What’s not to love about this series? Roaring 20’s, mythological creatures, and a hard-boiled noir gumshoe.

What to Expect

Black City Angel is the fourth full-length novel in the series (and it’s been a while since the previous). This one sees Nick dealing with an increasing number of refugees from Feirie. Trying to investigate affairs draws him deeper into the ugly politics of the Feirie court, and brings him in contact with old and new acquaintances. Most notably, we see a lot more of the dragon, which is always welcome (though Nick may disagree).

Black City Tales includes three short stories (or novelettes) featuring St George (or Nick Medea, as he goes by these days), his dragon, and the usual supporting cast. Without spoilers, all stories pit Nick against creatures from Feirie. After all, since slaying the dragon that guarded the gate between the human and other worlds, it became his task to deal with unwanted infiltrators and supernatural creatures.

What I liked

I love Knaak’s imagined world, twisting several mythologies into a coherent thread. He’s done tremendous research not only into the life of St George, but also to the scene of 1920’s Chicago. This love shines through in the writing and the real historical scene comes alive, and one gets the same vibe as old pulp fiction of walking the streets of a living city with all it’s quirkiness. It makes for a good balance of adventure and magic on a real historical background. Add his original twists of folklore, and you get a perfect combo.

What to be aware of

These stories follow the first 3 novels in the series, so there are obvious recurring characters and references to past events. That said, Knaak does a good job in reintroducing the main points, and the stories in Black City Tales are fairly standalone and can provide an introduction to the series.

I originally thought Black City Tales came before Angel and that’s the order I’ve read them, but then realised it’s the other way around (judging by the car he drives, and other clues ;-). That said, they can be read out of of order.

Felix’s Review

Felix much enjoys Nick’s adventures, and commiserates with him about being saddled with the dragon’s task (and the dragon – Felix said he definitely would not like to share the inside of his skull with anyone else!). He’s always glad to see that even after centuries of life and plenty of power at his fingertips, Nick maintains his humanity and is always a good guy to share a glass of wine with.

Summary

Great series for lovers of historical fantasy, of pulp “detective” style adventures mixed with mythology and folklore creatures. If you’ve read the previous novels (and it’s been a while since the last), it could be a good re-introduction to the series, ahead of the newly published Black City Angel. If you haven’t before, you can start with this collection, or go back to the first novel — Black City Saint. (If you’ve missed the others, there were Black City Demon and Black City Dragon).

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Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He’s the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.

Come meet Felix and his world on the free short stories and novels!