If you are torn between reading something cozy right now for comfort and reading a little horror because it’s awesome, then look no further than Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff this summer. A little bit horror, a little bit romance, a whole lot cozy, Direct Descendant was a delightfully distracting read, perfect for a slightly different beach read or a cozy day on the couch.
The town of Lake Argen is remote and isolated because it likes it that way. The idyllic small town is a little too idyllic—because generations ago the town founders made a deal with a dark power for prosperity. They keep outsiders out, deal with the odd incursion, and in return they watch the silver flow from their mine and their town prosper. Cassidy Prewitt runs the town bakery and has also been chosen as one of the servants of the Dark. When a wealthy visitor disappears in Lake Argen, it falls to Cassidy to deal with both official questions and the private investigator that the man’s family sends to the town. To Melanie Solvich, a recently unemployed teacher, the chance to earn a much-needed windfall just for driving to the middle of nowhere and asking a few questions seems like the perfect opportunity. She is not prepared for how strange the town is, or how cute the town baker is…
This was a fun setup for horror that is somehow a little cozy. The townspeople are perfectly aware of the deal their forebears struck, so dealing with a minor demonic incursion or a deal gone wrong is business as usual to them. They have systems, protocols, and experience in anything the Dark can throw at them. I enjoyed the dichotomy between how matter of fact they were about it vs the rare outsiders who do know something is up with the town. I was fascinated by the way that the townspeople kept trying to matchmake Cassie and Melanie screamed small town romance, while the looming supernatural threat posed by the missing man screamed horror. It felt like reading one of those mid-00’s cable shows like Eureka, and I had a blast. If Huff wanted to do more in this same town, I would certainly read them.
This was also a cute romance. Melanie is looking for somewhere to put down roots, and Cass is looking for something that’s hers and not her family’s legacy. The way they were both instantly into each other was a little fast, but also maybe they were just supernaturally meant to be, and either way, they still have their share of problems to overcome. Turns out having a weekend fling with a cute baker does not prepare you for a supernatural showdown or the truth about Lake Argen, shockingly. As truths are revealed and clues are sleuthed, Melanie has to decide what she’s willing to live with (or without).
Direct Descendant was a fun little read, perfect to bump up your summer reading hours. Sitting in the sweet spot of romance and horror, it was adventurous enough to keep me hooked but cozy enough to be a truly relaxing read.
