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Smoke Trilogy #1
Smoke and Shadows
Tanya Huff's supernatural fantasy Smoke series, with a gothic twist - Mix of ghostly mystery, paranormal horror, and dark humor - Lamba Award nominated
Fans of the X-Files and Twin Peaks will love acclaimed master of contemporary fantasy Tanya Huff's twisted version of vampires, wizards, and TV terror.
When Tony Foster relocated to Vancouver with his vampire Henry Fitzroy, he knew it was his chance to get his act together. In an example of art echoing life, Tony landed a job as production assistant for the syndicated TV show Darkest Night, a series about a vampire detective. And except for his unrequited crush on the show's handsome costar, Lee Nicholas, Tony was pretty content.
Until everything started to fall apart on the set.
It began with shadows--shadows where they didn't belong, that almost had an existence of their own. Tony tried to ignore it--until he found Nikki Waugh's body, and felt the shadow's touch, and a stunt crash went wrong for no discernible reason--and Tony knew that he had to find out what was threatening everyone on the set.
Fans of the X-Files and Twin Peaks will love acclaimed master of contemporary fantasy Tanya Huff's twisted version of vampires, wizards, and TV terror.
When Tony Foster relocated to Vancouver with his vampire Henry Fitzroy, he knew it was his chance to get his act together. In an example of art echoing life, Tony landed a job as production assistant for the syndicated TV show Darkest Night, a series about a vampire detective. And except for his unrequited crush on the show's handsome costar, Lee Nicholas, Tony was pretty content.
Until everything started to fall apart on the set.
It began with shadows--shadows where they didn't belong, that almost had an existence of their own. Tony tried to ignore it--until he found Nikki Waugh's body, and felt the shadow's touch, and a stunt crash went wrong for no discernible reason--and Tony knew that he had to find out what was threatening everyone on the set.
396 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
56 people are currently reading
3,023 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Huff
153books2,402followersTanya Sue Huff is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science fiction series. One of these, her Blood Books series, featuring detective Vicki Nelson, was adapted for television under the title Blood Ties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
January 30, 2013
This book is a comfort-reread for me, usually followed by the whole series because it takes three novels (+/- the related short story) to get to the HEA. And that just barely. But I love Tony Foster and the people around him.
To understand every nuance of this series, you need to have read the previous "Blood" series, beginning with . Those books are the story of vampire Henry Fitzroy and ex-cop Victoria Nelson. But from the first book, Henry, who is bi, also has a relationship with Tony, the street kid who saves his life, whom he rescues and gradually comes to love in his own way. Tony appears in flashes in those books, snarky, self-deprecating, honorable, and vulnerable. Events lead to Henry moving Tony in with him and moving to Vancouver. The "Smoke" series are Tony's own story.
These "Smoke" books can be read on their own, if you're not into M/F paranormal - small comments or scenes (like a phone call to Vicki) will be a little less salient but it hangs together just fine.
Tony loves Henry but he also feels overwhelmed and consumed by him (and not just in a literal sense.) As the book opens, Tony has moved out of the apartment they shared, found his own place, and a job as a TV production assistant. The TV show is about a fictional vampire detective, a topic which Tony could tell them a lot about, but doesn't. Tony also has a crush on one of the co-stars, who is straight according to his publicity, but occasionally sends mixed messages. The most mixed message, though, happens when the actor, Lee, is possessed by a shadow force that only Tony seems to be aware of.
These books are a fun urban paranormal romp, with great snarky lines, and yet a sweet heart to the story. Tony is one of my favorite characters anywhere - a guy I'd love to actually know. After so many rereads I can't be objective, but I recommend these books as old friends.
To understand every nuance of this series, you need to have read the previous "Blood" series, beginning with . Those books are the story of vampire Henry Fitzroy and ex-cop Victoria Nelson. But from the first book, Henry, who is bi, also has a relationship with Tony, the street kid who saves his life, whom he rescues and gradually comes to love in his own way. Tony appears in flashes in those books, snarky, self-deprecating, honorable, and vulnerable. Events lead to Henry moving Tony in with him and moving to Vancouver. The "Smoke" series are Tony's own story.
These "Smoke" books can be read on their own, if you're not into M/F paranormal - small comments or scenes (like a phone call to Vicki) will be a little less salient but it hangs together just fine.
Tony loves Henry but he also feels overwhelmed and consumed by him (and not just in a literal sense.) As the book opens, Tony has moved out of the apartment they shared, found his own place, and a job as a TV production assistant. The TV show is about a fictional vampire detective, a topic which Tony could tell them a lot about, but doesn't. Tony also has a crush on one of the co-stars, who is straight according to his publicity, but occasionally sends mixed messages. The most mixed message, though, happens when the actor, Lee, is possessed by a shadow force that only Tony seems to be aware of.
These books are a fun urban paranormal romp, with great snarky lines, and yet a sweet heart to the story. Tony is one of my favorite characters anywhere - a guy I'd love to actually know. After so many rereads I can't be objective, but I recommend these books as old friends.
November 7, 2013
Tony Foster, a secondary character from Huff's Victoria Nelson series, has moved away from Toronto to find himself as a non-addict, non-hustling adult. And also to get away from the all the weird shit that keeps happening with vampires and mummies.
Unfortunately, evil wizards from another dimension pick this year to invade.
The scene set in a Vancouver TV studio, and I liked with way Huff made the shooting schedule matter to the ridiculous plot, because the characters are all "ZOMG WE MUST SAVE THE WORLD FROM EVIL WIZARDS! But also we must not mess up the filming of this crappy vampire-detective show, because we would lose our jobs!"
This series consists of a set of homages to rather cliched genres (in this case, fantasy) and is more fun if you read a lot in those genres.
Unfortunately, evil wizards from another dimension pick this year to invade.
The scene set in a Vancouver TV studio, and I liked with way Huff made the shooting schedule matter to the ridiculous plot, because the characters are all "ZOMG WE MUST SAVE THE WORLD FROM EVIL WIZARDS! But also we must not mess up the filming of this crappy vampire-detective show, because we would lose our jobs!"
This series consists of a set of homages to rather cliched genres (in this case, fantasy) and is more fun if you read a lot in those genres.
November 23, 2019
I never cared much for Tony in the previous series (Blood Series). I didn't dislike him, but just didn't pay much mind to the minor character. I was curious how it would be pulled off making him the primary protagonist, and as a character it turns out I enjoy him more now. His older street jargon has been replaced with more proper speech - we're informed this has been encouraged by Henry "offstage." My favorite parts really involved Henry, as I always loved the character. Tony isn't as exciting as the previous Vicky (who got on my nerves much of the time for her attitude) or the adorably lovable Celucci.
The Shadowlord, an intriguing and unique enough villain, is well-written. It's not every day you read a book focused on living shadows that are part of a larger being. The story itself is a good one but the pacing is too slow for some areas; as an example, when emphasis is placed on Tony's day-to-day interactions on the stage set, none of this interested me and I kept gliding through passages where he chats with co-workers. Being boring is a book or movie's greatest sin, and while Smoke and Shadows never committed this crime exactly, it was sadly close some of the time.
