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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Liked Chasing Magic so much more than Sacrificial Magic. There's more Terrible (yay!) and a lot of good emotional stuff between him and Chess. Terrible has to be one of my favorite heroes. He's not handsome, he's gruff but he is intense. And I love it. I loved how he laid it all out there for Chess. He may be a hit man but he is not afraid to put his heart out there. He loves Chess (even though at times she doesn't deserve his love). Chess continues to mess up and I'm really ready for this girl to get it together. Her trust in Lex is going to eventually be the detriment of her relationship with Terrible. Even though she's come so close to ruining her relationship because of Lex, she can't seem to stay away. It's pissing me off. I have a feeling that Lex isn't going to let Chess go so easily. Some things that took place are going to come back and bite her in her druggy ass -- HARD.
Even though Chess frustrated me to no end, I enjoyed this book a lot. Terrible stole the show and made this book for me. If it wasn't for him, I think I would have chucked my iPod at the wall a long time ago because of Chess's stupidity and shenanigans. And she has to be the worse churchwitch ever. She doesn't know jack squat! If it wasn't for Terrible, I don't think she'd ever solve a case. I don't know how many times she said, "I don't know". in this book. I'm like, what DO you know??? Sheesh.
I'm looking forward to see where Chess and Terrible are headed. Their relationship is evolving but will Chess evolve with it? Or she continue to get in the way of her own happiness? We shall see.
The narrator - The narrator wasn't bad but her voice was high-pitched and kind of whiny. Not how I imagined Chess's voice to be. Also, I think this series would benefit GREATLY if they had a male narrator to voice Terrible, Bump, and Lex. The woman didn't do that great of a job, especially with all the Downspeak. Other than that, the audiobook was enjoyable and held my attention.
Even though Chess frustrated me to no end, I enjoyed this book a lot. Terrible stole the show and made this book for me. If it wasn't for him, I think I would have chucked my iPod at the wall a long time ago because of Chess's stupidity and shenanigans. And she has to be the worse churchwitch ever. She doesn't know jack squat! If it wasn't for Terrible, I don't think she'd ever solve a case. I don't know how many times she said, "I don't know". in this book. I'm like, what DO you know??? Sheesh.
I'm looking forward to see where Chess and Terrible are headed. Their relationship is evolving but will Chess evolve with it? Or she continue to get in the way of her own happiness? We shall see.
The narrator - The narrator wasn't bad but her voice was high-pitched and kind of whiny. Not how I imagined Chess's voice to be. Also, I think this series would benefit GREATLY if they had a male narrator to voice Terrible, Bump, and Lex. The woman didn't do that great of a job, especially with all the Downspeak. Other than that, the audiobook was enjoyable and held my attention.
While I have a lot of series that I love, few draw me in as quickly and completely as Downside Ghosts. This book was no exception, as it started with a bang and never let up. There were moments that made me smile (largely due to Terrible), moments that had me on the edge of my seat, and moments that broke my heart
There were many times I just wanted to give Chess a hug. I really hope her self esteem starts improving in the future books because it just breaks my heart every time she says she's worthless. On the other hand, she also makes me want to smack some sense into her sometimes Terrible is awesome as usual, and has some lines that just make me melt with how sweet they are.
Basically, I loved this book, and I really wish the next book was out right now because I really don't want to wait.
Spoiler
(the huge change in Chess' relationship with Elder Griffin)There were many times I just wanted to give Chess a hug. I really hope her self esteem starts improving in the future books because it just breaks my heart every time she says she's worthless. On the other hand, she also makes me want to smack some sense into her sometimes
Spoiler
especially when it comes to her almost hooking up with Lex again. Speaking of Lex, I also wanted to smack him...well, punch him if I'm being honest...cuz he just ticked me off with him trying to have Terrible killed.Basically, I loved this book, and I really wish the next book was out right now because I really don't want to wait.
