roxxie's review against another edition
4.0
Bisher hatte ich mich noch nicht oder nur zögerlich an Bücher gewagt, die neben Vampire (und/oder Werwesen) auch noch Hexen und andere mystische Figuren wie Elfen, Feen, Trolle etc beinhalten.
Und anfangs war diese Buch auch wirklich schwer zu verfolgen. Die eigentliche Story, die Aufklärung eines Mordes an einer menschlichen Frau, geriet bis Mitte des Buches sehr oft in den Hintergrund, da einfach zu viele Sachen immer und immer wieder zwischendrin regelrecht eingeworfen wurden und das Storyboard immer wieder einen zu abrupten Dämpfer bekam. Durch viele kleine, teilweise zu viele, Details wurde das Leben von Genny sehr verworren. Man kam teilweise auch nicht mit, in welchem Zeitraum das Buch abläuft. Nur ein paar Tage oder doch mehr. Auch kommen für das erste Buch der Reihe viel zu viele Personen darin vor.
Doch etwa ab Kapitel 30 konnte McLeod der Sache wieder Aufschwung geben und die Handlung bezog sich großteils nur noch um die Aufklärung des Mordes und all diese vielen kleinen Verschwörungen und Spielchen durch die Vampire. Und man wird es nicht glauben, aber bis zum Ende hin, war nicht klar, wer denn nun der eigentliche Mörder oder vielleicht sogar die Mörderin von Melissa, dem Opfer, war. Aber es gibt haufenweise Verdächtige, die auch immer wieder irgendwie als Verdächtige im Raum stehen bleiben.
Sehr gelungen, wenn auch zu Anfang schwer in die Geschichte zu finden.
Und anfangs war diese Buch auch wirklich schwer zu verfolgen. Die eigentliche Story, die Aufklärung eines Mordes an einer menschlichen Frau, geriet bis Mitte des Buches sehr oft in den Hintergrund, da einfach zu viele Sachen immer und immer wieder zwischendrin regelrecht eingeworfen wurden und das Storyboard immer wieder einen zu abrupten Dämpfer bekam. Durch viele kleine, teilweise zu viele, Details wurde das Leben von Genny sehr verworren. Man kam teilweise auch nicht mit, in welchem Zeitraum das Buch abläuft. Nur ein paar Tage oder doch mehr. Auch kommen für das erste Buch der Reihe viel zu viele Personen darin vor.
Doch etwa ab Kapitel 30 konnte McLeod der Sache wieder Aufschwung geben und die Handlung bezog sich großteils nur noch um die Aufklärung des Mordes und all diese vielen kleinen Verschwörungen und Spielchen durch die Vampire. Und man wird es nicht glauben, aber bis zum Ende hin, war nicht klar, wer denn nun der eigentliche Mörder oder vielleicht sogar die Mörderin von Melissa, dem Opfer, war. Aber es gibt haufenweise Verdächtige, die auch immer wieder irgendwie als Verdächtige im Raum stehen bleiben.
Sehr gelungen, wenn auch zu Anfang schwer in die Geschichte zu finden.
bookfessional's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book, but I felt lost for half of it. Not the first half, or a half taken out of the middle, but more of a cumulative half. I liked the story enough to push through it, but most of the time I wanted to bang my head against a wall and scream "WHAT'S GOING ON!!!"
Still worth it though. If it weren't for the confusion I'd give a solid 4 stars.
Still worth it though. If it weren't for the confusion I'd give a solid 4 stars.
deeva's review against another edition
4.0
Bisher hatte ich mich noch nicht oder nur zögerlich an Bücher gewagt, die neben Vampire (und/oder Werwesen) auch noch Hexen und andere mystische Figuren wie Elfen, Feen, Trolle etc beinhalten.
