Smoke and Shadows

This is the most recent book in a series I’ve been following for a while. Huff built an intricate mythological world out of modern day Toronto and, in its turn, Vancouver. Henry Fitzroy, vampire, is the historical son of Henry the eighth who died at 18. He is short, cute, and ginger-headed, not at all the vampire type. And Vicki, a Toronto ex-cop who was discharged on disability, has no time for him or the stranger beings that come attached to the tail of his sports jacket.

For a change of venue, in Smoke and Shadows we have no Vicki, and Tony, the gay street boy that Henry took under his protection in earlier books, is all grown up. After years of living with a little too much protection for comfort, he would really rather there was show more no Henry, either. But, darn it, with all these recent hauntings at work, who else is a guy to turn to but his pretty royal undeadness? show less

Smoke and Shadows is a spinoff from Tanya Huff’s other series, the Blood Books. I haven’t read the Blood Books but I didn’t feel they were necessary to understand this new series. In Smoke and Shadows, Tony Foster and vampire Henry Fitzroy have relocated to Vancouver where Tony is working as a production assistant in a low-budget TV show. Trouble has relocated as well; Tony begins to notice shadows acting strangely and cast and crew getting possessed. He then becomes involved in the drama of a wizard turned special effects specialist, and a dark lord trying to break across dimensions.

Smoke and Shadows reads a lot like a pulp novel, or a B-list horror story similar to the very show that Tony works on. However, it’s aware of its show more own cheesiness and runs with it. Tony tosses one-liners and jokes even when the going gets tough, and his situations parody the over-the-top antics of the fantasy and horror genres. Dark lords? Evil shadows? Vampire detectives? High literature this ain’t, and it never tries to be. Instead it’s just plain old fun and hijinks.

Sometimes it fails. Sometimes the cheesiness stops being amusing and gets annoying. But most of the time it works. Smoke and Shadows also has interesting characters that I would like to get to know better in the future books– how often do you get a gay, ex-street boy protagonist? Or a grouchy old woman who blows things up for a living? Also, bonus points for being set in Canada and making jokes about Canadian cinema and other Canadian quirks. Saving the world by public transportation! show less

5 stars.

Tony moves to Vancouver and finds work on a tv show as an assistant. In a twist, the show is about a vampire detective and Tony happens to have been involved with a vampire. They aren't anymore, but are still friends. When things start happening on set, such as shadows being where they shouldn't be and acting independently and a stunt going wrong, Tony figures that something otherworldly is causing havoc on set.

I loved this. The entire cast of characters were flawed and real and human, even the non-humans. I honestly don't think that the story could have done without one of them. Tony in particular is very honourable and noble and earnest while not taking himself too seriously. As is usual for me, when I really like something, show more it's hard for me to say why without just regurgitating the plot. The story was great, the writing top notch, and, as I said previously, the characters great. Good world building, and I didn't feel as though I missed a lot not having read the series that this spun off from. show less

This had so much promise but the story is boring and slow. I was also very discombobulated with the POV changing from character to character in the middle of dialog or a descriptive paragraph. It was so jarring and confusing I would have to reread the page to figure out where the POV changed. Usually it wasn't even clear. I think remaining with one character's perspective until a section break is as important as punctuation in a book.

I'm also confused about these relationships because two of the characters came from earlier series' but I just don't care enough about anyone in it to stick with it. There is no emotion, no indication of how Tony feels other than when he lusts after someone. In fact, he doesn't react at all at times when show more logic dictates he should. He feels like a robot; a nice robot, but still a robot.

Then there's the fact that there isn't even a hint of romance. Even UF books with male protagonists written by male authors usually have even a little romance: the character misses/avenges/is hurt by an old flame; he finds a woman attractive but doesn't connect and that leaves him wanting; he is lonely. Things like that.

I really wanted to like this series but I'm so bored. show less

Former street urchin, Tony Foster, has moved to Vancouver with his vampire patron, Henry Fitzroy. Determined to take charge of his new life Tony has gotten himself an education, a job and an apartment of his own. However, when things start getting funkier than the norm on the set of the television show he works on, he knows it is not something he can handle alone. It may not even be something he can survive with the help of a other-worldly witch and a vampire.

I read the first two books of Huff's Blood series a couple years ago. I never continued on with the series for a few different reasons, primarily a slight frustration with the writer's method and an annoyance because it always felt to me like she was holding back on the best parts. show more I also had issues with the main character of Vicky Nelson. On the other hand, I do remember having a fondness for Tony's character even back then and when I discovered that the author went on to write a trilogy featuring Tony, it peaked my interest enough to check it out. I'm really glad I did! Although there were parts that reminded me of my annoyances with the writing style, it was much easier to overlook because I really like Tony's character. He has a great sense of humor both about his occupation as a Production Assistant on a syndicated television show and about himself. I also really like the dynamic between Tony and Henry, with Henry really trying to do the friend thing when his primal instinct is more of a predator/prey/possessive thing. The television studio setting is fascinating, with lots of behind the scenes looks at the show production that I found intriguing. There were certainly parts of the story I wish the author had offered more illumination on, but generally I was much more satisfied with the writing overall. It was one of those rare books where once I got to the end I was sad it was all over. Needless to say I will be moving on to the next book in the series and am really looking forward to reading more about Tony along with his experiences, both in the surreal world of television and in the realm of the paranormal. show less

I never cared much for Tony in the previous series (Blood Series). I didn't dislike him, but just didn't pay much mind to the minor character. I was curious how it would be pulled off making him the primary protagonist, and as a character it turns out I enjoy him more now. His older street jargon has been replaced with more proper speech - we're informed this has been encouraged by Henry "offstage." My favorite parts really involved Henry, as I always loved the character. Tony isn't as exciting as the previous Vicky (who got on my nerves much of the time for her attitude) or the adorably lovable Celucci.

The Shadowlord, an intriguing and unique enough villain, is well-written. It's not every day you read a book focused on living shadows show more that are part of a larger being. The story itself is a good one but the pacing is too slow for some areas; as an example, when emphasis is placed on Tony's day-to-day interactions on the stage set, none of this interested me and I kept gliding through passages where he chats with co-workers. Being boring is a book or movie's greatest sin, and while Smoke and Shadows never committed this crime exactly, it was sadly close some of the time.

Henry comes back and is as great as ever, I love the whole possessive type angle, but I found the whole "hunger" and "seduction" expression vague at best and over-used. There was no tension with these scenes, it was just written, no build-up and no description. This, thankfully, is a minor thing that did not distract me from the otherwise interesting and somewhat unique story that I enjoyed reading. Not a book you would be forced to read through in one sitting, forgoing sleep and other life needs, but a book that still keeps you drawn in just enough to keep wanting to reach the end line.

The negatives (and pluses) aside, I'm wanting to read more of the series. The ending of the book let loose some intriguing ideas about Tony's character that suddenly makes him more intriguing. I would like, of course, to keep seeing more of Henry and his relationship with Tony for, like the previous series, he is much of the glue that keeps the stories together. I remember being depressed that the Blood Lines series ended, and I'm happy it's been picked up again for a few more rounds, even if it's with a new 'bloodline'. show less

I like this. More in Henry and Vicki's universe, with both Henry and Tony showing new facets - Tony more than Henry, but then the boy was hardly more than a cipher before. Now he's much more a real person. And fitting nicely into the current fad for urban fantasy...wizard, huh? Shadows were scary, solution was reasonable, obstacles were realistic not contrived...well, it is a Tanya Huff. Good book.