Gideon (The Nightwalkers, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jacquelyn Frank (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Nightwalkers, Book 2 | Publication Date: June 1, 2007

They're called the Nightwalkers - proud, ancient beings who live in the shadows, existing just beyond the human world. But there are also dangerous humans who hunt them - necromancers who use the blackest magic to manipulate them. And for a Demon named Gideon, the battle against these evil forces will soon be all too personal...For a thousand years, Gideon has healed his people. And as the oldest surviving male of his race, his wisdom has always been respected without question. But Gideon knows that even he is vulnerable to the powerful, primitive desires that befall his kind during Hallowed moons - and nine years ago that truth was hammered home when he found himself claiming Magdalegna, the Demon King's sister, in a wild embrace. Horrified by his lack of control, he left her wanting and furious - and then exiled himself for the better part of a decade. Now, with necromancers threatening his people - and Magdalegna nearly their victim - Gideon must face another truth. He and the beautiful, stubborn Magdalegna are destined to be together, to share a love as deep and old as time itself. But first he needs to regain her trust. Then he'll have to save her life...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Frank 's seductively crafted universe (introduced in last year's Jacob: The Nightwalkers), demons aren't the clawed horrors of myth (unless they're possessed by the book's villainous necromancers); they're handsome, proud, sensuous and decidedly ambivalent about the world of mortals. Demons have a thousands-year-old rule forbidding them from coupling with humans, who aren't made to survive sex with the charismatic Nightwalkers; male protagonist Gideon, an ancient healer demon (who, naturally, doesn't look a day over 35), has spent eight years in self-imposed exile after attempting to break that law. Recently returned, guilt-wracked Gideon is finally drawn to the true object of his desire: the even-more-forbidden Magdelegna, young sister of hot-tempered demon king Noah. Though Magdelegna's kin raise hell over the May-December romance (at 250 years old, Magdelegna is barely an adult), the pair's breathtaking sex scenes raise more. Regrettably, the complex characterization that humanizes Frank's paranormal characters (including an urbane vampire, a sensual yet celibate lycanthrope queen and a couple of neo-Druids) doesn't extend to the necromancers, who remain faceless, one-dimensional foes throughout. The plot's central conflict between good and evil is therefore lacking the psychological depth, vivid detail and personal chemistry that make its sensitive, scorching romantic components so compelling. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

With the resurgence of necromancers, human magic-users bent on destroying the Nightwalker races, Gideon, the oldest Demon, has returned from self-exile to reclaim his place among his people. More difficult, though, is repairing his relationship with Legna, who felt betrayed by his rejection almost a decade ago. Fate steps in, and the two find themselves Imprinted, linked in body and mind, and struggling to adjust to their new relationship as the necromancer threat deepens and their people need the couple most. The second in Frank's captivating series (after Jacob: The Nightwalkers, 2006) takes us further into the brewing war between Nightwalkers and necromancers. Patience may be required at the outset, as Frank provides a lot of backstory. But Gideon offers a remarkable twist on the lore of creatures of the night in a lush narrative sure to please readers who have longed for new gothic and darkly romantic tales. Nina Davis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; ZZZ edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821780662
• ISBN-13: 978-0821780664
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 0.9 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > United States

More About the Author

Hi there. It's me! Again. Time to update some more. I am rounding the bend into the double 4's (44 on 2/22/2012) and things are changing so fast in the writing world. I've expanded my online presence to include Facebook and Twitter, a website a blog and every other bleeping thing there is out there in the cyber world. Was finding it hard to manage all that exposure and get work done at the same time, so I now have a full-time assistant, named Natalie. Feel free to contact her for any of your authoring, blogging, promotional requests at [e-mail]. She's a good egg and will answer all of your questions, big or small and see to it that I get back to you in a timely manner. I am writing for three different lines (Zebra, Aphrodisia and Ballentine) and under two names (JAX is for my steamier stuff...and yes, it does get steamier!) And I am in over half a dozen languages now! INCUDING a full line of NIGHTWALKERS audio books with the glorious narration of the superb Xe Sands. I'm thrilled with the job she did!

