A Kiss of Shadows

Rating:
Summary: An excellent beginning for a great new series!
Review: I'm not usually a fan of Elven lore. The only reason I purchased the book was because it was written by one of my favorite authors, Laurell K. Hamilton. To say that I was pleasantly surprised would be a huge understatement. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the plot and the characters. I read a lot of what I consider to be unfair reviews comparing Merry to Anita Blake. There is no comparison other than they both like a little ammunition and are women of power. Personally, it would have been a disappointment for me to have a carbon copy of Anita in this book. Merry will grow into her powers and develop in future books just as Anita has had the opportunity to do. With her different background, she is free to do things that would be out of character for Anita. Please be aware, that if you don't enjoy erotica in your stories then this is not the book for you as it goes far beyond what we've seen from the Anita Blake series. However, if you enjoy a good romp and some sexually generated heat then you'll love Merry and her band of characters. My only question is when do we get the next one?

Rating:
Summary: As Done for the Undead and Lycanthropes, so too for Faeries!
Review: * As an avid fan of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, I was excited to hear that she was beginning a new series. In reading "A Kiss of Shadows", I have found that Hamilton has once again captured that unique flavor that crosses the genres. A fantasy book set in a modern day United States, it also contains elements of political intrigue, suspense, elemental magic, private investigation, and sexual elements that push the envelope. As readers we are given a glimpse into the social and political world of the faerie court. In much the same way as vampires and lycanthropes are common to the world of Anita Blake, so to are magic and the faerie courts to the world of Meredith 'Merry' NicEssus. * In the person of Meredith, we are presented a woman of strong will, who walks the fine line between human and something else. As we come to discover the environment in which Merry grew up, we can begin to understand what motivates her. Whether it is her interaction with her aunt (Queen of the Unseelie Court), her aunt's personal guard, her cousin Cel, or those around her in Los Angeles, we find that her reactions adjust to the situation around her. * The aspect of "A Kiss of Shadows" that intrigued me the most, was the manner in which it approaches the good/evil aspects of society. What humanity might think of as evil in human society, Merry might view as necessary to have survived her years in the Unseelie Court. Meredith's views on sex are also rather unique. Because of her upbringing, she lacks a certain sense of modesty that extends itself further into her relationship views. * Never to be outdone; Hamilton breathes life and personality into every character in her books. From the heroine to the supporting characters, and in the case of this book, even things and places like 'The Black Coach" and the mounds of the Unseelie Court. Even the diverse races have their own unique feel. * As you enjoy the rollercoaster ride of emotions "A Kiss of Shadows" takes you on, you arrive at the end with an insatiable hunger for more. If I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of this book, I find I can hardly wait for the next book in the series. * Despite all of the enjoyment I got from reading/experiencing "A Kiss of Shadows", I was left with one unanswered question. Does this book take place in the same world as the Anita Blake series, or are the similarities merely cosmetic? Additionally, if both characters (Anita and Meredith) do live in the same world, might we some day have them meeting to overcome a common foe?

Rating:
Summary: An Okay Beginning
Review: Kiss of Shadows is entertaining enough in a lurid, trashy/gothic romance kind of way. However, I am of the distinct impression that Hamilton relies so heavily on physically describing the characters that she overlooked the actual "character" development. These people are quite shallow and unconvincing as thought bearing creatures. The plot is not really all that fabulous either. Even still, Kiss of Shadows is a good enough book to take on the bus or to your lunch break. Skip it if you want to sit down for some quality reading time. Get it if you want a quick, uninvolved read.

Rating:
Summary: great start to a new series
Review: I read this book before reading any of Ms. Hamilton's other novels. I wasn't disappointed. It was a bit slow to get into, but once involved, it didn't let me go, and I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting. Merry Gentry is another strong independent heroine, but much more feminine (but no less deadly) than the Anita Blake, the heroine of Ms. Hamilton's hit series. Merry is a sidhe princess in hiding who is forced to come back to her childhood home in order to hear the proposition that her aunt, the queen of the Unseelie court has for her. This series is also much more political than Anita Blake's (yes, there are vampire politics and were politics, but not to this extent). This series is more of a "fairy-tale" than Anita's is, and is therefore, not nearly as dark as Anita's story. Will Merry beat out her cousin Cel for the throne? For if she fails, she will undoubtedly be killed, and all those that are loyal to her as well. This story is a great beginning and I am eagerly awaiting the next installments.

Rating:
Summary: An amazing story!
Review: I thought the Anita Blake series was damn good, but the Merry Gentry series looks to give it a run for its money!

