The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss Series #1)

An amazing idea captured by Lui that makes for an unforgettable read!

This is the only novel I have read by M.M. Liu, but I wish it was part of a series. I bought it because the cover art and the synopsis on the back caught my attention. I read the book in one day because I just couldn't put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of tattoos that come to life and protect the wearer - tattoos that are passed down from mother to daughter upon the mother's death. The story uses first-person narrative to tell Maxine Kiss's story as she fights to protect humanity from the demons in another dimension that wish to destroy the world. As I was reading it felt like Liu was hinting that this novel could become a series - goodness knows there is enough there to create a very powerful series.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

New series with a new take on tattoos and demons.

This book is a great beginning to a unique series idea. This book introduces you to all the characters and given what you need to love them, along with the fast pacing to keep you going. The book is VERY well written to make me love and hate the characters with Maxine as we go through the story. I loved how there are many different demons and creatures. By the end of the book, I felt I knew the characters well, but had many curiosities of them. My curiosities were not from a lack in the story, but more of my thinking on the characters afterward. Where they are from and what they could truely be capable of.

There are things here that Marjorie lays out for you to foresee in the story, but there are so many unpredictable happenings, and appearances as well. You get pieces of the plot to puzzle together as the story goes and it keeps you wanting more. I didn't want to put the book down. Another great book where I tried to make stopping points but just could NOT find one, I had to keep reading to find out what happens and what creature am I going to meet next.

I do have to mention the '80s references ~ on the radio and tv reruns. The references are in no way over done. I enjoyed the subtlety of them, since I too am an '80s lover.

One of my favorite characters in the book were the tattoos. I loved the WHOLE idea with/of them. The way they live, protecting Maxine both day and night in different ways. The way they help guide Maxine even when they are sleeping. This is an amazing creation that I look forward to reading more of.

The only thing with this story was I felt, in the first fifty pages or so, I had missed some information. Maybe I missed a story that preceded this book or maybe this is information that is left open to be discussed in future books. Either way it did not hinder the book in any way and keeps a little mystery in the book and future installments for me.
In the end, I loved this books' plot and the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone loving paranormal books.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Page turner

I enjoy Marjorie Liu's writing!!! This book was a page turner and I was excited and disappointed when I got to the end because I loved the book and wanted to get to the next one in the series but did not want it to end all at the same time.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Worth It

Even though, to me, this wasn't Ms. Liu's best work, I found myself not wanting the story to end. I was left with more questions than I had at the beginning of the book and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm anxiously waiting for the second addition to the series. While the writing style and plot may be a little tedious and different than what most of Ms. Liu's readers would expect, I very much enjoyed the book. I recommend you at least give it a shot and see how you feel about it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Cumbersome writing style

I've enjoyed M.Liu's books but I found this one cumbersome and frustrating. The writing style seemed to be complex for complexity's sake. Mysteries were thrown out apparently just to be mysterious because almost nothing was answered. I enjoy an intellectually written story but this one required too much wading through the writing style to get to the substance of the story. As to the frustration...if I were dealing with so many people being mysterious and refusing to answer questions I would have walked away from the lot of them. However frustrating it was to Maxine it was a LOT more frustrating and annoying to me. With that said, I did like the characters. I'm not sure that I like the characters enough to wade through the writing style the next time though.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Exciting new series!

Fantastic start to a new urban fantasy with lots of promise. This was a great read. There was action from start to finish. Not much wining and self-loathing. This book got to the point and kept me interested the whole time. The world Marjorie Liu created was fascinating and intriguing. I can't wait for the next book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is the superb start of a dynamic looking fantasy saga

Long ago demons walked the earth killing anything foolishly that got in their way. The humans exploded on the planet leading to war over which species would dominate the orb mankind won and established a prison of sorts to keep the demons away forever. Over time the Great War has been forgotten lost in the myths until one last demon hunter Maxine Kiss remains. The veil has weakened and been breached with those demons who have come home by using a human as a zombie-host.---------- Maxine wears tattoos of demons as armor in daylight at night they leave her to become separate alive entities they are her family until she births the next generation female who will inherit them while Maxine dies just like her mother did. One day, Maxine feels something different has made it through the veil. Not a zombie demon, but Ahsen wears the shape of Maxine the child. Stunned the last protector learns she is an Avatar capable of destroying the world as Maxine knows it. -------------- Readers who love urban fantasies like those of Charlaine Harris or Kim Harrison will relish Marjorie M. Liu¿s excellent adventure. The protagonist is an interesting character who has always been lonely as her companions ironically are demons. She courageously accepts her fate to protect humanity but never be part of humanity and to always be alone until her death when her yet to be conceived daughter replaces her. However she finds herself for the first time fascinated with a male, but she also knows that theirs is relationship doomed to heartache. This is the superb start of a dynamic looking saga.-------- Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

New take on the paranormal

It took me a bit to understand what was happening in this story. Give yourself some time to get involved in the plot (although everyone else may be a bit quicker on the uptake than I!!!). Very interesting perspective on the paranormal world!!! After I finished this I ordered the rest of the series and read them non-stop! Have pre-ordered the next installment. Waiting for the next DIRK and STEELE installment, too!

Highly Recommend.

I read all the time and I truly enjoy reading book written by Marjorie M. Liu. She is one of my favorite authors. This book expands the imagination.

An ok first book in a series.

This was supposed to be the first in the series. To me it seemed like there should have been one before to explain some things.

Loved it!! The kind of book you will keep and re-read

Loved this book! Found Ms. Liu's writing in an anthology book I bought for another writer and was interested in her other works. I started with the Hunter Kiss series and I'm hooked. This woman can write! Enough details to make it intersting your second or even third reading.... I really can't say that about many writers. I've gone through the series already and am looking at her other works to see what I'll get there.

Seriously impressive writer. Makes demons likable, and just keeps bringing more and more into here stories :)

Yawn and Boo! Hours HOURS of my life gone....POOF!

Wow, where to start. Bad character developments, too much internal monologue and over exaggerated scenes, make this book one to trade into a used book store so not to waste the space on my book shelf. I haven't been this disappointed since I read Need by Carrie Jones. If this is Marjorie Liu's style then this will be the last book I read of hers.

I had to stop........Ive never had to stop! I might struggle through to keep my record, but trust me when I say, it will be a definite challenge to finish this book.

It was good

I thought it was good, but it has a hard time catching my interest but when it did I got into the book okay. Once it did, it was a good book. I won't read the next one in the series, however, I like the author and enjoy her books.

see above

Ecellent, not to heavy and dark, but also not sugary or overly sweet. I love a book with some hope at the end.

Great beginning for a new series

This was the first time I had read anything by Marjorie Liu. I will definitely read more of her works. I enjoy reading science fiction/fantasy series and hope this turns into a good one. The fantasy worlds that are created and Maxine kept me intrigued. I didn't want to put the book down.

A reviewer

I found the book so boring that half way into it I put it down and haven't ever finished it. I've really enjoy her series books and I'll keep getting those, but this one was a waste of money.

A reviewer

I'll admit, I didn't read the first of this series, so I was came into this book blind, but she just couldn't keep my attention. I love her books, and her sense of humor, but Maxine wasn't a person I could get into. I can't wait for Majorie to release another series, or continue one of her previous ones.

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