A Shiver of Light
Merry Gentry, Book 9
LKH
Released: 03 June, 2014
ePub copy used for review
I am Princess Meredith NicEssus. Legal name Meredith Gentry, because
“Princess” looks so pretentious on a driver’s license. I was the first
faerie princess born on American soil, but I wouldn’t be the only one
for much longer...
Merry Gentry, ex–private detective, now
full-time princess, knew she was descended from fertility goddesses, but
when she learned she was about to have triplets, she began to
understand what that might mean. Infertility has plagued the high ranks
of faerie for centuries. Now nobles of both courts of faerie are coming
to court Merry and her men, at their home in exile in the Western Lands
of Los Angeles, because they will do anything to have babies of their
own.
Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, is a more dangerous
problem. He tried to seduce Merry and, failing that, raped her. He’s
using the human courts to sue for visitation rights, claiming that one
of the babies is his. And though Merry knows she was already pregnant
when he took her, she can’t prove it.
To save herself and her
babies from Taranis she will use the most dangerous powers in all of
faerie: a god of death, a warrior known as the Darkness, the Killing
Frost, and a king of nightmares. They are her lovers, and her dearest
loves, and they will face down the might of the high courts of
faerie—while trying to keep the war from spreading to innocent humans in
Los Angeles, who are in danger of becoming collateral damage.
I'm not going to prattle on about this book as you've most likely read the rest of the books - mandatory if you're reading book 9 - and if you didn't like them, well you wouldn't be reading this review. However, since I have been eagerly awaiting this book for more than 3 years I was in such a rush to motor through my E-copy, that I rushed headlong towards the long hoped for confrontation between Merry and Taranis and what do I get...LKH killed off someone else! What the frack?!
Okay, my above gripe is not really a negative. I really did love this book. Merry has her children {a scene I would loved to have read if it had of been included!} and all the fae are starting to gather around Merry and her Western mound. There are a few new faces - the babies are so cute and scarily magical even at only a few days/weeks of age - and most of our old favourites pop up for a brief mention. Queen Andais is more surpisingly saner in this book. She's not as out of her gourd insane and bathing in the blood of the UnSeelie Courtas as she has done in previous books, but there is still a real hate-hate relationship between her and Merry that has the potential to blow up in future books.
Taranis is still as bat shit crazy and delusional as before, and he once again uses his power of Illusion against Merry and her men. But this time, Merry has a real surpise waiting for him ;-D {such a great way to get even in the Sidhe world}. Then there is the confrontation between Merry and her uncle, King
Taranis, that has been brewing for more than a few books and in the end
it got totally overshadowed by the death of a well known and loved
character. Pushing Taranis' much anticipate and very much deserved
dethroning into an almost footnote in the epilogue? {my other WTF moment}
Aisling and some of the her father's old guards are back, another one of Merry's guards are pregnant - much to the annoyance of the Seelie Court - and an unexpected oath throws the cat amongst the pidgeons as Andais demands her Ravens back. Jonty and Co. are still with Merry however there is a situation in the Goblin mound that bears watching.
I can't tell you much more for fear of giving away some truly great scenes, but after having Merry Gentry withdrawals for such a long time, it was great to sink my teeth into the story. As always, I can't wait for the next book. This is truly a fabulous series and unlike Anita Blake, Merry hasn't done a complete 180° shift from the woman we were introduced to. Her integrity has stayed the same, and she is as moral as possible when facing some of the most heartbreaking choices. So as long as LKH keeps writing books in this series I'll keep buying them.
