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Modern Magics #2
Portals: Modern Magics, Book 2
For supernatural detectives Thulu and La Fi, “normal” is a relative term. La Fi is a medium, Thulu is a finder, and their usual clients are already dead.
But when their friend Reo is shot, and a group of stranded angels shows up at their house for help finding a missing child, things are striking too close to home.
And the portals that let the magical races return to Earth are opening on their own.
With trips off-world, a kidnapped psychic and changes to their own abilities, Thulu and La Fi are hit with a lot more than they usually handle. Of course, their magical friends are there to help, but even they may not be enough to save an increasingly unstable Earth.
Portals is the cross genre (Sci Fi/Urban Fantasy) sequel to Relics and is Book 2 in the Modern Magics series.
But when their friend Reo is shot, and a group of stranded angels shows up at their house for help finding a missing child, things are striking too close to home.
And the portals that let the magical races return to Earth are opening on their own.
With trips off-world, a kidnapped psychic and changes to their own abilities, Thulu and La Fi are hit with a lot more than they usually handle. Of course, their magical friends are there to help, but even they may not be enough to save an increasingly unstable Earth.
Portals is the cross genre (Sci Fi/Urban Fantasy) sequel to Relics and is Book 2 in the Modern Magics series.
ebook
First published November 23, 2013
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About the author
Maer Wilson
13 books292 followersAfter a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks of that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she's a writer. She's always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. Maer was born in the Year of the Dragon and has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she's not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She also co-hosts the literary podcast, “MythBehaving” and writes for two gaming fansites. She lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her three dogs, a chihuahua and two poodle. Relics is her first novel and released on May 1, 2013. She has since released Book 2, Portals, four prequel novelettes, and a box set of the novelettes and a new short story in the Modern Magics series. You can visit her website at http://maerwilson.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 18, 2013
"Portals: Book 2 of The Thulukan Chronicles" is another fun read by this very talented author. Maer Wilson takes us back to the world of paranormal/ supernatural detectives La Fi and Thulu in San Francisco. Their world is threatened to be overrun by all types of out-worldly visitors, thanks to sudden openings of some portals that link worlds to each other.
La Fi is a medium and can see the dead (- as can her three year old son Carter) while other characters in the novel have diffeent abilities in this supernatural mystery novel. There are ghosts, elves, daemons, mindreaders and telepaths in the mix.
In "Relics" La Fi had already some dealings with the portals and she tries not to get too involved in what is happening with them but she soon has no choice but to help some outworldly visitors.
Thankfully not sticking to repetitive formula Wilson is stepping up her game cleverly by letting her characters evolve as well as their abilities, in fact, she allows the entire world to change and be challenged. The new races are imaginative and make for some lively, fresh and original reading.
What I personally liked best about the story is the very dry humour with which La Fi narrates the story. Too often harrassed by the dead and trying to run a business and save the world she is a fantastic main character, an often reluctant heroine but a spirited and likeable one. While the humour is very entertaining the action part of the story is incorporated perfectly into the plot and makes for smooth and captivating reading.
I am looking forward to the tricks Wilson has up her sleeves for book 3.
La Fi is a medium and can see the dead (- as can her three year old son Carter) while other characters in the novel have diffeent abilities in this supernatural mystery novel. There are ghosts, elves, daemons, mindreaders and telepaths in the mix.
In "Relics" La Fi had already some dealings with the portals and she tries not to get too involved in what is happening with them but she soon has no choice but to help some outworldly visitors.
Thankfully not sticking to repetitive formula Wilson is stepping up her game cleverly by letting her characters evolve as well as their abilities, in fact, she allows the entire world to change and be challenged. The new races are imaginative and make for some lively, fresh and original reading.
What I personally liked best about the story is the very dry humour with which La Fi narrates the story. Too often harrassed by the dead and trying to run a business and save the world she is a fantastic main character, an often reluctant heroine but a spirited and likeable one. While the humour is very entertaining the action part of the story is incorporated perfectly into the plot and makes for smooth and captivating reading.
I am looking forward to the tricks Wilson has up her sleeves for book 3.
