Shaman, Friend, Enemy

This second volume in the series was even better than the first! Having done the basic world-building in the previous volume, Green can now focus more thoroughly on the plot, and on fleshing out the details in this fascinating urban fantasy world.

I LOVE the way Green handled the "Big Bad" in this- not at all the usual, even though at first it looks like it will be.

The characters grow and develop, too, and are individuals; they all have their own backgrounds, attitudes, and agendas, and as the world gets more complex, so do they.

It is interesting to note that, thus far, ALL the shamans are women. This is never mentioned in the text specifically, and I am looking forward to an explanation- although I do love the matter-of-fact way Green show more does this without making a point of it! And because of this, her novels pass the Bechel Test with flying colors!

Highly recommended, especially if you like urban fantasy and want to branch out from the standard vamp/were tropes. But do yourself a favor and start with the first book in this series! While this one would probably make sense without it, you will miss a lot if you skip directly to #2. show less

As the story opens, Olivia Lawson ("Livvy") has been rewarded for her heroic deeds in Shaman, Healer, Heretic. Shamans are no longer scorned, in fact, they are sought after. Livvy's client list now includes celebrities, who pay her handsomely for her healing powers. This new found prosperity has enabled her to move out of her rat trap and into a luxury apartment. She no longer has to buy her clothes from Goodwill. Her friend and fellow shaman, Min, drives her around in a Porsche. Life is good.

Unfortunately, success has brought its share of trouble. The paparazzi hound Livvy whenever possible, particularly when she's visiting one of her celebrity clients. Worse still, her success has earned her the enmity of a dark shaman, Dominique. show more Green doesn't waste any time establishing the conflict between these two.

Dominique is a well-crafted villain. An immigrant from Haiti, she moved to L.A. to seek a better life utilizing her skills as a shaman. An influx of earthquake refugees from her former homeland hasn't helped matters. The rough life in Haiti has hardened her heart and made her bitter. The world owes her for what she's had to endure. Now in a position of power, the cruelty she once faced now resides within. She figures that if she can eliminate Livvy, she can be the top shaman in L.A. and the money will help her climb out of the ghetto and salve the wounds of her past (and present).

To complicate matters, Livvy is distracted by her relationship with SK (her agent) and a side project in the "forbidden arts". I don't want to say anything more to spoil it for future readers.

After reading Shaman, Healer, Heretic, I felt that it would've been easy for Green to resort to a series formula and churn out twenty variations on the original story. Instead, Green has forged ahead with the next step in Livvy's life as Techno-Shaman. Through Green's hand, Livvy has matured. The innocent little girl persona has given way to a confident young woman who pushes the boundaries of her powers. She's no longer content to accept what she's been told. She doesn't like the rules and wants to break them.

As for the technicals, the quality of the manuscript is at a professional level. It is well-edited, thus making for very easy reading. Short chapters and an active dialogue move the story along at a quick pace. There are no lulls in this story. The action scenes are well choreographed and more intense than in her first novel.

This was a highly enjoyable read. Green's characters have grown in their complexity and realism. Her protagonist and antagonist both harbor painful secrets which fuel their motives and actions in the story. The resolution of their conflict is immensely gratifying for its approach and in its execution. In the hands of a less capable writer, it would've been rendered trite. I highly recommend Shaman, Friend, Enemy, and Green's Techno-Shaman series in general, to all urban fantasy aficionados. show less

Los Angeles is changing. Techno-shaman Livvy Lawson—who's one of the most highly coveted shamans in the area, thanks to a recent triumph in the multiverse, as well as its exposure—can feel it prickling in her skin. It's not just her career dynamic; there seems to be some other shamanic influx disrupting the natural flow of her work, too. Only when she notices a devastating pattern among her clients, and when shamans begin appearing in her middleworld, does she figure out there's someone out there that's putting not only the LA shamans, but also her directly, in grave danger. But by then, it may be too late to take any defensive measures.

This second installment of the Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman series is an artful, well-processed show more continuation of the fascinating urban fantasy world that left readers begging for more in the original Shaman, Healer, Heretic. The idea of techno-shamanism itself is magical and thrilling—a combination of steampunk and contemporary fantasy—and the plot is also fast-paced and easy to follow. This sequel isn't as dangerous or as inventive as the first book, as the backdrop of shamanism is already set, but it's definitely more psychologically disturbing, with a fresher and equally absorbing premise.

My only constructive reservation for the previous book was that there wasn't enough of Livvy's past incorporated into the storyline. There would be brief mentions, but never full elaborations, which frustrated me, but now I know they were just a technique to keep me holding on. In Shaman, Friend, Enemy, all the questions—all the obscure nondisclosures—are slowly, painfully answered. In the beginning, I was definitely at the edge of my seat wanting to know more about Livvy's initiation into shamanism—into how she became the prophesied lightning shaman; by the end, I was completely satisfied.

I love how there's more of Min and SK, as well as a moving forbidden romance. The results of Livvy's desires are literally electric, and inevitably will end up governing her and swallowing her whole.

I recommend this one for readers who are returning to the series. While the plots of both books are completely unrelated, there aren't as many details about the shamanism, nor about Livvy's routine, which may make Shaman, Friend, Enemy seem rather flimsy and underdeveloped. It might be a decent standalone novel, but would be best enjoyed by readers who started at the beginning, just because of the recurring practices, characters, relationships, and conflicts present.

Livvy's deepest secret—the reason she is so devoted to shamanism in the first place—is finally revealed after the mystery enshrouding her background. As malicious powers try to get in her way, Livvy will go to any length—even submersing into the dark arts, and even losing herself a little bit—in order to carry out the mission to which she owes her life. Her painful past eventually justifies her determination for redemption, but not before claiming a small part of her, before it does.

Faced with these inner demons and the recent local obstructions, Livvy must risk her career and her life just to settle the one thing from her past to which she owes everything, which propels her into a distressing decision: to pursue the one she loves, or to stop being a shaman—to lose her identity—completely.

Pros: Livvy's backstory revealed! // Moves quickly and doesn't drag on // New villains shape the story well // Livvy's personal strengths and weaknesses explored // Well-written and well-structured // Leaves me wanting to read the next book!

Cons: Green has a natural voice for storytelling, but stylistically it's not particularly lyrical or haunting; it gets the job done, but isn't impressive // Not much action

Love: Livvy had stopped at the edge of the living room, as though she were afraid to enter. When in doubt, she bit her lower lip. Sometimes when she did that, she was worried about something serious, a client usually. Sometimes, she was just trying to pick the type of tea she'd order. SK had never mentioned it to her, afraid that she might stop.

Verdict: In this stirring, fulfilling second novel, M. Terry Green calls attention to the domineering advantage in keeping compassion—keeping humanity alive on top of the duties in the battle between good and evil—as well as a startling truth regarding where Livvy's passions and loyalties lie. Once again, Livvy is challenged and her heart's resolve brutally tested, but once again, readers hold onto hope that she will, in the end, somehow prevail; that's just who Olivia Lawson is. Tender and heart-wrenching, yet edgy in revelation, Shaman, Friend, Enemy is a detailed and purposeful journey into our original lovable heroine's psyche. The discovery of an incredible bond and a terrible tragedy that have shaped her, and how she, in the end, triumphs over those single-minded fears, demonstrate masterfully what it means to be human... and what we humans must do to not only live, but also to simply survive

Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended.

Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!). show less

Well done. A new adventure for Livvy and friends. The world is imaginative and well held together. The story is engaging and drew me along. I'm glad I have book 3 to dive into.

Isn't that a funny thing in life, once your told that you aren't allowed to have something. You become more determined to get it? Even if you, in reality have realized that you can live without it. The actual pursuit of obtaining it and the effort you put into getting it, will be your driving force.
This is the second book in this series. What I loved about the first and what drove me to continue with this series was the unique twist to the Urban Fantasy novel. The lead character is a Shaman and has a great support system around her to help her complete her jobs in the spiritual plane and outside.
In this edition Livvy is attacked pretty early on in the book, as well as having her heart broken by her love interest. Both of these stories show more push the novel along and we get to see Livvy break down a little and show her human side, calling upon her mother for some support.
There is a lot of magic and traveling through dimensions in these stories. The danger that Livvy and her co-workers must endure to help others keeps the mystery and anxiety up for the reader, not knowing what could happen next.
My favorite parts are when they fight using magic and she is up against forces that you would not find in most other books. It adds a unique touch, but Livvy is still human and that reality check side to the story is always there to help the reader identify with her story more.
My favorite character is SK in this one, the dwarf that helps her travel the multiverse. If you are not familiar with this series (or have not read my review of book one) The author approaches the the idea of a Shaman in the 21st century. With advanced technology to help her fight her battles and of course travel through the multiverse. It adds some fun sci-fi elements to Urban Fantasy which makes for a very fun and unique story line show less

My Opinion :


Shaman, Healer, Heretic, the previous book to Shaman, Friend, Enemy was a pretty good book that I enjoyed, and this book was the same for me. I have pretty much the same opinion, so that is why this review will be pretty short.

In Shaman, Friend, Enemy, the story begins about a month (or more) after the first book ended. But now, business of Olivia is way better, since she has gotten a lot of publicity all over the media. But now, a dark shaman named Dominique has set her mind to kill Olivia so that she can be richer.

Shaman, Friend, Enemy is written in a quicker pace than the first book, which I liked, since it was so easy to get through.

Olivia makes me really angry. Like, a lot. To me, she is REALLY whiny at times (which I show more odn't like), but other times she's great and smart and kick-ass. Also... she makes weird decisions.

I don't really like the covers... :S

3 roses show less

I found the story line more annoying this time around. Still, I finished it and I have the 3rd already started.