REVIEW: THROUGH THE DOORS OF OBLIVION – MICHAEL G. WILLIAMS

Through the Doors of Oblivion: From the Shadow Council Archives Book Cover Through the Doors of Oblivion: From the Shadow Council Archives
Servant/Sovereign, Book 1
Michael G. Williams
LGBT, Historical, Paranormal, Urban, Fantasy
Independently published
October 7, 2019
230

REAL ESTATE IS HELL – SOMETIMES LITERALLY

Wedged between real estate speculators, startup bros, and gentrified neighborhoods, it’s gotten hard to get by in San Francisco and it’s getting even harder all the time. Now two witches have decided the time has come to do something about it.

Using all their arcane skills, Iria – tall, dark, and genderqueer – and their partner and mentor, Madge – the granddaughter of Chinese immigrants and a powerful magician – have summoned back to the world of the living one of San Francisco’s greatest eccentric heroes: Joshua Norton, self-declared Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. In the 19th century he issued imperial proclamations intended to combat prejudice and advance the interests of the destitute and downtrodden. Binding him to themselves and to the city, Iria and Madge need Norton’s charisma and tireless dedication to the city to help them save the city from a demon of greed.

With an exciting combination of spell-slinging and derring-do, Norton and his modern-day patrons embark on a series of adventures across San Francisco’s past and present in search of the keys to the city: objects from its past they can use in the present to save the city’s future from a demon of greed and his tireless efforts to rob San Francisco of its soul forever!

Available at Amazon.

Reviewed by Melissa Brus

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

This short novella has managed to squeeze in magic, adventure, time travel, and the history of the city of San Francisco! It should be overwhelming in so few pages, and yes, at times the pacing is a little manic-in the best way, and it works. The language is fresh and fun. The best part to me was the interactions with Joshua Morton. He is by far my favorite part of this story. He is over the top in his fabulousness-matching his opinion of himself I am sure. A close second in charm is the relationship between his modern day hosts. Iria and Madge are entertaining to watch as they help unravel their mystery and literally try to save their city. This is a quick read and it makes me curious to see what Williams has planned next in this series.

 

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