Unholy Magic (Downside #2) by Stacia Kane
Urban Fantasy
June 22, 2010
Paperback, 368 Pages
Del Rey
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “He terrified her. He terrified her because when she kissed him, when she’d gotten so desperate for him so fast…so fast…she’d had been there to…
She’d still been there. She wanted him…herself, Chess, not just her body. That desire, that crazy intense need…that hadn’t been just physical.”
In the second book of Stacia Kane’s Downside series-Unholy Magic-Ches Putnam is back and sinking further in her drug induced world. After being poisoned by a psychic con man, she is contracted to debunk a famous actor’s claims of haunting. As an agent of the church her job is to expose those who seek to profit off spiritual activities. She has also been “asked” to investigate the gruesome murders of several hookers belonging to her dealer. As Chess settles herself deeper into the haunting and murders, she finds a remote connection that could spell disaster for her and all those involved.
Kane has written one of the most dark and disturbing Urban Fantasy’s I have read in a long time. This story drug me in, striped me bare, then rebuilt me page by page till the end. Enticing and addicting from page one, we are once again submerged into Chess’s life. The world building is fascinating; merging past and present history to create an dark and edgy time. The dialog is intoxicating; its particular cadence and rhythm lulling you into a false sense of security until your feet are ripped out from underneath you and you find yourself falling down the rabbit hole.
Chess Putnam, the heroine, is a particularly difficult character you really don’t want to like but cannot help doing so. She is a drug addict; sinking further into the mire and muck of her own sordid world. She has begun to question the whys of what she is doing and not liking the answers. But the drugs have a strong hold on her that even good intentions cannot break. Combined with her increasing attraction to Terrible; we can see the mistakes she makes and the suffering she will endure because of this. Chess is scared. Scared to feel. Scared to hope. She is her worst enemy.
The secondary characters are rich in detail and personality. There is no clear cut good vs bad in this story. The lines are blurred and often help comes from unusual places. We are given more clues to each of Chess’s and Terrible’s past which helps explain the way they are now. It’s also interesting how Ms. Kane shows us the different choices we make in reaction to the same circumstances.
We see more of the love triangle between Chess, Terrible, and Lex. The range of emotions you feel when reading about them is both incredible and scary. I have to say I love Terrible-even knowing what he is. What he can and will do.The chemistry between them is so tangible you can almost touch it. The end is dramatic, heart stopping, and I admit, left me stunned into silence trying to absorb it all.
I am already jonesing for book three- City of Ghosts and can only hope my heart is ready too.
Rating: 5/5
Recent Reviews:
Fiction Vixen – 5/5
All Things Urban Fantasy – 4/5
Writings of a Wicked Book Addict – 5/5
This series includes:
Unholy Ghosts 5/25/10
Unholy Magic 6/22/10
City of Ghosts 7/27/10
Wow great review and rating! this is a series thats been on my radar i just havent picked it up yet, im so adding it to my TBR asap!
I love the cover too, so lush && sparkly!
Kane has written one of the most dark and disturbing Urban Fantasy's I have read in a long time.
Squee!!!
Great review Tori!!! Because of you and Fiction Vixen, and many others on Twitter I have both of these on my Kindle and I am going to read them next week at the beach. I can..not..wait. So excited!! Then I can be tortured for book three as well! :)
Wow Tori, I'm convinced I need to get these books. This series has been RAVED about so much that I'm definitely adding it to my tbb list.
Great review :)
I really loved Unholy Magic and I can't wait to read this one. Here in the UK we have to wait until 8th before release and it's killing me!!
AWESOME REVIEW TORI!!!!! I'm over halfway thru, can't wait to talk abt it with you!!
Sparklybearsy-Thanks. Not much excites me anymore but this series has grabbed me & won;t let go.
Stacy-Go.Get.Now.
Book City Chick-Uggg.Only 1 more day chica. :)
Pam-Thanks. SQUEEEEEE
Mandi-Thanks gf. I can't wait to hear to talk to you abt it.
So very very dark. But perhaps I could go dark and read it
Great review Tori! I can't wait to read this series, you've convinced me it's a must:)
Blodeudd-Dark but oh so good.
Jenny-Thanks! You will love it.
Oh wow T awesome review!!!!
I'll make sure to fortify my heart and read book 1 when June gloom goes away.
Dang Tori, that's one review!! Now I'm so very curios that i ordered my copy, I haz to find out about these chars and world :D
The cover for this first drew me in but this sounds like it would be an addicting book. Loved the review.
Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven
Wonderful review Tori! As I've told you, this is the best UF series I've read in 2010. Awesome!
Smokin-Much heart fortifying needed.
Leontine-YEA!! I'll enjoy hearing what you think
PN-I like the covers too.
FV-My Downside buddy. <3
All right. That's it. I'm picking this series up the next time I'm at the book store – which is most likely next week! All of you who love it have me convinced (not like it takes that much to convince me to read something)! Great job!
This is a great review. I cannot wait to read. I loved Unholy Ghosts. I am waiting for Unholy Magic to be delivered tomorrow. Can't wait to start. You have me waiting even more impatiently.
I agree. I love Terrible. I hope to see Chess with him over Lex.
Thanks for this excellent, insightful review.
I am more than half way thru Unholy Ghosts and find it mesmerizing. I have a copy of Unholy Magic waiting for me.
This one is next for me. I just need to finish the book I am loving right this moment, then I will dive into this one. Thanks for the amazing review. :)
Julie-I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Melanie-TY.Terrible=SQUEEEE!!!
Patricia Altner-TY.
Melissa-TY. *sigh* Isn't it FAB?!
Tabitha-The love triangle is an appetizer in the story and like nothing I've read in awhile. Not sappy or angsty.