The Qwillery

Richelle Mead's Dark Swan: Storm Born, Issue 2
Sea Lion Books
(June 29, 2011)
Review copy: PDF provided by Sea Lion Books

Eugenie Markham is a freelance shaman, guarding our world from the invasion of Otherworldly creatures. Those who try have 'The Dark Swan' to contend with. But Eugenie's about to cross into the Otherworld alone to rescue a girl that nobody else will. Will she make it back across alive?

Written by: Richelle Mead and Grant Alter
Art by: Dave Hamann
Colors by: Nelson Cosentino de Oliveira
Lettering by: Dave Lanphear

Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters, Issue 3
IDW Publishing
(May 25, 2011)
Review copy: Purchased

Godzilla, Rodan, and Anguirus continue their devastation, and the worldwide media begins to chime in. As people around the globe suffer, celebrities band together to save the monsters from human counterattack, and the president is criticized for being "soft on monsters." Meanwhile... a mysterious giant egg washes ashore in France. And what's with those creepy little twin girls? IDW Publishing

Written by: Eric Powell and Tracy March
Pencils by: Phil Hester
Inks by: Bruce McCorkindale
Colors by: Ronda Pattinson
Lettering by: Chris Mowry


We've already encountered Godzilla, Rodan, and Anguirus in the series. Godzilla is in Asia. Rodan appeared in Russia. Anguirus appeared in Mexico and has moved into Texas.  Now France will be contending with yet another monster.  If you are a fan of the Godzilla movies, the twin girls may give you a hint about the next monster to appear in the comic... or not.

The story is moving in all sorts of interesting directions.The celebrity movement to protect the monsters is well written. The main celebrity is based on someone who should be very familiar to everyone. There are quite a bit of pop culture and political references in the comic, which make it accessible to readers who are not necessarily Toho monster fans. The references add to the story. The art work is exceptional as is the color.

I can't tell you how much I love the covers for this comic series. I'm really enjoying Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters. I highly recommend Issue 3 and give it 5 out of 5 Qwills.

Richelle Mead's Dark Swan: Storm Born, Issue 1
Sea Lion Books
(May 25, 2011)
Review copy: PDF provided by Sea Lion Books

Eugenie Markham never asked for any of this. Until now, she's been content with her job as a freelance shaman battling and banishing Otherworldy creatures. When a prophecy suddenly makes her the Otherworld's most popular bachelorette, Eugenie finds herself fighting off unwanted supernatural suitors, as well as the evils that begin emerging from her past...

Colors by: Nelson Cosentino de Oliveira
Lettering by: Dave Lanphear



I always have a bit of concern when I read a comic based on a book. Will the comic be true to the story? Will something important be missed or lost? Will the main character meet my expectations in terms of how she or he looks and acts?



In addition to the regular cover there is a Limited Edition Incentive Cover for Issue 1 that is signed by Richelle Mead and Dave Hamann.


You can see a preview of Issue 1 at Sea Lion Books' website.

The Cold Kiss of Death
Author:  Suzanne McLeod
Series:  Spellcrackers 2
Format:  Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
Publisher:  Ace (April 26, 2011)
Price:  $7.99
Language:  English
Genre: Urban Fantasy
ISBN:  9780441020393
Review Copy:  Provided by Publisher

Cover and Description:

Genny Taylor works for Spellcrackers.com ±
Making Magic Safe. But her own life is anything but safe!


‘The ghost grasped her shift and ripped it open. The three interlacing crescents carved red-raw and bleeding into her thin chest didn’t look any better than the last dozen times I’d seen them. The wounds weren’t lethal – they weren’t even recent; she’d been dead for at least a hundred and fifty years – but my gut still twisted with anger that someone would do that to a child.’

Being haunted by a ghost is the least of Genny’s problems: she’s also trying to deal with the witch neighbour who wants her evicted. Finn, her sort-of-Ex – and now her new boss – can’t quite decide whether he wants their relationship to be business or pleasure. And then there’s the queue of vamps inviting her to paint the town red; how long before they stop taking no for an answer?

