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Connor Grey #1
Unshapely Things
In the alleys of the decrepit Boston neighborhood known as the Weird, fairy prostitutes are turning up dead. The crime scenes show signs of residual magic, but the Guild, which polices the fey, has more "important" crimes to investigate and dumps the case on human law enforcement.
Boston police call in Connor Grey, a druid and former hotshot Guild investigator-whose magical abilities were crippled after a run-in with a radical environmentalist elf. As Connor battles red tape and his own shortcomings, he realizes that the murders are not random, but part of an ancient magical ritual. And if Connor can't figure out the killer's M.O., the culmination of the spell might just bring about a worldwide cataclysm.
Boston police call in Connor Grey, a druid and former hotshot Guild investigator-whose magical abilities were crippled after a run-in with a radical environmentalist elf. As Connor battles red tape and his own shortcomings, he realizes that the murders are not random, but part of an ancient magical ritual. And if Connor can't figure out the killer's M.O., the culmination of the spell might just bring about a worldwide cataclysm.
305 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 30, 2007
63 people are currently reading
6,636 people want to read
About the author
Mark Del Franco
13books363followersCATHARGO (2016) is Mark Del Franco's latest fantasy novel, an alternative history where chance and coincidence set the stage for an entire continent to be plunged into war over the use of magic.
WHIRLWIND (2014)is Mark Del Franco's first young adult novel, an urban fantasy featuring teens with elemental powers.
Mark is the author of the adult urban fantasy Connor Grey books. The best order to read the series is:
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
UNPERFECT SOULS
UNCERTAIN ALLIES
UNDONE DEEDS
The Laura Blackstone urban fantasy books, also set in the Convergent World, are
SKIN DEEP and FACE OFF.
Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids Just Won't Die.
WHIRLWIND (2014)is Mark Del Franco's first young adult novel, an urban fantasy featuring teens with elemental powers.
Mark is the author of the adult urban fantasy Connor Grey books. The best order to read the series is:
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
UNPERFECT SOULS
UNCERTAIN ALLIES
UNDONE DEEDS
The Laura Blackstone urban fantasy books, also set in the Convergent World, are
SKIN DEEP and FACE OFF.
Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids Just Won't Die.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
January 6, 2016
I loved this book. It was a little slow paced in the beginning but that was fine because del Franco set up a complex world mostly by showing rather than telling. It started as an urban fantasy police procedural and it was well done. About halfway through the real action started and I couldn't put it down.
I love the main character. He's complex and I like the idea that he is disabled for someone of his race. He isn't so by our standards but he can't live in our world as we do. He is very much crippled and it's heartbreaking as we are shown rather than told. He doesn't whine but we see how it shattered him as he struggles with it day after day. The loss of his abilities was the loss of his world.
He and the other characters were very real to me and three dimensional. I particularly felt the reality of the two boys in love struggling to survive on the streets. The best part for me is that there was no sexism at all. None. Women could be attractive or not and there wasn't any of the feeling that the writer was picturing the women as they would look in a graphic novel. The men and women were equally strong and all the characters complex. I also like the concept of bigotry both between humans and all the fey as well as between each race of the fey. I really believed this world the author built and I'm eager to read the next one.
I love the main character. He's complex and I like the idea that he is disabled for someone of his race. He isn't so by our standards but he can't live in our world as we do. He is very much crippled and it's heartbreaking as we are shown rather than told. He doesn't whine but we see how it shattered him as he struggles with it day after day. The loss of his abilities was the loss of his world.
He and the other characters were very real to me and three dimensional. I particularly felt the reality of the two boys in love struggling to survive on the streets. The best part for me is that there was no sexism at all. None. Women could be attractive or not and there wasn't any of the feeling that the writer was picturing the women as they would look in a graphic novel. The men and women were equally strong and all the characters complex. I also like the concept of bigotry both between humans and all the fey as well as between each race of the fey. I really believed this world the author built and I'm eager to read the next one.
January 22, 2018
***Originally reviewed 2014. Found a typo.***
I'm going to say about this book what I've said about others...I wanted to like this book. I mean I really wanted to like this book. I'm always looking for good Urban Fantasy reads and this one looked promising. There's a nice number of books in the series and people have been rating them highly.
Oh well. I almost went two stars here. In many ways the book is more mediocre than actually poor. The thing is I finally laid it aside as not worth my time to finish. When I do that I go to 1 star.
By the way, this wasn't the first time I laid the book aside. I kept laying it aside and reading other things. Then I'd go back to it hoping...really hoping I'd get interested. I just never did.
There are a few likable characters here. One is a sad young witness who's life is difficult anyway, another is a fairy who's a little edgy and dangerous, then there's our protagonist. He's okay...but he never really drew me in.
You've met this guy, or at least versions of him before. He used to be much more powerful...but "something" happened and now his power is a shadow of what it was. He's hanging on at the edges of things doing what he can.
The world "we" live in is now "this one" after the Convergence. See the world of Faerie has somehow converged with the world of humans.
They (that is the people of that world which in the book is the same as this world except...oh well, you get the idea.) still debate about which is the "real world" it sort of depends on where you come from...
Anyway the worlds have Converged so now all kinds of people, creatures and things walk, creep, run, flit, jump and crawl among "us humans". The old prejudices and bigotries are still around of course...but now we have what Huck Finn would call "a whole raft" of new ones. Fairies look down on humans and other fairies who associate with humans, humans seem to hate everybody (well the bigoted ones) and then of course there's the long simmering war between fairies and Elves...
Sounds like the proverbial page turning thrill ride doesn't it.
It's so slow that I occasionally laid it aside to actually try watching paint dry. Snail races at times have more action. This is not a thriller...sorry.
I was disappointed in it. I wanted to like it. I always like to find another good UF series.
Sadly, this ain't it. Can't recommend it, sorry.
I'm going to say about this book what I've said about others...I wanted to like this book. I mean I really wanted to like this book. I'm always looking for good Urban Fantasy reads and this one looked promising. There's a nice number of books in the series and people have been rating them highly.
Oh well. I almost went two stars here. In many ways the book is more mediocre than actually poor. The thing is I finally laid it aside as not worth my time to finish. When I do that I go to 1 star.
By the way, this wasn't the first time I laid the book aside. I kept laying it aside and reading other things. Then I'd go back to it hoping...really hoping I'd get interested. I just never did.
There are a few likable characters here. One is a sad young witness who's life is difficult anyway, another is a fairy who's a little edgy and dangerous, then there's our protagonist. He's okay...but he never really drew me in.
You've met this guy, or at least versions of him before. He used to be much more powerful...but "something" happened and now his power is a shadow of what it was. He's hanging on at the edges of things doing what he can.
The world "we" live in is now "this one" after the Convergence. See the world of Faerie has somehow converged with the world of humans.
They (that is the people of that world which in the book is the same as this world except...oh well, you get the idea.) still debate about which is the "real world" it sort of depends on where you come from...
Anyway the worlds have Converged so now all kinds of people, creatures and things walk, creep, run, flit, jump and crawl among "us humans". The old prejudices and bigotries are still around of course...but now we have what Huck Finn would call "a whole raft" of new ones. Fairies look down on humans and other fairies who associate with humans, humans seem to hate everybody (well the bigoted ones) and then of course there's the long simmering war between fairies and Elves...
Sounds like the proverbial page turning thrill ride doesn't it.
It's so slow that I occasionally laid it aside to actually try watching paint dry. Snail races at times have more action. This is not a thriller...sorry.
I was disappointed in it. I wanted to like it. I always like to find another good UF series.
Sadly, this ain't it. Can't recommend it, sorry.
February 24, 2010
A great first book and a series I'll definitely continue with!
Connor Grey is a druid but he's lost his abilities. He's collecting a disability check from his old job but he still wants to help where he can. Connor has a good friend on the Boston police force named Murdock that he helps out from time to time and one night Murdock calls him to the scene of a murder. At the scene is a dead fairy prostitute, held done with ward stones and missing a vital organ. Unfortunately what Connor agrees to help his friend with is way bigger than he could have ever thought and it could come down to having to save the world.
I think for some people this book might move a little slower than they'd like. I honestly didn't have a problem with it even though normally I think I would. For some reason the pacing just really worked for this novel. Connor is made to feel real; he eats, sleeps, cleans, exercises, and hangs out with friends. All the mundane things that normally get glossed over in fantasy and paranormal books are interwoven throughout the book. That's not to say that Connor doesn't try hard to solve the mystery, but this story takes place over a month's time and it wouldn't make sense for him to be running from danger at every turn. He lives and breathes and uses the bathroom like everyone else. I honestly think this only made him more endearing to me.
I also really like the other characters in the book - Joe, the oreo eating flit, is especially hilarious. I also enjoyed Meryl, a smart-mouthed researcher with orange hair, and I hope she shows up in the next book. I love the whole buddy cop friendship that Connor has with Murdock too.
This really was a great book and I enjoyed it a lot. The mystery plays out in a way that you're kept guessing until the very end and I liked the magic and lore that was throughout the book. I especially loved the characters though and I can't wait to read more about them!
