Review: Chasing Magic by Stacia Kane

Title: Chasing Magic

Author: Stacia Kane

Source: Request

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Length: Novel

Release Date : June 26, 2012 from Del Rey (Random House)

Reviewer: Revolutionary Riot Gyrl

A Deadly High. Magic weilding 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.

Chasing Magic is the fifth novel in the Downside series which also features two novellas about the lead character, Chess Putnam. This is also the second Chess book to appear this year after March’s Sacrificial Magic. Those who follow the series know that there won’t be much steamy romance but there will be a lot of urban fantasy action and a mystery which will have to be solved.

In this installment of The Downside series, Chess and her boyfriend, Terrible, have to track down who ever is selling laced-drugs in the Downside area. As a drug user herself, the issue hits home in a big way because the laced drugs are turning people into homicidal maniacs and as a churchwitch, that wouldn’t exactly be something great for career advancement.

If this were not enough, another war between the dealers is looming and Chess finds herself torn between Terrible and another man. The action is non-stop and the plot is first rate. I won’t give away anymore of the storyline because seriously, that is why people read books.

This is satisfying series for anyone who is into hard core urban fantasy. True, the heroine is far likely to be on anyone’s “best behavior” list but Ms. Kane has made her so real and engaging, Chess draws you into her world and doesn’t let go.

I absolutely loved all the twists and turns of this novel and it is nice to know this series won’t be running out of steam any time soon. It is still as fresh and vibrant as when I first started reading and it is an absolute must-have for any UF enthusiast. 

Order of the novels:

Unholy Ghosts

Unholy Magic

City of Ghosts

Sacrificial Magic

Home (A Novella)

Finding Magic (A Novella)

Chasing Magic