Search - The Dark Storm (Dark Storm, Bk 1)

The first things I noticed about this book were two [obviously] minority characters on the cover and a really cool description in the back that told me the book was set in New York. All right! a fantasy set in the most etnically diverse city on the face of the Earth and the main characters are minorities? Yay! and Finally! Although I also was interested in the description, I must be honest and say I probably would have bought the book anyway.

Then I started reading it; did I like it? yes. But, my God, the copy editor of this book needs to go back to English class. The errors annoyed me so much, I started to edit the book as I was reading it. I intend to send my edited copy to St. Martins, maybe I'll get a credit for a new book [who knows?]. That aside, this is a book you have to read very carefully; there are alot of characters and alot of subplots. Magic, religion, and mythology are blended and expanded in really interesting ways and a new New York emerges from that fusion that frankly explains quite a bit about my daily commute.

The book is densely populated and you may have to go back a few times just to make sure you know who the players are, but I think ultimately the book is worth it. I have read the second book in the series and I think the series will be worth it (although, yes, sadly, I had to edit it too). I gave the book 3.5 stars because I really liked the story. I give the copy editor one (1) star, a dictionary, and a copy of Strunk and White.

**SPOILER** One main quibble I have with the book (and most books and movies in this genre) is that when friends of the hero are killed due to his circumstances -if not direct actions - he seems to feel really bad and guilty... for about two pages. Drives me out of my mind! **End**

If you like urban fantasy, and would like it even more with less romance and more adventure, try this book. Just realize the issues going in and then put them aside to enjoy the story.

There were a lot of characters introduced in this book and it got a little dizzying when it went back and forth between them all. I figured there was a reason for all of this, so I stuck with the story. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed the book, even though the author can use some "seasoning". Looking forward to the next in the series.

Too many plot lines! You are trying to follow about six converging and diverging stories at once.

This book was a recommendation for Amazon based on other books I had read. Since it was a new author, I decided to give it a try.

The story was slow to get going and occasionally I had to go back and reread portions in order to get characters straight. But this was mainly because as the beginning book in a new universe, there was a lot of world building and characters being introduced and background being explained. By the time I got about half way through the book, I had become invested in the story and was eagerly awaiting to see what happened next.

I gave the book 3 stars, because I did like the story, even when it was a little slow. I am hopeful that the second and third books in the series will pick up the pace and I can up the rating. This author shows true promise, and I am willing to give her the opportunity to show me what she can do with this unique storyline.