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Bleak History

3.25 of 5 stars 3.25 · rating details · 158 ratings · 29 reviews

CLASSIFIED: APPARENT SUPERNATURAL

Subject: Gabriel Bleak. Status: Civilian. Paranormal skills: Powerful. Able to manipulate AS energies and communicate with UBEs (e.g. "ghosts" and other entities). Psychological profile: Extremely independent, potentially dangerous. Caution is urged....

As far as Gabriel Bleak is concerned, talking to the dead is just another way of making

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Paperback, 384 pages

Published August 18th 2009 by Gallery Books (first published August 6th 2009)

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Jan 12, 2011 David Agranoff rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: weird-crime

Anyone who has read my blog knows that John Shirley (Co- Screenwriter of the crow) is one of my all time favorite authors. An underrated trailblazer in both science fiction and horror, Shirley's cyperpunk pre-dates William Gibson and his psycho-sexual splat punk horror pre-dates Clive Barker. While Shirley doesn’t have the sales they do he has the respect and blurbs of his peers. I suspect in this culture where TV and movies carry more weight than cult novels, one great adapatation is all it wil...more

Anyone who has read my blog knows that John Shirley (Co- Screenwriter of the crow) is one of my all time favorite authors. An underrated trailblazer in both science fiction and horror, Shirley's cyperpunk pre-dates William Gibson and his psycho-sexual splat punk horror pre-dates Clive Barker. While Shirley doesn’t have the sales they do he has the respect and blurbs of his peers. I suspect in this culture where TV and movies carry more weight than cult novels, one great adapatation is all it will take for Shirley to get discovered out of the genre ghetto.

The project that is most likely to do just that is Bleak History. Shirley’s most mainstream novel BH is more easily tagged in the popular highly marketable genre of Urban Fantasy. In the first 100 pages I was worried this would be my first negative review of a John Shirley novel. The idea seemed simple and almost designed to be marketed in the urban fantasy thing.

The plot sounds simple on the surface. The thin line between the world of the living and the dead is breaking down. Certain people like Gabriel Bleak the main character have powers over the supernatural. There is agency that is monitoring the magic outbreak and recruiting people. I’ve heard reactions to the plot as it sounds kinda like X-men, no not really but I admit I was yawning a bit in the early pages. It is the extremely weird and original plots of Shirley's novels (check out City come a walking or Three Ring Pychus for out their plots) that set his work apart from standard Science Fiction or horror.

I should have trusted Shirley to rise above and make a very original piece. Once the details of the story start to unfold amazing things happen. I dog eared page 159 as the page where my imagination started cooking with the novel. It's not that exciting stuff didn't happen before that, it's just that's when the story really took flight. The hard part for me as a reviewer is that a reader deserves to discover these details as the book unfolds. As the thin line between the natural and supernatural falls apart the thin line between our rights and tyranny also falls.

In many ways Bleak History is about how we as a society or a country deal with threats. What if the threat was not terrorists, but magic? Would the same country that has two political parties supporting the patriot act and one defending it's use of torture do to protect it's self from a world where the power of the supernatural was really in the hands of the people.

Shirley is the master of the horror novel as political allegory. These are not beat you over the head - in your face allegory, and despite the obvious statements on rendition and torture there is deeper message. His novel Demons may be his more biting socio-political satire, but I am hoping that Bleak history will be a bridge that will bring new readers to his long chain of brilliant novels. Read it!(less)

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Aug 18, 2009 Valorie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, paranormal

Gabriel Bleak is part of the Shadow Community, a group of humans infused with special powers granted from a Hidden world. Some of them can enter minds, some see the future, some carry familiars, and some, such as Bleak, control energy to make it both weapon and tool. He also has a talent for seeing and speaking to ghosts. The CCA, a division of Homeland Security, investigates people like Bleak. They are following him closely, trying to capture him and bring him into their facility. Very troublin...more Gabriel Bleak is part of the Shadow Community, a group of humans infused with special powers granted from a Hidden world. Some of them can enter minds, some see the future, some carry familiars, and some, such as Bleak, control energy to make it both weapon and tool. He also has a talent for seeing and speaking to ghosts. The CCA, a division of Homeland Security, investigates people like Bleak. They are following him closely, trying to capture him and bring him into their facility. Very troubling is that the wall up North, a barrier against the flood of supernatural that could enter the living world, has weakened and is letting in things unseen before. New powers are cropping up in the hands of people who will not use them for good. A dark force is gaining strength and searching for a way to enter fully, only able to extend tendrils used to control others.

