Brutal Asset (The Demon Accords Book 3)

Well the author sure does his homework. in this story there are references to all sorts of obscure facts. gun types, native Indian ceremonies and other things and I find myself drawn even deeper into his world. Great read

Editing leaves a lot to be desired. Words like prepositions, adjectives are missing. Not worth the $ because writing/editing issloppy. The story is ok, juvenile level. Not worth the effort to get past sloppy editing.

John Conroe has a great sense of story telling not marred by a lot of details, description or "sidebars". He has managed to develope his characters in a fairly succinct manner that steps beyond a lot of stories in this genre. The characters sound "real" and appear to act in a manner like you and I, sometimes to the characters detriment.

Conroe continues to develop this world of Vampires and Weres, as well as introduces us to two characters near the end, that also make an interesting last minute appearance in his other book Black Frost. Similar to how Nick Fury appears near the end of the individual hero movies of the Avenger team movies. Curious to see where he is going with this

There's something familiar about the wise assery of Christian. Smells like Harry Dresden. And there's something stiff about Tanya's character. Like the author is still figuring out how to write women. But this is a solid storyline with a lot of potential.

This book and the whole series have been very compelling. However, like with all too many of the store's self-published authors, there are points where editing errors interrupt the flow of the story. This book would have been four stars for me, but it had way too many of one particular mistake common to the series. The word "arraign" means to bring someone before a court to face charges. Apparently, though, it is also the way spell-check corrects the author's version of "arrange." I have taken to cringing every time I expect someone in this series will make an arraignment. I expect a few of this kind of error at the discounted prices and to be fair this series has fewer than most. But this one is so prevalent, particularly in this book, that it dramatically interferes with my ability to enjoy what is otherwise a really good story.

John's ability to write (meaning the structure of his sentences, grammar, use of descriptive adjectives, etc.) gets better with each book. Unfortunately, *everything else* seems to be lagging behind at a glacial pace. As one reviewer said: you might consider this series the guiltiest pleasure you can imagine. The notes from my first review continue to apply here:

If you like Shonen-style anime (you know, the ones where the characters advance in power from episode to episode), mixed with enough tripe from popular supernatural movies and books to seem modern, you might like this series.

If you don't care about anything resembling character development, deep and meaningful relationships, conflict resolution (that doesn't involve violence), well thought out systems of magic and supernatural beings, you might like this series a lot.

If you enjoy it when a writer throws scientific babble in, just to "explain" how his characters get so powerful that there literally is zero challenge for them, then you will probably love this series.

If you think Underworld was the pinnacle of supernatural movies, and that the sorts of cunning/deep thought that goes into the Dresden books or any of Sanderson's novels, is *way* overrated, then you will devour this series.

If you're well-read, you'll notice where Conroe gets his inspiration, and the various series' that he borrows from. So you might like this series just for the nods.

Now, you might *not* like this series if you like logic, solid world building, well-rounded and ethical characters, well-written combat, or anything resembling a legitimate plot.

Still, if you're like me and out of good material to read and can get Conroe's books on the cheap (yay e-books), then you might force-feed yourself this series. If only to pass the time.

Check this series out. We could not put them down once we started reading them. Make sure to start with the first one (god touched) and read them all. Looking forward to the next one which appears to be nearly half-way done.

I really tried to give this series a chance. Read the first three books because I really l like urban fantasy, even though I had a pit in my stomach after finishing the first one. This series is just.... awful. Lead character is like a fantasy smart-phone. Every time he comes up against a new foe, he simply appropriates a new power - kind of a "we've got an app for that" approach by the author.

Other reviewers have said it better, but I'll reiterate - this is written for junior-high males desperately searching for wish-fullfillment fantasies.

Good guy vampires (there are still some evil ones, but they are essentially social pariahs in the early 21st Century...kind of the equivalent of Southern racist, reluctantly ex-slaveholders...they can't be totally dismissed, but all the "cool vamps" seem to be patiently waiting for these distasteful anachronisms to fade away -- or, more expediently, for clusters of them step out of line far enough that they can be justifiably wiped out from time to time).

Similar situation for "were" creatures (wolves, bears, weasels, wolverines...if it's a fierce mammal, someone somewhere can turn into it).

The protagonist is a...well...he's a really nice guy. He's a demon-banishing, non-bloodsucking, non-metamorphosizing quasi-vampire with werewolf undertones and a seemingly infinite capacity to manipulate magical energies (as a savant, rather than learned spell-caster, which anyone else who manipulates similar energies seems to need to be).