December 16, 2013
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
At the start of this second full-length book about the Thulukans, we find ourselves back in San Francisco with Thulu and La Fi, just a few days after the end of Book One. This book is divided into three parts, with the second part completely set on a far-off world, and the third part returning our heroes to the familiarity of Earth and their San Francisco home.
Like the first book and the previous novelettes, all three parts of this story are told in the first person POV of La Fi Thulukan, who can see and talk with ghosts and understand and translate any and every language in the universe. She and her husband Thulu run a supernatural detective agency, catering to clients who are already dead, and now to off-world magical creatures. We follow all the old characters from RELICS, as well as meeting a few new ones.
In the first book, the portals between worlds were opened and magical creatures arrived on Earth. Things are beginning to calm down, especially now that the magical race of Light Ones, who caused the strife in Book One, have all been sent back to their home planet for healing… Except for the group that shows up on La Fi’s doorstep, looking for help in finding a lost child. Since her husband’s abilities as a “Finder” of lost objects and people is legendary (in an inter-world way) they come seeking his help. He helps them, and plunges their band of heroes, human and magical alike, into the middle of a few inter-world battles that have been going on for years. Earth – and our heroes – will never be the same again.
I enjoyed this book, basically an urban fantasy detective tale chock-full of supernatural creatures but told from a matter-of-fact point of view. La Fi is never ruffled by the appearance of new magical beings, taking almost everything in stride. The author adds many touches of the every day, normal details to ground the story, although at times I found myself impatient with details of food preparation as I wanted to get to the juicier, magical parts more quickly. There’s also no romance or sexual tension anywhere in the book, so don’t bother looking for any, and the scenes of violence are also downplayed.
An enjoyable, well-written read, though not quite as engaging as the first book in the series. There's a lot of set up going on, which makes me wonder what Ms. Wilson has in store for her readers in the next book! Looking forward to seeing what trouble La Fi and Thulu find themselves battling next!
At the start of this second full-length book about the Thulukans, we find ourselves back in San Francisco with Thulu and La Fi, just a few days after the end of Book One. This book is divided into three parts, with the second part completely set on a far-off world, and the third part returning our heroes to the familiarity of Earth and their San Francisco home.
Like the first book and the previous novelettes, all three parts of this story are told in the first person POV of La Fi Thulukan, who can see and talk with ghosts and understand and translate any and every language in the universe. She and her husband Thulu run a supernatural detective agency, catering to clients who are already dead, and now to off-world magical creatures. We follow all the old characters from RELICS, as well as meeting a few new ones.
In the first book, the portals between worlds were opened and magical creatures arrived on Earth. Things are beginning to calm down, especially now that the magical race of Light Ones, who caused the strife in Book One, have all been sent back to their home planet for healing… Except for the group that shows up on La Fi’s doorstep, looking for help in finding a lost child. Since her husband’s abilities as a “Finder” of lost objects and people is legendary (in an inter-world way) they come seeking his help. He helps them, and plunges their band of heroes, human and magical alike, into the middle of a few inter-world battles that have been going on for years. Earth – and our heroes – will never be the same again.
I enjoyed this book, basically an urban fantasy detective tale chock-full of supernatural creatures but told from a matter-of-fact point of view. La Fi is never ruffled by the appearance of new magical beings, taking almost everything in stride. The author adds many touches of the every day, normal details to ground the story, although at times I found myself impatient with details of food preparation as I wanted to get to the juicier, magical parts more quickly. There’s also no romance or sexual tension anywhere in the book, so don’t bother looking for any, and the scenes of violence are also downplayed.
An enjoyable, well-written read, though not quite as engaging as the first book in the series. There's a lot of set up going on, which makes me wonder what Ms. Wilson has in store for her readers in the next book! Looking forward to seeing what trouble La Fi and Thulu find themselves battling next!
December 23, 2013
I love a good paranormal story, and this has all the right ingredients and then some.
