Gernre: Urban Fantasy
POV: 1st Person Narrative
Sensuality: Kisses
Violence: A few violent scenes but most occurs off page
My Grade: B
Blue Diablo is the first book in Ann Aguirre’s Urban Fantasy series starring Corine Solomon. It’s fun and fast-paced with likable characters.
Corine Solomon is a “handler”. Through the power of touch, she can see an object’s history. She inherited her unusual gift from her mother who was burned to death by vigilantes when Corine was twelve. For many years, Corine used her gift to help find missing people. When it all became too much, she upped and left, leaving behind her lover and partner-in-crime, Chance.
Eighteen months later, Corine has dyed her hair red and made a new life for herself as a pawn broker in Mexico City. Her relatively peaceful existence comes to an end when Chance walks into her shop. His mother, Yi Min-chin, has disappeared in Laredo, Texas. Chance – and the police – suspect foul play. Chance wants Corine to accompany him across the border and “handle” Min’s purse in the hope that it might yield a clue as to her whereabouts. Corine is reluctant to leave her peaceful life in Mexico but Min was always good to her and she wants to help find her.
The police officer in charge of Min’s case is the sexy Jesse Sandana. When he and Corine meet, sparks fly – literally. It turns out that Jesse also has a gift and he recognizes Corine’s ability. When he realizes that she’s mostly ignorant of her paranormal heritage, he offers to be her mentor and get her into contact with others like them. Corine is unconvinced at first but comes to realize that connecting with other gifted people might bring her closer to understanding Min’s fate. Together with Jesse and a couple of friends, Corine and Chance try to piece together the clues which will lead them to Min and her captors.
Blue Diablo is a fun, fast-paced adventure. Corine is a charmingly imperfect heroine and the story is told from her point of view. I loved the fact that she has cankles and doesn’t worry about being chubby. Chance is a sizzling potential hero and I seriously hope he and Corine find a HEA in a future book. I suspect the inclusion of Jesse Sandana in the storyline indicates a love triangle but I am firmly in Camp Chance.
We don’t learn much about Corine and Chance’s respective backgrounds in this book, nor do we discover what triggered Corine’s impulse to flee eighteen months ago. I’m hoping these loose ends will be tied up in future books. The second book, Hell Fire, is due out in April 2010 and I’m very much looking forward to it.
For Urban Fantasy fans, Blue Diablo is a book not to be missed.
Other Reviews of Blue Diablo:
The Romance Reader – 5 stars
My Friend Amy – 4 out of 5
Book Thingo – no grade but very positive review
Katiebabs – A
{ 6 comments }
I really liked this one and can’t wait to see where Ann Aguirre takes the story in the second. I heart Chance!!
Wow, sounds good. I have this one on my wishlist. I love a good uf!
The seance scene is one of the funniest ones I’ve read this year. Really enjoyed this book, so much so it’s going in my top 10 favs for 09.
great review, my favorite part of Blue Diablo was the setting, the Tex/Mex flavor of it. it’s a new locale for me and the characterizations of the populace was really fun. i agree that we don’t learn much about Chance and Corine’s backgrounds, which isn’t a preference for me, i understand a series should leave some questions unanswered but even a first book i wished it was fleshed out more.
@Mandi I also heart Chance! Hopefully Corine does, too…
@SusiSunshine This is a fun book! I hope you enjoy it.
@katiebabs Yes, I loved that scene. I’m looking forward to seeing your top 10 for 09 list.
@LustyReader I adored the Tex/Mex setting! It was more colourful than the usual gritty urban fantasy setting. My preference is also for a bit more background info on the characters. This was a niggle I had with the paranormal aspect in her Ava Gray novel, Skin Game, but I enjoyed both books in spite of it.
Wait, so she doesn’t wind up with the guy with the sparklies?