IRREGULARS - Things Unseen & Deadly

Irregulars
Things Unseen and Deadly by Ginn Hale

Released : March 14, 2012
Reviewed : Faye
Rating :

Jason Shamir sees what's real. He doesn't know this. Jason has no idea he's hiding in plain sight. In himself he has failed to recognize a truly powerful magical being. Of course, as soon as he sees Agent Henry Falk he recognizes a man of great and deadly power. Ginn Hale's “Things Unseen And Deadly” is the story of two seemingly inconsequential men, an undead bum and a poor musician, who come together at the behest of an oracle. Of course Agent Falk had no idea what he was getting into when he joined an NIAD team on a raid of an antiques shop. He certainly didn't think the hapless looking young man who walked right through his mist would be the most sought after political artifact and object of power in multiple realms. However, while looking at Jason Shamir, Agent Falk realizes he's looking at someone astoundingly unexceptional. Like extra-medium, that just shouldn't be. Agent Falk recognizes that Jason isn't what he seems to be. Jason, who has true sight, instantly sees that Agent Falk isn't just a bum. He also happens to see a horrible monster that looks exactly like the monsters that ate his father when he was young. Upon learning that he isn't crazy, and that the monster, Agent Heartman, and other extra human creatures are real, Jason is freed from what he thought was a life of mental illness and a constant struggle to get his medications. He also learns his boss had sold him. Going through his existence as a bum has been Agent Henry Falk's defense mechanism for years. He's a drunk and his exploits, or possible death, are the subject of NIAD gossip and mythology. Few people know his story. No one knows he was the lover of Franklin Fairgate, the man who plunged a ceremonial blade into his heart. No one but Henry saw the instant regret in Franklin's eyes. It was supposed to be for the good of the Agency, but it all went so horribly wrong. Henry is left unable to die, with nothing but his usefulness to NIAD. Agent Falk is turned to when no one else can do a job. He ends up wounded and traumatized, is denied death, then tapes himself back together, and does it again and again. On the surface, “Things Unseen and Deadly” is a story of an older and wiser man with vast power who helps a younger inexperienced man out of a bad situation and they fall in love in the process. Yes, Henry repeatedly physically saves Jason's life. He provides for Jason's safety and even provides food. More importantly, this is the story of someone who doesn't think he is worthy of life, let alone a romance with a vibrant and talented young man. Jason, like Henry, is a man of vast power. He holds the key to controlling realms. Henry may save Jason's life, but Jason is Henry's savior. This story is the most violent in the anthology and full of various magics and extra human creatures. It's also richly detailed letting us imagine the scent of a foggy alley, the layer of dust in an antique shop, or the wings fluttering on various market customers. From plot, to world building, to characters nothing in this story disappoints.

Well... Hypocrite thy name is in fact Swede Faye - great review! As usual! Thanks xx

I'm reading this one the moment. All the stories are such quality writing.

All the stories are brilliant, what has taken you so long B4U lagging behind girl. This one I am seriously thinking about buying in paper. Hopefully one day they do another book.