Charming (Pax Arcana Book 1)

I hate reviews where the plot is compromised. Suffice to say, if you are partial to vampires, werewolves and Valkyries in an Urban setting, then this will work for you absolutely. However, if you want more depth, this appeals even better, since there is a lot of detailed lore included. The genius is how that is weaved into the plot without breaking up the momentum. The writing style is modern contemporary with virtually no obvious spelling or grammatical issues, beyond what artistic license allows. My favorite part in this series though, is how social issues are addressed and the witty commentary behind these musings. Often very dry and other times hilarious. So if you like your urban fantasy with a side of psychoanalysis, a heavy dollop of mayhem wrapped up with humor, then you have an exceptional read. This is my second time through and I've discovered so much more than initially- and I expect to reread many times. Yes, this series is that good, though - if I were to have one criticism-it would be that the writing style is too easy to read, that one is lulled into thinking there is little depth. Oh how wrong you would be to think that. Indeed, the best prose has this very ability to express complex thoughts, in simple terms. A rare occurrence in my experience. So, no it is not a criticism really, just a caution not to underestimate what this series can be to the right reader. For those who like their reviews to tell them about the plot- tough. Read the free preview- there are usually at least one or more chapters available and that is the case here. I hope my review makes you want to read the preview and prepares you for it. If that's the case my work is done and please mark it as useful to you.

Thank you to the Corvisiero Agency and the publisher Hachette Book Group, for responding to my requests and making this book available for review. The premise promised a story that would delight and transport, and I will say that I was very pleased with the book and story.John Charming started out as a man after my own heart: not only does he believe sparkly vampires are stuff seen only in YA fantasy, but he is addicted to coffee, has a family name that connotes Disney princes and rather overbearing heroes, and yet his dry humor manages to keep him grounded.Mixing fantasy elements, including the addition of rarely or never seen characters in the written world (Valkyries and Naga) as well as adding in some (I am told by those who know better) elements from RPG. I will say that it was a rare treat to have these new additions and learn about their powers, skills and background. Unfortunately many of these additions that intermingled elements needed explanation, and led to several passages of information dump that slowed the momentum and progress. What does emerge, however, is a well-developed and beautifully created world in this Urban Fantasy: one unlike any that I have seen or experienced before.Then there is a romance, budding and developing, but although I didn’t find myself desperate to see them together, with all of the set-up and establishment of this first book, I was able to treat it as more of a thing to come, and allow the character of Charming to do his thing, and deal with the most pressing elements of the story at the moment. Elliott James has managed to hold my interest through fight scenes and action packed moments, kept me reading forward as I saw him twist religious beliefs, weaponry from multiple cultures and a disarmingly witty repartee to disarm and overcome enemy challenges.As a start to a new series, this is an amazingly well-crafted book that is sure to please readers who count fantasy among a favored genre, and can even bring those of us who enjoy fantasy but don’t need it as a daily option a new series to read. I’m curious and excited to see where this story will lead, in fact I purchased a copy for my own library.I received an eGalley copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

I absolutely LOVED this book. You should know that I never write reviews, because I have to tap them out on my phone, and I also loathed writing book reports as a kid. (This could be because I never particularly cared for the books they made me write reports about.)Unlike some male authors I've read, this one can actually write a romantic relationship that I care about, and even find believable. I.e., they ACTUALLY have chemistry, and great dialogue between them. It's not, "I dunno...this random hot chick decided she likes me, now she lives in my house, AND she brought her best friend along, who's a lesbian, but somehow, she's into me, too. Guess I have a harem. Dur durdur." I actually found myself wondering, "Is this a male author? Maybe Elliott can be a woman's name..."This is not to say that this is a romance novel, so relax, those who are not fond of romance novels. Okay, it kind of is? Think of this as an action novel with a love interest. Once you meet Sig, you'd think it's a crime to NOT fall in love with her.I like the world Elliott builds here. It has a real explanation for the existence of an unknown supernatural population, and the characters have depth that makes one care about their fates, as well as root for their deaths, depending on who we're talking about. This explanation, The Pax Arcana, helps define some of the motivations and prejudices of the characters, as well as their complex relationship with whom they're supposed to actually be defending, and why. It's almost like they're park rangers who have a vested interest in keeping both the bear and the human population alive- for the most part. I also laughed out loud at the wit and humor, namely John Charming's observations and internal monologue. However, Sig is also quite funny, and she scores some dry zingers that demonstrate just how well-suited they are for each other. E.g., the scene at the diner when the waitress is bringing Sig and John mountains of food.Anyway, I highly recommend this book, and though I have yet to read the next ones, I am eager to start. Like, right now. You people are holding me back from that, and I slightly resent it.