ADAM has just debuted and my fingers are crossed that it will do well. The first hints are that you all LOVE IT and HATE IT and LOVE IT and...well, that's kind of the reaction I was hoping for. ;) Hehehe. What good am I if I can't torment my readers?

I'm still living in Asheville, NC. My kitty family has swelled to *wince* TEN cats. I was fostering and...I found it so hard to trust anyone would give them a better home than me! Is that ego or arrogance or just trust issues?

Email will always be welcomed. I am a tech queen and my laptop has grown roots into my thighs. (And my bottom has grown them into my recliner). I am so thrilled about all of my books and I want to know what everyone thinks of them! I think it would be fascinating to hear what my readers would like to see happen in the Nightwalker world as the series advances. I receive emails at [e-mail] these days. Feel free to say hi! Natalie will see to it I get back to you in one way or another. :)

If you haven't tried me, please do. I always recommend starting with JACOB. Or if you don't want to invest in a series, go for DRINK OF ME. It's a stand alone.

Enjoy,
Hugs and Kitties,
Jacquelyn Frank

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance Junkies review of The Nightwalkers: Gideon!, June 3, 2007

By 

Natalie S "ns65" (Nashville) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Gideon (The Nightwalkers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

The oldest of the old, Gideon has taken his place on the Demon Council. Making the never ending battle between the Demons and the necromancers his own, Gideon is overwhelmed and surprised at how close the hostilities threaten the very existence of someone near and dear to him, a person that Gideon has spent centuries trying to resist; Magdelegna.

Magdelegna has been restless since her near fatal Summoning months past. At odds with her life and unsure of her place in the world, she allows Gideon, a Body Demon healer to scan her. What he finds changes both their lives. Though her future is hazy and unclear, Legna is very sure of one thing; the unbridled emotion she has always felt for Gideon is not something she is willing to ignore any longer.

When the conflict between the Demons and their would-be executioners occurs closer than Gideon and Legna ever thought possible, it will take every ounce of power and strength they have to overcome the vile stench of betrayal and evil that surrounds them.

From my initial introduction to Gideon in THE NIGHTWALKERS: JACOB, the first book of this series, I was instantly intrigued with this particular Demon. I found it very enlightening when Gideon, having voluntarily exiled himself eight years prior, came above-ground when called by Legna. I felt the instant connection between these two characters in the first installment, and reading GIDEON, I'm glad my intuition didn't fail me. Additionally, I was absorbed by the emotions and passions of GIDEON. Though I found his intelligence charismatic, it was his love for Legna that drew me the most. He tried to bury it deep and deny its existence, but it was readily apparent during the times they spent together. Legna's attraction to Gideon was a bit closer to the surface. He made her heart pound and her breathing erratic. Just as it should be.

GIDEON, releasing on May 27, 2007, is the second book of The Nightwalkers series that began with JACOB. Weaving a brilliant world of supernatural beings, smooth steamy sensuality and heart-wrenching emotions, Ms. Frank has produced a delightfully engrossing series that has completely captivated me. Ms. Frank's ability to bring to life these fine and honorable Demons - characters usually reviled in most books - leaves me on the edge of my seat and anticipating future installments with bated breath. Lucky for me the next book of this series, ELIJAH, is set for release in December. I plan to be the first in line to get my copy!

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Klovers! Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques, May 29, 2007

By 

Jennifer Ray (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gideon (The Nightwalkers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Gideon lost control once, and paid dearly for it at the hands of the Enforcer. He is determined to never allow it to happen again. But that is easier said than done when he continuously crosses paths with the beautiful and confusing Mind Demon, Magdelegna. As the oldest living Demon, Gideon has seen and done much, but nothing can prepare him for Legna, although she is barely more than a child by Demon standards. Self-control should come naturally to the Body Demon, yet he is confounded time and again by the maddening moods of the empathic Legna even while he is irresistibly drawn to her.

Legna hasn't forgiven Gideon for that fateful night so long ago. It lives in her memories like it was yesterday, stoking the fires of her temper whenever she sees the frustrating Gideon. Can the man really be so clueless that he doesn't realize how he hurt her before? Worse, with each encounter Legna comes to realize that Gideon is her destined mate. Mate or not, Legna refuses to tie herself to a man who cannot give her all of himself, body and soul.