Just when it seems things can’t get any worse a human friend is murdered using sidhe magic. Determined to hunt down the killer and needing help, she turns to one of London’s most capricious wylde fae and the seductive vampire Malik al-Khan.

But all too soon she realises she doesn’t know who she can trust – and now Genny’s the one being hunted, not just by the police, but by some of London’s most powerful and dangerous supernaturals. From Suzanne McLeod's Website.
 
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders


My Thoughts:
 
The Cold Kiss of Death is the second book in the Spellcrackers series by Suzanne McLeod. It's a wild ride filled with intrigue, mystery, and surprises. By the time I got to the ending few chapters, I was on edge waiting to find out what would happen. I had to read the last few chapters more than once, not because I didn't get it, but because I rushed the first time. I absolutely had to know what happened. I found the ending of the story quite emotional.

Genny is a terrific main character. She's smart and determined, but not perfect, which makes her all the more believable. She works for Spellcrackers.com, a company that takes care of magical problems often by cracking unwanted spells. Genny is also the only Sidhe fae in London. This book deals much less with her job than the fallout from the murder of her friend among other things.

The book is filled with wonderful, well drawn secondary characters including the men in Genny's life: Malik al-Kahn, a mysterious vampire with ties to Genny that become more clear in his book; Finn, a satyr and her boss and potential love interest who we met in Book 1; and Tavish, a kelpie and technology whiz who first appears in this book. These three try to help Genny figure out who murdered her human friend, but even they may have agendas that Genny does not fully understand. Other characters from Book 1 also appear and have integral rolls to play in Book 2. There are some truly evil characters in the book that do not have Genny's best interests in mind at all, but they are not caricatures of evil. It becomes very clear what motivates them.

More is revealed about about London's magical community of witches, fae, vampires and its politics. The magical world in this series is very deeply developed. Why Genny is the only Sidhe fae in London is explained in this book. I'm not going to reveal any details because I do not want to give anything away. There are twists and turns and more than one surprise. These interlocking threads of story are woven together deftly by Suzanne McLeod to create an immensely satisfying and exciting read.

This is one of the most original Urban Fantasy series that I have read in a long time. The Cold Kiss of Death will keep you on the edge of your seat from the opening line to the very end.

I give The Cold Kiss of Death 4 1/2 Qwills



I strongly suggest that you read the this series in order.


Prior books in the Spellcrackers series:

The Cold Kiss of Death
Author:  Suzanne McLeod
Series:  Spellcrackers 1
Format:  Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Publisher:  Ace (April 27, 2010)
Price:  $7.99
Language:  English
Genre: Urban Fantasy
ISBN:  9780441018710


'My name is Genny Taylor. I work for Spellcrackers.com. It’s a great job, pays the rent, lets me do the thing I’m good at – finding magic and cracking it – and the bonus is it’s run by witches, which stops the vamps from taking a bite out of me.

Not that vampires are the big bad any more, not since they launched a slick PR campaign – ­ oh, and they brought the goblins on board. Now the vamps are sought-after celebrities, and Getting Fanged and taking the Gift are the new height of all things cool.

But only if you’re human.

And I’m not.

I’m Sidhe fae.

And I know firsthand just how deadly a vampire can be.’

When Mr October, a sexy calendar pin-up vamp, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, an old debt is called in and Genny is forced to help prove his innocence, risking her job and the protection it offers – and threatening to expose her own dark secrets. Searching for the killer plunges Genny deep into the hidden heart of vampire society. It’s not long before she realises that she and Mr October are both unwitting pawns in a centuries-old power struggle between London’s non-human communities . . . and it’s not just her own neck that’s at stake, but the lives of all London’s supernaturals

Dead Waters
Author: Anton Strout
Series: Simon Canderous 4
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Publisher: Ace (February 22, 2011)
Price: $7.99
Language: English
Genre: Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 9780441020119
Review Copy: Provided by Publisher

Cover and Description:

From the back cover:

With Manhattan's Department of Extraordinary Affairs in disarray (forget vampires and zombies -- it's the budget cuts that can kill you), Simon Canderous is still expected to stamp out any crime that adds the "para" to normal." And his newest case is no exception...

