Bitten by Books
Spell Blind, the excellent first installment in The Case Files of Justis Fearsson, opens with former-cop-turned-private-investigator Justis, or Jay as his friends call him, on the trail of a missing young woman. After successfully rescuing the girl, later that evening Jay gets a call from his former partner, Kona, a close friend who also happens to be the only person he has ever told the important truth about his identity as a weremyste, or magic-user-the reason behind his leaving the force. It seems that the murder of a senator’s daughter has all the signs of the Blind Angel Killer, the very case the two had been working together when Jay left the department. Kona feels Jay’s magical skills may prove useful in tracking down the killer, and asks for his assistance.
Jay agrees to help out, and when he arrives at the scene spots the killer’s magical residue, which aids in tracking and confirming his identity. Jay races against the clock in order to solve the case, as for the three days surrounding the time of the full moon he will descend into the moon-induced confusion and delusions every magic-user suffers from, phasings-the result of using their magic. Meanwhile, in addition to tracking down the killer, Jay tries to keep tabs on his father, whose mental health fluctuates, and finds himself with more than just a passing interest in a well-known blogger/journalist.
Coe incorporates a very cool premise into the magic system of the novel, regarding the phasings. The price that magic exacts against the practitioners affects all aspects of their lives, and weremystes must choose which path they will follow. Despite having a pretty clear idea of his ultimate fate, due to witnessing first-hand his father’s decline, Jay chooses to keep access to his abilities in order to more effectively help people. This decision cost him his job, but Jay refuses to allow the three-days-a-month weakness to rule his life and prevent him from being the man he wishes to be.
Despite knowing his adversary’s identity, the cat-and-mouse movement between Jay and the killer serves to keep the pace of the narrative moving with a high level of suspense regarding the ultimate outcome. This terrific new entry into the genre should please all urban fantasy readers, and they should make sure to be ready when book two, His Father’s Eyes, hits shelves in August.
Book Stats:
- Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Baen; Reissue edition (May 26, 2015)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 147678082X
- ISBN-13: 978-1476780825
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Books in the Case Files of Justis Fearsson series in the order they should be read:
Spell Blind
His Father’s Eyes
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Summary : Coe incorporates a very cool premise into the magic system of the novel, regarding the phasings. The price that magic exacts against the practitioners affects all aspects of their lives, and weremystes must choose which path they will follow. Despite having a pretty clear idea of his ultimate fate, due to witnessing first-hand his father’s decline, Jay chooses to keep access to his abilities in order to more effectively help people. This decision cost him his job, but Jay refuses to allow the three-days-a-month weakness to rule his life and prevent him from being the man he wishes to be.
