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Review: Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane
Filed in Review , Stacia Kane , The Geeky Lover Posted on July 9, 2010 @ 6:00 am
8 comments
Format Read: MMPB
Number of Pages: 352 pages
Release Date: June 22nd, 2010
Publisher: Del Rey
Formats Available: Paperback, eBook
Purchasing Info: GoodReads; Author’s Website; BookDepository.com; BookDepository.co.uk; Amazon.com
I received this book from the publisher for review.
Book Blurb:
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.
My Thoughts:
I just finished this book an hour ago and I already can’t wait to get my hands on City of Ghosts. Everything I loved in Unholy Ghosts is in this one, too but it also has so much more. Chess is still basically the same girl. She’s still a Debunker for the Church and as addicted as ever. But this time she gets in trouble with a capital T. She has to solve the murders of some whores for Bump and she gets between the lines of him and Slobag. She maneuvers herself into a one-way road and now has to figure out how to solve this without losing her friends, her job or perhaps even her life. The whole situation is rather complicated and as if she doesn’t already have enough on her plate she also has to investigate a celebrity case for the Church.
I loved that we got a deeper view into her mind. We see more of what she feels and how she sees the world. I was fascinated by how this society of Facts and Truth affects a person. I always thought that believe itself is important, no matter what kind and I think this quote shows what I mean with that:
“What had it felt like, to have faith like that? To believe that death brought something better, brought peace and unity with something greater than oneself?”
People need hope and what will they do if they don’t have any left? We can see that while watching Chess living her life. She starts to realize what she is really doing for her drugs and sees for the first time what is important in her life and what not. She discovers on who she can count and what she does to these people.
So much happens in Unholy Magic but I never felt lost. Mrs. Kane knows how to connect her storylines and keeps them so nicely woven together that you never feel disconnected to one part of the book. The suspense build up through the whole novel was perfect. I was itching to know will happen at the end. This story is so full of revelations and story twists- I knew some of them were coming but it still hit me where it hurts most.
And even more I wanted to know what would happen with Chess and Terrible. I really have to bite my tongue now to not spoil anything but let me assure you: Unholy Magic has a good amount of romance and heartbreak. This part of the book touched me so much that I had to cry a bit. It’s surprising how much feeling you find in this couple. I would have never thought that I could feel for an drug addict and a brawny drug lord enforcer.
Unholy Magic made me stay up late and get up early. It has everything a great urban fantasy book needs and so much more. Stacia Kane created a world that drew me in- deep, and then she made it even better. I knew before her Downside Series that she is an awesome writer but now she definitely is on my auto-buy list. If you haven’t started this series: What are you waiting for? Her Chess Putnam novels are the best new series I read this year and I’m sure City of Ghosts won’t let us down.
I give Unholy Magic 5 out of 5 bookies.
***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
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Great review! And I agree completely.
Chess is a very unique character – flawed in her own way. I can't wait for City of Ghosts.
Have a great weekend.
M
@Michelle Ohhh yes Chess really is something special. I so can't wait to get City of Ghosts either.
Haven't read this series yet but will note it down. Fab review!
@Dwayne You should. It is a wonderful series.
I am so glad you enjoyed this book so much. I am working on it now, and only 130 pages in. My family has insisted on doing running around this weekend. They just don't realize how much I need and want to read this book. I am starting to think they need to schedule this stuff around me and my reading. 😉 I am looking forward to finishing this one. Thanks for the great review!
@Melissa Oh no, poor thing. They really should see how important it is to read this book. 😉 Hope you love it as much as I did.
Hi Susi!
it's very interesting to read how much you enjoyed this series so far… I've tried book 1 (yeah tried, because I haven't finished it yet and startet it in June *sigh*) but I've learned that I couldn't sympathize with Chess – I think the biggest problem for me is her drug addiction and I don't come along with it – it's always in the back of my mind and therefore I couldn't enjoy the story…I hope I can finish book 1 sometime, but I've no desire to buy the other ones…
maybe I sould give her Downside Series a try? I don't want to leave her that way…
greetings, Ina
@Ina Ohh no. I don't know why that didn't bother me but I know that BF has the same problem. He finished book cuz I told him too and ASAP started this one. He changed his mind but still says that it's not really his cup of tea.