Chasing Magic

By: Stacia Kane

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

A deadly high.

Magic-wielding Churchwitch and secret addict Chess Putnam knows better than anyone just how high a price people are willing to pay for a chemical rush. But when someone with money to burn and a penchant for black magic starts tampering with Downside’s drug supply, Chess realizes that the unlucky customers are paying with their souls—and taking the innocent with them, as the magic-infused speed compels them to kill in the most gruesome ways possible.

As if the streets weren’t scary enough, the looming war between the two men in her life explodes, taking even more casualties and putting Chess squarely in the middle. Downside could become a literal ghost town if Chess doesn’t find a way to stop both the war and the dark wave of death-magic, and the only way to do that is to use both her addiction and her power to enter the spell and chase the magic all the way back to its malevolent source. Too bad that doing so will probably kill Chess—if the war doesn’t first destroy the man who’s become her reason for living.

Stacia Kane has been a phone psychic, a customer-service representative, a bartender, and a movie-theater usher, and she thinks that writing is more fun than all of them combined. She wears a lot of black, still makes great cocktails, likes to play music loud in the car, and thinks Die Hard is one of the greatest movies ever made. She believes in dragons and the divine right of kings and is a fervent Ricardian. She lives in Devon, England.

©2012 Stacey Fackler (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“Gripping…Vivid characters, superior world-building, and a wonderful sense of pace…I was enthralled.” (Charlaine Harris, #1  New York Times bestselling author, praise for the series)

“Kane delivers dark, sexy urban fantasy at its finest.” (Karen Marie Moning, #1  New York Times bestselling author, praise for the series)

“Fans of urban fantasy will find themselves sleep deprived after they start this new series. It’s that hard to put down…This is an exciting world you’ll want to escape into again and again.” ( RT Book Reviews, Top Pick 4½ stars)

LOVE LOVE this series!

Stacia Kane can do no wrong in my book. Man this series just grabs you by the balls and will not let go! This review will be hard to write without spoilers; that’s for sure. (The only reason Chasing Magic didn't get a the full 5 stars is that I felt like Chess back peddled some in her relationship with Terrible and I feel like they are solid and she should be over some of her self destructive ways. So I have high hopes that we will see a new an improve Chess in the next book.)

Terrible equals awesomeness. He is the best male character I’ve read since Karen Marie Moning’s Barrons. He is exactly what Chess needs in her life. He is strong but can also be sweet and kind but Chess is the only one that gets to see that side of him. These two complete each other (yes that is the most freaking cheesy thing to say about these two but it’s the Truth. And Truth is Fact and Fact is Truth. Dig!)

I’ve send it before and I’ll say it again; I have a love/hate relationship with Chess. And in Chasing Magic I wanted to freaking killer her in one part. (Those that have read it know what part I’m talking about) All I could think was that botch better not hurt Terrible again. But Chess pulls her head out of her sorry ass just in time and I loved Terrible’s reaction to the guilt he saw on her face. That scene with them two is in second place with the bathroom scene from an earlier book for hotness.

We get to see Chess and Terrible out of their element when she brings him to Elder Griffin’s wedding. And I could have died at Terrible's answer to Griffin's husband's question as to if Terrible and Chess were going to get married....

I think that Chess has done some growing and realizes that she can no longer sit on the fence about some things in her personal life. I just hope that her small growth stays with her and that we see more personal growth in the future from her. DO NOT BACK PEDDLE.

Ok let’s move away from the personal side before I spoil you guys…

This time around Chess and Terrible are dealing with people in Downside going crazy and dyeing from speed that some new dealers are selling on the street. The speed is special in the fact that it has magic mixed in with it. All kinds of bad and bloody crap goes down because of this new “designer” drug. Chess and Terrible find themselves up against an angry mob of “zombies”.

And in the middle of them trying to figure out who is behind it, they have to deal with Lex. See he has big plans now that he is in charge of the other side of town. He got plans, big plans. Like trying to get Terrible to work for him or kill him if he says no. I am so done with Lex.

Also Terrible is still having problems with the sigil that Chess put on him a few books back that saved his life. In true Chess fashion all her bad choices are coming back to bite her and everyone around in her in the ass.

If you are a Urban Fantasy fan and you have not started this series you need to do so NOW! Great writing, great characters, just LOVE LOVE LOVE this series. I pre-ordered Chasing Magic while I was reading the FREE ARC from Netgalley because I know this is a series I will re-read so many times. Honestly, I own this series in ebook and audio book and I enjoy it in both formats. And once Chasing Magic is out in audio I will be paying it again!

Gaaaaaaaaaah

This series has ruined me! Ruined me for all other series and book boyfriends. I bawled and bawled but in a good way. I am so mad that there aren't any other books for me to read. I've read all of the novellas and am seriously contemplating just relistening to the whole series all over again.

Great narrater makes, this series even better!!

Love this series, hope there are more. Chess is a good person and a Church witch that banishes killer ghosts to their final prison. Her main problem is her drug addiction. Every problem she encounters, she feels she needs drugs to get her through it, when actually it's the close knit group of friends and lovers, that she has acquired along the way. I keep hoping we will have a final book, in which she realizes this. This book is a mystery, with non stop action, and a love story that tugs your heart. The narration is superb, she captures all the characters to a T. You can see them in your mind, and she brings about the emotions they are feeling. Start with the first in the series, cause one links into the next, with the characters becoming close acquaintances.

I Want More and More!

These books ar unbelievely brilliant! Stacia Kane is ingenious and Bahni Turpin brings Chess, Terrible and the story itself to life. I have listened and listened again to all of this series. Like Chess and her pills, I can't get enough of these books!

Without Doubt, The Best Urban Fantasy Series

I have to admit, I really didn't know how Stacia Kane was going to be able to pull this series off. Usually, once the main characters come together, the stories become bland. I can take them or leave them. EXAMPLE : Katie Daniels, Magic Series, has not had the "ZING" it use to since the main characters have married.
I have been amazed that even though, Chess and Terrible are officially a couple, None of the amazing chemistry they share has been dulled.

Also, with each book there is a real mystery. With all the twists and turns, gore and horrors you would expect from a Stephen King Novel.

If you haven't read any of the Downside books, you are missing out on the Best Adult Urban Fantasy Series out there!

Good but Chess needs to go to rehab!

Chasing Magic
By: Stacia Kane
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
Series: Downside Ghosts, Book 5
I still enjoyed the book even though I gave it 3 stars. I love the mystery, world building, and most of the characters. I enjoy the fantasy aspects of the story. The drug use and "I am sorry" from Chess constantly gets annoying.
I assume there will be another book because things need tied up but I am not sure I want to follow future books. The first ones were great but now it's time for Chess to go to rehab!
Narration was excellent!

Love this series

Best narrator I have ever heard and the language is this alternate reality is amazing and engaging. Looking forward to

FANTASTIC!

Stacy Kane is a genius I love these books can't wait for 6 please come soon! Bahni Turpin is a artist bringing these books alive. I am thrilled, I'll listen over & over waiting for the next book. I want her to be reconciled with Elder Griffen. Life has handed her so much

Diggin Terrible

I ain't...Don't know how to say it up right. Causen I loved it so much, ya dig?

Can’t seem to get the downside chatter outta my head. Crazy much? Yeah, that’s me.

I love reading about flawed characters. And Chess is as flawed as they get, right up. I do however HATE reading about whiny, insecure characters with super low self-esteem. For some reason though, I don’t hate Chess. Empathy has saved her for me. And Terrible. Who am I kidding? I love this series so much Because of Terrible. Yep, I want to have his babies.

In Chasing Magic, we get a more personal story. Someone is tampering with Downside’s drug supply. It’s users are turning into zombies and it’s up to the junkie Churchwitch to stop it. Like I said, it’s personal. Chess and Terrible work together a lot in this book and she finally learns just what the consequences of saving Terrible mean. *sobs*. Lex is trying to kill Terrible, Terrible is vulnerable to black magic, and Chess is a total mess. And it costs her. *sniffle*. My heart was broken wide open and filled again while reading this.

I didn’t think I could love this book more than the last one. Boy, was I wrong! You see, it’s Terrible. Again. He always claims to not be able to say the right thing, but he does. Every time. *sobs*. I hope that this man, this protective, wonderful man, can save Chess. It looks like he might be able to. It’s going to be a loooong wait for the next one.

terrific series

If you could sum up Chasing Magic in three words, what would they be?

cant get enough

What other book might you compare Chasing Magic to and why?

i have compared these books to early laurell k hamilton in earlier reviews because this world is dark and messy. the crime scenes can be intense, these books are really good.

What does Bahni Turpin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

she is terrific, she reads slang smoothly and you can always tell the difference between the characters

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Chess is growing so much and i love her relationship with terrible

Any additional comments?

this series is well worth it, start from book 1. sometimes it is hard to take how hard the lead female is on herself, the self doubt and feeling of worthlessness, her drug use, but she is changing and growing and the stories are sooo worth it. i wouldn't like it as much if everything was perfect