Customer Reviews

A Caress of Twilight (Meredith Gentry Series)

5 star:		(84)
4 star:		(53)
3 star:		(37)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Last year, I happened upon Kiss of Shadows in my library. Ever since reading that book, I have read all of the Anita Blake Series as well. I had to wait for months for Caress of Twilight to come out, and needless to say, I wasn't disappointed. People that have not read KOS first will find this story a bit confusing because there isn't as much background history in COT. COT was written with the assumption that the first in the series was already completed. Ms. Hamilton does not take the time to review every single character (which I am grateful for, nothing is more irritating than having to learn the history of each character over and over again in a new book). COT picks up about three months after KOS ended. Merry and her men are still working for the Grey detective agency, and they are given a case to resolve for someone not only famous in the human world, but infamous in the fey world. For those that have a yearning for romance, there is plenty to be had. For those that are more into the paranormal/violent part, there is also a good amount of that. I found that the sex scenes in this novel are much less disturbing than the ones in the Anita Blake ones (at least in Narcissus in Chains), in fact, the sex scenes are not made to be a deviation from the norm, rather they are a part of the story (although one was a bit weird for me...but it was a height issue for me personally...if you've read the book, you'll understand, I don't want to reveal it because it is a surprise). I even discovered that I no longer have a favorite heroine between the two series. Anita's story is more about trying to keep true to herself, but there's so much torment in her life that it's very hard to do. I feel that Merry is much more secure in who she is and what she needs to do. I think that Ms. Hamilton does a fabulous job of weaving a story of a world that is much like our own, but vastly different as well. I think that my only complaint about this book is that it was much too short. The hardback is only about 350 pages long + or -, not over 400 as posted on this site. I would be willing to pay extra for one of her books if that's what it takes to get a longer story, especially now that we have to wait until next year (2003) for the next installment of either Anita or Merry.

I got this book last evening and read it in one sitting. It's that good. The author's Anita Blake series has become all but unreadable, but this series is fun and sexy and darkly beautiful. The faerie world and the modern human world are so well blended you can almost believe it's real-life, and the detective story in this novel is interesting. But I bought this book for one reason only:to see more of Killing Frost, sidhe warrior and contender for the love of Princess Meredith. All the men, and Merry too, are well drawn characters, with strengths, weaknesses and delightful little quirks(I won't give anything away but Doyle, Rhys and the goblin Kitto have some great scenes in this book). But Frost is the one to watch, as his emotions thaw and his vulnerabilty shows through his formidable sidhe armor. Hamilton does us all a great favor and allows Meredith to recognize fairly early on that Frost is her strength and her true love. I can't wait for the next installment, and I intend to read this book again to fully enjoy the sensual imagery and clever dialogue. And Frost.

Fortunately for me, I got this book in advance of its actual release date. I think if I had to wait for it, I might have exploded - yes, I liked Kiss of Shadows that much. This book, though good, is NOT her best. Definitely readable, definitely interesting enough to make you turn the page, but this isn't a shocker or a heart-stopper by any means. It's good, but not grand.

Caress of Twilight picks up where Kiss of Shadows left off - Merry has come into her power. Her last hand of power has yet to manifest, and she still isn't pregnant. The royal Ravens (the Queen's guards) have followed her back to LA to protect her/sleep with her (Hamilton has gotten progressively more sexual in her writing . . . not sure if I personally like this, but hey, it must float somebody's boat). Soon, Merry is asked to help out a Seelie who had been cast out of the Fae more than a century ago, and Meredith, being a nice girl, of course offers her aid. Doing so, though, gets Merry in QUITE a bit of trouble with the Seelie court, and suddenly, our wee princess is being hunted down by something big, scary and powerful.

What did I like about this book? The dynamic between Frost, Doyle and Rhys (yes, Rhys gets a much bigger part in this book - thank you!). You suddenly see the contention of the three men as they try to win Merry and thus win the seat of King over the Fae. It was well done - Hamilton writes her people VERY well, and that's possibly what I like about her the best.

What did I dislike? I miss Barinthus in this one . . . he's barely mentioned (possibly my favorite Character from Kiss). Also, the plot line takes a HUGE backseat to the relationship dynamic, which is okay at times, but very quickly becomes annoying. Ms Hamilton needs to reign in the sex and people aspect, and let loose more on the plot. I find it a bit disturbing that by the end of the book, I didn't care who Maeve was. Considering that the plot revolved around Maeve, that's bad.