A university professor has been found murdered in his apartment. His lungs show signs of death by drowning. But his skin and clothes? Bone-dry. Now Simon has to rely on his powers -- plus a little help from his ghost-whispering partner and technomancer girlfriend -- to solve a mystery that has the NYPD stumped and the D.E.A. shaken and stirred.




Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders


My thoughts:

Dead Waters is the 4th book in the Simon Canderous series and the very best of the series so far.

Simon is a psychometrist. He can read the history of an object by touching it. In Dead Waters, Simon is still somewhat impulsive and reckless but he is maturing. He still makes his trademark wise-cracks, but he is growing emotionally as he must deal with some personal issues. I always find that Simon's heart is in the right place... despite the various creatures that want to remove it. Simon is a very likable protagonist.

I adore the supporting characters in this series: Jane Clayton-Forrester (Simon's technomancer girlfriend), Connor Christos (Simon's partner), Inspectre Argyle Quimbley (Simon's and Connor's boss), and Godfrey Candella (the D.E.A. Archivist). While Simon is the main character, the book really feels like an ensemble piece. I love the back and forth between the characters. There is genuine camaraderie.

Simon, Jane, and Connor must solve the mystery surrounding a university professor's unusual death. The murder deeply affects Inspectre Quimbley as he used to know the professor well. The storyline dealing the aging Inspectre is very well done. I really enjoyed learning more about his past.

Anton Strout deftly continues to lampoon bureaucratic red tape with New York City's Department of Extraordinary Affairs. I find the inner workings of the D.E.A. both fascinating and amusing. While the D.E.A. is facing severe budget cuts, fortunately none of my favorite characters lose their jobs. New York City is a great backdrop for this series.

Dead Waters borrows from mythology in an inventive way. I won't reveal which mythology or what was borrowed as it would be a major spoiler.

This is the darkest of the four books. I cried at one part of the story though there are far more moments that brought laughter. The pacing is excellent with a lot of action. The plot is really engaging. The mystery and its conclusion are handled beautifully. Dead Waters is a tasty mélange of murder, mystery, and mythology, with a dash of mayhem thrown in for good measure.

I give Dead Waters 5 Qwills.


I do recommend that you read this series in order.


Prior books in the Simon Canderous series:

Dead to Me
Book 1
(February, 26, 2008)
A new urban fantasy featuring a man working on the right side of law-with talents that come from left field.

Psychometry-the power to touch an object and divine information about its history-has meant a life of petty crime for Simon Canderous, but now he's gone over to the good side. At New York's underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, he's learning about red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation. But it's not the paperwork that has him breathless.

After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the ghost of a beautiful woman- who doesn't know she's dead-he and his mentor plan to find her killers. But Simon's not prepared for the nefarious plot that unfolds before him, involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.

Deader Still
Book 2
(February 24, 2009)

It’s hard to defeat evil on a budget. Just ask Simon Canderous.

FROM THE AUTHOR OF DEAD TO ME.

It’s been 737 days since the Department of Extraordinary Affairs’ last vampire incursion, but that streak appears to have ended when a boat full of dead lawyers is found in the Hudson River. Using the power of psychometry—the ability to divine the history of an object by touching it—agent Simon Canderous discovers that the booze cruise was crashed by something that sucked all the blood out of the litigators. Now, his workday may never end—until his life does.



Dead Matter
Book 3
(February 23, 2010)
Shaking up the spirits of Manhattan

The spirit populace of Manhattan doesn't appreciate its well-deserved RIP being disturbed, and Department of Extraordinary Affairs Agent Simon Canderous is sent in to do damage control. Meanwhile, his vacationing partner, Connor Christos, is in a sorry state, and he tells Simon that each night he's being haunted by visions of his long-lost brother at his window. Simon is worried that his partner may be going crazy-or worse, maybe he's not...

Midnight Riot
Author: Ben Aaronovitch
Series: Rivers of London 1
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (February 1, 2011)
Price: $7.99
Language: English
Genre: Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-345-52425-6
Review Copy: Arc provided by Publisher

Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders

Probationary Constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London’s Metropolitan Police. Too bad his superior plans to assign him to the Case Progression Unit, where the biggest threat he’ll face is a paper cut. But Peter’s prospects change in the aftermath of a puzzling murder, when he gains exclusive information from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost. Peter’s ability to speak with the lingering dead brings him to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny. Now, as a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, Peter is plunged into a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.



