Format: E-Galley, 304 pages
Release Date: January 31, 2017
Publisher: ACE
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy
The agents of Supernatural Protection & Investigations (SPI) are paid to keep the peace. But that’s not so easy when an endless evil threatens to tear that peace to pieces...
A vampire gangster’s nephew is abducted off his yacht by a bunch of low-rent Creatures from the Black Lagoon. A slew of banks are knocked over by what looks like the cast of Night of the Living Dead. All of this may seem like the movies, but, I promise you, it’s not.
I’m Makenna Fraser, seer for SPI, and I know the culprits aren’t wearing disguises or makeup. They’re real. Deadly real. Especially their leader—an ancient shapeshifter who leaves a trail of chaos and blood in his wake. Now, he’s taken my partner, Ian—and his intentions aren’t pretty.
The worst part? This is only the beginning...
The beginning of the end of the human race.
The Ghoul Vendetta is the fourth installment in author Lisa Shearin's SPI Files. This is a series that features Makenna (Mac) Fraser as a Seer who works for the Supernatural Protection & Investigation. SPI keeps the peace between the supernatural races, while also keeping the human race from discovering that others live among them. Mac has come a long way from the first novella, to this book. She's grown not only in the way she handles things, but in other aspects of her life as well. One being her ability to see portals, which has been a handy dandy tool over the last few books.
As the curtain opens on our heroine, Mac is on a date with the devilishly handsome and dangerous goblin Rake Danescu who has focused his attention solely on Mac and making her fall for him. Things move forward rather quickly in this story. The yacht that Mac and Rake are on is attacked by creatures from the Black Lagoon and a freaking Kraken! But, to make things even more twisted, a vampire they were keeping an eye on, is kidnapped by the creatures. Why take the vampire? Who were these creatures, and who knew that they lived in the rivers surrounding NYC?
Oh my word what an opening! A lot of the story focuses on Ian, his background, his heritage, and his adversary now calling himself Jonas. If you haven't read the previous novels, you definitely should! I'll just say that Ian and Jonas have a relationship that goes back to his days as a NYPD police officer. Ian wants his revenge, Jonas, the most dangerous villain this series has seen, has a few secrets all his own on why he focuses so much time and effort on Ian. Then there are the bank robberies, and what the thieves are actually taking. Mac and crew have to go it alone after Ian is ambushed, & taken by Jonas and his friends called the Fomorians.
Mac must put her own emotions aside in a safe place until Ian is returned. Mac has a tendency of landing in the middle of the next big crisis, but still lands on her feet thanks to those who protect her like Ian, like Yasha, like her bosses Alain & Vivienne, and now by Rake. She also has a cast of friends, and co-workers who back her up when things are at their darkest. As one of a rare breed of Seers who works for SPI, Mac's life is constantly on the line. There are those who would do anything to see Mac dead before she can ruin their diabolical plans. Mac isn't a heroine who has amazing kick ass characteristics at her beck and call. She uses her own imagination, and her own courage to survive to fight the good fight.
There is an interesting aspect to this story that really boggled my mind. But, in a good way. Mac & Rake make for an interesting coupling. Especially since she's never quite trusted him fully. Ok, so he's chased after her. He's made some serious inquiries about Mac working for him. He's a dangerous black mage who has his own agendas. He's hated by Ian, and most of SPI, but trusted by Dragon boss Vivienne. But, this romance goes to a whole new level thanks to Rake's actions and Mac's heart finally opening to the possibilities of a relationship. It's not the only curious romance. Not when Ian has his own burgeoning romance with Kylie O'Hara that readers will be curious about. I wasn't sure where the author was going to go with the romance angle, and I'm not sure this is where the romance will actually end, but either way, I'm good.
The Ghoul Vendetta is an action packed story filled with Goblins, Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Water Spirits, Mermaids, (we actually meet the mermaid Queen), Kaiju, Fomorians aka Creatures from the Black Lagoon, and Tuatha Dé Danann warriors who make a brilliant and timely and brief appearance. I think the most interesting tell of this story is the ending. Where the author goes from here, should be rather interesting. Especially since this book took things to an entirely new level.
Thank you, Shelley! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteOh, you're very welcome! Thank you for stopping by!
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