Dark Currents: Agent of Hel by Jacqueline Carey
Reviewed by: Joscelyn Lockwood, Children’s Department
Genre: Fantasy
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: Daisy Johanssen is a police liaison in her small town of Pemkowet, Michigan. She’s expected to be the go between the mundane and paranormal, known as the eldritch community and ruled over by the Norse goddess Hel. In addition to being an agent of Hel, Daisy is also unique in that she is a hell-spawn. Born to an incubus father and raised by her single mortal mother, she must constantly toe the line between good and giving into the evil temptation of her father’s race. For if she gives in, it could cause nothing less than the beginning of Armageddon. Problems start to arise in the idyllic resort town when a local college boy drowns in the river. Daisy must team up with a not-so-mortal police officer and start digging for clues to what happened. Signs start to point to the eldritch community, and she realizes this isn’t going to be an open and shut case.
My Review: Having read some other works by Ms. Carey, notably historical in nature, I wasn’t sure what to expect from her as an urban fantasy author. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised! Calling on a mixture of Norse mythology along with a few other fantasy tropes, she weaves an interesting world in this first book of the trilogy. Daisy’s interpersonal relationships with the many different members of her community, as well as her intrapersonal struggles with certain emotions, or “Deadlies” as she refers to them, are woven into the case they’re trying to solve. My only negative critique for this book is that Daisy comes off as a little shallow and immature throughout the book. I am hoping this changes as the trilogy goes on. Overall though, it was a fairly quick read with a fast-paced storyline that left me eagerly biding my time until I could get to the library to check out the next book.
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!