'Writing for me is not about speeling, grammar or punctuation – that’s why we have editors.... No, writing for me is the ability to capture a story and put it in words.' - Fantasy Muse
Broken City (This Fallen World Book 2) by Christopher Woods
Front Cover
Synopsis
Mathew Kade has taken cases to find missing people many times. He's taken cases to find items lost during the Fall of civilization after the Corporate Wars. He's investigated murders and thefts. But the search for a serial killer in the tunnels under a broken city might be the strangest case he's taken. With the help of a couple of Squires from the Society of the Sword, he is in pursuit of a deadly person who has been killing for more than twenty five years. Looks like Kade has his work cut out for him.
My Review
You can find my review of the first book - This Fallen World - here. In terms of the first book I thought it was fantastic and I hoped (prayed in fact) that Woods would do a sequel and lo-and-behold he has.
I normally don't read short books (less than 100 pages). In fact I really don't like short stories. But the first book was so, so, good I didn't care if it was only 10 pages long, I had to get more of the world Christopher Woods created and of the main character Mathew Kade - who is the definition of badass!
In the sequel, we learn more of the main character Kade, and also the post-apocalyptic world he inhabits. The storyline follows Kade as he investigates a series of gruesome murders where the victims have been torn apart.
There are some fascinating and twisted concepts Woods created in his post-apocalyptic world and I loved it.
The writing is succinct and to the point, which may deter some away, like those who prefer more embellishment in their prose, but for me I found it perfect. Most times I like to read scenes where I'm not swimming in flowery description and dialogue which go on forever. Don't get me wrong some novels need that level of description just to make sense of the story but this book is definitely not that type.
Conclusion
If you like the idea of a main character who is basically Rambo, Chuck Norris, and Mad Marx rolled into one then this series is for you.
Out of 10 Stars:
9 Stars
Buy it here:
Banshee Hunt by Greg Curtis.
Front Cover
Synopsis
James Henderson was once a proud cop. A detective. A husband and father. But then the world of magic came tearing into his world and that life ended.
Now five years on he's a hunter. Tasked with tracking down rogue witches and wizards for the Illuminati. It's not the job he dreamed of. It's not the life he loved. His co-workers don't respect him. He's forever in trouble with his bosses. They even tried to take away his Sig and give him a magical toy gun! But it's a job and he's good at it.
Then the banshee entered his life, and his world was turned upside down once again. Suddenly he had a whole new problem. And a question to answer.
My Review
For those of you who follow this site will know that Greg Curtis is one of my favourite authors. I've probably read most of his books and each one was just as good as the previous. And so I didn't hesitate to buy his latest work titled Banshee Hunt.
The story follows James Henderson who was once a cop until his daughter get's kidnapped. He learns to his horror that his brother was the culprit, and can control people's minds.
From there James ends up becoming a bounty hunter for the supernatural world. He tracks down and captures rogue supernatural beings.
James Henderson, simply put, is my type of hero. I hate wishy-washy heroes who are indecisive and easily led by others. I prefer reading someone who knows what he wants to do, doesn't get beat up every time he's in a fight and is a bit of a loner.
In terms of the storyline, I really enjoyed it and the plot moved at a natural pace filled with action and suspense. There was also significant characterisation of the hero which you could see from the start of the book to the end.
Conclusion
It's been awhile since I read a book where I had to get to the end no matter what. Simply put, if you're a fan of urban fantasy, then give this book a try.
Out of 10 Stars:
9 Stars
Buy it here:
