Geist by Philippa Ballantine – review

Geist by Philippa Ballantine was a fun little jaunt through a new fantasy land I want to visit again.  The plot is a bit twisty and convoluted and full of interesting characters and annoying evildoers.  The story follows Deacon Sorcha Faris as she is sent on a seemingly routine assignment to a Priory in a remote spot of the landscape that should not be very difficult.  However, considering the way she was given the task, that her husband/partner is in a coma, and that she’s to be given a new partner just for the trip, Sorcha knows there is something off about the operation.  Sorcha is a Deacon of the Order, a group that shook off its religious roots long ago and now concentrates on banishing geists and dealing with other demons as they arise.  Deacons of the Order work in pairs; the Active and the Sensitive work together to enhance each others’ gifts to better effect their aims for the Order.

Sorcha, an Active, and Merrick, her new Sensitive partner, find that there is more out of place than their unusual partnership.  On the way to the Priory at Ulrich, they run into some odd and difficult situations.  In fact, one such situation is nearly the death of them until they are rescued by Raed, who happens to be Pretender to the throne of the Emperor the Order works for and who is cursed in such a way as to attract geists and demons aplenty.  The Deacons strike up an unlikely and shaky partnership with Raed to deal with their original assignment, as they now believe it will end up being much more difficult than they had first thought.

Possible mild spoiler ahead!!!  While the story was fast-paced, full of interesting scenery, action, and characters, with an exciting plot, there was one instance where I thought that the author had either taken a shortcut or didn’t see the forest for the trees.  There was one character that just seemed a tad off, and we find out why later on in the story.  However, the actual character, because of who and what she is, would not have acted in such a manner as to arouse suspicions.  Additionally, both Sorcha and Merrick are dubiously not suspicious about her, if you understand my meaning.  (END POTENTIAL SPOILERS)

There were a few other nitpicks I would have made had I been the editor (and I don’t even play one on TV), but overall it was a satisfying fantasy adventure.  And I most definitely am looking forward to seeing what comes next.  I also hear that she and another author have collaborated on a steampunk novel that is to be published soon; another thing to add to the TBR list.