Fifth in the Caitlin Ross/Timber MacDuff series. This book relies on knowing the stuff that happens in the third (A Maid in Bedlam) and fourth (The Pa...moreFifth in the Caitlin Ross/Timber MacDuff series. This book relies on knowing the stuff that happens in the third (A Maid in Bedlam) and fourth (The Parting Glass) books in the series. (So buy all of them!)
The series is in the small-town fantasy/paranormal romance genres, but with a difference, in that the POV characters are human witches and shamans, not vampires/werewolves/faeries.
The previous books in the series are from Caitlin's point of view but this one is a set of interrelated shorts from Timber's point of view. Interesting magical and shamanic (and quite violent) things happen. Katherine Lampe knows how to make magick vivid and real. But what I especially like about this novella is that the underlying thread is an exploration of love for the long term, the kind you need to start building after the pedestal you stuck under your loved one crumbles. A lot of urban-fantasy/paranormal-romance books look at this from the point of view of a female protagonist, and this is the first one I've read that looks at it from the point of view of a male protagonist.
Timber is a complex character. He's a broken guy who does a lot of bad things, but without being a rogue (so you like that he does bad things, because you secretly wish you could do them) or villain (so you enjoy hating him). You're just with him all the way hoping he is going to make it. He has a balance of positive and negative qualities such that he has to struggle hard to get where he needs to be.(less)
A lot of reviewers on Goodreads objected to the hip-hop language in this book. As a white suburbanite I have no idea how authentic it is, but I liked...moreA lot of reviewers on Goodreads objected to the hip-hop language in this book. As a white suburbanite I have no idea how authentic it is, but I liked it just fine, along with the fact that the book features many characters of color.
This series has a more classic kind of vampire than the kind that's most popular now. The vampires are evil (in the Christian sense) and intelligent, kind of like the original Dracula.
What bothered me most about this book was the fact that there was no wrap-up at the end. I know it's a series, but it matters a lot to me that each book in a series have a satisfying ending. I don't want to continue the series if each book has an arbitrary stopping point, but I haven't been able to find out whether that's the case. (If you know, send me a message!)
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Hillary Huber. She is overall a good narrator, but she doesn't do a good job with the street dialogue.(less)
The third book in the Caitlin Ross series is an ambitious and disturbing story full of loss, pain, and evil. It also has some of the most powerful des...moreThe third book in the Caitlin Ross series is an ambitious and disturbing story full of loss, pain, and evil. It also has some of the most powerful descriptions of magical and emotional healing that I've found in contemporary fantasy.
Disclaimer: Katherine Lampe is a good friend. That means I approach her work in a positive frame of mind. But I'm also a demanding reader, and I wouldn't recommend her work if it didn't live up to my standards. (less)
The second book in the Caitlin Ross series is even better than the first. The setting (a small town festival) is vivid. I really care about a lot of t...moreThe second book in the Caitlin Ross series is even better than the first. The setting (a small town festival) is vivid. I really care about a lot of the human characters; they have a variety of realistic motives. The gods and demons that Caitlin has to interact with to solve the mystery are mysterious, thrilling, and scary. Caitlin's magic and its terrifying effects are beautifully described.
Disclaimer: Katherine Lampe is a good friend. That means I approach her work in a positive frame of mind. But I'm also a demanding reader, and I wouldn't recommend her work if it didn't live up to my standards. (less)
Fun, well-written novel with a compelling ghostly mystery to solve. The main characters have an established marriage and work well as a magical and in...moreFun, well-written novel with a compelling ghostly mystery to solve. The main characters have an established marriage and work well as a magical and investigative team. The sense of place is really strong. A bit unusual for a paranormal fantasy in my experience, the magic is based on modern pagan/Wiccan/shamanic practices rather than vampire and werewolf mythology. If you like your entertainment reading to teach you stuff, you'll appreciate the Celtic music references (I hope a future edition of the book will come with a mix CD :) and learning how to read Tarot cards.
Disclaimer: Katherine Lampe is a good friend. That means I approach her work in a positive frame of mind. But I'm also a demanding reader, and I wouldn't recommend her work if it didn't live up to my standards. (less)
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