Henry comes back and is as great as ever, I love the whole possessive type angle, but I found the whole "hunger" and "seduction" expression vague at best and over-used. There was no tension with these scenes, it was just written, no build-up and no description. This, thankfully, is a minor thing that did not distract me from the otherwise interesting and somewhat unique story that I enjoyed reading. Not a book you would be forced to read through in one sitting, forgoing sleep and other life needs, but a book that still keeps you drawn in just enough to keep wanting to reach the end line.
The negatives (and pluses) aside, I'm wanting to read more of the series. The ending of the book let loose some intriguing ideas about Tony's character that suddenly makes him more intriguing. I would like, of course, to keep seeing more of Henry and his relationship with Tony for, like the previous series, he is much of the glue that keeps the stories together. I remember being depressed that the Blood Lines series ended, and I'm happy it's been picked up again for a few more rounds, even if it's with a new 'bloodline'.
The Shadowlord, an intriguing and unique enough villain, is well-written. It's not every day you read a book focused on living shadows that are part of a larger being. The story itself is a good one but the pacing is too slow for some areas; as an example, when emphasis is placed on Tony's day-to-day interactions on the stage set, none of this interested me and I kept gliding through passages where he chats with co-workers. Being boring is a book or movie's greatest sin, and while Smoke and Shadows never committed this crime exactly, it was sadly close some of the time.
Henry comes back and is as great as ever, I love the whole possessive type angle, but I found the whole "hunger" and "seduction" expression vague at best and over-used. There was no tension with these scenes, it was just written, no build-up and no description. This, thankfully, is a minor thing that did not distract me from the otherwise interesting and somewhat unique story that I enjoyed reading. Not a book you would be forced to read through in one sitting, forgoing sleep and other life needs, but a book that still keeps you drawn in just enough to keep wanting to reach the end line.
The negatives (and pluses) aside, I'm wanting to read more of the series. The ending of the book let loose some intriguing ideas about Tony's character that suddenly makes him more intriguing. I would like, of course, to keep seeing more of Henry and his relationship with Tony for, like the previous series, he is much of the glue that keeps the stories together. I remember being depressed that the Blood Lines series ended, and I'm happy it's been picked up again for a few more rounds, even if it's with a new 'bloodline'.
February 20, 2008
The book is so bad I can't even finish it. It is neither funny nor scary, the plot drags, the dialogue and the writing are clumsy, and there is not one single interesting character.
May 7, 2021
This is the first of three books featuring Tony Foster, spun-off from Huff's wildly popular Vicki Nelson Blood books. I didn't find Tony to be a very likable character in the Vicki novels so I was a little hesitant about the Smoke books, but found myself enjoying them pretty well. Henry is along for the ride too, and that helps a lot. Huff's portrayal of a vampire-themed TV series is completely captivating and absolutely hilarious and worth the price of admission on its own.
August 4, 2017
If "The story of a former street kid turned PA on the set of a vampire detective show, stumbling once again into supernatural adventures his actual-vampire ex boyfriend took him away from" written by Tanya Huff doesn't convince you to read this book, I will add that this story is full of wonderfully quirky and charming side characters and raise you that Tony has an absolutely adorable crush on the second lead actor of his show, that is actually taken seriously and rest my case.
I will rec this trilogy to everyone and anyone who asks me for recs, because it's so damn enjoyable to read and re-read.
Tony is one of my favorite main characters ever. He is sarcastic, he is caring, he is vulnerable, responsible and he's a complete dork. He loves his "different" family, his friends, old movies and staring at Lee Nicholas in his leather jacket. He wants to become a movie/tv director one day and isn't at all extatic about that whole "saving the world business". In short, he is a joy to read about.
But what would a great main character be without others to interact with? And what an awesome supporting cast this world has! Amy, the receptionist with the gothic touch. The sound technician Zev, the not-straight straight man when everyone else loses their heads. CB, the owner of the studio before whom even supernatural entities quiver. The lead actor, Mason whose hilariously big ego more often than not hides his good heart. Lee, the object of Tony's affection who is probably the better actor of the two and who would like to let you know that he's definitely not a damsel in distress. Plus all the other colorful characters on The Darkest Night (any resemblance to persons living or dead is completely accidental!) set
Which obviously brings us to Tony's ex-boyfriend Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of Henry VIII, actual vampire and the author of romance novels. Anyone who has read Huff's Blood books about Vicky Nelson will already know who he and Tony are, but you absolutely don't have to read them first (I haven't). This story can stand on its own.
Make no mistake, this is a pretty light hearted story with lots of humour and heart warming moments, but there is also something scary about shadows possessing people. As a reader one perfectly understands the urgency Tony feels and his frustration with the one person who could help but refuses to do so for certain reasons. It's an interesting conflict that's leads to a pretty unusual friendship.
As always, Tanya Huff's style is easy to read, full of wit and makes pictures appear in the reader's head.
I will rec this trilogy to everyone and anyone who asks me for recs, because it's so damn enjoyable to read and re-read.
Tony is one of my favorite main characters ever. He is sarcastic, he is caring, he is vulnerable, responsible and he's a complete dork. He loves his "different" family, his friends, old movies and staring at Lee Nicholas in his leather jacket. He wants to become a movie/tv director one day and isn't at all extatic about that whole "saving the world business". In short, he is a joy to read about.
But what would a great main character be without others to interact with? And what an awesome supporting cast this world has! Amy, the receptionist with the gothic touch. The sound technician Zev, the not-straight straight man when everyone else loses their heads. CB, the owner of the studio before whom even supernatural entities quiver. The lead actor, Mason whose hilariously big ego more often than not hides his good heart. Lee, the object of Tony's affection who is probably the better actor of the two and who would like to let you know that he's definitely not a damsel in distress. Plus all the other colorful characters on The Darkest Night (any resemblance to persons living or dead is completely accidental!) set
Which obviously brings us to Tony's ex-boyfriend Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of Henry VIII, actual vampire and the author of romance novels. Anyone who has read Huff's Blood books about Vicky Nelson will already know who he and Tony are, but you absolutely don't have to read them first (I haven't). This story can stand on its own.
Make no mistake, this is a pretty light hearted story with lots of humour and heart warming moments, but there is also something scary about shadows possessing people. As a reader one perfectly understands the urgency Tony feels and his frustration with the one person who could help but refuses to do so for certain reasons. It's an interesting conflict that's leads to a pretty unusual friendship.
As always, Tanya Huff's style is easy to read, full of wit and makes pictures appear in the reader's head.
August 2, 2016
An unusual urban fantasy. Tony works as a production assistant for a third-rate TV serial about a vampire detective. He is young, gay, and fascinated by television. He wants to be a director.
