My name is Jonah Carrow, and it’s been 300 days since I laid a hex.
OK, Jonah Carrow isn’t actually an alcoholic. But there’s no support group of lapsed hex-slingers in Jerusalem, so he’s got to make do. He goes for the bad coffee and the reminder that he just has to take normal one day at a time.
Unfortunately, his past isn’t willing to go down without a fight.
A chance encounter with a desperate Deborah Seddon, and a warning that ‘they’re watching’, pulls Jonah back into the world he’d tried to leave behind. Now he has to navigate ghosts, curses, and the hottest bad idea warlock he’s ever met…all without a single hex to his name.
But nobody ever said normal was easy. Not to Jonah anyhow.
Now, I’m no TA Moore expert, but what I’ve consistently found so far is that she creates unique worlds and set ups, leaving some things to the imagination, some things to infer. Despite some nebulousness that is just this side of frustrating (or maybe because of it) this was quite the compelling read, spurring me to finish this in almost one go.
This is a world of magic but it’s not the kind of magic that is benign or kind and is done for good. It’s the kind that has consequences, which can be dangerous and often demands a price that many can’t pay.
Jonah knows too well the repercussions of throwing hexes and despite being very adept at it, he’s determined to lead a magic free life, treating his compulsion like an alcoholic. He’s just minding his own business, trying to hide from his infamous family legacy when he’s unwillingly made a person of interest as he’s approached by an off kilter stranger. This sets in motion coming to the attention of the local magical mafia biker gang, and Jonah soon finds himself a target of some deadly curse where he must bargain for his life, drawing him deeper into a world he’s trying to avoid, where temptation is a constant struggle against his self imposed abstinence.
Ensue a dark twisty story with snarky suspense and some grisly horror as Jonah must find answers for those he doesn’t want to associate with. There’s a couple romantic options here too, where neither evolves past a promise of a date or a kiss, but I’m finding that Moore does brewing sexual tension like nobody’s business and I”m all here for it! It remains to be seen if this becomes a triangle or not.
Overall, this touches on addiction, religion, the morally gray areas of action and thought. This thing has layers, steeped in mystery, curses, family legends, and pervasive secrets. Moore once again brings this first act to a good conclusion but there's a promise for more in store for Jonah and his personal struggles. I’m invested, and I’ll be eagerly waiting for the next installment!
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