Reviewed by Vicki

TITLE: Potato Surprise: A Brimstone Prequel 

SERIES: Brimstone #0

AUTHOR: Angel Martinez

PUBLISHER: Mischief Corner Books

LENGTH: 120 pages

BLURB:

Before Ness, before Corny, before Leopold and Heckle and Mac, there was just Shax and Verin and a newly stolen, er, acquired cargo ship. Join Shax on his first adventure in space in which a pampered demon prince has a lot to learn.

When a steel trap of celestial and infernal politics threatens to close around them, Shax and Verin flee Earth’s system in a stolen ship, leaving everything behind. It’s an elegantly simple plan, with a new ship and a new life as carefree brigands among the stars.

But the ship seems to hate them, and in order to have any sort of life they need funds. A frightened man offering them a contract to deliver three mysterious crates comes just in time, and Shax is sure their troubles are over. Out of his environment and in over his head, Shax scrambles to understand the players and the consequences of his new life. With cargo that’s not what it seems, shadowy motives around every turn, and a gorgeous rogue named Julian for a dash of added confusion, Shax’s grand schemes of a new start may be his demise before he can even begin.

REVIEW:

This could be a little spoilerish, be warned!

What a cool little story! I have read and LOVED the other Brimstone books, but it always felt like we started in the middle of shax’s story, now we get to see the beginning.

Demons Shax and Verin are on the run, and steal a spaceship, really having no idea what to do with it, or where to go. They end up at the back-end of the universe, with no money, no plan, and a limited understanding of their stolen ship. After a bit of an argument and Verin getting rough with poor Shaxy, they are able to convince the ship it’s now theirs, activate the AI (computer persona that runs the ship), and get moving. They head to the closest planet of ill repute to begin their new life as pirates.

There they take a job to transport three crates. Seems so simple, right? Well, no, nothing is simple with Shax being curious and clueless! He gets them involved in a bizarre plot involving stolen gem bugs, and a pissed off politician.

I loved this story! I am a HUGE fan of Angel Martinez books, her sci-fi and fantasy stories are fabulously creative. This one, although it’s short, is right up there with the quality of her others. Shax is a fantastic character, a bad boy with a good heart, a penchant for stealing pretty things,  and the arrogance that goes along with being a demon. Verin is the perfect counter to that, and provides some wonderful snark. This book is before the arrival of Ness, Shax’s angel lover, and that was a little hard to see, but I loved the look at this early part in the story of Shax and Verin. The additional characters are great, especially Julian. Ivanna, the drag queen AI, is just so perfect. The bugs were cool, and just the perfect temptation for Shax. The plot was quirky and creative, well written and fast paced. Just what I expect from Angel.

I love Shax and his little black heart!

If you have read the other Brimstone books you’ll love this one, if you haven’t, you should give this one a try. It’s not really a romance, that comes in the next book when Shax meets the love of his life, but this is still a great story and needs to be read. If you haven’t tried and Angel Martinez story, this would be a good place to start. Then go read more!

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Mischief Corner Books

Amazon

ARe