Und anfangs war diese Buch auch wirklich schwer zu verfolgen. Die eigentliche Story, die Aufklärung eines Mordes an einer menschlichen Frau, geriet bis Mitte des Buches sehr oft in den Hintergrund, da einfach zu viele Sachen immer und immer wieder zwischendrin regelrecht eingeworfen wurden und das Storyboard immer wieder einen zu abrupten Dämpfer bekam. Durch viele kleine, teilweise zu viele, Details wurde das Leben von Genny sehr verworren. Man kam teilweise auch nicht mit, in welchem Zeitraum das Buch abläuft. Nur ein paar Tage oder doch mehr. Auch kommen für das erste Buch der Reihe viel zu viele Personen darin vor.
Doch etwa ab Kapitel 30 konnte McLeod der Sache wieder Aufschwung geben und die Handlung bezog sich großteils nur noch um die Aufklärung des Mordes und all diese vielen kleinen Verschwörungen und Spielchen durch die Vampire. Und man wird es nicht glauben, aber bis zum Ende hin, war nicht klar, wer denn nun der eigentliche Mörder oder vielleicht sogar die Mörderin von Melissa, dem Opfer, war. Aber es gibt haufenweise Verdächtige, die auch immer wieder irgendwie als Verdächtige im Raum stehen bleiben.
Sehr gelungen, wenn auch zu Anfang schwer in die Geschichte zu finden.
Und anfangs war diese Buch auch wirklich schwer zu verfolgen. Die eigentliche Story, die Aufklärung eines Mordes an einer menschlichen Frau, geriet bis Mitte des Buches sehr oft in den Hintergrund, da einfach zu viele Sachen immer und immer wieder zwischendrin regelrecht eingeworfen wurden und das Storyboard immer wieder einen zu abrupten Dämpfer bekam. Durch viele kleine, teilweise zu viele, Details wurde das Leben von Genny sehr verworren. Man kam teilweise auch nicht mit, in welchem Zeitraum das Buch abläuft. Nur ein paar Tage oder doch mehr. Auch kommen für das erste Buch der Reihe viel zu viele Personen darin vor.
Doch etwa ab Kapitel 30 konnte McLeod der Sache wieder Aufschwung geben und die Handlung bezog sich großteils nur noch um die Aufklärung des Mordes und all diese vielen kleinen Verschwörungen und Spielchen durch die Vampire. Und man wird es nicht glauben, aber bis zum Ende hin, war nicht klar, wer denn nun der eigentliche Mörder oder vielleicht sogar die Mörderin von Melissa, dem Opfer, war. Aber es gibt haufenweise Verdächtige, die auch immer wieder irgendwie als Verdächtige im Raum stehen bleiben.
Sehr gelungen, wenn auch zu Anfang schwer in die Geschichte zu finden.
jmmeyer's review against another edition
1.0
LOVED the short story from Home Improvement so I was really looking forward to this.I even ordered it from the internet brand spanking new - I never do that what the first novel in a series unless I'm really excited about it. Well, bummer. The writing wasn't polished - though this could be because it is the first book and the short story came after the first book was published. The story was just not my thing though. I was really excited about the fae stuff but it was more focused on vampires. I did love that she had a satyr but other than that. Bummer. I won't read the rest of the series. Almost didn't finish this book.
veronica87's review
3.0
This was a bit of an odd reading experience. I felt confused throughout the book and am still not sure that I came out of it with a solid understanding of the world or the rules of magic and how all the supernatural species fit in with each other. That said, I still somehow ended up liking it.
I enjoyed the focus on the fae and Genevieve, London's only known sidhe fae, makes for a likeable heroine. I think there might be a love triangle on the horizon though which gives me pause. One of the potential suitors, Finn, is someone who already knows our heroine at the start of the book. I hate being cheated out of that all too crucial first meeting so when that happens the author really has to work hard to sell me on the chemistry. That didn't happen here as I didn't feel any heat between Finn, a satyr, and Genevieve. Love contestant #2 is Malik, an exotic and mysterious vampire. We do get the pleasure of his first meeting with Genevieve and there was enough chemistry there for me to be intrigued.