I liked it but there was less witchcraft and detective-ing in this one, and Chess’ inner monologue that she’s worthless was repeated so often that it lost meaning and got on my nerves. I liked that she didn’t get clean or banish her demons, but it was all pretty anticlimactic.
Seriously I am so confused right now!! At first I couldn't wait to read this book, then it was good but a bit slow, then better, then better, then WTFOMG ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH MUST KILL CHESS!!!!!!! Then holy shit this is the most uncomfortable slightly scary sex scene I have ever read and now I feel so dirty I need a shower. Then, fine whatever I don't even give a fuck anymore, is this book over yet. Then the biggest AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW ever, like EVER EVER. Followed by, I know this is the climax and this magic is super detailed but WTF IS GOING ON??? Finally, it all ended with a well huh...guess they won. Whatever. Where is my new Ilona Andrews book?
Seriously!
Basically it boils down to 2 things...CHESS AND TERRIBLE.
Chess, you stupid selfish slut! (Wow say that 5 times fast...stupid selfish slut, stupid shellfish schlup...damn I can't even say it 2 times fast without fucking it up.) She was her normal flip floppy, self deprecating, insecure but ultimately strong self till page 340. At that point I wanted to kill her, send her soul to her terrifying city of eternity and then stand at the gates taunting her about it and rubbing it in her face that she deserved it.
And Terrible! This is a man who is a big, scary, dangerous mod enforcer, but because he can be a total teddy bear at times made me love him. This was the first time in this series I was scared of him. There is a very thin fucking line between consensual rough sex and rape and he basically stood on that line while pissing on it.Yes she consented, but what fucking option did she have? She thinks she is so goddamned worthless (and yes she fucked up big time and she deserved for him to dump her ass) she felt she deserved whatever rage he gave her. Yes, yes he apologized, but OMG it was horribly uncomfortable to read.
And I know we are talking about 2 people with pretty messed up upbringings and they aren't going to have your "normal" picket fence relationship. But she can only only fuck things up so many times while she figures out what the hell it is she wants, and he should know abuse is abuse.
Basically I lost all respect for Chess and a bit for Terrible too. Throughout the series I have been waiting for Chess to figure it out, for a light bulb to go off in her head. It never fucking happens. Yes this whole series has only taken place over a year and its hard to change your way of thinking in that short of a time period but damn! I am losing patience.
She causes things, and affects so many people around herself but refuses to realize it. Every time there is an inkling that she has fucked up something for someone else she can't deal. She immediately starts popping pills. I could understand if she would at least try to deal with the consequences of her actions, fail, and THEN take the drugs. But she doesn't even try! Just lets her brain go off into oblivion like nothing ever happened. I mean come on - what kind of a fuck you is that to the people she screws over, that she won't even accept that she caused it. I am mostly talking about Elder Griffen here. After she screws up his work life the book never addresses her feelings about it, her ideas to try and fix things, or even her acceptance of what she did. She slightly glosses over it, then immediately turns her attention elsewhere (usually to her cepts).
At first I didn't understand her addiction, then as the series progressed and I learned about how fucking hard her life was I got it, and now I am just tired of it.Sounds harsh, I know that, but I can't help it.
By the end of the book I cared more about all the people who had been sucked up into the plot of the book and their fates than I did about Chess's. Yeah I still love Terrible and wanted him to survive, but I couldn't have cares less if she made it or not. And I know there is supposed to be a 6th book in the series, so I figured she would live, but who cares. She doesn't deserve to be punished for her life. She thinks she is worthless because that is what all her abusers told her, but really its her selfishness that makes me want to beat her down.
.....
So yeah...that was way more of a rant than I meant to go off on. The book itself is still good. The plot was involved and twisted, but the magic was pretty detailed and confusing. You really had to pay attention and understand it all if you wanted the plot to make sense. It was also weird for Chess to only have a Downside case to work on. Normally she is juggling a Church case as well in the plots of these books, but not this time.
Besides Chess being horribly annoying this book it was good. It started a bit slow, but once it got underway it was non stop action. This series is a fantastic one and I will definitely read #6 but Chess has got to start growing up and dealing with her emotional issues.
Seriously!
Basically it boils down to 2 things...CHESS AND TERRIBLE.
Chess, you stupid selfish slut! (Wow say that 5 times fast...stupid selfish slut, stupid shellfish schlup...damn I can't even say it 2 times fast without fucking it up.) She was her normal flip floppy, self deprecating, insecure but ultimately strong self till page 340. At that point I wanted to kill her, send her soul to her terrifying city of eternity and then stand at the gates taunting her about it and rubbing it in her face that she deserved it.
And Terrible! This is a man who is a big, scary, dangerous mod enforcer, but because he can be a total teddy bear at times made me love him. This was the first time in this series I was scared of him. There is a very thin fucking line between consensual rough sex and rape and he basically stood on that line while pissing on it.Yes she consented, but what fucking option did she have? She thinks she is so goddamned worthless (and yes she fucked up big time and she deserved for him to dump her ass) she felt she deserved whatever rage he gave her. Yes, yes he apologized, but OMG it was horribly uncomfortable to read.
And I know we are talking about 2 people with pretty messed up upbringings and they aren't going to have your "normal" picket fence relationship. But she can only only fuck things up so many times while she figures out what the hell it is she wants, and he should know abuse is abuse.
Basically I lost all respect for Chess and a bit for Terrible too. Throughout the series I have been waiting for Chess to figure it out, for a light bulb to go off in her head. It never fucking happens. Yes this whole series has only taken place over a year and its hard to change your way of thinking in that short of a time period but damn! I am losing patience.
She causes things, and affects so many people around herself but refuses to realize it. Every time there is an inkling that she has fucked up something for someone else she can't deal. She immediately starts popping pills. I could understand if she would at least try to deal with the consequences of her actions, fail, and THEN take the drugs. But she doesn't even try! Just lets her brain go off into oblivion like nothing ever happened. I mean come on - what kind of a fuck you is that to the people she screws over, that she won't even accept that she caused it. I am mostly talking about Elder Griffen here. After she screws up his work life the book never addresses her feelings about it, her ideas to try and fix things, or even her acceptance of what she did. She slightly glosses over it, then immediately turns her attention elsewhere (usually to her cepts).
At first I didn't understand her addiction, then as the series progressed and I learned about how fucking hard her life was I got it, and now I am just tired of it.Sounds harsh, I know that, but I can't help it.
By the end of the book I cared more about all the people who had been sucked up into the plot of the book and their fates than I did about Chess's. Yeah I still love Terrible and wanted him to survive, but I couldn't have cares less if she made it or not. And I know there is supposed to be a 6th book in the series, so I figured she would live, but who cares. She doesn't deserve to be punished for her life. She thinks she is worthless because that is what all her abusers told her, but really its her selfishness that makes me want to beat her down.
.....
So yeah...that was way more of a rant than I meant to go off on. The book itself is still good. The plot was involved and twisted, but the magic was pretty detailed and confusing. You really had to pay attention and understand it all if you wanted the plot to make sense. It was also weird for Chess to only have a Downside case to work on. Normally she is juggling a Church case as well in the plots of these books, but not this time.
Besides Chess being horribly annoying this book it was good. It started a bit slow, but once it got underway it was non stop action. This series is a fantastic one and I will definitely read #6 but Chess has got to start growing up and dealing with her emotional issues.
I have mixed feelings about this series. There are parts I like and parts I hate, and for the last couple of books, the parts I like were pushing through the most. I thought I was getting the hang of things. But 'Chasing Magic' seemed to push me backwards a bit - mostly because of Chess.