The book is most engrossing, the main character believable and the story plot very well written. I loved it.

book was in condition advertised. good series

Pros:Der Erzählstil ist wirklich genial.Jeder Satz, also wirklich jeder Satz ist entweder clever, sarkastisch oder witzig. Man merkt, das der Autor wirklich viel liebe in dieses Buch gesteckt hat.Cons:Story technisch ist es jedoch nicht der großartige Epos, der es sein könnte. Der Autor denkt hier zu klein. Die Geschichte ist relativ unbedeutend, aber alle Charaktere wirken echt und in ihnen steckt leben.Fazit:Es ist ein Buch, welches richtig, richtig gut unterhält. Wer große Bücher Winnetou, das Lied von Eis und Feuer oder Eragon oder Herr der Ringe geliebt hat, könnte hiervon enttäuscht sein. Den das Worldbuilding und der Plot selbst ist halt eher schwach. Aber ich möchte nochmal betonen, das es wirklich Spaß gemacht hat diesen Band und die beiden folgenden zu Lesen. Und darum habe ich sie noch zweimal gelesen. Jeder Band kann für sich alleine gelesen werden und diese Serie dient wirklich der simplen Unterhaltung.Plot (mit groben Spolern):Mr. Charming ist ein halber Werwolf und ein ehemaliger Monsterjäger. Jetzt wird er von seiner eigenen Organisation gejagt, und so arbeitet er undercover in einer Bar. Dort trifft er die schönste Frau aller Zeiten: Sig! Eine Walküre und die Frau seiner Träume. Leider ist auch sie mit einem Monsterjäger einer anderen Organisation verbandelt. Gemeinsam versucht die Truppe dann ein Vampiernest auszulöschen. Charming ist immer wieder der Versuchung erlegen Sig auszuspannen. Seine wahre Herkunft muss Charming natürlich geheim halten. Doch dann passiert das unerträgliche und die wölfische Wahrheit kommt ans Licht. Und Sigs Lover hat ihn in der Hand. Trotzdem reißen sich alle erstmal zusammen, um die Vampire auszulöschen. Denn sie haben in einer normalen Kleinstadt voller Normalos nichts zu suchen. Am Ende zeigen sie der Welt noch, dass es das Übernatürliche gibt!

Jusqu'à maintenant, la seule urban fantasy masculine que j'avais lue était les "dossiers Dresden" de Jim Butcher, et je n'avais pas accroché, je trouvais que ça manquait un peu d'extravagance (je cherche dans l'urban fantasy de la légèreté et de l'imagination). Ici au contraire j'ai tout de suite accroché.Pour le faire simple, "Charming" c'est la même chose que l'urban fantasy qu'on connaît mais avec un homme viril plutôt qu'une femme sexy (une personnalité héroïque forte mais avec de gros problèmes venant du passe, qui se mêle à une bande iconoclaste, hétéroclite et sympathique, pour lutter contre les forces du mal, le tout avec des combats et du second degré, sur fond de fantastique).Ici nous avons John Charming, issu d'une lignée de "Charming", qui à défaut de sauver des princesses en détresse détruit des monstres qui cherchent à rompre le fragile voile protégeant les humains des manifestations fantastiques. À moitié loup-garou, il cherche à garder profil bas. Quand commence le roman, il a endossé le profil d'un barman. Un soir débarque une magnifique blonde très athlétique qui sent bizarre, enfin qui ne sent pas humain. Il croisera au cours de sa route de multiples autres créatures fantastiques: najas increvables, vampires, êtres dotes de capacités très spéciales...L'histoire est simple, facile à lire, avec de l'action et une histoire d'amour sympa et ni culcu* la praline ni cu* tout court. Pour les habitués de l'urban fantasy, on reste dans le schéma habituel, avec juste un bestiaire plus vaste et une perspective clairement plus masculine (et cela fait du bien, plutôt que de lire à chaque page "a girl wants a nice handbag" ou autres futilités du même genre). Je recommande sans problème, je pense que je lirai les 2-3 prochains tomes (qui a priori ne manqueront pas d'être publiés).

Es war spannend genug, dass ich mit den nachfolgenden Teilen weiter mache.Ich hoffe, noch mehr von Sig zu lesen.