Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collections
Publication
Del Rey (2010), Kindle Edition, 354 pages
Description
"As a wealthy few gather to bid on a predator capable of destroying all life on earth, the sorcerers of the Twenty Palace society mobilize to stop them. Caught up in the scramble is Ray Lilly, the lowest of the low in the society, an ex-car thief and the expendable assistant of a powerful sorcerer. Ray possesses exactly one spell to his name, along with a strong left hook. But when he arrives in the small town of North Cascades where the bidding is to take place, the predator has escaped and the society's most powerful enemies are desperate to recapture it. All Ray has to do is survive until help arrives, but it may already be too late"--P. [4] of cover.
User reviews
LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the second book in the Twenty Palaces series by Harry Connolly. It was a great read and a fast-paced follow up to the first book. In general the book is pretty contained and you wouldn't have to read the first book in the series to enjoy reading this book.
Ray Lily is out of jail and eking
There is a lot I liked about this book. It is actually very similar to the first book in that it takes place in an isolated small town and Ray ends up hunting another predator. The action is again very well written and relentless. This is a book that is hard to put down, it shoves you from one action scene to another and leaves you breathless. We get to learn more about Ray as a character in this book and a little more about the Twenty Palaces Society as an organization. We also learn a smidgen more about the other evils in Ray's world.
So overall I enjoyed it, but I have some complaints...which are still the same complaints that I had with the first book. The action is so dense, we never really get to learn much about the characters or the world. This was a little less true for this book than the first book; but I still wish we had more face time with the characters in non-life-threatening situations. Also we get a tiny glimpse into the further structure of the Twenty Palaces Society but not much more than that...I really want to learn more about the Society and meet more people from it.
Catherine was an okay character but kind of weak. I really missed Annalise and was thrilled when she showed up again towards the end of the book. Annalise is such a kick-butt character; her and Ray play off of each other really well. You gain more insight into Ray as a character in this book. At times he reminds me of Harry Dresden; he has the same dry wit and willingness to get his butt kicked to accomplish what needs doing. Ray is different in that he has a lot less resources and he is more self-deprecating.
Overall, I enjoyed this installment in the series. I really, really want to learn more about this world though and with the non-stop action scenes there wasn't time for that in this book. The plot was tight and the writing incredibly readable and engaging. I just hope the next book brings us deeper into this world so we can meet more of the Twenty Palaces Society. I also hope the next book has more Annalise in it; her and Ray make an awesome fighting team. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.
Ray Lily is out of jail and eking
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out a living working at a grocery store and living in an apartment above his aunt's house. Things are going pretty well for him, but he misses the action that the Twenty Palaces Society brought to his life. Then Catherine drops into his life. She is an investigator for the Twenty Palace Society that was told to use him for backup if she needs it. There is a mysterious auction happening in a small town and rumors are that it involves a Predator; Catherine's job is to check it out and report back to the Society. Catherine is dismayed when she finds out that Ray isn't an Apprentice or a Peer but merely Annalise's Wooden Man. When Catherine and Ray get dragged out of the investigation and into a hunt for the Predator , Ray (his only tricks being his ghost knife and his protection tattoos) ends having to be resourceful in ways he wasn't planning on.There is a lot I liked about this book. It is actually very similar to the first book in that it takes place in an isolated small town and Ray ends up hunting another predator. The action is again very well written and relentless. This is a book that is hard to put down, it shoves you from one action scene to another and leaves you breathless. We get to learn more about Ray as a character in this book and a little more about the Twenty Palaces Society as an organization. We also learn a smidgen more about the other evils in Ray's world.
So overall I enjoyed it, but I have some complaints...which are still the same complaints that I had with the first book. The action is so dense, we never really get to learn much about the characters or the world. This was a little less true for this book than the first book; but I still wish we had more face time with the characters in non-life-threatening situations. Also we get a tiny glimpse into the further structure of the Twenty Palaces Society but not much more than that...I really want to learn more about the Society and meet more people from it.
Catherine was an okay character but kind of weak. I really missed Annalise and was thrilled when she showed up again towards the end of the book. Annalise is such a kick-butt character; her and Ray play off of each other really well. You gain more insight into Ray as a character in this book. At times he reminds me of Harry Dresden; he has the same dry wit and willingness to get his butt kicked to accomplish what needs doing. Ray is different in that he has a lot less resources and he is more self-deprecating.
