if this book is the start of a series or a stand alone, but Sonya Bateman is an author I will be watching.
Gavyn is a thief, and an unlucky one at that. When he loses an item he stole for a very dangerous man, he finds his life on the line and on the run as a new and dangerous magical world is revealed to him. I loved Gavyn’s character. He’s funny, sarcastic, and self deprecating; his mouth constantly getting him in even more trouble than his actions. This story is as much about his journey to finding out his own strengths and weaknesses as it is about the suspense plot.
Gavyn’s sidekick in this magical mystery tour of danger is Ian, a djinn(genie) prince. At first, Ian is crotchety, cranky, surly, and downright condescending. Yet I grew to love him as the story progressed and his relationship with Gavyn developed. The world of djinns created by Bateman was unique to me, my only other experience with them through Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series. Bateman’s djinns have their own realm, their own politics, their own battles and it is spilling out into our mortal world with possibly fatal consequences. The djinn are not all powerful beings enslaved to a master granting any wish requested, but instead they have power limitations and freedom of choice. Ian and his djinn counterparts are on equal footing with the other characters in this story, adding depth and credibility to the plot.
Master of None by Sonya Bateman is a good solid read from a debut author, a welcome addition to the Urban Fantasy genre. It is not without its slow segments and could use a bit more world building to add to the story, but the first person male character was done well and entertained me from the start. I don’t know if this book is the start of a series or a stand alone, but Sonya Bateman is an author I will be watching.
April 14, 2010
Why I read: Author asked for a review, and I couldn’t pass up a story with a genie. Tori just happened to be reading it at the same time!
Favorite Quote: Why couldn’t I get the djinn of lollipops and happiness?
Tori: Hi everyone...it's Tori. Mandi graciously asked me to do a joint review with her on Sonya Bateman's exciting debut novel- Master Of None . I have to say that this book completely took me by surprise. While I expected to be entertained as I love nothing better then a grumpy supernatural; I didn't expect to be taken by it as I was. How about you Mandi?
Mandi: Taken by surprise is the perfect way to describe it! While I started by giggling along with our hero Gavyn, by the end I was on the edge of my seat rooting for many characters that stole my heart. We start with Gavyn Donatti who makes his living as a thief - a thief that has lost something very important to his employer and is now in big trouble. Gavyn was suppose to steal a knife and hand it over to Trevor, now the knife is gone, and Trevor has sent his goons out to make Gavyn pay. Just as Gavyn thinks he is done for, a mysterious man appears claiming Gavyn is his and he is not to be harmed. After witnessing this man get hit with bullets and not even be phased, Gavyn realizes something not normal is at play.
Ian is a djinn, or a genie, sent to watch over Gavyn until he fulfills his life's goal – whatever that may be. Ian is cranky that the person he is now in charge of is a low life thief. Gavyn never asked for a genie to follow him around and has enough complications in his life without a foul tempered genie to get in his way. But it is not long before Trevor's men show up again. When Gavyn's ex-girlfriend Jazz, for whom he still has feelings for, enters the picture, with a very surprising admission, Gavyn is going to need all the help he can get to keep those he loves safe.
Let's start with Gavyn - I found it unusual to read an urban fantasy in the POV of a man! I loved his voice and he had me cracking up throughout the entire book. Did he have the same effect on you?
Tori: Yes he did. I enjoyed it immensely because it was from a mans POV. It was so much more laid back. Often when women are the "heros" they have to be bigger and badder then their male counterparts. So much action is introduced early on and I almost feel overwhelmed. But this storyline was introduced so smoothly that I was halfway through the book before I realized it. Gavyn has a dry sense of humor; especially at his own expense.
I have to say that Ian caught my eye and had me from the beginning. Even bitchy he's hawt. You don't see many stories about djinns that aren't pure SiFi so this was a nice change.
Mandi: Who knew I would fall for a cranky-ass genie? And while Ian was a bit of a mystery to begin with, as he tells his story and the history of his kind, he becomes a well developed character and one that broke my heart. His situation in life is not just to follow around Gavyn. There is so much more to his story (best to be revealed as you read) that will have you rooting and cheering for him at the end. Sonya Bateman does a nice job portraying Ian's pain, through the point of view of Gavyn.
Jazz, Gavyn's ex-girlfriend plays a big role and is the more rough and tough part of the relationship. This isn't a very mushy romantic book, but there are definitely residual feelings on both sides. I liked that Jazz was the alpha in the relationship. Gavyn doesn't like violence or making the decisions. Which is another reason this book really grabbed me - Gavyn is such a different type of hero. Besides the humor and Ian's story, Trevor is a villain you don't want to mess around with. I thought he was very evil. When he is torturing and you think, oh he is not really going to rip off that person’s fingernail – and then he does! EVIL!
Tori: To me this story was so much more then just a PNR. It is a story of redemption. Forgiveness. And love. In the beginning Ian tells Gavyn that he is there to help him realize his potential. But throughout the book you realize that Ian learns much from Gavyn also.
Gavyn becomes the most wonderful "accidental" hero. He has so many wonderful qualities that are buried under his bad luck. His character development is more of an awakening. The qualities we see are ones he's always had-but never strived for.
You summed it up perfectly about Jazz. She IS the alpha in their relationship and hides a generous heart under her gruff exterior. While she has pretty much written Gavyn off she comes to his rescue often enough that you know their past is NOT in the past for her. The rest of the cast is beautifully written. The secondary storylines blend in seamlessly with the main plot. Ms Bateman has a wonderful way of introducing new characters at the perfect moment-just when you need them. The ending was written brilliantly and leaves off in a way that would allow Ms Bateman to write more about this world. I will definitely put Ms Bateman on my fav authors to read list. My rating: 4.5/5
Mandi: I completely agree Tori!! You expressed Gavyn and Ian perfectly! I wished at some points Ian's powers would have been a bit more concrete. For example, at first we are told he becomes invisible when he turns into a dog, but then later he is also invisible as a human. I felt like the rules could have been a bit more clear. I also think the story slows down when the history and back story of the djinns is introduced. That being said, Master of None is a book that will take you on a surprising journey. You will laugh, cheer and root along with these vibrant characters. My rating: 4/5
Favorite Quote: Why couldn’t I get the djinn of lollipops and happiness?
Tori: Hi everyone...it's Tori. Mandi graciously asked me to do a joint review with her on Sonya Bateman's exciting debut novel- Master Of None . I have to say that this book completely took me by surprise. While I expected to be entertained as I love nothing better then a grumpy supernatural; I didn't expect to be taken by it as I was. How about you Mandi?
Mandi: Taken by surprise is the perfect way to describe it! While I started by giggling along with our hero Gavyn, by the end I was on the edge of my seat rooting for many characters that stole my heart. We start with Gavyn Donatti who makes his living as a thief - a thief that has lost something very important to his employer and is now in big trouble. Gavyn was suppose to steal a knife and hand it over to Trevor, now the knife is gone, and Trevor has sent his goons out to make Gavyn pay. Just as Gavyn thinks he is done for, a mysterious man appears claiming Gavyn is his and he is not to be harmed. After witnessing this man get hit with bullets and not even be phased, Gavyn realizes something not normal is at play.
Ian is a djinn, or a genie, sent to watch over Gavyn until he fulfills his life's goal – whatever that may be. Ian is cranky that the person he is now in charge of is a low life thief. Gavyn never asked for a genie to follow him around and has enough complications in his life without a foul tempered genie to get in his way. But it is not long before Trevor's men show up again. When Gavyn's ex-girlfriend Jazz, for whom he still has feelings for, enters the picture, with a very surprising admission, Gavyn is going to need all the help he can get to keep those he loves safe.
Let's start with Gavyn - I found it unusual to read an urban fantasy in the POV of a man! I loved his voice and he had me cracking up throughout the entire book. Did he have the same effect on you?
Tori: Yes he did. I enjoyed it immensely because it was from a mans POV. It was so much more laid back. Often when women are the "heros" they have to be bigger and badder then their male counterparts. So much action is introduced early on and I almost feel overwhelmed. But this storyline was introduced so smoothly that I was halfway through the book before I realized it. Gavyn has a dry sense of humor; especially at his own expense.
I have to say that Ian caught my eye and had me from the beginning. Even bitchy he's hawt. You don't see many stories about djinns that aren't pure SiFi so this was a nice change.
Mandi: Who knew I would fall for a cranky-ass genie? And while Ian was a bit of a mystery to begin with, as he tells his story and the history of his kind, he becomes a well developed character and one that broke my heart. His situation in life is not just to follow around Gavyn. There is so much more to his story (best to be revealed as you read) that will have you rooting and cheering for him at the end. Sonya Bateman does a nice job portraying Ian's pain, through the point of view of Gavyn.
Jazz, Gavyn's ex-girlfriend plays a big role and is the more rough and tough part of the relationship. This isn't a very mushy romantic book, but there are definitely residual feelings on both sides. I liked that Jazz was the alpha in the relationship. Gavyn doesn't like violence or making the decisions. Which is another reason this book really grabbed me - Gavyn is such a different type of hero. Besides the humor and Ian's story, Trevor is a villain you don't want to mess around with. I thought he was very evil. When he is torturing and you think, oh he is not really going to rip off that person’s fingernail – and then he does! EVIL!
Tori: To me this story was so much more then just a PNR. It is a story of redemption. Forgiveness. And love. In the beginning Ian tells Gavyn that he is there to help him realize his potential. But throughout the book you realize that Ian learns much from Gavyn also.
Gavyn becomes the most wonderful "accidental" hero. He has so many wonderful qualities that are buried under his bad luck. His character development is more of an awakening. The qualities we see are ones he's always had-but never strived for.
You summed it up perfectly about Jazz. She IS the alpha in their relationship and hides a generous heart under her gruff exterior. While she has pretty much written Gavyn off she comes to his rescue often enough that you know their past is NOT in the past for her. The rest of the cast is beautifully written. The secondary storylines blend in seamlessly with the main plot. Ms Bateman has a wonderful way of introducing new characters at the perfect moment-just when you need them. The ending was written brilliantly and leaves off in a way that would allow Ms Bateman to write more about this world. I will definitely put Ms Bateman on my fav authors to read list. My rating: 4.5/5
Mandi: I completely agree Tori!! You expressed Gavyn and Ian perfectly! I wished at some points Ian's powers would have been a bit more concrete. For example, at first we are told he becomes invisible when he turns into a dog, but then later he is also invisible as a human. I felt like the rules could have been a bit more clear. I also think the story slows down when the history and back story of the djinns is introduced. That being said, Master of None is a book that will take you on a surprising journey. You will laugh, cheer and root along with these vibrant characters. My rating: 4/5
March 9, 2016
Gavyn Donatti is a hapless and unlucky thief who has just managed to lose the item he was hired to steal-and Local thug Trevor decides to teach him a lesson. His life is saved by Ian, a djinn who must stay and protect Gavyn-and he thinks that Gavyn is a complete waste of time. Gavyn ropes his ex-partner/ex-lover Jazz in to help them, endangering her and her son Cyrus. Trevor's evil plans go beyond torturing Gavyn and the world might depend on Gavyn and his team saving the day.
This was a really good urban fantasy adventure with action, humour and a series of great characters. In short it had pretty much everything I look for in this genre. The plot is not distracted with a big romance story for once (yea!) though Gavyn and Jazz do have history. The story concentrates on what is happening to them now and how they might have a second chance together if they all survive. The plot is fast paced and I loved that we had djinn, which you don't see as much of in these books. There is magic used by the characters but I like the fact that each spell drains the user so it is not just always using magic to save the day. They have to use it sparingly and engage their brains instead. And don't ask Ian for three wishes!
Gavyn is such a useless criminal that I instantly liked him. He doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut, leading to some amusing exchanges with Trevor and Ian. Jazz is smart, capable and feisty, but vulnerable when it comes to her son. She is a great female character. Ian is just brilliant-grumpy, intolerant, impatient and not enjoying the assignment. There is a lot of amusing snark between Gavyn and Ian as their relationship gradually develops trust. The addition of Lark, who has a real grudge against Gavyn over a botched job, just added to the fun in this book. I even liked Trevor the bad guy who had his moments. Finally we had Quaid the bounty hunter who wants to arrest Gavyn and always seems to show up at the most unfortunate times! I can't say that there was a character that I didn't enjoy in this book.
As I said the plot was very fast paced throughout, as poor Gavyn lurches from one disaster to the next! It is part road trip, part magical adventure and part gritty urban fantasy which when you add in the frequent humour and excellent characters, makes a pretty compelling read. There are bad plans, getting captured, interesting escapes, silly situations and magical moments. It has pretty much everything.
My one disappointment is that there only seems to be two full length novels and one short story, when I want to read so much more about Gavyn, Ian and the gang! I really hope the author is able to maybe self publish a third book. Fingers crossed!
This was a really good urban fantasy adventure with action, humour and a series of great characters. In short it had pretty much everything I look for in this genre. The plot is not distracted with a big romance story for once (yea!) though Gavyn and Jazz do have history. The story concentrates on what is happening to them now and how they might have a second chance together if they all survive. The plot is fast paced and I loved that we had djinn, which you don't see as much of in these books. There is magic used by the characters but I like the fact that each spell drains the user so it is not just always using magic to save the day. They have to use it sparingly and engage their brains instead. And don't ask Ian for three wishes!
Gavyn is such a useless criminal that I instantly liked him. He doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut, leading to some amusing exchanges with Trevor and Ian. Jazz is smart, capable and feisty, but vulnerable when it comes to her son. She is a great female character. Ian is just brilliant-grumpy, intolerant, impatient and not enjoying the assignment. There is a lot of amusing snark between Gavyn and Ian as their relationship gradually develops trust. The addition of Lark, who has a real grudge against Gavyn over a botched job, just added to the fun in this book. I even liked Trevor the bad guy who had his moments. Finally we had Quaid the bounty hunter who wants to arrest Gavyn and always seems to show up at the most unfortunate times! I can't say that there was a character that I didn't enjoy in this book.
As I said the plot was very fast paced throughout, as poor Gavyn lurches from one disaster to the next! It is part road trip, part magical adventure and part gritty urban fantasy which when you add in the frequent humour and excellent characters, makes a pretty compelling read. There are bad plans, getting captured, interesting escapes, silly situations and magical moments. It has pretty much everything.
My one disappointment is that there only seems to be two full length novels and one short story, when I want to read so much more about Gavyn, Ian and the gang! I really hope the author is able to maybe self publish a third book. Fingers crossed!
September 11, 2017
This book was off the beaten path. I really enjoyed this version of Djinn. I am writing this review too far from the book to give a proper review justice. But, I remember really enjoying it and wanting to read the next.
August 15, 2012
OK, so I am very green when it comes to this genre, as in this is the first book about a djinn I have ever read. So this may mean I need to come back to this review at a later time to edit. But for now here is what I think. WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!
Alright, my first note is from Chapter 1 page 1 and it reads: "The thief says 'Crud'?? Really?" So after getting into the first 10 pages or so of the story I realize that the protagonist has used the word crud 3 times... So I started a tally. In 376 pages Donatti, aka Thief, (The protagonist)says 'crud' 19 times. He has no issue with using any other expletives but I guess the word 'crap' or 'shit' is just too bad.
Ok that doesn't seem bad? The author used the term lucky/unlucky 39 times in 376 pages... 39 TIMES! She called many charaters 'jerks' (5 times), and talked about how impressed Donatti was (6 times) and referenced how he was going to get 'ventilation holes' aka gun shot wounds. Ahhh!
Another annoyance was that every 3 pages there was a new chapter. (FYI there are 38 chapters) Ok so on average it was every 10 pages, give me a break...
The characters where decent, the plot was a little under developed, and the author tried way too hard to make Donatti out to be clumsy (Who the f*** drops their partner off a 2 story building on accident? p 49). I wish she had used more time to flesh out her characters a bit more and describe what the setting looked like or felt like instead of using generic terms to illustrate how pretty Jazz's eyes were, or how cold the mirror was.