I must admit there were some things that could be seen as distracting. There’s a lot of dimple flashing going on, as well as quit a few repetitions as well as lengthy descriptions, but somehow they didn’t diminish my reading pleasure. In fact at more than one time I found myself enjoying the fact that there’s a lot of openly affection between the characters. Which brings us to discussing those characters. Let me tell you there’s nothing wrong with them. They are fully developed, have the ability to make you root for them and even …
Well, want to yell at them. The main character often has a quirky way of expressing herself, which could be distracting if it wasn’t done in a way that makes it endearing instead.
What I mean is, that this author has the ability to make you believe these fictional characters in a paranormal novel are real, feeling persons. With lives that matter, encountering events that touch their lives in a very real way.
I love the twists and surprises that are foreshadowed as they should be, but still managed to surprise.
The way the author has build the worlds, yes worlds, is exactly how it should be done. Enough description to allow you to imagine them and yet leaves enough to that imagination.
To make a long story short, this novel is a keeper. Even though it is the second book in a series and I have not read the first, I could follow the whole and not once missed anything, nor did the author go out of her way to explain things which happened in the first book. It is done in a way that allows to read this book as a stand-alone, which I love! I’m not a fan of serialised novels, but I will most certainly read the first book just because I loved this one so much.
I must admit there were some things that could be seen as distracting. There’s a lot of dimple flashing going on, as well as quit a few repetitions as well as lengthy descriptions, but somehow they didn’t diminish my reading pleasure. In fact at more than one time I found myself enjoying the fact that there’s a lot of openly affection between the characters. Which brings us to discussing those characters. Let me tell you there’s nothing wrong with them. They are fully developed, have the ability to make you root for them and even …
Well, want to yell at them. The main character often has a quirky way of expressing herself, which could be distracting if it wasn’t done in a way that makes it endearing instead.
What I mean is, that this author has the ability to make you believe these fictional characters in a paranormal novel are real, feeling persons. With lives that matter, encountering events that touch their lives in a very real way.
I love the twists and surprises that are foreshadowed as they should be, but still managed to surprise.
The way the author has build the worlds, yes worlds, is exactly how it should be done. Enough description to allow you to imagine them and yet leaves enough to that imagination.
To make a long story short, this novel is a keeper. Even though it is the second book in a series and I have not read the first, I could follow the whole and not once missed anything, nor did the author go out of her way to explain things which happened in the first book. It is done in a way that allows to read this book as a stand-alone, which I love! I’m not a fan of serialised novels, but I will most certainly read the first book just because I loved this one so much.
March 9, 2014
Reviewer: Walki
3.9 on the Masq Scale
While Maer Wilson gave enough information about the characters, and the events that happened in the previous instalment of The Thulukan Chronicles, I couldn't help but feel that I was missing out on something. Probably because the author created likable characters, so likable that I wanted to know more about them.
Portals' is a novel filled with Light Ones (or angels), Dark Ones (or daemons), Elves and many more magical races living in other worlds. Worlds that can be accessed through magical portals. The two main characters are humans/mortals, with various supernatural powers. LaFi is a medium, who can also see and hear ghosts. Her husband Thulu, who can only see ghosts, is a Finder. He can find anything or anyone anywhere. They are friends with a gay couple: Reo, a medium; and Sloane, an Elf.
While the style of writing is deliberately simple, the plot is rich in events, off-world travels, characters, and dialogues. The character development gives a good insight into the close bond between LaFi and Thulu, and the personalities of other recurring characters. However, while I enjoyed their adventures, they felt a bit static to me. I would have liked to read more details about people and events. I would have liked to feel more on edge and worry more for the characters' safety. This said, I'm likely to catch another volume of the Thulukan Chronicles when I get the time.
3.9 on the Masq Scale
While Maer Wilson gave enough information about the characters, and the events that happened in the previous instalment of The Thulukan Chronicles, I couldn't help but feel that I was missing out on something. Probably because the author created likable characters, so likable that I wanted to know more about them.
Portals' is a novel filled with Light Ones (or angels), Dark Ones (or daemons), Elves and many more magical races living in other worlds. Worlds that can be accessed through magical portals. The two main characters are humans/mortals, with various supernatural powers. LaFi is a medium, who can also see and hear ghosts. Her husband Thulu, who can only see ghosts, is a Finder. He can find anything or anyone anywhere. They are friends with a gay couple: Reo, a medium; and Sloane, an Elf.
