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The Reanimation Files #1
Affairs of the Dead
Help ghosts, stop a thief, and try not to die…
Necromancer Selene Vanream helps ghosts settle their affairs so they can move on. But when breaking the rules gets her in trouble, she’s bumped down to tracking ghosts trying to avoid the afterlife. Ghosts like Ethan Lance, who claims he was kicked out of his body when someone else jumped in. Which might be plausible—if such a thing were possible. And if Micah, Selene’s partner, didn’t pull her into an investigation of brutal murders that lead directly back to Ethan.
But when the whole mess puts Selene’s life in danger, she suddenly has very personal reasons to get Ethan’s body back. Between her uncomfortable relationship with Micah, and problems with her boss, Selene learns just how much trouble it can be when you don’t follow the rules…
Necromancer Selene Vanream helps ghosts settle their affairs so they can move on. But when breaking the rules gets her in trouble, she’s bumped down to tracking ghosts trying to avoid the afterlife. Ghosts like Ethan Lance, who claims he was kicked out of his body when someone else jumped in. Which might be plausible—if such a thing were possible. And if Micah, Selene’s partner, didn’t pull her into an investigation of brutal murders that lead directly back to Ethan.
But when the whole mess puts Selene’s life in danger, she suddenly has very personal reasons to get Ethan’s body back. Between her uncomfortable relationship with Micah, and problems with her boss, Selene learns just how much trouble it can be when you don’t follow the rules…
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
974 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Locke
13 books209 followersI'm your typical over-caffeinated writer with too many ideas and not enough time to do all of them. I write poetry and urban fantasy novels, and spend my days reading, writing and doing art all day. Not really, but a girl can dream. I'm an island girl at heart, originally from Trinidad & Tobago, but now make my home in NYC with my daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 16, 2015
Selene Vanream is a necromancer, working for an agency in NYC called Affairs of the Dead. She and her coworkers are tasked with helping settle any and all unfinished business of the departed. Some ghosts have simple tasks for the agency to complete, while others, like long-term customer Larry, have affairs to settle which can take years and years. Until a ghost feels like their business is finished, it's up to the necromancers to do their bidding. After her boss finds out that Selene has been doing her job in a rather shady manner, he demotes her and gives her the job that no one in the office ever wants -- to work alongside Larry and take care of his endless list of menial tasks. It's while she's working with Larry that she stumbles upon a ghost with a crazy story to tell. Claiming he isn't dead, just merely forced from his body, Ethan pleads for Selene to help him get back to his life. What she discovers while trying to help Ethan is a very dark and dangerous side to necromancers and their magic. Something that affects Selene on a very personal level.
I absolutely love what author A.J. Locke has created with this first installment of The Reanimation Files series. Centering around necromancers and their associated magic, there's also a dark side to it. Too much interaction with ghosts, without "purging" some of the ghostly energy from inside, necromancers are susceptible to something called the Rot -- a disease that essentially eats necromancers from the inside out. Not physically eats, but it breaks down the necromancers internal energy until they are a shell. That's something that's always at the forefront of a necromancer's mind and something that they have to be mindful of, lest they start to break down.
Another super interesting aspect is Selene herself. While she is mostly a stand-up gal, she's also a woman with secrets. She spends the majority of her time hiding a major one because if she's found out, life as she knows it is over. Selene, as I said, is mostly a genuine person, but she oftentimes skirts the line in terms of ethics. She lies, cheats, and steals, but she certainly goes above and beyond to help others. Mostly. This contradiction of her character was one of the highlights for me and to be perfectly honest, it was rather refreshing to have such an imperfect character for a change. And Micah. Oh, Micah of the light skin and the grey eyes! He was the perfect sidekick for Selene and while I initially thought of him as a giant asshole, Locke eventually changed my mind :)
Bottom line -- great start to a new series, and one that I know I'm going to love. I adore stories with necromancers and/or reanimation, so I instantly knew this would be right up my alley. Affairs of the Dead is a fast-paced, oftentimes humorous story with just the right balance of mystery, action, and romance and I will certainly look forward to each new installment.
**Many thanks to A.J. Locke for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely love what author A.J. Locke has created with this first installment of The Reanimation Files series. Centering around necromancers and their associated magic, there's also a dark side to it. Too much interaction with ghosts, without "purging" some of the ghostly energy from inside, necromancers are susceptible to something called the Rot -- a disease that essentially eats necromancers from the inside out. Not physically eats, but it breaks down the necromancers internal energy until they are a shell. That's something that's always at the forefront of a necromancer's mind and something that they have to be mindful of, lest they start to break down.
Another super interesting aspect is Selene herself. While she is mostly a stand-up gal, she's also a woman with secrets. She spends the majority of her time hiding a major one because if she's found out, life as she knows it is over. Selene, as I said, is mostly a genuine person, but she oftentimes skirts the line in terms of ethics. She lies, cheats, and steals, but she certainly goes above and beyond to help others. Mostly. This contradiction of her character was one of the highlights for me and to be perfectly honest, it was rather refreshing to have such an imperfect character for a change. And Micah. Oh, Micah of the light skin and the grey eyes! He was the perfect sidekick for Selene and while I initially thought of him as a giant asshole, Locke eventually changed my mind :)
Bottom line -- great start to a new series, and one that I know I'm going to love. I adore stories with necromancers and/or reanimation, so I instantly knew this would be right up my alley. Affairs of the Dead is a fast-paced, oftentimes humorous story with just the right balance of mystery, action, and romance and I will certainly look forward to each new installment.
**Many thanks to A.J. Locke for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 12, 2014
I stumbled upon this first novel in a Read and Review program, and I was both delighted and disappointed during this intriguing adventure. Affairs of the Dead has a lot of elements that I like in a book: a headstrong main character who is not afraid of confrontation, an interesting mix of mystery, action, and paranormal wackiness, several playful scenes with creative and memorable interactions, very competent writing complete with quirky phrasings and dry humor, and of course a great title! In addition, the heroine is a woman of color, which is still a rarity in this genre despite great strides by a lot of authors, and I appreciated that the cast was racially diverse and even of mixed orientation, although I'm stretching for that last item based on one sentence in the book. On the other hand, the book was diminished by a few problems that nagged at me: a conflicting desire for alpha males and also men who work to earn a woman's respect, the heroine's surprisingly selfish and disrespectful moral code, a few hard to believe risk-taking decisions, and an ending that although technically a resolution, left the story in a very unsustainable state.
The story involves a necromancer who can see ghosts, in a world where the existence of ghosts is not only accepted it is part of the working economy, and companies like Affairs of the Dead assist the deceased in safely making their way to the afterlife. On some levels, it was reminiscent of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, but it was different enough that it felt fresh and original. Despite the premise, religion is not a part of the discourse (unless you count magic as a religion), it is simply assumed that some people want to put their affairs in order after they die, and I was quite happy with this concept since I'm not a fan of religion and it is nice to let the reader reach their own conclusions. There is a lot of world-building, which was a pro and a con, because although it is exciting to discover things as they are revealed, a lot of the plot depended on knowledge of how things in this world work, and both the reader and significant characters are left in the dark on this for much of the time.
The story only slowed down once near the beginning , and in hindsight I realize it was necessary to lay some groundwork for the plot, but it could have been handled in a more exciting way. Once it got started, though, it was hard for me to put down, and it went along at a pretty brisk pace and took some turns that I definitely did not see coming. Some of the scenes were unique and I haven't read anything quite like them before . It only occasionally got bogged down with some verbose explanations that I felt were unnecessary, but I suppose it was better than other books I've been reading lately where the characters never talk to each other.
This is an adult book and sex is discussed throughout its pages, but at the same time if you are looking for sex scenes you might be disappointed. Some very interesting issues are brought up in regards to sexual interactions, and I thought that part was done fairly well. In fact, one of the first scenes that was sexual really shocked me, but it later made sense in the context of the story.
The final rating was a hard decision. As a first effort, I was impressed with this author's accomplishment, and I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something new in this genre. Much of the plot and story development felt unique, and the pacing was great as I was turning pages for much of the second half. However, some of the dialogue plodded a bit and I wish there had been more character growth and emotional depth to the experiences. Ultimately, the sticking point for me was that I had trouble identifying with the main character, because she did a lot of unethical things seemingly for selfish reasons and not the greater good. I would enjoy reading more about her only if she had some major character growth.
The story involves a necromancer who can see ghosts, in a world where the existence of ghosts is not only accepted it is part of the working economy, and companies like Affairs of the Dead assist the deceased in safely making their way to the afterlife. On some levels, it was reminiscent of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, but it was different enough that it felt fresh and original. Despite the premise, religion is not a part of the discourse (unless you count magic as a religion), it is simply assumed that some people want to put their affairs in order after they die, and I was quite happy with this concept since I'm not a fan of religion and it is nice to let the reader reach their own conclusions. There is a lot of world-building, which was a pro and a con, because although it is exciting to discover things as they are revealed, a lot of the plot depended on knowledge of how things in this world work, and both the reader and significant characters are left in the dark on this for much of the time.
The story only slowed down once near the beginning , and in hindsight I realize it was necessary to lay some groundwork for the plot, but it could have been handled in a more exciting way. Once it got started, though, it was hard for me to put down, and it went along at a pretty brisk pace and took some turns that I definitely did not see coming. Some of the scenes were unique and I haven't read anything quite like them before . It only occasionally got bogged down with some verbose explanations that I felt were unnecessary, but I suppose it was better than other books I've been reading lately where the characters never talk to each other.
This is an adult book and sex is discussed throughout its pages, but at the same time if you are looking for sex scenes you might be disappointed. Some very interesting issues are brought up in regards to sexual interactions, and I thought that part was done fairly well. In fact, one of the first scenes that was sexual really shocked me, but it later made sense in the context of the story.
The final rating was a hard decision. As a first effort, I was impressed with this author's accomplishment, and I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something new in this genre. Much of the plot and story development felt unique, and the pacing was great as I was turning pages for much of the second half. However, some of the dialogue plodded a bit and I wish there had been more character growth and emotional depth to the experiences. Ultimately, the sticking point for me was that I had trouble identifying with the main character, because she did a lot of unethical things seemingly for selfish reasons and not the greater good. I would enjoy reading more about her only if she had some major character growth.
