Rating: 
Summary: Not Bad, but Certainly Not Great
Review: So, the plot of this book is a pretty standard mystery story: Reporter covers accidental death and falls into massive political conspiracies. The characterization was fairly good, though some characters seemed to be little more that place-holders (the Irish cop, the beautiful elven woman). But my major issue with the book was in the details. The author clearly didn't actually do ANY research into firearms, computers or electronics, all of which play a major role in the novel and all of which are badly mis-used. In almost every important scene, the purported details of these three is so far from the reality that it broke my suspension of disbelief.
Rating: 
Summary: Dragons invade our world -- watch out!
Review: Swann's off-the-wall crazy mixture of the mundane world with worlds too strange to view unafraid reminded me of the finest classic Philip Jose Farmer. Swann moves from the fallen, jaded world of a Great Lakes city to a world forever changed by the invasion of magic. A dragon dies -- spectacularly! I loved all the magical creatures, but my favorite was the dragon keeping careful track of her stock market investments. And the fate of a certain lap-top computer tickled me -- maybe because of my ambivalence toward that particular techno-magic in our own world.To complement to his crazy critters and engagingly cynical but vulnerable hero, Swann is an expert at keeping the plot galloping. I read the novel in one giant gulp and looked around hoping for more.
Rating:
Summary: Dragons invade our world -- watch out!
Review: Swann's off-the-wall crazy mixture of the mundane world with worlds too strange to view unafraid reminded me of the finest classic Philip Jose Farmer. Swann moves from the fallen, jaded world of a Great Lakes city to a world forever changed by the invasion of magic. A dragon dies -- spectacularly! I loved all the magical creatures, but my favorite was the dragon keeping careful track of her stock market investments. And the fate of a certain lap-top computer tickled me -- maybe because of my ambivalence toward that particular techno-magic in our own world. To complement to his crazy critters and engagingly cynical but vulnerable hero, Swann is an expert at keeping the plot galloping. I read the novel in one giant gulp and looked around hoping for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent urban fantasy/mystery story
Review: This story was a very enjoyable read, the premise of Cleveland being blanketed by a magical portal and having to cope with the affects of this was an interesting method of introducing magic in to the urban setting of Cleveland. A reporter sent to look into the death of a dragon quickly discovers there are dark plots at work behind the dragon's death--and quickly winds up in over his head. There are some unexpected twists and turns, startling betrayals and underhanded motives at play. If you enjoyed Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden books, this story will probably appeal. Melisa Michaels' paranormal mysteries dealing with a female detective duo and elven invegstigations are fairly similar in style. There is more focus on the unfolding events and the mystery itself than on the more emotional or romantic elements that some other urban fantasies contain. Those looking for a strongly magical plot may be disappointed. The author's use of fantasy is fairly matter-of-fact and more like his SF roots. I did feel there were a few plot threads left hanging--but it was all in all a good read. It has the earmarks of a possible series, and I wouldn't be surprised to see our reporter hero back again.
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