While the style of writing is deliberately simple, the plot is rich in events, off-world travels, characters, and dialogues. The character development gives a good insight into the close bond between LaFi and Thulu, and the personalities of other recurring characters. However, while I enjoyed their adventures, they felt a bit static to me. I would have liked to read more details about people and events. I would have liked to feel more on edge and worry more for the characters' safety. This said, I'm likely to catch another volume of the Thulukan Chronicles when I get the time.
December 18, 2013
From the very beginning I was sold!
Maer Wilson brings creative and clever to the forefront in this slightly noir book where Multiverse beings collide. Usually it takes me about forty pages to get into a book but she had me hooked like a big tuna with a great opening line, “Being dead has it’s disadvantages.” I could not put this book down as I was impressed with the detailed layers of the characters and their dialogue. Easy to read, this second book in The Thulukan Chronicles will not disappoint. Science fiction fantasy lovers can add another great book to their list. I recommend this book to all!
Maer Wilson brings creative and clever to the forefront in this slightly noir book where Multiverse beings collide. Usually it takes me about forty pages to get into a book but she had me hooked like a big tuna with a great opening line, “Being dead has it’s disadvantages.” I could not put this book down as I was impressed with the detailed layers of the characters and their dialogue. Easy to read, this second book in The Thulukan Chronicles will not disappoint. Science fiction fantasy lovers can add another great book to their list. I recommend this book to all!
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October 30, 2014Officially released 12/14/13. I am the author. :)
December 11, 2014
In the second book in the Modern Magic series, Portals, we find that magic portals are opening on their own, creating quite a disturbance. From Moscow to New York, strange and bizarre off worldly creatures are becoming the norm. Not necessarily a good thing.
Three year-old Carter has been adopted by La Fi and Thulu and he sees dead people too! As is usual, La Fi and Thulu's beautiful home is inundated with ghostly happenings both good and bad. We meet elves, the FBI, faeries and of course, the errant demon who can be good or bad, depending upon the circumstance.
The Light Ones have returned, a race of entities who look like angels but feed off human emotion. Thulu, La Fi, and Carter work to get them back to their own magical world through a recalcitrant portal, only to return and face the demons who are up to their own dastardly deeds.
I love the Modern Magic series and had been waiting for a perfect rainy day to read Portals. Well, I got the rain AND a fine book to lose myself in. La Fi and Thulu are my very favorite supernatural detectives. La Fi sees ghosts and Thulu is a finder who can see ghosts, but he can't hear them. La Fi and Thulu are simply captivating as is their adopted son, Carter. You will feel an immediate connection with them for they read as real people. There are a few loose ends I'd like to see connected and will have to wait for the next installment to get my questions answered.
I hope you enjoy the Modern Magics series as much as I have.
Three year-old Carter has been adopted by La Fi and Thulu and he sees dead people too! As is usual, La Fi and Thulu's beautiful home is inundated with ghostly happenings both good and bad. We meet elves, the FBI, faeries and of course, the errant demon who can be good or bad, depending upon the circumstance.
The Light Ones have returned, a race of entities who look like angels but feed off human emotion. Thulu, La Fi, and Carter work to get them back to their own magical world through a recalcitrant portal, only to return and face the demons who are up to their own dastardly deeds.
I love the Modern Magic series and had been waiting for a perfect rainy day to read Portals. Well, I got the rain AND a fine book to lose myself in. La Fi and Thulu are my very favorite supernatural detectives. La Fi sees ghosts and Thulu is a finder who can see ghosts, but he can't hear them. La Fi and Thulu are simply captivating as is their adopted son, Carter. You will feel an immediate connection with them for they read as real people. There are a few loose ends I'd like to see connected and will have to wait for the next installment to get my questions answered.
I hope you enjoy the Modern Magics series as much as I have.
January 19, 2015
This is a book two in a series and you really do need to read them in order or you will be totally lost.