November 12, 2014
Affairs of the Dead introduces us to Necromancer Selene Vanream. She works for the Affairs of the Dead and helps ghosts with their unresolved business so they can move on.
You know you're in for a wild ride when, at the start of the book, the main character is at a strip club with a ghost who is stuck because she died a virgin. Selene is feeding Julia the ghost energy to make her more substantial and help her find a willing partner who will relieve her of her virginity, thus allowing her to move on.
Selene has a tendency to go above and beyond for the ghosts in her care. She will spend her own money, utilize and drain her personal power, basically anything she can legal or otherwise to help them. This causes problems for her at work. As a result, she's been demoted to track and retrieval. While on the hunt for ghosts who were hiding instead of reporting to Affairs of the Dead, she stumbles upon a man who appears to be a ghost, but insists he's not dead.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the world where ghosts and necromancers were "normal". Locke's descriptions of the necro businesses and their buildings, which draw ghosts to them, was very unique. I'm bummed to see that it is a stand alone and not the beginning of a series. Why isn't this a series? There was a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, so I'm hoping that means there is more to come. Pretty please!
(4.5 stars)
You know you're in for a wild ride when, at the start of the book, the main character is at a strip club with a ghost who is stuck because she died a virgin. Selene is feeding Julia the ghost energy to make her more substantial and help her find a willing partner who will relieve her of her virginity, thus allowing her to move on.
Selene has a tendency to go above and beyond for the ghosts in her care. She will spend her own money, utilize and drain her personal power, basically anything she can legal or otherwise to help them. This causes problems for her at work. As a result, she's been demoted to track and retrieval. While on the hunt for ghosts who were hiding instead of reporting to Affairs of the Dead, she stumbles upon a man who appears to be a ghost, but insists he's not dead.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the world where ghosts and necromancers were "normal". Locke's descriptions of the necro businesses and their buildings, which draw ghosts to them, was very unique. I'm bummed to see that it is a stand alone and not the beginning of a series. Why isn't this a series? There was a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, so I'm hoping that means there is more to come. Pretty please!
(4.5 stars)
January 4, 2016
Originally posted on Reader's Anonymous
Do you remember in middle school and high school when teachers repeatably said to begin your paper with a hook to reel a reader in? Well Ms. Locke didn’t forget that with this opening sentence:
“I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid which was challenging, but not impossible.”
To say I was hooked would be an understatement; I was stabbed.
This book was extremely different than what I expected. It’s not futuristic, however it does have ghost running rampant and necromancers attempting to crossover said ghost and no one blinks, so it’s not our current. I assume it’s supposed to be like an alternate now e.g; The Walking Dead. The world Locke created with this book is so interesting, and the detail she includes for the necromancer business is beyond awesome because it’s so plausible. People and ghost coexist peacefully…well, until the ghost turns into a raging, homicidal creature. But it’s full of ghost, witches, magic and of course necromancers, but it’s not all about the paranormal elements in this novel that make it so fun. It’s Selene Vanreem.
Selene is that fighter chick, who’s a loner yet the most noticeable person alive without trying to be. She eats men for breakfast, skips lunch, helps ghost for dinner and leaves room for playing with her dog, Luna for dessert. Full of dry humor and sarcasm Selene deserves a secured position on my badass chick list because she’s fierce and loving of the people close to her, which is a very minuscule amount of people. Genuinely caring about her clients and gifted with the ability of reanimation. She goes above and beyond to assist her ghost in crossing-over even if that requires breaking the rules. But like all heroines, Selene has her faults and our leading male, Micah will allow her to truly open up in a way she’s never done before. Which brings me to Micah’s character. He’s a grey-eyed handsome devil, with a serious attitude problem – when it comes to Selene – and assholish tendencies, but once you get past all the bull you’ll love him.
Meanwhile, Ethan is this adorably, sweet boy that you fall in love with from the very beginning. seeking help from Selene he attempts to transition from being a human to a ghost, and then is accidentally bound to her through her reanimation power; which, if I didn’t explain previously, is the ability to bind ghost to you and “push” people’s souls from there bodies – it’s pretty crazy.
Although Selene and Ethan are the two important people about this novel it actually features a pretty interesting plot. Someone is killing people in the body of a ghost! So, she attempts to find the person responsible while also dealing with a life altering secret that could mean the end to her.
I have a tendency to run on until I’m basically repeating the entire book to you, so I’ll leave it at you need to read it!
Do you remember in middle school and high school when teachers repeatably said to begin your paper with a hook to reel a reader in? Well Ms. Locke didn’t forget that with this opening sentence:
“I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid which was challenging, but not impossible.”
To say I was hooked would be an understatement; I was stabbed.
This book was extremely different than what I expected. It’s not futuristic, however it does have ghost running rampant and necromancers attempting to crossover said ghost and no one blinks, so it’s not our current. I assume it’s supposed to be like an alternate now e.g; The Walking Dead. The world Locke created with this book is so interesting, and the detail she includes for the necromancer business is beyond awesome because it’s so plausible. People and ghost coexist peacefully…well, until the ghost turns into a raging, homicidal creature. But it’s full of ghost, witches, magic and of course necromancers, but it’s not all about the paranormal elements in this novel that make it so fun. It’s Selene Vanreem.
Selene is that fighter chick, who’s a loner yet the most noticeable person alive without trying to be. She eats men for breakfast, skips lunch, helps ghost for dinner and leaves room for playing with her dog, Luna for dessert. Full of dry humor and sarcasm Selene deserves a secured position on my badass chick list because she’s fierce and loving of the people close to her, which is a very minuscule amount of people. Genuinely caring about her clients and gifted with the ability of reanimation. She goes above and beyond to assist her ghost in crossing-over even if that requires breaking the rules. But like all heroines, Selene has her faults and our leading male, Micah will allow her to truly open up in a way she’s never done before. Which brings me to Micah’s character. He’s a grey-eyed handsome devil, with a serious attitude problem – when it comes to Selene – and assholish tendencies, but once you get past all the bull you’ll love him.
Meanwhile, Ethan is this adorably, sweet boy that you fall in love with from the very beginning. seeking help from Selene he attempts to transition from being a human to a ghost, and then is accidentally bound to her through her reanimation power; which, if I didn’t explain previously, is the ability to bind ghost to you and “push” people’s souls from there bodies – it’s pretty crazy.
Although Selene and Ethan are the two important people about this novel it actually features a pretty interesting plot. Someone is killing people in the body of a ghost! So, she attempts to find the person responsible while also dealing with a life altering secret that could mean the end to her.
I have a tendency to run on until I’m basically repeating the entire book to you, so I’ll leave it at you need to read it!
April 20, 2013
This is a fantastic book. An Urban Fantasy that's a cut above the rest. I had the pleasure of reading this book as an ARC and just fell in love with Selene. She's tough, cool, and battles the dead.
Love this book and would urge anyone who's an urban fantasy fan to check out this new author, I see great things in her future and eagerly anticipate any more books by A.J. Locke.
If you love your paranormal with a pinch of sexy, this book is for you.
Love this book and would urge anyone who's an urban fantasy fan to check out this new author, I see great things in her future and eagerly anticipate any more books by A.J. Locke.
If you love your paranormal with a pinch of sexy, this book is for you.
August 24, 2015
I can not say enough about this book. I put it in my top 5 of the year and that is really saying something since I've read over 160 book so far this year. I highly recommend it,you won't be sorry if you read it I'm sure.
August 28, 2013
When you start a book out with the sentence, “ I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid, which was challenging, but not impossible.” I just know it’s going to be a wild ride. HAHAHAHA I mean seriously. This was definitely a new take on what necromancers can do. There are different types, and different levels of powers. With some seriously crazy things going on, and a twist that’ll have your head spinning, it was definitely a great read!
Selene is your main character, who happens to be a necromancer. She is cool with this. She pretty much embraces everything about herself. Her powers, her looks, her sex appeal, her attitude, her rebellious break the rules outlook. I happen to love her. And I also happen to love the fact that she finally realized she was worth more than she ever gave herself credit for. She has no qualms except killing, when it comes to helping ghosts cross over. I mean, she was in a strip club to help a ghost. Wait til you read the rest of it, I so giggled like a school girl. But when the tough get going, holy crap, Selene can go on a little rampage of her own. I have one dislike of Selene… Don’t mix business with pleasure. Don’t be “that girl” who becomes the homewrecker just because you can. Um-humm, she has a bad attitude at the beginning of the book, but by the end, I loved her self discovery, and I will say, she got an ending she almost maybe didn’t deserve. :)
Micah is fabulous. He’s what every woman dreams of getting in a man. I mean seriously, how many things can you forgive. LOL Plus he’s hot, and sweet, and thoughtful, and he can totally kick ass to get your back. Yep, even without being a werewolf, I think Micah is HAWT! :) Andrew in one word, is SLIME. Ugh. I am not a fan, and with the ending, I can’t wait to see where this one is going to go. And Ethan, I am still a little devastated for him, but I have some good vibes coming for the next installment of the series. There are some excellent side characters that maybe don’t get a whole lot of time, but are still just as wonderful.
There are so many good things to say about this book. The set up with ghosts, necromancers, witches, the government. There are some excellent plans laid down for the plot and world building. I will say, I wish I knew just a tad bit more of the main characters “past” but honestly, I didn’t even realize it until I wrote this review. There are so many things keeping you on your toes that you don’t really care about childhood, and backstories. I really look forward to where this series can go. And that ending, though it’s not a cliffhanger, it is a definitely a shocker as you will say “holy…..” Yeah, I so did, because it’s the perfect opening for book two. So those of you who aren’t fans of those pesky cliff hangers, you’ll like this ending. I like it either way, because it leaves you wanting more, but also wraps up the major points. :) Overall, excellent new start of a great new series! 4.5 GHOSTLY WITCHY SNARKY PAWS!!
