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Dark Days #1
Nightwalker
For centuries Mira has been a nightwalker—an unstoppable enforcer for a mysterious organization that manipulates earth-shaking events from the darkest shadows. But elemental mastery over fire sets her apart from others of her night-prowling breed . . . and may be all that prevents her doom.
The foe she now faces is human: the vampire hunter called Danaus, who has already destroyed so many undead. For Mira, the time has come to hunt . . . or be hunted.
The foe she now faces is human: the vampire hunter called Danaus, who has already destroyed so many undead. For Mira, the time has come to hunt . . . or be hunted.
370 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 29, 2008
136 people are currently reading
10.5k people want to read
About the author
Jocelynn Drake
144 books2,829 followersNew York Times Bestselling author Jocelynn Drake loves a good story, whether she is reading it or writing one of her own. Over the years, her stories have allowed her to explore space, talk to dragons, dodge bullets with assassins, hang with vampires, and fall in love again and again.
This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.
When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be
walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.
She is the author of the urban fantasy books: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. For gay romance, she has completed The Exit Strategy and Shadow Elite series, and is now working on a spin-off of her MM paranormal series, Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliot the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, the Weavers Circle. In addition, she has co-authored with AJ Sherwood the following series: Scales 'N' Spell and Wings 'N' Wands. She can be found at JocelynnDrake.com.
This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.
When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be
walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.
She is the author of the urban fantasy books: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. For gay romance, she has completed The Exit Strategy and Shadow Elite series, and is now working on a spin-off of her MM paranormal series, Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliot the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, the Weavers Circle. In addition, she has co-authored with AJ Sherwood the following series: Scales 'N' Spell and Wings 'N' Wands. She can be found at JocelynnDrake.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 537 reviews
July 30, 2008
This is what happens when you buy books at Wal-Mart.
February 8, 2012
This was a really interesting book, I enjoyed it for many reasons, most of which it doesn't read like all the other Urban Fantasy out there. The lead female protagonist doesn't have self-esteem problems, doesn't apologize for being a badass, she has problems that are totally justifiable and there's some extremely interesting world building here.
We're talking Vampires of course, but for once they aren't the top of the food chain, it's the naturii (a hybrid of elves and faerie lore) that are the big baddies, which was kind of cool.
The beginning of the book starts off a bit slow, and having an arrogant and cold main character was a bit hard to relate to at first, but the last half of the book developed a handful of great relationships, and you get why Mira is as aloof as she is. I mean, if you're 600 years old, you're not gonna be that squee-ful, right? Good ending twist, definitely interested in how the plot progresses in the next book.
The tone of this book is very dark, more like Jim Butcher, or early Anne Rice etc, than the lighter stuff we're used to, and I appreciated that as a change.
We're talking Vampires of course, but for once they aren't the top of the food chain, it's the naturii (a hybrid of elves and faerie lore) that are the big baddies, which was kind of cool.
The beginning of the book starts off a bit slow, and having an arrogant and cold main character was a bit hard to relate to at first, but the last half of the book developed a handful of great relationships, and you get why Mira is as aloof as she is. I mean, if you're 600 years old, you're not gonna be that squee-ful, right? Good ending twist, definitely interested in how the plot progresses in the next book.
The tone of this book is very dark, more like Jim Butcher, or early Anne Rice etc, than the lighter stuff we're used to, and I appreciated that as a change.
January 25, 2011
Saved by a 180º. Vampire Mistress of the Dark Mira sexually harasses everything that moves, especially employees and subjects. Charming girl. We barely know Mira before we see her grinding on a potential enemy and sticking her tongue down the throat of a peon.
She's cliché too. She's excited to fight someone because, she says, "so rarely had I the chance to pit myself against something that could actually destroy me." If I never see this pompous BS in another urban fantasy or paranormal romance novel, it will be too soon.
However, Jocelynn Drake clearly loves Mira if we do not. Underlings "mewl" her name, shadows "[slide] their arms" around her body, threats are no more than "bait." She is the "pied piper trilling his merry tune for the children of Hamelin." Enough?
I cannot stand authors in love with their own protagonists, i.e. themselves. Other characters mime appropriate awe and ask staged questions, like "Aren't you called the 'Fire Starter'?" to signal the reader. Be prepared to be awed.
Drake's writing suffers from omniscient first person, so that Mira tells us her skin glows "like white marble" and relays non-person male lead Danaus' thoughts -"something about me bothered him"- even though she's no mind-reader.
Nightwalker also suffers from over-repetition, thin inner dialogue and hideous colored sunglasses, but after a quarter or a half of narrative, we crack Mira's oh, so tough outer shell to the gooey Care Bear inside. She doesn't want anyone hurt, etc. Once we meet the less pompous Mira whom we should have met at page one, we can finally stomach her narration, and the plot speeds along. Stabbings, kidnappings, and arson, oh my! Any action reader will be satisfied. So, provided you can swallow bad prose, the plot in Vampire the Masquerade--er, I mean, Nightwalker should keep you reading. (Incidentally, that is the majority of readers.)
She's cliché too. She's excited to fight someone because, she says, "so rarely had I the chance to pit myself against something that could actually destroy me." If I never see this pompous BS in another urban fantasy or paranormal romance novel, it will be too soon.
However, Jocelynn Drake clearly loves Mira if we do not. Underlings "mewl" her name, shadows "[slide] their arms" around her body, threats are no more than "bait." She is the "pied piper trilling his merry tune for the children of Hamelin." Enough?
I cannot stand authors in love with their own protagonists, i.e. themselves. Other characters mime appropriate awe and ask staged questions, like "Aren't you called the 'Fire Starter'?" to signal the reader. Be prepared to be awed.
Drake's writing suffers from omniscient first person, so that Mira tells us her skin glows "like white marble" and relays non-person male lead Danaus' thoughts -"something about me bothered him"- even though she's no mind-reader.
Nightwalker also suffers from over-repetition, thin inner dialogue and hideous colored sunglasses, but after a quarter or a half of narrative, we crack Mira's oh, so tough outer shell to the gooey Care Bear inside. She doesn't want anyone hurt, etc. Once we meet the less pompous Mira whom we should have met at page one, we can finally stomach her narration, and the plot speeds along. Stabbings, kidnappings, and arson, oh my! Any action reader will be satisfied. So, provided you can swallow bad prose, the plot in Vampire the Masquerade--er, I mean, Nightwalker should keep you reading. (Incidentally, that is the majority of readers.)
February 13, 2020
I really tried liking this read
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Ok, it didn't go well. It was boring and annoying and I didn't really like the all-powerful chick.
I didn't enjoy the writing style and the plot didn't do it for me.
What I did appreciate, though, why I feel like it deserves more than 1 stars, is the fact that it's different (and I loooove different!)
How was it different?
Well, the main character is a 600-year-old (or 800?), extremely powerful being. She's not your typical UF character, the soon-to-be badass. Nope, she actually is a kick-ass chick! She is way more powerful than her (pretty sure he is the future lover) partner.
So yeah, I believe that this is something one should appreciate in UF, it doesn't really happen.
On the other hand, this is probably why I didn't really fall for her, because I couldn't get to see her grow into the person she is.
I can't seem to be able to make up my mind.
Anyway, all in all, it's an interesting book to read. It's different. I wouldn't recommend it, but who cares, right?
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Ok, it didn't go well. It was boring and annoying and I didn't really like the all-powerful chick.
I didn't enjoy the writing style and the plot didn't do it for me.
What I did appreciate, though, why I feel like it deserves more than 1 stars, is the fact that it's different (and I loooove different!)
How was it different?
Well, the main character is a 600-year-old (or 800?), extremely powerful being. She's not your typical UF character, the soon-to-be badass. Nope, she actually is a kick-ass chick! She is way more powerful than her (pretty sure he is the future lover) partner.
So yeah, I believe that this is something one should appreciate in UF, it doesn't really happen.
On the other hand, this is probably why I didn't really fall for her, because I couldn't get to see her grow into the person she is.
I can't seem to be able to make up my mind.
Anyway, all in all, it's an interesting book to read. It's different. I wouldn't recommend it, but who cares, right?
June 30, 2011
"So I thought, " I murmured. I started to lift my leg from his lap when Danaus grabbed my calf with his right hand, holding me in place. His touch was warmer than I'd expected, almost burning through my leather pants. Shocked by his sudden willingness to touch me, I went completely still. Turning his head to look at me, my lips brushedhis cheek and we both froze. Danaus exhaled slowly and I found myself drawing in his breathe, holding it inside me. If one of us moved less than an inch, our lips would meet. But we sat like two stone statues.
A fantastic first book in the Dark Days series. Mira is a Nightwalker (vampire) known as "Fire Starter."
She's powerfully unique as the only Nightwalker with the power control and manipulate fire. She cam destroy her enemies without even touching them while she torches their heart with her magical balls of fire. Making her an anomaly she had this fire ability prior to becoming a Nightwalker 600 years ago. Mira is very likable and immediately from the beginning I was wrapped up in this book. She's sarcastic, caring, protective, and completely Bad-Ass!
This very powerful Nightwalker Mira battles an army of Naturi, a group with two main goals sacrifice humans and destroy Nightwalkers alike. She pairs up with a member of Themis, an ill informed group of both Naturi and Nightwalker Hunters. Danaus, a nearly 2,000 year old hunter seeks the help of Mira to eliminate the Naturi, with the only promise that he will protect her so that he may do the honors of destroying her life. She plans to kill Danaus the
first opportunity she gets, however as the unlikely duo team up together they both seem to be questioning their beliefs of the dangers of eachothers existence.
The sexual tension between these two is scorching! On several occasions I wanted to scream into the book and say
"rip eachothers clothes off already"
Danaus is a
save eachothers life on several occasion and so each so conveniently use the excuse of wanting to kill the other themselves. ;)
Also I enjoyed another powerful Ancient Nightwalker Jabari, one minute he loves Mira as a mentor the next he's
promising to destroy her because she has disobeyed him. Jabari wants to use Mira and manipulate her to his own will and with Danaus around he feels threatened. I'm curious to see how that relationship plays itself out as he and Danaus will not enjoy having to co-exist in Mira's world.
Hopefully we haven't heard the last of Sadira, Tristan, Ryan, Jabari, Gabrirl or Barrett.
I LOVED this book and will be starting Dayhunter immediately.
My main lingering question is; What exactly IS Danaus?
Like what you see here, check out more of my reviews at http://missvainsparanormalfantasy.com/
August 13, 2008
An intricate work that's stunningly complex and compelling. Once I picked "Nightwalker" up, I couldn't put down Jocelynn Drake's tale that (hopefully) is just the start of a series about an alternate reality existing in today's world. This is a dark urban fantasy. It's not a romance even though it has some romantic elements. Even though I finished reading "Nightwalker" a few hours ago, I'm still having difficulty extracting myself from Ms Drake's world.
Mira has been a vampire for over 600 years. She's also known as Fire Starter which is echoed in her wild red hair. She has survived cruelty and acts of torture so horrific, her mind refuses to remember and they only occasionally resurface as nightmares. She left her maker and her rescuer/healer to create a home and existence for herself in the New World and she's content with her existence. She doesn't kill when she feeds. She does, however, kill any humans or supernatural creatures who threaten to expose or disturb the comfortable life she's carved out in Savannah. So when a slayer appears in her territory, she decides to extract all the information she can before she kills him. She doesn't know that this slayer is more than he seems, and that his appearance in her life will herald a quest that will change everything she thought she knew about her life.
Mira fascinates me. She's certainly no angel but she's also not quite a demon. She's one of the most human supernatural creatures I've read about in a long time. She really just wants to safeguard the haven she's created for herself. 'Live and let live' would be her motto if she bothered to have one. Her relationship with the slayer who intrudes into her territory is so complex. I still haven't figured out exactly what he is...and neither has Mira. He's sometimes a friend, almost a love, could kill her with a thought, has saved her life several times, thinks she's damned, and is apparently willing to go against the organization he works for to protect her! Fabulous!
If you like your urban fantasies a bit dark, with strong sexual elements but no real 'romance', at least not yet...I can't recommend "Nightwalker" highly enough. There are shadowy mysterious organizations that are only mentioned or hinted at and I can hardly wait until May 2009 for the next release in this series, "Dayhunter".
Mira has been a vampire for over 600 years. She's also known as Fire Starter which is echoed in her wild red hair. She has survived cruelty and acts of torture so horrific, her mind refuses to remember and they only occasionally resurface as nightmares. She left her maker and her rescuer/healer to create a home and existence for herself in the New World and she's content with her existence. She doesn't kill when she feeds. She does, however, kill any humans or supernatural creatures who threaten to expose or disturb the comfortable life she's carved out in Savannah. So when a slayer appears in her territory, she decides to extract all the information she can before she kills him. She doesn't know that this slayer is more than he seems, and that his appearance in her life will herald a quest that will change everything she thought she knew about her life.
Mira fascinates me. She's certainly no angel but she's also not quite a demon. She's one of the most human supernatural creatures I've read about in a long time. She really just wants to safeguard the haven she's created for herself. 'Live and let live' would be her motto if she bothered to have one. Her relationship with the slayer who intrudes into her territory is so complex. I still haven't figured out exactly what he is...and neither has Mira. He's sometimes a friend, almost a love, could kill her with a thought, has saved her life several times, thinks she's damned, and is apparently willing to go against the organization he works for to protect her! Fabulous!
If you like your urban fantasies a bit dark, with strong sexual elements but no real 'romance', at least not yet...I can't recommend "Nightwalker" highly enough. There are shadowy mysterious organizations that are only mentioned or hinted at and I can hardly wait until May 2009 for the next release in this series, "Dayhunter".
February 25, 2010
I really tried to get into this book, but it seemed to borrow every single cliche from every vampire TV show out there. The twist is that everything is from the POV of a 603yo flame-haired female vampire kicking bootie in her leather catsuit.
The main reason this book didn't grab me was that it was primarily told in lusty action scenes, with the main character's conflicts and history lodged in paragraphs between. Since the 603yo vamp lady was pretty much invincible, there wasn't any tension to begin with. I know the author was leading up to something big, one of those "save humans from the reign of another type of creature" but I just couldn't stay engaged.
The main reason this book didn't grab me was that it was primarily told in lusty action scenes, with the main character's conflicts and history lodged in paragraphs between. Since the 603yo vamp lady was pretty much invincible, there wasn't any tension to begin with. I know the author was leading up to something big, one of those "save humans from the reign of another type of creature" but I just couldn't stay engaged.
January 15, 2012
This book was so good and super refreshing because lately I've read a bunch of books that suck! I love the powerful, seductive, sarcastic, fire starting vampire heroine, Mira. Mira kicks all kinds of ass and is pretty fucking ruthless, but she has her own set of morals and a sense of honor that she sticks to and fights for no matter the cost. I loved the tone and the dark gritty feel to this book, the writing style had me totally submerged in the story and the emotions of the characters without being overly descriptive. I already bought the second in the series and I'm super excited about it!
August 9, 2016
I don't like the writing style. At all!
November 23, 2021
3.5. Heavy on the paranormal, light on the romance.
Good world-building but can’t decide if I’ll actually carry on as I’m in another “slow burn” UF series. What piqued my initial interest were the reviews that didn’t like that the heroine, Mira, was making out and snacking on different men aside from the hero. Personally, I liked it. I thought Mira was kickass, sensual, strong. I like my vampires animalistic- I don’t like vampire drag (basically they are humans) or too emo about being a vampire. Full check marks here. Book was as promised - here be vampires.
Author also must be influenced by Anne Rice: Themis = Talamasca. The appearance of a bratty blonde rock star. Egypt and vampires. Even the sensuality of Mira could be attributed to the trademark Anne Rice vampire.
