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Library's review
I enjoyed this book. It was fun, and I appreciated having a different sort of heroine than the ones I often find in urban fantasy and paranormal romances. The tattoo magic was also different and intersting. The world-building was detailed, thought out, and fun to read about.
Series
Genres
Publication
Bell Bridge Books (2010), Paperback, 284 pages
Description
In an alternate Atlanta where magic is practiced openly, where witches sip coffee at local cafes, shapeshifters party at urban clubs, vampires rule the southern night like gangsters, and mysterious creatures command dark caverns beneath the city, Dakota Frost's talents are coveted by all. She's the best magical tattooist in the southeast, a Skindancer, able to bring her amazing tats to life. When a serial killer begins stalking Atlanta's tattooed elite, the police and the Feds seek Dakota's help. Can she find the killer on the dark fringe of the city's Edgeworld? Among its powerful outcasts and tortured loners, what kind of enemies and allies will she attract? Will they see her as an invader, as a seducer, as an unexpected champion ... or as delicious prey?… (more)
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member MlleEhreen
FROST MOON was way too weird for me. I was cool with protagonist Dakota Frost’s big Mohawk, and her tattoos, and her bisexuality. But the uber-Christian vampire ex-girlfriend who accuses Dakota’s tattoos of being the work of Satan while tarted up in a French maid’s uniform? The “elegant
I’m guessing that Anthony Francis is going for the Laurell K Hamilton crowd here, because in FROST MOON all of his characters are always in costume, they all have stage names, and relationship drama masquerades as plot.
Speaking of plot: FROST MOON has about a dozen. Francis kickstarts the book with a hunt for a serial killer who’s targeting people with magic tattoos, like the ones that Dakota makes. Then we get a sub-plot with a lone werewolf who wants a special tattoo to control his beast. We get a third sub-plot when a sleight-of-hand magician who tries to debunk supernatural events challenges Dakota to a sort of duel. Add in Dakota’s reconciliation with her ex-girlfriend, her relationship with the organized weres (including a young stray named, of course, “Cinnamon”), and a half-crazed vampire out to revenge an insult to his pride, and what you’ve got is…a mess, actually.
At first, none of these plots seem to have anything to do with one another. By the end, they intersect too neatly. In the meanwhile, it seems like Francis forgets about one story in order to pursue another. Halfway through the novel I found myself wondering if anyone was ever going to go look for that serial killer.
Personally, I think it’s a bad sign when a half-dozen people in the novel accuse Dakota, the protagonist, of looking like a stripper or a prostitute. I want to clutch my pearls and buy her a sweater. I roll my eyes when Dakota insults someone for looking like they shop at Hot Topic in one sentence and then admits to shopping there herself in the next. Because I’m not in the target demographic and FROST MOON was written for a different audience.
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gothic Lolita” and the guy in “cheekchiller” chaps who roleplayed as a dog for the whole book? Toss in a few random vampires with names like Transomnia and Calaphase, and I’d had enough. I’m guessing that Anthony Francis is going for the Laurell K Hamilton crowd here, because in FROST MOON all of his characters are always in costume, they all have stage names, and relationship drama masquerades as plot.
Speaking of plot: FROST MOON has about a dozen. Francis kickstarts the book with a hunt for a serial killer who’s targeting people with magic tattoos, like the ones that Dakota makes. Then we get a sub-plot with a lone werewolf who wants a special tattoo to control his beast. We get a third sub-plot when a sleight-of-hand magician who tries to debunk supernatural events challenges Dakota to a sort of duel. Add in Dakota’s reconciliation with her ex-girlfriend, her relationship with the organized weres (including a young stray named, of course, “Cinnamon”), and a half-crazed vampire out to revenge an insult to his pride, and what you’ve got is…a mess, actually.
At first, none of these plots seem to have anything to do with one another. By the end, they intersect too neatly. In the meanwhile, it seems like Francis forgets about one story in order to pursue another. Halfway through the novel I found myself wondering if anyone was ever going to go look for that serial killer.
Personally, I think it’s a bad sign when a half-dozen people in the novel accuse Dakota, the protagonist, of looking like a stripper or a prostitute. I want to clutch my pearls and buy her a sweater. I roll my eyes when Dakota insults someone for looking like they shop at Hot Topic in one sentence and then admits to shopping there herself in the next. Because I’m not in the target demographic and FROST MOON was written for a different audience.