Although the one redeeming factor for this book was that the first half of the novel had some of the best 'worst lines' I have ever read. For instance:
-"I had to think cold thoughts to stop my size thirty-eights from stretching. Snow. Ice. Antarctica. Trevor. That did the trick." p. 28
-"She's tough, but it's better to ease into stuff like life threatening wounds that don't make you dead." p. 37
-"Guards manned the checkpoints at the gate 24/7. Dogs--well--dogged the stretches between the checkpoints." p.57
-"...led to a spacious and richly furnished den complete with indoor colums and full sized dry bar--Trevor's sitting room. There, we found Trevor, sitting." p.60
-"Snug as a bug in a Venus flytrap." p.77
-"Jesus Jefferson Christ." p. 82
-"'What's wrong with you?' Ian whispered. 'Evolution moves faster than this.'" p. 84 (I have to admit I really do love this line and will probably use it...
That is about where the really amusing horrible lines stop. Don't get me wrong, there are more bad one-liners but they are not really noteworthy.
Some more irritating things:
-Chapter 23 we discover, out of nowhere, that Donatti was an orphan. It seems kind of haphazardly thrown into the story as it doesn't really do anything to move the plot along but rather kinds of stops you because it is so out of place.
-Chapter 26 At this point the work luck is mentioned 30 times or so and then they travel through a town called shamrock where Donatti has a full page to go on about his luck or lack-thereof.
-Then there is a bounty hunter, Quaid, who is out to get Donatti and is super sly and the author makes him out to be this super sleuth. It seemed as if the Quaid guy was going to help the story along by being a djinn or serving someone more diabolical than Trevor but no. He just gets in the way at the last minute and then kind of disappears into the story.... Leaving you wondering wtf was he there for in the first place?!
The author confuses stun guns and tasers. Stun guns do not have prongs that eject from the device, a Taser does. And when you are shocked by either device you are not incapable of movement for ten minutes at a time like the characters in the book. I would know. I have been Tased (sadly, or fortunately, it was a voluntary Tase. And although it was the most pain I have ever experienced in my life, I was able to move all by myself immediately after. Don't believe me? Here's the video. I'm the girl...obviously. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFxCAC...). A two minute Google search could have cleared that up.
The torture scenes were descent but like the rest of the story the descriptions were lacking and there was a vagueness clouding the whole book. The visuals just weren't there for me.
Although I am bitching quite a bit, the book was not the worst thing I have ever read. In fact it was a good first attempt. I probably might recommend it to someone.
Alright, my first note is from Chapter 1 page 1 and it reads: "The thief says 'Crud'?? Really?" So after getting into the first 10 pages or so of the story I realize that the protagonist has used the word crud 3 times... So I started a tally. In 376 pages Donatti, aka Thief, (The protagonist)says 'crud' 19 times. He has no issue with using any other expletives but I guess the word 'crap' or 'shit' is just too bad.
Ok that doesn't seem bad? The author used the term lucky/unlucky 39 times in 376 pages... 39 TIMES! She called many charaters 'jerks' (5 times), and talked about how impressed Donatti was (6 times) and referenced how he was going to get 'ventilation holes' aka gun shot wounds. Ahhh!
Another annoyance was that every 3 pages there was a new chapter. (FYI there are 38 chapters) Ok so on average it was every 10 pages, give me a break...
The characters where decent, the plot was a little under developed, and the author tried way too hard to make Donatti out to be clumsy (Who the f*** drops their partner off a 2 story building on accident? p 49). I wish she had used more time to flesh out her characters a bit more and describe what the setting looked like or felt like instead of using generic terms to illustrate how pretty Jazz's eyes were, or how cold the mirror was.
Although the one redeeming factor for this book was that the first half of the novel had some of the best 'worst lines' I have ever read. For instance:
-"I had to think cold thoughts to stop my size thirty-eights from stretching. Snow. Ice. Antarctica. Trevor. That did the trick." p. 28
-"She's tough, but it's better to ease into stuff like life threatening wounds that don't make you dead." p. 37
-"Guards manned the checkpoints at the gate 24/7. Dogs--well--dogged the stretches between the checkpoints." p.57
-"...led to a spacious and richly furnished den complete with indoor colums and full sized dry bar--Trevor's sitting room. There, we found Trevor, sitting." p.60
-"Snug as a bug in a Venus flytrap." p.77
-"Jesus Jefferson Christ." p. 82
-"'What's wrong with you?' Ian whispered. 'Evolution moves faster than this.'" p. 84 (I have to admit I really do love this line and will probably use it...
That is about where the really amusing horrible lines stop. Don't get me wrong, there are more bad one-liners but they are not really noteworthy.
Some more irritating things:
-Chapter 23 we discover, out of nowhere, that Donatti was an orphan. It seems kind of haphazardly thrown into the story as it doesn't really do anything to move the plot along but rather kinds of stops you because it is so out of place.
-Chapter 26 At this point the work luck is mentioned 30 times or so and then they travel through a town called shamrock where Donatti has a full page to go on about his luck or lack-thereof.
-Then there is a bounty hunter, Quaid, who is out to get Donatti and is super sly and the author makes him out to be this super sleuth. It seemed as if the Quaid guy was going to help the story along by being a djinn or serving someone more diabolical than Trevor but no. He just gets in the way at the last minute and then kind of disappears into the story.... Leaving you wondering wtf was he there for in the first place?!
The author confuses stun guns and tasers. Stun guns do not have prongs that eject from the device, a Taser does. And when you are shocked by either device you are not incapable of movement for ten minutes at a time like the characters in the book. I would know. I have been Tased (sadly, or fortunately, it was a voluntary Tase. And although it was the most pain I have ever experienced in my life, I was able to move all by myself immediately after. Don't believe me? Here's the video. I'm the girl...obviously. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFxCAC...). A two minute Google search could have cleared that up.
The torture scenes were descent but like the rest of the story the descriptions were lacking and there was a vagueness clouding the whole book. The visuals just weren't there for me.
Although I am bitching quite a bit, the book was not the worst thing I have ever read. In fact it was a good first attempt. I probably might recommend it to someone.
April 3, 2011
My thoughts: Though the blurb sounded interesting, when I picked up Master of None I wasn't prepared to what an amazing novel it would be. I gobbled it up in a few days and remained excited about the story for weeks (I still get enthusiastic whenever I just think about it).
Master of None is Sonya Bateman's debut novel, and seeing the way she started her writing carrier, let me tell you we are in for a ride!
First of all I was blown away by the fresh and completely original approach she took in an urban fantasy novel: 1) the protagonist of the novel is a MAN! Can't remember the last time (or if I ever) came across a male narrator in UF books... 2) the supernatural creatures in Master of None are genies...er sorry djinns! Not vampires, not angels but djinns! The huge-blue-Aladdin kind of genies (if Ian heard me, I'd be in trouble...) (well except that the genies here aren't that nice but rather bloodthirsty and quite violent, but they are equally funny)!
Second of all, besides the exciting and original plot she created, Sonya Bateman's writing style is divine! It is laugh out loud funny yet descriptive, full of evocative details, yet is an exciting, fast paced pageturner managing all the while to keep the readers' attention all through the 384 pages of the novel and provide fantastic entertainment. While I read Master of None I was transported into Gavyn and Ian's world, Sonya Bateman is incredibly gifted, she has a way with words!
The characterization in Master of None is fantastic: Gavyn, Ian and the supporting characters step off the pages, they seem more than mere characters in a novel. Every one of them is individual in its own way, and Sonya created something brilliant with the relationship between Gavyn and Ian! I was constantly amazed at how perfectly Sonya Bateman as a female author could portray Gavyn. It is tricky when the story is told from the first person, but even more so when the narrator is of the different sex. Well Sonya Bateman not only pulled it off, she excelled at it! Both Gavyn and Ian are amazing characters: while Gavyn's dry humour and self deprecating comments made him a lovable and fun character, with Ian it was his rudely sarcastic and his dry, biting comments which made me crack up at every second sentence, he was such a unique breath of fresh air in the usually gloomy UF universe.
Though I've tried ever since I read it in May, I can't praise Master of None enough. Not only is it a brilliantly entertaining book, it is also a very high quality piece of literature.
Verdict: Master of None has its permanent place in my 2010 Top Reads List, and if you want to read an original, unique, laugh out loud funny, brilliant urban fantasy novel, pick up Master of None, you'll be in for a treat!!
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Thankfully Master of None is the 1st book in a series, book #2 (Master and Apprentice) will be out in April 2011! Spring can't come soon enough! :-D
ps: you can now read Book #1 Master of None free here: you need to register, but registration is completely free and only takes 1 min, enjoy! :-)
Master of None is Sonya Bateman's debut novel, and seeing the way she started her writing carrier, let me tell you we are in for a ride!