But other than these similarities, Nightwalker is a paranormal/urban fantasy series. I actually think calling it a romance would lead to the wrong expectations, to be honest.
It’s not just because the romance is “light” but it’s not really driving the plot. It’s very much secondary to the showdown between Naturi (AKA evil elves) versus everything else.
Mira and Danaus have really good chemistry when the author Jocelynn Drake deigns to throw a reader a “heated look.” 😩🤌🏽
Good world-building but can’t decide if I’ll actually carry on as I’m in another “slow burn” UF series. What piqued my initial interest were the reviews that didn’t like that the heroine, Mira, was making out and snacking on different men aside from the hero. Personally, I liked it. I thought Mira was kickass, sensual, strong. I like my vampires animalistic- I don’t like vampire drag (basically they are humans) or too emo about being a vampire. Full check marks here. Book was as promised - here be vampires.
Author also must be influenced by Anne Rice: Themis = Talamasca. The appearance of a bratty blonde rock star. Egypt and vampires. Even the sensuality of Mira could be attributed to the trademark Anne Rice vampire.
But other than these similarities, Nightwalker is a paranormal/urban fantasy series. I actually think calling it a romance would lead to the wrong expectations, to be honest.
It’s not just because the romance is “light” but it’s not really driving the plot. It’s very much secondary to the showdown between Naturi (AKA evil elves) versus everything else.
Mira and Danaus have really good chemistry when the author Jocelynn Drake deigns to throw a reader a “heated look.” 😩🤌🏽
April 13, 2011
Jocelynn Drake has created a dark and fascinating new vampire world with this first installment in her Dark Days series. It features Mira, a 600 year old nightwalker. She is special among her people because she can wield fire and is impervious to its effects. She lives in Savannah and serves as the de facto head-vampire in the United States. As our book opens, there is a mysterious vampire hunter in her territory. She is fascinated by the man and finally meets up with him. She realizes that there is something unique and powerful within him. Danaus is not there to kill her, but instead is seeking her out to help deal with an even greater threat to humanity than the vampires.
There are two ancient forces once thought eradicated from the world: the naturi and the bori. And it looks like naturi, which are something like an evil version of the fae, are trying to make a comeback. Mira has stood against them once before and survived... though barely. So Danaus is hoping she can help stop the new threat. Together, they venture to the Old World, seeking ancient vampires to help with their cause.
The very best thing to me about this book are the two main characters. Mira is strong, sexy, and smart enough to know her place in the world. And Danaus is the perfect blend of smoldering power and mystery. The sexual tension between these two is off the charts. Every time they got close to each other, I gripped my book a little tighter, waiting to see if this would be the moment they would give in to temptation. Don't misunderstand. This isn't a romance novel. It's firmly Urban Fantasy, but what's going on between these two characters can't be ignored.
I also found myself very interested in the secondary characters. Jabari is an enigma, showing fatherly instincts one minute, passion the next, and then later cold calculation and fury. Who is he really? Then, there is fragile vampire Tristan, the self-serving warlock Ryan, and the evil naturi Rowe. Each was clearly fleshed out and left me wanting to know more about them.
The book's not perfect. There is a little too much exposition for my taste. I could do with fewer words to describe the setting and background. --Another small peeve was serious overuse of the word "angels" when Mira refers to her bodyguards. Yeah, I get the reference... Michael and Gabriel... but it just felt forced and the more often the word was used, the more it annoyed me.
Drake's not afraid to make bold choices with the course of events. There's a surprising death before the story is over --and there are other heartbreakers as the series progresses. But it says something about the author's abilities to draw me into the world, that the events weigh so much on me as they unfold. In all, it's a solid book and worth reading, because it kicks off a unique and powerful series. 4 stars.
There are two ancient forces once thought eradicated from the world: the naturi and the bori. And it looks like naturi, which are something like an evil version of the fae, are trying to make a comeback. Mira has stood against them once before and survived... though barely. So Danaus is hoping she can help stop the new threat. Together, they venture to the Old World, seeking ancient vampires to help with their cause.
The very best thing to me about this book are the two main characters. Mira is strong, sexy, and smart enough to know her place in the world. And Danaus is the perfect blend of smoldering power and mystery. The sexual tension between these two is off the charts. Every time they got close to each other, I gripped my book a little tighter, waiting to see if this would be the moment they would give in to temptation. Don't misunderstand. This isn't a romance novel. It's firmly Urban Fantasy, but what's going on between these two characters can't be ignored.
I also found myself very interested in the secondary characters. Jabari is an enigma, showing fatherly instincts one minute, passion the next, and then later cold calculation and fury. Who is he really? Then, there is fragile vampire Tristan, the self-serving warlock Ryan, and the evil naturi Rowe. Each was clearly fleshed out and left me wanting to know more about them.
The book's not perfect. There is a little too much exposition for my taste. I could do with fewer words to describe the setting and background. --Another small peeve was serious overuse of the word "angels" when Mira refers to her bodyguards. Yeah, I get the reference... Michael and Gabriel... but it just felt forced and the more often the word was used, the more it annoyed me.
Drake's not afraid to make bold choices with the course of events. There's a surprising death before the story is over --and there are other heartbreakers as the series progresses. But it says something about the author's abilities to draw me into the world, that the events weigh so much on me as they unfold. In all, it's a solid book and worth reading, because it kicks off a unique and powerful series. 4 stars.
April 15, 2009
This book was given to me while I was bored at work, looking for something to read while I sat on the phone all day. With that said, I'm just glad I didn't spend any money on it.
This is the point where you ask, "Why, Sabrina... you sound bitter, as if you didn't really like this book at all. Why on Earth did you give it three stars?"
Well, dear... I gave it three stars, because yes, I did like it. I wouldn't have kept reading the thing every day had I thought it was boring. But like most of the other reviews about Nightwalker, I believe this book could have been a whole lot better.
It had... potential, but was far too cliched to be one of my favorites. It also helps if one can take the main character seriously.
It almost felt as if six hundred years and some change of living (or non-living, I suppose you could say) had done nothing to affect the way Mira reacted in situations. We didn't get to know her before the setting in which this book took place, but if she was at that level after six hundred years, I wouldn't even attempt to read anything about her human years.
In short, she was annoying, and that usually makes it difficult to fully enjoy a book.
This is the point where you ask, "Why, Sabrina... you sound bitter, as if you didn't really like this book at all. Why on Earth did you give it three stars?"
Well, dear... I gave it three stars, because yes, I did like it. I wouldn't have kept reading the thing every day had I thought it was boring. But like most of the other reviews about Nightwalker, I believe this book could have been a whole lot better.
It had... potential, but was far too cliched to be one of my favorites. It also helps if one can take the main character seriously.
It almost felt as if six hundred years and some change of living (or non-living, I suppose you could say) had done nothing to affect the way Mira reacted in situations. We didn't get to know her before the setting in which this book took place, but if she was at that level after six hundred years, I wouldn't even attempt to read anything about her human years.
In short, she was annoying, and that usually makes it difficult to fully enjoy a book.
October 1, 2009
I would actually give this 2.5 stars, but decided to err on the side of 3.
The first thing I did was Google "red hair" to see if many Greeks have it...Evidently it's possible, but it still bothered me that the author went to so much trouble to point out that Mira is Greek, but also to describe her red hair over and over. She's a Fire Starter--we get it. You don't have to give her red hair too.
My main beef with this book was that the action was excruciatingly slow. It felt like we just went from one scene of Mira and Danaus ripping naturi into shreds to another scene of Mira hugging up against some guy and being "edgy" with very, very little inbetween. The plot was transparent and all the cliches there. That doesn't even bother me sometimes, if the cliched, transparent plot is at least told well, but unfortunately I felt Drake's style lacked...well, just that. Style. It was dry and dull, and I definitely won't be reading the next one.
Case in point: it took me almost 3 weeks to read this book.