Loraine Sarikosca works for the CCA, but the more she sees them in action, the more doubts she has. She also feels a strange compulsive force towards Gabriel Bleak, just as he does to her. Locked within the fortified walls of their fortress, the CCA imprison and experiment on members of the Shadow Community. They want to capture and control, use the Shadow Community to their own wishes. But a darker plot is at hand when it is discovered that the darkness behind the wall has one of its tendrils in the CCA and his plans are quite different and far more threatening.

I very much enjoyed Bleak History because the concept is so unique. Rather, we have recently been experiencing an influx of ‘humans with powers’ stories because of the popularity of comic book adaptations, but Shirley has managed to make a distinctive and interesting world of his own within the genre. I liked reading about the different Shadow Community members and their specific talents. I only wish that we could have entered that world a bit deeper and met more of the people, or had more people around Gabriel helping with their own special talents. Most of the Shadow Community members are secondary and have their specific, defined roles that come and go. Characters like Scribbler could be much deeper and more defined, and very interesting.

Shirley puts a lot of detail into his descriptions of the Shadow Communities powers and visions. When Shoella creates her own world, we are given a beautiful picture of it. I was fascinated, too, by the way Scribbler is portrayed in the small part he plays. His obsession and nature comes through very clear. I suspect that Shirley’s knack for detail is derived from his background as a screenwriter, but it also comes from natural talent. Shirley has an easy, clear way of writing, though sometimes the lengthy descriptions, especially when they speak of more spiritual and less tangible matters, got me a bit lost.

There is a lot of action in the book between getting chased, darker forces committing crimes, and seeking out the truth of what is happening. The book barely lags or takes a breath, but there are a few moments of quiet reflection for the characters. Though there is a small love connection, the book isn’t a romance at all, which is refreshing when so much of the paranormal genre is half as much romance as it is supernatural. With an open ending, we are left to wonder what becomes of Gabriel and Loraine as they embark on another journey together.(less)

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Aug 18, 2009 Gaby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller, fantasy, reviewed-books

Synopsis:

Set in some parallel dimension of New York City, Bleak History describes a world where a subset of the population have special powers. A top secret division of Homeland Security has been monitoring the growing emergence of human supernaturals. Capturing and co-opting them for military purposes, the CCA has seemingly limitless power. At the start of Bleak History, CCA has set agents to capture Gabriel Bleak, one of the strongest of the supernaturals. CCA believes that Gabriel Bleak is th...more Synopsis:

Set in some parallel dimension of New York City, Bleak History describes a world where a subset of the population have special powers. A top secret division of Homeland Security has been monitoring the growing emergence of human supernaturals. Capturing and co-opting them for military purposes, the CCA has seemingly limitless power. At the start of Bleak History, CCA has set agents to capture Gabriel Bleak, one of the strongest of the supernaturals. CCA believes that Gabriel Bleak is the key to accessing the Hidden, an entity based energy field that connects all life on Earth.

Gabriel Bleak stands out because of his level of control and the strength of his power. Even as a child, Gabriel could communicate with the dead, pull energy from the Hidden and force energy to take shape. Aside from his supernatural abilities, Gabriel has the skills learned from military service to help him to keep this power hidden and stay under the radar as a bounty hunter or "skip tracer". CCA's aggressive campaign forces Gabriel Bleak into an alliance with a growing underground movement known as the Shadow Community.

CCA agent Loriane Sarikosca is a key player in the campaign to capture Gabriel Bleak. New to the agency, Agent Sarikosca is troubled by her superiors' willingness to sacrifice civil liberties and their callous treatment of captured supernatural. As she dives into her assignment, Agent Sarikosca keeps recalling Gabriel Bleak's question: "Way it is now, anybody can be detained. So I guess I won't ask what authority you have. But what excuse do you have?"

