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Connor Grey #5
Uncertain Allies
After a night of riots and fires, the Boston neighborhood known as the Weird is in ruins. And when a body is found drained of its essence, ex-Guild investigator Connor Grey is drawn into the case against his will. And he has reason to be wary. Because the case will lead to an explosive secret that threatens to tear apart the city-and the world.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 23, 2011
9 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Mark Del Franco
13 books365 followersCATHARGO (2016) is Mark Del Franco's latest fantasy novel, an alternative history where chance and coincidence set the stage for an entire continent to be plunged into war over the use of magic.
WHIRLWIND (2014)is Mark Del Franco's first young adult novel, an urban fantasy featuring teens with elemental powers.
Mark is the author of the adult urban fantasy Connor Grey books. The best order to read the series is:
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
UNPERFECT SOULS
UNCERTAIN ALLIES
UNDONE DEEDS
The Laura Blackstone urban fantasy books, also set in the Convergent World, are
SKIN DEEP and FACE OFF.
Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids Just Won't Die.
WHIRLWIND (2014)is Mark Del Franco's first young adult novel, an urban fantasy featuring teens with elemental powers.
Mark is the author of the adult urban fantasy Connor Grey books. The best order to read the series is:
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
UNPERFECT SOULS
UNCERTAIN ALLIES
UNDONE DEEDS
The Laura Blackstone urban fantasy books, also set in the Convergent World, are
SKIN DEEP and FACE OFF.
Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids Just Won't Die.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 29, 2021
The series continues to be strongest it's last several books. Some of the allies Connor used to depend on are less balanced and a bit annoying now from time to time, but the characters and world building continue to entrance. Unresolved strings still dangle but a few things are wrapping up. The ending showdown in this one was as epic as the previous books.
November 1, 2012
Fifth in the Connor Grey urban fantasy series about a druid who is re-learning about power. Based in Boston.
My Take
This one is one disaster after another with the bad guys outthinking the good guys and everyone is telling Connor how whiny he is! It's true. Admittedly, he does have a lot of negatives in his life right now.
The repercussions about Amy Sullivan/Moira Cashel are just starting to be felt. I can't begin to imagine how Gerry will feel when he finds out who she really is.
Brokke tells Connor he has only part of the story. That the Celtic view on the world, the turning of the Wheel, believes it will go on forever while the Teuts believe that the world can end.
I have fallen in love with this series. Del Franco has a nice range of characters with some having very questionable morals---something like our own politicians---and others who appear questionable who are actually quite upright. It's a great blend of urban fantasy with reality. Imagine a primary character who's on disability!
There really isn't much in the way of sex, which is what I tend to expect from supernatural-type books, but Del Franco has so much going on that it isn't at all missed.
And for its gritty, urban setting, it's surprisingly homey.
The Story
Boston is under martial law and the Weird is at the center of it. Eorla is the only person its inhabitants can look to for help and she provides assistance willingly.
It's a summons to the Guildhouse that has Connor nervous. In Unperfect Souls , Guild agents had tried to arrest him. Now he's walking into the mouth of the beast. With a proposition from macGoren. Maeve intends to frame Connor for Ceridwen's murder.
Then Donor Elfenkonig lays his ultimatum on Eorla and she reminds him that it is his actions which have led to these disasters. It's the lack of cooperation on the part of Eorla's people that has Connor sitting up and taking notice. Too bad it's not soon enough or fast enough.
Then Vize surrenders to the Guild.
The Characters
Connor Grey was disabled on the job and now he's a retired druid, almost powerless. Too much has happened however since the backlash and, between the alliances he's created with Murdock and the Grand Duchess and the few friends who stood by him, Connor is in a unique position in his world. He consults for Murdock and investigates for Eorla. Joe Stinkwort is a flit, a twelve-inch fairy, who is attached to Connor. Meryl Dian is a druidess and the chief archivist for the Guild. She's currently in a coma due to events in Unperfect Souls .
Detective Leo Murdock of the Boston PD doesn't blame Connor for his father's death even though his brothers all do. He still looks to him for information, friendship. He still wants to understand and defend the fey. Finding out his own genetic heritage was a bit of a shock, though. Gerry and Kevin are his brothers and openly hostile. Bernard is planning to move into politics, anti-fey ones.
Eorla Kruge Elvendottir has defied her cousin, the Elven King, to create her own court whose members are the unwanted, the Solitaries. Someone has to look out for them. Rand is her bodyguard/driver. Bergin Vize is the ecoterrorist elf whom Connor fought the day he lost his powers. Fortunately, Vize had the same problem. Now he's on the run, but with Donor Elfenkonig's backing. He's also been raised as Eorla's son. Baron Aldred Core is an Elven ambassador to Boston. Bastian Frye is the elf king's chief advisor and assassin. Brokke is the king's scrying dwarf with a message for Connor. Gerda Alfheim was a terrorist who sent her own son into danger (see Unshapely Things ).
Guildmaster Manus ap Eagan defended himself but used up too much of his energies doing so. Now he's in a coma and Ryan macGoren has taken over. Unofficially. Nigel Martin is a powerful Druid and was Connor's mentor until his accident. As long as you remember he isn't anyone's friend, only using them for what he needs, you'll be fine. Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll is a very powerful druidess and Connor's friend. Ceridwen was an underQueen of Tara until Maeve betrayed her. Now she's Dead.
Janey Likesmith is a Dark elf, of the Dokkheim clan, who works in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. She's the only fey employee and they dump all the supernatural bodies on her. Gillen Yor is the chief of staff at Avalon Memorial Hospital; he had been Maeve's personal physician before he left for the States. Banjo is a dwarf who leads a group of mercenaries. Carmine caters to desire, any of them. Shay is a human working at the Children's Institute and hiding a valuable artifact for Connor. Uno, the hellhound, is still around protecting him. Heydan runs Yggy's.
Thekk and Nar Veinseeker are dwarf brothers who had a falling out. Nar is now Ceridwen's chief of security.
High Queen Maeve leads the Celtic fey from Tara while Donor Elfenkonig is the Elven King. It's the Celtic fairies against the Teutonic elves much like the old Cold War. The Celts have their Guild houses scattered throughout the world acting as embassies and law enforcement agencies who intervene in magical crimes. Supposedly. The Consortium is the Teutonic equivalent. The fae are trapped in our world. Ever since Convergence when something happened in Faerie and parts of Faerie merged with our world and can't get back. The Weird is a depressed neighborhood in Boston to which the fey congregate. For months, the government has barricaded them away from the city proper. The Dead were trapped in our world, having arrived from TirNaNog when the veil thinned at Samhain.
The Cover
It's an orange and blue cover with a crouching Connor is tense and alert in a bombed-out urban setting. A brick-paved roadway, a wall of brick to the left and a burned wreck of a car between Connor and a skyline of drunken buildings.
The title is true enough as too many questions are arising in Connor's mind as to who is friend and who is foe. He has Uncertain Allies.
My Take
This one is one disaster after another with the bad guys outthinking the good guys and everyone is telling Connor how whiny he is! It's true. Admittedly, he does have a lot of negatives in his life right now.
The repercussions about Amy Sullivan/Moira Cashel are just starting to be felt. I can't begin to imagine how Gerry will feel when he finds out who she really is.
