There Be Monsters Here. . .
It’s not as great as you’d think, living in a tourist town that’s known as “the most magical place in America.” Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.
I try to keep out of it. I’ve got my mom’s bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.
But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend’s pawn shop, and I have to make a call–get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn’t. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I’m stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I’m going to end up just like her. . .
I received this book via netgalley in exchange for honest review.
It took me a little while to get in to, I actually started it once a while a back but stopped after the first chapter, this time I decided to persevere and try to get to at least chapter 3, but after I got to that I was hooked.
The good
I liked the unique magic or talents, they were clever and well thought out. The idea of the most magical town in America, the mythical creatures although you didn’t get to read much about them, they were a nice addition, it gave the book a good atmosphere. The setting was beautifully crafted. I liked how it was woven in to the characters perfectly.
Lila was a great main character, she had access to the poor and rich sides of this magic enriched world, which made the reader gain lots of insight into the whole of the setting. Devon was cute, I wish he was real. I liked he was not typical male lead in power, he wasn’t rude to everyone but sweet on the inside or sweet to everyone and really a piece of work, he was sweet to everyone and truly cared, it makes a change for the usual. Felix was nice, he did put on a bit of a facade but for good reason. But he was loyal and good to read about, if this is ever made into a film I think the guy who plays him will be a heartbreaker.
The families were great like a fantasy version of mobsters. It was great part of the story.
The Bad
I didn’t like the lochness, yes that’s how it was spelled no spaces. It’s like the author didn’t understand that the Loch Ness Monster is named after the Loch (Lake) Ness, near the city Inverness, which I am from so I take pride in it. Maybe it was on purpose but when it turned out to be something completely different than the myth of the Loch Ness Monster, it just seemed like bad research. That was my only real problem with the book and it’s a fairly personal one, so the book was a big hit with me.
Overall
A great book with new ways of magic and I just lived the magical Families, was a great edition. I am very much looking forward to reading the second book soon.
4 stars out of 5.