The first thing I did was Google "red hair" to see if many Greeks have it...Evidently it's possible, but it still bothered me that the author went to so much trouble to point out that Mira is Greek, but also to describe her red hair over and over. She's a Fire Starter--we get it. You don't have to give her red hair too.
My main beef with this book was that the action was excruciatingly slow. It felt like we just went from one scene of Mira and Danaus ripping naturi into shreds to another scene of Mira hugging up against some guy and being "edgy" with very, very little inbetween. The plot was transparent and all the cliches there. That doesn't even bother me sometimes, if the cliched, transparent plot is at least told well, but unfortunately I felt Drake's style lacked...well, just that. Style. It was dry and dull, and I definitely won't be reading the next one.
Case in point: it took me almost 3 weeks to read this book.
June 18, 2012
There are some books that you fall in love with instantly, and others it takes you a while to fall for. It’s like love at first sight vs. love that grows slowly over time. Nightwalker is the latter sort of love. I knew I’d enjoy the book after reading the first three chapters. But I thought it would be a shallower sort of read – with bad ass characters raising. I didn’t expect to be emotionally entangled by the story. I didn’t expect to love it. But love it I did. By the end of Nightwalker, I was enthralled, and reading further into the series only drew me in more.
What makes Nightwalker unique is the main character. Have you ever read a vampire book where a secondary character in the novel was an ancient vampire and you thought to yourself FINALLY! an ancient vampire that actually acts his or her age! So many times we see 100-1000 year old immortals acting like 20 year olds, and that just doesn’t sit well with me. An ancient vampire should feel alien. It would be impossible to live that many years, loose that many friends, and retain your humanity. Mira is 600 years old, and she acts her age. She’s powerful, sometimes cold, often brutal, and mostly disconnected from her humanity. In short, she’s very different from the normal vampire protagonist. Most authors choose to write fledgling vampire protagonists because they know we’ll identify with them more. Mira is likeable from page one, but it’s hard to connect with her initially.
Danaus turned around to face me, his brow furrowed. “A vampire with a sense of honor?” “There are a few of us,” I whispered. “There are some ideas that not even death can kill.”
I think it was easy for me to make assumptions about Mira’s character in the beginning. Much like her nemesis-turned-ally Danaus, I assumed she was somewhat morally destitute, or at least morally grey. She seems to view humans as nothing but cattle, and appears to enjoy playing games with the lives of others. This isn’t to say she’s unlikeable, but what I appreciated about her was her strength. She was an enjoyable character because she was, in short, a complete bad ass. It took me a while to finally start to see her intrinsic goodness. As the story progressed, I realized Mira is incredibly honorable. She avoids killing while feeding, strives to make peace with other supernaturals, and refuses to take part in the cruel games of the immortals. She protects the weak, keeps her word, and does her duty, no matter what the cost. She always tries to do the right thing. In short, she’s an amazing character.
When you broke the vial, you expected to die,” he said, drawing my gaze. His hair hung down around his face, cloaking his features. “I saw it in your eyes.”
“Yes.” I couldn’t lie. I hadn’t wanted to die, but death was preferable to being held by the naturi.
“Don’t ever do that again.” Anger vibrated in his tone. A long, heavy silence settled between us, holding us still before he finally spoke again. “I will not let you escape me so easily.”
Danaus also walks a fine line between being likeable and vexing in the beginning. He is a complete mystery. He’s a powerful vampire hunter, and seems human, but isn’t. In fact, he’s ancient, centuries older than Mira. But we don’t know how he’s stayed alive so long, or what he is. He starts the story as a close minded zealot. In his mind, vampires are evil. Period. A vampire could have the kindness of Mother Teresa and he’d still condemn them. He is frequently critical of Mira, making snap judgments of her based on pre-conceived notions instead of facts. There were times I wanted to jump through the pages of the book and smack him upside the head. Close mindedness is not an attractive trait in anyone. But what makes Danaus work with Mira is the connection they have with one another. They hate each other, and are forced to work with one another early on in the story, but what keeps them working side by side is more than just obligation, it’s a deep understanding and similarity of spirit. They grow together through the novel. Since the story is told from Mira’s perspective, and we’re never in Danaus’ head, this growth is seen mostly in the way he slowly softens towards her. He starts off distrustful and hateful, but slowly becomes increasingly more kind and even protective of Mira.
Including such an old and powerful vampire heroine also ups the stakes on the whole story. The villains she’s pitted against must be equally as powerful, which makes the battles in this book epic. When Mia and Danaus fight together, they are taken on dozens of foes. I’ve never seen battles written quite on this scale before, and it makes for a very exciting read.
While there is romantic tension between Danaus and Mira, there is almost no romance in this novel. In fact, you won’t get any actual romance until book five of the series. The thrill you’ll get from the Dark Days series comes from the world building, character development, political intrigue, and most importantly, the action of the story. There is hardly a dull moment in any of the novels. You’ll see each of the characters grow and learn, becoming more than what they were in the beginning. You’ll see them change their pre-conceived notions. You’ll see enemies becomes friends, and friends become enemies. Alliances will be made and broken. More than any other series I’ve read lately, the characters in Nightwalker and the books that follow felt like friends. They started off flawed, and even unlikeable in many ways, but seeing them grow allowed me to connect with them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the rest of the series, and recommend it to anyone that enjoys good action packed urban fantasy series.
What makes Nightwalker unique is the main character. Have you ever read a vampire book where a secondary character in the novel was an ancient vampire and you thought to yourself FINALLY! an ancient vampire that actually acts his or her age! So many times we see 100-1000 year old immortals acting like 20 year olds, and that just doesn’t sit well with me. An ancient vampire should feel alien. It would be impossible to live that many years, loose that many friends, and retain your humanity. Mira is 600 years old, and she acts her age. She’s powerful, sometimes cold, often brutal, and mostly disconnected from her humanity. In short, she’s very different from the normal vampire protagonist. Most authors choose to write fledgling vampire protagonists because they know we’ll identify with them more. Mira is likeable from page one, but it’s hard to connect with her initially.
Danaus turned around to face me, his brow furrowed. “A vampire with a sense of honor?” “There are a few of us,” I whispered. “There are some ideas that not even death can kill.”
I think it was easy for me to make assumptions about Mira’s character in the beginning. Much like her nemesis-turned-ally Danaus, I assumed she was somewhat morally destitute, or at least morally grey. She seems to view humans as nothing but cattle, and appears to enjoy playing games with the lives of others. This isn’t to say she’s unlikeable, but what I appreciated about her was her strength. She was an enjoyable character because she was, in short, a complete bad ass. It took me a while to finally start to see her intrinsic goodness. As the story progressed, I realized Mira is incredibly honorable. She avoids killing while feeding, strives to make peace with other supernaturals, and refuses to take part in the cruel games of the immortals. She protects the weak, keeps her word, and does her duty, no matter what the cost. She always tries to do the right thing. In short, she’s an amazing character.
When you broke the vial, you expected to die,” he said, drawing my gaze. His hair hung down around his face, cloaking his features. “I saw it in your eyes.”
“Yes.” I couldn’t lie. I hadn’t wanted to die, but death was preferable to being held by the naturi.
“Don’t ever do that again.” Anger vibrated in his tone. A long, heavy silence settled between us, holding us still before he finally spoke again. “I will not let you escape me so easily.”
Danaus also walks a fine line between being likeable and vexing in the beginning. He is a complete mystery. He’s a powerful vampire hunter, and seems human, but isn’t. In fact, he’s ancient, centuries older than Mira. But we don’t know how he’s stayed alive so long, or what he is. He starts the story as a close minded zealot. In his mind, vampires are evil. Period. A vampire could have the kindness of Mother Teresa and he’d still condemn them. He is frequently critical of Mira, making snap judgments of her based on pre-conceived notions instead of facts. There were times I wanted to jump through the pages of the book and smack him upside the head. Close mindedness is not an attractive trait in anyone. But what makes Danaus work with Mira is the connection they have with one another. They hate each other, and are forced to work with one another early on in the story, but what keeps them working side by side is more than just obligation, it’s a deep understanding and similarity of spirit. They grow together through the novel. Since the story is told from Mira’s perspective, and we’re never in Danaus’ head, this growth is seen mostly in the way he slowly softens towards her. He starts off distrustful and hateful, but slowly becomes increasingly more kind and even protective of Mira.