Brokke tells Connor he has only part of the story. That the Celtic view on the world, the turning of the Wheel, believes it will go on forever while the Teuts believe that the world can end.
I have fallen in love with this series. Del Franco has a nice range of characters with some having very questionable morals---something like our own politicians---and others who appear questionable who are actually quite upright. It's a great blend of urban fantasy with reality. Imagine a primary character who's on disability!
There really isn't much in the way of sex, which is what I tend to expect from supernatural-type books, but Del Franco has so much going on that it isn't at all missed.
And for its gritty, urban setting, it's surprisingly homey.
The Story
Boston is under martial law and the Weird is at the center of it. Eorla is the only person its inhabitants can look to for help and she provides assistance willingly.
It's a summons to the Guildhouse that has Connor nervous. In Unperfect Souls , Guild agents had tried to arrest him. Now he's walking into the mouth of the beast. With a proposition from macGoren. Maeve intends to frame Connor for Ceridwen's murder.
Then Donor Elfenkonig lays his ultimatum on Eorla and she reminds him that it is his actions which have led to these disasters. It's the lack of cooperation on the part of Eorla's people that has Connor sitting up and taking notice. Too bad it's not soon enough or fast enough.
Then Vize surrenders to the Guild.
The Characters
Connor Grey was disabled on the job and now he's a retired druid, almost powerless. Too much has happened however since the backlash and, between the alliances he's created with Murdock and the Grand Duchess and the few friends who stood by him, Connor is in a unique position in his world. He consults for Murdock and investigates for Eorla. Joe Stinkwort is a flit, a twelve-inch fairy, who is attached to Connor. Meryl Dian is a druidess and the chief archivist for the Guild. She's currently in a coma due to events in Unperfect Souls .
Detective Leo Murdock of the Boston PD doesn't blame Connor for his father's death even though his brothers all do. He still looks to him for information, friendship. He still wants to understand and defend the fey. Finding out his own genetic heritage was a bit of a shock, though. Gerry and Kevin are his brothers and openly hostile. Bernard is planning to move into politics, anti-fey ones.
Eorla Kruge Elvendottir has defied her cousin, the Elven King, to create her own court whose members are the unwanted, the Solitaries. Someone has to look out for them. Rand is her bodyguard/driver. Bergin Vize is the ecoterrorist elf whom Connor fought the day he lost his powers. Fortunately, Vize had the same problem. Now he's on the run, but with Donor Elfenkonig's backing. He's also been raised as Eorla's son. Baron Aldred Core is an Elven ambassador to Boston. Bastian Frye is the elf king's chief advisor and assassin. Brokke is the king's scrying dwarf with a message for Connor. Gerda Alfheim was a terrorist who sent her own son into danger (see Unshapely Things ).
Guildmaster Manus ap Eagan defended himself but used up too much of his energies doing so. Now he's in a coma and Ryan macGoren has taken over. Unofficially. Nigel Martin is a powerful Druid and was Connor's mentor until his accident. As long as you remember he isn't anyone's friend, only using them for what he needs, you'll be fine. Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll is a very powerful druidess and Connor's friend. Ceridwen was an underQueen of Tara until Maeve betrayed her. Now she's Dead.
Janey Likesmith is a Dark elf, of the Dokkheim clan, who works in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. She's the only fey employee and they dump all the supernatural bodies on her. Gillen Yor is the chief of staff at Avalon Memorial Hospital; he had been Maeve's personal physician before he left for the States. Banjo is a dwarf who leads a group of mercenaries. Carmine caters to desire, any of them. Shay is a human working at the Children's Institute and hiding a valuable artifact for Connor. Uno, the hellhound, is still around protecting him. Heydan runs Yggy's.
Thekk and Nar Veinseeker are dwarf brothers who had a falling out. Nar is now Ceridwen's chief of security.
High Queen Maeve leads the Celtic fey from Tara while Donor Elfenkonig is the Elven King. It's the Celtic fairies against the Teutonic elves much like the old Cold War. The Celts have their Guild houses scattered throughout the world acting as embassies and law enforcement agencies who intervene in magical crimes. Supposedly. The Consortium is the Teutonic equivalent. The fae are trapped in our world. Ever since Convergence when something happened in Faerie and parts of Faerie merged with our world and can't get back. The Weird is a depressed neighborhood in Boston to which the fey congregate. For months, the government has barricaded them away from the city proper. The Dead were trapped in our world, having arrived from TirNaNog when the veil thinned at Samhain.
The Cover
It's an orange and blue cover with a crouching Connor is tense and alert in a bombed-out urban setting. A brick-paved roadway, a wall of brick to the left and a burned wreck of a car between Connor and a skyline of drunken buildings.
The title is true enough as too many questions are arising in Connor's mind as to who is friend and who is foe. He has Uncertain Allies.
June 29, 2013
2.5 stars. Ok urban fantasy in which Connor once again inadvertently rains death and destruction down upon the fey portion of Boston. Some things bothered me, like the spear reappearing as a spear, but nothing being mentioned about Connor's silver "tattoo" vanishing from his arm at the same time, etc.
April 25, 2011
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
Boston’s Weird is the setting for the latest Connor Grey urban fantasy featuring the former Guild investigator who lost his Druid powers and now ‘does favors’, as he puts it. It was instant love for me when I read about the magic wreaked city populated with shunned Fey including trolls, elves, and all types of Irish and German fairies. All of whom are fully integrated into the human world since the Convergence more than a century ago. It’s the kind of rich and dense world that urban fantasy junkies live for, and in this case, it softened the blow of a few shortcomings.
One of the bigger shortcomings was the action scenes, or lack there of. Even the showdown at the ending of UNCERTAIN ALLIES is about as action free as I’ve ever read in an urban fantasy. That’s really indicative of the type of character Connor Grey is. He’s not a fighter. He’d be willing to take up arms if the situation called for it, but he prefers to think his way out of tough situations. And not a lot ruffles him. He doesn’t have any real high or low emotional swings. He’s the definition of an even-keeled, easy going guy. In reality, you need those kind of people, in fiction, they can be a bit boring.
In addition to steady-as-a-rock Connor, the supporting cast is huge. So much so that I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. That confusion wasn’t helped by the fact that apart from Connor’s semi girlfriend Meryl, they didn’t really distinguish themselves. That could be due to the fact that I haven’t read the previous books, but even still.
Del Franco does do an amazing job of bringing new readers up to speed on the previous installments of the Connor Grey series in a nice concise opening and then continues to drop little reminders throughout UNCERTAIN ALLIES as to the significance or history whenever new characters popped up. Given the density of the worldbuilding, which again was excellent, I can see both old and new readers appreciating this.
Overall all, Connor Grey is a laid back guy with a lot of guilt who accepts the knocks he’s taken in life as his due and doesn’t complain. And that’s basically how UNCERTAIN ALLIES feels as a book. It’s a steady, solid read set in a very intriguing world with plenty of mystery in lieu of the usual urban fantasy adrenaline.
Sexual Content:
Kissing. References to homosexuality.
Boston’s Weird is the setting for the latest Connor Grey urban fantasy featuring the former Guild investigator who lost his Druid powers and now ‘does favors’, as he puts it. It was instant love for me when I read about the magic wreaked city populated with shunned Fey including trolls, elves, and all types of Irish and German fairies. All of whom are fully integrated into the human world since the Convergence more than a century ago. It’s the kind of rich and dense world that urban fantasy junkies live for, and in this case, it softened the blow of a few shortcomings.
