Urban Fantasy

This debut—for the series and author—was average. Just average. Charlie Madigan is an officer of the law in modern Atlanta, tasked in part with keeping humans, Elysians, and Charbydons from stepping out of line. In Charlie’s world, two more worlds have been discovered. This relatively recent discovery has resulted in an influx of off-world immigrants to the larger American cities—like Atlanta. As the book progresses, Charlie and her partner, Hank—a siren from Elysia—must solve the mysterious introduction of a deadly (to humans) off-world drug, all while trying to keep their loved ones safe. There’s nothing especially unique about anything in the storyline. While Gay’s writing is easy to follow for the most part, for the first half of the book I was left wondering if I’d missed a prequel short-story. There is much mention about how Charlie died a few months back, and of her subsequent return to life (integral to the storyline), but Gay continuously refers to it as if we know the whole story from previous reading. By the end of the book, it can be pieced together, but it is not a good way to begin a series, in my estimation. Will I read book 2, The Darkest Edge of Dawn? Yes, but with hope that Gay improves with experience. … Continue reading →