chelsea_jack's review
5.0
See this and other reviews at To Each Their Own Reviews.com
This cover is *spot on,* because Dorian has this worldweary thing going on, as though a weight is pressing down on him right from the start of the book - and it never lets up. A sense of impending doom oozes through each page - it's never entirely clear how Dorian is going to stumble through, well, everything.
Mind, Dorian is fantastic. He knows his stuff, but his stuff is quickly established as the very tip of the iceberg. I loved this! I've griped before about how we never get to see the very start of urban fantasy main character careers - BOOM! Consider that complaint fully answered here. I also adored Dorian's attitude. He's smart enough to realize that things would probably be easier if he was, say, a little more reserved and polite, but he can't manage that. And it's so entertaining to see how he's both rewarded and punished for it.
There are some other great characters in this story, though Dorian really has center stage the entire time. Neil Osterhaus has a bit of a generic old creepy guy vibe going on but Carmen, Dorian's ex, is a firecracker, and Osterhaus' muscle, Malosi , is an amusing presence. I love the way he acts as a litmus for how Osterhaus will react to Dorian's antics.
I also liked the way that other characters brought in new paranormal elements. Dorian's hex and charm business is cool, and we get some great details on how that works - but we also get references to other forms of magic, including witches, soul mongering and Netherwork. I was a little on the fence about that particular term, but it grew on me. There's a rich well of the paranormal here and I look forward to learning more about it.
Beyond the atmospheric writing, a compelling male protagonist, a wealth of paranormal components and an entertaining cast of secondary characters, The Curse Merchant is also an excellent story. There's some early cues that hint at the larger story, and I do think you need to have some faith that the novel will get there and that explanations are forthcoming. Please rest assured that if you read the book, you'll be satisfied on these fronts. Though clearly the start of a series, The Curse Merchant doesn't leave any niggling questions about the events that happen within it. I was so excited when I finished the last page of the book - because I knew I'd found a new urban fantasy series to happily add to my shelves! If only book two was already out....
Bottom line:
Completely worth a read, the only problem I see with reading The Curse Merchant is that you'll be stuck waiting for book two in the Dark Choir series.
5 stars
For fans of hexes and charms, urban fantasy, male protagonists
This cover is *spot on,* because Dorian has this worldweary thing going on, as though a weight is pressing down on him right from the start of the book - and it never lets up. A sense of impending doom oozes through each page - it's never entirely clear how Dorian is going to stumble through, well, everything.
Mind, Dorian is fantastic. He knows his stuff, but his stuff is quickly established as the very tip of the iceberg. I loved this! I've griped before about how we never get to see the very start of urban fantasy main character careers - BOOM! Consider that complaint fully answered here. I also adored Dorian's attitude. He's smart enough to realize that things would probably be easier if he was, say, a little more reserved and polite, but he can't manage that. And it's so entertaining to see how he's both rewarded and punished for it.
There are some other great characters in this story, though Dorian really has center stage the entire time. Neil Osterhaus has a bit of a generic old creepy guy vibe going on but Carmen, Dorian's ex, is a firecracker, and Osterhaus' muscle, Malosi , is an amusing presence. I love the way he acts as a litmus for how Osterhaus will react to Dorian's antics.
I also liked the way that other characters brought in new paranormal elements. Dorian's hex and charm business is cool, and we get some great details on how that works - but we also get references to other forms of magic, including witches, soul mongering and Netherwork. I was a little on the fence about that particular term, but it grew on me. There's a rich well of the paranormal here and I look forward to learning more about it.
Beyond the atmospheric writing, a compelling male protagonist, a wealth of paranormal components and an entertaining cast of secondary characters, The Curse Merchant is also an excellent story. There's some early cues that hint at the larger story, and I do think you need to have some faith that the novel will get there and that explanations are forthcoming. Please rest assured that if you read the book, you'll be satisfied on these fronts. Though clearly the start of a series, The Curse Merchant doesn't leave any niggling questions about the events that happen within it. I was so excited when I finished the last page of the book - because I knew I'd found a new urban fantasy series to happily add to my shelves! If only book two was already out....
Bottom line:
Completely worth a read, the only problem I see with reading The Curse Merchant is that you'll be stuck waiting for book two in the Dark Choir series.