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LibraryThing member allthesedarnbooks
This is an enjoyable debut to a new paranormal series. The heroine, Dakota Frost, is maybe a little bit of a Mary Sue: tall, busty, has a mohawk, is covered in tattoos, she describes herself as intimidating yet is irresistible to every man and woman she meets apparently. The tattoos are totally the
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best part. Dakota is a tattoo artist, but not just your normal tattoo artist. Her tattoos are magic, and the intricacy of the magic that comes through in the body art is fascinating. The action scenes are exciting but the identity of the serial killer is somewhat predictable. I found quite a few similarities to Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels books, more than just the Atlanta setting. But there are also some original elements, and Dakota's bisexuality is refreshing in the heteronormative world of fantasy heroines. In the end, a promising start to a new urban fantasy series and a quick summer read. Three and a half stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member reannon
I will be upfront and say that I read this book because my department is hosting a book talk/signing with the author at the Georgia Tech Library on Sept. 1st. So if I didn't like the book I was going to pretend I did until the program is over.
Happily, there is no need for pretense. Frost Moon is an
Dakota gets called in to help the police and a federal agent. They show her a tattoo that has been cut from a living body that was then murdered, in hopes she could recognize the artist. So far the killer has killed 12 in different cities, and Dakota and her customers are possible targets for the killer. Dakota is also having her graphomancer evaluate a Nazi design that a werewolf wants in hopes it will better control his beast.
The plot is overall good though there were a few minor points that confused me. I've read a lot in the paranormal genre, enough to be oversaturated and pulling back from reading much more of it. There are only so many vampires and shspeshifters one can tolerate. Francis, however, has come up with a heroine whose unique talent drives the plot, rather like Sookie Stackhouse's telepathy in Charlaine Harris's series. Dakota is an excellent character, and since she is the narrator she is more fully realized than the other characters, of whom there are many, from the almost blind graphomancer Jinx to Dakota's ex-girlfriend Savannah, vampire queen, to federal agent Philip, and more. The author is particularly good at showing the vulnerabilities in even strong characters. Wulf the werewolf wants to be in better control so as to not hurt people or be so alone. Cinammon, the teenage weretiger, is all vulnerability and grows on both Dakota and the reader. Francis also uses the city of Atlanta very well, as events happen in lots of noted city landmarks. Buckhead is the ritzier part of town and becomes Lord Buckhead, a werestag who is the city's protector.
Altogether a recommended first novel and first in a series. The second book should be out by September 2011.
Happily, there is no need for pretense. Frost Moon is an
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excellent first novel centering on Dakota Frost, a tattoo artist who creates magical tattoos with herself as her best canvas. Her tattoos move, store and release magical energy, and can be transferred from herself to someone else. She works eith a graphomancer who can determine if a design for a magical tattoo is safe and effective.Dakota gets called in to help the police and a federal agent. They show her a tattoo that has been cut from a living body that was then murdered, in hopes she could recognize the artist. So far the killer has killed 12 in different cities, and Dakota and her customers are possible targets for the killer. Dakota is also having her graphomancer evaluate a Nazi design that a werewolf wants in hopes it will better control his beast.
The plot is overall good though there were a few minor points that confused me. I've read a lot in the paranormal genre, enough to be oversaturated and pulling back from reading much more of it. There are only so many vampires and shspeshifters one can tolerate. Francis, however, has come up with a heroine whose unique talent drives the plot, rather like Sookie Stackhouse's telepathy in Charlaine Harris's series. Dakota is an excellent character, and since she is the narrator she is more fully realized than the other characters, of whom there are many, from the almost blind graphomancer Jinx to Dakota's ex-girlfriend Savannah, vampire queen, to federal agent Philip, and more. The author is particularly good at showing the vulnerabilities in even strong characters. Wulf the werewolf wants to be in better control so as to not hurt people or be so alone. Cinammon, the teenage weretiger, is all vulnerability and grows on both Dakota and the reader. Francis also uses the city of Atlanta very well, as events happen in lots of noted city landmarks. Buckhead is the ritzier part of town and becomes Lord Buckhead, a werestag who is the city's protector.
Altogether a recommended first novel and first in a series. The second book should be out by September 2011.
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LibraryThing member BethyB
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, and a lot of fun. The characterization was a little shallow, but as the first in a series, with a lot of scene-setting and introductions to do, that's understandable. The new magic system is fascinating. Overall, good and fun, and I look forward to many
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LibraryThing member randirousseau
I got this book as part of the Early Reviewers program, as an Ebook. I'm not a big fan of ebooks, but I absolutely loved the story, and hope there will be more installments.
Dakota Frost is a skindancer and a magical tatooist, who manages to get herself in trouble with weres, vampires, and a
Dakota Frost is a skindancer and a magical tatooist, who manages to get herself in trouble with weres, vampires, and a
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Magician - gotta love it! If you like Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, and writers like those, you may very well enjoy this book, too. I'd highly recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member Octane
Great book, especially for a debut novel. I really liked the concept of the magical tattoos and found it very well executed. I also liked the way the werewolves/-bears/-cats were represented, although I think they (and vampires, too) are a bit over-used in urban fantasy.
There aren't any obvious
Apart from that, I had a good time reading this and will keep my eyes out for the sequels!
