Helpful Score: 3
I'm still a little dazed after reading all three books of this series back to back. I picked them up on a recommendation from a friend and although I was hesitant to start another urban fantasy series, for some reason so many of them seem to mirror each other, I pushed aside other books in my TBR stack and dove in. This world Stacia Kane has built is gritty and dark and at times painful to witness. The heroine is a junkie churchwitch with a messy life and her relationship with another character, Terrible, is almost traumatic. I loved it. I couldn't help but root for Chess, couldn't help but fall a little bit for Terrible. Okay, maybe alot. I can't recommend this series enough. Go get these books. I promise you won't be bored, you might not even get any sleep until you finish all three. This series, especially the third book, are now on my all time favorite read list.
Helpful Score: 1
I was not sure I liked this series at first but this last book is really a winner. The character development just keeps getting better. I hope she writes more. I think it would be better if you read them in order because you will have a better grasp of the story line that way.
This is the third book in the Downside Ghosts series by Kane. I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. This was the strongest book in the series so far; I loved how we got to delve deeper into the workings of the Church of Truth.
When piles of body parts start showing up on street corners the Church wants Chess on the case. They pair Chess with a member of the Black Squad for the investigation and bind Chess to not talk about the investigation on penalty of death. The binding gets cumbersome when Chesss drug dealer Bump wants to be kept informed of whats going on. As secrets are revealed Chess doesnt know who to trust; the one man she could trust wants her dead making things even more complex.
This was by far my favorite book in the series. The Church of Truth is finally facing off with the Lamaru in a more direct way. Chess is forced to deal with some truly nasty magic. The story focused more on Chess and her investigation with the Church than on her drug habits. Bump is present in the story, but played a very minor role. I enjoyed that there was less focus on Chesss drug habits and dealer and more focus on her job with the Church.
Chess grows a lot as a character and is forced to finally face her feelings for Terrible. Chess is also working closely with a member of the Black Squad named Lauren. It was fascinating to watch Chess work in close proximity to another member of the Church. We usually see her working alone or with other Downsiders.
Lauren is an excellent new character. She definitely gives Chess a run for her money, she is strong, obnoxious, and really shakes things up. She was an excellent counterbalance to Chess and really added a lot of interest to the story.
Things come to a climax between Chess and Terrible (no pun intended....kind of). Both are forced to face their feelings towards each other. The scenes between these two are heartbreaking and tense, Kane really does a good job of jerking around the readers emotions. I was on the edge of my seat for these scenes and loved it.
There is quite a bit of action in this book as well. We get to see Chess doing magic under high stress and in combat situations. We also learn a lot more about how sending ghosts to the City works and how the Church works. We see a lot more magic then in previous books. This is a fascinating world and a unique and I still enjoy the settings.
I still have some problems with the characters. I just dont like Chess and, while I understand why her live is so screwed up, I find her frustrating to read about. Terrible remains my favorite character of the bunch. I did enjoy that this book dealt more with Chesss job than her addiction and hope future books keep that focus.
Overall the best book yet in this series. While I am not a fan of Chess as a character I have to admit that the scenes between her and Terrible are masterfully done. I do love this world and was excited to see that this book focused on the Church of Truth and Chesss job there. We learn oodles more about the Church and also get to see some pretty sweet magic performed. I recommend this series to urban fantasy fans who like flawed characters and dark settings.
When piles of body parts start showing up on street corners the Church wants Chess on the case. They pair Chess with a member of the Black Squad for the investigation and bind Chess to not talk about the investigation on penalty of death. The binding gets cumbersome when Chesss drug dealer Bump wants to be kept informed of whats going on. As secrets are revealed Chess doesnt know who to trust; the one man she could trust wants her dead making things even more complex.
This was by far my favorite book in the series. The Church of Truth is finally facing off with the Lamaru in a more direct way. Chess is forced to deal with some truly nasty magic. The story focused more on Chess and her investigation with the Church than on her drug habits. Bump is present in the story, but played a very minor role. I enjoyed that there was less focus on Chesss drug habits and dealer and more focus on her job with the Church.