Including such an old and powerful vampire heroine also ups the stakes on the whole story. The villains she’s pitted against must be equally as powerful, which makes the battles in this book epic. When Mia and Danaus fight together, they are taken on dozens of foes. I’ve never seen battles written quite on this scale before, and it makes for a very exciting read.
While there is romantic tension between Danaus and Mira, there is almost no romance in this novel. In fact, you won’t get any actual romance until book five of the series. The thrill you’ll get from the Dark Days series comes from the world building, character development, political intrigue, and most importantly, the action of the story. There is hardly a dull moment in any of the novels. You’ll see each of the characters grow and learn, becoming more than what they were in the beginning. You’ll see them change their pre-conceived notions. You’ll see enemies becomes friends, and friends become enemies. Alliances will be made and broken. More than any other series I’ve read lately, the characters in Nightwalker and the books that follow felt like friends. They started off flawed, and even unlikeable in many ways, but seeing them grow allowed me to connect with them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the rest of the series, and recommend it to anyone that enjoys good action packed urban fantasy series.
June 2, 2010
Mira is a Nightwalker, a 700 year-old vampire to be precise. But she isn't like any other vampire, for she can manipulate fire. She doesn't kill needlessly, taking only what she needs to survive. As Keeper of her Domain, she resides in Savannah, and "takes care" of her out-of-control brethren who kill for sport and turn humans into vampires at an alarming rate. She refuses to be a "baby-sitter", dealing with them only when absolutely necessary. For the most part, she just wants to be left alone in her domain, and is happy that way.
But events don't allow for that wish.
A hunter is in her domain, killing off younger vamps that aren't strong enough to defend themselves. And he's looking for Mira. Something is going on in the Nightwalker world, and Danaus is looking for answers; answers that Mira should be able to provide, if only she could remember.
The Naturi, men and women of the elements (earth, light, wind, and so on) are looking to break the seal placed on the doorway between two worlds, looking to bring back the rest of their brethren and their queen. The Naturi want to regain the earth that the humans are destroying, and vampires are nothing more than parasites that need to be squashed. But vampires were the Nightwalkers that forced the Naturi behind that doorway, and placed the seal on the door. Mira was part of that, even though she doesn't remember.
What she does remember, however, was that she'd been kidnapped by the Naturi five centuries before, tortured by them; they wanted her to betray the Nightwalkers, wanted her to protect the Naturi in a war against the Nightwalkers and break the seal on that door.
And now, according to Danaus, it's happening again. Naturi are killing Nightwalkers, and Mira is looking for answers, not just for Danaus.
But it seems that even trusting your own brethren can get you killed.
**Interesting twist to the paranormal/fantasy world.
I liked the main character, Mira, very much. Strong, independent, determined, she sets out to find answers that she needs. The answers, however, are far from what she wanted. She wanted to lay the problem on the Elders and return to her domain. That is far from what happens.
Danaus... a guy I'd like to have in my corner, if he didn't see everything in such a black & white fashion. Over two centuries old, Danaus had spent time with monks, which is where his frame of mind was instilled: good was good, evil was evil, and that was that. Mira was a vampire and therefor evil. Vampires kill, they have no souls, that makes then evil. However, spending time with and around Mira, Danaus is learning that vampires aren't what he was meant to believe, and is struggling with it.
Other characters in the book make for an interesting mix. Some that Mira can't stand but deals with anyway. One that she adores and respects but comes to learn that he isn't what she believed him to be.
And just when things go from bad to worse, and Mira realizes that her life will never be the same, the book ends with the perfect set-up for Book #2. Oh, I so freaking hate that when authors do that. But, que sera, sera, and onto book #2, which is in my TBR pile already. I have a few more I need to read this month before getting to this one.
But I thought the entire cast of characters were colorful, personalities completely different from each other. Actions scenes are superb (even if a little overboard on the gore), and the mysteries behind Mira's faulty memory make for wide-eyed surprises.
Information is the only thing that bugged me, which diminished my usual 5-star ratings on books I think are superb. First, when the author gives you information on the Nightwalker work (in any part of it), you're overloaded and trying to remember it all - and keep it straight. Then there's the lack of info: what, exactly is Danaus: we know he's over two centuries old has has very strong powers. What, exactly is Mira: constantly being told that she's no ordinary vampire isn't enough, dang it! We know she can wield fire, and while you get a bit of info (we know she is a First Blood. What the heck is a First Blood?!)
Despite that, I Definitely recommend it!
But events don't allow for that wish.
A hunter is in her domain, killing off younger vamps that aren't strong enough to defend themselves. And he's looking for Mira. Something is going on in the Nightwalker world, and Danaus is looking for answers; answers that Mira should be able to provide, if only she could remember.
The Naturi, men and women of the elements (earth, light, wind, and so on) are looking to break the seal placed on the doorway between two worlds, looking to bring back the rest of their brethren and their queen. The Naturi want to regain the earth that the humans are destroying, and vampires are nothing more than parasites that need to be squashed. But vampires were the Nightwalkers that forced the Naturi behind that doorway, and placed the seal on the door. Mira was part of that, even though she doesn't remember.
What she does remember, however, was that she'd been kidnapped by the Naturi five centuries before, tortured by them; they wanted her to betray the Nightwalkers, wanted her to protect the Naturi in a war against the Nightwalkers and break the seal on that door.
And now, according to Danaus, it's happening again. Naturi are killing Nightwalkers, and Mira is looking for answers, not just for Danaus.
But it seems that even trusting your own brethren can get you killed.
**Interesting twist to the paranormal/fantasy world.
I liked the main character, Mira, very much. Strong, independent, determined, she sets out to find answers that she needs. The answers, however, are far from what she wanted. She wanted to lay the problem on the Elders and return to her domain. That is far from what happens.
Danaus... a guy I'd like to have in my corner, if he didn't see everything in such a black & white fashion. Over two centuries old, Danaus had spent time with monks, which is where his frame of mind was instilled: good was good, evil was evil, and that was that. Mira was a vampire and therefor evil. Vampires kill, they have no souls, that makes then evil. However, spending time with and around Mira, Danaus is learning that vampires aren't what he was meant to believe, and is struggling with it.
Other characters in the book make for an interesting mix. Some that Mira can't stand but deals with anyway. One that she adores and respects but comes to learn that he isn't what she believed him to be.
And just when things go from bad to worse, and Mira realizes that her life will never be the same, the book ends with the perfect set-up for Book #2. Oh, I so freaking hate that when authors do that. But, que sera, sera, and onto book #2, which is in my TBR pile already. I have a few more I need to read this month before getting to this one.
But I thought the entire cast of characters were colorful, personalities completely different from each other. Actions scenes are superb (even if a little overboard on the gore), and the mysteries behind Mira's faulty memory make for wide-eyed surprises.
Information is the only thing that bugged me, which diminished my usual 5-star ratings on books I think are superb. First, when the author gives you information on the Nightwalker work (in any part of it), you're overloaded and trying to remember it all - and keep it straight. Then there's the lack of info: what, exactly is Danaus: we know he's over two centuries old has has very strong powers. What, exactly is Mira: constantly being told that she's no ordinary vampire isn't enough, dang it! We know she can wield fire, and while you get a bit of info (we know she is a First Blood. What the heck is a First Blood?!)
Despite that, I Definitely recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2011
I really did not enjoy the first half of this book. The second half was decent, but more because I got used to the issues I had with the first half than because it was actually that much better.
The premise of the story sounds original, but replace naturi with fae and nightwalkers with vampires, and it's not particularly. The plot was actually reasonably interesting, but my interest in it was overwhelmed by other things annoying me.
First, Mira acted very young, which would be fine if she were not supposed to be (a) a 600-year-old firestarting vampire and especially (b) the leader of nightwalkers in her domain. I did not find the latter at all credible based on her behavior. She was uncertain, uncontrolled, and occasionally timid, none of which are traits traditionally valued in vampire leaders. I get that the naturi tortured her, but it was five hundred years ago. If I'm supposed to believe she's a successful leader, she'd better act the part, and she doesn't.
Her early actions made no sense to me. She decides to let Danaus kill however many nightwalkers in her territory without doing a single thing about it until she finally follows him, but she still doesn't kill him because, what, she's bored? If Mira thinks some of the vamps in her domain are too weak, fine, but the hunter murdering in her territory with impunity is more a testament to her weakness than theirs. I didn't buy Mira as powerful or a leader in the slightest.
Now that that's out of the way, it wasn't all bad. Once they left the US, I was able to enjoy the book a little more. There was the requisite action and intrigue and ill-advised sexual tension. But it wasn't nearly enough to make up for the disastrous characterization.
I apologize for the rant. If the issues I mentioned with the characters don't bother you, it's probably a decent book. But for me, characters are crucial, and Drake's were simply not believable.
The premise of the story sounds original, but replace naturi with fae and nightwalkers with vampires, and it's not particularly. The plot was actually reasonably interesting, but my interest in it was overwhelmed by other things annoying me.
First, Mira acted very young, which would be fine if she were not supposed to be (a) a 600-year-old firestarting vampire and especially (b) the leader of nightwalkers in her domain. I did not find the latter at all credible based on her behavior. She was uncertain, uncontrolled, and occasionally timid, none of which are traits traditionally valued in vampire leaders. I get that the naturi tortured her, but it was five hundred years ago. If I'm supposed to believe she's a successful leader, she'd better act the part, and she doesn't.
Her early actions made no sense to me. She decides to let Danaus kill however many nightwalkers in her territory without doing a single thing about it until she finally follows him, but she still doesn't kill him because, what, she's bored? If Mira thinks some of the vamps in her domain are too weak, fine, but the hunter murdering in her territory with impunity is more a testament to her weakness than theirs. I didn't buy Mira as powerful or a leader in the slightest.
Now that that's out of the way, it wasn't all bad. Once they left the US, I was able to enjoy the book a little more. There was the requisite action and intrigue and ill-advised sexual tension. But it wasn't nearly enough to make up for the disastrous characterization.
I apologize for the rant. If the issues I mentioned with the characters don't bother you, it's probably a decent book. But for me, characters are crucial, and Drake's were simply not believable.
May 3, 2016
Currently Reading (4/25/16): Sarah thinks I would like the M.C and she does look like a redhead on the cover. ;) hahahahaha
Review (5/1/16): This was better than I expected. The M.C was a bad-ass. I liked the fact that this book tried to be original within the paranormal (possible future romance between Danaus and Mira) fiction genre.
There was also a Lestat-esque character (Lestat from Queen of the Damned) that was used mockingly, so I do think the author is not a fan of Rice or Lestat. That was hilarious to me.
The series has potential.
Review (5/1/16): This was better than I expected. The M.C was a bad-ass. I liked the fact that this book tried to be original within the paranormal (possible future romance between Danaus and Mira) fiction genre.
There was also a Lestat-esque character (Lestat from Queen of the Damned) that was used mockingly, so I do think the author is not a fan of Rice or Lestat. That was hilarious to me.
The series has potential.
April 28, 2010
I must say. The cover doesn't do the book justice! The book is pretty decent. I love having the main character be an 600 year old female vampire! Also lost of diversity in the books, everybody isn't just one or two races! The settings were all over the world! A little sex, not much. Not much romance either, but may come up later!
July 12, 2017
This one was a slow start for me, lots of world building and lots of new people introduced at each stop in their journey.... But by about halfway, it picked up, the characters all started to mesh and the storyline became much more interesting. I'm looking forward to starting the next one.
February 17, 2016
Great start to the series. Enjoying the characters and world building. A lot of surprises I didn't expect, enjoyed the subtle romance happening. Can't wait to read more in the series
Read
February 22, 2020Abgebrochen auf Seite 126❗️
tatsächliche Seitenanzahl:
406
gelesene Version:
Taschenbuch - Deutsche Erstausgabe November 2009
die Punkte:
ohne Wertung, da ich es abgebrochen habe❗️
Cover:
Schlicht, aber mich spricht es an. Toll ist die Stadt, die im Körper schattiert erscheint.
die Story:
Mira (unsere Jägerin der Nacht) kümmert sich um Vampire, die sich daneben benehmen. Danaus (ein waschechter Vampirjäger) ist in der Stadt, nicht um Vampire zu jagen, nein, das muss erstmal in den Hintergrund treten, schließlich müssen sich die Zwei erstmal um einen gemeinsamen Feind kümmern, der wesentlich brutaler ist.
das Buch:
Die Grundthematik gefiel mir gut, leider kann mich die Ausführung nicht mitreißen, die Charaktere sind mir persönlich zu schwammig und uninteressant.
Ist wirklich schade, da ich mir mehr erhofft habe von der Reihe. Leider gibt es zuviele Bücher, die ich lesen möchte, dann möchte ich mich nicht durch zähflüssiges Material durcharbeiten, wenn was interessanteres folgen könnte.
Mein Fazit:
Es gibt bestimmt genügend Fans von der Reihe, mich konnte sie leider nicht gewinnen.
tatsächliche Seitenanzahl:
406
gelesene Version:
Taschenbuch - Deutsche Erstausgabe November 2009
die Punkte:
ohne Wertung, da ich es abgebrochen habe❗️
Cover:
Schlicht, aber mich spricht es an. Toll ist die Stadt, die im Körper schattiert erscheint.
die Story:
Mira (unsere Jägerin der Nacht) kümmert sich um Vampire, die sich daneben benehmen. Danaus (ein waschechter Vampirjäger) ist in der Stadt, nicht um Vampire zu jagen, nein, das muss erstmal in den Hintergrund treten, schließlich müssen sich die Zwei erstmal um einen gemeinsamen Feind kümmern, der wesentlich brutaler ist.
das Buch:
Die Grundthematik gefiel mir gut, leider kann mich die Ausführung nicht mitreißen, die Charaktere sind mir persönlich zu schwammig und uninteressant.
Ist wirklich schade, da ich mir mehr erhofft habe von der Reihe. Leider gibt es zuviele Bücher, die ich lesen möchte, dann möchte ich mich nicht durch zähflüssiges Material durcharbeiten, wenn was interessanteres folgen könnte.
Mein Fazit:
Es gibt bestimmt genügend Fans von der Reihe, mich konnte sie leider nicht gewinnen.
February 21, 2016
Mira é uma "nightwalker"... ou seja, Mira é basicamente uma vampira, mas tem um nome mais exótico. Ou não.
Ahem. Recomeçando. Mira é uma vampira com precisamente 603 anos de idade. Mas Mira não é uma vampira qualquer... não! Mira tem um estranho poder que impõe respeito no meio da sua comunidade: ela não só pode controlar o fogo, como é imune a esta forma tão tradicional de matar vampiros. É por isso que há séculos que Mira é a vampira-chefe da sua comunidade em Savannah, USA.
Mas a sua paz está prestes a ser perturbada pela chegada do famoso caçador de vampiros Danaus... que possui os seus próprios poderes tenebrosos.
E aqui temos mais um livro de fantasia urbana. Passa-se no século XXI, em locais que todos nós reconhecemos, mas inclui criaturas sobrenaturais como vampiros, lobisomens e fadas.
É claro que neste caso, tal como Filipe Faria (os que leram a obra deste autor português sabem do que estou a falar), a autora decidiu dar nomes diferentes a estes seres na esperança de os tornar mais originais. Os vampiros chamam-se a si próprios "nightwalkers" e as fadas não são realmente fadas mas sim os "naturi", ou os "guardiões da natureza". E, numa inversão de papeis, os "naturi" são os vilões (que querem destruir a Humanidade, yada, yada) enquanto os vampiros são os bons da fita... bem, talvez não seja bem uma inversão de papeis; afinal os vampiros são sempre os bons da fita na literatura de hoje em dia.
Em "Nightwalker" conhecemos Mira, uma vampira de 600 anos com o poder de manipular o fogo... o que normalmente lhe concederia uma imensa vantagem sobre todos os outros vampiros do planeta, que segundo as lendas ardem que nem galhos secos.
No entanto, ao contrário do esperado, Mira não conquistou a sua raça inteira e tem mesmo medo de alguns vampiros mais velhos, os "Antigos".
No começo da história, Mira persegue silenciosamente o caçador Danaus com o intuito de o matar. Mas depois de se conhecerem, ela percebe que ele tem informações sobre os "naturi" (ou "fadas", mas não são mesmo fadas só se parecem com fadas em todos os aspectos) e que estes últimos são mais perigosos do que um único caçador. E assim, Danaus e Mira unem forças para começarem uma luta contra as fadas, perdão "naturi" que promete durar vários livros... para nossa infelicidade.
Uma vez que me debrucei longamente sobre a história, acho que vou acabar esta "review" com uma breve enumeração das características negativas deste livro. Primeiro, a história é pouco original; vampiro junta-se a caçador de vampiro que entretanto percebe que vampiro não é tão mau como parece e ambos têm que enfrentar um inimigo mais poderoso e mais mauzão do que o vampiro. Segundo... a sinopse prometia que a história se desenrolava em locais exóticos como o Egipto... mas não é verdade os protagonistas só estão no Egipto durante umas vinte páginas. Terceiro, a escrita não é cativante o suficiente para compensar as outras faltas.
E quarto, as personagens são demasiado cliché: a heroína e heroi torturados e poderosos, o amigo que se transforma em traidor, os maus da fita previsíveis (incluíndo, e não estou a inventar, o riso maléfico e a pala num dos olhos) para não falar da história inacabada que sabe a pouco, especialmente se não tencionarmos ler mais nenhum livro da série.
Apesar de tudo, "Nightwalker" tem algum valor em termos de entretenimento. Não é uma leitura má de todo para os amantes de fantasia urbana (que, suponho, devem ser poucos aqui na terra de PT, dada a quantidade de literatura do género traduzida para o português. Mas pronto).
Ahem. Recomeçando. Mira é uma vampira com precisamente 603 anos de idade. Mas Mira não é uma vampira qualquer... não! Mira tem um estranho poder que impõe respeito no meio da sua comunidade: ela não só pode controlar o fogo, como é imune a esta forma tão tradicional de matar vampiros. É por isso que há séculos que Mira é a vampira-chefe da sua comunidade em Savannah, USA.
Mas a sua paz está prestes a ser perturbada pela chegada do famoso caçador de vampiros Danaus... que possui os seus próprios poderes tenebrosos.
E aqui temos mais um livro de fantasia urbana. Passa-se no século XXI, em locais que todos nós reconhecemos, mas inclui criaturas sobrenaturais como vampiros, lobisomens e fadas.
É claro que neste caso, tal como Filipe Faria (os que leram a obra deste autor português sabem do que estou a falar), a autora decidiu dar nomes diferentes a estes seres na esperança de os tornar mais originais. Os vampiros chamam-se a si próprios "nightwalkers" e as fadas não são realmente fadas mas sim os "naturi", ou os "guardiões da natureza". E, numa inversão de papeis, os "naturi" são os vilões (que querem destruir a Humanidade, yada, yada) enquanto os vampiros são os bons da fita... bem, talvez não seja bem uma inversão de papeis; afinal os vampiros são sempre os bons da fita na literatura de hoje em dia.
Em "Nightwalker" conhecemos Mira, uma vampira de 600 anos com o poder de manipular o fogo... o que normalmente lhe concederia uma imensa vantagem sobre todos os outros vampiros do planeta, que segundo as lendas ardem que nem galhos secos.
No entanto, ao contrário do esperado, Mira não conquistou a sua raça inteira e tem mesmo medo de alguns vampiros mais velhos, os "Antigos".
No começo da história, Mira persegue silenciosamente o caçador Danaus com o intuito de o matar. Mas depois de se conhecerem, ela percebe que ele tem informações sobre os "naturi" (ou "fadas", mas não são mesmo fadas só se parecem com fadas em todos os aspectos) e que estes últimos são mais perigosos do que um único caçador. E assim, Danaus e Mira unem forças para começarem uma luta contra as fadas, perdão "naturi" que promete durar vários livros... para nossa infelicidade.
Uma vez que me debrucei longamente sobre a história, acho que vou acabar esta "review" com uma breve enumeração das características negativas deste livro. Primeiro, a história é pouco original; vampiro junta-se a caçador de vampiro que entretanto percebe que vampiro não é tão mau como parece e ambos têm que enfrentar um inimigo mais poderoso e mais mauzão do que o vampiro. Segundo... a sinopse prometia que a história se desenrolava em locais exóticos como o Egipto... mas não é verdade os protagonistas só estão no Egipto durante umas vinte páginas. Terceiro, a escrita não é cativante o suficiente para compensar as outras faltas.
E quarto, as personagens são demasiado cliché: a heroína e heroi torturados e poderosos, o amigo que se transforma em traidor, os maus da fita previsíveis (incluíndo, e não estou a inventar, o riso maléfico e a pala num dos olhos) para não falar da história inacabada que sabe a pouco, especialmente se não tencionarmos ler mais nenhum livro da série.
Apesar de tudo, "Nightwalker" tem algum valor em termos de entretenimento. Não é uma leitura má de todo para os amantes de fantasia urbana (que, suponho, devem ser poucos aqui na terra de PT, dada a quantidade de literatura do género traduzida para o português. Mas pronto).
November 26, 2009
I’ve lent my copy of Nightwalker to a friend at the moment, so I hope this review is still ok!
Nightwalker begins with Mira stalking Danaus through Savana, her city. You see straight away how skilled a hunter she is, and her feisty personality come through very strongly. Very quickly, Mira is forced to postpone Danaus’s death and trust him as he shows her an enemy from her past who she thought was long dead. The feared Naturi are back. Mira and Danaus must head to Egypt to warn vampires & others alike, all the while wondering whether they can trust each other.
It’s very interesting to see how being around Mira is forcing Danaus to reconsider his notions of vampires, and his agenda against them. Mira, too, is changed by being around the hunter. I loved all the interactions between them – one moment bickering, the next fighting back-to-back. It was great to have such strong characters.
Another thing that I really liked about this book was that the two main characters didn’t jump in to bed with each and fall madly in love. It’s something that really annoys me in a lot of books – characters who’ve known each other for less than a week deciding that they want to spend the rest of their lives together. There is some chemistry between Danaus and Mira, but I liked that the author doesn’t just disregard all the mistrust and stereotypes that they are carrying around with them, in the week that ‘Nightwalker’ lasts.
The plot was excellent, it pulled me in right away and didn’t let go. The ending was maybe a little abrupt, but the second book, ‘Dayhunter’, picks up right where ‘Nightwalker’ leaves off.
‘Nightwalker’ is also a lot darker than many vampire novels these days – there is a lot of fighting, and never much rest for Mira.
I’d strongly recommend this book, and the third book in the series came out in September
(First posted by me to The Book Bundle
Nightwalker begins with Mira stalking Danaus through Savana, her city. You see straight away how skilled a hunter she is, and her feisty personality come through very strongly. Very quickly, Mira is forced to postpone Danaus’s death and trust him as he shows her an enemy from her past who she thought was long dead. The feared Naturi are back. Mira and Danaus must head to Egypt to warn vampires & others alike, all the while wondering whether they can trust each other.