An attack on a friend throws the two together, forcing them to confront their growing bond. But is it strong enough to withstand the secrets Gideon still harbors? When faced with the truth of his past, can Legna understand, forgive, and love him regardless? Can Gideon forgive himself?

The day I received a beautiful ARC of Jacquelyn Frank's sequel to Jacob: The Nightwalkers in the mail, I considered myself to be one of the luckiest reviewers around. Reading Gideon: The Nightwalkers only reinforced that feeling! With only two published books to date, this author is wedged firmly at the top of both my auto-buy list and my must-be-read-first list!

Legna (Magdelegna) captured our hearts with her role in the first novel, and I was happy to see her return in the second book. Her warmth, grace, and charm were already evident in Jacob, but the depth of her personality is in full force in Gideon. As peacemaker to the two Fire Demons who are her older siblings, she maintains a calm and empathic understanding of all creatures. She is more than confused when the irritating Gideon manages to spark her ire at every turn and flees his presence whenever possible, trying to maintain her equilibrium.

Gideon does not quite understand why everything he says or does with Legna seems to be wrong. Nothing the lovely Mind Demon does in response to him makes much sense to the logical Gideon. The attraction he feels to a woman who is little more than Fledgling compared to himself makes even less sense, but it is there, nonetheless, and growing stronger with each passing day. Witnessing his confusion when dealing with Legna is an absolute delight! Legna is just what the doctor (or Body Demon, in this case) ordered for the staid Gideon. Knocking him off kilter and forcing him to confront his own feelings, Legna attempts to break through his reserved exterior to touch both his heart and soul.

In Gideon, we also see the return of Isabella and Jacob, who starred in the first novel. Although supporting characters, their story figures prominently in the second story, granting readers a look at their lives together. Indeed, the picture of Jacob as a happily mated male offering advice to Gideon regarding Legna is more than entertaining!

While the prominent story is the relationship between Gideon and Legna, there is plenty of action and angst as well. There are still evil Necromancers afoot, leaving the Nightwalker community shaken and on the defense.

Each Nightwalkers release leaves me aching for the next. Jacquelyn Frank deftly sets the stage for the next story in each book, whetting our appetites for more while still leaving us feeling happily fulfilled by each book. If you haven't yet read this wonderful series, I'd recommend you run to your nearest bookstore ASAP and pick up the first book, Jacob: The Nightwalkers to prepare for the May release of this new edition, Gideon: The Nightwalkers!

Series Order:
Jacob (The Nightwalkers, Book 1)
Gideon (The Nightwalkers, Book 2)
Elijah (The Nightwalkers, Book 3)

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Gideon was a fantastic read!, June 4, 2007

By 

RENEE NELSON - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gideon (The Nightwalkers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

"Gideon" is the second offering in Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalker series. I loved "Jacob", but I found this book to be even better. The Nightwalker world is captivating with its fresh twist on the paranormal. As with "Jacob", this paranormal novel is not as "dark" as many others in the genre are, which I find refreshing. The characters are enlightened, charming, and powerful.

Gideon and Legna have always been drawn to each other, but Gideon...concerned with his lack of control while in the throes of madness that the full moon causes during Beltane and Samhein, resisted his feelings for her and rejected her. He ended up disgracing himself with a human due to the moon madness after rebuffing Legna, and had lived in a self-imposed exhile for years. The events in "Jacob" brought him back to the world of the demons, and back to face his fate with Magdalegna...the one who was truly meant for him.

For those who were fascinated by Kane and Corrine, we get to see more of them in this book...as well as more of Jacob and Bella - but you will not be lost if you didn't read "Jacob". But I definitely recommend reading "Jacob" when you can.

The antagonists in the series are beginning to become more clear...but Ms. Frank doesn't just throw them out at you. We find out a bit more from one book to the next, and "Gideon" definitely answered some questions I had lingering after "Jacob".

The new characters and races that were introduced in this book are compelling and intriguing, and I can't wait to see more of them in future books. The continued development of the Nightwalker world is fascinating, and I look forward to the new twists and turns that are bound to be coming in future tales.

"Gideon" should definitely be on your to be read list.