The Glass God

Starred review from May 20, 2013
Earnest and well-meaning Sharon Li is drafted as the replacement for Matthew Swift, London’s Midnight Mayor, when he vanishes in Griffin’s wonderful second Magicals Anonymous novel (after Stray Souls). Assisted by dogsbody Rhys, Sharon—social worker, journeyman shaman, and chief administrator for a support group for the supernaturally perplexed—must navigate the convoluted world of the city’s supernatural community. Her competence leads only to more responsibility as success in the search for the mayor sticks Sharon with the even more daunting task of appeasing an angry god wandering the streets. Demon-strating a laudable respect for the rule of law, armed with good intentions and a quick and cunning mind, the firmly determined Sharon is often out of her depth but always willing to step up. This utterly charming protagonist easily elevates Griffin’s second magical London series above the urban fantasy crowd.

July 1, 2013

Besides acting as community support officer for the group known as Magicals Anonymous, apprentice shaman Sharon Li also serves the Midnight Mayor of London. When the mayor goes missing, however, Sharon must find out what has happened to him, using a bizarre combination of clues: an umbrella, a cryptic message from one of the city's dryads, and several pairs of shoes whose owners have also vanished or died. Griffin's sequel to Stray Souls continues the exploits of an intrepid and ingenuous young woman whose approach to shamanism is both original and endearing. The characters from the determined and ever-optimistic heroine to the painfully shy banshee and the crusty goblin mentor illustrate Griffin's sympathetic humor and keen insight into the human (and metahuman) condition. VERDICT Griffin has delivered another example of urban fantasy at its best, without frenetic or excessive eroticism.

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