Arra works for the same serial as a special effects wizard. She is middle age, grumpy, and doesn’t like anyone to come down to her basement special effects domain. But when strange shadows started infringing on the show, stranger facts emerge. Arra is really a wizard. She escaped from a murderous sorcerer Shadowlord in another realm, and he is tracking her down to Earth, to our TV set in Vancouver, Canada. He is set on catching and killing her, no matter how many people he will destroy in the process. She is set on escaping again.
Tony stands between them and urges Arra to fight. While she is resisting, he is using every dirty trick in his former street kid arsenal to thwart the Shadowlord but he can’t do it alone. He is not a wizard, he is out of his league, and he knows it. His only hope for everyone’s survival is Arra. If she doesn’t stop running, if she keeps to her cowardly fleeing pattern, the Shadowlord will kill everyone on the set. Perhaps everyone in the city. But until Arra finds her backbone, Tony has no choice but to keep fighting the Shadowlord and his minions, the shadows.
Fast paced and original, this novel was a joyful ride. Its protagonist Tony was a likable guy, compassionate and courageous. And pining for a straight actor on the set. Arra was a believable cowards until the last few pages, when she finally turned around and kicked ass, and I sympathized with her even more than with Tony. The other characters infused the tale with the life-like complications and a gurgling brew of emotions, while the non-standard setting of Vancouver, my hometown, added some piquancy to the story.
Very nice.
Arra works for the same serial as a special effects wizard. She is middle age, grumpy, and doesn’t like anyone to come down to her basement special effects domain. But when strange shadows started infringing on the show, stranger facts emerge. Arra is really a wizard. She escaped from a murderous sorcerer Shadowlord in another realm, and he is tracking her down to Earth, to our TV set in Vancouver, Canada. He is set on catching and killing her, no matter how many people he will destroy in the process. She is set on escaping again.
Tony stands between them and urges Arra to fight. While she is resisting, he is using every dirty trick in his former street kid arsenal to thwart the Shadowlord but he can’t do it alone. He is not a wizard, he is out of his league, and he knows it. His only hope for everyone’s survival is Arra. If she doesn’t stop running, if she keeps to her cowardly fleeing pattern, the Shadowlord will kill everyone on the set. Perhaps everyone in the city. But until Arra finds her backbone, Tony has no choice but to keep fighting the Shadowlord and his minions, the shadows.
Fast paced and original, this novel was a joyful ride. Its protagonist Tony was a likable guy, compassionate and courageous. And pining for a straight actor on the set. Arra was a believable cowards until the last few pages, when she finally turned around and kicked ass, and I sympathized with her even more than with Tony. The other characters infused the tale with the life-like complications and a gurgling brew of emotions, while the non-standard setting of Vancouver, my hometown, added some piquancy to the story.
Very nice.
December 22, 2008
For those of you who are fans of the Vicki Nelson "Blood" series by Tanya Huff, the "Smoke" series is a followup trilogy to that--starring Tony, the former street kid who was Vicki's source and later Henry's companion. It's a solid story, and it's nice to see what happened to Tony and Henry once they moved to Vancouver following the tail end of the Vicki books.
It won't be a surprise to anyone familiar with Huff's writing, but for those of you who aren't, it's also a nice switch to have an urban fantasy star a queer boy. As is Huff's way, she is quite straightforward with Tony's sexuality, and at the same time doesn't really make a big deal of it, either. He has a huge crush on a straight boy, is tentatively flirting with another queer boy in his workplace, and is wrestling with his ongoing connection to Henry--which has persisted in strength even though Tony has moved out into his own place and is trying to establish his own life. Really, he's got all the complications you'd expect of any straight urban fantasy lead character, only he's queer. It's a nice change. ^_^ And unlike with Huff's previous novel with a queer boy in the starring role (The Quartered Sea), I like Tony as a character.
Plot-wise, things are not terribly complicated: Tony, Henry, and a refugee wizard from another world must team up to fight off an incursion of magically animated shadows that have come through a gate between worlds in pursuit of said wizard. Most of the plot is driven by Tony wrestling with establishing his independence from Henry, while Arra, the wizard, wrestles with her conscience and is dragged kicking and screaming into the fight. As part of it all, we get to see the beginnings of intriguing talents on Tony's part which, through the next couple of books, will quite likely help him out with that whole holding his own with Henry thing.
Half a star off for occasional editing errors, but otherwise a good and entertaining read. Three and a half stars.
It won't be a surprise to anyone familiar with Huff's writing, but for those of you who aren't, it's also a nice switch to have an urban fantasy star a queer boy. As is Huff's way, she is quite straightforward with Tony's sexuality, and at the same time doesn't really make a big deal of it, either. He has a huge crush on a straight boy, is tentatively flirting with another queer boy in his workplace, and is wrestling with his ongoing connection to Henry--which has persisted in strength even though Tony has moved out into his own place and is trying to establish his own life. Really, he's got all the complications you'd expect of any straight urban fantasy lead character, only he's queer. It's a nice change. ^_^ And unlike with Huff's previous novel with a queer boy in the starring role (The Quartered Sea), I like Tony as a character.
Plot-wise, things are not terribly complicated: Tony, Henry, and a refugee wizard from another world must team up to fight off an incursion of magically animated shadows that have come through a gate between worlds in pursuit of said wizard. Most of the plot is driven by Tony wrestling with establishing his independence from Henry, while Arra, the wizard, wrestles with her conscience and is dragged kicking and screaming into the fight. As part of it all, we get to see the beginnings of intriguing talents on Tony's part which, through the next couple of books, will quite likely help him out with that whole holding his own with Henry thing.
Half a star off for occasional editing errors, but otherwise a good and entertaining read. Three and a half stars.
Shelved as 'other'
July 26, 2016This had so much promise but the story is boring and slow. I was also very discombobulated with the POV changing from character to character in the middle of dialog or a descriptive paragraph. It was so jarring and confusing I would have to reread the page to figure out where the POV changed. Usually it wasn't even clear. I think remaining with one character's perspective until a section break is as important as punctuation in a book.
I'm also confused about these relationships because two of the characters came from earlier series' but I just don't care enough about anyone in it to stick with it. There is no emotion, no indication of how Tony feels other than when he lusts after someone. In fact, he doesn't react at all at times when logic dictates he should. He feels like a robot; a nice robot, but still a robot.
Then there's the fact that there isn't even a hint of romance. Even UF books with male protagonists written by male authors usually have even a little romance: the character misses/avenges/is hurt by an old flame; he finds a woman attractive but doesn't connect and that leaves him wanting; he is lonely. Things like that.
I really wanted to like this series but I'm so bored.
I'm also confused about these relationships because two of the characters came from earlier series' but I just don't care enough about anyone in it to stick with it. There is no emotion, no indication of how Tony feels other than when he lusts after someone. In fact, he doesn't react at all at times when logic dictates he should. He feels like a robot; a nice robot, but still a robot.
Then there's the fact that there isn't even a hint of romance. Even UF books with male protagonists written by male authors usually have even a little romance: the character misses/avenges/is hurt by an old flame; he finds a woman attractive but doesn't connect and that leaves him wanting; he is lonely. Things like that.