One of the bigger shortcomings was the action scenes, or lack there of. Even the showdown at the ending of UNCERTAIN ALLIES is about as action free as I’ve ever read in an urban fantasy. That’s really indicative of the type of character Connor Grey is. He’s not a fighter. He’d be willing to take up arms if the situation called for it, but he prefers to think his way out of tough situations. And not a lot ruffles him. He doesn’t have any real high or low emotional swings. He’s the definition of an even-keeled, easy going guy. In reality, you need those kind of people, in fiction, they can be a bit boring.
In addition to steady-as-a-rock Connor, the supporting cast is huge. So much so that I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. That confusion wasn’t helped by the fact that apart from Connor’s semi girlfriend Meryl, they didn’t really distinguish themselves. That could be due to the fact that I haven’t read the previous books, but even still.
Del Franco does do an amazing job of bringing new readers up to speed on the previous installments of the Connor Grey series in a nice concise opening and then continues to drop little reminders throughout UNCERTAIN ALLIES as to the significance or history whenever new characters popped up. Given the density of the worldbuilding, which again was excellent, I can see both old and new readers appreciating this.
Overall all, Connor Grey is a laid back guy with a lot of guilt who accepts the knocks he’s taken in life as his due and doesn’t complain. And that’s basically how UNCERTAIN ALLIES feels as a book. It’s a steady, solid read set in a very intriguing world with plenty of mystery in lieu of the usual urban fantasy adrenaline.
Sexual Content:
Kissing. References to homosexuality.
June 12, 2012
4½ stars - Uncertain Allies picks up about three months following the events that occurred at the end of Unperfect Souls which resulted in rioting and half of the Weird burning to the ground. Meryl is still in a trance like state, Eorla has become the leader of the solitary fey and is protecting Connor as best she can, the Murdocks, all except for Leo, pretty much hate and blame him for the death of their father and for what happened between Connor and their mother, even though he was as duped by her as everyone else.
Meanwhile, Connor and Leo start working together again because people in the Weird, specifically around the Tangle, an area that’s shady even by Weird standards, were disappearing, and those disappearances are followed by a bizarre blue light sweeping through the area. The acting Guildmaster, Ryan macGoren, among others, is still trying to nail Connor and, as usual, Connor still wants to try and get the terrorist Bergin Vize. All the while, the black mass in Connor’s head is making him want to do things he knows are questionable, at best.
I really liked Uncertain Allies. I thought the plot was good and there were a few little twists and turns in the story. A lot of the secondary characters like Briallen, Eorla, Ceridwen, Shay and Joe make appearances. Leo is my second favorite character, (behind Connor) and Joe’s nipping at his heels. I love how loyal both guys are and Leo is just a great character. I like the direction Del Franco has taken the Murdocks in and look forward to seeing what occurs in Undone Deeds. I like Meryl, though because of her situation her role is different in this book. Regarding Meryl,.
I recently found out that the next book is the last in the series, and I really hope that Del Franco believes in happy endings and doesn’t start wiping characters out because it’s the end of the series. Having said that, I can’t wait to see what happens with all of the characters, particularly Leo, Meryl and especially Connor because of the events that happened with him at the end of this book.
Meanwhile, Connor and Leo start working together again because people in the Weird, specifically around the Tangle, an area that’s shady even by Weird standards, were disappearing, and those disappearances are followed by a bizarre blue light sweeping through the area. The acting Guildmaster, Ryan macGoren, among others, is still trying to nail Connor and, as usual, Connor still wants to try and get the terrorist Bergin Vize. All the while, the black mass in Connor’s head is making him want to do things he knows are questionable, at best.
I really liked Uncertain Allies. I thought the plot was good and there were a few little twists and turns in the story. A lot of the secondary characters like Briallen, Eorla, Ceridwen, Shay and Joe make appearances. Leo is my second favorite character, (behind Connor) and Joe’s nipping at his heels. I love how loyal both guys are and Leo is just a great character. I like the direction Del Franco has taken the Murdocks in and look forward to seeing what occurs in Undone Deeds. I like Meryl, though because of her situation her role is different in this book. Regarding Meryl,.
I recently found out that the next book is the last in the series, and I really hope that Del Franco believes in happy endings and doesn’t start wiping characters out because it’s the end of the series. Having said that, I can’t wait to see what happens with all of the characters, particularly Leo, Meryl and especially Connor because of the events that happened with him at the end of this book.
January 30, 2012
3.5 stars
People are missing in the Weird and a strange blue light marked their disappearance. Connor Grey, an ex-Guild as well as ex-independent consultant for Boston Police has been asked for help by Eorla to look into it. Then conspiracies are revealed, friends becomes enemies and vice versa, and all Connor is trying to do is to make things right.
One thing, the book might be lack of action ... it is more of Connor investigating the disappearance of the people, while trying to control the dark mass in his head, being worried that his girlfriend, Meryl, is still in coma after three months, and feeling guilt for tearing apart his friend's Murdock's family. I think Connor feels that the ramification of his action for the past year is his fault. At the same time, I enjoy this pace. A UF book doesn't have to be pumped with actions all the time. I enjoy the tender moments of Connor with Meryl, trying to wake her up, showing how much Meryl means for him.
Mark Del Franco gives sufficient back-information regarding the characters and what have happened; which kind of help, since I don't really remember a lot except Connor, Murdock, Meryl, and Joe. ALTHOUGH, I'm not sure if this information is enough for new readers to the series (my advice, read it in order). I actually love Eorla, and I truly hope she becomes a true ally of Connor. She is a force to be reckon with. The ending is a bit similar to book #2, even in the writing of "everything went white ... my mind blinked, my mind blinked" (which is why I reduce the rating for half-star, because it feels repetitive). But, I am sure that what will come out after the event in the Guildhouse will be bigger now, especially after one of the major players is killed.
Let's just say that I will be waiting for the next book.
People are missing in the Weird and a strange blue light marked their disappearance. Connor Grey, an ex-Guild as well as ex-independent consultant for Boston Police has been asked for help by Eorla to look into it. Then conspiracies are revealed, friends becomes enemies and vice versa, and all Connor is trying to do is to make things right.
One thing, the book might be lack of action ... it is more of Connor investigating the disappearance of the people, while trying to control the dark mass in his head, being worried that his girlfriend, Meryl, is still in coma after three months, and feeling guilt for tearing apart his friend's Murdock's family. I think Connor feels that the ramification of his action for the past year is his fault. At the same time, I enjoy this pace. A UF book doesn't have to be pumped with actions all the time. I enjoy the tender moments of Connor with Meryl, trying to wake her up, showing how much Meryl means for him.
Mark Del Franco gives sufficient back-information regarding the characters and what have happened; which kind of help, since I don't really remember a lot except Connor, Murdock, Meryl, and Joe. ALTHOUGH, I'm not sure if this information is enough for new readers to the series (my advice, read it in order). I actually love Eorla, and I truly hope she becomes a true ally of Connor. She is a force to be reckon with. The ending is a bit similar to book #2, even in the writing of "everything went white ... my mind blinked, my mind blinked" (which is why I reduce the rating for half-star, because it feels repetitive). But, I am sure that what will come out after the event in the Guildhouse will be bigger now, especially after one of the major players is killed.
