Angel Martinez (1)

This is a fascinating tale, with great characters and a futuristic setting that is well developed. The retelling of old stories, placing them in a more contemporary (or, in this case, sci-fi context), is something that is always tempting for an author; Angel Martinez, I think, has succeeded really well at translating the old concepts into something new and relevant.

Vassily has had a lot to deal with in his life, not least of which is brain damage form an accident. He is a bit lost, doesn’t show more have a lot of self-confidence and the nasty stepfather and stepbrothers, who move in when his (often absent) mother gets remarried, make his life a true hell. The assignment his horrible stepfather sends him on looks hopeless, but it is actually the beginning of some real character growth. I was cheering all the way!

Sumerki is forceful, domineering, self-centered, and has an issue with being touched. He has also been genetically modified by his mother and, while competent at his job, does not love his life. He’s a real candidate for anger management – or something. While his brothers love and understand him, they are not the right people to help him. When Vassily turns up something changes – and Sumerki is the last one to want to admit what is going on.

At first glance, these two men seem to have nothing in common. Open hostility and fear are two of the key obstacles they need to overcome. I loved how they gradually remove each of them, so slowly that it’s almost unnoticeable. The impact and depth of their feelings captivated me. If you like stories about flawed and damaged characters thrown together in a challenging situation, if you enjoy watching men battle both exterior and interior demons and if emotions are just as important as physical attraction for you, this is a books you shouldn’t miss. show less

The idea behind this series is a look at what the old Greek gods would do if they were real, still around today, and forced to evolve with the times. At one point early on Hestia says to Hades that “Modern gods don’t simply sit about and eat ambrosia. That would be disgraceful.” – and that pretty much sums up the premise of the series as well as the tone. I loved the idea of gods having to do what humans have been struggling with ever since we stepped down from the trees. Finding show more your own way in life is not easy, and if this first book is any indication, this series will not just be very cleverly designed but highly entertaining. Hades’s story fascinated me since I wanted to find out what he would decide, how he would deal with modern life, but it also made me laugh because much of what he goes through is so true and so “human” – and that makes it really funny.

Hades has a tough lesson to learn in this first installment, and from the moment he begins his journey into thinking for himself rather than accepting the role he was given, he discovers a side to himself he was never aware of. For a Lord of the Dead, finding out he may have feelings is a revelation. Figuring out a job is easy for him, and seeing him becoming a badass PI is pretty funny. He has a way to “speak to the dead” that gives him an advantage, and his problem-solving skills are excellent, so he’s pretty good at solving cases. It’s the more human side of things he struggles with, but Ti is there to guide him, even though neither of them realize that it’s happening. I did though, and I loved watching them.

Ti, short for Tiberius, has fallen on hard times, pretty much due to making some stupid decisions and a few idiotic mistakes. He ends up an alcoholic and homeless, and that’s when his life becomes endangered without him even realizing it. Hades figures it out and rescues him, and Ti cannot believe his luck. But then Hades tells him the truth of who he is, and Ti thinks he’s crazy – at least until Hades shows him a few things. That’s when Ti begins a journey to a different world view and becoming more mature. His emotional involvement may sneak up on him, but when he gets the message, he will do anything to protect Hades.

If you like stories with a great supernatural component, if you want to see not just an old Greek god deal with modern life, but watch him fall in love, and if you’re looking for a story that is as fantastical as it is funny and romantic, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. I loved the characters, the way they deal with their relationship (once they notice they have one!), and the whole setup. I am so glad this is a series and I have more books to read!


NOTE: This book was provided by Amber Allure for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

Going feral is usually reserved for animals – or sometimes people – but to have books react that way? Only in Angel Martinez’s world of Philadelphia’s 77th Precinct with its paranormally defective members is such a thing even remotely possible. The thing is – it even makes sense, in a weird sort of way: words, after all, can hurt as much as actions, so once they “go off the rails”, so to speak, I can see how they might do a lot of damage. Even if no such thing is possible in show more our reality, following the developments of this third action/adventure in the series, starring police officers Kyle and Kash’s enigmatic colleague Carrington, a nutritionally challenged vampire, was wonderfully entertaining for me. Even if – or maybe just because - this story is as unlikely as the first two, I enjoyed exploring the 77th newest trials and tribulations.

Carrington may be a vampire, but he is one with issues. One, his family – especially his selfish, socialite mother - ignores his “illness” to the point of threatening his well-being, possibly his life. I mean, a garden party in bright sunlight for a vampire’s birthday? Second, he is nutritionally challenged and can only drink certain parts of human blood, and never from the source. Third, a book attacks him out of nowhere, and while his police partner believes him, the initial reaction from others is a little less enthusiastic. But the attacks soon multiply, and Carrington has his hands full with an investigation that requires “literary support”, if you want to call it that.

Two men feature in the hunt for the misbehaving literary works. One is Erasmus, the public library’s specialist for rare books. While he is nice, knowledgeable, and definitely qualified to help, there are no sparks between him and Carrington. Then there is Heath, the arrogant, self-centered owner of a bookshop and exactly Carrington’s type. I’m not going to reveal anything more other than saying that I enjoyed watching Carrington figure things out not just regarding the case of the attacking books, but on a personal level as well. While I knew what I wanted to happen, for the longest time I wasn’t sure if the author was going to give it to me. It was a nice extra bit of suspense on top of an already intriguing mystery.

In addition to the main case of the ferocious books, there are quite a few little subplots around some of the recurring characters in this series. I really enjoyed the additional “madness” those added. Kyle and Kash play a prominent role, as does LJ, the animated leather jacket.

If, like me, you like the paranormal world of the 77th Precinct and can’t get enough of their crazy adventures, if you want to know how a nutritionally challenged vampire deals with his less than stellar love life once and for all, and if you’re looking for a mystery that is hilarious, well-constructed, and might just keep you guessing for a while, then you will probably like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

I actually finished this last night having read the whole thing in under 4 hours. Yes, it was so good I couldn't put it down until I'd devoured every last part of it.
Once again I am in awe. At the lyrical feeling of the language used. At the seemless use of myths and tales, of which I am only vaguely aware, intricately weaved into a mesmorising story.
Angel Martinez is fast becoming one of favourites.