The second book in Bickle’s series about Anya Kalinczyk is just as wonderful as the first—Anya is a compelling and likable protagonist and Bickle does an outstanding job in her portrayal of the city of Detroit; there are ruins, yes, but also hope in the ashes. Anya never takes herself too seriously and there is a scene in a baby supercenter that is absolutely not to be missed. (4 stars)
- RT Book Reviews
...a charming and inventive read.
-Elizabeth Bear, Realms of Fantasy Magazine, December 2010
WITHOUT A TRACE...
Anya Kalinczyk is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern, who holds down a day job as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department—while working 24/7 to exterminate malicious spirits haunting a city plagued by unemployment and despair. Along with her inseparable salamander familiar, Sparky, Anya has seen, and even survived, all manner of fiery hell—but her newest case sparks suspicions of a bizarre phenomenon that no one but her eccentric team of ghost hunters might believe: spontaneous human combustion.
After fire consumes the home of elderly Jasper Bernard, Anya is stunned to discover his remains—or, more precisely, a lack of them; even the fiercest fires leave some trace of their victims—and she is sure this was no naturally occurring blaze. Soon she’s unearthed a connection to a celebrity psychic who preys on Detroit’s poor, promising miracles for money. But Hope Solomon wants more—she’s collecting spirits, and in a frantic race against time, Anya will face down an evil adversary who threatens her fragile relationship with her lover, her beloved Sparky’s freshly hatched newts, and the wandering souls of the entire city.
Book Details:
Anya Kalinczyk #2
Pocket Juno Books
Mass Market Paperback, $7.99
ISBN 978-1439167687
September 2010
My Review:
Can you say woah? I thought Embers was awesomesauce, but Sparks (dare I say it?) is better! Laura Bickle continues the story of Anya Kalinczyk. She is a Lantern. She can see spirits and they can see her, AND she can "eat" them. This was a compelling part of the first book, but brings and extra punch in the sequel. She starts to wonder about things that she hadn't considered in depth before. The afterlife, and what really happens. Very deep questions, woven into the story in what I consider a pretty logical and well thought out way.
I think that character growth is what makes this book so super. Anya was kick butt in Embers, but she's more than just that. She's grown since the first book. Showing her reaching out for deeper answers to her life and what it means to be who she is, is pretty compelling reading. I have to commend Laura Bickle for making me read faster and faster as I went along.
I am delighted to say that I have a new writer that I will be following. I enjoyed this series very much and will recommend it with two thumbs up and a goofy grin!
I'm SOOO glad that you enjoyed SPARKS! Thanks for taking the time to read it! :-)
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