Hard magic

Correia (Monster Hunter Vendetta) fails to make the most of his unusual setting, settling for a run-of-the-mill action yarn that's heavy on fights and violence and light on ideas. The introduction of magic has dramatically changed some major events of the 20th century, but readers are left to imagine the consequences of Hitler being executed in 1929 or Freud overdosing on cocaine. Yet these tantalizing glimpses of an alternate universe are much more interesting than the central plot about a battle between the ultra-good Grimnoir Society and the ultra-evil Japanese Imperium over the last piece of a device created by Nikolas Tesla. Talking animals, magic with minimal consequences, and a stock plot make this fantasy an uphill climb. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Jake Sullivan, a war hero, private eye, and now an ex-con assisting the government, accompanies a team of special agents as they attempt to bring down Sullivan's former friend Delilah Jones, a notorious criminal possessing special powers. Jake also has a unique ability: as a "Heavy," he can increase or decrease gravity. When Jake and Delilah meet, however, the consequences launch a chain of events that lead the pair to their unforeseen and shattering destinies. Set in an America circa 1930 in which dirigibles are a standard mode of transportation and FBI tsar J. Edgar Hoover spins a dark web of intrigue, this series debut by the author of the popular "Monster Hunter" titles (Monster Hunter International; Monster Hunter Vendetta; Monster Hunter Alpha) exemplifies the best of the superhero noir genre. VERDICT Steampunk meets the hard-boiled detective story with a strong flavoring of superpowers in a tale that will please Correia's enthusiastic fans as well as lovers of Glen Cook's "Garrett, P.I." noir fantasies. Highly recommended. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.