Niall Teasdale

Brisk

Everything moves at a solid pace. There isn't any lengthy introspection or monologuing, which is good, but I feel it also leaves something out of the story. It's very matter-of-fact. Maybe too clinical?

To be clear, I did like it. It is a pleasant read and doesn't get overly graphic in sexual situations. The mystery flows solidly and the police work is consistent and effective. There is just something missing...something that would make it more memorable.

I will still likely buy the next show more in the series, as it is clever in some ways. The writing is solid, the proofing is excellent, and the logical flow of the plot is not tangled by overt deus ex. show less

SF

If you like your science fiction with mystery, and can stand a chokingly large dose or eroticism, then you will enjoy this.

It’s frustrating because there is really good writing and a fun story and then...BOOBIES!!!! Then the story gets back on track until the next round of porn. Really explicit, that’s-a-camera-angle-I-wish-I-hadn’t-seen, unnecessary porn.

I will continue to read this series, because it has some interesting SF concepts.

Familiar

If you’ve read his other books, this is nothing terribly new.

An odd mixture of MarySue and erotic fiction. Fast paced, hedonistic, and willing to break conventions. It’s saved from being a total MarySue by missteps having actual consequences.

A bit of a dirty secret, but I like the author’s ability to design new universes, even though he uses the same character types in each.

I buy his books. Thats my recommendation.

I liked it, but...

There is still too much of a fixation on sex. This isn’t about the characters *having* sex. It’s about boobies. Every female character teenage or older - without exception - was described in terms of her tits. Even minor characters.

Beyond that, this is a very substantial tale. Almost three stories in execution. It avoids being a MarySue by having the MC be damaged by her power. The ‘clanless outsider’ bit could have been developed more, but the narrative was already show more quite busy. I expect to see more of that in a sequel.

I will buy a sequel. That’s my true measure of how good it is.

To tell the truth, I buy most everything this author releases. Even when their obsession with sex muddies the story, the imaginative world-building keeps me coming back. show less