Scan barcode
A review by leelah
Five Down by Stacia Kane
4.0
4,5 stars
Nice to have all short stories in one book. :D
5)"Playing With Fire" - I started with this one because it's a new story.
First of all, it's expected you read books #4 and #5 since there are some things mentioned that can be spoilery for major events of those books.
Chess stumbled on another case: women all over town are spontaneously combusting to death and she knows some bad magic is involved. But it's not the Church case- the case belongs to Squad, so she doesn't really have an authority to look into it. In interesting course of events that includes a bit of manipulation and friend who really like her, she gets to work alongside Squad member who's on the case.
This story was a great little addition to series- it's always god seeing Chess doing her job. And it also reminds us just how powerful she is. Will, the Squad guy, is very interesting and I have feeling we will see more of him.
Romance between Chess and Terrible is still going strong and if one thing is making me happy it's the fact that Chess is not hiding anything from him. It's true that lying would be her downfall when it comes to her relationship with Terrible, but it's not hard to imagine her slipping back into her old bad habits. Chess knows what- who- is the most important thing in her life. And that's a huuuuge step forward for addict.
This story is also excellent bridge to next (eagerly awaited) Downside Ghosts novel because it put some events into action that may play a huge role in the future. I am sure Blue's request will bring some complications in Chess' life. ;)
1)"Rick the Brave" - this story was part of [b:Home Improvement: Undead Edition|9450406|Home Improvement Undead Edition|Charlaine Harris|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1288068876s/9450406.jpg|14335169] anthology and with all those big names featured, I still firmly say Kane's story was the best in it.
It was also fun seeing Chess and especially Terrible through eyes of a complete stranger, character who doesn't have anything to do with stretching arc and plot of Downside series.
2&3)"Home" and "Close to You" were both H&H specials. Both stories are sweet and both have a lot of Terrible which is always a plus. In both stories Chess is doing some debunking job, but there is message at the end because case made her realize something important about her relationship with Terrible.
4)"Keeping it Close" - This was (still is?) available through Kane's site.
Again debunking job. This one is Chess doing alone, but it was an easy one- she is experienced debunker by now and she can tell when haunting is tampered with and when people lie. Again the events of case tie in some way to her relationship with Terrible.
Nice to have all short stories in one book. :D
5)"Playing With Fire" - I started with this one because it's a new story.
First of all, it's expected you read books #4 and #5 since there are some things mentioned that can be spoilery for major events of those books.
Chess stumbled on another case: women all over town are spontaneously combusting to death and she knows some bad magic is involved. But it's not the Church case- the case belongs to Squad, so she doesn't really have an authority to look into it. In interesting course of events that includes a bit of manipulation and friend who really like her, she gets to work alongside Squad member who's on the case.
This story was a great little addition to series- it's always god seeing Chess doing her job. And it also reminds us just how powerful she is. Will, the Squad guy, is very interesting and I have feeling we will see more of him.
Romance between Chess and Terrible is still going strong and if one thing is making me happy it's the fact that Chess is not hiding anything from him. It's true that lying would be her downfall when it comes to her relationship with Terrible, but it's not hard to imagine her slipping back into her old bad habits. Chess knows what- who- is the most important thing in her life. And that's a huuuuge step forward for addict.
This story is also excellent bridge to next (eagerly awaited) Downside Ghosts novel because it put some events into action that may play a huge role in the future. I am sure Blue's request will bring some complications in Chess' life. ;)
1)"Rick the Brave" - this story was part of [b:Home Improvement: Undead Edition|9450406|Home Improvement Undead Edition|Charlaine Harris|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1288068876s/9450406.jpg|14335169] anthology and with all those big names featured, I still firmly say Kane's story was the best in it.
It was also fun seeing Chess and especially Terrible through eyes of a complete stranger, character who doesn't have anything to do with stretching arc and plot of Downside series.
2&3)"Home" and "Close to You" were both H&H specials. Both stories are sweet and both have a lot of Terrible which is always a plus. In both stories Chess is doing some debunking job, but there is message at the end because case made her realize something important about her relationship with Terrible.
4)"Keeping it Close" - This was (still is?) available through Kane's site.
Again debunking job. This one is Chess doing alone, but it was an easy one- she is experienced debunker by now and she can tell when haunting is tampered with and when people lie. Again the events of case tie in some way to her relationship with Terrible.