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Guild Hunter #0.6
Must Love Hellhounds
In these hound-eat-hound worlds, anything goes…and everything bites.
The Britlingens Go to Hell: Follow paranormal bodyguards Clovache and Batanya into Lucifer’s realm, where they encounter his fearsome four-legged pets.
Angels’ Judgment: Seek out a traitor in the midst of a guild of nonlethal vampire trackers, one that intends to eradicate the entire species of bloodsuckers.
Magic Mourns: Find out why the giant, three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades has left the underworld for the real world—and whose scent he’s following.
Blind Spot: Join a vampire’s butler in the perilous search for her employer’s niece, aided by a blind—and damn sexy—companion and a hellhound.
Today’s hottest paranormal authors deliver four all-new adventures starring man’s worst friend…
The Britlingens Go to Hell: Follow paranormal bodyguards Clovache and Batanya into Lucifer’s realm, where they encounter his fearsome four-legged pets.
Angels’ Judgment: Seek out a traitor in the midst of a guild of nonlethal vampire trackers, one that intends to eradicate the entire species of bloodsuckers.
Magic Mourns: Find out why the giant, three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades has left the underworld for the real world—and whose scent he’s following.
Blind Spot: Join a vampire’s butler in the perilous search for her employer’s niece, aided by a blind—and damn sexy—companion and a hellhound.
Today’s hottest paranormal authors deliver four all-new adventures starring man’s worst friend…
361 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
117 people are currently reading
7619 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
203 books37k followersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 738 reviews
January 2, 2016
I just read the Deacon and Sarah story from the Guild Hunters series. The thing about these novellas are that the insta-love has to be extra insta in order to fit it in less pages. This is the case. I love how Deacon sleeps with her once and then gives up his entire life to be with her. She must be pretty special. In bed.
Sorry, couldn't resist! ;-)
Sorry, couldn't resist! ;-)
July 26, 2021
***2021 Dog Days of Summer***
It's time for my summer theme and this year I have chosen to read books that include canine companions. This collection of four short fiction pieces feature hellhounds, sometimes as companions, sometimes as obstacles to be dealt with. It seems that Cerberus, the three headed hound of the underworld, is the model for many authors' visions of a hellhound. (It amuses me that Cerberus apparently means “spotted" which suggests that Hades named his dog Spot.)
Hades & Cerberus (Wikipedia)
I was familiar with three out of four of the authors in this collection. The story by Charlaine Harris was not to my taste at all. I find her fiction based in the American South to be far superior to this purely fantasy setting. Plus I'm not a fan of stories where the characters visit Hell. Not an easy location to make believable.
Nalini Singh writes good romance and is one of the more skillful writers of sex scenes. She doesn't seem to have the same inhibitions as other authors and writes unselfconsciously. The story included here is part of her angel series, rather than the Psy-Changling series. Her angels have no religious connotations and would probably horrify those with strong religious convictions.
The Ilona Andrews story features Kate Daniels' BFF, Andrea. I had missed this story which details Andrea and Rafael becoming a couple and Kate & Andrea learning more about Teddy Jo. It was nice to fill in the blanks, though I did feel this story wasn't one of the Andrews' best. Perhaps I'm just hot and grumpy.
Meljean Brook's story was interesting. She has thought up original abilities for some of her characters. I found that I'd already marked a couple of her novels on my TBR list, so I may have run into a short story of hers before. This one ensures that I'll be sampling one of her novels soon.
A fast & fun summer read. Glad I found a copy of it.
It's time for my summer theme and this year I have chosen to read books that include canine companions. This collection of four short fiction pieces feature hellhounds, sometimes as companions, sometimes as obstacles to be dealt with. It seems that Cerberus, the three headed hound of the underworld, is the model for many authors' visions of a hellhound. (It amuses me that Cerberus apparently means “spotted" which suggests that Hades named his dog Spot.)
Hades & Cerberus (Wikipedia)
I was familiar with three out of four of the authors in this collection. The story by Charlaine Harris was not to my taste at all. I find her fiction based in the American South to be far superior to this purely fantasy setting. Plus I'm not a fan of stories where the characters visit Hell. Not an easy location to make believable.
Nalini Singh writes good romance and is one of the more skillful writers of sex scenes. She doesn't seem to have the same inhibitions as other authors and writes unselfconsciously. The story included here is part of her angel series, rather than the Psy-Changling series. Her angels have no religious connotations and would probably horrify those with strong religious convictions.
The Ilona Andrews story features Kate Daniels' BFF, Andrea. I had missed this story which details Andrea and Rafael becoming a couple and Kate & Andrea learning more about Teddy Jo. It was nice to fill in the blanks, though I did feel this story wasn't one of the Andrews' best. Perhaps I'm just hot and grumpy.
Meljean Brook's story was interesting. She has thought up original abilities for some of her characters. I found that I'd already marked a couple of her novels on my TBR list, so I may have run into a short story of hers before. This one ensures that I'll be sampling one of her novels soon.
A fast & fun summer read. Glad I found a copy of it.
September 17, 2009
It is hard to go wrong buying an anthology with the authors Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews and Meljean Brook. As the title promises, each story features hellhounds in one way or another.
The Britlingens Go to Hell - Charlaine Harris
Batanya and Clovache are bodyguards hired by a thief named Crick to help him retrieve a conjuring ball that he lost in Hell. Crick has stolen this conjuring ball from Lucifer, and in his haste to leave, he misplaced it. He needs the ball back because he was commissioned to steal it and if he doesn't produce the item to his client he will be killed. Of course his chances of surviving his trip into Hell are not that great either - but that is why he hired Batanya and Clovache.
This was my least favorite story in the anthology. I was confused about the type of world the story was being told in. I know it is a short story and you have to jump into the action quickly, but I would have liked a bit more description of the rules of the world. Crick, Batanya and Clovache have some witty dialogue between them and the story itself of going into Hell and trying to steal from Lucifer was engaging. I did have to roll my eyes at who was imprisoned in Hell, lost in time travel. I won't say who it is , but it seemed a little hokey to me. The hellhounds show up in Hell as a type of prison guard. Overall, this story just gets an ok from me.
Angels' Judgement - Nalini Singh
Set in the same world as her first book in the Guild Hunter's series, Angels' Blood, this is the story of Sarah and Deacon. It takes place before Angels' Blood. Sarah is still a hunter, one who brings in vampires who have fled their angel masters. She has been offered the head position of The Guild, and not all the archangels are thrilled to see a change in leadership. While she ponders her decision, the current head of The Guild, Simon, who is seeking retirement, sends Deacon, the slayer, to watch over her. Simon knows she may be tested and there is also a hunter going around killing vampires. Deacon can hunt the rogue and keep an eye on Sarah at the same time. Sarah is no pushover however. She wants in on the hunt, and Deacon soon realizes she has everything it takes to be the next Guild Director.
I loved Angels' Blood and was very excited to get back to that world again. Although we don't get to see a lot of the angels or vampires in this story, we get a very hot romance between Deacon and Sarah. Deacon is all bad ass and scary, and very attracted to Sarah. Sarah doesn't think a relationship will work out between them - how can she be hoity-toity Guild Director while dating the very secretive slayer? She decides to jump in for a fling, but finds it very hard to let go. I have a new favorite saying now too - Sarah may not be getting much sleep with Deacon around but she is "amped up on happy hormones." LOL. I love happy hormones! A great story with lots of action and steamy romance - really enjoyed it.
Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
This was my favorite in the book. This story takes place shortly after the latest Kate Daniels book, Magic Strikes (A must read series - trust Smexy). Kate is recovering from injuries, and Curran is doing his self-imposed punishment of hard labor. This story is told in Andrea's POV. Andrea is Kate's co-worker and best friend. Andrea is also a hyena shifter, and another hyena shifter, Raphael has been trying to woo her for awhile now. Raphael is known as a bouda, and will hump any female in sight. But his attraction to Andrea is far different - more serious and mature. He has been trying to prove that to her but it is hard for Andrea to see through his past. Someone close to Raphael dies and his body goes missing. When Andrea first runs into Raphael in this story, he is being chased by a hellhound as big as a house - a big house. They soon learn their may be a connection to the missing body.
I loved getting Andrea's POV! She is such a great character - not quite as sarcastic as Kate, but she knows how to handle herself and has the confidence that Kate also exudes. She likes to use big guns too...I always like a heroine that loves weapons ;) She does her best to try to stop the advances from Raphael although deep down she knows he is being sincere. One of my favorite quotes from her as she is looking at Raphael:
If I weren't a trained professional, I'd have fainted from the sheer overload of his badassness.
Raphael is a lethal killer and the combination of him and Andrea's skill are no match for what they face. However he is a bouda, and bouda males prefer the beta role. Andrea is a natural alpha, giving orders, taking the lead. I find that fascinating in this couple. A fun role reversal. I loved this story and can't wait for more from this world.
Blind Spot - Meljean Brook
I have a confession - this is my first Meljean brook book. *hangs head in shame* I have her Guardians series in my tbr, but just haven't gotten to them yet. *ducks rotten tomato* I really enjoyed this story though and I am looking forward to reading more from her. Although I believe there are references to previous works and characters in this story, it read well on its own.
Maggie Wren, with hellhound Sir Pup, arrives in New York to retrieve Geoffrey Blake and find his missing sister. Much to Maggie's surprise, she finds Geoff is blind, but he is not completely helpless. With the help of Sir Pup and some other hidden talents, he can make it on his own quite well. Someone from Maggie's past comes up in the hunt for Geoff's sister, and the question of whether she can be trusted comes into play. Maggie's employer, who is also Geoff's uncle looms in the background, ready to strike if an allegiance goes astray. Maggie, Geoff and Sir Pup must quickly find Geoff's sister and find trust in one another.
I really enjoyed this story - I immediately liked Maggie. She is ex-CIA, tough and independent. She takes her job very seriously. Even though this was a short story, much of her past was talked about which really helped see where she was coming from. Geoff was a little bit more of a mystery to me. He is definitely sexy and sure of himself, but not overly alpha which I liked. And while there was romance, it was more of a promise of something in the future then an immediate conclusion. Which just means I will really have to start this series now. My favorite part:
[...:]he saw darkness. He heard the scrape of her chair. Warm lips pressed hard against his. Her fingers raked through his hair. His shocked inhalation brought her into him. Christ, she smelled incredible. Tasted like heaven. He wanted more, wanted to see her, too.
That's hot.
Must Love Hellhounds was a very enjoyable read, a nice fix until further novels come out.
The Britlingens Go to Hell - Charlaine Harris
Batanya and Clovache are bodyguards hired by a thief named Crick to help him retrieve a conjuring ball that he lost in Hell. Crick has stolen this conjuring ball from Lucifer, and in his haste to leave, he misplaced it. He needs the ball back because he was commissioned to steal it and if he doesn't produce the item to his client he will be killed. Of course his chances of surviving his trip into Hell are not that great either - but that is why he hired Batanya and Clovache.
This was my least favorite story in the anthology. I was confused about the type of world the story was being told in. I know it is a short story and you have to jump into the action quickly, but I would have liked a bit more description of the rules of the world. Crick, Batanya and Clovache have some witty dialogue between them and the story itself of going into Hell and trying to steal from Lucifer was engaging. I did have to roll my eyes at who was imprisoned in Hell, lost in time travel. I won't say who it is , but it seemed a little hokey to me. The hellhounds show up in Hell as a type of prison guard. Overall, this story just gets an ok from me.
Angels' Judgement - Nalini Singh
Set in the same world as her first book in the Guild Hunter's series, Angels' Blood, this is the story of Sarah and Deacon. It takes place before Angels' Blood. Sarah is still a hunter, one who brings in vampires who have fled their angel masters. She has been offered the head position of The Guild, and not all the archangels are thrilled to see a change in leadership. While she ponders her decision, the current head of The Guild, Simon, who is seeking retirement, sends Deacon, the slayer, to watch over her. Simon knows she may be tested and there is also a hunter going around killing vampires. Deacon can hunt the rogue and keep an eye on Sarah at the same time. Sarah is no pushover however. She wants in on the hunt, and Deacon soon realizes she has everything it takes to be the next Guild Director.
I loved Angels' Blood and was very excited to get back to that world again. Although we don't get to see a lot of the angels or vampires in this story, we get a very hot romance between Deacon and Sarah. Deacon is all bad ass and scary, and very attracted to Sarah. Sarah doesn't think a relationship will work out between them - how can she be hoity-toity Guild Director while dating the very secretive slayer? She decides to jump in for a fling, but finds it very hard to let go. I have a new favorite saying now too - Sarah may not be getting much sleep with Deacon around but she is "amped up on happy hormones." LOL. I love happy hormones! A great story with lots of action and steamy romance - really enjoyed it.
Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
This was my favorite in the book. This story takes place shortly after the latest Kate Daniels book, Magic Strikes (A must read series - trust Smexy). Kate is recovering from injuries, and Curran is doing his self-imposed punishment of hard labor. This story is told in Andrea's POV. Andrea is Kate's co-worker and best friend. Andrea is also a hyena shifter, and another hyena shifter, Raphael has been trying to woo her for awhile now. Raphael is known as a bouda, and will hump any female in sight. But his attraction to Andrea is far different - more serious and mature. He has been trying to prove that to her but it is hard for Andrea to see through his past. Someone close to Raphael dies and his body goes missing. When Andrea first runs into Raphael in this story, he is being chased by a hellhound as big as a house - a big house. They soon learn their may be a connection to the missing body.
I loved getting Andrea's POV! She is such a great character - not quite as sarcastic as Kate, but she knows how to handle herself and has the confidence that Kate also exudes. She likes to use big guns too...I always like a heroine that loves weapons ;) She does her best to try to stop the advances from Raphael although deep down she knows he is being sincere. One of my favorite quotes from her as she is looking at Raphael:
If I weren't a trained professional, I'd have fainted from the sheer overload of his badassness.
