Review: The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, 1) by Marjorie M. Liu

Urban Fantasy

Ace (June 24, 2008)

320 pages

ISBN: 978-0441016068

From Amazon:

Demon hunter Maxine Kiss wears her armor as tattoos, which unwind from her body to take on forms of their own at night. They stand between her and her enemies, just as Maxine stands between humanity and the demons breaking out from behind the prison veils. It is a life lacking in love, reveling in death, until one moment—and one man— changes everything.

Iron Hunt is a unique urban fantasy novel, in more ways than one. The mythology and world-building it employs is new to me and gives us an unique take on demons and other supernatural races, as well as human life itself. It also contains a novel concept amongst urban fantasy novels: a pre-established and, for all accounts, stable romantic relationship between the heroine and love interest. But what I found to be the most thought-provoking about the story was the way that it was told.

Prior to reading Iron Hunt, I had never read anything by Liu before. I'll admit though, I had several preconceived notions about what her writing would be like. It turns out that I was wrong. Very wrong.

Her romance background is what threw me off. I thought that her prose would be simple, her mode of description standard in its use of adjectives. Instead what I got was lyrical, mysterious and a bit odd in its telling. Liu uses a lot of riddles and vagueness to advance to story. So many, in fact, that at times I found myself confused and deeply analyzing certain passages.

It took me a while to determine whether or not I actually liked the book. Like the saying goes however, actions speak louder than words. Truth is, I didn't put the book down. I could have stopped reading at any point - yet I didn't. The confusion that I sometimes felt and my frustration with the numerous riddles mirrored Maxine's own feelings. She was just as lost as I was throughout and, like myself, she plowed on, determined to fight and understand.

Reading this book and its follow-up has brought about the realization that I like books that challenge me. Of course, I've read novels before that have made me think but, until now, I've never encountered one that challenge me to step outside of my comfort zone as a reader. I like that, and I like Ms. Liu for giving me that.

Grade: B

Visit Marjorie's website

Read an excerpt from Iron Hunt