Shady Lady

Corine finds herself embroiled in more danger when Kel Ferguson, the crazy God’s Hand warrior from Blue Diablo, walks into Corine’s shop and saving her from a hex death spell. She finds out that Montoya, the drug lord from Blue Diablo is unable is determined to get vengeance against Corine who is the only one not protected from his wrath and finds herself in the midst of several assassination attempts. Her only hope is to team up with the rival of Montoya, who is just as dangerous.

Warning:
I won’t be able to review this book without verging into some spoilers -- although I will try to keep it light.

This is the 3rd instalment of the Corine Soloman series, and I have to say it’s the best yet! It’s rare for a series to have each show more book with a different tone. Unlike the previous instalment with the claustrophobic creepy atmosphere, Shady Lady is a fast paced, hectic tale of vengeance. I really felt that Corine really came to her own in Shady Lady, while the last book had major repercussions and developments about Corine, her past, and her magical abilities. This book explores more about her choices -- past and present -- which definitely has major ramifications for her.

However the real highlight and pure joy of this book was Kel! OMG! He literally leapt out of the pages for me (although he definitely made his presence felt in Blue Diablo!), but in Shady Lady he really shines because he’s such a vivid and memorable character. Ann Aguirre deftly uncovers some layers of his character and personality that showed a new and multifaceted side him. I also loved the new dynamic that developed between him and Corine, and I think a few fans of the series who will want more of this!

However, the character that showed the most growth and development had to be Corine. Instead of just reacting against the events and the obstacles thrown at her, Corine is definitely more proactive due to the events of the past couple of books. While the previous book dealt with her past, the choices at the end of that book resonates big time in Shady Lady -- the title is pretty fitting because Corine’s decisions are like that. By the end of the book, Corine had changed in some ways. She’s definitely emerged a much tougher and harder edged character. I loved the evolution of her character due to these events and her choices and shows how much development from the more quieter and in some ways subdued character from the first book compared to the more proactive character that she is now.

I especially loved how she took on Montoya with her wits and magical abilities but knowing the full price which she has to grapple with and the burden she will have to face with. There was some fantastic creepy scenes, most notable one was where Corine faces possessed monkeys (and it was pretty damn scary) as well as demons and psychotic drug lords and warlocks. But when Corine turns the tables and acts against Montoya it shows how far she has grown, and how ruthless she has to become to survive in the violent and dark world where she doesn’t want to belong in.

The ending was heartbreaking although hints of new and old possibilities. Corine really goes through the wringer in this book, but it’s a book where she realises that making deals with the devil (and she makes a couple in this book) can backfire and throws her life in disarray. I think in a lot of ways Corine was reborn in this book and the quest-like journey she takes with Kel in the first half of the book was a gauntlet that reshaped her mentally and emotionally.

End spoilers:

The Corine Soloman series is not the usual Urban Fantasy fare with the ass-kicking smart alec heroine. Each book feels like a part of a tapestry has been unveiled that shows aspects of Corine’s past and hinting of her future, which is definitely going to be big. And so far each book has brought something different and new which has definitely kept me guessing. And there is MAJOR revelations in this book that hints of a truly epic struggle coming to a head.

I think for me this series is firmly cemented as one of the best UF around! Shady Lady was a fast pace, that had a great vengeance plot and sharp characters with depth. As well an atmospheric tone and setting that you can almost taste and feel. And you know what? I think we really haven’t seen the best from this series yet!

I give Shady Lady an A! show less

Shady Lady is a book that shows tremendous growth in the Corinne Solomon series. Ann Aguirre has this amazing ability to dream up and write extremely unique characters and place the setting of her stories in places that come alive on the pages of her book. The first two books in this series created distinct reactions in my mind – one, I loved the characters, the setting and the “talents/abilities” of the characters; two – the main character’s reaction and interactions with her love interests (yes that is plural) drove me crazy and detracted from the storyline. I love how Ann Aguirre writes about an American woman living in Mexico – having been one myself years ago, I can say with confidence that Aguirre gets it right and show more makes me feel like I am back there doing it all over again. I love how Aguirre writes her characters. Nothing is easy, there is a cost to talent and there are consequences to choices. The people in Corinne’s life are unique and quirky - -much like real people in real life are.

So Shady Lady finds Corinne back in Mexico, I was already cheering from the beginning of the story. And there are some positive things that develop in Corinne’s love life that were much more tolerable and enjoyable than in the first few books. The quest/challenge is interesting and not predictable at all. So where does this leave me with the series?

I love Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax series. That is one of my all time favorite series – a character driven story, amazing setting and hard choices. Aguirre never takes the easy way out as a writer and I love reading those kinds of stories. I wish that the first two in the Corinne Solomon series were automatic wins for me, but there is enough meaty stuff there that encouraged me to keep going and I am glad that I did. I plan to read #4 in this series, Devil’s Punch, very soon and cannot wait for #5 to be released. If you like complex UF books, with richly developed interesting characters and very unique settings then I think you would like this book. But … you have to understand that there are flaws with books one and two, there is a pay off to sticking with the series. The books improve and by the third, Shady Lady, the series is strong and very enjoyable. It has taken my 2 years to get to book 3 and I am thankful that my GR friend Maja, encouraged me to keep going. I cannot think of another UF series out there where the author is writing such diverse and interesting characters with settings that come alive and make you feel like you are there. So stick with this series. I promise you will be happy you did. show less

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

I’ve come to expect great things from Ann Aguirre. I don’t just read her books, I step into the skin of her characters, breath the same air, taste the same food, feel the same rush of adrenaline and chill of fear. The Corine Solomon books in particular, have all been superb supernatural rides, and SHADY LADY is the best yet.

What a surprise Kel was in this book. When we first met him in BLUE DIABLO, he was this crazy, zealous warrior. Barely human. An enemy. A tenuous alliance was formed between him and Corine, but he was still terrifying at best, and homicidal most times. And yet, Ann changed him in a very gradual, subtle way throughout SHADY LADY. Or maybe she just changed my perception, show more because by the end of the book, I’d basically called the race for Corine’s heart and the two other guys from the previous book weren’t even close. I loved how my expectations were completely turned upside down and yet I never once felt cheated.

But even though I may have declared a winner, that doesn’t mean that Corine (or Ann has). I had some issues with Corine’s indecisiveness in the previous books, and she’s no more resolute this time when it comes to the men in her life. In SHADY LADY, she mentally commits to each one before waffling on to the next in the space of only a few chapters. Talk about whiplash. Yes there are circumstances that prompt each decision, but I would have expected her to maybe take a little time to think things through before moving on to the next guy. But that’s my only complaint in this otherwise excellent urban fantasy.

There is so much good stuff packed into this book. Surprising character transformations, rich worldbuilding, gorgeous writing, killer action scenes and hot romance (the chapters in the jungle reminded me of a classic Linda Howard romance). Everything adds up here. Urban Fantasy fans will want to get drunk on this series, and the good news is that we have at least two more Corine Solomon books to look forward to. DEVIL’S PUNCH will be out in April 2012, followed by BLOODY MARIA in April 2013. So belly up to the bar if you haven’t already. This is a series that just keeps getting better.

Sexual Content:
Kissing. A brief, mildly graphic sex scene. References to rape. Attempted rape. show less

After completely reversing the ending of HELL FIRE in my head, SHADY LADY was a revelation. Aguirre seems to be trying any number of leading men on for size... and it's working, man. Kel was delicious, though I'm not sure how believable the "new and improved" Corine was.

Reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/

SHADY LADY is another great addition to the Corine Solomon series. I LOVED Kel in this book, I never would have thought that he would grow on me and I would find myself pulling for him. He really has been a surprise awesome character that I want to see more of and high hopes for to be in Corine's life. When I saw that Chance wasn't playing a big part in SHADY LADY I was kind of disappointed, But Kel kinda made me realize that I kinda hope Chance doesn't have a chance. Shannon is also a great character I didn't see being so awesome. After the events in HELL FIRE I thought she would make some appearances but now I cant see the series without her in it. Butch of course is still the show more coolest dog ever and we see he has some other talents under his paws. SHADY LADY was full of twist turns and action. I never knew what was coming and I never wanted to stop reading. I defiantly thought it was the best book of the series yet. The Ending?? OMFG Seriously? WTH? PLEASE be temporary, that has to be the most messed up situation ever. I really reallly reallllllly hope that the ending result is temporary. DEVILS PUNCH cant come out soon enough. show less

I loved this book, all up to the last chapter :(

We learned a lot more about Corine, where she comes from, what she can do, and what kind of person she is. The way she interacts with Shannon is awesome, and they get along so well, helping each other and trusting each other.

There was a lot of new things to learn about Kel as well, and he's even more intriguing now than he was before. And the way Corine inadvertantly learned more about herself thanks to him was just great. And I was very pleased that she was actually able to save him right back :) A strong woman can do that, and Corine is getting stronger all the time.

More about Books as well, I can't wait for an actual meeting between Corine and him.

I loved how she went after what she show more needed to get the help she had to have against Montoya, and the final face-down with Montoya and his sorcerer was totally amazaing.

However, what came after that was really disappointing! First of all Jesse and Shannon having forgotten ALL about Corine was just stupid! Both of them are gifted as well, and should not be touched by her spell for all that long. It didn't even make all that much sense to me that it had to happen at all, we already realized that Corine used a little too much force in her spells - she almost got on fire making them :O And even more disappointed by her giving in so easily to Chance in the very end... come on, even if Jesse can't remember you right now, you are supposed to be dating him exclusively!! What are you doing with Chance? Third time back with the same guy does not do it for me. So yeah, disappointed in the end for sure. show less

**I'm trying to keep this short and sweet to not ruin the mystery of the book here.**

Corine is back home in Mexico with Shannon and things seem to be going well until she receives a salt and pepper shaker set. Just as Corine goes to pick up one of the set a tall mysterious man walks into her shop, one that Corine quickly recognizes ~ Kel Ferguson. Kel has been assigned as Corine's guardian as she will be important in the future and is in deadly danger now, and the salt and pepper shaker set is part of her starting troubles. Corine and Kel are on their way to learn about the magic cast on the shaker set and learn of the man who's after Corine, Montoya. Corine pairs up with Kel and an unlikely ally to try and save her life. What will it show more cast Corine and her friends in the end?

Ann is quick to bring us right back into Corines life at the beginning of this book. We get a taste of Corine's "touch" gift at the very beginning to bring us right back to her abilities strengths. And there is more she can now do, but not sure who to trust the new abilities with. As the book goes we see some new developments in Corine's powers and abilities. I love how she slowly starts to grow in her strength and as a character.

The action! Wow. Ann is amazing at keeping the story on fast forward. Just when I think it's starting to calm down and Corine might be able to get a nights sleep, all heck breaks loss once again. I enjoy this constant movement in a book. It's one to make me wonder what will happen to the characters and where will we go.

Corine even makes a few choices in this book. She picks a man. She learns more about herself. And about others as well... Yes, we learn more about another character ~ Kel. I have to say for a character I liked where Ann took Kel as being a mysterious bad guy (with potential as maybe being a good guy for who he worked for) to being a character I loved. This was a great manifestation here!

I'm looking forward to see how strong Corine grows with her powers and to what extent she will be able to use them. Along with a few other questions... the men! And her future!?! I can't wait for more of Corine Solomon! show less