Raphael is a lethal killer and the combination of him and Andrea's skill are no match for what they face. However he is a bouda, and bouda males prefer the beta role. Andrea is a natural alpha, giving orders, taking the lead. I find that fascinating in this couple. A fun role reversal. I loved this story and can't wait for more from this world.
Blind Spot - Meljean Brook
I have a confession - this is my first Meljean brook book. *hangs head in shame* I have her Guardians series in my tbr, but just haven't gotten to them yet. *ducks rotten tomato* I really enjoyed this story though and I am looking forward to reading more from her. Although I believe there are references to previous works and characters in this story, it read well on its own.
Maggie Wren, with hellhound Sir Pup, arrives in New York to retrieve Geoffrey Blake and find his missing sister. Much to Maggie's surprise, she finds Geoff is blind, but he is not completely helpless. With the help of Sir Pup and some other hidden talents, he can make it on his own quite well. Someone from Maggie's past comes up in the hunt for Geoff's sister, and the question of whether she can be trusted comes into play. Maggie's employer, who is also Geoff's uncle looms in the background, ready to strike if an allegiance goes astray. Maggie, Geoff and Sir Pup must quickly find Geoff's sister and find trust in one another.
I really enjoyed this story - I immediately liked Maggie. She is ex-CIA, tough and independent. She takes her job very seriously. Even though this was a short story, much of her past was talked about which really helped see where she was coming from. Geoff was a little bit more of a mystery to me. He is definitely sexy and sure of himself, but not overly alpha which I liked. And while there was romance, it was more of a promise of something in the future then an immediate conclusion. Which just means I will really have to start this series now. My favorite part:
[...:]he saw darkness. He heard the scrape of her chair. Warm lips pressed hard against his. Her fingers raked through his hair. His shocked inhalation brought her into him. Christ, she smelled incredible. Tasted like heaven. He wanted more, wanted to see her, too.
That's hot.
Must Love Hellhounds was a very enjoyable read, a nice fix until further novels come out.
October 13, 2017
Audiobook Oct. 2017: I picked up the audio version for Must Love Hellhounds. I've been listening to my favorite series Kate Daniels and we have Kate Daniels #3.5 in this book. I loved the audio. When we got to Andrea barring her soul to Raphael, well I had goose bumps. It was such a powerful scene; even reading it. It's a turning point for Andrea. I had also forgotten that the Guild Hunter was in this installment, so I listened Angels’ Judgement, Guild Hunter #0.5. I had fun with that one too. I skipped the other two and didn't listen to them. The one thing that I noticed with the audio is that the voices between different series didn't change much Andrea (Kate Daniels series) and Sara (Guild Hunter) sound alike. I couldn't distinguish between the voices. We have just the one Narrator: Johanna Parker for all the stories.
******
Must Love Hellhounds was interesting and each novella featured a hellhound in someway. I have previously read Angel’s Judgement in Angels’ Flight and I re-read Magic Mourns. The Britlingens Go to Hell and Blind Spot where new novellas for me.
I like to pick up these type of books from the library. They give you a chance to try new authors and find new series to read. I enjoyed this anthology.
The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris - Rated: 3 Stars
I enjoyed this story, but I felt like I was missing something. I don’t think The Britlingens Go to Hell is part of a series and I felt like it needed to be. It was a little weird; especially since we don’t get enough backstory or world building. Their is a lot of action and no romance or sex in this novella. As for the hellhounds they play a minor role. I enjoyed them, but wish they played a bigger role and helped the little group in other ways.
Over all The Britlingens Go to Hell was enjoyable to read.
Angels’ Judgement (Guild Hunter #0.5) by Nalini Singh - Rated: 5 Stars
** Read as part of Angels' Flight
This one we get Sara Haziz's story. She is a human-born Guild Hunter who later becomes the Guild Director for America. Before she becomes the Director she is sent on a mission and tested by the Archangel’s – The Cadre. But, she’s not alone. Yummy, Deacon is at her side. He’s their to offer protection and to help Sarah on her mission.
It’s action-packed and gritty. I loved every moment of it. They are hunting one of their own, a Guild Hunter who may or may not have gone off the deep end. Sarah uses her mind along with her crossbow to her advantage. Deacon was amazing. He does his job well, but he can also be light and funny. The chemistry was off the charts with these two and those love scenes, steamy.
Angels’ Judgement was a treat. It was wonderful to see Sarah and Deacon become lovers. This novella was perfect. Their is action, danger, blood, and romance.
Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels #3.5) by Ilona Andrews - Rated: 5 Stars
** Previously read as a single title
I re-read Magic Mourns. I just LOVE the Kate Daniels series.
Magic Mourns can be read as a standalone title or part of the series. The Andrews team does a fabulous job giving you all the pertinent information about the world that you need to enjoy this novella.
Andrea Nash, works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid and she’s also a Beastkin, but that’s a secret only a few know about. She’s a kick-ass women who loves her guns. I love Andrea. She is such a wonderful character and a great friend to Kate Daniels.
Raphael is a werehyena and bouda to the hyena clan. He’s been trying for 6 months to get Andrea to give him a try.
We are treated to Andra’s POV. Where this novella starts Andrea is filling in for Kate who’s on medical leave. A call comes in about a big dog chasing a shapeshifter and so she goes out to investigate. What she finds is Raphael being chased by “the coolest thing ever, a twenty foot tall three headed dog.”
It’s was nice to see Andrea loosen up a bit. It was also nice to see Raphael not give up and wear her down. These two have such a fun flirtatious banter between them in this novella and their romance explodes once they give into their desires and decide it’s ok to give a relationship a try.
This story is full of action, world building, mystery, mythology, and exciting characters. The world they live in is an uncertain one and Magic comes and goes as it pleases.
Magic Mourns is a fabulous read.
Blind Spot (The Guardians #5.5) by Meljean Brook - Rated: 4 Stars
I’ve only read one other novella in this series and have yet to try out The Guardians series.
Blind Spot features Maggie as she tracks Colin’s, (her employer), kidnapped niece and retrieves Blake, Colin’s nephew. I found Blake aka Geoff interesting. He’s blind, but with a special ability. Maggie is pretty kick-ass. These two ended up working together and in the process start to develop a more then working relationship.
The hellhound, Sir Pup, was a great addition. He doesn’t talk, but you can tell by his actions he understands whats going on and has a sense of humor. I found him to be enjoyable.
The world is interesting and has peeked my interesting in checking out the series. Blind Spot was an enjoyable novella.
******
Must Love Hellhounds was interesting and each novella featured a hellhound in someway. I have previously read Angel’s Judgement in Angels’ Flight and I re-read Magic Mourns. The Britlingens Go to Hell and Blind Spot where new novellas for me.
I like to pick up these type of books from the library. They give you a chance to try new authors and find new series to read. I enjoyed this anthology.
The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris - Rated: 3 Stars
I enjoyed this story, but I felt like I was missing something. I don’t think The Britlingens Go to Hell is part of a series and I felt like it needed to be. It was a little weird; especially since we don’t get enough backstory or world building. Their is a lot of action and no romance or sex in this novella. As for the hellhounds they play a minor role. I enjoyed them, but wish they played a bigger role and helped the little group in other ways.
Over all The Britlingens Go to Hell was enjoyable to read.
Angels’ Judgement (Guild Hunter #0.5) by Nalini Singh - Rated: 5 Stars
** Read as part of Angels' Flight
This one we get Sara Haziz's story. She is a human-born Guild Hunter who later becomes the Guild Director for America. Before she becomes the Director she is sent on a mission and tested by the Archangel’s – The Cadre. But, she’s not alone. Yummy, Deacon is at her side. He’s their to offer protection and to help Sarah on her mission.
It’s action-packed and gritty. I loved every moment of it. They are hunting one of their own, a Guild Hunter who may or may not have gone off the deep end. Sarah uses her mind along with her crossbow to her advantage. Deacon was amazing. He does his job well, but he can also be light and funny. The chemistry was off the charts with these two and those love scenes, steamy.
Angels’ Judgement was a treat. It was wonderful to see Sarah and Deacon become lovers. This novella was perfect. Their is action, danger, blood, and romance.
Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels #3.5) by Ilona Andrews - Rated: 5 Stars
** Previously read as a single title
I re-read Magic Mourns. I just LOVE the Kate Daniels series.
Magic Mourns can be read as a standalone title or part of the series. The Andrews team does a fabulous job giving you all the pertinent information about the world that you need to enjoy this novella.
Andrea Nash, works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid and she’s also a Beastkin, but that’s a secret only a few know about. She’s a kick-ass women who loves her guns. I love Andrea. She is such a wonderful character and a great friend to Kate Daniels.
Raphael is a werehyena and bouda to the hyena clan. He’s been trying for 6 months to get Andrea to give him a try.
We are treated to Andra’s POV. Where this novella starts Andrea is filling in for Kate who’s on medical leave. A call comes in about a big dog chasing a shapeshifter and so she goes out to investigate. What she finds is Raphael being chased by “the coolest thing ever, a twenty foot tall three headed dog.”
It’s was nice to see Andrea loosen up a bit. It was also nice to see Raphael not give up and wear her down. These two have such a fun flirtatious banter between them in this novella and their romance explodes once they give into their desires and decide it’s ok to give a relationship a try.
This story is full of action, world building, mystery, mythology, and exciting characters. The world they live in is an uncertain one and Magic comes and goes as it pleases.
Magic Mourns is a fabulous read.
Blind Spot (The Guardians #5.5) by Meljean Brook - Rated: 4 Stars
I’ve only read one other novella in this series and have yet to try out The Guardians series.
Blind Spot features Maggie as she tracks Colin’s, (her employer), kidnapped niece and retrieves Blake, Colin’s nephew. I found Blake aka Geoff interesting. He’s blind, but with a special ability. Maggie is pretty kick-ass. These two ended up working together and in the process start to develop a more then working relationship.
The hellhound, Sir Pup, was a great addition. He doesn’t talk, but you can tell by his actions he understands whats going on and has a sense of humor. I found him to be enjoyable.
The world is interesting and has peeked my interesting in checking out the series. Blind Spot was an enjoyable novella.
February 5, 2017
(This review is only for the story "Magic Mourns" by Ilona Andrews
A giant three headed dog as big as a house and burning spit is chasing Raphael. Andrea is running to rescue him. Apparently someone has stolen a precious dead body and Raphael is following the smell. That does not stop him to take the opportunity to pursuit Andrea at the same time.
It is cool to be a hyena!
That is what I really love in these books! Usually hyenas in shifters’ books are either mean, or stupid or the enemy. In Kate Daniel’s world are playful and lovable.
A giant three headed dog as big as a house and burning spit is chasing Raphael. Andrea is running to rescue him. Apparently someone has stolen a precious dead body and Raphael is following the smell. That does not stop him to take the opportunity to pursuit Andrea at the same time.
It is cool to be a hyena!
That is what I really love in these books! Usually hyenas in shifters’ books are either mean, or stupid or the enemy. In Kate Daniel’s world are playful and lovable.
September 19, 2010
*** NOTE: This rating is for Nalini Singh's ANGELS' JUDGMENT only! ***
If you're a fan of the Guild Hunter series, you'll want to read this novella. It shows how Sara, NY's Guild Hunters Director, and Deacon, her husband, met and fell in love. Very entertaining story!
If you're a fan of the Guild Hunter series, you'll want to read this novella. It shows how Sara, NY's Guild Hunters Director, and Deacon, her husband, met and fell in love. Very entertaining story!
October 12, 2016
The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris - 4 stars
Angel’s Judgement by Nalini Singh - 4 stars
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews -
Angel’s Judgement by Nalini Singh - 4 stars
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews -
March 15, 2019
4 1/2 stars
Rating for Blind Spot by Mejean Brook ONLY
Excerpt (or why one may want to think very carefully about messing with a hellhound):
That being said, Sir Pup rocks!
Rating for Blind Spot by Mejean Brook ONLY
Excerpt (or why one may want to think very carefully about messing with a hellhound):
That being said, Sir Pup rocks!
March 5, 2017
The Britlingens Go To Hell is a short story by popular American author, Charlaine Harris. Paranormal bodyguards, Batanya and Clovache are hired to accompany their client into a dangerous situation for the retrieval of an item left behind. Only once the paperwork is signed do they learn they are going to Hell, that their client is a thief (with some rather unusual attributes) and that said item actually belongs to Lucifer. This is a tale that manages to include Hellhounds, Narcissus and Amelia Earhart. It is billed as Sookie Stackhouse 9.2, but is better described as a story set in the Sookieverse, as Sookie herself never makes an appearance. Clever and funny.
August 29, 2011
Note: This review is only for Ilona Andrews' short story, Magic Mourns.
Length: 90 pages
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
If you liked Andrea and Raphael in Magic Burns and Magic Strikes, this short story is a must read for you. That is, if you can ignore the repulsive cover.
Magic Mourns takes place about six weeks after the events in Magic Strikes and two weeks before the beginning of Magic Bleeds. In Magic Mourns, Andrea, a knight of the Order, must team up with Raphael, a werehyena with romantic feelings towards her, to eradicate the demonic dog that is chasing Raphael and causing problems with the bouda pack . . . all while trying to ignore her own amorous feelings for the seductive shapeshifter.
I like the way Andrea and Raphael come together in this. They're still working on their relationship, they're taking it easy, but Andrea starts treating Raphael with respect and she begins to realize that Raphael is more than just a werehyena (or bouda, whichever you perfer) and the sexual urges that come with being one. She realizes that Raphael is a man, a man with real feelings and that he truly cares for her.
