Genre: Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Description:
Brenna Morgan’s journey is more complicated than most, orphaned at the
young age of eight she has learned to hide her gift of telepathy. After a
chance meeting with another telepath she finds a few extended family members
and learns her life will never be the same. In a world with a hidden telepathic
subculture, Brenna learns the history of the Clan and how to control her
powers. This is a fresh take on the succubus myth in a non-magical world.
Author:
BR Kingsolver lives in Baltimore with a very significant other, two
cats, two Basset Hounds and loves to travel. She has a bachelor’s degree in
entomology, a master’s degree in management and has worked at various odd jobs.
This is her debut novel. Learn more about BR Kingsolver at her website.
Appraisal:
This is a complex and organized urban fantasy where the subculture of
the Clan is based in telepathy rather than demonology or magic, although the
law of physics are bent. The Succubus
Gift adds a unique and exciting twist to the old myths. Ms. Kingsolver has
built an elaborate system of Gifts that are basically a combination of Talents
that can be thought of as both distinct and interacting abilities. No one
telepath has ever been recorded, in their history, having all twenty-five Gifts
until the Clan finds Brenna. The first half of the story deals with her inner
conflicts upon learning what she is and how she fits into this new world. Being
a highly-educated and moral young woman her life is turned upside down. This is
a coming of age story for a reluctant succubus whose strength is incalculable
because of her many Gifts and Talents.
There are many characters and all are well drawn, their conversations
were both witty and honest. One of my favorites was Rebecca, an oversexed
protector (but not a succubus), who became fast friends with Brenna. I loved
the way they related and interacted with each other. Then there was Collin, the
playboy, who Brenna was instantly drawn to but refuses to have a relationship
with. (What? I know, right? She’s a succubus for heavens sake!) This adds an
interesting twist though that enhances their conversations and adds a bit of
humor I thoroughly enjoyed.
The story is set in a realistic, complex world, just like our own,
which helped suspend my disbelief. The plot turns dark when succubae all over
the world start disappearing and turning up dead. When Grandfather’s succubus
is kidnapped the Clan gets involved. The action takes off as a sting is
employed and put into operation. Brenna happens to have the perfect Talent, her
mother taught her at a young age, to assist in the sting. However to become the
bait she must unleash her inner succubus which will change her life yet again
forever. This is an exciting new series to take a chance on; Brenna’s journey
is unlike anything I have read before.
FYI:
This book contains adult language and sexual situations that may be
offensive to some.
Added for
Reprise Review: The
Succubus Gift by BR Kingsolver was a nominee in the Speculative Fiction
category for B&P 2013 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran February
8, 2013
Format/Typo
Issues:
I found no significant errors.
Rating:
***** Five Stars
Reviewed
by: ?wazithinkin
Approximate
word count: 85-90,000 words
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