Melbourne is still under threat from the spread of
Crimson Death – the vampirism plague that is creating ever more monsters. The
research for cure and treatment is becoming ever more in demand from various
shadowy organisations all with their own purposes
And in the middle of it is Emberly, the Phoenix, who many people think has the hidden notes for the cure research. On top of that, she’s having prophetic dreams of a new monster in town.
As a private investigator I think Emberly and Jackson are
also much more legitimately involved in the plot, especially since Emberly is
targeted as well. While the last book she felt inserted clumsily, now she works
as a much more central figure to the investigation.
And I do like that investigation. It’s a mystery with
lots of questions and numerous factions and twisting plots involved. The
central question is still the plague, the quasi-vampires and their terrible
infections, possibly apocalyptic disease and any possible cure or vaccination
that may exist. But there are so many factions looking for this cure and many
motives between them – people trying to make a profit, the Sindicati, a vampire
underworld organisation that is now riven in two – with both factions after the
information. And being a major underworld organisation, they have their lackies
and contacts who also have their own input into the story with their own
agendas and organisation.
On top of that we have PIT, the surreptitious police force
that challenges the supernatural with their own shady organisation complicated
with Sam and his history with Emberley. There’s a lot of things going on and it
works
In fact if I have any criticism of this story is that
there are too many factions and independent figures. Sometimes a name will come
up and I’ll have a blank moment because I can’t remember who they are, which
faction they’re part of or what goal they have. There are a lot of characters
here – so very many characters and I get more than a little lost occasionally.
Part of this is it actually makes the main plot line seem
somewhat out of place. Why are we following this shifting creature that eats
people? It’s not that it’s a bad story – it’s actually really fun and well
written and interesting. It’s just that the meta is so huge that I don’t think
it necessarily fits except, perhaps, to add some new shiny new creatures to the
world.
I do wish we could see more competence from Emberly.
Throughout the book and their investigations Jackson is the one with the ideas
and the knowledge. He knows the city better, he has the contacts, he has the
investigative skills. Which is fair enough in a way, she is the investigator.
But she has lived for centuries upon centuries – so where is the skill set to
back this up? It’s no that she’s weak or useless – far from it, she’s immensely
powerful – but that power revolves around her woo-woo. She’s a phoenix and they
are might, dangerous beings – and it is actually somewhat rare to see a female
character be so overwhelmingly more powerful (and actively so) than her lover
and partner – but I do think at times she slightly turns into a fire turret. At
the same time, I quite like how she is a power. She’ facing off against all of
these major, scary organisations because she is a scary person. Not overpowered
and terrifying and certainly there is tension facing off against what these
dangerous organisation – but still a sufficient force that they have to respect
her.
Jackson and Emberly are very sexual – as are, to a lesser
extent, she and Rory. I can’t say I’m a massive fan of it, but I will say
that’s more personal taste than any actual flaw in the depiction. They’re
sexual, clearly into each other, flirt, have sexy talk and sexy fun whenever
they are able to do so. But, unlike so many other books, they’re never
ridiculous with it – there’s no pausing in the middle of a chase because they
simply have to have sex NOW. There’s no putting off the mission because it’s
time to have sex. It fits in the story.
There are not a lot of minorities in the book. There’s a
gay man who appears briefly as someone vaguely related to the plot. He’s not a
bad character but nor is he, especially, a real part of the book. Then monster
in this book is non-western and we have a Filipino Medicine man show up to play
guru, woo-woo guide and provider of magical shinies and ominous magical warnings.
Brown people providing mystical support while being all exotic and
superstitious is not a great trope
There are also some Earth fae who are darker skinned –
not exactly parallel to human races but there is a level of diversity among the
fae.
I think a better job was done of openly challenging PIT’s
tactics and it’s complete disregard for human rights – not as much as I’d like
but there’s definitely some challenges which is sorely needed. I’m not a fan of
Sam but the revelations in this book do promise he will grow and become a more
interesting characters beyond the ominous guy who broke Emberly’s heart.
I continue to be intrigued by this series. The whole
concept of the phoenixes is a fascinating and original one. The way Emberly interacts
with the world is a really nice one that is quite different from most of there.
The world is deep and broad with lots of excellent features and details that I
appreciate. The romance isn’t exactly something I love but it isn’t terrible
and has managed to not annoy me. There’s a nice level of complexity and nuance
and more than a few fun twists – I like it, yes yes I do
