http://bactra.org/weblog/algae-2008-1... ( )

From the moment I started reading, I was spellbound. The colorful characters -- Emmie Silvey, Saben White, Soldier, Deacon, Pearl, and Odd Willie -- stepped right off the page, handed me a cup of sludgy tea, and dragged me off to a dark world where monsters from the Irish mythos ruled my every thought for days. Kiernan creates a dark fantasy world were little girls might just be what goes bump in the night, and reality isn’t what it always seems. The story paints a grim picture of an ongoing battle between changelings and hounds. The main characters, Soldier a hit woman for the ghouls and Emmie, a strange little girl, both seem doomed from the start, and I was never sure whom I should be rooting for. Truly a unique take on some classic monsters chock full of unpredictable twists and turns! ( )

http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.a... ( )

main characters names: Soldier, Emmie Silvey, Deacon Silvey, Odd Willie, the Baliff, Pearl/Hester (nothing to do with The Scarlet Letter that I could see, though)

Somewhat confusing tale sort of set in the Lovecraft ouvere. Interesting scenes, particularly the violent ones, but the book as a whole didn't hang together particularly well. The Lovecraft bits were especially forced, though I can't comment on their accuracy, being no expert.

Changelings, vampires, "halfbreeds" of changelings and "ghuls," the universe exploding, etc., The characters go here, they go there, then the story rather abruptly and kind unsatisfactorily ends. Perhaps I'm being a bit too harsh, the pages turned and my attention was kept. And I was more entertained than not. Gotta give credit where its due.

And without a doubt one of the more irritating forewards I've ever read in any book anywhere. Would you like some cheese to go with your whine? ( )