It's common knowledge for this series that Chess has a drug addiction. If she's not chewing on another cept every few pages, then she's probably in deep trouble and can't afford to waste time reaching into her bag. I got to the point where I could handle her drug uses because the ghost plots and annoying love triangle took over. But 'Chasing Magic' involved bespelled packets of speed and the focus was heavy on the drug use. Chess's drug addicting is just insane. It took over most of the book and was just so confronting. I know it's part of her character. I know there's a reason she's taking drugs so regularly. But that doesn't mean I can handle it all the time.
Couple that with the fact that Chess doesn't think too highly of herself - she's constantly doing the wrong thing under the excuse that she's already worthless, so why bother trying to stay good for so long if she'll end up doing bad anyway? - I wanted to slap her in almost every scene. It's really hard to like a book when the main character annoys you so much.
That being said, I am glad I kept reading. There were story arcs from previous books that I got to see more of; things I was interested in. And I am pretty invested in Chess and Terrible's relationship.
All in all, an ok read; but not a favourite.
3/5 stars
It's common knowledge for this series that Chess has a drug addiction. If she's not chewing on another cept every few pages, then she's probably in deep trouble and can't afford to waste time reaching into her bag. I got to the point where I could handle her drug uses because the ghost plots and annoying love triangle took over. But 'Chasing Magic' involved bespelled packets of speed and the focus was heavy on the drug use. Chess's drug addicting is just insane. It took over most of the book and was just so confronting. I know it's part of her character. I know there's a reason she's taking drugs so regularly. But that doesn't mean I can handle it all the time.
Couple that with the fact that Chess doesn't think too highly of herself - she's constantly doing the wrong thing under the excuse that she's already worthless, so why bother trying to stay good for so long if she'll end up doing bad anyway? - I wanted to slap her in almost every scene. It's really hard to like a book when the main character annoys you so much.
That being said, I am glad I kept reading. There were story arcs from previous books that I got to see more of; things I was interested in. And I am pretty invested in Chess and Terrible's relationship.
All in all, an ok read; but not a favourite.
3/5 stars
FYI, there's a blurb for this book on Amazon:
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.
I swear on both of my orgasmic boobies that if Chess fucks this up with, I will knock her pill-popping face in with a crowbar!
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.
I swear on both of my orgasmic boobies that if Chess fucks this up with
Spoiler
Terrible
She's done it again! How does she keep doing this to me? Just when I think Stacia Kane has sent me on every possible emotional roller coaster imaginable, there she is again with ride tickets clutched in her hand and a wicked gleam in her eye.
I am somewhat conflicted about certain elements of this book. As flawed as Chess is, and Lord knows she's one of the most, if not the most, flawed Urban Fantasy characters out there, I've still always respected her. Even as hard as that is to do sometimes with the way she's constantly telling you what a shitty person she is. I was always able to see through that and admire her strength anyway.
In this book she did something I didn't like. I'm not going to say what it was, not even a hint, save to say I actually had to put the book down and didn't pick it up again for 4 days. I still haven't decided if I'm mad, sad, disappointed or what, but I had to take a break to put my thoughts in order.
Aside from that, though, it was business as usual. Except these days Chess' business comes with lots more Terrible! I loved the amount of time they were able to spend together in this book. They're relationship is very intense and they have a lot of issues, but they're also a pretty freaking great team and they worked together on the crime/case like they've been doing it for years. Chess is the investigator, Terrible is the muscle, and it just works perfectly.
They also made some more progress as a couple. Although with Chess it's likely always going to be one step forward for every two steps back, I ended the book feeling more confident in Chess for the future. There are no major changes happening yet, but maybe in the next one....
“I ain't...Don't know how to say it up right. Never--Fuck, Chess. Thought you was dead once before, you recall? Never felt so bad in my life, not ever. Then on the other day, thought you was gone and just....I can't do it, bein without you.”
All in all, another fantastic book, despite my hiccup. And, hey, it's only a testament to how involved with these characters I am that it was able to affect me so much.
Outstanding job, Ms Kane. Next one please!
