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Alexi Sokolsky: Hound of Eden #2
Stained Glass
A fractured community. Bodies full of shattered glass. A broken mage, stripped of his power.
While Alexi Sokolsky is hiding on the streets from the Russian Mafia, twenty supernaturally-gifted children are kidnapped from a foster home. Their adoptive parents, leaders in New York’s shapeshifter community, are brutally murdered by someone – or something – with incredible magical and physical power. Frustrated by weeks of botched Government investigation, the werecreatures of New York City are searching for an Occult expert capable of doing the dirty work the police cannot. Someone like Alexi: currently ex-magus, hitman, and reluctant finder of lost children.
A chance meeting results in Alexi joining forces with the shapeshifters against a mutual enemy, but street justice is rarely as simple as putting a bullet through someone's head. Backed up by a biker gang of were-cats and a disturbingly attractive Biomancer, Alexi must recover the kids and regain his magic, a dangerous and deadly mission that will test them all to the limit.
While Alexi Sokolsky is hiding on the streets from the Russian Mafia, twenty supernaturally-gifted children are kidnapped from a foster home. Their adoptive parents, leaders in New York’s shapeshifter community, are brutally murdered by someone – or something – with incredible magical and physical power. Frustrated by weeks of botched Government investigation, the werecreatures of New York City are searching for an Occult expert capable of doing the dirty work the police cannot. Someone like Alexi: currently ex-magus, hitman, and reluctant finder of lost children.
A chance meeting results in Alexi joining forces with the shapeshifters against a mutual enemy, but street justice is rarely as simple as putting a bullet through someone's head. Backed up by a biker gang of were-cats and a disturbingly attractive Biomancer, Alexi must recover the kids and regain his magic, a dangerous and deadly mission that will test them all to the limit.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
524 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2016
22 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
James Osiris Baldwin
27 books265 followersDragon Award-nominated author James Osiris Baldwin is a transgender man from Australia who writes gritty LGBT-inclusive, dark fantasy and science fiction. He was the former Contributing Editor for the Australian Journal of Dementia Care and has also worked for Alzheimer's Australia.
He currently lives in Seattle with his lovely wife, a precocious flame-point Siamese cat, and far too many rats. His obsession with the Occult is matched only by his preoccupation with motorcycles.
He currently lives in Seattle with his lovely wife, a precocious flame-point Siamese cat, and far too many rats. His obsession with the Occult is matched only by his preoccupation with motorcycles.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 3, 2016
Stained Glass, the second installment of the Hound of Eden series is as packed of action as the first one, also this one deals with darker themes. Though Alexi's journey feels less personal due to he getting involved with a motorcycle club of shapeshifters that have a terrible problem in their community. However, with the progression of the story you get to see that Alexi's actions and turn of events are important to him to understand that sometimes you cannot relay only on yourself to solve everything, this book is less about thirst for vengance as it is, in subtle ways, about learning to be less proud and open up to the help from others.
The characters are really cool, there's a constant villain that i'm really intrigued by, the new characters both female and male are interesting and i liked Osiris' take on shapeshifting. In resume, worldbuilding is excellent.
I'm hooked to this series, Alexi Sokolsky is such a beautiful character. I can't wait to see what happens next.
The characters are really cool, there's a constant villain that i'm really intrigued by, the new characters both female and male are interesting and i liked Osiris' take on shapeshifting. In resume, worldbuilding is excellent.
I'm hooked to this series, Alexi Sokolsky is such a beautiful character. I can't wait to see what happens next.
October 15, 2016
An improvement over the first novel, which is not to say anything was wrong with the former. Both are well written and thought out. Character growth continues as does Alexey's strange, sometimes distant, mannerisms. This reinforces my belief that he is not functioning normally on the mental spectrum. He seems a bit removed from people and emotions. Cold, but not in the cruelty sense. The character has issues picking up on nuances and emotions yet still feels.
It's solid book for the author to deliver. The prose seems too close to the first novel and I wonder if these were written around the same time. Some authors show leaps and bounds of improvement between books. As mentioned above, it is not necessary as the author's writing stands on its own as good prose. But, it reads in technique too closely to the first book. This is not a detraction, just summation.
The author should be proud as I do not leave five star reviews, and almost never leave a review at all. The vast majority of books are a good, three stars as far as I am concerned. Three stars, to be noted, is not a bad review. It is normal. It is good.
This is better than good, worth the time to read.
