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133rd out of 142 books
—
88 voters
A Shot in the Dark (Jesse James Dawson #2)
by
K.A. Stewart (Goodreads Author)
Jesse James Dawson's vacation is interrupted by a pack of hell-spawned creatures. To save friends, family and himself, Jesse will have to put his trust in his most dangerous enemy-his personal demon.
Paperback, 306 pages
Published
July 5th 2011
by Roc
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3.5 stars
A Shot in the Dark continues a few months after A Devil in the Details, with Jesse James Dawson mostly recovered from his last demon death-dance and tornado tango, but still suffering from nightmares of an earlier near-fatal demon fight. His annual Colorado camping trip with his buddies should provide ample opportunity for rejuvenation and recreation… What should have been a relaxing retreat quickly turns into a siege reminiscent of the Alamo . . .
A Shot in the Dark provides a good my...more
A Shot in the Dark continues a few months after A Devil in the Details, with Jesse James Dawson mostly recovered from his last demon death-dance and tornado tango, but still suffering from nightmares of an earlier near-fatal demon fight. His annual Colorado camping trip with his buddies should provide ample opportunity for rejuvenation and recreation… What should have been a relaxing retreat quickly turns into a siege reminiscent of the Alamo . . .
A Shot in the Dark provides a good my...more
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Jesse James Dawson has mostly recovered from the events of A Devil in the Details, although the stress has taken a toll on his friendships. What better way to patch things up than at the annual lads-only paintballing trip?
Well, you pretty much know that things aren't going to go according to plan. Events go south pretty much as soon as everyone arrives at the cabin, with the arrival of the Yeti (the demon that nearly killed Jesse four years previously) who now has an army of zombie helpers. And...more
Well, you pretty much know that things aren't going to go according to plan. Events go south pretty much as soon as everyone arrives at the cabin, with the arrival of the Yeti (the demon that nearly killed Jesse four years previously) who now has an army of zombie helpers. And...more
Jul 09, 2011
Ron
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
children who like scary stories
Recommended to Ron by:
Jon Moss
Three stars is a gift. Despite excellent storytelling and good, if simplistic character builing, A Shot in the Dark is so silly it's funny. (Confession: C. S. Lewis in On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature warns us not to review books of a genre we don't like. I don't like urban fantasy. This book confirms that opinion.) Zombies surrounding an isolated cabin in the night? Been done . . . about a million times. And who goes into the Colorado Rockies unprepared for the lions and bears who rea...more
A Shot In The Dark is the second book in the Jesse James Dawson series by K.A. Stewart and a ROC Fantasy.
Book Blurb:
THE ENEMY OF HIS ENEMY
Jesse James Dawson is a Champion, putting his life on the line for those foolish enough to bargain with demons and fighting to save their souls. But even a Champion needs some downtime, so Jesse takes his annual camping trip to Colorado for some male bonding over friendly games of paintball.
Unfortunately, the fun and war games are interrupted by a pack of cre...more
Book Blurb:
THE ENEMY OF HIS ENEMY
Jesse James Dawson is a Champion, putting his life on the line for those foolish enough to bargain with demons and fighting to save their souls. But even a Champion needs some downtime, so Jesse takes his annual camping trip to Colorado for some male bonding over friendly games of paintball.
Unfortunately, the fun and war games are interrupted by a pack of cre...more
A good quick read. Fast paced with more action than the first book.
There is a little more insight into Jesse's demon world and his personal demon, Axel. Axel is developing into an interesting character. There is more to this demon than facial piercings and squirrel possession. Jesse also learns more about his own secret champion world and the "snotty" Order. This kept the book fresh and interesting for me. The book ends with some interesting questions still unanswered but no cliffhanger, thank...more
There is a little more insight into Jesse's demon world and his personal demon, Axel. Axel is developing into an interesting character. There is more to this demon than facial piercings and squirrel possession. Jesse also learns more about his own secret champion world and the "snotty" Order. This kept the book fresh and interesting for me. The book ends with some interesting questions still unanswered but no cliffhanger, thank...more
I devoured this second Jesse James Dawson book in 2 days. What a fun ride! Jesse's just the sort of guy I find easiest to sympathize with: good-hearted and honorable, but with just enough snark in his attitude to keep him from crossing into the boring end of the nice-guy pool. Truth be told, though, it's almost always the mischievous secondary characters that draw me back to a series -- and K.A. Stewart has a doozy here in Axel. He was amusing (in his own demonic, untrustworthy way) in the first...more
I enjoyed this, even in it's simplicity, but I'm a bit wary about the series. I know the urban fantasy genre isn't all that unique. You can read a dozen series and feel like you haven't read anything new. Seems like authors just aren't willing to take enough chances and keep doing what everyone else is doing. That's not my point though. My point is that there is a difference between following in everyone else's footsteps and taking details from other books and using them.