Let's just say that I will be waiting for the next book.
November 30, 2011
It's an interesting thing: I often like his books better in their entirety than when I am reading them. i was very anxious to read the next. I am just glad I got to read U.A. right after UP. I still think, as I always have, that the real love of Connor's life is Leo. I also think that Leo should have had a sexier name than Leo- makes him sound like an old Jewish guy (not that there is anything wrong with old Jewish guy names, they're just not Romantic like Declan, or Aidan or Ronan. " Oh Morty! Take me now!"; I don't think so.). I thnk Mery'ls return was way too easypeasy and quick. She should have been convalescing for another week or so, even with all the "exercise" she was getting in her "coma". Boy, how convenient! No need for pesky adult diapers in that scenario!
Anyway, I guess I am saying that del franco has really good cliffhangers. I look forward to the Murdocks causing all sorts of mayhem through their uncontrolled fey abilities, which is just what they deserve after the unprovoked and undeserved shooting of Moira Cashel. Gerry should have been brought up on charges, for sure. Also look forward to hearing about Keva and the new baby. Am disappointed at how again, justice is denied and the liars keep lying (Ryan McGoren). They should have let that guy die!
Anyway, I guess I am saying that del franco has really good cliffhangers. I look forward to the Murdocks causing all sorts of mayhem through their uncontrolled fey abilities, which is just what they deserve after the unprovoked and undeserved shooting of Moira Cashel. Gerry should have been brought up on charges, for sure. Also look forward to hearing about Keva and the new baby. Am disappointed at how again, justice is denied and the liars keep lying (Ryan McGoren). They should have let that guy die!
March 10, 2013
This is the 5th Connor Grey novel, and he's still a prick. A self-righteous, sometimes likeably self-deprecating, ass. What idiot walks up to a king and threatens him? Connor, that's who. Karma is actually pretty good to Connor given what he brings down on himself.
This story is so complicated, I barely know where to begin. For the first half of the book Meryl is in a coma and someone is killing old dwarves, and it seems to be tied to a blue light. Somehow the plot twists around from that fairly straight-forward detective plotline to the plotting of the Elven King and Connor's nemesis, Vize. By the end, Connor's got some nifty new powers and is on the most wanted posters. There's also an excellent chance he's allied with the new Unseelie Court.
This story is so complicated, I barely know where to begin. For the first half of the book Meryl is in a coma and someone is killing old dwarves, and it seems to be tied to a blue light. Somehow the plot twists around from that fairly straight-forward detective plotline to the plotting of the Elven King and Connor's nemesis, Vize. By the end, Connor's got some nifty new powers and is on the most wanted posters. There's also an excellent chance he's allied with the new Unseelie Court.
October 12, 2012
More awesome - I love Connor because he makes sense to me... He's petulant, childish and yet still cool :P In this one, I thought his relationship with Meryl was beautifully written. It struck me that the author has done a great job of a relationship where the genders are not actually important. It is clear that they both do and have done the deed but by not dwelling overly on the physical aspects, the question of who possesses which bits becomes less important than the way in which the interact, spark off each other and generally WHO they are in themselves as opposed to being an adjunct of the other...
January 3, 2021
Meryl is okay! \o/
That took an interesting turn. For a while I even feared that Connor switched over to the Dark Side. /o\
I liked how all the little and big things of the previous books came together in this one. I love Cerwiden as the head of the Hunt. I love Uno still protecting Shay. I love the Gargoyles. I freaking love Joe (I'm so glad that he is alive!) and Murdock.
Some parts of the book read as if things got edited out and the rest hasn't been adjusted accordingly. Could be that I just didn't get some stuff, though.
I'm very curious what the Whiteness means and why that Stone chose Connor. Especially in combination with the Darkness.
That took an interesting turn. For a while I even feared that Connor switched over to the Dark Side. /o\
I liked how all the little and big things of the previous books came together in this one. I love Cerwiden as the head of the Hunt. I love Uno still protecting Shay. I love the Gargoyles. I freaking love Joe (I'm so glad that he is alive!) and Murdock.
Some parts of the book read as if things got edited out and the rest hasn't been adjusted accordingly. Could be that I just didn't get some stuff, though.
I'm very curious what the Whiteness means and why that Stone chose Connor. Especially in combination with the Darkness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2011
I really want the next book. Weirdly, I'm more intrigued to know what will happen with Leo & Kevin (and their druid talent) than the overall plot ATM...although I love where the overall plot is going :)
June 10, 2011
Rating: 3.0 - Like the rest of the series, the last 100 pages made the story for me.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Uncertain Allies is the fifth book in the Conner Grey series by Mark Del Franco. It tells the story of Connor Grey a druid who once was a hot shot investigator for the Guildhouse, but now gets by as a part time investigator for the Boston PD because of his knowledge of the Fey and on disability payments. He lives in the Weird which is a decrepit Boston neighborhood where shunned Fey and other fairy folk from Ireland and Germany reside. Connor is an earth-born Fey, which means that he has never seen Fairie like his mentor Briallen and Meryl Dian.
He is a thorn in everyone’s side as he continues to chase a terrorist named Bergin Vize who has plans on starting a war between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. He wants to return to the land of Faerie that has been cut off to everyone since the Convergence hit 100 years ago and it appears he may have the support of both courts in his endeavor. *Convergence is when Faerie merged with the modern reality.
Connor has a dark mass in his head that seemingly has a mind of its own and thus causes Connor to be in the middle of some strange happenings including meeting and being called brother by a leaninsidhe who is a killer. The mass happened after he was struck by a spell backlash after fighting Vize. Connor is also on the top of Queen Maeve’s list of most hated individuals (next to the Elven King). She wants to have him arrested or worse because she blames Connor for all sorts of problems that have happened since he left the Guildhouse.
Under Queen Ceridwen, who was killed by Vize using the Truth Spear, plays a key part in this story and is the only one besides Connor who knows that she was betrayed by Maeve who did nothing when the dead broke out of TirNaNog and ended up in Boston. Ceridwen and Connor are linked by the Spear and their hatred for Vize and Maeve's betrayal.
The story picks up nearly 3 months after the events of Unperfect Souls with Connor now working with Eorla Kruge Elvendottir who has tried to unify the Celtic and Teutonic Fey. She has set up court in the Tangle, but so far, she has failed to appeal to their better senses in stopping the fighting and try to live peacefully together. Her cousin is the Elven King whose kingdom is in Germany. There are those in her own court who have undermined her attempts at preventing an all out war.
Connor tries to find out why people have disappeared and then turning up dead after seeing a blue flash. The answer goes back to Ceridwen and the Wild Hunt. Connor, as always, finds himself once again in the middle of everything that is happening in the city of Boston. His best friend and partner in investigating the Fey crimes, Homicide Detective Leonard Murdock, is coming to terms with the fact that his father is dead, and that is mother, Moira Cashel, was a Fey which makes him part Fey as well, and which explains Leo's body shield and Druid essence. Murdock’s family clearly blames Connor for everything that has happened since he had an affair with Amy Sullivan aka Moira when he was a teenager that ended up breaking up their marriage.
For the first 100 pages, I really didn’t care much for Connor with all his whiney, wallowing in self-pity and an attitude that was starting to rub everyone the wrong way, including his friend Joe the Flit who keeps telling him to get over it already.