There aren't any obvious
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plotholes and I had a very hard time putting this book down, but there are also a few weak points. For one thing, many of the supporting characters are rather one-dimensional. Also, the way Dakota apparently has to flirt with everyone she meets seems a bit exaggerated.Apart from that, I had a good time reading this and will keep my eyes out for the sequels!
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LibraryThing member Ging
Not being a major reader of urban fantasy, I wasn't expecting a whole lot from Frost Moon - I'm glad to say that I was wrong! Francis creates an interesting alternate world, with magical tattoos, were-things, vampires and more all live on the edge of 'normal' life. Dakota Frost takes the lead role
The story sprints along at a breakneck pace, a definite page turner. There are some issues (nearly all the major male characters are ripped and model esque good looking for example), but they seem to stem more from the urban fantasy nature of the book rather than any deficiency in the writing. All in all, Frost Moon is well worth a read and the characters and ideas introduced can only benefit from a further outing!
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as a magical tattooist brought in to provide technical expertise to a police investigation, getting caught up in a world of trouble in the process.The story sprints along at a breakneck pace, a definite page turner. There are some issues (nearly all the major male characters are ripped and model esque good looking for example), but they seem to stem more from the urban fantasy nature of the book rather than any deficiency in the writing. All in all, Frost Moon is well worth a read and the characters and ideas introduced can only benefit from a further outing!
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LibraryThing member Antares1
I wasn't too sure I was going to like this book in the beginning. There was nothing sympathetic really about the heroine. She seemed to be straight out of the Snappy Sue mold that has become way too prevalent in Urban Fantasy. The short choppy paragraphs did little to help ease my way into the
Once I'd made it through the beginning part, Francis turned things around. He showed the flaws in his main character and a very realistic response to the horrific things that have happened to her. I ended up enjoying the book and the world he's built up.
The attraction between the main character and the assorted males she deals with was a little over the top. I doubt every guy she meets is going to be overcome with lust for a tattooed, mohawked Amazon. All the males seemed to be potential male models with ripped bodies and smoldering good looks. Too bad that doesn't happen in the real world.
All in all I did enjoy the book in the end. I waffled between giving it 3 1/2 and 4 stars. I decided to go with the higher rating. It's a good start for a new author in the field.
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book. Once I'd made it through the beginning part, Francis turned things around. He showed the flaws in his main character and a very realistic response to the horrific things that have happened to her. I ended up enjoying the book and the world he's built up.
The attraction between the main character and the assorted males she deals with was a little over the top. I doubt every guy she meets is going to be overcome with lust for a tattooed, mohawked Amazon. All the males seemed to be potential male models with ripped bodies and smoldering good looks. Too bad that doesn't happen in the real world.
All in all I did enjoy the book in the end. I waffled between giving it 3 1/2 and 4 stars. I decided to go with the higher rating. It's a good start for a new author in the field.
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LibraryThing member phaga
I had some trouble getting into this book at first, the main character seemed like a caricature of your typical goth chick with tattoos and chock full of feminist angst. However, once the story started to unfold it became easy to read. Parts still seemed a little over the top but it was an
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interesting story nonetheless. I think I read the last 200 pages in about a day and a half, so obviously Anthony does a good job of keeping your interest. Show Less
LibraryThing member etoiline
This was an interesting look at the Edgeworld. I loved the bits about tattooing, but I still won't get one--especially a magical one, after reading this book. The MC was well-written, if a little stuck in the leather-wearing, bike (okay, a scooter)riding, kickass (even if she doesn't learn to kick
Thanks to the publisher, I received this as a bonus ebook in the Early Reviewer program.
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said ass until the end of the book), magic-using chick mold. I enjoyed the injection of Atlanta culture, and I'd be interested in seeing some of the places for real--if they existed! I had the villain pegged before the reveal, but that's not horrible-sometimes fans want to feel superior to their characters. If I got the second book, I wouldn't say no to reading it. Check it out if you're an urban fantasy fan.Thanks to the publisher, I received this as a bonus ebook in the Early Reviewer program.
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LibraryThing member blue_istari
Dakota Frost is a magical tattoo artist living in an alternate Atlanta, a city where vampires, werebeasts and witches live openly alongside the non-magical population. Not only that, but she's a Skindancer, able to bring her own magical tattoos to life. Within the first handful of pages of the
Frost Moon gets off to a swift start and the pace barely lets up throughout the entire book, as numerous plotlines and characters first appear and then begin to converge. The characters around Dakota are a fascinating bunch and all very much outsiders in 'mainstream' society - they all have their role to play in the story, without being there for the story's sake, and are all interesting in their own right.
At the heart of the book though is Dakota herself, a strong, sometimes masculine, woman who still isn't afraid to admit when she's scared or in pain. It's her unique and compelling voice that drives the story, injecting both moments of humour and of emotion into the narrative.
