PUBLIC ENEMIES

This second book in the Immortal Game trilogy picks up right where Mortal Danger (2014) left off.

Edie finds herself again entangled with the monstrous forces she encountered previously as she looks for a way to rescue her heartthrob, Kian, from his pledge that he will give up his life to save hers. The monsters provide most of the book’s charm, with nicely original twists on mythological beings making up the pantheon. The Harbinger, Edie’s adversary/protector, actually comes across as the book’s most engaging character, far more so than either Edie or Kian. Readers also meet the almost attractive character of a killer clown, aptly named Buzzkill, and a wonderful smith, Govannon, who forges a magical weapon for Edie. Aguirre expects readers to recall that in this complex plot, Edie has become involved in the immortal game of the series title, defined in the first book but never here. Except for the inventive translation of mythological creatures into the book’s monsters, any of which might become enemies or collaborators, the storyline essentially follows the standard formula for paranormal romance. Readers must navigate lengthy, alternating action and romance episodes, including loosely described sexual encounters, before finally returning to the series’ main premise: that Edie is trying to escape a Faustian deal and to repair the damage she has done to the world.

Nifty monsters, standard plot.