Book Review: Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre's new book Blue Diablo is a gem in the midst of a world of increasingly bland and predictable urban fantasy novels. The story is narrated by Corine Solomon, a "handler," who can read an object's history just by touching it. On the run, she is tracked down by her ex, Chance, whose gift is an uncanny ability to always run into the right people at just the right time. He asks her to help him find his mother, Min, whom he fears has been kidnapped, and when Corine's gift shows her that Min is in danger she cannot say no.

The search for Chance's mother leads Corine to find that she is not the only one with a supernatural gift-in fact, there is a whole world of empaths, mediums, witches, and the like, not all of whom are as interested in helping others as Corine is, and some of whom use their power for darkness, to murder and then to control the spirits and bodies of the dead. But she is also reminded that humans are perfectly capable of evil without turning to black magic when she discovers a horrifying world of gangs, drug trading, and white slavery.

The way Aguirre writes Corine's narration makes it a joy to read. Her introduction to Corine Solomon's world is smoothly integrated into the story without any awkward exposition. Corine reveals it bit by bit, only as it is relevant. In fact, much of the exposition is presented as if this is the second book in a series and the reader already knows most of the backstory. In the hands of a lesser writer this strategy would be disastrous, but Aguirre plays it with ease, presenting existing character relationships and situations without making her narrator seem self-conscious about the fact that she is explaining everything to an audience.

The tension between Corine and Chance helps flesh out the story and characters without overshadowing the plot, and they are helped by a wonderful supporting cast. There are several plotlines which integrate very smoothly with each other, their relation becoming clear only at the very end, and which are left open-ended enough for several sequels.

The world itself, of course, begs for more stories. It does not seem underdeveloped or incomplete, as in some first novels of series, but it does suggest that there are many other parts which we are missing and which will only be revealed to us when they become relevant. I will be on the edge of my seat waiting for the next books in the series.