Tag: urban fantasy

Review: Amber Gambler (The Body Shop Book 2) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Amber Gambler really was a revelation for me. Where I might have been slow to connect with the universe and the relationships here, maybe even understanding the main character of Frankie Mary as much as I should, this story now immediately has me committing to them, and this series. I’m all in. 

It picks up after the shocking events of Fair Market Value.  The Mary’s are dealing with the emotional and physical damage of the deep betrayal of someone who they thought was a friend. Frankie’s recovering, missing Kierce who’s left to heal his wounds as well as trying to find the right mental state to heal herself from the trauma of Lyle and his son, Harrow. 

There’s Carter’s awful storyline left hanging to bring in here, plus Josie and Matty’s own emotional wounds. 

With all that going on, a ghost comes to Frankie in his need. His granddaughter is missing and he needs Frankie’s help to find her.  

Edwards story is so compelling in that it’s complex and emotional nature allows the author to explore the tragedy of those children who were failed by the society, social care system, or even their own families.  Whether it’s the Mary siblings and their horrific experiences in their foster care system or for the missing girls and abandoned kids Frankie finds along the way, this is a raw, tragic and deeply personal element here. 

Frankie is undergoing physical and psychological changes as well, changes she’s not understanding, something she’s hiding from her family.  

Kierse and his companion crow, Badb , a great character who’s both comedic relief and mysterious being, are back as powerful entities. Kierse is also the potential romantic partner and is more multidimensional. I’m absolutely team Kierse, especially considering the events the play out. Harrow continues to be that toxic personality that everyone regrets. 

Carter is a marvel. She’s quickly becoming a great new surprise as a layered individual who can deliver a new facet of her personality when it’s time. 

As Frankie works with Carter and Kierse to find the missing child, the narrative builds a compelling emotional journey with Edwards creating multiple threads that connect murder mysteries , numerous mythological gods and legends , entwined with deeply intimate personal experiences and characters histories. 

Characters now become more flawed, more complex and wounded. Believable because they’re grounded by revealed histories and ,now, shared trauma, that we too have been a part of. Especially that devastating dramatic event that ends  the book. 

Amazing storytelling by Hailey Edwards. A absolute treasure of a story and cast of characters. 

A must read. 

Great cover art both for storytelling and characters. 

Cover by Damonza 

Illustration by Marouane Hs

The Body Shop series:

Fair Market Value #1

Amber Gambler #2

Midnight Auto Parts #3

Cheater Slicks #4 – Dec 25,2025

Other linked series:

The Potentate of Atlanta (6 book series) – this is set within The Potentate apparently 

The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy (9 book series) in Savannah 

Buy link

        Amber Gambler (The Body Shop Book 2)

    

Blurb 

The other family business at The Body Shop is slow after word gets out that Frankie had clients die—cease to exist?—on her watch. Considering they were dead to begin with, she understands why the news shook the spirit community’s faith in her, but it’s a hard hit to her bottom line.

When a spirit appears in her office, ready to sign a contract, she’s eager to please. Until she learns why he wants to hire her. He heard about her clients’ deaths, yes, but he also learned Frankie was instrumental in bringing their killer to justice.

The spirit’s human granddaughter has gone missing, and he wants Frankie to find her before it’s too late. Frankie’s no detective, but her schedule is wide open. The job is to save the girl, but with so many gods and monsters prowling the streets of Thunderbolt these days, she’ll be lucky if she can save herself.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC. (September 19, 2024)
  • Publication date: September 19, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 306 pages

 

Review:  The Wolf Vs The Shifter (The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth Book 3) by Lauretta Hignett

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The Wolf Vs The Shifter (The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth Book 3) by Lauretta Hignett is a great terrifying book.

It simultaneously gives the reader more insight into multiple characters but starts to move all of the major characters into new stages where you can see the ultimate danger and darkness coming for them. 

We learn who Myf, there is a thrilling dramatic scene at the end where several plots crash together into one chaotic mess and battle. 

