2012 The Year of the Dragon

Image: Naypong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What: 2012 Year of the Dragon Challenge
Type: Personal; GoodReads
When: 23 January 2012 – 9 February 2013
Purpose: Read books that feature dragons, whether they are the shape-shifting variety or “real”.  The dragon has to play a major part, not just a “special guest appearance”.  My personal goal is 12-15 books.

01. Winging It by Deborah Cooke
02. Flashfire by Deborah Cooke
03. Blazing the Trail by Deborah Cooke
04. Dark Embers by Tess Adams
05. Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
06. Dragon Actually by G. A. Aiken
07. Firewalker by Allyson James
08.
09.
10.
11.
12.

~~ & ~~

In honor of 2012 being the Year of the Dragon (Chinese zodiac), I thought it would be fun to do a challenge featuring dragons.  This is the only challenge I’m actually hosting, but not here. I’ve posted this challenge in the Serious Overload of Series (SOS) Group on GoodReads. The challenge thread is here. You do have to be a member of the group to participate. The challenge requirements are very flexible — I’ve even allowed for books with “dragon” in the title or a dragon on the cover, even if there isn’t one in the book! No set requirement for number of books — that’s determined by the reader.

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Flying Blind (Deborah Cooke)

Title: Flying Blind
Author: Deborah Cooke
Copyright: 2011 (NAL); 309 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-23388-2
Series: The Dragon Diaries
Sensuality: Kisses
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

From the Back:  Zoë Sorensson is perfectly normal — well, as normal as a girl obsessed with drawing dragons can be.  The thing is, she’s always been told she’s special and destined for great things.  It’s not just because of her good grades, either.  Zoë is the Wyvern of the Pyr — the one female dragon shape shifter with special powers.  But Zoë is at the bottom of the class when it comes to being Pyr, and her powers are AWOL.  Worse, there’s no reference book to consult, and the last Wyvern is dead.  Everything changes when Zoë’s best friend is bullied and Zoë reacts.  Before she can blink twice, her inner dragon is loose, and she’s suspended from school and headed to a shape shifter boot camp with guys she’s known all her life.  But soon she’s doubting her powers — and even some of her friendships .

~&~

1. Reason for choosing this book:
One of my favorite paranormal romance series is Cooke’s Dragonfire series. When I heard that she was doing a Young Adult spin-off featuring Zoë on her journey to become the new Wyvern, I was excited. The Dragon Diaries a trilogy, with the second book due in December and the third in June 2012.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:
I thought the author did a great job with Zoë. She’s a smart girl, but she’s still insecure about things — particularly her near-absent Pyr abilities. But she also thinks, and worries, about the type of things an ordinary 15 year-old girl would be concerned with. Zoë’s not perfect, nor is she the most popular or prettiest. She isn’t one of the cool kids and I like that about her.

Can the trilogy stand alone (separate from the adult series)?  Probably. But there are some things about the Pyr world (that are known to the readers of the adult series) that Zoë is unaware of, despite being raised by her both parents. Though it’s understandable that her father, Erik, can’t teach her how to be the Wyvern, but what about the recent history of the race and more of its lore? For instance, Zoe doesn’t know why there could never be anything between her and Nick Shea, Donovan and Alex’s son. New readers learn along with Zoë.

Beside making it more accessible to new readers, there is a possible “in-story” reason for Zoë’s lack of  knowledge.   Eileen, her mother, is not happy about Zoë’s supposed destiny as the Wyvern and may have forbidden Erik and the others from revealing too much. Mother and daughter have the following exchange early in the book:

“Well, you father will be pleased, at least.”
Really?
I might live to tell about this after all. I glanced up in time to see her turn away in disgust.
“I thought it was my destiny,” I dared to say.
My mom was impatient with the idea. “Well, you can’t blame me for hoping that destiny might pass you by, that you might just be a normal teenager.”

Having knowledge of the Pyr world can work against you. I found it a little disconcerting to learn about the mages, as if they had been around for a while. They don’t play a role, so far, in the adult series.  There has been some interesting tidbits in Whisper Kiss and Darkfire Kiss that could be paving the way for expanding the world building. I’m even more interested than before to read the next Dragonfire book as well as the second book in Zoë’s trilogy.

3. Reasons for recommending this book:
Readers who like dragon shifters and who enjoy reading Young Adult.

Started: 9 October 2011
Finished: 11 October 2011

Rating:

Liked It A Lot!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book. ETA:  I also won an ARC of this book in a charity auction.

