Customer Reviews

Unclean Spirits: Book One of the Black Sun's Daughter

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A completely thrilling urban fantasy which is actually intelligent & is trusting that we pick up on clues to know things are going to completely change in the next novel. How cool!

Jayné (pronounced Zha-NAY)'s uncle Eric dies suddenly & Jayné, a 22-year-old who has just dropped out of college, is very surprised to find that a) she is his sole heir & b) his estate is worth billions. She is even more surprised to find Uncle Eric was up to his eyes in supernatural intrigue & was just about to assassinate an evil spirit that's been serially possessing humans for centuries - plans unfortunately interrupted by Eric's being offed.

Various rescues & attempts to continue Eric's plans go on, while Jayné surprises everyone including herself by possessing some serious instinctive kung fu. If you are looking closely & pay attention to the series title, you can kind of guess one way things are going to go.

Meanwhile, a vampire chef fries up dinner, the ex-Jesuit & the Buddhist plot with Jayné, who is attracted to Aubrey, Eric's young scientist sidekick. I read the book in one day & it was a lot of fun. The endorsements on the covers come from the most varied set of authors I've seen on a quasi-paranormal: Carrie Vaughn & S.M. Stirling.

Plot Summary: Not a whole lot is going right in Jayné Heller's life. She's a college drop-out, without a man, without a friend, and estranged from her parents. When her Uncle Eric dies, she goes to Denver and learns that he's left her a fortune. It's too good to be true, and the first hint of trouble is the hit squad that tries to kill her. Then Jayné meets her Uncle's associates, who explain about magic, evil demons, and their arch enemy, the Invisible College. Jayné is a skeptic until a convincing dust-up with a possessed dog opens her eyes to her Uncle's world. Too bad when she inherited his empire it came complete with deadly enemies.

This is the best piece of writing that I've come across in a long time. On page after page, I kept marveling at Hanover's beautiful sentences, and I'm green with jealousy that anyone can carve ideas like a fine-cut crystal vase. While the writing is that good, the characterizations are even better. After only one book, I feel like I know Jayné and her band of buddies better than some characters that I've followed for an entire series.

Have I gushed enough yet? I hope so, because I'm starting to feel embarrassed for squealing like a teenager who has spotted that dreamy actor-guy from "Twilight." For urban fantasy fans, this is the kind of book that reaffirms their fascination with the genre, and gives them hope that there are other treasures waiting to be discovered. This UF is dark, like a moonless night, and the danger feels oppressive and claustrophobic. The magic is thick, and even though the bad guys have more (isn't that always the way?), Jayné's inexplicable powers help balance the scales a teeny bit.

Jayné is wonderfully flawed, she makes huge mistakes, and she is subject to one of the worst slap-downs I've ever witnessed. Her spirit takes a beating, but she powers through the crap without anyone waving a magic wand and making it all better. That girl has true grit, and a weird pronunciation for her name (don't worry, the author clues you in fast).

The scrappy posse at Jayné's back is endlessly entertaining. My favorite guy is Midian, who talks like a sour-grapes Humphry Bogart. Why can't more author's write characters like this? Okay, I'm being whiny, but obviously it takes a whole lot more talent than most folks have got, otherwise we'd be overrun with funny, intelligent, and meaningful repartee, and then it wouldn't be special anymore. Jayné has a relationship with Aubrey, and something undefinable with Ex, but beyond that it's not safe to reveal more. Book two, "Darker Angels" has a tentative release set for September 09, and I'm adding it to my TBR stack for autumn.

BTW, for the extremely curious, M.L.N. Hanover is a pseudonym for Daniel Abraham (I'm biased enough to admit that I initially thought the writer was a woman because the writing is excellent; I'm eating crow now). I spoke to him via his blog, and it sounds like he's got quite a series planned here. I'm adding this to my 'want-to-read-more' list.

I literally read this book in one day. I don't know much about urban fantasy, but I picked it up on a whim. This book kept my attention as it rolled along at a good adventure style pace. I will definitely buy any future books in this series.

The setting is very interesting, as you have a spiritual world interfering with the "normal" world. In this case, the spiritual or demonic possession is being looked at as a parasite attaching to a host.


The characters are fairly well developed, and I find I actually cared about them. There are a lot of loose ends. Jayne is a young woman, and doesn't appear to have a lot of baggage. The supporting cast, on the other hand, have me very curious regarding their background stories. I don't want to give much away here, but I'm wondering how a buddhist, an ex priest, a scientist got mixed up in all of this. Also, what an awesome legal team at Jaynes disposal. Who are those people? Midian was a lot of fun. I expect these will be clarified in the next two books.


