Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: January 30, 2016
Challenges: Finishing the Series Reading Challenge |
NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | OmniLit* | iTunes | Barnes & Noble
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Blurb from goodreads:
Men in Black meets Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum in the new urban fantasy novel starring seer Makenna Fraser and her fellow agents at Supernatural Protection & Investigation.
The agents of Supernatural Protection & Investigations (SPI) know that fighting evil is a full-time job, especially when a new designer drug—with mind-blowing side effects—hits the streets...
It’s called Brimstone. And after the first few hits, you’ll see every supernatural beast sharing the sidewalk, train, or office with you. After that, you’ll start seeing the really scary stuff.
I’m Makenna Fraser, seer for the SPI. And the collateral damage caused by Brimstone is something I’d like to unsee: dead drug dealers missing their hearts—and souls. Because your local pusher doesn’t stand a chance against the new cartel muscling its way into New York. And since the drug can only be produced with magic and molten brimstone fresh from Hell, that means a rift to the underworld is open somewhere in the city.
And when—not if—the cartel loses control of it, well...
It’s going to be Hell on earth.
Squeeeee! I was quoted in this book from my review of "The Dragon Conspiracy"!
In this installment, Shearin dials down the threat level; instead of possible global destruction, it's more localized. I was happy to see that as it's a challenge to successfully and believably have a constant of world-threatening events. That said, the stakes are still high; Brimstone is a drug designed by supernaturals that only works on humans, with devastating consequences.
The story is basically a mystery as Mak and Ian try to track down the source of the drug, the person killing witnesses, and stopping a potential invasion. Shearin weaves in her usual humor and action, a bit of romance, and further character development of both Mak and Ian. Mak's abilities are growing, which I have mixed feelings about; I don't want to see her become some rare, all-powerful being. Rake, her goblin suitor seems to be softening a bit; I hope Shearin lets him keep his edges as he's a delightful devil with a skewed perspective who's already pretty well-developed.
While this story didn't grab me as much as the first two., I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next book. And I still want to go out for drinks with the characters. :)
Read an excerpt here.
Some favorite quotes:
Magic exists, monsters are real, and fighting the forces of is a full-time job. At least there's hazard pay.
"Expanding one's knowledge is good." "So is being able to eat lunch." I said. "Fill us with knowledge when we're not standing over the visual aid." "Where's your curiosity?" "Hiding behind the remains of my appetite."
"Isn't anyone going to tell me I'm wrong?" "I make it a point never to lie to my agents," Ms. Sagadraco said. "Ma'am, I wouldn't mind the occasional happy, fluffy, white one."
Good review! I'm glad to see the series is holding up for you, and you're pleased with the way it's developing.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a series that I would really enjoy. How can you go wrong with Men in Black meets Stephanie Plum. Congrats on having your review featured! That's really exciting.
ReplyDeleteYay! That is so cool that you were quoted in this book! Congrats! I'm glad you enjoyed BRIMSTONE DECEPTION, even though it wasn't as good as the first two books, it sounds like it still hooked you, and let you wanting more!
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