Connor Grey is a druid but he's lost his abilities. He's collecting a disability check from his old job but he still wants to help where he can. Connor has a good friend on the Boston police force named Murdock that he helps out from time to time and one night Murdock calls him to the scene of a murder. At the scene is a dead fairy prostitute, held done with ward stones and missing a vital organ. Unfortunately what Connor agrees to help his friend with is way bigger than he could have ever thought and it could come down to having to save the world.
I think for some people this book might move a little slower than they'd like. I honestly didn't have a problem with it even though normally I think I would. For some reason the pacing just really worked for this novel. Connor is made to feel real; he eats, sleeps, cleans, exercises, and hangs out with friends. All the mundane things that normally get glossed over in fantasy and paranormal books are interwoven throughout the book. That's not to say that Connor doesn't try hard to solve the mystery, but this story takes place over a month's time and it wouldn't make sense for him to be running from danger at every turn. He lives and breathes and uses the bathroom like everyone else. I honestly think this only made him more endearing to me.
I also really like the other characters in the book - Joe, the oreo eating flit, is especially hilarious. I also enjoyed Meryl, a smart-mouthed researcher with orange hair, and I hope she shows up in the next book. I love the whole buddy cop friendship that Connor has with Murdock too.
This really was a great book and I enjoyed it a lot. The mystery plays out in a way that you're kept guessing until the very end and I liked the magic and lore that was throughout the book. I especially loved the characters though and I can't wait to read more about them!
June 5, 2018
‘Unshapely Things�, the first novel in the six-book Connor Grey series, was a fun read! I had never heard of the series until I saw it recommended at my local library. A genre bender, it’s a murder mystery series set in a fantasy alternative universe with humans, fairies, elves and dwarves. There also are the cutest little things called flits - who rarely are larger than a foot tall. But they carry swords, and they are not to be messed with.
A thousand years ago an unexpected convergence of universes occurred which destroyed the world of the fey. Reluctantly, they live among humans now in neighborhoods in big cities. Each type of fey has a different set of magical abilities. The fey are monitored by The Ward Guild which is governed by Queen Maeve, High Queen at Tara in Ireland. Anywhere fey are concentrated there is a guildhouse. A diplomatic corp as well as a police force work out of each local guildhouse.
Connor Grey is an ex-guildhouse police detective, once a powerful young druid with a high profile in society and the media. Now he collects disability at age forty and lives in poverty in a cheap apartment. He lost a struggle with an environmentalist elf at a nuclear reactor. The elf had a power ring which somehow bottled up most of Grey’s druid abilities. To supplement his disability checks, he works as an amateur detective. He still partners often with human Detective Lieutenant Leo Murdock of the Boston Police Department. Since Grey’s mysterious affliction has crippled his magical powers, he needs work to supplement his monthly disability check.
Most of Grey’s previous friends dropped him after the power ring incident, but a flit, Stinkwort, continues to help him. Sometimes. If Grey has oreo cookies in his kitchen. Grey doesn’t eat oreos, but he makes certain to stock them anyway. Flits for some unknown reason will attach to someone or a family, regardless of cookies, but Grey kinda likes the flit. Grey also has a powerful druid friend, Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll, who once was his teacher. She is beautiful, and very old, so her druid powers, based on her personal essence, are enormous.
The druids often find themselves playing the peacemakers between the elves and the fairies, who hate each other. Elves and fairies had had a war long ago, and they are not exactly friends today. None of the races are entirely respectful of humans, and the humans are fearful of the fey, but all of the races know they must work together. Each of the fey groups have a royal aristocracy of their own, along with a lower class of regular fey, but there are poor young fey who have fallen into bad company or who have made bad choices, some of whom end up reluctantly as prostitutes with human clients. Others prostitute themselves for an adventure and fun, slumming.
Grey is called by Murdock to an alley by the docks in the Weird, the fey Boston neighborhood. Another dead fairy has been found murdered and mutilated. The strong scent of alcohol is coming from the body. “Damn fairies never learn. They so much as look at a bottle, and they’re drunk, but they still keep drinking the stuff.�
But these murders are awful. This is the third fairy whose body has been ripped open and the heart cut out, the wings held down by stones, and a stone placed inside the chest cavity. Grey can sense an essence charge, but not an extra-magical charge on the stones; however, he is beginning to feel there is a ritual occurring behind these murders. And strangely, he can sense a flit had been there. He can find nothing in his old leather-bound books of spells, so he hopes to contact Briallen.
Stinkwort stops by and tells him the entire community is upset, but he knows nothing about a flit having been there. They are all somewhat telepathic and connected.
As Grey continues to investigate the murder, all kinds of things begin to happen. The Guild steps in and wants him to stop -why?, and they send his druid ex-detective partner Keeva to warn him off. Then, the director of the local Guild, the fairy macDuin personally gets Grey fired from the Boston police force. Meryl, an acquaintance who works in the Guild archives becomes suddenly reluctant to help him openly after having told him certain stones were stolen from the archives and two have been mysteriously returned before she apparently was told to shut up. Briallen tells him there are rituals involving hearts, but they are so terrible these spells could destroy them all. And everyone wants to silence the media from announcing the murders because of the upcoming Midsummer’s Eve festival.
On top of all Grey’s mounting troubles, another dead fairy is found, again ritually mutilated. Worse, the Boston Police and the Guild think Grey is the murderer! Oh oh. Sadly, a cute flit also has been killed. Stinkwort is inconsolable, and before Grey can control him, he has vowed revenge, pulling his sword and well, flitting off.
Things couldn’t get more awful, could they? Yes, they do...
The story is a little slow in the beginning, but the world-building is interesting, for the first few chapters. As the plot unfolds, the pace of the mystery picks up until at the last chapter the crisis is literally one which might change the world!
This is a fun beach read.
A thousand years ago an unexpected convergence of universes occurred which destroyed the world of the fey. Reluctantly, they live among humans now in neighborhoods in big cities. Each type of fey has a different set of magical abilities. The fey are monitored by The Ward Guild which is governed by Queen Maeve, High Queen at Tara in Ireland. Anywhere fey are concentrated there is a guildhouse. A diplomatic corp as well as a police force work out of each local guildhouse.
Connor Grey is an ex-guildhouse police detective, once a powerful young druid with a high profile in society and the media. Now he collects disability at age forty and lives in poverty in a cheap apartment. He lost a struggle with an environmentalist elf at a nuclear reactor. The elf had a power ring which somehow bottled up most of Grey’s druid abilities. To supplement his disability checks, he works as an amateur detective. He still partners often with human Detective Lieutenant Leo Murdock of the Boston Police Department. Since Grey’s mysterious affliction has crippled his magical powers, he needs work to supplement his monthly disability check.
Most of Grey’s previous friends dropped him after the power ring incident, but a flit, Stinkwort, continues to help him. Sometimes. If Grey has oreo cookies in his kitchen. Grey doesn’t eat oreos, but he makes certain to stock them anyway. Flits for some unknown reason will attach to someone or a family, regardless of cookies, but Grey kinda likes the flit. Grey also has a powerful druid friend, Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll, who once was his teacher. She is beautiful, and very old, so her druid powers, based on her personal essence, are enormous.
The druids often find themselves playing the peacemakers between the elves and the fairies, who hate each other. Elves and fairies had had a war long ago, and they are not exactly friends today. None of the races are entirely respectful of humans, and the humans are fearful of the fey, but all of the races know they must work together. Each of the fey groups have a royal aristocracy of their own, along with a lower class of regular fey, but there are poor young fey who have fallen into bad company or who have made bad choices, some of whom end up reluctantly as prostitutes with human clients. Others prostitute themselves for an adventure and fun, slumming.
Grey is called by Murdock to an alley by the docks in the Weird, the fey Boston neighborhood. Another dead fairy has been found murdered and mutilated. The strong scent of alcohol is coming from the body. “Damn fairies never learn. They so much as look at a bottle, and they’re drunk, but they still keep drinking the stuff.�
But these murders are awful. This is the third fairy whose body has been ripped open and the heart cut out, the wings held down by stones, and a stone placed inside the chest cavity. Grey can sense an essence charge, but not an extra-magical charge on the stones; however, he is beginning to feel there is a ritual occurring behind these murders. And strangely, he can sense a flit had been there. He can find nothing in his old leather-bound books of spells, so he hopes to contact Briallen.
Stinkwort stops by and tells him the entire community is upset, but he knows nothing about a flit having been there. They are all somewhat telepathic and connected.
As Grey continues to investigate the murder, all kinds of things begin to happen. The Guild steps in and wants him to stop -why?, and they send his druid ex-detective partner Keeva to warn him off. Then, the director of the local Guild, the fairy macDuin personally gets Grey fired from the Boston police force. Meryl, an acquaintance who works in the Guild archives becomes suddenly reluctant to help him openly after having told him certain stones were stolen from the archives and two have been mysteriously returned before she apparently was told to shut up. Briallen tells him there are rituals involving hearts, but they are so terrible these spells could destroy them all. And everyone wants to silence the media from announcing the murders because of the upcoming Midsummer’s Eve festival.
On top of all Grey’s mounting troubles, another dead fairy is found, again ritually mutilated. Worse, the Boston Police and the Guild think Grey is the murderer! Oh oh. Sadly, a cute flit also has been killed. Stinkwort is inconsolable, and before Grey can control him, he has vowed revenge, pulling his sword and well, flitting off.
Things couldn’t get more awful, could they? Yes, they do...
The story is a little slow in the beginning, but the world-building is interesting, for the first few chapters. As the plot unfolds, the pace of the mystery picks up until at the last chapter the crisis is literally one which might change the world!
This is a fun beach read.
October 28, 2015
I keep seeing people comparing this book to Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden novels. Well, yeah, it's similar - but only as far as the basic story wherein a crippled druid helps the local police solve magic-related murders. Other than that, it's like comparing apples to pears - both are fruit but they taste way different. I like Del Franco's characters/plot better than Butcher's. Don't know why. Connor Grey is kinda more likeable than Harry Dresden. And I love the supporting characters: the whole Murdock family, Briallen, Stinkwort but especially Meryl (she kind of reminds me of NCIS' Abby Sciuto).
The only reason why I didn't give it five stars was that the whole plot could have moved forward a bit faster.
The only reason why I didn't give it five stars was that the whole plot could have moved forward a bit faster.
August 31, 2009
For a full review, check the Bitten by Books website:
March 13, 2025
Decent urban fantasy. Absolutely no romance (yay!), and I think I found the storyline about the main character, a druid who had lost most of his powers before the start of the book, more interesting than the murder mystery. Also, there's a flit (Tinkerbell-like fairy) named...Stinkwort. Lovely. The ending was a bit unintentionally comical, the red herrings are thick and fast, but there was enough that I liked about the main character and the world that I might be willing to read a sequel.
September 2, 2010
Unshapely Things by Mark Del Franco
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Conner Grey. What can I say? I like him. He's a "crippled" Druid who's retired from the "Guild" and working as a consultant for the Boston PD. He's very limited in his abilities and it seems he has just enough to constantly get himself in over his head.
Dead fairy prostitutes are popping up all over the "Wierd", hearts missing and no one has a clue as to how they got that way. Connor sticks his foot in it...almost literally and it's a downward spiral of plot twists and action for him that ends with one kick-butt fight at the climax.
This one read like a crime-solver mystery to me. There was a LOT of information being thrown at you from the get go. It's a very complex world that requires much attention. I loved it! My brain hasn't had that good a workout since.... well, it's been a while. I'm going to need to read some mindless fluff next to give my mind time to recover.
I really appreciated Del Franco's take on the Fey. Down to the little details of how they phrase their names in this society, like "Gamelyn Dannan Sidhe" denoting what race they are. It was an interesting twist on what I've read in the past. And I LOVED the Flits. I keep picturing these little Cornish speaking pixie-like beings armed with sarcasm and a sword.
Connor was a great hero. He was humbled by his lack of abilities, but was using the "disability" to take inventory of himself as a person...of who he was in the past, and who he is now. And his growth as a character was enjoyable to read. I can't wait to see how he progresses with his new directions in the next book.
As for the negative. The only real complaint I could have was that it had the "first-book-blah's" in at a few points. I see that in a lot of firsts in a series. There's a lot of back story and information to impart in a limited amount of words. You have to build a new world for the reader and catch them up on everything and still try to keep the plot flowing. Not an easy task. So There were a few dry spots. Ah well, it was made up for by the end! What an amazing ending! Holy kickin-butt-not-expecting-to-leave-this-room-alive action! It's amazing what someone can drag themselves through when the end of the world as you know it is looming in the distance! I can't wait to see where this goes in the next one in this series, Unquiet Dreams.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Conner Grey. What can I say? I like him. He's a "crippled" Druid who's retired from the "Guild" and working as a consultant for the Boston PD. He's very limited in his abilities and it seems he has just enough to constantly get himself in over his head.
Dead fairy prostitutes are popping up all over the "Wierd", hearts missing and no one has a clue as to how they got that way. Connor sticks his foot in it...almost literally and it's a downward spiral of plot twists and action for him that ends with one kick-butt fight at the climax.
This one read like a crime-solver mystery to me. There was a LOT of information being thrown at you from the get go. It's a very complex world that requires much attention. I loved it! My brain hasn't had that good a workout since.... well, it's been a while. I'm going to need to read some mindless fluff next to give my mind time to recover.
I really appreciated Del Franco's take on the Fey. Down to the little details of how they phrase their names in this society, like "Gamelyn Dannan Sidhe" denoting what race they are. It was an interesting twist on what I've read in the past. And I LOVED the Flits. I keep picturing these little Cornish speaking pixie-like beings armed with sarcasm and a sword.
Connor was a great hero. He was humbled by his lack of abilities, but was using the "disability" to take inventory of himself as a person...of who he was in the past, and who he is now. And his growth as a character was enjoyable to read. I can't wait to see how he progresses with his new directions in the next book.
As for the negative. The only real complaint I could have was that it had the "first-book-blah's" in at a few points. I see that in a lot of firsts in a series. There's a lot of back story and information to impart in a limited amount of words. You have to build a new world for the reader and catch them up on everything and still try to keep the plot flowing. Not an easy task. So There were a few dry spots. Ah well, it was made up for by the end! What an amazing ending! Holy kickin-butt-not-expecting-to-leave-this-room-alive action! It's amazing what someone can drag themselves through when the end of the world as you know it is looming in the distance! I can't wait to see where this goes in the next one in this series, Unquiet Dreams.
October 8, 2010
Somebody is killing Male Fairy prostitutes, removes their hearts, and leaves a stone behind. Since the crime scenes show residual magic, Boston P.D. decides to call Connor Grey, a former Guild investigator, who is now crippled of his abilities after a run-in with a radical elf. With a help from few friends, including a spunky flit named Joe, a human detective Murdock, and a smart-mouth researcher Meryl, Connor tries to find who is responsible behind all the murders.
I always think that UF genre is a women's realm. There are so many female heroines in this genre. Finding a male hero is very rare -- and I think Harry Dresden (by Jim Butcher) is still the King. BUT, I found Connor Grey as a very good alternative.
To be honest, this book has that bumpy issue that I commonly find whenever I read an UF book. It might have something to do with my adapting to the new world as well as getting familiar with the terms and characters. I'm not familiar with UF books that features the likes of fey, fairies, druids, elves, and such (I'm more into shapeshifters and vampires ^_^), so there are A LOT of information that I need to digest -- and not all of them are easy for me. It takes few days for me to finally able to finish
THAT SAID, I cannot stop reading -- which is a good sign of a promising book. I find Connor to be a likeable protagonist, and I find his struggle to be useful after losing his abilities as endearing. The secondary characters are also enjoyable, especially Joe and Meryl (hopefully they will still be around in the next books).
I'm definitely on board with the series!
I always think that UF genre is a women's realm. There are so many female heroines in this genre. Finding a male hero is very rare -- and I think Harry Dresden (by Jim Butcher) is still the King. BUT, I found Connor Grey as a very good alternative.
To be honest, this book has that bumpy issue that I commonly find whenever I read an UF book. It might have something to do with my adapting to the new world as well as getting familiar with the terms and characters. I'm not familiar with UF books that features the likes of fey, fairies, druids, elves, and such (I'm more into shapeshifters and vampires ^_^), so there are A LOT of information that I need to digest -- and not all of them are easy for me. It takes few days for me to finally able to finish
THAT SAID, I cannot stop reading -- which is a good sign of a promising book. I find Connor to be a likeable protagonist, and I find his struggle to be useful after losing his abilities as endearing. The secondary characters are also enjoyable, especially Joe and Meryl (hopefully they will still be around in the next books).
I'm definitely on board with the series!
July 26, 2016
I'd give this book a little more than four stars. The plot was interesting, the main character and his friends likeable and though you got hints throughout the book about who might be responsible for the murders of young fairy prostitutes in an area of Boston called the Weird, the conclusion did have surprises.
The story follows a druid named Connor Grey who fairly recently lost almost all of his powers after an attack by an extreme environmental activist elf. After his accident, Connor is no longer able to work for the Guild, an organization which polices the fey, and survives on disability checks he receives from them and by occasionally helping out a human detective named Murdock. The book starts with Connor already helping Murdock on the case of the fairy murders and continues with his investigation into the victims and the strange manner of the killings. Though this is a case being worked by humans, the Guild only takes cases they deem important, the Guild does eventually become involved and when Connor is taken off the case, he continues to pursue the killer on his own.
One thing I really liked is that none of the characters are super annoying in this book, at least not to me. We're introduced to a number of different people who were in Connor's life before his powers were taken away, many of whom are trying to help restore them and who help him with this particular case. Outside of the Guild there's a flit named Stinkwort, who would prefer to be called Joe, no mystery there as to why, who helps Connor track down a witness to one of the crimes; Briallen, an old, very strong druid who actually trained Connor when he came into his powers at the age of 12 (I'll admit, I did occasionally want to smack her upside her all-knowing head, but still, I wouldn't call her annoying); Keeva, a fairy working at the Guild and who isn't particularly fond of Connor but stops by occasionally to reset the wards around his apartment since he can no longer handle that simple task; Lorcan macDuin, the Guild's Community Liason Officer who doesn't like Connor at all; and Meryl, a strong druid who works at the Guild. Of course there are other minor characters throughout the book, but these are the major players.
Also, though not in the story but never far from his mind, is Bergin Vize, the elf who accidentally caused Connor's powers to seemingly become locked away in his own brain.
I'm not usually into the whole fae thing as they have so much mythology attached to them if you're not familiar with the different fae beings and their powers they can be sort of hard to follow, but del Franco does a good job explaining why fae and humans are together, due to something called the Convergence, the different fae involved and their respective powers and lets us see why there is prejudice from the sides of both humans and fae and even among the fae themselves.
Although the lack of powers makes Connor much more vulnerable than before, as he was an extremely powerful player at the Guild, he still has some powers as well as all of the skills he learned during his training as a druid and at the Guild. I like that del Franco shows us how Connor has changed since his fall from grace, having once looked down on all human and fae who were beneath him or who couldn't help his rise on the Guild ladder, he realizes that not only was he wrong, but that he is now on their level.
The end definitely sets up what the next book is going to be about (the fourth in the series was released earlier this year) and I can't wait to pick it up, especially if it's as good as the first book!
The story follows a druid named Connor Grey who fairly recently lost almost all of his powers after an attack by an extreme environmental activist elf. After his accident, Connor is no longer able to work for the Guild, an organization which polices the fey, and survives on disability checks he receives from them and by occasionally helping out a human detective named Murdock. The book starts with Connor already helping Murdock on the case of the fairy murders and continues with his investigation into the victims and the strange manner of the killings. Though this is a case being worked by humans, the Guild only takes cases they deem important, the Guild does eventually become involved and when Connor is taken off the case, he continues to pursue the killer on his own.
One thing I really liked is that none of the characters are super annoying in this book, at least not to me. We're introduced to a number of different people who were in Connor's life before his powers were taken away, many of whom are trying to help restore them and who help him with this particular case. Outside of the Guild there's a flit named Stinkwort, who would prefer to be called Joe, no mystery there as to why, who helps Connor track down a witness to one of the crimes; Briallen, an old, very strong druid who actually trained Connor when he came into his powers at the age of 12 (I'll admit, I did occasionally want to smack her upside her all-knowing head, but still, I wouldn't call her annoying); Keeva, a fairy working at the Guild and who isn't particularly fond of Connor but stops by occasionally to reset the wards around his apartment since he can no longer handle that simple task; Lorcan macDuin, the Guild's Community Liason Officer who doesn't like Connor at all; and Meryl, a strong druid who works at the Guild. Of course there are other minor characters throughout the book, but these are the major players.
Also, though not in the story but never far from his mind, is Bergin Vize, the elf who accidentally caused Connor's powers to seemingly become locked away in his own brain.
I'm not usually into the whole fae thing as they have so much mythology attached to them if you're not familiar with the different fae beings and their powers they can be sort of hard to follow, but del Franco does a good job explaining why fae and humans are together, due to something called the Convergence, the different fae involved and their respective powers and lets us see why there is prejudice from the sides of both humans and fae and even among the fae themselves.
Although the lack of powers makes Connor much more vulnerable than before, as he was an extremely powerful player at the Guild, he still has some powers as well as all of the skills he learned during his training as a druid and at the Guild. I like that del Franco shows us how Connor has changed since his fall from grace, having once looked down on all human and fae who were beneath him or who couldn't help his rise on the Guild ladder, he realizes that not only was he wrong, but that he is now on their level.
The end definitely sets up what the next book is going to be about (the fourth in the series was released earlier this year) and I can't wait to pick it up, especially if it's as good as the first book!
June 2, 2013
I originally read this in February 2008. Upon rereading, I definitely appreciated some of the more "old school" urban fantasy elements (harking back to , , , , etc), such as the involvement of the Fae and the city/urban environment seeming to almost be a character itself. In this tale of druid who's lost his powers and helps out the Boston Police Department as best he can, the urban fantasy elements pair interestingly with a first-person noir detective narrative (as with the ).
On with my reread of the next two books, which is as far as I made it before running out of steam with the genre last time.
On with my reread of the next two books, which is as far as I made it before running out of steam with the genre last time.
September 22, 2016
This was quite enjoyable. The main character, Connor Grey, is very likeable--although he keeps telling us what a jerk he used to be before his humbling injury. I think this book would appeal to people who used to like Harry Dresden but have come to feel he has acquired too much power and/or gotten too full of himself. Connor has serious limitations on his magical druid powers (at least at this point) and is trying to learn to deal with that. He can be sarcastic, but he's not as much of a smart-alec as Harry. And Connor has three female colleagues who all have much stronger powers than he does and whom he must ask for help.
I also liked the plotting; the mystery was good and kept me guessing. It wasn't as lurid as the blurb might lead you to believe, and there was absolutely no explicit sex. Del Franco incorporates Celtic myth and legend into the story with some interesting, fresh twists. I also enjoyed the Boston setting.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I also liked the plotting; the mystery was good and kept me guessing. It wasn't as lurid as the blurb might lead you to believe, and there was absolutely no explicit sex. Del Franco incorporates Celtic myth and legend into the story with some interesting, fresh twists. I also enjoyed the Boston setting.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 10, 2009
Although a standard explanation about why there are suddenly fairies and the like in the "normal" world, the protagonist is a new take on the topic. The protagonist is a disabled druid (with disability payments from the organization that oversees the paranormals) with little of his paranormal abilities intact. Like many urban fantasy protagonists, he is associated with the local police force (a consultant) and the novel reads a lot like a police procedural or mystery story...just with fairies, elves, trolls, and druids. Oh, and ancient Celtic gods (or actually the enemies of the ancient Celtic gods).
I really enjoyed this book. I will be reading the rest of the series as long as the quality holds. Del Franco has introduced an interesting character and world and I am looking forward to seeing what else he does with it.
I really enjoyed this book. I will be reading the rest of the series as long as the quality holds. Del Franco has introduced an interesting character and world and I am looking forward to seeing what else he does with it.
September 10, 2016
**edited 12/04/13
~3.5.
Connor Grey was once an incredibly powerful druid, but a work incident left him magically crippled, unable to perform the spells that gave him such high status in the fey world. Now living in Boston and working as a police consultant, Connor is trying to form a new life while fighting his bitterness against the fey guild and his once-inferiors. When a serial killer begins targeting fairy prostitutes, Connor is on the case--and soon embroiled in the fey politics he tried so hard to avoid.
...And that's all I'm going to post here.
Why? Because I disapprove of
~3.5.
Connor Grey was once an incredibly powerful druid, but a work incident left him magically crippled, unable to perform the spells that gave him such high status in the fey world. Now living in Boston and working as a police consultant, Connor is trying to form a new life while fighting his bitterness against the fey guild and his once-inferiors. When a serial killer begins targeting fairy prostitutes, Connor is on the case--and soon embroiled in the fey politics he tried so hard to avoid.
...And that's all I'm going to post here.
Why? Because I disapprove of
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
September 28, 2012I like that goodreads has a button that says "I'm finished" because I am definitely finished with this book. I'm not surprised that I didn't like Unshapely Things since I tend to dislike male led urban fantasy books, but I didn't dislike it for the reasons I normally do. Usually the main character annoys me to no end in male led urban fantasy, and that was not the case here. Connor Grey isn't too much of a swaggering idiot, but he isn't very deep or complex either. His sidekick detective is also not immediately appealing as a character. The problem is, nothing drew me into Unshapely Things. Connor's backstory isn't immediately given, so there was no draw there. The characters aren't impressive, so that didn't help. The world presented is similar to many other urban fantasy novels I've read, no points gained there. The mystery isn't jaw dropping or though provoking. In short, there is no reason to read this. On top of that, everything is really bogged down by an overdose of explanation. Many urban fantasies can fall into the over explanation trap, and that is the case here. I get that the authors want to explain the world to us, but let it unfold from the characters and the surroundings, don't have every being the character runs into explain what they are and where they came from, especially when all they are is an elf. Seriously, I find the urban fantasy genre to be hit or miss for me. A book has to have realistic dynamic characters or a page turning mystery to be successful, and this has neither. I don't care how much action there may be in the last 100 pages or who is killing prostitutes, because the author didn't make me care. The dialogue is simplistic and boring, the mystery is lackluster, the characters are made of cardboard, and it's just not worth wasting time on for me. I'm sure others may like it, as many others enjoy many urban fantasy books out there, but I need substance, not filler, and Unshapely Things is a whole lot of nothing to me.
April 20, 2013
I immediately realized this would not be the most original urban fantasy I'd ever read - Connor Grey is more than a little reminiscent of Harry Dresden. Grey is a Druid who has lost his magic mojo and most of his high-powered magic-using friends. He consults with the police on cases involving magic, magic-users or other strangeness (sound familiar?). But I decided to stick with it. I love Harry Dresden, and I hoped that Franco would at least provide me with a few hours of entertainment. But that was not to be.
Halfway through the book, I nearly stopped reading. It was what I call the Horror Movie Moment - a plot device so screamingly obvious that you can't help but wish the character would figure out that they are in a horror movie and therefore should not go into the dark basement. In this case, it was our (admitted bran damaged) hero who forgot to look after the human decoys he sent into danger to draw out the murderer because he got distracted by the most untrustworthy characters in the book. Yes, that's right - he had been complaining for pages already about how untrustworthy those Guild folk were but immediately followed them when they said they found the murderer. Predictably, his human decoy was killed, he felt guilty and swore to find the murderer to avenge this senseless death, yada yada yada. It was a predictable snorefest thereafter, devolving into cliche after cliche, and the end came as no surprise to anyone. What a disappointment.
Read this review and others on .
Halfway through the book, I nearly stopped reading. It was what I call the Horror Movie Moment - a plot device so screamingly obvious that you can't help but wish the character would figure out that they are in a horror movie and therefore should not go into the dark basement. In this case, it was our (admitted bran damaged) hero who forgot to look after the human decoys he sent into danger to draw out the murderer because he got distracted by the most untrustworthy characters in the book. Yes, that's right - he had been complaining for pages already about how untrustworthy those Guild folk were but immediately followed them when they said they found the murderer. Predictably, his human decoy was killed, he felt guilty and swore to find the murderer to avenge this senseless death, yada yada yada. It was a predictable snorefest thereafter, devolving into cliche after cliche, and the end came as no surprise to anyone. What a disappointment.
Read this review and others on .
December 10, 2018
Тази книга ще допадне повече на любителите на полицейски трилъри със симпатия към градското фентъзи, ама при мен случая е точно обратен и ми дойде една идея по-криминално.
Конър Грей е друид, което в контекста на книгата е магично същество, не човешки адепт. След коварен сблъсък, той е изгубил голяма част от силата и съотвено положението си в „Гилдията� � управленчески орган на магичните същества, към който е работил като детектив. Сега му се налага да си изкарва хляба като независим консултант по магичните въпроси към бостънската полиция.
Един слънчев ден, не много далече от празника на лятното слънцестоене, по улиците на бедняшия квартал започват да се появяват трупове на жестоко обезобразени мъжки проститутки с феичен произход. Сърцата им липсват, а на тяхно място са поставени кръвни камъни. Конър, заедно с детектив Мърдок трябва да разкрият какво се случва, преди в обществото да избухне дремещия конфликт между хора и магични същества. Естествено, нещата са много по-сложни от колкото на пръв поглед и Грей ще се заплете в политически интриги между полицията, Гилдията и силните на деня на два континента и ще му се наложи да спасява света от психопат, за който убийствата са средство към много по-мрачна цел.
Книгата е написана по всички правила на полицейския трилър, като магичната страна е вкарана под формата на правдоподобни технически обяснения (взети много съвестно от модерното уика течение). Криминалното е на много добро ниво, а политиката и екшъна са изпипани до дупка. Също така е и доволно кървава.
В началото тръгва доста тегаво, докато преглътнеш количеството информация за устройството на този алтернативен свят, но не по-мъчно от „Декстър� да речем с обясненията за кръвта там.
Като цяло приятна книжка, ще прегледам и следващата.
Конър Грей е друид, което в контекста на книгата е магично същество, не човешки адепт. След коварен сблъсък, той е изгубил голяма част от силата и съотвено положението си в „Гилдията� � управленчески орган на магичните същества, към който е работил като детектив. Сега му се налага да си изкарва хляба като независим консултант по магичните въпроси към бостънската полиция.
Един слънчев ден, не много далече от празника на лятното слънцестоене, по улиците на бедняшия квартал започват да се появяват трупове на жестоко обезобразени мъжки проститутки с феичен произход. Сърцата им липсват, а на тяхно място са поставени кръвни камъни. Конър, заедно с детектив Мърдок трябва да разкрият какво се случва, преди в обществото да избухне дремещия конфликт между хора и магични същества. Естествено, нещата са много по-сложни от колкото на пръв поглед и Грей ще се заплете в политически интриги между полицията, Гилдията и силните на деня на два континента и ще му се наложи да спасява света от психопат, за който убийствата са средство към много по-мрачна цел.
Книгата е написана по всички правила на полицейския трилър, като магичната страна е вкарана под формата на правдоподобни технически обяснения (взети много съвестно от модерното уика течение). Криминалното е на много добро ниво, а политиката и екшъна са изпипани до дупка. Също така е и доволно кървава.
В началото тръгва доста тегаво, докато преглътнеш количеството информация за устройството на този алтернативен свят, но не по-мъчно от „Декстър� да речем с обясненията за кръвта там.
Като цяло приятна книжка, ще прегледам и следващата.
September 14, 2012
First in the Connor Grey urban fantasy series revolving around a powerless Druid in Boston.
My Take
It's okay. Del Franco has an interesting concept with a different perspective on the fae. Unfortunately, it's just a little too same-same. I do like the twist del Franco has given it with Connor beginning to see how arrogant and unfeeling he was when he did have all his powers. It could be interesting to read if only to watch him become aware and humble. Certainly a lesson we could all absorb in some fashion!
Del Franco initiates this series very nicely, setting the scene, establishing the characters, and introducing the issues swirling around the supernaturals and the humans. He provides all this seamlessly as part of the story---such a treat to not be treated to the info dump!
It's a touch of real with Connor struggling to survive on his disability check. An interesting change from the usual financial level of storybook supes with their tremendous wealth. Nor does one expect to encounter drunken fairies who work in this world as prostitutes.
Connor does whine on about his loss of power, but I do like that he's not letting it get him down. He's still out there trying.
I did like the quote at the end: "Never question life. Question its point all you want, but not life itself".
The Story
There's a serial killer out there murdering fairies. Not leaving anything behind by which the Boston PD or the Guild can track him (or her). It's typical investigative work. Digging, following clues that don't add up, which lead to clues that do. But it's all so nebulous and impossible.
Until suddenly the clues do start to make a horrible kind of sense. Some true, most not. The end result, however, if Connor and Murdock can't stop the murderer, could well end the world.
The Characters
Connor Grey is technically a Druid, just a powerless one. He's on a disability pension after a fiasco with an elf, Bergen Vize, and a nuclear reactor. He currently supplements his income by putting his knowledge of the supernatural in aid of the Boston PD. He's definitely come down in the world, living in his loft apartment in the Weird.
Detective Lieutenant Leo Murdock of the Boston PD hires Connor as a consultant on any cases involving fey that the Guild doesn't want to handle---most of 'em. Commissioner Scott Murdock is Leo's father. He doesn't like Connor, but does seem to have an appreciation. The Murdock family gets together every Sunday for dinner along with a slew of guests. Captain Emilio Ruiz is Murdock's boss and generally cool with whatever Murdock's up to.
Stinkwort, a.k.a., Joe, is a flit who is attached to Connor. Belgor is an elf who runs a magic shop in the Weird. It's best to avoid most of his wares---they're fakes, but he does tend to hear things. Tansy is, was, Gamelyn's flit.
Shay and Robin are a human couple working the streets in the Weird.
Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll is "one of the most powerful beings" Connor knows and she's a friend, a Druid, leader for the Druidic College, and an advisor to world leaders. She's one of the very few who have stood by Connor. Gillen Yor is Connor's healer at Avalon Memorial. He and Briallen have trying to get Connor to do his therapy.
The Guild is a policing agency and diplomatic corps for the fey in all the major cities. The Weird is a downtrodden neighborhood by an abandoned pier that is home to a lot of supernaturals. It's where humans go slumming.
Keeva macNeve is a fairy woman and second only to Lorcan macDuin, head of the Community Liaison Office. Connor describes her as carnivorous; macDuin hates him. Meryl Dian works at the Guild maintaining the archives. Seems she's had a few negative encounters with Connor. Dealle is a fairy with a mentally challenged son, Corcan, who is half-fairy, half-elf. Gerda Alfheim lives in Germany with her half-fairy, half-elfin son Gethin.
Maeve is High Queen of the Seelie Court.
The Cover
The cover is certainly prickly with that strong bolt of lightning in the background as we catch Connor squatting on a rooftop overlooking Boston. In a black leather jacket and jeans, he's definitely got his eye on something.
I really don't know where the title comes from.
My Take
It's okay. Del Franco has an interesting concept with a different perspective on the fae. Unfortunately, it's just a little too same-same. I do like the twist del Franco has given it with Connor beginning to see how arrogant and unfeeling he was when he did have all his powers. It could be interesting to read if only to watch him become aware and humble. Certainly a lesson we could all absorb in some fashion!
Del Franco initiates this series very nicely, setting the scene, establishing the characters, and introducing the issues swirling around the supernaturals and the humans. He provides all this seamlessly as part of the story---such a treat to not be treated to the info dump!
It's a touch of real with Connor struggling to survive on his disability check. An interesting change from the usual financial level of storybook supes with their tremendous wealth. Nor does one expect to encounter drunken fairies who work in this world as prostitutes.
Connor does whine on about his loss of power, but I do like that he's not letting it get him down. He's still out there trying.
I did like the quote at the end: "Never question life. Question its point all you want, but not life itself".
The Story
There's a serial killer out there murdering fairies. Not leaving anything behind by which the Boston PD or the Guild can track him (or her). It's typical investigative work. Digging, following clues that don't add up, which lead to clues that do. But it's all so nebulous and impossible.
Until suddenly the clues do start to make a horrible kind of sense. Some true, most not. The end result, however, if Connor and Murdock can't stop the murderer, could well end the world.
The Characters
Connor Grey is technically a Druid, just a powerless one. He's on a disability pension after a fiasco with an elf, Bergen Vize, and a nuclear reactor. He currently supplements his income by putting his knowledge of the supernatural in aid of the Boston PD. He's definitely come down in the world, living in his loft apartment in the Weird.
Detective Lieutenant Leo Murdock of the Boston PD hires Connor as a consultant on any cases involving fey that the Guild doesn't want to handle---most of 'em. Commissioner Scott Murdock is Leo's father. He doesn't like Connor, but does seem to have an appreciation. The Murdock family gets together every Sunday for dinner along with a slew of guests. Captain Emilio Ruiz is Murdock's boss and generally cool with whatever Murdock's up to.
Stinkwort, a.k.a., Joe, is a flit who is attached to Connor. Belgor is an elf who runs a magic shop in the Weird. It's best to avoid most of his wares---they're fakes, but he does tend to hear things. Tansy is, was, Gamelyn's flit.
Shay and Robin are a human couple working the streets in the Weird.
Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll is "one of the most powerful beings" Connor knows and she's a friend, a Druid, leader for the Druidic College, and an advisor to world leaders. She's one of the very few who have stood by Connor. Gillen Yor is Connor's healer at Avalon Memorial. He and Briallen have trying to get Connor to do his therapy.
The Guild is a policing agency and diplomatic corps for the fey in all the major cities. The Weird is a downtrodden neighborhood by an abandoned pier that is home to a lot of supernaturals. It's where humans go slumming.
Keeva macNeve is a fairy woman and second only to Lorcan macDuin, head of the Community Liaison Office. Connor describes her as carnivorous; macDuin hates him. Meryl Dian works at the Guild maintaining the archives. Seems she's had a few negative encounters with Connor. Dealle is a fairy with a mentally challenged son, Corcan, who is half-fairy, half-elf. Gerda Alfheim lives in Germany with her half-fairy, half-elfin son Gethin.
Maeve is High Queen of the Seelie Court.
The Cover
The cover is certainly prickly with that strong bolt of lightning in the background as we catch Connor squatting on a rooftop overlooking Boston. In a black leather jacket and jeans, he's definitely got his eye on something.
I really don't know where the title comes from.
July 27, 2009
What's it about?
In The Weird, a neighborhood in Boston, fairy prostitutes are turning up dead. Their hearts have all been taken and left in their place - magical stones. There are two groups that cover crimes in Boston & The Weird: The Guild, who are the fey run law enforcement, and then the human law enforcement. The Guild, uninterested in these murders leaves the solving up to the humans. Working with the humans is Connor Grey, a druid who was left crippled when he lost almost all of his powers in an accident with a radical terrorist elf. He was taken off The Guild, and put on disability. Connors got a lot to deal with while trying to solve this case: Not being respected by the fey community, not being liked by the humans, and not having his full magical abilities to put to use. By trading information with a few of his close allies Connor figures out that these aren't random murders, that the dead prostitutes are a part of a ancient ritual that will open a portal and destroy the world.
My thoughts?
First of all this book was released in 2007, and it has taken me this long to catch up on it! I love getting a taste of a guys perspective in Urban Fantasy, a genre where women reign supreme. Mark Del Franco has something great going on in The Weird, and that's hero Connor Grey. You gotta love him. He's on the outs without his powers, and many times hearing how he acted previously when he had his powers make it nice to see him knocked down a peg. He's surrounded by a great cast of characters. All three ladies he is FRIENDS with are intriguing and strong. Maybe a possible love interest in one? I vote for Meryl. Also, his friend Stinkwort, aka Joe, a Flit, is one of the best characters. What is it with small characters and their fantastic attitudes. Absolutely loved him Joe! His human partner and friend Murdock is straight forward, and is content to put Connor in his place whenever necessary.
The case, hearing the back story on the Fae races, and about Connor's past were all interesting. Although, sometimes the descriptiveness got to be a bit much. I'm on the side where there is such a thing as TOO much detail, and it seemed like since this was the first book in a series Mark wanted to set up The Weird so that he didn't have to do it in future books. At least I hope that's what he did. I'd compare the characterization in this series to the Dresden Files, and the world building to Kim Harrison's Hollows. Both very good series, so Connor Grey is in good company, but maybe not on the same level yet.
Overall this was an enjoyable read for when I found myself in a reading slump. Now I'm back on the reading train and chugging right along!
There are the books so far in the series in order:
Unshapely Things (Connor Grey, Book 1)
Unquiet Dreams (Connor Grey, Book 2)
Unfallen Dead (Connor Grey, Book 3)
Unperfect Souls (Connor Grey, Book 4) will be released January 26, 2010
In The Weird, a neighborhood in Boston, fairy prostitutes are turning up dead. Their hearts have all been taken and left in their place - magical stones. There are two groups that cover crimes in Boston & The Weird: The Guild, who are the fey run law enforcement, and then the human law enforcement. The Guild, uninterested in these murders leaves the solving up to the humans. Working with the humans is Connor Grey, a druid who was left crippled when he lost almost all of his powers in an accident with a radical terrorist elf. He was taken off The Guild, and put on disability. Connors got a lot to deal with while trying to solve this case: Not being respected by the fey community, not being liked by the humans, and not having his full magical abilities to put to use. By trading information with a few of his close allies Connor figures out that these aren't random murders, that the dead prostitutes are a part of a ancient ritual that will open a portal and destroy the world.
My thoughts?
First of all this book was released in 2007, and it has taken me this long to catch up on it! I love getting a taste of a guys perspective in Urban Fantasy, a genre where women reign supreme. Mark Del Franco has something great going on in The Weird, and that's hero Connor Grey. You gotta love him. He's on the outs without his powers, and many times hearing how he acted previously when he had his powers make it nice to see him knocked down a peg. He's surrounded by a great cast of characters. All three ladies he is FRIENDS with are intriguing and strong. Maybe a possible love interest in one? I vote for Meryl. Also, his friend Stinkwort, aka Joe, a Flit, is one of the best characters. What is it with small characters and their fantastic attitudes. Absolutely loved him Joe! His human partner and friend Murdock is straight forward, and is content to put Connor in his place whenever necessary.
The case, hearing the back story on the Fae races, and about Connor's past were all interesting. Although, sometimes the descriptiveness got to be a bit much. I'm on the side where there is such a thing as TOO much detail, and it seemed like since this was the first book in a series Mark wanted to set up The Weird so that he didn't have to do it in future books. At least I hope that's what he did. I'd compare the characterization in this series to the Dresden Files, and the world building to Kim Harrison's Hollows. Both very good series, so Connor Grey is in good company, but maybe not on the same level yet.
Overall this was an enjoyable read for when I found myself in a reading slump. Now I'm back on the reading train and chugging right along!
There are the books so far in the series in order:
Unshapely Things (Connor Grey, Book 1)
Unquiet Dreams (Connor Grey, Book 2)
Unfallen Dead (Connor Grey, Book 3)
Unperfect Souls (Connor Grey, Book 4) will be released January 26, 2010
October 29, 2013
So, to start off I liked the sound of this book, from the description of the story and while it sticks to what it says it felt a little lacklustre and didn't quite work for me.
Connor Grey is a ex superstar druid who is down on his luck after being attacked by a Radical Elf and losing most of his power in the bargain, leaving him for the intent and purpose of the magical community a cripple, he finds his superficial magical friends leave him high and dry now he's disabled and he scrapes by, by doing consulting work for the police and hanging out with the few friends he still has and whinging about his own bad luck.
Now I think my problem is that the book tried to be too many things to too many people and I could draw comparison to a dozen or so other Urban Fantasy books that this book tries to take idea's from and make them its own but doesn't quite succeed. Cases in point:
Connor Grey, the main character, is a Druid (Iron Druid Chronicles anyone?)
Connor Grey is also a consultant for the normal Metropolitan police, but doesn't get along with his own kind or their authorities, and has a friend whose a Tiny Fairy (Dresden Files Anyone?)
Ok this third ones a long shot but.... The Main character is whiney as hell about his own situation every dozen pages or so (Cal Leandros anyone?)
Now to be fair on Connor while he's not exactly a druid as the Iron druids Atticus is, to be honest for a druid Connor's not much of one at all, he doesn't seem to follow any rituals or religion and he was in an accident that leaves him with close to no special druidic powers to flex to prove his druidicness.
The book feels a little stale but as a first book it doesn't hold up too badly, I was crying out for a bit more explanation about how all these supernatural people arrived, what the specific kind of abilities creatures might have, and a bit more interaction with the world at large but my wish wasn't answered here.
The murder mystery storyline tends to hold up but I think the book was aiming for a Noir type feel and falls down a bit there. I also felt that most of the actual sleuthing feels done by other characters that Connor just reads about on his PC.
So while I do sound negative about this book and reading what I've written it sounds bad even to me, I wouldn't take my personal opinions as a definitive slate against it. In reality I've just read a lot better Urban Fantasies, and most of my current reading is from series' that have developed a lot over time and probably started out similar to this one hence the 3 stars, because that's what this book is really, an interesting but not inspiring start that we can hope improves over the series, I've seen there's more books out and ill keep them on my to read list and hope I'm right about them getting stronger as we go on.
Connor Grey is a ex superstar druid who is down on his luck after being attacked by a Radical Elf and losing most of his power in the bargain, leaving him for the intent and purpose of the magical community a cripple, he finds his superficial magical friends leave him high and dry now he's disabled and he scrapes by, by doing consulting work for the police and hanging out with the few friends he still has and whinging about his own bad luck.
Now I think my problem is that the book tried to be too many things to too many people and I could draw comparison to a dozen or so other Urban Fantasy books that this book tries to take idea's from and make them its own but doesn't quite succeed. Cases in point:
Connor Grey, the main character, is a Druid (Iron Druid Chronicles anyone?)
Connor Grey is also a consultant for the normal Metropolitan police, but doesn't get along with his own kind or their authorities, and has a friend whose a Tiny Fairy (Dresden Files Anyone?)
Ok this third ones a long shot but.... The Main character is whiney as hell about his own situation every dozen pages or so (Cal Leandros anyone?)
Now to be fair on Connor while he's not exactly a druid as the Iron druids Atticus is, to be honest for a druid Connor's not much of one at all, he doesn't seem to follow any rituals or religion and he was in an accident that leaves him with close to no special druidic powers to flex to prove his druidicness.
The book feels a little stale but as a first book it doesn't hold up too badly, I was crying out for a bit more explanation about how all these supernatural people arrived, what the specific kind of abilities creatures might have, and a bit more interaction with the world at large but my wish wasn't answered here.
The murder mystery storyline tends to hold up but I think the book was aiming for a Noir type feel and falls down a bit there. I also felt that most of the actual sleuthing feels done by other characters that Connor just reads about on his PC.
So while I do sound negative about this book and reading what I've written it sounds bad even to me, I wouldn't take my personal opinions as a definitive slate against it. In reality I've just read a lot better Urban Fantasies, and most of my current reading is from series' that have developed a lot over time and probably started out similar to this one hence the 3 stars, because that's what this book is really, an interesting but not inspiring start that we can hope improves over the series, I've seen there's more books out and ill keep them on my to read list and hope I'm right about them getting stronger as we go on.
January 13, 2011
Re-read 12 Jan 2011. As part of my effort to eventually actually review the fourth book in the series, I'm reading all the currently published books. I noticed what looked like it was the groundwork for something that happened in the fourth book, and started looking for clues about the timeline to confirm my suspicions. I think they're correct, and I wonder how long that loose end is going to be left dangling, and how many other readers have noticed. I'm probably building that up to sound more exciting than it is. It's the kind of plotline I thought was exciting and creative when I was 14 and writing fanfiction; I'm just trying to avoid being specific.
Anyway, I'd say the world is well-developed and mildly interesting. After all, I've been buying these books since they were being published. (Should note that if they went to HC-first, though, I'd probably stop.) I feel like this particular book is like a read-once thing. It's not all that enjoyable on its own, but mostly as something that lays the groundwork. Also there's a thing that kind of annoys me.
Oh, I almost forgot. There's a gargoyle named Virgil. That didn't click until this re-read, but it made me chuckle.
Anyway, I'd say the world is well-developed and mildly interesting. After all, I've been buying these books since they were being published. (Should note that if they went to HC-first, though, I'd probably stop.) I feel like this particular book is like a read-once thing. It's not all that enjoyable on its own, but mostly as something that lays the groundwork. Also there's a thing that kind of annoys me.
Oh, I almost forgot. There's a gargoyle named Virgil. That didn't click until this re-read, but it made me chuckle.
December 22, 2008
I have to admit that these days it is a refreshing change of pace to read an urban fantasy in which the protagonist is male; such thing are few and far between. I also have to admit that while male-protagonist urban fantasies have to work really, really hard for me to compete with the Dresden Files, Mark Del Franco's Unshapely Things gave it a good college try.
The book didn't entirely work for me. It's got issues with pacing and with what needs to get shown to the reader and what doesn't; for example, I could have done without long stretches of our hero, Connor Grey, looking stuff up on his computer. The dialogue didn't work for me entirely either; parts of it felt stiff and forced.
Yet the story was interesting enough to keep me going to the end, and I will give it points for coming together fairly well at the end. I'll probably be checking out book 2. Three stars.
The book didn't entirely work for me. It's got issues with pacing and with what needs to get shown to the reader and what doesn't; for example, I could have done without long stretches of our hero, Connor Grey, looking stuff up on his computer. The dialogue didn't work for me entirely either; parts of it felt stiff and forced.
Yet the story was interesting enough to keep me going to the end, and I will give it points for coming together fairly well at the end. I'll probably be checking out book 2. Three stars.
February 27, 2013
Every time I spy a book with a lower rating, Im hopeful ive just come upon a little unexplored gem...this is not to be the case. Theres lots of info dumps, its an uninteresting world ( ill endure the hard yards for a really cool world), and Connor Grey is dull. There was not one secondary character that I was clinging onto for dear life I like I normally do . I skimmed the last 50 pages, but at least I almost made it, so a 3. I dont think Ill rush to go for number 2 unless I have a load of encouragement.
May 7, 2021
I'm always in the lookout for new to me urban fantasy and I'm glad I just happened to stumble upon this series opener, Unshapely Things (Connor Grey #1) by Mark Del Franco. It's a little too slow at times, but otherwise it's worth jumping into Connor's world. I'm looking forward to the sequel because I think this has the potential to become a great series.
November 20, 2010
Synopsis: Connor Grey is a druid and former hotshot Guild investigator whose magical abilities were crippled after a run-in with a radical environmentalist elf named Bergin Vize. He now works as a consultant with human police detective Murdock to solve Fey murders that left the victim without their hearts and in it's place, stones that may have been stolen from the Guild itself.
This is my first venture into the Connor Grey series after staying mostly with female lead characters, and it takes alot to get used to. The world has become a place where the Fey and humans live side by side due to what's called Convergence. There is a war looming in the background of this story that the queen of the Fey, Maeve, is trying to avoid.
One of the best characters of the book, and the best named that I've come across is Stinkwort aka Joe aka a Flit who is Connor's friend and drinking buddy. He pretty much saves the day at the end by calling in reinforcements, but you will need to read it to find out more.
The book took awhile to get going, as we had to proceed through some issues Connor is having since he lost his powers and is now nothing more than an advisor to the Boston PD, and living off his monthy disability check.
It's interesting reading from a males POV in the urban fantasy world of Mark Del Franco where Fey, Fairies, and dwarves all live in the same area called the Weird. We see the darkness of the weird and what people go through to live there.
My major beef with this book was the slow pace from the outset, and it wasn't until much later in the book that Connor finally gets close to the killer, and ends up as a person of interest to the Boston PD, and the Guild, who was trying hard to frame him for the murders to get him out of the way. Then there's Connor himself, who wallows in self-pity most of the book, not unlike Dante Valentine's Dead Man Rising.
The one positive here is that there were NO romance scenes. ::applause:: I also liked the fesity character of Meryl, who is a major hoot and I hope I see more of her in the next books. She, like Jo the flit, pretty much help save the planet.
For the first book in the series, I rate this book 3 stars.
This is my first venture into the Connor Grey series after staying mostly with female lead characters, and it takes alot to get used to. The world has become a place where the Fey and humans live side by side due to what's called Convergence. There is a war looming in the background of this story that the queen of the Fey, Maeve, is trying to avoid.
One of the best characters of the book, and the best named that I've come across is Stinkwort aka Joe aka a Flit who is Connor's friend and drinking buddy. He pretty much saves the day at the end by calling in reinforcements, but you will need to read it to find out more.
The book took awhile to get going, as we had to proceed through some issues Connor is having since he lost his powers and is now nothing more than an advisor to the Boston PD, and living off his monthy disability check.
It's interesting reading from a males POV in the urban fantasy world of Mark Del Franco where Fey, Fairies, and dwarves all live in the same area called the Weird. We see the darkness of the weird and what people go through to live there.
My major beef with this book was the slow pace from the outset, and it wasn't until much later in the book that Connor finally gets close to the killer, and ends up as a person of interest to the Boston PD, and the Guild, who was trying hard to frame him for the murders to get him out of the way. Then there's Connor himself, who wallows in self-pity most of the book, not unlike Dante Valentine's Dead Man Rising.
The one positive here is that there were NO romance scenes. ::applause:: I also liked the fesity character of Meryl, who is a major hoot and I hope I see more of her in the next books. She, like Jo the flit, pretty much help save the planet.
For the first book in the series, I rate this book 3 stars.
April 12, 2011
This book was fantastic I loved the suspense and action. I can't wait to see where it goes and it took me by surprise. I can't wait until next year for the new book. 4 stars out of 5
Okay re-read review is coming****
THOUGHTS/OPINION:
For some reason the first time around I was absolutely madly in love with this book. I thought it was awesome. Since my second reading of this book my thoughts have changed. I thought it moved really slowly in parts. I felt like a lot was being set up and a lot of history was being told.
Now that I’ve said all that please keep in mind it could be because this was a re-read so I might have been remembering the book over and over again. I did enjoy the characters I did enjoy the mystery aspect. I liked that Connor Grey reminded me a lot of Harry Dresden but not so much that I was rolling my eyes and constantly comparing him to my Harry.
I liked that Connor had something wrong with him something that took him from being SUPER powerful to an almost human like state. And he had a good group of friends that stood by him and helped whenever possible.
What I didn’t like is how whinny he came off sometimes. Poor me, I can’t do this, wow I was so powerful and now I can’t do anything. It got a little old after a while and I wanted nothing more than to reach through the page and shake him. I am glad that eventually he learned that while he didn’t have all the power he did have some uses.
The mystery was good enough that I couldn’t remember who did it which is because I usually remember things like that but for some reason this time I just couldn’t and that was nice. It’s also a big fear when re-reading that I might remember everything and thus not enjoy the re-read. Once I got to the middle part I was back on track and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? This will depend on the second book if I enjoy it I will keep the series if not I will put it on the giveaway list.
Would you recommend this book? I do think so far this series is pretty good. If you like the Harry Dresden books then this will be right up your alley
Okay re-read review is coming****
THOUGHTS/OPINION:
For some reason the first time around I was absolutely madly in love with this book. I thought it was awesome. Since my second reading of this book my thoughts have changed. I thought it moved really slowly in parts. I felt like a lot was being set up and a lot of history was being told.
Now that I’ve said all that please keep in mind it could be because this was a re-read so I might have been remembering the book over and over again. I did enjoy the characters I did enjoy the mystery aspect. I liked that Connor Grey reminded me a lot of Harry Dresden but not so much that I was rolling my eyes and constantly comparing him to my Harry.
I liked that Connor had something wrong with him something that took him from being SUPER powerful to an almost human like state. And he had a good group of friends that stood by him and helped whenever possible.
What I didn’t like is how whinny he came off sometimes. Poor me, I can’t do this, wow I was so powerful and now I can’t do anything. It got a little old after a while and I wanted nothing more than to reach through the page and shake him. I am glad that eventually he learned that while he didn’t have all the power he did have some uses.
The mystery was good enough that I couldn’t remember who did it which is because I usually remember things like that but for some reason this time I just couldn’t and that was nice. It’s also a big fear when re-reading that I might remember everything and thus not enjoy the re-read. Once I got to the middle part I was back on track and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? This will depend on the second book if I enjoy it I will keep the series if not I will put it on the giveaway list.
Would you recommend this book? I do think so far this series is pretty good. If you like the Harry Dresden books then this will be right up your alley
June 12, 2008
This was a good book. It took me a little while to get into it, but that was because it is a new series by a new author and I often find the whole set up of a series and the details of the world a bit boring. The premise is modern day Boston where Faerie has merged with our world in the past, bringing all sorts of magical creatures with it. I quite enjoyed the fact that this Urban Fantasy is all about magical creatures, and does not have the normal vamps, weres, etc in it.
The author does a good job setting up the background for this new series if you can get past the basic set up. The characters are very strongly developed and I really like the flits, especially Stinkwort/Joe.
Connor Grey reminds me a bit of Harry Dresden, but only because he is a bit of an inept magic user. Connor is not a wizard, but a Druid and he has lost his magical abilities due to an accident involving and elf, a nuclear power plant and a magical ring. Since he can no longer work for the Guild (kind of a magical police force)he helps out the Boston PD on cases that involve the Fey.
As the story became more involved I really began enjoying it more and more. The last quarter of the book was even a 'can't put it down' read. I really look forward to the next book in the series in the hopes that the author continues with his trend towards a great Urban Fantasy series.
The author does a good job setting up the background for this new series if you can get past the basic set up. The characters are very strongly developed and I really like the flits, especially Stinkwort/Joe.
Connor Grey reminds me a bit of Harry Dresden, but only because he is a bit of an inept magic user. Connor is not a wizard, but a Druid and he has lost his magical abilities due to an accident involving and elf, a nuclear power plant and a magical ring. Since he can no longer work for the Guild (kind of a magical police force)he helps out the Boston PD on cases that involve the Fey.
As the story became more involved I really began enjoying it more and more. The last quarter of the book was even a 'can't put it down' read. I really look forward to the next book in the series in the hopes that the author continues with his trend towards a great Urban Fantasy series.
May 30, 2008
Del Franco has begun a world similar to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files or Simon R. Green's "Nightside." I can't decide if he just doesn't pull it off quite as well, or if it's because this is a first in a series and it takes time to develop and for me to become "part" of it.
Connor Grey is a Druid who lost most of his abilities in a confrontation with a fey who was trying to detonate a nuclear device. Grey is recovering, but there's something in his head blocking nearly all his powers. He does some consulting work for the police, since he can still sense the "essences" of the various otherworldly races, and has limited other abilities.
Someone is killing Fairies, removing their hearts, and leaving various stones in their places. Why? What ritual might this person be trying to conduct? With the help of Murdock (cop), Briallen (a very wise and powerful Druid) and contacts he still has within the Guild (department to deal with otherworldly crimes) and Joe the Flit (a Flit is a being about a foot tall, winged, sort of like a pixie, I guess), Connor tries to work around his missing abilities to stop the killing spree before whoever is committing them succeeds in bringing about the end of the world as we know it.
I just ordered Book 2 from the library.
Connor Grey is a Druid who lost most of his abilities in a confrontation with a fey who was trying to detonate a nuclear device. Grey is recovering, but there's something in his head blocking nearly all his powers. He does some consulting work for the police, since he can still sense the "essences" of the various otherworldly races, and has limited other abilities.
Someone is killing Fairies, removing their hearts, and leaving various stones in their places. Why? What ritual might this person be trying to conduct? With the help of Murdock (cop), Briallen (a very wise and powerful Druid) and contacts he still has within the Guild (department to deal with otherworldly crimes) and Joe the Flit (a Flit is a being about a foot tall, winged, sort of like a pixie, I guess), Connor tries to work around his missing abilities to stop the killing spree before whoever is committing them succeeds in bringing about the end of the world as we know it.
I just ordered Book 2 from the library.
November 28, 2007
I enjoyed the world building, though the beginning read like a rip off of Simon Green's Nightside series. Unlike Green's John Taylor, Del Franco's Connor Grey is no longer a detective - he lost his birthright, the ability to manipulate essence (in other words, to do magic), in the line of duty on a previous case. With that gone, he was fired from the elite magical police, and lost the perks that well-paying, high profile job provided. To make a living now, he consults with the mundane police on matters that aren't high profile enough for the magical police to bother with.
The story starts off at a run and then slows significantly, as the narrator, Grey, explains all of the many weird things he just showed his readers. When reading the descriptions slow down the action, I skip bits, sometimes whole paragraphs. I didn't skip much here, because when I did, I'd discover I'd missed something important and have to go back and reread. The climax drags on a bit - not quite to the point that I was yelling 'just die already!' - but I was still into the story during the epilogue.
I look forward to Del Franco's next book with this character, due out in Jan. 2008.
The story starts off at a run and then slows significantly, as the narrator, Grey, explains all of the many weird things he just showed his readers. When reading the descriptions slow down the action, I skip bits, sometimes whole paragraphs. I didn't skip much here, because when I did, I'd discover I'd missed something important and have to go back and reread. The climax drags on a bit - not quite to the point that I was yelling 'just die already!' - but I was still into the story during the epilogue.
I look forward to Del Franco's next book with this character, due out in Jan. 2008.
August 23, 2008
This was a police procedural first of all, except with some unusual types of people as the victims (male fairy prostitutes), the murderer, and the people after him (Connor, the protagonist, and his cop friend Murdock). What was most interesting to me was that Connor is going through a rebirth - he's weak and handicapped (magically) and you feel his frustration at not being able to do things he used to do, but he's learning how to deal with this. He's learning how to treat people better as well. Several of the secondary characters point out that he burned bridges when he was powerful, and now he has to rebuild them. This redemption was a strong storyline and something I want to see more of in the next books. Also because of it, I think we have some strong secondary characters that interact with Connor. The other thing I liked is the strong sense of the place that everything happens. A gritty Boston that I had no problems visualizing. My only complaint was there is so much focus on Connor and it IS from his point of view that we see very little of the villian of this piece.
More detailed review on my book blog -
More detailed review on my book blog -
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