Downpour (Greywalker #6) By Kat Richardson
Urban Fantasy
Paperback
August 2, 2011
Roc
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I have a habit of dying.”
As with any good series, we have a certain book that is the turning point and shows us the direction the series will take. Labyrinth (book 5) was the turning point of this series. Harper showed her friends and enemies just how powerful she is and it was a bittersweet moment. She fought and won but senses her friends are now more cautious and wary of her.
In Downpour, we are taking a rest. Harper is trying to keep things calm by working and trying to forget what happened and what she did. I found Downpour follows more of a investigative bent than magical.
During a pre-trial investigation, Harper sees a ghost who informs her he is dead, it was murder, and it all revolves around a mysterious lake. When Harper digs deeper, she finds out that the town is a “magical” vortex that was, in essence raped and pillage by mages and those seeking powers of their own. Now the magic is fighting back and the town needs Harper to help them survive.
Kat Richardson’s Greywalker series continues to be an engaging investigative urban fantasy saga; pitting ghosts, demons, and other paranormal entities against Harper Blaine-P.I. extraordinaire. Dark and fluid, the storyline flows through you at a smooth and easy pace. Full of suspense and intrigue, Ms Richardson tells the story from Harper’s POV, leaving you and her to follow a twisting path to discover the truth. This is a quietly dark paranormal series with a complex low key protagonist.
I’ve enjoyed watching Harper grow as a person and learn to accept her gifts. She has gone from being a loner to having friends and a lover who honestly sfor her. I love that Ms Richardson isn’t afraid for Harper to falter at times because she has her learn from her mistakes. She isn’t a super hero. She uses everyday investigative skills as much as her supernatural gifts.
The romantic scenes were a very pleasant surprise in here. The past books have kept the romance very low key and only glimpses are seen but in here, we get some serious advancement. Watching Harper and Quentin together humanizes Harper and makes her more approachable as a character.
The contributing characters are extremely complex in nature and personality. Some add to the overall bleakness of the landscape while others are shining lights illuminating the story. Everyone here has their own agenda and background stories that add depth and richness to the storyline. I liked that their was a certain lightness and humor undertone to this book that wasn’t readily apparent in the last five books. As I said earlier, this is the calm after the storm book and it works.
Ms Richardson is still technical when describing Harper’s magic. I find my attention wanders during those descriptive scenes . The ending is climatic and wraps everything up tidily while leaving an opening for book 7. Ms. Richardson’s Greywalker series is a must read for those who appreciate an entertainingly dark urban fantasy that is light on the romance and heavy on the unique.
Overall Rating: B-
Recent Reviews:
The Ranting Dragon – 5/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
Nice review Tori
Thanks. :)
Thanks for the review. Gikany and Una reviewed this on my site and gave it a 4.5 (A). Interesting to see two different sides of the same book.
Thank you. I like reading other reviews of the same book to see what I missed or saw differently. It;s interesting.
Nice review Tori. I’m in awe of how many series you are current with. I have series envy big time! :)
LOL I really need a life.
wow, great review. You described Harper perfectly. I love this series! I am almost done with this book so thanks for no spoilers :)
Thank you. And your welcome. :)
Great review Tori. I’m not familiar with this series at all bit it’s Interesting to see the different paths the story takes.
It’s a dark, quiet series-if that makes sense.
Oh, thanks for this great review. I love this series but am a bit behind and need to catch up. And I’ve been wondering if she would advance the romance angle a bit more in future books. So happy to hear she does!
I like the romance and the angle she takes in here.
I think series writing is some of the hardest authors attempt, but I think it allows an author the lattitude to “grow” their characters, something you mentioned in your review. I, too, have seen reviews of this book that were different, and it reminds me that we are all subjective in our responses to books. Just goes to show how individual we are as how much of ourselves we bring to the books we read. Thanks for the very insightful review.
Thank you. I like that Harper is slowly becoming more personable and approachable. Adding friends and a lover help a lot
Great review, Tori. This is one of those series that I WANT to love and I’ve tried so many times, it just isn’t for me :(
Thanks. BOO!! Some series aren’t meant for everyone. Lord knows I read a couple then walk away.
I need to start reading this series! I sounds like it is just the thing for me.
Its a good soild series.
Lovely review Tori. I really like this series. Harper isn’t a flashy heroine. She’s sensible and thorough and I love that. I’m behind though – I have the sixth book to read next month :)
Thank you. Exactly. Harper isn’t flashy and that appeals to me.
How would you find a way to construct this kind of wonderful group involving commenters to your website?