The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay

Published: November 24th 2009 by Pocket
Details: Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN: 1439109656
ISBN13: 9781439109656

Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens.
Charlie works for ITF (Integration Task Force). It's her job to see that the continued integration of our new "friends" goes smoothly and everyone obeys the law, but when a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right.


Review:

Charlie Madigan will not admit defeat. However, she will plead to ignorance and denial when it comes to dealing with anything to emotionally nerve-wracking that she can't handle at the moment. Notice that those moments tend to build and eventually she'll have to potentially combust.

Growing up with two loving parents and two caring siblings, it's not hard to imagine the pain and ignorance Charlie suffered with when her twin brother was killed in a car accident. However, that was a past pain and right now she has plenty more to deal with. Charlie had a "near-death experience" eight months ago, and the nightmares have been nothing but a constant reminder. The war of emotions fighting in her body, the detachment and secrecy toward her loved-ones, you would imagine that nothing could make things worse in Charlie's day-to-day life. And that's where you'd be wrong.

See, those nightmares have a hidden message. A message that soon becomes clear and repulsing, that Charlie has to finally turn to others for help. She can't do it by herself; not anymore. So many decisions to make, so many betrayals and traitors in her midst. Through the whole procession of events Charlie must keep her cool, because the Abbadon elder, that's the leading role in her nightmare, has just taken things to a whole other level.

Will Charlie have time to save her daughter and her world? Or will she arrive, once again, too late?

With the help of her partner Hank, younger mage sister Bryn, a Revenant called Rex, and a Magnus mage Aaron, Charlie will take you through the most emotional rollercoasters she's ever experienced, and the most kicking-ass battles as well. You won't want to miss a thing, because Charlie's story has only just begun.

Oh my gosh. This one is going to be legendary people, in history books, I tell you. I loved the author's smoothly crafted worlds clashing with the human world. The structure and effort into all the little details was so impressive. Not even mentioning the intensity of the relationships between all the characters, good and evil. The Better Part of Darkness is like nothing you've ever experienced in the UF genre, and trust me, I've read the down and dirty has well as the high and mighty when it comes to this genre. I may be a YA reviewer but urban fantasy is my passion. To see the new debut additions, such as this one, implented into the genre is like a breath of fresh air when done so artistically. I have to say that my favorite parts were the battles and attacks, and the whole fighting for your life mumble-jumble. LOVE IT! The ending was...pure poetry. The ending battle between Mynogan (love his name) the Abbadon elder and Charlie was having me pant right along with her. It did induce some tears here and there but that was inevitable. Conclusively, the published novel also gives you a little slice to the next book in the series and I just could not read it. Could not. As I heard on the television on some random channel, I think, "It's like giving a sip of wine to an alcoholic." Cruel, and wanting.

Recommended to the anyone who believes they're mature enough to get through this beautifully written novel. I can't recommend to a group of people of older age because then I'd be a hypocrite. :P

Grade: A+

LiLi