Recently read the first volume in the Secret Histories series, and enjoyed it.

The Man with the golden Torc
By-Simon R. Green

From Booklist
Green pulls out all the parodic stops to introduce supernatural field agent Shaman Bond, aka Eddie Drood, black sheep of an ancient, superpowerful family that protects humanity from its nightmares. And a good secret agent he is, partly because he has the best toys, from the golden torc that becomes impenetrable armor to a souped-up classic car. Called home for the first time in years, he comes to suspect there's a traitor within the family and discovers he has been declared a rogue. Fortunately, he has bolt-holes his family never suspected and tricks to stay alive while he investigates. He goes to former enemies, who know him as Bond, for help and discovers possible common ground with a few. For there's a bigger enemy to deal with, amid the truth behind the Droods' power, the family traitor, and the nasty things the Droods' major opponents do. Green sustains a good spy thriller's breakneck action with lots of magic, strange creatures, and even some character growth and romance. His new series star is one fun character. Schroeder, Regina --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


Now personally, I thought some of the narrative was melodramatic, as well as the dialogue. At points it feels unnatural, however the story was more than enough to pull me in.

My biggest problem was how strong the main character was. Don't let it stop you from enjoying the book, it may irk you for the first couple chapters, but don't let it stop you from enjoying the book.

 

I like this series. It's better than the Nightside series that he wrote. And yes it was melodramatic but it was pretty good. Couldn't hold a candle in a dark cave to Dresden but it's a good time killer. The sequel is better. And I love Mr. Stab.

 

Great series though some of the content seems to be eerily similar to Green's Nightside books. One of the problems I have though is Green's use of characters from his other series (Deathstalker) in this one. One of the problems with the Nightside series was the ambiguity of John Taylor's exact level of power and the notorious reputation he doesn't deserve. Hopefully Eddie Drood will not have the same problems.

 

Ouch, looking back, don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that. I meant to say

"My biggest problem was how strong the main character was, don't let it stop you from enjoying the book though. Just put it into context with the rest of his family."

 

I enjoy this series, haven't picked up the newest book however. Some of the characters I absolutely love in this series, since they seem like their own individuals, while some characters be incredibly annoying. The protagonist can be a mixture of both, but yet I still like him. However, my main complaint in the second book was the Merlin's Mirror, which in my mind is one of the worse plot devices, since it makes Eddie seem to powerful, when I liked the struggles of the past book.