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3.3 out of 5 stars
3.3 out of 5
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kbirdlincoln
3.0 out of 5 stars like Lay's for the thinness of the plot devices on a still fun-to-crunch mythos in an Urban Fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2013
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This is the start to an Urban Fantasy series featuring the son of one of the Fates (greek mythology). Nyx Fortuna is in Minneapolis to hunt down his thread of fate and to exact revenge on his Aunties (the fates- the Wyrd sisters) for trying to kill him and destroying his mother.

Hmmmm, I have to say I didn't really get into this series. Alot of the time Nyx does stuff that made absolutely no sense to me (oh, Naiad infested lake that also features razor-tooth water hags; after a quick look around showing no one near, I'll take a swim anyway) and while he professes in the beginning nothing but hatred for his Aunties and a desire to end his own life and theirs (although I never got why he wanted to end his own life)that conveniently disappears once the big bad is removed.

I felt like part of the book was Nyx going in circles from job to job and coffee house to coffee house falling in love with Elizabeth for no apparent reason I could see, and then hanging with sorceror-son-of-his-boss Talbot. Actually, hanging with Talbot was probably the most interesting, banter-trading bits of the whole book.

I think the series has potential, but possibly got too bogged down in showing nebulous bits of time passing where Nyx seemed strangely passive and willing to take very huge risks (while protesting these risks were dangerous) about being near the very Aunties he is being hunted by.

I'd also want a more intense emotional connection between Nyx and his inner circle.

This Book's Snack Rating: Lay's for the thinness of the plot devices on a still fun-to-crunch mythos in an Urban Fantasy
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Liviania
VINE VOICE
3.0 out of 5 stars Cool premise but terrible romance
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2013
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STRANGE FATES is the first book in a new adult urban fantasy trilogy to be followed by DARK DESCENT (later this year) and FORTUNE'S FAVOR (early 2014). I love reading about the Fates, I've heard fantastic things about Marlene Perez's young adult books, and I was excited by a trilogy that would be published within the year instead of stretched out over three years. Plus, the ebook was at a bargain price. Unfortunately STRANGE FATES was not everything I'd hoped for.

It wasn't all bad. The world Perez created is fascinating. There are four houses of power, and Nyx Fortuna belongs to the strongest: the House of Fate. That's not a good thing for him, because his mother was the fourth Fate, murdered by her sisters and forgotten. He wants revenge and then he wants to die himself. But the remaining Fates are up to something fishy and a missing scientist might be the key to it all.

The biggest problem with STRANGE FATES was Elizabeth. When Nyx meets her, he knows that she's a liar and using him for her own mysterious ends. She does nothing but confirm this impression. For some reason, he decides to begin a relationship with her anyway. He falls for her soon enough, despite the fact that Elizabeth shows no qualities other than being a manipulative liar and does everything she can to betray his inexplicable trust and on top of everything else he's apparently never fallen in love before in his long life. There is no character-based reason for Nyx to be in love and it's this hollow core at the center of his motivation. His friendship with Willow, a murderous naiad, isn't much more developed. But Perez clearly has the skills to show people getting to know and like each other, considering how Nyx and Talbot's relationship grows closer as they work and hang together.

The second biggest problem is that Nyx seems to change his priorities part of the way through the novel without much explanation. He's very clear about his desire to kill the Fates and determined to get revenge for the first half of the novel, but then when things start falling into place to destroy the Fates he does the exact opposite of jumping at his chance. I am all for Perez throwing some nuance into the relationship and broadening Nyx's perspective, but I was honestly baffled by most of Nyx's decisions in the second half of STRANGE FATES.

There is a lot of talent behind STRANGE FATES. Perez created a nifty world and a great main character. She has an interesting take on mythology and immortality. But the execution isn't there at all. The romance is mind-bogglingly bad and Nyx goes against the entirety of his characterization for the tiniest, least-convincing reason. I kind of want to read the second to see if Perez manages to save her world, but STRANGE FATES started strong and finished very weak.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Good story, so so writing
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
I really liked the premise of this book. Unfortunately the writing was not as good as the idea. The story and characters were not fully fleshed and the plot seemed contrived and choppy. I will probably get the next book, hoping the editing and writing has improved with practice, but won't invest again if the quality remains the same.
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TRex223
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, sexy new series from Marlene Perez
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
I'm a big fan of Marlene's DEAD IS series, so was excited to give STRANGE FATES a read, especially since it's got a male MC (refreshing!). Didn't disappoint. As usual, her writing is fast, sexy and a lot of fun, and I loved the new spin on the classic sisters of fate tale--think Dresden Files meets Revenge. Can't wait for the next one!
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KC
5.0 out of 5 stars Good follow up to an excellent first book
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2014
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Great book, had to get it after reading the first book of the series . Author puts an interesting spin on mythological characters living with us today.
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Plantlust
2.0 out of 5 stars Great premise, horrible writing
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2013
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This book and its sequel is going in my "get-rid-of-it" pile. Perhaps I'm spoiled by the writing styles of Anne Bishop, Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, Ilona Andrews and Mike Resnick but shouldn't a novel have character development, realistic dialogue and scenes that flow logically without a convenient lucky tarot deck, an enemy who turns into a friend way too easily and a main character who just doesn't FEEL like a guy, much less a 200 year old guy?

Definitely not happy with this purchase.
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Josh
5.0 out of 5 stars I was on the edge of my couch.
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
Definitely a page turner--Nyx is a compelling new male lead and I'm looking forward to seeing where this fun, fast-paced series goes. Recommended for fans of Marlene, readers of urban fantasy, and thrillers.
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars strange fates
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2014
Verified Purchase
reads like a school kids English essay.
i didn't finish book as i found most of the characters unbelievable.
I own upwards of 2000 books and this is in the top five worst I have read.
Just not my type.
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