Publisher’s Description
Welcome to the world of the Cosa Nostradamus, where magic crackles on every corner, and not every person you meet is human….
If you’ve lost something of value, and you can’t go to the police, you need a Retriever. And if that item is magical?
You need Wren Valere. An exceptional thief – with exceptional Talent.
Normally, Wren loves her job. But some clients are worse than others, and some jobs just scream trouble from the start. And with this one, involving a real estate mogul and a stolen spell, she and her business partner Sergei may have gotten into more than can handle alone…
But some secrets shouldn’t stay buried. No matter the cost.
Summary
I read Staying Dead (The Retrievers, #1) by US urban fantasy author Laura Anne Gilman.
Wren – a self-proclaimed thief with a high level of magical abilities and a distrust of the Mage Council, the organisation she rightfully belongs because of her unique and strong Talent. Wren prefers to work with her partner Sergei who negotiates jobs that require Wren’s particular level of skill and keeps the distance between Wren and her clients.
When a magical-infused protection stone is stolen from a wealthy and commanding businessman, Sergei and Wren take the job to determine how the stone was stolen and steal it back. To this end, Wren and Sergei quickly become embroiled in the dealings of the Mage Council and the mysterious group known as the Silence.
Wren successfully finds and steals back the protection stone but finds a darker side to the magic, how it serves to protect the building and the businessman which makes her question her own morality.
Review
Staying Dead was an intriguing urban fantasy with a mystery at its heart. Gillman creates unique and strong characters which are human and engaging. A solid first novel to a series.
Conclusion
A unique urban fantasy that’s sure to please fans of paranormal, supernatural urban fantasies and dark fantasy. Highly recommended!