I really enjoyed this book, so much so I was not able to put it down until I was through the whole thing. I really enjoyed the banter between the two main characters, Pete & Jack. They really have one heck of a love/hate relationship. The British slang was a great touch as well. It took me a little bit to get what they ment, but when I caught on to the meanings I absolutely loved it. I got such a kick out of the slang even when it was in anger.

There where a few moments I got slightly confused with the flashes to the dreams that Pete was having then to reality. It took me a moment to catch on to what was going on, then to switch my thinking. But, it didn't take me long as I went through the book to catch on and know what to look for, and in learning the authors writting style it became easier for me to pick the dreams out.

I really liked Jack's character more from the beginning. To me there seemed to be more layers to him than appeared to the others in the story. To me I thought he out shined Pete through most of the book, but by the end of the book Pete had taken her place right up there by/with Jack. In the end of the book I realized how much Pete had grown as a character through the book, and loved her for it. Jack's character grew as well but not by the leaps and bounds that Pete did.

I know there is a short story of Jack in the book Huntress, which hold a few short stories by four different authors. I have this book on my shelf in my to be read pile. But, the second book in the Black London Novel series is Demon Bound. Based on the preview at the back of the book, Street Magic, it looks as it is to be released December 2009. I will be watching the shelves for this on in December. ( )

Detective Inspector Pete Caldecott is determined to find the person responsible for the abduction of Bridget Killigen even though her sixth sense is telling her she will be too late. When she receives a tip from a potential informant the last person she ever expected to see is Jack Winter, her sister's former boyfriend, magician and singer...and the man she saw die at the hands of a nightmare over a decade earlier. Jack is a shade of his former self and an addict. He is also the only one who seems to have a connection to whatever is kidnapping young children and for that reason alone (or so she keeps telling herself) Pete will keep Jack close at hand, whether he wants to be there or not.

This story was a very different read for me and lots of fun simply because it was very British in setting, attitude and language. It is a good thing I had a "Harry Potter" primer on British slang or I might have been a little lost LOL! Also, the story was engrossing, with a very interesting way of having the characters perceive where they were at any given moment, flipping between the real world and The Dark places. The characters played well off of each other. I did have a little difficulty getting used to "Pete" as a girl's name and for the longest time was confused as to who "Connor" was. I'm used to calling my parents mom and dad, and never think to use their first names myself. I liked the idea of Jack being an addict and for what could be good reason. There is some 'shippy tension to the relationship between Jack and Pete, and the story really centers around these two characters together, but there is certainly no actual "romance" involved in the story. I'm hoping that maybe the sequel will have a little more in that department.

I think that this was a very well put together, edgy, dark urban fantasy with a very strong female lead who isn't as abrasive as some I've read in the past. Certainly this is a series I have an interest in following, at least into the next book. ( )

Street Magic is an exciting fast paced read. Prior to reading this new book I read Ms. Kittredge's first two books in her Nocturne City series and just loved her writing voice. Her characters take you on a journey of non-stop action. The writing isn't bogged down with unneccesary dialouge that you find in some dark fantasy books. I always find that refreshing. Pete and Jack are quiet interesting and have great chemistry. Their back and forth nagging at each other was amusing. The only problem I had with it were the names "Pete" and "Jack". I had to keep reminding myself that Pete is a chick. Otherwise I really enjoyed this first installment. ( )

Full review posted at http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/2009/01/...
The book is due out this summer.

Street Magic is Urban Fantasy at it's best, strong characters to confuse and delight you in the familiar London Streets and the less familiar places behind them. The tension is drawn through beautifully and the humour that made the Luna Wilder novels such a delight is present, as is a typically delicately handled relationship between protagonists. There are one or two minor affectations of some characters that will amuse those readers familiar with London but they don't impact on the enjoyment of the book at all and if you aren't familiar with the City and it's inhabitants you won't even notice (so i'm not going to name them here). ( )