Publishers Weekly
02/23/2015
Peeler (the Jane True series) kicks off a series with this entertaining urban fantasy, which populates Pittsburgh with all sorts of interesting mythological creatures. For 1,000 years, Lyla has been cursed to live as a jinn, serving whoever can bind her with the right spells. But now the end has come: if she’s unbound in a week’s time, she’ll be human once more. So when Ozan “Oz” Sawyer captures her, she’s rightfully miffed. But he needs her power and help to rescue the missing daughter of an old friend, and despite initial objections, Lyla is surprised by how much she likes Oz. As they work together, they discover that something weird is happening in Pittsburgh, and the entire magical community is at risk from those who would enslave, exploit, or destroy its members. Mindful of her impending deadline, Lyla must rally her friends and unleash her full power to save the city. Peeler gets points for the originality of the premise, but loses some for the predictability in both the urban fantasy plot and the obligatory romance. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore and Company. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"Peeler is perfect. Jinn and Juice is her best urban fantasy yet with vibrant characters that leap off the page fully formed from the first line. Fast-paced, rowdy, smart, irresistible, and tender, there's just no one who hits the urban fantasy marks as well as Peeler. Buy this book! Read it! Love it!"—Kat Richardson on Jinn and Juice
"Peeler has done it again! Jinn and Juice is a delightful read filled with action, humor, heart, and a heroine to cheer for. And it doesn't hurt that there are also sirens, trolls, bugbears, and plenty of Pittsburgh steel."—Kevin Hearne, author of Hounded, on Jinn and Juice
"Jinn and Juice is a raucous, raunchy tale well told. One thing's certain: you'll never look at Pittsburgh the same way after you've taken Nicole Peeler's mythic joyride up, down, and sideways in pursuit of an abducted teenage girl and freedom from a thousand-year curse. Legend and history, betrayal and love intertwine as the story moves from lascivious sex clubs to the unraveling of a mystery to a magical jinni throw-down which will leave you panting for more. Jinn and Juice is Urban Fantasy at its smartest, naughtiest, funniest best."—Juliet Blackwell
"Snarky, sexy! Beautifully descriptive and painstakingly plotted. Lyla is a smart, sly and just this side of scary. Peeler's world-building is clever and complete with every possible fairy folk character! The other-worldly seems familiar and glamorous all at the same time. And I learned how to curse in a few new languages, so it was educational!"—Molly Harper on Jinn and Juice
"Nicole Peeler is a master at weaving humor and romance together to create addictive stories and characters!"—Richelle Mead on Jinn and Juice
"Rising star Peeler returns with a new Pittsburgh-set urban fantasy series featuring a cursed jinni... The supremely gifted Peeler adeptly builds her alternate Pittsburgh by making it a funky and magically polluted refuge for non-pureblood supernaturals. Fabulous characterization, witty dialogue and a clever plot make for a magically mixed-up tale that is both fun and thrilling!"—RT Book Reviews on Jinn and Juice
"This series is urban fantasy at its best!"—RT Book Reviews Top Pick! (4.5 stars) on Tempest Reborn
"Grounded equally in ancient myth and the challenges of modern life, Jane True lives up to her name ... true, and truly unique! A fascinating, fast-paced, sexy storm of a book."—Rachel Caine on Tempest Rising
"Witty and fun, with a dash of dark suspense."—Scifichick.com on Tempest Rising
"A new star is rising in the urban fantasy world. With her Jane True character, Peeler launches a first-person series that's an exciting journey of self-discovery and murder mystery."—RT Book Reviews (4-1/2 Stars) on Tempest Rising
Library Journal
02/15/2015
Mere days before the curse that made her a jinni is due to expire, Lyla is bound by a magi. Her new master, Ozan, needs her power to help find a missing young woman; he promises to free her as soon as she accomplishes the task. It won't be that easy, but Lyla has a lot of resources after living for a thousand years, not the least of which are her loyal friends. VERDICT The heroine and her friends form a hugely appealing cast of misfit supernaturals living under the radar and working in a strip club in Pittsburgh, of all places. There is just enough romance and magic to make this work for fans of both paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Lyla is earthy, swear-y, and determined to win back her own soul in this new series from Peeler, who also writes the "Jane True" series (2013's Tempest Reborn).
