Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Ciel Halligan, aura adaptor extraordinaire, has a lot of experience filling in for her clients--as them. A rare genetic quirk gives her the ability to absorb human energy and project it back out in a flawless imitation. She's hard at work, posing as a well-known and celebrated astronaut, about to make a stunning announcement on behalf of the space program...when the photographer documenting the job sees right through her aura. Worse, it soon becomes apparent that he not only knows Ciel’s not who she's supposed to be, but means her harm.
When Ciel's elderly Aunt Helen—also an aura adaptor—is murdered in Central Park, and the same photographer shows up at the funeral, Ciel starts to feel even more exposed. Then more adaptors are killed in the same way, and she becomes terrified her friends and family are being systematically exterminated ... and it's starting to look like she's the ultimate target. She turns to Billy Doyle, her best-friend-turned-boyfriend, for help, but when an unexpected crisis causes him to take off without a word, she's left to rely on her not-so-former crush, CIA agent Mark Fielding.
Staying alive, keeping control of her romantic life, and unraveling the mystery of why adaptors are being pursued becomes a harder balancing act than ever in this new Ciel Halligan adventure from Linda Grimes
All Fixed Up is the
FOURTH installment in author Linda Grimes Ciel Halligan series. Ciel is a facilitator. She handles difficult situations by taking up the place of the person who reaches out asking for help. As an aura adaptor (human chameleon) from a family of aura adaptor's, Ciel has the the ability to absorb human energy and project it back as a flawless imitation of the person she's trying to impersonate.
Alongside her best friend/boyfriend Billy Doyle, and her long time crush Mark Fielding (both adaptors), they've faced more than their face share of adversity. Ciel faces probably her most difficult challenge yet when she impersonates NASA Astronaut Philippa Carlson who is about ready to make history in space. From nearly being kidnapped and killed by a journalist who knows she's not the real Philippa, to being a audience member while other adaptors are taken out at random, to finally having to choose between two men (Billy Doyle & Mark Fielding) she is deeply in love with and may be pregnant by, Ciel's luck may have finally ran out.
Grimes has a tendency of pushing my button when it comes to the whole triangle of doom aspect of this series. One can not sit idly by and take a side in this mess. See, I adore both men, although Billy drives me insane at times, especially when he ducks and covers, and does silly things like running away. Mark is probably my favorite and that's just because he always seems to be there whenever Ciel finds herself in deep trouble. I dare say, that he would take a bullet for her when and if the time came.
The one thing that remains constant in All Fixed Up, is Ciel's crazy family. Her three brothers (Thomas, Bryan, and Thomas), her parents Aurora and James Halligan are awesome as usual, and pretty supportive when Ciel's world starts to come undone. I liked that this story was set around Christmas time which makes for a whole lot of fun and sarcasm and hi-jinks, especially with Billy's family around. I kind of felt a bit for Ciel after a pregnancy revelation was announced. Makes me wonder in what direction that particular aspect will head now that Ciel questions whether or not she could ever be a good mother to her own child.
I think that this series has a whole lot of potential that needs to be exposed further. I would love to see more readers pick up this series and read it. In fact, I'd go even further and challenge those of you who read this review to pick up the first book where Ciel and crew faces off against Vikings!
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