Book Review: Unsympathetic Magic

Esther Diamond has a brief role as a prostitute on a controversial new cop show filming on the streets of Harlem. While walking down the street to grab a quick bite to eat in between takes, Esther stumbles upon a man being attacked by monstrous creatures that resemble gargoyles. But instead of getting help from the police, Esther is arrested for soliciting. But with the help of her on-again-off-again love interest Detective Lopez, her wise-but-eccentric mentor Max, and a few other friends along the way, Esther discovers the truth behind the attack, a ring of body snatchings, zombies, and other evil forces at work.

Esther is a brave woman and often selfless. Unfortunately, while trying to help someone, she always finds herself in the most unbelievable situations. Which is why Lopez thinks Esther is a bit crazy. Their chemistry is great, though Lopez never lets Esther make a full explanation, which can be a bit annoying. Of course, he’s just in denial about magic in the world, ironic since Max is convinced that Lopez has hidden abilities. Resnick’s characters are fun and eccentric, coupled with fantastic storytelling.

This latest Esther Diamond adventure has her pitted against a dark voodoo practitioner. With non-stop adventure and suspense, this series is pure enjoyment from beginning to end. Since this latest story dealt with zombies and possession, there was plenty of creepy excitement, ending in a climactic showdown that left me wanting more. Plenty of humor, action, magic, and a bit of romance make this urban fantasy a sure favorite. Don’t miss this exceptional series.