Set in an alternate, but modern, London, the story is populated with pretty much every supernatural creature there is. It's got vampires, trolls, goblins, satyrs, witches, brownies, kelpies. You name it, it's in there. It seems a bit ambitious and, again, I'm not sure that it was blended in all that seamlessly. However, despite the first book feeling a little all over the place I'm giving the second book a try. I should probably give this story a two star rating just because of the lack of clarity in the world building but a rating like that wouldn't accurately reflect how much I did end up enjoying it. Hopefully the magic rules and the world will feel a little less nebulous with more story under my belt.
I enjoyed the focus on the fae and Genevieve, London's only known sidhe fae, makes for a likeable heroine. I think there might be a love triangle on the horizon though which gives me pause. One of the potential suitors, Finn, is someone who already knows our heroine at the start of the book. I hate being cheated out of that all too crucial first meeting so when that happens the author really has to work hard to sell me on the chemistry. That didn't happen here as I didn't feel any heat between Finn, a satyr, and Genevieve. Love contestant #2 is Malik, an exotic and mysterious vampire. We do get the pleasure of his first meeting with Genevieve and there was enough chemistry there for me to be intrigued.
Set in an alternate, but modern, London, the story is populated with pretty much every supernatural creature there is. It's got vampires, trolls, goblins, satyrs, witches, brownies, kelpies. You name it, it's in there. It seems a bit ambitious and, again, I'm not sure that it was blended in all that seamlessly. However, despite the first book feeling a little all over the place I'm giving the second book a try. I should probably give this story a two star rating just because of the lack of clarity in the world building but a rating like that wouldn't accurately reflect how much I did end up enjoying it. Hopefully the magic rules and the world will feel a little less nebulous with more story under my belt.
patchworkbunny's review
5.0
Genny is sidhe, a noble fae living in London and she has a secret, well perhaps more than one. She works for Spellcrackers, a witch run organisation which helps remove spells for their clients. Genny’s fae magic means she can see the spells and unwrap them but she’s not so good at casting them herself. She blames this on her condition, infected with V3, vampire venom which draws her close to the very creatures she wants to avoid. When a celebrity vampire is accused of murder, she finds herself being coerced into investigating…
The Sweet Scent of Blood marks the start of an addictive urban fantasy series by Suzanne Mcleod. Her world is full of magical creatures but grounded in a very familiar London. There’s plenty of brooding, handsome vampires but Genny doesn’t go all swoony and I love her attitude throughout. Even when she has her moments of weakness, she seems to give herself a mental prod to keep her on the straight and narrow. There’s just the right amount of sexy without it descending into porn.
The plot is twisty and turny, with lots of interesting and potentially suspicious characters. It’s a classic mystery with a supernatural twist and a smattering of humour. I loved that there was an office bet to find out if Finn, the satyr, has a tail underneath his glamour and that the goblins bling themselves up. It’s a fantastical and well thought out world that I just didn’t want to leave.
I liked her use of V3 as a medical condition. Vampires can choose to inject their venom when they feed which creates willing blood slaves. The venom acts as a drug which not only makes them more attracted and attractive to vamps, but affects them physically; causing their red blood cells to multiply…more food for the vamps but also dangerous if they don’t let blood on a regular basis. Of course, Genny being fae, she is extra tasty.
The Sweet Scent of Blood marks the start of an addictive urban fantasy series by Suzanne Mcleod. Her world is full of magical creatures but grounded in a very familiar London. There’s plenty of brooding, handsome vampires but Genny doesn’t go all swoony and I love her attitude throughout. Even when she has her moments of weakness, she seems to give herself a mental prod to keep her on the straight and narrow. There’s just the right amount of sexy without it descending into porn.
The plot is twisty and turny, with lots of interesting and potentially suspicious characters. It’s a classic mystery with a supernatural twist and a smattering of humour. I loved that there was an office bet to find out if Finn, the satyr, has a tail underneath his glamour and that the goblins bling themselves up. It’s a fantastical and well thought out world that I just didn’t want to leave.