Great elements here that make this exciting , or disturbing if you think about it, are Dwayne, the goose chaos god and his dalliances with the Fae Princess, and how they have enormous roles here.  Myf, our closet hiding enigma gets her big reveal. And the vile polar bear Alpha gets his comeuppance, finally.

Hignett doesn’t forget to write in the small emotional moments that make the reader remember that there are many children and vulnerable innocent individuals whose lives are at stake in the outcome of the events here. Not just a part of the Hidden City but a small orc child in danger. 

Then the reader sees that the narrative continues to explore all aspects of  Daphne’s life, both as the paranormal child social worker and as that as yet unknown entity that hasn’t been revealed. 

Romeo and gang is here but recovering from the recent events. 

It’s a grand story, scary and serious. Sets the tone for the next one in the series. 

I’m highly recommending this author and series. So creative and well written. 

Book Cover by Atra Luna Graphic Design”

Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth:

The Wolf Vs The Vampire #1

The Wolf Vs The Warlock #2

The Wolf Vs The Shifter #3

The Wolf Vs The Witch #4

The Wolf Vs The Monster #5

The Wolf Vs Santa: A Little Christmas Mystery

Buy link

        The Wolf Vs The Shifter: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth

    

Blurb 

The hunt begins…

I’ve been on lockdown in the Hidden City for weeks now. Everyone thinks I’m hiding from the Alpha because I disobeyed his orders one too many times. And, well… I have. He’s coming for me; I know that.

But he’s also coming for Myf, my mysterious agoraphobic pantry-dwelling Welsh friend, and I can’t let him take her. She’s hiding a dangerous secret — one I need her to share with me so I can protect her.

It might be too late. The Alpha is coming, and I’m not ready to face him.

And the worst part is, he’s not coming alone.

The Wolf Vs The Shifter is book three in the Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth, a hot new Urban Fantasy series by bestselling author Lauretta Hignett.

  • Publication date: January 15, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 263 pages

Review:  Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper

Rating:  4.5 ⭐️

My must read/auto buy list is growing. Put Helen Harper on there right now.  Every series I read from her just makes me appreciate her writing more .

Here’s another. And it’s due to the awesome main female character. 

That is 27 year old Ivy Wilde, someone outside the normal FMC outline in every conceivable way, from her outlook on exercise ( just no, she loves her plumpish short figure), avoidance of healthy habits and binging her favorite series.  She’s got magic but uses it on her terms. 

I love it when someone writes a woman character who’s not a crowd pleaser, an extrovert or someone who’s just wildly gorgeous.  Nope here we get a witch determined to be that kind of girl whose goal is to be an underachiever. Stay on that couch, eat those Cheetos, chat with your cat, be a part time Taxi driver and do the minimum each day to get by. Woohoo. It’s actually all in the title. 

Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper. I so love her. 

Ivy’s life changes when she’s mistaken for her out of town roommate, and ends up magically bound to Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter. Winter works for Arcane Branch, an investigative service for the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. None of which holds any real value for Ivy who wishes Winter and them gone.

What follows is a marvelous story about two hugely opposite personalities forced to work together on an epic case until the bond wears off.  It’s a funny, magical, thoughtfully crafted mystery about people, power dynamics, and expectations. 

The humor is everything. There’s scenes where I reread them just before bedtime so I could giggle myself off to sleep. Cats! 

If you’ve consorted with cats, been owned by one, then be prepared to howl at the cats here, especially Ivy’s familiar Brutus. 

But the investigations, especially as they start to let Ivy reveal so much about herself and her own recent experiences, are what power this fantastic novel. 

It finishes with a solid ending to this investigation but an open question as to whether the partnership between Ivy and Winter will resume or be over. 

Luckily there more released books to devour and I’m immediately heading forward.   Highly recommending this fabulous female character and author. 

Don’t miss out on Ivy Wilde and her familiar, Brutus.  They are musts!

Cover by Yocla Designs. Close but a accurate representation would be nicer. She’s a fantastic character. Let’s put her on that cover. 

