hoperu's review against another edition
3.0
I wavered about actually reading this after reading some of the other reviews. When I found it at the library and got sucked in, I decided to go ahead and read it. I would actually give this 3.5 stars - the plot is pretty interesting and the writing is good, especially for the urban fantasy genre. I don't know if I liked it enough to read the sequel any time soon, but it was a nice, quick summer read.
sandralensen's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it but did not find it at the level of Daniel Abraham's other books. It was very entertaining, but there were some parts that bugged me (many in common with the comments other people placed below, related to racism, name pronouncing etc.)
tiffasaurusrex's review against another edition
2.0
Felt like the same old urban fantasy- Bad-A Girl rounds up a team of Tough Guys, most of which are in love with her. The story is more interesting, "rider" spirits and an Ex-Priest were fresh elements, but overall not anything special.
perednia's review against another edition
5.0
Jayne Heller was well on her way to being the prototypical slacker -- college dropout, boyfriend cheating on her, Bible Belt parents offering no support. The only person who ever supported her was Uncle Eric, who would swoop into town, give her a boost and leave again. Then he is killed and Jayne travels to Denver as Eric's sole heir.
Eric was far more than he seemed. For one, he was upper stratosphere rich. For another, he was a hunter. Of creatures like riders that take over human bodies. Especially riders under the control of Randolph Coin, a powerful member of the Invisible College seeking power. Eric also had colleagues who worked with him on various jobs, including a cadaverous old man who is a demon in the kitchen (among other things), a former priest, a scientific researcher and a fighting expert. These colleagues will come in handy, because the Invisible College killed Eric and now they're after Jayne.
Jayne and her new team take a few too many pages to go over the game plan once they determine they will have to take out Randolph Coin. It's almost like they're in hiding even though they have a self-imposed deadline to draw Coin out and kill him. But when the showdown comes, it's well worth the wait. There are spells cast, butts appropriately kicked and a well-plotted climax.
Although this is a fairly standard setup for urban paranormal action stories, Hanover has created a viable lead character in Jayne Heller. She's a young woman at the kind of crossroads that every young woman faces, just under extraordinary circumstances, and comes into her own in believable fashion. Her growth as a person and the realization that she may have extra abilities when it comes to this fighting demons thing mesh together well. The mutual attraction she and one of the team feel for each other has a conflict that is more than a Big Misunderstanding, and which can contribute to further plot twists and character development in later books. The secondary characters also are tremendously engaging. And, although it may not be feasible, it would be great to see all of them in subsequent volumes.
Hanover is particularly adept at discerning how a young heroine might respond to the circumstances thrown at her in the plot, especially considering that Hanover is Hugo-nominated Daniel Abraham. This well-crafted female protagonist should be used any time it is argued that men cannot create believable women. Unclean Spirits lays the groundwork for what could be a long-lasting, intriguing and enjoyable series.
Eric was far more than he seemed. For one, he was upper stratosphere rich. For another, he was a hunter. Of creatures like riders that take over human bodies. Especially riders under the control of Randolph Coin, a powerful member of the Invisible College seeking power. Eric also had colleagues who worked with him on various jobs, including a cadaverous old man who is a demon in the kitchen (among other things), a former priest, a scientific researcher and a fighting expert. These colleagues will come in handy, because the Invisible College killed Eric and now they're after Jayne.
Jayne and her new team take a few too many pages to go over the game plan once they determine they will have to take out Randolph Coin. It's almost like they're in hiding even though they have a self-imposed deadline to draw Coin out and kill him. But when the showdown comes, it's well worth the wait. There are spells cast, butts appropriately kicked and a well-plotted climax.
Although this is a fairly standard setup for urban paranormal action stories, Hanover has created a viable lead character in Jayne Heller. She's a young woman at the kind of crossroads that every young woman faces, just under extraordinary circumstances, and comes into her own in believable fashion. Her growth as a person and the realization that she may have extra abilities when it comes to this fighting demons thing mesh together well. The mutual attraction she and one of the team feel for each other has a conflict that is more than a Big Misunderstanding, and which can contribute to further plot twists and character development in later books. The secondary characters also are tremendously engaging. And, although it may not be feasible, it would be great to see all of them in subsequent volumes.
Hanover is particularly adept at discerning how a young heroine might respond to the circumstances thrown at her in the plot, especially considering that Hanover is Hugo-nominated Daniel Abraham. This well-crafted female protagonist should be used any time it is argued that men cannot create believable women. Unclean Spirits lays the groundwork for what could be a long-lasting, intriguing and enjoyable series.
alexiachantel's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
If you were to suddenly inherit an obscene amount of money and property do you know the first thing you would do? Find out how much you inherited, go shopping, check out one of the places you can now call home, kill some demons. Check, check, check, and...well most of us would skip on that last one.
JaynÉ is a young woman whose world gets turned upside down. When she finds out her uncle left everything to her she sees it as a chance to change her life. But the moment she steps into her uncle’s house and meets the cursed man she changes more than she knows. She is young and inexperienced so she makes mistakes, but she is smart enough to realize she needs talented knowledgeable people around her. This is how her team begins.
The men that JaynÉ picks to work for her are an eclectic bunch. Aubrey is a smart man that makes a stupid choice. Ex cloaks his true intentions, what they and his real feelings are will be an interesting journey to discover. Midian who is cursed yet also provides JaynÉ with guidance and sort of friendship. And last but not least is Chogyi Jake who connects with JaynÉ and seems to have her back.
Well-written characters and a great plot line is what you can expect from book one of The Black Sun’s Daughter. The end leaves the story open, JaynÉ and her new crew ready to rid the world of evil. So much has been hinted at and left so many questions. This is a great way to start a series.
Review to be posted at Reading Between the Wines blog.
If you were to suddenly inherit an obscene amount of money and property do you know the first thing you would do? Find out how much you inherited, go shopping, check out one of the places you can now call home, kill some demons. Check, check, check, and...well most of us would skip on that last one.
JaynÉ is a young woman whose world gets turned upside down. When she finds out her uncle left everything to her she sees it as a chance to change her life. But the moment she steps into her uncle’s house and meets the cursed man she changes more than she knows. She is young and inexperienced so she makes mistakes, but she is smart enough to realize she needs talented knowledgeable people around her. This is how her team begins.
The men that JaynÉ picks to work for her are an eclectic bunch. Aubrey is a smart man that makes a stupid choice. Ex cloaks his true intentions, what they and his real feelings are will be an interesting journey to discover. Midian who is cursed yet also provides JaynÉ with guidance and sort of friendship. And last but not least is Chogyi Jake who connects with JaynÉ and seems to have her back.
Well-written characters and a great plot line is what you can expect from book one of The Black Sun’s Daughter. The end leaves the story open, JaynÉ and her new crew ready to rid the world of evil. So much has been hinted at and left so many questions. This is a great way to start a series.
Review to be posted at Reading Between the Wines blog.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
DNF @ 50 %
This just isn't holding my attention right now. I think it's a case of the wrong time for the right book. I'd like to come back to it when I am more in the mood for it.
This just isn't holding my attention right now. I think it's a case of the wrong time for the right book. I'd like to come back to it when I am more in the mood for it.
nyxshadow's review against another edition
3.0
http://nyx-shadow.blogspot.com/2012/01/la-fille-du-soleil-noir-t1-esprits.html
alice2000's review against another edition
4.0
I'd read good reviews on this, but the more I got into it the more I wasn't sure I would like it. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be pretty damn good.
I think there is still more work to be done in the work, but this was a pretty good origin tale. Love me some Ex and Jayne was a very interesting character.
I look forward to the next one.
I think there is still more work to be done in the work, but this was a pretty good origin tale. Love me some Ex and Jayne was a very interesting character.
I look forward to the next one.