aknas22's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very entertaining book with a great plot and characters. Don't know why I put off reading it for so long, glad I finally read it!
amber996's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
loishojmark's review against another edition
3.0
Liked it just enough to give the next book a chance... but only just...
miloulou's review against another edition
Got about halfway through... *spoilers!*
I just felt like Charlie was too much like the typical urban fantasy heroine (attitude, reckless) didn't work well here when she was throwing herself into dangerous situations, but she was also a mother. Though she considered taking on a desk job, there wasn't enough thought put into it and adding in her history with her husband only to kill him off happened too fast. Meh.
I just felt like Charlie was too much like the typical urban fantasy heroine (attitude, reckless) didn't work well here when she was throwing herself into dangerous situations, but she was also a mother. Though she considered taking on a desk job, there wasn't enough thought put into it and adding in her history with her husband only to kill him off happened too fast. Meh.
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Charlie Madigan, ITF Officer, divorced mother of a preteen daughter, and recently resurrected strong female, is a a great character.
I loved that the author found a way to have her be a real mother, and still make sure her daughter wasn't around for all the violence and bad stuff. I love that the divorce and her relationship with her daughter was central to Charlie Madigan's development.
The alternate world of Atlanta in this story, with Elysian and Charybdinian otherworlders suppressing themselves to fit into human society was great, too.
So, hmmm, why not five stars? I liked these characters and the mystery surrounding Charlie's mysteriously appearing powers did keep me reading along. However, at some point, I began reading for the sake of finding out what was going to happen instead of reading for enjoyment. Some of the sparkle faded in the last third of the book, and I wasn't sure if it was because the introduction of a mage (Aaron) and a siren (Zara) just at the climax seemed kind of overkill in terms of the powers arrayed on the side of good, or if their subsequent nuetralizaiton made me want to smack some foreheads around.
I think the characters we were set up with in the beginning; Will, Hank, Grigori Tennin were the characters that ended up having very little to do with the climax, and I felt cheated out of the investment I'd made in them.
However, I really truly did enjoy the character of Charlie, and I know that I'll be watching out for her further adventures.
This book's Food Rating Designation: Vegetable Lasagna, which is great because it's lasagna, but when you start eating it, it doesn't fulfill that comfort food part in you pleased by the richness of traditional lasagna, but is good and healthy nonetheless.
I loved that the author found a way to have her be a real mother, and still make sure her daughter wasn't around for all the violence and bad stuff. I love that the divorce and her relationship with her daughter was central to Charlie Madigan's development.
The alternate world of Atlanta in this story, with Elysian and Charybdinian otherworlders suppressing themselves to fit into human society was great, too.
So, hmmm, why not five stars? I liked these characters and the mystery surrounding Charlie's mysteriously appearing powers did keep me reading along. However, at some point, I began reading for the sake of finding out what was going to happen instead of reading for enjoyment. Some of the sparkle faded in the last third of the book, and I wasn't sure if it was because the introduction of a mage (Aaron) and a siren (Zara) just at the climax seemed kind of overkill in terms of the powers arrayed on the side of good, or if their subsequent nuetralizaiton made me want to smack some foreheads around.
I think the characters we were set up with in the beginning; Will, Hank, Grigori Tennin were the characters that ended up having very little to do with the climax, and I felt cheated out of the investment I'd made in them.
However, I really truly did enjoy the character of Charlie, and I know that I'll be watching out for her further adventures.
This book's Food Rating Designation: Vegetable Lasagna, which is great because it's lasagna, but when you start eating it, it doesn't fulfill that comfort food part in you pleased by the richness of traditional lasagna, but is good and healthy nonetheless.
waterfairy's review against another edition
4.0
I'm still wavering between 3 and a 4 star. I can't make up my mind :(
This is a pure urban fantasy book. The book starts off by dropping you in a midst of action. Charlie Madigan was dead for 2 hours eight months back when she was somehow bought back to life by an (almost) mad scientist. This incident seemed to have untold effects and will turn to be a pivotal point in her life.
Gay's new urban fantasy series seems to have aliens in the book. I as unaware while going in the book. Since the book basically drops us in the midst, I had to flounder a bit to understand the world. Gay seems to have concentrated more on the action and less on the world so that by the end of the book we still don't have a full idea on the book. And I still feel like I've missed a prequel somewhere. Charlie seems to have flavors of different UF heroines in her and she is the first I've come across who has a kid which I appreciate.
The book has lots of twists - some that hit me on the head in a good way and some in a bad way. The bad way was emphasized because the world was not given enough flesh for me to really understand what happened. So, in a way, it felt really incomplete and I keep feeling that I've missed a significant part of the picture.
For all the stuff I've said, I still look forward to the next book and to continue the series. Hopefully, the world will be fleshed out more in the following books. It sure looks like an interesting one. Be warned though that this is a 99% urban fantasy without any appreciable romance in it. Recommend to urban fantasy fans.
This is a pure urban fantasy book. The book starts off by dropping you in a midst of action. Charlie Madigan was dead for 2 hours eight months back when she was somehow bought back to life by an (almost) mad scientist. This incident seemed to have untold effects and will turn to be a pivotal point in her life.
Gay's new urban fantasy series seems to have aliens in the book. I as unaware while going in the book. Since the book basically drops us in the midst, I had to flounder a bit to understand the world. Gay seems to have concentrated more on the action and less on the world so that by the end of the book we still don't have a full idea on the book. And I still feel like I've missed a prequel somewhere. Charlie seems to have flavors of different UF heroines in her and she is the first I've come across who has a kid which I appreciate.
The book has lots of twists - some that hit me on the head in a good way and some in a bad way. The bad way was emphasized because the world was not given enough flesh for me to really understand what happened. So, in a way, it felt really incomplete and I keep feeling that I've missed a significant part of the picture.
For all the stuff I've said, I still look forward to the next book and to continue the series. Hopefully, the world will be fleshed out more in the following books. It sure looks like an interesting one. Be warned though that this is a 99% urban fantasy without any appreciable romance in it. Recommend to urban fantasy fans.
bookwormmama's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
bbckprpl's review against another edition
2.0
Just couldn't get into it: seemed like I should like it more, but just didn't.
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
4.0
The Better Part of Darkness is a great example of the urban fantasy genre, featuring a tough-as-nails heroine in a complex and unique world. The paranormal element was very cleverly realised and the characters were all interesting and well drawn.
The book ticks quite a few of the boxes one comes to expect from good urban fantasy these days - feisty heroine who pisses off a lot of people, but has a core group of allies who will walk to hell and back for her; a unique ability that makes her stand out and will probably require some kind of self sacrifice every two to three books; bad guys lurking and with a very specific agenda involving our heroine; and (my favourite) lots of possible love interests carefully laid out but never hurried. All of the above are applicable from old favourites such as Kate, Toby and Mercy, but there's no risk of ever getting these ladies confused, thanks to the vivid worlds they occupy. And it looks like Charlie Madigan could be joining their ranks. Very excited to read book 2.
The book ticks quite a few of the boxes one comes to expect from good urban fantasy these days - feisty heroine who pisses off a lot of people, but has a core group of allies who will walk to hell and back for her; a unique ability that makes her stand out and will probably require some kind of self sacrifice every two to three books; bad guys lurking and with a very specific agenda involving our heroine; and (my favourite) lots of possible love interests carefully laid out but never hurried. All of the above are applicable from old favourites such as Kate, Toby and Mercy, but there's no risk of ever getting these ladies confused, thanks to the vivid worlds they occupy. And it looks like Charlie Madigan could be joining their ranks. Very excited to read book 2.