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As a Debunker, Chess Putnam is used to investigating reports of suspected hauntings and sending ghosts back to the City of Eternity beneath the surface of the earth. What she isn't used to is having suburban housewives refusing to acknowledge the presence of ghosts in their homes. There are lots of reasons why someone might harbor a spirit, and none of them are good.
At least Chess has Terrible on her side. But things are never as black and white as they seem, especially not when love is involved, and Chess finds herself making a decision she never thought she'd make.
At least Chess has Terrible on her side. But things are never as black and white as they seem, especially not when love is involved, and Chess finds herself making a decision she never thought she'd make.
32 pages, ebook
First published February 14, 2011
13 people are currently reading
1319 people want to read
About the author
Stacia Kane
35 books2,538 followersStacia Kane is the author of the light-hearted romantic urban fantasy "Megan Chase" series starting with PERSONAL DEMONS.
She currently writes the gritty dystopian urban fantasy "Downside" series starring Chess Putnam and featuring ghosts, human sacrifice, drugs, witchcraft, punk rock, and a badass '69 Chevelle. She bleaches her hair and wears a lot of black.
She currently writes the gritty dystopian urban fantasy "Downside" series starring Chess Putnam and featuring ghosts, human sacrifice, drugs, witchcraft, punk rock, and a badass '69 Chevelle. She bleaches her hair and wears a lot of black.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
February 26, 2015
Who loves it when Terrible says 'Chessiebomb', raise your hand?!
So cute, and so needed after the turmoil of book 3. It was wonderful to just read happiness with Chess and Terrible. And actually, I really loved the short little plot with the 'Real Housewives'. It was cute.
Yay for Downside Ghosts!
So cute, and so needed after the turmoil of book 3. It was wonderful to just read happiness with Chess and Terrible. And actually, I really loved the short little plot with the 'Real Housewives'. It was cute.
Yay for Downside Ghosts!
April 11, 2012
Aw, this was very sweet. (Well, except for the drugs and orgies part.)
February 14, 2012
Home is, without a doubt, everything a Downside fan could want. It gave me all of the warm and fuzzies I experienced at the end of City of Ghosts, but bigger and better. The plot essentially follows Chess as she works a debunking case where the so-called victims deny the ghosts exist.
But what makes the story so damn good is the fact that Chess is finally happy. She is in love. And she doesn't screw anything up. We watch her revel in her relationship and her joy, and we celebrate along with her. Terrible is there and he is so solid and wonderful. One of my favorite heroes of all time. It was perfect. I would not change one single thing.
But what makes the story so damn good is the fact that Chess is finally happy. She is in love. And she doesn't screw anything up. We watch her revel in her relationship and her joy, and we celebrate along with her. Terrible is there and he is so solid and wonderful. One of my favorite heroes of all time. It was perfect. I would not change one single thing.
February 14, 2012
Oh, how I ♥ Terrible :) SWOON!! Fabulous. Couldn't ask for anything more. The quotes I loved most:
"He looked better to her than anyone else in the world ever had."
“Give you whatany you want, Chessiebomb. Anything.” Anytime he utters the word "Chessiebomb," I just want to melt ;-)
This time he was the one who stopped, tugged her back to him. His hands were warm and solid on the sides of her face, cradling it while he kissed her. “Got some knowledge for you.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
His lips touched her forehead. “Don’t give a fuck what else I got. Ain’t never sharin you.”
"He looked better to her than anyone else in the world ever had."
“Give you whatany you want, Chessiebomb. Anything.” Anytime he utters the word "Chessiebomb," I just want to melt ;-)
This time he was the one who stopped, tugged her back to him. His hands were warm and solid on the sides of her face, cradling it while he kissed her. “Got some knowledge for you.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
His lips touched her forehead. “Don’t give a fuck what else I got. Ain’t never sharin you.”
February 15, 2012
You can read this here. I think it will only be posted for a week, so go read it while it's there.
This story takes place after City of Ghosts. To avoid spoilers, it is recommended that you read that book before reading this one.
Once again, I am in absolute awe of Ms. Kane's writing talent. Home was a treat to read, especially those little moments of bliss encountered by Chess. It is so exciting to see how this character has developed over the past few books. I think I am falling in love with Terrible.
