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60th out of 1,690 books
—
7,015 voters
Urban Shaman (Walker Papers #1)
by
C.E. Murphy (Goodreads Author)
Seattle cop, Joanne Walker, returns from vacation to have her life turned upside down. She is pursued by a Celtic God, and forced to acknowledge an aspect of the universe she's never seen before. Even if she survives, she will forever be changed by this adventure.
Paperback, 410 pages
Published
June 1st 2005
by Luna Books
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In general I find that I like urban fantasy, so picking this book up was easy to do. Let's get quickly to the positives:
There wasn't a single anthropomorphic cat-person. A+++
The characters were well written, but often rendered a bit simplistically. I quickly gained a sense for who the characters were without feeling they were too one-dimensional. B
The friendly roster lists a cross-dressing police detective. A+
Now for the downers:
Murphy periodically seems to be someone who is operating just beyon...more
There wasn't a single anthropomorphic cat-person. A+++
The characters were well written, but often rendered a bit simplistically. I quickly gained a sense for who the characters were without feeling they were too one-dimensional. B
The friendly roster lists a cross-dressing police detective. A+
Now for the downers:
Murphy periodically seems to be someone who is operating just beyon...more
Feb 24, 2008
Seth
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Seth by:
Rachel
Shelves:
modernfantasy,
sf-f-h
This is the book I've had more people telling me to read--all independently of one another--in years. It certainly seems like it would interest me.
The genre is a common one for Luna. Strong female protagonist, modern fantasy/slipstream with the supernatural element hidden from most people, and a hint of sexual tension or romance.
Our protag is Joanne Walker, an Irish/Cherokee crossbreed trying to go as mainstream American as she can. She's a Seattle cop by vocation and a mechanic by avocation, s...more
The genre is a common one for Luna. Strong female protagonist, modern fantasy/slipstream with the supernatural element hidden from most people, and a hint of sexual tension or romance.
Our protag is Joanne Walker, an Irish/Cherokee crossbreed trying to go as mainstream American as she can. She's a Seattle cop by vocation and a mechanic by avocation, s...more
12 likes · like · see review
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Reread by audiobook. I also read the library paperback. This narrator, I'm thinking she might be the problem with this audiobook because I didn't enjoy it as much as when I read the book. There's a narrator change with book two, but I don't know if it's for the better.
Previous review on 06/02/10This is a 3.5 stars. The writing is okay. There's a LOT of similarities between her and Patricia Briggs' Mercedes books. A LOT. But this book was published before Patricia Briggs' so I'm not taking anyth...more
Previous review on 06/02/10This is a 3.5 stars. The writing is okay. There's a LOT of similarities between her and Patricia Briggs' Mercedes books. A LOT. But this book was published before Patricia Briggs' so I'm not taking anyth...more
Ms. Murphy managed to do something I didn't think could be accomplished. She wrote this incredible story that seamlessly intertwines Celtic and Native American folklore and mythology. Let me tell you this is a book you don't want to put down. It is so vivid it's like a movie, but I haven't seen a movie this cool. Hollywood doesn't like to take chances on women in high prolife action roles. And this is definitely a woman's story. Joanne Walker is running away from her dual heritage as a Cherokee...more
22 likes · like · see review
Eh. I'm only going with two stars because I actually made it through it. In the heat of the action complete confusion and chaos seemed to be all I got from it. The protagonist wasn't someone I would rally behind... she was too busy being sarcastic or dumb. Either way it wasn't endearing. Plus I always find it hard to get behind a lead who wears pants w/ elastic band and a fanny pack. Seriously?
9 likes · like · see review
For me, this was a pretty good start for this urban fantasy series.
I found the storyline engrossing, and the characters captivating. The beginning was fast paced. I liked the characterization of the main character: Joanne Walker. She's smart, intrepid, funny, and with a tendency to clumsiness.
There's a promise of a future romance that i'll just bet will keep things interesting.
