899 and counting …

• Posted in Books I've Read

Finished Eye of Heaven by Marjorie M. Liu. This is the fifth book in her popular Dirk & Steele paranormal romance series about a detective agency run by folks with supernatural powers.

This one’s about Blue Perrineau, a D&S detective who can control electricity. Blue’s father, a very bad man, blackmails him into tracking down Daniel, the brother Blue never even knew he had. So Blue sets off for Vegas, where he finds Daniel working for a circus — along with lion tamer/shapeshifter Iris McGillis.

Iris has her own problems. Her shapeshifter mother abadoned her a couple of years ago without a word, and she’s being stalked by a strange man intent on adding her to his harem of women (seriously, the guy has a harem). But luckily, Blue is there to help, and the two of them find themselves caught up with a sinister organization that traffics in stolen organs and more.

Liu can be hit or miss for me sometimes, and I’m happy to say this was much more of a hit (although I didn’t love it like I did Shadow Touch, the second book in this series). I think Blue is one of her best heroes so far, torn between protecting his D&S friends and his desire to help his brother avoid his father’s evil clutches. I also enjoyed how the relationship between Blue and Iris developed. It felt natural and believable, despite the supernatural events in the book.

There’s also some cool information and behind-the-scenes looks at how a circus works and how the performers live. And, as always, Liu’s writing is very lush and descriptive.

I had a few little quibbles, my main one being that I thought the book started out kind of slow. The action doesn’t really kick into high gear until about page 150 or so. From then on though, it’s a nonstop ride of deceit, double crosses, narrow escapes, and more.

I also would have liked a little more information about the big bad guys. There were so many characters in this book with so many secrets it was a little hard to keep track of who was really on who’s side. But I’m hoping more will be revealed in the next D&S book, Soul Song, which I have in my TBR pile.

Overall, if you’re looking for a thoughtful paranormal romance, give this book or series a try. Thumbs up.

Up next: Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart

Books in my TBR pile: About 13.

What about you guys? Anyone reading anything good right now?

4 Responses to “899 and counting …”

  1. Tez Miller says:

    Am about 100 pages into Michele Lang’s Netherwood, and I’m really enjoying it. Futuristic fiction is always good for me 😉

    Have a lovely day! 🙂

  2. Brian says:

    Finished The Maltese Falcon this past week, and I really enjoyed it. I had seen the film many times over the years, but I had never read the book. I was very impressed with how close the film is to the novel. Though I will say that the film improved on the ending. “The stuff that dreams are made of,” is one of the best closing lines of any film ever — So I was disappointed to find out that the novel doesn’t end that way.

  3. Jennifer Estep says:

    Tez — I haven’t heard of that one. I’ll have to check it out on Amazon. I’m always looking for more good books to read. 😎

    Brian — I read that one years ago and really enjoyed it. The Big Sleep is also worth reading/watching the movie if you like noir.

  4. Brian says:

    I’ve seen The Big Sleep. TCM has shown a more complete version of The Big Sleep — And It does make more sense. I didn’t even know that the film is based on a novel, so I may try to pick it up.

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