Smoke and Shadows

By: Tanya Huff

Narrated by: Brian Sutherland

Tony, a former street kid, is now a production assistant on a TV series about a vampire detective. But the special effects wizard is actually a real wizard who's come from another dimension-along with a dangerous foe. And Tony will definitely need the help of vampire Henry Fitzroy if he, his friend-and the world-are going to stand any chance of surviving this invasion.

©2004 Tanya Huff (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Really Good Performance

I originally read this when it first came out in hardcover. It was entertaining enough. A young Production Assistant working on the set of a cheap television serial about a detective who is also a vampire realizes that something very odd is going on with the cast and crew. This particularly means the woman who is in charge of special effects. Tanya Huff does the connection between the mundane world and the supernatural very well.

I picked this up though because it was on sale and I wanted something to listen to for a long drive. I was surprised. The narrator, as the best narrators do, gave a whole new dimension to the story. I found myself more enthralled listening to his performance than I had been when I first read the book.

Now I'm thinking about picking up the other two in the series just to see if he continues to hit home runs.

Highly entertaining

Would you consider the audio edition of Smoke and Shadows to be better than the print version?

It is hard to say if the audio is better than the print version of this book. Ms. Huff's writing is, as always, stellar. It is so easy to like Tony, the main character, and Brian Sutherland's narration is spot on. The story line is engaging, and you find yourself not only liking the characters, but rooting for them as well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tony Foster is a character introduced in Tanya Huff's Blood books as a street kid with smarts and heart. In the Smoke books, Tony is all grown up, and working a job he likes and is hoping will springboard him to ultimate success as a director. Tony always seems to try his best to do what is right, and is trying to grow out of his need for Henry Fitzroy (the vampire in the Blood books). You really end up hoping Tony's dreams will come true.

What does Brian Sutherland bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really liked his narration, especially his take on Tony and Chester Bain. He makes you forget that he is only one man, reading all the different parts.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I read this book before, and loved it. Listening to it just enriched the story.

A Fun Ride, Fans of Charmed & Buffy will enjoy it!

I really enjoyed the ride for all three of these novels. Tanya Huff has a way of making characters feel real, even the really fantastical ones that don't make a whole lot of sense. The way she writes is similar to the way Joss Whedon writes in so far as character and world development. The interesting, omnipresent narration can take some getting used to but if you read the original series this one is a spin off of, you'll already have gathered that. Tony is a delight. And I loved watching him try to get some distance from Henry and try to stand on his own two feet. I especially enjoyed the play on words with Smoke and Shadow being introduced as the title and interlaced throughout the story. I feel the TV Show Blood Ties really missed out when they ignored Tony and Henry's relationship and basically Tony as a character altogether. If this series were made into a TV show, I'd binge watch it in a heart beat.

Good

Fun story! Performance was meh, but not terrible. These words added so I can submit rating.

Good but not a romance at all

The story is good and the paranormal story set in a mediocore tv series set is a Novel idea. But it is a story focused On the story itself and not in Any Way focused On the fact that the MC is infact a Young gay man - allthough it is a part of the story it is more like a cosmic relief Than anything Else. Mostly because the MC tends to be fatalistic or sarcastic in regards to his sexuality and about everything Else too. It is not in Any Way a mm romance - so if thats what you expect, you will be disapointed. The narrator has kind of a droll dry voice but it matches the mood of the MC telling most of the story very Well.

I thought I'd like Tanya Huff

The Canadian-based TV show, Blood Ties was very appealing to me. I kinda fell in love with Henry Fitzroy (the actor is beautiful to gaze at) but then this series has him sexually involved with one male "friend" he turned/sired some centuries ago. This has fouled up my fantasy life. I'll fight to the death for others' right to write/publish/read what they wish but I really don't like such surprises.