Unclean Spirits / M.L.N. Hanover

Unclean Spirits by M.L.N. Hanover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2020 Summer Clearance Special

What a pleasant surprise! I picked this book up at the used book store after attending a conference at which the author was a guest. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. It's almost unfortunate, as now I really want to read the remaining two volumes. Back to the bookstore, I guess.

I tend to prefer urban fantasy by female authors, but Hanover does a good job of writing a female main character. Jayne is a typical urban fantasy heroine. She has a mysterious relative who has made her the beneficiary of his will. As she assesses her new real estate, she discovers that her uncle had a whole side to him that she'd never guessed—he fought evil (and wasn't gay as she'd presumed). She herself has unusual skills, wants to continue her uncle's mission, and begins assembling a posse of friends to accomplish the seemingly impossible.

There's good action, as the inexperienced group fumble towards the goal. There's tension induced by the timing required and the inevitable personality conflicts. The reader wants them to prevail, but the author is constantly throwing doubt on the whole business.

Jayne isn't a complete Mary Sue, she makes major mistakes and has to recover from them. She does, however, fall awfully easily into the role of team leader. She does have enough sense to allow the specialists on her team to use their skills.

The only thing that made me truly roll my eyes was the cover art. Seriously, Cliff Nielsen? At no point in the book does Jayne wear leather pants. She's a jeans-and-t shirt girl. In addition, no woman worth her salt will go into battle in a Victoria's Secret bra. Maybe a sports bra. And lastly, the short sword in her right hand is being held awkwardly for fighting. She'd be far more likely to stab herself in the leg.
However I'm getting used to ignoring cover art. It is often misleading, tending towards embarrassing. I wouldn't be reluctant to be seen in public with this book, but I sure wouldn't flaunt it either.

To keep or re-sell? I'll keep it for the time being while I search for the next volume.


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