Blood and Magick (Deacon Chalk #3) Review

Blood and Magick (Deacon Chalk #3)

James R Tuck

Publisher: Kensington

Taking out hellish creatures—not a problem. Armed with blessed silver hollow-points and the ability to manipulate magick, he’s ready for anything—except betrayal he never saw coming…
Deacon Chalk knows the biggest danger in fighting monsters is becoming one. Just another day at the office for your friendly neighborhood occult bounty hunter. If keeping three helpless were-dog children safe means battling a malevolent trio of witches by any means necessary, so be it. If that means partnering with a ruthless government agent to stay one step ahead of the allies and friends he must now suspect, he’s not going to cry about it. The only way Deacon can save humans and shape-shifters alike is to embrace a power beyond his imagining, putting his team at stake—and his soul on the line...

Deacon Chalk goes out for dinner with his girlfriend and two friends, when all hell breaks loose! A triad of witches gatecrash demanding blood and it’s up to Deacon and his friends to protect their surrogate family, innocent humans and the world from a spell that could mean the end of everything. This is a page turner with all the events happening over the course of a single night – and you will have to remind yourself occasionally to breathe!

Deacon is as stalwart as ever, fighting the good fight no matter what the cost. He has unusual powers that seem to be changing and evolving. At the same time he has cares desperately about his people, the family he has gathered about him since his family were killed, but it’s become obvious that he doesn’t understand their choices all the time. Not that there is much time for deep musings as this is all action to the walls adventure with Deacon and friends firing bullets like there is no tomorrow. If you were one of the readers who finds some Urban Fantasy too slow and full of love triangles, then this might convince you that you can have edge of your seat action and character development.

It’s unusual for Urban Fantasy books to deal with religion (somewhat ironically considering the demons and other evil creatures they cover!), so it’s pleasant to see that Deacon is a true believer in the catholic church and has a priest helping him – even if that priest is a hard drinking, cigar smoking, shotgun fighter. Deacon’s girlfriend, Tiffany has also evolved into someone standing by his side at these events and holds her own. Even better is seeing Deacon complete accepting that is her place, no question or worry about protecting her.

This is UF with balls and is just plain fun to read. James R Tuck can take a timeless hard-boiled voice and make it fresh, amusing, exciting and emotional all at the same time. It’s also  a bit of a game changer in Deacon’s world in more than one way and I am curious what the next book will cover. Deacon Chalk has become someone I trust to give me a good adventure and I want more!

Recommended for fans of Kevin Hearne and Jim Butcher. 9 out of 10

Early Review: Blood and Silver (Deacon Chalk #2)

Blood and Silver (Deacon Chalk #2)

-       James R. Tuck

Publisher: Kensington Books – Released in 7^th August 2012

He hasn't met a monster yet that could give him a scare. With ice in his veins, silver hollow-points in his chambers, and an innate ability to rise from the dead, what's to fear? The answer may be something he doesn't want to face. . .

Deacon Chalk normally has no trouble telling innocent victims from real monsters. So protecting an abused pregnant were-dog is a no-brainer. . .until a vicious lycanthrope leader and his brotherhood target Deacon, other shape-shifters, and any humans in their way. Suddenly, Deacon is outnumbered, outgunned, and unsure who--or what--to trust. The only edge he has left is a weapon hungry for his soul and his most savage impulses. And using it will exact a price even this hell-raising hunter fears to pay. . .

Deacon Chalk is back and this time he is taking on the world of shape-shifters or Lycanthropes. After a day at the fair, Deacon and Tiffany come across a man beating a dog and find themselves embroiled in a shape-shifter civil war. To say much more would ruin the joy that is turning the page and discovering a completely unexpected event. Deacon Chalk is a hard man, but completely dedicated to those who he considers ‘his’. He certainly seems to find it easier to look after women than he does men – an old fashioned man perhaps? However once Deacon has decided you are one of his people he won’t let anyone mess with you.

I completely fell in love with the hard-boiled noir storytelling and surprising elements as events unfold. Some of the were-creatures Deacon encounters are very different from the usual wolves and large cats (although they are there as well!) with Charlotte, the were-spider shown to be the tip of a very large iceberg! While the story is told in first person by Deacon himself, events can and do happen outside of his awareness. This helps makes the world more real rather than just revolving around him all the time.

The pace here is even faster than in the first Deacon book, making breathing an issue at times as you rush to turn the page. I just couldn’t stop reading and was drawn in by Deacon’s deep, melodic voice. Plus some hints of what is happening in the rest of the world nreally intrigue me and I hope that future instalments might explore this. Deacon’s unusual heritage is also explored more here as are his religious beliefs making him a deeper and more realistic character. Plus his evolving relationship with Tiffany is very sweet and tender. I like that she is definitely not the damsel in distress.

This series is now firmly on my must purchase list and I can’t wait to see what Deacon will run into next

Recommended for fans of Jim Butcher and Mike Carey. 9 out of 10

Buy Blood and Silver at Amazon here

STOP BY TOMORROW TO MEET JAMES R TUCK, THE AUTHOR OF DEACON CHALK!

Spider's Lullaby (Deacon Chalk #1.5) Review

Spider’s Lullaby (Deacon Chalk #1.5)

- James R Tuck

Kindle Book – received courtesy of the author (Out now!)

He lives to kill monsters. He keeps his city safe. And his silver hollow-points and back-from-the-dead abilities take out any kind of unnatural threat. But between this bad-ass bounty hunter and rescuing the most helpless of victims stands the one evil he can't defeat...
For Deacon Chalk, loyalty is worth dying for. And now that something has taken were-spider Charlotte's un-hatched children and one of his closest friends, he'll tear up the human and supernatural underworlds to find them. But with his allies stripped away by an invincible Yakuza hit man and time running out, Deacon must face down the most ancient of demonic entities. And his last hope means surrendering to the inner darkness waiting hungrily to consume him...

I have to admit I think I have a slight crush on the imposing, tattooed monster hunter Deacon Chalk. He is fiercely protective of his friends and innocents, scarily intimidating and yet he’s a good catholic and prepared for anything. After a night out with Deacon discover that his were-spider friend, Charlotte’s egg-sack has been stolen. Even worse, it is due to hatch soon and when it does without Charlotte around, the baby spiders will kill and devour all around them. They have until dawn to find out who took the egg-sack and why…

Once again Deacon Chalk is confident and strong in his actions and leading others. As the story is told from his point of view we get to see little chinks in his armour with regard to what happened with his family and his guilt over their deaths. There is also some subtle acknowledgement of his relationship with Tiffany but this short story is less about emotion and more about a quick mission between books. It’s still extremely absorbing – even more than the previous novella as I feel I know Deacon better now. The writing is smooth and tasty – in fact this novella is like a tasty cinnamon bun – full of flavour, texture and smells delicious! I can’t wait to read Blood and Silver, the second full length Deacon book!

Recommended for fans of Jim Butcher and Kate Griffin. 8.5 out of 10

Blood and Bullets Review

Blood and Bullets (Deacon Chalk #1)

 - James R. Tuck

Publisher: Kensington

He lives to kill monsters. He keeps his city safe. And his silver hollow-points and back-from-the-dead abilities help him take out any kind of supernatural threat. But now an immortal evil has this bad-ass bounty hunter dead in its sights. . .
Ever since a monster murdered his family, Deacon Chalk hunts any creature that preys on the innocent. So when a pretty vampire girl "hires" him to eliminate a fellow slayer, Deacon goes to warn him--and barely escapes a vampire ambush. Now he's got a way-inexperienced newbie hunter to protect and everything from bloodsuckers to cursed immortals on his trail. There's also a malevolent force controlling the living and the undead, hellbent on turning Deacon's greatest loss into the one weapon that could destroy him...

This is a complete anecdote for all those fed up of Urban Fantasy love triangles and unsure heroines. Deacon Chalk is big, determined and scary as hell – he’s as alpha as you can get without growing fur and howling at the moon. His family were attacked and killed monsters five years ago and ever since Deacon has hunted down evil and destroyed it. He has his team – all with their own reasons to fight the good fight but they mostly provide support while Deacon faces these monsters on his own. This is bloody, gory and violent – and I loved every minute of it. This is more Blade than Buffy with the good guy just as scary as the bad ones, but he has a heart and is a good catholic (even down to no meat on a Friday). The cracks into his head and thoughts are intriguing and add some real depth to what could easily be a Terminator style character.

Deacon gets things done – from start to finish this novel takes place over two nights and throughout that time Deacon never stops. He powers through. The fighting is quick, intense and very exciting, while the characters interactions are a lot of fun. Yes, Deacon has a mouth on him, but he does listen to others and the way his relationship with Larson and Tiffany changes is actually nice to watch. The writing is just like Deacon – at first glance stark and intense but with hidden depth and a promise of more to come. Reading it, I found myself completely swept up and on the edge of my seat as I wanted to know what happens next.

This is real urban fantasy with testosterone and a slight noir seasoning. The world is pretty dark with vampires the big bad, and some intriguing were-animals introduced. There is a paragraph near the beginning that is hilarious in-joke if you like vampire books and may throw you a little but overall this opts for action over comedy. If you like the new Bond films then this is a great introduction to Urban Fantasy and I for one will be looking forward to the release of Blood and Silver this summer! This is like an action film that delivers exactly what it promises on the cover – dark fun!

Recommended for fans of Harry Dresden and Rob Thurman. 8.5 out of 10

That Thing At The Zoo Review

That Thing At The Zoo (Deacon Chalk #0.5)

-       James R. Tuck

Kindle Book

Shredding monsters is his stock and trade. He sniffs them out, tracks them down, and corners them. End of story. But when the tables are turned, expect the unexpected. Knowing his enemy is a rule Deacon Chalk swears by. But he's never seen anything like whatever is leaving the Atlanta Zoo's most dangerous predators bloodless, skinned, and hanging high in the treetops. And he's only got until sunrise to keep it from turning the entire city into a slaughterhouse. Now Deacon is in zoo lockdown with a handful of staffers to save. His zookeeper backup has more guts than monster-hunting experience. And the only chance Deacon has to run this thing to holy ground is to unleash his darkest, most uncontrollable instincts

This is an enormously fast-paced, frantic, fun and entertaining read. Deacon Chalk is one hard-assed monster slayer. His family were killed by monsters five years ago and ever since he has dedicated his life to fighting the things in the dark that threaten humanity. When something starts skinning creatures at the zoo, Deacon Chalk is called in to figure out what did it and solve the issue.

Deacon is like Buffy but without the soul searching. He knows who he is and what he does. He fights hard and fast, but he thinks as well. He knows preparation is half the battle so he prepares and has a team that supports him. And once he goes in, he goes in strong and determined. While short, That Thing At The Zoo is a great appetiser for what promises to be a good anecdote to all those with Urban Fantasy fatigue. A hard hero with a trouble past, plenty of action and fantastic writing makes this a great introduction to a new series. In fact I picked up Blood and Bullets, the full length novel as soon as I finished this novella!

Recommended for fans of Jim Butcher and Faith Hunter. 7.5 out of 10