The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Nov 21, 2011 Mariya rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, dropped-series, cop-or-detective

THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS was a weird book because I liked it and didn't like it. There were times where it was slow and I didn't really get what was going on and part where I was completely into what was going on. The characters were great and I really enjoyed them, but the plot bored me to a point where I was skimming through parts of the book.

Charlie has the personality of a lot of my favorite Urban Fantasy Heroines. She's very stubborn sometimes and she has a temper on her, but you love he THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS was a weird book because I liked it and didn't like it. There were times where it was slow and I didn't really get what was going on and part where I was completely into what was going on. The characters were great and I really enjoyed them, but the plot bored me to a point where I was skimming through parts of the book.

Charlie has the personality of a lot of my favorite Urban Fantasy Heroines. She's very stubborn sometimes and she has a temper on her, but you love her toughness. Charlie is a detective who has a kid and an ex husband and oh, she died and came back to life. So things are a little complicated. There were times where I was annoyed with Charlie and she wouldn't be my favorite Urban Fantasy Heroine, but she was an enjoyable leading lady.

“Please tell me you’re laying low.” “Um …” I held the phone away from my ear as Hank yelled. “Damn it! I knew it! I knew you couldn’t stay out of trouble for one day. One day, Charlie!”

I love Hank! I want Hank! Oh, Hank, please marry me! Hank is Charlie's partner in crime who is a siren, which he has the ability to to voice people, which is kinda cool and hot. Hank is a funny character and I may have not been able to finish the book if not for him. I think his humor and charm really made me want to continue. And boy, is he a charmer. There wasn't much romance though in THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS, but hopefully in the other books there will be.

“Whoa, I know you like to manhandle me and all, but this should probably wait until we’re alone.” “Shut up, Hank.”

We also have Will, Charlie's ex. He betrayed Charlie in a way that she simply cannot forgive and I understand where Charlie is coming from. And it gets complicated where she still loves him, but she has to be able to forgive him for things to move forward. Will is okay, I didn't really care all that much for his character though. I'd have to be really into the book to comment on the heroine having a kid and I wasn't.

All in all it was really just an okay book to me. THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS didn't really stand out in terms of all the Urban Fantasy books I have read. I plan on reading the sequel to see if the author brings anything more to the story and hopefully she does.

More of my reviews at Mystifying Paranormal Reviews ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Jun 14, 2010 Rachel-RN rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2012

This one if full of action. No romance FYI. I did enjoy it. Charlie did grow as a character. For the first 2/3 of the book, she was very much a "I can't ask for help, must go it alone, can't talk about it" type of person. Things got better when she had to talk about it. The world created is interesting (our current world, but with several different types of beings sharing it). If you like kick-ass heroines that are strong, and learn from their mistakes (most of the time), this is a good series. ...more

Like · see review