Thunderbird Falls (Walker Papers, book 2) by C.E. Murphy
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Thunderbird Falls
The sequel to 2005's Urban Shaman pits beat cop and reluctant shaman Joanne Walker (real name Siobhan Walkingstick) against her deadliest foe yet: an ancient serpentine spirit bent on crossing over into modern-day Seattle -- not to order an iced mocha latte from Starbucks but to take over the world!
Just a few months after meeting the Native American trickster god Coyote and grudgingly agreeing to become a shaman -- it was either that or death! -- Walker is still coming to grips with her paranormal abilities. But when she discovers the body of a dead woman in a University of Washington shower room, she's thrust into a potentially apocalyptic adventure that revolves around a good-hearted coven trying to raise a seemingly benevolent spirit from the netherworld. But as the rituals intensify, Walker realizes that the 3,000-year-old entity isn't exactly on a mission of peace.
Review:
“Let me guess.” Was pretty much the only thoughts I had while reading Thunderbird Falls. OK, clearly not the only thoughts. But they were pretty much on replay the whole way through. Lot's of readers complained about how much Jo pisses and moans about her new powers. Which I'll talk about. My main complaint was how terribly predictable this book was.
Each new character, plot point, or anything introduced was so glaringly obvious I had this mental image of myself beating my head against a school desk! The fact that I had to forcibly sit myself down and finally just get finish this book killed this most of the enjoyment. The only reason I didn't simply walk away from Thunderbird Falls is the fact that I love Jo and I bought all of the books. All right, I really enjoyed the first one. Plus, Jo’s denial about her crush on Morrison . . .
Jo is great to follow in this book. She reminds me of myself on many levels. Talking out loud to myself. Check. No mind to mouth filter. Check. Car lover. Check. Shirks at the idea of huge cosmic responsibility. Check. Admittedly Jo immediately whining about how she doesn't want her new powers and her denial annoyed me. After everything in the last book she should know better. She's taking fencing lessons on the off chance that she might need to sword fight again. Why wouldn't she want to better herself on the magic playing field? That's where the battles are really going to take place. Then a dear book friend of mine stated that denial is the only thing that keeps us sane sometimes. Then there's Jo's dark and sad past. It clicked. Honestly in Jo’s place I would not want those powers and would run too.
In the end the real saving point of the book isn't that everyone is asking for Jo to want her powers, but to accept her place with them and to help. Because denial does not make the problems go away. Another beautiful thing is that no one out right laughs at Jo for her beliefs and it actually shows a Seattle full of a lot of people willing to accept and believe in the magical side of the world. While I find it highly unlikely, it is nice. At some point I'm sure Jo, and readers, will have to deal with some prejudices about it later. This book is a necessary step for character development, a lesson that hits close to home that Jo needs. It's just a shame the book had to be so freaking predictable.
Sexual Content: Sexual humor.
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out
| Previous book(s) in series: | ||
| Reviewed on BW: | Amazon: | Goodreads: |
| Urban Shaman (1) | Urban Shaman (1) | Urban Shaman (1) |