I really wanted to like this series but I'm so bored.
June 4, 2007
This book is the first in the series that spins off her Blood series. It takes Tony, a relatively minor character from before and turns him into the main. Though you don't have to read the other series to understand this one, this book does spoil how the other one ends.
The story is light compared to much fiction, especially compared to the series it spun off of, its tone has a feel that you'd recognize if you read a lot of fanfiction. But that doesn't detract. It has humor and wryness and a sense of Huff's own fangirl nature seeps through in the varying in jokes about the Vancouver production scene.
The plot alone isn't original, but the take on it, her spin is. It kept me intrigued through Tony's journey even if it wasn't EXACTLY new.
As a side note, Tony is a well rounded, gay character and you don't see many of those around. Or maybe I just haven't read enough.
The story is light compared to much fiction, especially compared to the series it spun off of, its tone has a feel that you'd recognize if you read a lot of fanfiction. But that doesn't detract. It has humor and wryness and a sense of Huff's own fangirl nature seeps through in the varying in jokes about the Vancouver production scene.
The plot alone isn't original, but the take on it, her spin is. It kept me intrigued through Tony's journey even if it wasn't EXACTLY new.
As a side note, Tony is a well rounded, gay character and you don't see many of those around. Or maybe I just haven't read enough.
July 27, 2024
Rep: gay mcs
October 16, 2012
I find Tanya Huff a mixed bag. I liked all the Vicki Nelson books (even if some of the themes did get a bit disturbing by the time we got to Huff's riff on Frankenstein's monster) and the first Keeper book. I found the second in that series so-so and never finished the third. Most of her others haven't done anything special for me, although I did like her early pair of books about Crystal. All of this meant I ordered Smoke and Shadows when it came out, but didn't rush to read it.
This is sort of a spin-off from the Vicki Nelson books in that it is about Tony, who moved to Vancouver with Henry after he moved on to leave the Toronto territory to Vicki. It's five years later now and Tony has moved out of Henry's place and is trying to make his own space in the world. He's working as a PA on the set of a syndicated TV show about - wait for it - a vampire detective. Tony was only a minor character in Vicki's books, but I liked him when we turned up and it is nice to see him finding himself now. The scars of his past haven't vanished, but he's dealt with a lot of them and the things he learned on the Toronto streets and in company of first Vicki and then Henry are going to help him out as he finds himself having his own mystical adventures.
Ignore the blurb above; since the wizard in question is a she rather than a he and Tony is a pretty low-level member of the production crew, I wonder if the person who wrote it even read the book. Henry is less of a presence here; he's a main character, but he's playing second fiddle to Tony - something he probably wouldn't appreciate if he knew about it. The secondary characters are all well drawn, although some are more fleshed out that others. The wizard, Arra, is a nicely motivated character even if those motives are less than pure and the more realistic for it.
This was a good, solid and enjoyable read. It was nice to see familiar character again, and better that their previous adventures had changed them enough that they were also new characters at the same time. There are a few pop-culture references that readers may or may not get (I did like Tony's comment that with everything that was happening and likely to happen, he had a lot more sympathy now with Buffy the Vampire Slayer's season six version of Buffy Summers) but they don't overwhelm the story enough to be annoying. This was part of my summer reading and it has been perfect for that. While there are references back to the Vicki books, you don't need to have read them (although they are worth the time), so get out and give this one a go.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 17 October 2012]
This is sort of a spin-off from the Vicki Nelson books in that it is about Tony, who moved to Vancouver with Henry after he moved on to leave the Toronto territory to Vicki. It's five years later now and Tony has moved out of Henry's place and is trying to make his own space in the world. He's working as a PA on the set of a syndicated TV show about - wait for it - a vampire detective. Tony was only a minor character in Vicki's books, but I liked him when we turned up and it is nice to see him finding himself now. The scars of his past haven't vanished, but he's dealt with a lot of them and the things he learned on the Toronto streets and in company of first Vicki and then Henry are going to help him out as he finds himself having his own mystical adventures.
Ignore the blurb above; since the wizard in question is a she rather than a he and Tony is a pretty low-level member of the production crew, I wonder if the person who wrote it even read the book. Henry is less of a presence here; he's a main character, but he's playing second fiddle to Tony - something he probably wouldn't appreciate if he knew about it. The secondary characters are all well drawn, although some are more fleshed out that others. The wizard, Arra, is a nicely motivated character even if those motives are less than pure and the more realistic for it.
This was a good, solid and enjoyable read. It was nice to see familiar character again, and better that their previous adventures had changed them enough that they were also new characters at the same time. There are a few pop-culture references that readers may or may not get (I did like Tony's comment that with everything that was happening and likely to happen, he had a lot more sympathy now with Buffy the Vampire Slayer's season six version of Buffy Summers) but they don't overwhelm the story enough to be annoying. This was part of my summer reading and it has been perfect for that. While there are references back to the Vicki books, you don't need to have read them (although they are worth the time), so get out and give this one a go.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 17 October 2012]
August 11, 2014
Trilogy about a gay production assistant on a, by all appearances quite terrible, Canadian vampire detective show.
Hey, check it out, these are books I actually finished!
So, I could just say 'too much boyfriend: not enough production assistanting,' and leave it at that. But actually I don't think that really gets at the problem.
These are quirky, well-intentioned, fun little books about a former street hustler turned PA turned wizard. I remember people talking excitedly about them ten years ago, the way we did when we had so little commercial LGBT fiction to read, let alone genre fiction. But the thing is, even if I hadn't checked the copyright dates, I could have accurately dated these books by the shape of the romance.
See, this is one of those 'gay guy falls for beautiful unattainable straight guy' stories, except oh wait maybe he's not so straight � oh wait he totally is � touch me � touch me not, where the allegedly straight dude plays mind games and is generally an all-around dick, but hey it's cool guys, finding out you like guys is really hard okay. And you just don't see that much in LGBT fiction anymore. At least not played for romance, as it is here.
I'm tempted to make some sweeping statements about cultural esthetics of queerness, and how allegedly straight dude's convulsions and reversals and spewings of internalized homophobia are actually a larger commentary on the place of queerness in the general psyche, or in genre fiction. And I think that's pointed in the right direction, though it's painting with too broad strokes. I mean, there's a reason the esthetics of queer romance shift over time � when's the last time you read an actual we're not gay we just love each other story written in 2014? But that was, like, the narrative of the 90's � the trappings of queerness without ever having to use the word. The shifts over time reflect the cultural reckoning that a lot of straight writers were doing with queerness, and it's not as if queer writers like Huff are immune to the tides.
Anyway, my point being that the particular esthetic of queer romance in these books is pretty uncomfortable to read now. It was better when I flipped gears to read as historical document, but still. Yikes.
Hey, check it out, these are books I actually finished!
So, I could just say 'too much boyfriend: not enough production assistanting,' and leave it at that. But actually I don't think that really gets at the problem.
