Gone Wishing: A Steel City Genie Short Novella (The Steel City Genie Book 0) by Janeen Ippolito
Fishing. Sibling bonding. Hungry, deadly bridge trolls.
My half-brother Gideon and I just wanted a lazy evening fishing along the Allegheny river. Considering we work crappy jobs in the Fae slums of Pittsburgh, we needed the break.
Then the bridge trolls show up. They grab Gideon as the main course, and me as an appetizer.
Normally, the Fae cops charge in to save the day. But when you’re a half-genie with scattered magic and criminal status just for existing, no Fae show up to help you. Even if Gideon is the world’s cutest otter shifter.
So it’s up to me, Allis Evanenko, to get us out of this mess—and rescue the humans captured by the trolls.
Well, this should be fun. At least Gideon has a cello.
“If I could just keep them talking long enough, maybe I’d come up with a solution. It’d worked before. It could work again, right?
God, if You’re up there, I could use some help right now.
Destiny had bound me and Gideon together, something that’d saved my sanity more than I’d ever admit. And I’d gotten out of plenty of other scrapes, enough to know that the Big Guy had a reason for me. This could be another one of those times.
The troll holding Gideon tightened its grip, fingers sinking into my brother’s fur. “You come now. Or he die now.”
Blocky stone fingers dug in even more. My pulse froze.”
Allis and Gideon are Fae-human half-breeds who were orphaned young and do odd jobs to survive. They go fishing and end up as the catch of the day for some trolls. Now they just have to survive.
This novella, really more of a short story, is both humorous and well written. It does a good job of introducing us to the primary characters of the Steel City Genie urban fantasy series set in modern day Pittsburgh. The story would benefit from more details about the character’s appearances and the surrounding areas.
Magic in the book seems based on genetics and the ability to tap into the energy field of the magisphere rather than supernatural. Those who belong to various Fae races co-exist with humanity, who are generally unaware of them. The Fae have a wide range of individual personalities, ranging from selfish to selfless. They are also usually intolerant towards half-breeds. Allis prays to God, but there is no overtly religious content, making it an enjoyable read for both non-Christians and Christians.
I really enjoyed the character of Allis, a despised half-genie female, because despite her tough upbringing, her heart is to help others. She sometimes comes across as a little too focused on the physical appearance of men when she first meets them. Unlike many Fae, she considers everyone important and tries her best to help the humans caught up in events beyond their control.
Her half-brother Gideon, an otter shape shifter, is humorous, talented and optimistic. We get to see his more serious side later on. Those who want gritty, hard boiled and profane lead characters will be disappointed.
I found it an enjoyable, if short, read and recommend it for urban fantasy fans, ages 13 and up.
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy with Humor and Mild Romance
Themes: Strive to do right even when treated unjustly, Family, God has a plan
Heat: Mild Romantic thoughts, Implied past intimacy
Cursing / Profanity: No
Violence: Limited fantasy violence, but no gore.
Dave Joutras wrote stories when he was a teen, made up worlds when he was in college, told cliffhangers to his kids at the bus stop, and hasn’t stopped creating new tales at any point in between or since. A devoted Christian, husband, and father of four, Dave loves Kindle Unlimited and all of his published novels can be found there including the Christian inspired fantasy series: The Mole Chronicles , the supernatural Meaghan’s Angel and the superhero series Brother’s Keepers. Some of his favorite authors are Ian Rodgers, Fred Faller, and Marc Secchia.