Review: Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells

Dirty Magic

Author:Jaye Wells

Release Date: January 21, 2014

Publisher: Orbit

The Prospero's Wars Book #1

ISBN:  0316228435

ISBN13: 9780316228435

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Publisher

The first in an all-new urban fantasy series by USA Today bestseller Jaye Wells.

The last thing patrol cop Kate Prospero expected to find on her nightly rounds was a werewolf covered in the blood of his latest victim. But then, she also didn't expect that shooting him would land her in the crosshairs of a Magic Enforcement Agency task force, who wants to know why she killed their lead snitch.

The more Prospero learns about the dangerous new potion the MEA is investigating, the more she's convinced that earning a spot on their task force is the career break she's been wanting. But getting the assignment proves much easier than solving the case. Especially once the investigation reveals their lead suspect is the man she walked away from ten years earlier—on the same day she swore she'd never use dirty magic again.

Kate Prospero's about to learn the hard way that crossing a wizard will always get you burned, and that when it comes to magic, you should be never say never.

Kate's currently a patrol cop fighting crime and taking care of her brother. After going head to head with a werewolf she gets the chance to join the Magic Enforcement Agency task force. Her past gives her a leg up in the investigation but also puts her on a path she doesn't want to go down.


You find out right away how much of a kick-ass character Kate is going to be. She likes being one of the good guys and she's good at it. She also happens to be the guardian to her teenage brother and their relationship gets pretty rocky as the book progresses. Kate's past makes her a bit more strict than her brother likes and the conflict leads to danger. Kate has to make some hard choices and although they pan out, the price she has to pay will continue to be an issue in books to come. I'm still not sure how I feel about John Volos. Him and Kate had a pretty intense relationship and when she gave up her old life he was given up as well. I can't tell what his angle is. He seems to care a lot about Kate still and Kate still has a pull towards him but I just don't know how it will continue to play out after the events in DIRTY MAGIC.

There are a lot of secrets revealed throughout the story and the twists that are thrown at us kept my heart in the game. The whole world pulled me in. From the characters, to the city, to the different covens (aka gangs) and their beefs. Jaye really didn't leave any details out. I'm excited to learn more about Kate, her past and the world that she lives in with book 2 CURSED MOON.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.