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Stormwalker #2
Firewalker
Janet Begay's Crossroads Hotel has attracted the supernatural from the day it opened. Witches, Changers, and a mouthy magic mirror have decided to make it their home. But a new, dark power is rising—this time inside Janet herself.
Her boyfriend, Mick, a sexy dragon shape-shifter the Navajo call a Firewalker, knows what terrifying magic is threatening to overwhelm Janet and her Stormwalker powers. He watches over her, ready to fight for her, to do anything to keep her safe.
But then a mysterious corpse is found near the Crossroads Hotel—and Janet becomes Sheriff Nash Jones' main suspect. Trouble is, even she can't be sure she didn't do it. Now Janet and Mick must uncover what really happened, and their investigation leads to the most perilous decision of their lives: Mick must choose between protecting his own people or guarding Janet, the woman he loves, from the many forces amassing against her.
Her boyfriend, Mick, a sexy dragon shape-shifter the Navajo call a Firewalker, knows what terrifying magic is threatening to overwhelm Janet and her Stormwalker powers. He watches over her, ready to fight for her, to do anything to keep her safe.
But then a mysterious corpse is found near the Crossroads Hotel—and Janet becomes Sheriff Nash Jones' main suspect. Trouble is, even she can't be sure she didn't do it. Now Janet and Mick must uncover what really happened, and their investigation leads to the most perilous decision of their lives: Mick must choose between protecting his own people or guarding Janet, the woman he loves, from the many forces amassing against her.
329 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 2, 2010
76 people are currently reading
2041 people want to read
About the author
Allyson James
50books1,332followersAllyson James writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and erotic romance (paranormal and futuristic). She is a nationally bestselling author, a multiple RITA nominee, an RT Award winner, and a Prism winner. She also writes romance (paranormal and historical) as Jennifer Ashley. See Allyson's website for current and upcoming books. See also Allyson's GoodReads bookshelves for all books under all pseudonyms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
January 13, 2011
Firewalker was more of the same, and I mean that in a good way. Once again, we have the characters, action, and good times. ;)
I keep trying to articulate my impressions of this series in discussion threads and failing. James' humor isn't typical urban fantasy-grade. You know the sort, clever run-on sentences in dialogue that could only come from a writer's pen, never out of the mouths of real men and women -because, if nothing else, they would run out of oxygen.
James' humor is normal. Her characters rarely spout unnatural dialogue for humor or expository value (okay, occasionally the latter). They return the same comebacks you would, if you didn't have time to formulate something witty and long-winded. She drops casual jokes in narration, funny but casual enough for the reader to mark only subconsciously.
Her characters are normal too, and her secondary characters have lives too. That's a nice change. Janet's simple, down-to-earth insights on people's motivations say a lot, even if the book doesn't aspire to philosophical heights. The author's grounded, and so is the book. Also, major props for the multicultural cast and mostly realistic relations (Mick's "Navajo girl" epithet for Janet in flagrante probably should have been edited out). +1000 points.
I loved seeing more about dragons. <3 The tattooed mafia! James has churned different ingredients to produce a neat dragon mythos. I hope to learn more about them in the next book. Maybe Colby or Drake even get their own romance. I really like reading about the secondary characters' lives and times. :o
I didn't really think Janet was as extraordinary as Mick did, and from the excerpt, I'm thinking the author will have a little bit of trouble following her own rules where Janet's magic is concerned, but I'll read Shadowwalker anyway! LOL. It's amazing how readable a book becomes when the author doesn't toss in run-ons or ruminations on the universe. Good times.
I keep trying to articulate my impressions of this series in discussion threads and failing. James' humor isn't typical urban fantasy-grade. You know the sort, clever run-on sentences in dialogue that could only come from a writer's pen, never out of the mouths of real men and women -because, if nothing else, they would run out of oxygen.
James' humor is normal. Her characters rarely spout unnatural dialogue for humor or expository value (okay, occasionally the latter). They return the same comebacks you would, if you didn't have time to formulate something witty and long-winded. She drops casual jokes in narration, funny but casual enough for the reader to mark only subconsciously.
Her characters are normal too, and her secondary characters have lives too. That's a nice change. Janet's simple, down-to-earth insights on people's motivations say a lot, even if the book doesn't aspire to philosophical heights. The author's grounded, and so is the book. Also, major props for the multicultural cast and mostly realistic relations (Mick's "Navajo girl" epithet for Janet in flagrante probably should have been edited out). +1000 points.
I loved seeing more about dragons. <3 The tattooed mafia! James has churned different ingredients to produce a neat dragon mythos. I hope to learn more about them in the next book. Maybe Colby or Drake even get their own romance. I really like reading about the secondary characters' lives and times. :o
I didn't really think Janet was as extraordinary as Mick did, and from the excerpt, I'm thinking the author will have a little bit of trouble following her own rules where Janet's magic is concerned, but I'll read Shadowwalker anyway! LOL. It's amazing how readable a book becomes when the author doesn't toss in run-ons or ruminations on the universe. Good times.
December 13, 2010
I was trying to write a review but I'm so tired from staying up half the night reading this book. I could not stop reading it. I read it walking, I read it cooking, I even read it while brushing my teeth. I loved every minute of it. I guess that says more than any review I could possibly write. So, until I sleep, that will have to be enough.
Update- still haven't slept but I thought I could at the very minimum explain why I loved this one even more..
1) The relationships- There is Janet and Mick, Janet and Nash, Janet and Maya, Janet and Coyote, Janet and Cassandra, Janet and Jamison (small role in this book) and Janet and Colby (loved him, new character- lots of fun). It is like a roller coaster ride on how Janet must deal with all these people in her life. I loved it. In Firewalker, the biggest surprise for me relationship wise was Nash. His relationship with Janet changes as the story progresses. Coyote's relationship with Janet is by far my favorite (outside of Mick/Janet of course). Coyote continues to want to have sex w/ Janet but over the course of the book, Coyote has to make a decision about Janet, but his decision is based on how Janet handles her growing powers. I loved seeing his affection for Janet, even if he came across as a smartass. I can't say anything else due to spoilers.
2) Janet and Mick's love for each other. They will do anything for each other. Anything. Nuff said on that!
3) Magic Mirror- I snorted at one point. There was one scene where he was talking about being a mirror shard in Mick's pants pocket. He's asking Janet if she can cut a hole in the pocket. The rest I'll let you figure out.
Obviously, I've gone from writing very little to rambling. I think I'll stop there. Just know that the book was awesome!
Update- Just placed this book on my "Favorite book of 2010" shelf.
Update- still haven't slept but I thought I could at the very minimum explain why I loved this one even more..
1) The relationships- There is Janet and Mick, Janet and Nash, Janet and Maya, Janet and Coyote, Janet and Cassandra, Janet and Jamison (small role in this book) and Janet and Colby (loved him, new character- lots of fun). It is like a roller coaster ride on how Janet must deal with all these people in her life. I loved it. In Firewalker, the biggest surprise for me relationship wise was Nash. His relationship with Janet changes as the story progresses. Coyote's relationship with Janet is by far my favorite (outside of Mick/Janet of course). Coyote continues to want to have sex w/ Janet but over the course of the book, Coyote has to make a decision about Janet, but his decision is based on how Janet handles her growing powers. I loved seeing his affection for Janet, even if he came across as a smartass. I can't say anything else due to spoilers.
2) Janet and Mick's love for each other. They will do anything for each other. Anything. Nuff said on that!
3) Magic Mirror- I snorted at one point. There was one scene where he was talking about being a mirror shard in Mick's pants pocket. He's asking Janet if she can cut a hole in the pocket. The rest I'll let you figure out.
Obviously, I've gone from writing very little to rambling. I think I'll stop there. Just know that the book was awesome!
Update- Just placed this book on my "Favorite book of 2010" shelf.
January 13, 2012
Wow, what a ride.
Dragons, and Coyote, and shifters and witches OH MY!
We enter this story with Mick trapped somewhere, and Janet has no one but Nash Jones, dickhead sheriff to help her out. And she only got his help through blackmail!
Once they've rescued Mick, he tells Janet that the dragon council will try him for disobeying an order in not killing her when he was first sent. He claimed her as his mate to protect her as much as he could, but he still will be tried and found guilty...in dragon world, a trial is just dishing out the sentence, and it's a huge deal he was even allowed a trial.
So Janet is dealing with this hanging over her head, but at the same time, a murder is committed, her magic mirror went nuts on a customer, and another dragon enters the mix.
Oh, and Janet's Beneath magic is rearing it's ugly head.
Several times, Mick looks at Janet as if he knows he'll have to kill her for using that magic, and even Coyote tells her several times that he'll kill her if she uses it.