These are quirky, well-intentioned, fun little books about a former street hustler turned PA turned wizard. I remember people talking excitedly about them ten years ago, the way we did when we had so little commercial LGBT fiction to read, let alone genre fiction. But the thing is, even if I hadn't checked the copyright dates, I could have accurately dated these books by the shape of the romance.
See, this is one of those 'gay guy falls for beautiful unattainable straight guy' stories, except oh wait maybe he's not so straight � oh wait he totally is � touch me � touch me not, where the allegedly straight dude plays mind games and is generally an all-around dick, but hey it's cool guys, finding out you like guys is really hard okay. And you just don't see that much in LGBT fiction anymore. At least not played for romance, as it is here.
I'm tempted to make some sweeping statements about cultural esthetics of queerness, and how allegedly straight dude's convulsions and reversals and spewings of internalized homophobia are actually a larger commentary on the place of queerness in the general psyche, or in genre fiction. And I think that's pointed in the right direction, though it's painting with too broad strokes. I mean, there's a reason the esthetics of queer romance shift over time � when's the last time you read an actual we're not gay we just love each other story written in 2014? But that was, like, the narrative of the 90's � the trappings of queerness without ever having to use the word. The shifts over time reflect the cultural reckoning that a lot of straight writers were doing with queerness, and it's not as if queer writers like Huff are immune to the tides.
Anyway, my point being that the particular esthetic of queer romance in these books is pretty uncomfortable to read now. It was better when I flipped gears to read as historical document, but still. Yikes.
July 5, 2009
Supernatural/Mystery. So Tony (ex-street kid!) and Henry (bastard son of Henry VIII! once Duke of Richmond and Somerset! Vampire! Prince of Man!) move to Vancouver and fight crime. Or extraworldly darkness, whatever. Tony's working as a production assistant on a television show about a vampire detective and his human sidekick (hm, sounds familiar), and suddenly things get creepy. The shadows don't want to stay put.
Tony's a much different narrator than Vicki. He's more playful, makes pop culture references, and, for all his ex-street kid toughness, sounds like a kid a lot of the time. I like his confidence and how easily he lies. It's a nice change after Vicki's inflexibility.
The book itself is a little uneven. The plot lurches forward in a series of small battles rather than a steady ramping up of tension, but once it's clear what Tony's objectives are, things get more exciting. I liked Arra and Zev. Zev is such a cutie! Too bad Tony has a super huge crush on Lee, who is supposed to be straight. There's not much slashiness here (except for Henry and Tony, who have broken up, sort of), but I expect that'll change.
Three stars. It's slow in parts, but Huff avoids some of her earlier mistakes, like letting the bad guy tell us all about his evil plan and spoil the surprise.
Tony's a much different narrator than Vicki. He's more playful, makes pop culture references, and, for all his ex-street kid toughness, sounds like a kid a lot of the time. I like his confidence and how easily he lies. It's a nice change after Vicki's inflexibility.
The book itself is a little uneven. The plot lurches forward in a series of small battles rather than a steady ramping up of tension, but once it's clear what Tony's objectives are, things get more exciting. I liked Arra and Zev. Zev is such a cutie! Too bad Tony has a super huge crush on Lee, who is supposed to be straight. There's not much slashiness here (except for Henry and Tony, who have broken up, sort of), but I expect that'll change.
Three stars. It's slow in parts, but Huff avoids some of her earlier mistakes, like letting the bad guy tell us all about his evil plan and spoil the surprise.
May 7, 2021
I love Tony a lot. <3
I have no clue about the series of which this is a spin off of and, except for a few things, that didn't matter. The major stuff got explained and the little things are things that probably make you go Yes! and Right! when you know the other series but didn't impact my reading enjoyed too much. Except - now I have to hunt down the book in which Tony and Henry first meet because woha.
I love Tony and his inner monologue and his realization that he is the hero who has to save the world. XD I love that a certain power imbalance has been addressed and everyone knows that it's not quite okay but that in this case there is no way around it because there is a Vampire involved.
I like the "Who is the Shadow" part a lot and Tony trying to figure it all out and getting Arra to help him save the world.
I also love the little jabs of doing a TV show with a Vampire detective because from what I've gathered? The main series is about a detective and a Vampire solving (supernatural) crimes and got made into a TV show? XD
So, yeah, like this one and am looking forward to reading the next book.
I have no clue about the series of which this is a spin off of and, except for a few things, that didn't matter. The major stuff got explained and the little things are things that probably make you go Yes! and Right! when you know the other series but didn't impact my reading enjoyed too much. Except - now I have to hunt down the book in which Tony and Henry first meet because woha.
I love Tony and his inner monologue and his realization that he is the hero who has to save the world. XD I love that a certain power imbalance has been addressed and everyone knows that it's not quite okay but that in this case there is no way around it because there is a Vampire involved.
I like the "Who is the Shadow" part a lot and Tony trying to figure it all out and getting Arra to help him save the world.
I also love the little jabs of doing a TV show with a Vampire detective because from what I've gathered? The main series is about a detective and a Vampire solving (supernatural) crimes and got made into a TV show? XD
So, yeah, like this one and am looking forward to reading the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2018
Die Übersetzung einer meiner absoluten Lieblings-Trilogien.
Mein Original Review auf Englisch findet ihr hier.
Ich würde sagen dies ist eine recht gute Übersetzung, die man problemlos und flüssig lesen kann, auch wenn manche Witze holpriger rüberkommen und einige Szenen flacher fallen, als im Original (weswegen ich hier auch einen Stern weniger gegeben habe).
Tony Foster arbeitet am Set einer Serie in Vancouver. An sich nichts ungewöhnliches, denn die Kamerateams stapeln sich quasi in dieser Stadt. Es ist allerdings keine ganz gewöhnliche Serie: Ein Vampir und sein menschlicher Partner lösen Verbrechen. Jeder der weiß worum es in Tanya Huffs Vicky Nelson Büchern ging, wird jetzt schon schmunzeln. Allerdings kann man diese Trilogie auch bedenkenlos ohne Vorkenntnisse lesen.
Lange Story kurz: Es gibt mehr als einen Vampir in Tonys Leben. Einer von ihnen ist sein Ex, der jetzt ebenfalls in der Nachbarschaft wohnt.
Natürlich lassen da die übernatürlichen Vorkommnisse nicht lange auf sich warten. So viel zu einem normalen Leben, in dem die größte Sorge seine Schwärmerei für einen der beiden Schauspieler ist.
Diese Trilogie ist voller charmanter Charaktere die man einfach gern haben muss und Tanya Huff versteht es eine gute Geschichte zu erzählen.
Mein Original Review auf Englisch findet ihr hier.
Ich würde sagen dies ist eine recht gute Übersetzung, die man problemlos und flüssig lesen kann, auch wenn manche Witze holpriger rüberkommen und einige Szenen flacher fallen, als im Original (weswegen ich hier auch einen Stern weniger gegeben habe).
