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Review: Flight from Mayhem by Yasmine Galenorn (Fly by Night #2)

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Flight from Mayhem by Yasmine Galenorn // VBC ReviewFlight from Mayhem (Fly by Night #2)
Yasmine Galanorn
Published: Aug. 2, 2016 (Berkeley)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review 

Reviewed by: Beth

Rating (out of 5): 2.5 stars

Creatures—dragons, vampires, werewolves, and more—exist among us, and it’s well-known to most humans…though not always liked. Shimmer is one of those creatures—a dragon orphan exiled to the realm of humans for a crime she committed against another dragon. She works for a vampire (whose ex is a succubus), her closest friend is a djinn, and she lives across the street from a ghost. Not your average, run-of-the-mill grouping here. When a serial killer strikes, preying on Elder Fae and stealing their wealth, Shimmer and those she works with must try to find the killer. In the meantime, she must also deal with the ghost across the street, the jealous succubus, a stalker, a Salamander on the loose, AND her own feelings for her boss. It’s going to be a busy week.

If the description sounded like the book was a lot—it was. Several storylines taking place all at once just made the book feel cluttered, and not in a good way. Rather than feeling fast-paced and breathless, it just felt…busy. What didn’t help was the writing, at least for me. Being the second book in the series, I get that the author needed to cover some bases for a new reader (like me). But it felt forced, and so much of the information was repeated several times. It was almost like I do with my children—remind them several times to PACK THEIR HOMEWORK because I know that if I stop talking long enough to take a breath—they will *forget the homework*. The problem here, of course, is that readers are generally far better at remembering things than the average child on their way to school, and they don’t tend to like being told the same thing over and over. In the same way, there were several times during the book where things just felt…convenient. For example, again without spoilers, how the situation with the Salamander plays out.

One benefit to the book, since there was already a lot going on, is that the world-building was already done. The story itself is set in the Seattle area, and the author works hard to elaborate on exactly where things are happening at all times. I’m only somewhat familiar with Seattle and had no trouble picturing each place—someone not familiar will be able to get the idea quite easily.

The characters themselves were not very compelling, though they were decent enough. Shimmer struggled to relate to much of her surroundings and people, and the way that was written meant that I often struggled to relate to *her*. It does get better toward the end of the book, though. The other characters were a bit better, and sometimes even more interesting to read about overall—and there are three romantic-type relationships (including Shimmer’s) that will be showing up in further novels. There is some progression on all three, and within the characters themselves, that at least left me feeling hopeful for the next book.

The storyline itself in Flight from Mayhem had potential, though a few strings that should have been tied up were left hanging (no spoilers). I think that had I felt less like I was being led around by my nose BECAUSE DON’T FORGET THINGS, and had there not been so much going on, it definitely would have had potential. I love the idea of a dragon, in human form, living among us, having been banished from her own kind. But things just never felt tight and cohesive and non-bludgeony, so…I found myself sadly disappointed.

Sexual content: sex

3 Responses to “Review: Flight from Mayhem by Yasmine Galenorn (Fly by Night #2)”

  1. Margaret says:

    I had a similar issue with the first book in the series. The characters and the story were fine but the writing drove me crazy.

  2. Amy M says:

    I really enjoyed the first book but I’ve tried reading other books by Yasmine Galenorn and couldn’t get into it because of the writing either. I get where you’re coming from in that regard. I will still give this one a try.

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