I love how strong Janet is, but I also love that she's still a woman, she has fears, and insecurities, and she just wants to live with the man (er, dragon) she loves. But after this murder that she is a person of interest in, she starts seeing some weird things. Her Beneath magic keeps coming up and letting loose, without her consent, and a reanimated dead guy follows Janet around killing anyone he perceives as a threat to her.
What's a girl to do? Why go to Vegas of course! I loved the Vegas scenes, even with "Undead Jim" chasing after Janet, and all the mayhem that ensued.
Towards the end, Janet is given the option to have her Beneath magic stripped from her, and as she's about to shout "Yes, please!" she realizes that her Stormwalker magic, and her Beneath magic are both a part of her and she can use them in harmony, rather than allowing the Beneath magic to take her over.
Don't forget Mick's trial, though. And Janet finally gets to put in her two cents. And what a speech she makes! We finally see that the dragons are afraid of her, and she can actually save them. Dragons aren't used to not being the most powerful beings out there. Mick has a few tricks up his sleeve as well.
***SPOILER***
The ending is good for Janet and Mick, but there's one small, itty bitty twist thrown in at the end. And it's not so itty bitty. Remember in Stormwalker, when Janet's goddess bitch of a mother said Janet was the only child who survived? she may have lied a bit. And Janet's newly introduced sister doesn't play for the good guys. uh oh. I can't wait for Shadowwalker. Can't. Wait.
July 25, 2016
Fabulous, fabulous read!
November 1, 2017
This series continues to get better! In the first book, Janet had to fight with her hell-goddess mother to get control over her life and powers; in this one, Mick is the one in danger. The dragons are after him for not fulfilling his duties, so now he has to stand trial, while Janet’s Beneath magic is growing stronger and causing all kinds of havoc � the very Beneath magic that makes her a target for dragons and gods alike.
I enjoy that we see Mick more vulnerable in this book. In the first one, he seemed super strong and kick-ass, like nothing could touch him, while Janet kept getting hurt and needed to rely on him to keep her safe. In this one, however, it starts off with Janet doing the rescuing and trying to figure out how to use her new magic without hurting her friends. It’s nice to see more of a balance in this book, and it really took it to the next level. Whereas I thought the first one was fairly decent, this book is straight-up good and enjoyable (and FILLED with action!).
We also get to know more about characters that were introduced in the first book; Maya and Janet’s friendship continues to grow and develop. I very much liked their girl-night escapade when Maya got tired of Nash being a jerk. There are also a couple new ones to meet which is very cool; Janet hired Cassandra, a witch, to be the manager of her now-open hotel. I can’t wait to see her character get fleshed out in future books. And we get to learn more about the dragons!!! This was by far my favorite part. A couple of dragon characters come into the scene when Mick has been summoned to a trial by the dragon council. I really like Colby for being more of a rogue dragon with his own interests at heart; his foil is Drake, a council lackey who is very much a stickler for the rules. I hope they come back in future books!
Basically, this is a series I’m very much beginning to love and I can’t wait to read the third one. If these books continue to improve like this, I’m going to have to upgrade this series to a must-read for all urban fantasy lovers. (Though it’s pretty darn good where it stands right now.)
Also posted on .
I enjoy that we see Mick more vulnerable in this book. In the first one, he seemed super strong and kick-ass, like nothing could touch him, while Janet kept getting hurt and needed to rely on him to keep her safe. In this one, however, it starts off with Janet doing the rescuing and trying to figure out how to use her new magic without hurting her friends. It’s nice to see more of a balance in this book, and it really took it to the next level. Whereas I thought the first one was fairly decent, this book is straight-up good and enjoyable (and FILLED with action!).
We also get to know more about characters that were introduced in the first book; Maya and Janet’s friendship continues to grow and develop. I very much liked their girl-night escapade when Maya got tired of Nash being a jerk. There are also a couple new ones to meet which is very cool; Janet hired Cassandra, a witch, to be the manager of her now-open hotel. I can’t wait to see her character get fleshed out in future books. And we get to learn more about the dragons!!! This was by far my favorite part. A couple of dragon characters come into the scene when Mick has been summoned to a trial by the dragon council. I really like Colby for being more of a rogue dragon with his own interests at heart; his foil is Drake, a council lackey who is very much a stickler for the rules. I hope they come back in future books!
Basically, this is a series I’m very much beginning to love and I can’t wait to read the third one. If these books continue to improve like this, I’m going to have to upgrade this series to a must-read for all urban fantasy lovers. (Though it’s pretty darn good where it stands right now.)
Also posted on .
November 15, 2018
� On one hand, the book doesn’t have the humor and witty banter that typically endears me to a book. On the other, I basically inhaled both this one and its predecessor.
� I LOATHE when one of the primary protagonists� life is grievously endangered and/or terminated then returned as a plot point. Just, no.
� The sassy magic mirror is spectacular. Spectacular.
� I LOATHE when one of the primary protagonists� life is grievously endangered and/or terminated then returned as a plot point. Just, no.
� The sassy magic mirror is spectacular. Spectacular.
November 1, 2010
Originally posted at
Favorite Quote: "So educate me. There are Stormwalkers like you; Nightwalkers, which are like vampires; and then Skinwalkers, those creatures I fought out in the vortexes. What are werewolves-dogwalkers?"
This contains some mild spoilers from book one-Stormwalkers.
In the conclusion of Stormwalker we learn that Janet is the result of a shaman and his demon/goddess lover. Janet now commands two incredible powers; her elemental power and the beneath ground magic she inherited from her mother. Combined together, Janet is a force to be reckoned with, and the supernatural world has their eyes on her.
Mick, her black hair blue eyed dragon lover, is a Firewalker. He was originally contracted to kill Janet before her powers matured. But instead he fell in love with her and has designated himself her protector. When Mick suddenly goes missing, Janet and the ever unwilling Nash races to his rescue only to find it was a test set up by the dragons to test her and Mick. Mick has been commanded to appear before the dragon tribunal to plead for his life.
Janet has made her life in Megallan and her hotel, Crossroads, has become a haven for all sorts of supernatural creatures. When a brutally savaged body is found out in the desert Sheriff Nash sets his sights once again on Janet; and to her surprise, Coyote, her spirit guide. As Janet races to help Mick, defeat the dragon council, solve a murder, and gain control over her magic she realizes that she may not be humanity’s savior...she may be our destroyer.
Firewalker starts off with a BANG and continues on in the same fashion till the end. The protagonists, Janet & Mick, are both strong & passionate with an innate sense of justice.
Janet is a strong fiercely loyal heroine who is trying her best to deal with her magic and her personal life. Set upon by all sides, Janet is treated more like a pariah due to her powers and grows weary of all the threats on her life.
Mick, or McYum as I call him, is much more then what he seems. Untamed, protective, and oh so sexy, Mick loves Janet but still views her with a prejudiced eye when it comes to her powers. His obligation to the dragons, if she should fall under the spell of her beneath magic, weighs heavily on his heart.
This is a fast paced read filled with suspense, romance, magic and well blended humor. Janet and Mick ‘s chemistry still flares strong and hot in this installment but we do not see as much bed play here. They have some serious issues to work out and Ms. James takes the time to flesh out the emotional aspects of their love and the problems Janet has with Mick’s secrets. Even though Janet still collapses under the weight of authority figures and it is still annoying, her character does some maturing and I cheered as she finally takes a much needed stand.
The supporting characters are deep, intense, and personable enough for each to have their own books within the series. We see more of Nash, Maya, and of course Janet’s flamboyant bi sexual magic mirror who’s help is often accompanied by sexual innuendos.Coyote continues to taunt Janet with his riddles and threats all the while trying to coax her & Mick into his bed. The conflict between Nash and Janet burns bright as Nash is still antagonistic over any magic but circumstances will once again ally them to fight side by side for those they love and elevates their convoluted relationship.
The two main story lines build independently of each other to suspenseful levels within the main arc and blend together perfectly towards the end for a climatic finish that was off the charts in tension and suspense. I enjoy the continuing arc that builds around her magic and the conflicts that are a result. The secondary storyline, though interesting, was a bit weak in plot and reason. It doesn’t flesh out as well. Only towards the end when the storylines merged did it click for me. I found Firewalker to be as exciting and gripping as Stormwalker and look forward to my next journey into this series with Shadow Walker.
Rating: B+ which translates to 3.8/4 stars for you star watchers.
Favorite Quote: "So educate me. There are Stormwalkers like you; Nightwalkers, which are like vampires; and then Skinwalkers, those creatures I fought out in the vortexes. What are werewolves-dogwalkers?"
This contains some mild spoilers from book one-Stormwalkers.