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Pride Mates (Jennifer Ashley)

Title: Pride Mates
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Copyright: 2010 (Leisure); 304 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-8439-6005-1
Reissued: 2011 (Berkley)
Series: Shifters Unbound #1
Sensuality: Hot
Genre: Paranormal Romance

From the Back: To most, they are animals — even in human form. They are to be collared and kept on the fringes of society, scorned because they are feared, hated for their extraordinary powers. And DA Kim Fraser has to go right into the heart of their lair. It’s her job to defend those in need. But there’s absolutely nothing defenseless about Liam Morrissey. His soft Irish lilt and feline grace can’t disguise his sheer strength. Nor can the silver chain at his throat, designed to control the aggression of his kind, completely reassure her that this man has been tamed. Yet when a feral shifter begins to stalk them both, Liam is the only one she trusts with her life.

~&~

1. Reason for choosing this book:
I chose this book because I’ve read and enjoyed books written under her Ashley Gardner (Captain Lacey Mysteries) and her Allyson James (Stormwalker) pen names.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:
I liked the premise of this series. The shifters in this book are out in the open and, because of this, are discriminated against, forced to live in specific areas. They can’t hold high-paying or important jobs, barred access to the latest in technology, and have almost no rights — probably can’t vote, but are still expected to pay taxes. They wear collars that zap them with a bolt of electricity if they become too aggressive, especially if they threaten a human.

I also liked many of the characters. Liam’s brother Sean, their nephew Connor, and their father Dylan. I also liked the Lupine shifters, Glory and Ellison.

There was a lot I liked about Kim. She’s compassionate and she believes that shifters should have equal rights under the law. It drives her crazy that she’s getting resistance from the shifter themselves. Kim’s also pretty gutsy, but not always smart about it. However, it does allow her to keep fear at bay in some tense moments.

I definitely loved Liam. He’s strong and alpha, but not aggressively so — he doesn’t have to do the “I’m alpha, obey me” routine. He loves his family fiercely and he’s funny.

Though this book didn’t completely wow me, I like the writer’s style and I do like the story. I will be reading the next book.

3. Reasons for recommending this book:
The premise. It will be interesting to see where the author takes this series.

Favorite Quote:
“What is this ‘top o’ the morning’ crap?”
“It’s how people expect the Irish to talk. That and ‘faith and begorra!’ I’ll throw those in later.”
– Kim, Liam

Started: 20 August 2011
Finished: 24 August 2011

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Tiger Eye (Majorie M. Liu)

Title: Tiger Eye
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
Copyright: 2005; 373 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-06-202015-4
Reissued: 2011 (Avon)
Series: Dirk & Steele #1
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Delilah ‘Dela’ Reese is on vacation in Beijing. A mysterious old woman sells her a puzzle box — and shortly after, Dela is accosted by a strange man who frightens her. It is the same man who was watching the old woman when she sold the box to Dela. Dela manages to get away from him, but the incident has shaken her. In the privacy of her hotel room, she examines the box. Dela has an affinity for metal — it talks to her. Though there only a small amount in the box’s construct, it tells Dela that the box is at least two thousand years old. She manages to open the box and gets the shock of her life when a man bursts into existence from the the light pouring out of the box.

Hari, a shape-shifter, was cursed by an evil man he calls the Magi. To save the life of his sister, Hari promised to be his servant. The Magi killed her anyway, and when Hari tried to take revenge, the Magi placed a curse on him and banished him to the box. Plus, the Magi stole his ability to shift into a tiger. The curse: Hari is immortal and must serve who ever owns the box as long as that person lives. Through the years, Hari’s had many masters who have used and tortured him, but none have broken him. He loathes Dela at first sight because she is yet another master he must obey. However, Dela refuses to command him and goes out of her way to be kind to him, trying to prove that she would never treat him like a slave. Slowly, Hari begins to have hope, though he doesn’t believe there is a way to break the curse and regain his ability to shift.

Shortly after, Dela is attacked. At first, it seems that maybe the man in the market and the attack are connected, but the story the knives used in the attack tells her a different story. Dela is determined figure out why the old woman sold her the box and find out who is targeting her and why.

