*This title will be released on January 25, 2011*
 | Title: A Brush of Darkness Author: Allison Pang Series: A Brush of Darkness #1 Cover Art: Nathalia Suellen Genre: Urban Fantasy Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Pocket (January 25, 2011) ISBN-10: 1439198322 ISBN-13: 978-1439198322  Source: http://fineprintlit.com/ Reviewed by: Abigail |
Book Description
The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares.
Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.
Review
I swear my narcissism had nothing to do with my loving A BRUSH OF DARKNESS. Even if the main character hadn’t shared my name, I’ve would have enjoyed this smart, irreverent, and super sexy urban fantasy.
There is so much to like in A BRUSH OF DARKNESS. Toping the list for me is Phineas (who graces the back cover). He’s an irrepressibly horny miniature unicorn who ends up moving in with Abby. He’s cranky and sarcastic and a huge pervert for such a little thing. Unicorns are always presented as dignified, wise creatures. Phineas is the anti-unicorn.
Unicorns, incubi, succubi, angels, demons, werewolves, vampires, and mermaids. They all fraternize in A BRUSH OF DARKNESS with Abby caught in the middle. I’m always a fan of mixed worlds. Ones were numerous species co-exist. Abby has a basic handle on the supernatural world around her, but is still largely as naïve as we are when it comes to most of the ‘rules’ that govern it.
Urban Fantasy heroines have it rough. We expect a lot from them. They have to be tough, yet still venerable enough to relate to. They have to be strong, yet still make mistakes. They have to be self-sufficient, yet willing to ask for help when they need it. Not all heroines make the cut, but Abby does. And she brings a wicked sense of humor with her.
And I can’t forget Brystion. The incubus with a major insecurity complex that he tries to hide behind a blistering sexuality. His self-loathing is a pitiful thing, and something that keeps him from looking too closely at himself. He sees himself essentially as a whore and refuses to let anyone else convince him otherwise. It was fascinating to see that image crack.
I know I didn’t fully grasp the mythology in A BRUSH OF DARKNESS with all the touchstones, keystones, dreamwalkers etc. It was a little confusing but not in a way that diminished my enjoyment of the overall story. I imagine more of this world will be explained in future books and I’m more than willing to wait for them.
Sexual Content: Several graphic sex scenes. References to rape
My Rating:
4/5
Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.
Previous books in the series:
- N/A