The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic:

Slouch Witch #1

Star Witch #2

Spirit Witch #3

Sparkle Witch #4

Buy link 

        Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Hard Work Will Pay Off Later. Laziness Pays Off Now. 

Let’s get one thing straight – Ivy Wilde is not a heroine. In fact, she’s probably the last witch in the world who you’d call if you needed a magical helping hand. If it were down to Ivy, she’d spend all day every day on her sofa where she could watch TV, munch junk food and talk to her feline familiar to her heart’s content.

However, when a bureaucratic disaster ends up with Ivy as the victim of a case of mistaken identity, she’s yanked very unwillingly into Arcane Branch, the investigative department of the Hallowed Order of Magical Enlightenment. Her problems are quadrupled when a valuable object is stolen right from under the Order’s noses. 

It doesn’t exactly help that she’s been magically bound to Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter. He might have piercing sapphire eyes and a body which a cover model would be proud of but, as far as Ivy’s concerned, he’s a walking advertisement for the joyless perils of too much witch-work. 

And if he makes her go to the gym again, she’s definitely going to turn him into a frog.

  • Publisher: (June 8, 2017)
  • Publication date: June 8, 2017
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 290 pages

Review:  Dead Weight (Crossroads Queen Book 5) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5⭐️

I gave 5 ⭐️ to Dead Weight because, while Chase accomplishes so many important and exciting narrative goals in this book, she did two things that absolutely smashed it for me. She demolished a villain I couldn’t stand and set up the next story with a twist I didn’t see coming. 

Fantastic!

Both of those events happened at the end but all the many other things and plots that led to them were outstanding as well. Just as gripping, funny, totally absorbing in detail and weirdness. And it, again, moves more of the various characters and their individual lives forward in some respects.

Usually its relationship dynamics being shuffled around, emotional scenes and characters being truthful about their struggles, all of which allow the reader to feel even closer and deeper connected to each of them.  Because while these characters may be assassins, fae, werewolves, witches, ghosts, vampires and such, the issues that they face are often those that anyone can relate to.  Fear of rejection, abandonment, loss, betrayal , and loneliness. It’s in their stories. We get them. 

So when Chase makes this an absolutely slowest burn ever romance, the characters also will give us their emotional reasons why it’s necessary for it.  Same for any other character’s reactions to whatever happens here. It’s a natural progression from believable way they have been from the beginning to the present. 

Chase has a great sense of humor and depth of character. She builds on her stories, and each character becomes stronger and more interesting as the books continue. Especially those assassins from The Guild, her friends Gun and Cam, as well as Kane’s employees. 

Yes to the series, a definite yes to this story.  The author too. 

Cover by Trif Designs, wish it had a  more an accurate portrayal of this complicated character. One who only wears old t-shirts and jeans, boots, and is in her early 30’s.  Usually worn out by no sleep, no budget and constant physical labor on that money pit of a crumbling house.  Put that on the cover. Please. 

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead Weight (Crossroads Queen Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Lorelei Clay is determined to put down roots in the small town of Fairhaven no matter what the universe throws at her. After all, she’s invested her entire savings in the rundown monstrosity known as the Castle—and she’s on the verge of investing her heart in a certain prince of hell, if he can overcome his literal internal demon.

Lorelei and Kane aren’t the only ones haunted by their histories. When unfamiliar werewolves cause trouble in town, Arrowhead alpha Weston Davies realizes his tragic past is about to catch up with him and threaten the life he’s managed to build.

As their problems continue to mount, it becomes clear that unless they face their respective pasts—they’ll have no future.

Dead Weight is the fifth book in the Crossroads Queen paranormal andurban fantasy series. For fans of feisty females, found family, romance subplots, tortured demon heroes, and a feel-good vibe.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (April 11, 2024)
  • Publication date: April 11, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 284 pages

Review: Crazy as a Loon (Yard Birds Book 1) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Hailey Edwards has quickly become another author who’s an auto read.  So when I saw this amazing cover ( yes,  an absolute classic) I was hooked. 