In the conclusion of Stormwalker we learn that Janet is the result of a shaman and his demon/goddess lover. Janet now commands two incredible powers; her elemental power and the beneath ground magic she inherited from her mother. Combined together, Janet is a force to be reckoned with, and the supernatural world has their eyes on her.
Mick, her black hair blue eyed dragon lover, is a Firewalker. He was originally contracted to kill Janet before her powers matured. But instead he fell in love with her and has designated himself her protector. When Mick suddenly goes missing, Janet and the ever unwilling Nash races to his rescue only to find it was a test set up by the dragons to test her and Mick. Mick has been commanded to appear before the dragon tribunal to plead for his life.
Janet has made her life in Megallan and her hotel, Crossroads, has become a haven for all sorts of supernatural creatures. When a brutally savaged body is found out in the desert Sheriff Nash sets his sights once again on Janet; and to her surprise, Coyote, her spirit guide. As Janet races to help Mick, defeat the dragon council, solve a murder, and gain control over her magic she realizes that she may not be humanity’s savior...she may be our destroyer.
Firewalker starts off with a BANG and continues on in the same fashion till the end. The protagonists, Janet & Mick, are both strong & passionate with an innate sense of justice.
Janet is a strong fiercely loyal heroine who is trying her best to deal with her magic and her personal life. Set upon by all sides, Janet is treated more like a pariah due to her powers and grows weary of all the threats on her life.
Mick, or McYum as I call him, is much more then what he seems. Untamed, protective, and oh so sexy, Mick loves Janet but still views her with a prejudiced eye when it comes to her powers. His obligation to the dragons, if she should fall under the spell of her beneath magic, weighs heavily on his heart.
This is a fast paced read filled with suspense, romance, magic and well blended humor. Janet and Mick ‘s chemistry still flares strong and hot in this installment but we do not see as much bed play here. They have some serious issues to work out and Ms. James takes the time to flesh out the emotional aspects of their love and the problems Janet has with Mick’s secrets. Even though Janet still collapses under the weight of authority figures and it is still annoying, her character does some maturing and I cheered as she finally takes a much needed stand.
The supporting characters are deep, intense, and personable enough for each to have their own books within the series. We see more of Nash, Maya, and of course Janet’s flamboyant bi sexual magic mirror who’s help is often accompanied by sexual innuendos.Coyote continues to taunt Janet with his riddles and threats all the while trying to coax her & Mick into his bed. The conflict between Nash and Janet burns bright as Nash is still antagonistic over any magic but circumstances will once again ally them to fight side by side for those they love and elevates their convoluted relationship.
The two main story lines build independently of each other to suspenseful levels within the main arc and blend together perfectly towards the end for a climatic finish that was off the charts in tension and suspense. I enjoy the continuing arc that builds around her magic and the conflicts that are a result. The secondary storyline, though interesting, was a bit weak in plot and reason. It doesn’t flesh out as well. Only towards the end when the storylines merged did it click for me. I found Firewalker to be as exciting and gripping as Stormwalker and look forward to my next journey into this series with Shadow Walker.
Rating: B+ which translates to 3.8/4 stars for you star watchers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2010
What an awesome addition to this series!! Janet and Mich thought that the worst was over when her mother was sealed out in the desert. Well not so fast.
Nick disappeared a couple of weeks ago and Janet just got a message the he is in trouble. Once she finally gets him back, she finds out that Nick has to be put on trial in front of the dragon council for his decision not to kill Janet when he first met her.
But now Janet has even more things to worry with. She seems to have manifested even more powers than her Stormwalker powers. Ok, no problem, but it seems that everybody(that is not of this human world) has a problem with her new powers and have now set out to kill her. Poor Janet can't get a break, what is a poor woman to do? Well go to Vegas and party of course. :-)
I love this series and AJ brings Janet's world alive. Her friends are fun. We continue to read about our favorites: Nash, Maya, Coyote, James and all the rest and of course our bi-sexual magical mirror. Now can Mick survive the council's decision and can Janet be stopped from destroying the world if she takes exception to their decision against her mate? I can't wait for the next book!
Nick disappeared a couple of weeks ago and Janet just got a message the he is in trouble. Once she finally gets him back, she finds out that Nick has to be put on trial in front of the dragon council for his decision not to kill Janet when he first met her.
But now Janet has even more things to worry with. She seems to have manifested even more powers than her Stormwalker powers. Ok, no problem, but it seems that everybody(that is not of this human world) has a problem with her new powers and have now set out to kill her. Poor Janet can't get a break, what is a poor woman to do? Well go to Vegas and party of course. :-)
I love this series and AJ brings Janet's world alive. Her friends are fun. We continue to read about our favorites: Nash, Maya, Coyote, James and all the rest and of course our bi-sexual magical mirror. Now can Mick survive the council's decision and can Janet be stopped from destroying the world if she takes exception to their decision against her mate? I can't wait for the next book!
November 21, 2011
This was a waste of time. The only reason it wasn't a colossal waste of time was that after 40% of the way through, i gave up and skimmed most of it. I am NOT putting this as a DNF because of all the minutes of my life I won't be able to get back.
It was bad. Simply bad. Same inane characters from the first book; a different plot, but also inane all the same. Seriously? EVERY male to meet the main character says she's got balls/spunk? I frankly can't see what is so special about her, except for her penchant of making unbelievably stupid, idiotic acquaintances.
Just bad.
It was bad. Simply bad. Same inane characters from the first book; a different plot, but also inane all the same. Seriously? EVERY male to meet the main character says she's got balls/spunk? I frankly can't see what is so special about her, except for her penchant of making unbelievably stupid, idiotic acquaintances.
Just bad.
Read
March 23, 2010Book 2 of the Stormwalker series
August 11, 2011
*Rating* 3 stars
*Genre* Paranormal Romance
*Review*
Allyson James' Firewalker is the second installment in the Stormwalker series featuring Janet Begay as the main protagonist. Janet is a powerful Stormwalker who is able to control the storms as well as heal herself and spin magic. Now, her beneath powers are growing stronger and telling her that she can be even more powerful if she were to release the Stormwalker part of her and embrace her dark side. She has been in Magellan for the past five months and now owns and operates a hotel in the middle of nowhere.
Janet finds herself conflicted at times, but trying hard to stick to what she believes is right. She realizes that she is her mother’s daughter the bitch goddess from hell, but she is also a Navajo with her father’s blood and her grandmother’s powers within to do good with. She knows that the power she has can be used to help people, and she continually fights for what she believes in no matter who may disagree with her; think Mick, Cassandra, Jamison, and Coyote.
Mick, Coyote, and the Dragons are still threatening to kill Janet if she attempts to use her beneath powers for any reason. The Dragons already want to kill her because not only did she opened the vortexes and nearly released her demon goddess mother from her prison, but she is becoming more and more powerful with each passing day. This is definitely the center piece of this entire book as well as the decisions Janet makes along the way that that will either make or break her character in the long run.
Mick, on the other hand, is in big trouble with the dragon council for refusing to kill Janet when he had the chance to five years ago. Instead of killing her, he fell in love and protected her and even ran away with her to keep her away from Magellan and the vortexes.
Now that he has made her his mate, that has caused even more problems within the dragon council which is a splintered group who has no clue what being human means. They are forcing him to show up and stand trial for crimes he's already been convicted of and the penalty for those crimes is death.
Sheriff Nash, the one character from Stormwalker that I actually found myself hating so much that I wanted to scream and run out and buy a bunch of kewpie dolls to burn them in effigy; actually comes close to redeeming himself for his previous acts against Janet and his continued stupidity of rushing to blame her for anything that happened in Magellan.
He actually stood up for Janet and protected her against several attacks, including one from Coyote after she saved a main characters life with her beneath powers. Nash has come a long way of
understanding the community he lives in and what role he is expected to play.
He is no longer the non-believer that we were first introduced to. He’s met nightwalkers, changers, dragons, and demons. He still needs to fix this bullshit situation with Maya before I go back to weaving my Nash Kewpie doll and buying more pins to stick in it.
A new character named Colby (dragon) is introduced to the storyline. It seems that he and Mick have a rocky past together and Mick trusts him about as far as he can toss him. Colby claims not to have any real hidden agendas, but to ensure that Mick gets a fair trial from the dragon council who he seems to believe is corrupt. And, yes, Colby is a dog that has only thing on his mind and that is to take Janet to bed and …well you can finish the rest of that. A lot could be said about Colby’s character; sexual deviant, rebel rouser, arrogant prick. But, in the end it’s the results that matter.
Coyote is an enigma to me. One minute he wants to jump in bed with Janet and continues to tell her that he loves her. The next minute he is telling her that he is going to kill her like a gazillion times because she keeps using the beneath power to help people.
