Vintage Soul: The DeChance Chronicles Volume Two

by David Niall Wilson

Book Overview

Author's revised editionDonovan DeChance is a collector of ancient manuscripts and books, a practicing mage, and a private investigator. When, despite the finest in natural and supernatural security, a sexy and well-loved, three hundred year old lady vampire is kidnapped right out from under her lover's nose, Donovan is called in to investigate.He soon finds that there is much more to the case than a simple abduction when an unknown intruder invades...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1949914267
• ISBN13: 9781949914269
• Release Date: January 2019
• Publisher: Mystique Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Enthralling from the first page to the last

I will not review the plot line, as the other commentators did. I received this book as a special edition, signed by the author himself and because of my own busy schedule, I had to read the book in pieces, instead of devouring it in one sitting, like I would have liked. Although I sometimes had to put the book down for weeks, the characters and the plot stayed fresh in my mind. They were described in such fashion that made it easy to put everyone in their own place, I was anxiously awaiting to find out who this person/creature was that wanted to make the potion. Although I would have liked a more in depth introduction of Donovan DeChance, he was nevertheless a very likable character and I can't wait to find out more about him. I'm sure this book could easily have exceeded 1000 pages and many more twists and turns. This novel is extremely captivating and if you have a day to spare, absolutely worth reading in one sitting. But even if you can't rest assured that the characters and the plot won't fade from your memory and you can pick up right where you left off.

Fun with Wizards and Vampires

I read the back-of-the-book blurb for Vintage Soul and wondered how I could improve upon something that so well summarizes the plot, and the description of the main character, Donavon DeChance, bibliophile, and practicing detective with wizardly powers. Unlike so many book blurbs this one does an excellent job. Still I'll press on with my own observations. Donovan will no doubt be compared to Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden, Chicago's only wizard cum private eye. Harry's a nice guy, somewhat clumsy, and never seems to get the girl. Donavon, on the other hand, at 6'3" with an athletic build, is more urbane and confident, and has a gorgeous girlfriend. He also knows how to handle innumerable spells and charms making him one of the top investigators of San Valencez, CA's underworld. It's for this reason that the vampire council chooses him to find find the beautiful vampiress Vanessa before her kidnapper has a chance to use her in as the sacrifice in an ancient, and dangerous ritual. Dominic does much of the sleuthing on his own but is aided by the lovely Amethyst who knows more about the powers of crystals, stones, and talismans than anyone else. Then there is his familiar a very clever cat named Cleo plus the recent addition of Asmodeus, a shabby but knowledgeable crow (his former human suffered a nasty demise) whom Cleo despises. Mages, demons, and other preternatural creatures prove worthy adversaries as well as friends for Donovan. This clever urban fantasy is packed with solid writing and filled with crisp details. Wilson is a whiz at painting with words. Below is a description of a ritual gone very wrong when an inept practitioner fails to control the demon he has raised. "The circle had become white pillar stretching from floor to ceiling. It was impossible to see into the interior, and no sound escaped from within, but the air hummed with energy and then, with a shudder, the remnant of the circle blew asunder. Air and sound raced outward, pounding the windows from the old cathedral outward and sending a shower of broken wood frame glass shards in a long arc, pummeling the street and homes beyond."

Suspenseful and stylish

Hidden within the city of San Valencez, California, a dark and mysterious society thrives. A society shaped by the supernatural, magic, wizards and vampires. Amongst blood scented candles in a luxuriant and sumptuous setting, vampires gather to indulge in a celebration, hosted by the enticing Preston Johndrow and Vanessa DiCaprio. "I have brandy, I have the blood of kings...I have the exsanguinated voices of an entire choir in three cases, from bass and contralto to the shiver of soprano. Tonight, we will celebrate the blood." However, the celebration quickly turns to horror as security is breached and Vanessa is abducted. A private investigator skilled in the art of magic, Donovan DeChance, is hired by the elder vampires to find and rescue Vanessa. Armed with talismans, charms and a wealth of magical knowledge, DeChance embarks on a dangerous journey. With the help of his self-assured and powerful partner, Amethyst and his unique Cat, Cleopatra, DeChance sets about solving the mystery, fighting his way through supernatural dangers and rogue vampires. A young vampire, Vein and a crow, Asmodeus, are just a few of the intriguing characters that inhabit the darker side of San Valencez. The occasionally cocky Donovan DeChance is charming and likable. The reader is lured into a world that is fluid, uncertain and ominous. Vintage Soul is a thrilling read, full of suspense and style.

fascinating urban fantasy noir

In San Valencez, California someone with incredible skills breaks into the home of Johndrow, not an easy task considering the security he has and that he happens to be a master vampire. That individual killed an ancient wizard who was his security chief and abducted his lover three century old vampire vixen Vanessa. Neither of these actions is the work of a normal break and enter caper. Whoever did this has extraordinary power, but Johndrow has one goal: bring back his beloved home. However, he is also realistic about a counter assault as his unknown foe he assumes has much greater power than he has. He needs help so he turns to ancient manuscript collector, the human mage Donavan DeChance, who walks on both sides of the normal-paranormal spectrum without fear of either. Donovan, accompanied by a crow, a cat and his lover the mage Amethyst, begins the inquiry into the super paranormal as the sleuth magician fears a ritual has begun that could destroy a hell of lot more than just a vampiress. This is a fascinating urban fantasy noir that grips the reader from the opening encounter with bored vampires partying in a penthouse and never slows as the human mage casts spells to stop his opponents. The whodunit is terrific as the hero and his retinue explores the darkness made even darker by a grim serial killer who drains the blood of the undead. Fans will want to join Donovan and company on their trek to solve a supernatural murder mystery before it is too late. Harriet Klausner