Smoke Rising: An Urban Fantasy Shifter Series

Excellent opener to an Urban Fantasy series.

I read this previously when I got the paper copy, but I didn't yet have a blog, so I never reviewed it on here. With the recent release of the Audiobook, I thought a listen and review was in order.

Sidney Shaw, an up and comer in the FBI, has just been handed her dream assignment. Known as a troubleshooter, she usually gets cases that are outside the norm from the average agents experience. IN this case, she has been given a case on the Black Slate, the secret most wanted list for criminals who don't officially exist. No one has ever been able to run Sidney's new target to ground. In fact, several agent have disappeared or died trying. To help her, Sidney's superiors have given her a wild card: John Smoke. Ex Navy SEAL, ex cop, bounty hunter and now convicted felon after he maimed one of his bounties, Smoke is looking at his sentence being commuted if they can run this bounty down.

The strong willed Shaw immediately butts heads with the irreverent Smoke, especially since Smoke has no regard for her authority. Running afoul of both internal FBI politics and the corrupt powers of DC, Shaw and Smoke run down their target, only to discover that he is like nothing they have ever encountered before, and that there is so much more below the surface of society than they ever imagined, with repercussions that could rock society if they were ever known.

While there is strong world building and plotting, The characters are where this story really shines. Sidney and Smoke are polar opposites in temperament. She is controlled and calculating, he is brash and reckless. They are both strong, intelligent characters, and that tension between them really moves the story. The secondary characters are well written as well, and the villain, while being fairly typical of the genre, fits into the story well. All in all, there's something in the story for any fan of urban fantasy.

The audio narration is handled by the talented Holly Adams, who I consider to be one of the top five narrators working today. She is excellent creating unique voices for the characters, both male and female, and has an amazing range of tones an pitches to differentiate them. She can also handle any accent, which makes the characterizations even more diverse. Her narrative pacing is fantastic, and you just get right into the flow of her narration. This is definitely one of my favorites of her work. Definitely in my top 10 audiobooks of 2018.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Craig Halloran, Rising

Craig Halloran continues to explore different genres, elevating his game.

The Smoke series is definitely an edge of your seat no bars thrill ride. The series is a bit more adult than the rest of his other work. But if you are in to intrigue, mystery, and crime dramas, the Smoke series is for you.

The Smoke series follows a female FBI agent by the name of Sidney Shaw, who is young, beautiful, charming, and a little naive. She is thrown into a world of gritty crime when her boss decides she needs to start interrogating criminal John Smoke for information on a group of bad people, that the bureau has, as of yet, been unable to apprehend.

Holly Adams is not a narrator that I was familiar with, before listening to this. I am particularly pleased with her voice, and the speed at which she reads. She makes the books a pleasant experience, and reminds me, a bit, of the actress Kate Mulgrew, in talent.

All and all, I recommend this book to fans of television crime dramas, and people who are just looking for a good listen.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great Book

This is a great book with an outstanding performance by the narrator. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I look forward to hearing the rest of the stories through audible.

Smoke Rising

Smoke Rising is a very captivating story that builds to a great conclusion .Can't wait for book 2.

loved it

Bounty Hunter John Smoke never liked the rules. As a result of his overly aggressive--and often illegal--arrest methods, he ended up behind bars. But the Bureau won't let him be. Placed in the able care of beautiful, tough-as-nails Sidney Shaw, his new FBI handler, Smoke needs to alter his loose-cannon ways to remain a free man.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful