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.
Kiss of Fate
Title: Kiss of Fate
Author: Deborah Cooke
Copyright: 2009 (Signet); 396 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-22616-7
Series: Dragonfire #3
Sensuality: Hot
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Possible spoilers for previous books!
Her: Eileen Grosvenor, PhD. She’s a comparative mythologist and in England to hunt down the real story behind a urban legend involving a dragon. A college friend asks her to look at some old, but odd, items up for auction and Eileen suddenly finds herself in the middle of a conflict involving dragons. She also meets her mysterious dream lover — a man she’s so attracted to, the fact he can shift into a dragon doesn’t concern her overmuch. Unbeknown to Eileen, she is in fact the reincarnated Louisa Guthrie, Erik Soreenson’s mate and Sigmund’s mother.
Him: Erik Soreenson, leader of the Pyr. Erik never expected to get a second firestorm. Diaster and betrayal marred his union with Louisa and their son grew up to be a Slayer. Erik also believes he’s the intended sacrifice in the third part of the prophecy. However, the Great Wyvern has other plans for him. Before Erik can continue to lead the Pyr in their fight against the Slayers, he must deal with the past and heal himself.
There is quite a bit going on in this book. Besides Erik having to come to terms with the fact he’s getting a second firestorm, there is still the problem of the dark academy (basically, zombie dragons) and the Dragon’s Blood Elixir. The Pyr have yet to find a way to destroy either. Their numbers are too small for a direct confrontation with the Slayers and their zombies — especially since two of the Pyr have expectant mates. Quinn and Donovan won’t leave Sara and Alex unprotected. Delaney, still struggling to overcome the nightmare of his time in the clutches of the Slayers, is more of a liability than an asset. But some things do start to go their way. A Pyr from an old blood line — long thought to have died out — is discovered, adding one more potential warrior to the cause. Plus, Rafferty gets his hands on the other enchanted, ancient dragons. With their help, one of the Pyr’s problems is solved, but at a great cost to them.
What I liked: Eileen, like Sara and Alex, rather calmly accepts the existence of dragons. Her profession, a collector and studier of myths and legends, probably helps in that aspect. I appreciate the fact that Ms. Cooke strives to gives us strong, rational heroines who can accept something so fantastic after a brief period of shock/disbelief. Sometimes I wonder if they are too quick. However, I rather have that than a heroine who refuses to believe what is standing right in front of her, and continues through half the book being stubborn about it. And doing stupid things that endanger herself because she doesn’t believe in dragons. Another thing that I’ve appreciated about the heroines is their “Whoa, not so fast, buddy” attitude concerning the whole destined mate/getting pregnant during the first go-around thing.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I’ve been denying myself the pleasure until I get caught up with my reviews.
What I didn’t: Nothing stands out.
Recommend to: Those who have read the first two.
Started: 1 October 2009
Finished: 14 October 2009
Rating:
Liked A Lot
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
by Christina on February 22, 2010
in 2009 "Pub" Challenge,5 Stars,Countdown Challenge,Fantasy,Ilona Andrews,Magic,Other Supernatural Beings,Paranormal Romance,Shape-Shifters,The Year of Readers 2009
On the Edge
Title: On the Edge
Author: Ilona Andrews
Copyright: 2009 (Ace); 309 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-441-01780-5
Series: The Edge #1
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Once upon a time, there was a young maiden named Rose Drayton. She lived in the Edge, that place between magic and mundane, raising her two younger brother to the best of her ability. Rose has a menial job in the Broken (our world) and it is barely enough to keep them fed and clothed. Rose also has powerful magic. Yet, instead of being a blessing, it has been nothing but trouble for Rose. She’s been sought after – literally hunted – by lesser, weaker nobles of the Weird solely, for the purpose of providing potentially powerful children; even other Edgers, more interested in monetary gain than community loyalty, have tried to snatch her up for the reward money offered by desperate peers. The only thing Rose really has is her pride, and if she can’t have love and respect and be desired for herself, she would rather be alone and poor than lower herself to the status of mistress.
Then one day, a knight appears. Declan, Earl Camarine, doesn’t get the chance to say “Hello,” before he finds himself staring at a crossbow aimed at him by a lovely young woman who then proceed to tell him she won’t sleep with him. Intrigued by her out-of-nowhere announcement, Declan gets her to agree to issuing him three challenges: if he succeeds, she will be his; if he fails, he’ll leave her alone.
But all is not right in the Edge. Strange dog-like creatures who seems to have an affinity to magic are endangering the Edgers. Rose and her brothers are not safe, and Declan insist on staying at Rose’s house, to better protect them. Declan and Rose must convince the other Edgers that they band together to eliminate the threat.
What I liked: There is a lot going on in this book, stuff I didn’t even touched on — the above is just the main plot points. There’s William, the cute and mysterious guy who seems interested in Rose, but she can’t put her finger on the reason he seems a little off to her. Then there is George and Jack, Rose’s 10- and 8-year old brothers. Both are adorable without being cutesy. And of course, all the world building. There is quite a bit of it, since the Weird and the Edge are not simliar. Each has their own “rules” and culture. The elements seem familiar — the Weird sounds like a historical, but with magic — and even Rose thinks the nobles live the life of leisure attending parties and balls.
It took a bit, but I eventually warmed up to Declan. He comes across as your typical historical snooty noble — and you wonder why Rose isn’t falling for William instead. There’s more going on, of course. Once Rose gets to know Declan a little better, I started to like him.
What I didn’t like: Casshorn and the “hounds”. Yuck.
This book was the first full length novel I read on my e-Reader.
Recommended to: Fans of fantasy or paranormal romances (yes, this one is more a romance than the Kate Daniels books).
Started: 29 September 2009
Finished: 30 September 2009
Rating:
LOVED IT !!
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
