A Caress of Twilight
Ballantine, April, 2002.
Hardcover, 336 pages.
ISBN: 0345435273
The bestselling author of the Anita Blake vampire
hunter series has another hit on her hands with her
second series, which centers around a Faerie princess
named Meredith Gentry. Meredith lives in the human
world of L.A.; she is half-human herself. The heir
to the Unseelie throne, Merry must conceive an
heir herself before she can assure her place. Her rival
for the throne is determined to murder her before
she gets the chance. To support herself, she, along with her various
Faerie bodyguards/lovers (one of whom will eventually
be her king) act as private detectives and bodyguards to
wealthy Angelinos. Merry is hired to act as bodyguard to
a famous and beautiful actress, who also happens to be an
exile from the Seelie Court. But Merry's job is complicated
by the fact that someone in Faerie has released the Nameless;
a powerful horror which lives only to torture and destroy everything
its path. Now Merry must find a way to defeat the Nameless,
while juggling the Machiavellian politics of both Faerie
courts, and her stable of squabbling lovers.
Laurell Hamilton's latest series (of which this is the second book) is a unique blend of magic, mayhem, sex and politics. Merry is a liberated woman, determined to take control of her own destiny -- no easy trick, considering how many people are attempting to either control her or kill her. The love scenes are plentiful and erotic, and the violence level is high. The character exploration, pacing, and urban fantasy background all sizzle with energy, style and depth. Although not for the cozy lover or faint of heart, this series is a winner with its gritty edge, compelling characters and fresh outlook.
A Caress of Twilight is available for purchase on Amazon.com
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This review was published in the May, 2002 of The Internet Writing Journal.
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