ISBN: 0-345-44356-X Order from: Amazon.com
An interesting premise and occasional glimpses of politics and plot slightly redeem this tale dominated by sex and melodrama.
Reviewed by David on March 19, 2004
Genre: Fantasy (Intrigue, Mystery, Alternate Reality, Elfpunk)
Synopsis: In an alternate world, Thomas Jefferson, a great fan of the Fey, has invited the Seelie and the Unseelie Courts to settle in the United States. Now, centuries later, the magical courts still intrigue and perform wonders in the Cahokia Hills in Illinois.
Meridith is the only Fey princess born in America. Quarter-human, she has weaknesses that other Sidhe exploit. However, her heritage—for she is related to both courts—thrust her in the middle of deadly political and magical intrigue.
Locked in a dynastic struggle with her evil cousin Cel, Merry has to show her fitness by producing a child—a rare and treasured gift among the long-lived fey. Alas, despite her best attempts with several eager helpers, it remains an elusive role. In the meantime, Merry's enemies become more inventive, and some of her precious allies may abandon her.
Merry uses the most of magic, intelligence and sex appeal to gain allies, help her friends and to foil her enemies.
Full Review: Not surprisingly for the readers of its predecessors, the book is filled with sex, in various positions and for various reasons. In between the bouts, there is fighting and intrigue, portents from long-forgotten deities and foreshadows of more deadly political intrigue. The liveliness of the plot and the characters redeem this book, but it's a close call with repetitive melodrama and lust that fill the narrative.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 5; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 2004, Ballantine Publishing Group (Ballantine), February 2004, Cloth, 372 pages
ISBN: 0-345-44356-X Order from: Amazon.com