Assaph Mehr

--

--

I came across the introductory novella on StoryOrigin, and it looked like fun - a humorous take on urban fantasy. I've read that story, and proceeded to the novels.

What to Expect

Amusing modern urban-fantasy where the protagonist is a vet for magi

I came across the introductory novella on StoryOrigin, and it looked like fun - a humorous take on urban fantasy. I've read that story, and proceeded to the novels.

What to Expect

Amusing modern urban-fantasy where the protagonist is a vet for magical creatures and has loose attitudes towards law and order. Together with rescuing magical animals, she also helps those in need by bending the rules (not to say outright breaking and entering). It's got all the tropes (like the obligatory werewolf and vampire potential boyfriends), with some exotic beasts thrown in. It's light, easy reading, short novels to tear through on holiday-brain. It's one of those series that can simply be described by the shopping list to tropes (which appears in the blurb).

The first novel, Hidden Storm, introduces all the main characters (or re-introduces the protagonist, if you've read the novella), and opens up some longer arcs for the series. She is a low-key witch, a falsely accused werewolf is one side, and a smoking-hot vampire policeman completes the triangle. Mercifully light on the romance, but high on tropes like hidden shadow world (even within the police). The story itself revolves around finding a serial killer who targets witches, Alicia trying to clear the werewolf while navigating the jumping-to-conclusions police-detective vampire and occasional self-inflicted actual danger. At least there are interesting mythological creatures in the background.

What I liked

It's generally well-written and amusing, short and fast paced. The magical bestiary adds an original touch, but otherwise it's pretty straight forward "trashy" urban fantasy that delivers on the entertainment premise. Also note the romance is barely there in the first novel and high on action, which I much prefer.

What to be aware of

As above, don't expect deep themes or clever mysteries. It's short, fast reads that require no brain-power because everything is spelled out. Great for when on vacation or when you need a break from heavier reading.

Felix's and Jack's Reviews

Felix had his fair encounters with magical beasts, up to and including once cooking a gryphon for a feast. He fully supports Alicia taking the law into her hands and sticking it to criminals, something he's done all too often, though he takes a more utilitarian approach to magical beasts and their maintenance.

Jack had a good laugh at the "Magical Crime Division" that's a unknown to all other cops. Clearly they haven't tried to navigate the HR and Payroll departments of actual police. Being a 'magical police' himself, he knows how the system works and how to twist it to his advantage. He also pointed out that sai traditional blades aren't sharp like daggers, and Alicia's are supposed to be authentic, old Japanese ones. When I said he was nitpicking, he replied that that's what good police detectives do.

Summary

Recommended if you like urban fantasy and want something light. I use it as a mental break between more demanding books.

--

--

I came across the introductory novella on StoryOrigin, and it looked like fun - a humorous take on urban fantasy. I've read that story, and proceeded to the novels.

What to Expect

Amusing modern urban-fantasy where the protagonist is a vet for magi

I came across the introductory novella on StoryOrigin, and it looked like fun - a humorous take on urban fantasy. I've read that story, and proceeded to the novels.

What to Expect

Amusing modern urban-fantasy where the protagonist is a vet for magical creatures and has loose attitudes towards law and order. Together with rescuing magical animals, she also helps those in need by bending the rules (not to say outright breaking and entering). It's got all the tropes (like the obligatory werewolf and vampire potential boyfriends), with some exotic beasts thrown in. It's light, easy reading, short novels to tear through on holiday-brain. It's one of those series that can simply be described by the shopping list to tropes (which appears in the blurb).

The first novel, Hidden Storm, introduces all the main characters (or re-introduces the protagonist, if you've read the novella), and opens up some longer arcs for the series. She is a low-key witch, a falsely accused werewolf is one side, and a smoking-hot vampire policeman completes the triangle. Mercifully light on the romance, but high on tropes like hidden shadow world (even within the police). The story itself revolves around finding a serial killer who targets witches, Alicia trying to clear the werewolf while navigating the jumping-to-conclusions police-detective vampire and occasional self-inflicted actual danger. At least there are interesting mythological creatures in the background.

What I liked

It's generally well-written and amusing, short and fast paced. The magical bestiary adds an original touch, but otherwise it's pretty straight forward "trashy" urban fantasy that delivers on the entertainment premise. Also note the romance is barely there in the first novel and high on action, which I much prefer.

What to be aware of

As above, don't expect deep themes or clever mysteries. It's short, fast reads that require no brain-power because everything is spelled out. Great for when on vacation or when you need a break from heavier reading.

Felix's and Jack's Reviews

Felix had his fair encounters with magical beasts, up to and including once cooking a gryphon for a feast. He fully supports Alicia taking the law into her hands and sticking it to criminals, something he's done all too often, though he takes a more utilitarian approach to magical beasts and their maintenance.

Jack had a good laugh at the "Magical Crime Division" that's a unknown to all other cops. Clearly they haven't tried to navigate the HR and Payroll departments of actual police. Being a 'magical police' himself, he knows how the system works and how to twist it to his advantage. He also pointed out that sai traditional blades aren't sharp like daggers, and Alicia's are supposed to be authentic, old Japanese ones. When I said he was nitpicking, he replied that that's what good police detectives do.

Summary

Recommended if you like urban fantasy and want something light. I use it as a mental break between more demanding books.

--

--

--