There's also lots of action, mythology, and violence that I've come to expect with Andrews' stories. Magic Mourns is a fast-paced, entertaining short story in a series that I've quickly come to love.
The ending of this short story is very interesting because a rather surprising tidbit is revealed about Curran. I'm interested to see how it'll play into the upcoming installments.
There's still more to Andrea's story, and the rest will be told in a Kate Daniels spin off, which you can find here.
Length: 90 pages
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
If you liked Andrea and Raphael in Magic Burns and Magic Strikes, this short story is a must read for you. That is, if you can ignore the repulsive cover.
Magic Mourns takes place about six weeks after the events in Magic Strikes and two weeks before the beginning of Magic Bleeds. In Magic Mourns, Andrea, a knight of the Order, must team up with Raphael, a werehyena with romantic feelings towards her, to eradicate the demonic dog that is chasing Raphael and causing problems with the bouda pack . . . all while trying to ignore her own amorous feelings for the seductive shapeshifter.
I like the way Andrea and Raphael come together in this. They're still working on their relationship, they're taking it easy, but Andrea starts treating Raphael with respect and she begins to realize that Raphael is more than just a werehyena (or bouda, whichever you perfer) and the sexual urges that come with being one. She realizes that Raphael is a man, a man with real feelings and that he truly cares for her.
There's also lots of action, mythology, and violence that I've come to expect with Andrews' stories. Magic Mourns is a fast-paced, entertaining short story in a series that I've quickly come to love.
The ending of this short story is very interesting because a rather surprising tidbit is revealed about Curran. I'm interested to see how it'll play into the upcoming installments.
There's still more to Andrea's story, and the rest will be told in a Kate Daniels spin off, which you can find here.
January 8, 2013
**ANGEL'S JUGMENT** - NALINI SINGH
When did I miss that Deacon, Aka Slayer, was so dam hot???
I loved this story of how Sara and Deacon get together and how she is now, the Guild Director. Sara, we knew already, but her personality has been a bit of a mystery to me, thankfully now that is sorted and I think Sara is fabulous...
...and I also think 'Slayer' is fabulous too - I had no idea that his mum was such a hell-hound (a silent joke for those that have read this series maybe? lol)
When did I miss that Deacon, Aka Slayer, was so dam hot???
I loved this story of how Sara and Deacon get together and how she is now, the Guild Director. Sara, we knew already, but her personality has been a bit of a mystery to me, thankfully now that is sorted and I think Sara is fabulous...
...and I also think 'Slayer' is fabulous too - I had no idea that his mum was such a hell-hound (a silent joke for those that have read this series maybe? lol)
September 24, 2022
Blind Spot by Meljean Brook: 4 stars. Sir Pup is a prince among canines. Read via library.
***
I read Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews (5 stars) and Angels' Judgement by Nalini Singh (3 stars) many, many years ago. I have not read the Charlaine Harris novella.
***
I read Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews (5 stars) and Angels' Judgement by Nalini Singh (3 stars) many, many years ago. I have not read the Charlaine Harris novella.
February 12, 2011
Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, and Meljean Brook make a nice combination in this anthology about hellhounds. The major draw for me was Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews. I must say that I enjoyed all the stories in the book and I am glad to have discovered some new favorite authors and series to explore.
The Britlingens Go to Hell - Charlaine Harris
I found this to be the weakest story in the anthology. It’s nothing like the Sookie Stackhouse series. I did like Clovache and Batanya the main characters but they were a little bland. Overall assessment 3/5 stars
Angel’s Judgement - Nalini Singh
What an interesting world that included angels, vampires, Guild Hunters, and slayers. I loved the interaction between the two main characters Sara and Deacon. I’ve now added Nalini Singh’s books to my to-read list. My rating 4/5 stars.
Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
Andrea and Raphael get their own story. I love Ilona Andrew’s sense of humor. I loved the combination of Ilona Andrew’s world of magic waves and Greek mythology. The banter between the two main characters was entertaining as well. Rating 4/5 stars
Blind Spot - Meljean Brook
I haven’t read Meljean Brook’s Guardian series yet, but it has moved up the list. I really enjoy Meljean Brook’s writing style. She writes believable characters, engaging dialogue, and interesting worlds. I really liked Sir Pup the Hellhound in all of his incarnations. A hellhound with character - 4/5 stars.
The Britlingens Go to Hell - Charlaine Harris
I found this to be the weakest story in the anthology. It’s nothing like the Sookie Stackhouse series. I did like Clovache and Batanya the main characters but they were a little bland. Overall assessment 3/5 stars
Angel’s Judgement - Nalini Singh
What an interesting world that included angels, vampires, Guild Hunters, and slayers. I loved the interaction between the two main characters Sara and Deacon. I’ve now added Nalini Singh’s books to my to-read list. My rating 4/5 stars.
Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
Andrea and Raphael get their own story. I love Ilona Andrew’s sense of humor. I loved the combination of Ilona Andrew’s world of magic waves and Greek mythology. The banter between the two main characters was entertaining as well. Rating 4/5 stars
Blind Spot - Meljean Brook
I haven’t read Meljean Brook’s Guardian series yet, but it has moved up the list. I really enjoy Meljean Brook’s writing style. She writes believable characters, engaging dialogue, and interesting worlds. I really liked Sir Pup the Hellhound in all of his incarnations. A hellhound with character - 4/5 stars.
June 28, 2010
Guild Hunter story by Nalini Singh - 4 stars (could have used more detailed love scenes)
Kate Daniels story by Ilona Andrews - 3.5 stars (I like Kate's voice better)
Kate Daniels story by Ilona Andrews - 3.5 stars (I like Kate's voice better)
October 26, 2016
Reviewed after reading in August-September 2015, with only minor updates made after subsequent readings (4th reading: October 2016; see status updates for dates):
Overall rating: 4.25 stars
I really enjoy this collection of stories. I don't understand my previous comment (see my first review below) about how the world-building was dry. I haven't found it so in any of the four stories this time around. Times...they do change. ;-)
My favorite of the four stories is definitely "Magic Mourns" by Ilona Andrews, because, well... Raphael. :-) Plus, it makes me both laugh and cry (see my below review of it for more). My least favorite is probably the final story, "Blind Spot" by Meljean Brook, because the humans were greatly overshadowed by the hellhound accompanying them (to me, anyway).
That said, all of the stories are really good ones and make this a really fun anthology to read. I've had it on my "to buy" shelf for ages. I can't believe I don't own it yet. [Update upon fourth reading in October 2016: I bought it! I own it! I read it!] :-)
The thread that connects all four stories is simply that hellhounds need to feature in them. How they feature varies pretty greatly. I'll say more about this in each little review of the individual stories:
The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris:
Read/Reviewed 08/31/2015. 4 stars - very good/really liked
I really enjoy this story. I don't think CH has written any other stories about the Britlingen Collective (has she?) and I wish she would. I would love to see more of their adventures. This story is really fun, because in it the client wants to go to Hell. And he's a Harwellian, which means he has . I don't understand how this works, but apparently his partners enjoy it very much. ;-)
The hellhounds in this story, part of Lucifer's guard, were more of tertiary characters. They played an important role , but that was about it for their involvement in the story. I enjoyed them, but I wish they'd helped the little group in other ways, too.
But overall this is a fun story that I really enjoy reading. :-)
Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh:
Read/Reviewed 09/04/2015. 4 stars - very good/really liked
This is a fun story that for some reason left me in tears (happy tears) in the end. [Update after fourth reading: this ending STILL puts me to tears (for the FOURTH time!). . .and I still couldn't tell you why I just suddenly find myself crying.] In it, Sara is the chosen successor to the New York/American Guild and Deacon is the Slayer, who the current Guild Director sent to be her backup. Also, they're tracking a Guild Hunter gone bad who is killing vampires for unauthorized reasons.
The main reason I really like this story is Deacon. He is hotness personified. :-) I also love the ending:
I really don't know why this always makes me cry, but it does. :-)
[Update after fourth reading, October 25, 2016: Actually, the above quote is not the one that puts me to tears. It happens when Sara says , Then I bust out crying while Deacon laughs. Even knowing this scene is coming - I've now read this story four times in four years; even my memory isn't bad enough to forget it - I am still always - ALWAYS - surprised to find myself crying.]
My one complaint about this story is a fairly big one. The one connecting thread for all the stories is that they had to feature a hellhound or three. I complained about the small role the hellhounds in the first story played, but in comparison to this story's hellhound, the first story's were Major Characters. Lucifer's Girl was big and scary, but she didn't really do anything. We didn't get to see her exhibit super-healing or metamorphose into a scarier version of herself or anything. She was just a junkyard dog. :-(
However, Lucy gave birth to an adorable baby boy in the end, so I'll forgive her her lack of outstanding-ness. Plus, Deacon. ;-)
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews:
Finished/Reviewed 09/01/2015. 5 stars - outstanding/amazing :)
I really, really love this story. It makes me laugh, and it makes me cry. Experiencing these two emotions over the pages of a single story, especially when that story is less than 80-pages long, is always worth a lot of stars for me. :-)
I laugh, and rather hysterically, too, every time I read the scene wherein Andrea goes to the Order to retrieve Boom Baby. Here's the scene, on pages 179-180:
I cry every time Andrea and Raphael
But by the end, I was back to smiling. I've noticed that all of the Kate Daniels stories have been leaving smiles on my face. Even though this story was narrated by Andrea (and the closing was narrated by Teddy Jo) and Kate only appeared in a secondary role (), I still ended it with a smile on my face. :-)
[Sadly, I neither laughed nor cried when I read it for the fourth time (on October 25, 2016). I blame this on the headache I'd been nursing for the hours I was reading it. I did still end it with a smile on my face, though. :-) ]
The hellhound in this story was Cerberus, the giant three-headed dog from the underworld of Hades. While Cerberus
In sum, I really love this story. We learn more about Andrea, see more of Raphael (*sigh*), and meet new-to-Kate's-world creatures: This is a fun story. Talking about it makes me want to read it again. ;-)
Blind Spot by Meljean Brook
Read/Reviewed 09/04/2015. 4 stars - very good/really liked
This story has the best hellhound out of all of them. :-) Sir Pup is wonderful! Is he in the series? If yes, I need to hurry up and read those books. :-)
The human types in this story, Maggie and Geoff, are likable enough but I didn't fall in love with them. I think the short story/novella hurt them in this respect, as they didn't feel fully fleshed out to me.
Maggie is the butler for Colin Ames-Beaumont, an incredibly powerful vampire, and Geoff is his nephew. Geoff is in trouble in New York, and his sister has been kidnapped, so Maggie is sent to help. I liked the story okay, but this one, more than the others, really feels like we're dumped in the middle of an ongoing (series) story.
But Sir Pup saves the day (and the story). He has We get to see all of this in action, too. It's great! :-)
Maggie and Geoff, on the other hand... I didn't feel as connected to them. They were pretty nice, but, for me at least, they didn't approach the greatness that was Sir Pup. I really hope that they're part of the main series, as this story really makes me curious about it. :-)
UPDATE after fourth read-through, October 25, 2016:
For perhaps the first time, I don't have any complaints to make about this story. It did not feel like I was dumped into an ongoing series (well, it did, but it wasn't as distracting/disappointing as it has been in the past). Also, I felt like Maggie and Geoff were great. And I'm now wondering how Sir Pup stole the show for me in the past. Sure, he's the best hellhound in the book, but it's not like he talks. ???
So finally I feel like this is a worthy story to be included in with the others. Go figure.
;-)
Review of whole book after second reading in June 2013:
4 stars - very good/really liked
I really enjoyed this anthology. I read it this time specifically for the Ilona Andrews story, "Magic Mourns." I recently started the Kate Daniels series and this novella was next on my list to read in that world. It was fun to see Andrea and Raphael work together, and Teddy Jo proved to be a fascinating secondary character. I hope to see more of him in the series books. :-)
The other three stories were also good to revisit, but my favorite of them would have to be "Angels' Judgment" by Nalini Singh. Deacon is to die for and Sara is a strong and smart match for him. The storyline was gripping and I found the archangels, angels and vampires in the world to be fascinating.
The other two stories were fun to read again, too. Even though I last read the book only about eight months ago, I didn't remember any of the stories too well so reading them for the second time was just as enjoyable for me as it was the first time around. :-)
My only complaints about the book were that the world-building in a couple of the stories, including "Magic Mourns," was on the dry side and detracted a bit from the plot, to me at least. I felt as if I were sitting in a classroom listening to a lecturer. I would have liked it better if the descriptions had drawn me in more, so that I could have felt like a participant rather than just an observer.
But the stories that had this problem were still highly enjoyable. All in all, I really enjoyed this anthology and look forward to adding it to my collection. :-)
First read: October 6, 2012
Second reading: June 1-2, 2013
Third reading: August 31, September 1, September 4, 2015
Fourth reading: October 24-25, 2016
Overall rating: 4.25 stars
I really enjoy this collection of stories. I don't understand my previous comment (see my first review below) about how the world-building was dry. I haven't found it so in any of the four stories this time around. Times...they do change. ;-)
My favorite of the four stories is definitely "Magic Mourns" by Ilona Andrews, because, well... Raphael. :-) Plus, it makes me both laugh and cry (see my below review of it for more). My least favorite is probably the final story, "Blind Spot" by Meljean Brook, because the humans were greatly overshadowed by the hellhound accompanying them (to me, anyway).