Comment: I discovered this book when the hidden object/puzzle game was released. I was curious about the game and liked it enough to pick up the book as well as the Dirk & Steele series. Until I read the book, I had no idea how the story ended because the second part of the game hasn’t been released yet! Now that I’ve read it, I really do what to see how the second game plays out, since the author made changes (from the book) when she worked with the developers for the game.

I liked Dela and Hari. They’re both good, decent people. Hari’s been through a lot, but it never destroyed his core ethics. There were a couple of times I agreed with Hari and the others when Dela seemed to be a bit blasé about her safety — but I also agree with her reasoning, that she couldn’t just hide under the bed all the time either.

I really loved this book. One of the things I wanted to learn about was Dirk & Steele itself: how Dela was connected to it, what was its purpose. The game barely touches on it. I also wanted to know more about Roland, too, but like Charlie from “Charlie’s Angels”, he’s only heard from, not seen.

Once Dela and Hari are back in the States, we’re introduced to several members of Dirk & Steele: Artur, Dean, Blue, and Eddie. I loved these guys and I can’t wait to continue with the series.

(Cross-posted, with some modification, from Good Reads)

Started: 3 September 2011
Finished: 4 September 2011

Rating:

Loved It!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Visions of Heat (Nalini Singh)

Title: Visions of Heat
Author: Nalini Singh
Copyright: 2007 (Berkley); 332 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-425-21575-3
Series: Psy/Changeling #2
Sensuality: Hot
Genre: Paranormal Romance

From the Back: Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous — aching need. . .exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her. Changeling Vaughn D’Angelo can take the form of either man or jaguar, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar’s instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating, and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith’s sight for their own purposes. . .

~&~

1. Reason for choosing this book:
I chose this book for several reasons.  It’s been several years since I read the first book in the series and I’ve been meaning to continue with it.  I made reading this book, plus the next in the series, part of my reading goal for the year (the one I dubbed, “Sweet Sixteen”).  It also met the criteria for a group challenge I was participating in at the time.  Shortly after reading this book, I made it my goal to get caught up with the series by the end of the year.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:
Even thought it’s been over two years since I read Slave to Sensation, I was able to pick this one up without any problems. Though the plots are similar, I really thought this book flowed better because it wasn’t encumbered with all the world-building and character introductions that the first book had.

Like the first book,  it’s about a female Psy (Faith NightStar) and a dominant male Changeling (Vaughn D’Angelo). Unlike Sascha, Faith is considered a valuable asset to her family and her PsyClan. Faith is a foreseer, and her abilities allow her to make financial forecasts. She’s the best. I liked her more than I did Sascha. I thought she was a stronger person than she gave herself credit for, even when afraid. I also liked her interactions with the NetMind.

I do love feline shape-shifters as a whole, and I liked Vaughn. I liked how he interacted with Faith. He knew she was strong and he challenged her, teased her. I also liked where he lived. The DarkRiver leopards live in some very interesting “homes”.

I’m really looking forward to reading this series.

3. Reasons for recommending this book:
I would recommend this book to readers who read the first book and wasn’t sure about reading the next book.  I would not recommend reading this book as a stand-alone.

Started: 10 May 2011
Finished: 12 May 2011

Rating:

Loved It!

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Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Whisper Kiss (Deborah Cooke)

Title: Whisper Kiss
Author: Deborah Cooke
Copyright: 2010 (Signet); 391 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-22616-7
Series: Dragonfire #5
Sensuality: Hot
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Possible spoilers for previous books!

The source of the Dragon’s Blood Elixir and the Dark Academy have been destroyed, but many of the shadow dragons still remain. Niall Talbot has taken on the role of eliminating them and any Slayers that get in his way. With most of the Pry currently occupied with their mates and young children, there are only a few of his fellows he can call on for backup. Additionally, Niall is supposed to be mentoring Thorolf, who isn’t showing much progress or initiative, and he’s also running his eco-travel business alone. With so much already vying for Niall’s attention, the last thing he needs, or wants, is a firestorm.

Roxanne “Rox” Kincaid isn’t, at first glance, the sort of woman that would normally attract Niall. When he first sees her, she’s punked out — fishnets, spiked hair, and heavy makeup. Rox knows Thorolf, and thanks to his clumsiness, she knows that dragons are real. Rox has seen Thorolf shift and isn’t the least freaked out when Niall unexpectedly shifts in order to protect her from falling debris. In fact, Rox is thrilled. She’s been fascinated with dragons her entire life. To meet one who is good-looking, and seems to have his act together, is just icing on the cake. It’s quiet possible that Rox would have chosen Niall as a lover, even without the firestorm.

