Liviania’s review of Right Hand Magic (Golgotham, Book 1) by Nancy A. Collin
Urban Fantasy published by ROC 7 Dec 10
Urban fantasy heroines kick ass. It’s one of the great things about the genre. At the same time, heroines who aren’t good fighters are a good change of pace. There’s more than one way to be strong, capable, and competent. Nancy A. Collins’s heroine might live in a world of magic, but she’s totally human. She’s an artist who moved to Golgotham (the supernatural quarter of Manhattan) for the cheap rent.
Tate is actually the daughter of one of the richest men in the country. But she decided to live oon her own since her parents wouldn’t support her art. Golgotham is quite the change of pace. She’s fascinated by the people, but quickly becomes aware that she’s an outsider. The residents don’t care for the humans who have oppressed them for centuries. Collins portrayal of fantastic racism is nicely done. I don’t want to call it subtle, but it isn’t something she beats the reader over the head with. It’s just a logical aspect of the setting that enhances the reality of Golgatham.
Hexe, a Kymeran Right Hand sorcerer, is Tate’s new landlord and love interest. Left Hand magic, practiced by most Kymerans, focuses on curses and makes the sorcerer more money. Right Hand magic runs more along the lines of healing. Hexe is taking boarders to supplement his income from his magic. Like Tate, he’s trying to live up to his own ideals rather than his family’s.
The two grow closer together after rescuing Lukas, a young shapeshifter. They have to keep him safe and figure out how to stop the men who hurt him from hurting other shapeshifters. I enjoyed watching Tate learn about Golgotham and begin to integrate herself into the world. I wasn’t so fond of the romantic plot. I felt she and Hexe worked wonderfully as friends, but I didn’t really feel any romantic chemistry. I thought they would remain just friends for most of the beginning of the book. I felt that Tate and Hexe got together simply because that’s what urban fantasy heroes and heroines do.
Some people might be disappointed by the climax since Tate isn’t a fighter but Hexe and Lukas are. I thought Collins did a good job of involving Tate and allowing her to use her skills to contribute. I was satisfied by the fact that she was neither useless nor a hindrance.
While the romance underwhelmed me, I thought Right Hand Magic was a breath of fresh air compared to the urban fantasy novels I’ve been reading lately. I’m looking forward to the next Golgatham novel.
Grade: B
Summary:
Like most Manhattanites, aspiring artist Tate can’t resist a good rental deal-even if it’s in the city’s strangest neighborhood, Golgotham, where for centuries werewolves, centaurs, and countless other creatures have roamed the streets.
Her new landlord is a sorcerer name Hexe, who is determined to build his reputation without using dark, left-hand magic. As Tate is drawn into Hexe’s fascinating world, they both find that the right hand does not always know what the left hand is doing-and avoiding darkness is no easy trick…
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