Kirsten Reviews: Roadside Magic by Lilith Saintcrow

Roadside Magic by Lilith Saintcrow

Gallow and Ragges #2

New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow returns to dark fantasy with a new series where the fairy world inhabits diners, dive bars and trailer parks.

The Seelie and unSeelie Courts are both in plague-ravaged tatters. The Wild Hunt roams unchecked, taking who and what it will, and the walls between the human world and the world of the sidhe are thinning rapidly. Gallow is the only hope of human and sidhe both.

But all Jeremy wants to do is find Robin Ragged . . . and survive. Unfortunately, everyone who meets him has other plans. Including the Ragged, who is fleeing for her life—and the King of Unwinter, whose poisoned blade has cut deep into Jeremy's flesh...

As the second book in the Gallow and Ragged series by Lilith Saintcrow, Roadside Magic is definitely not a book that stands on its own. One must have read the previous book to be caught up on the various plots set in motion by both the Seelie and unSeelie courts and the many characters caught tangled in them on both sides.

The Wild Hunt is loose and swallows up anyone it chooses while the Seelie courts suffer from the effects of a plague. This puts Jeremy Gallow in a position to be of great importance, but he is only interested in finding Robin Ragged. The Ragged is running for her life, and meanwhile Gallow is suffering from a wound inflicted by the King of Unwinter.

There are others on the Ragged’s trail, including one of Gallow’s old friends, Crenn, and Gallow is in turn being pursued by the Wild Hunt on the behalf Unwinter.

The action is somewhat slow to pick up steam as it takes almost half of the book for Gallow and the Ragged to be reunited, and it would have been nice for them to share more of the story. There are plenty of action scenes that highlight the expertise of both Gallow and Crenn, and more of the world of the Seelie is revealed, but at times the book feels like an extended chase. This may be appropriate with the Wild Hunt being involved, but for anyone expecting a more straightforward plot that can stand on its own, this book is very much about the journey as much as it is resolution of the problems facing its protagonists.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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     1. Trailer Park Fae

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Kirsten Reviews: Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow

Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow

Gallow and Ragged #1

New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow returns to dark fantasy with a new series where the fairy world inhabits diners, dive bars and trailer parks.

Jeremy Gallow is just another construction worker, and that's the way he likes it. He's left his past behind, but some things cannot be erased. Like the tattoos on his arms that transform into a weapon, or that he was once closer to the Queen of Summer than any half-human should be. Now the half-sidhe all in Summer once feared is dragged back into the world of enchantment, danger, and fickle fae—by a woman who looks uncannily like his dead wife. Her name is Robin, and her secrets are more than enough to get them both killed. A plague has come, the fullborn-fae are dying, and the dark answer to Summer's Court is breaking loose.

Be afraid, for Unwinter is riding...

Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow begins a new series, Gallow and Ragged, and introduces readers to a new version of the Sidhe, complete with political double dealing, betrayal, and even a bit of singing.

The titular characters, Robin Ragged, and Jeremiah Gallow are clearly on trajectory toward one another from the first page. Gallow, a half fae, who was once very close to the Queen of Summer, is working as a construction worker, mourning his dead wife, and pretending that he is human, largely through depressed inertia. Meanwhile, Robin Ragged is an unwilling servant of that same queen, and is doing all that she can simply not to be killed by her mistress on one of the fae’s cruel whims. Meanwhile, she is being sent on errands by the queen as there is a sickness creeping through the courts of the fae, and the purebloods are being stricken down without mercy.

One of the most recognizable characters, Puck, is acting in his own interests, moving between the two courts, and may very well be an ally to Robin or Gallow, but more than likely, he has several dozen plans of his own.

Beyond the wishes of her queen, Robin is occupied with keeping herself out of the hands of Unseelie, as Unwinter would like to use her talents to further their own agenda. She is not one to trust any man easily, particularly Gallow, who believes she looks like the wife he is mourning.

The book features a great deal of the language used by the fae, their tools, and traditions, and the fact that they only reluctantly pass over the barrier into the world of mortals. To them, humans are nothing more than tools, to be drained of all usefulness and eventually life. Some of this may put readers off, but for anyone interested in fae in any sort of urban fantasy, this book’s spin on the Courts, their magic, politics, and those caught up in them will enjoy this new series.

There are plenty of pretty words, interesting creatures, and jeopardy, both mortal and otherwise to keep pages turning, and there is a great deal of intriguing story to explore in the sequel.(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Hunter's Prayer

Hunter's Prayer by Lilith Saintcrow

Jill Kismet #2

 Another night on the Nightside...An ancient evil looms over Santa Luz. Prostitutes are showing up dead and eviscerated. And Jill Kismet just might be able to get her revenge against an old enemy.

There's just one problem. Someone wants Jill dead--again. And if they have to open up Hell itself to kill her, they will.

