Charles R. Verhey

Review of Firecracker by Charles R. Verhey4 stars out of 5Story:Firecracker is an urban fantasy which centers on the life of Aideen Cassidy. She is a “Zoë Blood”, a psychic born with special talents caused by the cure to the “88 Virus” plague that killed thousands of people around the world. That cure was the Zoë Vaccine. The vaccine has created a few thousand of these psychics. Aideen has had a tough life. She is a thin, chain-smoking, vermillion eyed, red-headed young woman, and show more she is extremely volatile in all senses of the word. She is a pyrokinetic, a fire starter, so she can, and frequently does, start fires with her mind. She is ruled by her passions and can go from one emotional extreme to the other. Unfortunately for her, when she loses her temper, she creates fires and the object of her ire often doesn't survive. Her uncontrollable gift (or curse) has dominated her life and prevented her from staying in any one place for too long. After burning down every business she has worked for, she is now a pariah and no one will give her a job – even PsychTeam.PsychTeam is a group of psychics who aid the police in solving crimes and they don't want her. Aideen, is broke and desperate and badgers PsychTeam until she gets an interview with the handsome and charming Agent Li Hung. He tells her bluntly that they don't want her or need her. Fortunately for Aideen, Agent Le's decision is overridden by the head of PsychTeam, Miyuki. She is a frail little girl with enormous psychic powers whose failing health keeps her from living a normal life and whose psychic visions torment her constantly. Miyuki tells Agent Li that he must hire her and that they will need her for the battle with the shadows that is to come. Aideen's life turns around from there and becomes filled with excitement, romance and drama.I don't want to go much further into the story line lest I reveal things best revealed by the author.Pros:Firecracker is a well written book. Mr. Verhey's writing is strong and his characters are believable and likeable. Aideen is especially fun because of her volatile nature ( which earns her the title of Firecracker from Agent Li ) She is ruled by her emotions and can go from exuberant to depressed in a matter of seconds. I enjoyed following her along on her ride. She starts out with critically low self esteem but is strong willed and bull headed. It is this latter trait that gets her where she needs to know. As she starts to understand and find positive uses for her power, she becomes more confident and starts gaining a sense of self-worth.The world that Mr. Verhey has created is interesting, self-consistent and complex. This book reveals some of that world, but hints that there is much more going on than the characters know, even the enigmatic Miyuki with her glimpses of the future. The story is also well structured with tension gradually building towards a satisfying and dramatic climax.Cons:For my tastes, Mr. Verhey is a bit too cagey with the information he reveals. Even most of the members of the PsychTeam don't know what is really going on. They are kept in the dark as to the nature of the coming threat. The reader is too. There is a lot of hinting and suggesting and shuddering which builds up readers expectations to the point that the actual reveal of the enemy is a bit of a let-down and the story arc is fairly predictable. That being said, there are other very interesting things you discover about the plague and the nature of the Zoë Blood which keeps your interest.Conclusion:Overall, I give Firecracker 3.5 stars. The characters are likeable and complex and the story is engaging, even if some of the tension seems a little artificial. I would recommend it to anyone who likes urban fantasy. Its an enjoyable read and a good start to what seems to be a promising new series by a promising new author. show less

Aideen “Cass” Cassidy is a pyrokinetic who can’t hold a job. As a last ditch effort at finding a way to pay rent, Cass tries to get a job with PsychTeam, a team of eccentric psychics who solve cases the police can’t solve. Shortly after starting, Cass starts dreaming about a young girl who needs her help and a weird shadow starts coming after her and her PsychTeam mentor, Li Hung, wanting them dead. If the shadow succeeds, many will die and the world could very well end. Can Cass and show more Li save themselves as well as the world?

This book is humorous and action-packed. The characters are well-developed and likable. The chapters are short and the plot is fairly complex, fast-moving,and suspenseful. My favorite part was when Cass’ new personal trainer shows up and her face and Cass ends up setting his sleeve on fire when she gets mad at him. Readers who like saving the world, psychics, assassins, and adventure will enjoy reading this book. show less

5 star, edge of your seat, page turning thriller!

When Aideen Cassidy filled out an application for a job with PsychTeam, she didn’t know what she was in for. All she wanted was a job so she could pay her rent and eat. She had been fired from other jobs too often. Her special talent was not helping. Being able to start fires at random was not any benefit to any job.

Agent Li nicknamed her Firecracker, which seemed appropriate, between her fire igniting ability and her looks-red hair and red show more eyes, what else would you nickname someone?

PyschTeam was a company consisting of psychics of all different abilities, owned by a young girl, Miyuki. She became the owner at a very young age after her father had died, protecting the secrets of the Zoe.

No one was willing to tell Aideen anything, including why she was hired in the first place. She only knew she had a connection to a young girl who had been kidnapped. What she didn’t know was this big, black “Shadow” created from Zoe blood seemed to hurt everyone in its path.

Why was she so special, that even though she was scared, she seemed to be able to stand up not only for herself, but more for those around her, against this mysterious and evil “Shadow.”

With death and destruction all around, find out if the agents can destroy the “Shadow”, or if the “Shadow” destroys the agents.

Great cast of characters, someone from everyone’s type of personality, whether you were bullied as a child, shy, quiet, muscular, driven and determined, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other, keeping both Aideen and you in suspense. Well written, keeping you turning pages to see what happens next. The story flowed nicely, keeping you wanting more, and always adding a twist or turn along the way. Not too long and not too short, perfect for this type of suspenseful story. show less