That said, all of the stories are really good ones and make this a really fun anthology to read. I've had it on my "to buy" shelf for ages. I can't believe I don't own it yet. [Update upon fourth reading in October 2016: I bought it! I own it! I read it!] :-)
The thread that connects all four stories is simply that hellhounds need to feature in them. How they feature varies pretty greatly. I'll say more about this in each little review of the individual stories:
The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris:
Read/Reviewed 08/31/2015. 4 stars - very good/really liked
I really enjoy this story. I don't think CH has written any other stories about the Britlingen Collective (has she?) and I wish she would. I would love to see more of their adventures. This story is really fun, because in it the client wants to go to Hell. And he's a Harwellian, which means he has . I don't understand how this works, but apparently his partners enjoy it very much. ;-)
The hellhounds in this story, part of Lucifer's guard, were more of tertiary characters. They played an important role , but that was about it for their involvement in the story. I enjoyed them, but I wish they'd helped the little group in other ways, too.
But overall this is a fun story that I really enjoy reading. :-)
Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh:
Read/Reviewed 09/04/2015. 4 stars - very good/really liked
This is a fun story that for some reason left me in tears (happy tears) in the end. [Update after fourth reading: this ending STILL puts me to tears (for the FOURTH time!). . .and I still couldn't tell you why I just suddenly find myself crying.] In it, Sara is the chosen successor to the New York/American Guild and Deacon is the Slayer, who the current Guild Director sent to be her backup. Also, they're tracking a Guild Hunter gone bad who is killing vampires for unauthorized reasons.
The main reason I really like this story is Deacon. He is hotness personified. :-) I also love the ending:
I really don't know why this always makes me cry, but it does. :-)
[Update after fourth reading, October 25, 2016: Actually, the above quote is not the one that puts me to tears. It happens when Sara says , Then I bust out crying while Deacon laughs. Even knowing this scene is coming - I've now read this story four times in four years; even my memory isn't bad enough to forget it - I am still always - ALWAYS - surprised to find myself crying.]
My one complaint about this story is a fairly big one. The one connecting thread for all the stories is that they had to feature a hellhound or three. I complained about the small role the hellhounds in the first story played, but in comparison to this story's hellhound, the first story's were Major Characters. Lucifer's Girl was big and scary, but she didn't really do anything. We didn't get to see her exhibit super-healing or metamorphose into a scarier version of herself or anything. She was just a junkyard dog. :-(
However, Lucy gave birth to an adorable baby boy in the end, so I'll forgive her her lack of outstanding-ness. Plus, Deacon. ;-)
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews:
Finished/Reviewed 09/01/2015. 5 stars - outstanding/amazing :)
I really, really love this story. It makes me laugh, and it makes me cry. Experiencing these two emotions over the pages of a single story, especially when that story is less than 80-pages long, is always worth a lot of stars for me. :-)
I laugh, and rather hysterically, too, every time I read the scene wherein Andrea goes to the Order to retrieve Boom Baby. Here's the scene, on pages 179-180:
I cry every time Andrea and Raphael
But by the end, I was back to smiling. I've noticed that all of the Kate Daniels stories have been leaving smiles on my face. Even though this story was narrated by Andrea (and the closing was narrated by Teddy Jo) and Kate only appeared in a secondary role (), I still ended it with a smile on my face. :-)
[Sadly, I neither laughed nor cried when I read it for the fourth time (on October 25, 2016). I blame this on the headache I'd been nursing for the hours I was reading it. I did still end it with a smile on my face, though. :-) ]
The hellhound in this story was Cerberus, the giant three-headed dog from the underworld of Hades. While Cerberus
In sum, I really love this story. We learn more about Andrea, see more of Raphael (*sigh*), and meet new-to-Kate's-world creatures: This is a fun story. Talking about it makes me want to read it again. ;-)
Blind Spot by Meljean Brook
Read/Reviewed 09/04/2015. 4 stars - very good/really liked
This story has the best hellhound out of all of them. :-) Sir Pup is wonderful! Is he in the series? If yes, I need to hurry up and read those books. :-)
The human types in this story, Maggie and Geoff, are likable enough but I didn't fall in love with them. I think the short story/novella hurt them in this respect, as they didn't feel fully fleshed out to me.
Maggie is the butler for Colin Ames-Beaumont, an incredibly powerful vampire, and Geoff is his nephew. Geoff is in trouble in New York, and his sister has been kidnapped, so Maggie is sent to help. I liked the story okay, but this one, more than the others, really feels like we're dumped in the middle of an ongoing (series) story.
But Sir Pup saves the day (and the story). He has We get to see all of this in action, too. It's great! :-)
Maggie and Geoff, on the other hand... I didn't feel as connected to them. They were pretty nice, but, for me at least, they didn't approach the greatness that was Sir Pup. I really hope that they're part of the main series, as this story really makes me curious about it. :-)
UPDATE after fourth read-through, October 25, 2016:
For perhaps the first time, I don't have any complaints to make about this story. It did not feel like I was dumped into an ongoing series (well, it did, but it wasn't as distracting/disappointing as it has been in the past). Also, I felt like Maggie and Geoff were great. And I'm now wondering how Sir Pup stole the show for me in the past. Sure, he's the best hellhound in the book, but it's not like he talks. ???
So finally I feel like this is a worthy story to be included in with the others. Go figure.
;-)
Review of whole book after second reading in June 2013:
4 stars - very good/really liked
I really enjoyed this anthology. I read it this time specifically for the Ilona Andrews story, "Magic Mourns." I recently started the Kate Daniels series and this novella was next on my list to read in that world. It was fun to see Andrea and Raphael work together, and Teddy Jo proved to be a fascinating secondary character. I hope to see more of him in the series books. :-)
The other three stories were also good to revisit, but my favorite of them would have to be "Angels' Judgment" by Nalini Singh. Deacon is to die for and Sara is a strong and smart match for him. The storyline was gripping and I found the archangels, angels and vampires in the world to be fascinating.
The other two stories were fun to read again, too. Even though I last read the book only about eight months ago, I didn't remember any of the stories too well so reading them for the second time was just as enjoyable for me as it was the first time around. :-)
My only complaints about the book were that the world-building in a couple of the stories, including "Magic Mourns," was on the dry side and detracted a bit from the plot, to me at least. I felt as if I were sitting in a classroom listening to a lecturer. I would have liked it better if the descriptions had drawn me in more, so that I could have felt like a participant rather than just an observer.
But the stories that had this problem were still highly enjoyable. All in all, I really enjoyed this anthology and look forward to adding it to my collection. :-)
First read: October 6, 2012
Second reading: June 1-2, 2013
Third reading: August 31, September 1, September 4, 2015
Fourth reading: October 24-25, 2016
January 20, 2025
I really enjoyed these four short stories featuring various hellhounds. I think my favorite hellhound was either Lucy (I think she was in Guild Hunter) or Sir Pup (not sure of spelling because I was listening to audio) (I think he was in The Guardians). I enjoyed seeing some familiar characters in Sookie Stackhouse and Kate Daniels, and learning about new series with the Guild Hunter and The Guardians.
September 8, 2011
The Britlingens Go to Hell - Charlaine Harris
The Britingens appeared briefly in one of the Sookie Stackhouse books, but this book bears next to no resemblance to that series. For those readers like me who must read series in order – and also seem compelled to read the novellas in anthologies – please trust me on this: You can give this one a miss.
This one started off OK (just ‘OK’), and the Britlingen bodyguards and the Collective had potential, but then they ended up taking a trip to Hell to protect a client and it went downhill in a major way. I was prepared to go with it to start with, but then we meet Lucifer (a gay, good looking blonde *eye-roll*) - and by the time we find out that Amelia Earhart (yes, the aviator) is one of the prisoners in the cells, well that was it for me. Completely random and just plain silly.
2 stars
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Angel’s Judgement - Nalini Singh
Finally got my first taste of Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, and while this novella wasn’t without its problems – which may be attributable to the short story length and the fact that I haven’t read the first book in the series – I can definitely see the appeal.
Singh has created an intriguing world, and it’s possible, even probable, that I’m going to like this series better than her Psy/Changeling series, which is great news. I would have liked to see a little more character development in this one, and although that’s a big ask for a novella, I’ve seen it done well elsewhere. I don’t feel like I got to know Deacon at all, but not knowing if he was introduced in the first book in the series, that could be more my problem than the author’s.
The ending was also a little rushed, and again, that’s common in a novella, but it can be done. I was always planning to read this series, but this taste has really whetted my appetite.
3.5 stars
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Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
Worth reading for fans of the series. Like the other Kate Daniels books, this one is written in first person narrative, but this time from Andrea’s POV. This is Andrea and Raphael’s story, and Kate barely makes an appearance (and even then, only by way of a phone conversation). I liked learning more about Raphael, and I imagine that it will be handy to have the context of the things that happened in this one for future Kate Daniels books.
My main complaint with this one was the closed-door bedroom scenes. We were made aware of the sexual tension between these two that had been building for some time, and then…. Fade to Black. I found that disappointing and for me, it let the story down.
We do, however, leave the story with a scene involving Kate where we learn something very interesting about Curran and his magic.
3 stars, maybe 3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blind Spot - Meljean Brook
This was the standout story for me. I’ve only read one other installment in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series, and that was the prequel (#0.5) found in the Hot Spell anthology. Now I’ve leapt forward to this story, which is #5.5 in the series, but I didn’t feel at all lost. That said, this one didn’t stand out as being obviously related to the prequel I read. I’ll be interested to go back and read from book one and see how the series plays out.
I really enjoy Brook’s writing so far, and going back to my comments on Nalini Signh’s entry, this is an example where the author achieves great character development and a satisfying conclusion without the need for a defined HEA. Good stuff.
4 stars
The Britingens appeared briefly in one of the Sookie Stackhouse books, but this book bears next to no resemblance to that series. For those readers like me who must read series in order – and also seem compelled to read the novellas in anthologies – please trust me on this: You can give this one a miss.
This one started off OK (just ‘OK’), and the Britlingen bodyguards and the Collective had potential, but then they ended up taking a trip to Hell to protect a client and it went downhill in a major way. I was prepared to go with it to start with, but then we meet Lucifer (a gay, good looking blonde *eye-roll*) - and by the time we find out that Amelia Earhart (yes, the aviator) is one of the prisoners in the cells, well that was it for me. Completely random and just plain silly.
2 stars
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angel’s Judgement - Nalini Singh
Finally got my first taste of Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, and while this novella wasn’t without its problems – which may be attributable to the short story length and the fact that I haven’t read the first book in the series – I can definitely see the appeal.
Singh has created an intriguing world, and it’s possible, even probable, that I’m going to like this series better than her Psy/Changeling series, which is great news. I would have liked to see a little more character development in this one, and although that’s a big ask for a novella, I’ve seen it done well elsewhere. I don’t feel like I got to know Deacon at all, but not knowing if he was introduced in the first book in the series, that could be more my problem than the author’s.
The ending was also a little rushed, and again, that’s common in a novella, but it can be done. I was always planning to read this series, but this taste has really whetted my appetite.
3.5 stars
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Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
Worth reading for fans of the series. Like the other Kate Daniels books, this one is written in first person narrative, but this time from Andrea’s POV. This is Andrea and Raphael’s story, and Kate barely makes an appearance (and even then, only by way of a phone conversation). I liked learning more about Raphael, and I imagine that it will be handy to have the context of the things that happened in this one for future Kate Daniels books.
My main complaint with this one was the closed-door bedroom scenes. We were made aware of the sexual tension between these two that had been building for some time, and then…. Fade to Black. I found that disappointing and for me, it let the story down.
We do, however, leave the story with a scene involving Kate where we learn something very interesting about Curran and his magic.
3 stars, maybe 3.5
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Blind Spot - Meljean Brook
This was the standout story for me. I’ve only read one other installment in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series, and that was the prequel (#0.5) found in the Hot Spell anthology. Now I’ve leapt forward to this story, which is #5.5 in the series, but I didn’t feel at all lost. That said, this one didn’t stand out as being obviously related to the prequel I read. I’ll be interested to go back and read from book one and see how the series plays out.
I really enjoy Brook’s writing so far, and going back to my comments on Nalini Signh’s entry, this is an example where the author achieves great character development and a satisfying conclusion without the need for a defined HEA. Good stuff.
4 stars
April 10, 2015
Must Love Hellhounds are four hellhound doggy book shorts by
Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, and Meljean Brook.
. I can’t believe I’ve had this book in my library so long without reading.
The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris (3 stars)
Britlingens? I’m NCAA No Clue At All , who in the world are Britlingens? I’ll have to search into Charlaine’s Sookie Stackhouse series. Maybe she’s like Snooky Wookums from Krypto the Superdog.
Sorry Charlaine, I’ll put your series on my to-read list. I have a lot of friends who like your books.
Uh, back to the Britlingens (sort of sounds like a x-rated word). Batanya and Clovache (brings to mind a cloaca are hired by a thief, Crick, who stole from Lucifer. The devil made him do it! . Anyway, a lot of funny dialog in HELL where there are real hellhounds about amidst other historical characters whose name is most famous.
This first story had me laughing about the names and my foolish aligning them with the etymology associated. I do have to say, even not knowing about Sookie Stackhouse, also who wasn’t in this story, it was a somewhat interesting read.
Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh (5 stars)
This story precedes the first book in the Guild Hunter series. I enjoyed finding out about how Sara and Deacon met. Sara is to be the next Guild Director and is being tested for her capabilities in solving vampire slayings. Deacon as a slayer is sent secretly to be Sara’s bodyguard.
Their romance begins when Sara sees Deacon in nothing but a pair of jeans. Her hormones danced and damned near did the fox trot. She refused to join in. You gotta know where this will be leading. Steamy scenes of course! Elena, Sara’s best friend appears in this story as well. Sara solves the mystery and will become the Guild Director.
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews (5 stars)
Andrea takes a call for her friend Kate, who is recovering from a recent fight. She is going after a shifter on the run being chased by a three headed hellhound. In her chase she encounters Raphael who she doesn’t like, but in team spirit helps him when injured.