Review:

Fast paced and action packed, Bleak History read like a movie. John Shirley carefully built up the alternate reality and the references to New York locations added to the books appeal. While the villians of the piece weren't complex, Gabriel Bleak and Agent Sarikosca were strong, sympathetic characters. Gabriel Bleak's strong sense of humanity is one of the best parts of the novel.

I enjoy these types of fantasy novels. Bleak History reminded me at times of the TV series Heroes and of the movie The Matrix. I'd recommend Bleak History to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

Publisher: Pocket (August 18, 2009), 384 pages.
Courtesy of the publisher.(less)

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Aug 17, 2009 Cheryl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Gabriel Bleak is a very powerful individual. His paranormal skills are off the charts. He can manipulate supernatural energies and even communicate with other paranormals inhabiting the Hidden. The Hidden is a place that stores all the energy of life forms on planet, Earth. Bleak has learned to control his powers and put them to good use. He works as a bounty hunter or “skip tracer”. Bleaks abilities don’t go unnoticed.

The CCA considers him dangerous and he has appeared on their radar. The CCA’...more

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Aug 17, 2009 Cinnamon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

I could tell just from the blurb on the back that BLEAK HISTORY by John Shirley was going to be one heck of a story. I certainly was not disappointed. This book was full of tension, suspense, and a wonderful touch of the paranormal. Throw in a little romance as well as a little self discovery and we get a thrilling story with enough adrenaline pumping action to get every heart pumping.

Gabriel Bleak is a “skip tracer” or bounty hunter. He has an above average ability to draw power from the Hidden...more I could tell just from the blurb on the back that BLEAK HISTORY by John Shirley was going to be one heck of a story. I certainly was not disappointed. This book was full of tension, suspense, and a wonderful touch of the paranormal. Throw in a little romance as well as a little self discovery and we get a thrilling story with enough adrenaline pumping action to get every heart pumping.

Gabriel Bleak is a “skip tracer” or bounty hunter. He has an above average ability to draw power from the Hidden and can occasionally use UBEs (ghosts, spirits or other ethereal beings) to help him track down his prey. Although his past is dark and his attitude might not be the greatest, Gabriel is a good person. Why then is the CCA, a top-secret division of Homeland Security, chasing after him? With the ability to see himself through the eyes of anyone watching him, Gabriel has managed to evade CCA for the time being, but it’s only a matter of time until they catch up to him.

Throwing a wrench into the mix is the beautiful Agent Sarikosca, one of the CCA members out to track him down. Something about her draws in Gabriel Bleak which is never a good thing when one is trying to hide. The romance adds an additional layer of color to the book, and gives something for the heart to hold on to.

Also serving to add depth and complexity is the world of the Hidden. Ghosts, spirits, and other much more frightening entities reside here. Bleak and others of the Shadow Community can use the power of the Hidden as well as work with (and sometimes against) the beings in the Hidden. Shirley adds quite a bit of complexity to BLEAK HISTORY with this aspect and uses it to constantly give the story a new and unique feel.

My favorite aspect of BLEAK HISTORY would definitely have to be the characters. Shirley did a great job of giving personality to each of his characters, especially Gabriel. Suffering from his own bit of PTSD as an ex-soldier, Gabriel is a character full of emotion. Shirley’s ability to pull this emotion off of the page and wrap it around the reader is quite intense. I am a fairly non-emotional reader and it takes a high quality story to get me riled up. BLEAK HISTORY did just that. There were moments where I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, racing through the pages as I fought alongside the characters on the page. Other times, with Gabriel, I found my heart twisting and tearing as my emotions mingled with his. I loved that Shirley created characters that, although often had a supernatural element, we could relate to.

A story can be good if you tell it to me but fantastic if you show it to me. BLEAK HISTORY has a fairly detailed plot and it’s easy to get confused about what is going on, but Shirley somehow managed to show us the story without having to tell us a lot of the details. It might have been easier for him to give us a quick briefing and description of all the supernatural elements taking part in the story, but instead, he let Gabriel’s story unfold before us and allowed us to learn as Gabriel did. Now, I have mentioned throughout that many aspects of BLEAK HISTORY are detailed and complex. The plot can get confusing at times. There are some aspects of the story that Shirley really did have to show us instead of telling us. For this reason, I found that I occasionally was confused at first. It helps to take your time with the book and really try to understand each new concept that Shirley throws at us before moving on. Even if something is confusing at first though, by the end of the book I felt that Shirley had thoroughly explained everything that needed explaining. That bit of learning and trying to figure out how Shirley’s world worked actually made for a better reading experience and contributed to the entertainment value of the book.