4 Stars! ★★★★ ♥
Review Copy: Received from the publisher for an honest review
I am somewhat conflicted about certain elements of this book. As flawed as Chess is, and Lord knows she's one of the most, if not the most, flawed Urban Fantasy characters out there, I've still always respected her. Even as hard as that is to do sometimes with the way she's constantly telling you what a shitty person she is. I was always able to see through that and admire her strength anyway.
In this book she did something I didn't like. I'm not going to say what it was, not even a hint, save to say I actually had to put the book down and didn't pick it up again for 4 days. I still haven't decided if I'm mad, sad, disappointed or what, but I had to take a break to put my thoughts in order.
Aside from that, though, it was business as usual. Except these days Chess' business comes with lots more Terrible! I loved the amount of time they were able to spend together in this book. They're relationship is very intense and they have a lot of issues, but they're also a pretty freaking great team and they worked together on the crime/case like they've been doing it for years. Chess is the investigator, Terrible is the muscle, and it just works perfectly.
They also made some more progress as a couple. Although with Chess it's likely always going to be one step forward for every two steps back, I ended the book feeling more confident in Chess for the future. There are no major changes happening yet, but maybe in the next one....
“I ain't...Don't know how to say it up right. Never--Fuck, Chess. Thought you was dead once before, you recall? Never felt so bad in my life, not ever. Then on the other day, thought you was gone and just....I can't do it, bein without you.”
All in all, another fantastic book, despite my hiccup. And, hey, it's only a testament to how involved with these characters I am that it was able to affect me so much.
Outstanding job, Ms Kane. Next one please!
4 Stars! ★★★★ ♥
Review Copy: Received from the publisher for an honest review
Aww. I do love a man who's willing to hold your hair for you while you throw up all over the place. They're so hard to find these days...
Yes, that's right. My Terrible love continues. I honestly don't know what it is about this scarred, ugly beast of a man who talks like he's dumb, but the guy has something. He's fucking adorable. How is it that he can call Chess "Chessiebomb" and get away with it? Chessiebomb. You'd think I would need someone to hold my hair for me after that one. It just shows how well Kane must handle her characters if she can offer up a drug addict + ugly henchman twosome and make me love them both.
I think it's also brilliant that I'm still hanging on every aspect of the relationship between Terrible and Chess. The sexual tension is still there, the uncertainty is still there (well, it is for them anyway), I still never tire of following them through their many struggles to accept love from one another. As far as sex scenes go, [b:Chasing Magic|12084655|Chasing Magic (Downside Ghosts, #5)|Stacia Kane|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327882832s/12084655.jpg|17052700] has some of probably the most... intense, yeah, I think that's the best way to describe it. Chess and Terrible's sexcapades are complicated and somewhat brutal, often fuelled by something far less simple than desire.
The mystery in this was more satisfying than the one in [b:Sacrificial Magic|8786358|Sacrificial Magic (Downside Ghosts, #4)|Stacia Kane|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316601704s/8786358.jpg|13630390], but I still think the strength of these later books is in their exploration of the characters. These are two extremely troubled individuals and we finally see Chess's drug habit starting to get to her more and more. Before, as long as she didn't allow the drugs to wear off completely, she would be fine. Or as fine as a drug addict who suffered childhood abuse can be. But now her usual highs aren't enough and she's getting herself into increasingly dangerous territory.
One thing that is certain: this book is by far the most gruesome. Torture scenes, extremely large amounts of blood, bones breaking through flesh... ugh. Definitely not one for the squeamish.
I'd say this is a really sad addition to the series. Those who've stayed with Chess so far will know how little she has that brings her happiness, well she loses one of the few things she does have in this book. I really hope that she is able to get that back before the series is over.
Another 5 star read from Stacia Kane!! This series never fails to disappoint and although apprehensive sacrificial magic would be hard to top Stacia takes us on an equally intriguing, captivating and adrenaline filled ride!
If you have not read this series - go now and pick them up - you will not be disappointed!!
If you have not read this series - go now and pick them up - you will not be disappointed!!