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City Of Ghosts (2010)

by Stacia Kane(Favorite Author)

4.29 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0007352840 (ISBN13: 9780007352845)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Harper Voyager

series

Downside Ghosts

review 1: Chess finds herself on a special case working alongside the Black Squad, the Church version of the police. This isn't just any case either; it's one so dangerous and sensitive that Chess is ordered to undergo a Binding Oath in order to prevent her from speaking of the case with anyone outside of a small circle of investigators. The Binding Oath really throws a wrench in her life, specifically when she is ordered before Bump to explain what she's doing in his territory. Things aren't looking well for Cesaria when she finds herself not only unable to explain anything to Bump, but in terrible, crippling pain when she tries to do so. The penalty of breaking the Oath is death and the City of Eternity. Chess isn't afraid of dying, it's where people go afterwards that scare her. ... moreNot only is Chess dealing with the high-stress of a Black Squad case and working alongside a partner, which she despises, she is still facing the emotionally charged situation with Terrible. She's grown to look forward to having her friend working with her, the only partner she trusts, and she finds herself on the receiving end of why everyone calls him Terrible. His anger was never something she feared before but now that she has betrayed him, he isn't feeling very protective. He doesn't even open her car door in this installment and something so very simple is huge when it concerns Terrible and Chess. Both Chess and Terrible are so very broken because of Chess' actions and at times, I really felt for them. Chess isn't accustomed to personally feeling this much for anyone and the sensation is strange. Her stunted emotional state doesn't stop her from trying to make amends but with Terrible closing the door on every chance she gets, any forward progress or sweet reunion isn't looking so great. This novel personally solidified why I adore not only Chess and Terrible, but Stacia Kane as well for creating them. Stacia Kane has really created something unique and - pardon the pun - magical with her Downside Ghosts series. From a broken, battered city to an equally broken, battered main character, this series makes me happy despite all of the gloom and doom that it brings in spades. Her characters are unbelievably good, as is the world she created. It's a semi-futuristic world with many, many old-fashioned traditions and rules. The Church Elders dress like Pilgrims, for example, the Church Goodys wear bonnets. And the Church-speak is very archaic, as are most of the punishments meted out for breaking Church law. It's a very complex world Kane created, and it's a world I've grown to love. I certainly recommend this series to anyone who loves the UF genre. Stacia Kane brings so much to the table with this series and lovers of urban fantasy would sorely be remiss if they decide to pass this one up. But - make sure to start at the first book to experience all of the Chess and Terrible goodness from the beginning as that is one of the best parts.
review 2: So, so satisfying. It was more intense--more painful, beautiful, complicated, and ultimately wonderful--than the previous two books, and I was completely engrossed in each of those. But this book took all the build up from those two, put Chess in a harsher, darker position, and laid out her toughest case yet. Chess dealt with more trouble from the Church, her drugs, Terrible, Lex, the Lamaru, and other bad types in Downside. I am happy, so happy with this portion of her story, with it ranging between angst, sadness, loneliness, fear, destruction, confusion, and finally(!) some hope and love. I feel that this was really a turning point in the series. And it was so fast paced and and exciting that I couldn't put it down, and now, days later, I am still happily stuck in the story's world. And eager to get back into it with the next book. less

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