UK Cover and synopsis

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit - we do paperwork so real coppers don't have to - and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England. Now I'm a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden ...and there's something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair. The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it's falling to me to bring order out of chaos - or die trying.

My thoughts:

While Ben Aaronovitch has written some Doctor Who tie-in novels, this is his first original novel and his urban fantasy debut. Midnight Riot / Rivers of London is quite simply fabulous. It's a mystery, police procedural, and urban fantasy wrapped in a rich mythology of London's rivers.

I find it interesting that this novel has two different covers and two different titles. This is not the first time this has happened in the history of novels, of course. I find it interesting because the covers and titles reflect two different aspects of the same story.

"Rivers of London" seems to emphasize the fantasy construct underlying the story: a mythology of London's rivers. Peter Grant, the main character, has to deal with issues created by the rivers. He deals directly with the gods and goddesses of the rivers and streams - the rivers personified. "Midnight Riot" seems to emphasize the police procedural aspect of the novel. A terrible chain of events has been set off. The mystery underlying the crimes comes from London's past. These two themes of the novel intertwine sometimes in surprising, but satisfying, ways.

Themes aside, this is essentially a story about Peter Grant. I find Detective Constable Grant to be a likable, flawed character. He makes mistakes. He's sometimes foolish, but he's got a curious mind and a willingness to learn. He's also got a scientific mind which would seem at odds with his new assignment working with DCI Nightingale investigating crimes that involve magic. However, this serves him well as he starts to navigate the world of magic. It's incredibly fun to read about his attempts at magic and watch him begin his journey to wizardom. He's starting to grow into both his jobs - Detective Constable and wizard.

The characters both paranormal and normal are well written. The river gods and goddesses are particularly well drawn. I'm intrigued by DCI Nightingale and hope to learn more about him in future books. The pacing is well done. The police procedures are detailed and interesting. There is quite a bit of detail about London and environs, which I enjoyed. I love the understated humor that suffuses Midnight Riot / Rivers of London. I'm looking forward to Moon Over Soho (March 1, 2011).

I give Midnight Riot / Rivers of London 4 1/2 Qwills.

Tempest's Legacy
Author: Nicole Peeler
Series: Jane True 3
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Publisher: Orbit (January 1, 2011)
Price: $7.99
Language: English
Genre: Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0316056601
Review Copy: E-Arc provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders

Cover and Description:

After a peaceful hiatus at home in Rockabill, Jane True thinks that her worst problem is that she still throws like a girl - at least while throwing fireballs. Her peace of mind ends, however, when Anyan arrives one night with terrible news . . . news that will rock Jane's world to its very core.

After demanding to help investigate a series of gruesome attacks on females -- supernatural, halfling, and human -- Jane quickly finds herself forced to confront her darkest nightmares as well as her deepest desires.

And she's not sure which she finds more frightening.

 
 
 
 
 
My thoughts:
 
Tempest's Legacy showed me once again why I love Jane True. Jane goes on a darker journey in Tempest's Legacy than in the prior 2 books. Instead of letting events overtake her, Jane forges ahead and becomes more confident in herself and in her abilities.

Jane's very halfling nature (half-human / half-selkie) continues to create problems for her and not of her own causing. There is once again a mystery to be solved and a lot of action. Jane also has to deal with Ryu and Anyan which creates some great moments in the story. There are some very dark events in Tempest's Legacy. I'm not going to say more about anything in the story though because it would give too much away.

Jane's love for her father and friends, her love life issues, the way she deals with obstacles all have a ring of truth to them. She also makes me laugh. The things she thinks, but doesn't say out loud, are wonderful. So far the discovery of her supernatural self has not diminished her human self. I like that tremendously about Jane.

The cast of characters from the prior books is here. I have to say I love them all. They are part of what makes this series so enjoyable.

