Second Sight (Arcane Society, #1)

by Amanda Quick

It isn't as though attractive widow Venetia Jones doesn't have enough problems. She has worked hard to become a fashionable photographer catering to Victorian society's elite. Her career has enabled her to provide a comfortable living for her brother, sister and elderly aunt. Disaster looms, however. Venetia has some closely held secrets, not the least of which is her uncanny psychic ability. Now her life is in danger because she has viewed the unique aura of a killer fleeing the scene of his crime. But the really unsettling news is that her conveniently dead husband has just returned from the grave.

• ISBN10: 0399153527
• ISBN13: 9780399153525
• Publish Date: 9 May 2006
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 17 June 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Putnam Publishing Group
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 390
• Language: English

Reviews

[inlibrisveritas]

Second Sight is a random read for me. I saw that I owned majority of the series at the store and because I clearly don’t have a stack of books to read.

Second Sight is a Victorian era romance, with a nice little paranormal twist. Venetia makes a name for herself by become the owner of a photography company. She’s fiercely independent and protective of the life she has built for herself and her family..of course all this is put into jeopardy by the unexpected return of Gabriel Jones. I love the banter between these two. Venetia is hesitant to allow him back into her life, and he’s willing to play the waiting game while they try to figure out who is trying to kill Gabriel and steal his Society’s secrets. He’s a smooth talking alpha, who wants to be challenged…and she’s the challenging woman who has a habit of letting words get away from her. It’s a fantastic match! The steam is so thick at times that a fan is required.

On top of the steamy romance it has a pretty cool plot as well! Some parts of it were a little odd, but as soon as the characters pointed out the flaw in a person’s thinking I actually let it go. There is nothing worse than a book where the characters are not challenged about their “good ideas”, and this book prevents that by having Venetia constantly give Gabriel shit over his. I love the mix of Victorian era mystery and paranormal tones, and how light of a tough the paranormal side takes. It still has that period feel to it, even with the terminology used for all the odd little powers people may have.

I can definitely see myself continuing this series! I’m interested to see how the next book goes as I think it’s set much during a current day timeline. I like the idea of an author using her three pen names for different time periods. Amanda Quick – Historical, Jayne Anne Krentz – Current, and Jayne Castle – Future.