Mixed Feelings

Being an empath makes Gwen a perfect therapist, even if her ability is a closely guarded secret known only to her assistant, Chloe, and a hypersexual werewolf PI named Mel. When creatures from Gwen's childhood ask her to save lost kids from a demon, the trio must find their inner strengths to keep themselves and the children from going insane. For a debut novelist, Burton does a great job of creating engaging, witty characters with their own personalities, and she builds an urban fantasy world around Seattle that doesn't feel cut-and-pasted from other series. Gwen is particularly real, sharing her convictions and fears as well as conflicted feelings for Mel. Despite having powers, she's still a novice among fairies, vampires, demons, and complex secrets. Gwen's story does run out of steam towards the end, extending past its natural conclusion until the characters run aground. Despite a few flaws, this is a very promising start for Burton and her world. (Nov.)