An unintentionally hilarious but surprisingly enjoyable. Not entirely sure why I bought a copy (possible chain of events: Marvel comic of Anita Blake book Guilty Pleasures, bought book, bought other book by author) but in the end I was not disappointed.
A Kiss of Shadows is the story of a faerie princess's return to high court and the intrigue and in-fighting that ensues. It takes place in a world and time that faeries and other creatures live among the US and world population, many people have some non-human ancestry and all sorts of people have powers of a kind. Also, the royals of this world are major celebrities and targets of the celebrity gossip media. Think royal intrigue + mythical creatures + alternate history + modern times USA + E! Entertainment Network + adult situations.
Meredith Gentry, a faerie of royal blood (she is the niece of the queen, grandchild of the other ruling court but mortal - don't ask me for more lineage info, I couldn't fully keep track) has been hiding from her murderous relatives as a PI in Los Angeles, working for a firm that specializes in a mythical and mystical related investigations. She has been shielding her true identity from everyone she works with since any knowledge of her true identity will immediately: a) alert her wicked aunt, the queen of the Sidhe Court and b) become national news since she mysteriously and completely disappeared 3 years ago. After an investigation goes wrong, her glamour is broken and her true identity becomes known, leading to a summons back to court. Many attempts on her life follow, causing her and her friends/protectors to speculate as to exactly is trying to kill her and why.
Upon her return to court she is named next in line to throne, along with her cousin (who already was since he is the son of the queen), depending on which of them has a child first. Go forth and multiply - the first to do so wins. Wackiness, mayhem, court conspiracies, bloodshed and torture follows.
In the end, there are 2 winners, and both have their strikes against them:
1 - Meredith: She finds out who is trying to kill her, gets some measure of revenge (if you live forever you can be tortured for a looooooong time), is named a possible heir to the throne, increase her power and is no longer living in hiding. Of course, the people who want to kill her still do (even more so after having lost to her) , she is now a major paparazzo target (with some explicit photos in the European press thanks to a jilted ex-lover) and is one knocked-up female faerie away from being back in a distant 2nd at court.
2 - You the reader: This a fun book to read with many wacky things happening to keep you you involved throughout. The story moves along, and while there are many convoluted parts that hard to follow (especially for those unfamiliar with the ways of the Sidhe), you can skim along those details without getting lost).
The single funniest item I read (although I am certain it was not meant to be funny) was when, at the end of the investigation, Meredith, covered in a narcotic liquid stolen from the faeries that greatly enhances sexual desire and feeling (to the point that it can drive mere mortals mad and will addict all those who come into contact with it and then have relations with a faerie) gets it on with her boyfriend, who had previously lost his shape-shifting abilities (I think some hunters killed his other skin or other self (again, couldn't quiet follow)). The result of the euphoric coupling restores his powers, allowing him to transform into a....
seal. He then leaves the apartment and swims off in the Pacific. (I am not doing this portion of the story justice). Of course, after reading this book, I did find myself feeling a little uneasy about how much I enjoyed and the fact that I would be willing to read another. I was also a little disturbed and intrigued to learn that there are many similar series of books available on Amazon as well. Good thing I have other books to read - this is not a rabbit hole I feel comfortable running down at the moment (but I know I will be back).
Book can be found here (not where I bought it)
http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Shadows-Meredith-Gentry-Book/dp/0345423402/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239506362&sr=1-1
10 down, 90 to go. Finished 4/11/2009
This post was written listening to Bill Simmons' BS Report, a ESPN podcast
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