Wherein Jayné rediscovers herself and learns that her world is more than black and white.
Darker Angels
MLN Hanover
Simon and Schuster September 2009
Mass Market Paperback 368 Pages
Simon and Schuster September 2009
Mass Market Paperback 368 Pages
In the battle between good and evil, there's no such thing as a fair fight.
When Jayné Heller's uncle Eric died, she inherited a fortune beyond all her expectations -- and a dangerous mission in a world she never knew existed. Reining in demons and supernatural foes is a formidable task, but thankfully Jayné has vast resources and loyal allies to rely on. She'll need both to tackle a bodyswitching serial killer who's taken up residence in New Orleans, a city rich in voodoo lore and dark magic.
Working alongside Karen Black, a highly confident and enigmatic ex-FBI agent, Jayné races to track down the demon's next intended host. But the closer she gets, the more convinced she becomes that nothing in this beautiful, wounded city is exactly as it seems. When shocking secrets come to light, and jealousy and betrayal turn trusted friends into adversaries, Jayné will soon come face-to-face with an enemy that knows her all too well, and won't rest until it has destroyed everything she loves most....
Simon and Schuster Author Page
CONTEST
Below the review, you will find an entry form for a contest I am running over four weeks with Pocket/simon and Schuster providing and shipping all four current books in the series. No following is required but it will get you extra entries. And entering each week will get you extra entries too.
Below the review, you will find an entry form for a contest I am running over four weeks with Pocket/simon and Schuster providing and shipping all four current books in the series. No following is required but it will get you extra entries. And entering each week will get you extra entries too.
REVIEW
The second book in the series is even better than the first. It is edgier than Unclean Spirits was. Jayné is more of a person and she is coming into her own. Of course, first she has to figure out who she is and what it means.
The second book in the series is even better than the first. It is edgier than Unclean Spirits was. Jayné is more of a person and she is coming into her own. Of course, first she has to figure out who she is and what it means.
Karen Black the confident ex-FBI agent has Jayné on the ropes emotionally and eventually physically. She is a wedge driving herself into the small family Jayné has create for herself. I like that from the start Hanover sets the two women against each other; first in contrast to each other and later as opponents. The result is that Jayne doubts herself even more than she has. This magnifies her tendencies to come up to the edge of an idea and not understand until it's too late—like coming up with the perfect retort after the moment has passed. In the end it's usually luck that cuts anyone a break in this business.
In the first person retelling of the events I can't decide if Jayné's habits of saying something like, "For a moment I thought we could win," or "If only I had understood, but when I did it was too late." These are used multiple times in both books. Are the character quirks, repeated because they are a part of the character's make-up, like another character's Zen-like responses, or, is it just a writer's habit?
We get a little more romance emotionally for Jayné and Aubrey, in between having the stuffing beat out of them they are able to become a couple, sort of.
All in all, this is a lot about Jayne maturing. She has been trying to be her late Uncle Eric, make the decisions he would have; but she doesn't really know what they would have been. But, she is also learning that the world isn't as simple as "Riders Bad, Humans Good." This is not just her lesson.
For some reason, I keep thinking that Jayné is going to run out of money, but that doesn't seem likely. Or, at least someone will tell her to cut back I hope.
I highly recommend the book and it's starting to look like a great series. I also highly recommend you enter the contest!
In the first person retelling of the events I can't decide if Jayné's habits of saying something like, "For a moment I thought we could win," or "If only I had understood, but when I did it was too late." These are used multiple times in both books. Are the character quirks, repeated because they are a part of the character's make-up, like another character's Zen-like responses, or, is it just a writer's habit?
We get a little more romance emotionally for Jayné and Aubrey, in between having the stuffing beat out of them they are able to become a couple, sort of.
All in all, this is a lot about Jayne maturing. She has been trying to be her late Uncle Eric, make the decisions he would have; but she doesn't really know what they would have been. But, she is also learning that the world isn't as simple as "Riders Bad, Humans Good." This is not just her lesson.
For some reason, I keep thinking that Jayné is going to run out of money, but that doesn't seem likely. Or, at least someone will tell her to cut back I hope.
I highly recommend the book and it's starting to look like a great series. I also highly recommend you enter the contest!
I won't share your information with anyone. Of course, if you win I will have to give Simon and Schuster your name and address.
Can't Wait to win? The books are available through my store at Amazon:
Can't Wait to win? The books are available through my store at Amazon:
Disclosure: My copy was sent, unsolicited and without obligation, by the publisher in hopes of a fair review. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions are my own.
