TWIN FLAMES

The second book in Kobasic’s (Vanishing Twin, 2014, etc.) urban fantasy series about conjoined sisters.

Connected from the waist down, Scarlett and Jade are two sisters who don’t always get along. Nevertheless, they do fairly well in a world that will never accept them as normal. Having written a New York Times best-seller about their condition, the sisters live comfortably in Las Vegas, where they maintain a relationship with the famous magician Sebastian Cole, a man who “wasn’t an illusionist, but a true magician.” Rather, Scarlett maintains a relationship with Sebastian; the love between them leaves Jade little to do other than come along for the ride, a position for which she feels no qualms expressing her distaste. If only something could be done. As Scarlett points out, “You couldn’t find a book in some specialty shop that offered tips on how to deal with sharing your first love with your conjoined sister.” Meanwhile, a powerful and ancient group known as Lucifer’s Chosen wants Sebastian’s participation, and they have quite a deal to sweeten the agreement. “Scarlett and Sebastian will be presented with a choice,” says Ebony, a member of the Chosen: “[I]n order to have Scarlett’s soul unbound from Jade, she’ll have to turn to Lucifer.” Could the possibility of uncoupling his true love from her difficult sister be reason enough to join Lucifer’s legions? What would happen to Sebastian’s great magical abilities? Dotted with sexual scenes—“He lifted up my bra, and I pulled him close. His lips suckled my breasts, gently going from one to the other”—as the plot snowballs in complexity, the story takes the concept of conjoined sisters into new and strange places. Though overwrought when describing Sebastian’s ability to put on a Las Vegas show—including his latest creation: a magical ballet he designs with Scarlett—the book nevertheless manages superb pacing and regular excitement. Figures of good and evil continuously plot and pivot, creating a story that goes well beyond boy-meets–conjoined sisters. Readers seeking a love story charged with ancient magic and a remarkably novel physical predicament will not be disappointed.

Sisterly drama combines with a generous dosing of the supernatural in this intricate adventure for fans of urban fantasy.