Overall, I enjoyed this installment in the series. I really, really want to learn more about this world though and with the non-stop action scenes there wasn't time for that in this book. The plot was tight and the writing incredibly readable and engaging. I just hope the next book brings us deeper into this world so we can meet more of the Twenty Palaces Society. I also hope the next book has more Annalise in it; her and Ray make an awesome fighting team. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.
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LibraryThing member LongDogMom
I just finished Child of Fire and Game of Cages, the first two books in the Twenty Palaces Society series by Harry Connelly.
I thought they were both fabulous. Hard to define...horror?Lovecraftian?-urban fantasy/scifi paranormal mystery? Regardless of the genre, they were hard to put down and I wish
The books slowly reveal tidbits about the Twenty Palace Society and its hierarchy of members -investigators, "Peers" and others, as well as the dangers of doing magic, famous outlawed Spellbooks, and the inter-dimensional Predators from "The Empty Spaces" who "love to be summoned, but hate to be held in place" that the Society pursues and destroys. We learn these tidbits along with "wooden man" Ray Lily, the main character that finds doing what is best for the world isn't always black and white or easy. He struggles with a lot of emotion and moral questions along the way, as he fights to do what is right no matter what, even if it means his own demise, or turns him into someone he isn't sure he even likes anymore.
I'm really looking forward to learning more about the Society and Annalise, Ray's "Boss", who is likeable even though she's a stonecold killer who, unlike Ray, isn't bothered by empathy or individual's motivations. And the Predators...so unique and interesting and unexpected...one is a "moving storm" that kills by hitting its enemies with lightning, another is a "sapphire dog" with circles of stars for eyes and rotate and entrance those who gaze on it, making them love it so completely that there's no room for any other feeling except maybe jealousy and hatred for anyone else the "dog" looks at. I can't even imagine what kinds of Predators Ray may face on his next adventure!
I dare anyone to read the first chapter of Child of Fire and not want to keep on reading to see what happens! :-) And when you're done with Child of Fire I suspect you won't hesitate to pick up Game of Cages and jump right in, alongwith Ray, who is also excited to get back into his next Society "job".
Suzy
I thought they were both fabulous. Hard to define...horror?Lovecraftian?-urban fantasy/scifi paranormal mystery? Regardless of the genre, they were hard to put down and I wish
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I had a third book to start! (I did read the teaser for an unamed third book in the back of Game of Cages and of course that just makes me wish it was on my night table already! LOL).The books slowly reveal tidbits about the Twenty Palace Society and its hierarchy of members -investigators, "Peers" and others, as well as the dangers of doing magic, famous outlawed Spellbooks, and the inter-dimensional Predators from "The Empty Spaces" who "love to be summoned, but hate to be held in place" that the Society pursues and destroys. We learn these tidbits along with "wooden man" Ray Lily, the main character that finds doing what is best for the world isn't always black and white or easy. He struggles with a lot of emotion and moral questions along the way, as he fights to do what is right no matter what, even if it means his own demise, or turns him into someone he isn't sure he even likes anymore.
I'm really looking forward to learning more about the Society and Annalise, Ray's "Boss", who is likeable even though she's a stonecold killer who, unlike Ray, isn't bothered by empathy or individual's motivations. And the Predators...so unique and interesting and unexpected...one is a "moving storm" that kills by hitting its enemies with lightning, another is a "sapphire dog" with circles of stars for eyes and rotate and entrance those who gaze on it, making them love it so completely that there's no room for any other feeling except maybe jealousy and hatred for anyone else the "dog" looks at. I can't even imagine what kinds of Predators Ray may face on his next adventure!
I dare anyone to read the first chapter of Child of Fire and not want to keep on reading to see what happens! :-) And when you're done with Child of Fire I suspect you won't hesitate to pick up Game of Cages and jump right in, alongwith Ray, who is also excited to get back into his next Society "job".
Suzy
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LibraryThing member deanfetzer
I liked Child of Fire so much so that I almost immediately downloaded the sequel, Game of Cages. Ray’s on his own for this one. Well, almost alone - he’s been sent with a researcher, Catherine, to check out an auction for very wealthy individuals for what can only be one of those creatures from
Of course, that’s not what happens. With Ray’s usual run of luck, they find themselves trying to track it down in a sleepy town without getting all the locals killed or driven crazy. Or themselves.
Like Child of Fire, it’s got great pace and I quickly wanted to know what happens to these two. The twists are pretty good and the little details are very convincing. I particularly like Ray’s “ghost” knife (wishing I had one!).
By all means go, read some sample chapters and you’ll be hooked, too.
