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Showing posts with label Paranormal Scene Investigations Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paranormal Scene Investigations Series. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

117) Dragon Justice by Laura Anne Gilman

The Blurb :

In my time with PUPI, formally known as Private, Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations, I've seen a lot. Learned a lot. And not all of it's been good. But what we do—make people accountable for crimes committed with magic—is important work.

Still. Even I need to take a break every now and again. Or so I've just been told (ordered).

So hey, vacation. Maybe I'll finally figure out what's going on with the "special bond" between me and the boss man, Benjamin Venec. Venec seems to like that idea—he's invited me down to join him on a jaunt to Philly. But no sooner do I arrive in the City of Brotherly Love than we're called in to look at a dead body.

And that's when life gets really complicated

My Thoughts :

I have been following this series since the beginning and couldn't resist this fourth book in the series. I am a huge fan of CSI, Bones and various other crime investigations series so this concept of a paranormal version really spoke to me. So far I have enjoyed the books, the authors style and the world she has built and Dragon Justice was no exception.

Things started off great. I managed to get back into the feel of things pretty easy and of course being set in Manhattan I felt a little at home. Memories of my trip there a few weeks ago meant I could picture the places a little better and totally understood the meaning of long walking times, smelly subway trips etc. I also felt relaxed with Bonnie. She is a really nice easy going character who doesn't feel the need to blurt out a long string of feelings all the time. It is refreshing to have a character who just gets things done.

However the plot this time around was a bit all over the place. The first part of the book concentrated on Bonnie trying to find a girl. Then suddenly she was in Philadelphia. Now the first part of the story, for me, wasn't completely finished. The second part of the story seemed to be made out of two smaller stories. It all started to get a little confusing and seeing as the version I had didn't even show the chapters or breaks between the changes of perspective it was extremely hard to keep track of everything.

Despite that it was a very good read. The author has a super imagination and you can expect, as the title suggests, dragons as well as other faeries popping up in this book. There is also a nice love interest for Bonnie. Finally. Oh and a few little surprises. Also 'Wren' pops up in this book a lot. Now I still haven't read the Retrievers series but I really need to check out Wren some more. She is pretty cool.

I heard that this fourth book is apparently the last in the series and no more books have been contracted. The author left the series pretty much wide open though so there could be, and should be, more to come. Even though this isn't one of my top favourite series it is still one I thoroughly enjoy. I wouldn't be against a few more books about Bonnie.



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Saturday, October 22, 2011

137) Tricks of the Trade by Laura Anne Gilman

The Blurb :

WHEN MAGIC GOES WRONG, WHO ARE YOU GOING TO CALL?

The name’s Torres, Bonnie Torres, and I’m a paranormal scene investigator—rooting out the truth about crimes of magic. It’s dangerous and boring and scary and fascinating. Though not everyone in the Cosa Nostradamus is happy we’re around, which can make things…tricky.

Working two cases—looking into a murder for the NYPD, and a rich man’s break-in—should be well within our abilities. But when things start getting weird in the Electric Apple, Private Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations is stretched to the limits, trying to keep one step ahead and out of trouble. Add in rumors of a powerful creature gunning for us and it’s not just our rep on the line this time—if we don’t solve this case, everyone will suffer.

Fortunately, around here, when the going gets weird, the weird hire us.

My Review :

Tricks of the Trade is the third installment in the Paranormal Scene Investigations Series. I really enjoyed the first two books and was looking forward to this third part. However I have to say straight off that this wasn't my favourite so far. It wasn't bad but it just didn't have that certain something that the other books had.

I don't want to give anything away about the plot but it seemed a little dull compared to the last two books. It was nice to have a slower, easier and not so complicated story but it lacked the excitement and suspense that were present in books one and two. Never the less I enjoyed Tricks of the Trade but I have to admit I was expecting something more powerful.

There is a lot to like about this series. The concept is different and unique which is always refreshing in the Paranormal Genre. I love the CSI aspect but with magic. It has been done before but the author has put her own twists on it and made it her own.

The main character is nice and easy to get along with. She doesn't try to be more than she is and just does her job. No over the top super powers or abilities. Also the location rocks. New York is an amazing city that I have had the luck to visit and it is nice to be on the streets again with the PUPI's.

Well worth checking out this series if you haven't already. If you are waiting for this new release then don't rush. Put it on your wishlist for Christmas or buy it for yourself with all those book vouchers you get for the holidays.

***Tricks of the Trade is due for release on the 15th November***