ARC Review: Chasing Magic by Stacia Kane

 

(More like 4.5 feathers!)

Chasing Magic

(Downside Ghosts # 5)

by Stacia Kane

Stacia Kane has done really well for herself with this year’s release. Both SACRIFICIAL MAGIC and now CHASING MAGIC have made it to my favorites of 2012 list. What’s so interesting about this series is that it continues to follow a drug addicted Churchwitch named Chess Putnam and her thug boyfriend, Terrible. As this is the fifth book in the series, I had a lot of expectations. Some of these where met while others weren’t.

In CHASING MAGIC, Chess doesn’t have a Church case to work on. Instead, the conflict arises when several dealers in Downside are showing up dead both in Bump’s and Lex’s territory. It is up to Terrible and Chess, working side by side to figure out why these people are ending up dead on the streets of Downside. I really enjoyed this storyline because it put Terrible and Chess together, giving me that Terrible fix I so desperately needed.

As they traverse around Downside asking friends if they’ve seen anything suspicious and discovering more bodies, Chess is faced with learning the do’s and don’ts of being in a relationship. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in Chess in one particular scene. In several of the past books, I have come to expect reading about the mistakes that Chess makes. Usually by the end of the book, I get over it. I understand her insecurities and her belief that she doesn’t deserve to have this happiness that has found her. However, I feel like Chess hasn’t learned from her past mistakes. It is one thing to screw up because you are unsure of yourself. But it’s different when, five books into a series, you are making the same mistake twice. I had hoped that the bond forged between Terrible and Chess in the previous books was stronger than temptation. In the end, it was. But that was too close a call for me.

Kane manages to ensnare me again with her excellent plotting. There were several moments in this book that had me sitting up higher in my chair and hushing anyone who dared to speak to me as I read this book. Twists and turns make CHASING MAGIC an excellent read. It’s smart and alluring, grabbing my attention and never letting go until I flipped that last page.

There was one thing I had hoped Kane could address in this book, but wasn’t– Chess’s addiction and her past. Select glimpses have been given on Chess’s past in the previous books but I wished that there was more on how Chess came to start her addiction or if she has plans to ever stop. In the one scorching hot sex scene, readers get a glimpse of a dark past that slips before we can really make sense of it. I’m hoping that Kane discloses more information on this in future books because I really want to know.

As far as secondary characters are concerned, I enjoyed reading about them all! Edsel is fantastic in this book and I hope to read more about him. The albino is such a good friend to Chess. Similarly, Elder Griffin make some huge decisions that shocked me so much that I couldn’t really believe it until I read it twice.

It seems that Kane has hit a perfect wave with this series as it continues to enthrall loyal readers and ensnare new ones. If you haven’t read this series, then you are seriously missing out! Kane is my new crack and I don’t think any intervention can save me now. I’m hooked!

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Review: Finding Magic by Stacia Kane

(more like 3.5 feathers!)

Finding Magic

(Downside Ghosts #0.5)

by Stacia Kane

In this prequel to the Downside Ghosts series, Kane gives readers a glimpse into Chess’s teenage life before her drug addiction and Church job. It was nice to go back and see how Chess fared as a teenager. Lots of her issues are still evident, but aren’t so pronounced as they are now in the rest of the series. However, we do see how Chess use alcohol as a crutch to help her through the day.

As a trainee, Chess is now working with Jillian, a member of the Black Squad to solve a murder involving the Waring family and the suspicious presence of sex magic. As she and Jillian try to figure this case out, we also see the City of Eternity. While I don’t think this read will really enhance your knowledge of the world, it was still nice to be able to go back and see how Chess was before.

Many of you are probably anxious to know if there are any Terrible sightings. The answer is no. But I still think that this novella was a good introduction to the series and it’s a great way to pass the time until CHASING MAGIC releases.

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane

Sacrificial Magic

by Stacia Kane

(Downside Ghosts # 4)

This is one of those series that has me biting my nails in anticipation of the next book. Waiting not so patiently and shifting from foot to foot for my next hit. Who would've thought this is where I'd be today and how I would feel.

Ms. Kane is one of the very few authors that can make me feel a myriad of emotions, all in one book. Sacrificial Magic is no different.

From the amazing writing, to the non stop story and characters that have stolen my heart. Sacrificial Magic will take you on such a ride, I really didn't want it to end. THAT I CAN GUARANTEE!

This book made me angry, sad, scared, turned on, rabidly pissed off, brought tears to my eyes and put a smile on my face. At times I was literally sick to my stomach, watching the train wreck unfolding; other times I couldn't help but cry at things that just broke my heart. But the whole time I couldn't help but put the whole world around me on hold because I couldn't put this down!

Downside is not a world I would like to be caught in. It's a scary place. And when Chess is assigned a Church job in Slobag's part of town to debunk a school that's alleging a haunting; things can get bad. Right from the get-go.
I don't want to ruin the story and tell you what happens, but expect to find dead bodies, evil humans, evil ghosts and some pissed off drug lords. Chess as usual is in the middle, and while she tries to do her job and she tries to help Bump, what she's really trying to come to terms with is the fact that she is in a relationship with Terrible. And she's never been in a relationship. To the point that she fucks up plenty, again.
Don't take this from me, because I am in love and love is blind and all, but Terrible is the perfect man. The way he loves Chess, so deep, it comes through in his acceptance of her. It's raw and powerful.

This series is a MUST READ!!! One of my favorite series, and Sacrificial Magic might be my favorite yet! Definitely unputdownable, and mind-blowingly amazing! Yes, I have to make up words to tell you how I feel about it.