In this one, the future "lovebirds" were on the bickering phase...so, it keept things interesting. :)
The writing was pr...more
I found the storyline engrossing, and the characters captivating. The beginning was fast paced. I liked the characterization of the main character: Joanne Walker. She's smart, intrepid, funny, and with a tendency to clumsiness.
There's a promise of a future romance that i'll just bet will keep things interesting.
In this one, the future "lovebirds" were on the bickering phase...so, it keept things interesting. :)
The writing was pr...more
Mar 29, 2009
Christel
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
any paranormal reader wanting something different
Recommended to Christel by:
Laura Stamps
Shelves:
2009-reads
UMMMM Wierd but an enjoying read
2 likes · like · see review
I really enjoyed this book. Though sharing a lot of similarities with the numerous other paranormal-detective kind of books I've been into the past few years, it had some noticeable differences to help it stand out a bit.
One of those: no vampires! Yet, at least. And not that I don't like vampires; I do, but it's not untrue that so many other books in this genre have, and often focus on, vampires.
Another is how easily people seemed to accept that something out of the ordinary was going on. It bot...more
One of those: no vampires! Yet, at least. And not that I don't like vampires; I do, but it's not untrue that so many other books in this genre have, and often focus on, vampires.
Another is how easily people seemed to accept that something out of the ordinary was going on. It bot...more
I give this book one star because I couldn't finish reading it. I enjoy books with people learning new powers and discovering new things about themselves, so I enjoyed this book initially. The book was very fast paced in the first 100 or so pages. I loved hearing about the Celtic and Indian traditions and I cared about the mystery that was being set up. However, once the story is neatly in place, and the details on the mystery are given, the book turns into a slow crawl through overemphasis on s...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I loved the first half of this book. Great characters, some very funny lines, nice plot set up. Somewhere in the last half, the plot got all fuzzy, the main character's talents were inexplicably good enough to whip the bad guy and she suddenly knew how to use them, and the ending didn't even make sense. What a letdown! I'll read another book about this character should one come out but I hope the sophomore effort is better constructed. It would be a waste of a great character if this is all ther...more
1 like · like · see review
I'd have to say that, overall, it's a well-written book. To be honest, though, I mostly scanned the last few chapters. I wouldn't say that's any fault of the author's, though. I simply wasn't in a metaphysical mood and this book makes much with the metaphysical. I have to give kudos for the ending. There was enough resolution that I feel content should I never get around to the rest of the series. On the other hand, there was just enough of a tease to leave me curious about where Joanne Walker a...more
I've wanted to read this book for ages, and I'm so glad I finally acquired and devoured it.[return][return]Joanne Walker's having a lousy week. On a return flight to Seattle, she notices something peculiar in the street below - a woman fleeing a pack of dogs, and a sinister man with a knife. Super-rational Jo has trouble believing what she saw, much less convincing anyone else so she sets out to find the woman on her own, and finds her own share of trouble. The Wild Hunt is on the loose. They wa...more
I'm not sure how I felt about this story. Possibly deja vu? It felt as if the author had taken the part's of Mercy Thompson & Jane Yellowrock and tried to make them her own with a twist. In some ways that worked, in others the story didn't compare to either.
This story dealt with a cop mechanic who is part Native American & part Irish who finds out she is a shaman and has Coyote the trickster God as a spirit guide. Anything seem familiar yet?
As it is unlike the other two series, this one...more
This story dealt with a cop mechanic who is part Native American & part Irish who finds out she is a shaman and has Coyote the trickster God as a spirit guide. Anything seem familiar yet?
As it is unlike the other two series, this one...more
I'd been eyeing this book for a year or two before I finally sat down to read it, and I’m so glad I did. I managed to polish it off in an afternoon, because I just couldn’t put it down.
