Spells for the Dead, Audio Edition

Spells for the Dead, Audio Edition (2019) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam

Nell is learning how to control her powers as a “plant person” as she calls herself. But she doesn’t understand why she’s called out the death of a famous country singer, whose body whose body is rapidly decomposing–along with the bodies of those who were with her, as well as the room in which they died.

But this is magic unlike their witch has seen before, so their new upline boss–Firewind–hopes Nell might pick something up.

“Which is why you’re down here with us,” T. Laine said cheerfully. “Among your many talents is the ability to use old-fashioned equipment. Competency comes with repercussions.”

“Do not ask me to milk a cow or darn your socks.”

“You know how to do that?”

“No,” I lied, stern faced.

She doesn’t much care for FireWind–even if she does like his sister.

Some time ago, FireWind figured out that he terrified me, and that my way of dealing with terrifying men was to attack first, not back down, and refuse to apologize later.

There were things I liked and disliked about this story. I liked Nell growing into her powers, and learning to control them rather than letting them control her. I liked how her relationship with Occam is blooming. I like the way Unit18 has come together both as a team and as friends.

And I love how she deals with many of the incidents.

I pressed my cell to autocall HQ.

JoJo answered with my last name, telling me that FireWind was close by. “Ingram.”

“Yeah. I’m possibly being tailed. A blue short-bed Chevy pickup, older model.”

And I like that much of her time is spent during paperwork–something that is missing from a lot of stories with cops and other law enforcement.

What bothered me was how Nell keeps having to be the one to save everyone with her powers. She’s part of a team. They all have powers. So her teammates should be saving the world just as often as Nell.

That may sound like a nit, but I always feel better about a long-running series with law-enforcement characters who are not always the ones to jump in and save the day.

It’s just the law of averages.

Publisher: Audible Studios

Rating: 7/10

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