It’s very interesting to see how being around Mira is forcing Danaus to reconsider his notions of vampires, and his agenda against them. Mira, too, is changed by being around the hunter. I loved all the interactions between them – one moment bickering, the next fighting back-to-back. It was great to have such strong characters.
Another thing that I really liked about this book was that the two main characters didn’t jump in to bed with each and fall madly in love. It’s something that really annoys me in a lot of books – characters who’ve known each other for less than a week deciding that they want to spend the rest of their lives together. There is some chemistry between Danaus and Mira, but I liked that the author doesn’t just disregard all the mistrust and stereotypes that they are carrying around with them, in the week that ‘Nightwalker’ lasts.
The plot was excellent, it pulled me in right away and didn’t let go. The ending was maybe a little abrupt, but the second book, ‘Dayhunter’, picks up right where ‘Nightwalker’ leaves off.
‘Nightwalker’ is also a lot darker than many vampire novels these days – there is a lot of fighting, and never much rest for Mira.
I’d strongly recommend this book, and the third book in the series came out in September
(First posted by me to The Book Bundle
June 3, 2009
I had a really hard time getting into this book. In fact, when I first started it, I wasn't sure I was going to make it all the way through. It was just SO CLICHED! Ugh. Everything about it screamed "been there/done that" of bad vampire fic.
Part of the problem is that you're thrown into this world and character and have no idea who she is or why you should care. Despite being over 600 years old, you know very little about her - even by the end of the book. What little you are told, you're told repeatedly. Yes, I remember she was at Manchu Picchu. You mentioned that several times already. And yes, I still know she can control fire. Gotcha. How about a little more history/backstory? It's hard to feel for a character when you don't understand their motivations because you don't know who they are.
It got a little more interesting as it went on just because there was some action, but still... I left the book feeling like I hadn't really read much of anything. It felt like filler, not food. Everyone and everything felt one-dimensional and flat. Left you wishing you'd read something more substantial instead.
I don't know that I'll bother reading the sequel. I know if I do, I wouldn't buy it - it would definitely be a library pick. If you're interested in this first one, check with the library instead of buying it. It doesn't stand up to the $7 cover price. And it's not something I'd want to go back to or would need to own.
All in all, it was just okay.
Part of the problem is that you're thrown into this world and character and have no idea who she is or why you should care. Despite being over 600 years old, you know very little about her - even by the end of the book. What little you are told, you're told repeatedly. Yes, I remember she was at Manchu Picchu. You mentioned that several times already. And yes, I still know she can control fire. Gotcha. How about a little more history/backstory? It's hard to feel for a character when you don't understand their motivations because you don't know who they are.
It got a little more interesting as it went on just because there was some action, but still... I left the book feeling like I hadn't really read much of anything. It felt like filler, not food. Everyone and everything felt one-dimensional and flat. Left you wishing you'd read something more substantial instead.
I don't know that I'll bother reading the sequel. I know if I do, I wouldn't buy it - it would definitely be a library pick. If you're interested in this first one, check with the library instead of buying it. It doesn't stand up to the $7 cover price. And it's not something I'd want to go back to or would need to own.
All in all, it was just okay.
November 25, 2008
Hmm, I consider myself something of an afficianado when it comes to vampire stories. I know what I like, and I know what I hate. And that being said, I didn't hate this book. It wasn't a thrill-a-minute, nor was it ungodly boring, but it did have good pacing and a credible main character. I thought the 'common enemy' plot idea was a bit overdone.
The 'CE' was supposed to be a mortal enemy of the vampires, but seemed hardly a match for an older vampire (over a couple of centuries old) save for a few gimmicks that could easily be thwarted, so it was hard to believe them to be the scary things they were made out as.
There were also some inconsistancies considering they were supposed to be nearly extinct; like having almost fifty show up at once to attack four vampires. It seemed a bit much to swallow. I counted nearly a hundred that the protagonist encountered within the space of a few days, also a bit much to deal with. My suggestion? Make them a lot tougher, scarier and scarcer! More flunkies! But it's not my book or story.
I liked it well enough that I will probably pick up the next book in the series. At least the characters aren't whiney/criey, 100 + year-old-virgins with martyr complexes. Who sparkle.
That's always a 'plus'.
The 'CE' was supposed to be a mortal enemy of the vampires, but seemed hardly a match for an older vampire (over a couple of centuries old) save for a few gimmicks that could easily be thwarted, so it was hard to believe them to be the scary things they were made out as.
There were also some inconsistancies considering they were supposed to be nearly extinct; like having almost fifty show up at once to attack four vampires. It seemed a bit much to swallow. I counted nearly a hundred that the protagonist encountered within the space of a few days, also a bit much to deal with. My suggestion? Make them a lot tougher, scarier and scarcer! More flunkies! But it's not my book or story.
I liked it well enough that I will probably pick up the next book in the series. At least the characters aren't whiney/criey, 100 + year-old-virgins with martyr complexes. Who sparkle.
That's always a 'plus'.
June 10, 2009
All the bad things about Anne Rice without any of the lovely descriptive passages that make her work worth reading. The whole book was introduction of new character after introduction of new character, with nothing really happening until the last 20 pages. In addition, the fight scenes were weak - no one did anything that would actually harm another person physically aside from magic (and the majority of the fighting was hand-to-hand or hand-to-sharp-object). At one point, the heroine protects someone by standing in front of him and wrapping his arms around her. What? How is she supposed to fight starting from that position? Half the characters had speach patterns that didn't work with their supposed age, the other half sounded like posturing ren faire actors.
And! "Librarian" is used as a derogatary descriptor, and research in general is sniffed at. Bad writing + pet peeve = one annoyed reader.
I have no idea how this got published, let alone got the recommendation quotes from reputable authors to put on the cover. I really wanted to like this one (the author has my first name, and I encourage solidarity among Jocelyns), but holy wow, I regret buying this book. Avoid at all costs.
And! "Librarian" is used as a derogatary descriptor, and research in general is sniffed at. Bad writing + pet peeve = one annoyed reader.
I have no idea how this got published, let alone got the recommendation quotes from reputable authors to put on the cover. I really wanted to like this one (the author has my first name, and I encourage solidarity among Jocelyns), but holy wow, I regret buying this book. Avoid at all costs.
July 6, 2010
Nightwalker is a little hard for me to review. It had some elements that I found interesting and other parts that I wasn't too fond of. It read a little strange to me for an urban fantasy, especially since it had your typical sort of UF cover. The writing reminded me of the tone used in the early Ann Rice books. As in the characters are supposed to be very old and inhuman plus everyone has unclear motivations. I couldn't really connect with any of the characters but the plot was interesting enough for me to want to find out the ending. It was okay in the end, I just wasn't all that impressed.
August 4, 2010
I really didn't like the 1st half of this book. Mira just talks and talks and talks. She comes across as arrogant, and just annoying. I don't think I liked her until her initial interactions with Michael when they were on the boat. The 2nd half of the book is much more enjoyable. Maybe it is because I switched from audiobook to paperback (or maybe not) but I really enjoyed the 2nd half of the book. You finally get to see a vulnerability in Mira. Oddly, she comes across as more "human".
September 13, 2018
Vampires are not my preferred paranormal creatures, but I ended up enjoying this regardless. What it boiled down to was that I enjoyed the world-building. Giving the naturi as an enemy was a good move, as they're not just an enemy to vampires, but to humanity as well. It made it easier for me to connect to the plot. I also really enjoyed Mira's character. She flips easily between callous and caring, but she does so for reasons that make sense to me, which I like. Her powers are also really cool, and the book made it clear that there will likely be lots more revelations about her as the story progresses. I did not like the romance between Mira and Danaus, as it felt somewhat shoehorned in. I'd rather keep them as cautious allies with a romantic option in the future, maybe, but the book didn't give me that option, which is a shame. Still, I will continue with the series.
May 21, 2024
I would have LOVED this in high school. It's got everything to be the best paranormal fantasy. I just couldn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted to. They had all the right feelings, but I still couldn't feel for them.
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