First, I’m really enjoying this series, It’s lighthearted and irreverent. Chester is Hilarious, and by now, Damon has pretty much accepted him for what he is. For the most part Damon treats Chester like a slow, somewhat psychotic, but beloved, little brother. Marco and Christin are also fun (even if they make confusing decisions). then there’s Melina.
I didn’t understand Damon’s instant attachment to Melina in the first book, and i still dont get it. Don’t get me wrong, she can be fun, particularly when interacting with Chester; but she contributes nothing to the team; and often is a HUGE liability. We’re told – repeatedly – that she’s smart, but she never contributes to ANY problem solving, she just takes notes. And, yes, she had this horrible thing happen to her and after a hundred years of failure, in only a couple weeks with Damon she gets a lead on the responsible party and she goes immediately uncontrollably berserker rage insane; and very nearly gets all her new loved ones killed. Damon should have flayed her for the stunt she pulled, instead he just pats her back, tells her it will be alright, and enables her wildly irresponsible behavior. Is it too much to expect that an elf more than a hundred years old would have some self control?
Finally, Plot holes. there are two huge plot holes and numerous tiny ones in this book. One relates to the enforcement of Damon’s contract – or specifically the lack of enforcement of a major clause in the agreement. Honestly, i think the author just forgot about that part and hoped everyone else did too. I’m just saying that it was implied that system contracts were either unbreakable, or enforced with fire and brimstone; and that hasn’t happened. The second huge plot hole revolves around Melina’s power level as established in book one but proved inconvenient in Book 2; requiring a nerf bat and a terrible explanation.
i’m not saying the book is bad. its not. its really fun. i’m just saying it would be improved by an entire star if Melina suddenly developed amnesia … or self control.