Tony Foster arbeitet am Set einer Serie in Vancouver. An sich nichts ungewöhnliches, denn die Kamerateams stapeln sich quasi in dieser Stadt. Es ist allerdings keine ganz gewöhnliche Serie: Ein Vampir und sein menschlicher Partner lösen Verbrechen. Jeder der weiß worum es in Tanya Huffs Vicky Nelson Büchern ging, wird jetzt schon schmunzeln. Allerdings kann man diese Trilogie auch bedenkenlos ohne Vorkenntnisse lesen.
Lange Story kurz: Es gibt mehr als einen Vampir in Tonys Leben. Einer von ihnen ist sein Ex, der jetzt ebenfalls in der Nachbarschaft wohnt.
Natürlich lassen da die übernatürlichen Vorkommnisse nicht lange auf sich warten. So viel zu einem normalen Leben, in dem die größte Sorge seine Schwärmerei für einen der beiden Schauspieler ist.
Diese Trilogie ist voller charmanter Charaktere die man einfach gern haben muss und Tanya Huff versteht es eine gute Geschichte zu erzählen.
April 8, 2018
My original review of the novel
The Tony Foster trilogy is one of my absolute favorites on my shelf, so I was super thrilled to find out that there are audiobooks. That usually doesn't happen to my older favorites barely anyone talks about anymore.
So of course I loved the story. Brian Sutherland is a competent narrator, too. Still, I substracted a star because while it definitely is enjoyable to listen to this, I thought that there was something... lacking. I've listened to audiobooks where the narrator elevates the story and makes the characters' voices their own. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes they just sounded so flat?
Still, I'll definitely listen to this again.
The Tony Foster trilogy is one of my absolute favorites on my shelf, so I was super thrilled to find out that there are audiobooks. That usually doesn't happen to my older favorites barely anyone talks about anymore.
So of course I loved the story. Brian Sutherland is a competent narrator, too. Still, I substracted a star because while it definitely is enjoyable to listen to this, I thought that there was something... lacking. I've listened to audiobooks where the narrator elevates the story and makes the characters' voices their own. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes they just sounded so flat?
Still, I'll definitely listen to this again.
May 15, 2022
Book club pick for May 2022
Surprisingly good! I didn’t know this was a spin off series when we picked it for book club, and I think the author could have done a better job summarizing/bringing new readers up to date. But! It was queer, it did some cool things around complicated dating/relationships (but does not have a romance!), and the teases of a wider magical world are intriguing. I’m strongly considering continuing/reading the first series.
Note to self: this book wrapped itself up so well I have no idea where the rest of this series is going. Arra comes back? Tony learns wizardry? Gets a date with Lee? Idk.
Surprisingly good! I didn’t know this was a spin off series when we picked it for book club, and I think the author could have done a better job summarizing/bringing new readers up to date. But! It was queer, it did some cool things around complicated dating/relationships (but does not have a romance!), and the teases of a wider magical world are intriguing. I’m strongly considering continuing/reading the first series.
Note to self: this book wrapped itself up so well I have no idea where the rest of this series is going. Arra comes back? Tony learns wizardry? Gets a date with Lee? Idk.
May 1, 2020
Barely decipherable.
By trying to represent the chaos apparently inherent to a tv show set, the writer only succeeds in confusing the reader and you have to bull through inept dialog to read the book. I only forced myself because kind of liked Tony and wanted to enjoy him becoming the main character
By trying to represent the chaos apparently inherent to a tv show set, the writer only succeeds in confusing the reader and you have to bull through inept dialog to read the book. I only forced myself because kind of liked Tony and wanted to enjoy him becoming the main character
September 8, 2017
I tried the Blood Ties series when I was a teenager. I managed two books and decided Tanya Huff was not my author. My experience with this particular book was better. I still think the writing is kind of clumsy and the plot drags a bit, but Tony is a relatable and entertaining character, and I enjoyed his teamwork with Arra. Overall, a quick light popcorn read. I'll probably read the other books in the series too, eventually.
July 11, 2013
Tony Foster chtěl zapomenout, že existuje nějaký jiný svět než ten, který je znám obyčejným lidem. Potom, co opustil svého patrona - starobylého upíra, který ho odvedl z ulice, vzal pod svá křídla a pozval do domu, srdce i do postele -, chce začít budovat kariíru u filmu. Když se však objeví Stíny, zdá se, že klidný život, který si naplánoval je jen zoufalým přáním. Všechno ve filmovém studiu jde od desetí pěti od chvíle, co se najde tělo mrtvé herečky...
Teď však Tony začíná nový život ve filmovém studiu, které se zdá jako jeho splněný sen. ¨Tony má za sebou krušné chvíle z dob, kdy byl stěží dospělý. Teď chce chce začít od znova, a snaží se být nepostradatelným, což se mu do velké míry daří. Zná každého člena štábu a práce ho baví - jediné, co ho trápí je neopětovaná láska k fešáckému herci Lee Nicholasovi, ale nic není dokonalé.
Vše se změní ve chvíli, kdy to ve studiu začne jít od desíti k pěti. A začne to hezky zostra smrtí herečky. Navíc má Tony pocit, že vidí stíny... stíny, které ho pronásledují, jakoby si žili svým vlastním životem a objevují se na místech, kde vážně nemají co dělat.
Každý někdy vidí stíny tam, kde nemají co dělat. Především v potemnělém filmovém studiu, kde se natáčí krvaví seriál Nejtemnější noc s hlavním hrdinou, kvůli kterému nejen ženám vlhnou kalhotky. Každý jiný by to nechal být, jenže většina lidí nemá s nadpřirozenem takové zkušenosti jako právě Tony, který ví, že nic není tak, jak se zdá...
Kouř a stíny představují první díl trilogie, která je spin-off sérií k autorčině dokončené sáze: Krevní pouta. Bohužel jsem udělala tu chybu, že jsem si nepřečetla, že se jedná o spin-off sérii, a tak vám nemůžu podat přesné hodnocení předchozí série nebo říct, jak moc spolu knihy navzájem souvisí. Pochopila jsem však, že Tony byl jednou z vedlejších postav "Krevních pout" a jeho příběh je sám o sobě unikátní. Bez předchozí znalosti první série jsem se v ději bez problémů vyznala...
Zajímavé na téhle upíří sáze (nebo tedy přímo této spin-off sérii, protože první hrdinkou byla vyšetřovatelka) je bezkonkurenčně mužský hrdina. A co víc, Tony je zakoukaný do jednoho z herců ze štábu. Kniha je tedy automaticky (jak už to u slashe bývá) zaměřována spíš na dámské publikum, i když neříkám, že by nemohla zaujmout i pány... primárně červená knihovna to zdaleka není, tady se jedná o čistokrevnou urban fantasy.
Ze začátku jsem měla velký problém se začíst - ne snand proto, že by postavy byly nesympatické nebo příběh nezajímavý, ale zdá se mi, že děj má až příliš pomalý nástup - především s ohledem na to, že i zápletka se odvíjí velice pozvolna a jaksi zapomíná gradovat tam, kde by gradovat měla.