One thing that bothered me:



*** SPOILER ***
I'm going to try and not give anything away here, but there is a major part at the end that doesn't seem as if it would work. If you turn off the magic, then why would you expect a magic bullet to still work?
*** SPOILER ***

I wish I liked this book more. I liked the premise quite a lot, but found the execution to be long and rambling. I thought there were sections where certain facts or events didn't quite line up for me, including one involving the spoiler mentioned by the other review. Mostly, I felt like everything was rather vague - even the villain - you never really knew who he was, or why he was so evil, or even the true nature of the evil. It was all very vague to me, whereas with other books, the characters, their worlds, even their enemies, are drawn very clearly. I wanted to care more more about everything that was happening, but I just didn't. I'm a big fan of urban fantasy and paranormal, and I would recommend Marjorie M. Liu, Carrie Vaughn, and Jim Butcher if you're looking for some great reads.

...for this book, I struggled to get to 75. This book had such promise--intriguing premise,interesting location, strong female lead, etc.. I really thought it would be great. Instead, I have to shake my head at the four and five star reviews and wonder if we read the same novel.

Not only did I dislike the main character, but she never came across to me as a fully fleshed-out character with depth and a history. She's not a flawed character--she's too flat and one dimensional to even have a flaw. Sorry to say, I felt the same way about most of the other characters--they are trite, stock characters. One of the reviewers mentioned something like the gang is composed of "one of each" type. That's a pretty good description.

Although the set up of the novel was very interesting, the writing killed any interest I had very early on. Most of the author's metaphors were stilted and just didn't work. To me, details should add to the characters, or tension, or the atmosphere of the story. The details in this story were boring and intrusive, appearing almost randomly chosen. And the dialogue sounded like kindergarten kids trying to be cool or flippant.

Finally, the setting of the story sounded great. I am sure Denver is a very interesting, unique place. Yet from what I read, there was nothing that made me feel like the story was taking place in Denver. It could have taken place in Anytown, USA. Why didn't the author include those details in the story that would make me feel like I was right there in Denver---seeing, smelling, hearing what makes it a special place?

Needless to say, I don't recommend this book. Some urban fantasy books I have enjoyed, however, are Devon Monk's Magic series and Robin McKinley's Sunshine--both very good. Mike Carey's Fix Castor series is outstanding.

I read about half way and just had to give it up and I am not one to do this. The premise and setting was great, but I just could not feel anything for any of the characters. The writer did not bring them alive for me and make me feel any emotion or bonds between them. When Jayne had the thought that this was now her family and she could not bear to lose them, I thought WOW, she had about 2 short conversations with these people and expected us to feel that. She had a tepid fling with a married man in the group and I am supposed to feel good emotions about him??? I just could not warm up to the characters due to the bad writing. They had no depth at all to them. I could see where this could have been an outstanding book, if the writer was adept at creating emotion. Just before posting this I read in the reviews that the writer was a guy and that really explained a lot. While the character is a female, she has no emotional depth and the thought processes just were not female. I could buy this story if the main character had been a male.

This book was well written. My only problem was by the second page it felt like it was written from a guy's perspective. I thought when I got to Jayne's part that it would have more of a female feel to it, but no. She talks about cooling rods and how the uncle she cared about was killed at the perfect time. When she describes a guy as her most recent ex-boyfriend, I just cracked up. Most women I know aren't likely to admit they have a string of exes. It just felt so wrong, I read the M.L.N. Hanover bio, dedication and acknowledgments, but there was no hint of gender. I found out later M.L.N. is a guy. I think it would have had more appeal to me, as a female, if Jayne had been a guy. A gay guy would have been really interesting. Either way, the style would have fit a bit better. I suspect men view the world and the women in it differently than women do. I couldn't read the whole book, but I still think it would have been great if not for the whole perspective thing.

Spoilers*******
I just can't recommend this book. The author didn't create a connection to the character for the reader. We really don't even know what any of them look like. Everything in the book was vague. What exactly are her new "powers" - did she inherit them or did her uncle just put a protection around her and why does she suddenly feel like the new people she has met are like family? She says she is the black sheep of her family but there isn't anything to draw us closer to her. She thinks her uncles death is good timing- hmmm- he always showed up to save her but she really couldn't care until the end when she decides he is family and has to avenge him? No reason to really hate the bad guy except that we are told he is the bad guy- so of course we must hate him. I can suspend reality for the enjoyment of a good story but there were too many unanswered questions and a lot of repetition (too many of the same drawn out scenes in the house). I would recommend Jim Butcher- he knows how to develop a character.