I am so looking forward to reading Sacrificial Magic!
This story takes place after City of Ghosts. To avoid spoilers, it is recommended that you read that book before reading this one.
Once again, I am in absolute awe of Ms. Kane's writing talent. Home was a treat to read, especially those little moments of bliss encountered by Chess. It is so exciting to see how this character has developed over the past few books. I think I am falling in love with Terrible.
I am so looking forward to reading Sacrificial Magic!
June 8, 2012
Very short, and oh, so sweet! I didn't even know Chess had it in her to be so empathetic! And Terrible *sighs* Terrible, I need more of Downside Ghosts like right now!
No wonder this is my favorite series! Extremely well written, and a nice story to keep the fans happy while waiting for the next installment. Chess has changed so much since the first novel, even if she still has a lot of flaws, she finally realizes that some people can be trusted, and that she is loved.
No wonder this is my favorite series! Extremely well written, and a nice story to keep the fans happy while waiting for the next installment. Chess has changed so much since the first novel, even if she still has a lot of flaws, she finally realizes that some people can be trusted, and that she is loved.
October 7, 2012
"Terrible was...He was a miracle in a world without miracles, and she couldn't believe her luck. And there was nothing, absolutely fucking nothing, that she wouldn't do to keep him in her life, because without him it wouldn't be a life at all. So, yeah. She knew how it felt to find part of herself in someone else."
Such a fast read, but it sucked me right back into the Downside world. This author is truly gifted, to make me love these two broken people to this extent.
Love is always thinking of the other first, always believing in them when they don't believe in themselves. Terrible LOVES Chess. He sees the beauty, the brains, the woman beyond what even she herself sees. And vice versa...Chess sees how smart and loyal and truly wonderful Terrible is. The world sees a junkie witch and an ugly enforcer. They see the world in each other. I'm getting all sappy about this twenty minute read, but I'm continuously amazed at Stacia Kane.
Despite their fallibility, Chess and Terrible are one of my favorite couples! This was a great moment of clarity, solidifying for me the stability of their relationship in the middle of a volatile series. Loved it!
Such a fast read, but it sucked me right back into the Downside world. This author is truly gifted, to make me love these two broken people to this extent.
Love is always thinking of the other first, always believing in them when they don't believe in themselves. Terrible LOVES Chess. He sees the beauty, the brains, the woman beyond what even she herself sees. And vice versa...Chess sees how smart and loyal and truly wonderful Terrible is. The world sees a junkie witch and an ugly enforcer. They see the world in each other. I'm getting all sappy about this twenty minute read, but I'm continuously amazed at Stacia Kane.
Despite their fallibility, Chess and Terrible are one of my favorite couples! This was a great moment of clarity, solidifying for me the stability of their relationship in the middle of a volatile series. Loved it!
February 15, 2012
Chessie is back investigating ghosts and thankfully she has Terrible at her side ... but wait a minute, who cares about the ghosts!! Yay for Chessiebomb and Terrible!!
There are so many wonderful and sweet things that it really makes me apprehensive for the next book. But scratch that, I'm not going to be a debbie-downer so get yourself a copy of this short story and enjoy everything that is Terrible and Chess. It will definitely leave you with a smile on your face!
Favorite lines:
♥ "Gots me an idea, now. Whyn't you come on into bed with me, let me give you it."
♥ "Got some knowledge for you."
"Oh? What's that?"
His lips touched her forehead. "Don't give a f*ck what else I got. Ain't never sharin you."
There are so many wonderful and sweet things that it really makes me apprehensive for the next book. But scratch that, I'm not going to be a debbie-downer so get yourself a copy of this short story and enjoy everything that is Terrible and Chess. It will definitely leave you with a smile on your face!
Favorite lines:
♥ "Gots me an idea, now. Whyn't you come on into bed with me, let me give you it."
♥ "Got some knowledge for you."
"Oh? What's that?"
His lips touched her forehead. "Don't give a f*ck what else I got. Ain't never sharin you."
August 9, 2012
"Give you whatany you want, Chessiebomb. Anything."