Selene is your main character, who happens to be a necromancer. She is cool with this. She pretty much embraces everything about herself. Her powers, her looks, her sex appeal, her attitude, her rebellious break the rules outlook. I happen to love her. And I also happen to love the fact that she finally realized she was worth more than she ever gave herself credit for. She has no qualms except killing, when it comes to helping ghosts cross over. I mean, she was in a strip club to help a ghost. Wait til you read the rest of it, I so giggled like a school girl. But when the tough get going, holy crap, Selene can go on a little rampage of her own. I have one dislike of Selene… Don’t mix business with pleasure. Don’t be “that girl” who becomes the homewrecker just because you can. Um-humm, she has a bad attitude at the beginning of the book, but by the end, I loved her self discovery, and I will say, she got an ending she almost maybe didn’t deserve. :)
Micah is fabulous. He’s what every woman dreams of getting in a man. I mean seriously, how many things can you forgive. LOL Plus he’s hot, and sweet, and thoughtful, and he can totally kick ass to get your back. Yep, even without being a werewolf, I think Micah is HAWT! :) Andrew in one word, is SLIME. Ugh. I am not a fan, and with the ending, I can’t wait to see where this one is going to go. And Ethan, I am still a little devastated for him, but I have some good vibes coming for the next installment of the series. There are some excellent side characters that maybe don’t get a whole lot of time, but are still just as wonderful.
There are so many good things to say about this book. The set up with ghosts, necromancers, witches, the government. There are some excellent plans laid down for the plot and world building. I will say, I wish I knew just a tad bit more of the main characters “past” but honestly, I didn’t even realize it until I wrote this review. There are so many things keeping you on your toes that you don’t really care about childhood, and backstories. I really look forward to where this series can go. And that ending, though it’s not a cliffhanger, it is a definitely a shocker as you will say “holy…..” Yeah, I so did, because it’s the perfect opening for book two. So those of you who aren’t fans of those pesky cliff hangers, you’ll like this ending. I like it either way, because it leaves you wanting more, but also wraps up the major points. :) Overall, excellent new start of a great new series! 4.5 GHOSTLY WITCHY SNARKY PAWS!!
June 3, 2013
To read this review and others like it check out my review site, www.ufreviews.com
I was first drawn to this book because of the cover, it's a really gorgeous cover, and I thought to myself if this book is as vibrant as the cover than I want to read it. The whole ghostly affairs concept, especially as a job, is really interesting, and I think could provide a huge range of ideas within the universe for a lot of fun stories.
My first requirement for an urban fantasy book is that the heroine is not wimpy and dependent on a male. I love that Selene is super headstrong and doesn't back down from her opinion. The writing of Selene is really great, and I really appreciate good writing, especially the dry humor in this book, it really made the main character pop.
I really want to touch on the aspect of the world building in this book. Part of what I really liked about the book was that this was a universe where the paranormal is known and accepted, so there isn't a lot of sneaky, hide and seek type stuff between people who are paranormal and the others who don't. I think what is awesome about this is the concept of ghosts becoming a part of the economy, in urban fantasy books you see a lot of witches offering their services or vampires owning clubs, but you rarely see ghosts as a business. This fresh element really helps with keeping the novel feeling like something you haven't read before.
The book itself is really well paced, which I love. Of course like all books there is a few moments here and there where the story does slow down, however the book keeps a good pace. The best thing about a well paced book is that feeling that you can't put the book down, and I definitely got that feeling from reading this book.
On the downside, the issues I have with the book come from a minor displeasure with the ending (you'll have to read the book to find out what the ending is, no spoilers here!). And secondly, while I really like Selene's character, I don't always appreciate or like her choices. And while every character needs a starting point to grow from, to evolve from, I felt like she could have used a few more good points to help make her stay likable.
Anyone looking for something new in the urban fantasy genre should definitely check this book out, it's a fun read. I would like to mention that if you are a lover of paranormal romance and are looking for something with a lot of romance in it, then this might not be your book. Either way if the synopsis sounds good to you, you should totally pick up the book and read it!
I was first drawn to this book because of the cover, it's a really gorgeous cover, and I thought to myself if this book is as vibrant as the cover than I want to read it. The whole ghostly affairs concept, especially as a job, is really interesting, and I think could provide a huge range of ideas within the universe for a lot of fun stories.
My first requirement for an urban fantasy book is that the heroine is not wimpy and dependent on a male. I love that Selene is super headstrong and doesn't back down from her opinion. The writing of Selene is really great, and I really appreciate good writing, especially the dry humor in this book, it really made the main character pop.
I really want to touch on the aspect of the world building in this book. Part of what I really liked about the book was that this was a universe where the paranormal is known and accepted, so there isn't a lot of sneaky, hide and seek type stuff between people who are paranormal and the others who don't. I think what is awesome about this is the concept of ghosts becoming a part of the economy, in urban fantasy books you see a lot of witches offering their services or vampires owning clubs, but you rarely see ghosts as a business. This fresh element really helps with keeping the novel feeling like something you haven't read before.
The book itself is really well paced, which I love. Of course like all books there is a few moments here and there where the story does slow down, however the book keeps a good pace. The best thing about a well paced book is that feeling that you can't put the book down, and I definitely got that feeling from reading this book.
On the downside, the issues I have with the book come from a minor displeasure with the ending (you'll have to read the book to find out what the ending is, no spoilers here!). And secondly, while I really like Selene's character, I don't always appreciate or like her choices. And while every character needs a starting point to grow from, to evolve from, I felt like she could have used a few more good points to help make her stay likable.
Anyone looking for something new in the urban fantasy genre should definitely check this book out, it's a fun read. I would like to mention that if you are a lover of paranormal romance and are looking for something with a lot of romance in it, then this might not be your book. Either way if the synopsis sounds good to you, you should totally pick up the book and read it!
August 31, 2013
Affairs of the Dead is set in a world where the paranormal is accepted, and well, normal. This makes a big difference to the story telling as it stops the author having to constantly hide her characters’ actions.
The protagonist Selene is head strong and sassy and I loved the way she handled herself in some very bizarre and sometimes dangerous situations. There’s a depth to her that will really resonate with urban fantasy enthusiasts. I must admit though that some of her choices and actions were questionable and I think she might prove to be a bit of a ‘Marmite’ type of character (for those outside the UK this means you’ll either love her, or hate her, with no ground in between) But then again, this is the case with most characters you care about. It didn’t end as well as I’d hoped – I can’t say much more for fear of ruining the ending – but I think that was where it let itself down.
From a writers’ perspective, again nothing really new here. The Laurell K Hamilton Anita Blake series has a similar concept of necromancers for sale and I’d just read The Necromancer’s Seduction too, so the premise didn’t amaze me – but what it does, it does very well. It’s got a good pace and a few naughty scenes here and there that spice it up. There’s a generous amount of humour and a solid story at the centre too. The writing was faultless, although some points were repeated a few times.
The front cover was great and again I admit it was the reason I choose to be part of the tour – I know, I should hang my head in shame, but deep down we all do it to some degree. I like pretty, shiny things (maybe I’m a book magpie?)
Overall I’d give Affairs of the Dead 4 out of 5 stars. A promising start to an urban fantasy series that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a good read to take them out of this boring world, and into a more interesting one.
The protagonist Selene is head strong and sassy and I loved the way she handled herself in some very bizarre and sometimes dangerous situations. There’s a depth to her that will really resonate with urban fantasy enthusiasts. I must admit though that some of her choices and actions were questionable and I think she might prove to be a bit of a ‘Marmite’ type of character (for those outside the UK this means you’ll either love her, or hate her, with no ground in between) But then again, this is the case with most characters you care about. It didn’t end as well as I’d hoped – I can’t say much more for fear of ruining the ending – but I think that was where it let itself down.
From a writers’ perspective, again nothing really new here. The Laurell K Hamilton Anita Blake series has a similar concept of necromancers for sale and I’d just read The Necromancer’s Seduction too, so the premise didn’t amaze me – but what it does, it does very well. It’s got a good pace and a few naughty scenes here and there that spice it up. There’s a generous amount of humour and a solid story at the centre too. The writing was faultless, although some points were repeated a few times.
The front cover was great and again I admit it was the reason I choose to be part of the tour – I know, I should hang my head in shame, but deep down we all do it to some degree. I like pretty, shiny things (maybe I’m a book magpie?)
Overall I’d give Affairs of the Dead 4 out of 5 stars. A promising start to an urban fantasy series that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a good read to take them out of this boring world, and into a more interesting one.
August 31, 2013
Affairs of the Dead by A.J. Locke was a joy to review. As a huge fan of Urban Fantasy I loved the idea that ghosts have become common place in society and that there are businesses that are dedicated to helping wrap up unfinished business,so the ghosts can move on before they turn into "beasties".
The story revolves around Selena V. her follow the rules when it suits her behaviour gets her demoted from her position at work,and leads her to Ethan. His claim that he has been,well I guess possessed by a ghost is what initially causes him to cross paths with Selena. When a crime is committed that leads back to Ethan,Selena finds herself in a bind that only solving the case can untangle.
Selena's partner Micah is sexy,and interesting. Between Selena,Ethan,Micah, ghosts and necromancers it's a engaging series.
I enjoyed the flawed and in my opinion more realistic character that Selena portrayed. It has the same style that Stacia Kane has when she writes from Chess's p.o.v. No the character isn't girly,yes she has human flaws. That only makes me enjoy the story more. I for one never understood how the leads in current Urban fantasies can find solace in a cup of coffee,or a long hot shower. People with mundane jobs often need more than that to deal with the stress of their jobs. To have bad relationship choices, a general disdain for authority was refreshing. I gave this book 4 stars and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
The story revolves around Selena V. her follow the rules when it suits her behaviour gets her demoted from her position at work,and leads her to Ethan. His claim that he has been,well I guess possessed by a ghost is what initially causes him to cross paths with Selena. When a crime is committed that leads back to Ethan,Selena finds herself in a bind that only solving the case can untangle.
Selena's partner Micah is sexy,and interesting. Between Selena,Ethan,Micah, ghosts and necromancers it's a engaging series.
I enjoyed the flawed and in my opinion more realistic character that Selena portrayed. It has the same style that Stacia Kane has when she writes from Chess's p.o.v. No the character isn't girly,yes she has human flaws. That only makes me enjoy the story more. I for one never understood how the leads in current Urban fantasies can find solace in a cup of coffee,or a long hot shower. People with mundane jobs often need more than that to deal with the stress of their jobs. To have bad relationship choices, a general disdain for authority was refreshing. I gave this book 4 stars and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
December 28, 2015
SNS Rating: 5.0
~~~~~~~~~~Dee's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This is one crazy, intense ghost busting story! There is suspenseful action as bodies turn up dead with strange evidence; a mystery about a ghost that claims he was yanked out of his body and his body is now controlled by another ghost; rampaging "beasties"; a government crackdown on re-animators and toss in magic runes, powers of energy, dead witches and stir in a splash of budding love with a one night stand and a controlling boss that won't take no for an answer. Of course, there are ghosts everywhere too. You have one delicious stew of a paranormal spooky tale of crime/romance/mystery thriller that will keep you biting your nails and your eyes glued to the pages.
~~~~~~~~~~Virginia's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This is a first book from this author for me and I was unable to put the book down until I finish, it keep me hook from page one. We meet Serene who helps ghosts deal with what is keeping them from moving on. As necromancer she is at the lowest point for collection and her boss Andrew seems to like that fine. Why someone is making sure that she does not fully do her job? At someone high jack his body. Ethan is on the search for the thief that has stolen his body and run into Serene. While help Ethan find his body, Serene may lose herself if her secret is revealed. This book was well written and love the romance with a little twist of paranormal mix in. Highly recommend this book.
~~~~~~~~~~Dee's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This is one crazy, intense ghost busting story! There is suspenseful action as bodies turn up dead with strange evidence; a mystery about a ghost that claims he was yanked out of his body and his body is now controlled by another ghost; rampaging "beasties"; a government crackdown on re-animators and toss in magic runes, powers of energy, dead witches and stir in a splash of budding love with a one night stand and a controlling boss that won't take no for an answer. Of course, there are ghosts everywhere too. You have one delicious stew of a paranormal spooky tale of crime/romance/mystery thriller that will keep you biting your nails and your eyes glued to the pages.
~~~~~~~~~~Virginia's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This is a first book from this author for me and I was unable to put the book down until I finish, it keep me hook from page one. We meet Serene who helps ghosts deal with what is keeping them from moving on. As necromancer she is at the lowest point for collection and her boss Andrew seems to like that fine. Why someone is making sure that she does not fully do her job? At someone high jack his body. Ethan is on the search for the thief that has stolen his body and run into Serene. While help Ethan find his body, Serene may lose herself if her secret is revealed. This book was well written and love the romance with a little twist of paranormal mix in. Highly recommend this book.
August 15, 2015
I got this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love the paranormal books that don't always follow the mold. I have read many series where the lead is a woman who can do all kinds of magic, but you hardly ever see a side effect. You don't have that in this series. We see from the get go that Selene is going to have to deal regularly with what happens to her when she uses the gifts she was born with.
The characters are definitely strong and easy to love. I can see this book growing into a long series that keeps us all engaged for years to come. It reminds of all the wonderful series that we have today that always have fresh, great ideas. I feel certain that A.J. can keep this going for a while. That is the great thing with writing in the paranormal genre.
As soon I finished this book I wanted to read the next one. I love when a series pulls me in like that.
Pros: Engaging characters, wonderful storyline
Cons: I feel like some areas were just a little rushed.
Overall rating: Highly recommended!
I love the paranormal books that don't always follow the mold. I have read many series where the lead is a woman who can do all kinds of magic, but you hardly ever see a side effect. You don't have that in this series. We see from the get go that Selene is going to have to deal regularly with what happens to her when she uses the gifts she was born with.
The characters are definitely strong and easy to love. I can see this book growing into a long series that keeps us all engaged for years to come. It reminds of all the wonderful series that we have today that always have fresh, great ideas. I feel certain that A.J. can keep this going for a while. That is the great thing with writing in the paranormal genre.
As soon I finished this book I wanted to read the next one. I love when a series pulls me in like that.
Pros: Engaging characters, wonderful storyline
Cons: I feel like some areas were just a little rushed.
Overall rating: Highly recommended!
June 1, 2015
This is definitely a one-of-a-kind read for me. The beginning fell into the standard feel of a cop mystery, but I felt Locke quickly shed that and found a voice of her own. I absolutely love that Selene is a spunky independent woman who doesn’t apologize for who she is. Add that to some ghosts who just don’t want to follow the rules and Selene is thrown into the middle of one heck of a pickle.
As a warning though, everything won’t be resolved in this first book. Selene has some unfinished business that she’s going to need to figure out if she wants to have any semblance of a “normal” life. If that’s even possible anymore!
Warning: Contains violence and sexual content.
Who should read it? Paranormal and crime thriller fans.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review courtesy of Red Moon Book Tours.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
As a warning though, everything won’t be resolved in this first book. Selene has some unfinished business that she’s going to need to figure out if she wants to have any semblance of a “normal” life. If that’s even possible anymore!
Warning: Contains violence and sexual content.
Who should read it? Paranormal and crime thriller fans.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review courtesy of Red Moon Book Tours.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
December 18, 2024
Not even sure why I started reading this book, the series if not finished and probably won't ever be finished, since it was written many years ago.
Anyway, oh well.
I didn't like the MC. She had no depth, didn't make me feel anything, I'd get the same thing if I read the shampoo instructions.
The plot isn't too bad, but since I couldn't really relate to the MC, the story was hard to follow.
So anyway. I wouldn't really recommend it.
Anyway, oh well.
I didn't like the MC. She had no depth, didn't make me feel anything, I'd get the same thing if I read the shampoo instructions.
The plot isn't too bad, but since I couldn't really relate to the MC, the story was hard to follow.
So anyway. I wouldn't really recommend it.
November 9, 2019
*Actual rating: 3.5 stars*
This was a fast-paced, well written urban fantasy novel that seemed fresh and interesting. Overall, I quite enjoyed it, and might go on to read the next one. The only weak spot, for me, was that I found the heroine to be rather unlikable.
This was a fast-paced, well written urban fantasy novel that seemed fresh and interesting. Overall, I quite enjoyed it, and might go on to read the next one. The only weak spot, for me, was that I found the heroine to be rather unlikable.
December 2, 2018
Nice. Took some time to build up steam, but has innovative ideas and some potential for growth. You can tell it's the first book in a new series, so let's see where it goes...
June 25, 2015
Find more of my reviews at: http://emily-confessionsofabookaholic...
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
First Line: "I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid, which was challenging but not impossible."
I'll be honest with you guys about the reason I decided to pick this book up. I haven't read a good paranormal book with a sassy heroine in a long time and one look at the cover confirmed for me that this was the perfect book to restart on. I know, I know, judging a book by its cover is a really bad idea, however this time it really did pay off. Selene was just as sassy as the cover model suggested she would be and the novel had the satisfying mixture of romance and action that I expect from a good urban fantasy. From the moment I read the first line I knew this book was for me. The reason I always include the first line in my reviews is that it is so important for the reader to be grabbed right away. This doesn't have to be through action or humour, it can also simply be from language style or plot set up. Affairs of the Dead nailed it, I like a book that fills me with questions from the start and slowly reveals all and A.J. Locke succeeded here. I doubt many of you who enjoy the genre are able to read that first line and be satisfied not knowing what comes next.
It has been such a long time since I actually prefered the female protagonist of the story to the male one. It is a fact that most books that are aimed at women very much focus on the male protagonist because the trick to gaining a fanbase is having all the women fall totally in love with the main male character. I am in no way complaining about this device, I love falling for a new guy every time I pick up a book, however the problem many authors come across is in focusing so much on this male character, the female protagonist winds up underdeveloped. I almost wrote that this device is reversed in Affairs of the Dead but that would be to suggest that the male protagonist was underdeveloped which is certainly not the case. You can tell that Selene is the main focus of the story, she is sassy, hilarious, independant but also sweet and kind, the kind of multifaceted personality you would expect from the traditional male love interest. She is a heroine so skillfully crafted that you can both admire and relate to her. There are various male protagonists in the novel and every one of them is just as developed. Ethan is absolutely adorable, like the younger brother we all wish we had, and Micah is just lovely, somewhat aloof to begin with but that's exactly what you would expect. You don't just automatically become comfortable with someone right away after all. Locke's characters are both likable and realistic in a balance that many authors just cannot manage.
Affairs of the Dead is not your traditional ghost story. A.J. Locke creates a world unlike anything I have seen before. The necromancers and the normal people coexist peacefully, the ghosts are no secret they are a fact of life. I really think the deviation from the norm of the ghost world being shrouded in secrets works well here. Locke creates a world that we can actually imagine existing that operates almost exactly like ours with the exception of us lacking a necromancer network. Overall, I really loved this book and was gripped from start to end, which was rather inconvenient given that I started it in one of my busiest periods! Locke incorporates both light fun and serious, heartrending events masterfully. I would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the genre, or those who are bored of bland characters, because once you start you just can't stop turning the pages.
Look out for my review of Requiem for the Living, book 2 in the Reanimation Files, coming very soon!
Tell me what you thought of my review in the comments and while you're here please check out all my active giveaways in order to find gems just like this one!
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
First Line: "I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid, which was challenging but not impossible."
I'll be honest with you guys about the reason I decided to pick this book up. I haven't read a good paranormal book with a sassy heroine in a long time and one look at the cover confirmed for me that this was the perfect book to restart on. I know, I know, judging a book by its cover is a really bad idea, however this time it really did pay off. Selene was just as sassy as the cover model suggested she would be and the novel had the satisfying mixture of romance and action that I expect from a good urban fantasy. From the moment I read the first line I knew this book was for me. The reason I always include the first line in my reviews is that it is so important for the reader to be grabbed right away. This doesn't have to be through action or humour, it can also simply be from language style or plot set up. Affairs of the Dead nailed it, I like a book that fills me with questions from the start and slowly reveals all and A.J. Locke succeeded here. I doubt many of you who enjoy the genre are able to read that first line and be satisfied not knowing what comes next.
It has been such a long time since I actually prefered the female protagonist of the story to the male one. It is a fact that most books that are aimed at women very much focus on the male protagonist because the trick to gaining a fanbase is having all the women fall totally in love with the main male character. I am in no way complaining about this device, I love falling for a new guy every time I pick up a book, however the problem many authors come across is in focusing so much on this male character, the female protagonist winds up underdeveloped. I almost wrote that this device is reversed in Affairs of the Dead but that would be to suggest that the male protagonist was underdeveloped which is certainly not the case. You can tell that Selene is the main focus of the story, she is sassy, hilarious, independant but also sweet and kind, the kind of multifaceted personality you would expect from the traditional male love interest. She is a heroine so skillfully crafted that you can both admire and relate to her. There are various male protagonists in the novel and every one of them is just as developed. Ethan is absolutely adorable, like the younger brother we all wish we had, and Micah is just lovely, somewhat aloof to begin with but that's exactly what you would expect. You don't just automatically become comfortable with someone right away after all. Locke's characters are both likable and realistic in a balance that many authors just cannot manage.
Affairs of the Dead is not your traditional ghost story. A.J. Locke creates a world unlike anything I have seen before. The necromancers and the normal people coexist peacefully, the ghosts are no secret they are a fact of life. I really think the deviation from the norm of the ghost world being shrouded in secrets works well here. Locke creates a world that we can actually imagine existing that operates almost exactly like ours with the exception of us lacking a necromancer network. Overall, I really loved this book and was gripped from start to end, which was rather inconvenient given that I started it in one of my busiest periods! Locke incorporates both light fun and serious, heartrending events masterfully. I would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the genre, or those who are bored of bland characters, because once you start you just can't stop turning the pages.
Look out for my review of Requiem for the Living, book 2 in the Reanimation Files, coming very soon!
Tell me what you thought of my review in the comments and while you're here please check out all my active giveaways in order to find gems just like this one!
August 16, 2013
Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/06/affairs-of-dead-blog-tour-review-swaggc.html
This book really put me through the wringer. But in a good way. Our main character is exactly the kind of character I love. For the most part anyway (I will rant about that in a couple of paragraphs or so). But I loved her from the get go. She is tough, sassy, stubborn, and a lot of fun. She is a necromancer who sort of bends the rules to get ghosts to cross over so they don't end up becoming monsters. When they become monsters, well beasties, they become very hard to kill. We also have Micah. He was sexy and amazing and too good for Selene. But again, wait for it. I wish we had more of him. I didn't nearly get enough. I loved all the characters in this book. The good and the bad added so much to this book.
Locke's worldbuilding is amazing. This woman is a great storyteller. I love the idea of ghosts actually being a part of the world. They are no big secret anymore and they don't go around haunting houses or anything. But if they have unfinished business, they will stick around. But they must work quickly to finish their business or the ghosts turn into crazy monsters. There are actual companies dedicated to helping ghosts and that is where Selene works, at the Affairs of the Dead. I absolutely love the concept of this book. The moment this book was done, I went on a search for book 2. Now I see I will have to wait and that kills me.
I loved the story. After Selene gets gets demoted as a punishment, strange things start happening. A murder takes place and it happens to be someone she knows. It was definitely killed by a ghost, but it is obvious it wasn't a beastie. So they have to track it down and send it on its way. On top of a murderous ghost, Selene has run into a special kind of ghost that she has to help, but it will be quite the task to say the least. And on top of all of that, Selene has a secret (well technically secrets, but again, rant in a second) that she can't let people know. If it gets out at her job, she will be stripped of more than just her job. Her life just got really complicated.
Now for my rant. As I have said, I do like Selene. Being an Urban Fantasy fan, I love my good, strong heroines. The no nonsense attitude and the spunk are a favorite. But there is a thin line between being independent with a don't-give-a-f**k attitude to being a bitch. Selene was quite the bitch in this book. When it comes to men, she is quite the idiot, I am sorry to say and her standards are really low. She doesn't see her error (and feel her shame) until halfway in the book. And boy I am glad she did or this book would have been deleted from my ereader. I won't give it all away, but you will know what I mean when you see it. Another problem (teeny tiny problem) I had with this book was lack of backstory for the characters. This isn't that big of a gripe because the book as a whole is intriguing enough and full of a lot of other things to love. But I hope for more in the next book though.
Overall, I did love this. If you are looking for a new take in the Urban Fantasy world, this would be your perfect choice. The story is exciting and original. You can't help but love these characters besides a couple of issues. I am super excited for book 2 especially with that ending. I am pretty good with mysteries and figured them out pretty quickly in this book. I had a feeling about the ending, but actually seeing it happen was something totally different. It was still a major “oh shit” moment to say the least. Oh goodness, this will be very interesting. I highly recommend this book. This is going on the favorites list. Hell, I will read it again before the sequel comes out. It was that good. Check it out.
This book really put me through the wringer. But in a good way. Our main character is exactly the kind of character I love. For the most part anyway (I will rant about that in a couple of paragraphs or so). But I loved her from the get go. She is tough, sassy, stubborn, and a lot of fun. She is a necromancer who sort of bends the rules to get ghosts to cross over so they don't end up becoming monsters. When they become monsters, well beasties, they become very hard to kill. We also have Micah. He was sexy and amazing and too good for Selene. But again, wait for it. I wish we had more of him. I didn't nearly get enough. I loved all the characters in this book. The good and the bad added so much to this book.
Locke's worldbuilding is amazing. This woman is a great storyteller. I love the idea of ghosts actually being a part of the world. They are no big secret anymore and they don't go around haunting houses or anything. But if they have unfinished business, they will stick around. But they must work quickly to finish their business or the ghosts turn into crazy monsters. There are actual companies dedicated to helping ghosts and that is where Selene works, at the Affairs of the Dead. I absolutely love the concept of this book. The moment this book was done, I went on a search for book 2. Now I see I will have to wait and that kills me.
I loved the story. After Selene gets gets demoted as a punishment, strange things start happening. A murder takes place and it happens to be someone she knows. It was definitely killed by a ghost, but it is obvious it wasn't a beastie. So they have to track it down and send it on its way. On top of a murderous ghost, Selene has run into a special kind of ghost that she has to help, but it will be quite the task to say the least. And on top of all of that, Selene has a secret (well technically secrets, but again, rant in a second) that she can't let people know. If it gets out at her job, she will be stripped of more than just her job. Her life just got really complicated.
Now for my rant. As I have said, I do like Selene. Being an Urban Fantasy fan, I love my good, strong heroines. The no nonsense attitude and the spunk are a favorite. But there is a thin line between being independent with a don't-give-a-f**k attitude to being a bitch. Selene was quite the bitch in this book. When it comes to men, she is quite the idiot, I am sorry to say and her standards are really low. She doesn't see her error (and feel her shame) until halfway in the book. And boy I am glad she did or this book would have been deleted from my ereader. I won't give it all away, but you will know what I mean when you see it. Another problem (teeny tiny problem) I had with this book was lack of backstory for the characters. This isn't that big of a gripe because the book as a whole is intriguing enough and full of a lot of other things to love. But I hope for more in the next book though.
Overall, I did love this. If you are looking for a new take in the Urban Fantasy world, this would be your perfect choice. The story is exciting and original. You can't help but love these characters besides a couple of issues. I am super excited for book 2 especially with that ending. I am pretty good with mysteries and figured them out pretty quickly in this book. I had a feeling about the ending, but actually seeing it happen was something totally different. It was still a major “oh shit” moment to say the least. Oh goodness, this will be very interesting. I highly recommend this book. This is going on the favorites list. Hell, I will read it again before the sequel comes out. It was that good. Check it out.
July 21, 2015
Affairs of the Dead is an urban fantasy read with a touch of paranormal romance. I was attracted to this book because I loved the bizarre title and the cover was fabulous. LOL! I knew I was in for a wild and crazy ride as I read the first sentence in the book: “I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid which was challenging, but not impossible.” It was a jaw-dropping hook that truly set the tone for the book. While that opening line may sound shocking, I actually found the whole opening scene and much of the ensuing book to be teeming with quirky, dry humor.
In this book, A. J. Locke has created a crazy hold-on-to-your-seat world of magic with necromancers, ghosts, witches and beasties. The author presents ghosts, not as scary unknowns, but as common place beings that you might encounter in everyday life. We learn that there are good and bad ghosts, just as there are good and bad people.
Many of the characters, including the hero and heroine, are employed at Affairs of the Dead, which is one of many businesses that serve to help ghosts move on before they turn into beasties. Beasties are horrible, demonic creatures bent on death and destruction. Rune stones form the main basis of the magic for necromancers and witches alike; they serve to snare pesky spirits and much more.
Selene, our heroine, is a necromancer with the added twist of also being a re-animator: she can not only see ghosts and help them materialize, but she can actually raise the dead which, unfortunately, happens to be illegal. She makes poor choices, as we all do, but she is also sexy, tough, stubborn, sassy and sweet. She really does try to do the best job she can and she gets the job done, but not always in the most conventional ways. (Remember the first sentence!) This tends to get her into trouble at work and, as a result, she is demoted to the Track and Retrieval department which means she’s like a ghost dog catcher. As far as relationships go, I wanted to shake Selene over her affair with Andrew, her married boss, but her job is so intense, that I cut her some slack. Other than with Andrew, she is a hit and run and prefers one night stands with no ties later.
Micah is our tortured hero with an unjust reputation for being a lady’s man. Micah and Selene had a one night stand ages ago and, since then, he has suppressed his feelings for Selene while having to see her every day. Their chemistry runs from cold to hot then settles on smokin’. Just think of a hit and run teaming with a stable, conscientious individual who craves a lasting relationship.
The story essentially starts with Selene’s 1st Track and Retrieval foray. She tracks down Ethan who seems to be a ghost on the run from the Affairs of the Dead, but he claims that he isn’t. When she finally catches him and attempts to force him into the afterlife, she discovers that he really isn’t dead at all. It appears that Ethan is an anomaly in the field of Necromancy – a soul that has been forced out of its body while its body is still alive. Selene takes it upon herself to help Ethan find and get restored to his body. Along the way, there are brutal murders which seem to point to the work of beasties and a seemingly innocuous, but nefarious ghost named Larry who doesn’t want to settle his affairs.
I found it refreshing to have so many racially diverse characters in the book, including the hero and the heroine. A.J. Locke’s flowing writing style made this read a cut above the rest. Every time I thought that I had the story figured out, the author inserted another curve ball. I hate cliff-hanger endings and there’s not one here… but the twist ending left me reeling. I sure hope there is a follow-up book.
Bottomline: I found this book to be a really good read.
-Reviewed by Linda
- See more at: http://romancenovelsincolor.com/revie...
In this book, A. J. Locke has created a crazy hold-on-to-your-seat world of magic with necromancers, ghosts, witches and beasties. The author presents ghosts, not as scary unknowns, but as common place beings that you might encounter in everyday life. We learn that there are good and bad ghosts, just as there are good and bad people.
Many of the characters, including the hero and heroine, are employed at Affairs of the Dead, which is one of many businesses that serve to help ghosts move on before they turn into beasties. Beasties are horrible, demonic creatures bent on death and destruction. Rune stones form the main basis of the magic for necromancers and witches alike; they serve to snare pesky spirits and much more.
Selene, our heroine, is a necromancer with the added twist of also being a re-animator: she can not only see ghosts and help them materialize, but she can actually raise the dead which, unfortunately, happens to be illegal. She makes poor choices, as we all do, but she is also sexy, tough, stubborn, sassy and sweet. She really does try to do the best job she can and she gets the job done, but not always in the most conventional ways. (Remember the first sentence!) This tends to get her into trouble at work and, as a result, she is demoted to the Track and Retrieval department which means she’s like a ghost dog catcher. As far as relationships go, I wanted to shake Selene over her affair with Andrew, her married boss, but her job is so intense, that I cut her some slack. Other than with Andrew, she is a hit and run and prefers one night stands with no ties later.
Micah is our tortured hero with an unjust reputation for being a lady’s man. Micah and Selene had a one night stand ages ago and, since then, he has suppressed his feelings for Selene while having to see her every day. Their chemistry runs from cold to hot then settles on smokin’. Just think of a hit and run teaming with a stable, conscientious individual who craves a lasting relationship.
The story essentially starts with Selene’s 1st Track and Retrieval foray. She tracks down Ethan who seems to be a ghost on the run from the Affairs of the Dead, but he claims that he isn’t. When she finally catches him and attempts to force him into the afterlife, she discovers that he really isn’t dead at all. It appears that Ethan is an anomaly in the field of Necromancy – a soul that has been forced out of its body while its body is still alive. Selene takes it upon herself to help Ethan find and get restored to his body. Along the way, there are brutal murders which seem to point to the work of beasties and a seemingly innocuous, but nefarious ghost named Larry who doesn’t want to settle his affairs.
I found it refreshing to have so many racially diverse characters in the book, including the hero and the heroine. A.J. Locke’s flowing writing style made this read a cut above the rest. Every time I thought that I had the story figured out, the author inserted another curve ball. I hate cliff-hanger endings and there’s not one here… but the twist ending left me reeling. I sure hope there is a follow-up book.
Bottomline: I found this book to be a really good read.
-Reviewed by Linda
- See more at: http://romancenovelsincolor.com/revie...
January 16, 2014
Affairs of the Dead is an urban fantasy read with a touch of paranormal romance. I was attracted to this book because I loved the bizarre title and the cover was fabulous. LOL! I knew I was in for a wild and crazy ride as I read the first sentence in the book: “I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid which was challenging, but not impossible.” It was a jaw-dropping hook that truly set the tone for the book. While that opening line may sound shocking, I actually found the whole opening scene and much of the ensuing book to be teeming with quirky, dry humor.
In this book, A. J. Locke has created a crazy hold-on-to-your-seat world of magic with necromancers, ghosts, witches and beasties. The author presents ghosts, not as scary unknowns, but as common place beings that you might encounter in everyday life. We learn that there are good and bad ghosts, just as there are good and bad people.
Many of the characters, including the hero and heroine, are employed at Affairs of the Dead, which is one of many businesses that serve to help ghosts move on before they turn into beasties. Beasties are horrible, demonic creatures bent on death and destruction. Rune stones form the main basis of the magic for necromancers and witches alike; they serve to snare pesky spirits and much more.
Selene, our heroine, is a necromancer with the added twist of also being a re-animator: she can not only see ghosts and help them materialize, but she can actually raise the dead which, unfortunately, happens to be illegal. She makes poor choices, as we all do, but she is also sexy, tough, stubborn, sassy and sweet. She really does try to do the best job she can and she gets the job done, but not always in the most conventional ways. (Remember the first sentence!) This tends to get her into trouble at work and, as a result, she is demoted to the Track and Retrieval department which means she’s like a ghost dog catcher. As far as relationships go, I wanted to shake Selene over her affair with Andrew, her married boss, but her job is so intense, that I cut her some slack. Other than with Andrew, she is a hit and run and prefers one night stands with no ties later.
Micah is our tortured hero with an unjust reputation for being a lady’s man. Micah and Selene had a one night stand ages ago and, since then, he has suppressed his feelings for Selene while having to see her every day. Their chemistry runs from cold to hot then settles on smokin’. Just think of a hit and run teaming with a stable, conscientious individual who craves a lasting relationship.
The story essentially starts with Selene’s 1st Track and Retrieval foray. She tracks down Ethan who seems to be a ghost on the run from the Affairs of the Dead, but he claims that he isn’t. When she finally catches him and attempts to force him into the afterlife, she discovers that he really isn’t dead at all. It appears that Ethan is an anomaly in the field of Necromancy – a soul that has been forced out of its body while its body is still alive. Selene takes it upon herself to help Ethan find and get restored to his body. Along the way, there are brutal murders which seem to point to the work of beasties and a seemingly innocuous, but nefarious ghost named Larry who doesn’t want to settle his affairs.
I found it refreshing to have so many racially diverse characters in the book, including the hero and the heroine. A.J. Locke’s flowing writing style made this read a cut above the rest. Every time I thought that I had the story figured out, the author inserted another curve ball. I hate cliff-hanger endings and there’s not one here… but the twist ending left me reeling. I sure hope there is a follow-up book.
Bottomline: I found this book to be a really good read.
-Reviewed by Linda
In this book, A. J. Locke has created a crazy hold-on-to-your-seat world of magic with necromancers, ghosts, witches and beasties. The author presents ghosts, not as scary unknowns, but as common place beings that you might encounter in everyday life. We learn that there are good and bad ghosts, just as there are good and bad people.
Many of the characters, including the hero and heroine, are employed at Affairs of the Dead, which is one of many businesses that serve to help ghosts move on before they turn into beasties. Beasties are horrible, demonic creatures bent on death and destruction. Rune stones form the main basis of the magic for necromancers and witches alike; they serve to snare pesky spirits and much more.
Selene, our heroine, is a necromancer with the added twist of also being a re-animator: she can not only see ghosts and help them materialize, but she can actually raise the dead which, unfortunately, happens to be illegal. She makes poor choices, as we all do, but she is also sexy, tough, stubborn, sassy and sweet. She really does try to do the best job she can and she gets the job done, but not always in the most conventional ways. (Remember the first sentence!) This tends to get her into trouble at work and, as a result, she is demoted to the Track and Retrieval department which means she’s like a ghost dog catcher. As far as relationships go, I wanted to shake Selene over her affair with Andrew, her married boss, but her job is so intense, that I cut her some slack. Other than with Andrew, she is a hit and run and prefers one night stands with no ties later.
Micah is our tortured hero with an unjust reputation for being a lady’s man. Micah and Selene had a one night stand ages ago and, since then, he has suppressed his feelings for Selene while having to see her every day. Their chemistry runs from cold to hot then settles on smokin’. Just think of a hit and run teaming with a stable, conscientious individual who craves a lasting relationship.
The story essentially starts with Selene’s 1st Track and Retrieval foray. She tracks down Ethan who seems to be a ghost on the run from the Affairs of the Dead, but he claims that he isn’t. When she finally catches him and attempts to force him into the afterlife, she discovers that he really isn’t dead at all. It appears that Ethan is an anomaly in the field of Necromancy – a soul that has been forced out of its body while its body is still alive. Selene takes it upon herself to help Ethan find and get restored to his body. Along the way, there are brutal murders which seem to point to the work of beasties and a seemingly innocuous, but nefarious ghost named Larry who doesn’t want to settle his affairs.
I found it refreshing to have so many racially diverse characters in the book, including the hero and the heroine. A.J. Locke’s flowing writing style made this read a cut above the rest. Every time I thought that I had the story figured out, the author inserted another curve ball. I hate cliff-hanger endings and there’s not one here… but the twist ending left me reeling. I sure hope there is a follow-up book.
Bottomline: I found this book to be a really good read.
-Reviewed by Linda
December 27, 2013
Light, entertaining, and different
I apologise if I've been slow on the review front but there have been so many things to keep me away from reading that I literally had to wrestle my life to the floor and grab it in a headlock just so that I could spend some time reading this book. I had started it much earlier and from what I read, everything seemed good, so far. So what can I say? I really liked this book.
A.J. Locke has a quick, flowing style that keeps you absorbed all the way through, with wit and humour scattered throughout. It is fast-paced, with just enough slow (and heated) moments to keep you grinning like a satisfied woman. I really liked the concept of Affairs of the Dead. It is set in a world much like ours except that people acknowledge the existence of ghosts. That ghosts exist is accepted completely and unquestioningly by normal, ordinary people and that there is an actual department that polices the supernatural. The A.O.D. or Affairs of the Dead department employs witches and necromancers who can commute with ghosts and round them up if necessary. The importance of their work comes to light when ghosts remain in our world. Ghosts must pass on to the next world and when they don't, they manifest into beasties – senseless monsters that attack normal people.
Selene Vanream is a stubborn, rebellious necromancer who works at the A.O.D. She willfully breaks rules, goes out of her way to help ghosts, and she is hiding a dark secret, among others. Not only is Selene a necromancer who can see ghosts, she is also a reanimator – she can bring the dead back to life. Anyone discovered to be a reanimator must be stripped of all their powers which renders the person senseless, for life. So Selene has a lot to hide.
There is enough excitement in her personal life with the sexy Micah and her boss, Andrew. Selene is an interesting character in that I did not find her very likeable. She is a bit too stupid (stupidly headstrong) at times, she is selfish and in contrast to how much she sacrifices herself for her work, she lacked compassion for Ethan's plight. A.J. Locke developed her faults pretty well but I felt she could have worked a little more on Selene's better side – I would like to have felt more compassion for the protagonist. Saying that however, Selene is definitely not a wooden heroine.
The fact that there is a dangerous individual who can bump a soul out of a living person and take that body over for himself lends to a very intriguing and suspenseful story. Ethan is the poor teenager who finds his soul displaced and under Selene's protection. While trying to find the individual responsible for poor Ethan's fate, Selene learns more about her powers as a reanimator and at the same time, buries herself in more trouble. Affairs of the Dead has a good plot, it is written very well but I have to admit, I found the ending a little unsatisfying or rather, incomplete. While things were mostly resolved, I had a feeling I was left in a tower built from twigs that was about to collapse. I suppose I'm wondering, "Is the ending sustainable?" I'm guessing that A.J. Locke is saving it for the sequel which I'll definitely be reading.
I apologise if I've been slow on the review front but there have been so many things to keep me away from reading that I literally had to wrestle my life to the floor and grab it in a headlock just so that I could spend some time reading this book. I had started it much earlier and from what I read, everything seemed good, so far. So what can I say? I really liked this book.
A.J. Locke has a quick, flowing style that keeps you absorbed all the way through, with wit and humour scattered throughout. It is fast-paced, with just enough slow (and heated) moments to keep you grinning like a satisfied woman. I really liked the concept of Affairs of the Dead. It is set in a world much like ours except that people acknowledge the existence of ghosts. That ghosts exist is accepted completely and unquestioningly by normal, ordinary people and that there is an actual department that polices the supernatural. The A.O.D. or Affairs of the Dead department employs witches and necromancers who can commute with ghosts and round them up if necessary. The importance of their work comes to light when ghosts remain in our world. Ghosts must pass on to the next world and when they don't, they manifest into beasties – senseless monsters that attack normal people.
Selene Vanream is a stubborn, rebellious necromancer who works at the A.O.D. She willfully breaks rules, goes out of her way to help ghosts, and she is hiding a dark secret, among others. Not only is Selene a necromancer who can see ghosts, she is also a reanimator – she can bring the dead back to life. Anyone discovered to be a reanimator must be stripped of all their powers which renders the person senseless, for life. So Selene has a lot to hide.
There is enough excitement in her personal life with the sexy Micah and her boss, Andrew. Selene is an interesting character in that I did not find her very likeable. She is a bit too stupid (stupidly headstrong) at times, she is selfish and in contrast to how much she sacrifices herself for her work, she lacked compassion for Ethan's plight. A.J. Locke developed her faults pretty well but I felt she could have worked a little more on Selene's better side – I would like to have felt more compassion for the protagonist. Saying that however, Selene is definitely not a wooden heroine.
The fact that there is a dangerous individual who can bump a soul out of a living person and take that body over for himself lends to a very intriguing and suspenseful story. Ethan is the poor teenager who finds his soul displaced and under Selene's protection. While trying to find the individual responsible for poor Ethan's fate, Selene learns more about her powers as a reanimator and at the same time, buries herself in more trouble. Affairs of the Dead has a good plot, it is written very well but I have to admit, I found the ending a little unsatisfying or rather, incomplete. While things were mostly resolved, I had a feeling I was left in a tower built from twigs that was about to collapse. I suppose I'm wondering, "Is the ending sustainable?" I'm guessing that A.J. Locke is saving it for the sequel which I'll definitely be reading.
February 2, 2014
AFFAIRS OF THE DEAD by A.J. Locke was provided to me free of charge in eBook format in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I absolutely love the way this book started. How can you not be intrigued by a book that starts with: "I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid, which is challenging but not impossible."
Selene is a Necromancer working for the Affairs of the Dead office. It is her job to help ghosts complete any unfinished business so they can move on.
Single, with self-esteem so low that she is sleeping with her boss, Selene is hiding a potentially deadly secret.
Selene stumbles upon Ethan, a "ghost" who is not actually a ghost.
Just what is Ethan and why is he seemingly related to murders that keep cropping up?
Selene teams up with Micah, a previous One Night Stand to investigate the deaths and try to set everything right while still keeping her big secret under wraps will not be easy.
Micah is secretly harboring feelings for Selene and he would make an excellent boyfriend.
A.J. Locke has brought to life a world filled with ghosts, witches, necromancers, runes and other assorted paranormal phenomenon and has seamlessly blended them with the everyday world. Far from being hidden, necromancers and dead witches operate under government guidelines and must follow very specific rules. The world she has created is fascinating and I foresee many books to come.
Affairs of the Dead is a terrific read that will hook you from the first page. I adore Selene, she is a strong woman who is very real. She has her good traits and her not-so-good ones and is realistically flawed.
Readers will be rooting for her to succeed even while being annoyed at her for some of her choices.
At the end of the book I was left hoping that Book 2 had already been written. I will definitely be waiting and watching for it.
I am hoping that book two will explore more of Selene's back story and enlighten readers as to why Selene's self esteem is so low. I would also like to see more of Micah's backstory.
This book is sure to be a hit with fans of the paranormal.
I rate this 4 out of 5 stars.
I absolutely love the way this book started. How can you not be intrigued by a book that starts with: "I was in a strip club trying to help a ghost get laid, which is challenging but not impossible."
Selene is a Necromancer working for the Affairs of the Dead office. It is her job to help ghosts complete any unfinished business so they can move on.
Single, with self-esteem so low that she is sleeping with her boss, Selene is hiding a potentially deadly secret.
Selene stumbles upon Ethan, a "ghost" who is not actually a ghost.
Just what is Ethan and why is he seemingly related to murders that keep cropping up?
Selene teams up with Micah, a previous One Night Stand to investigate the deaths and try to set everything right while still keeping her big secret under wraps will not be easy.
Micah is secretly harboring feelings for Selene and he would make an excellent boyfriend.
A.J. Locke has brought to life a world filled with ghosts, witches, necromancers, runes and other assorted paranormal phenomenon and has seamlessly blended them with the everyday world. Far from being hidden, necromancers and dead witches operate under government guidelines and must follow very specific rules. The world she has created is fascinating and I foresee many books to come.
Affairs of the Dead is a terrific read that will hook you from the first page. I adore Selene, she is a strong woman who is very real. She has her good traits and her not-so-good ones and is realistically flawed.
Readers will be rooting for her to succeed even while being annoyed at her for some of her choices.
At the end of the book I was left hoping that Book 2 had already been written. I will definitely be waiting and watching for it.
I am hoping that book two will explore more of Selene's back story and enlighten readers as to why Selene's self esteem is so low. I would also like to see more of Micah's backstory.
This book is sure to be a hit with fans of the paranormal.
I rate this 4 out of 5 stars.
September 18, 2013
I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.
Firstly I would like to thank A.J. Locke, author of Affairs of the Dead, for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this fantastic book.
This story is really one of it's kind and not like any other urban fantasy book. Quite surprisingly the author presents the generally dreaded, spooky and totally unknown ghosts as a day to day and familiar matter where they are a known fact and part of the ordinary world.
Well one more surprise the necromancers fulfill the unfinished businesses of the ghosts so that they can travel to the other-world and doesn't become dangerous for the normal people and guess what it's the actual job of the necromancers, great thought there!
Selene is one of those few heroines who have the backbone to stand up to threats and is strong, confident and totally independent and not to mention bad-ass. I loved and adored her and liked the fact that she wasn't perfect like a dream girl rather her character had flaws which made her real to the readers and the author developed her character through out the book.
Micah is great and to-die-for hot and sexy and the passionate, steamy and a little complicated relationship really spiced up the story and their chemistry is great. Then there is Ethan who is awesome as well and the mystery regarding him made the story more interesting.
The mystery and suspense is great and was well-kept till the end and the writing style of the author is remarkable which made the book even more believable with great plot, unique story line and well flourished characters.
All in all a great and must read for ya all and hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
Firstly I would like to thank A.J. Locke, author of Affairs of the Dead, for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this fantastic book.
This story is really one of it's kind and not like any other urban fantasy book. Quite surprisingly the author presents the generally dreaded, spooky and totally unknown ghosts as a day to day and familiar matter where they are a known fact and part of the ordinary world.
Well one more surprise the necromancers fulfill the unfinished businesses of the ghosts so that they can travel to the other-world and doesn't become dangerous for the normal people and guess what it's the actual job of the necromancers, great thought there!
Selene is one of those few heroines who have the backbone to stand up to threats and is strong, confident and totally independent and not to mention bad-ass. I loved and adored her and liked the fact that she wasn't perfect like a dream girl rather her character had flaws which made her real to the readers and the author developed her character through out the book.
Micah is great and to-die-for hot and sexy and the passionate, steamy and a little complicated relationship really spiced up the story and their chemistry is great. Then there is Ethan who is awesome as well and the mystery regarding him made the story more interesting.
The mystery and suspense is great and was well-kept till the end and the writing style of the author is remarkable which made the book even more believable with great plot, unique story line and well flourished characters.
All in all a great and must read for ya all and hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
September 26, 2013
This is an urban fantasy, bordering on a paranormal romance.
The first sentence is an excellent hook and sets the tone for the novel and the initial scene was quite shocking in some ways, but delivered in a humorous and rather tongue-in-cheek way.
The heroine is sassy, opinionated and flawed, makes poor choices (as do we all), and can be both likeable and dislikeable at the same time. Both her character and her circumstances develop throughout the novel, revealing a multi-layered personality that is not evident initially. The reader gets much more than first appearances would suggest. Even though she does things I would not personally condone, I still believe her to be a character who deserves the reader's empathy because she does grow as the story progresses to realise that some of her actions and attitudes might be less than attractive. If there wasn't for this development then Selene would be a decidedly unlikeable character.
Every time I thought I could anticipate what was going to happen next, the author threw a curved ball and and surprised me, which kept me turning the pages and I thought it was well paced with a good mix of action and slower scenes.
It is written with dry humour, but occasionally the dialogue is a little stilted and doesn't necessarily move the plot along.