While Raphael was unconscious recovering from shifting Andrea thought to herself looking down at him "to him, I was only TWTIHFB, that weird thing I haven’t f…kd before!" Cough WTF?
Following his recovery, Raphael pounced on Andrea like a were-hyena to initiate a Steamy event! . Then the following morning… ”Sex, it’s what’s for breakfast. Sounds good enough for me.
Their banter was priceless!! Raphael relates a story to Andrea about coming home exhausted and dropping into a bed covered with KY jelly having a funky smell. YUCK!
Blind Spot by Meljean Brooks (5 stars)
Meljean is an author I have not read, so coming into a character set and other background I felt like I would be lost.
This was a most fascinating story from beginning to end. Without the world-building and character building from a series, I was immediately pulled in. The intricate convolutions of Maggie and Geoff’s hunting of his sister Catherine. The addition of Sir Pup the hellhound as an important secondary character was delightful.
The plot was captivating and not at all predictable. I guarantee that I will get getting more of Meljean’s books as a result of this reading.
All the stories in this collection make this a great read.
The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris (3 stars)
Britlingens? I’m NCAA No Clue At All , who in the world are Britlingens? I’ll have to search into Charlaine’s Sookie Stackhouse series. Maybe she’s like Snooky Wookums from Krypto the Superdog.
Sorry Charlaine, I’ll put your series on my to-read list. I have a lot of friends who like your books.
Uh, back to the Britlingens (sort of sounds like a x-rated word). Batanya and Clovache (brings to mind a cloaca are hired by a thief, Crick, who stole from Lucifer. The devil made him do it! . Anyway, a lot of funny dialog in HELL where there are real hellhounds about amidst other historical characters whose name is most famous.
This first story had me laughing about the names and my foolish aligning them with the etymology associated. I do have to say, even not knowing about Sookie Stackhouse, also who wasn’t in this story, it was a somewhat interesting read.
Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh (5 stars)
This story precedes the first book in the Guild Hunter series. I enjoyed finding out about how Sara and Deacon met. Sara is to be the next Guild Director and is being tested for her capabilities in solving vampire slayings. Deacon as a slayer is sent secretly to be Sara’s bodyguard.
Their romance begins when Sara sees Deacon in nothing but a pair of jeans. Her hormones danced and damned near did the fox trot. She refused to join in. You gotta know where this will be leading. Steamy scenes of course! Elena, Sara’s best friend appears in this story as well. Sara solves the mystery and will become the Guild Director.
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews (5 stars)
Andrea takes a call for her friend Kate, who is recovering from a recent fight. She is going after a shifter on the run being chased by a three headed hellhound. In her chase she encounters Raphael who she doesn’t like, but in team spirit helps him when injured.
While Raphael was unconscious recovering from shifting Andrea thought to herself looking down at him "to him, I was only TWTIHFB, that weird thing I haven’t f…kd before!" Cough WTF?
Following his recovery, Raphael pounced on Andrea like a were-hyena to initiate a Steamy event! . Then the following morning… ”Sex, it’s what’s for breakfast. Sounds good enough for me.
Their banter was priceless!! Raphael relates a story to Andrea about coming home exhausted and dropping into a bed covered with KY jelly having a funky smell. YUCK!
Blind Spot by Meljean Brooks (5 stars)
Meljean is an author I have not read, so coming into a character set and other background I felt like I would be lost.
This was a most fascinating story from beginning to end. Without the world-building and character building from a series, I was immediately pulled in. The intricate convolutions of Maggie and Geoff’s hunting of his sister Catherine. The addition of Sir Pup the hellhound as an important secondary character was delightful.
The plot was captivating and not at all predictable. I guarantee that I will get getting more of Meljean’s books as a result of this reading.
All the stories in this collection make this a great read.
September 27, 2011
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews - 4 stars
Kickass h/h. Loved the emphasis on their romance. It somehow made me love them more, if that's even possible. And all the mythology made this novella that much more interesting. Not sure if I liked the change of narration at the end though. But it was good nevertheless.
Favourite Quote:
“I’m game,” Raphael shivered. “I don’t suppose you have any spare clothes?”
“You should have thought of clothes before you decided to go human.”
The sinful smile was back. “I always dreamy of being naked with you. Couldn’t pass up the chance.”
I started the Jeep. “Could you get more full of yourself?”
“I’m mostly interested in getting you full of me.”
Angel’s Judgement by Nalini Singh - 5 stars.
I picked this book up for the sole purpose of reading the Guild Hunter novella. I have absolutely fallen in love with the world that Singh has built where vampires, angels, and humans co-exist. Though it’s beautiful, it’s also dangerous as hell.
Angel’s Judgement is the story of Sara Haziz, another hunter-born Guild Hunter who later becomes the Guild Director for America. But before she takes her rightful spot behind the Director desk, Sara is set on a mission to end a hunter who is on a vampire killing spree. But this time, she isn’t alone.
A sexy – and I mean really, really sexy – man named Deacon is there to help her. Sara is suspicious to find this towering and dangerously seductive man with her. But when she calls in to verify his Guild Hunter status, Simon the former Guild Director says that Deacon is there for a mission and to offer her protection from any Archangel threats. Because she is the most likely candidate for the Guild Director position, the Cadre of Archangels want to make sure she is capable enough to withstand their wrath. And also to prove that they are powerful and above all else.
The action is gritty and I loved every moment of it. There is more investigating in this novella than in Angel’s Pawn, but that’s because Sara uses knowledge to her advantage. Her mind is her weapon, along with her crossbow made by the hands of her lover.
Speaking of her lover, Deacon is so freaking amazing! I love his personality. He does his job well, but he can also be light and funny. I love the control he is able to manage. But when he loses control, as Sara said, he loses control.
Again, Singh writes what I would call a perfect novella. She has included action, danger, blood and romance. But I would love to read more about the love scenes between Deacon and Sara. What? I’m human! Sue me.
Favourite Quote:
Sara smiled, knowing her face was a blotchy mess. “Can you see him in a tux?” Her stomach tightened at the idea.
“Let me get the visual. Okay, I have it.” Elena sighed. “Oh, baby, I could lick him up in a tux.”
“Hey. Mine.” It was a growl.
Ellie grinned. “I have a pulse. He’s hot.”
Kickass h/h. Loved the emphasis on their romance. It somehow made me love them more, if that's even possible. And all the mythology made this novella that much more interesting. Not sure if I liked the change of narration at the end though. But it was good nevertheless.
Favourite Quote:
“I’m game,” Raphael shivered. “I don’t suppose you have any spare clothes?”
“You should have thought of clothes before you decided to go human.”
The sinful smile was back. “I always dreamy of being naked with you. Couldn’t pass up the chance.”
I started the Jeep. “Could you get more full of yourself?”
“I’m mostly interested in getting you full of me.”
Angel’s Judgement by Nalini Singh - 5 stars.
I picked this book up for the sole purpose of reading the Guild Hunter novella. I have absolutely fallen in love with the world that Singh has built where vampires, angels, and humans co-exist. Though it’s beautiful, it’s also dangerous as hell.
Angel’s Judgement is the story of Sara Haziz, another hunter-born Guild Hunter who later becomes the Guild Director for America. But before she takes her rightful spot behind the Director desk, Sara is set on a mission to end a hunter who is on a vampire killing spree. But this time, she isn’t alone.
A sexy – and I mean really, really sexy – man named Deacon is there to help her. Sara is suspicious to find this towering and dangerously seductive man with her. But when she calls in to verify his Guild Hunter status, Simon the former Guild Director says that Deacon is there for a mission and to offer her protection from any Archangel threats. Because she is the most likely candidate for the Guild Director position, the Cadre of Archangels want to make sure she is capable enough to withstand their wrath. And also to prove that they are powerful and above all else.
The action is gritty and I loved every moment of it. There is more investigating in this novella than in Angel’s Pawn, but that’s because Sara uses knowledge to her advantage. Her mind is her weapon, along with her crossbow made by the hands of her lover.
Speaking of her lover, Deacon is so freaking amazing! I love his personality. He does his job well, but he can also be light and funny. I love the control he is able to manage. But when he loses control, as Sara said, he loses control.
Again, Singh writes what I would call a perfect novella. She has included action, danger, blood and romance. But I would love to read more about the love scenes between Deacon and Sara. What? I’m human! Sue me.
Favourite Quote:
Sara smiled, knowing her face was a blotchy mess. “Can you see him in a tux?” Her stomach tightened at the idea.
“Let me get the visual. Okay, I have it.” Elena sighed. “Oh, baby, I could lick him up in a tux.”
“Hey. Mine.” It was a growl.
Ellie grinned. “I have a pulse. He’s hot.”
August 22, 2012
Charlaine Harris: The Britlingens Go to Hell
*2.5 - 3 stars*
Clovache and Batanya made their first appearance in All Together Dead. That book may be my favorite of the Sookie series - the epitome of Vampire Business - and the two bodyguards added an extra layer to our understanding of vampire paranoia. And wealth. Warrior bodyguards from another dimension! From what I recall, the two were highly logical, utterly efficient, and conducted themselves with a detached sort of honor.
In this novella, we meet them in their own dimension. Still efficient and honorable, but they're not as detached...and I wasn't convinced. I liked them in terms of their badassery. I didn't grow to care about them as individuals. As one might then expect, the romance was as flat as the characterization. The only attention-getting aspects were the landscape of hell, the semi-daring escape, and the slim details of the Britlingen organization. These were just enough to keep this from a lower rating.
Nalini Singh: Angels’ Judgment
*4 stars*
I've heard buzz about Singh for years. Though I own two of her books, I've repeatedly talked myself out of reading them. The reason? Fear of Romantic Disappointment.
Ah, romance. You're such a subjective thing. My personal needs for relationship portrayals include: physical attraction (naturally), mental stimulation in the forms of both flirting and friendly ball-busting, and a sense of equality between the prospective lovers. Did Angel's Judgment deliver? For the most part, yes, yes it did.
Singh deftly lays out the rules of her world, informing without bombarding. I was never confused about the universe, trusting the author to unfold the details as I needed them. The implied complexity of relations between angels, vampires, and hunters makes me want to delve deeper; I foresee a great deal of delicious treachery in this series.
When it comes to characterization and chemistry, Singh knows what she's doing. It helps, of course, that her two leads are people who Know What They Want. They're confident, capable, and willing to put themselves on the line. Both lead lifestyles that don't lend to humming and hawing. Each comprehends the other's difficulties. It all culminates in an openness that's refreshing. In no time at all, I felt their connection was justified and I was rooting for them to stick together. Shocking!
Since I believe Sara's friend, Ellie, plays a main role in the series proper I'll point out that I already like her. She's got chutzpah, she's amusing, and she seems to be a very good friend. All great traits in a heroine.
If I had any problem with the novella, it came at the very end. All relationships require some compromise, but I felt this resolution was a bit imbalanced. However, Singh made sure to have the characters themselves express the same concern. That comment alleviated much of my worry.
Time to dig out that Guild Hunter book!
Ilona Andrews: Magic Mourns
*3 - 3.5 stars*
It took a bit of mulling over, but I’ve pinpointed why this story didn’t have the same zing for me as others in the series.
I loved Raphael in the preceding Magic books. Good lord, the swagger, the hotness! This is the man who gave Kate a case of the vapors! (Okay, I know she wasn’t really going to faint, but after her description of him I thought I might.)
Even though he’s still a worthy sort, and we already knew he had some childish tendencies, “Magic Mourns” depicts a Raphael who doesn’t make me swoon. Match this with Andrea’s tightly wound personality and the story didn’t make me giddy.
I did like the use of Greek myth. And I loved the tie-in to the main storyline towards the end. Glimpsing Kate and Curran through the eyes of a powerful, previously unknown character added a nice layer of credence to our badass image of them.
Meljean Brook: Blind Spot
Review to come.
*2.5 - 3 stars*
Clovache and Batanya made their first appearance in All Together Dead. That book may be my favorite of the Sookie series - the epitome of Vampire Business - and the two bodyguards added an extra layer to our understanding of vampire paranoia. And wealth. Warrior bodyguards from another dimension! From what I recall, the two were highly logical, utterly efficient, and conducted themselves with a detached sort of honor.
In this novella, we meet them in their own dimension. Still efficient and honorable, but they're not as detached...and I wasn't convinced. I liked them in terms of their badassery. I didn't grow to care about them as individuals. As one might then expect, the romance was as flat as the characterization. The only attention-getting aspects were the landscape of hell, the semi-daring escape, and the slim details of the Britlingen organization. These were just enough to keep this from a lower rating.
Nalini Singh: Angels’ Judgment
*4 stars*
I've heard buzz about Singh for years. Though I own two of her books, I've repeatedly talked myself out of reading them. The reason? Fear of Romantic Disappointment.
Ah, romance. You're such a subjective thing. My personal needs for relationship portrayals include: physical attraction (naturally), mental stimulation in the forms of both flirting and friendly ball-busting, and a sense of equality between the prospective lovers. Did Angel's Judgment deliver? For the most part, yes, yes it did.
Singh deftly lays out the rules of her world, informing without bombarding. I was never confused about the universe, trusting the author to unfold the details as I needed them. The implied complexity of relations between angels, vampires, and hunters makes me want to delve deeper; I foresee a great deal of delicious treachery in this series.
When it comes to characterization and chemistry, Singh knows what she's doing. It helps, of course, that her two leads are people who Know What They Want. They're confident, capable, and willing to put themselves on the line. Both lead lifestyles that don't lend to humming and hawing. Each comprehends the other's difficulties. It all culminates in an openness that's refreshing. In no time at all, I felt their connection was justified and I was rooting for them to stick together. Shocking!
Since I believe Sara's friend, Ellie, plays a main role in the series proper I'll point out that I already like her. She's got chutzpah, she's amusing, and she seems to be a very good friend. All great traits in a heroine.
