From the Bookshelf of Summer Reading Program…

Deadly Curiosities (Deadly Curiosities, #1)

Gail Z. Martin

Discussion: Recommendations!

Why we're reading this: I love Urban Fantasy. No shame.
[close] I love Urban Fantasy. No shame.

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Recommendations!

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By Sarah · 1 post · 4 views

last updated Jul 08, 2014 07:22AM

Recommendations Shelf
By Sarah · 1 post · 5 views

last updated Jul 05, 2014 08:18PM

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Apr 15, 2014 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-challenge-books, most-recommended

A native of Eastern Tennessee I would often spend summers in North Carolina, either shopping just over the state line with my mother and grandmother or spending weeks at a time at the beach for family vacations. I have always loved the cities and the stories of my old stomping grounds so when I picked up Deadly Curiosities and discovered just what it had in store I was tickled. The story is set in a fictional version of Charleston. Mrs. Martin captures the city wonderfully, bringing up memories
A native of Eastern Tennessee I would often spend summers in North Carolina, either shopping just over the state line with my mother and grandmother or spending weeks at a time at the beach for family vacations. I have always loved the cities and the stories of my old stomping grounds so when I picked up Deadly Curiosities and discovered just what it had in store I was tickled. The story is set in a fictional version of Charleston. Mrs. Martin captures the city wonderfully, bringing up memories my time there but adding her own twist with Cassidy, Sorren, and Teag. Cassidy owns and runs a shop called Trifles and Folly, buying and selling antiques and historic items. Teag works as her assistant and Sorren is their silent not-so-human partner. The trio do more than buying and selling, also working through the shop to identify and control dangerous artifacts that harbor the supernatural.

I adored the setting, like I said above. It was unique, and really made it a fun experience. For most urban fantasies you see big cities filled with strangers and strangers are what your character’s deal with. Yet this Charleston is filled with friends and families that our characters know. It was a bit surreal getting used to it at first, every time Cassidy walked the dog she ran into someone she knew. However once I reminded myself that this character is part of a large and probably fairly close knit community it began to make sense and the pieces fell into place. The town is upset by a serial killer stalking the streets, and Cassidy is faced with the possibility that something is juicing up the items she sells and handles on a day to day basis. Items that normally give off nothing more than faint vibe, or resonance as she calls it, become full on haunted. No spoilers guys, but I really enjoyed the plot and how the story turned out. Along with the great setting the magic is fascinating. There are magics we’ve all heard of, such as Cassidy’s ability to read objects she touched, but then there were ones I was unfamiliar with such as Weaver magic and the system created for it. Can we also talk about the Voudon (Voodoo) in the novel? I have such a love for that particular character, Lucinda, you wouldn’t believe. I really wanted more about that side of the world, I’m hoping we see more about the Voudon or local magic in future books.

My one complaint (which actually could also be taken as a compliment so there’s that) was that for all the story building I was left wanting to know more, with questions. The information we had filled the book, yet as I finished it I had questions. I want to know about Sorren, how did he become what he is and I want to know more about the Alliance. I want to know about Cassidy’s uncle and Lucinda, oh god did I love Lucinda. I would read entire books about some of the side characters we met, I enjoyed them so much. Chuck, Lucinda, Moran… I would eat them up. Doing some research, Mrs. Martin has a series of short stories out set in the DC world, you can bet I’ll be picking them up this weekend and hopefully will include them in another micro-reviews post I’m working on for my recent short story reads.

Overall, I clearly enjoyed it! My copy was an unedited manuscript provided by Netgalley, so there were some editorial issues. I had to get used to the giant size 20 font on each page that denoted the actual page break and the spaces that should have been a full break, but it was a fun read regardless. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy, and it releases on my birthday so we’ll consider this my birthday present to myself! I would recommend this for any urban or paranormal fantasy fan. It brings in new and old elements and introduces an exciting new world and rich cast. I honestly cannot wait to see more of Cassidy and the team, and this volume isn’t even out yet! ...more

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