5 stars for Cursed Moon (Prospero's War book 2) by Jaye Wells.
In this book 2 of Prospero's War, 27-year old Katherine Prospero is back in action after being promoted to Detective following her first case with Magical Enforcement Agency (MEA) that results in the arrest of one of the most powerful wizards in the Cauldron. Together with partner Agent Drew Morales who chooses to leave the Lefty world behind after a traumatic fire accident and presents himself as a Righty Mundane, they work in unison under severe presssure upon the fast approaching Halloween Blue moon where magical energies go haywire and emotions ride on the high, to solve a mystifying robbery and face down a psychotic wizard.
In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of beauty, fertility and sexual love. Here we are introduced to Aphrodite Johnson, Head of the O Coven, one of the major covens in the Cauldron. As leader of a sex magic coven, it is indeed ingenious and very original of the author to put forth Aphrodite as a sacred hermaphrodite. According to our narrator Kate, sacred hermaphrodites are created by wizards using powerful alchemical magic that makes a person exactly half-male and half-female. With the impending full moon as excuse to create chaos all over the city, someone decides to pay an unwanted visit to dear Aphrodite's temple and make away with some of her fanciful magical potions for illicit uses. It is up to the MEA team, especially Kate and Morales to save the city from destruction.
Skilfully written with well thought-out plot right to the last detail, Cursed Moon is a splendid follow up to the world of dirty versus clean magic. I am especially impressed by the way the author weaves the story to surround our heroine, Kate with people she both loves and hates, some from her past, others in the present and a few possibly into her future. It is very engaging to see how our female protagonist communicates and behaves with these various characters: her brother Danny, partner Morales, old flame John Volos, surrogate father figure and used-to-be mentor Uncle Abe Prospero, best friend Penelope Griffin, neighbour Baba Nowiki and even her favourite snitch, the Wonder Twins Mary and Little Man.
Besides Kate's absorbing interactions with the people in her life, the author also focuses much on Kate's inner thoughts processes and the internal emotional turmoil within her. Not all Adepts can read energy signatures but it is one of Kate's specialties, a gift or curse depending on her perspective. Though she steers clear from any form of magic, she still enjoys the tingle of energy from magic across her skin and the adrenaline surge from contact with magic. Worst of all, the seductive surge of power that comes from manipulating magic energies is constantly tempting and calling out to her. Will Kate be able to turn her back and walk away from her own magic so as to give herself and Danny a better magic-free life? Is the MEA where Kate belongs? Since she joins the MEA task force, she has been forced to choose between her principles and the Arcane demands of the job. Will Kate lose herself and the people she care for in the process?
All in all, Cursed Moon is a delightfully remarkable sequel to book 1 Dirty Magic in the Prospero's War series. Not only does it never disappoint, the story and its gripping plot far exceed my expectations.
Publisher: Orbit
Publication date: 12 Aug 2014
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When a rare Blue Moon upsets the magical balance in the city, Detective Kate Prospero and her Magical Enforcement colleagues pitch in to help Babylon PD keep the peace. Between potions going haywire and everyone’s emotions running high, every cop in the city is on edge. But the moon’s impact is especially strong for Kate who’s wrestling with guilt over falling off the magic wagon.
*Blurb from author's website*
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