Unbound
ISBN: 0-373-61765-8 (Silhouette Nocturne)
Finished: 24 October 2007
Who: Kara Shane and Risk Leidolf
Summary: Risk Leidolf was a hellhound — a legendary, otherworldly creature who was both man and beast. For centuries, he’d been bound to do the bidding of a cruel witch queen. But after being ordered to destroy novice witch Kara Shane, the man within him rebelled. And the beast within him was held at bay — for now. Fiercely drawn to each other, Risk and Kara soon formed a passionate alliance as they set out to find her missing sibling — and the key to his salvation. For the power unleashed by twin witches could free him from the witch queen’s bondage.
Comments: As much as I loved Dark Gate, I have to admit this Nocturne is probably my favorite so far. I loved Risk. Trapped and manipulated by Lusse, a witch who steals other witches’ powers in order to prolong her life, Risk more than anything wants to be free of her. The only benefit of being the alpha of her pack is that it allows him the freedom to move about in the human world, — even if it means doing her bidding. He is sent to retrieve Kara, and for the first time, he is hesitant. He even goes so far as protecting her from another of Lusse’s hellhounds, sent as assurance that Risk is following orders.
The fact that Kara has a twin sister, Kelly, allows Risk to contemplate the possibility of finally being free of Lusse. For the first time, he allows himself to have hope. This opens the doors to other things that could put his plans in jeopardy: his growing attraction to Kara and the fear for her safety. His unpredictable and manipulative boss has made the stakes higher for Risk by revealing a little secret she’s kept from him. More than just his freedom hinges on finding Kelly.
Risk also knows that he must explain to Kara about what he is and what his initial interest in the twins is all about. Risk’s attempt to make Kara understand fails. Horrified and heartbroken, Kara orders him to leave. Not wanting to hurt her more, he leaves, determined to rescue Kelly and keep the sisters safe from Lusse, no matter the consequences.
Even though Kara starts off a little on the helpless side, she gains confidence in herself when she learns that she is a witch and becomes more comfortable with her powers. Without Risk’s help, she finds out what happened to her sister and boldly sets out to rescue Kelly, literally one step ahead of Risk and Lusse.
I’m looking forward to Kelly’s story, in January, and Venge’s later in 2008.
LOVED IT !!
