Urban Fantasy reading challenge: Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Berkley, available in print and as e-book

The Source: The bookshelf

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

We’re the D’Artigo sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we’re savvy—and sexy—operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency.  But our mixed-blood heritage short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times.  My sister Delilah shapeshifts into a tabby cat whenever she’s stressed.  Menolly’s a vampire who’s still trying to get the hang of being undead.  And me?  I’m Camille—a wicked-good witch.  Except my magic’s as unpredictable as the weather, as my enemies are about to find out the hard way... At the Wayfarer Inn, a portal to Otherworld and the local hangout for humans and beasties alike, a fellow operative, Jocko, has been murdered.  Every clue points to Shadow Wing, the soul-munching, badass leader of the Subterranean Realms.  He’s made it clear that he aims to raze humankind to the ground, turning both Earth and Otherworld into his private playground.  Our assignment:  Keep Shadow Wing and his minions from creeping into Earth via the Wayfarer.  The demons figure they’re in like Flynn.  After all, with only my bumbling sisters and me standing in the way, how can they miss?  But we’ve got a secret for them:  Faulty wiring or not, nobody kicks ass like the D’Artigo girls...

The Review:

One of my reading challenges this year is to re-read the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn, originally the plan was to re-read it before Shadow Rising was out in February, but obviously that didn't happen.

That said, I am glad that I made that vow, since I enjoyed this book a lot.

The world was rich, and intriguing. I loved the twists on the myths and standard tropes that was revealed, and in some cases hinted at.

I also liked the impact the Sidhe had on humans, that some loves them and some hates them. Which makes totally sense.But more than the world, I loved meeting the characters. I loved Camille. Her struggle with her feelings to the Svartan Trillian, who showed up without warning. Her love to her sisters. Her courage, and determination to do what is right.

The plot was fast paced, yet it felt as if it wasn't too fast. It was easy to understand the characters reactions and actions. I loved how Camille's Magic affected the plot. Not that it made it easier, if anything it made it harder.

So what I didn't like with this book. It took a long time before it sucked me in, before it hooked me. In fact, it wasn't until page 150 or so that I felt the urge to just keep on reading. Before that I put it down and picked it up several time.

Interstingly I have had different reactions each time I have read this book. The first time, I felt it was good, but not great , the second I loved it. This time it was a mix of the previous times.