Generations ago, the founders of the idyllic town of Lake Argen made a deal with a dark force. In exchange for their service, the town will stay prosperous and successful, and keep outsiders out. And for generations, it's worked out great. Until a visitor goes missing, and his wealthy family sends a private investigator to find him, and everything abruptly goes sideways.

Now, Cassidy Prewitt, town baker and part-time servant of the dark force (it's a family business) has to contend with a rising army of darkness, a very frustrated town, and a very cute PI who she might just be falling for . . . and who might just be falling for her. And if they can survive their own homegrown apocalypse, they might even just find happiness together.

Queer, cozy, and with a touch of eldritch horror mixed in just for fun, this is a charming love story about a small-town baker, a quick-witted PI, and, yes, an ancient evil.

I've loved Tanya Huff for years so I won't claim this is an unbiased review in any way; but in “Direct Descendent”, Tanya Huff has blended elements of previous novels into something new, a queer and fun eldritch paranormal story that is just a blast to read. I dare you not to fall in love with Cassidy and Melanie.

It's hard to pinpoint what I loved the most because it was such a fun read. But I'll start with the witty dialogue and the unique characters in the town of Lake Argen. Just when you think you've read it all, Tanya Huff flings another unique townsperson at you. The cast and the humorous conversations will keep you entertained.

I also love how the dilemma is written, with conflict on the rise and Cassidy, along with the town, trying to discover who is behind the dark emerging. The actual conflict is well-handled; and while I won't hand over spoilers, I like who the ultimate antagonist turns out to be. It was interesting and the resolution was intriguing. I also like that there's a fun surprise at the very end.

If you like unique paranormal romance that is queer and fun with a touch of eldritch horror thrown in, I expect you will love this novel. It is entertaining, funny, and everything you want in a queer romance that involves an army of darkness.

Rating: 5 out of 5 eldritch horrors. ~~ Andrea Rittschof

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