In Shining Armor: Pax Arcana Series, Book 4

Pax Arcana remains one of the better urban fantasy series being published. In Shining Armor is something of a conclusion for an arc beginning with Charming, while still leaving threads dangling for future books. John is still refreshingly self-aware, and while he's still John Wick-ing his way through gunmen like a hot knife through butter, he's also grown a lot since the first book. The cast, including Sig, who is a deuteragonist rather than a sidekick, Grandmaster Emil, and Ben Lafontaine, are very well written. One stand-out moment for me was when Emil Lamplighter reemphasized that he is one slippery bastard when dealing with Templar internal politics.Like most climactic episodes, everything about the scale of the conflict in this book is bigger and better, with roadside ambushes, commando raids, and massive explosions galore. The story/action/character balance is exceptionally well done. And while the book ends on a moment of peace for our heroes, the preview for book 5 definitely has me looking forward to whenever it's coming out.

In Shining Armor has its moments where it seems it has spinning wheels without any traction. In an effort to up the ante on the usual amount of intrigue these books have, the clues about what was actually going on are much looser. Because of this the last 10% of the book is spent with John’s voice serving as a mix of the author and the audience. Admitting the very loose connections while also trying to make it seem obvious. HOWEVER, it’s still a lot of fun and continues to help me scratch my Dresden File itch. The end of the book adds a lot to the overall mystique of the machinations set against John and the Templars. There are plenty of juicy cliffhangers at the end to keep the reader “Charmed” and hungry for more.

If you liked the first three Pax Arcana books, this is a must-read. If you haven't read the Pax Arcana yet, start with Charming. It reminds me a lot of Jim Butcher's Dresden books: fast paced, fun, with a somewhat sarcastic and snarky main character. I think anyone who enjoys the Dresden Files will enjoy the Pax Arcana.

High octane, character driven. Rewarding reading about a female character(Sig) with real agency. The intrigue is fitting and makes for a convincing ending. Recommend to anyone who loves Butcher and Hearne.

Good book and it would have gotten 5 stars, except for trying to convince the readers that a Ruger Blackhawk (single action revolver) has a magazine. Really?

Have read all the books to date in the Charming series. Elliot James style is funny, gripping, and engaging. Really like his approach to complex social issues that generate examination of morality that is often for granted.

John Charming is, well pretty charming. I like his attitude, snark and I really enjoy the dialogue in the books. I enjoy the romantic interest Sig and how it took a little time for them to get to the together part of them. The only thing the reduces my enjoyment of this series is the amount of fighting. I hate to say it because it totally makes me sound all girly but there is a lot of fighting in this book and sometimes that is just boring to me that is really the only reason that this is more of a 3.5 read then a 4.5 read in my opinion.I used to watch Burn Notice and I really liked that way that as something actiony (totally a word) was happening the MC Michael would explain to you the viewer that during a car chase it isn’t about going fast it is about maneuvering or When faced with superior force, you can do two things. You can retreat quietly, or you can attack with as much fanfare as possible. John does this really well throughout this series with fighting or just trash talking the other guy or buying time. I like this part of the narrative and usually laugh at many of the things that he lets the reader know.Sig and John are really fun together. She keeps him on his toes and even when they argue it is entertaining.“That’s the problem with arguing with Sig. We start at point A and then go straight to step thirteen and wind up in phase orange and then, you know, we’re in the linen aisle looking for windshield wipers…”They have this kinda light and bantery relationship that I like and even when Sig is mad at John she is still there in the middle of everything with him tabling their disagreement for later. I like Sig for the most part and John has made her life a bit interesting.“Ever since I started hanging around you, it's more like 'Oh, look, something messed up is going on. Let's poke it And see what happens. Wow, it's even bigger and more messed-up than it looked like. Let's poke it again. Oh my God, where did those giant flaming woodchucks come from?”But then there is all the other stuff going on too. John not only is a Knight Templare tasked with saving the world from the supernatural bad guys and even from knowing about the supernatural at all. He is also a werewolf and so he has some divided loyalties trying to figure out how he is supposed to be both things. Add on to the he has his own Scooby-doo squad of friends and associates that include a Valkery, Super Witch, Naga, ex-Military kill everything guy and someone just on this side of being a vampire (it’s complicated) and you have a lot of things going on.For some reason I always laugh and really enjoy this series while I’ reading it but sometimes it is hard for me to put all the supernatural pieces together. I always enjoy the ride but the journey is sometimes a blur and then we are at the end. Still this is one of the male main character UFs that I continue to read on in probably because I enjoy the dialogue and the premise so much. It is always interesting to say the least but I continually rate each book as only about 3.5 stars. *shrugs* I do what I want.Great interpretation of lore and melding of the different creatures from so many different lores into one series. I think I continue reading just to see what crazy things Elliot James will come up with next.

I really like this series and the whole idea of the keep magic hidden rule. The books are predictable but you start to care for the chracters which make them a good quick read.

Another great novel by Elliott James subverting fairy tales and pop culture

Loved this book from the Pax Arcana series. For me, the best in the series so far! Elliott James manages to stay true to the characters but still introduce new dimensions to the series.

Like all the others, Most entertaining.I look forward the next on and hope the high Level will bei continued.

Another in the long line of wise-cracking supernatural leading characters. Like Butcher. Hearne, McHugh etc we have an immensely enjoyable series and the action just doesn't take a break.This series has every sort of mythical creature imaginablel together with mentions of the missing fae who are sure to feature in a future installment, linked with their human counterparts in the Templars. The plot does not get confused by this, but is enhanced instead.In my view this is not quite at the same level as Butcher's work, but I will gladly continue to buy and enjoy this series until my next Dresden fix comes out.

Another brilliant part of the story - more twists and turns, more character development. Well worth a read & very much looking forward to the next one