Shades of Memory

Diamond City Magic #4

by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Riley's lost the last damned thing she's willing to lose. She's declaring war and prisoners are optional.

After escaping the FBI, Riley and her family have become fugitives, and not just from the law. Every bad guy on the planet wants a piece of Riley. Gregg has been kidnapped. Worse than that, Price's newly discovered magic is dangerously out of control, and her own is trying to kill her. She has little time to worry about any of that before all hell breaks loose in Diamond City, and she finds herself smack dab in the crossfire.

With the clock ticking down, Riley gathers her friends and family to execute a Hail Mary plan that will pit them against seven of the most dangerous thugs in Diamond City, a serial killer, Riley's psychopath father, and a mysterious billionaire with plans of his own. If she succeeds, she makes herself an even bigger target. If she fails, everybody she cares about dies.

But the shadows hold danger even Riley will never see coming . . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Mystery

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2017

About the author

I was raised on a cattle ranch in Northern California (outside a town called Lincoln which is now part of an enormous sprawl). I taught myself to ride a horse at the age of six, as no one had the time to teach me—they were all busy learning how to irrigate, how to cajole an angry bull into another field, how to pull a calf… Afraid of heights, and absolutely sure I was going to die, I managed to scramble up on the back of a very patient and lazy strawberry roan destrier, and plod off into the sunset.

Thereafter, I spent much of my early life on horseback, or so far buried into a book that the rest of the world ceased to exist (much to the annoyance of my family—it took several attempts to get my attention). We all had very specific jobs on the ranch and mine was horses and cattle—out rounding up at dawn. And since I rode bareback, my standing request was to wake me up 5 minutes before everyone else headed for the barn—time enough to dress and eat my Wheaties, and no sleep time wasted on saddling.

After high school, I attended college after college, racking up a BA and MA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in literature and theory. My very patient and supportive husband traipsed across the Midwest and back to Montana for me (though my husband insists that he’s been running and hiding and I just keep finding him), where I now teach at the University of Montana-Western. We also a son Q-ball, who in our humbly unbiased opinions, is the most wonderful son ever produced, and a daughter, Princess Caesar, who is the most wonderful daughter ever produced.

I have a fascination for the Victorians, weather, geology, horses, plants and mythology, I like spicy food, chocolate and cheesecake, and I have an odd sense of humor. (Or so I’ve been told. Often.) Incidentally, the Pharaoh is in fact my real name, and oddly enough, is of British origin.

Some of my current favorite sf/f writers are Ilona Andrews, Carol Berg, C.E. Murphy, Patty Briggs, Lynn Flewelling, Rachel Caine, David Coe, and Anne Bishop.

Reviews

[Stacey Brutger · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
Riley's lost the last damned thing she's willing to lose. She's declaring war and prisoners are optional.

After escaping the FBI, Riley and her family have become fugitives, and not just from the law. Every bad guy on the planet wants a piece of Riley. Gregg has been kidnapped. Worse than that, Price's newly discovered magic is dangerously out of control, and her own is trying to kill her. She has little time to worry about any of that before all hell breaks loose in Diamond City, and she finds herself smack dab in the crossfire.

With the clock ticking down, Riley gathers her friends and family to execute a Hail Mary plan that will pit them against seven of the most dangerous thugs in Diamond City, a serial killer, Riley's psychopath father, and a mysterious billionaire with plans of his own. If she succeeds, she makes herself an even bigger target. If she fails, everybody she cares about dies.

But the shadows hold danger even Riley will never see coming . . . .


REVIEW:
I'm a huge fan of The Diamond City Magic Novels. I love dark urban fantasy books, and this series is one of the best. Diana Pharaoh Francis writing is right on point and highly entertaining. What I enjoy most about these books is the unpredictability of the story line. Riley is snarky, smart and doesn't take sh*t from anyone, not to mention she has a unique magical talent that can be nearly unstoppable...when it's working. What makes her a complete package is her vulnerability and her compassion for others. The supporting cast of characters are fantastic, their foibles highly entertaining, the tension between them adding another dimension to the story.

I had a little trouble getting into this book, the first chapter didn't capture me immediately, but I'm glad I kept reading. The rest of the book well made up for it...until I reached the harsh cliffhanger ending. The story just stopped in the middle of the action—I wasn't ready for the book to be over yet! Despite the rocky beginning and abrupt ending, I enjoyed getting to know Riley, Price and their group of friends again in their latest adventure. I can't wait for the next book. These novels are a part of a series and cannot be read as a stand alone. 


I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Posted from my site: www.StaceyBrutger.com

[Tracie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars Mystery, Magic and Killers! A great addition to the Diamond City Magic series!! Riley protects those who can’t protect themselves and they will need her now more than ever. The storyline is well written, and the character dynamics is engaging I can’t wait to read more. I would recommend this book and series for lovers of great paranormal books

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent new entry into the Diamond City Magic series by one of my favorite UF authors. Riley and Price are put through the wringer again, and the plot turned in an unexpected way, as both the snow and enemies begin piling up. The big plot arc is emerging.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliffhanger ending and the next book is hopefully coming out later this year (not blaming the author - it’s been a traumatic couple of years for everyone!). Aside from getting annoyed with Clay and Riley constantly not believing in the strength of the other’s love for each other, this book is about a sea change that is happening to the politics of Diamond City and possibly beyond, possibly orchestrated by Riley’s dad.

Once again, secondary characters are fabulous and complex, story is frustrating and twisty in the best possible way, and I feel there is worse yet to come …

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the Diamond City Magic series. A strong heroine, an interesting cast of characters, a unique magic system, mystery, action, romance... all the good stuff. No shifters or non-humans but still one of my buy-immediately series. Read from the beginning.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series can't wait for the next book

Talk about leaving a girl hanging I need to know what happens next ! Great characters, great story lines, love the way Diana twists the world

[Faye Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my!

Fabulous series with each book getting better and better. Lots of action which has you on the edge, holding your breath and barracking (cheering) for the heroes to win the day.

[Maggie Mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was so good!

I couldn't wait to dive back into diamond city and all the action & intrigue and love. This is a really super great series and I can't recommend it enough.

[Lya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliffhanger

I normally love her books. The writing was impeccable as always and the story great, but I don't enjoy being left with major cliffhangers.

[Yvonne Marron de Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this story and I´m looking forward to the next book in the series. (I can hardly wait).

[Robin Boucher]

Finale?!

Continued adventure/challenge/exploration of skills and capabilities. And then it Stopped!! A cliff hanger!
I need to find the next book(s).

[Lisarenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

>>>>> My Synopsis (Review Follows): <<<<<
Most of Riley Hollis' life has been spent in the shadows--staying out of trouble, avoiding both the cops and the Tyet (magical mob) whenever humanly possible, and keeping under the radar. There are five major kinds of magic in the world: tracer, maker, binder, dreamer, traveller. Riley is a tracer. Everybody leaves a magical trail of sorts, like an indelible ribbon unrolling behind them. It isn’t actually on this plane, but in a sort of other dimension that only tracers like Riley can see. It fades pretty quick for most tracers, disappearing in a matter of hours or maybe a week or two if they are really strong. For Riley it never fades. She can even track those who have died. This makes her a highly sought after commodity by the Tyet who would love to use and control her skills.

Riley uses her talent to find missing children. Just months ago while working a case she caught the attention of Clay Price. Price was a cop with connections to Gregg Touray. Touray is one of the top Tyet bosses in the city. What Riley didn't realize at the time was that Price is Gregg Touray's brother. To complicate matters even more, she found herself undeniably attracted to Price and the feeling was mutual. Their relationship took off, but eventually her secrets were revealed in front of the biggest Tyet kingpins in Diamond City. Price then struck a bargain with his brother to put Riley under Gregg's protection.

A lot can and has happened in a short period of time. As Riley realizes a major power struggle is about to go down in Diamond City, she has to figure out a way to keep herself and her family safe. Aligning herself with Touray is looking less and less like the right choice. Her decision on how to handle things will change everything...

>>>>> My Review: <<<<<
This is the fourth book in the Diamond City Magic series. If you haven't read any of the previous books in the series, I strongly encourage you to do so. The books build on one another and if you skip one, you'll miss out on some of the finer nuances of the relationships between the characters, the intricacies of the world, and the complexities of Riley's current situation. Just be aware this series is highly addictive and it's hard to stop with just one. So you may want to set aside some time for yourself to read these. I devoured the series pretty quickly and can't wait for the next book to come out.

One of the things I like about this series is the relationship between Riley and Price. Being a cop and Touray's brother made Riley want absolutely nothing to do with him in the beginning. The attraction between them, however, once they actually got to know one another was intense. All of Price's instincts scream for him to protect Riley and put her somewhere safe where nothing can harm her, but over time he's come to the realization he has to let her spread her wings and fly. If he doesn't, he'll lose her--and that is something he never wants to have happen. In the time the two have known one another, Price has helped Riley grow as an individual and come into her own. This time Riley gets to return the favor.

This book is a real game changer. Riley must make some hard decisions and will need a little help from both her family and friends. Things in Diamond City are about to change in a big way and Riley will be in the middle of it all. Relationships will be tested, lives will be put on the line, and a new threat will enter into the fray making for a highly intense, compelling, and gripping read.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. I love this dynamic duo and the world Ms. Francis has created. The chemistry between Price and Riley is off the charts, and I love the way they banter back and forth. Price gives as good as he gets from Riley which keeps her on her toes. Be forewarned, however, that this one ends abruptly in a huge cliffhanger. Gah! (If you heard someone screaming loudly last night that was probably me shouting, "NOOOOOOoooooooo!" **smirk**) On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale this one earned a FAN rating--the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice. I highly recommend this series. This series is destined for my keeper shelf.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book a couple of years ago when it first came out but put it down at 25% because there was a bit too much action, too frenetic, too many bad things happening to all of the main characters and I wasn't in the right mood for it at that time. Recently, I finally decided to give it another chance. I did end up liking the book, but I still found it to be a bit overwhelming and wish there'd been an occasional break in the action and a bit more resolution at the end instead of the up-in-the-air, rather abrupt ending. I was afraid, from the way it started, that Riley and Clay would end up breaking apart from the stress of their various magics, and the competing pulls on their loyalty, so I was very happy to see that Riley finally started to trust Clay and to trust their partnership. She also moved forward in her relationship with her family and friends. She's come a long way from the loner that we met in the beginning of the series. As always, the world building is superb and you can really feel the danger, the cold and the menace in Diamond City.

This wasn't my favorite in the series, hence the 3 star rating, but I'm still eager to read the next book and see how the author resolves the situation at the end of this one. It seems like the enemies that Riley, Clay, Gregg and the rest of the group are fighting are too strong to be taken down so I'm sure there will be lots of fireworks to come.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the fourth in the Diamond City Magic series. Just days after the raid of the FBI compound, Riley is trying to help Price deal with his deadly new magic and his worry about his brother Gregg’s kidnapping. Soon Riley has bigger problems to worry about: there is a new power vacuum in the tyets in Diamond City, and Riley must do something to protect her family. However, there are elements at play she has no idea about, but she’s about to find out about them. I just love this series! It’s one those that I forget just how good it is until I start reading it. Ms. Francis has a wonderful way of weaving different threads together in a book, and her characterizations are off the chart. I love how much Riley has grown, and how her and Price have grown closer. Riley’s sister has two possible love interests, too, and I have to say I’m not sure which one I want her to pick because I like them both even if they are “bad” guys. The book was full of non-stop action, and I really didn’t want to put it down. Yes, there was a cliffhanger, but that’s to be expected in this series. And, if you haven’t read this series, it is best to start from the beginning as you might be lost otherwise. This was a great addition to the series, and I cannot wait until the next one. Highly recommend! Thanks to the author for the e-copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great edition to the DCM series! Riley hits her stride in this book when the metaphorical and literal crap hits the fan around her. For the first real time since the series started, she stands on her own two feet and is a force to be reckoned with. She protects those who can’t protect themselves, which I love about her. As each book has been added to this series, you get introduced to a different facet of Riley’s personality. She’s the finder of wayward people, protector of those she loves, and now has come full circle in to her powers. Her lover, Price, has changed in power, and without her anchoring him to the ground, he would have imploded. The intensity of their relationship grows with each book, and in this one in particular, you get a sense of how much they really do need each other.

