Rating: 4.5⭐️
Part-Time Gods, the second book in the DFZ trilogy, manages to be extremely expansive in it’s overall tone, bringing in new characters and exploring new aspects of the various demi-gods and otherworldly politics that exist in and around the DFZ. But while it’s doing this, and doing it well, Aarons is making it an intimate look at how deeply complicated family relationships and inter-species dynamics can be, especially when they overlap.
Aarons’ approach in her crafting of otherworldly life forms and mythological beings is so well done. Whether they’re squishy semi-reality icky magic carrion feeders called dream slugs, death wind gods, or ancient dragons, none of them come across as human or beings that are capable of making human judgments or having human thought processes. The latter being especially important.
Opal Yong-ae, who’s been fighting so hard for her freedom from her father and family , now has a dragon curse that explains all the bad luck she’s had to contend with. And, devastatingly, she knows who cursed her.
This book brings revelations about her past, her magic, and Opal faces the most daunting and terrifying challenges yet to overcome. And face her father and the remnants of the relationship they once had.
One of the heartbreaking elements of the story are the scenes from their past, her childhood, from Opal’s father’s perspective. It’s far from the one we as readers have seen before, giving us the emotional, political side and dangerous moments of that life. But also of how exactly her father sees her and her role in his life.
It also gives us clarity and a deeper understanding of Opal’s character and desperation to be free.
Hers isn’t the only character whose story is further explored by the storyline and dramatic events. Kit, the other Cleaner, has a darker background than was previously known and it’s coming back to haunt him. It’s on his scarred body and many modifications.
Lastly, the new god herself has a larger role here. I love that as well as getting a better understanding of how the city operates, storing whole parts for use later. I could picture wildly constantly changing, moving, under construction!
What a unique universe. It ends on a wild knuckle, magically crazy battle and cliffhanger. Fantastic. Luckily the next book is already out.
This is also got a slow burn romance, not at all spicy. Highly imaginative and well written. On to the trilogy finale!
Highly recommended! Love the covers!
Cover Illustration by Tia Rambaran, Cover Design by Rachel Aaron
The DFZ Trilogy (2nd of 3 series) Minimum Wage Magic
Part-Time Gods
Night Shift Dragons
Buy link
Blurb
Life in the magical mess of the Detroit Free Zone is never easy. When you’re laboring under the curse of a certain prideful, overbearing dragon, it can be down right impossible.
My name is Opal Yong-ae, and I’m a Cleaner. At least, I used to be. Thanks to the supernatural bad luck that turns everything I do against me, these days I’m more of a walking disaster. Getting rid of this curse is the only way to get my life back. Unfortunately, dragon magic is every bit as sneaky and deadly the monsters behind it, and just as hard to beat.
But I’ve never been one to take her doom at face value. Cornered doesn’t mean defeated, and in an awakened city that rules herself, dragons are no longer the biggest powers around.
Book 2 in the now complete DFZ trilogy featuring a hilarious heroine, her overbearing dragon dad, her long-suffering mental health AI, and the crazy guy brave enough to go along with it all.
- Publisher: Aaron/Bach (June 9, 2019)
- Publication date: June 9, 2019
- Language: English
- Print length: 367 pages
Complete series
Series Information from the author:
All of my series set in the Detroit Free Zone were written as self-contained stories. You don’t have to have read any previous DFZ books to enjoy the newer ones. But for those who want to see the world grow, here’s a list of all the DFZ books in chronological order.
Heartstrikers :
Nice Dragons Finish Last
One Good Dragon Deserves Another No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished
A Dragon of a Different Color
Last Dragon Standing
The DFZ Trilogy (This series) Minimum Wage Magic
Part-Time Gods
Night Shift Dragons
DFZ Changeling Trilogy
By a Silver Thread
With a Golden Sword
To the Bloody End
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 