I love this series. I love the fact that on paper, these characters are unlikable. Chess is an unrepentant drug addict who lies to everyone in her life. Terrible is a ruthless killer. Lex is a manipulative dealer.

And yet, I love these characters. I love their imperfections and their unlikable parts. I love the fact that Terrible is ugly inside and out but he becomes beautiful when we see him through Chess' eyes - when she allows herself to really see him, that is.

I really like the language of the characters - how Downspeak and Churchspeak create immediate class barriers. It does take a while to get used to and I admit that I found it annoying at first. But once you get used to it and take the time to suss it out, it becomes easy to understand.

Stacia Kane has created a fascinating world, unlike any other that I've read in urban fantasy. These books are well worth the read.

This book made me cry a lot. I felt the agony and hurt and betrayal so deeply. I love how Kane makes us connect to the characters and in a way, confront the ugliness in our own souls.

My favourite scene in the book is when Chess is in withdrawal. It is so well written and it made me so uncomfortable, like I was really experiencing her symptoms.

I really appreciate the fact that the main character is a drug addict and it's dealt with in a realistic way (like one of my favourite TV shows, Nurse Jackie). She doesn't repent and 'see the light'. She doesn't OD and become an after-school special about the perils of drug addiction. Chess just is. Drugs are how she copes with the horrible lot she's been given in life. She's not stupid, she knows what they are doing to her, but living without them is not worth it to her. I really like that and I like the fact that Kane doesn't dumb it down or condescend to her readers or attempt to create a morality play. It's a refreshing change and one that is certainly most welcome on my bookshelf.