5 stars
For fans of hexes and charms, urban fantasy, male protagonists
shai3d's review
5.0
It's rare that a book rates a 5 from me but it's just that good. Sorry Dresden, I actually prefer Dorian Lake.
urthwild_darknessbeckons's review
4.0
ARC received from the publisher for an honest review.
This novel is written in pulp fiction style, no not the film.
Whilst I would hazard a guess that J P Sloan is a fan of the television show Supernatural. I think a few reviewers have seen a likeness between the world of ‘The Curse Merchant’, and ‘the Dresden Files’ and I must wholeheartedly concur. Dorian Lake is a man who sells hexes, and charms, sound familiar?
In this story, Dorian Lake has to get his ex, Carmen out of a sticky situation, and she is in it, soul deep.
Lake would fit very neatly into that highly stylised universe of the 1930's-1950’s dark noir, the world weary private detective.
J P Sloan has crafted a great story with engaging, if not all likeable characters, a believable world and a great cool plot.
This novel is written in pulp fiction style, no not the film.
Whilst I would hazard a guess that J P Sloan is a fan of the television show Supernatural. I think a few reviewers have seen a likeness between the world of ‘The Curse Merchant’, and ‘the Dresden Files’ and I must wholeheartedly concur. Dorian Lake is a man who sells hexes, and charms, sound familiar?
In this story, Dorian Lake has to get his ex, Carmen out of a sticky situation, and she is in it, soul deep.
Lake would fit very neatly into that highly stylised universe of the 1930's-1950’s dark noir, the world weary private detective.
J P Sloan has crafted a great story with engaging, if not all likeable characters, a believable world and a great cool plot.
oracleofaal's review
4.0
It took awhile for me to get into this book. Dorian is not the kind of guy you want to like and that is part of the point of the book (I think) but it is still hard to read sometimes. In the end I did end up enjoying the story and most of the other characters. It definitely reminded me of Dresden but it is also very much NOT the Dresden stories.
Dorian is an orphan, trained by an older practitioner who was knowledgeable in the dark arts but Dorian doesn't touch it. His mouth gets him into more trouble than he can handle and he has a weakness for damsels in distress - even when he should clearly walk away. And he has friends that help him even though he probably doesn't deserve it.
All of this leads to a fun story that isn't entirely predictable and is quite amusing overall.
Dorian is an orphan, trained by an older practitioner who was knowledgeable in the dark arts but Dorian doesn't touch it. His mouth gets him into more trouble than he can handle and he has a weakness for damsels in distress - even when he should clearly walk away. And he has friends that help him even though he probably doesn't deserve it.
All of this leads to a fun story that isn't entirely predictable and is quite amusing overall.
urlphantomhive's review
4.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
This book had one of the most refreshing acknowledgements I read for a long time:
I'd like to the City of Baltimore for being creepy enough to inspire this series.
Note: I've never been to Baltimore so I can't comment on that.
Another thing I won't be doing is comparing this series to the Dresden Files. I've heard about it, of course, but I've never read the books (yet). Come to think about it, I haven't read that much urban fantasy all together. This all caused my view of The Curse Merchant to be a relatively fresh one. And I liked it.
Dorian Lake has his business selling hexes and charms to a selected clientèle using karma-magic. Unfortunately, this can backfire sometimes as a gun is being pointed at his head right at the beginning of the book. Although at first it didn't really looked like the story was going anywhere, this changes after a special friend confides to Dorian that she's sold her soul to another practitioner. One with roots in the Netherwork, a strange and dark ancient power not to be toyed with.
Dorian considers himself to be one of the good guys as he's not involved in the Soul magic. And although he does try to save a rape victim, he's usually just egocentric and it's far from black-and-white. After all, he does put spells (okay, hexes and charms) on people just because he's getting paid (a lot) to do so. He's not very likeable either, but not necessarily in an annoying way. After the death of his parents and his mysterious magical training in England (I see what you did there) he seems to be quite content with himself.
The story was entertaining, even though I still don't really feel like I have an idea how this magic system works. The writing fitted the story, and reminded me a bit of another Urban Fantasy series I read (Seventeen). The sequel, The Curse Servant, happens to be my next book! I hope I will enjoy it as much as I did this one.