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another world (yes, the ones that like to eat us) and report back. That’s all they’re supposed to do.Of course, that’s not what happens. With Ray’s usual run of luck, they find themselves trying to track it down in a sleepy town without getting all the locals killed or driven crazy. Or themselves.
Like Child of Fire, it’s got great pace and I quickly wanted to know what happens to these two. The twists are pretty good and the little details are very convincing. I particularly like Ray’s “ghost” knife (wishing I had one!).
By all means go, read some sample chapters and you’ll be hooked, too.
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LibraryThing member lafon
I must admit to being confused while reading this. Maybe this had something to do with the fact that I didn't read the first one. A lot of the time I was even more lost than the main character. One thing I must say however is that Raymond Lily (the protaginst) is actually quite human. An odd
The only light I had left was the daylight shining through the door and the damaged walls. The people pushing their way into the room now were little more than backlit silhouettes. At least I wouldn't have to see their faces.
They were coming with knives, woodworking tools, axe handles, and empty guns. I lifted the iron pipe high and held my left arm low. I didn't have a shield; the tattoos on my forearm would have to do. I put the ghost knife between my teeth. They let out another war scream--a piercing animalistic keening--and I felt like screaming right back at them, but I kept it inside instead, channeling that raw energy to my arms and eyes.
The first guy to get close tripped over Big Bill and fell to his knee in front of me, so I smashed the pipe against his shoulder, knocking him against the one behind him, then I hit the next one hard on the edge of the wrist, sending his hammer bounding off the wall just as two more came close, keeping their balance better this time, and I smashed elbow and shoulder as fast and as hard as I could, blocking a sharpened hoe with my protected arm, but now the pets were crowding in, stumbling sometimes but not enough for me to keep ahead of every swing, of every hand reaching for me, of every sound they made, because I wasn't even looking at their faces anymore, I didn't have time to guess the attack they'd make based on their eyes or body position, they were just a mass of bodies rushing at me, and I laid out with my pipe, swinging everywhere with all my strength against people I'd told Catherine I didn't want to hurt but here I was, breaking arms and collarbones, and the first time a bat struck the bony point of my hip, the pain frightened and enraged me so much that I smashed the man wielding it right on the side of his head, and then every dark shape seemed to be tinged with red as I slapped away attacks with my forearm and crushed bones with the pipe even though many of them didn't even have weapons, just hands that reached to pull me down, so I smashed those, too, watching for knives and swings for my head, and I smashed wrists and elbows and collarbones and fragile, fragile skulls as the pets kept coming for me, climbing over the ones I broke, stumbling, slipping in water and blood and tripping over fallen bodies, then I felt a sudden sharp pain in my calf and looked down to see a girl no older than thirteen stabbing a long knife into my leg, and my fury and adrenaline and hatred and rage made it so easy--so easy!--to slam that iron pipe across both her little arms and I know she screamed even though I couldn't hear it over the noise the other pets were making but God I saw her expression and the whole world should have stopped right at that moment but they kept coming and I kept fighting and I knew right then that it didn't matter whether I lived through this, in fact better if I didn't because I was becoming everything that was raw and evil in this world and I didn't deserve to be in it anymore, so I screamed, finally, letting out all my anger and hatred at predators and peers and most of all myself for what I was doing, because I was not going to stop, not ever, until I had done this damn job, and the ghost knife that fell out of my mouth began to zip around the room with the speed of a sparrow, circling me like a rock on a string, and I just kept hitting and hitting, because I wasn't tired at all, evil men never tire of doing evil.
If you read the spoiler than you can see exactly what I'm talking about. It's not the most violent passage I've ever read, or will read, but it somehow affected me more than many other scenes similar to it. Where some authors wish you to enjoy the gore they provide, I got the feeling that in Game of Cages the gore was sort of meant to be something to be ashamed of. All in all I think a 2.5 star effort , but I'll boost it up to 3.
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proposition in today's paranormal genre. Another thing about this book is the level of violence. As you can see from the spoiler below it is quite graphic.They were coming with knives, woodworking tools, axe handles, and empty guns. I lifted the iron pipe high and held my left arm low. I didn't have a shield; the tattoos on my forearm would have to do. I put the ghost knife between my teeth. They let out another war scream--a piercing animalistic keening--and I felt like screaming right back at them, but I kept it inside instead, channeling that raw energy to my arms and eyes.
The first guy to get close tripped over Big Bill and fell to his knee in front of me, so I smashed the pipe against his shoulder, knocking him against the one behind him, then I hit the next one hard on the edge of the wrist, sending his hammer bounding off the wall just as two more came close, keeping their balance better this time, and I smashed elbow and shoulder as fast and as hard as I could, blocking a sharpened hoe with my protected arm, but now the pets were crowding in, stumbling sometimes but not enough for me to keep ahead of every swing, of every hand reaching for me, of every sound they made, because I wasn't even looking at their faces anymore, I didn't have time to guess the attack they'd make based on their eyes or body position, they were just a mass of bodies rushing at me, and I laid out with my pipe, swinging everywhere with all my strength against people I'd told Catherine I didn't want to hurt but here I was, breaking arms and collarbones, and the first time a bat struck the bony point of my hip, the pain frightened and enraged me so much that I smashed the man wielding it right on the side of his head, and then every dark shape seemed to be tinged with red as I slapped away attacks with my forearm and crushed bones with the pipe even though many of them didn't even have weapons, just hands that reached to pull me down, so I smashed those, too, watching for knives and swings for my head, and I smashed wrists and elbows and collarbones and fragile, fragile skulls as the pets kept coming for me, climbing over the ones I broke, stumbling, slipping in water and blood and tripping over fallen bodies, then I felt a sudden sharp pain in my calf and looked down to see a girl no older than thirteen stabbing a long knife into my leg, and my fury and adrenaline and hatred and rage made it so easy--so easy!--to slam that iron pipe across both her little arms and I know she screamed even though I couldn't hear it over the noise the other pets were making but God I saw her expression and the whole world should have stopped right at that moment but they kept coming and I kept fighting and I knew right then that it didn't matter whether I lived through this, in fact better if I didn't because I was becoming everything that was raw and evil in this world and I didn't deserve to be in it anymore, so I screamed, finally, letting out all my anger and hatred at predators and peers and most of all myself for what I was doing, because I was not going to stop, not ever, until I had done this damn job, and the ghost knife that fell out of my mouth began to zip around the room with the speed of a sparrow, circling me like a rock on a string, and I just kept hitting and hitting, because I wasn't tired at all, evil men never tire of doing evil.
If you read the spoiler than you can see exactly what I'm talking about. It's not the most violent passage I've ever read, or will read, but it somehow affected me more than many other scenes similar to it. Where some authors wish you to enjoy the gore they provide, I got the feeling that in Game of Cages the gore was sort of meant to be something to be ashamed of. All in all I think a 2.5 star effort , but I'll boost it up to 3.
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LibraryThing member tockenboom
Picked it up and read it in a day because I couldn't put it down! Then promptly kicked myself for not making it last longer.
LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
The second book picks up about 6 months after the end of the first book and Ray has not heard a peep out of anyone from Twenty Palaces until today when someone picks him up from work as backup for an auction. Things go wrong of course and Ray and Catherine are trying to hunt down the predator
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before anyone else gets hurt or someone decides they want it for themselves. The actions of the townspeople were a bit odd until it was revealed the entire town was under a spell cutting it off from the rest of the world. Ray gets the snot beat out of him but manages to come out on top. The book ends with not many questions answered about Twenty Palaces and I have to wonder if they will be answered in the next one. Show Less
LibraryThing member cvalin
With Game of Cages, the sequel to the debut Twenty Palaces novel Child of Fire, Harry Connolly has not only avoided the sophomore slump, but exceeded even my high expectations for this story. The book, which continues the adventures of Ray Lilly, a “wooden man” working for a mysterious
Where the sequel surpasses the first book is in the fleshing out of both the main character and the world in which he lives. Connolly gives us just enough information about the Twenty Palaces Society, the Empty Spaces, and the way magic works to keep the reader wanting more. It’s a great read that raises my anticipation level for the third book even higher than it was for this one.
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organization of sorcerers, is even better than its “Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 2009″ predecessor. As with Child of Fire, the plot moves forward at a brisk pace and the world is populated with interesting characters spouting crisp dialogue.Where the sequel surpasses the first book is in the fleshing out of both the main character and the world in which he lives. Connolly gives us just enough information about the Twenty Palaces Society, the Empty Spaces, and the way magic works to keep the reader wanting more. It’s a great read that raises my anticipation level for the third book even higher than it was for this one.
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Language
Local notes
Unfortunately for Harry, Annalise’s mission goes wrong, leaving her critically injured. With the little magic he controls, Ray must complete her assignment alone. Not only does he have to stop a sorcerer who’s sacrificing dozens of innocent lives in exchange for supernatural power, he must find–and destroy–the source of that inhuman magic.(