Balthazar’s Bane
Kat Ross
(Gaslamp Gothic, #6)
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: July 31st 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Retelling
A bungled murder.
A ridiculous quest.
And a hero with extremely dodgy credentials.
Christmas 1889. Count Balthazar Jozsef Habsburg-Koháry tries to lead a simple life.
Oh, he enjoys a few hobbies.
Collecting ancient Egyptian artifacts. Hunting necromancers with a wire garrote. Impersonating dead Hungarian nobility. Seducing an endless string of women who never suspect the price of the count’s attentions.
But considering what Balthazar used to be like, these pursuits are harmless. And surely he deserves a reward for assassinating the elusive necromancer John Mortlake in the middle of Cairo’s teeming bazaar. What could be better than a holiday cruise up the Nile with his secretary Lucas Devereaux?
There’s just one thing that might ruin his mood.
If, for example, someone stole the talisman that’s kept him alive for two thousand years.
That would really suck.
Unfortunately for Balthazar, he just killed the wrong necromancer – one with a vengeful daughter and huge debts to some very shady djinn. To get his mojo back, he and Lucas must find a legendary sword and liberate a desert kingdom of magical misfits. For centuries, the people of Al Miraj have sought a valiant champion willing to face the wrath of the arch demon Fulad-zereh!
What they get is Balthazar.
But the gods always did like a good joke.
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My Review:
4 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense--
While this is the 6th book in the Gaslamp Gothic series, I feel like new readers can easily jump right into this book. Balthazar has been introduced in previous books in the series as a side character, this is his true first story where he is the main character and the mystery is completely new. This very much can stand on it's own, so it is the perfect read for anyone who likes historical fiction with some supernatural flair.
It was really only a matter of time until Balthazar got himself into serious trouble, and that is what this book it. Fighting off a bout of boredom and unrest, he finds a woman who intrigues him enough to have him pursue her on to a journey through Egypt, one that could very easily cost him his life. Through things he can't control (but is pretty much his own fault), Balthazar's life has turned completely upside down
I am so here for the Balthazar/ Lucas adventures! Every book that Balthazar pops up in, usually just a few pages here and there, I have wanted to know more and here it is. Finally I get to see more of the banter I have come to love from this super entertaining odd couple. Balthazar is this flamboyant risk taker who loves to be seen and seduce, such a loud personality full of spunk and snark, an immortal who is getting bored with his life. Lucas on the other hand was saved and raised by Balthazar as a child and now as a man is incredibly practical, more the level headed of the two who always seems to get them out of jams but appears to have the soul of an old man who would rather stay home, relax and eat digestive biscuits- and have dry one liners I adore.
Balthazar's Bane wrapped up nicely, leaving (almost) no loose ends, even if it was a little bit bittersweet. I look forward to more from Balthazar and Lucas as well as the rest of the gang in a future installment in this interesting, twisty series.
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Author Bio:
Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the Fourth Element and Fourth Talisman fantasy series, the Gaslamp Gothic paranormal mysteries, and the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Check out Kat’s Pinterest page for the people, places and things that inspire her books.
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