Review: The Fourth Channel by Jen Kirchner

*Cover and Synopsis from Goodreads

Synopsis:

For years, Kari Hunter's fooled the world into thinking she's just an everyday girl. Sure, she's the lead singer of world-renowned band Vis Viva, but outside of that, she recycles religiously, is an avid supporter of the environment, and a certifiable coffee addict. But Kari has a secret she keeps from her family, friends, and her fans.

Kari Hunter is a necromancer.

The rarest and most powerful of all magic-born, necromancers are notorious for leaving a trail of sacrifices in their wake. But Kari isn't interested in hurting anyone. She works hard at being as un-necromancer-like as possible: everyone she stabs gets a bandage and a lollipop, and whenever her sacrificial knives get too excited at the prospect of violence, she puts them in time-out... in her lingerie drawer.

But when an agent of voodoo master Ruairi O'Bryne catches Kari using her powers, her secret's out. And if Ruairi finds out who Kari is, he'll stop at nothing to make her his next sacrifice.

Helpful Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Website

My Review

Kari is a necromancer. But don't tell anyone, because it is a secret that, trust me, you don't want to get out. Necromancer's are rare, the most powerful magical beings and are greatly feared by those that wield magic because of the sacrifices necromancers are known to make; but Kari is different. Kari doesn't like the sacrificing part of being a necromancer, in fact Kari doesn't really like hurting anyone. Like all secrets, they eventually get out, and when Kari's secret get's out Kari get's put in the sight's of one scary voodoo master.

So Kari is a necromancer, but not just any necromancer, oh no, Kari is a gentle necromancer who pretty much retches at the sight of blood and feels guilty for harming any living thing. Jen Kirchner puts a great spin on Kari. I love how she makes her this world-renowned rock star who isn't exactly afraid of the limelight, and then on the other hand cringes at the idea of pricking her finger. And speaking of pricking her finger, Kari has these awesome knives that are probably the coolest knives I have ever seen. It is not the size or the style or what they look like, but the fact that they have minds of their own and literally shout at Kari to commit bodily harm. 

Jen Kirchner gives Kari's knives such personality they are like complete characters in the book and I absolutely loved it, especially because they are snarky, sarcastic and have major attitude. And they couldn't be more different from Kari. Kari despite being a deadly, feared being, couldn't be more kind, gentle hearted or just fun to be around. 

But that is not all that makes Kari different. You see Kari is not like any other necromancer, she can do things that no other necromancer can do, but being as innocent as she is, she believes that what she does is nothing special, rating herself low on the totem pole of power. Now I don't want to give anything away here, so I will just say this, she is all around awesome and you really need to get to know her!

Besides Kari, The Fourth Channel has a slew of other really awesome characters and I'm not just talking about the knives, but those are awesome too! First we have her band mates, Ryan, Brad (who is also her cousin), and Nicolas who are all fabulous, but Brad is definitely my favorite, plus Jen Kirchner gives us more of him, so there is more of him to love! Then there is Mikelis who is the most feared necromancer, ever. So needless to say he is a grade-A bad-a** and he has rightly earned that title, but he has a soft side for Kari and of course it just adds all kinds of spice to the book, and did I mention that he is all kinds of yummy? Well he is, another reason to read this book! 

I absolutely loved The Fourth Channel, Jen Kirchner gives us a completely different take on the idea of the necromancer, giving us a true king of magical beings. In Jen Kirchner's take necromancers can create spells and take away spells, making them the ultimate people not to mess with! From the way magic is used and described it is easy to imagine yourself watching a movie as this plays out on the big screen plus I have to say that I totally dig her idea of "The Floor," a place for souls as they await their trip to wherever they are destined to end up. 

After reading The Fourth Channel I think it is safe to say, that I totally want to be a necromancer! So, if you haven't already picked up this book and are looking for an adventure into the world of voodoo, magic, snark, power, humor, and fun; then you definitely need to pick up The Fourth Channel! 

"Hey," I said, my voice matching their level of excitement. "Who wants to go for a ride in the garbage disposal? You know, it's the ugly metal thing that spins real fast." (kindle, loc. 3065).

Being a huge fan of sarcasm and the knives in this book I had to pick a moment that highlights both! In this moment Kari is threatening some snarky knives with a ride! Usually she sticks with the lingerie drawer, but this was a pretty good supplement!