Deborah Wilde

Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde is a delightful blend of humor, magic, and midlife rediscovery. The protagonist, Miriam Feldman, a forty-something single mom, brings a refreshing and relatable perspective to the urban fantasy genre. Wilde’s knack for witty banter shines through in Miriam’s interactions, especially with her semi-partner, Laurent, the emotionally distant shifter. The comedy is clever, with plenty of moments that will make you laugh out loud, maintaining a light and show more engaging tone.

One of the book’s standout elements is its world-building. Wilde’s universe intertwines magic and Hebrew mythology, creating a captivating and unique touch. The magic system is unique and intriguing, diverging from typical urban fantasy. Miriam’s journey of self-discovery in her 40s, as she embraces her magical powers, is empowering and resonates deeply.

The book also balances action and exposition well, maintaining a fast pace without overwhelming the reader. The tension and suspense, particularly with the will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Miriam and the wolf shifter, add an extra layer of intrigue. For those who enjoy a blend of humor, badassery, and supernatural thrills, Throwing Shade delivers on all fronts.

Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews/magic-midlife-and-mayhem-a-review-of-throw.... show less

You guys, I'm not going to lie... this book was AMAZING!
I mean, it had it all, a lot of action, snarky humor, some romance (but not too much... even though it's Levi, don't say you would mind hmm!?), oh oh oh.. and a puppy (lol) :D

Worldbuilding was, as always, great! We went all over the place and all scenes and environments were clear and well detailed.

Character development just keeps on going strong book after book. Ash and Levi finally figure things out between them (can I get an amen). show more But to be honest, all important characters continue to grow and shed more light onto their persona. They all feel very real and alive, with each their own flaws and insecurities. Really well written.

Pacing and flow were amazing. Such a great balance between all the action and the (heartstopping) conversations. This book really is quite a ride, though never going over the top into being rushed. No, the author let it play out in its own natural rhythm (and yes, reading this sentence is weird for me too, but that's the best I can do for you so you're welcome).

The book itself was well written and yes, there is sex described (if that is important to you).

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and I really do need book 4 pronto (pretty pretty please!). Though beware, the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger... you are warned!
I didn't think this series could trump Nava, but damn... I think this book did it! show less

When Miriam’s best friend goes missing, she’s determined to track her down. But that means befriending a werewolf and tapping into a magical side of herself she’s been afraid to use for years.

I rarely read novels with shapeshifters, but once I started this one, I didn’t look back. An angry, middle-aged woman, fighting back in unexpected ways against the men who overlook her, harass her—and worse? I was SO in. And the surprises kept coming. The character descriptions were pithy and show more witty, the plot was exciting, and I was rooting for Miriam from the first paragraph. Mystery, magic, and a middle-aged woman taking control of her life. A great read! show less

I can honestly say, I knew this was going to be different from Nava and Ash, but I didn't think that Miri would be so awesome! :D As someone who is getting to that age, she's my new role model (though not sure that is such a good idea lol)

Worldbuilding:
A great urban fantasy setting in present-day Vancouver. You get a lot of information about the different factions, their place in the world and how they view each other (spoiler -the only one you're getting- it's not favourable) but it never show more feels too much of an information dump, rather, well spread out through the book.
Miri goes all over the place, but the author does a great job of giving us the necessary information so we can stay fully immersed in the story.

Character development:
At the start of the book, we meet our main character Miriam, a librarian, who is pretty much sick and tired of her life (and some of the people she works for). While she loves her job, she can't stop envisioning murdering them in the most bookish way possible. I think I loved Miri from that moment on (as I might have done the same on *ahem* numerous occasions ;) )
Her life really changes when she meets a guy in a bar and things go sour and we meet the awesome Delilah :D
Oh oh oh and not to forget: Laurent (aka Huff 'n' Puff). Our silent and broody (but hella sexy) French wolf shifter.
Throughout the book, we learn more about Miri, her past and her current situation with her ex and daughter. We understand more about her motivation for doing certain things as well as her norms and values.
While we learn more about Laurent, he is still a delicious mystery I can't wait to know more about in the next instalment!
We've met a lot of the players (though I'm sure we're missing a couple of big ones) and each has his/her own story to tell. As we've come to expect from the author, all character feel real and believable.

Pacing and flow:
It started slow and steady, but don't let it fool you... once it has your full attention you're stuck till the book is done! :D
It kept my attention with Miri's witty remarks and her trying to figure out the grumpy wolf shifter.
There was quite a bit of action but nothing felt rushed. Good balance between conversations and action.

The book:
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors. Strangely enough, there is no sex described (which isn't a bad thing, just not something we're used to from the author haha) but I'm sure we'll see more of that in the next books.
The book is 28 chapters long and written from Miriam's point of view.

Final thoughts:
It was very different from the authors other series, so it took me a bit of time to get really into it. I must admit I've not read many books where the heroine is over 40 years old, but I really enjoyed it! Miri is such a fun (and relatable) character, you just can't do anything but love her! I mean, she has baggage and a ton of life experience, so it makes sense that she would be able to utilise all that for something greater, no?
Plus, it makes me feel like there is still hope for me as well haha ;)
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and all I can really say is, well done! Another great start of a new series and one which I will be recommending to many readers. show less