Fans of Chess and Terrible, this is a must read. In classic Kane style we get the enchanted and the heart warming new Chessiebomb (how sweet is that!) and the loving, tender Terrible.
This short but sweet and a teaser for Sacrificial Magic because it's kind of behind the scenes into a new relationship.
Favorite quote of the book:
His lips touched her forehead. "Don't give a fuck what else I got. Ain't never sharing you."
February 19, 2012
Terrible yummy-ness abounds in this six chapter short offering in the Downside Ghosts series, with more softness for Terrible and a general acceptance of Chess's softer side and vulnerability than we've ever seen before.
If this is a glimpse of the direction the series is going in now that Terrible and Chess are together I can't wait for more! I see much growth in Chess's future, she certainly lives in "interesting times."
If this is a glimpse of the direction the series is going in now that Terrible and Chess are together I can't wait for more! I see much growth in Chess's future, she certainly lives in "interesting times."
June 25, 2018
This was super good. Almost sweet. There's an interesting case as well as a really sweet side plot between Terrible and Chess. Some very tender and loving moments in this one.
July 16, 2014
5+ stars
“Love is not the most powerful magic. But it feels like it is.”
—Truth for Teens, a Guidebook for the Young Adult, by Elder Carroll"
I loved, LOVED this admittedly extremely short story. We get to see Chess and Terrible together and happy and it's awesome!
First, one thing learned about which I was wondering about...
"After all, just because the population was smaller thanks to Haunted Week twenty-four years before…"
That week and the arrival of Truth was only 20 some years before.
Next up:the quotes. I can't believe how much I had to control myself not to mark every other sentence, it's weird for such a short story, but I just loved everything! It makes all the BS on the way worthwhile.
"Love was terrifying, and weird, and sometimes uncomfortable. But it was so fucking sweet."
“You so fuckin pretty, you got that?” The hand moved lower. “So pretty everywhere.”
She swallowed. Her mouth had gone so dry it was hard to talk. “To you, maybe.”
“Aye.” His lips moved further up her neck until he pulled away enough for their eyes to meet. “Aye, to me.”
"Sometimes he looked at her and their eyes met, and it felt like time stopped. Like he wasn’t looking at her, he was looking into her, and like she was doing the same to him."
"Terrible was… He was a miracle in a world without miracles, and she couldn’t believe her luck. And there was nothing, absolutely fucking nothing, that she wouldn’t do to keep him in her life, because without him it wouldn’t be a life at all. So, yeah. She knew how it felt to find part of herself in someone else."
“Love is not the most powerful magic. But it feels like it is.”
—Truth for Teens, a Guidebook for the Young Adult, by Elder Carroll"
I loved, LOVED this admittedly extremely short story. We get to see Chess and Terrible together and happy and it's awesome!
First, one thing learned about which I was wondering about...
"After all, just because the population was smaller thanks to Haunted Week twenty-four years before…"
That week and the arrival of Truth was only 20 some years before.
Next up:the quotes. I can't believe how much I had to control myself not to mark every other sentence, it's weird for such a short story, but I just loved everything! It makes all the BS on the way worthwhile.
"Love was terrifying, and weird, and sometimes uncomfortable. But it was so fucking sweet."
“You so fuckin pretty, you got that?” The hand moved lower. “So pretty everywhere.”
She swallowed. Her mouth had gone so dry it was hard to talk. “To you, maybe.”
“Aye.” His lips moved further up her neck until he pulled away enough for their eyes to meet. “Aye, to me.”
"Sometimes he looked at her and their eyes met, and it felt like time stopped. Like he wasn’t looking at her, he was looking into her, and like she was doing the same to him."
"Terrible was… He was a miracle in a world without miracles, and she couldn’t believe her luck. And there was nothing, absolutely fucking nothing, that she wouldn’t do to keep him in her life, because without him it wouldn’t be a life at all. So, yeah. She knew how it felt to find part of herself in someone else."