I can't with absolute ce...more
I can't with absolute ce...more
Not quite as fun as the first book; this one definitely felt overlong and too repetitive with the cabin-in-the-wilderness-fighting-zombies routine. A lot more action, but it never really stood out.
Still, despite the second-book-in-a-series issues, it was enjoyable. I continue to adore Axel, and I like how he's getting development, as well as the expansion of the world building and mythos for the series. The Yeti demon made a solid and challenging antag; I also particularly liked some of the pai...more
Still, despite the second-book-in-a-series issues, it was enjoyable. I continue to adore Axel, and I like how he's getting development, as well as the expansion of the world building and mythos for the series. The Yeti demon made a solid and challenging antag; I also particularly liked some of the pai...more
As with the first volume of this series, it's still refreshing to see a hero who isn't embarrassed about being a good guy. There's a good heart to these books.
A Shot in the Dark has more action than the first book, and perhaps more moral complexity as well. It, like the first book, is an entertaining read. I won't give away any spoilers, but it is good to see how Jesse deals with one of his own greatest fears from the past -- and to see how his relationships may be changing in future installment...more
A Shot in the Dark has more action than the first book, and perhaps more moral complexity as well. It, like the first book, is an entertaining read. I won't give away any spoilers, but it is good to see how Jesse deals with one of his own greatest fears from the past -- and to see how his relationships may be changing in future installment...more
Feb 23, 2013
Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Synopsis:
Jesse James Dawson's vacation is interrupted by a pack of hell-spawned creatures. To save friends, family and himself, Jesse will have to put his trust in his most dangerous enemy-his personal demon.
My Thoughts:
It seems that things having been going so well for Jesse since the last time we saw him. Things have been quiet on the contract front. Esteban is living with Jesse and his family now and being trained by Jesse, so things should be good, right? Not so. Jesse hasn't been in the be...more
Jesse James Dawson's vacation is interrupted by a pack of hell-spawned creatures. To save friends, family and himself, Jesse will have to put his trust in his most dangerous enemy-his personal demon.
My Thoughts:
It seems that things having been going so well for Jesse since the last time we saw him. Things have been quiet on the contract front. Esteban is living with Jesse and his family now and being trained by Jesse, so things should be good, right? Not so. Jesse hasn't been in the be...more
I really dug this book. It had me completely engrossed right away, right back in the world without any hesitation. Jesse's voice is so authentic, I never for a second doubted that this was a real guy and that these things were really happening, just like in the first book. Stewart has a real gift for making the things she's writing about seem completely real, whether it's something that is based in reality, like Jesse's home life or the Colorado woods, or something as terrifying as his nightmare...more
1 like · like · see review
A Devil in the Details was K.A. Stewart's debut novel last year in 2010, first in the Jesse James Dawson series; a very promising start to her career. I was a bit skeptical when I decided to read the book as the blurb and description didn't sound too appealing, but after a couple of chapters I could tell that this series would quickly become one of my favorites in the genre.
Let's forget plot for the time being, that can be hit or miss. The current main draw to the series is the compelling first...more
Let's forget plot for the time being, that can be hit or miss. The current main draw to the series is the compelling first...more
2 likes · like · see review
*Rating* B-
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Review*
A Shot in the Dark, by K.A. Stewart, is the second release in the Jesse James Dawson series. Jesse is a champion by trade. He fights for those who are too stupid to realize that selling your soul to a demon for 15 minutes of fame and fortune is a very bad idea. He has already had a dozen such challenges in the 5 years since he became a champion including saving his own brother Cole.
This time around, Jesse, Cole, and best friends Marty and Will will travel...more
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Review*
A Shot in the Dark, by K.A. Stewart, is the second release in the Jesse James Dawson series. Jesse is a champion by trade. He fights for those who are too stupid to realize that selling your soul to a demon for 15 minutes of fame and fortune is a very bad idea. He has already had a dozen such challenges in the 5 years since he became a champion including saving his own brother Cole.
This time around, Jesse, Cole, and best friends Marty and Will will travel...more
This book is the poster book for a guys camping trip gone so very wrong. Jesse and the guys plan to go away for their yearly paintball trip when things take a turn for the worse when Axel, Jesse's demon nemesis, visits with a warning. While Jesse is contemplating the message the warning comes to live. The guys get an up close and personal with very bad things. For some of them they just are learning, some this is their first sighting, while others it is just another day.
