This book has a basically OK story, basically OK writing, and basically OK characterization. It reminded me strongly of Mercedes Lackey's urban fantasy novels (the ones with elves showing up at Ren Faires, building racecars, and saving abused children). The inclusion of Norse mythology is unusual, and kind of cool, but overall the book lacked something. I never entirely bought the primary relationship, and consequently I never fully engaged in the story.

It could be that I was biased from the start, knowing that it's a novel about a lesbian character written by a straight man. Maybe I would have been more willing to believe in the romance if it was written by a dyke. (I do want to clarify that I didn't find anything in the characterization objectionable or troubling -- it's not an offensive book, just not an excellent one, and in fact, I appreciate seeing a man write from the POV of a woman.) ( )

Well, this was a pleasant surprise. The second book of the year and it's a 5 star book.

Dragons, trolls, ogres, blacksmiths, Norse Gods, and witches. What more could you want? Oh, all of that set in a modern day setting? No problem; the author is already ahead of you.

I loved how the author showed that they knew a bit about smithing; usually you don't get that.

I've seen some negative reviews about this book; and from the looks of its because they were expecting a fast paced, action adventure urban novel.

That's not what this novel is about. It's more of a romance novel about a lesbian coming to terms with herself set in an urban fantasy setting. And for that type of book, it was excellent.

This is one of the few books where I really don't have any complaints. I'm eager to start the second one. ( )

So if you feel like there is lack of urban fantasy lesbian blacksmith novels--here's the book for you. While it was enjoyable to read industrial Everett, WA compared to a post-apoclyptic future, and certainly some potential good ideas were presented (dragons hiding as humans in the modern world) overall the writing is somewhat non-engaging. While I was interested in seeing how the story played out, I was never fully invested in the characters or their motivations. ( )

Well, I did pick it up based on a review that warned me it was a bit weak, so.

Part of my problem is that I don't particularly like books that switch POVs frequently. Sometimes, alternating between first and third works for me -- like Jo Walton's Small Change series which I love and can't imagine any other way. However, in this book, the third person chapters seem to exist to provide exposition dumps. Most of the info contained in the chapters from other characters' POVs could have been incorporated into the first person chapters -- especially since the main character is less than self-aware. Ah, well. ( )

I've had this on my TBR pile for a long time but trade paperbacks always lose when it comes to trips for reading material. Not sure why I grabbed it this go around but I am glad that I did. Sarah is an apprentice blacksmith that works nights as a props master on a direct to video movie set. One of her swords breaks during filming and she has to reforge it. Before she can even do that she is approached by one of the extras claiming to be a dwarf and that he can help her fix it. She humors him and allows him to watch and eventually give advice when it turns out that he knows something about smithing. Once the sword is complete the dwarf tells her she needs to slay a dragon that takes the shape of an investment banker. Of course she thinks he is nuts but too many bad things happen to be coincidence and it is the dragons trying to get their hands on the sword. What I liked the most about this was there were lots of negative outcomes to people in her life. Her girlfriend and boss are kidnapped and held for ransom in exchange for the sword. The SCA group she is with helps her fight but they do not get off lightly. I think this is the first book I read in a long time that fighting monsters will result in death and not just one or two token deaths. The next two books are out and I don't think I'll be waiting years to read them. ( )