The ending was rather abrupt even for a novel in a series, practically half way through a conversation, and although I could not find any indication that there is a second book planned there are so many loose ends and the storyline is obviously not complete, I will assume that this is the first novel in a series and I shall look forward to the next one form this author.
All in all, I enjoyed this read.
The first sentence is an excellent hook and sets the tone for the novel and the initial scene was quite shocking in some ways, but delivered in a humorous and rather tongue-in-cheek way.
The heroine is sassy, opinionated and flawed, makes poor choices (as do we all), and can be both likeable and dislikeable at the same time. Both her character and her circumstances develop throughout the novel, revealing a multi-layered personality that is not evident initially. The reader gets much more than first appearances would suggest. Even though she does things I would not personally condone, I still believe her to be a character who deserves the reader's empathy because she does grow as the story progresses to realise that some of her actions and attitudes might be less than attractive. If there wasn't for this development then Selene would be a decidedly unlikeable character.
Every time I thought I could anticipate what was going to happen next, the author threw a curved ball and and surprised me, which kept me turning the pages and I thought it was well paced with a good mix of action and slower scenes.
It is written with dry humour, but occasionally the dialogue is a little stilted and doesn't necessarily move the plot along.
The ending was rather abrupt even for a novel in a series, practically half way through a conversation, and although I could not find any indication that there is a second book planned there are so many loose ends and the storyline is obviously not complete, I will assume that this is the first novel in a series and I shall look forward to the next one form this author.
All in all, I enjoyed this read.
October 12, 2015
Selene is a necromancer with very little regard for following rules or worries about what other people may think about her. Her job description is to help ghosts settle their affairs so they can leave the world to the living without turning into murderous monsters. Most of the times the ghosts are well behaved and cooperative, but there is always the exception to the rule. What makes Selene's life extra dangerous is that she has a skill which is banned: she can reanimate the dead! When Selene finds herself tied to a ghost - a young man whose body was stolen from him while he was still alive - and she is getting the blame for things going wrong the race is on to stop whoever is stealing people's bodies before the authorities get their claws into her. To further complicate things she is having an affair with her married boss, a man who turns out to be unstoppable when spurned. In this race rules are there to be bent or ignored and our heroine is doing this with both flair and humour, while death is not the end but just a new beginning.
A. J. Locke has created a strong heroine and placed her in a fast-paced story, set in a New York where ghosts and other supernatural phenomena are as normal as butter on toast. If you are looking for a deep, multi-layered novel do not pick up this first novel in a series. If, on the other hand, you are craving a page turner that stretches the boundaries for the credible with disregard for all rules, then this is a must read. The novel moves rapidly in twists and turns that feel new and refreshing in a genre well trodden.
A. J. Locke has created a strong heroine and placed her in a fast-paced story, set in a New York where ghosts and other supernatural phenomena are as normal as butter on toast. If you are looking for a deep, multi-layered novel do not pick up this first novel in a series. If, on the other hand, you are craving a page turner that stretches the boundaries for the credible with disregard for all rules, then this is a must read. The novel moves rapidly in twists and turns that feel new and refreshing in a genre well trodden.
June 25, 2015
I wanted so badly to like this. It's not exactly uncharted waters in the UF genre, but necromancers aren't as common as some of the tropes so I was really looking forward to reading something fresh, original and interesting. I was sadly disappointed. The main character seems like a cardboard cut out with a few post-it notes stuck to her with the words "LONER" "DIFFERENT" "LIKES UNEMOTIONAL SEX!" scrawled over them in an attempt to help the author remember her only 3 characteristics.
I'm not kidding about that. If you like well rounded, flawed and human characters, abandon all hope, ye who enter here. The characters are all two dimensional with a complete lack of any personality. What made it slightly worse was that the only establishes tropes/traits they had were constantly reiterated, because simply showing your readers something once or twice is just too subtle. It was painful to read this, to the point where I'd read a few pages and put the book down again in an attempt to shake the terrible boredom that came with this travesty.
Also; calling the ghost mutations "beasties" as their official names was neither cute nor fitting. It was a weirdly childlike description that was jarring to read in an adult UF book.
If you don't have particularly high standards for your UF then check this out because you'll probably be able to tolerate it, but if you like a plot of any interest or characters with any personality then give it a miss.
I'm not kidding about that. If you like well rounded, flawed and human characters, abandon all hope, ye who enter here. The characters are all two dimensional with a complete lack of any personality. What made it slightly worse was that the only establishes tropes/traits they had were constantly reiterated, because simply showing your readers something once or twice is just too subtle. It was painful to read this, to the point where I'd read a few pages and put the book down again in an attempt to shake the terrible boredom that came with this travesty.
Also; calling the ghost mutations "beasties" as their official names was neither cute nor fitting. It was a weirdly childlike description that was jarring to read in an adult UF book.
If you don't have particularly high standards for your UF then check this out because you'll probably be able to tolerate it, but if you like a plot of any interest or characters with any personality then give it a miss.
September 26, 2013
Okay this book blew me away, I love anything that deals with the paranormal!! I loved Selene's character right away, she kind of reminded me of a younger Anita Blake from the Laurell K. Hamilton series. Tough as nails, sassy and sweet at the same time, she really made this story awesome in my opinion. Selene and Micah really heat up the pages,I liked their characters the most I think. I didn't really know what to make of Ethan and his predicament but who knows he may end up growing on me!!! This story really grabs the reader from the first page, and gives you a lot of interesting characters to get to know. I liked that the ghostly business was all out in the open and you didn't get that we're sneaking around feel that so many other books give off. This was pretty much half paranormal romance and half detective type story, which worked really well with the plot as a whole. Overall this was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading from the very first sentence, and would definitely recommend to anyone that likes more mystery than romance in their books.Can't wait till I get my hands on book #2..... Great Read!!! I received this free in exchange for an honest review from the author via Paranormal, Fantasy, Dystopia and Romance Readers, Writers and Reviewers.
June 5, 2013
Selene is a necromancer and a great one too. She gets the job done, but not always in the most conventional ways. This tends to get her into a bit of trouble at work and demoted to track and retrieval. She doesn’t always make the best choices, but does manage to get things done in the end.
One of the things I liked about Selene was that she’s a spunky, sassy and tough character. She doesn’t put up with any crap from Andrew or Micah – or anyone else for that matter! She looks out for herself, even when she risking her life.
She has a secret – that could ruin her career and potentially end her life. She keeps it close and very few know who she really is. This tough cookie is willing to do anything to protect that secret and will go anywhere to make it happen.
This was a really fun read, I love books about ghosts and the paranormal – and I don’t read them enough! A refreshing change of pace for me with all the historicals I’ve been reading lately. A J has a great writing style that kept me glued from beginning to end. Even though some of Selene choices weren’t my cup of tea, she was a great character!
One of the things I liked about Selene was that she’s a spunky, sassy and tough character. She doesn’t put up with any crap from Andrew or Micah – or anyone else for that matter! She looks out for herself, even when she risking her life.
She has a secret – that could ruin her career and potentially end her life. She keeps it close and very few know who she really is. This tough cookie is willing to do anything to protect that secret and will go anywhere to make it happen.
This was a really fun read, I love books about ghosts and the paranormal – and I don’t read them enough! A refreshing change of pace for me with all the historicals I’ve been reading lately. A J has a great writing style that kept me glued from beginning to end. Even though some of Selene choices weren’t my cup of tea, she was a great character!
May 27, 2015
If you were a fan of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, then these are the books you're looking for. Sassy first person point of view, check. Sexy male cohorts, check. Can't put the book down, check.
In a world where necromancers make their living helping the dead move on as part of agencies with government rules and regulations, Selene is a bit of a rebel. Her recklessness will quickly catapult her into a murder mystery that could have dire consequences for her. Between her reckless behavior and her loose morals, Selene kept the action moving in this quick paced plot.
The magic system was creative, and I'm looking forward to discovering more about Selene's predicament in the next book. The side characters were great. The two men interested in Selene are a study in contrast; one I grew to hate and the other I adored. Selene's ghost project, Ethan, was your quintessential nineteen year old nerd.
If you want a fast-paced urban fantasy with a host of well-developed characters and a mystery plot that will leave you guessing, then this is the book for you!
In a world where necromancers make their living helping the dead move on as part of agencies with government rules and regulations, Selene is a bit of a rebel. Her recklessness will quickly catapult her into a murder mystery that could have dire consequences for her. Between her reckless behavior and her loose morals, Selene kept the action moving in this quick paced plot.
The magic system was creative, and I'm looking forward to discovering more about Selene's predicament in the next book. The side characters were great. The two men interested in Selene are a study in contrast; one I grew to hate and the other I adored. Selene's ghost project, Ethan, was your quintessential nineteen year old nerd.
If you want a fast-paced urban fantasy with a host of well-developed characters and a mystery plot that will leave you guessing, then this is the book for you!
October 16, 2015
Affairs of the Dead (The Reanimation Files Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
Let's just say I loved this book didn't want to stop reading and kept you on the edge of my seat while little jabs of humor helped me fall for the characters.
Selene is a woman who bends the rules a little to help others. She partakes in a sin that will either thrill the reader or disappoint them. Finally here little antics come up and she is demoted. When a job she gets put on takes here on an adventure. This adventure takes her on a whirlwind of mystery, death, and romance. Her partner despises her.
She has to deal with secreats, love, and loss to figure her case out.
AJ captures the readers attention from the very beginning allowing the reader to connect and relate to each character.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment. If you're looking for a twist on paranormal that will have you biting your nails in suspense while laughing and admiring true love this is a book for you.
Let's just say I loved this book didn't want to stop reading and kept you on the edge of my seat while little jabs of humor helped me fall for the characters.
Selene is a woman who bends the rules a little to help others. She partakes in a sin that will either thrill the reader or disappoint them. Finally here little antics come up and she is demoted. When a job she gets put on takes here on an adventure. This adventure takes her on a whirlwind of mystery, death, and romance. Her partner despises her.
She has to deal with secreats, love, and loss to figure her case out.
AJ captures the readers attention from the very beginning allowing the reader to connect and relate to each character.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment. If you're looking for a twist on paranormal that will have you biting your nails in suspense while laughing and admiring true love this is a book for you.
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