He's a genuinely nice guy. Very gentlemanly...except when he "Hulks"-out and destroys everything that in any way threatens anyone he cares about (most definitively his girlfriend the more-or-less Queen" of the modern, forward thinking vamp sophisticates of the world...who also happens to be the most beautiful female humanoid in existence).

I've rally enjoyed the first two books. The characters are well drawn and the protagonist (who serves double duty as the first person narrator) oozes well-intentioned sincerity and the genuine desire to "do good."

It's about the least "dark" of any vampire/urban fantasy you'll ever come across. Even when tortured by inner demons (sometimes literally), everyone is pretty well in touch with their feelings, and there is no emotional pain so intransigent that it can't be put into perspective by a good "talking to" by Gramps, the 1200 year-old Vampire Elder Selka, or one of a couple lovingly-teasing big sister types.

This is not a complaint. There is enough blood and gore, tension and excitement, that the saccharine sweetness with which it flirts never quite overwhelms. The books have a clever and consistent set of underlying fantasy physics tht are fun to play with.

...And you never have to worry about the good guys losing. The protagonist is literally a Deus Ex Machina. Not only did God send him here to fight the good ought, but apparently, there is no limit to how powerful he can become. It's only be ever a matter of finding a dire-enough situation to instinctively summon that next level of previously-unsuspected-new-and-invincibility-bestowing power.

Honestly, it's ok with me. Quite the opposite of a comlaint Real life is complicated and sufficiently lacking in evidence of cosmic purpose or enduring happy endings. I'm always grateful for stories that let me experience the fantasy vicariously and believe in it for a little while.

To be honest, I'm dreading reading my way through to the end of the fourth book (they are quick reads). Not looking forward to returning full time to he Real World.

Overall Feedback: So here is the third installment of The Demon Accords and let me tell you... The story has only gotten better. John is a phenomenal author and I can not wait for the next in the series. He has taken a genre that I felt was overdone and gave it some helpful breathes of fresh air. His writing is both captivating and intriguing. You will get lost in this series as quickly as I have.

Point of View: Again Mr. Conroe ( I say John as I like first names, seems friendlier) gives his stories the typical Point of View but he does it masterfully only adding to the fast pace of the read.

Voice: Here John has stepped forward to say there is more to this genre than Twilight or Underworld or even Blade. He has taken this genre twisted it to his will and made his voice heard.

Character Development: Straightforward development that never thins out nor does the reader lose sight or feeling with any character.

Plot: He has carried this series into a third installment without missing a second of plot and each one has it's own subplot to stand on.

Dialogue: No issues with the flow of dialogue as I could garner from my read but I was also too engrossed in the story to care (not really a bad thing right).

Pacing: As stated previously this is fast paced, no holding, back nitrous oxide reading run rampant.

Setting: John is able to carry the setting forward without a hitch and still deliver with a storyline that holds you in awe.

Continuity: Find the first two books and buy them. Okay now you have the first two (God Touched and Demon Driven), now read them. I said read them, okay now read this one. There wasn't that awesome and don't you agree that continuity is not an issue. Okay now go buy the rest and you can thank me later:)

I have read the entire series several times.
I tend to reread books I keep for my collection every so often, like watching a favorite movie again.

the story is top notch. Great character development.

each book elaves you eager for the next.

This series I rate up there with the best,I highly recommend them.

I enjoyed these books, and I would compare Conroe to Kevin Hearne, of the Iron Druid series. The characters have a reality to them that makes it easy to bond with them and relate to them. The story moves fast, and has heroes you pull for.

I bought this series on a whim, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a fast paced, fun read. I hope Conroe stretches this series out, because I'll keep reading it.

Although this book focused a lot more on killing bad guys and military tech, there were a lot of great nuggets for the future story arc. This one kind of felt like an in between our set up for future volumes. I was happy to read along and look forward to what's up next.

I'm really enjoying this series. The main character's development through each book is very intriguing and keeps me turning the pages.

The author let his "guy-ness" show in this book - it is VERY gruesome. But those parts are easily skimable.

The novel starts out semi promising. Then proceeds to tumble into a mass of predictable outcomes and shallow characters. And it only gets worse in the next book. It feels like the fan fiction of a 14 year old boy who has no real idea of what women are actually about. Skip this one. Have had more rewarding experiences reading the back of and old spice bottle.