I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Unshapely Things
by
Mark Del Franco
urban fantasy in a paperback edition that was published by Ace Books on January 30, 2007 and has 305 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Unfallen Dead
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 and Title
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.