The Curse Merchant is the first book in the Dark Choir Series. The second book is The Curse Servant.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book had one of the most refreshing acknowledgements I read for a long time:
I'd like to the City of Baltimore for being creepy enough to inspire this series.
Note: I've never been to Baltimore so I can't comment on that.
Another thing I won't be doing is comparing this series to the Dresden Files. I've heard about it, of course, but I've never read the books (yet). Come to think about it, I haven't read that much urban fantasy all together. This all caused my view of The Curse Merchant to be a relatively fresh one. And I liked it.
Dorian Lake has his business selling hexes and charms to a selected clientèle using karma-magic. Unfortunately, this can backfire sometimes as a gun is being pointed at his head right at the beginning of the book. Although at first it didn't really looked like the story was going anywhere, this changes after a special friend confides to Dorian that she's sold her soul to another practitioner. One with roots in the Netherwork, a strange and dark ancient power not to be toyed with.
Dorian considers himself to be one of the good guys as he's not involved in the Soul magic. And although he does try to save a rape victim, he's usually just egocentric and it's far from black-and-white. After all, he does put spells (okay, hexes and charms) on people just because he's getting paid (a lot) to do so. He's not very likeable either, but not necessarily in an annoying way. After the death of his parents and his mysterious magical training in England (I see what you did there) he seems to be quite content with himself.
The story was entertaining, even though I still don't really feel like I have an idea how this magic system works. The writing fitted the story, and reminded me a bit of another Urban Fantasy series I read (Seventeen). The sequel, The Curse Servant, happens to be my next book! I hope I will enjoy it as much as I did this one.
The Curse Merchant is the first book in the Dark Choir Series. The second book is The Curse Servant.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
booksuperpower's review
4.0
The Curse Merchant by J P Sloan is a 2014 Curiosity Quills publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Once upon a time I read a lot of Paranormal/ Urban Fantasy novels. I had begun to collect the Dresden files novels here and there with the intention of reading them in order. However, I began to burn out on Urban Fantasy and as a result I never started that series. In fact, I rarely read Urban Fantasy anymore. Apparently there are enough similarities between the Dresden series and this book, that many people mentioned it in their reviews. So, I felt like I was a little out of the loop and perhaps out of my element here. I hope I “got” what the author was trying to express.
You can read the synopsis yourself, but here is a brief setup-
There is a good side, if you will, in the magical realm and a dark side too. Dorian works on the good side, keeping his nose clean and off the radar of the Presidium. He deals in the hex's and charm's department, but do not suggest his hexes are curses. After a two year hiatus of sorts, Dorian gets a wake up call by way of a near death experience. He pulls his head out and realizes he has no idea what is going on in his world, can't remember events, or people and struggles to shake off the fog. But, an ex- girlfriend, Carmen, shakes him wide awake when she confesses she has sold her soul and only has two weeks to rectify the situation. Since Dorian practically threw her under a bus at one point in time, and he still wants to get back on her good side, he agrees to help her.
My thoughts-
Dorian's character is an enigma to me in a lot of ways. Do I like him? Root for him? Feel empathy of him? Not especially. He is a wise cracking, snarky guy who has lived on easy street his whole life so that perhaps takes away a certain edge he needed when he had to make deals with the baddies, all of whom had their own agendas. His attitude was a little off putting to me at times, but he grew on me as the story progressed. Still, he was often too understated and unemotional. So, if you are looking for the kick butt, alpha male sort this isn't it. That is not to say there is no action or that the story is dull. The plot was an interesting one, the characters were well developed, and there could have been a slight underlying meaning when politics enters the picture. The story has lots of imagination, is atmospheric, and if it stays on track could make a long and successful series. I was not at all certain how to feel about how things were wrapped up with this one. I was unsettled I guess, so if we see this story continue in future installments I would certainly want an update on Dorian. This book reminded me of all the things I enjoyed about Urban Fantasy. Overall this one gets 4 stars.
Once upon a time I read a lot of Paranormal/ Urban Fantasy novels. I had begun to collect the Dresden files novels here and there with the intention of reading them in order. However, I began to burn out on Urban Fantasy and as a result I never started that series. In fact, I rarely read Urban Fantasy anymore. Apparently there are enough similarities between the Dresden series and this book, that many people mentioned it in their reviews. So, I felt like I was a little out of the loop and perhaps out of my element here. I hope I “got” what the author was trying to express.