I would have to say that BLEAK HISTORY is a book that everyone should pick up and at least give a try. This book was refreshing in that it was something different. I hadn’t yet been acquainted with a book that involved the supernatural in the way that Shirley’s world did. Nice ghosts, mean ghosts, spirits, sprites, devilish beings – all working together with gifted humans for one purpose or another. I wouldn’t change anything about the book, but if there was anything that would make it ten times better for me, it might be the pacing. There were occasionally fast parts that I felt might have gone a little too fast for comprehension.

Great book – that about sums it up; a great book that I would highly recommend to any lovers of Paranormal fiction out there. Already BLEAK HISTORY is sitting on my nightstand, waiting for a few spare days where I can go back and revisit the story.(less)

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Oct 25, 2009 Ryan Mishap rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fantasy

While I enjoy literary works of complex layers and allegory or what have you, I also like to read straight forward stories involving magic, action, and government machinations--this is one of the latter.

The near future, after a magic-aided terrorist attack kills thousands in Miami. The gov't is heading towards a true police state, while a secret group--the CCA--hunts down people with special abilities, incarcerates them, and tortures them to perform tasks. The CCA want Gabriel Bleak, skip-tracer...more

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Nov 01, 2009 Justin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, fantasy

Bleak History’s story is in the not too far off future New York. John Shirley has created a world in Bleak History is not too different from our own, with the exception that the spirit world (The Hidden) has become a force that manifests itself through various “gifted individuals”, giving them special abilities. One such individual is Gabriel Bleak, an ex-Army Ranger, now turned bounty hunter. Ever since leaving the Army Gabe has been under the watchful eye of a shadowy government agency that tr...more Bleak History’s story is in the not too far off future New York. John Shirley has created a world in Bleak History is not too different from our own, with the exception that the spirit world (The Hidden) has become a force that manifests itself through various “gifted individuals”, giving them special abilities. One such individual is Gabriel Bleak, an ex-Army Ranger, now turned bounty hunter. Ever since leaving the Army Gabe has been under the watchful eye of a shadowy government agency that tries to use this hidden world and its gifted people in its anti-terrorism agenda. They want Gabe Bleak and will do just about anything to get him. The main portion of the plot in Bleak History is about the pursuit of our hero. The chase goes on and the story unravels in some expected and unexpected ways.

Gabe’s powers make for some great action, rooftop leaping, gun play, and explosions, then mix that in with all kinds of help from the denizens of The Hidden. John Shirley knows how to draw an image in your head, which is one of the many reasons why this book is addicting. The pacing of the story is perfect for a Hollywood film, which I’m quite sure this book is destined to be (in fact according Shirley’s website the film rights have already been arranged). Having said that, I must point out that the pacing feels a little off in book form. The story flows so smoothly through 90% of the book and then ends rather suddenly, but it’s not so bad that it subtracts from my overall feelings toward the book. Basically I’m telling Mr. Shirley I wanted his book to be about half again longer, I enjoyed it that much.
The characters are well developed and Shirley does an excellent job in portraying them in a way that you understand their motivations. He portrays Gabe’s inner struggle with his conscious quite well. It’s not just Gabe that has depth, but all the characters in Bleak History have more stories to tell. I hope they get that chance in an ongoing series.

In conclusion I will say that this Urban Fantasy delivers on many levels. I want more books set in this world with these characters. I want to see a movie made from this book. I hope Mr. Shirley realizes he has something special here, with loads of promise. I see the same elements in Bleak History that I seen in Jim Butcher’s Storm Front. I can see Gabriel Bleak becoming as iconic a character as Harry Dresden. I highly recommend this book to any Urban Fantasy fan who enjoys a straight forward plot, interesting characters, and a fast pace.
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Aug 18, 2009 Falling Off The Shelf rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2009

This review was originally posted on my review blog : Falling Off The Shelf.

