Wednesday 28 March 2012

Unholy Magic - Stacia Kane

Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts #2) - Stacia Kane
Grade: Adult - UF
Rating: 5/5 stars

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. (Description from Goodreads)


~ * ~ * ~

I want to start by saying I have never read a book where the main guy is described as “ugly”. I want to applaud Stacia Kane for going against the grain and creating Terrible “heavy, jutting brows; the crooked nose that looked as though the bones were trying to break out through the skin; the scars; the jaw like a prow of a ship”. Stacia Kane has made him so unbelievably awesome that you forget his “ugliness” and instead find yourself falling for the man inside.

Yes, I have a crush on Terrible!

Ok, with that said on with the review…

I’m not sure when it happened or even how it happened, but I seem to have become used to Chess’s drug problem. It doesn’t seem to bother me as much as it did in the first book. I was able to look past it and just enjoy the storyline of yet another dark and gritty Downside Ghosts novel.

Following from the success of Chess’s last case with the Church, she has been handed a very important investigation. A celebrity has informed the Church that his home is haunted. Being a multi-millionaire, Chess can’t seem to figure out why he would lie about a haunting, but something is “off” about this family and Chess is determined to figure it out.

But things aren’t easy for Chess. Bump has requested she investigate a string of murders that, if the rumours circulating are true, were committed by a ghost.

And if these mysteries weren’t intriguing enough, add to it a gut wrenching love triangle, and you have yourself one very interesting novel.

We also find out a bit more about Chess’s dreadful childhood. My heart broke for Chess. No wonder she turns to drugs to help numb the memories of all the horrific things that were done to her.

This book grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let me go. Watch out for the ending, and have book 3 handy- you’ll want to start it straight away.


Kerrie

8 comments:

  1. I really need to get this series but I am surrounded by YA books at the moment! Great review, Kez!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mandee! Yes step away from YA & come over to the dark side with Downside Ghosts. Funny enough I seem to be surrounded by Adult books (not that I'm complaining :P)

      Kerrie

      Delete
  2. The dark and grittiness of this series sounds quite interesting. I think it's interesting how there's been this creation of a new genre of paranormal crime. I don't really find the concept of crime books appealing, but reading them through books like the Jeaniene Frost series it's slowly becoming easier to consider them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeaniene Frost is one of my favourite authors. I adore Cat & Bones. I think paranormal crime works because there are so many elements to the story. There's the mystery, the fact that they take you out of this world & into a new one & the fact that they general involve an alpha male who will make you swoon as he works to seduce the strong woman. These women might have insecurities, but they aren't damsels in distress. Chess is even more damaged then most women but she still has this strength about her that makes you root for her.

      Kerrie

      Delete
  3. I love!!!!!!!! This series. Chess is my fave all time female lead as she is just so damaged, but selfless, and she isn't your typical lead. Terrible....be still my heart. Again, Stacia sets her own rules when it comes to her characters, she goes against the norm and I love her for it!!

    WOnderful review!! These books get better and better:D

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Michelle. It was really by chance that I stumbled onto this series & I'm so happy I found it.

      You are so right, Stacia does go against the norm & that's why I love this series. I'm really looking forward to reading the next one-- waiting impatiently actually ;)

      Kerrie

      Delete
  4. Oooh, Kerrie, this sounds fascinating... I mean... the whole concept of a protag with a drug problem? Interesting... very gritty... GREAT review. SO glad you liked it, and oh my goodness... Terrible? I love this. I love that we have a character who is so much more than his physicality!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah! I really hope you get the chance to read this series. It's just so different and addictive. You finish one book and start craving the next one. I'm currently reading book 3 and I'm loving it. The characters are just amazingly heartbreaking.

      Kerrie

      Delete