FANGS AND STILETTOS

DiFiore (Maverick Men: The True Story Behind the Videos, 2010, etc., which he co-authored) crafts a clever urban fantasy story set in the world of high fashion in his first solo outing.

In a post-Twilight world, readers have enormous appetites for mythical romance and gripping fantasy tales. In DiFiore’s offbeat entry, vampires, werewolves, zombies and other unusual beings work in the fashion industry. Adopted twins Natasha and Marciano, along with their nonadopted sister Betty, are headed to New York City for fashion week, encouraged by their designer parents to have fun and get to know the world of haute couture. However, the twins’ adopted family has kept a secret from them for all of their 21 years: they are both “supernaturals” who are immune to the effects of others of their kind. The twins soon run up against a shadowy group called the Caligae, led by famous designer Candice Brown, which seeks to keep other supernaturals in line. It turns out that the twins are members of another group known as the Thirteen, which seeks to dethrone the Caligae queen. During the busiest week of the fashion industry, the twins take part in a plan to take Brown down, using Brown’s model daughter as bait. Along the way, both siblings find love with other supernaturals. Once readers accept the somewhat wonky premise, they will enjoy the novel’s sharp writing and its motley crew of likable supporting characters. The novel is fast-paced throughout, and Natasha and Marciano are fully developed as multidimensional protagonists in a strong, engrossing tale. Its conclusion leaves things open for a potential sequel.

An engaging novel that will please teenage and adult urban-fantasy fans.