Joanne Walker, the main character, is a police mechanic just returning from a several month long visit to her estranged and dying mother in Ireland. From her plane as it’s landing, she sees a woman running for her life. Irresistibly compelled to find and help her, Joanne is drawn into a whole new life (pretty much...more
Joanne Walker, the main character, is a police mechanic just returning from a several month long visit to her estranged and dying mother in Ireland. From her plane as it’s landing, she sees a woman running for her life. Irresistibly compelled to find and help her, Joanne is drawn into a whole new life (pretty much...more
Introducing first book in Series about Joanne Walker / Siobhan Walkingstick...
By any thoughts Irish/ native American is an unusual combination which you don't see everyday.
I was not sure what to make of this book in many respects.
Joanne is on her way back from Ireland on a plane descending into Seattle when she sees a woman being ambushed on a street. She then goes on a panicked chase through the streets to find the victim. None of this seems peculiar to her at the time. It turns out the woman...more
By any thoughts Irish/ native American is an unusual combination which you don't see everyday.
I was not sure what to make of this book in many respects.
Joanne is on her way back from Ireland on a plane descending into Seattle when she sees a woman being ambushed on a street. She then goes on a panicked chase through the streets to find the victim. None of this seems peculiar to her at the time. It turns out the woman...more
I had already selected this book when 'Barbara-the-pusher' told me it was great and I should read it. This is a case where both of us were right. This was a well placed, very enjoyable story that kept me fascinated. I'm already waiting for the next one.
Joanne is a well created character, more of a smart ass than kick-ass and great with it. She gets tossed into the worlds beyond this one like being tossed into the deep end of a pool. While she does some sinking, she also learns how to swim. She'...more
Joanne is a well created character, more of a smart ass than kick-ass and great with it. She gets tossed into the worlds beyond this one like being tossed into the deep end of a pool. While she does some sinking, she also learns how to swim. She'...more
Yaban Avı bitti.
Aslında fantastik bir kitap olduğu gibi cinayet romanıydı da...Sonuçta bir seri katil (!) var kitapta.
Olay, Joanne Walker'ın uçaktan bir kadının kaçışını arkasından da bir adamın ve köpeklerin gidişini gördüğünde başladı.
Uçaktan iner inmez bir taksi tutup olayın geçtiği yeri tarif eder. Taksici Gary bu olaylar başladıktan sonra hep yanında olur Joanne'nin.
Neyse olay yerine gelip,kadını bulduklarında adının Marie olduğunu ve onun aslında banshee olduğu açığa çıkar. Neyse Marie,Ga...more
Aslında fantastik bir kitap olduğu gibi cinayet romanıydı da...Sonuçta bir seri katil (!) var kitapta.
Olay, Joanne Walker'ın uçaktan bir kadının kaçışını arkasından da bir adamın ve köpeklerin gidişini gördüğünde başladı.
Uçaktan iner inmez bir taksi tutup olayın geçtiği yeri tarif eder. Taksici Gary bu olaylar başladıktan sonra hep yanında olur Joanne'nin.
Neyse olay yerine gelip,kadını bulduklarında adının Marie olduğunu ve onun aslında banshee olduğu açığa çıkar. Neyse Marie,Ga...more
I read the Negotiator Trilogy before I ever picked this book up, which put me in an interesting place. I knew I loved this author's writing, as I had really enjoyed the series I'd already finished.
However, that being said, I was going backward from Heart of Stone, the 7th book she'd had published, back to Urban Shaman, the first. That's not to say that Urban Shaman was poorly written. It's simply that any author worth their salt will have improved over the course of an additional 6 books. While...more
However, that being said, I was going backward from Heart of Stone, the 7th book she'd had published, back to Urban Shaman, the first. That's not to say that Urban Shaman was poorly written. It's simply that any author worth their salt will have improved over the course of an additional 6 books. While...more
C. E. Murphy'in yazdığı Yaban Avı okundu, bitti. Okuduğum en farklı fantastiklerden biriydi, Yaban Avı. Mistik ve ezoterik bir konusu vardı. Sanki büyülüydü.
