Hunted by the Others (H&W Investigations, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Dec 17, 2010 AH rated it liked it

Shelves: zzread-july-2011, own, were, vampires, urban-fantasy, signed-copy, first-in-series, sorcerer

3.5 stars

Hunted by the Others is a solid start to Jess Haines’ H&W Investigations series.

Shiarra (Shia) Waynest is a private investigator. She has avoided taking on cases for the Others, mainly because they terrify her. However, bills must be paid and Shia is hired by The Circle to find a small object thought to be in the hands of the local vampire master Alec Royce.

The author’s incorporation of the supernatural world with the human world was well done. In this book, The Others – vampires, were 3.5 stars

Hunted by the Others is a solid start to Jess Haines’ H&W Investigations series.

Shiarra (Shia) Waynest is a private investigator. She has avoided taking on cases for the Others, mainly because they terrify her. However, bills must be paid and Shia is hired by The Circle to find a small object thought to be in the hands of the local vampire master Alec Royce.

The author’s incorporation of the supernatural world with the human world was well done. In this book, The Others – vampires, werewolves, and magi – came out into the open on 9/11, using their enhanced senses to find survivors and their cash reserves to jumpstart the economy. Their patriotism allowed them to gain a sort of acceptance into human society.

I chuckled when the vampires and werewolves were included under the Americans with Disabilities Act for daylight impairment and monthly furriness. I found it funny that most of the Others’ interactions with humans required some sort of legal document. For example, if a human wanted to consort with a vampire or werewolf, they were required to sign a contract to avoid wrongful death suits. Clever.

I had a little trouble relating to Shia’s character at first. I found her a little impulsive and seriously lacking self-preservation skills. People needed to constantly point out that she wasn’t safe at home, at work, at friends’ homes, or at her family’s home. She is also a little wishy-washy relationship-wise, telling off her ex-boyfriend in one breath, and then having second thoughts about the breakup a little later.

Shia is in her glory the moment Arnold gets her properly outfitted to meet the vampire. She puts on the Hunter’s belt and suddenly I like this Shia much better. The Hunter’s belt is a cool item – it includes a sentient being that speaks to Shia. I hope we get to see more of it in the next books.

I loved the secondary characters. Arnold was a great addition as a geeky magi. He had the right mix of arrogance, sarcasm, and drama queen while being exceptionally knowledgeable in both magic and computers. Chaz played the extremely handsome ex-boyfriend well. As an added bonus, his status as an Alpha was very useful to Shia. I was intrigued by Royce and I hope to see him in the next books.

I’m looking forward to reading Taken by the Others (book 2) and Deceived by the Others (book 3).

Guest post on Paranormal Wastelands

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Dec 31, 2010 Mariya rated it it was ok

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

I found HUNTED BY THE OTHERS one of those light urban fantasy reads and in the beginning it did appeal to me, but after those first few chapters I was greatly let down.

I felt like the main character was so unlikable that I had to put this book down every chapter and pick it up again. Shiarra is a detective that works in the area of the supernatural, but she is oh, so terrified of them. And I am just in the mind of thinking why is this woman the heroine of the story. She also doesn't know anythin ...more

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Jan 09, 2011 Sharon rated it really liked it

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It has all the required UF elements: reluctant kick-ass heroine, smexy powerful arrogant vampire, smexy powerful tender werewolf, smexy geeky mage and bad, bad people trying to hurt heroine's friends. But with a twist. The heroine doesn't want anything to do with the "others" (paranormal creatures) and actually doesn't fall into the arms of the vamp. She sticks to her guns and realizes she is no match (she is human) for "others". Of course if she didn't get dragg ...more

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Dec 24, 2010 Larissa rated it really liked it

Previously Published on my blog: Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life

*SPOILER FREE

I had this book on my radar for a long time and after I met Jess Haines at last year’s AAD, I just had to buckle down and finally read it. I am SO glad I did and I don’t know what the heck I was thinking, waiting this long!

We UF lovers are probably pretty used to reading about the private investigator chick that gets messed up with the Supernatural, gets involved with a Supernatural being or two and basically has a ki ...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Chelsea rated it really liked it

Shelves: vampires, uf-pnr, weres, magic

This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

The first few chapters of Hunted by the Others had me thinking this was going to be a cute, light urban fantasy. Two friends doing paranormal investigations. Quickly, though, the heroine Shiarra has enemies coming at her from all sides. She’s going to have to buck-up, arm herself, take risks and fight her away out of this mess. The plot never turns to dark UF, but blends cheeky one-liners with consistent threats. Halfway through the book, it This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

The first few chapters of Hunted by the Others had me thinking this was going to be a cute, light urban fantasy. Two friends doing paranormal investigations. Quickly, though, the heroine Shiarra has enemies coming at her from all sides. She’s going to have to buck-up, arm herself, take risks and fight her away out of this mess. The plot never turns to dark UF, but blends cheeky one-liners with consistent threats. Halfway through the book, it became one of those mysteries I just needed solved (meaning I could not put the book down, despite reminders from the husband that dinner was ready).

Being the first in an urban fantasy series, Hunted by the Others is heavy on the world building. Haines has crafted an open world, one where the humans know about the paranormal types and have legislated how they can interact. Want to get it on with a werewolf? You’ll need to sign a contract for that. Game for letting a vampire bite you, maybe turn you? Please fill out these forms that essentially turn your life over to the Other.

In addition to the werewolves and vampires, Haines’ world also features a politically powerful coven of mages called The Circle. It’s this group that originally comes to Shiarra wanting her assistance. They say they just need a little reconnaissance. Just keep an eye on the head vampire, and maybe some magical object he probably has, they ask. Normally, Shia would turn down an offer from one of the Others, but The Circle offered a lot of money, and the PI business was hurting.

Trying to slip past the vampires, who are big on the details, doesn’t go as planned. Add in the human groups who wish to eradicate all others and think Shia is their new golden girl, and well everything goes to hell. (Did we mention a werewolf ex-boyfriend? Yep, add that drama in, too.)

I loved tagging along for Shiarra’s journey into becoming the badass the Others respect, but more so enjoyed seeing her eyes opened. She has some big issues with the Others — ones she doesn’t want to admit to — and she’s forced to confront and deal with them. Some of the Others are evil, many aren’t, and it may surprise who you falls on each side.

Hunted by the Others offers up a heroine who can hold her own, intriguing secondary characters, a mystery to get wrapped up in and plenty of surprises. Short version: fun and laden with action.

Sexual content: This one isn’t a romance. But be aware there is plenty of violence… with fancy pants guns. ...more

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