I wish I could give a better recommendation to this book, because I feel the author is trying to create a female character that has depth and growth and not simply "kick ass on steriods" that pervades female characters in this genre. Having said that, I have to admit I am very fond of strong female leads...there are a few rather excellent books with well-written and interesting "hardcore" female protagonists.
- Kate Daniel Magic series by Ilona Andrews
- Bitter Night: A Horngate Witches Book by Diana Pharaoh Francis
- Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter (1st book, less so in 2nd)
- Guardian series by Meljean Brook

I am not fond of weak, immature or worse, brainless female leads. After reading a few books in each series, I gave up on Jeaniene Frost Night Huntress's series, Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance, Morgan Kingsley series by Jenna Black, Succubus series by Georgina Kincaid, Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn and A Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill, just to name a few.

Sorry to digress, back to the review of "Unclean Spirits". Although I do think the author is trying to provide an insight into the character growth of the female lead Jayne, I just couldn't feel the connection building with Jayne or any of the other characters. Not only has Jayne led a sheltered life, the DEPTH of her personality was not successfully conveyed by the author. On the action end, much of the storyline seems to meander around indecisions or mundane events that grows tiresome and even claustrophobic after a while. There just seem to be no strong spark to the book unfortunately. It became pretty heavy reading...so although I finished the book, I am not convinced I will give the 2nd book a try.

The other thing other reviewers have pointed out is the reader was never given a solid explanation how Jayne acquired her sudden martial prowess, besides some allusions to the mojo protection that her late uncle placed on her. In fact, there was no clear explanation to the exact nature of this enchantment or spell. Hence her fighting skills appears unbelievable, which does not help with the lack of connection I felt towards Jayne.

For stories featuring growth and evolution of the female protagonist with the storyline, I much prefer "That Which Bites: The Julia Poe Vampire Chronicles" by Celis T. Rono.

If readers are looking for less "hardass" female protagonists with personality including flaws and all, I love the well-known Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison. Characters are very well-written, female lead is charming, funny and has a loyal and indomitable spirit. I recently read "The Sweet Scent of Blood" by Suzanne Mcleod that was sorta like a cross between the Rachel Morgan series and Merry Gentry series by Laurell K Hamilton. I am definitely going after the 2nd book!

Surprises are in store for Jayné, a 22 year old college dropout estranged from her parents, when she heads to Denver to settle the estate of the dead uncle her fundamentalist father considered an abomination. Jayne knew Eric as the uncle who always managed somehow to always step in to `save' her whenever she was in trouble. But surprises are in store for Jayné as she soon discovers not only is she heir to Eric's surprising fortune, she is also about to inherit his battle. For her uncle was killed in an attempt to thwart, Randolph Coin, the leader of the Invisible College a cult which provides entry to this world by parasitic entities from another world beyond the Next Door, evil 'Unclean Spirits' which possess humans. And as Jayné struggles to overcome her disbelief, she may have finally found a purpose to her aimless life, should she manage to survive her encounter with Coin and his evil minions.

Urban Fantasy is synonymous with first person narrative, so the lead character's voice tends to make or break the story for me. Here Jayné's works, she is likable, inexperienced but not stupid as she discovers hidden strengths within herself. I also appreciated there wasn't any of the frustration that often comes with a protagonist who is suddenly dropped into a world that they don't understand but who is surrounded by secrets and allies that are unwilling to enlighten them - both Jayné and the other characters are vocal enough that this isn't a problem.

I really liked Jayné, but it was really the interesting supporting characters that added that something extra to story: There's Aubrey, a researcher who may bring some scientific ammunition to the fight against the supernatural, and whose relationship with Jayné also adds a complicated touch of romance to the story; Miridin, a mysterious and horrific looking cursed being with a sarcastic sense of humor; Chogyi Jake, with his wise Zen-ish calming influence; and Ex, an ex-priest with a penchant for anger and guilt.

Add to this enough action to keep things going and I really enjoyed Unclean Spirits. As a standalone I would have probably rated this a half of a star lower, we don't get enough details on the world Next Door or about the Unclean Spirits, but then we only actually come across a few here. Since this is a first book in a series, I don't really see this as a problem. Hanover spends his time instead developing a cast that will carry forward into the next book and the next episode in the saga is sure to provide more details as our neophyte heroine learns more about the legacy that she has inherited from her uncle.