I only had two real niggles with Frost Moon, both of them minor. Firstly, the end of the book feels rushed and could have done with a few more pages to make the denouement more powerful for the reader. Secondly, the majority of the male characters Dakota meets are both strong and attractive - so attractive that Dakota never seems able to decide which one she likes most. By the end of the book, something of a romantic relationship has developed, but it doesn't grow much within this book and feels like it's being held back for a sequel.
That said though, Frost Moon is a book that I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel to. The tight writing style, swift pace and Dakota's compelling narration make this one of the best debut urban fantasies I've read in a long time.
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book, Dakota has been pulled into a police case involving the grisly find of a magical tattoo no longer attached to its owner, but, as the best magical tattooist in the southeast, it quickly becomes clear that the police aren't the only ones with an interest in Dakota.Frost Moon gets off to a swift start and the pace barely lets up throughout the entire book, as numerous plotlines and characters first appear and then begin to converge. The characters around Dakota are a fascinating bunch and all very much outsiders in 'mainstream' society - they all have their role to play in the story, without being there for the story's sake, and are all interesting in their own right.
At the heart of the book though is Dakota herself, a strong, sometimes masculine, woman who still isn't afraid to admit when she's scared or in pain. It's her unique and compelling voice that drives the story, injecting both moments of humour and of emotion into the narrative.
I only had two real niggles with Frost Moon, both of them minor. Firstly, the end of the book feels rushed and could have done with a few more pages to make the denouement more powerful for the reader. Secondly, the majority of the male characters Dakota meets are both strong and attractive - so attractive that Dakota never seems able to decide which one she likes most. By the end of the book, something of a romantic relationship has developed, but it doesn't grow much within this book and feels like it's being held back for a sequel.
That said though, Frost Moon is a book that I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel to. The tight writing style, swift pace and Dakota's compelling narration make this one of the best debut urban fantasies I've read in a long time.
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LibraryThing member kergoth
I found the magical tattoo concept to be an intriguing one, and I'm curious to see where the author is headed with it. The character development, however, was a bit flat, though it did improve somewhat by the end of the novel. As others have said, the main character and some other characters feel a
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bit larger than life in the mold/stereotype they occupy. I think that despite its faults, this novel was an entertaining one, and I'll certainly keep an eye on future books from the author to see how he improves. Show Less
LibraryThing member cmbutler79
I was really impressed with this book- hopefully the start of a new series featuring Dakota Frost. Dakota is a 6 ft something, mohawked, magical tattoo artist. I love this character because she is different than the standard heroine for this genre. She is drawn into several very dangerous
Dakota's own magical body-art gives her some magical ability but her mouth is usually what gets her in & out of trouble. She meets several potential love interests- which will hopefully be given more attention in the next book. A strong supporting cast of characters nicely rounds out the action. Definitely a book worth checking out!
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situations in this book--including a hunt for a serial killer who rips the tattoos from people's bodies. Dakota is something of a bad-ass. She certainly holds her own against some major scary characters- vampires and werewolves and bear kings... OH MY! Usually she has no clue what is going on, but bumbles through with attitude and a sincere desire to help people.Dakota's own magical body-art gives her some magical ability but her mouth is usually what gets her in & out of trouble. She meets several potential love interests- which will hopefully be given more attention in the next book. A strong supporting cast of characters nicely rounds out the action. Definitely a book worth checking out!
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LibraryThing member tanyaj101
First I want to say that I waited a few days after I read this book to write this review because I wanted it to be as fair and precise as I could make it.
This book was a good but not exceptional read. The characters in this book lacked the essential background "characterization" I felt I needed in
I loved the ideas of magic that this book propagates. The idea of magical tatoos to either control or protect, although not a new one, still intrigues me. Francis takes magical inking from a secondary sideline to the main focus of the story.
I think this story will speak to a new demographic of reader. Probably a young adult reader who likes to live in their own "edgeworld". I don't think I am ready for my 13 year old teenager to be introduced to some of the ideas that Francis has given Dakota in this story. As an open minded adult, I still find that Dakota's bisexual tendencies and attraction to anything that is male and "built" a little disturbing. I feel that she could be a character of depth with very strong beliefs in self and of life, but her attraction to every male with great looks makes her seem superficial.
I think the other characters in this story were a little shallow as well, no depth were given to them by the author. I like to bond with the characters in a "series" novel. Eileen Wilks has similar characters in her World of the Lupi series novels but they have been given life from Wilks' imagination and attention to detail as she introduces the characters in her novels. The characters in Frost Moon might be much more attactive and believable if you knew more about who they are as people and how they became who they are today.
Overall, I liked this book, but I feel that I could have loved it if it contained more riveting characters. I felt rushed through the period of time this story encompassed. From the start to the finish of this book it was a rush to learn about what was going on in the story and the characters, the relationships of the characters also felt rushed. If this story is the beginning of a series of novels about Dakota Frost, I hope that in the future the author takes the time to build on all of these things and doesn't continue to rush through them.
