Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Series: Carter Archives #3
Published by Ace on April 6, 2021
Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Forbidden magic, murder... and disco. Carter's day keeps getting worse.
With the return of spring, new life floods into Titanshade. The sun climbs higher and stays longer, the economy is ascendant, and ever more newcomers arrive to be part of the city's rebirth. Even pop culture has taken notice, with a high-profile concert only days away. When a band member's murder threatens to delay the show, the diva star performer demands that the famous Detective Carter work the case. But Carter has secrets of his own, and his investigation unearths more victims and dark secrets, triggering a spiral of deceit, paranoia, and nightmarish magical transformations.
As conspiracies are exposed, Carter is sucked even deeper into the machinations of the rich, the powerful, and the venerated. Soon the very foundations of the city threaten to collapse and Carter's own freedom is on the line as he navigates between old enemies and fragile new alliances while racing to learn the true cause of this horrific series of deaths.
I have been really enjoying the Carter Archives series, which is a science fiction with police cases. I would read these in order to give the proper world-building and character development. Carter like all good UF heroes is gathering his misfit allies. We see some known characters like Gellica and Paulus, Bryyh, Guyer, and Talena. We meet a few new ones like Vandie Cedrow and a new DO named Harris.
Carter and his partner, Ajax, are working well together. They have had some high profile cases. It makes it a little harder to fly under the radar to investigate some things, and they get recognized more often. It’s great to see their trust with each other. Carter has some “magic” issues and keeps it pretty close.
There are a lot of fascinating aspects to the world-building. The world has magic from the manna, and seven peoples. We know the humans, the Mollenkampi, the Gillmyn, and now Barekusu. The political power is in flux with the new manna. We learn much more about the way heat is generated and distributed in this ice world.
Carter and Ajax get requested on a new case outside of Titanshade because of a music star. There seems to be some connection to the new manna. More cases occur and Carter has to wonder if some of it is connected to his new issues. There are also some unnatural natural disasters. Cater and Ajax work to sort through the powerful for motives while trying to prevent further death or disaster.
I loved this fast-paced puzzler! I enjoyed learning more about the world and seeing the changes with its characters. But most of all, I love Carter for his brilliant understanding to solve cases, and irritate most people.
- Sunday Post – 16 February 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - February 16, 2025
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Spring
Sounds so good. Another one that is a maybe someday!!
These are police procedurals but set in a futuristic scifi world. I am really enjoying them.
Awesome review, Anne. I’m hoping to finish this tonight. I really love Carter and his gruff personality, and I love learning more about this unique world with each new book.?
Well said Tammy. They are easy to read and love. Even with all the cool things we learn about the world, it doesn’t feel like I have to slog through too many pages of bogging down details, you know?
i have been reading more scifi this past year and your review makes me think this series would be a good fit
It’s a very police procedural UF scifi. It really hits my genre preferences well.
I have been so tempted by this series. I really like the sound of it and I am pretty sure that I would enjoy it. There just isn’t enough time to read everything. Someday.
Yes I keep saying I need to read faster. There is always so much I want to read! I think you would enjoy this one.
I’m always looking for a new UF series to love. Thanks for bringing this one to my attention. Just wondering if there’s any romance?
It’s an excellent series, different and I like different. There are hints of romance but it is pretty limited so far.
I am so aggravated that book 2 and 3 have not released on audio yet. The author did say they were coming, so I’ve been holding out.
oh I’m sorry. I didn’t realize as this is one I read ebooks. Did you enjoy the first one on audio and like the narrator?
Yes, it was fantastic.