First of all I was blown away by the fresh and completely original approach she took in an urban fantasy novel: 1) the protagonist of the novel is a MAN! Can't remember the last time (or if I ever) came across a male narrator in UF books... 2) the supernatural creatures in Master of None are genies...er sorry djinns! Not vampires, not angels but djinns! The huge-blue-Aladdin kind of genies (if Ian heard me, I'd be in trouble...) (well except that the genies here aren't that nice but rather bloodthirsty and quite violent, but they are equally funny)!
Second of all, besides the exciting and original plot she created, Sonya Bateman's writing style is divine! It is laugh out loud funny yet descriptive, full of evocative details, yet is an exciting, fast paced pageturner managing all the while to keep the readers' attention all through the 384 pages of the novel and provide fantastic entertainment. While I read Master of None I was transported into Gavyn and Ian's world, Sonya Bateman is incredibly gifted, she has a way with words!
The characterization in Master of None is fantastic: Gavyn, Ian and the supporting characters step off the pages, they seem more than mere characters in a novel. Every one of them is individual in its own way, and Sonya created something brilliant with the relationship between Gavyn and Ian! I was constantly amazed at how perfectly Sonya Bateman as a female author could portray Gavyn. It is tricky when the story is told from the first person, but even more so when the narrator is of the different sex. Well Sonya Bateman not only pulled it off, she excelled at it! Both Gavyn and Ian are amazing characters: while Gavyn's dry humour and self deprecating comments made him a lovable and fun character, with Ian it was his rudely sarcastic and his dry, biting comments which made me crack up at every second sentence, he was such a unique breath of fresh air in the usually gloomy UF universe.
Though I've tried ever since I read it in May, I can't praise Master of None enough. Not only is it a brilliantly entertaining book, it is also a very high quality piece of literature.
Verdict: Master of None has its permanent place in my 2010 Top Reads List, and if you want to read an original, unique, laugh out loud funny, brilliant urban fantasy novel, pick up Master of None, you'll be in for a treat!!
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Thankfully Master of None is the 1st book in a series, book #2 (Master and Apprentice) will be out in April 2011! Spring can't come soon enough! :-D
ps: you can now read Book #1 Master of None free here: you need to register, but registration is completely free and only takes 1 min, enjoy! :-)
April 26, 2010
O...M...G!!! How hellah excellent was this book?! It has been a really long time since I've enjoyed a book this much. It had the action and excellent characters to move the spectacular story along that I require from any story, but especially the urban fantasy books that I love to read.
This book is such a treasure and I am so glad I found it on Dark Faerie Tales blog for the Debut Urban Fantasy Challenge. The premise sounded fun and completely readable. Little did I know....
I developed a crush on Gavyn Donatti after just a few pages into the story. I felt so bad for him, his luck so truly awful, just wanted to give him a hug. As the story went along, I fell more for him. He's a thief, but it's just a job. He doesn't hurt anyone, let alone kill. He just tries to take what he's been hired to do.
His luck really runs out when the thugs of Trevor, his newest boss, come after the item he's supposed to bring in, but lost somehow. And he's saved by a wolf. He finds out that the wolf is a shapeshifter djinn (don't make the mistake of calling him a genie), named Gahiji-an or Ian for short. They get along like oil and water, but have to work together for the end game.
Donatti is tough and funny, that was what I fell for. He thinks quickly on his feet and takes each new turn in his life with a humor and strength that wins the reader over.
READ THIS BOOK!!!
Five I'm not a genie and you don't get three wishes diamonds.....
This book is such a treasure and I am so glad I found it on Dark Faerie Tales blog for the Debut Urban Fantasy Challenge. The premise sounded fun and completely readable. Little did I know....
I developed a crush on Gavyn Donatti after just a few pages into the story. I felt so bad for him, his luck so truly awful, just wanted to give him a hug. As the story went along, I fell more for him. He's a thief, but it's just a job. He doesn't hurt anyone, let alone kill. He just tries to take what he's been hired to do.
His luck really runs out when the thugs of Trevor, his newest boss, come after the item he's supposed to bring in, but lost somehow. And he's saved by a wolf. He finds out that the wolf is a shapeshifter djinn (don't make the mistake of calling him a genie), named Gahiji-an or Ian for short. They get along like oil and water, but have to work together for the end game.
Donatti is tough and funny, that was what I fell for. He thinks quickly on his feet and takes each new turn in his life with a humor and strength that wins the reader over.
READ THIS BOOK!!!
Five I'm not a genie and you don't get three wishes diamonds.....
April 1, 2012
There just wasn't anything very interesting in this book. I read it a few days ago and put the review off until later. Now it's later and I can barely remember what it was about. That should give you a good idea of exactly how gripping I found the story. I was only prompted to write a review at all because the sequel came in for me at the library and two pages into it, I was reminded why I'd meant to cancel my hold on it in the first place.
The things that stand out are, unfortunately, all bad. The two lead characters are utterly annoying and the secondaries are two-dimensional and little better. The world building is sketchy at best, the narrative plodding and often dull, the story at times drags on seemingly endlessly while going nowhere; the whole thing needed serious tightening up.
If I'd hated the book I wouldn't have finished it, so obviously I found something worthwhile somewhere in there. The fact that nothing comes to mind tells me just how blah this book was. I've seen others compare this favorably to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, but I don't see where they came up with that. It's like saying Spam is just as good as prime rib. Yeah, not even close.
The things that stand out are, unfortunately, all bad. The two lead characters are utterly annoying and the secondaries are two-dimensional and little better. The world building is sketchy at best, the narrative plodding and often dull, the story at times drags on seemingly endlessly while going nowhere; the whole thing needed serious tightening up.
If I'd hated the book I wouldn't have finished it, so obviously I found something worthwhile somewhere in there. The fact that nothing comes to mind tells me just how blah this book was. I've seen others compare this favorably to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, but I don't see where they came up with that. It's like saying Spam is just as good as prime rib. Yeah, not even close.
September 8, 2016
Awesome book, not giving away, but Genie's WOW.
March 31, 2010
LOVED IT!!! Gave it 4.5/5
I reviewed this with Mandi
Mandi said: "Why I read: Author asked for a review, and I couldn’t pass up a story with a genie. Tori just happened to be reading it at the same time!
Mandi's Favorite Quote: Why couldn’t I get the djinn of lollipops and happiness?
Tori: Hi everyone...it's Tori. Mandi graciously asked me to do a joint review with her on Sonya Bateman's exciting debut novel-Master Of None. I have to say that this book completely took me by surprise. While I expected to be entertained as I love nothing better then a grumpy supernatural; I didn't expect to be taken by it as I was. How about you Mandi?
Mandi: Taken by surprise is the perfect way to describe it! While I started by giggling along with our hero Gavyn, by the end I was on the edge of my seat rooting for many characters that stole my heart. We start with Gavyn Donatti who makes his living as a thief - a thief that has lost something very important to his employer and is now in big trouble. Gavyn was suppose to steal a knife and hand it over to Trevor, now the knife is gone, and Trevor has sent his goons out to make Gavyn pay. Just as Gavyn thinks he is done for, a mysterious man appears claiming Gavyn is his and he is not to be harmed. After witnessing this man get hit with bullets and not even be phased, Gavyn realizes something not normal is at play.
Ian is a djinn, or a genie, sent to watch over Gavyn until he fulfills his life's goal – whatever that may be. Ian is cranky that the person he is now in charge of is a low life thief. Gavyn never asked for a genie to follow him around and has enough complications in his life without a foul tempered genie to get in his way. But it is not long before Trevor's men show up again. When Gavyn's ex-girlfriend Jazz, for whom he still has feelings for, enters the picture, with a very surprising admission, Gavyn is going to need all the help he can get to keep those he loves safe.
Let's start with Gavyn - I found it unusual to read an urban fantasy in the POV of a man! I loved his voice and he had me cracking up throughout the entire book. Did he have the same effect on you?
Tori: Yes he did. I enjoyed it immensely because it was from a mans POV. It was so much more laid back. Often when women are the "heros" they have to be bigger and badder then their male counterparts. So much action is introduced early on and I almost feel overwhelmed. But this storyline was introduced so smoothly that I was halfway through the book before I realized it. Gavyn has a dry sense of humor; especially at his own expense.
