*My Thoughts*
Shaman Rises is the end of the line for The Walker Papers series. Ever since Urban Shaman released in (2005), and readers were introduced to a different sort of heroine in Joanne Walker, this series has been on my most eagerly awaited books to read for that year. Shaman Rises is no exception to that as I eagerly requested my copy via NetGalley/Harlequin Luna.
In the beginning of Shaman Rises, Murphy takes time to do a summation of each of her books in this series. I, for one, really appreciated her doing this for us as it is hard trying to remember what happened in previous installments without a bit of summation or going back and reviewing your notes as to where Joanne came from, and how she gets to the final confrontation with all her nemesis, The Master.
I will say this right out of the gate, Shaman Rises is a finale that has everything, and above all, it doesn't let me down in a major way like others have since the beginning of the year. I love the fact that Joanne is surrounded by everyone from Gary Muldoon, Michael Morrison, Suzanne Quinley, Billy Holliday, Coyote, Cernunnos, as well as her much maligned father who she broke the ice with in the previous installment.
Shaman Rises, which picks up RIGHT where Mountain Echoes left off, is filled with action, suspense, danger, incredible world building, and a bit of sorrow. Joanne is a hero who readers should be paying more attention to. Simply put, she can kick ass, takes names, while managing to have a snarky attitude, and loyal friends surrounding her ensuring that she stays grounded. More than anything else, she goes above and beyond the call of duty for a heroine by genuinely caring about what happens to her friends, and those put in harms way because of her battles with evil.
In a genre filled with characters who end up "transitioning" from human to vampire, or what have you, Joanne has remained 100 percent human with a warrior mentality and the ability to heal. That is what makes her so fascinating to me. I loved watching her character grow over the years. I loved watching her relationship with the adorable Gary who has been by her side since she was awakened with tremendous powers and responsibility. I loved her partnership with Billy, as well as his wife Melinda. In the end, it was her dance with Michael Morrison that was the most fun to track, and see where it would lead.
In the end, Mission Accomplished. Series finishes on a high note, and there are no glaring questions, or loose ends that need to be tied up. I don't see Murphy coming back to this world any time soon, but if she were to, I would hope that Suzy would be the main focus. Next to Joanne, she totally blew my socks off.
Author - C.E. Murphy
Title - Shaman Rises (Walker Papers # 9)
Published by Harlequin Luna
Released: June 24, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: E.Book 386 pages
First time I've seen this series. Now I'm wary of vamps but this sounds like well written
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I would send you a Goodreads recommendation to read it!
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