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Dark Streets #1
Gods and Demons
Life’s tough as an Elf girl stranded in Earth’s realm.
When a jaguar shifter drops in out of nowhere and asks me for help in tracking down an ancient blood-magic statuette, I say no thank you. I learned a long time ago the key to survival is keeping a low profile. But it's hard to ignore an artifact of the gods powerful enough to blow holes in reality.
Enter stalker werewolves in a black Mercedes and magicians trying to capture me. They all think I know where the damned statue is. Then I’m attacked by demons.
It wouldn't be so bad, but some of them are really rude. Being rude is a capital crime where I come from.
Time for a lesson in manners.
When a jaguar shifter drops in out of nowhere and asks me for help in tracking down an ancient blood-magic statuette, I say no thank you. I learned a long time ago the key to survival is keeping a low profile. But it's hard to ignore an artifact of the gods powerful enough to blow holes in reality.
Enter stalker werewolves in a black Mercedes and magicians trying to capture me. They all think I know where the damned statue is. Then I’m attacked by demons.
It wouldn't be so bad, but some of them are really rude. Being rude is a capital crime where I come from.
Time for a lesson in manners.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2018
1670 people are currently reading
922 people want to read
About the author
B.R. Kingsolver
40 books942 followersI made silver and turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a master’s in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper editor, a teacher, and somehow found a career working with computers.
As to my other interests, I love the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high school, with one broken leg and one torn ACL to show for it. I’ve hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel, though I haven’t done enough of it. I’ve seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite, and someday I’d like to see Banff.
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As to my other interests, I love the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high school, with one broken leg and one torn ACL to show for it. I’ve hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel, though I haven’t done enough of it. I’ve seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite, and someday I’d like to see Banff.
For special deals and news about new books, sign up for my newsletter.
http://brkingsolver.us1.list-manage.c...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
January 11, 2025
✅ Magic and magical beings
✅🆗 Pace
✅🆗 World-building
🆗 Characters
🆗 Writing and transitions
🆗 Plot
DNF at 48%
Meh.
This one was free on Audible with my subscription so I figured I might as well give it a try. I made it halfway through, and I am just bored. It wasn’t bad exactly, but it was not that engaging, despite the fast pace and abundance of magical beings. I am just not hooked in, and I don’t really care about what will happen next.
Overall, the characters lacked depth and emotional development. The secondary characters were bland and I don’t really care about them. Even badass Isabella was intriguing at first but turned out to be boring after a few chapters.
The main character is pretty much the same. She is strong and badass, and I like that side of her, but I couldn’t connect with her, even when we learned more about her and her past, she felt shallow and bland.
The ideas are not bad, and I liked the pre-Columbian mythology part but mixed with the quest to find the magical artifact, the urban-fantasy, paranormal police involvement, and the main character’s past and mild PTSD, it just felt like a jumble of too many ideas that were not properly connected and developed. The transitions between the scenes were not always smooth, and sometimes the descriptions of random places that were not that relevant in the plot made it seems almost as if I was reading a movie (if that makes sense?). Also, some aspects of the plot just felt convenient and were not elaborated enough to be believable.
Overall, there is potential and the ideas are not bad, but the execution is weak and the writing in general seriously needs more work.
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✅🆗 Pace
✅🆗 World-building
🆗 Characters
🆗 Writing and transitions
🆗 Plot
DNF at 48%
Meh.
This one was free on Audible with my subscription so I figured I might as well give it a try. I made it halfway through, and I am just bored. It wasn’t bad exactly, but it was not that engaging, despite the fast pace and abundance of magical beings. I am just not hooked in, and I don’t really care about what will happen next.
Overall, the characters lacked depth and emotional development. The secondary characters were bland and I don’t really care about them. Even badass Isabella was intriguing at first but turned out to be boring after a few chapters.
The main character is pretty much the same. She is strong and badass, and I like that side of her, but I couldn’t connect with her, even when we learned more about her and her past, she felt shallow and bland.
The ideas are not bad, and I liked the pre-Columbian mythology part but mixed with the quest to find the magical artifact, the urban-fantasy, paranormal police involvement, and the main character’s past and mild PTSD, it just felt like a jumble of too many ideas that were not properly connected and developed. The transitions between the scenes were not always smooth, and sometimes the descriptions of random places that were not that relevant in the plot made it seems almost as if I was reading a movie (if that makes sense?). Also, some aspects of the plot just felt convenient and were not elaborated enough to be believable.