Yarı Kızılderili yarı Kelt Joanne, ruhani dünyalarda gezinip bir kurttan akıl alıyor. Kelt Tanrısı diye bilinen Boynuzlu Tanrı Kernunnas ve oğlu Avcı Herne ile karşı karşıya geliyor. Ve kendisinin de aslında bir şaman olduğunu, bir kadını Kernunnas'tan kurtarmaya çalışırken öğreniyor. Ciğerlerine kılıcı yiyince ruhani dünyaya gidiyor ve orad...more
Yarı Kızılderili yarı Kelt Joanne, ruhani dünyalarda gezinip bir kurttan akıl alıyor. Kelt Tanrısı diye bilinen Boynuzlu Tanrı Kernunnas ve oğlu Avcı Herne ile karşı karşıya geliyor. Ve kendisinin de aslında bir şaman olduğunu, bir kadını Kernunnas'tan kurtarmaya çalışırken öğreniyor. Ciğerlerine kılıcı yiyince ruhani dünyaya gidiyor ve orad...more
So so. This is Book One of the Walker Papers. It had a really catchy beginning...the main character is on an airplane flying into Seattle and she notices a woman being chased on the ground below. So after the airplane lands she gets into a taxi to go back to the area she flew over to see if the woman is okay. I'm always looking out the window when I'm on an airplane but I have no idea what I'd do if I saw a woman being attacked on the ground below! Probably call the police, not investigate it my...more
This novel has a few things going for it, but ultimately, I was somewhat disappointed with Urban Shaman. The plot is action packed and the supporting characters - especially Gary, Morrison, Billy, and Jen - are intriguing and well fleshed-out. I was also drawn in by the combination of Celtic and Native American mythology and the idea that shamanism is all about healing.
However, I had difficulty connecting with the protagonist, Joanne. To me, her character just doesn’t stand out amongst the slew...more
However, I had difficulty connecting with the protagonist, Joanne. To me, her character just doesn’t stand out amongst the slew...more
I finished it and it was not a chore to do so, which is more than I can say for a lot of the urban fantasy I've read. The protagonist is a female car mechanic (so you know it's fantasy right there) with the Seattle police department. She's half American Indian and half Irish. Upon the death of her mother, her magical gifts begin to manifest, with elements of both Celtic and Indian lore playing a part. The antagonist is a Celtic deity whose name I will not try to spell, and who leads The Wild Hun...more
Joanne Walker - or Siobhan Walkingstick - is a rational woman. A sensible woman, a practical mechanic, she has very little to do with woo-woo of any kind and seems to have developed and aversion to it. Along with shunning anything paranormal, Joanne spends much of her life running from her past, and this includes her heritage as an Indigenous woman.
And then, after feeling a desperate urge to save a woman she saw fleeing for her life from a plane, (can we just pause for a moment and say how ridic...more
And then, after feeling a desperate urge to save a woman she saw fleeing for her life from a plane, (can we just pause for a moment and say how ridic...more
Finished Urban Shaman (The Walker Papers, Book 1) and it was GREAT but the first few chapters were so delightfully entertaining that the rest of the book kinda paled in comparison in a strange way. The story was pretty much the "girl with hidden powers that suddenly awake" thing we have all read before but with some twists to make it original enough but the banter was awesome and it made the book for me. There was hints of romance to come but for purposes this was straight up UF and PNR with alm...more
I almost passed on this book before even cracking the cover.
Not that there’s anything wrong with the cover. Hugh Syme’s art is not only lovely, but it manages to meld many different elements and symbols without being crowded. Also—though not obvious until after reading the book—the cover fairly accurately captures the main character and things that happen in the book without giving any spoilers.
No, it was the setting that worried me. It was a romantic fantasy set in modern America—Seattle, to...more
Not that there’s anything wrong with the cover. Hugh Syme’s art is not only lovely, but it manages to meld many different elements and symbols without being crowded. Also—though not obvious until after reading the book—the cover fairly accurately captures the main character and things that happen in the book without giving any spoilers.
