I can't be too wrong about this book (ok, I can, but I hope not) since Publisher's Weekly has it on its Top 10 Picks for Fall 2011.The rambling intro that has no real purpose in my reviewI’m not known for my long reviews. I HATE writing and I love reading. If I am writing, I’m not reading. Plus, except for a few select reviewers who write excellent long reviews, I generally don’t read long reviews. If I want to read more than three paragraphs, I’ll read a book. However, I’m the first reviewer for this book on Goodreads AND I loved the book so I feel guilty if I don’t do my job as a reviewer & do a complete, thorough review. Guilt makes me do a lot of things (just ask my manipulative hubby and kids that can work me over using their damn “puppy dog” eyes and don’t even get me started on the ACTUAL puppy dog, she pretty much rules the damn house..ok..so off subject here).The start of the actual review (maybe)Before I started the book and solely based on the coverOk. So I have no clue why I picked this book. What is up with this cover? Is that glass floating in the wind? If so, it did not come from the stained glass window since that looks intact. Is that a girl or a pretty looking guy? What is up with those jeans? Why is she just standing there? I wonder if she is making the wind? Who knows… why not read the book and find out?First an introduction of ChaliceChalice is different. She has senses that are extraordinary. She can hear like a….like a…. dolphin (yeah, I had to look up an animal that has super good hearing). She has vision like a hawk (figured that one out on my own) and the sense of smell better than the bear (again.. all on my own). Her senses are so good, they are debilitating. She has to wear earplugs, nose plug, and contacts just to withstand the everyday overload of stimuli.Now really, the storyAs a child, Chalice is living in a Monastery. Not by choice, but because that is where she was born. Chalice thinks her mom died giving birth to her (the key word is “thinks”). While her life is simple among the Monks, it is her life and she lives it.When Chalice was still a child, a man named Gavin comes to the monastery claiming that he is Chalice’s dad. The monks have no reason to doubt him since he has ways to prove his fatherhood. Chalice instantly knows that Gavin is lying (she heard Gavin talking to his men from miles away before he approached the monastery). Chalice vocalizes her suspicions and in the end, Gavin takes Chalice and kills the monks that raised her.Fast-forward 12 years. Chalice is bonded to Shui. Not by choice. Shui is a gargoyle and he was one vicious human being before he was turned into a gargoyle. Shui continues his viciousness in gargoyle form and there is no love lost between Chalice and Shui. So why is Chalice bonded with Shui? Because Gavin controls Shui, and unless Chalice makes contact with Shui every 72 hours, Chalice will turn into a gargoyle as well (trust me, these gargoyles are dangerous scary creatures, not the little stone gargoyles you may be used to). Gavin uses this forced bonding to control Chalice and Chalice is forced to use her senses to be a kick ass thief (she can hear when people are approaching from miles away. She can hear the pins in a combination lock as it turns; she can see not only what is in front of her, but also what was in the room previously. She can smell not only blood but also whose blood it is).Gavin, a member of the Vyantara, uses humans, demons, angels, gargoyles or whatever supernatural he can get his hands on to do his bidding in stealing priceless artifacts, artwork or other curiosities. In return, he sells them and makes a huge profit. As long as he can control his supernatural servants, he has the perfect gig.Chalice has been trained by Gavin (and other instructors controlled by Gavin), in knife fighting, combat, stealth, and deception. She is good at her job and she hates it. She hates that she has to hurt people, lie to them, and steal from potentially good, honest people. However, due to her indentured servitude, she can’t do a damn thing. Or can she?Aydin comes into the story when Chalice thinks she is going on just another job. Aydin, like Chalice is bonded to a gargoyle named Shojin. Again, like Chalice, Aydin will turn if he does not make contact with his gargoyle within 72 hours. However, Aydin has been around a long time and has quite the story. He has a history that brings to the story more questions than answers, and some conflict that creates some interesting twists. Chalice hates magic. She hates magic because the Vyantara use it to hurt people and force their hand. However, Aydin shows Chalice another side to magic. He introduces her to wide range of characters that opens Chalice’s eyes and more importantly gives her hope that one day she can be free of the servitude placed on her. But, at what cost?The other charactersWhat makes this book so outstanding is the multitude of characters. Usually I hate many characters because, well, I get confused. That does not happen here. There are bad “guys” like Zee, Shui, & Gavin but there also a huge cast of great characters such as Shojin, Quin, Elmo, Ling Ling, and my absolute favorite- Ruby. Here is a pic of what I think Ruby looks like (she is a “cursed” gem encrusted thimble sized frog with a heart of gold and endless love for those that are good).What I lovedAydin- not the normal alpha hero. He isn’t perfect looking and he isn’t super strong with a ton of muscles. All the other characters. The author really thought out each character, and how the individual characters were important to the story and their relationship to Chalice.The story. It had action, mystery, and just a small touch of romance (very small, this is definitely not a paranormal romance novel).What I didn’t likeThe cover. Chalice has very unique eyes and you can’t even see them. In fact, Chalice is so far away, you aren’t even sure if it is a woman on the cover at first glance. Furthermore, Chalice is an expert at using a specific type of knife. Why not show the knife in her hands? It seems silly to have such a strong female character but than represent her as this tomboyish looking simplistic girl with unknown skills and/or talents.The book summary. When you read the book summary, you think there is alot of romance in this book (at least I did). There is not. This is definitely Urban Fantasy at its best. OverallExcept for my dislike for the cover, everything else was pure love. Not only did I love this book from the beginning but I maintained the lovefest throughout the entire novel. 5 out of 5 stars!