Overall, there is potential and the ideas are not bad, but the execution is weak and the writing in general seriously needs more work.
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April 21, 2019
Having read another of the author's works, I knew more or less what I was getting with this. The worldbuilding was a bit more complex in this one, but only barely. The secondary characters were as shallow, but again, the ensemble of having them all together worked very well. The pace and action are well-done, though, so that made it worth it.
In all, this is a relatively standard UF with an interesting protagonist and good action. I kind of loved how ruthless Kellana could be when she dealt with those she considers dishonorable. It was a kind of old-world treatment of honor that promised respect on the one hand and complete disdain and casual destruction on the other.
Which is enough for me to be interested in the next and to justify the three stars I'll give it.
A note about Chaste/Steamy: This isn't a romance and there aren't any real romantic partners. Well, one shakes out near the end, but there's no steam and really no occasion for chaste to be an issue. So I'm not going to tag it either way.
In all, this is a relatively standard UF with an interesting protagonist and good action. I kind of loved how ruthless Kellana could be when she dealt with those she considers dishonorable. It was a kind of old-world treatment of honor that promised respect on the one hand and complete disdain and casual destruction on the other.
Which is enough for me to be interested in the next and to justify the three stars I'll give it.
A note about Chaste/Steamy: This isn't a romance and there aren't any real romantic partners. Well, one shakes out near the end, but there's no steam and really no occasion for chaste to be an issue. So I'm not going to tag it either way.
June 27, 2018
My first Kingsolver book and I am so glad I found her. Kellana is very smart, strong and very witty. She had me laughing out loud! The rest of the large cast of characters were equally engaging. Kingsolver created a very detailed and nuanced world. I couldn't get enough of it. The story was jam packed with action and story. I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to enjoying the second book.
March 22, 2018
I really really liked this, the heroine didn't feel like a lost female with issues to me as is the usual tropes in that kind of urban fantasy. She's badass, wise and a beautiful soul.
It's worth it to buy the book!
It's worth it to buy the book!
June 3, 2019
Nice fantasy
I liked the other books by her that I've read, so I had good expectations of this one. She didn't let me down. Her world is wild and wooly with hundreds of universes and war across a lot of them. Elven refugees was a surprise and regular incursions into this universe by nasty supernatural beings added a nice bit of plausible danger.
A demi-goddess teaming up with the MC was also a nice touch. I got turned around by some of the action which bounced around a number of locations and enjoyed it anyway. The MC was convincing as a refugee and her personal history of fleeing the burning Reich and living in poverty with no family or way to get home but just glad to be alive was great writing.
I have to read the next volume.
I liked the other books by her that I've read, so I had good expectations of this one. She didn't let me down. Her world is wild and wooly with hundreds of universes and war across a lot of them. Elven refugees was a surprise and regular incursions into this universe by nasty supernatural beings added a nice bit of plausible danger.
A demi-goddess teaming up with the MC was also a nice touch. I got turned around by some of the action which bounced around a number of locations and enjoyed it anyway. The MC was convincing as a refugee and her personal history of fleeing the burning Reich and living in poverty with no family or way to get home but just glad to be alive was great writing.
I have to read the next volume.
February 12, 2020
Something different in a good way
A well developed story line, interesting characters, and in the setting of a magical world? Highly believable. The pace was really good, and yhe human psychology is spot on. And our main characters thoughts on the weirdness of humanity mstch my own. A good read.
A well developed story line, interesting characters, and in the setting of a magical world? Highly believable. The pace was really good, and yhe human psychology is spot on. And our main characters thoughts on the weirdness of humanity mstch my own. A good read.
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April 13, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/13/2021)! 🎁
April 12, 2018
A fabulous urban fantasy
This is a fabulous urban fantasy with a slight twist from usual. Most urban fantasy books are told from the point of view of outsiders, those with special abilities who may have been ostracised because of those abilities. This book tells the story from the point of view of a Elf, someone from a different realm than earth, but who has lived here for 70 years.
Kellan looks at human society from a unique point of view. She has lived within it for decades, but she still doesn’t completely understand it. She has her own set of morals and guidelines and follows them rigidly, even when they depart from human laws, because she feels they don’t really apply to her as she’s not human.
Kellan is drawn into helping find a statue that is used in a blood magic ritual to tear open the veil between realities to summon a god. It also has centuries of power stowed in it, enough to cause real damage to a world already damaged by the influx of beings from other realities in the last couple of years when a nuclear strike tore open the veil between all the realms. It was easy for those beings to travel to earth and did so in great numbers.