January 6, 2016
This little short is a bit unlike the other work in the series for the simple fact that it's positive and sweet and the main character is happy. Terrible is in most of it, which is a relief because something is missing when he isn't in the picture. The haunting is different from the usual and there is a twist that made the story more interesting. Chess is very much Chess and Terrible is very much himself as well and the writing is superb and the pacing perfect just as I have come to expect from Kane. The story is also the right length, which is often not the case in shorts written with the characters from a series of novels. I didn't feel like I was reading a little snippet of the Downside Ghosts series as an introduction to it. I felt that I was reading a self-contained chunk of a novel, fully realized and containing almost all the elements of one. The only drink lacking was true danger, although there was suspense, and it would have been very hard to include peril in such a short space and do it right, let alone covering everything else.
In short (pun intended) this story is exactly what I want a short story from a series to be and yet could stand on it'sown as well (although there are spoilers so don't read it before you've read books one through three unless you don't plan to read those.) I highly recommend this tale.
In short (pun intended) this story is exactly what I want a short story from a series to be and yet could stand on it'sown as well (although there are spoilers so don't read it before you've read books one through three unless you don't plan to read those.) I highly recommend this tale.
May 17, 2012
Stacia Kane's "Home" is probably one of the best short stories I have ever read -- or at least one of the ones I have most enjoyed. There is always so much going on in the Downside Ghosts novels, so much action and adventure, that it is easy to forget how wonderfully vivid Kane's characters really are. Their relationships are complex and complicated; their emotions deeply felt. Yet, even though Chess and Terrible are what brings me back to Kane's books time and time again, Kane's masterful storytelling constantly shifts my attention to other things.
Then comes "Home." In this sweet, but not saccharine, short story we really get a chance to see Chess and Terrible when their lives are not burdened by trying to save the world. Chess is able to show some emotions that are not forced out by circumstance, and I like her the better for it. It was also nice to see her on a (mostly) routine job -- so often in the full length novels the jobs are just the tip of an apocalyptic iceberg!
Then comes "Home." In this sweet, but not saccharine, short story we really get a chance to see Chess and Terrible when their lives are not burdened by trying to save the world. Chess is able to show some emotions that are not forced out by circumstance, and I like her the better for it. It was also nice to see her on a (mostly) routine job -- so often in the full length novels the jobs are just the tip of an apocalyptic iceberg!
February 14, 2016
If Kane's intention was to reward the reader for sticking with this series, she succeeded in a big way.
“You so fuckin pretty, you got that?” The hand moved lower. “So pretty everywhere.”
She swallowed. Her mouth had gone so dry it was hard to talk. “To you, maybe.”
“Aye.” His lips moved further up her neck until he pulled away enough for their eyes to meet. “Aye, to me.”
and this gem...
“Got some knowledge for you."
"Oh? What's that?"
His lips touched her forehead. "Don't give a fuck what else I got. Ain't never sharin you.”
“You so fuckin pretty, you got that?” The hand moved lower. “So pretty everywhere.”
She swallowed. Her mouth had gone so dry it was hard to talk. “To you, maybe.”
“Aye.” His lips moved further up her neck until he pulled away enough for their eyes to meet. “Aye, to me.”
and this gem...
“Got some knowledge for you."
"Oh? What's that?"
His lips touched her forehead. "Don't give a fuck what else I got. Ain't never sharin you.”
February 17, 2012
What a great short little story. It was so nice to read about Chess and Terrible being so happy and good to each other. I freaking ADORE Terrible; one of my favorite characters out of all the series I read. Can't wait for the next book!!
February 18, 2012
Squeeeee! I freaking LOVE Terrible! Could he be any more adorable if he tried? I think not.
This novella packs quite a punch for twenty-four little pages and is an absolute must read for fans of the series. It was a real feel good story, a bit of a mystery thrown it but the main focus was on Chess and Terrible finally together and happy! If you loved the end of City of Ghosts as much as I did, you will love this too. Having said that, I have a sneaky suspicion this might only be the calm before the storm in the next instalment. Chess wouldn't be Chess if her life wasn't a hot mess now would she?
Can't wait for the next book, Sacrificial Magic. Wish I had it already. Oh wait! I do! *grins*
This novella packs quite a punch for twenty-four little pages and is an absolute must read for fans of the series. It was a real feel good story, a bit of a mystery thrown it but the main focus was on Chess and Terrible finally together and happy! If you loved the end of City of Ghosts as much as I did, you will love this too. Having said that, I have a sneaky suspicion this might only be the calm before the storm in the next instalment. Chess wouldn't be Chess if her life wasn't a hot mess now would she?
