*Groan*... I was loving this book until the end.
I've really enjoyed Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series from the beginning, which was why I bought the first book in this series last year. The premise was new to me; a diversion from the UF I've read up until now. New Orleans in a post-war era - the war being between humans and paranormals that spilled over from the other side of the 'veil' - is home to a neighborhood-sized prison camp nicknamed 'The Devil's Isle' where POW paranormals are held, as well as humans who ended up being Sensitives: they absorb magic until they become vicious wraiths.
The MC, Claire, is a Sensitive hiding in plain site and running one of the few general stores left in New Orleans, until she is found out by a bounty hunter, Liam, who of course doesn't turn her in, but helps her find a way to control her absorption of magic in hopes of staving off turning into a wraith.
Of course there are larger issues and goings-on afoot and soon a Scooby gang forms and they fight the bigger fight while proving that we're all more alike than we are different. But Neill makes it fun and she creates a vivid post-war New Orleans with characters that are likeable. Her writing made me care about the outcome, both in the first book and in this one. In almost all ways, in fact, I liked this book better because we were done with the world building and could focus on the plot. A plot centered on a charismatic sociopath gathering people together on a platform of hate and prejudice. A particularly timely plot.
But she lost me at the end; she took a rather worn out route in the final climatic battle and I'm disappointed. I think future stories would have had the potential to be much more interesting if she had left well enough alone. Instead, while I'm still definitely going to read book 3, I'm now dreading the trope-tastic angst I'm sure I'll have to slog through before I get to anything good. Ah well - can't win them all.
I really want to love this book, but it's like that boy in high school - you want to like him because he is perfect for you, except for some reason you don't like him like that.
In The Sight Claire is continuing to learn how to control and release her magic to prevent becoming a wraith. She has become a bounty hunter in training assisting Liam Quinn. A new threat is forming which cast a threat on the city and those they love. A cult is on the rise led by zealot named Ezekiel. He believes destroying all paras and those who support or contain them will restore NOLA. His charismatic charms have humans frustrated with living conditions joining his army.
Neill did a wonderful job of balancing different threads in The Sight. We continue to see Claire focus on controlling her magic while learning more secrets about her father. Secondary characters continue to develop strengthening the bonds between this motley crew of civilians, containment officers, and para. The world building is rich as Neill shares this world with us. The paras we meet are fascinating. Some are creepy and dangerous while others charming.
Claire Connolly our protagonist runs Royal Mercantile off Bourbon St. I love this feisty redheaded heroine. Her struggles are real but she maintains decorum remaining cool and focused. She compartmentalized and her strength makes her a favorite. I have a feeling that when Claire comes into herself she will be a force to be reckoned with.
Liam our smexy hero is a highly skilled bounty hunter who hunts para and wraiths. He lives on Devil’s Isle to be near loved ones. Liam is cocky with dreamy blue eyes and the weight of the world on his shoulders. Despite his alpha tendencies, his respect and appreciation for Claire had me falling hard and fast.
The relationship between Liam and Claire continues even as they try to fight it. The two work seamlessly out in the field making their friendship and courtship feel genuine. Both are strong, independent and stubborn creating delicious banter, snark and chemistry. We also see a little jealous from both parties exposing the depth of the feelings.
The plot involving the cult was action packed with danger around every corner. Their assault forced human and para to work together but not without cost. The tale took dark turns but also had lighter moments reminding us to seize the moment. Neill created this sense of dread as I turned each page causing my pulse to increase. She would then give me happy moments and banter cooling me off, only to repeat the pattern. This made The Sight highly addictive and had this reader consuming the novel in a single day.