No, it was the setting that worried me. It was a romantic fantasy set in modern America—Seattle, to...more
This didn't end as strong as it started. Let me say starting out that I'm not a big fan of "gods" theme. I hate it for the most part and avoid it in my fiction. There were parts of this book when I thought it would be a solid 4, but the longer it went on, the more the main character spent interacting with gods, demi-gods and on various planes of existence.
By the end, it was too tangled and involved too much celtic myths for me. Was a bit repetitious with the "I can barely believe this is happeni...more
By the end, it was too tangled and involved too much celtic myths for me. Was a bit repetitious with the "I can barely believe this is happeni...more
1 like · like · see review
If I were thinking critically, I could criticize this book - and this series of books - to pieces, but for me all the books in this series are raw crack. I bought this book initially just due to idling around the bookstore and read it in 72 hours flat. The subsequent books in the series have been consumed, by me, in an equally addict-like manner.
Joanne Walker, as a character, engaged me immediately. I liked her skepticism and crabbiness immediately, and the character has a good "voice." I liked...more
Joanne Walker, as a character, engaged me immediately. I liked her skepticism and crabbiness immediately, and the character has a good "voice." I liked...more
As I began reading Urban Shaman, I had serious questions as to whether or not I would enjoy this book because of the negative attitude and whiney personality of the main character Joanne Walkingstick (aka: Jo Walker). Then, I began to realize that her snarkiness was just due to a lack of sleep and she began to grow on me.
Jo Walker works for the Seattle Police Department as a mechanic. After taking a 4 month unsanctioned family leave (she went to Ireland to bury her mother) she returns home to...more
Jo Walker works for the Seattle Police Department as a mechanic. After taking a 4 month unsanctioned family leave (she went to Ireland to bury her mother) she returns home to...more
First off let me just say, what an original opening, it hooked me in. The book is set in Seattle & we are introduced to half Cherokee half Irish Joanne Walkingstick, who is a 27 year old mechanic working for the police force. She's humourous, self effacing, sarcastic a brawler & very tough.
Jo gets in neck deep after rescuing a woman from the 'Wild Hunt' lead by Cerenunes, a Celtic horned god, fertility figure, with deep ties in death who collects souls.
The woman who Merit rescues is a...more
Jo gets in neck deep after rescuing a woman from the 'Wild Hunt' lead by Cerenunes, a Celtic horned god, fertility figure, with deep ties in death who collects souls.
The woman who Merit rescues is a...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Fantasy: BOM May 2013 - Urban Shaman | 29 | 48 | May 23, 2013 12:35pm | |
| Murphy's kickstarter project going off! | 6 | 49 | May 03, 2013 07:21pm | |
| Walker Papers: No Dominion | 13 | 81 | Feb 10, 2013 07:55am | |
| Challenge Overloa...: Walker Papers Series - C.E. Murphy - MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS | 4 | 12 | Feb 15, 2012 05:28pm |
C.E. Murphy is a writer of fantasy novels and short stories. She also writes "action-adventure romance" novels under the pseudonym Cate Dermody, which was her grandmother's maiden name.
More about C.E. Murphy...
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“In Ireland, you go to someone's house, and she asks you if you want a cup of tea. You say no, thank you, you're really just fine. She asks if you're sure. You say of course you're sure, really, you don't need a thing. Except they pronounce it ting. You don't need a ting. Well, she says then, I was going to get myself some anyway, so it would be no trouble. Ah, you say, well, if you were going to get yourself some, I wouldn't mind a spot of tea, at that, so long as it's no trouble and I can give you a hand in the kitchen. Then you go through the whole thing all over again until you both end up in the kitchen drinking tea and chatting.
In America, someone asks you if you want a cup of tea, you say no, and then you don't get any damned tea.
I liked the Irish way better.”
—
330 people liked it
In America, someone asks you if you want a cup of tea, you say no, and then you don't get any damned tea.
I liked the Irish way better.”
“I'm not a goddamned faith healer! I don't talk to God! I'm a mechanic and her goddamned engine was broken!
--Joanne ”
—
27 people liked it
More quotes…
--Joanne ”
