Book Stats:
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Reading level: Adult
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Release date: September 4, 2012
Series: In A Fix #1
Source: NetGalley
Reviewed by: Tynga
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository
The start of an original new urban fantasy series starring human chameleon Ciel Halligan
Snagging a marriage proposal for her client while on an all-expenses-paid vacation should be a simple job for Ciel Halligan, aura adaptor extraordinaire. A kind of human chameleon, she’s able to take on her clients’ appearances and slip seamlessly into their lives, solving any sticky problems they don’t want to deal with themselves. No fuss, no muss. Big paycheck.
This particular assignment is pretty enjoyable... that is, until Ciel’s island resort bungalow is blown to smithereens and her client’s about-to-be-fiancé is snatched by modern-day Vikings. For some reason, Ciel begins to suspect that getting the ring is going to be a tad more difficult than originally anticipated.
Going from romance to rescue requires some serious gear-shifting, as well as a little backup. Her best friend, Billy, and Mark, the CIA agent she’s been crushing on for years—both skilled adaptors—step in to help, but their priority is, annoyingly, keeping her safe. Before long, Ciel is dedicating more energy to escaping their watchful eyes than she is to saving her client’s intended.
Suddenly, facing down a horde of Vikings feels like the least of her problems.
In A Fix was a stunningly original and extremely engrossing read. I have to confess, I judge books by their cover, and I wasn’t really thrilled by this one, but oh boy was I proven wrong! From the very first page Grimes hits you with a healthy dose of seduction, spiked with a bombing (literally) for good measure. I promise you, you’ll find all the action you can dream of in this book.
Linda Grimes came up with a very unique concept for this series. Her main characters are called adaptors. Their particular talent lays in an ability to touch one’s aura and mimic it to perfection. They become an exact copy of their target, right down to their voice and physical abilities. How does it differ from a “simple” shape shifter you ask? First of all, it’s instantaneous, as opposed to a long and strenuous process and the adaptor need to have a direct or indirect contact with the desired aura to be able to change into it. Quite fascinating!
Be warned, you have to really pay attention at first because the whole “being someone else” thing can easily become confusing when Grimes is introducing the characters. Once you are introduced to the three devils though, it’s easy breezy to follow their multiple aura changes.
The characters are the main reason I fell for this book instantly. We first meet Ciel, posing as Mina, and her pseudo-cousin Billy, posing as Queen Elizabeth, no less. You have a good example right there of Billy`s sense of humour, that and their affectionate bickering really got me hooked from the first chapters. You meet Mark not long after and he amplifies their squabbling to a whole new level. Really, the three of them together, wearing any auras, are simply priceless.
As I previously mentioned, this novel is action-packed. Travelling around the world, our heroes are busy dodging neo-Vikings, being kidnapped, catapulted and more. There is also this tiny thing with Ciel, her hormones, and the boys she works with. How can a sex deprived girl be expected to focus when she`s surrounded by two devilishly handsome man? She`s only human after all!
The end was really exciting and damn hilarious if you ignore the fact that the main characters are facing death by Viking. `The story flowed so smoothly I didn't see the end coming and I`m really sad it`s over. I can`t wait for the second book, Quick Fix, due July 2013.
In A Fix is one of my favourite read this year and I strongly recommend this read to all urban fantasy fans out there. Original, funny, spicy and breath-tacking, this debut by Linda Grimes rocked my socks!
I've been looking for a book to enter into the urban fantasy genre. Most of the time when I read the reviews, I'm not sold. This one sounds like something I might like. Thanks for the great review. I'll have to put this on my list!
ReplyDeleteIm sure you wont be disappointed!
DeleteGreat review!! I just started this book today. It sounds really great!!
ReplyDeleteHm.. Now I want to request this :)
ReplyDeleteKrazyyme @ Young Readers
I reviewed this for RT mag and I loved it. I just wish I could have read it on my own because I would have loved to have written a long glowing review about it. I'll have to content myself with the awesomeness of your review. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you very much :)
DeleteThat sounds like an awesome book! In answer to your question, I have rode a horse. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI stopped by!
ReplyDeleteTynga, I'm so glad you enjoyed IN A FIX! Thank you for the lovely review. I had a great time at your "Summer Camp," too -- much better than my real life experience with camp. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining us!
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