2007 Book Log #68: Greywalker, by Kat Richardson

[annathepiper]

Continuing the theme of Seattle-based urban fantasy, I whipped through Kat Richardson's Greywalker with quite a bit of pleasure. Her flair for local detail really stood out for me; she nailed details of downtown Seattle, Ballard, Bellevue, Lake Washington, and the U-district with a thoroughness that only a local author could accomplish. As a former resident of the U-district in particular, I was specifically pleased to see the gone-but-not-forgotten Wizards of the Coast gaming center making an appearance in this book. ^_^

Story-wise, a PI who has thrust upon her unexpected paranormal abilities is pretty standard fare for urban fantasy, but Richardson does a good job with her heroine, Harper Blaine. We do get the obligatory resistance on Harper's part to what's going on, sure, but I never felt as though she let it get too much in the way of what she needed to do; she only seriously wigs out at a critical juncture at the very end. The assistance she finds in a witch and her researcher husband is a little too pat for me--just once, I'd like to run into an Irish witch who's not red-haired and green-eyed--and with the exception of a likable primary character, most of her vampires struck me as typical archetypes, competently executed. But all in all a good solid read, and I'll be checking out Book Two. Three and a half stars.

Comments

[peregrine-ek.livejournal.com]

I have never mentioned this, but I really enjoy your book logs/reviews. I picked up the Urban Shaman book on your recommendation. Also the Altered Carbon series.

Umm, is it OK to have one of the fey with red hair and green eyes? My character is so not a witch.

[annathepiper]

Thank you very much, I'm glad you're enjoying the posts. This is the first year I've done this formally, but I think I'll be continuing this next year, too! And I'm delighted to hear you've been moved to purchase things based on what I'm posting.

And hee, well, as long as the fey character in question isn't also Irish and/or a bard, I guess you can have a pass. ;)

[peregrine-ek.livejournal.com]

lol. The fey character is Irish, as are the Fianna, but the eyes aren't strictly leaf green. More like an opal, or the variegated greens of new spring growth.

I haven't decided yet. She most definitely is *not* a bard. IN fact, she is a rather persnickety bookstore owner.

[annathepiper]

Yay, bookstore owner! A fine breed. :)

[technosage.livejournal.com]

I liked this, stayed up all night to finish it. But I was disappointed by the ending.

[annathepiper]

Yeah, it did have a bit of a first-novel feel to it, I think--typical though competently executed. I definitely liked it well enough, though, to pick up Poltergeist, Book Two, when I get back from Japan!