This is the second Story of Togas, daggers, and Magic – for lovers of Ancient Rome, Hardboiled detectives, and Urban Fantasy.
A rich landlord finds tenants are abandoning his apartment buildings, spouting tales of horrific events and whispering that the old gods - the numina - came alive and cursed the buildings.
Enter Felix, a professional fox. Dressed in a toga and armed with a dagger, Felix is neither a traditional detective nor a traditional magician - but something in between. Whenever there is a foul business of bad magic, Felix is hired to sniff out the truth. Now he must separate fact from superstition - a hard task in a world where the old gods still roam the earth.
In Numina is set in a fantasy world. The city of Egretia borrows elements from a thousand years of ancient Roman culture, from the founding of Rome to the late empire, mixed with a judicious amount of magic. This is a story of a cynical, hardboiled detective dealing with anything from daily life to the old forces roaming the world.
Praise for the Stories of Togas, Daggers, and Magic series:
“Mehr creates a vivid cast and an equally vivid setting in which magic just seems to fit in perfectly.”
-- Richard Knaak, NYT best-selling fantasy author of Legends of Huma
"Mehr's imagined world based on ancient Rome feels at once familiar and dreamlike."
-- Ruth Downie, NYT best-selling author of the acclaimed Medicus series of Roman mysteries
In Numina is going to be one of those books I read again and again.
I am a huge fan of the first Felix book, Murder in Absentia, so I am beyond excited that In Numina is just as wonderful a book. It is a fantasy. It is a detective story. It is a historical. I love all three of those genres, but the mix of them has proven to be one of my favourite blends of all. Rome (the basis of his imaginary Egretia) is endlessly fascinating, and the true to life details Mehr adds to the story sent me off in happy research spirals. I spent afternoons reading about how Romans could tell a tavern was also a brothel, or about the tool they used to exfoliate, or cuisine. Then I’d return to the novel to read about hiring a gladiator or dabbling with magic.Felix is a great character. He’s flawed, but he learns. I always root for him. He always seems genuinely curious, and that is a pretty important trait in an investigator. Reading about his adventures is a joy. I found myself smiling as I read. In Numina is going to be one of those books I read again and again. I suggest reading with a nice glass of wine.
Supernatural trouble in the Roman Empire, who'ya gonna call?
A rich Senator is losing tenants to some supernatural horror.
Who's he gonna call?
Felix the Fox supernatural murders investigated, unspeakable horrors removed, and strange magic investigated.
Ok, but seriously. This is the second book in the Stories of Togas, Daggers, and Magic series staring Felix. Now you don’t need to read the first to understand or get this one, and to some degree this one will not spoil the first, beyond knowing that Felix lives to be in book 2.
Assaph makes this alternative view of the Roman empire come alive with details so strong you can almost smell them. The walks through the city help the reader feel that they are actually there “riding shotgun” with Felix as he does his investigations.
Fantastic Romp Through Egretia — A Stunning Facsimile of Ancient Rome
Join Felix the Fox on a mysterious — and spooky — romp through the ancient cobbled streets of Egretia, a city modeled after the fascinating and multi-faceted historical city of Rome, In Numina provides readers a bit of everything — chills, thrills, mystery, and romance.
And, this author has done his research. His alternate history Rome, Egretia, is spun out like a detail-rich tapestry that gives the characters — and their surroundings — depth and realism. From what they ate to how they lived, you'll feel immersed in the colorful culture of this ancient city.
Written from the perspective of Felix, the tale's erstwhile protagonist, this story is packed full of intrigue interspersed with fascinating details pulled from the underbelly of Rome itself.
I found myself immersed in the workings of Felix's cunning thought-processes as he unravels the frightening truth behind the chilling murders in the down-market side of town, and the parade of characters he brings with him are riveting: high-society matrons-turned detective, renegade (and slightly mad) ex-magicians, stone-faced yet loyal gladiators, and even Cicero himself.
The twists and turns are as complex as the city streets of Egretia, and this author does an excellent job of weaving dozens of details into a thread that's as fun to read as it is to try to unravel yourself before the end.
What can I say? Highly recommend for readers of alternate history, mystery, action-adventure, and similar genres.