Can't wait for the next book, Sacrificial Magic. Wish I had it already. Oh wait! I do! *grins*
February 24, 2012
*happy sigh* I adore this series.
Iprobably should have read this one before I read Sacrificial Magic, but I actually didn't realize it existed until yesterday.
It was wonderful to see Chess, well, happy. She's still waiting for the other shoe to fall in her relationship with Terrible, but at this point in the story she's still just silencing her fears with a Cept or two here and there rather than really letting her anxiety get to her.
With an interesting case to investigate (one with a surprising yet fitting ending), and a delightful amount of Terrible goodness, this was a very solid 4.5/5 Stars.
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It was wonderful to see Chess, well, happy. She's still waiting for the other shoe to fall in her relationship with Terrible, but at this point in the story she's still just silencing her fears with a Cept or two here and there rather than really letting her anxiety get to her.
With an interesting case to investigate (one with a surprising yet fitting ending), and a delightful amount of Terrible goodness, this was a very solid 4.5/5 Stars.
July 11, 2013
I'm on a Chessible high that no amount of Cepts, Dreams, or Nips can ever achieve!
This novella was the perfect gift to romance-hungry readers like me. While the story was short, it provided a glimpse of a happy Chess which we don't normally see. Alas, this was but a honeymoon period, and I could already foresee the relationship drama to come. It'll be interesting to see how Chess will handle (or resist) having another person look after her. Shit will hit the fan in Sacrificial Magic, won't it? GAHHH!!!
This novella was the perfect gift to romance-hungry readers like me. While the story was short, it provided a glimpse of a happy Chess which we don't normally see. Alas, this was but a honeymoon period, and I could already foresee the relationship drama to come. It'll be interesting to see how Chess will handle (or resist) having another person look after her. Shit will hit the fan in Sacrificial Magic, won't it? GAHHH!!!
February 28, 2014
Every time I read another one of these books I fall more and more in love with the characters. They are flawed, but real, and that is one of the things that makes them so beautiful. I love it. Stacia Kane has this unique and breathtaking gift of bringing her characters to life by showing all the ugly and dark parts of them.
I'm addicted to this series, like Chess is addicted to her Cepts, for no other reason than the very real people that are Chess and Terrible. Simply brilliant. 4 stars.
I'm addicted to this series, like Chess is addicted to her Cepts, for no other reason than the very real people that are Chess and Terrible. Simply brilliant. 4 stars.
February 19, 2012
Maybe reading it in Paris, the romance capital of the world, makes a difference, but I got a confession to make: I got a little teary eyed at the end. Anyone else?
June 10, 2012
Terrible and Chess are a great team here. Hurrah for hot beanbag sex! Well worth the price.
August 15, 2012
"Love was terrifying, and weird, and sometimes uncomfortable.
But it was so fucking sweet."
Need I say more?
But it was so fucking sweet."
Need I say more?
February 26, 2013
Terrible and Chess in love...LOVED IT!! :)
July 23, 2013
CHESS AND TERRIBLE!!!
June 13, 2017
I loved it! It is so great to read about them in love!
June 14, 2015
Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series is one of my favourite in the urban fantasy genre. Most of that is because of the fantastic character and world building evident in every addition to the series. Chess is a debunker for the Church of Truth, but she is more than a church witch, she lives in a tough neighbourhood, has had quite a traumatic childhood, and a little drug addiction problem as well. Then there is Terrible, the local drug lord's enforcer, who is build like a brick shithouse, and happens to have been in love with Chess for a long time. It had been hard for Chess to admit her love for Terrible, considering her history, and not being in an actual relationship before. Then there was the betrayal, and it seemed that Terrible would never forgive her, but to Chess' credit, she stuck by him and eared back his trust and his love. This novella was nice to see them together, how much they mean to each other, and how much he means to Chess. This feeling is completely new for her, and it is so nice to see something in her life go in a more positive direction. Chess deserves to feel love, to have someone love her in return, unconditionally.