If I had any problem with the novella, it came at the very end. All relationships require some compromise, but I felt this resolution was a bit imbalanced. However, Singh made sure to have the characters themselves express the same concern. That comment alleviated much of my worry.
Time to dig out that Guild Hunter book!
Ilona Andrews: Magic Mourns
*3 - 3.5 stars*
It took a bit of mulling over, but I’ve pinpointed why this story didn’t have the same zing for me as others in the series.
I loved Raphael in the preceding Magic books. Good lord, the swagger, the hotness! This is the man who gave Kate a case of the vapors! (Okay, I know she wasn’t really going to faint, but after her description of him I thought I might.)
Even though he’s still a worthy sort, and we already knew he had some childish tendencies, “Magic Mourns” depicts a Raphael who doesn’t make me swoon. Match this with Andrea’s tightly wound personality and the story didn’t make me giddy.
I did like the use of Greek myth. And I loved the tie-in to the main storyline towards the end. Glimpsing Kate and Curran through the eyes of a powerful, previously unknown character added a nice layer of credence to our badass image of them.
Meljean Brook: Blind Spot
Review to come.
September 26, 2009
Man's Best `Fiend' puts in an appearance in Stories you can really sink your teeth into
Four of my favorite authors: Charlaine Harris, Meljean Brook, Iona Andrews and Nalini Singh all in one book, Yippee! Most of the stories were the perfect kind of connected shorts, ones which explore side characters so as not to take away from the main arc of the authors' popular series but which are still fun fill-ins for these wonderful worlds. If you are a fan of Brook's Guardians, Andrews' Kate Daniel's world, or Singh's Angel series, you are not going to want to miss this one. However if you are only a True Blood/Southern Vampires fan looking for a Sookie fix, you may be disappointed.
(2 stars - didn't like it ; 3 stars = ok; 3.5 = pretty good; 4 = liked it; 4.5 = really liked it; 5 stars = loved it)
[Charlaine Harris' "The Britilingens Go to Hell":] was not at all what I expected, it was more fantasy, and not in the Sookie world. Two female body guards in an alternate dimension with magic are given the job of escorting a thief back to hell to recover a stolen item he was force to leave behind. - This is the only one of the stories that wasn't a romance all though there is a reference to the heroine `doubling her pleasure and doubling her fun' by taking advantage of the leading man's `special' endowments off screen. The story was okay, but it was basically just a walk-about in Hell, it had almost a MaryJanice Davidson feel. (3 stars)
[Nalini Singh's "Angel's Judgement":] is a romance complete with the promise of a happily ever after. Set before Angel's Blood, we get the backstory for Elena's friend Sara as Sara is on the brink of accepting the job as Guild Director - should she live through the Angels' and vampires' test. Fortunately, using the pretense of aiding Sara in the hunt, for not a vamp but a rogue Guild Hunter, uber dark and sexy Slayer Deacon is on tap as backup. - I have to admit it, I read this one first and I had such high expectations - since I really really liked Angel's Blood - that I liked it when I read it but didn't love it. Unlike Singh's earlier Angel's Blood e-prequel (Angel's Pawn), this prequel doesn't really have the flavor of Angel's Blood. But still this might may be a good thing if you prefer her PsyChangelings, because Singh does write a good short story romance. I liked it better, on the second read with the different expectations. (3.5 stars 1st read, 4 stars on the second)
[Iona Andrews' "Magic Mourns":] was my favorite of the stories, Kate's off recouping from the events of Magic Strikes. Series regulars hyena shifter Raphael and closet hyena beastkin Andrea take a turn in the spotlight, and get a chance at romance while tackling a problem that involves a hellhound, a ghostly shade, some apples and a snake - okay as I mentioned above the short is a nice little carve out from the series. You could live without finding out whether the yummy Raphael and the weapons loving Andrea finally get their hook-up, but why would you want to? This story really has the flavor of the series and does such a good job of weaving in the mythical elements and of course the romance. (5 stars)
[MelJean Brook's "Blind Spot:] - Former CIA operative Maggie finally thought that she had a place to belong with her job as guard and trouble shooter to Savi and Colin (Demon Night), but a ghost from her past presents a possible conflict of loyalties in Maggie's hunt for a missing woman. Blind hero Blake seems an unlikely ally to help Maggie find his kidnapped sister - but then again Blake is more than he seems. Maggie's going to need Blake's special talents and a hellhound with a sense of humor, to make the right choices - I have to admit that I have a soft spot for Brook's Guardian series, I just love her heroes, and Blake is a good one. Brook also does a good job with the relationship between Maggie and Blake by setting up a pre-existing connection on Blake's part and, instead of rushing to bring the romance to completion, leaving us with a promise of a HEA for Maggie and Blake. (4.5 stars)
Four of my favorite authors: Charlaine Harris, Meljean Brook, Iona Andrews and Nalini Singh all in one book, Yippee! Most of the stories were the perfect kind of connected shorts, ones which explore side characters so as not to take away from the main arc of the authors' popular series but which are still fun fill-ins for these wonderful worlds. If you are a fan of Brook's Guardians, Andrews' Kate Daniel's world, or Singh's Angel series, you are not going to want to miss this one. However if you are only a True Blood/Southern Vampires fan looking for a Sookie fix, you may be disappointed.
(2 stars - didn't like it ; 3 stars = ok; 3.5 = pretty good; 4 = liked it; 4.5 = really liked it; 5 stars = loved it)
[Charlaine Harris' "The Britilingens Go to Hell":] was not at all what I expected, it was more fantasy, and not in the Sookie world. Two female body guards in an alternate dimension with magic are given the job of escorting a thief back to hell to recover a stolen item he was force to leave behind. - This is the only one of the stories that wasn't a romance all though there is a reference to the heroine `doubling her pleasure and doubling her fun' by taking advantage of the leading man's `special' endowments off screen. The story was okay, but it was basically just a walk-about in Hell, it had almost a MaryJanice Davidson feel. (3 stars)
[Nalini Singh's "Angel's Judgement":] is a romance complete with the promise of a happily ever after. Set before Angel's Blood, we get the backstory for Elena's friend Sara as Sara is on the brink of accepting the job as Guild Director - should she live through the Angels' and vampires' test. Fortunately, using the pretense of aiding Sara in the hunt, for not a vamp but a rogue Guild Hunter, uber dark and sexy Slayer Deacon is on tap as backup. - I have to admit it, I read this one first and I had such high expectations - since I really really liked Angel's Blood - that I liked it when I read it but didn't love it. Unlike Singh's earlier Angel's Blood e-prequel (Angel's Pawn), this prequel doesn't really have the flavor of Angel's Blood. But still this might may be a good thing if you prefer her PsyChangelings, because Singh does write a good short story romance. I liked it better, on the second read with the different expectations. (3.5 stars 1st read, 4 stars on the second)
[Iona Andrews' "Magic Mourns":] was my favorite of the stories, Kate's off recouping from the events of Magic Strikes. Series regulars hyena shifter Raphael and closet hyena beastkin Andrea take a turn in the spotlight, and get a chance at romance while tackling a problem that involves a hellhound, a ghostly shade, some apples and a snake - okay as I mentioned above the short is a nice little carve out from the series. You could live without finding out whether the yummy Raphael and the weapons loving Andrea finally get their hook-up, but why would you want to? This story really has the flavor of the series and does such a good job of weaving in the mythical elements and of course the romance. (5 stars)
[MelJean Brook's "Blind Spot:] - Former CIA operative Maggie finally thought that she had a place to belong with her job as guard and trouble shooter to Savi and Colin (Demon Night), but a ghost from her past presents a possible conflict of loyalties in Maggie's hunt for a missing woman. Blind hero Blake seems an unlikely ally to help Maggie find his kidnapped sister - but then again Blake is more than he seems. Maggie's going to need Blake's special talents and a hellhound with a sense of humor, to make the right choices - I have to admit that I have a soft spot for Brook's Guardian series, I just love her heroes, and Blake is a good one. Brook also does a good job with the relationship between Maggie and Blake by setting up a pre-existing connection on Blake's part and, instead of rushing to bring the romance to completion, leaving us with a promise of a HEA for Maggie and Blake. (4.5 stars)
April 14, 2015
"The Britlingens Go to Hell" by Charlaine Harris
Although set in Sookie's "world" this felt more like one of Charlaine Harris' fantasy novels. Assassins/bodyguards Clovache and Batanya are required to accompany a thief to Hell itself. They encounter demons of all kinds (including a couple of not-entirely-fearsome hellhounds), and attempt to steal a treasure from Lucifer himself. Rating: 3★
"Angel’s Judgment" by Nalini Singh
I love Nalini Singh’s Guild’s Hunters series and this was a great addition. We get to see the hunt that brought together Sara (Elena’s best friend) and her future husband, Deacon. Deacon definitely wins the "hottest hunk" award in the whole anthology. Rating: 5★
"Magic Mourns" by Ilona Andrews
Another one of my favorites, Andrews' Kate Daniels series. Kate herself has a cameo in the love story of her best friend, Andrea and her bouda, Raphael (were-hyena) lover. Raphael is courting Andrea in the unusual manner of his people. It’s a bitter-sweet tale, with complex threads of grief, love, lust, fear, and desperation. Rating: 5★
"Blind Spot" by Meljean Brook
I have yet to read any of Brook's Guardian’s series, but I am interested a bit after this novella. Maggie Wren goes in search of her vampire employer’s missing family members, with the help of a three-headed hell-hound named Sir Pup. Rating: 3★
Overall Rating: 4★
Although set in Sookie's "world" this felt more like one of Charlaine Harris' fantasy novels. Assassins/bodyguards Clovache and Batanya are required to accompany a thief to Hell itself. They encounter demons of all kinds (including a couple of not-entirely-fearsome hellhounds), and attempt to steal a treasure from Lucifer himself. Rating: 3★
"Angel’s Judgment" by Nalini Singh
I love Nalini Singh’s Guild’s Hunters series and this was a great addition. We get to see the hunt that brought together Sara (Elena’s best friend) and her future husband, Deacon. Deacon definitely wins the "hottest hunk" award in the whole anthology. Rating: 5★
"Magic Mourns" by Ilona Andrews
Another one of my favorites, Andrews' Kate Daniels series. Kate herself has a cameo in the love story of her best friend, Andrea and her bouda, Raphael (were-hyena) lover. Raphael is courting Andrea in the unusual manner of his people. It’s a bitter-sweet tale, with complex threads of grief, love, lust, fear, and desperation. Rating: 5★
"Blind Spot" by Meljean Brook
I have yet to read any of Brook's Guardian’s series, but I am interested a bit after this novella. Maggie Wren goes in search of her vampire employer’s missing family members, with the help of a three-headed hell-hound named Sir Pup. Rating: 3★
Overall Rating: 4★
September 23, 2014
A novella collection by four different authors is hard to rate.
I found all of the stories to be well-written and enjoyable, but none of them would scream "Read the books in this universe!" at me if I weren't already familiar with the authors. Hence the three-star overall rating.
I enjoyed "Magic Mourns" the most, partly because I'm currently reading the Kate Daniels books. The Charlaine Harris story was good, but since it was about characters who barely play a part in the Sookie Stackhouse stories, it didn't really add anything to my understanding or insight into that world or those people, which was disappointing. The Nalini Singh story seems to be an introduction to two characters, and succeeded in making me want to see more of them. The Meljean Brook story grabbed me the least, but I also have the least familiarity with her mythology, so I suspect that's the source of my less-enthusiastic reaction.
Recommended as supplements to the other books in each author's series, but not as a standalone collection.
October 19, 2024
"Los Britlingens van al Infierno": Un relato de Charlaine Harris perteneciente a la saga "Sangre fresca" aunque yo no le ví relacción alguna con el resto de la serie. Pensé si sería por la chica que rescataron pero dado el año en que se perdió, no puede ser. Así que ni idea.
Como relato, Independientemente de a qué saga pertenezca y por qué, es más bien aburridete. GL Bis (Sangre fresca)
Como relato, Independientemente de a qué saga pertenezca y por qué, es más bien aburridete. GL Bis (Sangre fresca)
July 19, 2018
I wouldn't mind a story with Teddy Jo as main character
October 17, 2009
http://janicu.livejournal.com/87932.html
preordered this one because this anthology of four paranormal stories featuring hellhounds has a couple authors I like in it.
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1) Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews: This is the third story in the anthology but I read it first. :)
The Premise: This is a story set in the same world as the Kate Daniel series, but this time the first person narrator is Kate's best friend, Andrea. Andrea is filling in for Kate one day, when a call comes in about a member of the Atlanta Pack being chased after by a giant, three-headed hound. Andrea goes out to help and is dismayed to find Raphael, a were-hyena is the Pack member in trouble. Raphael has been pursuing Andrea for a while but Andrea is afraid he's only interested in her for her novelty, not for herself.
Excerpt of Magic Mourns
My Thoughts: It's probably better to have read the Kate Daniels series before reading this short story because much of the back story on Andrea's origins and her relationship with Raphael is in those books, but that's also reiterated in this story, so it's not hard to understand what's going on. I thought Andrea's personality was similar to Kate's (independent woman, hiding something, and doesn't trust easily), but her voice was different enough from Kate's (more wry humor I think) to make the story interesting. I enjoyed reading this one, because the pacing was just right to me, with a good balance of urban fantasy action and romance. I could savor it slowly. The reader already knows what will happen between Andrea and Raphael, especially if you've been following the Kate Daniels series, but it's satisfying anyway. I also liked how well the story intersects with the Kate Daniels series and reveals a couple of things for people paying attention, but you don't have to have read that series to follow this story (and there are no spoilers).
Overall: I'm a big fan of Ilona Andrews so no surprise: I liked this story a lot. A must read for Kate Daniel's fans.
