Killing Rocks (Bloodhound Files #3) by DD Barant
Urban Fantasy
December 28, 2010
Paperback, 336 Pages
St. Martin’s
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Except for tattoos and STDs.”
Jace is back and ready for anything in the 3rd installment of the Bloodhound Files series. Cassius informs Jace at the end of Dying Bites that the sorcerer who was responsible for bringing her to this alternate world has been sighted and if she can find him and capture Stoker-she can go home. Magic words to Jace’s ears. But she should know by now that nothing is easy in the crime fighting world and the criminals never do what she wants them to.
When Cassius hands Jace intel showing Aristotle Stoker and the sorcerer Asher are in Vegas, Jace and Charlie catch the first flight out and rendezvous with a select team that will be used to infiltrate and bring them down. But before Jace can set anything in motion, she receives a mysterious phone call telling her that they know the reason she was brought to this alternative world and asks to meet her. Jace, against her own judgment, goes to the meeting and finds herself abducted. When Jace is incommunicado, Charlie joins a golem resistance movement and Asher and Stoker get away. When Jace and her new “partner” Azura begin to investigate what Asher is up to, Jace finds herself separated from her friends and depending on her enemies for survival as a war is coming that may end her chances of going home forever.
Jace Valchek continues to be one of my top 10 urban fantasy heroines. Her snarky attitude mixed with her smart and innovative style makes for non stop thrills and laughter as she tries to navigate her life in an world that views her as a dinner entree. The continuously evolving storyline and clever blending of situations makes for a fast paced, smoothly entertaining story that had me racing to see what happens next. Fantastic world building where humans are the minority provides an addictive mix of fantasy and mythology with enough of supernatural unpredictably to keep it fresh till the end.
The secondary characters are tight and well developed with personalities all their own. Each of them are strong enough to have their own books. Charlie, Jace’s golem partner, is a solid presence with his pin striped suits and very dry humor. When a situation places he and Jace on opposite sides, I was relieved to see neither of them lose an ounce of integrity to the plot. A new character is introduced, Azura, who I really hope is seen again in future books. A mage from another world, she to is looking to capture Asher. She and Jace complement each other perfectly in this story and they were hilarious to watch together. We don’t see much of the original cast- Cassius or Gretchen-but hopefully the next installment will bring them back into the storyline.
There are multiple convoluted storylines that run simultaneously and we are given some interesting history regarding alternate worlds. Ms. Barant does a wonderful job of explaining complicated matters in an easy and plausible manner. No romance this time around either, but some interesting developments that have me really interested in seeing what Ms. Barant goes with it.
The ending was brilliant and had me cackling with glee. The separate story lines merge together in to a climactic finish that is the best ending to date. The “epilogue” was bland and felt like it had been tacked on as an after thought. My glee deflated a little after I read it.
Even though this could be read as a stand alone, I recommend starting from the beginning of the series. Ms Barant does give enough previous story background to give you a general idea of what is going on, but you lose a lot of underlying nuances that makes this series such a wonderfully rich and eclectic series by not reading the first two.
All in all a fantastic addition to this series that takes a bit of fantasy, mixes it with sci-fi, and bakes into a wickedly action packed snarky treat for all.
Rating: B+
Recent Reviews:
All About Romance – B+
Urban Fantasy Investigations – 4/5
Goodreads
The Bloodhound Files:
Dying Bites
Death Blows
Killing Rocks
Purchase Links:
Amazon l Kindle l Book Depository l Nook l Sony
We have an extra, brand new copy of Killing Rocks to give away today! To enter, just leave a comment. Open to US/Canada through January 21st.
Nice review, Tori :)
I'm curious, did you review the first book? I have the first book and tried reading it a few months ago and I just didn't get into it and didn't finish it ^_^; But I'm curious now, since you say the heroine is in your Top 10 :)
And please enter me in the giveaway :)
nath-No. I didn't review the first 2 here but I did review at Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/84855024.
I love your favorite quote from the book. It sounds really good, I would love to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Great review :) I would like to be entered! Thanks for the giveaway!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
So many books, so little time unfortunately…
I like the sound of this one..oh nr 3, hm, must go and see how the other 2 books look like
thanks for this nice article
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Hah, I'm not sure this title works…
Me:
… "'killing rocks'? why would you want to kill rocks? how would you even do that?"
… "or, are they rocks that kill? like in a landslide? Huh?"
… "OOOOH. OK. Now I get it."
This sounds like a good series!
kissinoak at frontier dot com
This looks like a great read.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
Sounds really good. Thanks for sharing!!
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I would love to win this book. I have read the previous books in this series and enjoyed them.
lynnflagler at yahoo dot com
This is the first I have heard of this book and authors. I would love to give it a go too!
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Every time I hear the title Killing Rocks, I think of the killing of rocks, LOL. Then I see Dying Bites and it all makes sense. I'm dying to start this series, and I'd love to win a copy of Killing Rocks.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for the contest! I have read the first book in the series and loved it. Please count me in on the contest. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net
I have the first book in the series but have yet to read it. Sounds like I'll enjoy it.
I follow on GFC.
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alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
Sounds interesting, but I don't know about the no romance aspect; I might not enjoy it as much. It still looks good enough to try though, so thanks for the giveaway!
jbrink83 at hotmail dot com
haven't read any of the series before. but it sounds interesting :)
uniquas at ymail dot com
I'd like to be entered to win. Would be a new author for me.
lisagkATyahooDOTcOm
I've never heard of this author or series! I'd love to read it!
meredithfl at gmail dot com
Please enter me in the giveaway. I am a worshipper of paranormal fantasy. Thank you!
never heard of this series but it sounds great. I am going to check out the first one
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
This series sounds like I would really enjoy it.