Serenity Blake: Paranormal Relic Hunter by Natalie G. Owens – Book Review
Serenity Blake: A prequel sets up the “Paranormal Relic Hunter” series by Natalie G. Owens. The urban fantasy draws readers into a world of dark magic, conspiracies, and family secrets.
Serenity Blake has lived a quiet, reclusive life since her parents’ deaths. She lives on the top floor of the building she inherited and leaves the day-to-day operations of her antique shop, Hidden Treasures, to her employees. Her predictable existence is upended by a cryptic call from Italy: her estranged grandfather has died, leaving her an inheritance. Yet it comes with strict instructions: retrieve it in Venice and return to New York before opening it.
Intrigued but wary, Serenity and her best friend, Zelana Dewan, travel to Italy. What begins as a straightforward journey quickly spirals into a perilous adventure as Serenity is plunged into a world of dark magic, ancient conspiracies, and secrets entwined with her family’s mysterious past. Along the way, Serenity is joined by the enigmatic American Vincent Crowley and her friend Alistair McKnight.
Compelling cast with need for depth
Usually, the first-person perspective doesn’t appeal to me. But this time, it serves its purpose well because it offers an intimate look into the protagonist's thoughts and emotions. Serenity Blake is a strong and intelligent woman, but her major trust issues and reserved demeanor add layers to her personality. She has a unique gift—or curse, as she often feels—which allows her to see and communicate with ghosts. Her wit and sass make her an engaging lead, and these qualities shine as she navigates the surrounding dangers.
Serenity’s fighting skills and paranormal abilities are handled effectively. We learn just enough about her powers and her grandfather’s mission to protect magical artifacts to want to know more.
The supporting characters are fleshed out enough to feel distinct, even if some exhibit far too familiar tropes. Zelana provides humor and emotional grounding. Vincent Crowley is intriguing, while Alistair McKnight is a steadfast, reliable, and likable ally. Together, they create a dynamic team that enhances the story’s energy.
Blend of mystery and adventure
The story starts slowly, but once it gains momentum, it delivers an engaging plot. The pacing improves as the mystery surrounding Serenity’s inheritance unfolds. The supernatural elements, especially Serenity’s ability to communicate with spirits, seamlessly integrate into the story. Owens cleverly avoids portraying the ghosts as purely benevolent. Instead, they vary in nature, adding a layer of unpredictability to the plot.
Unlike many prequels that focus heavily on the protagonist’s origin or acquisition of powers, Owens takes a different approach. The inheritance and the resulting adventure take precedence over Serenity’s paranormal abilities. While Serenity’s ghostly interactions and Crowley’s mystic abilities add flavor to the narrative, they do not dominate the storyline. Instead, these elements enrich the world-building without overshadowing the central mystery.
A promising start with room to grow
Natalie G. Owens successfully blends paranormal elements with ancient artifacts, secret societies, and modern-day intrigue. This book establishes the urban fantasy series rather than delivering a self-contained adventure. While the story has its flaws, overall, it's quite entertaining.
However, as the series progresses, Owens must deliver on the promise of action-packed adventures comparable to Tomb Raider, The Librarian, and Indiana Jones. This prequel is a good start, but fans of those franchises will expect more high-stakes action and deeper character exploration.
