THE WICCHE GLASS TAVERN

Sam Quinn finally reopens her San Francisco bookstore/bar after wolves had decimated it. Everything is looking up until her mother’s sister, Abigail— possessing one of the store owner’s friends—tries to kill Sam. Abigail believes her niece has “bespoiled” their wicche lineage, as Sam’s father was a werewolf. Luckily, Sam may already have a way to battle her powerful aunt. As a necromancer, she can commune with the dead as well as sense, mind-read, and even control vampires since they’re “kind of dead.” But it’s a rare skill that she must first hone, so Sam needs someone to train her. Meanwhile, her vampire fiance, Clive, and his “nocturne” of vamps are in danger as well. A fellow vampire, after betraying Clive, has now seemingly targeted him. Sam has the know-how to track this hard-to-find rogue bloodsucker. But the werewolf/wicche already has her hands and paws full, as Abigail incessantly possesses those close to her niece. Sam has no choice but to defend herself against friends she struggles not to hurt. Kelly packs her gripping novel with mythological beings, from pixies and dwarves to a selkie. Though the scarcely seen Abigail “keeps to the shadows,” plenty of vicious baddies stir up trouble, sparking action scenes like Sam’s exhilarating fight with an Orc. In addition, there’s the perpetual threat of Sam’s allies turning on her while under Abigail’s influence. These supernatural heroes and villains form a dense, colorful cast that the author masterfully handles. The supporting characters stand out the most. For example, bickering Gorgon sisters Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, along with half-demon cook Dave, steal nearly every scene they’re in. Kelly rounds out her story with vivid details, including Sam’s lethal claws and Dave’s “black, shark-like eyes.”

Dynamic supernatural characters fuel a riveting tale.