Volume: 1/?
Publisher: Darkwind Press
Genre/s: urban fantasy, MM paranormal romance
Pages: 296
Read in: English
Review copy format: pdf
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✮
It might seem that when in Myrtle Beach the foreigners who came there for work are being killed, Vic D'Amato – relentless homicide detective assigned to the case – will have his hands full. The problem is that the investigation has stalled to such extent that the desperate cop decides to use a help of the medium, although admitting the possibility of existence of something like magic put him in serious trouble a few years ago. However, now he sees no other way but to give this unconventional method of searching for a breakthrough in the investigation a chance. Thanks to this – and to his need for caffeine – a handsome and charming Simon Kincaide – a former university lecturer and now the owner of a shop offering books, candles, herbs, ghost tours, readings and séances, who's having an ability to talk to ghosts – appears in Vic's life. When the paths of these two, belonging to two completely different worlds, cross, nothing can be the same. The war between mind, heart and body begins for good as well as the hunt for the killer known as Strand Slitter.
At the outset, I must admit that even before the reading I had some huge expectations regarding "Badlands". I was eagerly looking forward to this novel as the description presented it as the embodiment of my favorite elements as well as my big and small weaknesses. Yet very soon I found out that what I received exceeded my imagination. This book is simply perfect. First of all, it is a true, full-fledged urban fantasy as the paranormal theme is not only the essence of the book but also fills the fictional universe like the air the characters breathe. Well, the fact that someone doesn't believe in magic doesn't mean that it's not there, that people don't use it and don't have exceptional talents. But that's not all because to this tempting urban fantasy sweetness the author added an exciting spiciness of the crime story revolving around the case of the serial killer. And that's how Morgan Brice took the genre by storm. What is more, "Badlands" can also boast about a really interesting and specific plot that intertwines paranormal, criminal and romantic elements in well balanced proportions. Thanks to all of this, the novel keeps us in suspense until the very end and we simply can't put it away.
Another unquestionable advantage of the novel are, naturally, great main characters who are winning our hearts from the very beginning. Created from A to Z, it goes without saying in case of Morgan Brice's writing, they are not only strongly embedded in the present but also have a strongly outlined past and the opportunity to build their future. Further more, they are characterized by a clearly delineated physical appearance, defined character traits as well as psyche marked by the past. I would add that personally I immediately fell in love with the wonderful combination of an educated, composed, calm nerd and a sexy cop who wants to be seen as strong and tough but in reality is warm and loving. My gods, this couple is a real marvel! Equally well built, special and easy to love are the side characters with whom we really want to be friends in real life. We get to know them step by step, meeting after meeting and we just love them more and more with every moment. It is quite obvious that the author gave them a lot of her time and she made sure that they not only arouse our sympathy but also would be a great help for our main characters.
In "Badlands" a presentation of the magical environment is the icing on the cake. I really love the fact that in Myrtle Beach Simon is not the only person with psychic abilities but he's an element of a larger whole and he knows it well. I like that he maintains a fairly close relationship with people who have powers greater or weaker than his own, that he meets with them and that he’s aware he's surrounded by psychics he doesn't even know. Sure, being a lone wolf is not a bad thing, yet this awareness of belonging to the community has an irresistible charm that even the reader can feel. What is more, this paranormal environment gives a new dimension to the city itself. Myrtle Beach turns out to have its own second, magical face and that's what urban fantasy is all about.
I feel like I should write a little bit about Simon and Vic's relationship because they seem to simply ask for it. The thing that immediately strikes the eye while reading is the pace in which these two are approaching each other – they do it slowly, naturally, step by step. Moreover, their relationship is built intelligently and reasonably because, even when they break the ice and can't deny mutual attraction, they try to understand themselves and their feelings instead of giving into passion. It is worth adding that the sexual tension between those two is so strong that we can feel it in the air. During the initial scenes, when Simon and Vic argue and can’t find a common language, the reader feels like singing "Kiss the Girl" – the song Sebastian the crab sings in "The Little Mermaid". Really! And it's not surprising because this couple is so hot that we would like to see more sex scenes with them. To say that they are perfect is not enough. I'm totally crazy about them.
At the end of this review I would like to mention another huge advantage of "Badlands" – the emotions that the novel evokes in the reader. Believe me, there's a lot of them. We start our adventure in Myrtle Beach with grins on our faces and with general amusement due to the way in which Vic and Simon flirt. Even after finishing the book the mere mention of those scenes cause bursts of laughter. A little bit later we feel frustration and grief when our main characters start to argue. Sometimes we want to shake them up because we feel our hearts breaking when they fight like cat and dog. At the same time, we feel their tension caused by strong mutual attraction. As the plot moves forward we still can't hide our emotions triggered by this book. We feel uncertainty because of what else can happen and what is waiting for the main characters, we are worried about them and their relationship, we get angry when they do something stupid and we rejoice like children when they get along. In a word, we don't only read this book but we also feel it!
In summary, "Badlands" is a true wonder, a real treasure. Interesting and well-conducted plot, magic and crime, multi-dimensional characters that we simply love and the city that we would like to visit. A real mastery. To put it briefly, I want more! Much more! I'm head over heels for this novel and I wish I would read it endlessly.
Headcanon: Vic and Simon often play "policeman and criminal" using Vic's handcuffs.
AU idea: Simon is a shaman of a magical tribe whose territory has been invaded by the race to which Vic belongs. Vic is a warlock-hunter.
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