Gabriel Bleak has quite a few supernatural abilities that have distanced him from the people around him. He is able to create energy bullets do defend himself when in a bind, and can even see and talk to ghosts that have not passed to the After. He lives in New York City, and there are others like him, although they have their own specialies. These others are apart of a community of supernaturals, called the ShadowComm,...more This review was originally posted on my review blog : Falling Off The Shelf.

Gabriel Bleak has quite a few supernatural abilities that have distanced him from the people around him. He is able to create energy bullets do defend himself when in a bind, and can even see and talk to ghosts that have not passed to the After. He lives in New York City, and there are others like him, although they have their own specialies. These others are apart of a community of supernaturals, called the ShadowComm, and he's going to need their help to destroy the demonic forces set to take over the world.

Agent Lorraine Sarikosca is part of a top secret part of the government called the Cental Containment Authority, also known as the CCA. They're goal is to find supernaturals in the world, to contain them, and study to. They believe that the powers that these supernaturals wield is dangerous, and may be a harm to the United States. Her first job, to capture Gabriel Bleak. Can she do it?

At first it was difficult for me to get into this story, but I soon became curious as to what would happen to Gabriel Bleak. I kept getting sidetracked, whenever they would skip from his point of view to those of the government suits. I know that I needed to know their side of the story to grasp the whole concept, but I was just not a fan of their side of the story. All I wanted to know was how Gabriel Bleak came into his powers, and how Agent Lorraine Sarikosca was to fit into his life. I'm a sucker for a romance, and I smelled one brewing from the very start.

In a whole, I enjoyed this book, although it took me a little longer to read than most books do. I gave this book a rating of a 3.5, because I did very much enjoy the paranormal aspect, but couldn't seem to get over how the government was trying to control them. It seemed rather harsh, and cruel, to treat another race of peoplet that way, but I guess that is what we call prejudice. This is the first time I've read a book by John Shirley, and he has made a good impression on me with this novel. He is very good at describing the paranormal abilities of his characters, and it drew me in. This novel was action packed, and I'm hoping there will be a sequel, as I would love to know more about Gabriel Bleak and the Shadow Community.

I'd like to personally thank Sarah Reidy of Pocket Books for allowing me to read and review a copy of this book. It was a pleasure to have been one of those few to be apart of the blog tour for this title, and I look forward to working with both Reidy, and Pocket Books in the future.
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May 06, 2011 Lianne Burwell rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, thriller

Gabriel Bleak has supernatural powers. He is also ex-army, and a skip tracer/bounty hunter. But now the goverment is coming after him. And it turns out that the twin brother who died as a kid didn't really die; he's working with the government

The main story was pretty basic. What I wanted was more about the background. There are references to a terrorist action in Miami, but no explanation of what it was or who was behind it, and if this is an alternate universe where the terrorists hit Miami in...more

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Nov 12, 2009 Grace rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, sci-fi

If you're into government conspiracy thrillers, then this might be up your alley. I just didn't find it so alluring.

I've never really been into occult/demon stuff, and while there's no hit-you-over-the-head theology involved, there's also no specificity or motive. Just evil things that do evil stuff, which I don't find compelling. Suspense factor was very good; despite not being very interested in the storyline, the action moved fast enough that I stuck with it. The physical descriptions were go...more

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Aug 18, 2009 Bridget rated it 4 of 5 stars

Gabriel can communicate with the dead and uses this talent to help him get what he wants, when he wants it. Soon Gabriel is going to come face to face with reality and realize that nothing is free. Everything has a price and sooner or later, someone or something, is going to come along to collect.

The government has had their eye on Gabriel for a while. As they try to determine the extent of his abilities, they are also thinking of all the ways they can use Gabriel to their advantage. Pretty soon...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Jenny rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: discontinued

Its been a while since I picked up a book that I couldnt finish, but this is one of them. It took me a while to get it but when you would rather sit and do nothing on the subway then read the book you've brought with you, something's wrong.