I have to say that Ian caught my eye and had me from the beginning. Even bitchy he's hawt. You don't see many stories about djinns that aren't pure SiFi so this was a nice change.
Mandi: Who knew I would fall for a cranky-ass genie? And while Ian was a bit of a mystery to begin with, as he tells his story and the history of his kind, he becomes a well developed character and one that broke my heart. His situation in life is not just to follow around Gavyn. There is so much more to his story (best to be revealed as you read) that will have you rooting and cheering for him at the end. Sonya Bateman does a nice job portraying Ian's pain, through the point of view of Gavyn.
Jazz, Gavyn's ex-girlfriend plays a big role and is the more rough and tough part of the relationship. This isn't a very mushy romantic book, but there are definitely residual feelings on both sides. I liked that Jazz was the alpha in the relationship. Gavyn doesn't like violence or making the decisions. Which is another reason this book really grabbed me - Gavyn is such a different type of hero. Besides the humor and Ian's story, Trevor is a villain you don't want to mess around with. I thought he was very evil. When he is torturing and you think, oh he is not really going to rip off that person’s fingernail – and then he does! EVIL!
Tori: To me this story was so much more then just a PNR. It is a story of redemption. Forgiveness. And love. In the beginning Ian tells Gavyn that he is there to help him realize his potential. But throughout the book you realize that Ian learns much from Gavyn also.
Gavyn becomes the most wonderful "accidental" hero. He has so many wonderful qualities that are buried under his bad luck. His character development is more of an awakening. The qualities we see are ones he's always had-but never strived for.
You summed it up perfectly about Jazz. She IS the alpha in their relationship and hides a generous heart under her gruff exterior. While she has pretty much written Gavyn off she comes to his rescue often enough that you know their past is NOT in the past for her. The rest of the cast is beautifully written. The secondary storylines blend in seamlessly with the main plot. Ms Bateman has a wonderful way of introducing new characters at the perfect moment-just when you need them. The ending was written brilliantly and leaves off in a way that would allow Ms Bateman to write more about this world. I will definitely put Ms Bateman on my fav authors to read list. My rating: 4.5/5
Mandi: I completely agree Tori!! You expressed Gavyn and Ian perfectly! I wished at some points Ian's powers would have been a bit more concrete. For example, at first we are told he becomes invisible when he turns into a dog, but then later he is also invisible as a human. I felt like the rules could have been a bit more clear. I also think the story slows down when the history and back story of the djinns is introduced. That being said, Master of None is a book that will take you on a surprising journey. You will laugh, cheer and root along with these vibrant characters. My rating: 4/5(less) "
I reviewed this with Mandi
Mandi said: "Why I read: Author asked for a review, and I couldn’t pass up a story with a genie. Tori just happened to be reading it at the same time!
Mandi's Favorite Quote: Why couldn’t I get the djinn of lollipops and happiness?
Tori: Hi everyone...it's Tori. Mandi graciously asked me to do a joint review with her on Sonya Bateman's exciting debut novel-Master Of None. I have to say that this book completely took me by surprise. While I expected to be entertained as I love nothing better then a grumpy supernatural; I didn't expect to be taken by it as I was. How about you Mandi?
Mandi: Taken by surprise is the perfect way to describe it! While I started by giggling along with our hero Gavyn, by the end I was on the edge of my seat rooting for many characters that stole my heart. We start with Gavyn Donatti who makes his living as a thief - a thief that has lost something very important to his employer and is now in big trouble. Gavyn was suppose to steal a knife and hand it over to Trevor, now the knife is gone, and Trevor has sent his goons out to make Gavyn pay. Just as Gavyn thinks he is done for, a mysterious man appears claiming Gavyn is his and he is not to be harmed. After witnessing this man get hit with bullets and not even be phased, Gavyn realizes something not normal is at play.
Ian is a djinn, or a genie, sent to watch over Gavyn until he fulfills his life's goal – whatever that may be. Ian is cranky that the person he is now in charge of is a low life thief. Gavyn never asked for a genie to follow him around and has enough complications in his life without a foul tempered genie to get in his way. But it is not long before Trevor's men show up again. When Gavyn's ex-girlfriend Jazz, for whom he still has feelings for, enters the picture, with a very surprising admission, Gavyn is going to need all the help he can get to keep those he loves safe.
Let's start with Gavyn - I found it unusual to read an urban fantasy in the POV of a man! I loved his voice and he had me cracking up throughout the entire book. Did he have the same effect on you?
Tori: Yes he did. I enjoyed it immensely because it was from a mans POV. It was so much more laid back. Often when women are the "heros" they have to be bigger and badder then their male counterparts. So much action is introduced early on and I almost feel overwhelmed. But this storyline was introduced so smoothly that I was halfway through the book before I realized it. Gavyn has a dry sense of humor; especially at his own expense.
I have to say that Ian caught my eye and had me from the beginning. Even bitchy he's hawt. You don't see many stories about djinns that aren't pure SiFi so this was a nice change.
Mandi: Who knew I would fall for a cranky-ass genie? And while Ian was a bit of a mystery to begin with, as he tells his story and the history of his kind, he becomes a well developed character and one that broke my heart. His situation in life is not just to follow around Gavyn. There is so much more to his story (best to be revealed as you read) that will have you rooting and cheering for him at the end. Sonya Bateman does a nice job portraying Ian's pain, through the point of view of Gavyn.
Jazz, Gavyn's ex-girlfriend plays a big role and is the more rough and tough part of the relationship. This isn't a very mushy romantic book, but there are definitely residual feelings on both sides. I liked that Jazz was the alpha in the relationship. Gavyn doesn't like violence or making the decisions. Which is another reason this book really grabbed me - Gavyn is such a different type of hero. Besides the humor and Ian's story, Trevor is a villain you don't want to mess around with. I thought he was very evil. When he is torturing and you think, oh he is not really going to rip off that person’s fingernail – and then he does! EVIL!
Tori: To me this story was so much more then just a PNR. It is a story of redemption. Forgiveness. And love. In the beginning Ian tells Gavyn that he is there to help him realize his potential. But throughout the book you realize that Ian learns much from Gavyn also.
Gavyn becomes the most wonderful "accidental" hero. He has so many wonderful qualities that are buried under his bad luck. His character development is more of an awakening. The qualities we see are ones he's always had-but never strived for.
You summed it up perfectly about Jazz. She IS the alpha in their relationship and hides a generous heart under her gruff exterior. While she has pretty much written Gavyn off she comes to his rescue often enough that you know their past is NOT in the past for her. The rest of the cast is beautifully written. The secondary storylines blend in seamlessly with the main plot. Ms Bateman has a wonderful way of introducing new characters at the perfect moment-just when you need them. The ending was written brilliantly and leaves off in a way that would allow Ms Bateman to write more about this world. I will definitely put Ms Bateman on my fav authors to read list. My rating: 4.5/5
Mandi: I completely agree Tori!! You expressed Gavyn and Ian perfectly! I wished at some points Ian's powers would have been a bit more concrete. For example, at first we are told he becomes invisible when he turns into a dog, but then later he is also invisible as a human. I felt like the rules could have been a bit more clear. I also think the story slows down when the history and back story of the djinns is introduced. That being said, Master of None is a book that will take you on a surprising journey. You will laugh, cheer and root along with these vibrant characters. My rating: 4/5(less) "
May 17, 2011
I’m admitting right off that this book was written by a friend, but it doesn’t mean my review isn’t the truth or has been influenced by this fact. Sonya Bateman is an outstanding author, and I’d have loved this book regardless of our friendship. That said, here are my thoughts on Master of None.
My time for reading print books is usually limited to bedtimes or the odd hour during the weekend when I veg on the sofa. This book, however, made it into the bathroom with me. That’s a good sign—if I read in the bath, a time I usually spend in the cocoon of steamy air and warm water without any distractions, it means the book is damn good. I was anxious about dropping the book into the bath—don’t you just hate doing that?—but to hell with it, I wanted to read that book!
