Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Ghostland-Jory Strong

Ghostland
Jory Strong
Berkley, Apr 2009, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425226063

The Oakland Diocese asks self-taught shamaness Aisling McConaughey to help rescue an affluent VIP constituent’s mistress Elena Rousseau. She would prefer to say no, but knows she has no choice as Elena will be sacrificed otherwise and so will the orphans and Geneva that Aisling loves. Aided by Aziel her spirit guardian disguised as a ferret, Aisling enter the dangerous Ghostland where spirits dwell.

She knows she needs help to accomplish the quest so she summons demon Djinn Zurael en Caym to her side. He is outraged, but helpless as she has him bound; however, Zurael vows to kill the shamaness the moment he completes his mission which will end her summoning spell. However, as they work together, these natural enemies fall in love.

The vivid description of a post apocalyptic world that followed The Last War is dark, grim, but vivid; yet interwoven into the strong story line. Aisling is a terrific heroine who finds her already complicated mission becoming even more multifaceted and convoluted as she wonders why Elena is neeed as a ritual sacrifice and how love intrudes on her life. Zurael anchors the supernatural making the paranormal seem natural. Urban fantasy readers will relish GHOSTLAND and look forward to more escapades in Jory Strong’s new California (and beyond).

Harriet Klausner

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