Na druhou stranu je mi Tonyho přístup velice sympatický. Je to mladý muž, který (hádejme v první sérii) býval ustrašený kluk žijící na ulici, jehož jediným zájmem bylo vyhýbat se střetům s policií (a nadpřirozenem). Potom, co si ho pod křídla vzal starobylý majetnický upír se Tony začal měnit a teď, když už se - alespoň zdánlivě - dostal z vlivu svého patrona, je připraven nastartovat kariéru a ví, co od života chce. Narozdíl od většiny hrdinů novodobých urban fantasy (jakou jsou Anita Blake či Mercedes Thompson) se však nikdy nežene do nebezpečí a jeho život je mu milejší, než hrdinské kousky. A v tom má pro mě jedno velké nepřehlédnutelné plus, protože se stává mnohem lidštějším.
Kniha představuje vcelku rozsáhlý román, který neslupnete na dva nádechy, ale zároveň není nijak složitá na pochopení, abyste museli číst pomalu a postupně si v hlavě skládat informace. Děj je plynulý, sloh velice čtivý a všechno je, jak má být, problém však je, že to ne vždycky stačí a zdá se mi, že se autorka někdy až příliš loudá, než se konečně dostane k tomu, co čtenář už nějakou dobu tuší...
S ohledem na to, co se dá na pultech našich knihkupectví v dnešní době najít s nálepkou bestseller však "Kouř a Stíny" vážně stojí za přečtení. Já si ovšem, než začnu číst pokračování, seženu Krevní pouta, která mě díky téhle knize začala vážně zajímat.
á첹:
Tony se je snažil ignorovat, říkal si, že jsou jen výplodem jeho fantazie - dokud jednoho dne nenašel tělo Nikky Waughové a nepocítil dotek stínu.
Ale když se stín rozhodl ovládnout Leeho a když se z nepochopitelných důvodů při natáčení automobilové nehody málem zabil jejich kaskadér, Tony už to déle přehlížet nemohl. Musel zjistit, co ohrožuje lidi, kteří se na natáčení "Nejtemnější noci" podílejí. A k tomu samozřejmě potřeboval Henryho pomoc.
Netrvalo dlouho a stopa ho zavedla k čarodějce mající u CB Productions na starosti speciální efekty, Aře Pelindrakové, která mu poskytla děsivé vysvětlení, jež mohl přijmout pouze mladík s tak neobvyklými zkušenostmi, jakým byl Tony. Ale vědomí toho, čemu čelil, tvořilo jen polovinu bitvy - skutečná výzva spočívala v tom, jak přežít něco, co přežít nelze, a jak porazit neporazitelné!
Teď však Tony začíná nový život ve filmovém studiu, které se zdá jako jeho splněný sen. ¨Tony má za sebou krušné chvíle z dob, kdy byl stěží dospělý. Teď chce chce začít od znova, a snaží se být nepostradatelným, což se mu do velké míry daří. Zná každého člena štábu a práce ho baví - jediné, co ho trápí je neopětovaná láska k fešáckému herci Lee Nicholasovi, ale nic není dokonalé.
Vše se změní ve chvíli, kdy to ve studiu začne jít od desíti k pěti. A začne to hezky zostra smrtí herečky. Navíc má Tony pocit, že vidí stíny... stíny, které ho pronásledují, jakoby si žili svým vlastním životem a objevují se na místech, kde vážně nemají co dělat.
Každý někdy vidí stíny tam, kde nemají co dělat. Především v potemnělém filmovém studiu, kde se natáčí krvaví seriál Nejtemnější noc s hlavním hrdinou, kvůli kterému nejen ženám vlhnou kalhotky. Každý jiný by to nechal být, jenže většina lidí nemá s nadpřirozenem takové zkušenosti jako právě Tony, který ví, že nic není tak, jak se zdá...
Kouř a stíny představují první díl trilogie, která je spin-off sérií k autorčině dokončené sáze: Krevní pouta. Bohužel jsem udělala tu chybu, že jsem si nepřečetla, že se jedná o spin-off sérii, a tak vám nemůžu podat přesné hodnocení předchozí série nebo říct, jak moc spolu knihy navzájem souvisí. Pochopila jsem však, že Tony byl jednou z vedlejších postav "Krevních pout" a jeho příběh je sám o sobě unikátní. Bez předchozí znalosti první série jsem se v ději bez problémů vyznala...
Zajímavé na téhle upíří sáze (nebo tedy přímo této spin-off sérii, protože první hrdinkou byla vyšetřovatelka) je bezkonkurenčně mužský hrdina. A co víc, Tony je zakoukaný do jednoho z herců ze štábu. Kniha je tedy automaticky (jak už to u slashe bývá) zaměřována spíš na dámské publikum, i když neříkám, že by nemohla zaujmout i pány... primárně červená knihovna to zdaleka není, tady se jedná o čistokrevnou urban fantasy.
Ze začátku jsem měla velký problém se začíst - ne snand proto, že by postavy byly nesympatické nebo příběh nezajímavý, ale zdá se mi, že děj má až příliš pomalý nástup - především s ohledem na to, že i zápletka se odvíjí velice pozvolna a jaksi zapomíná gradovat tam, kde by gradovat měla.
Na druhou stranu je mi Tonyho přístup velice sympatický. Je to mladý muž, který (hádejme v první sérii) býval ustrašený kluk žijící na ulici, jehož jediným zájmem bylo vyhýbat se střetům s policií (a nadpřirozenem). Potom, co si ho pod křídla vzal starobylý majetnický upír se Tony začal měnit a teď, když už se - alespoň zdánlivě - dostal z vlivu svého patrona, je připraven nastartovat kariéru a ví, co od života chce. Narozdíl od většiny hrdinů novodobých urban fantasy (jakou jsou Anita Blake či Mercedes Thompson) se však nikdy nežene do nebezpečí a jeho život je mu milejší, než hrdinské kousky. A v tom má pro mě jedno velké nepřehlédnutelné plus, protože se stává mnohem lidštějším.
Kniha představuje vcelku rozsáhlý román, který neslupnete na dva nádechy, ale zároveň není nijak složitá na pochopení, abyste museli číst pomalu a postupně si v hlavě skládat informace. Děj je plynulý, sloh velice čtivý a všechno je, jak má být, problém však je, že to ne vždycky stačí a zdá se mi, že se autorka někdy až příliš loudá, než se konečně dostane k tomu, co čtenář už nějakou dobu tuší...
S ohledem na to, co se dá na pultech našich knihkupectví v dnešní době najít s nálepkou bestseller však "Kouř a Stíny" vážně stojí za přečtení. Já si ovšem, než začnu číst pokračování, seženu Krevní pouta, která mě díky téhle knize začala vážně zajímat.
á첹:
Tony se je snažil ignorovat, říkal si, že jsou jen výplodem jeho fantazie - dokud jednoho dne nenašel tělo Nikky Waughové a nepocítil dotek stínu.