Portals picks up where relics left off with La Fi and Thulu just recovering from the shock and tragedy of the last case. Reo is shot by a man that could tell he and Sloane were supes and others and some stray Light Ones show up needing help finding a kidnapped child and getting back through the closed portal to their world.
There is lots of action in this story as well as twists and turns. I will say there was so much going on I nearly got over whelmed by it all, but having said that I loved the story and the characters. The descriptions of the other worlds they crossed into were very intriguing and I would have liked even more.
One of my favorite things about his story is that even though this isn’t really a romance the love of Thulu and La fi is beautiful, loving and I like how we see their affection though this story has no on page sex. I can’t wait to see what is in store for La fi next!
If you like paranormal, supernatural, angels and demons, other beings, ghosts, cute kids, clean stories, drama and suspense with a touch of romance it’s all here in one nice exciting package!
Portals picks up where relics left off with La Fi and Thulu just recovering from the shock and tragedy of the last case. Reo is shot by a man that could tell he and Sloane were supes and others and some stray Light Ones show up needing help finding a kidnapped child and getting back through the closed portal to their world.
There is lots of action in this story as well as twists and turns. I will say there was so much going on I nearly got over whelmed by it all, but having said that I loved the story and the characters. The descriptions of the other worlds they crossed into were very intriguing and I would have liked even more.
One of my favorite things about his story is that even though this isn’t really a romance the love of Thulu and La fi is beautiful, loving and I like how we see their affection though this story has no on page sex. I can’t wait to see what is in store for La fi next!
If you like paranormal, supernatural, angels and demons, other beings, ghosts, cute kids, clean stories, drama and suspense with a touch of romance it’s all here in one nice exciting package!
November 30, 2014
Portals is the second offering in Wilson’s Modern Magics series about modern day private investigators who work with the dead.
La Fi and Thulu are barely back from their last adventure, and now the parents of orphaned Carter who, like La Fi, sees dead people. It’s a good thing, too, because their house is visited by a lot of ghosts, including Parker, a teen-aged boy, Jenna, a blond child, and her pet, Sophie, a ghost poodle.
Caught up with the need to take the Light Ones, a race that looks like stereotypical angels but who actually feed on human emotions to survive, back to their own world, the two detectives embark on a journey through magical portals to strange worlds. After completing their mission, they return to earth to find the drama that ensued when magical beings began appearing on earth through the portals has escalated due to the negative influence of a race of mutated daemons.
If that weren’t enough to keep them busy, La Fi and Thulu discover that their own magical abilities are increasing exponentially. Fast paced and with intriguging characters. An engrossing read with lots of ideas about the future of humanity.
La Fi and Thulu are barely back from their last adventure, and now the parents of orphaned Carter who, like La Fi, sees dead people. It’s a good thing, too, because their house is visited by a lot of ghosts, including Parker, a teen-aged boy, Jenna, a blond child, and her pet, Sophie, a ghost poodle.
Caught up with the need to take the Light Ones, a race that looks like stereotypical angels but who actually feed on human emotions to survive, back to their own world, the two detectives embark on a journey through magical portals to strange worlds. After completing their mission, they return to earth to find the drama that ensued when magical beings began appearing on earth through the portals has escalated due to the negative influence of a race of mutated daemons.
If that weren’t enough to keep them busy, La Fi and Thulu discover that their own magical abilities are increasing exponentially. Fast paced and with intriguging characters. An engrossing read with lots of ideas about the future of humanity.
December 19, 2013
Maer Wilson's Portals is a great follow-up in her Thulukan Chronicles series. The stakes are higher as the danger from other beings and humans themselves become a threat to Thulu and La Fi.
A fan girl like me will be happy to know that we learn a lot more about Jones. Still delicious. Still amazingly awesome.
In Relics, Wilson made me want to play with unicorns. Now, in Portals, she'd made me want to watch Light Ones fly.
If you can't tell, I'm a huge fan of this book and I can't wait for the next one.
A fan girl like me will be happy to know that we learn a lot more about Jones. Still delicious. Still amazingly awesome.
