Fletch
IM Fletcher is a reporter. While under cover as a beach bum investigating a drug ring he’s approached by a wealthly stranger with an unusual proposition.
This is a well constructed and sardonically funny thriller.
Fletch is the epitome of the likeable asshole and the central mysteries remain compelling right until they’re wrapped up in a satisfying fashion at the end.
Recommended if you like entertaining, fast-paced comic thrillers.
Sandman Slim
Stark escapes from Hell intent on the murder of the circle of magicians responsible for the death of his girlfriend and his exile to the demon’s arenas.
This is an enormously entertaining mix of urban fantasy and noir thriller. The protagonist is a likeable asshole that the author manages to avoid turning into a walking set of cliches.
There’s nothing truly original about this novel but it’s a lot of fun and lays enough groundwork for future sequels for you to care about the world he’s built.
If you want a well constructed piece of urban fantasy with an ass-kicking lead character then this is definitely a book for you.
Midnight Blue-Light Special
The second InCryptid book returns to follow Verity Price as she looks to defend New York’s Cryptid population from a Covenant purge.
Like the first book in this series (Discount Armageddon) this is a fun, action filled piece of urban fantasy.
It’s all wee bit generic but way too entertaining to quibble about it.
Recommended for urban fantasy fans.
Redshirts
Even though this is the first time I’ve physically read this book I already knew the story as I listened to it as an audiobook first.
What initially looks like an affectionate parody of Science Fiction TV cliches (mostly Star Trek) turns into a rather meta piece about the reality of fictional characters.
The main novel rattles along at a good pace and is very readable – just less clever than it thinks. The three codas are interesting experiments. The strongest one is easily the best thing about the book.
Recommended if you like Scalzi or media parodies.
I also note here that I recently read the first episode of the serial novel that Scalzi’s releasing this year (The Human Division). While I enjoyed reading it I decided to wait for the completed work, due out in May.
Discount Armageddon
This daft, delicious piece of urban fantasy stars the ballroom dancing cryptozoologist Verity Price.
The plot is kind of mental but it’s a lot of fun.
McGuire writes compulsively readable books and heroines are always ridiculously compelling.
I prefer the Toby Daye books but I’d still recommend this one without hesitation particularly if you love urban fantasy with a twist of absurdity.
Ashes of Honor
The latest Toby Daye book finds her using her investigative talents to find another missing teenager.
This girl is a changeling teleporter whose powers threaten to damage the physical realms of the Fay.
Another enjoyable read, with a much happier ending than the last book in the series.
Recommended for fans of the series – start at the beginning if you’re tempted.
One Salt Sea
War is brewing in Faerie when the children of the rulers of the neighbouring sea Kingdom are taken and the Queen of Mists court is implicated.
Toby’s investigations gain an extra degree of urgency when her own daughter is kidnapped too.
A thoroughly satisfying read, with a heartbreaking ending.
To repeat myself once again – if you’ve read the earlier October Daye books then you really do want to read this one.
Late Eclipses
Toby finds herself under suspicion when friends and allies begin to be poisoned and she can’t prove that notorious murderer Oleander de Merelands is back and up to her old tricks.
This is another hugely entertaining entry in the series by McGuire. The main plot is very satisfying and the background plot arc grows ever more intriguing.
If you’ve read the earlier Toby Daye books – you have to read this one.
An Artificial Night
When Toby’s friend’s children disappear in the night she’s quickly on the case only to find herself embroiled with the crazed Firstborn Blind Michael.
This installment is just as entertaining and enjoyable as the previous books in the Toby Daye series. McGuire reveals the back story of her world with perfect timing and as a result I’m totally invested in the series.
A must read if you’ve read the first two.
A Local Habitation
The second October Daye book finds the changeling PI investigating a mystery at a Fae run computer company.
This sequel is another well constructed and enjoyable urban fantasy detective novel. It’s only flaw is that it doesn’t significantly advance the intriguing back story of the lead character.
I’ve decided that I really like Toby Daye and I’ll probably be sticking with the series while this remains the case.
Probably not the place to start the series but recommended if you enjoyed the first book in the series.