csdaley's review
5.0
I was a big fan of California Bones by Greg van Eekhout. I like when books bring something new and interesting to the fantasy world and California Bones had that by the bucket loads. The magic system of consuming bones (and other body parts) to draw power is still fascinating. Especially, considering that this includes humans. The story sprawls out over California but my favorite scenes are the ones in the reimagined canal filled Los Angeles.
This story starts 10 years after the conclusion of California Bones. Daniel is still on the run with Sam after the explosive conclusion of the last book. We get to meet lots of new characters (including a couple surprising ones) but my favorite is Em. I would read a whole book about her and her magically created sisters.
Greg van Eekhout is a wonderful writer and he continues to build on a world that I can't get enough of. The story is brisk and full of action. The magic is fierce. Plus, there is a fire drake as the main part of the story. The only issue I have with this book is that it ended and there is only one book left in the series.
If you are looking for a fast paced action fantasy jump on board this train. Go pick up California Bones and Pacific Fire, you will thank me for it. Well, you will thank Greg van Eekhout first. Then maybe me.
This story starts 10 years after the conclusion of California Bones. Daniel is still on the run with Sam after the explosive conclusion of the last book. We get to meet lots of new characters (including a couple surprising ones) but my favorite is Em. I would read a whole book about her and her magically created sisters.
Greg van Eekhout is a wonderful writer and he continues to build on a world that I can't get enough of. The story is brisk and full of action. The magic is fierce. Plus, there is a fire drake as the main part of the story. The only issue I have with this book is that it ended and there is only one book left in the series.
If you are looking for a fast paced action fantasy jump on board this train. Go pick up California Bones and Pacific Fire, you will thank me for it. Well, you will thank Greg van Eekhout first. Then maybe me.
jonmhansen's review
5.0
Excellent, as I expected. Am now annoyed I have to wait until September for the final book.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
mollymortensen's review against another edition
4.0
Sam is a golem. (Which I think is really cool!) Daniel adopted Sam ten years ago. Since then they’ve been running from basically everyone. The high magical concentration in Sam means everyone wants him.
Gabriel contacts Daniel, the powers in Los Angeles are uniting to create a living Pacific Firedrake. (Gigantic dragon of doom) Daniel is the only one with enough power to destroy it. He plans to leave Sam where it’s safe, but teenagers sometimes don’t do as they’re told.
While book one was heist oriented Pacific Fire is more of a journey novel.
We get to see more of Southern California outside Los Angeles, but it wasn’t anything special, dirty motels, old trucks, and desert.
The atmosphere that made the first book is present again. I’d say this is a darker fantasy, but there are still lighter moments.
The characters remain very real and flawed. (None of them are described as beautiful!) I enjoyed getting to know Sam and Em. Both were great characters, particularly Em. Sam falls in love easily (he knows this) and he hasn’t had many friends because he never stays in one place. It was nice watching him becoming friends with Em and attempting to flirt.
We also met a couple of new bad guys Mistress Cauldron and Madam Tooth. I liked how the characters from the first book appeared again and we got to see how they’ve grown over the past decade.
The best part of the books remains the magic. Here there’s new social uses and magical bombs and tools.
The plot was just as good as the first book, but it was even less predictable! All I can say about the ending is that I never saw it coming. I’m so glad the last one will be coming out later this year, because again I needed more!
Point of View: Third (Sam, Daniel & Gabriel)
Predictability: 2 out of 5
Gabriel contacts Daniel, the powers in Los Angeles are uniting to create a living Pacific Firedrake. (Gigantic dragon of doom) Daniel is the only one with enough power to destroy it. He plans to leave Sam where it’s safe, but teenagers sometimes don’t do as they’re told.
While book one was heist oriented Pacific Fire is more of a journey novel.
We get to see more of Southern California outside Los Angeles, but it wasn’t anything special, dirty motels, old trucks, and desert.
The atmosphere that made the first book is present again. I’d say this is a darker fantasy, but there are still lighter moments.
The characters remain very real and flawed. (None of them are described as beautiful!) I enjoyed getting to know Sam and Em. Both were great characters, particularly Em. Sam falls in love easily (he knows this) and he hasn’t had many friends because he never stays in one place. It was nice watching him becoming friends with Em and attempting to flirt.
We also met a couple of new bad guys Mistress Cauldron and Madam Tooth. I liked how the characters from the first book appeared again and we got to see how they’ve grown over the past decade.
The best part of the books remains the magic. Here there’s new social uses and magical bombs and tools.
The plot was just as good as the first book, but it was even less predictable! All I can say about the ending is that I never saw it coming. I’m so glad the last one will be coming out later this year, because again I needed more!
Point of View: Third (Sam, Daniel & Gabriel)
Predictability: 2 out of 5
vailynst's review against another edition
4.0
3/16/2021 Notes:
Rating Raised from 3.5 to 4 Stars
I just finished #3. My guess about the two books being a whole was correct. The story arc has a nice finish in #3. That made me appreciate the setup in #2 more. I'm glad I read the books and hope there will be more! Daniel is a fun character & I like his chosen family.
3/15/2021 Notes:
Enjoyable but sort of misleading. I accidentally started #3 before #2. It took a bit to realize I was dropped into the middle of who knows what plot. #2 & 3 are more like one large book that's cut in half.
I recommend having access to both books before starting #2. Events in Pacific Fire start 10 years after California Bones.
Rating Raised from 3.5 to 4 Stars
I just finished #3. My guess about the two books being a whole was correct. The story arc has a nice finish in #3. That made me appreciate the setup in #2 more. I'm glad I read the books and hope there will be more! Daniel is a fun character & I like his chosen family.
3/15/2021 Notes:
Enjoyable but sort of misleading. I accidentally started #3 before #2. It took a bit to realize I was dropped into the middle of who knows what plot. #2 & 3 are more like one large book that's cut in half.
I recommend having access to both books before starting #2. Events in Pacific Fire start 10 years after California Bones.
jondoo1220's review against another edition
5.0
Super cool and creepy bone magic, and alternate California, and a heist novel... What more could you ask for?
supatrey's review against another edition
3.0
Much like the first book in the series, this is a very fast read and a lot of fun. I found it a little less fun and interesting than the first book, but I'm willing to blame that on the fact that I'm hopped up on cold medicine right now.
mpeterke's review against another edition
5.0
Now we're talking. Things get serious really fast in this one. After I met and started to like the main characters in the previous book, some even better ones are introduced. I really liked Sam as the main protagonist and adored Em. Daniel is cool too, but the kids were something new. The story is really fast-paced and there are a few twist-and-turns I never saw coming. After giving 4 stars to the previous one, this one definitely deserves 5. Also, I am absolutely not regretting that I bought the next one as well. That is my next one to read. I have really high hopes for it now. I recommend this series to anyone. Go read it!
christycorr's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5