REVIEW And GIVEAWAY of The Dragon Conspiracy by Lisa Shearin

Publisher: ACE Fantasy
Series: SPI Files #2
Format Read: print ARC
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Challenge: 2015 Finishing the Series Reading Challenge
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | ARe*/OmniLit | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords*
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

After solving The Grendel Affair, the agents have another SPI File to investigate...

We’re Supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI. We battle the real monsters of myth and legend, but this Halloween, we’re searching for diamonds…

A gala opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has attracted the upper crust of Manhattan—and thieves. A trio of vile harpies attacks the crowd and steals the stars of the exhibition: a colorful cluster of seven cursed diamonds known as the Dragon Eggs.
In the right mage’s hands, each stone can pack a magical wallop. Together they have the power to “cure” the supernaturals of the tri-state area—but for many of those vampires and werewolves, that means turning into dust.

I’m Makenna Fraser, a seer for SPI. With the help of my partner, Ian, and the other agents, I have twenty-four hours to prevent total global panic, find the diamonds, and save the supernatural community. No biggie.

Bea's Thoughts:

This series has so much catnip - good guys fighting to save the innocents, an ordinary person (okay, mostly ordinary) playing in the big leagues trying to help, updated mythology and fairy tales, humor, and a hint of romance. Mac (who for some reason is almost never referred to by name in the book) is a human with the ability to see through magical enchantments and disguises as well as sense wards. No matter how a supernatural being disguises itself, Mac can see through to what's really underneath. She's otherwise an ordinary girl - no fighting skills (though she's trying to change that), no magical abilities, nada. Just a sweet, slightly naive girl from the southern part of the US. Okay, she borders on cliche at times with the naivete and Southern sayings but she's also smart, brave, and funny.

Mac works well with her partner, Ian, whose job is to keep her safe and alive and Yasha a werewolf who is also their driver. Shearin writes a great cast of characters giving them all memorable personalities. SPI is a global organization dedicated to keeping the supernatural world a secret from humans and keeping humans safe from misbehaving supernaturals. The concept is not a new one but Shearin does it well, giving it life and energy.


Her take on some of the supernatural beings is different; I never before thought of goblins as attractive or sexy. I'm still wrapping my head around that. She kept the traditional enmity between elves and dwarves though which makes for some funny scenes at the office. Did I mention already that Shearin has written a fantastic ensemble?  I like Mac, don't get me wrong, but it's the ensemble that really shines. Every person is necessary and there aren't any rogue operators which makes for a refreshing change. There are however members who are not entirely loyal. Shearin surprised me with some of the twists and turns, who could be trusted and who couldn't. The story takes time to unfold, I couldn't see where it was going for a while, but the action and humor kept me engaged until the light bulb went off. The stakes were high and the race to end the threat was thrilling. I loved that even the bad guys are multi-dimensional and I could feel sorry for them while still hating them.

"The Dragon Conspiracy" was a fun and thrilling urban fantasy adventure with characters I'd love to go out and have a drink with.

Thanks to the publisher, I have 1 print copy to give away to a US reader. Please read my Giveaway Policy. No purchase necessary. VOID where prohibited.

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