Jennifer Stevenson

I really, really wanted to love it. People who I respect the heck out of love it. I remember when Jennifer was coming up with the title and I thought it sounded great and wanted to read it. And I can tell that it's written very well. But I'm just not the reader for this book, and it pains me to say that.

Most of the reviews I read called Trash Sex Magic a love story, and it is that, but it's mostly the story of Raedawn Somershoe who, along with her mother, creates magic through sex. The giant show more tree that anchored the area and that housed the essence of Raedawn's friend/lover has been cut down by a developer, and now nature's going all haywire, particularly the river. What's needed is someone to take his place, and she finds him in Alexander Cabeau, whose grandmother sent him from the Bahamas.

A synopsis of the plot really does nothing to explain this story. I called it "literary fantasy," which is my way of trying to convey the feel of the book, but maybe a better term would be "poetic fantasy," because it affected me like poetry. Some of what happens in the book is "real," some is metaphor, and some is magic, and it's not always easy to tell which is which. In fact, I'm half convinced that the entire book is metaphor.

But I'm a more literal reader. I love fantasy and magic, but I like it to be grounded. For me, this is like trying to focus on one of those hidden picture paintings--I can do it, I can see the hidden picture, but it's hard work, and it gives me a headache. Just like with poetry, I got tired and frustrated trying to figure out what was real, and waiting for something to happen. And just like with good poetry, I can tell that this is a really well-written book, but I can't feel it myself. It's like looking at a pair of gorgeous shoes, but they're a size 6, and there's no way I can wear them. I know they're great shoes, but I can't have them.

So, 3.5 stars, which is what my personal enjoyment level of the book was: I liked it, but it's not a keeper for me. I used to think I was lacking or intellectually lazy because I don't enjoy poetry, or books like this, but now I think it's just a matter of brain wiring. Don't disillusion me, please. show less

I received this book through the Early Reviewers program quite some time ago, but it took me until only last week to start reading it. Not because I wasn't interested, I just didn't have the time. That said, once I did start, I absolutely could not put it down. I stayed up until 2am reading it.

It is a great read. Funny, smart, romantic, sexy, with a brief but interesting delve into somewhat recent World History, along with some Indian culture and religion. The characters were charming and show more relatable. I really liked how the characters took turn narrating throughout the entire novel. My only (minor) issue with the novel is that there are a handful of Indian phrases that never quite get explained in the text, but that didn't really ruin my enjoyment of the text. show less

I first read Jennifer Stevenson when I was in grad school and picked up The Brass Bed for much-needed entertainment. I loved her mix of smart women, humor, and hot sex. That has not changed in Dancing with Cupid, as it has all that plus a story dependent on the Hindu/Indian culture. I really enjoyed the driven heroine Rathi who turns out to be the latest incarnation of a Hindu goddess. Of course she meets her Hindu-god husband Kama who is a slacker in this life, providing for a fun contrast show more in lifestyles. The path to their HEA is not without several bumps, including the death of Kama, but it all works out. Now I want to read the rest in the Slacker Demons series! show less

Hel is an energy vampire, barely keeping herself fed on the stale prana she breathes from rush hour commuters and tiny sips from her hyperactive students and roller derby team. But a federal agent investigating the rise of magic in Chicago has her in his sights, and Hel wants to give in to her cravings.

Why I picked it up: The urban fantasy element led me to request it from Early Reviewers.

Why I finished it: The Hinky Chicago setting reminds me of the Cleveland Portal novels. This is romance, show more not noir, so I didn't like it quite as well. But Stevenson has a wry sense of humor, and she uses language well. And she writes a great paranormal sex scene.

Hel is pretty messed up psychologically. The plot gives her the tools she needs to sort her shit out, which she does, but this presents a problem for this new series: either Hel is a completely different character moving forward, or the development she achieves in this story is phony, and she'll go on as a tedious, stunted caricature. I'm probably not invested enough to jump on the next episode, but likely will check in again in the future.

I'd give it to: Linn and Deb, who like their vampire ladies tough but vulnerable. show less