Ghosts of Gotham

Review originally posted on A Reading Brit

ARC provided to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The Plot

This was full of twists, turns and devious machinations, and I thoroughly enjoyed it throughout. I love a book that has twists and conclusions that I don't predict, and this has that in spades. It had a good pace. There was little lull, and when there was, I didn't feel like it was too much. It was a balance that worked for me. The beginning dropped us straight in the middle of the action, showing exactly what sort of character Lionel was, and the ending was terrific. I read it so quickly, it felt like I wasn't blinking, just so I could see what was coming next.

The Characters

The characters in this were well-rounded and had strong personalities that helped them to really come to life. Some based in myth and legend, and some, just normal people caught up in occult madness.

Lionel Page

Lionel is our main character in Ghosts of Gotham. He's a journalist who isn't afraid to speak out about any injustice he sees, and he's also very good at his job. Perhaps too good, as he catches the eye of someone he might've been better off running away from. Lionel is a main character who is more than capable of carrying this story. The whole plot is intricately woven around Lionel's life, from things that happened when he was 5, right up to modern day. I put this book down feeling like I knew him, what he was about, and how he'd react to a situation, purely from the few thousand words I'd read. Schaefer knows how to create characters.

Maddie

Maddie, my favourite character in this book. Probably because she's a strong, badass witch. I feel like anything else I might say about her would be too spoilery, because the things that made her stand out for me are things that are massive spoilers. Just know that Maddie is awesome, and I was cheering her on the whole way. She's not afraid to do what needs to be done, and I love that in a character.

Regina

Now, Regina is one hell of a character. She's a tricky one, with lots of power, money and a master ability to manipulate. At first, I thought she was a little eye-roll worthy. A mysterious rich benefactor sort, that was more there to push the characters in the right direction, than really supply anything meaningful herself, but I was so wrong and ridiculously happy to be wrong. Come the end, I wanted to give Regina a high-five.

The World

The magic and its rules and restrictions were great. The negatives of everything Lionel tried to do, the risks that Maddie took doing things incredibly advanced. The balance between myth and real world is what sold this for me. Mixing Greek goddesses, magical powers and undying creatures with modern-day New York in a way that seemed effortless and just worked. That's not something just anyone can do, and given this is the second book I've read of Craig Schaefer's and thoroughly enjoyed, I'd say I'm definitely a fan!

Would I read it again? It's going to be a long time before there's a sequel, I imagine, so yes, I'll probably read this if there's another one in a few years.

Will I be picking up the next in the series? Yes! Although this one's not even out quite yet, and I'm not sure this is a series, but if it is, yes!

Would I recommend it?

Badass witches ✓

Greek Goddesses ✓

Fight scenes ✓

Steamy scenes ✓

What more do you want?

Is it going on my favourites shelf? Yes!

Not what I was expecting - fantasy and ghouls, but a decent romp.

Nothing gory or shocking about the pictures, not a drop of blood, but the animals were dead. One charcoal sketch depicted a pair of rabbits and some kind of bird on their backs, eyes shut, a hunter's fresh catch. Another captured a single spread-winged pheasant, neck bent in eternal slumber.

Would you like a story that has ghosts, witches ghouls – and a crime noir style plot with an intrepid reporter. Have I got the story for you.

Ghosts of Gotham is about Lionel Page, referred to as little lion occasionally, a thirty-something investigative journalist. Lionel is given an investigation by a mysterious woman, Regina Dunkle. Is she just a wealthy reclusive heiress with a fascination for all things old or is she more? What follows is a well-written adventure into the world of antiques, the Poe Manuscript, mythology, and lore. Instead of going the way of some crime books, with a “who done it?” Schaffer has involved all sorts of creatures of myth and lore that are dealt out to you slowly like receiving cards while playing poker. He expertly and slowing brings the “things that go bump in the night” into the narrative that by the end of it you realize had you followed the clues the whole story you would have realized they were there all along waiting for you in the wings.

These days I prefer to interact with humanity through books, as exclusively as possible. The pages, the type, they're like...the glass walls of a zoo enclosure. I can watch the wild animals all evening long, safe on my side of the window.

I haven't read any of Schaffer's books, something I plan on rectifying, but I found this book to be a very well formed story. Plot and pacing were perfect for me, the dialog was some of the best I have read, and it was simply a very fun read. The story could go on to more in a series or be an excellent stand-alone story and a great place to start reading his work. This story was a great introduction to me of Schaffers works, and I am looking forward to diving into his other series. Check it out.