Book DescriptionCustomers Review: I read the first book in this series last week, and I enjoyed the main characters enough that I pre-ordered this book. I just spent a few hours reading it, and I like it more than the first one. Alek and Maggie are great with an interesting relationship that reminds me slightly of Harry Dresden’s relationship with Lash, but I like Maggie better.No spoilers here, but I like Eddie and look forward to seeing more of him, and I suspect there’s a lot more to Ada’s relationship with Alek is more complicated than he thinks. And I hope we see more of Olivia.Good world building, great side characters, and a bit of a lighthearted romp with just enough violence and an occasional sad moment mixed in. Since this book was just released, I guess we won’t be seeing the third book in the series any time soon – write faster, Mr. McClellan 😀
A fellow Urban Fantasy lover recommended this series to me very highly.I read the first book, which was well written, but dry. And I read the second just to see where the author would go. And I am glad I did.The problem with the series, for me, is that Alek doesn’t really have a compelling personality. He’s a one note character. He’s a slave to his owner, he keeps his nose to the grindstone, and he does his job and moves on to the next one. His best friend is also pretty cut and dried: she’s a jinn, she’s stuck in her ring, and she’s primarily a lie detector and back up for Alex. And there isn’t any character development. The characters are the same in the beginning as in the end.And… that’s about it. The rest of the characters in the book are window dressing at the end of the first book and, honestly, more than half way though this one as well. But… the author brings back some of the characters we are introduced to in the first book and starts building them into an ensemble cast. Which is just want this book needs.And those characters are more interesting and compelling, and give me hope for the rest of the series. To me, it needs humor, some fun, an the characters really need to be more compelling and less ho hum. I keep reading a series because the characters become friends. I care about their successes and their failure and about their lives. And I LIKE them. Not passively, like do Alex and Maggie who are forgettable and not engaging. The most unique thing about both of them is that Alek is part troll, which is unusual for a hero. What I am this is missing is connection. This series needs characters that make you laugh, and cry and gasp. Characters that you can’t wait to read about when another installment comes out. And since Alek and Maggie don’t have that spark I am happy to see the author adding extra characters that may.So I will read the next book to see if the promise of more compelling and engaging characters is realized. So, for now, this is a four star series because I will keep reading.
Even for this style of book, it is a very short book for the $5.99 price tag. If this was $3.99, I would have given it 5 stars. I enjoyed this one better than 1 which was kindle unlimited and therefore wasn’t frustrated over a $6 ebook that took me a few hours to read.
Fast paced supernatural mystery wicked cool fun! I think the little side romance in this story was the part that gave me the greatest pleasure, not usually my thing, but the blocks, and intensely relatable nature of it all, both good and bad, was loads of fun. Write faster! Thank you for writing so fast! I highly recommend this author and everything he publishes, always very high quality!
Could have read book in one sitting. Really enjoyed this book and had interesting story. Like the world created for our main character.
I love these books! Alek is a great main character with lots of hidden depth, and Maggie is an amazing side kick. I love their banter. They make, in my opinion, the best platonic male/female duo in all of fantasy literature. The pacing in this book, and it predecessor Uncanny Collateral, is always break neck, and I love it. There is so much more I want to say, but I want to try and keep this spoiler free. The only thing dislike about this book is its length, being a novella it’s just not long enough. I can’t wait for the next book! Brian McClellan is an amazing author (go read The Powder Mage books now) and he has quickly risen to my must read list.
I’m a sucker for urban fantasy.This world that McClellan has built is immersive and fun.The only problem with the Valkyrie Chronicles as they stand right now is there isn’t enough of them.Buy the book, read the book, and get your friends to do the same.
I’m obsessed with this series. Mr McClellan can keep self publishing these and I will keep buying them. I only wish there was an audiobook to match |
21 reviews