Thrift Store Trolls is the first book in the Flea Market Magic series by Shawntelle Madison. While this is the first book in this series, it is part of the Coveted series world. I had read some of the first series set in that world, and enjoyed them, but have not read any in awhile. I was able to catch up reasonably quickly, but there is a definite disadvantage to new or lapsed Madison readers.
Selling haunted trinkets and witches' wands is just another normal day for the delightfully neurotic werewolf Natalya Stravinsky. From one day to another, as the new South Toms River Pack alpha female, she tries to keep finicky supernatural customers placated while managing her underhanded goblin boss and eccentric supernatural co-workers. Her life is complicated further when competition rolls in: a peculiar troll-owned mart with subpar haunted knick-knacks and deadly antiques appears.A powerful fairy path veers off course, heading towards South Toms River, attracting the attention of a deadly, shadowed force. Mysterious steamer trunks from the 1920s pop up all over town, unleashing horrific beasts. Natalya must find the inner strength to bring her pack together to uncover the culprit before her enemies threaten everyone she holds dear.
Thrift Store Trolls is a good urban fantasy, and I enjoyed relearning the characters and world that Madison has created. I think this is a book that will be much more appreciated by fans of the previous series (Coveted) which I now want to go back and reread and finish, but once I got into the groove of the story I was engaged in trying to figure out what everyone was up to and how Nat was going to solve this mess.The tension was high, and there was a good balance of danger, clue following, and actual conversations. I liked the way the friend and family dynamics were equally important as the life or death stakes of the story. I also liked the way magic and reality are woven together in a way that makes me look a little closer at strip malls and antique store that I might drive by. The story was engaging, with character and story development that left me feeling content that a great deal was covered and solved, but that so much more could be coming along in the future. I love a series where each book has a satisfying ending but still leaves me eager to open up the next book- not because I was left hanging but because I care enough about the characters and world to see what happens next.
Thrift Store Trolls is a good read for new or lapsed readers of Madison, but I suspect it is a great read for those have have been better at keeping up with their work. 
No comments:
Post a Comment