Merry is actually Princess Meredith NicEssus, the black sheep of the Unseelie court because she is not full-blooded sidhe. Her aunt is the Queen of Air and Darkness and her son is heir, with Meredith next in line. After enduring duel after duel at court, Merry has decided to escape and has spent 3 years in Los Angeles as a detective, with her guard always up against her vile relatives.

Now, however, her cover is blown, and her aunt has sent her men to take Merry back home. Who Merry can trust and who will kill her without a second thought is a very dangerous guessing game, and often, loyalties change in a second.

This is a very gory, very explicit book. If multiple partners bug you, or sex without love bugs you, or if you're squeamish, it may not be for you. If you like tender romance or action without too much gore, there are plenty of other books, but for me, this was one heck of a read. It's powerful and filled with imagination.

The rules of the Unseelie Court can always be bent, usually to the Queen's benefit, but Merry is no fool, and I will certainly be awaiting the next installment in this fabulous series.

Rating:
Summary: Hooked on Laurell K. Hamilton!
Review: This is the first Laurell K. Hamilton novel I've read. Most people recommended her Anita Blake vampire series, but I decided to give this shorter series about faeries a whirl first. I can see why so many people are hooked on Hamilton. Hers is a world so beautiful and magical that you find it difficult to escape. A Kiss of Shadows is a great novel (with a great cover). Princess Meredith NicEssus, half faerie and half mortal, is hiding from her aunt, the Queen of Air and Darkness, and has assumed the identity of a PI who specializes in supernatural cases. But when her cover is blown, she succumbs to her aunt's wishes. To seduce and be surrounded by gorgeous immortal men doesn't seem like a bad thing, except that her life depends on it...

I loved the fanciful language throughout the novel. I gave up on fantasy fiction a long time ago due to the lackluster books in said genre. Laurell K. Hamilton's writing is wonderfully creative and incredibly riveting. I cannot fathom the bad reviews here. Most people have complained about the many sex scenes in the novel and thought that Meredith was promiscuous. I for one loved the erotic undertone. I am a fan of erotica and I thought that the sexual content in this novel wasn't bad at all. The one thing I didn't like about Shadows is that Ms. Hamilton over explains the plot. The novel should've been a bit shorter. Other than that, it's great. Laurell has made me fall in love with fantasy fiction all over again. I cannot wait to read the other parts of this series. And since I've become a vampire novel enthusiast, I shall definitely give her Anita Blake series a whirl.

Rating:
Summary: Forget what you know about fairies
Review: Laurell K. Hamilton starts a new series here with the fairies that got a passing mention in Bloody Bones. You neither need to be familiar with that book or the Anita Blake series to start here. But do start here instead of jumping in anywhere or you'll be completely lost.

(Apologies in advance if I keep comparing the 2 series here. I figure most people found this book from the Anita Blake series but certainly not all.)

Merry Gentry (nee NicEssus) is part fey but has been hiding her true identity for 3 years among the humans. She's really a royal princess from a seriously dysfunctional fairy family. Her Aunt is the head of the Unseelie court and wanted Merry dead. For the past 3 years, her family and the tabliod press have been seeking her out. She's been hiding with the aid of glamour spells and making a living at a supernatural detective agency not entirely unlike Anita's Animators Inc.

The story begins much like an Anita story. Some clients come for help, Merry reluctantly assists with the prodding of her boss. A big bad appears, there's a fight, then there's some sex. Then however the story takes an unexpected turn which I won't spoil for you.

As a character, Merry is distinct from Anita Blake and that's a good thing. She's neither as tough nor as sociopathic. She can, however, hold her own as she discovers she's more powerful that she ever suspected. Much like Anita, all men want Meredith but since she's part supernatural being and an heir to the throne this facet of the story doesn't come across as obnoxiously as it does in the Anitaverse. Hamilton also finds a rather clever way to explain why all this lust is essential to the story-again no spoilers. Also, even though Merry is less human than Anita I found her far more accessible. This book is as sexually charged as the latter entries in the Anita series so take that as a caveat emptor if this really, really turned you off. I didn't find it as squirm-worthy though (is that a word?), probably for the reasons I've already described. The pain element and the goblin (don't ask) did however catch me a bit off guard.

Hamilton is still a genius with blending her magical world with ours but the first entry in the series is largely about fey interactions exclusively. The writing is fast-paced and enjoyable. Hamilton is no Steinbeck but she knows how to keep you involved. If you shun fantasy because you feel silly reading about unicorns and elves, this series will definitely appeal. I'm not sure if Hamilton created fantasy noir but she is it's most visible purveyor. I've already got book two which I plan to begin-whaddaya know-as soon as I end this review.