But firestorms are about creating a child, something Rox isn’t too keen about and Niall feels it’s still too dangerous for him to father a child while he’s focusing on eliminating the shadow dragons. He feels specifically targeted. A new enemy emerges, one with a different agenda than the Slayers.

Comments: First off, I like that Rox is a friend of Thorolf’s. She believes in dragons, knows they exist. She’s a talented tattoo artist who’s skill at drawing dragons is good enough to impress the real thing. Rox is also a very generous and giving person. She tries to make a difference in any way she can. She’s been trying to get Thorolf to make something of himself, long before he met the other Pyr, and she sympathizes with Niall in his frustration regarding Thorolf’s many short-comings.

I also like the fact that Niall makes the mistake of judging her by her appearance and she takes him to task for it. Rox and Niall have a lot more in common than Niall would have initially guessed.  Niall overcomes his refusal to deal with the firestorm early in the book, which is a good thing because he was a bit of a jerk — it’s Thorolf, of all people, who’s knowledge of Rox helps Niall see her in a different light.

This book also introduced another character, one who’ll, I’m guessing, play a bigger part in future books beyond Darkfire Kiss. The character has his own agenda that has nothing to do with Magnus and his group, which I’m glad because I’m tired of Magnus — he’s not a dragon, he’s a cat with nine lives!

Though it might not be my favorite of the series, Whisper Kiss held my attention and I was amazed how quickly I finished it.

Started: 26 February 2011
Finished: 28 February 2011

Rating:

Liked It A Lot!

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Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Winter Kiss (Deborah Cooke)

Title: Winter Kiss
Author: Deborah Cooke
Copyright: 2009 (Signet); 389 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-22843-7
Series: Dragonfire #4
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance

From the Back: The mysterious Dragon’s Blood Elixir gives immortality to Magnus, the Pyr’s greatest enemy, and his minions. The Pyr must destroy this source of power, and outcast Delaney vows to complete the quest himself. Delaney was exiled because of his dangerous impulses, and success in eliminating the Elixir will either redeem him or end his suffering. But his plans don’t take into account his sudden firestorm — or fiery Ginger Sinclair. The firestorm revitalizes Delaney, restoring him to his old self. And when Ginger learns about Delaney’s mission, she realizes she cannot resist a strong man with a noble agenda.

~&~

1. Reason for choosing this book:
The Dragonfire series is one of my favorite paranormal romance series.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:

Delaney and Ginger. From the first time I read the excerpt in Kiss of Fate, I liked the couple and I looked forward to reading the full book.  It is my favorite of the series so far, beating out Delaney’s own brother Donovan (Kiss of Fury)

Unlike the other Pyr and their mates, Delaney meets Ginger almost accidentally.  He walks into a bar, unknowingly crashing a private party.  He’s minding his own business when “the cutest woman he’d ever seen” taps him on the arm.  Sparks fly.  Literally.  Delaney never expected to get a firestorm, considering what happened to him, and takes this new development as a sign that his decision to go on a suicide mission is the right one.  He has every intention of satisfying the firestorm before fulfilling his self-imposed obligation.

Ginger believes in kismet, that there’s some one out there for everyone and it’s just a matter of finding that person.  From the moment she first sees him in the bar, she felt a recognition and couldn’t pass up the chance to talk to him.  She flirts with Delaney and they take to the dance floor.  Ginger follows her instincts and they tell her Delaney’s not a bad person.  This, coupled with the fact that he seems to look at her as if she’s the only thing important to him, convinces Ginger to take a chance on him.  Once she finds out he’s a dragon, she doesn’t try to deny the reality.  What pisses her off is the fact Delaney intended to leave her, pregnant, without telling her the truth.

Though Delaney shares the same parental issues that Donavon had, it’s his time in Slayer‘s clutches that casts a shadow of his heart and soul.  Delaney doesn’t think he has a future, that everything would be better if he dies trying to destroy the Elixir.  Ginger is like a ray of sunlight on his soul and she is a threat to his resolve.   Because of her, Delaney wants to stay and build a life together — he just doesn’t think he has that choice anymore.  Ginger thinks he does and she eventually convinces him that he should try to come back from his mission and not go with the determination to die.