It's solid book for the author to deliver. The prose seems too close to the first novel and I wonder if these were written around the same time. Some authors show leaps and bounds of improvement between books. As mentioned above, it is not necessary as the author's writing stands on its own as good prose. But, it reads in technique too closely to the first book. This is not a detraction, just summation.
The author should be proud as I do not leave five star reviews, and almost never leave a review at all. The vast majority of books are a good, three stars as far as I am concerned. Three stars, to be noted, is not a bad review. It is normal. It is good.
This is better than good, worth the time to read.
October 10, 2017
This was an amazing turn to Alexi's story. James Baldwin continues to impress with an ever expanding spectrum of characters. What I truely enjoyed was that you never feel there are side characters. Every new person feels like an entirely fleshed out individual that you actually want to know, or hate.
Yet again, James keeps me reading even when I dont usually prefer the first person style. An amazing book and an amazing series.
Yet again, James keeps me reading even when I dont usually prefer the first person style. An amazing book and an amazing series.
August 13, 2017
This story keeps ramping up and Alexi's world is about to come crashing down. Can you ever leave the organization? Well maybe, maybe not. After the events of Blood hound Alexi just wants to leave, learn about his abilities and start over. Yet the Boss is not going to allow that and Alexi loses everything, including his familiar and his magic. Alexi finds himself on the street, reading tarot for 5 bucks a session looking like a homeless person and in general hating life. It was on the corner where he meets a young shifter who asks him for a serious reading. What follows is a slam dunk into a war that has been raging before anyone bothered to measure time. Alexi learns that outside of his little realm of responsibility the organization is much more ruthless and depraved than he ever suspected. The organization has taken everything from him, his magic is being held hostage and a very powerful mage is doing his best to kill him. Yet they are all going to regret making him an enemy because Alexi is at his core a decent man. One who has taken offense to what has been going on, and now is going to do something about it.
Both of these books have been extremely well written, very well researched and while the supernatural aspects are intense they also flow very well. I started reading these earlier in the week and binged on them like an addict needing a fix. Waiting not so patiently for the third - Zero Sum.
Both of these books have been extremely well written, very well researched and while the supernatural aspects are intense they also flow very well. I started reading these earlier in the week and binged on them like an addict needing a fix. Waiting not so patiently for the third - Zero Sum.
August 5, 2016
Great follow up
This series is insanely good. Cannot wait to read about the next stop on Alexi's magical, murderous journey. Loved every bit of it.
This series is insanely good. Cannot wait to read about the next stop on Alexi's magical, murderous journey. Loved every bit of it.
December 26, 2016
Well written sequel which introduces new characters, expands on the morphode and dermal highway and raises the stakes for Alexi.
January 9, 2017
Great writing. Solid story. Good look into the magical/occult world with heavy russian influences. Great follow up to Blood Hound.
October 23, 2017
I've reviewed a couple of books in this series already (I'll link the reviews below) and I've said before that this isn't a series that you can start from just about any book.
You have to begin with book one - Blood Hound, or maybe the prequel novella - Burn Artist, but I'd really suggest the former as the novella - as interesting as it is - feels like an extra given to people who are already into the series.
It wasn't until I posted my review on Book 3 - Zero Sum, that I realized I haven't shared my thoughts on its predecessor Stained Glass so today I'm filling in that gap.
Like the rest of the series, Stained Glass is a fast-paced novel with a complex magical system, in which something is always going on. The action is amped up and we are introduced to a set of new and important characters, one of which became an instant favorite and I'm happy to say that I got to see more of them in Book 3; this is also the reason I'm not telling you their name: I don't want to spoil who survives to the next book and who doesn't.
What sets this book apart for me from the rest is that while Alexi's character keeps developing in each novel - it's one of the things I love in the series; the way he is always changing - this book seems to be a turning point for him. Yes, it was the events at the end of Book 1 that started the change, but we really feel the consequences of them in this book.
I think this is a good place to mention that even with three novels out, we only follow along a very short span of our main character's life. The books (novella aside) take place one right after the other so they even feel like one book instead of three. This is why I strongly recommend you buy all the books and read each right after you've finished the previous one. It will also prevent forgetting who is who and there are a lot of characters you need to remember in the Alexi Sokolsky series!
I'd recommend Stained Glass to everyone who has enjoyed Book 1 and/or the prequel novella.
You have to begin with book one - Blood Hound, or maybe the prequel novella - Burn Artist, but I'd really suggest the former as the novella - as interesting as it is - feels like an extra given to people who are already into the series.
