Iron Hunt

Iron Hunt (2008) Marjorie Liu

I picked this up partially because the story looked interesting and partially because I loved the cover. Plus I read several recommendations and thought I’d like it. And I did like it, but there is one major drawback.

It’s one of those books that doesn’t really end. Yes, there is a conclusion to the book–we aren’t left hanging–but there is an over arching story arc, and that is left very open-ended, which I don’t particularly like in a first book.

Now I have to admit that it wasn’t a bad way to write the story, and it was very well done. I just have not been in the mood for epic fantasy for a very long time. I want to read a series because I enjoy spending time with the characters, not because reading on is the only way to find out if everyone survives (or whatever).

So, aside from my pet peeves, how was the story?

Not bad.

Maxine Kiss is a demon hunter. She has skills and advantages that have been passed along from mother to daughter for centuries, as they are the last of the Watchers to guard the earth from Demons. Most of the demons she encounters are zombies. Except that her zombies aren’t the shambling undead that live upon brains, but are instead possessed humans that thrive on the pain of others.

Although her mother lived a life of solitude, traveling only with Maxine and the boys, moving from place to place and hunting demons, Maxine has broken her mother’s rules and has settled down in one city, in one place, and with one man. A man with unique skills it must be said, but one still a single man. And because or despite of this, she has been found by those who are searching for her, and who have come to tell her that the world as she knows it will soon be ending.

The story did wander a bit, and was confusing at times, and did refuse to conclude the major story arc, meaning sequels are not just in the works, but mandatory, but Maxine and Grant were interesting, and I wanted to discover who Jack was and why he was involving himself with Maxine. I also wanted to learn more about the boys, but they remain very much a mystery.

I’ll pick the next book up in the series at some point after it comes out, but I won’t rush to look for it, and I may have Michael read it first, to let me know if the level of resolution at the end of the story continues to decrease, in which case I’ll definitely put off continuing the series.
Rating:6/10

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