The story is short, but matters more to Chess herself than to the wider story as a whole. Essentially Chess is called to a job in a rich area of town, where a nosy neighbour thinks they have seen a ghost in the house next door. After some investigating, Chess realises that this is an actual haunting, but it is more than what she suspects and she ends up making a decision she didn't think she would make. Terrible comes with Chess, because they can barely be apart from each other, and she will put everything on the line for him, because he means that damn much. Chess in the past would have done her job, handed the bad guys in, taken her payout, and gone on a bender, but things are different now. She knows now that there is a power greater than herself, and while she loves feeling that way, she knows that she is now a different person; a better person.
I enjoyed the story, I felt it was well rounded, had some great passages. I love Chess and Terrible together, and finally seeing their relationship blossom. Chess' voice is so distinct and I love the story being focalised around her and seeing her come so far. There is so much for for her to achieve, and I'm looking forward to where Chess is going to go from here, and if her and Terrible will last. Here's hoping!
The story is short, but matters more to Chess herself than to the wider story as a whole. Essentially Chess is called to a job in a rich area of town, where a nosy neighbour thinks they have seen a ghost in the house next door. After some investigating, Chess realises that this is an actual haunting, but it is more than what she suspects and she ends up making a decision she didn't think she would make. Terrible comes with Chess, because they can barely be apart from each other, and she will put everything on the line for him, because he means that damn much. Chess in the past would have done her job, handed the bad guys in, taken her payout, and gone on a bender, but things are different now. She knows now that there is a power greater than herself, and while she loves feeling that way, she knows that she is now a different person; a better person.
I enjoyed the story, I felt it was well rounded, had some great passages. I love Chess and Terrible together, and finally seeing their relationship blossom. Chess' voice is so distinct and I love the story being focalised around her and seeing her come so far. There is so much for for her to achieve, and I'm looking forward to where Chess is going to go from here, and if her and Terrible will last. Here's hoping!
March 4, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
I continue to ride this Downside high with no intentions of stopping until I’m all caught up on the series. Knowing that I’ll have to wait until CHASING MAGIC comes out will cause some withdrawals for sure, but HOME gives readers the perfect reprieve, at least for a little while.
Chess has another Church assignment that brings her to the door of Mr and Mrs. Solomon, who are hippies that believe in “sharing the love”. This particular assignment sets up a perfect backdrop for the one thing all readers have been eager to read since the last book, CITY OF GHOSTS: Terrible and Chessie finally together.
HOME brought on warm and fuzzy feeling in spades. It’s so nice to see Terrible and Chess happy. After all the heartbreak and bitterness from the previous books, this is the first glance at the beginning of their happily-ever-after. And I wouldn’t have wanted this more for anyone.
Terrible just has a way of making me shiver in anticipation and want more even after just reading about him.
“His arms stayed around her, tripping her against him as he kissed her again. Harder this time. Deeper...
“Let’s get us back in the car.” His voice, low and thick in her ear, made her shiver.””
But aside from the physical things Terrible makes Chess feel, he also acts as a balm to Chess’s soul, making her feel worthy of love even after being betrayed by those who were supposed to care for her.
“But it would be worth it, because that crime had meant she wasn’t alone anymore, that she would never be alone again. It meant some of the emptiness inside her was gone and would never come back as long as he was there to fill it. It meant that she actually had someone she could trust, someone she could depend on, someone who made her feel special and beautiful and good, like a whole person, like someone who wasn’t dirty and wrong and worthless.”
It’s this emotional security that makes me love them together more. They are just perfect together.
I continue to ride this Downside high with no intentions of stopping until I’m all caught up on the series. Knowing that I’ll have to wait until CHASING MAGIC comes out will cause some withdrawals for sure, but HOME gives readers the perfect reprieve, at least for a little while.
Chess has another Church assignment that brings her to the door of Mr and Mrs. Solomon, who are hippies that believe in “sharing the love”. This particular assignment sets up a perfect backdrop for the one thing all readers have been eager to read since the last book, CITY OF GHOSTS: Terrible and Chessie finally together.
HOME brought on warm and fuzzy feeling in spades. It’s so nice to see Terrible and Chess happy. After all the heartbreak and bitterness from the previous books, this is the first glance at the beginning of their happily-ever-after. And I wouldn’t have wanted this more for anyone.