As I stated earlier, I liked this book and would recommend it to someone who likes to read the same types of books that I do. I look forward to the growth of a new author in this genre of storytelling.
This book was a good but not exceptional read. The characters in this book lacked the essential background "characterization" I felt I needed in
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order for me to bond with the characters. For me, this bonding is what makes me want to read the next of an eighteen book series about the same characters, like I do when I am reading a Laurell K Hamilton book. If you can't love a character, why continue reading about them? I do however, like the woman that Dakota Frost could be, given the time and love of this author.I loved the ideas of magic that this book propagates. The idea of magical tatoos to either control or protect, although not a new one, still intrigues me. Francis takes magical inking from a secondary sideline to the main focus of the story.
I think this story will speak to a new demographic of reader. Probably a young adult reader who likes to live in their own "edgeworld". I don't think I am ready for my 13 year old teenager to be introduced to some of the ideas that Francis has given Dakota in this story. As an open minded adult, I still find that Dakota's bisexual tendencies and attraction to anything that is male and "built" a little disturbing. I feel that she could be a character of depth with very strong beliefs in self and of life, but her attraction to every male with great looks makes her seem superficial.
I think the other characters in this story were a little shallow as well, no depth were given to them by the author. I like to bond with the characters in a "series" novel. Eileen Wilks has similar characters in her World of the Lupi series novels but they have been given life from Wilks' imagination and attention to detail as she introduces the characters in her novels. The characters in Frost Moon might be much more attactive and believable if you knew more about who they are as people and how they became who they are today.
Overall, I liked this book, but I feel that I could have loved it if it contained more riveting characters. I felt rushed through the period of time this story encompassed. From the start to the finish of this book it was a rush to learn about what was going on in the story and the characters, the relationships of the characters also felt rushed. If this story is the beginning of a series of novels about Dakota Frost, I hope that in the future the author takes the time to build on all of these things and doesn't continue to rush through them.
As I stated earlier, I liked this book and would recommend it to someone who likes to read the same types of books that I do. I look forward to the growth of a new author in this genre of storytelling.
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LibraryThing member spoiledfornothing
Warning: Spoilers
Frost Moon was a very enjoyable read. Fast-paced, lots of action, vampires, weres – it is a good urban fantasy. It is the first in the Skindancer series. I suspect this may be Anthony Francis’s first story. Dakota herself is a magical tattoo artist, the best in the southeast.
Frost Moon begins with Dakota brought into the police station by the cops and she is nervous. There, she learns a serial murderer is killing people with tattoos. It only speeds up from there. My favorite scene was probably when she went looking for a werewolf she was supposed to tattoo underground and the cat with her sidetracked him. The ending was pretty good, too, a little unexpected. A part of me knew who the murderer was, but hadn’t figured out that the wolf and vampire were his minions.
Dakota also develops maternal feelings for the cat and I didn’t see that coming at all. I really didn’t. Oddly, by the end, it doesn’t feel that unbelievable. Though if she had developed maternal feelings in the beginning, I would have had a hard time buying that.
Frost Moon is also fairly specific in the setting. Specific enough that I imagine that the author either visited Atlanta or knows someone with intimate knowledge of the city. She was also specific about years – this happened in 2005. I don’t know if that’s good – ten years from now, that might make Frost Moon dated. But it also might not so . . . . I don’t know. I do know I will definitely be reading the next book.
Frost Moon was a very enjoyable read. Fast-paced, lots of action, vampires, weres – it is a good urban fantasy. It is the first in the Skindancer series. I suspect this may be Anthony Francis’s first story. Dakota herself is a magical tattoo artist, the best in the southeast.
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I, personally, have not read a book before where the main character makes magical tattoos. Uses them, yeah, but not makes them herself. Frost Moon begins with Dakota brought into the police station by the cops and she is nervous. There, she learns a serial murderer is killing people with tattoos. It only speeds up from there. My favorite scene was probably when she went looking for a werewolf she was supposed to tattoo underground and the cat with her sidetracked him. The ending was pretty good, too, a little unexpected. A part of me knew who the murderer was, but hadn’t figured out that the wolf and vampire were his minions.
Dakota also develops maternal feelings for the cat and I didn’t see that coming at all. I really didn’t. Oddly, by the end, it doesn’t feel that unbelievable. Though if she had developed maternal feelings in the beginning, I would have had a hard time buying that.
Frost Moon is also fairly specific in the setting. Specific enough that I imagine that the author either visited Atlanta or knows someone with intimate knowledge of the city. She was also specific about years – this happened in 2005. I don’t know if that’s good – ten years from now, that might make Frost Moon dated. But it also might not so . . . . I don’t know. I do know I will definitely be reading the next book.