To call this book the series game changer is an understatement. Shades of Memory sets the tone for the upcoming books, and it is a tone of excitement for me. I just wish the next book would be releasing much sooner!

[Books In Brogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loaded with subtle emotions, sizzling chemistry and the pain of making the hard choices.  The vibrant characters and an innovative world of magic make this one an interesting twist on the standard urban fantasy.  
 
The only note I would say is that you really must have read the others in the series or you would be lost.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan

[Jennifer Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley for an honest review.

Another Awesome read! The characters and story line are well-developed. Riley, Price and her family have escaped the FBI, but Price's brother Gregg is still in their custody. They have to find a way to release him. Riley will make a decision that will affect all of Diamond City. Price also has to learn how to control his new-found power or he will end up destroying Diamond City. Riley will also push her powers to the limit. This is such a great book and series. I recommend it to everyone! I give Shades of Memory (The Diamond City Magic Novels) 5/5 stars.

[Melindeeloo]

Shades of Memory is book 4 or so of Diana Pharoah Francis' Diamond City series. Magic, and plots and bad guys who are not as black as they first appear. This story is not stand alone and picks up just days after the last book but it is really good, lots of action and twists and turns and an ending that has me looking forward to the next book. I originally decided to give the series a try because of all of the recs from forum friends for Francic' other series, Horngate Witches. I may have to go back and dig those out of the pile now because she really knows how to build an ensemble and rachet up a plot.

ARC via Netgalley

[Adrianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades of Memory is Francis’s best novel yet. Her characters are beautifully drawn, and she’s put every one of them in dire peril. I love seeing Price’s more vulnerable side. I love Riley’s sense of humor. I love the way her friends and family come together to face down the forces arrayed against them. Francis takes advantage of the world’s unique magical powers to offer up fascinating plot twists. The story races along at breakneck speed with enthralling reversals, breakthroughs, and mystery characters, until it lasers down into a riveting Trojan Horse scene that left me shaking and desperate to find out what happens next. This book will win awards next year.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this series! It's been a bit too long since I read book 3, so I was a bit at-sea for a while until I remembered the important details and everything fell into place. THis is 150% not a book that can be read as a standalone, but that's okay, because it's awesome as part of the series. I am now desperately awaiting the cliffhanger resolution in the next book.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be 4 stars but I'm too annoyed by the cliffhanger.

Good action, there's some progress on the overall story, but meh on the experience of the book. It's just unfulfilling to read a book that has a cliffhanger when the next story hasn't been published yet. I don't think I'll read anymore Diana Pharaoh Francis unless the entire series is complete.

[Lysaelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really hooked to this series and was waiting eagerly for the next book. But the story is progressing at a snail's pace and I'm growing frustrated with the characters. Very few is resolved and most of the book is still Riley blundering about. Still an enjoyable read, but I hope things will pick up in the next book.

[Josephine · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me along time to finish this book, the minute the author took Riley on another path, I lost interest. The character she had formulated in the past 4 books does not have the capacity for evil. I got bored because I love the authors writing style, I continued to see if things would change. Sorry this is the last book I read in this series.

[Lisa Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fair warning: the author loves cliffhangers.

This was a great addition to the series. The pace was fantastic and the complexities keep multiplying by the page. I don’t know what is coming next but you best believe I’m going to be reading it in one sitting, just like I did with this book.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could this story end so quickly? Everything is coming together. Things are still tough, but Riley is learning. Then some big crap happens, and oh wait the book is done?! Ok, there has to be a 5th one in the works? Please!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the hell. There’s 4 books in this series and the last one came out 4 years ago, yet the series is incomplete. Book 4 ends in a cliffhanger. After some
Googling it’s seems the author hopes to have book 5 out sometime in 2021, so I guess we’ll wait and see.

[Adrienne · Rating 1 out of 5]

time I give up on this series. Disappointing to say the least.

[Gowri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliffhanger..... Uffff

[Bambikai · Rating 3 out of 5]

wouldve been 4 stars if not for the middle of the story cut/unnecessary cliff hanger ending

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extra 1/2

ARRRGH!! That ending!