P.S. Is anyone else noticing some re-occurring themes in Andrews stories? Like the protection of children? Not that this is a complaint, I just find it interesting.
********
2) The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris: This is the first story in Must Love Hellhounds, and by one of the two headlining authors (the other is Nalini Singh).
The Premise: Batanya and Clovache are both part of the Britlingen Collective, highly trained bodyguards for hire, who are assigned an unusual client. Crick wants Batanya and Clovache to protect him in Hell while he retrieves an item that he'd been hired to steal but he was caught the first time he was there.
My Thoughts: It's a quirky, odd tale and not quite what I was expecting from Charlaine Harris. It takes some time to figure out who the Britlingens are and they use a combination of high tech and magic for their jobs, and hell is a bizarre place with a mixture of mythical creatures in it. Their client and others they run into are oddball people, and the whole tale uses a rather cheerful, matter of fact tone no matter what is happening. An example of bizarre is that someone has 2 penises. TWO PENISES!! It's half-funny and half-I-don't-know-what.
Overall: I'm not sure if this will appeal to everyone depending on their sense of humor or level of tolerance for the off-beat. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't love it either. So I suppose it was in the "OK" to "good" range for me.
********
3) Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh: Set in the same world as Singh's Angel series, this story centers on vampire hunter Sara Haziz.
The Premise: Sara Haziz's job is to bring back runaway vampires to their angel masters. Her latest retrieval is of a vampire whose head was almost cut off. Word is that a rogue hunter who has killed other vampires this way is responsible, and Deacon, the Slayer, is brought in.
Excerpt of Angel's Judgment
My Thoughts: This was a straightforward whodunit with two ass-kicking characters and romance between them. The world building was interesting, and I didn't have any problems following what was going on even though I haven't read any of the novels set in this world yet. I couldn't tell where this novella fit in the timeline of the Angels' series though. At first I thought it was after Angel's Blood, the first book, and was concerned that I was being spoiled, but then later on it sounded like Elena, Sara's best friend and the heroine of the series, hadn't met an archangel yet, so maybe this novella is supposed to happen before the series starts. The biggest issue I had with this was the repeated references to the sexual attraction of the two main characters, which made the romance very physical and not mental enough for me. Deacon bluntly tells Sara he wants to take her to bed within a very short time of knowing her and they pretty much sleep together while on a job together. In the middle of their investigation when Sara is going to be the next hunter Guild Director? I also found it silly that Deacon was so big that he couldn't fit into Sara's car and had to follow on his motorcycle. Other than my inability to suspend disbelief at these things (and I think I'm in the minority from what I've seen), the story itself was relatively enjoyable.
Overall: Not bad but the romance was too predictable and physical for my tastes, but I think it would appeal to those who like a little steam in their stories.
********
4) Blind Spot by Meljean Brook: This one is another story linked to a series I haven't read, which is the Guardian series.
The Premise: Maggie is the equivalent of a butler for a very wealthy and powerful family, and her boss happens to be a vampire. When Maggie's employer's niece, Katherine, is kidnapped in New York, Katherine's brother, Goeffrey Blake goes to get her, but he runs into some trouble and Maggie is sent over. Maggie and Geoff must work together (along with the family's hellhound, Sir Pup) to find his sister.
My Thoughts: I haven't read the Guardian series, but I have read another novella set in this world in the Wild Thing anthology. I remember liking the worldbuilding in that story, but this one is even better. I think this author has grown, and I'm impressed! I felt like I was seeing Geoff and Maggie get to know one another and that although they each had an interest in each other they were aware that finding Katherine was more important. The attraction is shown more subtly, like their mutual curiosity for each other, and in gestures, like Maggie's quick looks everywhere but pauses on Geoff's mouth and hands. Meanwhile, Geoff's thoughts reveal that he has known and thought about Maggie far before they ever met, which pulled me in because I wanted to know why and how that happened. The fantasy elements, such as Sir Pup the shape-shifting hellhound, and interesting abilities (really cool but I don't want to spoil you), were unique and fascinating but also help along the story. I adored Sir Pup, the half-scary chaperone and comic relief.
Overall: Really enjoyable blend of the fantastic and romantic. I liked this more than I expected to: it ties with the Ilona Andrews novella as my favorite in this anthology.
preordered this one because this anthology of four paranormal stories featuring hellhounds has a couple authors I like in it.
********
1) Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews: This is the third story in the anthology but I read it first. :)
The Premise: This is a story set in the same world as the Kate Daniel series, but this time the first person narrator is Kate's best friend, Andrea. Andrea is filling in for Kate one day, when a call comes in about a member of the Atlanta Pack being chased after by a giant, three-headed hound. Andrea goes out to help and is dismayed to find Raphael, a were-hyena is the Pack member in trouble. Raphael has been pursuing Andrea for a while but Andrea is afraid he's only interested in her for her novelty, not for herself.
Excerpt of Magic Mourns
My Thoughts: It's probably better to have read the Kate Daniels series before reading this short story because much of the back story on Andrea's origins and her relationship with Raphael is in those books, but that's also reiterated in this story, so it's not hard to understand what's going on. I thought Andrea's personality was similar to Kate's (independent woman, hiding something, and doesn't trust easily), but her voice was different enough from Kate's (more wry humor I think) to make the story interesting. I enjoyed reading this one, because the pacing was just right to me, with a good balance of urban fantasy action and romance. I could savor it slowly. The reader already knows what will happen between Andrea and Raphael, especially if you've been following the Kate Daniels series, but it's satisfying anyway. I also liked how well the story intersects with the Kate Daniels series and reveals a couple of things for people paying attention, but you don't have to have read that series to follow this story (and there are no spoilers).
Overall: I'm a big fan of Ilona Andrews so no surprise: I liked this story a lot. A must read for Kate Daniel's fans.
P.S. Is anyone else noticing some re-occurring themes in Andrews stories? Like the protection of children? Not that this is a complaint, I just find it interesting.
********
2) The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris: This is the first story in Must Love Hellhounds, and by one of the two headlining authors (the other is Nalini Singh).
The Premise: Batanya and Clovache are both part of the Britlingen Collective, highly trained bodyguards for hire, who are assigned an unusual client. Crick wants Batanya and Clovache to protect him in Hell while he retrieves an item that he'd been hired to steal but he was caught the first time he was there.
My Thoughts: It's a quirky, odd tale and not quite what I was expecting from Charlaine Harris. It takes some time to figure out who the Britlingens are and they use a combination of high tech and magic for their jobs, and hell is a bizarre place with a mixture of mythical creatures in it. Their client and others they run into are oddball people, and the whole tale uses a rather cheerful, matter of fact tone no matter what is happening. An example of bizarre is that someone has 2 penises. TWO PENISES!! It's half-funny and half-I-don't-know-what.
Overall: I'm not sure if this will appeal to everyone depending on their sense of humor or level of tolerance for the off-beat. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't love it either. So I suppose it was in the "OK" to "good" range for me.
********
3) Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh: Set in the same world as Singh's Angel series, this story centers on vampire hunter Sara Haziz.
The Premise: Sara Haziz's job is to bring back runaway vampires to their angel masters. Her latest retrieval is of a vampire whose head was almost cut off. Word is that a rogue hunter who has killed other vampires this way is responsible, and Deacon, the Slayer, is brought in.
Excerpt of Angel's Judgment
My Thoughts: This was a straightforward whodunit with two ass-kicking characters and romance between them. The world building was interesting, and I didn't have any problems following what was going on even though I haven't read any of the novels set in this world yet. I couldn't tell where this novella fit in the timeline of the Angels' series though. At first I thought it was after Angel's Blood, the first book, and was concerned that I was being spoiled, but then later on it sounded like Elena, Sara's best friend and the heroine of the series, hadn't met an archangel yet, so maybe this novella is supposed to happen before the series starts. The biggest issue I had with this was the repeated references to the sexual attraction of the two main characters, which made the romance very physical and not mental enough for me. Deacon bluntly tells Sara he wants to take her to bed within a very short time of knowing her and they pretty much sleep together while on a job together. In the middle of their investigation when Sara is going to be the next hunter Guild Director? I also found it silly that Deacon was so big that he couldn't fit into Sara's car and had to follow on his motorcycle. Other than my inability to suspend disbelief at these things (and I think I'm in the minority from what I've seen), the story itself was relatively enjoyable.
Overall: Not bad but the romance was too predictable and physical for my tastes, but I think it would appeal to those who like a little steam in their stories.
********
4) Blind Spot by Meljean Brook: This one is another story linked to a series I haven't read, which is the Guardian series.
The Premise: Maggie is the equivalent of a butler for a very wealthy and powerful family, and her boss happens to be a vampire. When Maggie's employer's niece, Katherine, is kidnapped in New York, Katherine's brother, Goeffrey Blake goes to get her, but he runs into some trouble and Maggie is sent over. Maggie and Geoff must work together (along with the family's hellhound, Sir Pup) to find his sister.
My Thoughts: I haven't read the Guardian series, but I have read another novella set in this world in the Wild Thing anthology. I remember liking the worldbuilding in that story, but this one is even better. I think this author has grown, and I'm impressed! I felt like I was seeing Geoff and Maggie get to know one another and that although they each had an interest in each other they were aware that finding Katherine was more important. The attraction is shown more subtly, like their mutual curiosity for each other, and in gestures, like Maggie's quick looks everywhere but pauses on Geoff's mouth and hands. Meanwhile, Geoff's thoughts reveal that he has known and thought about Maggie far before they ever met, which pulled me in because I wanted to know why and how that happened. The fantasy elements, such as Sir Pup the shape-shifting hellhound, and interesting abilities (really cool but I don't want to spoil you), were unique and fascinating but also help along the story. I adored Sir Pup, the half-scary chaperone and comic relief.
Overall: Really enjoyable blend of the fantastic and romantic. I liked this more than I expected to: it ties with the Ilona Andrews novella as my favorite in this anthology.
March 14, 2017
The Brittingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris~
Didn't read this installment in the book. I've tried to read Harris in the past but could never really get into her. So I decided to skip this one.
Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh~ 4/5
This is a short prequel story to Singh's Guild Hunter series. It features Sara Haziz right before she decides to accept the Guild Hunter director job. Its basically a "how they met" story about how Sara and her husband, Deacon, got together. I pretty much loved this story.
Sara and Deacon are assigned the job of finding out who is behind a spurt of vampire slayings in the area. Signs point towards it being a hunter who has gone rogue. However, things begin to get complicated when one of the archangels decides to test the potential new guild director.
Like most of the things I've read from Singh, this was pretty fabulous. However, places felt a little rushed. Singh had several good plot threads going that could've easily carried a book length story. Great installment for fans of the series.
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews~ 3/5
This story is the one I bought the book for. I've been wanting to get into Andrew's Kate Daniels series but I wanted to do a trail run first. So I decided to start with this short story which is set in the same world.
Andrea Nash works for the Knights of Merciful Aid and has been taking care of things while Kate recovers from an injury. After receiving a call about an enormous dog terrorizing a shifter, Andrea heads out to investigate. What she finds is Raphael, a hyena shifter, being chased by a three headed dog the size of a house. The Cerberus is there because someone stole the body of a person who worshiped Hades. Now Andrea and Raphael have to find out who, why, and how to get rid of the giant dog.
I was pretty pleased with this. The setting and characters were interesting. I enjoyed the dystopian-ish tone of the story. It was also nice to see that Andrews has crafted a world with strong female characters. The only reason why I'm giving it a 3 is because it lagged in some areas for me, but I'll definitely be checking out Magic Bites.
Blind Spot by Meljean Brook~ 3.5/5
I've only read one book so far in Brook's Guardians series, so I was excited to read a short story set in the same world. One thing I have to say about Brook is that she has a pretty dense writing style. She packs a lot of depth into her stories and I love that.
Blind Spot features Maggie "Winters" Wren as she tries to track down Colin's, her employer, kidnapped niece. First, however, she has to retrieve Geoff, Colin's nephew. Geoff is blind, but has the ability to see through other people's eyes. He had been using his talent in an attempt to find his sister until he was attacked and chained to a heat register. After being rescued by Maggie, Geoff makes a deal that has them working together to find his sister.
Great short story. Geoff was an interesting character and I enjoyed his ability. However, Maggie really stole the show for me in this one. She reminded me of Jeeves from P.G. Wodehouse's novels if he had been a trained assassin. Pretty kick-ass if you ask me. Can't wait to read more from this series
Didn't read this installment in the book. I've tried to read Harris in the past but could never really get into her. So I decided to skip this one.
Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh~ 4/5
This is a short prequel story to Singh's Guild Hunter series. It features Sara Haziz right before she decides to accept the Guild Hunter director job. Its basically a "how they met" story about how Sara and her husband, Deacon, got together. I pretty much loved this story.
Sara and Deacon are assigned the job of finding out who is behind a spurt of vampire slayings in the area. Signs point towards it being a hunter who has gone rogue. However, things begin to get complicated when one of the archangels decides to test the potential new guild director.
Like most of the things I've read from Singh, this was pretty fabulous. However, places felt a little rushed. Singh had several good plot threads going that could've easily carried a book length story. Great installment for fans of the series.
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews~ 3/5
This story is the one I bought the book for. I've been wanting to get into Andrew's Kate Daniels series but I wanted to do a trail run first. So I decided to start with this short story which is set in the same world.
Andrea Nash works for the Knights of Merciful Aid and has been taking care of things while Kate recovers from an injury. After receiving a call about an enormous dog terrorizing a shifter, Andrea heads out to investigate. What she finds is Raphael, a hyena shifter, being chased by a three headed dog the size of a house. The Cerberus is there because someone stole the body of a person who worshiped Hades. Now Andrea and Raphael have to find out who, why, and how to get rid of the giant dog.
