Early Review: The Cold Kiss of Death

Suzanne Mcleod
Urban Fantasy
352 pages
Spellcrackers.com #2
Chapter 1
ACE


Synopsis:
All Genny wants is to live the quiet life and to do her job at Spellcrackers.com but there's her tangled personal life to sort out first. She's being haunted by ghosts who want her help. Her witch neighbours want her evicted. Genny's sort-of-Ex - and now her new boss - can't decide whether he wants their relationship to be business or pleasure now he knows all her darkest secrets. And then there's the queue of vampires all wanting her to paint the town red - how long will it be before they stop taking 'no' for an answer and Genny's life becomes even more complicated? But when one of her human friends is murdered by sidhe magic, Genny is determined to find the killer. Her efforts to find the real murderer lead her to some of the most dangerous and seductive fae - but her search is hindered by the vampires, who have their own political agenda. Then when all the evidence points to Genny - she's the only sidhe fae in London - and she's named the main suspect; it's not long before she's on the run - and not just from the police - but from some of London's most powerful supernaturals.


Review:
Boy, can McLeod twist a story!  Her books are a mystery lover's dream. There are so many twists and new developments constantly through the story, that just when you think you know what the mystery you're meant to be piecing together is, another one pops up for your enjoyment to riddle out.  The loops and whorls she creates is something to behold.


Genevieve Taylor is back and I'd forgotten how much of a girl crush I have on her.  She's so genuinely clever, it makes her a perfect narrator. I just enjoy ever page with her on it. She's always level-headed, and she's not predictable, but seems to always do exactly what you want her to do. That's not to say that you're not surprised by where she goes throughout the story; because you'll find it nearly impossible to guess what she'll do next, but the reasons I liked her in the beginning of the series are the same reasons I still like her at the end of this book. Genny's character acts and reacts consistently with her emotions as well.  Sounds like an easy accomplishment, but most certainly isn't. All of her stabilities give her character a realistic quality, in a world you couldn't think up in your wildest dreams.


This is no cookie cutter world that McLeod has created.  Her characters are fresh and intriguing one minute and all together terrifying the next. It's a delicious balance, and the constant wondering of what magically being will pop up next keeps things changing and exciting throughout. The story has witches, vampires, fae, sidhe, trolls... you think of it and this story has it, along with many creatures you've yet to imagine. The world is vibrant with its characters but equally engrossing with its rich character histories and fae-lore, not to mention her unique take on vampires. Everything is original and will be interesting to every reader, whether you're a seasoned urban fantasy reader, or a newbie, just starting out.


Since the story is such a surprising, and sometimes shocking set of twists and turns. I will tease you and say that the storytelling is stunning, but to dive into the story any further wouldn't be fair on your reading experiences. I will say, you're going to feel a little like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole once the story gets going, but don't fear you have to press on and the answers will be revealed. {Not all of them because this is a series and not a stand alone book, but you get plenty...} Genevieve will help you not feel lost by saying things like "And something hovered at the edge of my mind-" and "my mind reaching for something I couldn't quite grasp-" often; letting you know that she hasn't pieced it together yet, so don't feel bad that you haven't either. You'll soon discover that you'll never guess the story's next turn, and you'll be such a happy little reader because of it.  I literally said out loud "no freakin' way" a few times.  You'll be floored by some of the developments.  I know I was.  


Bottom Line: Mcleod comes back with such force in this second book.  Her characters still have intrigue, her world remains mysterious, and her plots are diabolical.  The Cold Kiss of a Death is a literary trifecta.


4 stars