I think the story would be more suited as some kind of a cheap television series but as a book it doesnt really get to me. The characters alone are too flat and one sided, there is no connection between them and me as a reader. For the story, well... its some...more

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Jul 22, 2010 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: paranormal fantasy

Shelves: supernatural-series

At first I found the narrative a bit dry to begin with but once you're introduced to the characters curiosity grabs your mind like a noose and drags you all the way through the story. Some of it can be a bit slow at times but there is always an underlying tension, a new sub-plot to dicover, secrets to learn and threats to overcome so its at least constant in a smooth flow.
It is overall an enjoyable story with a well defined characters, strong exciting plot and a good sense of reality when dealin...more

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Apr 16, 2010 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it 3 of 5 stars

There is a lot going on in Bleak History and there is no gentle introduction to the characters or the world itself, between the conspiracies, the Hidden and the Shadow Community it's pretty complex and as it races along its hard to catch your breath and figure out exactly what is going on. Initially I felt a bit lost in the action and could't find a way to identify with the story or Bleak but that changed gradually.
I think that Shirley has created a unique world with an interesting cast of chara...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Ubiquitousbastard rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, states

Oh the promise...I actually half-wanted to give this book one star, but I usually reserve that for books that I actively loathe. The soul mate angle made me want to stab myself in the stomach until I vomited blood rather than read anymore about how they're "destined for each other." When I find myself actively hoping the bland badguys win, then I know there's a big problem with the book. Only a few of the minor characters had even a smidge of individuality, Gabriel and Loraine were so stock that...more

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Oct 02, 2010 Alexia561 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, review-copy

The whole idea of this book really appealed to me. I like the thought of using ghosts and supernatural powers to help locate bail jumpers. And Gabriel Bleak is one of those characters that could use the extra edge his abilities give him, as his life hasn't been easy.

Bleak is a bounty hunter who doesn't do well with authority, which is why he's no longer in the military and is doing his best to stay out of the clutches of CAA, a secret government agency. Any time a secret government agency is inv...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Mark rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 13, 2010 Count Jared rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, fantastic-fiction

Stunning. Shirley grips the existential horror of fantastic fiction by the balls and trods on its toes with both feet.

He plays a symphony to celebrate its defeat. Maybe there's champagne; maybe not. But the music is sweet, mathematical, warm, and sears your heart with all the rhythmic brutality of heavy metal and the tonal subtlety of Miles playing Porter.

And when it's over you wish he'd left you at the station so you could still be looking forward to the ride.

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Nov 18, 2009 Robert rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for these Harry Dresden novels... what? This ISN'T a DRESDEN FILES novel?! Fooled me... I mean, it's sort of harder edged, but I got the same feel. Ah well -- everyone has to jump on a bandwagon, and Shirley does do a really good variation of the form. I'll look forward to the next adventure, plus the variations on the title involving the word 'Bleak'.

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Jun 15, 2012 Janus Andersen rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror

Jeg har før læst gode ting af John Shirley, men havde alligevel ikke de store forventninger til den her. Alligevel skuffede den grumt. Masser af dovne løsninger - "samtidig andetsteds" og ligegyldige nærfremtidselementer, der ikke rigtig bruges til noget. Øv.

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Jun 30, 2011 Rochelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

A solid 3.75 stars, but I bumped it up because I liked the storyline so much. The book was a bit uneven and sort of Frankensteinish - there were added bits that distracted rather than added to the story, but on the whole it was a good story.

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Nov 23, 2011 Wendryn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reasonably good. The characters were fairly well written. Certainly not a deep book by any stretch, but fun.

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Dec 09, 2011 Sahil Patel rated it 2 of 5 stars

Great cover. so-so story. not sure if it was intended to be the first part of a series or not. read more like a screenplay than an actual novel, which is not surprising, given that the author's big claim to fame is being the co-author of the screenplay for The Crow.

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Sep 14, 2011 Jon Underwood rated it 5 of 5 stars

Much better than Demons. Interesting universe, left me wanting more.

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Nov 09, 2011 Ray Charbonneau rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: sf-fantasy, dnf

Nothing at all special, no reason to finish it.

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Nov 02, 2011 Karen Desmond rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Dec 01, 2012 Bill rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not sure who recommended this book to me, but it was enjoyable.

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Dec 12, 2011 Joshua rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this story. It seems like it could be a really good movie also!

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Apr 28, 2010 Bobbi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Great story, good concept, well-written. Characters could be a little more developed.

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May 20, 2013 Savannah marked it as to-read

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About John Shirley

John Patrick Shirley is an American science fiction and horror writer of novels, short stories, and television & film scripts.

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