Demonkeepers by Jessica Andersen
Title: Demonkeepers
Author: Jessica Andersen
Copyright: 2010 (Signet); 448 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-22957-1
Series: The Final Prophecy #4
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Possible Spoilers for first 3 books!
From the Back: All his life Lucius has been an outsider. He yearns to be strong, to be a warrior like the Nightkeepers. And when the Prophet’s magic begins to change him, Lucius finds himself becoming the sort of man he’s always wanted to be. Held back by her lack of a warrior’s magic and the strictures of her bloodline, Jade longs to break out of her supporting role. Determined to prove her worth among the Nightkeepers at any cost, she won’t let anything stand in her way — especially petty matters like love.
Comments: Back when I wrote about Nightkeepers, I made the comment that I thought Lucius would play a larger role in future books. Well, I was right. A lot has happened to him since then, and his continued existence was questionable over the course of the succeeding books; in fact, he was nearly killed in the previous one. The Nightkeepers performed the Prophet spell on him in the hopes that they could save his life and gain access to their missing/hidden library at the same time. Being demon-possessed and nearly decapitated has taken its toll, even without the other changes brought on by the Prophet’s spell. The once tall, lanky beanpole of an academic has transformed into someone who looks like a Nightkeeper. The new Lucius even begins to see things Jade’s way, particularly her view on relationships. By the start of Demonkeepers, Lucius hasn’t had any luck accessing the library using blood magic.
If blood magic isn’t doing the trick, the next step is sex magic. Jade is the only unattached female Nightkeeper left at Skywatch. Knowing the possibility might arise, she has willingly offered herself for the task. Jade and Lucius had a brief, but intense, affair during the time the mages were researching the Volatile and Lucius was on a quest to find Sasha Ledbetter. At the time, Lucius was hoping there was something more to the encounter, but Jade informed him that she doesn’t do relationships: friends with benefits, that’s it. Even so, she hasn’t forgotten their time together, and she does care about him more than she’s ready to admit to. I found it a little hard to warm up to Jade. Her character was the most reserved of all the Nightkeepers. Shandi, her winikin, was not an affectionate person. She raised Jade to be “dutiful, diligent, and decorous”. Learning a bit of Jade’s, and Shandi’s, history helped to understand her better, however.
Lucius and Jade’s inability to tap into their magic stems from their fear of — reluctance to — fall in love. And if you’ve been reading this series from the first book, you know that opening themselves up to love is key to accessing their power. Their first attempt to find the library sends them on a detour before it allows Lucius to enter it. Unfortunately, things are more complicated then everyone was led to believe. The library isn’t the type you can just peruse a card catalog until you find what you need, and come and go as often as you please. Once again, it’s another set-back for the Nightkeepers.
As for the rest of the gang . . .
I really like how Rabbit is becoming more mature and responsible. He’s a far cry from the pissed off kid back in the first book. However, I’m not getting the warm fuzzies about Myrinne. I’m beginning to wonder if she’s the right person for him after all.
Patience and Brandt’s book is next, so there is some set-up going on in this book in preparation.
Speaking of set-up, Sven is seen/heard from more in this book than any other so far. I have my suspicions as to who his romantic interest will be. And Snake Mendez’s — the author said there will be nine books, so unless some Nighterkeepers magically appear, one of the future books will theoretically be about him. So, let’s see: Book 5 is about Patience and Brandt and that leaves four books. Rabbit, Sven, Anna, Snake (not necessarily in that order). I’m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Andersen has in store for us.
It’s really getting difficult to talk about the books in this series since so much could be considered a spoiler as events move closer and closer to the end date in 2012. I had a hard time writing this for that reason.
Bottom line, though I wasn’t very fond of Jade, I still loved the story and I love visiting the Nightkeeper world. Looking forward to the next visit.
Started: 11 April 2010
Finished: 20 April 2010
Rating:
LOVED IT !!
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
home
by Christina on February 15, 2010
in 2010 "Pub" Challenge,2010 Harlequin/Silhouette Romance,3 Stars,Canine,Countdown Challenge,Lori Devoti,Magic,Other Supernatural Beings,Paranormal Romance,Shape-Shifters,Silhouette Nocturne,What's in a Name 3
The Hellhound King
Title: The Hellhound King
Author: Lori Devoti
Copyright: 2010 (Harlequin); 280 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-373-61829-3
Series: Silhouette Nocturne #82; Unbound #5
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Spoilers for the 4th Book!
Her: Marina Adal. Elfin princess – and a witch. Tired of being a political pawn of the royals in Alfheim, she fled to Gunngar. Her reign of terror there was nothing more than an act to keep the elf lords – a different group of elves than the royals – believing that she is on their side. Raf was the first, and only, person who made her feel she was wanted for herself, and not who she was or what she could do for him.