It wasn't until I posted my review on Book 3 - Zero Sum, that I realized I haven't shared my thoughts on its predecessor Stained Glass so today I'm filling in that gap.
Like the rest of the series, Stained Glass is a fast-paced novel with a complex magical system, in which something is always going on. The action is amped up and we are introduced to a set of new and important characters, one of which became an instant favorite and I'm happy to say that I got to see more of them in Book 3; this is also the reason I'm not telling you their name: I don't want to spoil who survives to the next book and who doesn't.
What sets this book apart for me from the rest is that while Alexi's character keeps developing in each novel - it's one of the things I love in the series; the way he is always changing - this book seems to be a turning point for him. Yes, it was the events at the end of Book 1 that started the change, but we really feel the consequences of them in this book.
I think this is a good place to mention that even with three novels out, we only follow along a very short span of our main character's life. The books (novella aside) take place one right after the other so they even feel like one book instead of three. This is why I strongly recommend you buy all the books and read each right after you've finished the previous one. It will also prevent forgetting who is who and there are a lot of characters you need to remember in the Alexi Sokolsky series!
I'd recommend Stained Glass to everyone who has enjoyed Book 1 and/or the prequel novella.
November 25, 2016
It's a very interesting series so far. It's deep, there's a lot of introspection and thought. Good writing and creative magic as well as diverse characters. Both personality wise and their actual physical representations. I recommend it.
May 20, 2017
Superb
Not for the faint hearted, but oh so worth the read. This series is deep, raw, surreal, gritty, hard, harsh and poignantly beautiful by turns. Love everything about it, and this is another excellent instalment.
Highly recommended.
Not for the faint hearted, but oh so worth the read. This series is deep, raw, surreal, gritty, hard, harsh and poignantly beautiful by turns. Love everything about it, and this is another excellent instalment.
Highly recommended.
July 20, 2017
A very different book in a good way. It has a lots of wonderful action and fantasy elements. The main character has a lot of problems (I am guessing Asperger) and a lot of loss and pain. At times I had to take a break from his life it just got to be to much.
September 16, 2017
Alexi is back
Alexi Sokolsky is my new favorite anti-hero. This time around he is fighting without access to his magic, trying to find a group of missing kids. The only thing this book did was feed my need for the next one.
Alexi Sokolsky is my new favorite anti-hero. This time around he is fighting without access to his magic, trying to find a group of missing kids. The only thing this book did was feed my need for the next one.
September 27, 2017
Our favorite mage is back, but this time he is working for the good side.
This book contains violence, strong language and is very very good.
This book contains violence, strong language and is very very good.
November 3, 2021
The MC is a hot mess...it's much more difficult for him without access to his magic...he meets some interesting people...
March 13, 2017
An even deeper, better follow up to book one. Please read my review there. This is a great series.
October 16, 2016
Adding depth and breadth to the world he set forth in Blood Hound, Baldwin drags Alexi through a grimy followup to the events of the first book.
Hauled out of the insular and planned life he vastly preferred, Alexi's next task introduces him to a new cast of characters.
Reading through the story told in these pages immersed me in a desperate fight that was intensely human and spellbinding; Despite the supernatural aspects of the story, or perhaps enhanced by them, Baldwin has a gift in his ability to capture and display many levels of a personality without resorting to blatant exposition. He draws out secrets from his characters no more quickly than Alexi is able, and every dusty old memory and raw, fresh injury feels all the more authentic for it.
I'm trying to avoid discussing plot points, as the novel is written from Alexi's point of view, and I'd love for you to be able to share in his surprises as much as I did; Alexi lives in a world of secrets and lies, and I'd hate to tip the author's hand by revealing any specifics. That said, life has been hard for Alexi, and it most assuredly does not get easier as his story unfolds.
I cannot recommend this book and series strongly enough. I just want more.
Hauled out of the insular and planned life he vastly preferred, Alexi's next task introduces him to a new cast of characters.
Reading through the story told in these pages immersed me in a desperate fight that was intensely human and spellbinding; Despite the supernatural aspects of the story, or perhaps enhanced by them, Baldwin has a gift in his ability to capture and display many levels of a personality without resorting to blatant exposition. He draws out secrets from his characters no more quickly than Alexi is able, and every dusty old memory and raw, fresh injury feels all the more authentic for it.
