(The Twenty-Sided Sorceress Book 1)
The Story Bundle including Shafter comes out tomorrow, which is why I’m posting my review today. I took the opportunity to familiarize myself with another of the authors included, this time by reading a different book by Annie Bellet. While her name came to me because of sharing the equivalent of a table of contents, when I mentioned I was going to try reading some of the other authors, both my sister (who has been a big influence on my reading) and a friend practically lit up at the mention of her name. I haven’t read an urban fantasy in a while, and Justice Calling brought back why I binged on it a couple years ago. Clearly I need to get back to that section of fantasy.
Justice Calling dances the edge between urban fantasy and paranormal romance, leaning more toward urban fantasy with a heavy dose of geek culture. It’s a wonderful introduction to Wylde, Idaho, a town full of magic and magical beings but which is also a college town with strangers in and out at will. The main character owns a gaming and comic store, her next-door neighbor is an antique selling Leprechaun, and most of her friends are shifters of various types.
There are things going on here, bad things, that make Jade Crow, our heroine and powerful (if out of practice) sorceress want to flee. The twist, though an early one, is how the other magical creatures consider sorcery, as in pure evil. No chance of redemption, no mercy.
Jade has hidden her nature from even her closest friends, knowing they’ll turn on her if they learn the truth, but when Aleksei Kirov, a Justice of the Council of Nine, marches into her shop to accuse her of mass murder, the need becomes desperate. As does the need to protect her friends and stick it out, making her one conflicted sorceress who doesn’t know if her presence will save or condemn them all.
This is a lovely, quick read with all the good parts of urban fantasy. Jade is a snappy, smart-mouthed heroine who doesn’t want to be noticed, has unbelievable powers, and has someone worse hunting her. Despite all that, she’s a good friend and is able to change an unbending Justice into both mentor and admirer in every sense.
I enjoyed how the story built. Despite true grim and fatal moments, it manages to keep things surprisingly upbeat. The romance felt a little sudden, in part because it’s first person point of view from Jade’s perspective so while we see her fighting an attraction, we have only second-hand perceptions from someone who doesn’t believe it’s possible—Jade—to tell us how he feels.
It’s not a heavy, thoughtful read, but at the same time, Justice Calling has some strong character moments, a lovely cast, and a good sense of drama all mixed up in familiar characters and a full-fledged magical existence. It’s just what I needed, and I’ve picked up the next two in the series for when I crave a light fantasy read again.
Justice Calling is the intro book for her Twenty-Sided Sorceress series and is free on the various eBook vendors so check it out, then come back and consider the bundle for another taste of Annie Bellet, E.M. Hartshorn, and four other authors, including myself.
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One thing I really liked in this book (and series, though I haven’t read more yet – have the next two) is that Jade is not just coming in to her powers. She’s out of practice, but it’s recovering skills she knows about, not discovery of New! Powers!, as so many stories are these days (and not just YA). I didn’t know I was tired of the trope until I read this and felt the relief. I found it was reminding me of Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid, and it took a while to figure out why – that’s got a very different slant on things, but is also an experienced mage.
You and Jacob. He hates coming of age stories. I think they’re very important at whatever age, but yes, there is definitely something to be said for growth without requiring a power pack.