I am preparing myself for the changes Chasing Magic will bring. It's going to be a lot more intense now that the stakes have been raised!

And these are some of the quotes that had my heart speeding, tripping and skipping:

"The sound of the exit door slamming back into its frame hit her ears at the same time his body slammed her against the back wall, farther into the shadows where no one could see him kiss her long and hard."

"My place is closer." "Aye." He leaned in to bite her neck; she shivered. "But mine's got thicker walls, dig, an I plan on makin you scream a few times afore we get to sleeping."

"I chose you," she managed, choking out the words in a strangled, warbly sounding whisper. "I chose you, I chose you all but I chose you, I love you so much and I chose you-"

"I want to be with you and if you weren’t there I wouldn’t want to be. I chose you"

“You got that, aye? Ain’t you know it? Love you right, till it hurts. Ain’t goin nowhere, don’t need to cry, ’sall right up—”

Release Date: March 27, 2012






Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane

City of Ghosts

by Stacia Kane

Downside Ghosts #3

Dear Ms. Kane,

I finished reading City of Ghosts and I'm utterly speechless. This is one of my favorite books this year. I'll be honest with you and say that after I read book one I wasn't totally sold on the idea of a heroine with a drug problem, among her other issues.

After following Chess tumble across her life through the past three books all I can say is it takes a truly talented author to bring out so much emotion and the depth of connection that you've managed to achieve with your series. Downside Ghosts is dark and gritty, full of action, bad guys, tough situations and no easy way out.

City of Ghosts was a rough emotional ride for me especially with all the edge-of-your-seat action, heart-pounding, mouth-gaping, jaw-clenching moments, raw passion, thigh-clenching and shows a vulnerable side to all the characters. A lot of what made this book so amazing was the relationship between Terrible and Chess. First of all I can't say enough how amazed I am at the awesomeness that is Terrible. I just want him. And they both battled a lot of issues in this book. I suffered right along with both. I had no sides. They were both wrong, they were both right, and they both broke my heart. And they were smutty-good!

Another great thing about this book was the storyline. Nothing went as I thought it would. Well, with the exception that I always suspected of the certain someone that wasn't revealed until the end. Other than that I was left gaping at every turn and just thinking "Damn, would something just go the right way for once? Please!!!".

At the end of the day, this book had it all! I am even more in love with Terrible, I like Chess a lot, even though she still pops her pills. And I actually liked Lex ('cuz you know I wasn't such a big fan of his in the other books and you know why).

But could I ask you a huge favor? Could you write faster? I really don't want to have to wait until March now for the next book! I may sound like Chess now looking for a fix.

"You know I do, aye? Love you right, Chessiebomb."

Your newest fan,

Francesca

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane

Unholy Magic

by Stacia Kane

(Downside Ghosts # 2)

Urban Fantasy

After reading book one, and being shocked by the storyline in this series, I find myself a lot more comfortable with Chess and her issues in this book. Don't ask me why. I get it. It didn't bother me as much.

Now that being said... Chess is a lot more vulnerable in this book. She is trying to do her job, which now consists in going to a celebrity's house to prove that he doesn't really have a ghost problem.

Well, that is her mission with the Church. But of course, she has to do side jobs for her "friends". Terrible asks her to investigate something going on at an abandoned airport. Lex on the other hand also has interests in that same investigation. So she ends up working for both behind both backs.

And there in lays the problem. This book was a royal mess! A big fuck up. A WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE THINKING???? I mean, if the fact that she keeps getting high, especially when she's on the job, is not enough to make you think she's missing a few screws, then her actions in this book have made her certifiably nuts.

Here is a wonderful guy, Terrible. Yeah, I know, he's ugly, he works for a drug dealer/pimp. Not your standard hero material. But I can't help but feel an attraction to him. It's in the way he cares for Chess. How he's always there for her, and would give his life (and almost does) for her. He can look pass her issues and see the good inside of her that she can't see herself. And what she does to him in this book, well, it simply puts her on my bad side. Yes, I cried. I wanted to scream at her! How could she do this? This is not going to be an easy fix.

Can I bitch some more about that? Because it really got to me. Yeah? OK, how can you have a guy open up his heart and serve it on a platter for you the way he did, and you just stomp all over it. And tap dance on it. Damn! It just broke my heart.

But at least Chess was on her game with her investigations! I loved the story! This series is dark and intense. Ms. Kane has created a very unique world an I'll be back for more!

Favorite Quote:

"But I ain't, I ain't think I can take it. Waking up next to you on the morn, have you fake like nothing happened. Or say, aight thanks, maybe we can try that again on the sometime. I know how you run it. Keepin' it cool and no repeats, and I dig it aight? Got your reasons. So I figured...I figured you'd really wanted me, you'd say. Like now, maybe, if you dig. I'll fucking carry you down to your place on a run if you tell me aight. Get you on your back before the next word comes out your mouth. But you oughta have yourself certain, 'cuz I ain't looking for charity, and I ain't letting you go after. Once? Once ain't enough for me. Dig?" 

Purchase from Amazon

Battle of the Covers: UK vs USA - Downside Ghosts

We're back for another edition of Battle of the Covers! This time we're looking at Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane!
I am torn about which cover I like best for the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane.  I think the cover of Unholy Magic (US) is the prettiest cover of the bunch, but I'd have to go with the UK covers on this one.  But if you've read the books, you might see why the US covers fit the books better.

What are your thoughts?







USA                                       UK


USA                                       UK


USA                                       UK

So what do you think?? 

Cast your votes below and leave your comments!