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LibraryThing member sweb4us
Dakota Frost is a tattoo artist in a new Atlanta, where the paranormal, or Edgeworld, is becoming more and more commonplace and everyone from vampires to shapeshifters to humand interact and abide with each other side by side. But Dakota is no normal tattoo artist. She is a Skindancer. Her tattoos
She is one of the best magical tattoo artists in the southeast, her clientelle very wealthy and extremely secretive. It is this renowned expertise as a magical tattoo artist that eventually leads Dakota into a tangled world of danger, savagery, and murder. The reader accompanies Dakota on her quest for answers, meeting an unconventional group of friends and enemies along the way.
I really enjoyed this book, and am eagerly looking forward to reading the second book when it is released. It was so full of action, likeable characters, and interesting premises that I found it very difficult to put down.
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are infused with magic, applied with needles made from genuine unicorn horn, and able to move, transform, and even transfer from one being's skin to another's. She is one of the best magical tattoo artists in the southeast, her clientelle very wealthy and extremely secretive. It is this renowned expertise as a magical tattoo artist that eventually leads Dakota into a tangled world of danger, savagery, and murder. The reader accompanies Dakota on her quest for answers, meeting an unconventional group of friends and enemies along the way.
I really enjoyed this book, and am eagerly looking forward to reading the second book when it is released. It was so full of action, likeable characters, and interesting premises that I found it very difficult to put down.
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LibraryThing member macygma
Dakota Frost is a skindancer. A magical tattooist who, in her own right is pretty impressive with a black, purple and white Mohawk down to her fanny. If you look close enough, you will see that her tats are special – not only did she do them herself, but the move. Right off her skin sometimes.
Called into the Police for a “visit” she discovers that someone is taking tattoos to cover a special box. By taking tattoos, they don’t mean copying the flash – this person is cutting the tattoos right of the wearer’s body! Into this come Wulf, a werewolf once a month who brings Dakota a Nazi tattoo to help control his changing. She can’t do the job without vetting that tattoo – she doesn’t want to make things worse for Wulf.
Off to her ex-girlfriend, Savannah the vampire queen of Little Five Points to get protection to go into the local werehouse to ask questions about the tattoo. She arrives and is promptly attacked by a werewolf guard. From here, things go further south, with the added pressure of a challenge made by Christopher Valentine to Dakota: he wants her to prove she is a magic skindancer by tattooing a working watch on one of his assistant’s wrist. Piece of cake? Not exactly.
This novel is excellently done – characters are written so that they appear in your mind’s eye and stay. Cinnamon is especially well done and I would really like to read more of her adventures in the “real world”. Does Wulf get this protection? What about someone to protect Dakota? A moving wristwatch that tells accurate time? These and more will leave you thinking at the end of Frost Moon.
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Called into the Police for a “visit” she discovers that someone is taking tattoos to cover a special box. By taking tattoos, they don’t mean copying the flash – this person is cutting the tattoos right of the wearer’s body! Into this come Wulf, a werewolf once a month who brings Dakota a Nazi tattoo to help control his changing. She can’t do the job without vetting that tattoo – she doesn’t want to make things worse for Wulf.
Off to her ex-girlfriend, Savannah the vampire queen of Little Five Points to get protection to go into the local werehouse to ask questions about the tattoo. She arrives and is promptly attacked by a werewolf guard. From here, things go further south, with the added pressure of a challenge made by Christopher Valentine to Dakota: he wants her to prove she is a magic skindancer by tattooing a working watch on one of his assistant’s wrist. Piece of cake? Not exactly.
This novel is excellently done – characters are written so that they appear in your mind’s eye and stay. Cinnamon is especially well done and I would really like to read more of her adventures in the “real world”. Does Wulf get this protection? What about someone to protect Dakota? A moving wristwatch that tells accurate time? These and more will leave you thinking at the end of Frost Moon.
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LibraryThing member MrsTrull
Frost Moon was a good book but not exceptional. Solid ideas but lacks substantial character development and background that I need to really connect with the characters. Dakota Frost, the main character seems rather superficial but with more development on the author's part could be a truly
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exceptional character. There almost seems to be too much going on for one book, definitely feels like a first novel. I'll read the next one because I want to see where the characters go. Show Less
LibraryThing member Squeex
Technically(if one should need a technicality and genre label), this could be called a paranormal amateur sleuth mystery since Dakota Frost is a tattoo artist who gets pulled into the mystery. But mostly what this is, in actuality, is a kickass Urban Fantasy.
I am so glad that this is the beginning
Dakota is brought into a police investigation of a serial killer whose targeted victims have magical tattoos. She also has been hired to ink a specific magical tattoo on a werewolf who wants more control at the full moon. Both of these events soon yank her all the way into a murky world of human and the Edgeworld of paranormal creatures.
She meets up with police investigators, a ‘man in black’ Fed who work for the Department of Extraordinary Investigations, and has to deal with her ex, now the Queen of Little Five Points Vampires and working for the Vampire Consulate of Little Five Points. There is also the werewolf who needs her help, and possibly her companionship, to work the tattoo that will perhaps help him control his beast side.
