Urban Fantasy
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite quote: “Fuck, she was so sick of herself-herself and her emotional retardation. How did people do this shit all the time, this wanting people, caring about them?”
Chess Putnum is walking a fine line-one wrong move could leave her for dead. Bodies are showing up throughout the Downside.Chess is ordered by her Elders in the Church to team up with the elite, powerful Black Squad to solve this case.She is placed under a binding spell that will cause her death if she speaks of the investagation but Bump, Chess’s drug dealer and Downside’s crime boss, gets wind of the investagation and wants to know everything she knows.
Everywhere there are clues but no one is talking. As Chess fights killer wraiths, First Elders, and a lot of nasty magic; she is also trying to cope with some personal issues. And the only man Chess can trust to help her through it all has every reason to want her dead.
In Stacia Kane’s 3rd installment of the Downside series, City Of Ghosts, we are once again submerged in to Chess’s dark and dangerous world of drugs, magic, and death. Chess has burned many bridges in her life time but the heartache from her betrayel of Terrible is killing her. For the first time she actually cares about someone but he will have nothing to do with her. As Chess tries to survive her feelings, the Downside is being
plagued by grisy deaths. Chess is ordered by the Elders to work with Lauren-a member of the infamous Black Squad. Chess’s instints tell her that the whole deal is wrong but once she is bound by a death binding she has no choice but to keep her mouth shut or forfeit her life.
Stacia Kane hasn’t just written a story for you to read. She has created a dark, distrubing, and obsessive world that completely absorbs you and holds you as a willing captive till the very end.
The world she has created is spell binding in it’s simplistic yet complicated layering. Urban Fantasy at it’s best.
The dialog completely mesmorizes you and you find yourself thinking and talking in the “language” of the Downside before to long. The story reads fast and furious. Like a rollar coaster you have your highs and lows with many twists and turns in between.
Chess Putnum is anyone and everyone you’ve ever known. Her emotions and interstuggles leap of the pages and you find yourself clinging to the edge of your seat-watching and waiting.
You know she will soon crash and burn but as you read you hope against hope that somehow you can reach inside and save her from herself. She is crawling along the street of her psyche; begging for help.Chess finally seems to admit her flaws in this installment. She accepts that some things have happened were her fault, but also accepting that some things were not her fault. She makes her stand in this story. The drug use is much less then the previous installments and she is more in tune with her job. She sees what she wants and begins to forgive herself. Owning her mistakes but showing some self respect.
Watching Chess and Terrible’s traumatic relationship felt almost voyeristic. They are both so raw and exposed. Their hurt and anguish a actual physical presence in the book. The complex evolution of their association from friendship to more has been intense to watch unfold through the series. It had me completely entralled. The ending was more then I could have asked for in it’s action packed climatic finale. Questions were answered and new ones asked.
I have said this before and will say it again. Stacia Kane’s Downside series is one of the BEST Urban Fantasy’s for 2010.
Rating: 5 stars
Recent Reviews:
Goodreads
Wicked Little Pixie– 5/5
Book Chick City -10/10
This series includes:
Unholy Ghosts
Unholy Magic
City Of Ghosts
I am dying for this series, DYING. I can't wait to get the 3 books that have been released so far. Soon, soon. I want me some Terrible.
I skimmed the review just cause i still have these books to read, i have books 1 and 2 waiting for me, i cant wait to get to them!! but a great rating so looking forward to reading this one too!!
I'm with the skimming, just because I want to experience it all first hand too :) but to know it's getting the full rating…WOW, it must be something awesome. Is it just my or did this series just come out of nowhere? It suddenly popped up on everyone's radar :) I'm with the peeps who are very eager to read this series :D
Stacy and Sparkleberry-This series is amazing. Absolutely amazing. Terrible is my new book boyfriend. I claimed him first. Just saying. lol
Leontine-It's an amazing series. I think it came out of nowhere and suddenly BAM!!
To hell with skimming – I didn't read it at all – I am just listening to the first book…
Dont want to spoil it for me…
Glad to know each book is really a great read..
:)
TORI!! What a fantastic review, really well written and thorough. I'm so glad to hear that she's getting a handle on the drug use, I wanted to do exactly what you said and reach in the book to save her from herself in the previous books. Can't wait to see them both vulnerable:)
Wonderful review!! I'm just starting this one today! So no talking to me ok? LOL
City of Ghosts was perfect just perfect.
Nice review T!!!
Thank you for this one!! I am looking forward to this series for sure.
Tori – this is an AWESOME review. And I couldn't agree with you more, you just expressed how I felt! The complex evolution of their friendship, how raw and exposed both Chess and Terrible are, and the ENDING – yes, I could not have asked for a better ending. Altho I found myself re-reading it because I wanted to SEE more, you know? What are they going to do now??
And my last comment is:
CHESSIEBOMB! love love love love that name. Love it that he calls her that.
This book is perfection.
EH-You will LOOOVVVEEE it.
Jenny-Can't wait to see your thoughts on it.
FV-But I luvs you. Can I talk to you about Doritos?
Smokinhotbooks-Oh girl, you and me are on the same page.
Pam-Thanks babe. We love out Terrible don't we? I hear bk 4 is coming Spring 2011. YEA!!!!!
KC loves these books, now you love these books. I give up! They've become MUST reads for me.
Great review. I'm hooked already.
Terrible is my new book boyfriend. I claimed him first. Just saying.
No fair claiming him when i haven't had a look at him yet!! LOL!
Haven't read this one yet – so skipped down to your rating. 5/5!! Woo-Hoo!!
I can't wait to get my hands on this one.
M
Maybe I should get these books for my mom. Orrrrr, maybe not. :)
Fantastic review Tori – thank you!
Hmmm, this does sound like a series that will produce a high level of feeling :) I'm intrigued. Wonder if my library has it…
Hi
I love it
http://benina.vndv.com/
wowowow:D
OMG This is getting rave reviews, I must read it! Thanks :) 2nd time I've seen it mentioned in 5 mins.
Sassy
:)