Dark Currents: Agent of Hel

2.5 stars.I have a mixed relationship with Carey. I loved the two Kushiel series, and Starless was decent, but i couldn't get through the Naamah series. Dark Currents is on the negative side- but for different reasons.What you need to know before reading Dark Currents:- The book generally follows along with the same story elements put in place by other mystery urban fantasies. The MC investigates using a combination of mundane methods while interacting with the magic world.- This is not a romance novel. While the MC had potential love interests they don't play a big part in this novel, and there is not a ton of progress on these side-plots.- This is an ADULT novel. While the writing does tend towards the YA side, the book deals with dark material including: kidnapping, rape, and sex-trafficking. And yes, some of that was too explicit for my tastes.Why you may like Dark Currents:- The MC character has a unique background- she is literally demonspawn.- The book has all the elements that you could want in this type of book- an interesting but confounding case, a unique twist on magic, and there are some really awesome interactions and creatures (eg: the Lamia).Why you may not like Dark Currents:- The characters voice is off and doesn't work. There are a number of books that can pull off a sassy/punny/humorous female antagonist to contrast a darker plot. This book tries to and fails. The characters voice jumps around too much and it makes her un-relatable.- The book is a little long which is odd to say for a 300 page book. It lumps in some excess scenes (like with the visitors bureau) that slow down the novel. With a better voice, these would of probably worked, but without it they made the book drag and feel slow.- As stated above, the case takes a very dark turn towards the end, and its harsh and heartbreaking.

Don't let the three stars fool you. I wish I could add a half star to the rating but I don't believe Amazon will allow it.I am a faithful Jaqueline Carey reader. I've read everything she's written in the Kishiel's legacy series and followed them up with the three books in the Nammah's series. I love her writing, I also love her view of the world. This is a woman that has a true grasp of the words tolerance and acceptance. It makes me happy to know that there are people in the world who believe that love, in any form, is precious and beautiful and worth respecting.All of that said, this is a "Dark Currnents" review. I'll start with what I didn't like.-Our protagonist, Daisy Johanssen, repeats herself way too much. I'm now halfway through the second book, and I think if I hear the words "occasional incubus" one more time I'm going to grow bat wings and search her out with my own fiery whip!-Daisy is a bit too childish for a liaison to a "goddess of the underworld". There is a scene which was written beautifully, about elemental fairys and the majestic Oak King, that is, until she opened her teenaged sounding mouth. Oh it could've been so much better.-This book feels steered toward a much younger audience. My previous experiences with Carey's writing have felt like brilliant, intelligent, thought and emotion provoking works that leave you emotionally drained, then satisfied, but, wanting more of the characters at the same time. This, in comparison, felt a little juvenile. That sums up my problems. This may sound like I didn't enjoy the book. That is not the case.What I did like:-The boys! Ms Carey still knows how to write a sexy, sexy man! Or woman for that matter. You can tell in each scene, that the passions she feels for each one of the objects of her affection are real, regardless of the fact that there are more than one. No, it does not make her a tramp, it makes her human. No one does that better than Carey.-The creatures: without getting into too much detail, her use of the fae and all things magical and mystical will not leave you dissapointed. I found myself exclaiming "it's a freaking *******" ! No, I'm Not going to tell you, read it yourself.-Her ability to make you sympathize with the villians. There are bad guys, but you can always see just a little glimpse of humanity in every character. You may even root for them.-Her world building. Ok so this is Michigan, (eh) but it's fairy (made up) Michigan. She did a good job at "sort of" building a ficional town. Trust me, a freind and I pondered over the suspected location for quite a while before we came up with where we believe the secret location to be. But in fairness, the freind is from there so... Cheating... Anyway...I digress...I enjoyed the story, the plot twists, and most definatly the boys. I'm looking forward to finishing the series and seeing what she does next.

•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart!•••This series must be read in order. This is the first book. I can't wait to read "Autumn Bones"!Daisy is a half demon who must not claim her birthright or she might bring about Armageddon. She is Hel's enforcer and tasked with keeping the relations between the human authorities and the Eldritch community running smoothly. Can she resist her birthright? Or will the seven deadly sins be her downfall? Will she be able to keep relations peaceful? Or will the religious zealots get out of hand?***This series is suitable for adult readers who enjoy modern fantasy set in a small resort town full of quirky characters and full of action and adventures as well as mysteries and a dash of romance :)

Daisy, half-human half-demon, is trying to be good by working in her small town's police department and as the ligation to the local magical bigwig. Goddess? Demi goddess? This book serves as a lot of low fantasy world building, introducing a lot of characters including three love interests. Unfortunately, not much happens. A dead frat boy is found as the book opens and a big fight happens as it wraps up, but it all seemed overwhelmingly cerebral. Even a fight training scene and a battle against a swamp monster lacked physicality. And for the daughter of an incubus there was zero sexual tension despite there being multiple opportunities. I pushed myself too finish it, but I won't be coming back for seconds.

The Urban Fantasy genre is petty jam packed and it takes something special to stand out. For me, this fails to shine although it has all the usual elements - werewolves, vampires, elder gods etc etc - and a decent plot. The heroine is Daisy Johanssen, daughter of an incubus and a human mother. She acts as liaison between human authorities and Hel - the Norse goddess who has chosen the midwest town of Pemkowet as her abode.The barriers between the world of elder gods and humans are particularly weak in the town, hence the presence of all the supernatural beasties. She has to use all her skills when a teenage human boy is apparently killed by one of the non-human groups. It could damage the lucrative tourist trade (shades of Jaws) and lead to human revenge attacks. Her investigations reveal a sinister website encouraging sex between humans and supernaturals and abuse of a captured mermaid. That all sounds like the book should be a dark and thrilling ride but instead, there is no real feel of danger or any sense of chilling otherness about the supernaturals. The heroine feels like a cross between Mills & Boon and Nancy Drew (the wholesome teen detective is even mentioned at one point) and even the occasional swear words seems like they are dropped in to try to add a little edginess. It's not terrible and the book is certainly readable. It just never really grips or convinces. Certainly not like the early Laurell K. Hamilton novels, which set the benchmark for hard edged, believable Urban Fantasy. A missed opportunity.

A new urban fantasy series in a fairly conventional vein: Daisy Johanssen is a young woman who is a bridge between human and eldritch, discovering that life gets ever more complicated.Here we have a world where the eldritch exists only in fairly isolated communities, and on sufferance of the majority humans. Daisy has to help solve a murder before the humans decide the eldritch are more trouble than they are worth.This starts off fairly slowly, painting in the background of werewolves, fairies, vampires, ghouls, and more esoteric characters. It gets more active towards the end, as all the different factions clash. I’ll be checking out the next in the series, to see where it goes.

Leaves one guessing till the last minute. It’s a fantastic tale of the supernatural world existing within the mortal realm, with complex characters who feel very real in their actions.

I have found most of Ms. Carey's works to be instant classics, so was especially pleased to receive her new work. As a departure from the world of Terre d'Ange, I was in a state of excited anticipation. I was not disappointed. With all of the authors' trademark character development and pithy dialogue, I found that even though I could anticipate parts of the plot, it still had a most satisfying outcome (sorry - no spoilers here!) I look forward to further installments.

I read this really quickly. The story kept me hooked the whole way through. It was well written and I love the world Carey created, and how tough but moral the main character was. Trigger warning for some heavy content though.