Review: Devil's Luck by Carolyn Crane

Devil's Luck

by Carolyn Crane

(The Disillusionists # 3.5)

Simon's crazy recklessness is what made him a Disillusionist, no gamble is too small for him, no risk to big to take, all in his effort to defy fate, a fate that would have had him die 13 years earlier. Fawna is caged with her knowledge of the future and Simon's devil-may-care fuck you attitude to fate both fascinates and repels her, she longs to be free of her cage as Simon seems to be free of his. But Fawna has seen the death that awaits in Simon's future is desparate to stop it.

The Disillusionist Trilogy was one of my favourite series last year, they were original and fun with an array of quirky characters. None quirkier then Simon, he isn't your typical hero, his reckless headlong stumbling from high to low, to having lots and losing everything, his irresponsibility isn't normally a trait attributed to our heroes. But his charisma pours off the pages and I am so glad he got a novella of his own! Fawna was also another quirky one, she is weird and wacky but wonderful and although a lot of heroines with a nasty past such as hers would be down with the brooding, she has decided to embrace her new life.

As with the Disillusionist Ttrilogy the writing is fantastic, it draws you in, it is very emotive making you feel like you are right their experiencing everything with the characters. Although this is a fairly short novella, a lot is packed in without it feeling rushed and it leaves me desperately waiting to see what Carolyn Crane will write next!

Favourite Quotes:

No doubt he chose those jeans specifically for their butt-hugging abilities. He probably practiced that hug-promoting movement in the mirror.

***

"Maybe it's my magic wong. Does wonders for the ladies."

***

"Sometimes," Packard said, "having nothing to lose is something to lose"

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Head Rush by Carolyn Crane

Head Rush

by Carolyn Crane

(The Disillusionists Trilogy # 3)

What a terrific end to the series! This has been one the quirkiest Urban Fantasy books I have read, Carolyn Crane has created such an original world, full of bizarre and lovable characters, from the bad guy I just can't seem to hate to the villainous good guy. If you haven't started this series yet, I highly recommend that you rush out now and get Mind Games the first in the Disillusionist Trilogy.

Every time Justine remember Avery, her best friend Shelby's boyfriend being shot she get a pounding headache and a feeling everything is quite right. But how could things be wrong? Her fiancee the heroic Mayor or Midcity, Otto Sanchez loves her, would do anything for her, so why can't she stop thinking of Packard, the man she saw murdering Avery in cold blood?

They way Double Cross ended left me desperate to read this book, I love that it managed to surprise me and yet still keep all the actions completely within character. And despite all the evil things that were done by Otto, I still couldn't bring myself to dislike him, ever hear the saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions"? That is what he brings to mind, he wanted to save Midcity but seeting loose sleepwalking cannibals is just not the way to do it. This is another aspect I love about this trilogy, the character aren't just "good" and "bad" they all have a little bit of both and all extremely wacky.

As the last book in the series I have to comment on how it finished, and I did like it, it was nice and neat, maybe a little too neat, but as a gal that loves a happy ending I was satisfied. However, I did find that this book moved slowly but then suddenly at the end all the action explodes around you; I prefer it to be more evenly paced. But this book was good at piling up the tension and paranoia as we read, not knowing who knows what and what can happen next, so although the action was at the end, I still loved every word until that point.

I have really enjoyed this series and watching Justine going from barely-functioning-hypochondriac to a take-charge woman not afraid to stand up for who and what she believes in has been a fantastic roller coaster through the weird journey. These are books that are staying in my keeper shelf and I will be looking for more of Carlyn Crane's work in the future.

Favourite Quotes

I think it's probably not the healthiest thing in the world for a couple to pretty much only have role-playing sex, but there's nothing like the dirty fun of role-playing sex to take a girl's mind off of that.

****

I have the awful thought that most deaths in real life probably are just like this. Nonheroic. Just people up against a wall.

