Series: SPI Files #1
Format Read: paperback
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: December 31, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble
Blurb from goodreads:
We’re Supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI. Things that go bump in the night, the monsters you thought didn’t exist? We battle them and keep you safe. But some supernatural baddies are just too big to contain, even for us…
When I moved to New York to become a world famous journalist, I never imagined that snagging a job at a seedy tabloid would change my career path from trashy reporter to undercover agent. I’m Makenna Fraser, a Seer for SPI. I can see through any disguise, shield, or spell that a paranormal pest can come up with. I track down creatures and my partner, Ian Byrne, takes them out—usually saving my skin in the process.
Our cases are generally pretty routine, but a sickle-wielding serial killer has been prowling the city’s subway tunnels. And the murderer’s not human. The fiend in question, a descendant of Grendel—yes, that Grendel—shares his ancestor’s hatred of parties, revelry, and drunkards. And with New Year’s Eve in Times Square only two days away, we need to bag him quickly. Because if we don’t find him—and the organization behind him—by midnight, our secret’s out and everyone’s time is up.
Bea's Thoughts:
One of the cover blurbs describes the book as a mix of Stephanie Plum, the X-Files and tequila mixed in a blender; that's a fair description. Except that Mac is smarter than Stephanie and more on the ball and her family is, so far anyway, less dysfunctional than Stephanie's and her love life is decidedly less so. No love triangle! *happy dance!* :D
So, now that I've said what it isn't, what is it? A mix of standard urban fantasy elements, mystery, and delightful new elements - grendels and a nice uptake on mythology, a new take on seers, and a creative use of dragons. I'm a big fan of mystery blended with urban fantasy and I love mythology so this book appealed to me from the get-go. Shearin has humor, action, a sometimes overly twisty plot, and interesting characters. The story dragged a little, especially in the middle, but overall I enjoyed it. I liked that Mac wasn't a kick-ass, super-skilled heroine; she's untrained in defense and mostly untrained in weapons but she wants to learn and she's skilled in research. She's also quirky, funny, makes mistakes, smart, and unwilling to sit on the sidelines despite her job description. Ian, her partner, is more stoic and less developed but he has potential and I loved their draconic boss, Vivienne. SPI is an organization that also has potential; a secret, private organization that polices supernaturals and keeps knowledge of those same supernaturals from humans. It's a cross between Men in Black and the supernatural council in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld.
The story doesn't take itself too seriously, there are several characters who are not white which makes for a nice change from many urban fantasy books, and potential for many mythological beings from around the world. "The Grendel Affair" is a good start to a new series and I'll be looking for the next book.
******************************************
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Ace I have one print copy to give away to a US reader, enter using the rafflecopter widget. Please read my giveaway policy.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Looks interesting. No triangle and (secondary?) characters of color are pluses.
ReplyDeleteNew series by favorite authors are always exciting!
ReplyDeleteSounds great! I enjoy urban fantasy mixed with mystery, particularly when laced with humor. I'm glad you mentioned no love triangle, because that trope has been so overdone recently. And I agree with An Again; characters of color are definitely a plus. The dragonic boss sounds intriguing, too. This is going on my TBR list, even if the list IS already much too long.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I came across this book elsewhere just this morning and immediately noticed (thanks to months of reading Jim Hines and others) that the woman on the cover isn't sexualized, and she's actually in a sensible fighting pose and clothes. Three cheers!
I definitely love a combination of UF and mystery! Thanks for the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteX-files and tequila ? I have to read this, thanks for the review !
ReplyDeleteBwaha yes. I'm gonna need this one Bea! I really, really am. lol It sounds like a fun one. I enjoy the ones that don't take themselves too seriously now and again.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of this type of book, which is why I'm also a fan of Jennifer Harlow's F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad series.
ReplyDeleteI love the mix of UF and mystery. You get all the suspense with the whimsical aspects of UF. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete