Customer Reviews

Witch Craft (Nocturne City, Book 4)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was such a disappointment for me, and did not live up to it's predecessors. I had a hard time even liking or respecting Luna in this book; which,for me, is essential. I couldn't believe Luna was actually in charge of her unit, and kept wondering why she hadn't been fired. Kittredge is a marvelous writer, and I love her world building. But, bottom-line for me is, I have to at least like the main character. Instead, she's got me rooting for the "bad guys". Luna is such a b*tch to everybody, even those she cares for. It's hard to have any sympathy for her, as we never have enough background to explain WHY she's the way she is. Since the writing is so well done, I'm willing to give this series another chance, and hope Luna redeems herself.

So, let me start by saying that people are bound to call this a police procedural/ urban fantasy. If a police procedural is what you're craving, then the book may disappoint because the author doesn't really try for a whole lot of realism or details. Also, before I start lavishing Kittredge with praise, let me just say that I was really hoping for a more complex evolution to the relationship between Luna, her cousin, Sunny, and her witch grandmother who favors Sunny over the magically challenged Luna. The most believable bad relationships are those where love and vitriol combine, and so I was hoping for and frankly anticipating a deepening of the relationship so we can see why Luna has a reason to involve herself with her grandma occasionally.

Having dispensed with the criticism, let me just say that I thoroughly enjoyed this fourth book about Nocturne City. Kittredge has become much better at plotting and pacing the suspense and action. The romantic situation, too, becomes complicated, with multiple suitors of varying degrees of dysfunction. Luna also starts to (finally) realize that her rudeness is not helpful (nor indeed all that entertaining when it is gratuitous) and seems on the verge of some much needed personal growth as she attempts to fill her new role as a police lieutenant.

In all, Kittredge's dark imagination has concocted a gritty setting, an entertaining cast of characters, and a fast-paced plot that pushes you through to the end. I look forward to reading more from her for years to come. For maximum enjoyment, you should probably start by reading the first Nocturne City Novel, Night life. Night Life (Nocturne City, Book 1) I am also eager to try her new book, Street Magic, which starts the Black London Novel series. Street Magic (Black London Novels)

Lieutenant Luna Wilder is in charge of the SCS, the Nocturne City Police Department unit which takes care of all the supernatural cases. When fires break out all over the city, she and her team spring into action aided with the help of Fed Will Fagin. As she works feverishly to uncover the source of the fires, Luna also must deal with an old nemesis reappearing wreaking havoc on her lovelife, the changes from being in charge of her unit, and personal family issues.

I'm a first-time reader of the Nocturne City series and actually picked the book up because Jim Butcher recommended it. While the story is not as much of a favorite as the Dresden Files, I enjoyed the 'noir' feel of the city and the story's fast pace. This, for me, was a beach or a plane read.

Rebecca Kyle, December 2009

Luna Wilder has stepped in it again! Now that Luna has been promoted to lieutenant of her very own squad, she is trying to focus on being the boss, while trying to keep her predatory were half under control. Unfortunately for Luna, her usual behavior of running off half-cocked is not going to help protect Nocturne City from the Blood witches, murderous pyromaniacs and very ravenous netherworld creatures that are invading her city.

I agree with another reviewer, if you are looking for a police procedural novel, this installment is not it. It's more like Luna flies by the seat of her pants and hopes for the best. I enjoy Luna's interaction with Lucas as oppose to Dmitri's constant quest for total domination over Luna.

A couple of things bothered me about this installment. Luna's character has matured just a bit in this installment; however she still is overly sassy and reckless. I'm also pretty disappointed in the way Luna treats her were. She pretty much ignores her were, never really enjoys that part of herself and hardly ever changes to her were to give her some freedom. It's almost as if her were doesn't exist until she needs her.

This installment was chock full of excitement, action and mystery. I highly recommend this book and series and I am looking forward to reading the next book Daemon's Mark due out 5/2010.

I also recommend:
Bad Blood (Crimson Moon, Book 1)
They Call Me Death
Sins & Shadows
Tempting Danger (The World of the Lupi, Book 1)
Night Child (OSI, Book 1)

I have been going through the series and so far Witch Craft is my favorite. Lots of good action, characters and what I like the most is that Luna is evolving. In the past books she would just barrel into bad situations with no plan and no back up and get the c@ap beat out of her by the bad guys. Now she seems to be getting wiser and willing to accept help from her friends, although she still has a wicked tongue. Also her taste in men is improving. She finally seems to be getting interested in someone who has an actual job, although he's got his issues too--but that makes it more interesting. This book kept me up late finishing it.

Can't wait to start on Demon's Mark. I've read this author's Black London books also and really enjoyed them.

Luna is once again in over her head in investigations. She heads up the paranormal investigative branch of the Nocturne police force.
She is so battling things that shuld not be on this side of the earth and wonders what or who is calling these other world creatures up?
They are attacking her and targeting others through firestorms.
To make matters more complicatied a new agent named Will fagan shows up and he is from the FBI to investigate these problems.
Luna soon finds out that this is a much deeper problem than just a few fires and odd creatures.
Some one is calling up a ancient evil and Luna is going to need her grandmother and Sunny's wisdom this time.
Will Luna be able to swallow her pride and accept help? To make things even more complcated Luna thinks she has a agent that is double crossing her and she must flush out the tratior

A lot of people have written horrible reviews for this series, but personally I love it. The main character, Luna, is strong yet not perfect or impenetrable heroine.

Police Lieutenant Luna Wilder runs the Nocturne City Supernatural Crime Squad but neither she nor her unit is highly regarded by the rest of the department or for that matter the people they protect. Still the grouchy werewolf works hard on cases and expects the same from her subordinates.

Deadly arsons have Luna and company running around the city without a respite. The arsonist has successfully destroyed the homes of the supernatural residents killing the otherworldly occupants. As she works the case, supernatural killers from species who have not arrived in Nocturne City try to kill her. She and ATF agent Will Fagin team up as they try to prevent a pandemic disaster while also unable to ignore their attraction though she uncovers his darkest secret that he concealed from her.

Fans of the terrific Nocturne City urban police procedural fantasy will relish the latest entry WITCH CRAFT as the supernatural body count expands with new eerie and dangerous species surfacing to cause chaos and destruction; the city is on the brink. Luna is nastier to her allies than ever (I am surprised she remains a supervisor) as she and Will, assisted by other law enforcement, try to prevent a paranormal catastrophe. Caitlin Kittredge provides her audience with another great thriller as survival of the fittest seems unlikely for the heroic duo as they are far down the food chain.

Harriet Klausner

This book wasn't as thrilling as I hoped it would be. I had to sift through the odd verbiage. I didn't find it intriguing.
It was my mistake for not starting at the beginning of the series, which became immediately evident previous novels were important. Of course I admire the work it took to write this novel. It just didn't keep my attention.