I was pretty pleased with this. The setting and characters were interesting. I enjoyed the dystopian-ish tone of the story. It was also nice to see that Andrews has crafted a world with strong female characters. The only reason why I'm giving it a 3 is because it lagged in some areas for me, but I'll definitely be checking out Magic Bites.
Blind Spot by Meljean Brook~ 3.5/5
I've only read one book so far in Brook's Guardians series, so I was excited to read a short story set in the same world. One thing I have to say about Brook is that she has a pretty dense writing style. She packs a lot of depth into her stories and I love that.
Blind Spot features Maggie "Winters" Wren as she tries to track down Colin's, her employer, kidnapped niece. First, however, she has to retrieve Geoff, Colin's nephew. Geoff is blind, but has the ability to see through other people's eyes. He had been using his talent in an attempt to find his sister until he was attacked and chained to a heat register. After being rescued by Maggie, Geoff makes a deal that has them working together to find his sister.
Great short story. Geoff was an interesting character and I enjoyed his ability. However, Maggie really stole the show for me in this one. She reminded me of Jeeves from P.G. Wodehouse's novels if he had been a trained assassin. Pretty kick-ass if you ask me. Can't wait to read more from this series
January 17, 2019
Basic Premise: 4 novellas, all ostensibly about hellhounds somehow.
"The Britlingens Go to Hell" by Charlaine Harris- Basic plot: the 2 Britlingens are hired to help a client retrieve an item from Hell. Sucked. One star story. Pulled the whole volume down a full star. Took me 3 weeks to read it. If you've read the Sookie Stackhouse books, the Britlingens appear there. Frankly, they were different, but not nearly interesting enough to get me into the story. It was only through sheer force of will that I finished it. The link to the theme of the novels was tenuous at best. I've read some other stories from the Sookie=verse and wasn't disappointed, so I'm going to chalk this up to a fluke of writing and pretend I never read it.
"Angels' Judgement" by Nalini Singh- Basic plot: Sara (hunter) has to figure out who's killing vampires in her town and gets paired with a hunky Slayer to do so. The romance writer tendencies of the author were obvious at the beginning, but then the plot took over, which made me happily note that the author actually could write a story. Aside from the utterly strange mythology (Angels create vampires?????), strange hunters (they don't kill vampires???) and the author's tendency to describe the male love interest as if he were a filet mignon, the story caught my interest and held it. The tie-in to the theme was a little better than the first story's, but still kind of iffy. This was a 3-star story in my mind. Decent plot, decent writing. Refreshing after the pain of the first story.
"Magic Mourns" by Ilona Andrews- Basic plot: Andrea (secretly a bouda((werehyena))) helps Raphael (another werehyena, in love/lust with Andrea) to find his stepfather's corpse before a rogue necromancer can steal the magic apples the stepfather was guarding. I'm kind of impressed that I fit all that into one sentence. I'm doubly impressed that the author team managed to fit the story into a novella. 4 star story. Plus bonus points for a cool, alliterative title. I've read several stories by this author team by now, and the universe they've invented now has me completely intrigued. I must find some of their novels to see if they are as good as her stories. The universe involves the fact that waves of magic or technology sweep over the land. When one is working, the other doesn't. The characters were compelling, the plot was obviously not simplistic, and while the characters were attracted to each other I didn't feel like I was reading a romance story. Great read and the hellhound in question was Cerberus, which was a lot of fun.
"Blind Spot" by Meljean Brook- Basic plot: Maggie (a vampire's butler/problem solver) and Geoff (the vampire's nephew) must work together to find Geoff's kidnapped sister with the help of Sir Pup. 4 star story. Again with the intriguing characters, particularly the hellhound Sir Pup. :) The name alone cracks me up. I always like it when characters don't take themselves too seriously, and there was definite humor in the way the characters dealt with their situations and personality quirks. This story used the theme of the book best overall and was definitely the best of the four stories in my mind.
"The Britlingens Go to Hell" by Charlaine Harris- Basic plot: the 2 Britlingens are hired to help a client retrieve an item from Hell. Sucked. One star story. Pulled the whole volume down a full star. Took me 3 weeks to read it. If you've read the Sookie Stackhouse books, the Britlingens appear there. Frankly, they were different, but not nearly interesting enough to get me into the story. It was only through sheer force of will that I finished it. The link to the theme of the novels was tenuous at best. I've read some other stories from the Sookie=verse and wasn't disappointed, so I'm going to chalk this up to a fluke of writing and pretend I never read it.
"Angels' Judgement" by Nalini Singh- Basic plot: Sara (hunter) has to figure out who's killing vampires in her town and gets paired with a hunky Slayer to do so. The romance writer tendencies of the author were obvious at the beginning, but then the plot took over, which made me happily note that the author actually could write a story. Aside from the utterly strange mythology (Angels create vampires?????), strange hunters (they don't kill vampires???) and the author's tendency to describe the male love interest as if he were a filet mignon, the story caught my interest and held it. The tie-in to the theme was a little better than the first story's, but still kind of iffy. This was a 3-star story in my mind. Decent plot, decent writing. Refreshing after the pain of the first story.
"Magic Mourns" by Ilona Andrews- Basic plot: Andrea (secretly a bouda((werehyena))) helps Raphael (another werehyena, in love/lust with Andrea) to find his stepfather's corpse before a rogue necromancer can steal the magic apples the stepfather was guarding. I'm kind of impressed that I fit all that into one sentence. I'm doubly impressed that the author team managed to fit the story into a novella. 4 star story. Plus bonus points for a cool, alliterative title. I've read several stories by this author team by now, and the universe they've invented now has me completely intrigued. I must find some of their novels to see if they are as good as her stories. The universe involves the fact that waves of magic or technology sweep over the land. When one is working, the other doesn't. The characters were compelling, the plot was obviously not simplistic, and while the characters were attracted to each other I didn't feel like I was reading a romance story. Great read and the hellhound in question was Cerberus, which was a lot of fun.
"Blind Spot" by Meljean Brook- Basic plot: Maggie (a vampire's butler/problem solver) and Geoff (the vampire's nephew) must work together to find Geoff's kidnapped sister with the help of Sir Pup. 4 star story. Again with the intriguing characters, particularly the hellhound Sir Pup. :) The name alone cracks me up. I always like it when characters don't take themselves too seriously, and there was definite humor in the way the characters dealt with their situations and personality quirks. This story used the theme of the book best overall and was definitely the best of the four stories in my mind.
November 24, 2021
Esta antología ha sido un poco floja. Y eso que, normalmente, me suelen gustar bastante.
The Britlingens Go to Hell de Charlaine Harris:
Al principio, la verdad, estaba muy perdida. De hecho, no he situado a los personajes en el contexto del universo de la saga Sookie Stackhouse hasta que he terminado esta historia corta y he vuelto a leer el título. Entonces he caído 😅 Me ha resultado una historia tan peregrina que me tenía totalmente descolocada. No ha estado mal pero las 3 estrellas que le doy son porque es original y rara. Muuy rara. El humor también la ha salvado, sinceramente. Me he reído bastante.
Angel's Judgment de Nalini Singh:
Es una novela corta del universo Guild Hunter. Una saga, y escritora, con la que tengo una relación amor/odio turbulenta. Esta historia me ha gustado muchísimo. Sí, puede parecer precipitada porque es amor a primera vista x100. Sinceramente, he conocido a gente que cree estar enamorada a primera vista. No me sorprende. Y si no, siempre nos queda suspender la incredulidad, que esto es fantasía, por favor. Para mí, ha sido merecedora de 4 estrellas.
Magic Mourns de Ilona Andrews:
Historia corta de la saga Kate Daniels. Creo recordar que solo leí los 5 primeros libros. No le tenía un gran aprecio a este universo. Es entretenido y está bien construido, pero sus personajes masculinos a veces no me terminaban de convencer. Bueno, sus personajes en general y punto. Esta novela corta me ha aburrido un poco. Normalita. Imagino que si eres fan de la saga (sé que tuvo mucho éxito) será una imprescindible. Para mí, no. Por eso le doy 2 estrellas.
Blind Spot de Meljean Brook:
No conocía a esta escritora así que no puedo opinar demasiado sobre sus libros o su escritura habiendo leído solo su historia corta. Ha sido interesante. Me he sentido un poco perdida, pero me ha entretenido y me ha llamado lo suficiente la atención como para hacerme buscar algún libro suyo y meterlo en mi lista interminable de pendientes. Para mí, 2.5 estrellas.
He sido generosa puntuando. Por lo menos, con respecto a mis gustos y mi opinión sobre cada historia. Nunca me arrepiento de haber leído una antología. Sea de lo que sea 😁
The Britlingens Go to Hell de Charlaine Harris:
Al principio, la verdad, estaba muy perdida. De hecho, no he situado a los personajes en el contexto del universo de la saga Sookie Stackhouse hasta que he terminado esta historia corta y he vuelto a leer el título. Entonces he caído 😅 Me ha resultado una historia tan peregrina que me tenía totalmente descolocada. No ha estado mal pero las 3 estrellas que le doy son porque es original y rara. Muuy rara. El humor también la ha salvado, sinceramente. Me he reído bastante.
Angel's Judgment de Nalini Singh:
Es una novela corta del universo Guild Hunter. Una saga, y escritora, con la que tengo una relación amor/odio turbulenta. Esta historia me ha gustado muchísimo. Sí, puede parecer precipitada porque es amor a primera vista x100. Sinceramente, he conocido a gente que cree estar enamorada a primera vista. No me sorprende. Y si no, siempre nos queda suspender la incredulidad, que esto es fantasía, por favor. Para mí, ha sido merecedora de 4 estrellas.
Magic Mourns de Ilona Andrews:
Historia corta de la saga Kate Daniels. Creo recordar que solo leí los 5 primeros libros. No le tenía un gran aprecio a este universo. Es entretenido y está bien construido, pero sus personajes masculinos a veces no me terminaban de convencer. Bueno, sus personajes en general y punto. Esta novela corta me ha aburrido un poco. Normalita. Imagino que si eres fan de la saga (sé que tuvo mucho éxito) será una imprescindible. Para mí, no. Por eso le doy 2 estrellas.
Blind Spot de Meljean Brook:
No conocía a esta escritora así que no puedo opinar demasiado sobre sus libros o su escritura habiendo leído solo su historia corta. Ha sido interesante. Me he sentido un poco perdida, pero me ha entretenido y me ha llamado lo suficiente la atención como para hacerme buscar algún libro suyo y meterlo en mi lista interminable de pendientes. Para mí, 2.5 estrellas.
He sido generosa puntuando. Por lo menos, con respecto a mis gustos y mi opinión sobre cada historia. Nunca me arrepiento de haber leído una antología. Sea de lo que sea 😁
June 28, 2011
I bought 'Must Love Hellhounds' for two stories: Nalini Singh's 'Angels' Judgement' and Ilona Andrews's 'Magic Mourns'
Angel's Judgement: 5/5
I loved it!As a prequel to one of my favourite paranormal series, it was perfect. I loved seeing how Sara became the Guild Director, and how she fell in love with Deacon. I was a little concerned with their "Love at first sight" approach, but in a short story things have to move quickly, and it was easy to move past that when you know where their lives are headed already.
I loved seeing both Raphael and Elena in the story, even though they weren't together yet. Elena's comments about never wanting to meet an archangel made me laugh. And seeing her play the best-friend role always makes me smile.
It was a really good story. Makes me miss the series. I won't be surprised if I find myself rereading it soon.
Magic Mourns: 4.5/5
In a Kate Daniels mood, I was really looking forward to reading Andrea's story. I love that the focus was on Andrea and Raphael. I love them together as a couple, and I loved finding out more about Andrea's past and why she resisted Raphael for so long.
Andrea's a lot different from Kate in the way she thinks. Kate is wild in the sense that she lets the situation determine her actions, while Andrea is very structured. It was definitely interesting seeing trouble through her eyes.
It was in interesting story, but it did little to continue my obsession with the series (apart from further developing Andrea and Raphael's relationship, which was fine because I enjoy seeing them together. I was particularly pleased to find that Andrea kept 'The Thing'.)
I rate 'Must Love Hellhounds' 4/5 stars, because I was only interested in 2 of the stories. I can't give a complete rating, as I have not read half the book.
Nalini and Ilona, you've fuelled my obsessions well.
Angel's Judgement: 5/5
I loved it!As a prequel to one of my favourite paranormal series, it was perfect. I loved seeing how Sara became the Guild Director, and how she fell in love with Deacon. I was a little concerned with their "Love at first sight" approach, but in a short story things have to move quickly, and it was easy to move past that when you know where their lives are headed already.
I loved seeing both Raphael and Elena in the story, even though they weren't together yet. Elena's comments about never wanting to meet an archangel made me laugh. And seeing her play the best-friend role always makes me smile.
It was a really good story. Makes me miss the series. I won't be surprised if I find myself rereading it soon.
Magic Mourns: 4.5/5
In a Kate Daniels mood, I was really looking forward to reading Andrea's story. I love that the focus was on Andrea and Raphael. I love them together as a couple, and I loved finding out more about Andrea's past and why she resisted Raphael for so long.
Andrea's a lot different from Kate in the way she thinks. Kate is wild in the sense that she lets the situation determine her actions, while Andrea is very structured. It was definitely interesting seeing trouble through her eyes.
It was in interesting story, but it did little to continue my obsession with the series (apart from further developing Andrea and Raphael's relationship, which was fine because I enjoy seeing them together. I was particularly pleased to find that Andrea kept 'The Thing'.)
I rate 'Must Love Hellhounds' 4/5 stars, because I was only interested in 2 of the stories. I can't give a complete rating, as I have not read half the book.
Nalini and Ilona, you've fuelled my obsessions well.
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