Ale když se stín rozhodl ovládnout Leeho a když se z nepochopitelných důvodů při natáčení automobilové nehody málem zabil jejich kaskadér, Tony už to déle přehlížet nemohl. Musel zjistit, co ohrožuje lidi, kteří se na natáčení "Nejtemnější noci" podílejí. A k tomu samozřejmě potřeboval Henryho pomoc.
Netrvalo dlouho a stopa ho zavedla k čarodějce mající u CB Productions na starosti speciální efekty, Aře Pelindrakové, která mu poskytla děsivé vysvětlení, jež mohl přijmout pouze mladík s tak neobvyklými zkušenostmi, jakým byl Tony. Ale vědomí toho, čemu čelil, tvořilo jen polovinu bitvy - skutečná výzva spočívala v tom, jak přežít něco, co přežít nelze, a jak porazit neporazitelné!
December 23, 2017
My review of this book disappeared and I can't remember exactly what I said about it. It was a fairly enjoyable read, a spin off from Tanya Huff's 'Blood' series. I like the characters, especially Henry and I would read the other two books in the series, but I wouldn't do looking for them.
September 30, 2008
Normally I like books that involve even one of these three things: vampires, Vancouver, or the gays. Smoke and Shadows has all three! Unfortunately, the book was missing the key fourth ingredient: talent.
The references to Vancouver were heavy-handed but mildly enjoyable, if sometimes inaccurate. The gay content was enjoyably subtle in some parts (it's not treated as an "issue"), but terribly stereotypical in others. I got the impression that Tanya Huff was a straight woman who hated gay men and imagined them all to be sassy, intuitive narcissists, and was surprised to hear that she is actually a member of the queer community.
Some enjoy Huff's cheekiness, and indeed she is a funny lady. I rather enjoyed an autobiographical blurb I read of hers; however, in Smoke and Shadows she seems to be trying too hard. In one paragraph lead character Tony will be panicking about murder and the possible end of the world, and in the next he is making "clever" remarks about gay men and small dogs.
Similarly unskilled passages include Tony's complaints about how cliché something happening in the book is, which only serves to draw attention to Huff's lack of creativity and does not actually excuse the abundance of absolutely trite plot twists that form the bulk of this disastrous book. Huff's characters also repeatedly criticize television as an artless medium, which is downright silly considering the artistic merits of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a brilliant series to which the vampire/fantasy genre owes much of its intellectual and artistic credibility.
Ultimately, I think Tanya Huff could benefit from a writer's class or three. There were some interesting ideas in Smoke and Shadows, but the book read like beginner's fanfic.
The references to Vancouver were heavy-handed but mildly enjoyable, if sometimes inaccurate. The gay content was enjoyably subtle in some parts (it's not treated as an "issue"), but terribly stereotypical in others. I got the impression that Tanya Huff was a straight woman who hated gay men and imagined them all to be sassy, intuitive narcissists, and was surprised to hear that she is actually a member of the queer community.
Some enjoy Huff's cheekiness, and indeed she is a funny lady. I rather enjoyed an autobiographical blurb I read of hers; however, in Smoke and Shadows she seems to be trying too hard. In one paragraph lead character Tony will be panicking about murder and the possible end of the world, and in the next he is making "clever" remarks about gay men and small dogs.
Similarly unskilled passages include Tony's complaints about how cliché something happening in the book is, which only serves to draw attention to Huff's lack of creativity and does not actually excuse the abundance of absolutely trite plot twists that form the bulk of this disastrous book. Huff's characters also repeatedly criticize television as an artless medium, which is downright silly considering the artistic merits of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a brilliant series to which the vampire/fantasy genre owes much of its intellectual and artistic credibility.
Ultimately, I think Tanya Huff could benefit from a writer's class or three. There were some interesting ideas in Smoke and Shadows, but the book read like beginner's fanfic.
January 24, 2011
I wanted to like this book about a man who has to save the Earth from magical evil invasion while keeping his day job as a television production assistant but it was really hard. Perhaps because it just seemed so stilted that he had to fight evil twice a day and still pretend everything was normal. Maybe because he spent a ridiculous amount of time repeating himself over and over again to the woman who had the power to fight the evil, but insisted she was done with the whole fighting evil thing and refused to be responsible for her actions. I think it was the repetition. The same things seemed to happen over and over with no one really getting a clue and everything just getting worse and poor Tony expected to solve the whole thing on his own and nearly killing himself ten times over in the process. It just didn't seem to grow as a plot...despite the great detail of a tightwad run production company's daily workings.
September 16, 2013
Xrated. Tony, rescued from Toronto streets by vampire Henry Fitzroy, works Vancouver TV set for vampire cop show. Boring tech jargon details intersperse with shadows not behacing like normal shadows. Finally actress dies alone in trailer -- from fright?
Naturally consult basement wizard of special effects middling-aged Arra, who confesses she is truly a wizard from another world destroyed by the Shadowlord. His minions followed her through a gate, and possess show star Lee Nicholson. The heterosexual makes a pass at homosexual Tony asking for information, who gets lover Henry to pressure unwilling Arra for help.
Yawn for people, plot, slow buildup. Almost half-through, that's all that's happened? Give up. Skip to last page.
Naturally consult basement wizard of special effects middling-aged Arra, who confesses she is truly a wizard from another world destroyed by the Shadowlord. His minions followed her through a gate, and possess show star Lee Nicholson. The heterosexual makes a pass at homosexual Tony asking for information, who gets lover Henry to pressure unwilling Arra for help.
Yawn for people, plot, slow buildup. Almost half-through, that's all that's happened? Give up. Skip to last page.
January 20, 2014
Oh, this was fun! I do so love Henry Fitzroy and have since the first moment we met him, oh, five books or so ago, but Tony has always held a special place in my heart as well.
I'd say they grow up so fast but Tony was eighteen pushing fifty when we met him. Now, with a chance of a life of his own, a career and burgenoing magical powers...well, Tanya Huff's dark humor and wonderfully painted characters are what keep me coming back again and again.
I'd say they grow up so fast but Tony was eighteen pushing fifty when we met him. Now, with a chance of a life of his own, a career and burgenoing magical powers...well, Tanya Huff's dark humor and wonderfully painted characters are what keep me coming back again and again.
August 30, 2007
This is a spinoff of the Blood Ties series, which I never read. Tony, a former hustler who had a relationship with the vampire Henry Fitzroy (yes, the illegitimite child of Henry VIII) has struck out on his own and is now working on a tv show about a vampire detective. Evil hijinks ensue. The characters and dialogue are clunky and the jokes are far from clever, but it's readable.
March 25, 2009
Tony from the Blood Books is now on his own, or as much as Henry will let him, and actually working on the set of a vampire detective show. Yes, he appreciates the irony. Working as the show's PA, he finds himself dealing not only with egotistical actors but unexplained deaths and nosy detectives. Loved this book, witty humor and Tony is just a great character.
September 9, 2014
I got it from the library and read it in one sitting. Oops.
May 23, 2015
Tony's further adventures with Henry were a fun way to stay in the vampire world Huff created. :)
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