Lost 1 star

I really enjoyed the story line, good character development. Lost 1 star for the constant use of the word cunt. I’m not offended by the cussing, but this word has always been foul.
Will continue to follow this author

4 people found this helpful

Lovin’ me some Hellicorns

This seemed to have new take on gods and demons in urban fantasy. I loved it. It took me a few chapters to really get into it but I think it was because I had a lot on my mind while I started listening to it. I absolutely loved this world the author created! Ethan is a bad ass detective with supernatural powers. His little demon helpers are a mess but so adorable. If you can get past them wanting to kill everything lol. The only negative thing was when he spoke telepathically to them back and forth, there was a certain sound. Every time it happened it would startle me lol. But hey, I shouldn’t listen while driving, especially with ear buds. At first I thought it was something with the car. But it wasn’t anything distracting from the book.

Ethan’s partner is amazing. She is a demon occupying someone else’s body. But she’s one of the good guys. I loved what we saw at the end with her. I got warm fuzzies. But Omgosh, my favorite was the Hellicorn, I think his name was Haedamus. I laughed so hard at him. I hope he is in all the other books. If nothing else, people should read it for him.

The narrator is so amazing. He really brought the story to life. He also does Haddamus’s accent perfectly. I feel like he’s real. If you don’t like audiobooks, the books are also in the KU program on amazon if you have that. I thought that was nice.

3 people found this helpful

This book was hilarious! (spoilers)

I couldn't decide whether to give this a good star rating or a bad star rating. The book was very bad, but I couldn't stop listening because I couldn't wait to see what other cliche'd character or bad ability the main character (MC) would pull out of his @ss just in the nick of time. I felt that the author wanted to write the most powerful character ever, yet try to keep him sympathetic so it contains just about every urban fantasy trope ever used and the MC has the personality of a wet cat.
Here is the list:
1.) The MC is a police detective magic user
2.) Mysterious past with mysterious dark society
3.) Tragic past concerning wife and daughter (No mention of timeline or detail so who knows if it's related to MC's work at the dark society or if it's put in just to make MC seem angsty)
4.) Beautiful non-human partner
5.) Minions (No explanation how or why, they're just there, I think they're the comic relief element)
6,) Magic user mentor
7.) Internal Affairs is out to get him.
8.) Big baddie demon is out to get him.
9.) Connections in the underworld
10.) Drug / Alcohol addiction
PLUS he has his case to solve.
It also seems like he wants to kill everyone who gets on his bad side. I think that's everyone else in the book. I'm not sure how that's supposed to sync with him being a detective and on the "good" side.
I can't help but have fun with this book. It's almost like audiobook Mystery Science Theatre 3000 The plot holes are almost as much fun. At one point he turns in his gun and badge to Internal Affairs but 5 mins later he has his gun again. Is it the same gun? A new gun? Who knows? Anyway I'm having fun with it. It's a Grammar Nazi's playground.

2 people found this helpful

Dark Urban Fantasy with Just Right Humor

Ethan Drake is a broken cop with a fallen angel for a partner he works for the city commissioner in a special Squad X. Unknown to the other cops, he and his partner handle the paranormal cases. Looking for the demonic killer of his ex-wife and 6 year old daughter, Ethan also attempts to solve a body theft, possession and numerous murders in addition to protecting a little girl next door from her mother's abusive boyfriend. Ethan gets through the day by using magical "mud" which dulls his emotions. His band of pint size Muppet-loving body eating demonic Hellbastards and his egotistical, randy Hellicorn provide much needed comic relief and help him clean up the messes that occur when Ethan takes out a demonic foe. Ethan is a heartbroken, biogenetically enhanced soldier with a dark past who just wants to rid the world of the bad guys whoever they might be, demon or human, and is willing to do what it takes to make that happen.

I was not sure what to expect with this title but the story moved at a fast pace, was well written and the world building was tight. I found myself liking Ethan and rooting for him when things went wrong. While the themes of the book and parts of the hat could have been left out. I found them jarring and they really did not forward the plot or storyline. The vulgarity seemed to be just thrown in there. If you are easily offended by language or content, this is not the book for you. I was able to overlook this content but took a star off the story for it.

The narrator was wonderful. I really enjoyed listening to him and he really brought the characters to life, especially the little Hellbastards and the Hellicorn. Overall, this was a solid urban fantasy and I will look to read or listen to the next book in the series and will look at other series by N P. Martin.

**I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my own unbiased review.**

2 people found this helpful

Magic, mayhem and megawatt entertainment...

This fast-paced first installment of a new series is a page-turner that will capture your imagination and your attention with the first page and won’t let go until the very last sentence. Ethan Drake is a police detective assigned to a paranormal investigative unit called Unit X. During the course of an investigation he and his partner, Hannah Walker (a demon with a complex and captivating backstory) find themselves discredited and must clear their names or relinquish their law enforcement careers forever. All manner of madness ensues taking the reader/listener on a wild ride that includes hellions, hellbeasts, demons, necromancers, and, yes, even vampires (though vampires rate only a cameo appearance). All in all, you get unique and intriguing characters, an introduction to a fascinating paranormal reality to kindle your curiosity, and a satisfying conclusion to the immediate story that leaves plenty of room for more adventures ahead.

For those choosing the audio format, I must comment on the wonderful performance offered by the narrator, Brian Wiggins. It was a pleasure listening to him bring the story along with all the amazing and unique characters to life so vividly.

For those concerned about “hot-button” issues: yes, there is a somewhat graphic sex scene, and yes, there is a generous peppering of coarse language. While not for young readers, this story is, in my opinion, an auspicious beginning for a series that promises to distract and delight the more seasoned individual seeking an imaginative and compelling bit of escapist reading/listening.

I received a free review copy of this audiobook from Audiobook boom! and I am voluntarily leaving this honest and unbiased review.

2 people found this helpful

Decent book and wonderful narration..

I have to think about whether or not I want to continue with this series or not. I have a hard time really liking a "hero" who constantly does a drug called Mud and drinks way too much. I do like his partner Detective Walker, a demon who took over the body of another detective who had overdosed.

This was all about bad demons and one who wanted to take over Ethan's body, which didn't happen thanks to Ethan's Hellicorn, who came straight from hell, who survived off eating humans, which was totally disgusting. Ethan's Hellbastard demons, his helpers, also ate human's so when Ethan needed one of his kills cleaned up he'd call them telepathically to come and clean up, which was also disgusting. Anyway, I'm not sure I want to read any further with this series. It might be too gross for me.

There was a few minutes of sex, not too descriptive. And the F-bomb was used 464 times in these 320 pages.

As for the narration: Brian Wiggins did a fantastic job. Especially with all the different voices.

1 person found this helpful

It has its moments.

I wanted to like this way more. I had a hard time liking the main character. His partner was more likable. That said I can see the series perhaps redeeming him and perhaps mankind. Because in this world it’s bleak. The narration was great. That kept me going when the story got too dark for me. Dresden this is not. The Demon Accords it’s not. It’s darker and grittier and with a touch of Lovcraftian horror. And to be fair some Lol moments. I will stick with the series.

1 person found this helpful

This has a solid plot.

It has the elements of Dresden and Constantine. The vulgarity was a bit over the top. This is not a book you can put on speaker. Gritty I can deal with... the characters were solid.

1 person found this helpful

Fabulous!!!!!!!

A great book, definitely my kind of read for sure!!! Can’t wait to read them all

Very good book

Kept me engrossed through entire book. Will continue with rest of series. And even more.