Next week, I’ll be away at Gen Con, a huge gaming convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. In addition to games, vendors, and the spectacle of a con, Gen Con also hosts an extensive Writer’s Symposium. Some excellent authors are guests this year. I’m particularly jazzed to hear Anton Strout and guest of honor, Cherie Priest. I read books by both of these authors while doing market research for my novel. I think I’ll learn a lot about this urban-fantasy-para-supernatural-normal-weird genre in which I’m trying to fit. Sharing my Goodreads review of one of Strout’s books with my blog readers seems a good way to kick off my Gen Con writing retreat.
A Stand-Alone Story That Wraps Up a Series
Incarnate is the final book of The Spellmason Chronicles series. I picked it up last year for my novel’s market research. “Market research” meant reviewing about fifty recently (within the last three years) published books that might in some way appeal to potential readers of my book. So, unfortunately for me, I couldn’t take the time to start with the series’ first story. Even without reading the first two books in the Spellmason trilogy, I found Incarnate works pretty well as a stand-alone story.
The novel’s point of view is first person, alternating between two characters: the magic wielder, Alexandra, and her magical creature companion. Stanis is an animated gargoyle—or “grotesque,” as he prefers. As you might expect in the third book of a series, the story starts at a low point for Alexandra, Stanis, and their friends. Their team seems to be falling apart from internal frictions and jealousies. And the cops are hassling them for trying to help the city solve big, supernatural problems. Things get worst before they get better.
Interesting “Grotesque” Characters
I think the series premise is more original than many urban fantasy novels. The story has good pacing and creative ideas.
I enjoyed the grotesque characters and actually found them more interesting and appealing than the humans. The young humans (Alexandra and her friends) weren’t very satisfying characters to me. These people aren’t very bright. Given all the battles they presumably have been through in the first two books, I expected more common sense. They mostly alternate between angry and smart-ass—and thus have a lot of trouble with crafty plans and any kind of finessed situation. But, that’s who they are.
Recommended Reading
I recommend for readers who enjoy magical and urban fantasy stories. Romance readers looking for something a little different will find much to love. I aim to read the first two stories of this series soon.
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