The Better Part of Darkness
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan, Book 1) by Kelly Gay
Perfect for fans of Mercy Thompson and Kate Daniels, but in my opinion, even better for its darkness, grit, and scale. It's hard to find good Urban Fantasy because most of it is really just Paranormal Romance, but Charlie Madigan doesn’t dwell on romance 🙅♀️.
Right off the bat, the overall concept of this book is fascinating 😲:
Scientists have discovered that what we used to think of as heaven and hell are actually alternate dimensions with their own societies. Atlanta has become the city where the inhabitants converge, and mystical beings living amongst us is commonplace 🧝👿👹.
Very fast-paced but doesn't skimp on character development or world building. Charlie and her partner, Hank, are superbly fleshed out with their own individuality and interpersonal conflicts. The meticulous world building and aforementioned concept gives the story a unique and fresh backdrop. Adding to this is how the complexity of supernatural politics, due to the converging societies, is woven into the gritty, urban landscape, making it feel grounded yet mysterious.
After Netflix's Bright showed the true potential of urban fantasy in film, I immediately said that studios should look into adapting Charlie Madigan 🎬.
