Sunday, August 10, 2014

Broken Souls-Stephen Blackmoore

Broken Souls
Stephen Blackmoore
Daw, Aug 5 2014, $7.99
ISBN: 9780756409425

Necromancer Eric Carter fled Los Angeles years ago vowing to never return to the “Mad City” where too many wanted him dead.  His pledge ended with the tortured shredding death of his sister Lucy in her home; that he interpreted correctly as a personalized message to him from a psychopathic essence (see Dead Things).

Things only have gotten worse with the death of his buddy Alex and the grinning grim reminders of his “wife” Death, Santa Muerte; whom Eric foolishly agreed to wed in exchange for paranormal power.  He can’t do anything for Alex, but Eric decides he needs to annul his vow before Death claims him.  Desperate, he turns to a mage for help; unaware what lurks beneath the skin of his advisor.  Eric also finds brutal assistance from Bruja and an essence that seems to be Alex yet can’t be his best friend; meanwhile a predator who “steals” bodies targets the necromancer and his allies.

The latest Eric Carter urban fantasy noir is a superb paranormal thriller that grips readers throughout.  The beleaguered protagonist finds his quest change from voiding his deal with “Lady Death” (not the Chaos comic book heroine) to uncovering a deadly maniac stalking him.  Bruja adds depth with kick butt pulling no punches verbal shots that rip Eric’s skin.  Readers will enjoy the adventures of the necromancer as he walks the dangerous streets of the City of the Lost.


Harriet Klausner

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