It’s hard not to compare ‘Monster Hunter’ series to Harry Dresden…the same concept of a modern city being besieged by ghouls/vampires/werewolves/etc. that must be protected not just from the predations of the monsters but from the knowledge of them as well. What Ringo and Correia do differently is to give a rational and coherent reason for maintaining common awareness of the monster world: many people, once they know that the supernatural is real, by believing in it they will strengthen the supernatural and aid the access of the supernatural into our world. And more, once they know that it IS possible to learn & use magic to get what they want will start to misuse it and create way more havoc than can be tolerated. The result is “Ghost Busters” on steroids. This story incorporates New Orleans as a character in the story: so many people already know and use magic that they welcome and aid the Monster Hunters as they clean up the hell produced by the misuse of magic. Meanwhile, someone/something is inserting so much more black magic into the environment that it becomes a full-time job to a) kill the monsters; b) stay alive in the fight; c) hide the monsters from the normal people; d) convince witnesses that they didn’t see a werewolf, etc.; e) collect bounties on the creatures they’ve slain.
It’s all a very busy and exciting romp through the city and in and out of the cemeteries. But, as exciting and entertaining as it is, I started to become fatigued by the repetition of “kill vampire, kill werewolf, kill ghoul, kill the giant frogs, kill the giant rat, kill, kill, kill”. Each chapter is a short story in itself, but they all lead up toward the end…which sets the scene for the next book. ( )

In from Seattle to take on myriads of monsters that are infesting New Orleans and rolling over the locals. Violent help is on its way. ( )

Monster Hunter Memoirs: Sinners
By: Larry Correia, John Ringo
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
Lots of excellent and exciting stories of hunting creatures of the supernatural and paranormal! Never dull and full of crazy stuff! Lots of humor to go with the suspense! I have to get more of these books! Great imagination and creativity when it came to the creatures and plot! Loved the characters but they often didn't last long in a career that fought monsters daily!
The narration was totally on point! Wonderful!!! ( )

Story? What story? There's monsters to be killed!

In this second book of the memoirs, Chad aka Iron Hand continues to kill kill kill monsters, as told in his memoirs, thus in diary style, and the main story gets seemingly lost often but it does advance and gets built up for the finale in book three. ( )

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Title: Sinners
Series: Monster Hunter Memoirs #2
Author: John Ringo & Larry Correia
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 270
Format: Digital Edition

Synopsis:

Gary Stu bangs an underage Elf [she was only 45] and when her vengeful trailertrash relatives chase him down, he requests a transer to the New Orleans MHI office.

Once there, the action is non-stop, the monsters relentless and the MCB are the good guys too. Magic is on the rise, for no reason anyone can tell and even two-bit sorcerers can suddenly raise powerful elder beings.

But even Gary Stu can't kill ALL the monsters. Shackleford the IV and Earl come into town with the Happy Face group to help out. But Mardi Gras is coming and things are going to go apocalyptic.

My Thoughts:

This was MUCH better than Grunge. Most of it was that Chad, otherwise known as Gary Stu, is just too busy to do anything else except narrate MHI adventures. Which means that there was only one theological reference [which was sketchy as all get out] and two cockhound stories about girls.

The rest of the book was totally focused on saving New Orleans from a huge influx of monsters. It was the type of story that I expect when I read an MHI book. Guns, carnage and death abound. Agent Franks gets involved near the end and I've always liked stories that included him, even before reading Nemesis (MHI #5). The end, where MHI, MCB [Monster Control Bureau] and even some civilians fight a horde of monster crawdads and just about everybody dies except Chad, Agent Franks and one or two others, was tough to read. It's never enjoyable reading about the destruction of the good guys.

I do hope the 3rd book comes out soon, as there are several instances of burrows appearing, people disappearing and vague references to some new power arising. The local Vampire Lord calls it a “tourist” and it is apparently what is causing the influx of power. But we don't get to that part of the story yet. It is referenced but the full implications and the real action concerning it haven't come about. Honestly, that is what I wanted to read about.

Looking at Correia's website however, it doesn't appear that the third book, entitled Saints, will be ready any time soon. He just turned in his parts of it to the editor and now the fitting together must commence. But after this book, I am looking forward to it. Unlike after the first book where I really questioned if I wanted to read this one at all.

To sum up. Good MHI book, lot less bad theology, lot less boinking of chicks and the inclusion of Agent Franks. Good stuff. ( )