Curse the Dark review!

[lagilman]

CURSE THE DARK - Laura Anne Gilman
A Retriever Novel, Book 2

Sexual tension and record-breaking heat are at the top of Genevieve "Wren" Valere's mind. A retriever by profession, she uses her ability to manipulate current or electricity to get in and out of places sight unseen. After almost getting killed on her last job, Wren and her business partner, Sergei Didier, finally admitted their personal feelings for each other. Things should be better between them, but instead it's become worse, as they each tip-toe around the other for fear of destroying the friendship that is so important to both. The oppressive heat, Wren's lack of air conditioning, and no jobs on the horizon have raised the tension between the two to the breaking point. A trip to Italy for the Silence -- a shadow organization Wren got suckered into joining to save her from the Mage Council, but that's another story (see STAYING DEAD) -- offers relief...in more ways than one. Ah! Romantic Italy. But as with all gifts, sometimes you just have to look the horse in the mouth, and this one comes with some seriously pointy teeth.

An important document has been stolen from a monastery. Why is the document important you ask? Because anyone who reads it disappears. And the monastery? Well, it's not the font of religious fervor one would expect. Instead, it's a deliberately created void space where no current (magic) can get in, and, more importantly, none can get out. All of these little facts are a surprise to Wren and Sergei, not to mention the monks who are supposed to be protecting these powerful manuscripts, or, as it turns out, who should have been protecting the world from them. And in Wren's work, surprises can produce some devastating consequences.

If that's not enough, the tensions between the Mage Council, the fatae (non-human beings), and the lonejacks continue to rise, with Wren caught smack dab in the middle. All she wants is to do her job and figure out her relationship with Sergei. Instead, it's all politics and bad mojo. The temperatures are still rising and the question remains...who or what will burst first?

A wonderful follow-up to STAYING DEAD, CURSE THE DARK lives up to the fast-paced plot and sardonic wit of the first Retriever novel. Laura Anne Gilman expertly captures the angst of starting that first-real-relationship and marries it with humor to create a delightful romance. Wren Valere has a lot of responsibility to shoulder, especially since, as a lonejack -- the operative word there is 'lone' -- she usually just has to look out for herself. Instead, all kinds of people, furry and otherwise, have been sneaking into her life under her radar. Until suddenly, there are all these people she wants...no needs, to protect. It doesn't take her long to realize that she and Sergei have been lovers for years in all but the physical sense. But that last step is a doozy. Sergei is the perfect straight man to Wren's free spirit. He takes care of all of the paperwork while she does all of the dirty work. It takes a strong man to sit back and let the woman he loves rush off into danger, and Sergei finds himself biting his tongue quite a bit. But this is the package he bought into and he wouldn't trade it for the world.

A wary mother, a furry sidekick that Wren affectionately evaluates whether to kill or not after one of his escapades, and a friend always willing to help are just a few of the secondary characters who add humor and depth to this tale. Ms. Gilman also has a wonderful hand with a love story as Wren and Sergei consummate their relationship. Yowza! It's definitely electric!

There is never a dull moment in CURSE THE DARK. The snarky humor, intricate plot, and exciting action make it a delight to read, and will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

Kathy Samuels, Romance Reviews Today



an excerpt (spoileriffic bits removed):

"...A wonderful follow-up to STAYING DEAD, CURSE THE DARK lives up to the fast-paced plot and sardonic wit of the first Retriever novel. Laura Anne Gilman expertly captures the angst of starting that first-real-relationship and marries it with humor to create a delightful romance...

There is never a dull moment in CURSE THE DARK. The snarky humor, intricate plot, and exciting action make it a delight to read, and will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next book in the series."

Kathy Samuels, Romance Reviews Today


(and yes, she too loves P.B. Everyone loves P.B. Bastard's going to take over the entire series, I can tell already... hey Religious Right! I'm popularizing a demon! Come out and ban me already -- I could use the publicity!)

Interestingly enough, not even a burp of discomfort with any of the magical, religious or political things I did. Not sure if she's just totally bought into the world enough to say 'okay, no problem,' or if I was a smidge too subtle... (me? subtle? hah!)

Comments

[debg.livejournal.com]

WOOT! Excellent press, madam.

But as with all gifts, sometimes you just have to look the horse in the mouth, and this one comes with some seriously pointy teeth

I seriously love this line.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Hurrying to the bottom quickly--I think I won't spoil things for myself. Congrats on what I am sure is a well-deserved review! 8^)

(I'll save the Conga Rats for the award nomination, unless you insist on conga rats...)

[azang.livejournal.com]

Congrats on a great review!

[lagilman]

It is a good line, yeah. Although as someone who's actually looked into the horse's mouth, I gotta say that those large flat chompers are scary enough without being pointy...