The City of Lost Fortunes
The post–Katrina New Orleans of The City of Lost Fortunes is a place haunted by its history and by the hurricane’s destruction, a place that is hoping to survive the rebuilding of its present long enough to ensure that it has a future. Street magician Jude Dubuisson is likewise burdened by his past and by the consequences of the storm, because he has a secret: the magical ability to find lost things, a gift passed down to him by the father he has never known—a father who just happens to be more than human.
Jude has been lying low since the storm, which caused so many things to be lost that it played havoc with his magic, and he is hiding from his own power, his divine former employer, and a debt owed to the Fortune god of New Orleans. But his six-year retirement ends abruptly when the Fortune god is murdered and Jude is drawn back into the world he tried so desperately to leave behind. A world full of magic, monsters, and miracles. A world where he must find out who is responsible for the Fortune god’s death, uncover the plot that threatens the city’s soul, and discover what his talent for lost things has always been trying to show him: what it means to be his father’s son.
Jude has been lying low since the storm, which caused so many things to be lost that it played havoc with his magic, and he is hiding from his own power, his divine former employer, and a debt owed to the Fortune god of New Orleans. But his six-year retirement ends abruptly when the Fortune god is murdered and Jude is drawn back into the world he tried so desperately to leave behind. A world full of magic, monsters, and miracles. A world where he must find out who is responsible for the Fortune god’s death, uncover the plot that threatens the city’s soul, and discover what his talent for lost things has always been trying to show him: what it means to be his father’s son.
What I thought:
So many stories are set in New Orleans where the author has never lived in the city (sometimes never even visited) and I'm always nervous picking up a book set here because it's so rare that an author gets it right.
Bryan Camp definitely got it right. New Orleans is its own character in this story and I love how she's portrayed. Fully fleshed. Nuanced. Full of the culture and ambiance that is New Orleans.
I found the pacing a bit slow at times but I really enjoyed Jude's story. It's a new take on the different mythologies and I like the way it leaves room at the table for everyone. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming and Jude's kind of an asshole, but in a likable way, which is always a plus.
The mystery aspect was very well done and there was just enough humor stirred into the mix. I wanted a little less narrative distance overall, I think that would have helped the pacing in some spots, but a fun read and a great New Orleans fantasy. Can't wait to read what comes next.
The mystery aspect was very well done and there was just enough humor stirred into the mix. I wanted a little less narrative distance overall, I think that would have helped the pacing in some spots, but a fun read and a great New Orleans fantasy. Can't wait to read what comes next.
Rating: **** ( 4 stars)
*I received an arc of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I also bought a copy.
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RATING SCALE:
5* = OMFG loved it. Will read it again. Touch my book and I will cut you.
4* = Really good. Highly recommend. Miiiight reread. Maybe. Don't touch my book.
3* = Good. I liked it. Go ahead and touch it.
2* = Not for me, finished but struggled. Didn't connect. Here, have a book.
1* = DNF. Couldn't do it.
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Happy Reading,
Chelly
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