Death and Relaxation (Ordinary Magic, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Jun 21, 2016 Francesca the Fierce (Under the Covers Book Blog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-read-2016

What a surprise this was! First of all, I’ve had Devon Monk on my Mountain TBR for YEARS! Don’t ask me why that hasn’t been remedied, but that may change soon. So anyway, fast forward to a few days ago and I saw Ilona Andrews post about this release on Facebook and …. the cover whore in me HAD to have it. And I’m so glad I took the plunge. In a time when we are facing a lack of good paranormal books, I jump for joy any time I find a gem, and this is one.

DEATH AND RELAXATION is an urban fanta

What a surprise this was! First of all, I’ve had Devon Monk on my Mountain TBR for YEARS! Don’t ask me why that hasn’t been remedied, but that may change soon. So anyway, fast forward to a few days ago and I saw Ilona Andrews post about this release on Facebook and …. the cover whore in me HAD to have it. And I’m so glad I took the plunge. In a time when we are facing a lack of good paranormal books, I jump for joy any time I find a gem, and this is one.

DEATH AND RELAXATION is an urban fantasy set in a small town where supernaturals live among humans that don’t know anything about them. It’s also where the Gods go take a vacation. They leave their powers at the door and pretend to be humans for a while. The Chief of Police, always in the Reed family, has control over the Gods and their powers and keeps the supernatural order as well as upholding human law and keeping the humans in the dark about it all. This concept was so much fun to read about! And yes, I say fun because there’s quite a bit of humor in this story. Humor, some romance and sexual tension, a murder investigation, and a rhubarb festival! I was hooked.

But let’s talk about the characters because that’s what kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. A great set of characters! The Chief of Police is Delaney Reed, her father passed away a year ago and she’s now in charge of the safety of the town as well as the goings on with the Gods and her deputies are her two sisters. I loved Delaney’s character and not just because she basically has a coffee IV much like I wish I could do. She’s tough but vulnerable. She doesn’t let many people close, but she also doesn’t close herself off behind a wall like a lot of UF heroines. She cares, she’s funny, she’s smart, but she’s human. Definitely a heroine I won’t mind getting to know more and going on this journey with. Her sisters were a lot of fun especially trying to keep Delaney in check. And the townspeople and the Gods? One of my favorite things about a small town setting is that tight knit community feel and this book has that. As far as the sexual tension I mentioned? Well, I’m dying to see where the next book goes with this.

Devon Monk definitely has a winner on her hands. DEATH AND RELAXATION put a smile on my face and left me wanting more. I haven’t read a solid UF in a while that wasn’t dark, didn’t take itself too seriously and didn’t just have bitchy characters mad at the world. I think you’ll enjoy this new take on supernatural concepts we’ve all seen done before. It made for something new and interesting and the author does a great job at telling their story in an engaging way. I, for one, can’t wait for the next book to come out in July!

Favorite Quotes:

“…You know I haven’t had a vacation in months?”
“Cry me a new river. Living here is your vacation, remember?”
He grinned. “No need to resort to the truth. You’ve had your look,” he said to Thanatos. “Hand over your sparkly bits to Uncle Raven.”
“My bits,” Than said icily, “never sparkle.”

“One cannot conduct a murder investigation when one is drinking with gods.” ...more

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Jul 09, 2017 Mandapanda rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Story was ok but I didn't enjoy the relationship dynamic at all. Got the the end of book 2 and didn't bother with book 3. I was so put off by the MC's. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 22, 2016 Sandra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-uf, own, vampires, shifters, witch-magic-fae, devon-monk, kindle

A very solid 4 stars, possibly 4.5 stars.

Loved the idea of a vacation spot for Gods in Ordinary, Oregon. And the fact that 'creatures' were also present and a largely unknowing human population rounded out the town. And also the Reed family, in this generation 3 sisters, all of them the town's police force. Still a question mark over how Reed senior, the Sheriff, died a year before the story started.

Delaney Reed, the new Sheriff, has the responsibility of bridging the Gods power when they vacati ...more

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Nov 22, 2022 Diane ~Firefly~ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, shifters, vampires, uf, deity-angel

Gods vacation in Ordinary, Oregon as mortals and when one dies...

What I enjoyed:
* The concept is interesting, although vacationing as a mortal doesn't sound like a great option, especially as many gods have died this way, but maybe they are ready to die...
* The supporting characters are interesting, especially with many being gods or supernatural beings.

What could be better:
* I liked Delaney, but she isn't very competent for being chief of police. (view spoiler) ...more

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