Liviania’s review of Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts, Book 2) by Stacia Kane
Urban Fantasy released by Del Rey 6 July 2010
The second book in a trilogy tends to be the worst, since it is stuck setting up the exciting climax of book three. Luckily for me, Unholy Magic didn’t feel like it was just marking time. There were typical second book touches of expanding the setting and furthering an ongoing storyline – in this case, possible corruption in the Church, letting to unsettled ghosts. At the same time, the one book mysteries about murdered prostitutes and a haunted movie star stand pretty well on their own.
The biggest flaw of the book is the giant coincidence that helps Chess Putnam putt the pieces together and figure out the murderer’s identity. Truthfully, it’s a series of about three giant coincidences, which makes it all the more convenient and lazy. Stacia Kane makes up for botching the mystery through the strong atmosphere of the novel, revelations about Chess’s past, and more of Terrible and Lex. There’s also some needed levity amongst the grit, mostly due to Chess’s smart mouth and the consequences thereof. But she manages to get herself into some situations that are funny in a tense sort of way.
Terrible and Lex are both bad ideas. They’re mixed up in drugs, they probably kill people, but they’re also charismatic. It’s easy to see why Chess falls for Terrible and keeps falling into bed with Lex despite the fact that she knows she shouldn’t be involved with either. Terrible continues to exhibit many sides, as he did in Unholy Ghosts, and Lex gains more texture.
For those bothered by drugs, that aspect does not disappear. In fact, Chess has been increasing her drug use since she now has access to two dealers. Once more there are clear negatives to Chess’s use, but nothing life-ruining and while Chess angsts about many things, her inability to stop using isn’t one of them. Other readers may be bothered by the orgy scene in the middle of the novel. (Fans of soap operas will adore the movie star storyline. It’s convoluted and over-the-top and reminds me of the delicious craziness that was Passions.)
It’s a combination of factors that makes me enjoy the Downside Ghosts series so much. Part of it is the novelty. While Unholy Ghosts and Unholy Magic fit easily within the boundaries of the urban fantasy genre, they don’t use many of the more popular tropes. I’m frequently annoyed by love triangles, but Kane keeps me at bay by actually offering up two equally plausible love interests. I’m also a sucker for stuff that extrapolates what society would be like if just a few things were different, and Kane has that down as well.
Grade: A-
Summary:
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.
Read an excerpt here.
Other books in this series:
