There's a lot of dark in this book. Things that shouldn't happen, yet do. People get hurt, some permanently. Even the characters you care most about.

In spite of that, this book is a sumptuous feast of story-telling.

From the clerical main characters to the charwoman with bad knees and an attitude to match, Ross showed me real people in a made up world. Some characters I want to know better. Others I hope to never meet but can't shake the feeling that I've met them already.

And what a world, what a world. Who would have thought ...

I'm a sucker for a good magic system. Points for re-working an old one into something different, something intriguing. Tarot and tattoos. Ley lines and wards. Stir until simmering and serve hot as sin or cold as revenge.

Plots within plots. Mis-direction and betrayal. Life, death, poverty, and wealth. Almost all of it happening in a city that seems to sleep with one eye open all the time.

The best part? This is only book 1. I'm looking forward to a few more helping from the well-stocked table that Kat Ross has served up.

Highly Recommended