Unperfect Souls by Mark Del Franco
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Del Franco has the fantasy noir schtick down: dark, depressing, tortured, a sullied knight fighting dishonor and personal conflicts yet still trying to do what’s right. Connor Grey, crippled druid living in the increasingly isolated fae ghetto of Boston, is caught between hostile human authorities and the two great fae factions, as well as hunting down the terrorist who destroyed his power.
And, through it all, and the cynicism, he tries to protect his friends as well as the citizenry. And, in best noir fashion, even when he wins he loses, and even when he saves them from one menace, they may not be happy with the results …
Del Franco sends Grey through a series of increasingly worse experiences, playing on his weaknesses to balance the character’s intrinsic strengths. Though less bitter than in the first book or two of the series, Grey here faces worse temptations and struggles with character flaws.
Good stuff. Not for reading when depressed, perhaps, but some solidly realized world-building, and story developments that make me eager to read the next book.