I loved the voice and humor. Master of None is a fast-paced read that had me turning the pages long after the bathwater turned cold, and long after I should have turned out the light. As well as the kick-ass plot, there are two relationship arcs to keep you turning the pages. One is between Donatti and Ian, the other is between Donatti and Jazz. Both relationships are strained to a degree—Donatti’s and Ian’s because of Ian’s surly attitude and mysterious explanations, plus the fact Donatti has had the proof that genie’s exist sprung upon him at a time when he could really do with getting the hell out of town, and Donatti’s and Jazz’s because of their past relationship and a revelation (no plot spoilers here!) that shocks Donatti silly.
Secondary characters add richness to the tale, and their part in Donatti’s latest fiasco are well explored and a joy to read. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, ensuring I muttered, “Oh, just one more chapter…” time and again. I loved racing to the end, but at the same time I didn’t want to get there. Donatti’s world is one that I didn’t want to leave, and I was lost when the book ended, although, if I read into it correctly, there might well be a second book. Oh, joy upon joy!
My time for reading print books is usually limited to bedtimes or the odd hour during the weekend when I veg on the sofa. This book, however, made it into the bathroom with me. That’s a good sign—if I read in the bath, a time I usually spend in the cocoon of steamy air and warm water without any distractions, it means the book is damn good. I was anxious about dropping the book into the bath—don’t you just hate doing that?—but to hell with it, I wanted to read that book!
I loved the voice and humor. Master of None is a fast-paced read that had me turning the pages long after the bathwater turned cold, and long after I should have turned out the light. As well as the kick-ass plot, there are two relationship arcs to keep you turning the pages. One is between Donatti and Ian, the other is between Donatti and Jazz. Both relationships are strained to a degree—Donatti’s and Ian’s because of Ian’s surly attitude and mysterious explanations, plus the fact Donatti has had the proof that genie’s exist sprung upon him at a time when he could really do with getting the hell out of town, and Donatti’s and Jazz’s because of their past relationship and a revelation (no plot spoilers here!) that shocks Donatti silly.
Secondary characters add richness to the tale, and their part in Donatti’s latest fiasco are well explored and a joy to read. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, ensuring I muttered, “Oh, just one more chapter…” time and again. I loved racing to the end, but at the same time I didn’t want to get there. Donatti’s world is one that I didn’t want to leave, and I was lost when the book ended, although, if I read into it correctly, there might well be a second book. Oh, joy upon joy!
June 26, 2011
4.5 stars
Finding urban fantasy novels with male leads is not easy. Or if I do, they don't interest me as much. So, when I picked up this book, I was hoping that this would be a good one. And WOW, how this book delivers!
First, the main hero, Gavyn Donatti, is pretty charming. He's a thief, who seems to have a lucky streak when it comes to himself but not so much for his partners. I enjoy his voice so much.
Second, I like the idea of djinn in an UF. I don't meet many djinn characters. I did read Rachel Caine's "Outcast Season" series but that's it. So, I totally welcome Ian -- this sarcastic guy who transforms into wolf. Oh, that is another one I like. Djinn with power to transforms into animal. It's like shapeshifters :)
Third, there is a gay supporting character. I'm a huge M/M romance reader. So having an GLBT character in a mainstream book is always a positive reinforcement for me.
The pace is really quick, with action that doesn't seem to stop. From the first time Gavyn meets Ian, to reunite with his ex-lover Jazz, to find out that he has a son, to then fight the evil villain who has a plan to destroy djinn AND human realm. It's a non-stop thrill, imbued with some dry humors from Gavin to keep me turning pages on my Kindle.
Definitely one of the most entertaining UF I have read this year and a great start for a series.
Finding urban fantasy novels with male leads is not easy. Or if I do, they don't interest me as much. So, when I picked up this book, I was hoping that this would be a good one. And WOW, how this book delivers!
First, the main hero, Gavyn Donatti, is pretty charming. He's a thief, who seems to have a lucky streak when it comes to himself but not so much for his partners. I enjoy his voice so much.
Second, I like the idea of djinn in an UF. I don't meet many djinn characters. I did read Rachel Caine's "Outcast Season" series but that's it. So, I totally welcome Ian -- this sarcastic guy who transforms into wolf. Oh, that is another one I like. Djinn with power to transforms into animal. It's like shapeshifters :)
Third, there is a gay supporting character. I'm a huge M/M romance reader. So having an GLBT character in a mainstream book is always a positive reinforcement for me.
The pace is really quick, with action that doesn't seem to stop. From the first time Gavyn meets Ian, to reunite with his ex-lover Jazz, to find out that he has a son, to then fight the evil villain who has a plan to destroy djinn AND human realm. It's a non-stop thrill, imbued with some dry humors from Gavin to keep me turning pages on my Kindle.
Definitely one of the most entertaining UF I have read this year and a great start for a series.
August 22, 2012
This is, more or less, a simple chase book. There's not a lot of djinn (or supernatural) in it. I suppose this is good if you like a chase book and you are a little supernatural curious, but if you're looking for a good supernatural story, this isn't it. As far as the chase aspect of this book goes, it's pretty dull. There are some specific plot points that bothered me that I'm putting in a spoiler The main character, for some reason, does not come off as very manly. I have a hard time understanding why a women would be interested in him. And he's scared of flying! Come on! I can understand this being unnerving, but surely this would be the coolest thing? And he's always complaining that Ian is grumpy, but Ian didn't come off that way to me. Instead Gavyn just comes off as whiny.
February 10, 2011
El problema de este libro radica en dos cosas:
La primera es que la sinopsis confunde bastante ya que lo que cuenta no es más que la punta del iceberg de una trama algo más caótica. Empieza tal y como dice la contraportada pero luego se complica cosa mala y realmente es Donatti quien ayuda a Ian.
El segundo problema es que es lento como él solo. Leía 20 páginas y seguian en el mismo sitio con el mismo problema, aparte de que la mitad del libro es huir, huir, huir. O es del malo de turno, o de un cazarrecompensas avispao, etc...
Eso unido a que el libro está escrito en un lenguaje bastante "callejero" y un montón de frases hechas que hacía que a mi cerebro de vez en cuando le saliera humo (pa mi que lo he tostao un poco :P) ha hecho que le bajara la puntuación. Aún así, reconozco que ha habido ocasiones en las que "Houdini" me hacía sonreir, es un personaje de los que gusta acompañar en sus aventuras y la relación con Ian es bastante divertida debido a la desconfianza y la hostilidad entre ellos.
Me quedo apuntada la segunda entrega en la wish-list porque a pesar de las tres estrellitas, la historia promete :)
La primera es que la sinopsis confunde bastante ya que lo que cuenta no es más que la punta del iceberg de una trama algo más caótica. Empieza tal y como dice la contraportada pero luego se complica cosa mala y realmente es Donatti quien ayuda a Ian.
El segundo problema es que es lento como él solo. Leía 20 páginas y seguian en el mismo sitio con el mismo problema, aparte de que la mitad del libro es huir, huir, huir. O es del malo de turno, o de un cazarrecompensas avispao, etc...
Eso unido a que el libro está escrito en un lenguaje bastante "callejero" y un montón de frases hechas que hacía que a mi cerebro de vez en cuando le saliera humo (pa mi que lo he tostao un poco :P) ha hecho que le bajara la puntuación. Aún así, reconozco que ha habido ocasiones en las que "Houdini" me hacía sonreir, es un personaje de los que gusta acompañar en sus aventuras y la relación con Ian es bastante divertida debido a la desconfianza y la hostilidad entre ellos.
Me quedo apuntada la segunda entrega en la wish-list porque a pesar de las tres estrellitas, la historia promete :)
April 23, 2011
Gavyn's a thief with terrible luck, which is of course why he stumbles into magic and a lot of trouble. Magic in this case being a surly djinn.
As much as I appreciated the fact that the main character was not an ass-kicking female with superpowers and a pair of powerful men drooling over her (let's face it, that's what most urban fantasy these days boils down to)...I didn't find anything else special. Gavyn has an engaging but not compelling voice, and although his non-magical companions felt real in an unvarnished way, they never won my heart over. The worldbuilding also was meh.
All the elements were put together decently, but I never felt a spark. I think the fact that I read this happily in an airport but honestly can't remember much of it sums it up.
As much as I appreciated the fact that the main character was not an ass-kicking female with superpowers and a pair of powerful men drooling over her (let's face it, that's what most urban fantasy these days boils down to)...I didn't find anything else special. Gavyn has an engaging but not compelling voice, and although his non-magical companions felt real in an unvarnished way, they never won my heart over. The worldbuilding also was meh.