I liked her use of V3 as a medical condition. Vampires can choose to inject their venom when they feed which creates willing blood slaves. The venom acts as a drug which not only makes them more attracted and attractive to vamps, but affects them physically; causing their red blood cells to multiply…more food for the vamps but also dangerous if they don’t let blood on a regular basis. Of course, Genny being fae, she is extra tasty.
tashachowdory's review
4.0
I had the luck of meeting Suzanne at a Book Festival a couple of weeks ago and hey funny responses on her panel and her amazing rapport with Ben Aaronovith made think that her books should be added to my 'to-read' pile. And yes!! The first book is this series is excellent - the only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because I do think Anita Blake (the early years) are better. BUT I love that this series is set in London and I can recognise the landmarks. I like that weird relations between witches, vampires and varying other creatures. There are bits where the story loses its momentum but all in all I'm glad that I ate the liquorice torpedo and followed Suzanne down the rabbit hole. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series! :)
blodeuedd's review
4.0
I do love Urban Fantasy and this book was also refreshing because of the simple fact that it was set in London.
Now I feel that I can't give justice to how good the book was. The good ones are always the hardest to write about.
To the story then. Genny is a Fae in a world where supernaturals walk among us. The vampires have gone for fame and "groupies", but Fae like her have it a bit harder. They never were human at all. There are also trolls, brownies, goblins, witches, and lots more. And they all bring something extra to the book.
Genny was a great character. She was also clouded in mystery and I was dying to find out mor about her. Why she was not happy mixing with vampires, or why she did not let passion take over when Finn, her boss was around. She was an enigma but little by little details came out.
The story was great. She was investigating a vampire that was said to have killed his lover. This brought her to many more vampires, and they all wanted something. On top of that something sinister was in the air.
The enigma, the mystery, loved it. I kept reading and reading, wanting to find out more. Not only about the story but about her too. The end left me wanting to read book 2 at once.
This is a book I would recommend to fans of UF. Great new world, nice setting, heroine with secrets, vampires with secrets, a bit of sexual tension all wrapped into one.
Now I feel that I can't give justice to how good the book was. The good ones are always the hardest to write about.
To the story then. Genny is a Fae in a world where supernaturals walk among us. The vampires have gone for fame and "groupies", but Fae like her have it a bit harder. They never were human at all. There are also trolls, brownies, goblins, witches, and lots more. And they all bring something extra to the book.
Genny was a great character. She was also clouded in mystery and I was dying to find out mor about her. Why she was not happy mixing with vampires, or why she did not let passion take over when Finn, her boss was around. She was an enigma but little by little details came out.
The story was great. She was investigating a vampire that was said to have killed his lover. This brought her to many more vampires, and they all wanted something. On top of that something sinister was in the air.
The enigma, the mystery, loved it. I kept reading and reading, wanting to find out more. Not only about the story but about her too. The end left me wanting to read book 2 at once.
This is a book I would recommend to fans of UF. Great new world, nice setting, heroine with secrets, vampires with secrets, a bit of sexual tension all wrapped into one.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review
5.0
Extraordinary attention to detail! If I knew how to draw, I could totally draw all of the characters, plus all of the houses, parks, streets and offices as well. Very well written, with a lot of suspense, a little romance, some big-time scary vampires, and a huge betrayal. I loved this book, and for the first time ever, I really, really loved a fae! Gen is wonderful, strong and funny, and a little bit sneaky too, but she had to be in order to try to make it. Exciting read, and a page-turner through-out the whole book.
wyvernfriend's review
3.0
Based in London this is the story of a Sidhe Fae, well a part Sidhe Fae, working for spellcrackers.com, a company that finds magic for people and break or crack it. In a world where Vampires have rights and where becoming a vampire is sought after.
I found it quite a compelling read (I got sucked in and missed sleep over this one) but in some ways frustrating. Things aren't quite spelt out enough to be satisfying, the author doles out information like pennies from a miser so a lot of the conflict is a bit off pace.
I found it interesting though, it's an interesting slant on the world and I'm curious to see what happens next.
I found it quite a compelling read (I got sucked in and missed sleep over this one) but in some ways frustrating. Things aren't quite spelt out enough to be satisfying, the author doles out information like pennies from a miser so a lot of the conflict is a bit off pace.
I found it interesting though, it's an interesting slant on the world and I'm curious to see what happens next.
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