In Relics, Wilson made me want to play with unicorns. Now, in Portals, she'd made me want to watch Light Ones fly.
If you can't tell, I'm a huge fan of this book and I can't wait for the next one.
February 10, 2014
I believe the relationship between Fi and Thulu is a very strong factor in my love of these books, as well as the myriad of supporting characters. Wilson's worlds are quite unique, and Fiona's narrative in Portals is just as prosaic as in the other stories, which again makes the tragedies that occur seem even more vivid. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the Thulukan Chronicles. (This review may need to be rewritten due to being written while I have a migraine, which cut down on my ability to gush.)
March 8, 2014
Since i hadn't read the first book in The Thulukan Chronicles,I expected this book would be somewhat difficult for me to get into.However the first line of the book drew me and didn't let go.I really enjoyed this book and all the characters.I hope there will be a third book.
December 16, 2014
Hard to say, not as fast paced as the first book, but Ms Maer started building her maerverse, Hopefully we will see the return of the Thulukan agency, at the same time Ms. Maer could further expand her universe, more supes, more magical races......
October 31, 2017
La Fi and Thulu are now full time parents with Carter and the dead. However things are starting to go out of control. Angels are still on Earth and their child has gone missing. On top of that Reo was shot by a madman. The drama escalates and grows from there. A whirlwind of confusion, mystery and powers going ary.
I found this book growing in strength, I found it gaining in momentum but mostly nearer the end. However the slow early pace of the book made it harder for me to keep going. However the amazing characters made it entrancing to read. I will not give up on the series. It is amazing even if i struggled momentarily. A great read with excitement and fun.
I found this book growing in strength, I found it gaining in momentum but mostly nearer the end. However the slow early pace of the book made it harder for me to keep going. However the amazing characters made it entrancing to read. I will not give up on the series. It is amazing even if i struggled momentarily. A great read with excitement and fun.
July 21, 2022
Interesting read.
This was interesting enough and read well. It flowed nicely and picked up on the heels of the previous book.
The characters were interesting and diverse. The plot was easy enough to follow, though sometimes I felt it dragged slightly, mostly in the mundane day to day moments.
This was interesting enough and read well. It flowed nicely and picked up on the heels of the previous book.
The characters were interesting and diverse. The plot was easy enough to follow, though sometimes I felt it dragged slightly, mostly in the mundane day to day moments.
May 11, 2016
A unique twist of supernatural and mythological magic as viewed from the family home of Thulu and La Fi. La Fi (Fiona) can see and hear ghosts and together with her psychic finder husband, they have built a business to help the dead. Their lives are complicated by magical events that have Earth in uproar. Now is a good time for those with gifts to stay quiet, but recent events have not finished and recent visitors to Earth need their help.
This is a patiently drawn story that lures the reader into La Fi’s home and family life. La Fi is a private person and I felt her reluctant journey to open up her world when she has always instinctively shied from exposure. Her life is full of detail - she’s a bit of a perfectionist and organiser - and it was enjoyable to watch La Fi adjust her thinking and adapt to the growing demands on her time and abilities.
This story is family viewing, nothing too shocking, with moral dilemmas along the way to be resolved, and not just by La Fi and Thulu, several characters influence choices made along the way. There is a heart-stopping development at the end, and I am certain the ramifications for La Fi and Thulu will ricochet into the next book.
A great read! Part of a series, I recommend you start at the beginning.
This is a patiently drawn story that lures the reader into La Fi’s home and family life. La Fi is a private person and I felt her reluctant journey to open up her world when she has always instinctively shied from exposure. Her life is full of detail - she’s a bit of a perfectionist and organiser - and it was enjoyable to watch La Fi adjust her thinking and adapt to the growing demands on her time and abilities.
This story is family viewing, nothing too shocking, with moral dilemmas along the way to be resolved, and not just by La Fi and Thulu, several characters influence choices made along the way. There is a heart-stopping development at the end, and I am certain the ramifications for La Fi and Thulu will ricochet into the next book.
A great read! Part of a series, I recommend you start at the beginning.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews