The Brimstone Deception / Lisa Shearin

The Brimstone Deception by Lisa Shearin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


2020 Re-Read

My favourite SPI agent, Makenna Fraser, has an educational trip to the outskirts of Hell. She learns a lot about her seer abilities, her friends and coworkers, and about a certain Goblin businessman. This is the book where the paranormal romance characteristics become pronounced. Thankfully there is still a substantial action adventure involved, or it would get as sugary as Makenna's diet. This girl loves her baked goods!

A bright and optimistic urban fantasy series, giving my spirits the boost that they need during these days of physical distancing. Thank you, Lisa Shearin, for a shot of fun in every book.


ORIGINAL REVIEW

The SPI Files is a delightful series! I will be anxiously awaiting book 4 in 2017.

Makenna is a charming main character—a seemingly ordinary woman with an extraordinary ability (to see through magic glamours) but who knows her limitations. She knows that she will never be able to kick butt like many of her fellow SPI agents, but allows them to do their thing while she does hers. On the theory that one should be a pleasant coworker as well as a useful one, she is always quick with a quip or a smart remark to break the tension.

One of the things that I appreciate about the series is that there is very little swearing—cuss words are used sparingly and when they are appropriate. One of the lessons my mama taught me: swearing all the time takes all the magical shock value out of the words. If you rarely swear, when you do people sit up and pay attention. Save it for when you really need folks to take you seriously. It works! And Shearin has obviously had similar coaching.

I know that some readers will also be frustrated with the glacial slowness of the romantic subplot of the SPI files too. For me, that is another one of its charms. Love is in the air? Hand me a gasmask! Eventually, however, the author will have to fish or cut bait.

It will be difficult to wait a whole year for the next installment.

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