I'm trying to avoid discussing plot points, as the novel is written from Alexi's point of view, and I'd love for you to be able to share in his surprises as much as I did; Alexi lives in a world of secrets and lies, and I'd hate to tip the author's hand by revealing any specifics. That said, life has been hard for Alexi, and it most assuredly does not get easier as his story unfolds.
I cannot recommend this book and series strongly enough. I just want more.
May 19, 2019
Stained Glass is the faster paced sequel of the first Alexi book Hound of Eden which I also loved a lot.
The book is full of plot twists and surprises and even though there is a lot of information about the backstory, it's clearly written and absolutely NOT boring. The information we get in this book made a lot of puzzle pieces fall in place for me, and I could get a clearer view about Alexi's world and his magic.
I especially liked the fact that the book is fast paced, with shorter and longer chapters which made the reading for me easier. The backstory is complicated but because of the author's writing style and the world of magic, science and maffia it remains interesting to the very end.
Besides the earlier installment of the series I still have not found a book or world quite like it and I really recommend everyone to read it. There is so much in this story that I cannot really stick one category to it, it's fantasy, crime and sci-fi in one mixed with horror and action.
It's just really awesome and I can't wait for the next book!
The book is full of plot twists and surprises and even though there is a lot of information about the backstory, it's clearly written and absolutely NOT boring. The information we get in this book made a lot of puzzle pieces fall in place for me, and I could get a clearer view about Alexi's world and his magic.
I especially liked the fact that the book is fast paced, with shorter and longer chapters which made the reading for me easier. The backstory is complicated but because of the author's writing style and the world of magic, science and maffia it remains interesting to the very end.
Besides the earlier installment of the series I still have not found a book or world quite like it and I really recommend everyone to read it. There is so much in this story that I cannot really stick one category to it, it's fantasy, crime and sci-fi in one mixed with horror and action.
It's just really awesome and I can't wait for the next book!
September 5, 2016
I got my copy of Stained Glass and started reading it at around 6am. I told myself multiple times I should stop and finish it later. But at the end of every chapter I had to know what happened next. So I read. And I read. And I read. When I reached the end of the book I was so sad. There was no more book left. I devoured the book in about 10 hours of continuous reading. I can't remember the last time I did something like that. It has been YEARS.
Love the characters. They all seem fully fleshed out. No cardboard cutouts. None of the side characters were boring. I found myself wanting to know more about all of them. Poor Alexi. I wanted to take him home and wrap his grumpy self up in a blanket.
Can't wait for the 3rd book.
Love the characters. They all seem fully fleshed out. No cardboard cutouts. None of the side characters were boring. I found myself wanting to know more about all of them. Poor Alexi. I wanted to take him home and wrap his grumpy self up in a blanket.
Can't wait for the 3rd book.
August 25, 2016
This was an incredible follow-up to Blood Hound. It expanded the magical universe and introduced an amazing and diverse expanded cast, and DEFINITELY satisfied my appetite for colorful, intricate body horror. The protagonist’s character development took a ~very~ interesting turn while remaining consistent and believable. The series’ arc is shaping up to be much broader and more world-threatening than originally anticipated, despite some vagueness and confusion in the details of the mythos’ origin story. A solid sequel for what will be an unforgettable series.
September 16, 2016
Awesome book - I couldn't put it down! Second book in the Alexi series - combines magic in a somewhat recent setting (I think it's set in the 1990s) with the grit of organized crime. It's not often that the second book is as good as the first, but this is, without a doubt. I can't wait to read more about Alexi...
November 25, 2016
The second book is wonderful. You should read the first, Blood Hound. It's a dark, action urban fantasy novel about a magical mafia. It's good!
January 6, 2017
A great follow up that shares more about Alexi as a person and seeing him grow, stressed and he seems to be acting better with people, understanding more.
April 24, 2017
Ok
The writing was average. What really really turned me off was the authors little bio at the end of the book. I am so incredibly sick of entertainers who feel that we need and or want to be apprised of their political leanings and or opinions. If you want to be an entertainer then entertain but don't use your medium to insult others that don't ascribe to your view of the world. I very well might have read more of this author and now I'm very sure I won't.
The writing was average. What really really turned me off was the authors little bio at the end of the book. I am so incredibly sick of entertainers who feel that we need and or want to be apprised of their political leanings and or opinions. If you want to be an entertainer then entertain but don't use your medium to insult others that don't ascribe to your view of the world. I very well might have read more of this author and now I'm very sure I won't.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews