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Trace of Magic by Diana Pharaoh Francis Narrator: Elizabeth Phillips
Series: Diamond City Magic #1
Published by BelleBooks Inc. on March 28, 2016
Genres: Mystery, Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hours and 32 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought
Purchase Links: Amazon, B&N, Kobo
Goodreads
Even the most powerful tracers can’t track you if the magical trace you leave behind is too old. But I can track almost anything, even dead trace. That makes me a unicorn, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and the Lock Ness Monster all rolled into one. In a word, I am unique. A very special snowflake. And if anyone ever finds out, I’ll be dead or a slave to one of the Tyet criminal factions.
Riley Hollis has quietly traced kidnapped children and quietly tipped the cops to their whereabouts one too many times. Now she’s on the radar of Detective Clay Price, a cop in the pocket of a powerful magic Tyet faction. When he blackmails her into doing a dangerous trace for him, Riley will have to break every rule that keeps her safe. Or become a Tyet pawn in a deadly, magical war.
Trace of Magic is book one in the Diamond City Magic series by Diana Pharaoh Francis Narrated by Elizabeth Phillips.
This is my first taste of this author and narrator. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I became sucked into the action, mysteries, and magic presented in Trace of Magic.
The world is interesting. We have people with different magical abilities. Our heroine Riley is a Tracer which means she can follow someone’s trace and see where they’ve been in the past. Though she is much much stronger then she lets on. Her power needs to stay a secret; because if it comes out on how powerful she is the mob will come after her.
Detective Clay Price known as a dirty cop. He’s in the pocket of the mob as an enforcer. Most of the people are on the take. Clay is actually a pretty good cop and his connections are intriguing. He needs a trace done, off the record, so in comes Riley.
Their is more then one mystery going on this novel. I enjoyed the story. It’s full of action. I was in grossed in Riley’s magic, in the hunt for a missing friend, and the other mysteries introduced. Riley was a great character and uncovering her past and what her magic can do is fascinating. Price was another decent character and his connection to the mob was captivating.
I will say I was surprised with how quickly Riley sleeps with Price. Also I’m surprised with how much she reveals about herself to him after they sleep together. I did have trouble believing Price was falling fast for Riley; especially after we learn about his previous engagement. Their was something about their relationship or lack of that bothered me. I can’t put my finger on it, but something. Maybe it was just to fast.
The secondary characters are great and I’d like to learn more about them. Trace of Magic was a good start. I’m pumped to continue the series. I even went out and bought Edge of Dreams as soon as I finished this one.
Narration: This is my first taste of Elizabeth Phillips. I think she did a great job. Her voices are distinctive and I liked them. I would recommend her and this book.
Rated: 4 Stars
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Challenge(s):
- 2019 Audiobook
- 2019 Backlist Title
About Diana Pharaoh Francis
USA Today bestelling writer Diana Pharaoh Francis has written several popular fantasy series. The Path trilogy, which includes Path of Fate (nominated for the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award), Path of Honor and Path of Blood, is epic fantasy. She has also written the Crosspointe Chronicles, including The Cipher, The Black Ship, The Turning Tide, and The Hollow Crown. She also writes The Horngate Witches series, Bitter Night (nominated for the RT Best Urban Fantasy 2010), Crimson Wind (Nominated for the RT best Urban Fantasy Heroine, 2011), and Shadow City (a Top Pick at RT), and Blood Winter. Her latest series is the Diamond City Magic books, beginning with Trace of Magic, which also earned an RT top pick and a nomination for Best Independent Urban Fantasy novel. The second book is Edge of Dreams, also a RT Top Pick, also nominated for Best Independent Fantasy Novel. Whisper of Shadows is the third book in the series. Diana has also launched the Mission: Magic series with the short romantic paranormal novel The Incubus Job.
Diana is a fan of the Victorians, sparkly things, yarn, crochet and knitting, and corgis. Especially corgis. She dresses almost entirely in Woot tee-shirts.
^_^ I hope you enjoy!
This sounds really good! Thanks for adding to my tbr! *said sarcastically* LOL
I haven’t heard of this and you somehow found it and bought it. I am intrigued by the idea of her magic and I always love a mystery. Wonderful review!
I think I found this book through a blogger who listened to it and when the first book Trace of Magic popped up on sale in Audible I grabbed it. I like when Audible does those 1st in a series deals. It’s an interesting concept and I enjoyed the magic and mystery. Thank’s for visiting!
OH! this one is a find. I’m not familiar with the author, but it sounds like a good one. Thanks.
It was a find and the series only has 3 books, so it’s not long. I was lucky to grab this one when Audible did its first in a series sale deal. Thank’s for visiting!
I think I might like this one. I like reading about people who have abilities like this, it makes the story more interesting.
I hope you enjoy. Thank you for visiting!
I hope you enjoy. Thank you for visiting!
in a lot of books there are fast romances, but i’m okay with that. I just think of it as lust and love comes later. this has a lot of elements i love and i think it could be a good fit for me too
sherry @ <a href=”http://www.fundinmental.com/”> fundinmental</a>
I hope you enjoy! Thank’s for visiting.
It’s an author I know about but I don’t think I’ve tried any of her books but I should