In the last four days I have binge read Angela Slatter’s books - Vigil/ Corpselight/ Restoration - a weyrd and wonderful series that I couldn’t have binged if I didn’t enjoy them so thoroughly! The books sounded good but they were even better than I expected! . Set in a version of Brisbane, Verity Fassbinder works for the Weyrd Council, keeping the peace between Normals and Weyrds. Restoration begins with V resigning from her job, ceasing contact with her nearest and dearest, and heading off to work for the Guardian. V is an old-school detective; she gets down and dirty, talking to people and kicking down doors - literally! I don’t want to talk about the plot too much because it is too easy to give details away… but it is AWESOME! . There is so much to like about this series! I really enjoyed the way Slatter’s storylines weave around, scattering in different directions, with many twists, turns and revelations but always leading back to the same end point. Slatter is clever; she never appears to write more than she can handle and therefore the story feels tight and controlled. Her cast of characters are eclectic and each experience some kind of growth. Verity is the kind of female character I would love to see more of; she is kickass, snarky and doesn’t try to be something she’s not. She is stubborn and indelicate but she is also loyal and allows herself to be vulnerable. She’s not afraid of admitting when she’s scared but she gets on with it anyway. She asks for help when she needs it and speaks her mind - you always know how she’s feeling and she will pull characters up on their behaviour if its not ok. Underpinning all the action is a story about women and their relationships. It is subtly done but genuine; there are layers of respect and kindness, even if some of the characters don’t like to show or admit it. . Overall, the books are a delicious urban fantasy series with a mix of crime, mystery and paranormal. They’re perfect for #loveozya fans of Paula Weston’s Rephaim series! Please Angela, write more! I will be impatiently waiting! . @hachetteaus #restoration #verityfassbinder #urbanfantasy #fantasybooks #vigil #corpselight #paranormal (at Liverpool)