You can read the synopsis yourself, but here is a brief setup-
There is a good side, if you will, in the magical realm and a dark side too. Dorian works on the good side, keeping his nose clean and off the radar of the Presidium. He deals in the hex's and charm's department, but do not suggest his hexes are curses. After a two year hiatus of sorts, Dorian gets a wake up call by way of a near death experience. He pulls his head out and realizes he has no idea what is going on in his world, can't remember events, or people and struggles to shake off the fog. But, an ex- girlfriend, Carmen, shakes him wide awake when she confesses she has sold her soul and only has two weeks to rectify the situation. Since Dorian practically threw her under a bus at one point in time, and he still wants to get back on her good side, he agrees to help her.
My thoughts-
Dorian's character is an enigma to me in a lot of ways. Do I like him? Root for him? Feel empathy of him? Not especially. He is a wise cracking, snarky guy who has lived on easy street his whole life so that perhaps takes away a certain edge he needed when he had to make deals with the baddies, all of whom had their own agendas. His attitude was a little off putting to me at times, but he grew on me as the story progressed. Still, he was often too understated and unemotional. So, if you are looking for the kick butt, alpha male sort this isn't it. That is not to say there is no action or that the story is dull. The plot was an interesting one, the characters were well developed, and there could have been a slight underlying meaning when politics enters the picture. The story has lots of imagination, is atmospheric, and if it stays on track could make a long and successful series. I was not at all certain how to feel about how things were wrapped up with this one. I was unsettled I guess, so if we see this story continue in future installments I would certainly want an update on Dorian. This book reminded me of all the things I enjoyed about Urban Fantasy. Overall this one gets 4 stars.
annasirius's review
2.0
2.3
A pale version of the Dresden Files that a third into it still hadn't hooked me.
A pale version of the Dresden Files that a third into it still hadn't hooked me.
avoraciousreader68's review
4.0
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Dorian Lake has spent the last two years in a fog. Neglecting everything and everyone in his life seems really off to him, but he brushes it aside and attempts to get his life out of neutral. Things have been happening while he’s been lollygagging around and as he starts picking up clients for his hexes and charms again he begins to realize how much he’s missed. Why can’t he remember? When his ex-girlfriend comes to him for help, he does what he can, but he can’t help but wonder what Carmon has gotten him involved in.
I like Dorian. He reminds me a lot of Harry Dresden and Harry is one of my most favorite book characters. However, I do not like his fascination or absorption with Carmon. I do not like her. At all. The book starts off slowly and I’m wondering what the hell is wrong with Dorian. He seems to be missing months and months of memory and not only does it not bother him, he doesn’t try to figure out why until well into the book. I was beginning to think I had missed something and I was on the verge of irritation. However, as he starts to wake up and smell the roses, things really start cooking for him on many burners and with the help of some friends he figures shit out about the last two years.
All-in-all this is a great read about magic (both light and dark) that features a smartass hero, a few shady individuals and some excellent secondary characters. I’d definitely walk in Dorian’s world some more.
Dorian Lake has spent the last two years in a fog. Neglecting everything and everyone in his life seems really off to him, but he brushes it aside and attempts to get his life out of neutral. Things have been happening while he’s been lollygagging around and as he starts picking up clients for his hexes and charms again he begins to realize how much he’s missed. Why can’t he remember? When his ex-girlfriend comes to him for help, he does what he can, but he can’t help but wonder what Carmon has gotten him involved in.
I like Dorian. He reminds me a lot of Harry Dresden and Harry is one of my most favorite book characters. However, I do not like his fascination or absorption with Carmon. I do not like her. At all. The book starts off slowly and I’m wondering what the hell is wrong with Dorian. He seems to be missing months and months of memory and not only does it not bother him, he doesn’t try to figure out why until well into the book. I was beginning to think I had missed something and I was on the verge of irritation. However, as he starts to wake up and smell the roses, things really start cooking for him on many burners and with the help of some friends he figures shit out about the last two years.
All-in-all this is a great read about magic (both light and dark) that features a smartass hero, a few shady individuals and some excellent secondary characters. I’d definitely walk in Dorian’s world some more.
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