Sometimes, even when you're Jill Kismet, you don't have a prayer...

The crimes committed against innocents just keep getting worse. Prostitutes are going missing and some are showing up with their entire insides savaged. Since Jill is a former prostitute, this hits home hard as she scrambles to stop the ones responsible. Unfortunately it looks like she is the next target and she keeps getting set up for run ins with a nasty creature that wants nothing other than destruction. Meanwhile Perry is up to his usual mind games and trying to claim her for her own. It will require everything she has to keep him from getting his claws any further into her, as she must protect her city at all costs.

The horrors and gore step it up in this book, definitely not for those weak of stomach. However, the worse the crime committed, the more determined Jill is to stop those responsible. She is such a damaged character, yet she never once falters in her duty to protect the innocents of her city. Her entire life could be in shambles, yet she would still give her last breath if it meant stopping one more horror. I understand why there are so few hunters. Being a hunter requires such complete discipline and sacrifice, that it is very rare for someone to be able to give that much of themselves. Sometimes I wonder if Jill is able to do this because she doesn't have any self worth, so she doesn't feel like she really is sacrificing that much in the end. I hope in time she realizes just how much she actually is worth, as her devotion is nothing short of remarkable.

I enjoyed the relationship between Jill and Saul. He is her rock and sounding board. She has come to depend on him so much, that it is a wonder that she survived before he came along. There are many times where he is all that stands between herself and falling into damnation, which wouldn't take much due to her "bargain" with Perry. However, until she accepts herself, I think their relationship will be hindered. Since she doesn't have any self-worth, she doesn't really feel she deserves Saul, so she can't fully trust him, as the fear he will leave is too high. I have high hopes for them, it will just take a little work and acceptance.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one, if not a little more. The dynamic between Jill and Saul really added to the book and allowed a little "happiness" to shine through. I need at least little light in my books, so I was happy to have it in this book despite the absolute horrors and darkness of the rest of it. The ending surprised me, and promises great things for the next book. Definitely a series worth checking out, but I would recommend starting from the beginning to make sure you have enough back story. Very good read!

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Hunter's Prayer (Jill Kismet, Hunter, Book 2)

Challenge Categories:
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Horror and Urban Fantasy

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Night Shift

Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow

Jill Kismet #1

Not everyone can take on the things that go bump in the night.

Not everyone tries.

But Jill Kismet is not just anyone.

She's a Hunter, trained by the best - and in over her head.

Welcome to the night shift...

Jill Kismet, a kick-ass but seriously flawed heroine, is the resident Hunter for Santa Luz. It is her job to hunt down hellbreed and traders who prey on the innocent people in her city. In order to be strong enough she made deal with the city's top hellbreed. This deal made her not quite human, but stronger and faster, necessary skills to stop the things that go bump in the night. Things get a little hairy when four cops are savaged to death by what appears to be a rogue Were. She knows this is slightly out of her skill set to handle, so she reluctantly seeks the help of a judgmental were named Saul. Together they realize there is more to this killer than it seems when the stink of hellbreed keeps showing up wherever the rogue has been. Weres and hellbreed just do not mix, so this case is completely baffling. Jill will have to use every trick up her sleeve to crack this one and protect her beloved city.

At the start of this book, Jill is an absolute mess over her mentor's murder. Even though it has been six months, she is still barely scraping by. She throws herself into her duty of destroying hellbreed with complete abandon, as if the more she risks her life, the closer she will get to her mentor. Everything about her screams "damaged", and as the book shows more and more glimpses into her path you can't help but wonder how she survived at all. It is amazing how she can be so incredibly strong yet so fragile at the same, and I find this makes her a very interesting character to read about.

While it wasn't really an integral part of the plot, I enjoyed the blooming relationship between Saul and Jill. It definitely had a very rocky start, but got better as time went on. There are several obstacles in their way, with him being a Were, and her own self worth issues because she feels she is tainted. She spent most of the book pushing him away because she didn't feel she deserved him. However, I have a feeling their relationship will play a more important role in the future. I'm looking forward to that because I think Saul will be able to help balance her inner demons, and allow Jill to actually have a little happiness, something she never really has had.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very unique and different from anything else I've read. The characters and world are really intriguing as well as thoroughly fleshed out. There was just enough back story to explain things well and keep me from getting confused. I loved Jill's strength and vulnerability as well as Saul's very calm and even temperament. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and I hope Jill continues on her path towards accepting herself. It will be a long bumpy road, but I think in the end she can pull through. I recommend this to anyone who likes the darker side of Urban fantasy, with just a slice of romance. It definitely kept me entertained!

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Night Shift (Jill Kismet, Hunter, Book 1)

Challenge Categories:
Outdo Yourself
Horror and Urban Fantasy
New Author 

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