Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “Ever read a book where the protag doesn’t really interest you, but everyone else does? That was the situation for me with this novel: our protag is Quincey Morris, an occult investigator who’s a descendant of the Quincey Morris from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. That gimmick put me off, but Quincey’s...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Somewhat awful. While the story line wasn't terrible, the writing wasn't good. I disliked the author's overuse of the f word. He used it so much, it didn't have any punch in the lines where it would have worked well. Also I hated how he would describe the characters as saying something just...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Quincey Morris does a little bit of everything, from vampire hunting to tracking black magic practitioners. When trying to help a family that is suffering from curse that dates all the way back to the Salem Witch Trials, Quincey might be biting off a little more then he can chew.
WonderBunny wrote this review Thursday, September 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
To help even the odds, he asks for a white witch's help and Libby Chastain joins the search for the origins of the family's curse. From coast to coast they have to travel as the deeds of another dark practitioner come closer and closer to resolution.
I found this book to be an excellent start of a new urban fantasy series. The characters were enjoyable and the writing was top notch. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves Jim Butcher's Dresden Files.”
“Quincey Morris, another paranormal investigation book with the basic premise that Quincey, a great-great-great (with lots of many greats in between) grandson of one of the hunters of Dracula is continuing practicing hunting around in the supernatural community for more than just vampires.
o8oyCe wrote this review Tuesday, August 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
As a story, Black Woman is rich in everything, witches, loup-garous, voodoo and Salem. The first book revolves around the principle of descendants (long lines of them).
Unlike most other paranormal investigations, it's not told in the first person, which took some time for me to get used to. There was more than one vein in the story, and more than one protagonist that I was looking the case over. You even read all the gory details of what's happening in the other side, because the story is not reader blind, with a hint of who we will be contending with on the next book. Sometimes, not the thing you want to look for when reading a mystery.... because then the book is mostly a cops and robber book, how Quincy, Libby and the other characters (like the FBI who deserves a seat in the starring role too) fight the bad guys, and mostly the occult, how they work... and not trying to find out who exactly the criminal is. A paranormal cops and robbers type of book. Unusual for my type of reading material.
It is a relief that there are some characters in books nowadays that can be just friends on paper like Libby and Morris. Mostly, characters end up just being head-over-heels each other after the first few books.
Well anyway, I'm going to give myself some time before I get the next book.
”
“This book stayed on my Wish List for several month before I decided to break down and buy it myself after reading a review on another site. In the end I was rather pleased with the book. In the main characters, Quincey Morris and Libby Chastain, Justin Gustainis has created two very realized and interesting characters. Morris being the the descendant of the man made famous by Bram Stoker in his "novel," Dracula; Chastain, a White Witch, is a strong female lead and nice counterbalance to the Morris character.
Jimmy T wrote this review Sunday, July 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Gustainis also does a great job in world building. Like most contemporary paranormal books these days it takes place in a world very much like our own except that it includes things like magic and monsters. You can tell Gustainis put some effort into creating this world because it's very detailed and while it's not necessarily all that original the author gives some interesting takes on locations we know from our own world.
My one quibble with the book is the way in which was edited. Scenes were constantly jumping around and at times it seemed like we were missing some details to explain why our heroes were in a certain place. Still, this is a new series I'm looking forward to reading for a long time to come.”
“ can't get over how MUCH I enjoyed reading this book! I had to set it aside for a bit as I'd forgotten I was to have read and reviewed a book, the thankfully fast paced DON'T CALL ME A CROOK - Bob Moore for Online Publicist. I whomped on that one and quickly got back to Quincey and Libby's dark adventure.
IYamVixenBooks wrote this review Tuesday, July 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Quincey starts the story with his quest to eradicate a nest of vamps from a small town in Texas. He's smart and quick, vamps cleaned out in a concisely excellent manner. Then he gets a visit from Walter LaRue, a man whose house is being attacked by a supernatural being that is progressively getting more violent. Quincey calls upon his friend Libby, a white witch, to help him out. They arrive at the house to find that there is more to the story than meets the eye and both realize they are going to have to move fast or someone, if not all, in the house will die.
There are four different points of view throughout the book, mainly the story is told through Quincey and Libby. The thriller is pushed forward with a pair of serial killers, a pair of detectives, and the black witch all are circling.
I admire Quincey's presence of mind that gets rattled from time to time and the way he knows his life is preordained destiny and he is good with that. Libby is straight forward, gentle and smart. They make a great team.
This is a book where evil is truly awful and good is fighting the good fight against it. I can't wait to read the next in the series, EVIL WAYS. I can only hope that Justin Gustainis has many more stories and adventures for this team to journey.
Five fiendishly haunted beans.....
”
“Quincey Morris is a supernatural investigator who here tries to protect a family from a deadly curse. Dating back to a grudge held from the Salem witch trials he and his partner, white witch Libby Chastain, come across a very powerful witch and this chase takes them across the country through San Francisco, New Orleans, and New York.
angela m wrote this review Sunday, May 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I liked the character of Libby far more than I liked Quincey Morris. Am not sure why. I also liked the African detective Van Dreenan far better. In fact he stood out over all of them (a spin off series perhaps?) But the story worked, of witchcraft and voodoo and ritual murders to make a fetish. But somehow there was something missing. Trying to be like the Dresden files but lacking the humor - maybe that's it. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.”
“Intense book! Dark fantasy dealing with witches and the occult. Morris and Chastain are private investigators you'll enjoy following while they help someone with their paranormal problem.
Tami H wrote this review Saturday, February 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I hope the library has the next book!”
“After the Epilogue, we start off with some action, just so we know how tough and kick ass our leading man Quincey Morris really is, as he busts up a gang of vampires hiding out in a small town. He's a paranormal private investigator so he's called in on all sorts of calls; like a family with an ancient curse that dates back to the Salem Witch Trials.
Brooke Reviews wrote this review Thursday, February 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Since Quincey isn't an expert on witch craft himself, he brings in his associate Libby Chastain to help him in the investigation. They hit several obstacles as they try to piece together the investigation. But with the unknown help from a South African Police Officer, who has been called in to help with an ongoing 'muti' murder case, the whole story starts to unfold.
It's rare that I read a book that has several points of view and am able to really dive in and enjoy each character's perspective. Justin did a really great job of this. I love having a male lead. It's nice to not read a woman's perspective once in awhile. I thought the pacing of the story and plot moved along very nicely. I never felt bored or overwhelmed by a ton of action. It was also nice to watch the two separate investigations unfold into one. I love a good mystery and I love the Urban Fantasy genre, so this was a great balance of both for me. If you love both as well, I think this is a great addition for your To Be Read pile! ”
“I like a strong woman character and this book had no less then 3.
Katherine C wrote this review Saturday, January 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Libby takes a licking but keeps on ticking...no whining or trying to stay in touch with her inner child or right vs wrong turmoils. She has a job to do and doesn't stop until it's finished.
The Black Magic Witch for which the book is titled is also hard shelled and plays her part without compromise.
Which leaves the 3rd woman from Africa...sorry but I don't remember her name, she too never wavers from being the nasty mean person her part calls for.
This story has many of the elements I look for in a good read. Vampires, Demons, Witches and hard nosed criminals.
The writing could of been a tad bit better, but the action makes up for it...the first introduction to Quincey Morris sparked my interest enough to read until I couldn't hold my eyes open another second.
I will keep an eye out for the next installment of this series by Justin Gustainis.”1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Somewhat awful. While the story line wasn't terrible, the writing wasn't good. I disliked the author's overuse of the f word. He used it so much, it didn't have any punch in the lines where it would have worked well. Also I hated how he would describe the characters as saying something just like the person in this movie did, so if you hadn't seen the movie, you didn't get the reference. It's bad writing, because it's a very lazy way to describe something, instead of actually helping somewhat get a mental picture, you are just relying on someone else's character to do the job for you. Boring and derivative.”
danae wrote this review Monday, February 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“I had a hard time finishing this book. Maybe I was in a wierd mood, but this book was pretty awful. IMO”
sweetpea78 wrote this review Monday, September 1 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