Forced at the last minut...more
Forced at the last minut...more
The second JJD book is a strong one as well, perhaps not as light as the first one but nothing less charismatic. The scene is set few months after the events of the first book and Jesse is recalling a bit more about his previous fights and with Axel's previous warning. Things soon take a dire turn.
This time the action is much more furious, personal and with a lot more at stake as there's a huge event occurring which targets all champions... more to come in FBC review
I love this character! Jesse had me laughing before I'd even finished the first page.
The whole concept of the series - an average guy who follows samurai code fighting demons with a sharp sword and even sharper tongue! It has everything I could have asked for in an urban fantasy series: enough grounding and serious real life consequences, mixed with Jesse's sarcasm and the touch of paranormal that keeps the ball rolling.
I can NOT wait for the next book!!
The whole concept of the series - an average guy who follows samurai code fighting demons with a sharp sword and even sharper tongue! It has everything I could have asked for in an urban fantasy series: enough grounding and serious real life consequences, mixed with Jesse's sarcasm and the touch of paranormal that keeps the ball rolling.
I can NOT wait for the next book!!
A great second chapter to the saga, and another two-day page burner for me - this picks up where the first book left off - no questions were really left needed to be answered from the first but we got a forgotten question answered - and that is good - and things are getting tied together nicely - looking forward to reading book three
I enjoy reading about a faithfully married and high morality holding modern day samurai champion Jesse James Dawson - say that three times really fast - great urban...more
I enjoy reading about a faithfully married and high morality holding modern day samurai champion Jesse James Dawson - say that three times really fast - great urban...more
A solid 4 star, maybe even 4.25. The trace of tentativeness in the first book is nowhere in sight on this one. The people important to the main character are becoming more real as is Jesse. I'm even warming up to Axel. I wonder how many of my guesses about Axel and other curiouser things will pan out as the series progresses. A month to wait for #3. Better get busy on my 'to read' pile to justify another Powell's order. Y'all are going to melt my Visa.
Much love for Jesse James Dawson. His wry and snarky narration are really what make this book special. Plot-wise, not a heck of a lot happens, really. Friends take a trip, bad crap happens, the hero confronts the Big Bad. Okay, yes, there is more to it, but I didn't find the simplicity of the storyline detracting from my enjoyment of the book.
I ran out and bought the third in series the very next day.
I ran out and bought the third in series the very next day.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A great second installment in Stewart's Jesse James Dawson series. I continued to really enjoy Jesse as a character, as well as his colorful friends and family. I'm especially intrigued with where the Axel storyline will go!
Love Stewart's tone in both these books. She brings a very different and fresh perspective to the genre. Definitely worth a read - I'm looking forward to the next book!
Love Stewart's tone in both these books. She brings a very different and fresh perspective to the genre. Definitely worth a read - I'm looking forward to the next book!
INTERESTING READ. a different play on the supernatural/demonic element. jesse is hard not to like. he's a nice guy who got into the wrong business for a personal reason (saving his brother). i just enjoy the fact that he has to live a normal life, make money, etc. it makes the story more believable.
Better than the first book in the series. The big battle/ climax wasn't as epic as I'd hoped though. And the main characters obliviousness to simple facts that are staring the reader in the face will be tiresome if it continues.
Still, decently fun brain candy.
Three stars
Still, decently fun brain candy.
Three stars
A five star review just doesn't express how much I enjoyed book #2 in this series. I wish I hadn't waited so long to dig into it. My reading range covers everything. I love a good series and a character you have to love. Jesse's sense of humor is priceless. Demon slayer? Why the heck not. Loved it - digging right into #3 & will start nagging for #4.
Ok.
I think i really like this series.
The snarky, witty and funny HEro. The strange and mysterious friend/villain. And the herd of buddies and hanger ons that just make the whole thing so much better.
I think i really like this series.
The snarky, witty and funny HEro. The strange and mysterious friend/villain. And the herd of buddies and hanger ons that just make the whole thing so much better.
Hubby read and reviewed this one. Will post his review here and to the blog soon ;)
Review is up here
Review is up here
Quite enjoyed this one, book two in a series. I'd read book one, but missed this one when it came out in July. Nice world-building, likeable male (and married!) narrator, excellent action scenes.
Love the character Jesse James Dawson. Love his personal demon Axel just as much. Okay, maybe more.
This was a fasta and very enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
This was a fasta and very enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
I enjoyed reading the second in this series. The author does a good job of keeping the book fun and easy to read while keeping the plot entertaining. If you like urban fantasy I recommend this one to you!
Great edition to this new series. K.A. Stewart has some major skill as a writer. Loved this non-stop thrill ride.
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