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Blue Diablo: A Corine Solomon Novel by Ann Aguirre
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Ann Aguirre Edition: Mass Market Paperback Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2009-04-07 ISBN: 0451462645 Number of pages: 336 Publisher: Roc
Book Reviews of Blue Diablo: A Corine Solomon NovelBook Review: Must Read Urban Fantasy Noir (A- Grade) Summary: 5 Stars
Blue Diablo is the first book in this new series about Corine Solomon who has the gift as a handler, where she touches something someone owns and will have visions about that person. Corine is an everyday average person, just like you and me. She is trying to stay under the radar because her ability is both a blessing and a curse.
Corine is one of them as a woman who is on the run from her past. She wishes to build a life where she will feel safe. Unfortunately that is not in the cards for Corine. Over a year ago she walked out on her lover Chance and ran for the hills, or rather to Mexico City where she opened a pawn shop. Corine lives everyday on the edge waiting for someone to find her, specifically Chance, and pull her back into the life that almost killed her. Then one day Chance finds her and she knows her almost idyllic life is over.
Corine doesn't know Chance's real name. Chance is a bit shady. He is loan shark and does favors for people where he gets paid. He was also a type of manager for Corine where he used her and her gift at foretelling much like a circus sideshow. Corine would help find missing people, but always for a price. For awhile Corine and Chance were happy. Chance is that seductive type of guy a woman would do anything for and Corine fell for him hard. But the pressure was too much for Corine to handle. Corine is still not over Chance and he knows it. But he needs Corine to help him. His mother Min has gone missing and Chance thinks she was taken. He is worried sick and knows Corine is the only one who can help him. Because Corine likes Chance's mother and can see Chance has a deep love for his mama, she decides to help him even though she knows Chance may try and seduce her back and into the world she left behind. Also Chance has something else up his sleeve. He is much like the devil who offers Eve the apple. He may be able to find the people who killed Corine's mother when she was a little girl. The one thing Corine wants is revenge and Chance knows it. So with that prize dangling over her head, off she goes with Chance into the unknown.
Chance and Corine are not alone on this dangerous journey. They are surrounded by a cast of characters that will help them. They meet Jesse Saldana, the investigating officer on Min's case. Jesse also has an ability like Corine. He is an empath and wants to become Corine's mentor. He wouldn't mind giving Corine a hand in other ways. He finds Corine attractive and she doesn't think he shabby either. But then there is Chance who she is still not completely over. Jesse is not all that innocent either and the people he knows may have something to do with Min's disappearance. Chance puts a great deal of trust in Jesus Maria Ortiz Obregon, nickname Chuch and his wife Eva. Chuch and Eva have a great marriage and are very protective of each other and those they care about. Chuch is powerful in his own right. He practices with magical charms and has unlimited resources at his disposal. He uses technology and old fashioned know how to find the answers Chance and Corine need.
Corine needs all the help she can get because she and Chance are not just dealing with nasty criminals, but someone who knows how to use black magic. Min has kept secrets from her son and because of them she has placed herself in danger. Chance needs to go into the dark underbelly of Mexico where prostitution is rampant as well as those who use the supernatural for their own sick means.
Blue Diablo is so very original and refreshing. I have to give it to Ann to writing a story with a nice balance of fantasy and mystery. This is considered an Urban Fantasy and the wonderful thing with this genre is that there are so many levels to it. I believe Ann has invented a whole new type of Urban Fantasy with Blue Diablo. I am calling it now and I say this is an Urban Fantasy Noir. The atmosphere is very much like a police procedural just like the ones you watch on television.
Even though the main protagonist is Corine, Ann gives the reader a nice balance with her whole cast. This is truly an ensemble piece. Even though Blue Diablo is from Corine's point of view, all the other important characters are given equal screen time. Every time Corine is on the page, we also see Jesse, Chance, Chuch and Eva. These people are a great team. The tension is thick and a bit desperate but there are moments with some laughs.
Blue Diablo has some romantic undertones but it is very subtle. There is talk of Chance and Corine's relationship and their feelings but it is not the most important thing. Corine is attracted to both Chance and Jesse but it seems so realistic even as they are caught in the middle of this drama of Min's whereabouts. Don't be surprised if you are up in the air between Jesse and Chance because both men have so much to offer Corine.
As for Chance, he is a slick guy who uses guilt and emotional blackmail on Corine. I found myself sympathizing with Chance because he is hurting and he does love Corine deeply. Ann had asked if I though Chance found Corine just to use her for her ability or because he loves her. I truly believe Chance loves Corine. Time and again he tells Corine his feelings for her. He tells her she is the only one for him and no other.
Blue Diablo is a great read for both men and women alike. This is a story that will have you hooked and has a great cinematic feeling to it. Blue Diablo on the big screen? I say yes. Ann has shown us once again what a writer with incredible talent can do.
Katiebabs
Summary of Blue Diablo: A Corine Solomon NovelRead Ann Aguirre's posts on the Penguin Blog ?Gritty, steamy and altogether wonderful urban fantasy.??New York Times Bestselling Author Patricia Briggs View our feature on Ann Aguirre?s Blue Diablo. "Right now, I?m a redhead. I?ve been blonde and brunette as the situation requires, though an unscheduled color change usually means relocating in the middle of the night. So far, I?m doing well here. Nobody knows what I?m running from. And I?d like to keep it that way?" Eighteen months ago, Corine Solomon crossed the border and wound up in Mexico City, fleeing her past, her lover, and her ?gift?. Corine, a handler, can touch something and know its history?and sometimes, its future. Using her ability, she can find the missing?and that?s why people never stop trying to find her. People like her ex, Chance? Chance, whose uncanny luck has led him to her doorstep, needs her help. Someone dear to them both has gone missing in Laredo, Texas, and the only hope of finding her is through Corine?s gift. But their search may prove dangerous as the trail leads them into a strange dark world of demons and sorcerers, ghosts and witchcraft, zombies?and black magic?
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