I wanted to scream each and every time he threatened to kill her. His continued subtle hints of wanting a 3-way with Mick will just ruin this entire series for me if James ever crosses that line. He is still one of the better characters in this story even with his continued interference and sexual innuendos.
Negative(s): Mick with his ultra-possessiveness and demanding attitude when it comes to telling Janet what to do, when to do it, where to do it, and not to leave the hotel without him saying it was allowed, was just mind boggling to me.
Janet, for allowing it to happen in the first place without telling him to bugger off ya sod and keep walking out the door and don’t come back until you stop treating you like a child or a sex slave. I realize that Janet has a mad crush on Mick, but she needs to strap on her big girl panties and put him on a leash or something soon.
Janet is supposed to be this tough as nails heroine that is able to install fear in men and women alike and yet, she refuses to stand up for herself when it comes to Mick and his bullshite. Does she always make the right choices? Hell no.
I realize that everyone is hot and bothered over the sexy dragon, but give me a freaking break in making women weak in the knee and worthless when they are supposed to be strong and able to take on numerous supernatural creatures with both hand tied behind her back, and blindfolded.
As previously quoted, I believe that Maya had the right attitude when she told Janet to get her head out of her arse and stop letting men use her and telling her what to do and when she can do it.
Conundrum: Does anyone other than me and my weird sense of humor, think that the magic mirror character is actually based on the gay assistant from Ugly Betty? Yes, No, Maybe? Think about it for a minute and get back to me.
Shock and Surprise moment: Or, Shock and Awe-shite! If you actually PAID attention to the subtle hints that Undead Jim was given out during his rampage, which nobody did, not even Janet, (especially when he said that SHE raised him from the dead!!!) you would have seen it coming a mile away. And yet, when the hanging chad is introduced to readers---you are left wondering why the hell Coyote didn’t know about the shock and awe sooner, and what else he is keeping secret from Janet so that he can control her.
By the way, I hate clowns as well. Can I just say they are creepier than Michael Jackson at Disney World?
Interesting possibilities: A blooming relationship between witch Cassandra and another new female character who is a Changer, has its beginning in this story. Of course, you have to start asking yourself if this is the new trend for writers, or a retread of past situation that has now become more fashionable and agreeable to readers. Whatever the reasoning, I’m not judging.
Allyson James
Stormwalker series
2. Firewalker (November 2, 2010)
3. Shadow Walker (June 7, 2011)
*Genre* Paranormal Romance
*Review*
Allyson James' Firewalker is the second installment in the Stormwalker series featuring Janet Begay as the main protagonist. Janet is a powerful Stormwalker who is able to control the storms as well as heal herself and spin magic. Now, her beneath powers are growing stronger and telling her that she can be even more powerful if she were to release the Stormwalker part of her and embrace her dark side. She has been in Magellan for the past five months and now owns and operates a hotel in the middle of nowhere.
Janet finds herself conflicted at times, but trying hard to stick to what she believes is right. She realizes that she is her mother’s daughter the bitch goddess from hell, but she is also a Navajo with her father’s blood and her grandmother’s powers within to do good with. She knows that the power she has can be used to help people, and she continually fights for what she believes in no matter who may disagree with her; think Mick, Cassandra, Jamison, and Coyote.
Mick, Coyote, and the Dragons are still threatening to kill Janet if she attempts to use her beneath powers for any reason. The Dragons already want to kill her because not only did she opened the vortexes and nearly released her demon goddess mother from her prison, but she is becoming more and more powerful with each passing day. This is definitely the center piece of this entire book as well as the decisions Janet makes along the way that that will either make or break her character in the long run.
Mick, on the other hand, is in big trouble with the dragon council for refusing to kill Janet when he had the chance to five years ago. Instead of killing her, he fell in love and protected her and even ran away with her to keep her away from Magellan and the vortexes.
Now that he has made her his mate, that has caused even more problems within the dragon council which is a splintered group who has no clue what being human means. They are forcing him to show up and stand trial for crimes he's already been convicted of and the penalty for those crimes is death.
Sheriff Nash, the one character from Stormwalker that I actually found myself hating so much that I wanted to scream and run out and buy a bunch of kewpie dolls to burn them in effigy; actually comes close to redeeming himself for his previous acts against Janet and his continued stupidity of rushing to blame her for anything that happened in Magellan.
He actually stood up for Janet and protected her against several attacks, including one from Coyote after she saved a main characters life with her beneath powers. Nash has come a long way of
understanding the community he lives in and what role he is expected to play.
He is no longer the non-believer that we were first introduced to. He’s met nightwalkers, changers, dragons, and demons. He still needs to fix this bullshit situation with Maya before I go back to weaving my Nash Kewpie doll and buying more pins to stick in it.
A new character named Colby (dragon) is introduced to the storyline. It seems that he and Mick have a rocky past together and Mick trusts him about as far as he can toss him. Colby claims not to have any real hidden agendas, but to ensure that Mick gets a fair trial from the dragon council who he seems to believe is corrupt. And, yes, Colby is a dog that has only thing on his mind and that is to take Janet to bed and …well you can finish the rest of that. A lot could be said about Colby’s character; sexual deviant, rebel rouser, arrogant prick. But, in the end it’s the results that matter.
Coyote is an enigma to me. One minute he wants to jump in bed with Janet and continues to tell her that he loves her. The next minute he is telling her that he is going to kill her like a gazillion times because she keeps using the beneath power to help people.
I wanted to scream each and every time he threatened to kill her. His continued subtle hints of wanting a 3-way with Mick will just ruin this entire series for me if James ever crosses that line. He is still one of the better characters in this story even with his continued interference and sexual innuendos.
Negative(s): Mick with his ultra-possessiveness and demanding attitude when it comes to telling Janet what to do, when to do it, where to do it, and not to leave the hotel without him saying it was allowed, was just mind boggling to me.
Janet, for allowing it to happen in the first place without telling him to bugger off ya sod and keep walking out the door and don’t come back until you stop treating you like a child or a sex slave. I realize that Janet has a mad crush on Mick, but she needs to strap on her big girl panties and put him on a leash or something soon.
Janet is supposed to be this tough as nails heroine that is able to install fear in men and women alike and yet, she refuses to stand up for herself when it comes to Mick and his bullshite. Does she always make the right choices? Hell no.
I realize that everyone is hot and bothered over the sexy dragon, but give me a freaking break in making women weak in the knee and worthless when they are supposed to be strong and able to take on numerous supernatural creatures with both hand tied behind her back, and blindfolded.
As previously quoted, I believe that Maya had the right attitude when she told Janet to get her head out of her arse and stop letting men use her and telling her what to do and when she can do it.
Conundrum: Does anyone other than me and my weird sense of humor, think that the magic mirror character is actually based on the gay assistant from Ugly Betty? Yes, No, Maybe? Think about it for a minute and get back to me.
Shock and Surprise moment: Or, Shock and Awe-shite! If you actually PAID attention to the subtle hints that Undead Jim was given out during his rampage, which nobody did, not even Janet, (especially when he said that SHE raised him from the dead!!!) you would have seen it coming a mile away. And yet, when the hanging chad is introduced to readers---you are left wondering why the hell Coyote didn’t know about the shock and awe sooner, and what else he is keeping secret from Janet so that he can control her.
By the way, I hate clowns as well. Can I just say they are creepier than Michael Jackson at Disney World?
Interesting possibilities: A blooming relationship between witch Cassandra and another new female character who is a Changer, has its beginning in this story. Of course, you have to start asking yourself if this is the new trend for writers, or a retread of past situation that has now become more fashionable and agreeable to readers. Whatever the reasoning, I’m not judging.
Allyson James
Stormwalker series
2. Firewalker (November 2, 2010)
3. Shadow Walker (June 7, 2011)
May 5, 2017
4 1/2 wow stars
This was really good though a bit all over the place in all the players. Janet now has a little voice inside her head and she is learning/trying to control her new powers. A lot of others fear her. The dragons were already after her but now they are putting it all on Mick. Coyote is giving her cryptic and not so cryptic warnings and threats. And the voice inside her head tells her to ignore them all.
So this starts with Mick being in need of rescue and a dead body found in the dessert. Except, now Janet is trying to control a power inside her and it is scary even to her. Nash likes to put all the supernatural stuff at her feet but he is learning that these things do exist.
The relationships all develop more here. Nash and Maya are on the outs so Janet and Maya bond over dancing. Nash puts the manager of the hotel under scrutiny. And a new dragon comes to help with Mick's problems though help might be the wrong word. And where has the hotel guess disappeared to?
This was really good and had a bunch of fun in places too. The only thing that brings it down is the judgment for killing bad people doing bad things especially when they are in the middle of a rampage. Um, no, if they are shooting, you should be able to shoot back, come on! The ending puts a nice twist on the situation and lot of possibilities for more stories. I actually think this was better than the first book. I would recommend it to fans of the Nighthuntress series of Jeaniene Frost as it definitely has sexy times as well as a strong UF in 1st person POV.