The Elixir’s back-story is revealed and the Pyr learn what Magnus had planned for Delaney.  The children conceived in the first three books make their appearance, including the three-month old Zoë Sorensson,  the new Wyvern.

3. Reasons for recommending this book:
Tortured hero.  A heroine who isn’t afraid to take chances on people and speaks her mind.  She doesn’t sit back and wait to be rescued.  Fights for what she believes in.

Started: 31 May 2010
Finished: 3 June 2010

Rating:

LOVED IT !!

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Other books in the series:

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Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Bleeds
Author: Ilona Andrews
Copyright: 2010 (Ace); 349 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-441-01852-9
Series: Kate Daniels # 4
Genre: Urban Fantasy
**** SPOILERS ****

From the back:  Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially, as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle — especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community. When she’s called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar on the border between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there’s a new player in town. One who’s been around for thousands of years — and rode to war at the side of Kate’s father. This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family.

**** SPOILERS ****

1. Reason for choosing this book:
I chose this book because it’s my #1 favorite Urban Fantasy series.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:
The characters. Kate’s a strong person, but she still can be hurt, both physically and emotionally. Same with Curran — Gordon’s Curran POV for this book illustrated how much Kate means to him.

Some observations/thoughts:

• After reading the prologue, way back before the book came out, I speculated that the reason Curran was a no show was due to loups. It was the first thing that made any sense to me. I never believed for a moment that he’d stand her up on purpose: he won a bet involving food and a scantily clad Kate — he’d been hauling rocks for weeks and he’s had plenty of time to fantasize about the evening. Nothing short of his duty to the Pack and injury/death would keep him from attending.
• Did Mahon have a hand in the two challenges that prevented Curran from going to Savannah? I can’t see him deliberately goading his people into challenging Curran — that would be throwing aways lives, plus one might have gotten REALLY lucky and beat Curran (I know, impossible, but still…). Yet, it seems too coincidental to be a random, unrelated thing.
• Even if Curran had gone to Savannah, some variation of the breakfast table conversation that takes place later in the book would have occurred — and with the same results.
• It’s good to know that I wasn’t wrong about Roland targeting the Pack because they’ve become too powerful. Makes me even more interested to know the details behind why and how Greg gained Friend of the Pack status. Did he know about Curran’s background?
• Aunt B explains it all. Again!! One of my favorite scenes in the book.
• Some interesting new characters: Barabas, Jezebel, and Naeemah. I wonder if we’ll be seeing Naeemah again in future books. And Grendel.
• Still don’t like Saiman. Still don’t trust him.
• Good to see Dali again.
• Great antagonist! And what a hoot. The scene in Kate’s apartment is great. Calling the apartment a hovel! Giving relationship advice. Too funny.
• Looking forward to seeing what happens with Andrea and the Order.

3. Reasons for recommending this book:
There’s a little of everything in it: action (okay, maybe more than a little of this), romance, humor, great characters (as I type this, I can’t help thinking about Peter Falk’s character in The Princess Bride movie — the book gets a number of mentions/references in Magic Bleeds)

Favorite Quote:
“We should clap or something,” Curran said. “She’s trying so hard.”
“Maybe we could scrounge up some panties to throw.”
– Curran, Kate

Rating:

LOVED IT !!

Started: 16 May 2010
Finished: 16 May 2010

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Other books in the Series:

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Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Moon Called (Patricia Briggs)

Title: Moon Called
Author: Patricia Briggs
Copyright: 2006 (Ace); 288 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-441-01381-4
Series: Mercy Thompson #1
Sensuality: N/A
Genre: Urban Fantasy

From the Back: Mercy Thompson’s sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf. She’s tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire. But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself . . . and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

~&~

I saw this format on the Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell’s blog. She, in turn, got it from Jenny at Jenny Loves to Read. I think I’ll give it a try.

1. Reason for choosing this book:
Seen it recommended by readers who were fans of Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniels series.  I hadn’t planned on reading it just yet — but lo! — one of the GoodReads groups had picked Patricia Briggs to be the featured author for November. I’ve had Cry Wolf in my TBR since it first came out, but decided to start from the beginning.

2. Reasons for liking/disliking this book:
I have to say, I wish I had picked this book up sooner. Mercy does remind me of Kate, though different enough that it’s not like I’m reading the same character. She is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, and she has  a penchant for driving hot, Alpha men crazy.  Mercy has had a comparatively normal life.  She has a small circle of family and friends, some who are part of the pack, though generally she avoids attracting the attention of the wolves.  There are vampires, though they’re not any more date-worthy than Ilona’s. However Stefan, the VW owner, seems different from the rest of his group.

