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Coyle and Fang: Curse of Shadows
The year is 1892. A mythical book has been stolen, and the fate of mankind rests in the hands of two exceptional a brilliant detective and a deadly vampire. But they discover things are never that simple as they face a world much more dangerous than either could have imagined. Between enemies within and enemies without, can Coyle and Fang stop a madman before it kills hundreds of thousands?
Audible Audio
Published August 17, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 24, 2022
What a great take on so many classics!
Holmes and Watson,
Jack the Ripper,
Van halsing
Vamps
What’s not to like!
Fantasy adventure troupe
Great storyline
Great narration
Solid 4 star listen!
Recommended can’t wait for the next audio
Both fmc are flawed and fabulous as well as being sfcs
Gifted audio this is my honest review ♥️
Holmes and Watson,
Jack the Ripper,
Van halsing
Vamps
What’s not to like!
Fantasy adventure troupe
Great storyline
Great narration
Solid 4 star listen!
Recommended can’t wait for the next audio
Both fmc are flawed and fabulous as well as being sfcs
Gifted audio this is my honest review ♥️
November 27, 2023
Being a mom of a toddler and a 6 year old it is hard to ever find time to myself, especially when all I want is to find a quite spot and read. This book is a page turner, it easily gets you into the scene and keeps you wanting to find out what happens next. Though I haven't finished it yet, as mentioned previously, I know I will not be let down. I can definitely tell this is going to be an awesome series.
August 29, 2022
Not What I was Expecting.
This book was billed as a John Wick meets Sherlock Holmes [Victorian] adventure … which I guess is why Amazon pegged it as Steampunk; but that really didn’t drive the story much; making it mostly windows dressing for what was arguably more horror fiction than steampunk noir. The only connection I found to anything Sherlockian was the MC [Coyle] use of a pipe with an apparent penchant for details that debuted early in the story before disappearing for most of the rest. Presumably the other MC [Fang] was supposed to be “John Wick” of the story … but I couldn’t see that connection anywhere.
What you do get and a horror plot set in an imaginary 19th century San Fransisco with vampires, fae and gnomes that spend more time in the mind bending games/drug induced dreams (that were a struggle to work through) and less detective work or straight up action (not accompanied by mental torment or struggle). And what exactly did the Templars add to all of this? I couldn’t figure that out either (other than to add a level of “coolness” to the story) … make this a highly derivative and formulaic story that did not work well for me.
The narration was good for the story as actually told (my wife really like it). So … forget any preconceptions you might have from the blurb … what you get here is a mad “boogeyman” bent on corrupting people into new and horrifying creatures 9such a ghouls) using a book of magic knowns as the Curse of Shadows. Fang is a vampire assassin introduced with her escape from the lab/prison that made her [different that other vampires]. Coyle is a talented constable/boy scout trying to over come an eye popping level of misogyny within the SF deceive ranks who is cashiered for giving into to her justified anger during a detective exam. Add a gratuitous pipe to complete the nominal connection to Holmes just in case the read can’t make the obvious connection on their own.
While the origin stories didn’t work for me, they were done relatively well. The two outcasts eventually team up to find the Curse of Shadows before it was too late. They are opposed by a shapeshifting fae that adds s few twists. Eventually the super spies … er … protagonists … end up in the bad guy’s layer for a marginally wickian chain of unbelievable action sequences. Just relax and enjoy the predictable marched toward a satisfying end.
I was given this free advance listener copy (ALC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#CoyleAndFang #FreeAudiobookCodes
This book was billed as a John Wick meets Sherlock Holmes [Victorian] adventure … which I guess is why Amazon pegged it as Steampunk; but that really didn’t drive the story much; making it mostly windows dressing for what was arguably more horror fiction than steampunk noir. The only connection I found to anything Sherlockian was the MC [Coyle] use of a pipe with an apparent penchant for details that debuted early in the story before disappearing for most of the rest. Presumably the other MC [Fang] was supposed to be “John Wick” of the story … but I couldn’t see that connection anywhere.
What you do get and a horror plot set in an imaginary 19th century San Fransisco with vampires, fae and gnomes that spend more time in the mind bending games/drug induced dreams (that were a struggle to work through) and less detective work or straight up action (not accompanied by mental torment or struggle). And what exactly did the Templars add to all of this? I couldn’t figure that out either (other than to add a level of “coolness” to the story) … make this a highly derivative and formulaic story that did not work well for me.
