City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts #3)
by Stacia Kane | Harper Voyager ( Aug 2010)
Ebook, 408 pages | Urban Fantasy
Carolyn’s Original Review: July 2010
Original Rating: 5/5
Carolyn’s Take: City of Ghosts is full of witchy magic, action and romance, I literally couldn’t put this book down until I had read the very last word. I could go on and on about these books, they are just so brilliant! If you haven’t started this series, you MUST!
Laura’s Take
This is book three is Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts series and I’ve read all three in as many days. The writing has got better with each book and this is most definitely my favourite so far.
In City of Ghosts despite her addictions and complicated life, Chess’s career has taken a leap forward and it’s clear she has an excellent reputation in the church. She is recruited to help the elite Black Squad with a case and has to work with a female partner Lauren. Just like Chess for a lot if the time I wanted to give Lauren a bit of a smack. In many ways she’s everything Chess is not and this is not always a good thing!
The action in this novel is so far past paced, I barely had time to take a breath. After all the beatings she took, I had no idea how Chess managed to pick herself up and keep going. But like every good tough, urban fantasy heroine she does.
Despite the absolutely fantastic action and brilliantly carved plot, it was the romance that stole the show in this book. After the heart-breaking elements of Unholy Magic it was painful to read Terrible’s totally cold and almost cruel treatment of Chess. And for our messed up heroine to realise that she has probably made the biggest mistake of her life.
But like the characters their relationship is complex, dark and gritty. There are some parts the are off the scale hot and others that are simply hard to read. I just wanted to bash their heads together! Then comes the ending, I shall say no more other than in Chess and Terrible’s own way it was just perfect!
Lex was a surprise in this book, I expected him to potentially fade into the background, but he really grew on me. It became clear that he had genuine feelings for Chess and I liked the twist at the end that saw him taking on an unexpected partnership to help her.
VERDICT:
My favourite book so far. This series demonstrates Stacia Kane’s unique writing skills from her characterisation, dark world building and also worthy of a note the very clever Downside dialect she has invented. It should be a must on every urban fantasy lover’s bookshelves.
RATING: 
STACIA KANE ONLINE
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BOOKS IN SERIES ORDER
- Unholy Ghosts
- Unholy Magic
- City of Ghosts
- Sacrificial Magic
- Chasing Magic
US COVER
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2 Comments
Ooooo sounds like a good read! I SO want to go book shopping right now; there are several I would love to be reading (sigh). Being a reading fanatic, your blog often leaves me jonesing for a book or three… or more! LOL
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This is a great series, definitely worth a bit of book shopping for
Since reviewing for this blog my wishlist has gone up into the hundreds so I know exactly what you mean!!
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