with excellent characterization and plot lines
581616
The Duchy of terra continues the epic storyline started in 'The Terran Privateer' - an enjoyable read from start to finish, with excellent characterization and plot lines. Well written Sci-fi!
2725897
There is a lot to like about this novel; well drawn characters, believable dialogue, an interesting setting, and a captivating story-line.  I am well into the second book in the series.
3956147
Well written, with very well developed characters.
4314510
A well-written police procedural with well-developed characters and more than its share of twists and turns.
2176331
The author does a great job with character development, and with defining relationships.
1686881
I have not finished watching season two as of yet however as with season one the characters and plots are excellent.
4699135
There is a good plot and character development. There is a good attention to the use of words and a sense of humor.
1290455
Well developed characters, plot and beautifully written.
4933885
Excellent plot and character development. Looking forward to next book.
4025195
This was a well-crafted novel, with great storylines and characters.  Jeffrey writes exquisite scenery with beautiful imagery, that comes to life off the page. I particularly enjoyed the Beastman storyline, as we follow Jordam's struggle between righteousness and the familiar.  There seemed to be intriguing parallels between this novel and the current issues of the 21st century, as Jeffrey paints a dilemma between assisting the Beastmen to change and grow, verses eradicating them or using them as war machines.  The best of fantasy helps us reconsider our own reality, and Cyndere's Midnight certainly does that.

I would certainly rate this book higher if for one point:  it follows&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Auralia-s-Colors/dp/1400072522/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Auralia's Colors</a>.  Auralia's Colors was just that good, and Cyndere's Midnight is a good book, but not on the level of the first.  I was trying to wrack my brain to understand why, and I think it's because of this:  there are just too many threads to follow in Cyndere's Midnight.  There are too many main characters, and we don't know who to emotionally invest ourselves in, or who to root for- at least not until the last couple chapters.  In Auralia's Colors, it was clear that Auralia was the character.  In Cyndere's Midnight, The strongest and most intriguing thread is certainly that of Jordam, but he's not the title character, and frankly Cyndere's story is rather uninteresting.  She, the Ale Boy, Captain Ryllion, Emerienne, and Cal-Raven all have their own storylines, but they feel only hinted at, and at the same time demanding at times our full attention. The book would be stronger for having a focus on only Cyndere or only Jordam, with supporting characters.

I recommend this book, to both fans of Auralia's Colors and those who have never read Overstreet before.  But I recommend more Auralia's Colors, and, I believe, the next book in Overstreet's series.
2697186
The writing and characters and storylines are just fantastic.
4042479
The character development is excellent. We get to experience a two and a half weeks in the life of Malcom Fox. He works in the complaints, the division that investigates other police. He has just wrapped up a big case, and is given an assignment to investigate Jamie Breck, a detective who might be dirty. He also has to deal with a father in a nursing home and a sister in an abusive relationship. He discovers that there may be more at play than appears on the surface. He quickly finds his career and reputation in danger. The book is an engrossing read. The characters are wonderfully fleshed out, and are as interesting as the story line.
4406412
We see Days of Atonement's story through the eyes of the main character, who is a passionate, principled man who is also deeply flawed, deep in denial, and full of rage. His capacity for sudden violence is incredible, and he regularly crosses lines--yet he also cares deeply about order and tradition and community. He actively pursues goodness and redemption in his religion, family, and police work while he is at the same time immersed in a system of casual corruption. The complexity and inherent tensions in this main character forms the gravitational center of this excellent novel, the first I've read by Walter Jon Williams.

Williams masterfully builds the setting of the small New Mexico town and its inhabitants, its history, traditions, and hidden iniquities. The setting is essential to the drama of the story and the motivations of the character, and I found all of it plenty interesting myself. It might be too much setting, background, and character development for someone who is more interested in the speculative ideas, but without this immersion in this tiny town and its inhabitants, we wouldn't understand this character. And many elements important to the plot would have seemed contrived.

Williams knows exactly what he's doing. The technical aspects of the writing and plotting are solid, and the dramatic tension was pretty intense for me. At the same time, the story arises very organically out of this very powerful and complex main character. Williams is steering this thing, but this character drives it.

I suspect that if this book does not satisfy everyone, the dissatisfaction will in some way arise from the way Williams has mixed genres. Personally, I like the mix Williams has achieved between a mystery novel and a science fiction novel, but when you have such a potent mix, it can confound expectations that regular readers of one genre or another tend to develop.

At its heart, this novel is a police procedural, and a good one, but it doesn't really end like one--because it's not *just* a police procedural. Days of Atonement is also legitimately a science fiction novel, because essential elements of the plot depend on scientific/speculative ideas; the way the plot resolves is driven not only by the characters but the science fictional ideas as well. The beginning of the book might seem tedious to some sf readers, and the end of the book might seem a little wild for some mystery readers.

After reading Days of Atonement, I'll be reading more of Mr. Williams's work myself.
2106889
Outstanding and well written.  One of the most enjoyable books I have read in quite some time, with excellent character development and a delightful premise.  Other reviewers will preview that.

What makes this such an enjoyable read is the true depth of the characters and their personality quirks.  I really could not put it down as I became engrossed in the story and the personalities.  I found it a light (with some serious insights and thoughtful moments), fun read.  Strongly recommended.

I must add that the authors writing, in first person for the main characters, was a little disconcerting at first.  Chapters are told first person by one of the characters.  However, once I got the hang of it, this technique was delightful and brought a texture to the story that was meaningful and provided a more nuanced way of telling the story.
3233003
Good things about this book:  1) Its a well-plotted mystery, with capably planted clues, red herrings, and suspense. At all times I wanted to keep reading to see whodunnit. 2) The quilting tips and food recipes are genuine and inspiring! 3) For a short book, theres a full cast of characters that could have made the action confusing but did not. Each was handled deftly and distinctly. 4) Its clean:  no sex, no cusswords, and respect paid to God, church, and Bible reading.
What Id like to see improved:  Even a mystery can be realistic. These characters don't seem to be quite real; we don't really get under their skins. Theyre all sweetness, generosity, and even temper whereas churched folks Ive encountered over seven decades have been pretty much as faulty and conflicted as anyone. The characters problems are external, mostly caused by other people, so our protagonists don't seem to learn, grow, or change from Ch 1 to Ch 19. Indeed, the most interesting figures are the villains, although they change mostly by deciding not to get divorced as if divorce were the ultimate excuse and tragedy and not a survivable experience undergone by fully half of all readers.
2981615
This introduction to Carol Jordan and Tony Hill is an ode to excellent characterization.  There are no stock players straight from central casting here.  McDermid takes the time to crawl around in people's heads and make the story interesting from that angle.  This is something few authors do.

The mystery itself was top notch. It moved in unexpected ways and finished off with a bang.  Tension between Tony and Carol gives the book an extra spark, especially with Tony's personal demons.

I'll be back for more of this series.
2480010
Crisp detailed character descriptions throughout with a complex story line and a compelling back story.  An excellent and satisfying read.