Meryl Dian, the person who he may actually love, lies in a coma, and nobody knows if she will ever come back from it. Meryl received some sort of spell backlash and has been in a coma since working with Eorla to stop the war brewing in the Weird. Thankfully, Meryl does find a way back, and Connor realizes how much he truly does enjoy being with her. She also introduces him to the Man-Wolfs aka Vitnire who lead them to Vize.
The dead continue to be a problem after being trapped in Boston thanks once again to Connor’s ineptitude in closing to the doors to TirNaNog. He failed to ensure that all the dead returned before shutting the doors for good. Seriously, this guy was supposed to be a hot shot Guild Investigator, but all he has done over the course of this series is put others around him in danger. He is cashing in chips that his body can’t handle because everyone believes that he is as much a danger as the man he chases.
The one thing that anyone must realize before starting this series is this: Del Franco does a wonderful job of world building, but he also has a ton of secondary characters that you almost have to take notes so that you know who is who, and who is actually on Connors side. There are Seeliee and Unseelie who both hate Connor and it appears they are working together to bring him down for good. He has few friends, and those he does have, continue to tell him to becareful, something he hasn't a clue how to be because of his one track mind in killing Vize.
I would not recommend jumping into the middle of this series and than expect that you will understand all that has happened. Del Franco creates a monster of a back story that keeps growing as the series continues. The problem with this series for me is this; there really hasn’t been any resolution to certain story lines like Vize and the mass in his head. Hopefully, that will change soon.
Del Franco is also the author of the Laura Blackstone series.
Next book in series: Undone Deeds (January 2012)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Uncertain Allies is the fifth book in the Conner Grey series by Mark Del Franco. It tells the story of Connor Grey a druid who once was a hot shot investigator for the Guildhouse, but now gets by as a part time investigator for the Boston PD because of his knowledge of the Fey and on disability payments. He lives in the Weird which is a decrepit Boston neighborhood where shunned Fey and other fairy folk from Ireland and Germany reside. Connor is an earth-born Fey, which means that he has never seen Fairie like his mentor Briallen and Meryl Dian.
He is a thorn in everyone’s side as he continues to chase a terrorist named Bergin Vize who has plans on starting a war between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. He wants to return to the land of Faerie that has been cut off to everyone since the Convergence hit 100 years ago and it appears he may have the support of both courts in his endeavor. *Convergence is when Faerie merged with the modern reality.
Connor has a dark mass in his head that seemingly has a mind of its own and thus causes Connor to be in the middle of some strange happenings including meeting and being called brother by a leaninsidhe who is a killer. The mass happened after he was struck by a spell backlash after fighting Vize. Connor is also on the top of Queen Maeve’s list of most hated individuals (next to the Elven King). She wants to have him arrested or worse because she blames Connor for all sorts of problems that have happened since he left the Guildhouse.
Under Queen Ceridwen, who was killed by Vize using the Truth Spear, plays a key part in this story and is the only one besides Connor who knows that she was betrayed by Maeve who did nothing when the dead broke out of TirNaNog and ended up in Boston. Ceridwen and Connor are linked by the Spear and their hatred for Vize and Maeve's betrayal.
The story picks up nearly 3 months after the events of Unperfect Souls with Connor now working with Eorla Kruge Elvendottir who has tried to unify the Celtic and Teutonic Fey. She has set up court in the Tangle, but so far, she has failed to appeal to their better senses in stopping the fighting and try to live peacefully together. Her cousin is the Elven King whose kingdom is in Germany. There are those in her own court who have undermined her attempts at preventing an all out war.
Connor tries to find out why people have disappeared and then turning up dead after seeing a blue flash. The answer goes back to Ceridwen and the Wild Hunt. Connor, as always, finds himself once again in the middle of everything that is happening in the city of Boston. His best friend and partner in investigating the Fey crimes, Homicide Detective Leonard Murdock, is coming to terms with the fact that his father is dead, and that is mother, Moira Cashel, was a Fey which makes him part Fey as well, and which explains Leo's body shield and Druid essence. Murdock’s family clearly blames Connor for everything that has happened since he had an affair with Amy Sullivan aka Moira when he was a teenager that ended up breaking up their marriage.
For the first 100 pages, I really didn’t care much for Connor with all his whiney, wallowing in self-pity and an attitude that was starting to rub everyone the wrong way, including his friend Joe the Flit who keeps telling him to get over it already.
Meryl Dian, the person who he may actually love, lies in a coma, and nobody knows if she will ever come back from it. Meryl received some sort of spell backlash and has been in a coma since working with Eorla to stop the war brewing in the Weird. Thankfully, Meryl does find a way back, and Connor realizes how much he truly does enjoy being with her. She also introduces him to the Man-Wolfs aka Vitnire who lead them to Vize.
The dead continue to be a problem after being trapped in Boston thanks once again to Connor’s ineptitude in closing to the doors to TirNaNog. He failed to ensure that all the dead returned before shutting the doors for good. Seriously, this guy was supposed to be a hot shot Guild Investigator, but all he has done over the course of this series is put others around him in danger. He is cashing in chips that his body can’t handle because everyone believes that he is as much a danger as the man he chases.
The one thing that anyone must realize before starting this series is this: Del Franco does a wonderful job of world building, but he also has a ton of secondary characters that you almost have to take notes so that you know who is who, and who is actually on Connors side. There are Seeliee and Unseelie who both hate Connor and it appears they are working together to bring him down for good. He has few friends, and those he does have, continue to tell him to becareful, something he hasn't a clue how to be because of his one track mind in killing Vize.
I would not recommend jumping into the middle of this series and than expect that you will understand all that has happened. Del Franco creates a monster of a back story that keeps growing as the series continues. The problem with this series for me is this; there really hasn’t been any resolution to certain story lines like Vize and the mass in his head. Hopefully, that will change soon.
Del Franco is also the author of the Laura Blackstone series.
Next book in series: Undone Deeds (January 2012)
November 1, 2018
I think the story telling is getting better as I read more of the stories. The series is a bit too political for my personal taste. There are quite a few questions unanswered that I hope the final will answer.
January 1, 2025
I'm reading the last two of the series because I'm curious about how it ends. I found the Vize theme at this point a bit tiring. This was an enjoyable read but the cryptic "mind blinking" part just seems confusing. Maybe it will make more sense after the last book.
March 21, 2018
This series continues to be outstanding entertainment. Too bad there's only one more. :-(
February 11, 2019
Series Builds
The series builds beautifully and engaging. The central figures are strong characters I would be glad to call friends anytime.
The series builds beautifully and engaging. The central figures are strong characters I would be glad to call friends anytime.
May 23, 2019
Connor Grey seems to constantly draw the short straw, in a bad way, always stumbling on things that will make his life more complicated--or worse, ended. In this case, dwarves going missing or turning up dead is the tip of a bigger iceberg than he can imagine. His goals are simple: wake up Meryl, keep his friends safe, and stay alive. Unfortunately, with the power he displayed in the last novel, the Guild wants to get ahold of him for research purposes, making everything far more complicated. Not a ton of action, but this seems like a pivotal book, one of changes.
