I first noted this one after having read the Cap’s excellent review at The Captain’s Quarters – but what stuck with me is that I happen to be a fan of Aaron’s writing – see my reviews of Garrison Girl, Fortune’s Pawn as Rachel Bach, and Nice Dragon’s Finish Last. The final review is of the first book in the Heartstriker series, a stormingly good urban fantasy romp about a huge draconic power struggle. And the reason I particularly mention it, is because Minimum Wage Magic is a spinoff series set in the same awesome world – however don’t worry if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of the Heartstriker series, because this series is written as a standalone.
BLURB: The DFZ, the metropolis formerly known as Detroit, is the world’s most magical city with a population of nine million and zero public safety laws. That’s a lot of mages, cybernetically enhanced chrome heads, and mythical beasties who die, get into debt, and otherwise fail to pay their rent. When they can’t pay their bills, their stuff gets sold to the highest bidder to cover the tab. That’s when they call me. My name is Opal Yong-ae, and I’m a Cleaner: a freelance mage with an art history degree who’s employed by the DFZ to sort through the mountains of magical junk people leave behind. It’s not a pretty job, or a safe one—there’s a reason I wear bite-proof gloves—but when you’re deep in debt in a lawless city where gods are real, dragons are traffic hazards, and buildings move around on their own, you don’t get to be picky about where your money comes from. You just have to make it work, even when the only thing of value in your latest repossessed apartment is the dead body of the mage who used to live there.
REVIEW: I have always enjoyed Aaron’s writing style. Smart, pacey and with nice touches of humour and plenty of inventive plot twists, she is one of my favourite authors for a solid reason. Opal is a wonderful protagonist, gutsy and impulsive with a driving need to get away from her very controlling father. She is very much down on her luck at the start of the story, but has a hunch that this particular lot contains something special… Which is when the plot really kicks off. In the tradition of the best urban fantasy adventures, once this story gets going, it doesn’t stop. We have terrifying magic, death gods, grumpy dragons, cybernetic hit men and cockatrice chicks… It’s fabulous and fun and I didn’t want it to stop.
The other aspect of this book I really enjoyed is the world. No wonder Aaron wanted to use this awesome and inventive backdrop for more than one adventure. Detroit was destroyed and the magical city that arose in its place has its own magical entity, who tends to move buildings around when the whim takes her. This makes for some interesting situations. Running away from the villains can become a lot more challenging when the landscape around you is constantly shifting. There are some lovely surprises within the story I didn’t see coming and I’m definitely getting hold of the next story in this excellent series. Highly recommended for fans of well written urban fantasy adventures.
9/10
I really like the sounds of this Sarah. Of course living across the river from Detroit, it also calls to me.
Oh, that would be so cool:)). It’s always fun reading stories set in your neighbourhood.
I didn’t realize this was connected to her other series. Very cool😁
Oh, it’s such fun:)). I particularly appreciate that her writing isn’t too angsty and grim:))
I really enjoyed this series too, it’s so fun to read and loved going back to the dfz
I’m looking forward to tucking into more of this series:)).
This sounds like a different kind of cyberpunk story, in that it’s not dark and grim and gloomy, but promises a good dose of humor and a spunky main character. I will have to keep it on my radar for a future acquisition… Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Oh yes – that is the lovely thing about Aaron. The Heartstriker series ups the stakes and the books are full of action and tension – but there is also plenty of humour, too. I highly recommend both series:))
I read the first book of the series featuring the dragons in human form, and quite enjoyed it – sadly I have not managed to move forward but… one of these days, maybe… 🙂
Ah, I think that’s the Heartstriker series. Yes – I absolutely loved it. And I completed the series earlier in the year when I needed escapism, humour and adventure. I do enjoy Aaron’s writing:))
I own this and the other series in the world but haven’t read them. Yet.
Oh, if you decide that you want some high-handed nonsense featuring some dragons, with a dash of humour and loads of adventure, then do tuck into the Heartstriker series. It’s such fun!