Nicole Peeler has done a great job of world building from the start of the series. I love the mythological framework in Jane's world. As always character development is great in Tempest's Legacy. The pacing is spot on. The dialogue is a joy to read. The story does resolve the mystery, but leaves open some tantalizing new threads to follow in future stories. Tempest's Legacy is a wonderful read from start to finish.

I give Tempest's Legacy 5 Qwills.



Prior books in the series:

Tempest Rising
Book 1
Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever-rub the genie's lamp.

If you love Sookie Stackhouse, then you'll want to dive into Nicole Peeler's enchanting debut novel.


Tracking the Tempest
Book 2

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and Ryu - Jane's bloodsucking boyfriend - can't let a major holiday go by without getting all gratuitous. An overwhelming dose of boyfriend interference and a last-minute ticket to Boston later, and Jane's life is thrown off course.

Ryu's well-intentioned plans create mayhem, and Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings. All the evidence points towards another Halfling, much to Jane's surprise...

Managing Death
Author: Trent Jamieson
Series: Death Works 2
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Publisher: Orbit (January 1, 2011)
Price: $7.99
Language: English
Genre: Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 9780316126298
Review Copy: E-Arc provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders

Cover and Description:

It's not easy being Death. For starters, people keep dying. And then, they keep getting up again.

Steven de Selby got promoted. This makes the increasing number of stirrers (and the disturbing rumors of a zombie god rising sometime soon) his problem. That time management seminar he keeps meaning to take would also remind him that he's got a Death Moot to plan, a Christmas party to organize, and an end-of-the-world thing to avert.

Steven must start managing Death, before Death starts managing him, or this time the Apocalypse will be more than Regional.






My Thoughts:

Please note that this a bit spoilery for the first book in the series.

I am totally in love with this series. I enjoyed the first book Death Most Definite, but Trent Jamieson has raised it up more than a notch for, Managing Death. Steven de Selby is a now Regional Manager (RM)  for Mortmax Industries meaning that he is Death for his part of the world. He became RM after a Regional Apocalypse in his area, which seems to be a normal way to change RMs. de Selby does not have a handle on his job at the start of Managing Death. He's relying heavily on his Ankou (2nd in command), Tim, and his head psychopomp (Pomp), Lissa, who is also his girlfriend. The Pomps send the souls of the dead to the Underworld. They also stall Stirrers who are not good for the world at all. The Death Moot he's to host is coming up. A Death Moot is a gathering of the worldwide RMs and is very important. The Stirrer god is coming. Bad things keep happening. Things are just not going well for Steven de Selby.

Managing Death is a terrific book. Steven de Selby is an incredibly interesting flawed character. The interactions between de Selby, Lissa, and Tim ring true. I like the Underworld construct in this series a lot. Both primary and secondary characters are well developed. The story kept me completely engaged from start to finish. There is, of course, plenty of dark humor. We are reading about Death after all. I did not see the end of this story coming though I knew something was coming. I was completely surprised by the exact events at the end. I had a definite "Wow" moment followed quickly by an "I can't wait to read the next book" moment.  Managing Death is a book I will read again.

I give Managing Death 5 Qwills.




Prior books in the series:

Death Most Definite
Book 1
Steven de Selby has a hangover. Bright lights, loud noise, and lots of exercise are the last thing he wants. But that's exactly what he gets when someone starts shooting at him.

Steven is no stranger to death-Mr. D's his boss after all-but when a dead girl saves him from sharing her fate, he finds himself on the wrong end of the barrel. His job is to guide the restless dead to the underworld but now his clients are his own colleagues, friends, and family.

Mr. D's gone missing and with no one in charge, the dead start to rise, the living are hunted, and the whole city teeters on the brink of a regional apocalypse-unless Steven can shake his hangover, not fall for the dead girl, and find out what happened to his boss- that is, Death himself.

Eternal Prey
Author: Nina Bangs
Series: Gods of the Night 3
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins/Avon (December 28, 2010)
Price: $7.99
Language: English
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN:  9780062018953
Review Copy: E-Arc provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders

Cover and Description:
 
A magnificent creature, Utah wants vengeance against the bloodsuckers who murdered his brother. Once the beast within him is unleashed, he won’t rest until every vampire is destroyed. But he never expected to encounter a leader of his immortal enemies who was so beautiful, bewitching . . . and mortal.


It is Lia’s destiny and her duty to stop the renegade vampires who are intent on annihilating the human and non-human races alike. But she never dreamed that Utah, once a deadly foe, would now become her ally and protector, or that loving him would be more dangerous than anything she’s ever faced before. For when Utah frees his predator soul, there will be no end to the carnage

 
 
  Book Trailer:
 
My thoughts:
 
I love the premise of this series based on the Mayan end of world myth. On December 21, 2012 at the Winter Solstice human life on earth will end unless the Gods of the Night (aka the Eleven) can stop Zero and group of nine immortal bad guys. Zero et al. were responsible for the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. Now the Eleven and Fin (their leader) will try to save the day and Earth's humans. The Eleven are now men. They have souls of the dinosaurs that they were at the last extinction event. Their leader Fin is not like them. In addition to humans, the earth is inhabited by vampires, werewolves, and other non-humans. Zero and the Immortals recruit non-humans to help further their destructive plans.

Each book in the series focuses on a different member of the Eleven as they face off against one of  the Immortals. The first book, Eternal Pleasure, is centered on Ty and is set in Houston, Texas where the Eleven face off against Nine. The second book, Eternal Craving, is set in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania and focuses on Al as they go after Eight. The third book, Eternal Prey, is set in Portland, Oregon as the Eleven hunt for Seven. Each book is also a romance. Eternal Prey is the story of Utah and Lia.
 
Utah is a Utah Raptor who is engaging in a vendetta against vampires. He hates them. Vampires killed his brother Rap. Lia is the human daughter of a vampire and regional leader of the Northeast vampires. More about that can be read in Eternal Craving (book 2). She may have to kill Utah. So our love interests have some deep issues to resolve. Utah is a take no prisoners guy. Lia is smart, sarcastic, and tough. She's integral to the story line and not just the love interest.

I really enjoyed this book, It is well written, action packed, moves the overall story along, and gives us interesting characters, both primary and secondary. I am rooting for the Eleven. I'm looking forward to reading more of their stories and finding out more about the mysterious Fin. I feel that Eternal Prey is the best written of the series so far. This is a series I believe should be read in order.
 
I give Eternal Prey 4 1/2 Qwills.
 
 
 
 
Please note there is one scene in which a character discusses his past. There is M/M rape mentioned in that scene.
 
Nina Bang's Links:
 
Website
Twitter
 
Prior books in The Gods of the Night Series:

Eternal Pleasure
Book 1
The Eleven—an alliance of ultimate predators. Primal, lethal, irresistible. The Prophecy—an ancient Mayan prediction that the world will end on 12-21-12. The Prey—where can you hide from pure evil?

Kelly Maloy opens her car door to much more than a great looking stranger at the Houston airport. Terror, desire, and a horrible truth climb in with him. She’s only supposed to drive Ty Endeka around the city for a few weeks. Too bad no one tells her that once day fades she’ll become part of a battle fought in the darkened streets with an enemy that isn’t human. And the sensual man who feeds her fantasies hides a soul that gives new meaning to animal magnetism.

Eleven Gods of the Night… The only creatures more deadly are the ones they’ve been summoned to destroy.


Eternal Craving
Book 2
Lies. He's been promised a new life as the hunter he once was. But Al soon learns that all the rules have changed. Now he must control his most basic urges—the need to kill, to feed, to mate. And the woman he wants looks at him with both heat and fear in her eyes. Jenna Maloy doesn't buy this story that he's come to Philadelphia to save souls. She seems to see through the layers of deception to the primitive heart of him. With her beside him, Al stalks the dark forces that crouch in the city's night shadows. But the real battle rages in his heart. Love is a formidable opponent. How can he ask her to stay with him after she's seen the savagery of his beast? He only knows that if she turns from him he'll be cursed with an eternal craving.

The Downside Ghosts Series:

Published: May 25, 2010
(Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders)

THE DEPARTED HAVE ARRIVED.