March 31, 2014
A small percentage of the city burned in the last book and everyone is even more forced in together. Months have passed and things are no better. If anything, everyone is more distrustful. The Weird is more isolated and essential services are erratic. Connor now basically works for Eorla at the unseelie court, and is persona non grata with the Guild. She asks him to investigate a blue light that travels through the city kidnapping people.
The darkness in Connor grows and reacts more to outside effects, especially scrying or people trying to read the future. Given the city is in such flux, a lot of people are trying and it is giving Connor a headache. It’s worse when they keep telling him that he is the black mark on the future. If he is present at a future event, seers can’t see the future. And then the bodies of dead dwarves start showing up; drained of essence.
Meryl is trapped in a kind of magic coma and no-one can help her. She and Eorla performed a huge spell that left Meryl lost but rid the city of Taint. Nigel Martin, Connor’s old druid mentor, has a plan to heal Meryl. Neither Briallen nor Connor totally trust him but they are willing to give it a try.
The ‘uncertain allies’ for Connor are Eorla Kruge with her newly declared unseelie court (protection for all the solitary and unallied fae) and her advisors, Bastian and the dwarf Brokke. Everyone spies on everyone.
Murdock is forgiving but the rest of his family are not so inclined. None of them, other than Leo, know the whole truth about their father and the events of the last book. The fallout from their actions will be massive. Plus, the Guild wants to arrest Connor for his involvement in the commissioner’s death, or for any reason, really. They’d just feel better if he was locked up.
The high king of the elves, Donor, is in town wearing a magic disguise as his own ambassador but it doesn’t fool Eorla or Connor. It takes Connor too long to notice that other elves, dressed in Eorla’s livery are not following her orders. Someone is setting her up.
Ryan macGoren the temporary Guildmaster is a self-important fool who won’t listen to advice but with the real Guildmaster still in a coma, no official replacement has been made. This is a common issue; too many replacements who are inexperienced and no one really knows what they are doing. Things are changing too fast.
The darkness is influencing Connor. He veers toward addict behaviour and hates himself for it. He really needs Meryl’s steadying influence. The leanansidhe told him they were the other side of the Wheel of Time and it makes logical sense that the wheel would have two sides - they are the dark side - I presume. Connor discovers that each magical racial group has a different idea of the Wheel of Time - the inexorability of fate. Things may not be as clear as he has always thought as a druid. The dwarves believe that the wheel has a gap of darkness that marks the join, for instance.
The blue light turns out to be the Wild Hunt, led by a king of the dead wearing a stag head and riding an undead mare. The dead are organising, too.
The Guild building has always been protected by a shield dome and various magical defences but there are major items of power in the city; mentioned first, books back: the spear, the ring, a small rune dagger, the stone essence bowl and the silver branch now burned into Connor’s arm. But there may be one more item, and the dwarves might know where it is hidden. It becomes a race between Bergin Vize and Connor to find it; both working for their different factions.
Between them, will they destroy what is left of the Weird?
The darkness in Connor grows and reacts more to outside effects, especially scrying or people trying to read the future. Given the city is in such flux, a lot of people are trying and it is giving Connor a headache. It’s worse when they keep telling him that he is the black mark on the future. If he is present at a future event, seers can’t see the future. And then the bodies of dead dwarves start showing up; drained of essence.
Meryl is trapped in a kind of magic coma and no-one can help her. She and Eorla performed a huge spell that left Meryl lost but rid the city of Taint. Nigel Martin, Connor’s old druid mentor, has a plan to heal Meryl. Neither Briallen nor Connor totally trust him but they are willing to give it a try.
The ‘uncertain allies’ for Connor are Eorla Kruge with her newly declared unseelie court (protection for all the solitary and unallied fae) and her advisors, Bastian and the dwarf Brokke. Everyone spies on everyone.
Murdock is forgiving but the rest of his family are not so inclined. None of them, other than Leo, know the whole truth about their father and the events of the last book. The fallout from their actions will be massive. Plus, the Guild wants to arrest Connor for his involvement in the commissioner’s death, or for any reason, really. They’d just feel better if he was locked up.
The high king of the elves, Donor, is in town wearing a magic disguise as his own ambassador but it doesn’t fool Eorla or Connor. It takes Connor too long to notice that other elves, dressed in Eorla’s livery are not following her orders. Someone is setting her up.
Ryan macGoren the temporary Guildmaster is a self-important fool who won’t listen to advice but with the real Guildmaster still in a coma, no official replacement has been made. This is a common issue; too many replacements who are inexperienced and no one really knows what they are doing. Things are changing too fast.
The darkness is influencing Connor. He veers toward addict behaviour and hates himself for it. He really needs Meryl’s steadying influence. The leanansidhe told him they were the other side of the Wheel of Time and it makes logical sense that the wheel would have two sides - they are the dark side - I presume. Connor discovers that each magical racial group has a different idea of the Wheel of Time - the inexorability of fate. Things may not be as clear as he has always thought as a druid. The dwarves believe that the wheel has a gap of darkness that marks the join, for instance.
The blue light turns out to be the Wild Hunt, led by a king of the dead wearing a stag head and riding an undead mare. The dead are organising, too.
The Guild building has always been protected by a shield dome and various magical defences but there are major items of power in the city; mentioned first, books back: the spear, the ring, a small rune dagger, the stone essence bowl and the silver branch now burned into Connor’s arm. But there may be one more item, and the dwarves might know where it is hidden. It becomes a race between Bergin Vize and Connor to find it; both working for their different factions.
Between them, will they destroy what is left of the Weird?
August 17, 2012
Publishers Blurb: After a night of riots and fires, the Boston neighborhood known as the Weird is in ruins. And when a body is found drained of its essence, ex- Guild investigator Connor Grey is drawn into the case against his will. And he has reason to be wary. Because the case will lead to an explosive secret that threatens to tear apart the city-and the world.
Set in a Boston where Faery and Earth “converged” 100 years ago, Connor Grey is a Druid who has been stripped of his powers and somewhat tossed aside by his former associates. He is no longer able to work at the Druidic headquarters, so he does favors for various authorities within the many competing political structures and there are a lot. This time around, he is trying to find out who is killing and kidnapping Fae around the city and to what purpose. Meanwhile Boston has been ravaged by riots and fires which some people blame him for, he has a dark magical mass stuck in his head with a mind of its own and his girlfriend’s been in a coma for 3 months. The Teutonic fey are going up against the Celtic Fey and the Wild Hunt may have been unloosed on the city.
I've been reading this series for years and there is a lot in this book that is predicated on knowing what has happened in the last books. The world building and the various power structures are really complex. While Del Franco tries to catch the reader up, if you were coming in mid series it would be tough to know all the political shenanigans goin’ on. There is more action happening in the various leaders greeting rooms than anywhere else and I think that might have detracted a little bit. I don’t need a nonstop action book but I felt the political wrangling may have overshadowed action that could have been a bit more prominent in the story line. The action scene at the end was very spectacular, however. I do wish the author would cut down on use of the word "Essence" just a little bit. Essence is basically a Fey's life force or magic and while it is important to the story I found it started jarring me out of the book when I'd read the word 4-5 times in one paragraph.
On the other hand, the book has incredible world building. There are layers and layers of it, and the political wrangling is incredibly detailed and well thought out. You really never know what is going to happen next and that is its own action and excitement. Who is going to screw who over and why keeps you guessing.