There are so many possibilities of who could be the serial killer, but not irritatingly so. No, it was suspenseful each time a possibility showed up.
This is a SUPERB Urban Fantasy/paranormal amateur sleuth start of a series!!
MORE SOONEST, PLEASE sparkly diamonds!!!
I am so glad that this is the beginning
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of a series. It took me a bit to get comfortable reading it in the beginning, the story felt a little rough around the edges. Once I got past page 20 or so, I was right at home with Dakota Frost and her urban fantasy world of vampires and were-kin and, best of all, magick filled tattoos. That’s what Dakota does, she creates tattoos, most of the magick-filled in the tattoo palace, The Rogue Unicorn. She’s tattooed her own and what I wouldn’t give to see the flowers, butterflies and especially the dragon that moves and reacts to stimuli. Dakota is brought into a police investigation of a serial killer whose targeted victims have magical tattoos. She also has been hired to ink a specific magical tattoo on a werewolf who wants more control at the full moon. Both of these events soon yank her all the way into a murky world of human and the Edgeworld of paranormal creatures.
She meets up with police investigators, a ‘man in black’ Fed who work for the Department of Extraordinary Investigations, and has to deal with her ex, now the Queen of Little Five Points Vampires and working for the Vampire Consulate of Little Five Points. There is also the werewolf who needs her help, and possibly her companionship, to work the tattoo that will perhaps help him control his beast side.
There are so many possibilities of who could be the serial killer, but not irritatingly so. No, it was suspenseful each time a possibility showed up.
This is a SUPERB Urban Fantasy/paranormal amateur sleuth start of a series!!
MORE SOONEST, PLEASE sparkly diamonds!!!
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LibraryThing member quoting_mungo
I absolutely loved this book. It had the feel of one of those mass-produced pieces of teenage literature, but for adults, in all the good ways and none of the bad ones. Just something about the way it welcomed the reader into Dakota Frost's rather unusual (to say the least!) life like an old
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friend. The plot of the book is intricate, driven forward by the characters instead of them being pushed along by the plot, and all the characters have full, deep backgrounds, not the least with each other. Highly reccommended; I will be purchasing the print version because this is definitely a book I want on my shelves. Show Less
LibraryThing member AlexDraven
thank you, Early Review program - this is only just out in the USA, and lord knows when it's going to come out in the UK, so it's entirely likely I'd never have otherwise laid hands on this story, and that would be a shame. As a fan of Laurel K Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, et al this was absolutely
The blurb promised "Vamps, shifters, mages, magical tattoos that come alive: all set in an alternate Atlanta where the southern Edgeworld is filled with surprises and danger. Magical tattooist Dakota Frost helps the Atlanta P.D. track a serial killer who slices the tattoos off his victims." - I wasn't disappointed.
The first chapter is a little bit heavy on the info-dump, but that's forgiveable, especially given the engaging protagonist and cast of fabulous supporting characters, Dakota's team at the tattoo parlour, her geomancer friend, Jinx, and were-tiger Chinnamon - definitely a group designed to tie into one of my personal favourite themes in fiction - the strength of chosen family.
I'm looking forward both to reading the next book in the series, and to recommending this one to my paranormal-reading friends.
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my kind of thing, and a really enjoyable read. The blurb promised "Vamps, shifters, mages, magical tattoos that come alive: all set in an alternate Atlanta where the southern Edgeworld is filled with surprises and danger. Magical tattooist Dakota Frost helps the Atlanta P.D. track a serial killer who slices the tattoos off his victims." - I wasn't disappointed.
The first chapter is a little bit heavy on the info-dump, but that's forgiveable, especially given the engaging protagonist and cast of fabulous supporting characters, Dakota's team at the tattoo parlour, her geomancer friend, Jinx, and were-tiger Chinnamon - definitely a group designed to tie into one of my personal favourite themes in fiction - the strength of chosen family.
I'm looking forward both to reading the next book in the series, and to recommending this one to my paranormal-reading friends.
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LibraryThing member rosethorne1
I got this book (in E format) as an Early Reviewer book. I didn't expect a whole lot, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this book, it's characters could use a little more fleshing out, and the plot could use some tightening up, but altogether, it's hooked me enough with it's wry
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humor, and paranormal based theme to come back for the sequel when it comes out. Show Less
LibraryThing member cwallen
I read this through 'Early Reviewers'
Short Version: All sexy, no depth.
Longer Version: SPOILER WARNING
First we have the main character, Dakota Frost: tall, tattooed, mohawked, and bisexual. Her only character flaw is that she is so badass she frightens normal people. The cops want to talk to her
Dakota takes it upon herself to solve the case for the cops, and wanders around introducing us to the magical underworld of Atlanta. Every character we meet is unbelievably attractive, or would be if they bathed regularly.
