cover image TRAVELER

TRAVELER

Melanie Jackson, . . Love Spell, $5.99 (369pp) ISBN 978-0-505-52533-8

Much of the action in Jackson's (The Selkie) paranormal romance takes place in a city that seems just like present-day Detroit, with one difference: this Motor City is home to an underground nightmare city populated by refugee goblins expelled from Europe. Though seemingly grateful for their new world haven, the foul-smelling goblins have in fact secretly replaced the nation's leading industrialists, including Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, with deodorized doubles—and the takeover trail may lead much higher. Pitted against mysterious goblin leader Horroban and his six-limbed, four-breasted rock star girlfriend are "siren fey" Io Cyphre, who's a H.U.G. (Humans Under Ground) magical agent, and charismatic cop Jonathan "Jack" Frost, who's half fairy. A deliciously playful tone, especially in the banter between Io and Jack, makes this a fun, light read. At times, however, Jackson's Detroit feels more like a cartoon world than a plausible alternate realm. Still, this imaginative tale, the first in a new series of mystical romances from Jackson, delivers sizzling romance and ghoulish thrills at a breathtaking clip. (Aug. 5)