All the elements were put together decently, but I never felt a spark. I think the fact that I read this happily in an airport but honestly can't remember much of it sums it up.
February 7, 2011
Do you know how sometimes you start reading a book and really love it, but then the plot takes a turn that leaves you disinterested with the rest of the story? That's what happened to me with this book. The writing flowed easily and I loved the originality of the premise. But this book lost it's luster for me about halfway into it, and I just could not get it back.
May 19, 2018
Interesting story
This was a somewhat different take on a djinn (genie) story and definitely engrossing (I read it in one day).
Fair warning though that there is a lot of violence at times; including torture. Though, at least that is not described in detail. There are some heartwarming scenes as well.
This was a somewhat different take on a djinn (genie) story and definitely engrossing (I read it in one day).
Fair warning though that there is a lot of violence at times; including torture. Though, at least that is not described in detail. There are some heartwarming scenes as well.
April 16, 2010
Gavyn Donatti may be the worst thief in Thiefdom but he's still a thief nonetheless and really he can't see himself attempting any other profession. Besides, his track record might be bound to improve if he had any sort of luck on his side but sadly, Donatti has the worst luck as well as the worst timing. Given that Donatti expects...well the worst in every situation, he's rarely surprised these days when it comes to exactly that. But when a seemingly indestructible giant of man saves him twice in less than twelve hours, Donatti thinks his luck may be turning around... That is until it becomes frighteningly obvious that his savior is perhaps the most unluckiest thing to have ever happened him.
Ian is a djinn warrior - better known to humans as a genie - and truly the last person he wants to rely on is a thief which consequently becomes Donatti's nickname. Just a subtle reminder that Ian doesn't agree with Donatti's "profession" nor does he feel comfortable relying on him as he's being forced to do. So, what makes Ian a djinn and not a genie? Well, while a djinn may be similar to a genie (think Aladdin), there'll be no three wishes granted with these djinn warriors but rather the genie term is loosely applied due to the fact that they all have a tether which, of course, resembles the concept of the mythical genie's lamp. And like the lamp, this tether is critical to the djinn for their very survival and if it fell into the hands of another, it could definitely spell their doom. And lastly, like a genie, the djinn also have powers but they are either strengthened or weakened depending upon their lineage.
Very early on, we're altered to the fact that the djinn are not of this world but rather exist in a separate magical realm. So why are these very un-Earthly beings on Earth? Well, that's a long story, one that is drawn out quite well by Ms. Bateman. Details to Ian's existence on Earth - better thought of as imprisonment really - are heartbreaking and you can't help but sympathize with him and the horrible centuries he's been forced to endure trapped on Earth. Yup, centuries, all with the hope of returning home after destroying one particularly nasty djinn line that were previously banished to Earth: The Morai.
Considering Donatti's expect-the-worse mentality, his ease of acceptance with regards to Ian was both believable and important given the fact that the djinn is introduced within the first few pages followed by skyrocketing action. Coincidentally, Ian and Donatti are hoping to eradicate - in essence - the same foe. Lenka, leader of the morai, is Donatti's mortal enemy's employer. Yup, there's that bad luck again and while Donatti would like nothing more than to run for the hills rather than have to endure what is sure to be a very slow and tortuous death at the hands of Trevor (loosing the take he stole doesn't win Donatti any points), a sudden major complication makes an unhappy appearance in the form of Donatti's former flame, Jazz. Thinking he'd never see her again after some really bad luck had him cutting off their fiery relationship, Donatti is shocked to discover that mixed within his fear are some strangely strong protective emotions where Jazz is concerned. This along with Jazz's endangered life has Donatti resolving to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Very soon, things turn into one hell of a backwoods car chase with Donatti, Ian, Jazz and two others doing their best to avoid Trevor's henchman, an eerily calm bounty hunter as well as fending off enraged cops all with the goal of bringing down the enemy while staying alive. Being on the run for your life makes planning Trevor's and Lenka's much needed demise difficult but Donatti soon emerges as a surprisingly capable leader amongst a bunch of very resourceful and brave beings. While it may appear that Donatti's luck continues to slide down the hillside as each failed hideout is detected and every boosted car destroyed, in actuality Donatti is acquiring something better than luck and that's a family. Having grown up in orphanages and loosing all his misguided partners in crime, Donatti has lived a lonely life and while his new found partners may initially drag their heels, they can't deny Donatti's incredible drive to make things right not only in their current dire situation but also by doing his best to remedy the past.
Donatti, who began the novel as a bedraggled unlucky thief, ends the story as a truly believable hero and more importantly, he's deserving of the title. Ultimately, his role was the most difficult as he was tested from point A to B and given no quarter by anyone, friend or foe. Having risen from the bottom to the top was no easy climb but Donatti does it with his own comical flare. There's an interesting combination of vulnerability and bravery; he's not a reluctant hero but rather a man that does what he has to do and taking a quote from John McClane in 'Live Free or Die Hard', "That's what makes you that guy". The term hero isn't necessarily a label Donatti craves but rather something that would lead him to shrug and say he did what he had to do for his family, for those he loves and that's what makes him that guy.
My Thoughts:
MASTER OF NONE is nothing short of a combustible, non-stop action thrill ride with the paranormal elements heating up fiercely every step of the way. There is no page that doesn't further the plot or the character's struggles as Ms. Bateman coaxes us along with tantalizing djinn details.
However, despite the intricate plot, I felt more of a spectator rather than a participant but I'm chalking this up to the fact that MASTER OF NONE is my first straight urban fantasy novel. Every other UF book that I've dived into featured a female lead as well as strong romantic elements in the form of a sexy love triangle. MON had no romance to speak of and I was unfamiliar with viewing the world only through the hero's eyes.
Also, I have to admit to some irritation over the severe judgements and antagonism that Donatti continually suffered from all the secondary characters. While this was an ingenious effort on Ms. Bateman's part to portray Donatti's horrible past behavior without going into unnecessary detail, I also felt that maybe it went a little too far. It became apparent to me that what started off as fair anger on the secondary character's part, soon evolves into an outlet for their frustrations and thus led me to become a bit disenchanted with them. Of course Donatti takes their anger all in stride and truly, he feels he deserves it. And while maybe he does or rather did, I think that the way Donatti continued to pull everyone out of danger should have had them reconciling their issues a bit quicker.
In any event, these issues are on an extremely personal scale and truth be told, this was an absolutely stellar debut. Thankfully we've not heard the last of Donatti and his crew for there's a whole lot of evil djinn on Earth that need butt-kickin'. For anyone who lives and breathes for Urban Fantasy or for those that want some definite thrills, I believe you will genuinely enjoy MASTER OF NONE.
Ian is a djinn warrior - better known to humans as a genie - and truly the last person he wants to rely on is a thief which consequently becomes Donatti's nickname. Just a subtle reminder that Ian doesn't agree with Donatti's "profession" nor does he feel comfortable relying on him as he's being forced to do. So, what makes Ian a djinn and not a genie? Well, while a djinn may be similar to a genie (think Aladdin), there'll be no three wishes granted with these djinn warriors but rather the genie term is loosely applied due to the fact that they all have a tether which, of course, resembles the concept of the mythical genie's lamp. And like the lamp, this tether is critical to the djinn for their very survival and if it fell into the hands of another, it could definitely spell their doom. And lastly, like a genie, the djinn also have powers but they are either strengthened or weakened depending upon their lineage.
Very early on, we're altered to the fact that the djinn are not of this world but rather exist in a separate magical realm. So why are these very un-Earthly beings on Earth? Well, that's a long story, one that is drawn out quite well by Ms. Bateman. Details to Ian's existence on Earth - better thought of as imprisonment really - are heartbreaking and you can't help but sympathize with him and the horrible centuries he's been forced to endure trapped on Earth. Yup, centuries, all with the hope of returning home after destroying one particularly nasty djinn line that were previously banished to Earth: The Morai.
