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Black Dust Mambo (Hoodoo, #1)

Adrian Phoenix

Start date: August 1, 2010

Finish date: August 31, 2010

Discussion: Book of the Month

Why we're reading this: New UF voted BOM
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* BOM: Group Read History [2025]
By Steph , Serious series addict · 9 posts · 22 views

last updated Aug 30, 2025 12:41AM

* BOM: Comments & Suggestions
By Steph , Serious series addict · 38 posts · 229 views

last updated Mar 15, 2012 06:15PM

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What Members Thought

May 18, 2010 Alisha rated it it was ok

(Note: Gotta preface by saying that despite the rating, I wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading this book. I actually think many folk, especially my GR peeps, would like it.)

Well. Knock me over with a feather. I thought I'd really like this one. But there goes that.

This book starts off with a bang (no pun intended, though that works as well). It details the morning following a wild one-night stand for hoodoo apprentice ("root worker") Kallie Riviere. The reader is introduced to a scene with rump (Note: Gotta preface by saying that despite the rating, I wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading this book. I actually think many folk, especially my GR peeps, would like it.)

Well. Knock me over with a feather. I thought I'd really like this one. But there goes that.

This book starts off with a bang (no pun intended, though that works as well). It details the morning following a wild one-night stand for hoodoo apprentice ("root worker") Kallie Riviere. The reader is introduced to a scene with rumpled sheets, kinky memories, a nasty hangover....and a dead body. Namely, that of Kallie's lover. Not long after this discovery the story shoots off into investigation (both official and informal) of the "whos" and "whys" surrounding the death, and involves numerous character perspectives.

The first half of the book covers a roughly two-hour period of time, and just about the whole tale takes place on the hotel grounds where the murder has taken place. Kallie immediately finds herself visited by the deceased man's best-friend Layne (who instantly becomes her love interest), Kallie's own best friend Belladona (my fave character!), another friend named Dallas, some hotel staff and officials from a magic association that governs all mystical folk. This means lots of dialogue, lots of character posturing and the like. It's kind of got a "Clue"-type vibe, in that sense. It requires patience, that's for sure. ^_^

Now, one issue I had stemmed from the aforementioned multiple perspectives. I'm in fact usually a fan of tales that involve narration by many people, especially when the use of such a device increases the tension or deepens the reading experience. But amongst the ten different perspectives here, I just found obfuscation, (occasional) uninteresting introspection, and lack of connection with the characters.

As for the characters themselves...I can't say I connected much (save to the fiesty Belladona). The antagonists were just silly, no other way I can put it. They came off as several notches short of...anything really: intimidating, intriguing, tragic, exciting, maddening, sympathetic, etc. I imagine that inspiring such emotions was the goal, but I just didn't feel any of it. :o(

This is a flashback-heavy book. Which isn't inherently a bad thing. It's just that it feels like half of the book is spent in flashbacks referencing the other half! ^_^ The number of times whole sections of dialogue and action were repeated word-for-word...well. It just got old fast; I'd frequently be thinking along the lines of "okay I remember already! That was said like one page ago, I remember!") ^_^ There were numerous dreams and visions, as well, though those didn't rankle as much.

Okay. I'm going to cut the "didn't likes" off here, because this is getting long. ^_^ But trust, there were more.

One thing I really dug was the atmosphere. In fact, it's part of why I love books set in Louisiana (especially bayou country). The physical settings are hot and humid, the behaviors of the people are steeped in magic and mystery, and the history of the lands are rich, full of folklore and old wives tales. The author obviously researched her butt off for the Hoodoo books, because she captures the Looziana flavor admirably.

I also found it interesting how a lot of the characters motivations were influenced by past loss. A parent, a friend, a sibling, a lover... each loss seems to affect the respective loved one in a vastly different way. It made for some compelling character comparisons.

I'm not gonna lie. There were a few truly enjoyable scenes (one in particular involved a wet-boxers contest, and had me laughing out loud! ^_^) So there were some good moments. But overall the book just felt weighed down to me. And yet, I actually wouldn't completely discount reading the second book. If nothing else, I'd like to see if some of the fairly-promising-plot-threads-that-ultimately-lead-nowhere are in fact meant to be picked up at a later time. ...more

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Jul 01, 2010 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it · review of another edition

I haven't read her Makers series yet so I don't know how similar this is to that.
I think this series has a lot of potential. It has a very strong flavour for lack of a better word, particulary with the language and the general atmosphere. It's sufficently exotic for me to be intriguing. I haven't read a lot about a hoodoo/voodoo so I find it interesting though I have no idea how genuine it is.
What did bug me was the first few chapters or so. I appreciate the banter between the introduced charact ...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Kalynn rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars. This faced paced book about a hoodoo apprentice's search for the source of the threat to herself and everyone she loves is really well written. It starts with Kallie finding a dead man in her blood soaked bed, and the action does not let up. The story is told from multiple perspectives, but they are seamlessly woven together, and the author keeps the momentum for the entire story. I am so glad I have the next installment ready to go. ...more

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