I was comfortable with the world-building is this book.  I wasn’t confused or frustrated with how the information was conveyed to the reader.

I also loved Mercy’s sheep.  Too funny.

3. Reasons for recommending this book:
I would recommend this book to readers who are new to Urban Fantasy. The series isn’t long  — the sixth book comes out in hardback in 2011, so there is time to get caught up.

Favorite Quote:
“I forgot to tell you that I joined the secret society of villains while I was away,” I told Samuel, exasperated. “I am now trying to put together a harem of studly, muscle-bound werewolves. Please. Remember, I didn’t know Mac until he dropped in my lap sometime after the villains screwed up his life.”
– Mercy

Started: 1 November 2010
Finished: 17 November 2010

Rating:

LOVED IT !!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews

Title: Bayou Moon
Author: Ilona Andrews
Copyright: 2010 (Ace); 447 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-441-01945-8
Series: The Edge #2
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Paranormal Romance

After helping Declan and Rose defeat Casshorn, William Wolf, a.k.a. Lord William Sandine, has spent the last two years working in the Broken (the real world) and living in The Edge.. Though he has his freedom to come and go as he pleases, William is lonely. Hearing from Jack and George, Rose’s younger brothers, only re-enforces the fact. So when the Adrianglian secret service comes to him with a mission to take down an old enemy, known as Spider, William jumps at the chance.

Cerise Mar is a native of the Mire, a swampy part of the Edge that borders Louisiana. The sprawling Mars family has been feuding with another clan — the Sheeriles — for decades. With the sudden disappearance of her parents, Cerise is left in charge of the Mars clan. It’s her duty to find out what happen to her parents, and take action against the responsible parties. Cerise is strong and capable. She’s an excellent swords woman and can use her flash in conjunction with her weapon. She’s smart and resourceful, too. But as strong and capable as she is, Cerise also feels lonely. Influenced no doubt by the examples of her loving parents and grandparents, Cerise would like to find someone she could love and who would love her in return, despite her eccentric family and their Mire ways.

Cerise and William’s paths cross while traveling between the Broken and the Edge. Cerise thinks that William is a Weird blue blood and believes he doesn’t stand a chance in the Mire. When things go wrong on the trip, they end up having to cooperate with each other, and each learns there is more to the other than each initially thought. A mutual appreciation for each others’ skills and abilities develops and, from there, a deeper attraction grows. Their timing couldn’t be worse for exploring a relationship. As much as William wants her, he doubts whether Cerise would want to be his mate. It doesn’t help that she might misconstrue his motives — Spider has taken an interest in her and her family and William doesn’t want her to think he’s using her to get to Spider. As for Cerise, she’s been burned before, and carrying the burden of responsibility for the Mars clan isn’t making things easier.

Comments:  As much as I loved the other books written by this couple, I struggled with this one. “Struggled” may not be the right word. I went days without reading it, and then I would only read a few pages before putting it down again. It isn’t the characters. I actually loved both Cerise and William better than Rose and Declan, and my favorite parts of the book are scenes with just the two of them. Cerise’s family was interesting and I liked several of them. I thought Spider with a great antagonist and I wish there had been more of him in the book — in some cases, spending too much time with the villain is a bad thing, but I don’t think this would have been the case with Spider. Oh, and I absolutely loved the courtroom scene.

Ilona is a great story teller. Even when she’s just relating something funny about her family, the pets, or life in general on her blog, I enjoy her writing. It’s been a real head-scratcher trying to figure out why this one didn’t hold me like the rest (the only reason my thoughts on Magic Bleeds hasn’t been written up yet is that I have a very bad habit of either going off on tangents or reading the book, not writing anything coherent). I did have a hard time picturing what Spider’s henchmen looked like, so in my mind’s eye, William and Cerise were usually being attacked by vague-looking things — not the least bit scary or threatening. I’m sure that’s just me, though, because that will happen with other books that I love (still not sure if I’m imagining the warrior form correctly when I read the Kate Daniels series).

So, in the end, there were many little things I truly loved about the book, but I can’t really articulate what wasn’t working for me. I plan on reading the next book in the series.

Started: ??
Finished: 31 October 2010

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.