For those who prefer a male protagonist, this series is for you. Connor Grey isn’t filled with self-loathing despite the fact there are many people out there who loath him. He’s a very steady customer and he may not have his druidic powers but he does know every power broker in town. He has some uncertain allies but he also has his core group of friends that he can trust and who trust him. For someone who is supposedly on the outer edges of accepted society he spends a lot of time advising, arguing with and or fighting the powers that be, while he tries to solve a mystery and possibly stop a war. Whatever is going on magically in "the weird" or in the assembly halls of the elite, you can bet Connor Grey has something to do with it. Now if he can just keep that black mass in his head from taking over and using him as a conduit to blow more of the city up.
Set in a Boston where Faery and Earth “converged” 100 years ago, Connor Grey is a Druid who has been stripped of his powers and somewhat tossed aside by his former associates. He is no longer able to work at the Druidic headquarters, so he does favors for various authorities within the many competing political structures and there are a lot. This time around, he is trying to find out who is killing and kidnapping Fae around the city and to what purpose. Meanwhile Boston has been ravaged by riots and fires which some people blame him for, he has a dark magical mass stuck in his head with a mind of its own and his girlfriend’s been in a coma for 3 months. The Teutonic fey are going up against the Celtic Fey and the Wild Hunt may have been unloosed on the city.
I've been reading this series for years and there is a lot in this book that is predicated on knowing what has happened in the last books. The world building and the various power structures are really complex. While Del Franco tries to catch the reader up, if you were coming in mid series it would be tough to know all the political shenanigans goin’ on. There is more action happening in the various leaders greeting rooms than anywhere else and I think that might have detracted a little bit. I don’t need a nonstop action book but I felt the political wrangling may have overshadowed action that could have been a bit more prominent in the story line. The action scene at the end was very spectacular, however. I do wish the author would cut down on use of the word "Essence" just a little bit. Essence is basically a Fey's life force or magic and while it is important to the story I found it started jarring me out of the book when I'd read the word 4-5 times in one paragraph.
On the other hand, the book has incredible world building. There are layers and layers of it, and the political wrangling is incredibly detailed and well thought out. You really never know what is going to happen next and that is its own action and excitement. Who is going to screw who over and why keeps you guessing.
For those who prefer a male protagonist, this series is for you. Connor Grey isn’t filled with self-loathing despite the fact there are many people out there who loath him. He’s a very steady customer and he may not have his druidic powers but he does know every power broker in town. He has some uncertain allies but he also has his core group of friends that he can trust and who trust him. For someone who is supposedly on the outer edges of accepted society he spends a lot of time advising, arguing with and or fighting the powers that be, while he tries to solve a mystery and possibly stop a war. Whatever is going on magically in "the weird" or in the assembly halls of the elite, you can bet Connor Grey has something to do with it. Now if he can just keep that black mass in his head from taking over and using him as a conduit to blow more of the city up.
May 21, 2011
Flashes of blue light lead to people vanishing in the Weird, the Wild Hunt rides, tension is high between the Celtic and Teutonic Courts, and of course magically crippled Connor Grey is right in the middle of it all, attracting the attention of far too many people with far too much power.
My first thought on finishing this book was that the series could end here and I would be happy. All the little changes Connor has gone through as the series progressed came to a head in this book. This was the crisis point, and I was satisfied at its resolution.
This does not mean I would scoff at picking up and reading another Connor Grey novel. I enjoy the world build and the writing too much to turn them down. But I was content with the way things were. Not every end was tied off- but to me that makes for a much more believable resolution. Life is never so clean or polite as to settle everything neatly for us. There needs to be a bit of mess, and rarely have I had the pleasure of mucking around in a life as messy as that of Connor Grey. It is delightful that much of the mess is of his own making, and it was interesting to watch him actually start to own up to a lot of it in this book.
Uncertain Allies has a lot more meat, and less actual action than previous installments in the series, but for those who have been invested in the series it is the necessary fallout of previous events and works to pull things together and make sense of it all. It allows Connor to grow as a character and for the series to actually move forward as a result.
I think what I have liked most throughout reading this series is Connor's distinct lack of Power. He has a bit of a wild card that is unreliable and usually devastating, but nothing like the usual genre tropes. He relies heavily on his companions and contacts, and considering Connor used to be a rather hot shot Druid, it is an interesting POV character to wander through an urban fantasy setting with.
My first thought on finishing this book was that the series could end here and I would be happy. All the little changes Connor has gone through as the series progressed came to a head in this book. This was the crisis point, and I was satisfied at its resolution.
This does not mean I would scoff at picking up and reading another Connor Grey novel. I enjoy the world build and the writing too much to turn them down. But I was content with the way things were. Not every end was tied off- but to me that makes for a much more believable resolution. Life is never so clean or polite as to settle everything neatly for us. There needs to be a bit of mess, and rarely have I had the pleasure of mucking around in a life as messy as that of Connor Grey. It is delightful that much of the mess is of his own making, and it was interesting to watch him actually start to own up to a lot of it in this book.
Uncertain Allies has a lot more meat, and less actual action than previous installments in the series, but for those who have been invested in the series it is the necessary fallout of previous events and works to pull things together and make sense of it all. It allows Connor to grow as a character and for the series to actually move forward as a result.
I think what I have liked most throughout reading this series is Connor's distinct lack of Power. He has a bit of a wild card that is unreliable and usually devastating, but nothing like the usual genre tropes. He relies heavily on his companions and contacts, and considering Connor used to be a rather hot shot Druid, it is an interesting POV character to wander through an urban fantasy setting with.
August 8, 2011
I really enjoy this series, but it also frustrates me. I could not put this book down, but still felt like the series hadn't made much progress after finishing it. I did feel that all the chess pieces are finally in position for the end game. Sometimes authors get too caught up in multi-book plot arcs, such as Connor's still mysterious black mass. In this book, Connor does finally get an answer of sorts, but it's wrapped up in existential technobable. The Wheel of the World turns, but evidently there's a gap. Oh, is that all? Connor does undergo a major shake-up regarding the mass after the climactic battle (these books always end with a climactic battle, and it's always the best part of the book). Connor gets something else in his head. *sigh*
What really kept me turning the pages was how all the political factions resolved into opposing forces, and readers finally see what (and who) all the sides are: Eorla in the Weird, The Elves, Maeve/the Guild, Ceridwen and the Dead. They all want to manipulate Connor to their own ends. Connor also finally dumps the whining "poor me, I lost my abilities" and becomes a contender. The mystery of the disappearing people is intimately tied into the political infighting, and he actually investigates like a real PI. Moreover, Murdock gets involved and the two become true allies and friends. I was also happy to see the return of Shay. I do love these characters.
Overall, this book satisfied enough that I am anxious for the next installment. Once again the ending was action-packed and fantastic, but also left readers hanging. I'd really like to see the black mass be resolved, and move onto some stand alone stories. This is an excellent, gritty urban fantasy, but waiting book after book for resolution is wearing extremely thin. I'm hooked on this series, but with so much always hanging, I'm unwilling to try the spin-off series set in the same world.