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully tattooed witch and freewheeling ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for banishing the wicked dead. But Chess is keeping a dark secret: She owes a lot of money to a murderous drug lord named Bump, who wants immediate payback in the form of a dangerous job that involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust for a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.



Book: Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts 2)
Author: Stacia Kane
Publisher: Del Rey
ISBN: 978-0345515582
Published: July 6, 2010
(Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders)

ENEMIES DON’T NEED TO BE ALIVE TO BE DEADLY.

For Chess Putnam, finding herself near-fatally poisoned by a con psychic and then stopping a murderous ghost is just another day on the job. As an agent of the Church of Real Truth, Chess must expose those looking to profit from the world’s unpleasant little poltergeist problem—humans filing false claims of hauntings—all while staving off any undead who really are looking for a kill. But Chess has been extra busy these days, coping with a new “celebrity” assignment while trying on her own time to help some desperate prostitutes.

Someone’s taking out the hookers of Downside in the most gruesome way, and Chess is sure the rumors that it’s the work of a ghost are way off base. But proving herself right means walking in the path of a maniac, not to mention standing between the two men in her life just as they—along with their ruthless employers—are moving closer to a catastrophic showdown. Someone is dealing in murder, sex, and the supernatural, and once again Chess finds herself right in the crossfire.


Author: Stacia Kane
Publisher: Del Rey
ISBN: 978-0345515599
Published: July 27, 2010
(Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders)

IT’S A THIN LINE BETWEEN ALIVE AND UNDEAD.

Chess Putnam has a lot on her plate. Mangled human corpses have started to show up on the streets of Downside, and Chess’s bosses at the Church of Real Truth have ordered her to team up with the ultra-powerful Black Squad agency to crack the grisly case.

Chess is under a binding spell that threatens death if she talks about the investigation, but the city’s most notorious crime boss—and Chess’s drug dealer—gets wind of her new assignment and insists on being kept informed. If that isn’t bad enough, a sinister street vendor appears to have information Chess needs. Only he’s not telling what he knows, or what it all has to do with the vast underground City of Eternity.

Now Chess will have to navigate killer wraiths, First Elders, and a lot of seriously nasty magic—all while coping with some not-so-small issues of her own. And the only man Chess can trust to help her through it all has every reason to want her dead.

Review:

Every now and then I come across a book or series that is so different and so well written I want to weep for joy. The first three books of the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane are just such books.

The Downside Ghosts series is set in the United States after the ghosts have risen, attacked, and been brought to heel by the Church of Real Truth. The Church is now in charge. I'm not going to discuss each of the books in depth because the back cover copy gives you the flavor of each story. To tell you more would come dangerously close to spoilers.

Chess Putnam is an incredibly flawed protagonist. She's a functional drug addict. She is also a church witch for the Church of Real Truth and is a Debunker. Debunkers investigate reports of hauntings. She lives off the Church campus in Downside, a very seedy part of the the incredible world built by Stacia Kane. She is mired in drugs. And yet, I like her. I don't always like what she does, but I like her.

Throughout the three books we get to see Chess in action. And I do mean action. She doesn't just say a couple of spells and all is well. She gets her hands dirty, very dirty. In addition to Chess, we meet Terrible (the enforcer for Chess' primary drug dealer), Bump (her primary drug dealer), Lex (the son of a rival of Bump's), many of the other residents of Downside and many of the employees of the Church. The stories suck you in, and you end up caring about the 'good' guys. By good I mean not as bad as the bad guys. No one seems truly good in the dark and dystopian world of Downside and the Church of Real Truth.

The world building is superb in this series. I feel as if I could find my way around the Church (if it actually existed). I know what Downside looks like. The cases that Chess must solve in each book are well written, edge of your seat mysteries. There are elements of horror in these stories that suit this grim world. The interactions between the characters are believable and vivid. I must admit that I read many scenes more than once. Not because I did not understand what happened, but because they were so well written that I wanted to savor them again. These are books I will reread.

Ms. Kane has taken risks with this series (see drug addicted primary character above, for example). I feel that the risks were well taken. If you like your urban fantasy very dark and grimy I highly recommend the Downside Ghosts series.