by Deborah Blake
Series: Veiled Magic #1
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Since Witches came out of the broom-closet in the early 21st century, they have worked alongside humans as police officers, healers, stock traders, and more. But they aren’t the only paranormal entities in our world…
Police officer and Witch Donata Santori spends her days interrogating dead witnesses by summoning their spectral forms. Normally the job is little more than taking statements and filing reports. But when she’s called in on the case of a murdered art restorer, she finds herself suddenly in possession of a mystical portrait that both the human and paranormal communities would kill to get their hands on.
Unable to take on the forces hunting her alone, Donata seeks help from two unlikely and attractive allies: a reluctant shape-changer and a half-dragon art forger. But as the three of them hurry to uncover the truth about the powerful painting, Donata realizes that she’s caught in the middle of not one but two wars—one for possession of the painting’s secrets and one for possession of her heart…
VEILED MAGIC by Deborah Blake released in 2015, and I was waiting for the audiobook release, but when I realized book two was releasing and still no audio, I decided to bite the bullet and read them. I devoured this on a lazy Sunday morning. Blake shared a fabulously paced story, with fantastic world building and a motley crew of characters. Fan of urban fantasy will want to add this series to their bookshelves.
In the world of VEILED MAGIC, Witches are out. They live and work among humans successfully, even if there is some prejudice. Police officer Donata Santori interrogate the recently deceased, mainly victims of foul play to catch their killers. The rest of the paranormal world has not come out to humans and abide by a treaty made with the Catholic Church during the Inquisitions.
Donata is a witch who can summon the dead. She works in the windowless basement of the police department. While most of her fellow officers will grudgingly admit her usefully in solving cases, the whole summoning thing freaks them out.
Our story begins when Donata is called to a crime scene by her commanding officer. A restorer was murdered for a painting, and in a strange twist, she finds herself caught up in a case that could impact both the human and paranormal worlds. When the Witches Council and a secret society both want the painting, she finds herself turning to friends and outsiders for help.
Dragons, witches, a secret society known as the Cabal, and unique paranormal creatures are all part of Blakes world. I loved the twists on shapeshifters and a creature known as a Kobold. The author does an excellent job of sharing the basic hierocracy of the paranormal world, and its role in the present world. There are five types of paranormal groups and then subspecies. The five major are Witches, Ghouls, Ulfhednar, Dragon and Fae. However, a rumored sixth group and a vexing problem for the Dragons have me drooling for more information.
The world has a paranormal vibe to it, but I like the direction Blake is taking with it. This first novel shared Donata’s perspective and introduced key characters. Blake provided one heck of a suspenseful mystery that allowed the characters to have growth.
Donata finds herself with more than a familiar when a Kobold named Ricky follows her home. She soon finds herself evading her boss, and seeking help from Peter Casaventi, a half-dragon art forger, her ex-boyfriend, Magnus Torvald, a smexy alpha shapeshifter and her estranged family. I loved the dynamics, the possible love interests and other secondary characters we met.
Aside from the stellar world building, Blake delivered a kick-ass heroine who isn’t a whiner. (thank you) I loved how this motley crew interacted and the humorous moments Blake provided. Ricky was delightful, and the posturing between Peter and Magnus will leave you grinning.
VEILED MAGIC was an excellent start to the series and the ending hints at things to come. Blake left me reaching for the VEILED MENACE the second book in the Veiled Magic series.
Fans of urban fantasy won't want to miss Veiled Magic by Deborah Blake (Veiled Magic #1) Click To Tweet
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Tanya
I’m really hoping I get enough time to get this book in before I dive into Veiled Menace. It sounds so good.
kimbacaffeinate
She does a nice recap, but I think this was faster paced than Menace. So yes, read this first.
Darlene
Ooooooh, I love the sound of this one. I like the mix of paranormal creatures!
kimbacaffeinate
I am seriously enjoying this series Darlene 🙂
Lily B
It feels like forever since I read a good paranormal, the world that the author created here sounds kind of exciting. Will keep my eye out on it. I think I might enjoy the MC
kimbacaffeinate
This series only has 2 books out, so a great time to jump in 🙂
Debbie Haupt
OOh this sounds really good Kim. I’ve never hear of the author either so thanks
kimbacaffeinate
Blake writes fun stuff, Debbie.
Dragonfly
ooooh I love me a tale of modern kickass witches! especially if the world building is great! Winner! To the TBR it goes!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe..me too. She is delightful and still mastering some skills.
Kristen
Ooh a paranormal love triangle? And a half-dragon art forger? Now that sounds interesting. The dynamics, the world-building, and motley crew all sound great—I’ll add this to my tbr!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Kristen. I know and it gets even more complicated in book 2, however, I still enjoyed the heck out of it.
The Bibliophile Babe
I’m definitely going to add this to the TBR!
kimbacaffeinate
Happy reading!!
Lorna
You have me intrigued with her familiar. I loved her dragon dog from her last series. The world building sounds awesome as well. Wonder what’s up with no audio yet? Glad you enjoyed anyway!
kimbacaffeinate
Hmm, Ricky isn’t her familiar but I would totally love for him to move in at my house. LOL
Lorna
And I totally read that wrong-finds herself something more than a familiar. oops!
Sophia Rose
Ricky was my favorite character though I did enjoy the whole story.
kimbacaffeinate
You freaked me out for a minute (too early, not enough coffee) with the whole series comment. I have read both books, although book2 isn’t as strong. I thought maybe you meant the series is done.
Sophia Rose
*snort* Yeah, that would panic me, too. I wasn’t as into book two, either, but I do want to see what happens with all that is left unfinished.
Angela
Sounds intriguing. Thank’s for sharing. I’ve added to my TBR.
kimbacaffeinate
You are very welcome Angela. I think you would enjoy these as a fan of Dark.
Heidi
I still havent’ read this author. I think this one sounds fantastic and I like the sound of a kick ass, non whiny heroine.
kimbacaffeinate
I have already read book 2 Heidi and it was good too..just a warning the love triangle thing is a tad messy.
Angie
Glad to see you enjoyed this one, Kim. I haven’t had a chance to fit this in yet. I think the fact that the paranormal creatures have only partially come out is an interesting twist.
Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
As do I, plus the whole agreement they signed with the church…and the history was interesting.
Mary Kirkland
That sounds great. I like my heroines to not be whiney, that’s just annoying.
kimbacaffeinate
Ha right, they make me feel stabby when they whine.
Quinn's Book Nook
Haha. I love the first sentence in the blurb. It totally cracked me up and sounds like it sets the tone for the series. Glad you enjoyed this one.
kimbacaffeinate
The premise and paranormal aspects are cool Quinn.
Toni
Sounds like a great read! I haven’t tried audio yet. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I started out slow and now listen to 75-100 a year.
Toni
Wow! So do you mostly listen now, or still read as well? Are there some that you don’t enjoy the narrator and have to read the book anyway? I’m always afraid I would get distracted. I comprehend better when I’m reading instead of listening to someone read to me, so I’m not sure it would work for me. I don’t have any long commutes in my car either.
kimbacaffeinate
I still read about 150 books per year too. I always have one audio I am listening to and one book I am reading. When I first started I only listened to certain genres, now I listen to them all. In the beginning, I would sit quietly and listen for 20 mins at a time. Now I have wireless headphones and do all my housework, cook etc while listening. A narrator can make or break a book so I try to listen to samples first.
Toni
Good to know! I might give it a try since I can get audiobooks from my library. 🙂
kindlemom1
I know if you started it anyways without the audio version and still devoured it, then it must be something I need to read as well. 😉 Great review Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a lot of fun and the series has great potential.
Nadene
Wow! This sounds awesome. I am glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun Nadene.
cindy
I am so happy that you loved this! A kick ass heroine is always a plus, Thanks for the great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed. Thanks Cindy 🙂
blodeuedd
I am glad it worked 🙂 Too bad no audio
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I really enjoyed her Baba Yaga series on audio.