Monday, June 25, 2012

Review: Chasing Magic by Stacia Kane

Chasing Magic (Downside Ghosts #5) by Stacia Kane
Synopsis (Goodreads):
A DEADLY HIGH

Magic-wielding Churchwitch and secret addict Chess Putnam knows better than anyone just how high a price people are willing to pay for a chemical rush. But when someone with money to burn and a penchant for black magic starts tampering with Downside’s drug supply, Chess realizes that the unlucky customers are paying with their souls—and taking the innocent with them, as the magic-infused speed compels them to kill in the most gruesome ways possible.

As if the streets weren’t scary enough, the looming war between the two men in her life explodes, taking even more casualties and putting Chess squarely in the middle. Downside could become a literal ghost town if Chess doesn’t find a way to stop both the war and the dark wave of death-magic, and the only way to do that is to use both her addiction and her power to enter the spell and chase the magic all the way back to its malevolent source. Too bad that doing so will probably kill Chess—if the war doesn’t first destroy the man who’s become her reason for living.
My Thoughts: While I have admittedly enjoyed all the books in this series, I *really* liked this installment. Chess and Terrible are together, Chess is totally screwed up, the bad guy is doing VERY BAD THINGS, Terrible is ... kinda awesome. It just worked for me on every level. Even when I was squealing in horror at some of the situations Chess got herself into, I was enthralled.

I never quite know how to think about Chess. She's a wreck and a junkie but she's very honest with herself in that regard. She had a shitty past and it still colors the way she thinks about herself. Her fears about not being good enough for Terrible KILL me. I want her to find her happy place with him and not constantly worry that her happiness is going to disintegrate in the blink of an eye. But, at the same time, that wouldn't be Chess. And against the odds, I like Chess. I like her messed up, screwed up, totally whacked outlook on life. She and Terrible are so GOOD together. They... fit.

Speaking of Terrible... angry, possessive sex is good sex. Wow.

Overall, the bad guy did some very nasty things, the body count was suitably high and Chess' life teeters between some serious highs and lows. I don't always like the things she does, but she owns her power and she's fiercely protective of those she allows into her inner circle. In other words, great addition to the series!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Downside Ghosts
The Brave Tale of Maddie Carver
1. Unholy Ghosts
2. Unholy Magic
3. City of Ghosts
3.6. Home
4. Sacrificial Magic
5. Chasing Magic - Paperback | Kindle

Author Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Chasing Magic was provided for review by Del Rey through NetGalley.

9 comments:

  1. I think you may have made me download the first book in this series. I'll have to get to it soon. After AS,AS?

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    1. *snort* That's right. I *made* you download it. I remember that. I think I threatened to break your fingers if you didn't. Oh, good times. Good times.

      I hope you like it. It's dark. Very dark. But very good.

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    2. You can be very... persuasive. I like dark, though, so that's good?

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    3. I've been trying to use my powers for good, not evil. *accidentally lets the evil laugh slip out*

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    4. I don't like when things accidentally slip out.

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    5. *raises eyebrow at your innocent look*
      Your halo's crooked. Again.

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  2. This series is on my AS,AS list. I read the first one and I'm not sure why I didn't continue!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, yay! I really like this series. It's so dark and bloody.

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