This was really good though a bit all over the place in all the players. Janet now has a little voice inside her head and she is learning/trying to control her new powers. A lot of others fear her. The dragons were already after her but now they are putting it all on Mick. Coyote is giving her cryptic and not so cryptic warnings and threats. And the voice inside her head tells her to ignore them all.
So this starts with Mick being in need of rescue and a dead body found in the dessert. Except, now Janet is trying to control a power inside her and it is scary even to her. Nash likes to put all the supernatural stuff at her feet but he is learning that these things do exist.
The relationships all develop more here. Nash and Maya are on the outs so Janet and Maya bond over dancing. Nash puts the manager of the hotel under scrutiny. And a new dragon comes to help with Mick's problems though help might be the wrong word. And where has the hotel guess disappeared to?
This was really good and had a bunch of fun in places too. The only thing that brings it down is the judgment for killing bad people doing bad things especially when they are in the middle of a rampage. Um, no, if they are shooting, you should be able to shoot back, come on! The ending puts a nice twist on the situation and lot of possibilities for more stories. I actually think this was better than the first book. I would recommend it to fans of the Nighthuntress series of Jeaniene Frost as it definitely has sexy times as well as a strong UF in 1st person POV.
May 13, 2019
It’s me, not the author or the book. The Stormwalker series just isn’t the kind of PNR that I enjoy, and I am quitting the series here. It is more about dark, evil magic that tries to possess and take over Janet, the heroine. Her life is constantly in danger because of other powerful beings who fear that the evil in her will win. That is the main thrust of the series—not the romance, adventure, and shapeshifters (the things I really like).
Now if you would enjoy some Native American lore and mythology mixed in with your PNR, I highly recommend the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter.
Now if you would enjoy some Native American lore and mythology mixed in with your PNR, I highly recommend the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter.
December 26, 2010
4.5 stars
Just when she thinks she is going to live a quite "peaceful" life with his dragon lover, Mick, Janet Begay finds that it could be a wishful thinking. First, his lover is missing, then she finds out that Mick might have to face a trial with dragon council who will just finds him guilty. Janet also starts to feel a different kind of magic within her, a Beneath magic that is so powerful and bad. On top of that, Janet must deal with an Undead that is ressurected with a godly magic and a threat from Coyote that he will kills her if she continues using the Beneath magic.
Oh, WOW, this one is better than the first book!! I'm in awe with the fast-paced action and some new twists in Janet's life. The Beneath magic within herself is one CRAAAAZY magic!! The things Janet can do with it! I really think it's a great plot; it is so cool for Janet to be able to have two different kind of magic within her.
I love the new characters -- Colby, another dragon that comes to play defense for Mick and Cassandra, a witch and Janet's hotel manager. They're great addition to the series. Of course, the "original" characters from the first book are still so very charming. I love Janet so much -- she just rocks!! The way she struggles to deal with the Beneath magic while at the same time refusing to give it up because IT IS a part of her. Mick, oh, gosh, sexy dragon!! That 'secret' of his status is one neat trick *grin*. Nash, I'm still amazed on his power. That one scene where he absorbs Coyote's power results in me exclaiming in shock! AND then, there's that HILARIOUS Magic Mirror -- who is probably one of my favorite non-human characters, EVER!
I can't wait to read Book 3. I wonder what Janet will face this time.
Just when she thinks she is going to live a quite "peaceful" life with his dragon lover, Mick, Janet Begay finds that it could be a wishful thinking. First, his lover is missing, then she finds out that Mick might have to face a trial with dragon council who will just finds him guilty. Janet also starts to feel a different kind of magic within her, a Beneath magic that is so powerful and bad. On top of that, Janet must deal with an Undead that is ressurected with a godly magic and a threat from Coyote that he will kills her if she continues using the Beneath magic.
Oh, WOW, this one is better than the first book!! I'm in awe with the fast-paced action and some new twists in Janet's life. The Beneath magic within herself is one CRAAAAZY magic!! The things Janet can do with it! I really think it's a great plot; it is so cool for Janet to be able to have two different kind of magic within her.
I love the new characters -- Colby, another dragon that comes to play defense for Mick and Cassandra, a witch and Janet's hotel manager. They're great addition to the series. Of course, the "original" characters from the first book are still so very charming. I love Janet so much -- she just rocks!! The way she struggles to deal with the Beneath magic while at the same time refusing to give it up because IT IS a part of her. Mick, oh, gosh, sexy dragon!! That 'secret' of his status is one neat trick *grin*. Nash, I'm still amazed on his power. That one scene where he absorbs Coyote's power results in me exclaiming in shock! AND then, there's that HILARIOUS Magic Mirror -- who is probably one of my favorite non-human characters, EVER!
I can't wait to read Book 3. I wonder what Janet will face this time.
January 1, 2011
I first read to complete a challenge and enjoyed it so I had kept an eye out for Firewalker and was pleased to finally have the chance to read it.There are so many appealing elements in this series as I wasn't dissapointed by this sequel.
Janet Begay is a gutsy heroine with a strong sense of right and good sense. In Firewalker she is struggling with her dual magical natures - that of a StormWalker, and Beneath powers from her godess mother. I really liked James's exploration of Janet's inner conflict, want vs need, nature vs nurture, for me, it cemented to honesty of the character. I love a big buff bad boy hero so Mick is appealing, though he isn't as prominent in this installment as I expected. I also enjoy gruff but sexy Noah who is such a great foil for Janet's enthusiasm and Mick's passionate nature.
The mix of paranormal and mythical creatures including dragons, witches and demons is creative, I liked that the dragons featured more heavily in this story. The also find the native American lore that James incorporates fascinating.
Fast paced action keeps me turning the pages, the humor keeps me amused (love Magic Mirror) and the mystery keeps me intrigued. It's fast becoming a favourite of mine. Fans of the genre should give this entertaining series a try.
Janet Begay is a gutsy heroine with a strong sense of right and good sense. In Firewalker she is struggling with her dual magical natures - that of a StormWalker, and Beneath powers from her godess mother. I really liked James's exploration of Janet's inner conflict, want vs need, nature vs nurture, for me, it cemented to honesty of the character. I love a big buff bad boy hero so Mick is appealing, though he isn't as prominent in this installment as I expected. I also enjoy gruff but sexy Noah who is such a great foil for Janet's enthusiasm and Mick's passionate nature.
The mix of paranormal and mythical creatures including dragons, witches and demons is creative, I liked that the dragons featured more heavily in this story. The also find the native American lore that James incorporates fascinating.
Fast paced action keeps me turning the pages, the humor keeps me amused (love Magic Mirror) and the mystery keeps me intrigued. It's fast becoming a favourite of mine. Fans of the genre should give this entertaining series a try.
November 13, 2011
I enjoyed this one much more than the first book in the series. I did enjoy the first book in the series but this one seemed to have more action and more excitement. I felt much more connected to Mick in this one.
I'm looking forward to the next in the series. The blurb on the back is what got me interested in reading this series.
Great addition to this series and I am very much looking forward to whatever else Allyson James has planned for Janet, Mick, Nash, Maya and the others.
I'm looking forward to the next in the series. The blurb on the back is what got me interested in reading this series.
Great addition to this series and I am very much looking forward to whatever else Allyson James has planned for Janet, Mick, Nash, Maya and the others.
March 31, 2013
Wow! Janet's powers are growing! A twisty turney read with lots of action!
July 24, 2023
Second in the Stormwalker urban fantasy series about a woman with the power to manipulate storm energies.
My Take
It was a great story but there was something a little off in the writing. Janet bugged me too. She kept whining that she couldn't control her mother's power showing up every time Coyote threatened her and she simply sounded like a little kid wanting to get into that cookie jar just before dinner. Coyote's example toward the end did finally get through to her...otherwise, I think I might have reached in and slapped the girl!
I did enjoy Nash's rescue of our kidnapee! So nice to see that the rich don't always get their way! Then there was Janet's little speech to the dragon council during Mick's trial...you go, girl!! Even if I hadn't enjoyed the story, Janet's diatribe would have been enough to rocket it up!
Oh, yeah, they do find Nash's brand new, black F250 pickup in the end...
The Story
The Changer who raced into her hotel and jabbed her for blood was the first indication Janet had that Mick was in trouble. B-a-d trouble if it can put down a dragon.
Now Janet is compelled to search out Mick and rescue him. Fortunately, she's been learning and she doesn't intend to go without backup. Nash Jones. He would be perfect. Rescuing Mick however simply reveals even greater dangers. Her mother's powers are swooping in.