****

It feels so good to see him, just plain old good. Like a simple daisy atop a mountain of angst.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Double Cross by Carolyn Crane

Double Cross

by Carolyn Crane

(The Disillusionist Trilogy #2)

What. A. Book. I really loved it. I thought the first book was great, but Double Cross builds on the foundations laid by Mind Games. Justine is still stuck as a minion to Packard, but is determined to find a way out, meanwhile a trio of murderers called the Dorks are targeting highcaps and shooting them in the street. Then there is the matter of all the highcap criminals locked up by Justine's boyfriend the Mayor and hero of MidCity Otto Sanchaz, but are they really all guilty? Justine begins to question this as she finds herself on a mission to disillusion an unlikely cannibal.

This was such an exciting book, especially the second half when everything is brought together, I found I couldn't put the book down! The plot was interesting and I kept turning the pages as I couldn't wait to see what would happen next; what new twist would be revealed. I now can't wait to get my hands on the third and final book in the trilogy Head Rush, especially after how it ended, that was a complete shocker! I am glad I am not one the readers who had to wait for so long for the next book to come out.

Justine Jones, the main characters, is one of the reasons I like this book so much, she is funny, insightful and her constant questioning of things around her keeps the book interesting and progressing at a fast pace. Although I did find that the first half of the book was a little slow, especially compared with the latter half, I still enjoyed every page.

Now, what I really, really liked about this book was the Justion-Packard-Otto situation, I am not a love triangle fan, but this triangle is keeping me on my toes. So many unexpected things happen between them and some dark secrets are revealed. What makes this book doubly intriguing for me is that the villains and the heroes swap places, the role of who is good and who is bad is distorted in this book, something that not only adds to the depth of the characters but also keeps the book fairly unpredictable, no one quite does what you expect them to do.

I highly recommend this series to everyone, if you love mystery, contemporary, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, this book has a little something for everyone.



Review: Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

Mind Games

by Carolyn Crane

The Disillusionist Trilogy #1

(4.5 Feathers)

Does anyone else love  the X-Men? I love it, the comics, he films, the TV series I eat it all up with relish, I can't get enough of my favourite misunderstood Mutants. Now, imagine that the X-Men are actually just a normal group of people and each has their own special brand of crazy, alcoholism, chronic pessimism, paranoia, gambling addiction, rage issues and hypochondria, now imagine that instead of being lead by the wholesome and morally forthright Profersor X, they are instead lead by a younger, more charming Magneto. This motley crew would be the Disillusionist and the subject of this book. The Disillusionist are a team of vigilantes-for-hire who reboot criminals trying to make them into decent members of society by breaking their psyche open with fear and inviting them to take a look at their dispicable selves, in affect, stripping them of all their illusion. Disalluisioning them.

Justine Jones is a hypochondriac and it is tearing her life apart, her normal happy go lucky boyfriend is on the cusp of leaving her and the constant fear is eating away at her sanity. That all seems to change when she meets with the mysterious Packard who says that he can not only help her get rid of her hypochondria but she can save the city she lives in, which is now suffering through it's 8 year of a huge crime wave. But Packard is keeping a great many secrets and Justine conscience is nagging her, is she really doing the right thing?

What a fantastic book, it was original, putting an entirely unusual twist on the classic superhero and a superhero group. I loved that Crane made all these peoples neuroses their "superpower", they were also a little morally suspect, normally you have a group like this being the good guys, but it wasn't quite that simple, one they did their good deed only for money and two their leader Sterling Packard definietly had a few nefarious plans. Packard was another great thing about this book, I loved how he was described as their overlord and the disillusionist as his minions, it was funny, but also gave Packard a slightly melodramamtically sinister air.

As well as Packard, Justine, from whom point of view this book is told, was also a memorable character. She was compassionate, funny and a little crazy. At first I found it being told not only in first person POV but also in present tense a little strange but once I got used to it I quite enjoyed seeing everything from Justine's angle. The secondary cast of characters for this, mainly the other disillusionists and their marks were also great and added some warmth to the story as Justine finally finds herself being able to fit into a group of people without having to hide any parts of herself.

The plot line in this book was full of little mysteries and surprises, I didn't see some of the twists coming and what is even better is that I can't guess at all how this trilogy is going to end. This is a great read, not only does it have characters that are both intriguing and likable but it has a great story line, which I can't wait to read more of.

If you liked this book, I think you may also like: Black & White by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge

Purchase Links: Amazon