Considering Donatti's expect-the-worse mentality, his ease of acceptance with regards to Ian was both believable and important given the fact that the djinn is introduced within the first few pages followed by skyrocketing action. Coincidentally, Ian and Donatti are hoping to eradicate - in essence - the same foe. Lenka, leader of the morai, is Donatti's mortal enemy's employer. Yup, there's that bad luck again and while Donatti would like nothing more than to run for the hills rather than have to endure what is sure to be a very slow and tortuous death at the hands of Trevor (loosing the take he stole doesn't win Donatti any points), a sudden major complication makes an unhappy appearance in the form of Donatti's former flame, Jazz. Thinking he'd never see her again after some really bad luck had him cutting off their fiery relationship, Donatti is shocked to discover that mixed within his fear are some strangely strong protective emotions where Jazz is concerned. This along with Jazz's endangered life has Donatti resolving to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Very soon, things turn into one hell of a backwoods car chase with Donatti, Ian, Jazz and two others doing their best to avoid Trevor's henchman, an eerily calm bounty hunter as well as fending off enraged cops all with the goal of bringing down the enemy while staying alive. Being on the run for your life makes planning Trevor's and Lenka's much needed demise difficult but Donatti soon emerges as a surprisingly capable leader amongst a bunch of very resourceful and brave beings. While it may appear that Donatti's luck continues to slide down the hillside as each failed hideout is detected and every boosted car destroyed, in actuality Donatti is acquiring something better than luck and that's a family. Having grown up in orphanages and loosing all his misguided partners in crime, Donatti has lived a lonely life and while his new found partners may initially drag their heels, they can't deny Donatti's incredible drive to make things right not only in their current dire situation but also by doing his best to remedy the past.
Donatti, who began the novel as a bedraggled unlucky thief, ends the story as a truly believable hero and more importantly, he's deserving of the title. Ultimately, his role was the most difficult as he was tested from point A to B and given no quarter by anyone, friend or foe. Having risen from the bottom to the top was no easy climb but Donatti does it with his own comical flare. There's an interesting combination of vulnerability and bravery; he's not a reluctant hero but rather a man that does what he has to do and taking a quote from John McClane in 'Live Free or Die Hard', "That's what makes you that guy". The term hero isn't necessarily a label Donatti craves but rather something that would lead him to shrug and say he did what he had to do for his family, for those he loves and that's what makes him that guy.
My Thoughts:
MASTER OF NONE is nothing short of a combustible, non-stop action thrill ride with the paranormal elements heating up fiercely every step of the way. There is no page that doesn't further the plot or the character's struggles as Ms. Bateman coaxes us along with tantalizing djinn details.
However, despite the intricate plot, I felt more of a spectator rather than a participant but I'm chalking this up to the fact that MASTER OF NONE is my first straight urban fantasy novel. Every other UF book that I've dived into featured a female lead as well as strong romantic elements in the form of a sexy love triangle. MON had no romance to speak of and I was unfamiliar with viewing the world only through the hero's eyes.
Also, I have to admit to some irritation over the severe judgements and antagonism that Donatti continually suffered from all the secondary characters. While this was an ingenious effort on Ms. Bateman's part to portray Donatti's horrible past behavior without going into unnecessary detail, I also felt that maybe it went a little too far. It became apparent to me that what started off as fair anger on the secondary character's part, soon evolves into an outlet for their frustrations and thus led me to become a bit disenchanted with them. Of course Donatti takes their anger all in stride and truly, he feels he deserves it. And while maybe he does or rather did, I think that the way Donatti continued to pull everyone out of danger should have had them reconciling their issues a bit quicker.
In any event, these issues are on an extremely personal scale and truth be told, this was an absolutely stellar debut. Thankfully we've not heard the last of Donatti and his crew for there's a whole lot of evil djinn on Earth that need butt-kickin'. For anyone who lives and breathes for Urban Fantasy or for those that want some definite thrills, I believe you will genuinely enjoy MASTER OF NONE.
September 26, 2020
This is book one in a three book series, with a short novella labeled as being between books one and two.
The description pulled me in, and I thought this could be good if the author can figure out how to get a Djinn story going versus the common shifters/magic wielders/fae stories all over the place. It just didn't happen. This is the first car that starts the train derailing from the tracks. There wasn't much character build=up, background (aside from him being a "lucky" thief at times, but unsuccessful at it (??). A Djinn shows up out of the blue with a story of why he there for the MC...kinda sketchy, but okay. All the additional characters? Nothing. There are just wallpaper for the MC to hang on, paint on, kill off when needed... pick something.
The story was a quick read, and does leave the traditional open-ending that there are additional tale(s) going to continue. The lack of substantial world-building just made me feel like "blech". The story description was the 2-minture long movie trailer, that contained every good part of the whole 3-hour movie. Needless to say, I won't be reading any of the other books in this series. The author does have some other series, and I may try one of them, hoping it is not like this one.
The description pulled me in, and I thought this could be good if the author can figure out how to get a Djinn story going versus the common shifters/magic wielders/fae stories all over the place. It just didn't happen. This is the first car that starts the train derailing from the tracks. There wasn't much character build=up, background (aside from him being a "lucky" thief at times, but unsuccessful at it (??). A Djinn shows up out of the blue with a story of why he there for the MC...kinda sketchy, but okay. All the additional characters? Nothing. There are just wallpaper for the MC to hang on, paint on, kill off when needed... pick something.
The story was a quick read, and does leave the traditional open-ending that there are additional tale(s) going to continue. The lack of substantial world-building just made me feel like "blech". The story description was the 2-minture long movie trailer, that contained every good part of the whole 3-hour movie. Needless to say, I won't be reading any of the other books in this series. The author does have some other series, and I may try one of them, hoping it is not like this one.
May 15, 2017
This book took every ounce of my will power to finish. I gave up twice and then decided to just finish the darn thing, so I could be done with it. Don't get me wrong, this book has moments of hilarity, but they can't overshadow the slow pace and the wimpy protagonist. Gavyn Donatti is a thief with a conscience. Shocking I know. He'll steal from you but has multiple reservations about killing the guy who has tortured and attempted to kill several of his friends and not to mention the guy threatens to torture his two-year-old son to death. Any of the aforementioned would take away any qualms a normal law abiding citizen would have about stopping the madman in this novel but not conflicted Donatti. He would rather hesitate with his finger on the trigger while his friend gets his face smashed into a wall. SIGH. But I digress. Considering this was the debut novel for Sonya Bateman, I'll throw in a half a star for a whopping 3.5. But don't ask me for any other sympathy, or I'll be forced to remember how I couldn't have cared less whether Donatti got killed at the end of the book, in fact I was kind of hoping he would.
March 16, 2023
Master of None by Sonya Bateman is the first book in the "Gavyn Donatti" trilogy. I read Urban Fantasy from time to time and the story usually concerns a female protagonist and either Fae, Vampire, or Werewolf opponents. A couple of exceptions are the Dresden Files or the Alex Versus novels. This one, like those, has a male protagonist but has jinn(genies) as the magical element. Outside of some fairy tales, I have never read a novel with jinn before. This one is action-packed from start to finish with many plot twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and will continue with the rest of the trilogy as soon as I acquire the next two books, Master and Apprentice and Master of Elements.
March 25, 2023
Gavyn Donatti is in trouble. He was commissioned to steal something, and he misplaced it. His employer isn't happy about it, and is hunting him for it. He gets help from a djinn Ian. He's trying to escape from his employer. On the run he reconnects with several people from his past. He also learns more about his history, and his lineage.
January 4, 2018
Loved It
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the interesting take on djinns. I adored Gavyn and had fun laughing at his horrid luck, as well as sympathizing with his down points. I adored every character, from Ian to Lurk to Cyrus. Great story. I enjoyed every page.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the interesting take on djinns. I adored Gavyn and had fun laughing at his horrid luck, as well as sympathizing with his down points. I adored every character, from Ian to Lurk to Cyrus. Great story. I enjoyed every page.
abandoned
September 8, 2019Why I didn't finish this: I think I was drawn to the idea of this urban fantasy, but obviously I didn't stick with it (in fact, I was surprised to see this in my profile, I had forgotten I ever even tried this).
July 11, 2018
I did not expect to like this book after reading some poor reviews, but it was SO MUCH FUN. Reading the next one!!!
September 26, 2019
An interesting story with a well fleshed out background that a lot of fantasy books don't have.
April 21, 2022
Just found out there was a book three. I really enjoy the other 2 books and shorter story she wrote. I’m hunting down the ebook of three ASAP!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews