Charming
is the first book in the Pax Arcana series by author Elliott James. I got this ARC from NetGalley and Orbit
Books/Hachette Book Group. Charming comes out next week, September
24th.
John Charming isn't your average Prince… the tag
line brings me in instantly because let's be honest who doesn't love a good
fairy tale story with a Prince Charming.
So a book called Charming with
an attractive man on the cover wearing a leather jacket and carrying a sword, I
have to check it out. The style of the
book is different, it's from John's POV and he is critical of everything as he
is telling us what is going on.
He comes from a line of Charmings, not really a
Prince, but a family of knights dating back centuries. Trained by a modern day version of the
Knights Templar, monster hunters who have updated their methods from chainmail
and crossbows to Kevlar and shot guns, he is one of the best. That is also why he is an abomination and his
own brotherhood of Knights what him dead.
On the run from his own people yet sworn and compelled to keep to his
mission to protect the Pax he lives a life on the move, trying to find a quiet
and peaceful life. That is until a
vampire and a blonde walk into his bar.
Yes it has jokes and cheesy lines but that is the
appeal. It is through John's perspective
and he has been around a long time, long enough to know that sometimes you just
have to make a joke out of things to keep from cracking. He has been on his own for so long and feels
if he does get close to anyone they die, which is good incentive to stay alone,
if you ask me. That doesn't matter
though when he ends up pulled into a misfit band of monster hunters to bring
down a particularly devious vampire coven who are disrupting the Pax. It also doesn't help that he is drawn to the
attractive and powerful blonde that walked in, trouble is she's taken but
someone who could bring the Knights down on his head. However, what makes him an abomination, also
makes him very useful for their purpose.
I liked this story. It was a quick read and I finished it in a
couple of days reading on lunch breaks (I am no longer able to read at work
sigh) and a little at night. It does not
get bogged down in anything and does speed along. The action scenes are very well thought out
and choreographed. I also got the
distinct feel of being in a mans head, I think the author being a male is able
to portray the thoughts and feelings of one in a way that women writing from a
mans prospective are unable to do with such ease. Though they say right what you know
right.
I enjoyed Charming and his jokes and sarcasm. His paranoia, though really is it paranoia if
people are out to kill you, and his hidden fears and feelings. The rest of the gang are very interesting as
well, each with their own story as well.
Sig, and her secrets and dilemma, Dvornik, and his psychic abilities and
his anger issues. Parth, Cahill, Choo,
and Molly all with their unique stories and attributes. I have to say Molly and her fascination with
Christmas as a de-stress/calming effect in the middle of the year made me laugh
and send a caption to my friend who despite the 100+ temperature is always
chilly and wanting to sing Christmas music.
Then you have the world. It's just like the world we all know, only that’s because of the Pax. It is like a mental barrier, us normal folks just don't see what is really happening in the world and if we catch a glimpse of something not right, we rationalize it away or blame the lighting, lack of sleep, etc. It was an interesting concept and I have to admit I enjoyed it. I also like how the Knights came to be, not the typical brotherhood of demon hunters, but I won't give it away.
Overall I enjoyed this book and am interested to
see how the story continues in the next book.
Again Charming comes out next
week on September 24th. If you like
witty banter, inner struggle, and demon fighting, drama, and action I say check
it out. I give it 3.5 Kantanas.
