Vicious Circle

I had been waiting for this book when I learned that there was a sequel to _The Devil You Know_, and I was not disappointed.

It loses a single star because there are a couple of points where the plot is just a little too contrived, but the depth of the characters and the skill of the storytelling more than make up for it.

Eagerly awaiting book three.

I was surprised to see a sequel to The Devil You Know and purchased it right away. Mike Carey doesn't disappoint the listener by picking up right where he left off in the first book. He keeps the plot fresh by throwing in unexpected twists throughout the story. He does some further character development with both Castor and Juliet, but not at the expense of the action. When he ties it all up at the end, it is not with a pretty ribbon and no one really walks off into the sunset living happily ever after. The ending is clearly the beginning for book three. It is well read and characters are easily distinguished from each other. A little better editing could make the metaphors more accurate, but that is minor compared to the overall internal consistency of the plot. It's a good read.

I read, rather than listened to, the first book in this series, _The Devil You Know_, and I wasn't too impressed. Perhaps I should have listened to it, because this audiobook blew me away.

The narrator is SO good. He breathes life into every character, and his pace and clarity are just perfect.

And the story. I can't believe the twists and turns Carey puts into this plot, but every one works, especially the key element, the reason everyone is doing all these baffling things. It has to be big and convincing, and not obvious, and it delivers on all counts.

About a quarter of the way through, I realized that this is just like a Raymond Chandler book, only with ghosts and demons and were folk. Felix Castor is Philip Marlowe as exorcist. All the other elements are very much the same. And who doesn't love hard-boiled fiction?

Now I'm going to get _The Devil You Know_ in audiobook form. I bet I love it.

Carey, who wrote an amazing arc of the Hellblazer comic books, takes a similar concept to John Constantine (see also: Harry Dresden, John Taylor, etc.). The Felix Castor books are much darker and more twisted than the Dresden ones I've read - definitely more horror/dark fantasy. Carey knows how to build his story and set the mood, creates an amazing supporting cast of supporting characters, juggle the plotlines, all while slowly turning the temperature up. This story is even darker than the previous one, with a twistier narrative woven together by an expert.

Michael Kraemer's reading matches Castor's voice (as well as the other characters) to perfection, and goes a long way in further establishing the dark mood of the story.

I hope the rest of the Castor books are made available soon, because this is a series I want to keep listening to - preferably, when all the lights are out!

I really enjoyed this book even though I wouldn't rank it in my Audible Top 10. I would recommend anyone who likes this sort of supernatural subject to download it. It's not often I can navigate Los Angeles rush hour traffic and still have enough of a sense of humor to laugh, but I found myself laughing out loud several times while listening to this book. Kind of like True Blood with a more urbane lead character...I think Felix Castor is immediately likeable for such a scoundrel. Must be the British in him! If Showtime or Starz is looking to enter the realm of werewolves, demons, and ghosts...this is the series for them!

The narrator was good at bringing out the sarcasm et al of Felix, but sometimes I felt he droned on a bit. I would give him a B+ for his reading of this novel. I'm a certain that I will eventually download and listen to the other books in this series.

This is a great experience. The narrator is comfortable with the characters in this second book of the series and it shows in the flow of the conversations. Carey gives really good plot. It is well thought out and of course Vicious Circle would work well as a stand alone read but it is excellent as a continuation. The tone of the book keeps you on the edge of your seat. You want to resolve the situation but you hate to get to the end. I am delaying my "fix" of the next installment until Audiobooks adds more Felix Caster to their collection.

I enjoyed "Vicious Circle" a lot; but I could see how some people might not like it. It does go a bit out on a limb, postulating the existence of super-natural beings like zombies, ghosts, and demons walking (or floating) amongst us. But Mr. Carey's humorous treatment of this plot device not only kept me listening, but made me want to listen to his other book, "The Devil You Know." I also enjoyed Michael Kramer doing various British accents: to me, he has always epitomized the quintessential American voice, in the guise of Rex Stout's Archie Goodwin. But here he does a credible job of voicing English characters.

Gripping, interesting, funny and intelligent. This Felix Castor novel has it all.

It puts you in the happy position of driving around the block one more time, just so you can hear some more.

Tight writing, pithy observations and delightful plot twists makes this a series to watch.

I'm halfway though this one, and it still doesn't seem like it's started yet. The plot moves very slow, characters and scenes almost seem too detailed. I can't get enough motivation to continue to listen. Michael Kramer's narration was wonderful.

I loved the first book in the series. I listened every minute that I got a chance. I can't get get up the gumption to finish this one.

I haven't found one yet.

No. However, I'm willing to try the third book.

Mike Carey is an excellent writer who has a great command of the English language. He is also a master of dry humor. I'm a writer also, but if I could copy any writer's style, it would be his. This story is all right, although I liked his book, The Devil You Know, even better. Michael Kramer is a wonderful narrator. I could listen to him all day.