And some guy's been resurrected using her power. But it wasn't her. Now he's wreaking havoc all over town and beyond. Coyote is threatening to kill her for using her Beneath powers. The dragon council wants her dead and intends to sentence Mick at his trial. Preferably to death.
The Characters
Janet Begay is technically human since she is mortal however from her father she has inherited stormwalker power while her goddess-possessed human mother was the conduit for the powers of Beneath. She bought herself the Crossroads Hotel in Magellan, New Mexico and she and Mick are settling in nicely...lots of possibilities for non-vanilla sex.
Mick is a dragon in one form and a six-foot-six-inch tattooed biker in his other. The dragon council had ordered him to kill Janet before she became too powerful, too much of a force for them to cope with but he chose to let her live as he fell in love with her.
Series regulars include Cassandra Bryson, a Wiccan and Janet's hotel manager. Cassandra left her old life seeking refuge here in Magellan. Maya Medina is Janet's friend and an excellent electrician. She's also hopelessly in love with a Nash who denies what he feels about her. Nash Jones is the sheriff here in Hopi County. He's also a null around magic which can be mighty handy. Unfortunately...or is that fortunately??...he can't stand Janet. At least ya always know where ya stand with Nash. Assistant Chief Salas and Lopez work with Nash. Jamison Kee is a mountain lion Changer and shaman. He taught Janet how to control her magic when she was young and is still one of her best friends. He's married to Naomi, a gardener (see the short story in ). Coyote is a trickster god and for some reason he likes the Kees, especially Naomi's daughter Julie; he's also very interested in Janet---her magic and her bed.
Pamela Grant is a Changer with a mission. Mick has charged her with finding Janet and passing a message on to her. But she seems to have found something in Magellan that has her thinking about staying.
Drake is a dragon, a flunky to one of the dragon councilman. The one killed by Jim. Bancroft. Colby is a dragon not-friend of Mick's who's offering to be his defense at his trial. Hoo boy! The other two members of the dragon council are Aine and Farrell. These two pay the concept of dragon honor lip service mostly.
Jim Mohan is a guest of Janet's hotel who gets himself into a whole lotta trouble. The naughty boy! That'll teach 'im. Ben Kavena is the human side of the Koshare, a clown kachina god. His heart was in the right place but, still, he was a very bad boy. Gabrielle is a bad girl too and I suspect this isn't the last we'll see of her.
Friends? Gods? I'm not sure but I do know they are allied with Janet's grandmother: Beth, her dad, and her two brothers keep showing up just in time.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a metallic sheen and a very vivid and sharply detailed image of Janet braced, holding balls of light in her upturned palms arcing over her head forming a circle of yellow flame even as flames erupt behind her silhouetting her figure. A very sexy woman, Janet is wearing faded gray hip-hugger jeans with a Navajo silver and turquoise concho belt and a wide-banded black leather halter top with a wide-collared, beaded necklace.
The title is all about the dragons, the Firewalkers.
My Take
It was a great story but there was something a little off in the writing. Janet bugged me too. She kept whining that she couldn't control her mother's power showing up every time Coyote threatened her and she simply sounded like a little kid wanting to get into that cookie jar just before dinner. Coyote's example toward the end did finally get through to her...otherwise, I think I might have reached in and slapped the girl!
I did enjoy Nash's rescue of our kidnapee! So nice to see that the rich don't always get their way! Then there was Janet's little speech to the dragon council during Mick's trial...you go, girl!! Even if I hadn't enjoyed the story, Janet's diatribe would have been enough to rocket it up!
Oh, yeah, they do find Nash's brand new, black F250 pickup in the end...
The Story
The Changer who raced into her hotel and jabbed her for blood was the first indication Janet had that Mick was in trouble. B-a-d trouble if it can put down a dragon.
Now Janet is compelled to search out Mick and rescue him. Fortunately, she's been learning and she doesn't intend to go without backup. Nash Jones. He would be perfect. Rescuing Mick however simply reveals even greater dangers. Her mother's powers are swooping in.
And some guy's been resurrected using her power. But it wasn't her. Now he's wreaking havoc all over town and beyond. Coyote is threatening to kill her for using her Beneath powers. The dragon council wants her dead and intends to sentence Mick at his trial. Preferably to death.
The Characters
Janet Begay is technically human since she is mortal however from her father she has inherited stormwalker power while her goddess-possessed human mother was the conduit for the powers of Beneath. She bought herself the Crossroads Hotel in Magellan, New Mexico and she and Mick are settling in nicely...lots of possibilities for non-vanilla sex.
Mick is a dragon in one form and a six-foot-six-inch tattooed biker in his other. The dragon council had ordered him to kill Janet before she became too powerful, too much of a force for them to cope with but he chose to let her live as he fell in love with her.
Series regulars include Cassandra Bryson, a Wiccan and Janet's hotel manager. Cassandra left her old life seeking refuge here in Magellan. Maya Medina is Janet's friend and an excellent electrician. She's also hopelessly in love with a Nash who denies what he feels about her. Nash Jones is the sheriff here in Hopi County. He's also a null around magic which can be mighty handy. Unfortunately...or is that fortunately??...he can't stand Janet. At least ya always know where ya stand with Nash. Assistant Chief Salas and Lopez work with Nash. Jamison Kee is a mountain lion Changer and shaman. He taught Janet how to control her magic when she was young and is still one of her best friends. He's married to Naomi, a gardener (see the short story in ). Coyote is a trickster god and for some reason he likes the Kees, especially Naomi's daughter Julie; he's also very interested in Janet---her magic and her bed.
Pamela Grant is a Changer with a mission. Mick has charged her with finding Janet and passing a message on to her. But she seems to have found something in Magellan that has her thinking about staying.
Drake is a dragon, a flunky to one of the dragon councilman. The one killed by Jim. Bancroft. Colby is a dragon not-friend of Mick's who's offering to be his defense at his trial. Hoo boy! The other two members of the dragon council are Aine and Farrell. These two pay the concept of dragon honor lip service mostly.
Jim Mohan is a guest of Janet's hotel who gets himself into a whole lotta trouble. The naughty boy! That'll teach 'im. Ben Kavena is the human side of the Koshare, a clown kachina god. His heart was in the right place but, still, he was a very bad boy. Gabrielle is a bad girl too and I suspect this isn't the last we'll see of her.
Friends? Gods? I'm not sure but I do know they are allied with Janet's grandmother: Beth, her dad, and her two brothers keep showing up just in time.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a metallic sheen and a very vivid and sharply detailed image of Janet braced, holding balls of light in her upturned palms arcing over her head forming a circle of yellow flame even as flames erupt behind her silhouetting her figure. A very sexy woman, Janet is wearing faded gray hip-hugger jeans with a Navajo silver and turquoise concho belt and a wide-banded black leather halter top with a wide-collared, beaded necklace.
The title is all about the dragons, the Firewalkers.
October 3, 2017
I'm quite enjoying this series. Action, magic, hot dragons, sassy heroines, crazy antics, saving the world. All good stuff and the dialogue and characters and world building are pretty good...except for NASH. I cannot stand this character. He is annoying, juvenile and really spoils my full enjoyment of the story. I hope he gets eaten by a demon or something.
March 22, 2017
WOW! Just WOW!
February 1, 2012
Overall I enjoyed this book, which was fun when taken as a light, 'fluffy' read. I had enjoyed the first book in this series, 'Stormwalker', and was looking forward to this one. I was disappointed in one respect however: this book felt a little rushed.
The reason I use the term 'rushed' is (and this may well not have been the author's fault but rather the publisher's) that there were certain problems throughout the book. Most of them were not major enough to be glaring, yet they detracted enough from my enjoyment of the novel that I gave the book three rather than four stars.
To explain, I wondered in particular if sufficient time and/or money had been alloted for editing. For instance, it is stated many times that the dragons (i.e. Mick's race) have long and complex names which humans have difficulty pronouncing and/or remembering. The dragons are frequently scornful of humans in general and of this particular human foible in particular. When Mick's complete name is stated by said dragons however during a lengthy dragon council proceeding in the book, the other dragons use his complete name once (i.e. Micalerianicum, I believe :) before reverting to calling him 'Mick'. Given that this was a *dragon* trial with dragon officials, I found this a bit odd and I couldn't help but wonder if an editor might have helped picked up on this.
I will admit that the above is a small point, but I'm using it as an example of one type of problem. Another problem which makes me wonder about editing however is the fact that there were several grammatical errors in the book such as a necessary word being omitted from a sentence.
Another reason for the 'rushed' feeling I describe was the fact that the main character (i.e. Janet) barreled through one crisis after another throughout the majority of the book. The way in which this was written, with very little time between crises, left me as a reader feeling a little tired (!). I will also say that, in reading the book, I was left wondering whether or not the author knew exactly where she was heading with the story. (I will admit this point is strictly an impression and your mileage may vary.)
Finally I will reiterate that, in general, I enjoyed the book. However I do hope future books in this series will have gone through a better editing process as this does seem to have been lacking here.
The reason I use the term 'rushed' is (and this may well not have been the author's fault but rather the publisher's) that there were certain problems throughout the book. Most of them were not major enough to be glaring, yet they detracted enough from my enjoyment of the novel that I gave the book three rather than four stars.
To explain, I wondered in particular if sufficient time and/or money had been alloted for editing. For instance, it is stated many times that the dragons (i.e. Mick's race) have long and complex names which humans have difficulty pronouncing and/or remembering. The dragons are frequently scornful of humans in general and of this particular human foible in particular. When Mick's complete name is stated by said dragons however during a lengthy dragon council proceeding in the book, the other dragons use his complete name once (i.e. Micalerianicum, I believe :) before reverting to calling him 'Mick'. Given that this was a *dragon* trial with dragon officials, I found this a bit odd and I couldn't help but wonder if an editor might have helped picked up on this.
I will admit that the above is a small point, but I'm using it as an example of one type of problem. Another problem which makes me wonder about editing however is the fact that there were several grammatical errors in the book such as a necessary word being omitted from a sentence.
Another reason for the 'rushed' feeling I describe was the fact that the main character (i.e. Janet) barreled through one crisis after another throughout the majority of the book. The way in which this was written, with very little time between crises, left me as a reader feeling a little tired (!). I will also say that, in reading the book, I was left wondering whether or not the author knew exactly where she was heading with the story. (I will admit this point is strictly an impression and your mileage may vary.)
Finally I will reiterate that, in general, I enjoyed the book. However I do hope future books in this series will have gone through a better editing process as this does seem to have been lacking here.
November 26, 2010
Firewalker is the second book in Ms. James� Stormwalker series, and it starts a short time after the end of the first book. Janet Begay, a Native American stormwalker, with the power of Beneath magic from her goddess mother, has settled down in Megellan and opened up the hotel she was renovating throughout all of book one. She’s hired a witch, Cassandra, to manager her place and business is good. Mick’s been missing for three weeks, and although he has been more open with Janet since she found out he is a dragon, it still isn’t completely odd for him to be gone without notice. But when a shifter comes into the hotel demanding to speak with her, Janet realizes that Mick is in trouble.
Once again, Ms. James weaves together an amazing Paranormal Romance/Mystery-Suspense story. At the core of her work is a complex “whodunit,� full of twists and turns, that keeps the reader engaged until the conclusion. But what makes the book truly superb is the cast of characters that inhabit this marvelous world.
Tragedy and trouble follow Janet everywhere she goes. She wants to “just be normal,� yet time and time again, she picks the difficult path. When faced with death if she continues to use her “evil� Beneath magic, she doesn’t let her own mortality stop her from making the “right� (and difficult) decisions. One of the most special and poignant parts of the story occurs when Janet is faced with the decision to keep her Beneath half or let it go completely. It is heart-wrenching and emotionally draining to witness her as she contemplates what is truly important in her life. I love that Janet may give in here and there but NEVER gives up the fight and always has a snarky comment or two for those that rub her the wrong way.
Firewalker is another amazing book in the Stormwalker series! I highly recommend reading both books because the stories are fabulous, the action is intense, the world-building is phenomenal and both are emotionally satisfying tales.
My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend(A)
For my full review, please visit my blog on Friday 11/26/2010.
Once again, Ms. James weaves together an amazing Paranormal Romance/Mystery-Suspense story. At the core of her work is a complex “whodunit,� full of twists and turns, that keeps the reader engaged until the conclusion. But what makes the book truly superb is the cast of characters that inhabit this marvelous world.
Tragedy and trouble follow Janet everywhere she goes. She wants to “just be normal,� yet time and time again, she picks the difficult path. When faced with death if she continues to use her “evil� Beneath magic, she doesn’t let her own mortality stop her from making the “right� (and difficult) decisions. One of the most special and poignant parts of the story occurs when Janet is faced with the decision to keep her Beneath half or let it go completely. It is heart-wrenching and emotionally draining to witness her as she contemplates what is truly important in her life. I love that Janet may give in here and there but NEVER gives up the fight and always has a snarky comment or two for those that rub her the wrong way.
Firewalker is another amazing book in the Stormwalker series! I highly recommend reading both books because the stories are fabulous, the action is intense, the world-building is phenomenal and both are emotionally satisfying tales.
My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend(A)
For my full review, please visit my blog on Friday 11/26/2010.
May 26, 2011
(3*** = I liked it)
I was lagging on this series until I read the connected short Doubled Hexed in the Hexed anthology which inspired me to pick this back up.
First the good: I really love Janet, here she has settled a bit into her relationship with her one and only - dragon Mick - and she now has a handle on her storm powers but is struggling to control the dark god powers she's inherited from her evil mama. There is a good amount of action in Firewalker , with Mick in big trouble with the Dragon Counsel for not killing Janet like he was pledged to, and with a murderous revenant running amok.
Besides Janet herself, my favorite thing about this series is that the cast surrounding Janet is so varied and interesting: with her always cool and collected witchy hotel manager, the tricksy Coyote popping up from time to time to keep Janet on her toes, the magic-immune sheriff Nash who thinks she's a pain in the patootie, and the feisty Chicana electrician who is Janet's new BFF (well sort of) and her shape shifter friend Jamison (who we met in an earlier short story). Janet's interactions with her cohorts are fun and her sass with those who are not in her corner is pretty funny too. Being a romance reader at heart, I also like the idea of Janet's steamy relationship with her dragon hottie.
Which brings me to my nits. While I like the idea of her relationship with Mick, for such a fiery guy he is pretty flat as a character. He's reduced mainly to secretive actions, protective macho stuff, and eye candy - when they aren't 'connecting' in a more primitive manner. But even though their relationship is supposed to be hot (and FYI, what is here may be too much for straight Urban Fantasy readers) their wicked sex life is pretty much just "tell me's" by Janet and not actual "show me's" even though she keeps telling us that Mick is not a 'vanilla' kind of guy in the sack.
I probably talked about my nits too much. Firewalker still fell on the good stuff side of the balance and I enjoyed reading about Janet and will continue with Shadow walker which is already sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.
I was lagging on this series until I read the connected short Doubled Hexed in the Hexed anthology which inspired me to pick this back up.
First the good: I really love Janet, here she has settled a bit into her relationship with her one and only - dragon Mick - and she now has a handle on her storm powers but is struggling to control the dark god powers she's inherited from her evil mama. There is a good amount of action in Firewalker , with Mick in big trouble with the Dragon Counsel for not killing Janet like he was pledged to, and with a murderous revenant running amok.
Besides Janet herself, my favorite thing about this series is that the cast surrounding Janet is so varied and interesting: with her always cool and collected witchy hotel manager, the tricksy Coyote popping up from time to time to keep Janet on her toes, the magic-immune sheriff Nash who thinks she's a pain in the patootie, and the feisty Chicana electrician who is Janet's new BFF (well sort of) and her shape shifter friend Jamison (who we met in an earlier short story). Janet's interactions with her cohorts are fun and her sass with those who are not in her corner is pretty funny too. Being a romance reader at heart, I also like the idea of Janet's steamy relationship with her dragon hottie.
Which brings me to my nits. While I like the idea of her relationship with Mick, for such a fiery guy he is pretty flat as a character. He's reduced mainly to secretive actions, protective macho stuff, and eye candy - when they aren't 'connecting' in a more primitive manner. But even though their relationship is supposed to be hot (and FYI, what is here may be too much for straight Urban Fantasy readers) their wicked sex life is pretty much just "tell me's" by Janet and not actual "show me's" even though she keeps telling us that Mick is not a 'vanilla' kind of guy in the sack.
I probably talked about my nits too much. Firewalker still fell on the good stuff side of the balance and I enjoyed reading about Janet and will continue with Shadow walker which is already sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.
August 25, 2011
I finished this is in one day. That should tell you something right there.
In this installment, which is a little different than what the back of the book says, Janet is having a hard time trying to save Mick's life, her life and the lives of her friends.
It's tough being half-goddess.
It's even tougher when your friends and loved ones won't hesitate to kill you should you fail to control the magic that was instilled in you by your bitch mother and the earth.
It's a thousand times harder when the little voice in the back of your head tells you it's ok to kill people.
Oh and let's just throw this on the fire: your boyfriend is about to be brought to trial because of you while a monster is running around killing people.
It makes a gal not want to get out of bed.
The characters were solid and the secondary characters were fun and felt real. I really enjoyed having more Maya and Noami in this book. I'm iffy with Cassandra and I can live without Pamela. On top of that, Colby looks like fun. I'm glad we met him. He's like that little brother that you want to punch and/or hug.
I would like more of Mick and Janet in a relationship, I like them together but it would be nice to see them with a little more talk-talk between them and a little less rip-roaring sessy times. Why? Because while sessy times are fun for everyone, a real relationship is also communication and doing things outside of the bedroom. If I don't see that happen it's hard for me to believe that the relationship is real.
The plot itself was interesting though at times it felt like there were too many things going on at once but it was all summed up nicely and the ending left us with an interesting little twist.
In this installment, which is a little different than what the back of the book says, Janet is having a hard time trying to save Mick's life, her life and the lives of her friends.
It's tough being half-goddess.
It's even tougher when your friends and loved ones won't hesitate to kill you should you fail to control the magic that was instilled in you by your bitch mother and the earth.
It's a thousand times harder when the little voice in the back of your head tells you it's ok to kill people.
Oh and let's just throw this on the fire: your boyfriend is about to be brought to trial because of you while a monster is running around killing people.
It makes a gal not want to get out of bed.
The characters were solid and the secondary characters were fun and felt real. I really enjoyed having more Maya and Noami in this book. I'm iffy with Cassandra and I can live without Pamela. On top of that, Colby looks like fun. I'm glad we met him. He's like that little brother that you want to punch and/or hug.
I would like more of Mick and Janet in a relationship, I like them together but it would be nice to see them with a little more talk-talk between them and a little less rip-roaring sessy times. Why? Because while sessy times are fun for everyone, a real relationship is also communication and doing things outside of the bedroom. If I don't see that happen it's hard for me to believe that the relationship is real.
The plot itself was interesting though at times it felt like there were too many things going on at once but it was all summed up nicely and the ending left us with an interesting little twist.
May 22, 2011
Allyson James has two series about dragon shape-shifters; this one is the second in her Stormwalker series. Ms. James also writes historical romances under the name Jennifer Ashley, which are a lot of fun, so if dragons aren’t your thing but velvet and lace are, check her out! I read Stormwalker some time last year, but I didn’t realize that the sequel was out until I saw it at the library this weekend. This is actually better than the first book, and I enjoyed the first one considerably. Janet Begay, the heroine, is a stormwalker. She can channel the power of storms, but (spoiler alert) in the first novel we learn that her mother was literally from hell and Janet has inherited her mother’s powers. Janet’s boyfriend, Mick, is a dragon shapeshifter, and he was ordered to kill Janet to prevent her mother from ever escaping hell, but clearly decided not to comply with his orders, since we have a sequel. In this second novel, Mick is facing the consequences of his decision and Janet is fighting the growing power within her.
I really like how Ms. James uses Native American mythology and dragon lore in this novel. The character of Coyote is, as he should be, quite the trickster, and the dragons are really snooty. Janet and her magic mirror supply this urban fantasy (can it be urban fantasy if it’s in the desert?) with its required snark, and are just a lot of fun to read. Janet grows as a character in this novel, learning about her power but also figuring out that she does in fact possess the strength to control them. I’m looking forward to future installments of this series, and I’m not sure I could have said that after the first book in the series.
I really like how Ms. James uses Native American mythology and dragon lore in this novel. The character of Coyote is, as he should be, quite the trickster, and the dragons are really snooty. Janet and her magic mirror supply this urban fantasy (can it be urban fantasy if it’s in the desert?) with its required snark, and are just a lot of fun to read. Janet grows as a character in this novel, learning about her power but also figuring out that she does in fact possess the strength to control them. I’m looking forward to future installments of this series, and I’m not sure I could have said that after the first book in the series.
October 12, 2014
This book really cemented just how much I really like Janet. She is a strong woman, one who believes in her friends and loved ones, but also asks for help when she needs it.
Janet and Mick are still dealing with the consequences of the last book, the major one being that Mick is now on trial for not killing Janet. With more dragons entering the picture we learn more about Mick and his background, which has some surprising revelations.
Janet also seems to be on trial with all the gods that are around, Coyote being the main one, who usually makes for some funny scenes. She is warned that she needs to get her magic under control or she will be killed. The first time you hear it you are frightened for her, but after the 10th time hearing it from everyone and their brother the threat just looses it's value.
The help that Janet gets often come from surprising people and leads to some interesting adventures for her.
I do think the revelation that came at the end will make the next book very interesting.
Janet and Mick are still dealing with the consequences of the last book, the major one being that Mick is now on trial for not killing Janet. With more dragons entering the picture we learn more about Mick and his background, which has some surprising revelations.
Janet also seems to be on trial with all the gods that are around, Coyote being the main one, who usually makes for some funny scenes. She is warned that she needs to get her magic under control or she will be killed. The first time you hear it you are frightened for her, but after the 10th time hearing it from everyone and their brother the threat just looses it's value.
The help that Janet gets often come from surprising people and leads to some interesting adventures for her.
I do think the revelation that came at the end will make the next book very interesting.
November 15, 2015
I hadn’t realized how much I missed Janet and Mick until I decided to pick up ‘Firewalker�, the 2nd in Allyson James� Stormwalker Series.
Firewalker opens with Janet managing her hotel, without Mick; he’s been missing for a few weeks with no word. Shortly afterwards a shifter informs Janet that she discovered where Mick is and Janet leaves immediately to help him; taking Nash with her. Together they are able to break Mick free of the magic prison that the dragons placed on him; however, as they are leaving they are attacked by demons and the new dark power growing with Janet is released and they are saved� but Janet is having more and more difficulty controlling it.
A corpse is found near Janet’s hotel and she immediately becomes a suspect. The revelation of what happened, who did it, etc� gasp! Be prepared. Lol I can’t wait to be able to get my hands on the 3rd in this series.
Firewalker opens with Janet managing her hotel, without Mick; he’s been missing for a few weeks with no word. Shortly afterwards a shifter informs Janet that she discovered where Mick is and Janet leaves immediately to help him; taking Nash with her. Together they are able to break Mick free of the magic prison that the dragons placed on him; however, as they are leaving they are attacked by demons and the new dark power growing with Janet is released and they are saved� but Janet is having more and more difficulty controlling it.
A corpse is found near Janet’s hotel and she immediately becomes a suspect. The revelation of what happened, who did it, etc� gasp! Be prepared. Lol I can’t wait to be able to get my hands on the 3rd in this series.
September 11, 2016
This second book in this series was even better than the first. Janet just attracts trouble and in this one she has plenty of it. First up is Mick's dragon trial, something Janet wants him to avoid completely, but something he is honour bound to attend.
When dead bodies start turning up inside out and one of Janet's hotel residents disappears, she begins the hunt to find him and to find out what has happened to every who has been killed.
I loved Janet in this one. She managed to work out how to use the two sides of magic inside her without it destroying her and all those she loves. As much as she loves Mick, she will not let him completely control her and still defies those who try to tell her what to do. She is even more feisty and very strong willed, standing up for what and who she believes in, even if it means she could be killed herself.
The ending was very unexpected and a great twist to the story as well.
Looking forward to continuing this series.
When dead bodies start turning up inside out and one of Janet's hotel residents disappears, she begins the hunt to find him and to find out what has happened to every who has been killed.
I loved Janet in this one. She managed to work out how to use the two sides of magic inside her without it destroying her and all those she loves. As much as she loves Mick, she will not let him completely control her and still defies those who try to tell her what to do. She is even more feisty and very strong willed, standing up for what and who she believes in, even if it means she could be killed herself.
The ending was very unexpected and a great twist to the story as well.
Looking forward to continuing this series.
November 13, 2010
*slight spoilers* I finished this book within two days because I cant get enough of this awesome series. Janet and the gang our back and the dragons are really not happy that Mick didnt kill Janet after she opened the vortex in the last book. Everyone is back, Nash, Maya, Coyote, and the magic mirror, also some interesting new characters such as more dragons, a witch, shapeshifters and a lot more awesome surprises. This book has a ton of action and death defying moments for Janet and she has to risk using her beneath powers to help save a lot of people including herself. Plus the touch of some yummy romance with the smoken hot Mick is something thats always a plus. This is highly a must read!
January 14, 2011
I can't explain why I didn't like Firewalker more. The characters are solid, the plot is solid, and the writing is solid. I even liked that Nash is quite a bit more likable this time around. Even with all of that, I had to really push myself to finish it. It was just missing that something that normally sucks me into a world. It could be that I don't find the romance between Janet and Mick exciting. I'd really rather see her with Nash, but then where would that leave Maya? Hmmm. Could it be that I'm just in a reading funk? That's probably a very real possibility. So, just in case, I'm going to keep an open mind toward the next book in the series.
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