I don’t know when I’ve had so much fun reading a book. Maybe when I read John Scalzi’s The Kaiju Preservation Society a couple years ago. But, Deborah Wilde’s Throwing Shade is nothing like the science fiction novel. Think shape-shifting wolves, vampires and golems.The book also includes Jewish folklore. As to humor, just think of the book’s subtitle, “A Humorous Paranormal Women’s Fiction”. Exactly what it is.
Miriam (Miri) Felman is forty-two, divorced, a single mom, and a librarian at a law firm, bored to death with her work. When Miri’s best friend, Judith, fails to show up at a bar on a Friday night, Miri is attacked in an alley by a man with magical powers. After she saw her parents killed by magic when she was fifteen, Miri has tamped down her own magic, hiding it behind her stodgy life. Now, she uses her shadow magic to protect herself. And, when she realizes Judith is missing, and there’s a golem in Judith’s place, she knows her artist friend was hiding her own hidden magic. Miri is going to have to use her own to find her missing friend.
In a Vancouver where those with magic hide it from the Sapiens, Miri hires a handsome French shape-shifting wolf to help her search for Judith. Despite the fact they can’t hold a conversation without sniping at each other, Laurent Amar introduces her to the world of vampires in the search for Judith. He also pushes her to learn to use her own magic despite her reluctance. But, when it comes to saving her daughter, Sadie, and her best friend, Miri fights her own discomfort. The people she loves come first in her life.
Throwing Shade is a delightful book, the first in an ongoing series. It’s fun to watch Miri grow from a woman reluctant to use her powers to a determined woman who actually becomes a little overconfident and cocky at times. And, the snarky conversations between Miri and Laurent, along with the sexual tension, indicate there will be a continued relationship even after their current working relationship is over.
Even the series name, Magic After Midlife, demonstrates Wilde’s sense of humor, and the fun nature of this urban fantasy, Throwing Shade. I’ll be picking up the next one soon.
I should mention, Throwing Shade is free on Prime for the Audible Audiobook.
Deborah Wilde’s website is https://deborahwilde.com/
Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde. Ta Da Media, Inc., 2021. 340p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the book.
Lesa, this sounds like lots of fun! And you’ve talked me into getting The Kaiju Preservation Society, too. I’ve only read Scalzi’s serious books up until now.
It was fun, Kim. Oh, and Jeff liked The Kaiju Preservation Society, too. Scalzi always has serious overtones even to his humorous books.
This sounds like something that Jackie would like. Will show her the review.
Kim, try REDSHIRTS or STARTER VILLAIN or WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE.
Thanks, Jeff. I will. I have read Fuzzy Nation, I realize, and I enjoyed that a lot.
Jeff, Jackie would like Throwing Shade. I thought of her when I read it.
Well, this just sound too fun! thank you!!
You’re welcome, Kaye. It was just what I needed!
You’ve talked me into trying this, Lesa. Sounds like a fun read.
I loved The Kaiju Preservation Society. How was Starter Villain, Jeff?
It was fun, though I prefer KAIJU and MOON.
Jennifer, I agree with Jeff. Kaiju and Moon were better, even with the cats in Starter Villain.
I should have mentioned the Audible Audiobook is free on Amazon Prime. I don’t do audiobooks, so didn’t think to mention it.