VALKYRIE is the first book in the Avian Clone Chronicles series by Cheryl Brooks. Some of the characters that appear in VALKYRIE also appear in other books set in this world. Reading them is not necessary to understanding or enjoying this book, but they give some interesting context for the characters. Avian clone Valkyrie is a tech whiz who helps people who are desperate and have nobody else to turn to. In this case, Zia – a Mordrial (kinda sorta witchy) woman – needs to find out who killed her sister Letsa. Zia and Valkyrie have been around each for years, without ever really getting to know each other. They have friends in common and work they do with the local orphanage. The romance that develops between them comes as a surprise to them both.

I love a good mystery and, for me, VALKYRIE is a classic detective story with noir elements mixed with Cheryl Brooks’ distinctive style. Zia wasn’t especially close to her sister in recent years, and she feels guilty about that, along with the survivors’ guilt after her sister’s violent death. Even with her telepathic abilities, Zia feels impotent at avenging her sibling. Although Valkyrie can appear somewhat reserved and standoffish to those who don’t know him well, he has a good heart and goes out of his way to help others when he can. There is an initial physical attraction, but that only deepens as these two characters work together to figure out what happened and provide justice. Zia and Valkyrie pound the pavement questioning witnesses, talking to cops, examining the scene of the crime, and hunting down clues and suspects. Cheryl Brooks manages to get a great mix of the fantastic and whimsical with that threat of danger and malevolence on the periphery. I love how there’s not a lot of angst when it comes to the romance. Both Zia and Valkyrie are pretty honest early on about their feelings for each other, and the physical intimacy is fun and best described as joyful and spicy.

VALKYRIE is a classic detective story with a thoroughly futuristic computer hacking sexy avian sleuth. I like the feeling of community in this novel, and the way supporting characters become invested in resolving the mystery. A huge strength in any Cheryl Brooks story, like this one, are the quirky and sympathetic characters. I’m eager to see how this series develops, and what new characters pop up in future books.