Chess grows a lot as a character and is forced to finally face her feelings for Terrible. Chess is also working closely with a member of the Black Squad named Lauren. It was fascinating to watch Chess work in close proximity to another member of the Church. We usually see her working alone or with other Downsiders.
Lauren is an excellent new character. She definitely gives Chess a run for her money, she is strong, obnoxious, and really shakes things up. She was an excellent counterbalance to Chess and really added a lot of interest to the story.
Things come to a climax between Chess and Terrible (no pun intended....kind of). Both are forced to face their feelings towards each other. The scenes between these two are heartbreaking and tense, Kane really does a good job of jerking around the readers emotions. I was on the edge of my seat for these scenes and loved it.
There is quite a bit of action in this book as well. We get to see Chess doing magic under high stress and in combat situations. We also learn a lot more about how sending ghosts to the City works and how the Church works. We see a lot more magic then in previous books. This is a fascinating world and a unique and I still enjoy the settings.
I still have some problems with the characters. I just dont like Chess and, while I understand why her live is so screwed up, I find her frustrating to read about. Terrible remains my favorite character of the bunch. I did enjoy that this book dealt more with Chesss job than her addiction and hope future books keep that focus.
Overall the best book yet in this series. While I am not a fan of Chess as a character I have to admit that the scenes between her and Terrible are masterfully done. I do love this world and was excited to see that this book focused on the Church of Truth and Chesss job there. We learn oodles more about the Church and also get to see some pretty sweet magic performed. I recommend this series to urban fantasy fans who like flawed characters and dark settings.
Michelle R. (mreneerouser) -
My review is going to be short and sweet. Stacia Kane is detail crazy-to the extreme. After awhile, I did not care about tatoos, witches, ghosts, etc., way TMI! It takes away from the characters and that is the series downfall. Now to the good stuff- when she takes the time to develop her characters, she is brilliant at it. And you fall for her characters. Considering I am now a Terrible addict, I will continue the series. But, if this series did not have Terrible, I wouldn't even consider book 4
Karen E. (thebakerswife) - , reviewed City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Bk 3) on + 10 more book reviews
The third book in a terrific new series. Each book has just gotten better and better. The complex world building, the morally ambiguous characters, and a plot that really moves add up to a book that kept me riveted. Set in a world where there are no longer any governments or religion - there is only the Church of Real Truth, the only protection against ghosts bent on the murder and destruction of the living.
The heroine, Chess, is a church witch who investigates reported hauntings and either debunks them (there is a significant financial settlement if a person is found to have ghosts in their home) or banishes the ghosts if it turns out to be a true haunting. Chess is also a hardcore drug addict and the choices she makes are often cringe inducing but the character is so well written that her behavior is always believable. There are reasons why Chess is as screwed up as she is but the author is smart enough to use those reasons to explain without ever trying to excuse the heroine's behavior. The supporting characters are also well drawn, not stock characters but unique three dimensional people.
The author has taken a lot of risks with this series, it is not the typical UF, and I think it really pays off. This is a gripping, thrilling, vivid story that pulls no punches.
A hard to put down read.
The heroine, Chess, is a church witch who investigates reported hauntings and either debunks them (there is a significant financial settlement if a person is found to have ghosts in their home) or banishes the ghosts if it turns out to be a true haunting. Chess is also a hardcore drug addict and the choices she makes are often cringe inducing but the character is so well written that her behavior is always believable. There are reasons why Chess is as screwed up as she is but the author is smart enough to use those reasons to explain without ever trying to excuse the heroine's behavior. The supporting characters are also well drawn, not stock characters but unique three dimensional people.
The author has taken a lot of risks with this series, it is not the typical UF, and I think it really pays off. This is a gripping, thrilling, vivid story that pulls no punches.
A hard to put down read.