Rating:
Summary: A Little Lackluster and Disappointing
Review: If you, like me, found Kiss of Shadows because you were an Anita Blake fan, you may be disappointed in Laurell K. Hamilton's new series. In the first few chapters, it just felt WAY too similar to the Anita Blake series, both in style and characterization. Which is fine, if you are a fan to begin with, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. But I quickly realized that what kept me intrigued in the Anita Blake books was the driving force of the mystery-based plot. I felt that was very much lacking in this book, as the mystery of Alistair Norton was quickly resolved 1/4 of the way in. The court intrigue could've been more interesting, but instead just ended up as 4 or 5 rapid-fire assassination attempts without even the slightest break for Merry. Ms. Hamilton's substitution of physical description and clothing for real character development is extremely frustrating as well.

I have no problem with the overtly erotic, and at times, kinky nature of the multiple encounters Merry has, but they would be best served with more tightly-drawn characters, backstory, and a stronger driving plot or intrigue.

Rating:
Summary: Too Much Like Anita Blake Series, But Still an Addiction
Review: (Note: This review is based on reading all 3 books in the Gentry series) The set up is promising, but Hamilton relies on the same ol' cliches as in the Anita Blake series. After reading about how something "made things tighten low in my body" for the thousandth time in both series, I wondered if Ms. Hamilton simply cuts and pastes from other books. There are also many, many similarities between the characters: Frost/Asher both peek out from a long sweep of blond hair and are emotionally damaged (like Blake, Gentry refers to "shoveling his emotional s---"). Nicca/Nathaniel have "a curtain of shining brown hair" and are submissive. Doyle/Jean Claude are wise, older immortal men who advise our heroine what to do at every turn. Andais/Belle Morte are both evil, immortal queens who enjoy torture and seem to lay around in piles of naked men who will die of either exhaustion or being banished from their beds, as both Frost/Asher have been. Anita/Merry are involved in the investigation of supernatural events and work with local police. They're both petite, don't realize their own beauty, and carry guns and knives. Even the sex is similar: Anita/Merry seldom engage in romance or foreplay with their men -- it's usually rough and over in a matter of minutes.

That all said, I've obviously read quite a few of the books! 5 total. Despite the similarites, the books are entertaining and fun to read. The books take you to another world full of gorgeous men and butt-kicking women, which I utltimately find hard to resist.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasurable, a little too pleasurable
Review: The second series from Laurell K Hamilton is big on sensuality and sexuality. Merry Gentry, a Los Angeles detective, is actually Princess Meredith NicEssus, a faerie princess who's part human and whose family just happens to want to kill her. Then everything changes. Her aunt, the queen of air and darkness, wants her back at court. She offers Merry the chance to claim the throne if she, Merry, can get pregnant with a child before the queen's wicked son, Prince Cel, can create his own heir. Merry sets out to do so, dodging assassination attempts and getting down and dirty with some of the most beautiful immortal men in the world, in the hopes of conceiving a child.

That's about it for the story. Hamilton takes a decided break from her Anita Blake series here. Merry is more feminine, more helpless, although still decidedly clever and brave. Merry also has fewer problems with sex, and rather strange, aggressive sex at that. Reading about the faerie courts and the goblin army, you can see that Hamilton's imagination is working hard and having a great time.

There are two major problems. First, the sex is gratuitous. It's not WRONG, or BAD, or UGLY, but simply unnecessary. There's too much of it too often, and it becomes almost absurd after a while.

Secondly, Hamilton spends as much time explaining about what's going on as she does showing the action. Obviously, this is a political situation, and that makes it tricky. It's a world where the slightest glance can have many meanings, and that's fine. But the description and explanation go on for pages. We do need to understand what's going on, but Hamilton has never been good with subtle explanation. She likes to lay it flat out for us, taking up ten pages to explain why someone shouldn't have lifted their arm at that moment or something, and it gets tedious. She has the same problem in her Anita Blake books, except there it's because the arguments go on forever. It's like a traffic jam you think you're out of, but then you're not. (OK, just a minute, let them fight about her having a gun, ah here's an opening, let's go let's go AH CHRIST now they're arguing about where to PUT the gun, come on, come on.)

Despite its flaws, this book is an often engaging and interesting read. The opulent descriptions of the surroundings are quite beautiful, and it's all meant to be fun, which it really is. It had its problems, but I liked it.