Him: Raf Dolg. Hellhound. Marina’s former lover. His need to avenge his family brought him to Gunngar and to the employ of the elf lords. Raf needs something they possess and all he is asked to do is spy on Marina. The last thing he expected was to start caring about her.
Elfin Politics 101: Alfheim was once ruled by royals. Marina is, it seems, the heir presumptive. However, the elf lords took power after her parents were killed. The elf lords are tech savvy and have introduced technology to Alfheim. Don’t be surprised when you see a car or a computer. Since no elf lord can claim the throne – it will only accept the true heir – they are willing to be the power behind it and they want Marina on their side. The royals, naturally, are traditionalist and want things returned to the old ways. In the power struggle to control the elfin princess, Marina’s uncle Geir has the advantage. He uses Marina’s younger sister, Ky, as leverage to keep her from fleeing Alfheim again.
What to do, what to do? Raf still needs what the elf lords have and that means he’s got to convince Marina that she’d be better off with them. However, it doesn’t take long for Raf to realize that Marina wouldn’t be any better off with the elf lords. If he turns his back on his chance for vengeance, and Marina abandons her sister again, they could leave Alfheim and start a new life together. But Raf can’t walk away and neither can Marina.
Forbidden: The elves have little tolerance for other beings, so it no big surprise that a hellhound has no business consorting with the princess. Right from the prologue, it’s established that Marina’s never met one before and that she’s fallen for Raf, big time. It breaks her heart to learn he was spying on her and she has him imprisoned. Raf is the typical hellhound — though it takes him a bit to realize that he’s in love, once he’s acknowledge it, he’ll doing anything to keep her at his side.
What I liked: Raf. I still love Ms. Devoti’s hellhounds (and garms). Like the last book, this one is also set in another world, though it does start off in our world. The dragon, the same one from Dark Crusade, makes an appearance, and if I’m not mistaken, the 6th book will feature him.
What I didn’t like: Marina. It was hard for me to reconcile the fact that this was the same character from Dark Crusade. In Dark Crusade, she’s a strong character — and the antagonist. In this book, she a helpless prisoner. If you read the two books back-to-back, you might feel disoriented. Other than that, I had no other real issue with the character. She is in a difficult position and she can no longer see a way out without help.
Recommended to: Fans of her previous books and fans of shape-shifters.
Started: 20 January 2010
Finished: 26 January 2010
Rating:
Enjoyed it!
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
e-mail
Eggsecutive Orders
Title: Eggsecutive Orders
Author: Julie Hyzy
Copyright: 2010 (Berkley); 310 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-425-23203-3
Series: White House Chef #3
Sensuality: N/A
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Who: Olivia “Ollie” Paras, White House Executive Chef
Spoilers, but NOT about the mystery!
The Victim: NSA Special Agent Carl Minkus. Had a Joe McCarthy-like reputation when it came to people he suspected of having terrorist ties. His death is sudden and it is believed that he was poisoned.
The Suspects: Quiet a few, as it would be expected when it comes to a man like Minkus, who has dealings with people he suspects of being spies or terrorists. However, Ollie and her staff come under suspicion because he died after eating at the White House.
The Investigation: Ollie and her crew are banned from the White House. Naturally, Ollie is upset and wants to defend the reputation of her staff. She’s being pressured by the Secret Service to keep her nose out of their investigation. Tom, her Secret Service boyfriend, has been told that he’s being held responsible for her actions; that if she gets too involved, he’ll be reassigned from the Presidential Protective Detail. Ollie has no intentions of getting involved in the actual investigation. The Easter Egg Roll is just around the corner and her staff has a lot of things to do for the event. She wants to know when they can return to the kitchen, and if there is anything she can do to make that happen sooner.
Meanwhile: Ollie’s mother and grandmother are visiting. Her plans to show them the White House and have them attend the Easter Egg Roll are on hold, pending the outcome of the investigation. However, Ollie can’t seem to avoid the investigation. She accidentally encounters Ruth Minkus and her son, Joel while sight-seeing with her family, and an “investigative” journalist keeps printing things about her and the incidents at the White House.
Unexpected Developments: Corinne, Ollie’s mother, flirts with a guy that Ollie’s not really sure about. Corinne actually goes out on a date with the man. Apparently, romance is in the air. In the course of the book, Ollie learns of two other romances — just as her relationship with Tom is falling apart.
Fun Fact: While I was reading this book, the History Channel had a special about the White House, filmed during the last year or so of the previous administration, and it featured the real executive chef and chief usher.
The Verdict: I liked this one better than the last one. I thought the mystery was more believable. Ollie continues to be a little too stubborn for her own good and, in this book, it comes with consequences. Poor Tom, I really felt for him.
Recommended for: Mystery lovers and foodies (there are recipes in the back).
Started: 10 January 2010
Finished: 20 January 2010
Rating:
Liked A Lot
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
