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reviews_and_ramblings
1) The physical descriptions in this book, both of various locations and Atlanta as a whole, are detailed and well-written. I can easily imagine every room entered and route taken, and the author uses the contrast of clutter and sterility in locations to good effect. The descriptions occasionally veer toward the overly-factual, but not too often. Meanwhile, the supernatural elements of the setting were familiar, but often used in fresh ways or with details often overlooked. Alonso’s point of view works a lot with the contrast of a near-dead body and an actively living mind, or sensations such as a necromancer’s magic being worked nearby. Witchcraft techniques such as knot magic are shown without being pedantically explained, and while I’m rarely a fan of soulmate-esque concepts, the Keeper-Charge bond present here feels fresh due to its consensual and not-necessarily-romantic nature. Along with these, a few other details help round out this setting. One is the use of the differences between Alonso’s past and present, from the pop culture he recognizes to how the buildings have changed, which all helps add to his conflicted worldview. The openly dirverse and non-heteronormative nature of this setting is also a boon; there are characters who are transgender, asexual, gay but in a platonic hetero-soulmate relationship and more, and most of them PoC to boot. While characters face a believable amount of friction for their identities, they also find understanding and respect with their allies.
2) I really liked this story. I did wonder why Alonso, nor any others, ever addressed Marcella being transgender head on as a topic of discussion, but it worked out okay. It was worth the read.
Alonso Munich is Now Dead S. GatesAsexual - Paranormal Romance
Paperback: 314 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (May 24, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1684310091
ISBN-13: 978-1684310098
Amazon: Alonso Munich is Now Dead S. Gates
Alonso is missing the last five years of his memory, during which he wasn't even alive at all. After waking up in a cheap motel room with no memory of how he got there and an odd young man named Tyler telling him he's a vampire, "life" gets a little strange. Troubled by dreams that might be latent memories, Alonso is on the edge of despair when he meets Marcella, a local psychic with an affinity for the dead. She introduces him to the hidden magical underbelly of his home city of Atlanta, and Alonso begins to believe he might just be able to get the hang of life after death. Unfortunately, the Master of Atlanta has other plans.