The narration was good for the story as actually told (my wife really like it). So … forget any preconceptions you might have from the blurb … what you get here is a mad “boogeyman” bent on corrupting people into new and horrifying creatures 9such a ghouls) using a book of magic knowns as the Curse of Shadows. Fang is a vampire assassin introduced with her escape from the lab/prison that made her [different that other vampires]. Coyle is a talented constable/boy scout trying to over come an eye popping level of misogyny within the SF deceive ranks who is cashiered for giving into to her justified anger during a detective exam. Add a gratuitous pipe to complete the nominal connection to Holmes just in case the read can’t make the obvious connection on their own.
While the origin stories didn’t work for me, they were done relatively well. The two outcasts eventually team up to find the Curse of Shadows before it was too late. They are opposed by a shapeshifting fae that adds s few twists. Eventually the super spies … er … protagonists … end up in the bad guy’s layer for a marginally wickian chain of unbelievable action sequences. Just relax and enjoy the predictable marched toward a satisfying end.
I was given this free advance listener copy (ALC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#CoyleAndFang #FreeAudiobookCodes
November 22, 2022
This is one of the stronger self published books I've read. I lived in San Fran for a few years, so having an alternate fiction take place there was going to either win me over or raise my blood pressure to dangerous levels. Fortunately, Coyle and Fang's world did the former as I was drawn into the space. The plot moved, the mysteries kept me reading, and the imagination behind the story held my interest. Not to mention the back cover synopsis was enticing, and the actual story did not fail to deliver on the adventure.
There are two pieces of advice I'd have for the author. First, keep writing! There is a lot of potential for both the story (and you) to grow even more from this strong start. And two, be mindful when describing female's physical appearances. Example: slender was mentioned back to back in sentences when describing Fang, and 'attractive' meant nothing in the context (attractive how? why's it matter?). I don't recall Fang's supposed beauty being part of her toolkit in how she worked (but I may be wrong there, so disregard if I am), so the introductory description also seemed a bit heavy handed. I understand the mercenaries may've been stunned by her looks, but did not get that sense when reading. That was the main criticism that stuck with me past reading which I couldn't shake. Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and hope to pick up the sequel sometime soon.
There are two pieces of advice I'd have for the author. First, keep writing! There is a lot of potential for both the story (and you) to grow even more from this strong start. And two, be mindful when describing female's physical appearances. Example: slender was mentioned back to back in sentences when describing Fang, and 'attractive' meant nothing in the context (attractive how? why's it matter?). I don't recall Fang's supposed beauty being part of her toolkit in how she worked (but I may be wrong there, so disregard if I am), so the introductory description also seemed a bit heavy handed. I understand the mercenaries may've been stunned by her looks, but did not get that sense when reading. That was the main criticism that stuck with me past reading which I couldn't shake. Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and hope to pick up the sequel sometime soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2022
This was my first experience with Robert Adauto III's work, and I enjoyed it a lot. The story was fascinating. The characters were creative and fun. I liked the twisted mystery with the dropped clues that interspersed the story, and the flashes of humor. I appreciated the multiple connections to other literary characters. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Elisabeth Lagelee's narration was great and kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
October 19, 2022
[free for review - audio book / (narrator: - 3 stars)]
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Aeon Flux or Sabrina from Underworld joins up with (female type) Sherlock Holmes character. Throw in a few automatons, the knights Templar, mad scientists, and creatures of myth and magic. Oh and of course the female Sherlock Holmes character was once engaged to the 'Ripper', whom she is on the hunt for. It sounds convoluted, but it works, and is an entertaining mystery.
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Aeon Flux or Sabrina from Underworld joins up with (female type) Sherlock Holmes character. Throw in a few automatons, the knights Templar, mad scientists, and creatures of myth and magic. Oh and of course the female Sherlock Holmes character was once engaged to the 'Ripper', whom she is on the hunt for. It sounds convoluted, but it works, and is an entertaining mystery.
May 10, 2021
Please read the free sample.
I couldn't bring myself to read much as there is one cliché after another. First description of Fang is super cringy. It nearly hurt physically to read.
There may be readers for a book like that, but I'm not one of them.
I couldn't bring myself to read much as there is one cliché after another. First description of Fang is super cringy. It nearly hurt physically to read.
There may be readers for a book like that, but I'm not one of them.
April 2, 2023
The audiobook is great!
February 5, 2026
it was an excellent story with a softer cliff-hanger. I just hope this author doesn't pull a Patrick Rofthus and pull me fully in just to leave me hanging.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews