Autumn Bones (review)

                                      


There are some stories that ensnare you in an exciting adventure from the opening scene and this is one of them.  Despite unfamiliarity with the events from the first novel in the series, “Dark Currents”, I knew that I was going to want to read this book because Ms. Carey excels in creating complex characters and well-developed worlds as is demonstrated in her ‘Kushiel’ series and I definitely was not disappointed.  The requisite personal struggle that is normally a part of the psyche of any being who is burdened with ‘tainted’ blood is enriched by demands of the heroine’s role in keeping the peace between the humans and the eldritch in her town and yet I also enjoyed the heartfelt ‘ordinary’ interactions she has with her best friend and with her mom.  The intriguing cases that she has to work with the police to solve, including the typical confidence games perpetrated on unsuspecting tourists have a delightful paranormal twist and it was fun to watch her find a solution for the hypnotic sex vibes being sent out by a visitor to the town.  There is depth to the secondary characters as well and I am looking forward to watching the evolution of relationships, including one which will undoubtedly involve the geek genius with his social maladaptations and insatiable curiosity as well as those of Daisy herself who doesn’t lack for sexy complicated males in her life.  A fun, imaginative, and enthralling read that can be read as a stand-alone although I personally am off to look for the first in the series to tide me over while waiting for a sequel!

“Autumn Bones” by Jacqueline Carey is the second novel in the ‘Agent of Hel’ series which features Daisy Johanssen.  This human/demon hybrid is the liaison between the Norse goddess of the dead (Hel) and the mundane humans who occupy the city of Pemkowet, Michigan which just happens to have a little pocket of the underwold known as Little Niflheim.  Daisy is aided in her struggle to keep from causing Armageddon by various allies, including a lamia, werewolf and various ghouls and uses the artifact dauda-dagr (death day), a magical dagger, to help her in her daily duties.  While exploring her attraction to Sinclair Palmer, she discovers that he has plenty of secrets of his own, including a strong link to the obeah practices of his family, and she is going to have to decide whether the two of them are actually better suited as friends or lovers.  The only trouble is, more players than just the two of them become engaged in the decision-making, and the town and many lives may get destroyed during the ensuing struggle.

© Night Owl Reviews
I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Autumn Bones: Agent of Hel (Amazon link)



Dark Currents: Agent of Hel (Amazon link)