Nocturnal Book Reviews

Chasing Magic by Stacia Kane (Downside Ghosts #5)

 A DEADLY HIGH

Magic-wielding Churchwitch and secret addict Chess Putnam knows better than anyone just how high a price people are willing to pay for a chemical rush. But when someone with money to burn and a penchant for black magic starts tampering with Downside’s drug supply, Chess realizes that the unlucky customers are paying with their souls—and taking the innocent with them, as the magic-infused speed compels them to kill in the most gruesome ways possible.

As if the streets weren’t scary enough, the looming war between the two men in her life explodes, taking even more casualties and putting Chess squarely in the middle. Downside could become a literal ghost town if Chess doesn’t find a way to stop both the war and the dark wave of death-magic, and the only way to do that is to use both her addiction and her power to enter the spell and chase the magic all the way back to its malevolent source. Too bad that doing so will probably kill Chess—if the war doesn’t first destroy the man who’s become her reason for living.

 Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

9.5/10

 Half a point less stronger than the previous book, Chasing Magic still managed to rock my socks. I just feel completely at loss for words. How Stacia continues writing such excellent UF series book after book? 


Chess feels even darker and closer to the edge of oblivion and death in this book, her addiction is getting to its last stage I think, and like an elephant in the room becomes impossible to ignore by both men, Lex and Terrible.

I really really want her to start sorting herself out because you feel in your heart and dread the direction she is heading. Plus she gives her all to her fight against black magic and general evil, and drugs inhibit her a hell of a lot.

Her relationship with Terrible is even more poignant and heart-breaking in this book. Largely because Lex put a price on Terrible's head in a coming war between criminal lords. They try to hurry and really tell each other how they feel.

“Shit. You so fuckin pretty, Chessie. True thing. So … ain’t even can breathe sometimes.”

Terrible, awww... He is so sweet with her, it reduces me to tears, his awkward honesty. They are both gorgeous characters, their chemistry is off the charts. There is this trembling intensity that goes through the whole book and it's definitely live or die book. Really, really dark, full of black magic killing people in a horrible way, full of shame from Chess for disappointing her mentor, full of her fear for Terrible's life and her determination to do anything to save him.

Fabulous series, again highly recommended!

Великолепная серия, и каждая книга написана с таким надрывом, что аж до слёз доводит.

Химия между Чесс и Терриблом просто зашкаливает, - безумно интенсивные любовные отношения на грани отчаяния и страха потерять друг друга.

В Погоне за Магией Лекс устанавливает цену на голову Террибла в грядущей войне между криминальными лордами, и Чесс готова пойти на всё, чтобы его спасти. В то же время, её зависимость от наркотиков становится настолько тяжёлой, что как слона в комнате её невозможно уже игнорировать и Терриблу и Лексу.

Стасия безумно точно описывает поведение наркомана, полуправды, которые они скармливают самим себе, вспышки гнева и попытки попросить прощения.

Продолжать дальше в том же духе Чесс невозможно. Она страдает от передозировки в этой книге, и я боюсь предсказать, что с ней произойдёт с такими дозами в следующей. Поэтому я умоляю Стасию всё же её спасти!

Шикарная, очень тёмная серия городского фэнтэзи, которую просто нельзя пропускать любому любителю жанра!