This is fantastic world building and loved all the characters, from the calm and practical elf to the feisty demigod, with all the fairies and pixies in between.
I can’t wait to see what comes next in this new series.
This is a fabulous urban fantasy with a slight twist from usual. Most urban fantasy books are told from the point of view of outsiders, those with special abilities who may have been ostracised because of those abilities. This book tells the story from the point of view of a Elf, someone from a different realm than earth, but who has lived here for 70 years.
Kellan looks at human society from a unique point of view. She has lived within it for decades, but she still doesn’t completely understand it. She has her own set of morals and guidelines and follows them rigidly, even when they depart from human laws, because she feels they don’t really apply to her as she’s not human.
Kellan is drawn into helping find a statue that is used in a blood magic ritual to tear open the veil between realities to summon a god. It also has centuries of power stowed in it, enough to cause real damage to a world already damaged by the influx of beings from other realities in the last couple of years when a nuclear strike tore open the veil between all the realms. It was easy for those beings to travel to earth and did so in great numbers.
This is fantastic world building and loved all the characters, from the calm and practical elf to the feisty demigod, with all the fairies and pixies in between.
I can’t wait to see what comes next in this new series.
August 29, 2018
DNF at 2% Just when I have began to read I found this disrespectful, condescending and Xenophobic description of a Latina character that the protagonist just met
"She stood no taller than my chest and appeared to be a full-figured Mexican peasant woman—similar to many of the hotel maids in the city—dressed in blue jeans, a loose white blouse, and a khaki jacket"
And I couldn't even continue. WTF was that? Did she was in a plantation or something so that's why she called this Latina peasant? Noooo she just met her in an alley and previously met her in an Irish bar. So the writer sees a Latina looking woman and automatically calls her peasant or peasant looking. So if I'm a Latina I'm automatically a peasant to you? and a maid? Do you know how condescending, ignorant and disrespectful you sound. No all brown people are peasants and working as maids. This kind of stereotypes needs to end. This is unacceptable
"She stood no taller than my chest and appeared to be a full-figured Mexican peasant woman—similar to many of the hotel maids in the city—dressed in blue jeans, a loose white blouse, and a khaki jacket"
And I couldn't even continue. WTF was that? Did she was in a plantation or something so that's why she called this Latina peasant? Noooo she just met her in an alley and previously met her in an Irish bar. So the writer sees a Latina looking woman and automatically calls her peasant or peasant looking. So if I'm a Latina I'm automatically a peasant to you? and a maid? Do you know how condescending, ignorant and disrespectful you sound. No all brown people are peasants and working as maids. This kind of stereotypes needs to end. This is unacceptable
April 9, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
April 13, 2019
Nothing to talk about, but enjoyable.
April 11, 2018
A great start to a new series
I've enjoyed this author 's previous books and I knew I would like this one as well. She definitely loved up to what I expect from her. This was great! The action started at the first page and never let up. It will engage your mind and hold your attention. The characters and world were well done and I look forward to more.
I've enjoyed this author 's previous books and I knew I would like this one as well. She definitely loved up to what I expect from her. This was great! The action started at the first page and never let up. It will engage your mind and hold your attention. The characters and world were well done and I look forward to more.
Read
September 20, 2019After reading the Rosie O'Grady's Paranormal Bar series, I picked this up looking for more from this author and discovered that I'd already read this but remember nothing of the story. I am debating rereading or just going on to the next and hoping that there is enough to bring me back up to speed.
April 2, 2018
Amazingly good read
I started this book expecting a decent read. Immediately I was hooked on a well written story, with deep characters and a good mystery!
I can’t wait to read more bi this author!
I started this book expecting a decent read. Immediately I was hooked on a well written story, with deep characters and a good mystery!
I can’t wait to read more bi this author!
July 11, 2018
Meh
A creative series with an engaging plot. It was well written with few grammar issues. Unfortunately, it lacked emotional depth. Every character felt robotic and there was more telling than showing. As a result, it was hard to stay inside the story.
A creative series with an engaging plot. It was well written with few grammar issues. Unfortunately, it lacked emotional depth. Every character felt robotic and there was more telling than showing. As a result, it was hard to stay inside the story.
October 18, 2019
3.5 Paranormal War Realm Stars
Gods and Demons: An Urban Fantasy is the first book in the Dark Streets series by B. R. Kingsolver.
This was a cute little story. Cute in the sense; if you took out all the blood magic, sacrifice, and genocide and merely focused on the aquamarine haired fae warrior and her temporary jaguar demigod sidekick and their army of pixies and fairies. It was entertaining to fall into the fae class structure and the world building in this supernatural and paranormal themed drama and action filled novel.
Kellana is an intriguing MC. Her past is slightly mysterious and not delved into too much. The backstory you’re given for her and most other characters is surface deep at best. Maybe only with Dr. Cortez being the only being you understand for more than just her races general personality, and that’s leaving out the giant ball of mystery that surrounds her powers and the base description we’re given into them.
If you don’t mind not receiving all the details and having a relaxed general understanding of all the weird creatures and characters portrayed then this book is for you.
While all I’ve listed above is in the con column I whole-heartedly enjoyed the plot and buildup thereof. It loosely related to other supernatural books I’ve read in the past, but was unique enough not to sound too contrived or plagiarized.
It’s an interesting and semi-short story, that if you’re merely looking to pass the time, I doubt you will regret picking up.
Gods and Demons: An Urban Fantasy is the first book in the Dark Streets series by B. R. Kingsolver.
This was a cute little story. Cute in the sense; if you took out all the blood magic, sacrifice, and genocide and merely focused on the aquamarine haired fae warrior and her temporary jaguar demigod sidekick and their army of pixies and fairies. It was entertaining to fall into the fae class structure and the world building in this supernatural and paranormal themed drama and action filled novel.
Kellana is an intriguing MC. Her past is slightly mysterious and not delved into too much. The backstory you’re given for her and most other characters is surface deep at best. Maybe only with Dr. Cortez being the only being you understand for more than just her races general personality, and that’s leaving out the giant ball of mystery that surrounds her powers and the base description we’re given into them.
If you don’t mind not receiving all the details and having a relaxed general understanding of all the weird creatures and characters portrayed then this book is for you.
While all I’ve listed above is in the con column I whole-heartedly enjoyed the plot and buildup thereof. It loosely related to other supernatural books I’ve read in the past, but was unique enough not to sound too contrived or plagiarized.
It’s an interesting and semi-short story, that if you’re merely looking to pass the time, I doubt you will regret picking up.
July 18, 2022
Eleven Mystique
I am a long time fan of BR Kingsolver. I have always enjoyed her take on Supernatural beings. This series is centered around an Elf. Kellana has been in this realm for some 70 odd years. She has struggled through WWII, lived in various countries, and has established herself as a landscape designer for the Washington, D.C. elite.
On a late night walk home she finds herself surrounded by werewolves with ill intent. Prepared to defend herself the weres are suddenly attacked by a Jaguar. As it turns out the woman/jaguar had been following her. She recognized what she was and needs her help to track a blood artifact.
Isabelle, the shifter, is trying to prevent a major catastrophe about to take place using the artifact. When an employee of Kellana's is kidnapped, (mistaken for Kellana), she goes all in and kicks butt. Because of this, she is drawn into the search for the artifact and for human mages who are powerful enough to try and use it.
I like the dynamic between Isabelle and Kellana it grows from understandable wariness to trust.
The alternate characters and a possible love interest make me want to read more.
There is believable world building and realistic fight scenes.
All in all a great beginning to this series.
I am a long time fan of BR Kingsolver. I have always enjoyed her take on Supernatural beings. This series is centered around an Elf. Kellana has been in this realm for some 70 odd years. She has struggled through WWII, lived in various countries, and has established herself as a landscape designer for the Washington, D.C. elite.
On a late night walk home she finds herself surrounded by werewolves with ill intent. Prepared to defend herself the weres are suddenly attacked by a Jaguar. As it turns out the woman/jaguar had been following her. She recognized what she was and needs her help to track a blood artifact.
Isabelle, the shifter, is trying to prevent a major catastrophe about to take place using the artifact. When an employee of Kellana's is kidnapped, (mistaken for Kellana), she goes all in and kicks butt. Because of this, she is drawn into the search for the artifact and for human mages who are powerful enough to try and use it.
I like the dynamic between Isabelle and Kellana it grows from understandable wariness to trust.
The alternate characters and a possible love interest make me want to read more.
There is believable world building and realistic fight scenes.
All in all a great beginning to this series.
April 28, 2020
A really entertaining read, but some of the details don't bear close examination. It's as if the author is so keen to move on with the story she forgets what she has already written e.g. At one point thousands of demons are unleashed on Washington DC, then they are never mentioned again.
There is plenty of action, which escalates towards the end of the book, but it felt like the author was trying a bit too hard.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.
There is plenty of action, which escalates towards the end of the book, but it felt like the author was trying a bit too hard.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.
April 1, 2018
So Entertaining
I don’t always like books that have all kinds of beings like fairies and pixies and vampires and werewolves and elves and mages. However, God’s and Demons pulls it off well. An entertaining and believable heroine is depicted in Ember with a terrific sidekick in Isabelle. I especially liked the inclusion of Mayan mythology. I recommend this for an entertaining read.
I don’t always like books that have all kinds of beings like fairies and pixies and vampires and werewolves and elves and mages. However, God’s and Demons pulls it off well. An entertaining and believable heroine is depicted in Ember with a terrific sidekick in Isabelle. I especially liked the inclusion of Mayan mythology. I recommend this for an entertaining read.
July 20, 2024
Racist and sexist? It's a fantasy book, and yet you choose to write that women can't even walk the streets at night without getting rped and introduce a Hispanic lady to us who is surely just accidentally a maid!
I barely listened two minutes to the audiobook. Obviously didn't finish
I barely listened two minutes to the audiobook. Obviously didn't finish
March 30, 2018
Ok so I had to get up early and I started reading this book
Somewhere in the middle of turning the page ...my alarm went off telling me to get up...
So yes this book is a great read, u will lose track of time.
Main character is a female and she is awesome. Strong confidence in her ability to grow plants ...and somehow save the world. Can't wait for what happens next in this story...it can't be the end ! I need more lol
Somewhere in the middle of turning the page ...my alarm went off telling me to get up...
So yes this book is a great read, u will lose track of time.
Main character is a female and she is awesome. Strong confidence in her ability to grow plants ...and somehow save the world. Can't wait for what happens next in this story...it can't be the end ! I need more lol
May 24, 2019
Good series starter. It has some areas for improvement, but overall an enjoyable story.
March 31, 2018
A very fun read
An interesting plot that moves along nicely paired with a well thought out urban fantasy setting made this novel something special. I hope that the next book in this series comes along soon.
An interesting plot that moves along nicely paired with a well thought out urban fantasy setting made this novel something special. I hope that the next book in this series comes along soon.
March 31, 2018
Loved it
I really enjoyed this. This is the first novel I have read by this author and I was very impressed. Loved every minute of it.looking forward to the next I the series.
I really enjoyed this. This is the first novel I have read by this author and I was very impressed. Loved every minute of it.looking forward to the next I the series.
December 23, 2018
Really enjoyed this fantasy adventure!
I loved everything about this story. Kelana is awesome and I love the elves as one of the top predators twist. I will definitely be reading book 2.
I loved everything about this story. Kelana is awesome and I love the elves as one of the top predators twist. I will definitely be reading book 2.
September 6, 2020
Another good one
BR Kingsolver has written another good story...now I'm on the the 2nd book in this series! So you can see the review on the next one tomorrow, since I will be reading all night again! Lol...i love her stories!
BR Kingsolver has written another good story...now I'm on the the 2nd book in this series! So you can see the review on the next one tomorrow, since I will be reading all night again! Lol...i love her stories!
March 19, 2018
Fun adventure romp
I love the main character, there is much more to her story and many things can happen in this world.
That being said this is a fun adventure romp with lots of magic, both evil and good. Different magical explosions and a no nonsense hero who is stuck in our world.
I am interested in seeing what is next for her and her friends. Would like a little more character development next time around, but the adventure was fun
I love the main character, there is much more to her story and many things can happen in this world.
That being said this is a fun adventure romp with lots of magic, both evil and good. Different magical explosions and a no nonsense hero who is stuck in our world.
I am interested in seeing what is next for her and her friends. Would like a little more character development next time around, but the adventure was fun
March 20, 2018
Good to the last drop!
Zipped right through it. With everyone writing "paranormal" books it's getting harder and harder to find a book that holds my attention. Bring on number two!
Zipped right through it. With everyone writing "paranormal" books it's getting harder and harder to find a book that holds my attention. Bring on number two!
June 24, 2018
Gods, demons and more....
What an adventure!! I enjoyed the continuous action and the main character. I would definitely want her fighting in my corner. Looking forward to book 2.
What an adventure!! I enjoyed the continuous action and the main character. I would definitely want her fighting in my corner. Looking forward to book 2.
October 19, 2019
It was a good read but no romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews