Misery’s Way
Author: J.C. Daniels
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: C+
What I’m Talking About:
Frankie is a non-human of unknown origin. She keeps her true nature and identity hidden for fear of being captured, or worse. She’s torn by her dark side, which craves and needs misery and suffering. However, she also has a side that longs to heal and fix pain. She balances both parts by posing as a faith healer; however now that someone has discovered Frankie, it’s time to move on.
Misery’s Way is a short story told from the first person POV of Frankie. It is set in the Colbana Files world, and although not told from Kit’s POV, the story is germane to Kit’s whole journey and the overall series. So, it’s a “must read” for series regulars, and probably not the best place for newbies to begin. And honestly, if I hadn’t read all of the books in the series, I would have been lost at times. One issue I had with Misery’s Way was the feeling of disconnectedness as the story jumped from scene to scene, especially when Frankie explores Kit’s memories.
And with that, I have mixed feelings about Misery’s Way. First, the story is VERY SHORT and is more like the prologue to the next book, albeit told from someone else’s POV. Second, the book ends at the 38% mark of the mobi version, followed by a previously released novella (which I’ve already read and reviewed), and then an excerpt from the author’s upcoming sci-fi title. With those two things in mind, I struggled to understand why this short story wasn’t integrated into the next full-length title rather than left as a stand alone story. Granted, it is from another person’s view point, and it does add value to the overall series and world, but it just felt so incomplete, it left me frustrated.
Overall, the storyline is interesting. I enjoyed reading about Frankie and her partner, Saleel. However, I’m so used to reading from Kit’s POV, I struggled a bit with confusion when reading the book from Frankie’s POV, especially when she shared page time with Kit. However, Frankie and Saleel both intrigued me, and I expect they will be a large part of an upcoming Kit book based on what happens between Kit and Frankie. I honestly look forward to that, regardless of my frustration with this story in particular.
Misery’s Way is an interesting and intriguing addition to the Colbana Files series, and I believe it will help evolve the series into the next story. I enjoyed meeting the mysterious Frankie and her companion Saleel, and I look forward to finding out more. However, the fact the story is more like the opening prologue for a longer story, and that it was so short, I was left feeling frustrated.
My Rating: C+ Liked It, but I had issues
About the Book:
Love the Kit Colbana Files by JC Daniels? Then you’re sure to love this brand new story from JC set in Kit’s world… Misery’s Way.
Her name is Frankie. At least, that’s what she calls herself.
She looks human, but she’s no more human than she is a faith-healer. That doesn’t stop her from using her…more unique abilities to take care of certain needs. It’s those abilities that lead to a chance encounter with an unusual woman in Florida.
It’s a chance encounter with fate that will set these two down a collision course with destiny.
Release Date: June 22, 2015
Publisher: self-published
Series: Colbana Files #4.5
ASIN: B00VGP7ZOM
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
*Note: I am a member of the author’s street team. This did not have any impact on my review.
Purchase Info:
Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | BN
Add it to your TBR pile: Goodreads
Reviews in the Series:
Bladed Magic by JC Daniels (Colbana Files #0.6)
Blade Song by JC Daniels (Colbana Files #1)
Night Blade by JC Daniels (Colbana Files #2)
Broken Blade by JC Daniels (Colbana Files #3)
Edged Blade by JC Daniels (Colonna Files #4)
About J.C. Daniels
Writing under the pen name, JC Daniels for her Urban Fantasy, Shiloh Walker is an award-winning writer…yes, really! She’s also a mom, a wife, a reader and she pretends to be an amateur photographer. She published her first book in 2003. Her newest series, Secrets and Shadows, launched with Deeper than Need, followed by Sweeter than Sin and Darker than Desire.
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Great review. I’ve read it also and hope Ms Daniels doesn’t mind I didn’t review it but I left feedback. I’m a fan of the series but like you felt a bit disconnected with Misery’s Way.
It is frustrating to have such an interesting new character for Kit’s world and only get a small part of the story. And I wonder where she’ll fit in respect to the larger, on-going story. I mean, there was a pretty big “bomb” dropped at the end of the last book, and I am curious as to how this will all fit together.
I enjoyed the story, but like you I felt it was really short. I’m very interested in learning more about Frankie and Saleel and will be extremely disappointed if I don’t see them in the next book. I didn’t feel as disconnected as you did. I think that is because the scene jumping that you mentioned, while yes disconnected, was how Frankie would’ve seen it, so I thought that was portrayed well on the page. Great review. I just got the new sci-fi book, so I’m excited to give it a try.
Exactly – since it was from Frankie’s POV, it is how she would perceive things; however, it didn’t make for easy reading!
I have the sci-fi book as well. Looking forward to it.
I felt like the story could have been told from Kit’s POV as part of her next book, so there must be some reason to introduce Frankie. Like a spin-off series or maybe people like Frankie appear in a Kit book. But it doesn’t really work as a standalone for me.
I agree on all accounts. And I would discourage folks from starting the series with this book – it would be too confusing.
SInce I did not like book 1 I do not think this one is for me
Definitely not!
That’s good to know. I love her Walker ones but have only read one short by Daniels that was a stand alone. I do plan on this series eventually so good to know this is not a read out of order one.
There are a couple prequel novellas that can be read without knowledge of the series, which can give you a taste of the books. I suggest looking at those or starting with book 1!