I very rarely quit a book without finishing, but I almost put this one down about halfway through. There wasn't enough time spent on any particular character other than Dakota to build any depth. There were several plot threads going on, but not enough substance to any one of them to make me care. Then Dakota is attacked and gets the crap beaten out of her. We find all of her badass attitude is just bluff, and Dakota decides to learn some real self defense. Finally we get some character development.
Then the action builds, and we remember that we have a case to solve. The evil wizard makes his move and his identity is rather obvious. In a world where magic is demonstrably real (vampire studies is a legitimate university major), and we have only one character that doesn't believe in magic, then of course he is the evil archmage.
Overall there was too much going on to provide sufficient depth to the characters or story. I didn't object to the sexiness but it was delivered too hamfisted. It was entertaining, but would have been better if half the plot threads and characters were removed and more time spent on the rest.
Short Version: All sexy, no depth.
Longer Version: SPOILER WARNING
First we have the main character, Dakota Frost: tall, tattooed, mohawked, and bisexual. Her only character flaw is that she is so badass she frightens normal people. The cops want to talk to her
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about a case involving tattoos. She knows that police because her father used to be a cop, but she is not on speaking terms with him for reasons left cryptically unmentioned. Dakota takes it upon herself to solve the case for the cops, and wanders around introducing us to the magical underworld of Atlanta. Every character we meet is unbelievably attractive, or would be if they bathed regularly.
I very rarely quit a book without finishing, but I almost put this one down about halfway through. There wasn't enough time spent on any particular character other than Dakota to build any depth. There were several plot threads going on, but not enough substance to any one of them to make me care. Then Dakota is attacked and gets the crap beaten out of her. We find all of her badass attitude is just bluff, and Dakota decides to learn some real self defense. Finally we get some character development.
Then the action builds, and we remember that we have a case to solve. The evil wizard makes his move and his identity is rather obvious. In a world where magic is demonstrably real (vampire studies is a legitimate university major), and we have only one character that doesn't believe in magic, then of course he is the evil archmage.
Overall there was too much going on to provide sufficient depth to the characters or story. I didn't object to the sexiness but it was delivered too hamfisted. It was entertaining, but would have been better if half the plot threads and characters were removed and more time spent on the rest.
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LibraryThing member Emidawg
Frost Moon is the first novel in the "Skin Dancer" series (Not to be confused with shape shfiters of the same name from other realms). Dakota Frost, the protagonist, is a magical Tattoo artist and a skin dancer, meaning can channel magical energy into her tattoos and make them move as she
Dakota is joined by a rather sizeable cast of other characters including several weres of different types, a black suited Fed type, and an ex lover turned bondage queen vampire. An interesting crew but the only one you really get to know is Dakota. Perhaps the others will be fleshed out in following novels.
Many of the action scenes were written well, but there were a few that were muddled. Most notable for me was the Were-house scene where she is facing off against a werewolf tattoo artist. There was just a little too much going on and I had to read the scene several times to figure out what was going on. Maybe it was just me though.
All in all it was a decent book. It wasnt terribly deep but it was a page turner. Aside from a few places where the flow of the writing seemed to stutter it was a good read. Defintely an interesting take on werefolk and magic.
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dances.Dakota is joined by a rather sizeable cast of other characters including several weres of different types, a black suited Fed type, and an ex lover turned bondage queen vampire. An interesting crew but the only one you really get to know is Dakota. Perhaps the others will be fleshed out in following novels.
Many of the action scenes were written well, but there were a few that were muddled. Most notable for me was the Were-house scene where she is facing off against a werewolf tattoo artist. There was just a little too much going on and I had to read the scene several times to figure out what was going on. Maybe it was just me though.
All in all it was a decent book. It wasnt terribly deep but it was a page turner. Aside from a few places where the flow of the writing seemed to stutter it was a good read. Defintely an interesting take on werefolk and magic.
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LibraryThing member thelittlebookworm
This is not my normal type of book, but when I won it from Library Thing's Early Reviewers I thought what the heck. I found that I really enjoyed it. It's an alternate world Dakota lives in, filled with magic and mystery. I like the idea of the magical tattoo and the skindancing that makes them
My only problem was the writing was a little too loose in some places and the ending was a little too pat, too summed up. I know it is a series so maybe a little should have been left for the next book.
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come alive. Dakota is very cool, very badass, and very nice. She genuinely cares for people and their situations. She gets into a lot of trouble trying to help a werewolf out and that leads down a dark path for everyone. Some of it was very tongue-in-cheek and there were some funny moments. It was alternately horrifying, sweet, cheesy, funny, kick-ass, and magical. Fans of this genre will enjoy this seriesMy only problem was the writing was a little too loose in some places and the ending was a little too pat, too summed up. I know it is a series so maybe a little should have been left for the next book.
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