Yard Birds is an urban fantasy series about a group of retired coven of witches, once a part of powerful undercover force ,WitchLight Hub. 

Now down to five, Ellie Gleason and what’s left of the coven, Flo, Betty, Joan and Ida, have protected the town of Samford, Alabama for decades. 

I love that Edwards has these wonderful women as both realistically worn down by their lives as past magical agents and by life itself. They are widowed in some cases, had hip replacements, suffering various ailments, hardened by their previous employment, trying to hide their past and get by as old women. Who they are and aren’t, in a community that hasn’t a clue as to what they are. 

Then Elle’s great-nephew comes to her in need of help. And the old coven is reassembled to go investigate and solve the mystery of what is attacking the paranormal youth in a summer camp. 

The author has created many questions within the story and given the readers many curious elements and aspects of certain character histories that require further exploration.  The one that immediately comes to mind is the curse and mystery of Wally, Ellie’s dead husband.  He’s or his soul is been stuffed into one of those mounted talking fish that you see on tv. You know, the talking Bass? 

Why and who has cursed Wally isn’t revealed here. Just what the curse entails, what it takes to break it. A heartbreaking element for this couple. 

It’s one of those things going forward that I hope the author will resolve this for them both. 

The investigation was short but satisfactory. The fight scene involved a walker, which was also amazing. 

And there’s a recipe for a Yard Bird Margarita at the very beginning that I intend to try out this weekend. 

This is a book that keeps on giving. 

Another winner, fantastic content and cover.   More please. Especially of books with main characters of different generations.  Not everyone needs FMC or MMC in their 20’s consistently. 

Cover by Damonza. Great cover design and artwork. 

Yard Birds series:

Crazy as a Loon #1

Dead as a Dodo #2

Free as a Bird #3

Buy link

        Crazy as a Loon (Yard Birds Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Ellie Gleason has protected the town of Samford, Alabama for decades. It’s not as glamorous as her glory days as the WitchLight Hub, but it keeps her active during her golden years.

Life is good.

Well, it’s okay.

Fine.

It could be bloodier with a smidge more gore, but retirement is meant to be low-key. It’s not like her fragile bones could handle the strenuous hunt for monsters anymore, even if her current duties are dull as dishwater.

But when her great-nephew shows up on her doorstep in tears—or is he her great-great nephew?—begging for help, Ellie straps on her beloved shotgun, Bam-Bam, and gets the coven back together.

Sure, Betty just had a hip replacement, and Flo would rather flirt than fight, and Ida is busy with her anniversary plans, and Joan is…Joan. But Ellie is certain she can whip the girls into shape in time to defeat the creature preying on kids at a nearby summer camp. She might even have them home in time for dinner.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC. (May 5, 2023)
  • Publication date: May 5, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 133 pages

Review:  Dead Wrong (Crossroads Queen Book 4) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Dead Wrong is another excellent, wonderfully written book in Annabel Chase’s Crossroads Queen series.  The author continues to play with multiple cultures and a variety of mythologies in her work with the result of intriguing characters and storylines that have been explored here. 

Dead Wrong plays with these themes even more.  It opens up after the events of the past book, with Kane, the prince of Hell disappeared after learning Lorelei’s true identity, weeks passing without any explanation. 

Soon Fairhaven’s citizens are under attack by various weird animals, and Lorelei is asked to help find them and answers to why they are there.

Chase is balancing several major plots and character storylines, evolving the overall series thread of Lorelei’s journey from a stance of total isolation from the town and any type of relationship towards multiple connections with other people, ghosts, frenemies, those she’s now regarding as real friends.  

Fairhaven, its portals and many other characters and places is an ever diverse and evolving story of its own. It fits beautifully as a location for Lorelei’s adventures and her base for a home and potential found family. 

The story’s reveal or reveals show that the larger story is going to be even more exciting and darker than imagined. The stakes higher, and the forthcoming storylines full of new characters and potential tragedies. 

I’m so addicted to the story and characters.  

What’s also great is the length. Well written and plotted within a certain length so I can easily read one a night. 

I’m highly recommending this series and author. And will be checking out other books once I’m finished reading this one. 

Cover by Trif Designs, wish it was less a young model and more an accurate portrayal of this complicated character. One who only wears old t-shirts and jeans, boots, and is in her early 30’s.  Usually worn out by no sleep, no budget and constant physical labor on that money pit of a crumbling house.  Put that on the cover. Please. 

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead Wrong (Crossroads Queen Book 4)

    

Blurb

Lorelei Clay has spent a lifetime keeping her secret. Now that Kane has discovered it, the prince of hell has cut her off, but she has no idea why. Not only has he disappeared from her life, he’s also disappeared from Fairhaven, and his cohorts refuse to divulge his whereabouts.

When a series of strange attacks threaten the town, Lorelei is thrust back into the magical spotlight. This time, she isn’t sure she can weather the storm without drawing too much attention to herself and, even worse, endangering the lives of everyone she’s come to care about. 

Dead Wrong is the fourth book in the Crossroads Queen series, featuring a strong female protagonist, a slow burn romance, magic and mayhem, and a coterie of paranormal friends and found family.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (January 11, 2024)
  • Publication date: January 11, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 252 pages

Review: Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Harper

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Another new author and new book and series to explore in Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Harper.  

It’s a paranormal mystery thriller that has a 43 year old woman of mysterious origins and her 5 cats taking in a teenage werewolf boarder who’s soon kidnapped. That’s the basic premise. 

They live in a city/town, Coldstream, that’s home to most of the paranormal population and throughout the story, Harper takes us by way of the characters and events through the streets and places of this highly unusual city brimming with otherworldly beings living their typical daily lives. It’s a lively, well worn and believable city and works perfectly as the location and atmosphere of the series. 

Kit McCafferty’s a character whose life unfolds as the story progresses. She’s remarkable in so many ways. For the book and in series I enjoy reading. One is that Harper has written a retired woman, hugely successful in her former career but forced to take retirement due to her age.  

Most women in the novels I read are much younger so it’s an absolute joy to read a main character of her age and experience. And Harper’s dialogue for Kit’s character, inner monologue and the conversations that she has with others seem perfectly in sync with her personality. 

She’s absolutely phenomenal.

And holding secrets, all of which need to be disclosed during the course of the story. 

The cats , each of whom has its own unique identity, are just as important and well crafted.  So too are the people, paranormal characters that are equally powerful in their impact on the lives and multiple storylines Harper is threading through the pages here. 

Nick, the teenage werewolf is vulnerable and easily accessible to the reader.  Thane too is a good character but could use more depth.

This is a fast moving story, full of charm, surprises, and terrific elements.  There’s plenty of gruff emotional moments and satisfying action sequences, but really little romantic scenes. However there’s the potential for some in the future. 

And the ending is both an hilarious twist and perfect way to finish the story off.  Some people will be shaking their heads in total agreement. Yes indeed. 

I absolutely recommend this book. I’m heading to the next. If you’re interested in reading urban fantasy or paranormal mysteries, this is a great fit for you. 

The covers are ok. Not sure who the artist is but someone needs to tell them it’s ok to put a 40ish woman on the cover, wearing the clothes she wears in the story. While not all the readers are women , it’s likely most are . And would appreciate a better representation.

Goes for the series. 

Book Cover created by JoY Cover Designs/ Covers By Juan

 

The Cat Lady Chronicles:

Waifs And Strays #2

The Dark Hiss of Magic #2

Buy link:

        Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1)

    

Blurb

Nobody is just a cat lady.

Kit McCafferty’s life is quiet, unremarkable and filled with cat hair. In the magical city of Coldstream, located on the border between Scotland and England, Kit is viewed as little more than mildly eccentric and mostly harmless. She passes her days caring for her family of five cats, feeding the local feral moggies, and maintaining relatively good relations with her neighbours.

All that changes, however, when a teenage werewolf shows up at her door in the desperate hope of renting out a nearby vacant flat. Kit knows that the smart move is to tell him to leave. The last thing she needs is to become embroiled in complicated shapeshifter politics. But something about the secretive young werewolf tugs at her heartstrings.

It’s not long before Kit ends up caught in a maelstrom of mysterious crime and magical wrong-doing. Fortunately, there’s far more to Kit McCafferty than meets the eye and she has a few dark secrets of her own.

Of course, anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that you underestimate a cat lady at your own peril.

Waifs And Strays is the first book in a new urban fantasy crime series. Expect mystery, magic and adventure with a heroine who will keep you turning pages late into the night. There will also be a lot of cats.

  • Publication date: February 10, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 300 pages

Review:  Nice Dragons Finish Last (Heartstrikers Book 1) by Rachel Aaron

Rating: 4.5

After finishing Rachel Aaron’s DFZ series, I had to return to see how it all started. Before the DFZ was sentient, when dragons were outlawed, and the Lady of the Lake , the Algonquin herself was a highly manipulative, deadly spirit and Detroit was rising up again from all her destruction and under her authority. 

This is another wild, strange and fabulous ride.   Told in five instead of three books. 

It’s centered in Detroit, the non-sentient DFZ, and its focus is the powerful and numerous Heartstriker dragon family, in particular its youngest and smallest dragon, Julius.  Julius, a constant source of disappointment and anger to his mother, Bethesda the Heartstriker, has been sealed into his human form and sent off to the DFZ to prove himself a true dragon or else. 

Julius the Good Dragon, which isn’t a compliment to dragons, is such an engaging character. The only one of his many siblings who is an anomaly in his personality, doesn’t want to hurt anyone, just loves gaming and people. 

Marci, a mage from Las Vegas, ends up in the DFZ after fleeing from some sort of terrible situation that leaves her without a home. 

These two are incredibly great characters and together they are the beginnings of a fabulous series arc and the basis for I’m betting the magical creatures and world building of the DFZ. 

Another hugely important character is Bob, the Heartstriker seer and Julius’s oldest brother.  We meet more siblings , each letter according to the clutch they hatched (?) in.  Bob being one but not the only oldest remaining child of Bethesda.  She’s not a good mother or parent FYI. 

I love Aaron as an author, the magical system is beautifully conceived, and it’s expanding to fit  this ever growing imaginative new universe.  Not even the established spirits themselves know what’s happening, or what the world is capable of doing.  Truly a gonzo magical fantasy.

But it’s also a very powerful story of empathy, emotional empowerment, and quiet bravery. Whether it’s on a human or dragon’s level. 

Julius deciding to be himself or Marci’s grief, or other characters stepping forward to help others. 

So many aspects of Nice Dragons Finish Last (Heartstrikers Book 1) by Rachel Aaron to love and appreciate, storylines and characters, relationships and themes. 

This author is a must read and these connected series as well. Highly recommended. 

Love the covers .  

Cover Illustration by Anna Steinbauer, Cover Design by Rachel Aaron.

Heartstrikers :

Nice Dragons Finish Last 

One Good Dragon Deserves Another No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished 

A Dragon of a Different Color 

Last Dragon Standing 

Buy link

        Nice Dragons Finish Last (Heartstrikers Book 1)

    

Blurb 

The start of the series that won back-to-back RT Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Awards!

As the smallest dragon in the Heartstriker clan, Julius survives by a simple code: keep quiet, don’t cause trouble, and stay out of the way of bigger dragons. But this meek behavior doesn’t fly in a family of ambitious magical predators, and his mother, Bethesda the Heartstriker, has finally reached the end of her patience.

Now, sealed in his human form and banished to the DFZ–a vertical metropolis built on the ruins of Old Detroit–Julius has one month to prove he can be a ruthless dragon or kiss his true shape goodbye forever. But in a city of modern mages and vengeful spirits where dragons are considered monsters to be exterminated, he’s going to need some serious help to survive this test.

He only hopes humans are more trustworthy than dragons…

Winner of the 2015 Audie Audio Book Award in Fantasy!

  • Publisher: Aaron/Bach (July 13, 2014)
  • Publication date: July 13, 2014
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 287 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

Review:  Part-Time Gods (DFZ Book 2) by Rachel Aarons

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

        Part-Time Gods (DFZ Book 2)

    

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

Review: Minimum Wage Magic (DFZ Book 1) by Rachel Aaron

Rating:  4.5⭐️🌈

This book had me at the title!Minimum Wage Magic (DFZ Book 1) by Rachel Aaron drew me in by that great title, then the interesting cover, and the story behind both. 

Plus the fact that I got to discover a new author and ever expanding universe to dive into! Rachel Aaron has been developing this magical trippy world through 3 connected series, of which the DFZ trilogy is the second one. 

DFZ, or the Detroit Free Zone is a both a sentient goddess and place, one that is constantly rearranging itself according to the DFZ’s whims and ideas.  It’s a no holds barred zone of all out love of competition and commerce, anything goes until the DFZ says no, which doesn’t often happen.  I really am going to read that first series, because fabulous.

But there’s enough magical systems foundation and world history laid down here for a new reader to understand the storylines and characters. 

Aaron’s world building is excellent and so imaginative. Interwoven with magical elements and technology, it’s a place of mystery and endless opportunities for creativity and crime. New architecture and depths of depravity.  And it’s sentient. That’s the city of Detroit. 

Its 2115 and debt ridden mage Opal Yong-ae is doing her job as a Cleaner, think someone who has come to clean out all the apartments/houses for those who haven’t paid or been evicted. She owns what’s inside, trash or treasure, whatever. It’s a toss up because she bid on it unknowingly what’s inside. 

Yup, she may have magic but she’s an Official Subcontractor for Detroit Free Zone Habitation Management.

I’m so in.

Of course, the place she’s working on , in a nasty location, takes a turn for the worst. 

This is such a captivating story. Opal’s own narrative, her mysterious family, the debt she’s carrying, the freedom she craves so desperately, all these elements are carefully assembled and revealed throughout the story as events happen. 

Opal is a tremendously appealing personality, one we relate to, as she meets each new character, ends up in another humbling or challenging situation, we are right there with her. 

Nik, another Cleaner with his own mysterious history behind him, becomes someone who can grow and develop into a partner equally powerful and intriguing.  

It’s hard to describe anything here without knowingly giving away main spoilers for the characters and book that are too delightful and should be read.

Delightful, scary, frustrating and definitely a way to send me running straight to the next book.

And back to the original series. 

I just adore the characters, especially Opal and need to see more of the DFZ and all the spirits and Demi-gods that dwell there. 

Fascinating, imaginative stuff. More please!

Highly recommended! 

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:

        Minimum Wage Magic (DFZ Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Return to the DFZ with a new standalone series full of dragons, mages, and the deadly perils of freelance employment, now complete at three books!

Making a living is hard. Making a living in a lawless city where gods are real, dragons are traffic hazards, and buildings move on their own can feel downright impossible.

Good thing freelance mage Opal Yong-ae has never let little things like impossibility stop her. She’s found a way to put her overpriced magical art history degree to use as a Cleaner: a contract municipal employee who empties out abandoned apartments and resells the unusual treasures she finds inside for a profit. It’s not a pretty job, or a safe one–there’s a reason she wears bite-proof gloves–but when you’re neck-deep in debt to a very magical, very nasty individual, you can’t be picky about where the money comes from.

But even Opal’s low standards are put to the test when the only thing of value in her latest apartment is the body of the previous tenant. Dealing with the dead isn’t technically part of her job, but this mage died hiding a secret that could be worth a lot of money, and Opal’s the only one who knows. With debts she can’t pay due at the end of the week, this could be the big break she’s been waiting for, but in a city of runaway magic where getting in over your head generally means losing it, the cost of chasing this opportunity might be more than Opal can survive.

  • Publisher: Aaron/Bach (November 9, 2018)
  • Publication date: November 9, 2018
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 341 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