So - will I read this again? Yes. Probably. Would I recommend it as one of Hamilton's best? No, definitely not. It's good - it's just enough to make me want to read the third book, but not enough to make me want to read it over and over. I hope that the next installment of the Fae series will get a plot, please . . . this one was fairly ignorable and the characters just can't carry the book on their own.

Happy Reading!

I do not know if her writing has changed or I am outgrowing her characters, but I do not feel that this lived up to LKH. This is the last hardback I purchase of hers. I loved the 1st in the series, but this one was a real let down. I really feel she gets Anita(see Anita Blake series) confused w/Merry.

She seems to be rushing thru these books and not giving them the previous depth that the others had. I did not feel that her characters were as well developed as previous novel and it lost my interest about 1/2 way thru. Forced myself to finish, and like I said, will no longer eagerly await her books, or purchase hard backs.

From now on I am a paperback used book store girl for LKH until she goes back to better development. I would recomend 1st book in series and Anita Blake series 1-6, lost me on those after that.

This book is an excellent tale of the fae in modern america.
Laurell K Hamilton, as usual, writes with great imagination and her unique style makes any story a spell binder. We have a modern Fae princess, the fairy court, all the old fairy tale characters come to life. If you like mythology, a bit of sex, and alternate universes you will love this book. Adult content but all lots of fun.

Laurell K. Hamilton has done it again. I started reading Hamilton with the Merry Gentry story and have thouroughly enjoyed the two books written so far. I think this series stands just fine on it's own without the constant comparison to her Anita Blake series (which I have not read). We learned quite a bit more about her Sidhe lovers/guards/companions in this novel, their strenghts and weaknesses as well as the picking and choosing of our personal favorites. The more we learn about the Seelie and UnSeelie courts is very intriguing, and keeps the reader enthralled with what can possibly happen next with Merry and all her merry men as well as her host of very looney relatives.
Quite honestly I do have a favorite Raven guard and it is Doyle (sigh), a man who can rule, love, and watch out for the others as a true leader and protector (if only he were real). The other guards have a tendency to forget why they are there (even the one she loves), other than trying to father a child for Merry and become her consort, but never, ever Doyle. A true alpha male (sigh again). I do have one complaint and the reason I only gave 4 stars instead of 5 and that is Ms. Hamilton is not writing fast enough. Also, how many books can you get out of a 3 year procreating plot?

Princess Meredith is now an heir to the Unseelie Court--but will inherit only if she becomes pregnant and bears young. Given that the fair folk have become remarkably infertile lately, this isn't exactly a slam dunk despite Meredith's prodigious and kinky sexual appetites. When she is contacted by an exiled member of the Seelie Court, Meredith learns that there is a reason for the infertility that affects the lands of magic--a reason that the King of the Seelie Court will gladly kill--or worse--to prevent from becoming public.

Meredith is under attack both from her cousin and rival Cor in the Unseelie Court and from King Taranis of the Seelie Court. Her alliance with the Goblins is halfway toward its expiration and may expire a lot more quickly if Meredith doesn't take action to preserve it. Worse, the ancient and evil magics that have been suppressed by both Seelie and Unseelie Courts is once again awake and walking in the human world. For Meredith to survive long enough to have a chance at fertility, she must gather her alliances, make her bodyguards truly members of her court rather than rivals for power, and walk the tightrope between weakness and a lust for control.

Author Laurell K. Hamilton deepens the character of Meredith (who first appeared in her novel A KISS OF SHADOWS) as well as the complex political struggle between the humans, Seelie, Unseelie, Meredith, and the darker forces of magic. A CARESS OF TWILIGHT delivers plenty of the kinky sex that Hamilton novels are known for, but also reveals interesting and compelling characters.

Hamilton fans will be overjoyed at this fine novel. Although the enjoyment of TWILIGHT will be enhanced by reading SHADOWS, the novel stands on its own. Hamilton's writing style continues to mature and TWILIGHT is compelling and hard to put down.

Princess Meredith Nic-Essus is a member of the High Court of Faerie. When she lives in Los Angles, however, as she has for the past three years, Meredith assumes the name and identity of Merry Gentry. Merry works as a P.I. for Jeremy Grey, owner of the Grey Detective Agency, which specializes in "Supernatural Problems, Magical Solutions." She left the faerie world, the mounds at Cahokia, in Illinois, to go into hiding in California when her cousin Cel, the evil heir to the throne, attempted to have her assassinated once too often.

Meredith's Aunt Andais is Queen of Air and Darkness, and has ruled over the Unseelies, (those not of pure fey blood), for over one thousand years. Those who have pure faerie blood are the Seelies, and her uncle Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, reigns over them. Meredith is mortal, half Seelie Court and half Unseelie, (part of her heritage is Brownie). The Queen sent Doyle, the Captain of her Raven Guard, to the West Coast to bring her niece back to the High Court. Meredith was forced to return because Andais finally realized, what was obvious to many, that her only son and heir did not possess the necessary attributes and character to become King. So the Queen placed Prince Cel and Princess Meredith on equal footing. She stipulated that whoever became a parent first would be her successor. Meredith must bear a child before Cel can father one if she wants to wear the crown. The bit about having a child is paramount, although Andais could have handled the situation more delicately. The sidhe have fertility problems. Thus, childbearing is of the utmost importance if the royal line is to continue.

Meredith is finally allowed to escape the political machinations of court life and return to LA. Accompanying her are some of the Queen's hunkiest Ravens, who are instructed to guard her bodily, and to enjoy it. They are to assist her to become pregnant. Wow!! The lucky father-to-be gets to become King. Excellent motivator! Plus Merry is gorgeous, ruby-red hair, and smart to boot. Oh, a goblin is included in the merry mix of immortal men, due to a pact negotiated with Kurag, Goblin King.

Meredith and her firm are contracted, in utmost secrecy, to assist the glamorous, golden goddess of Hollywood, actress Maeve Reed, who turns out to be a Seelie in exile. Ms. Reed once said "No," to King Taranis - thus the exile. She carries a terrible secret, and the King would kill her immediately if the information became known - which is why she is constantly surrounded by bodyguards. To complicate matters, now that Merry and her men have visited the Reed compound, the King might decide they know too much and order a mass assassination.

Just as things begin to get dangerous, in between bedroom interludes with Merry and the Ravens, "The Nameless" are loosed on humanity. They are the most evil elements of Seelie and Unseelie combined, and much has been sacrificed to keep these beings buried and suppressed forever. So, if anyone says that "A Caress of Twilight" is just about S-E-X, they're only partially correct!

The characters, the settings, the Ravens checking-out America and LA for the first time, Hamilton's take on Celtic mythology, are just a blast - pure entertainment! Of course, I am a major Laurell Hamilton fan and truly enjoyed her entire Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Merry is certainly not Anita, but she is fun. As always, Laurell Hamilton writes dark fantasy like no other. Her descriptions really bring one's imagination to life. I'm hooked and looking forward to reading the next novel in the series.
JANA

I just admit, the first part, and up until the "climactic" ending, I was really into this book. I really enjoy Hamilton's twist putting fairy tale of old creatures in the "new" world, but lately I've noticed a pattern developing. I have to agree with many of the other people on this review. Lately it seems that Hamilton just has some sexual frustrations to get out. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like lately, her books have become more about the sex and less about the plot.
If there's a problem, sleep with Meredith one REALLY good time, and all will be fixed. Everything in the past two books Hamilton has put out have been more about getting layed. At first, I thought the whole "sexual side of powers" was an interesting take, but now, it's just getting tired.
Other than the huuuuuuuuge amounts of sex, the writing style was really enjoyable. I really got into the book, and it seemed like the climax was really going to be something. Boy was I disapointed. Just in the nick of time, Meredith gets a totally new power and is not THE LEAST excited or suprised. It's just, "Doyle had told me once that I would have second hand of power..." What the heck?! I'd be a little more excited. She really could have handled that seen a bit better.
The last thing I'll comment on is the quickness that the climax ended. It seemed to me that Hamilton realized that she was at deadline really soon and just shoved the ending together. It was a little too convenient, too easy for such an impossible to kill being. I have to say three stars because I feel that Hamilton could have done a little more with what she created.

Merry's situation becomes more clear, her powers grow, new characters are introduced, but the basic dilemma comes no closer to resolution. She's still sleeping with all her men and still not pregnant. I may be wrong, but this series does seem to have an inescapable inevitability about it. There will be high drama, daring escapes, passionate love scenes, delayed redemption, and finally, Merry will be pregnant, have babies and become Queen. Prince Cel will either be dead or bound to an eternity of damnation. All the other issues pale: will the Seelie and Unseelie Court become one? Will Faerie rule the Earth? Will the government of the United States wise up and exile all these magical lunatics to someplace where they won't trouble for their long suffering hosts? Stay tuned...