Terrible just has a way of making me shiver in anticipation and want more even after just reading about him.
“His arms stayed around her, tripping her against him as he kissed her again. Harder this time. Deeper...
“Let’s get us back in the car.” His voice, low and thick in her ear, made her shiver.””
But aside from the physical things Terrible makes Chess feel, he also acts as a balm to Chess’s soul, making her feel worthy of love even after being betrayed by those who were supposed to care for her.
“But it would be worth it, because that crime had meant she wasn’t alone anymore, that she would never be alone again. It meant some of the emptiness inside her was gone and would never come back as long as he was there to fill it. It meant that she actually had someone she could trust, someone she could depend on, someone who made her feel special and beautiful and good, like a whole person, like someone who wasn’t dirty and wrong and worthless.”
It’s this emotional security that makes me love them together more. They are just perfect together.
September 5, 2012
I have a confession to make. And this really is a confession, because I don't like to admit it. I have been known to lose interest in a series once the two main characters get together. I hate to say this, but once the angst and tension is worked out and we move on to a relationship I start to lose that drive that keeps me wanted to know what happens next. This isn't true for all books I read, but it's happened more than once.
That said, I absolutely loved this short story. My heart was full and about to burst from reading about Chess and Terrible. As much PNR I read you would think this is regular for me. Nope, not so much.
This was an entertaining little short that presented a case for Chess that also highlighted love. Not too sappy, not too dramatic, it was just right. And as another reviewer has mentioned, it is so nice to finally get to see Chess happy for a minute.
- On a side note: I said in my review of the first book that I would start to get annoyed if Chess' addiction does not get addressed at some point in the series. I still stand by that at some point it is not going to be believable that a junkie can maintain their life in any sort of productive manner for very long. A while, yes. Maybe even a long while, but eventually it does over take their lives. So here I am at book 3.6 and with not a mention of sobriety and I'm still completely hooked. So far it has been believable for me and let's face it, it gives me something else to look forward to. Because at some point this will be addressed, right?
I have pretty much turned into a complete fangirl of Stacia Kane. Luckily for me there are still a few more books out there for me to read.
That said, I absolutely loved this short story. My heart was full and about to burst from reading about Chess and Terrible. As much PNR I read you would think this is regular for me. Nope, not so much.
This was an entertaining little short that presented a case for Chess that also highlighted love. Not too sappy, not too dramatic, it was just right. And as another reviewer has mentioned, it is so nice to finally get to see Chess happy for a minute.
- On a side note: I said in my review of the first book that I would start to get annoyed if Chess' addiction does not get addressed at some point in the series. I still stand by that at some point it is not going to be believable that a junkie can maintain their life in any sort of productive manner for very long. A while, yes. Maybe even a long while, but eventually it does over take their lives. So here I am at book 3.6 and with not a mention of sobriety and I'm still completely hooked. So far it has been believable for me and let's face it, it gives me something else to look forward to. Because at some point this will be addressed, right?
I have pretty much turned into a complete fangirl of Stacia Kane. Luckily for me there are still a few more books out there for me to read.
May 9, 2012
Grade: B+ or 4 solid stars
For a Downside Ghosts story, this is a sweet novella. There's a little something revealed about the City of Ghosts from an unexpected source during Chess's investigation. Now that Chess embraces her love for Terrible she feels a gamut of emotions (pain, fear, surprise, and happiness). It was nice to see some sunlight penetrate the darkness within her.
Memorable Quote
For a Downside Ghosts story, this is a sweet novella. There's a little something revealed about the City of Ghosts from an unexpected source during Chess's investigation. Now that Chess embraces her love for Terrible she feels a gamut of emotions (pain, fear, surprise, and happiness). It was nice to see some sunlight penetrate the darkness within her.
Memorable Quote
His arms wrapped around her. "Chessie? You right?"
She nodded, closed her eyes for a second and let it wash over her: Happiness from the drugs sliding through her veins. Happiness so bright and strong it burned her heart, because of where she was, because of who she was with. Happiness because now the empty space inside her, the space where everyone else kept love and good memories and peace, had little bit of those things inside it.
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