What really kept me turning the pages was how all the political factions resolved into opposing forces, and readers finally see what (and who) all the sides are: Eorla in the Weird, The Elves, Maeve/the Guild, Ceridwen and the Dead. They all want to manipulate Connor to their own ends. Connor also finally dumps the whining "poor me, I lost my abilities" and becomes a contender. The mystery of the disappearing people is intimately tied into the political infighting, and he actually investigates like a real PI. Moreover, Murdock gets involved and the two become true allies and friends. I was also happy to see the return of Shay. I do love these characters.
Overall, this book satisfied enough that I am anxious for the next installment. Once again the ending was action-packed and fantastic, but also left readers hanging. I'd really like to see the black mass be resolved, and move onto some stand alone stories. This is an excellent, gritty urban fantasy, but waiting book after book for resolution is wearing extremely thin. I'm hooked on this series, but with so much always hanging, I'm unwilling to try the spin-off series set in the same world.
June 9, 2011
As usual, Del Franco does a good job of crafting a mystery that goes along with the story arc of what will happen with the dark mass in Connor's head. This time a mysterious blue essence is seen when dwarves are found murdered. Also, Connor is now working for Eorla the elven princess who has claimed the Weird as her fiefdom. Murdock is coming to terms about who is mother was and what that means to him personally. Connor has to deal with Meryl being in a coma as well. All of these little plots form together to make an interesting read. Connor, Murdock, Joe, Briallen, and Eorla all have their own foibles and make the novel interesting.
In some ways Del Franco is a lot like Jim Butcher. He has a male character with magic powers who deals with supernatural mysteries, but that's pretty much where it ends. I enjoy both authors, and if you like one, I think you'll like the other.
Good job again, Mark.
In some ways Del Franco is a lot like Jim Butcher. He has a male character with magic powers who deals with supernatural mysteries, but that's pretty much where it ends. I enjoy both authors, and if you like one, I think you'll like the other.
Good job again, Mark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2011
The plot of this book is not bad, although it does disturbingly little to move the series forward at all - it just sort of nudges it forward in a little baby step. It nudges it forward in a little mess of political plots and a promise of more nightmares to come, so thats something at least.
What is so bloody frustrating - and what ultimately bogs the book down - is that the author by now has created a huge backstory, and yet assumes that many a reader will be jumping in to the series at this point. Del Franco, therefore, tries to be very helpful by filling in the reader with Very Important Plot Points from previous novels. For the first 30 pages or so. And then over and over again at random points throughout the novel. Distracting, annoying - and reduces the actual plot to Uncertain Allies down to the length of a novella.
What is so bloody frustrating - and what ultimately bogs the book down - is that the author by now has created a huge backstory, and yet assumes that many a reader will be jumping in to the series at this point. Del Franco, therefore, tries to be very helpful by filling in the reader with Very Important Plot Points from previous novels. For the first 30 pages or so. And then over and over again at random points throughout the novel. Distracting, annoying - and reduces the actual plot to Uncertain Allies down to the length of a novella.
October 28, 2015
4.5 stars. 5 books in and this is still my most favorite urban fantasy series ever! The stories always feel intimate and cozy, yet they are huge and epic at the same time, too, and Connor, always at the center of whatever is happening, keeps changing the world time and time again. And this time, he goes against Donor Elfenkonig, the Elven King, himself! All the usual suspects are present too, of course: Briallen, Meryl, Murdock, Joe, Shay, Uno... And as always, Connor kicks major ass - unintentionally, of course - and destroys half the city in the process, as is his habit.
I didn't give it 5 stars straight because the beginning was rather wordy, with too much description of what happened in the previous books.
I didn't give it 5 stars straight because the beginning was rather wordy, with too much description of what happened in the previous books.
March 4, 2013
What I liked best about Uncertain Allies was how the events of the past four books in the series all start to come together in this fifth novel! Connor Grey is once again dragged into Fey power struggles, having to rely on his wits and some of his magic welding friends. My naming my favorite of these characters’ reemergence would spoil it, so I’ll only say that one of Connor’s best friends becomes one of his mightiest allies as well.
It can get a little confusing at times keeping track of all the foes and allies, but that is part of the fun of a series like this! Once again, Del Franco has the readier anticipating the next (and perhaps final?) novel in the Connor Grey series, but unlike previous books, this one ends in a more satisfying way.
It can get a little confusing at times keeping track of all the foes and allies, but that is part of the fun of a series like this! Once again, Del Franco has the readier anticipating the next (and perhaps final?) novel in the Connor Grey series, but unlike previous books, this one ends in a more satisfying way.
July 14, 2011
3.5 stars, rounded up.
All in all a good story. There was a long slog to the actual happenings of the book but it wasn't enough to make me put the book down and read something else for a bit. I thought it would be for a while but it wasn't.
What gets me is that even as a decent character, he tends to just wander around and annoy people until something happens and no matter where he is he can't help trying to annoy people. I suppose that is just who he is, but it doesn't really make me like him all that much. In fact, I'm surprised I still do like him. Probably because he really is decent, just dealing with the headache of the century might make me a bit cranky too.
All in all a good story. There was a long slog to the actual happenings of the book but it wasn't enough to make me put the book down and read something else for a bit. I thought it would be for a while but it wasn't.
What gets me is that even as a decent character, he tends to just wander around and annoy people until something happens and no matter where he is he can't help trying to annoy people. I suppose that is just who he is, but it doesn't really make me like him all that much. In fact, I'm surprised I still do like him. Probably because he really is decent, just dealing with the headache of the century might make me a bit cranky too.
May 7, 2011
Not the most original in the genre, but certainly one of the better written. This series is rich with detail and well-rounded characters.
The plotting is a little convoluted and could have done with a tidy-up, but really I just love visiting this world and these characters time and gain.
I read a lot of authors and don't watch for too many, but Mark del Franco is one that I watch for. He has a great way of seeing the world and a sharp sense of humanity that I love. Now I have to wait a year for the next one!
The plotting is a little convoluted and could have done with a tidy-up, but really I just love visiting this world and these characters time and gain.
I read a lot of authors and don't watch for too many, but Mark del Franco is one that I watch for. He has a great way of seeing the world and a sharp sense of humanity that I love. Now I have to wait a year for the next one!
September 26, 2011
Another solid outing in the Connor Grey series, but I just wish that poor Connor could catch a break. This time it seems like everyone is out to get him, of course, what's new with that? but it's more malevolent than normal because even his friends need to pull back some else be tainted by association with him. Somethings draining the fey in Boston and someone or someones want to start a war and of course Connor is smack dab in the middle. I was not overly fond of the cliff-hanger ending but that's the way it is.
June 10, 2014
I liked the series enough to want to finish it, but It wasn't really riveting. The author does this thing where he keeps reminding you of things which happened before, in previous books. I get that this is sometimes necessary, so a new reader gets to understand some of the nuances and character motivations, but seriously, enough already. All of Connor's beat-myself-up soul-searching self-loathing soliloquies get a little old after a while. Enough already! Also, he's kinda a jerk to his friends, self-centred and self-absorbed with his oen self-inflicted misery. Waaaah!
May 30, 2011
I feel like this book was filler, it seemed to tie up past story lines, but the focus was fey politics which caused most of the book to be quite boring. We did get a very small glimpse more of Murdock's family, I have a feeling there will be lots more there to learn and will have an impact later. Connor faced his nemesis and at this point we aren't really sure if he came out on top or not, but things sure have changed for him. It will be interesting to just what those changes bring.
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