City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, #3) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jun 27, 2012 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: why-favorite, what-modern-fantasy, why-favorite-author, why-favorite-series

Update 7/19/12:
If it was even possible, I love Stacia Kane even more than before:
http://www.staciakane.net/2012/07/11/...

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I cried again. I had no idea I was such a wuss. Friends, please don't judge me: I wasn't lying, I really don't like this torrid love affair kind of stuff and if the plot wasn't string enough on its own I wouldn't be reading this series. At least there is finally something definitive on the love front. I don't have to run out and get Update 7/19/12:
If it was even possible, I love Stacia Kane even more than before:
http://www.staciakane.net/2012/07/11/...

___________________________________________

I cried again. I had no idea I was such a wuss. Friends, please don't judge me: I wasn't lying, I really don't like this torrid love affair kind of stuff and if the plot wasn't string enough on its own I wouldn't be reading this series. At least there is finally something definitive on the love front. I don't have to run out and get the next book to find out what happens next. I want to but since I've read three in two weeks and here are only five so far I think I need to pace myself.

But the plot does pace itself and is good. I didn't figure it out ahead of time or even really have a clue. I can think of only one creepy kind of loose end but not exactly. I don't like that she mixes drugs and that one drug can automatically cancel out another. I just find it hard to believe it works like that. The other big problem with this particular storyline is that in the middle there is a fabulous battle from which the heroine emerges with only a minor leg injury she dresses at home when in reality she would be dead. If not, the. She would be in ICU and on a ventilator for months.

As always, you just have to ignore the ridiculous premise. This time we are reminded that the church has gotten rid of racism, intolerance and xenophobia. Riiiggghht. Kane really gets how that would work. That's why in the book there are still slums, why Chess is looked down upon because she comes from a poor background, why all foster homes did horrible and evil things to her, why there are no minorities mentioned except the rival gang who are Chinese. One of them is a love interest but he really isn't. You can't trust him and he probably is evil. No black and whites here.

But aside from this base that pervades the series, the books are really good. As usual, here the pacing is perfect, the characters real, the situations thrilling and dangerous, and Chess really kicks butt. In fact, in this book more than the previous two, she does so not just with magic but physically with her fists and her knife and feet and elbows and so forth. Chess is love-sick but not simpering. Nor is she the smart-mouthed bitch who can't shut up to literally save her life that proliferate UF. She takes action but she gets scared. She's strong but she screams and thinks of running away.

I want to give it a five for an enjoyment. I feel I should take away a star or two for the lack of diversity other than gender. Right now I'm at a 4.5 so I'm rounding up. If I'm not still as obsessed with this three days from. Ow as I have been with all the others than I'll lower it. But somehow I doubt that will happen since I read the book basically in one sitting with only a couple of interruptions to drive someone someplace and I've already reread the scenes with Terrible in them. Another fictional character I'm in love with. There must be something really wrong with me. ...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Steph Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: uf, favorites

This series just gets better with every book! I was sucked in from the first page and never got bored once. Really, the most negative thing I can think to say is that I read it too quickly because I was so anxious to find out what was going to happen. My favorite scenes were pretty much any scene involving Terrible, which has become a regular occurrence for me in this series. Kane does an excellent job in this book creating tension between Chess and Terrible. You really feel for both of them as ...more

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Jun 23, 2024 Michelle rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, fantasy, mystery, magic, thriller, fiction, ghosts, urban-fantasy, bookgames

Damn Chess Girl!

You have some issues...

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Apr 14, 2011 PepperP0t rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, series-r-us, adult, series, urban-fantasy

3.75stars actually …as the series turns

If you have issues with protagonists that aren’t sparklingly noble white hats and/or heart-stoppingly gorgeous this is probably not the series for you. The leads Chess & Terrible continue to go against standards and be those things with episode 3 of life on the “wrong side of the tracks”. Keeping in mind that reasons exist for them each being the way they are may help you to enjoy this series.

Situations are anything but run of the mill as this installment ...more

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Nov 27, 2017 🐉 PrinZessBookDragon 👑🌶️ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Yay!! Chess and Terrible are giving it a go!! I've been waiting for this since the end of book 2!! ...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Colleen rated it liked it

Shelves: supernatural, fantasy, urban-fantasy

The character development is a bit better now, and the complexities of the 'Church' and 'Downside' are still interesting. I congratulate the author on putting up a very flawed heroine and making it believable. ...more

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