Unquiet Dreams

We know more about the Weird, more about elves and fairies, more about the pre-Convergence world. We get some neat insight into Connor by way of meeting his brother (!) and learning about his family. We get a lot about druidism in this universe, which, for a magic junkie like me, was awesome.

What we don't get is any sort of progress at all about Connor's magical ability. He seems very resigned to it now, and while that's good it doesn't do much to add tension to the book. He can't spend all his time going on about what he's lost and how he wants to kill Bergin Vize, but I'd like to see him trying more things. Especially with Leo having this new and strange aura and abilities, it would seem that Connor would be giving a bit more thought show more to his own issues. I don't want him to get his powers back with a snap of his fingers or anything, but I do want him to try, to struggle, to do anything. Saluting the sun is great, but it isn't enough. Give me something.

There was a really cool little moment when Joe tells Connor that he knew Carda (the troll woman) back before the Convergence and that she "used to eat baby rabbits like popcorn." Joe said it with affection, and it was treated as a normal thing, which, I guess, it was. Connor acknowledged this same thing. I like this about del Franco's books--he accepts things.

A weird thing that struck me was that at the end of the battle Connor left with Meryl, and they left Leo lying there unconscious. That's out of character for Connor and I have to wonder if it was some sort of editing mistake where del Franco and his editors just forgot to mention "and after they settled Leo comfortably in the ambulance and bought him a lollipop and a romance novel..." because it's totally weird.

Meryl Dian is just cool. Seriously. And the Marchgrafin Eorla Kruge is badass. More, please. show less

I had some reservations about this series after reading "Unshapely Things" (in particular the Fey politics) that made me unsure of whether I would continue the series. When I started Unquiet Dreams, I thought I'd stop here since those same issues are suddenly the focus of the plot. However, Del Franco is an excellent writer. I was pleasantly surprised that I got caught up in the story, and blown away by yet another superb ending.

Instead of roiling in the background, Fey politics take center stage. Connor is called in on the murder of a sixteen-year old human boy. The scene indicates he was dropped in the center of a field by something with wings. Meanwhile, across town, a high-ranking elf and guild director is brutally murdered. Connor show more is sure the cases are connected, but the Guild refuses consider it. The annoying jurisdictional fighting between police and Guild from book one is now a plot tool that will shake the Guild to its foundations. In another twist, Connor is summoned to the Guild Master and asked to investigate another guild director. He's knee-deep in political maneuvering, and being treated as nothing more than a lowly pawn. Pawn is right on the mark, as a careful game of chess quickly ensues and draws the reader in. The surface similarities of fey politics to today's world are still there, but we get a deeper look at the divisions between the Fey and within the Guild itself. Yet, Connor never forgets the dead boy who deserves justice. In addition to a clever plot, several character developments made for great reading.

I loved the budding romance between Connor and Meryl. In addition to spicing up the book with witty dialog and flirting, Connor also gains another ally. His relationship with Murdock is strengthening, and the powering of Murdock's essence after the final battle of book one is a great new twist to the character. What does it mean and could it answer questions about Connor's own disability? Joe has solidly taken on the role of side-kick, adding a lot of humor, without weakening the character and some new players are introduced. The ending was fantastic. All the threads came together cleanly; I love a good battle and Connor's sharp comments about the Fey being blinded by their own power and arrogance were right on. Pawn takes king. The ending hints that maybe Connor is finally getting some grudging respect from those he used to hobnob with, which is a welcome development.

Though the ending of book one was excellent, the story was resolved by temporarily giving Connor his powers back which I thought was a bit of a cop out. Here, Connor comes out on top through strength and intelligence, despite his lack of power. But, the aftermath leaves his world changed. This book was excellent, but one thing kept it from being five stars. I really want to see some progress on Connor's power block. It's getting old that no one understands it, but yet it figures prominently in the plot. Connor's learned how the other side lives, he's learned some humility - it's about time he got his power back to truly shake up the Fey. Highly recommended series. show less

he story begins with the seemingly unrelated murders of a high ranking elf and human street kid, with the Guild investigating the elf murder & Connor & Murdock the human. Guild politics, animosity between the fey & elves, and a powerful new drug circulating in Boston complicate things. As with the first book, this reads somwhat like 1950s detective story, which I enjoy. We meet Connor's wayward brother, there's a blossoming romance, and some more interaction b/w Connor and his former Guild buddies - all of which gives us a more personal look at our "hero." While his brain mass remains a mystery and he still bemoans his abrupt change in circumstance, Connor definitely grows as an individual and begins to accept his new reality, and even show more perhaps recognize it's not entirely a curse. I really like Connor and find these books a refreshing change in a sometimes stale genre. The detective story is compelling, the post-Convergence world and it's problems believable, and for the most part the novels flows well. show less

I liked this book much better than the first one. The story and setting are similar, but the writing is better and the storytelling is better. Though the author can still be too wordy. The whole first paragraph of the book is about the meaning of a ringing phone.

Conner Grey, magically damaged druid, is called in to help the Boston PD with a human murder with supernatural involvement. The human murder seems part of another murder, that of a powerful and politically dangerous Elf, that happened at the same time. The magic Guild takes the Elf case and ignores the human murder and the connections.

The book deals with the conflicting clues, the political and personal rivalries within the Guild and the magic community, and to a smaller extent show more between humans and the magicals.

The settings and the characters are fleshed out more in this book. The relationships of the characters are expanded. More of Conner's past and the reason for him being cut off from the Guild also starts to emerge.

The book seems tighter and it generated enough interest for me to want to keep reading to find out the ending. The first book was more of a chore to get through.

The only issue I have is that the mystery turns into a big Conner Grey saves the world (again) story. It gets tiring when the main character becomes Superman (even a flawed one). Still I look forward to the next book. show less

I've finally hit the second Connor Grey book in my reading stack. I read the first one a while ago and really enjoyed it so I was pretty happy to finally get to the second book. In Unquiet Dreams, Connor's on a new case, this time investigating the death of a human gang member who's turned up dead at the same time as an elf diplomat. There are also trolls, a new street drug, and gang warfare in the mix, so it's a busy time for our intrepid investigator. A lot of the characters from Unshapely Things are back in this book and I'm pleased to say Joe is one of them, as he was probably my favourite character in the last book.

Once again, Mark Del Franco has done a great job. The book has a great, flowing plot that answers the main mystery but show more also leaves a lot open for future stories. We learn a lot more about the politics of the Convergent World and also about some of the other characters, so it's nicely layered and balanced. Can't wait for book three!

Originally published at http://ireadgood.wordpress.com show less

Synopsis: Connor Grey's druidic powers may be diminished, but he is still able to consult for the Boston Police Department. Now Murdock and Connor try to link the murders of a gang member to a high-ranking elven diplomat. Both are caught in a power struggle between Celtic fairies and Teutonic elves. Grey the traces the source of these hostilities to a powerfully compulsive drug called Float. Which, of course, leads to a conspiracy that could destroy the fragile unity of the fey and human communities.

This book moved alot slower than I liked for the first 200 pages or so. First, Murdock and Connor are called out to investigate the death of a human boy who died wearing the colors of a gang. It appeared the boy was dropped from some height. show more Which then leads them to the death of Alvud Kruge who had been trying to unify the races together. Of course, Keeva, who has been drugged with Float, finds every way possible to stall the investigation into Alvud's murder. Of course, they are put in their place and refused access to the information concerning Alvud's death.

Then, of course, it took the entire book before the real villian was exposed which after you read it, makes alot of sense in so many different ways. I was actually hoping it was Keeva since she is a nasty piece of work, but no such luck this time around.

I like the interraction between Murdock and Connor, and NO, I don't want the writer to take his personal preferences and put them into this book. It's even more interesting now that Murdock seems to have gained some essence in his body after almost being killed in Unshapely Things. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the series, Connor still has a block in his brain that nobody can figure out. It keeps his powers diminished, but not unable to protect himself. And, NO, he actually does NOT get his powers back in this book. He is given a boost from a source that leads him to stop the destruction around him.

Of course, this wouldn't be a good series without Meryl, the snarky but courageous druid that Connor has a thing for. Joe, the flit is back, and we even have a sighting of Connor's long lost brother who comes and helps save the day.

Overall, this is a good read, but not a great one. There is only two real action packed sequences, and they come near, or at the very end. show less

Now, Meryl Dian is kickass and I love her as a character, but is anyone else seriously disappointed that she is becoming Grey's love interest? I spent all of the first book and a good chunk of the second hoping for a Grey/Murdock romance to develop!