Author: Linda Grimes
Series: In a Fix, book 1
Publisher: Tor Books
ISBN-10: 0765331802
ISBN-13: 978-0765331809
Source: From NetGalley
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For more visit Linda Grimes' website
Ciel is an aura adaptor. This means she can put on anyone’s aura she meets. Taking on another person’s aura makes her look just like them—think shape changer, but without all the bone and muscle transformation. Ciel also fixes things. If there is a party or function a client doesn’t want to go to she can assume their aura, and do it for them. The story starts out with Ciel in Mina’s aura. Mina has hired Ciel to go on vacation for her and get a proposal out of Mina’s boyfriend, hunky Trey. Things go awry when their bungalow blows up, and Trey is kidnapped.
In a Fix is the first book in the In a Fix series; it is also the debut novel for author Linda Grimes. It is on the lighter side of Urban Fantasy. There are kidnappings, embarrassing situations, pissed off Vikings and a boat load of odd fitting outfits (because of the shape changing). While some of the situations might sound serious, they are packed full of Ciel’s sassy or not so sassy commentary.
Once Trey is kidnapped, in enters Billy and Mark into the novel. Billy is Ciel’s childhood friend who can also take on auras, as is Mark. Mark is Ciel’s long time crush and her brother’s best friend. After they are introduced, so is the potential for what turns out to be a love triangle. Billy is your classic bad boy, while Mark is the pushy alpha male. There is angst, but it isn’t the end of the world teenage angst. It is filled with embarrassing situations that Ciel finds herself in, and hilarious antics.
The plotline goes from Trey’s kidnapping, to Ciel getting kidnapped in Mina’s form. After being kidnapped, watching people get shot, and drugged Ciel still won’t sit still. Ciel is one of the heroines that is told to stay where it is safe and stay out of trouble, but just can’t do it. Mark works for the government, and handles tough situations, in other words, the man knows what he is doing. Of course she can’t listen to him, because this means he is treating her like a child. It’s above and beyond stubborn.
The situations Ciel gets herself into are where it is at. The writing is straight forward, and easy to get through. Readers may have some issues at the very start of the novel working out who is who at first, since they are shape changers (aura thieves?). Shapes are changed, and names are thrown around, but it isn’t that hard to hold onto and figure out. The easy pace of the novel makes it a quick read.
This is a fun debut novel. The love triangle might be over played lately, and readers who are tired of it might want to look somewhere else, but I enjoyed how it was handled. Ciel is a fun character, but she can be not only predictable, but dense. I am looking forward to seeing these characters grow and transform over time. I also hope it keeps the thread of humor that had me snickering throughout the novel.
My Rating:
2 Comments:
I am still on the fence about this book, I am afraid Ciel would irritate me senseless.
This book was so fun I really loved it. can't wait to see what will happen now.
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