Customer Reviews

Night Season (The World of the Lupi, Book 4)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Picking up the story about a month after Blood Lines, Night Season continues with Cullen and Cynna in the spotlight and the former demon Gan playing a significant role. Cynna has been in denial about being pregnant with Cullen's child as a result of a one night stand in the last book but reality has triumphed and she and Cullen have a lot to talk about. But when an envoy from the world of Edge arrives seeking Cynna's help as a Finder to locate an important magical object, serious discussions are put on hold as Cullen, Cynna, Gan, and a small group of humans soon find themselves essentially shanghaied and dropped through a 'gate' to Edge --where magic rules instead of technology and humans are at the bottom of the species hierachy. There Cynna is coerced by the truth challenged Gnome leaders into a quest to `find' the missing talisman. Though Cynna is an expert Finder, this will be no easy task as other powerful factions seeking the talisman send assassins to keep Cynna from reaching it first. It will take more than Cullen's skill as Lupi and sorcerer to protect Cynna and his unborn child. But fortunately some powerful mysterious allies are in place to ensure that Cullen and Cynna survive the quest.

Gorgeous and incredibly powerful Lupi sorcerer Cullen Seaborne is now one of my favorite characters in this series. Cullen is no longer the lone wolf ostracized from his pack for refusing the impossible demand to give up the magical powers that were considered obscene to the Lupi but were so much a part of Cullen that it was like asking him to remove his own skin. Since then he's been adopted by the Nickloi clan and the acceptance of his adopted clan has made his wolf very happy. Now despite the nightmares of abandonment and the emotional scars that he still carries, the man too has a chance to experience true joy. Cullen's going to be a father, an occurrence that is so rare for Lupi that Cullen had given up hope of it ever happening to him. The thought of a having a child of his own is even more precious to Cullen given all his years of loneliness. Now his only fear is that once Cynna stops denying that she's pregnant, a fact the his Lupi gift has known from the second it happened, she may not wish to carry the child to term or allow him to be as fully involved in the child's life as he hopes and needs to be.

Cynna's religious beliefs mean that she will keep the child, though she too has shunned permanent ties. Cynna is every bit as damaged as Cullen. Having been abandoned by both parents as a child -- she lost her mother to drugs, alcohol and then death when she was just a teen, and though she now knows that her father's disappearance when she was a toddler was beyond his control, she spent years suffering from his absence -- she too shares Cullen's anger born of deep loneliness. Shared pain draws Cynna to Cullen, even as she knows she must not lose her heart to him being quite aware of the Lupi stance on exclusive relationships. Much to her dismay, Cynna comes to depend more and more on Cullen. But what Cynna doesn't realize is that Cullen, having been an outsider for so much of his life is less bound by clan rules than others of his species and is more willing to color outside the lines, so things may not be as hopeless as they seem.

Night Season pulls together a lot of threads from the previous books, using the cast, the Lupi culture, and the magical world that Wilks has created to weave depth into the characters and the story that would be difficult to achieve in a single book. While this is wonderful for fans like me that have read all three of the other novels and the 3 connected short stories, there are many nuances and details in Night Season that someone new to the series may not understand. And even you've read all of other Lupi novels, if you missed the short "Inhuman" from anthology On the Prowl where Kai, Nathan and Dell were introduced, you are going to wonder who and what they are even after the hints and a brief explanation that comes near the end of the book. So to established Wilks fans, it might be worth the effort to hunt down a copy of On The Prowl and read "Inhuman" because I suspect that we'll see this trio again in future books. And to newcomers to the series, go back to the beginning and start with Tempting Danger so that you get full advantage of the wonderful world that Wilks has developed. This is one of my favorite contemporary fantasy/urban fantasy series it has a good combination of mythos, magic, mystery, interesting well drawn characters and a touch of romance. I rarely read a book more than once, but this series is one of my keepers.

Here are the books in the World of the Lupi series in reading order:
Tempting Danger (The World of the Lupi, Book 1) - Introduces Rule, Lily, Cullen, Grandmother, Ruben and the Lupi culture and elements of the Magical world
Cravings (The World of the Lupi Novella "Originally Human) - Molly and Michael, who appear off screen in Tempting Danger, Wilks plans on bringing them in to the series main line in the future
Mortal Danger (The World of the Lupi, Book 2) - Rule, Lily, Cullen, introduces Cynna, Gan and the dragons
Blood Lines (The World of the Lupi, Book 3) - Cynna and Cullen are the focus
On the Prowl ("Inhuman") - Introduces Kai, Nathan and Dell who appear in Night Season
This book Night Season - Cynna, Cullen and Gan are the focus
and coming soon Mortal Sins

Also there is the story "Only Human" in anthology Lover Bewarewhich was the inspiration for the series and rewritten as Tempting Danger.

In this 4th book of Wilks' Lupi series, Wilks lets supporting characters Cynna and Cullen take the leading roles. The book is a good read on its own. However, as with most series, readers will appreciate some of the details more if they read at least Wilks' previous book in the series, Blood Lines (The World of the Lupi, Book 3), which sets the stage for this book.

To avoid possible spoilers, I'll give just a brief outline of the plot. Folks from another world called Edge come thru a magical portal to seek help recovering a powerful and mysterious artifact. Cynna and Cullen end up in the team the government assembles to investigate. After ending up in Edge not quite in the expected manner or place, the team has to cope with the intricacies of an old and complex world plus lots of twists in the plot.

Cynna finds someone from her past in a position of authority in Edge - and Cynna doesn't deal well with authority or her own past. And then there is the question of whether the former possessors of the artifact should be given it back - if Cynna can even find it. There are mysterious strangers with unknown intent lurking about, as well.

The tale is told well, with enough twists and surprises to fill two books and the romance between Cynna and Cullen goes thru trials and strains, with dramatic arrivals and sudden, unexpected departures. I'm definitely more of a fantasy fan than a romance fan but even for me, their developing relationship grabs my interest. And the fantasy components are very well-crafted, too. Wilks makes of Edge an interesting and well-crafted world, with both familiar folks (gnomes and elves) and new races, but usually with a twist. Just wait until you learn the true origin of the race of gnomes, for example.

When I read that the book was about Cullen and Cynna, I at first didn't want to read it at all. I'm too in love with Rule and Lily, and didn't appreciate the interruption. However, Wilks was amazingly able to make side characters into interesting and quirky main characters.

The dialog between Cynna and Cullen was sassy and creative; and made me fall in love with the easy banter and the characters-- not just individually, but together as a completely different type of romantic couple than Lily and Rule represent.

The story was interesting-- and actually held me glued to every page until I finished it in one night. I appreciated the depth about Cullen's background and Cynna's family being tied in so eloquently to the plot and the baseline of their romance.

The tie-in with the characters from Wilks' anthology, Nathan and Kai, was a welcomed edition-- bringing two good journeys to a satisfying ending. Wilks has me hooked for the return to Rule and Lily, and I expect great things of her next production.

This fourth book in Eileen Wilks's imaginative werewolves and magic-wielding FBI agents series focuses not on the protagonists of the first three books, Lily Yu and Rule Turner, but on two characters who have been supporting players in the past: magical Finder, Cynna Weaver, and the sorcerer-lupus, Cullen Seabourne. I've had a soft spot for Cullen ever since he appeared in the novelette, "Only Human," a prequel to TEMPTING DANGER, the first novel in this series. (That story can be found in the anthology CRAVINGS, with Laurell K. Hamilton and others.) I was glad to see a fuller treatment of Cullen's story here. Another story called "Inhuman" in yet another anthology, ON THE PROWL, is a bridge between Book #3 in the series and the present one. I don't suppose you'd have to read that story to understand this book, but it would certainly add depth to what is here.

But NIGHT SEASON has some problems. I wound up liking it quite a lot, but it's slow getting started. There's a great deal of talking and explaining in the first chapters (Wilks even uses a footnote at one point). It doesn't really start moving until about chapter 8. Once it did get moving, I found the story quite entertaining. Another odd thing about it is that it's really a high fantasy sandwiched between two urban fantasy slices. Wilks did something similar in Book #2, MORTAL DANGER, wherein Lily and Rule are sucked into an alternative universe, Dis. In NIGHT SEASON, Cynna and Cullen must travel to another realm, Edge, to locate and retrieve a powerful medallion. If they don't, everyone in Edge will perish--and Cynna and Cullen will never be able to return to Earth.

Wilks is a strong writer with lovely turns of phrase, but this wasn't her strongest effort. Her characters are quite involving and the playing out of the relationship between Cynna and Cullen, of Cynna coming to terms with her past, and the action in the last half of the story, saved the book for me. I recommend it, but it may take some patience to get into it--unless you're dedicated the series like I am.

If you've read the first three books of the series, particularly "Blood Lines" (book 3), then the major characters and world setting are comfortable and familiar. If not, I strongly suggest reading "Blood Lines" before starting "Night Season".

However, all readers should know that there's a short story "Buying Trouble" (in the collection "On The Prowl") that introduces two minor characters (Kai & Nathan) who play a pivotal role. If I hadn't read the short story first, I would have been perplexed by the short scenes centered on their actions. Having read it, I really wanted to see much more of Kai than we're given.

Nevertheless, the relationship between Cynna & Cullen, the quick pace of the action, and the growth in the characters of Gan and Steve Timms (as well as Cynna & CUllen) combine to make for an enjoyable read.

This book is mainly told from Cynna and Cullen's perspectives. Even though Cynna knows she is pregnant, she is still holding on to every shred of denial she can, including telling herself she can keep Cullen at an arms length. When she and Cullen get kidnapped into another realm called Edge, she must learn to trust him, for he seems to be the only one who cares at all if she lives or dies. She is forced on a search for a magical medallion that controls the seasons in Edge, but not everyone wants her to find it.

I have to say I love Cynna and Cullen's love hate relationship. You can really tell they both care for each other no matter how much either of them denies it. One minute they are fighting and the next.. well.. Ahem.. I have to say Cullen's commitment surprised me since the Lupi are extremely against monogamy. But, considering the Lupi's very low fertility this does make sense. Of course Cullen seems to make it a habit to break all the rules as much as possible.

I really enjoyed some of the sideline characters, especially Gan, the semi-former demon who has grown a soul. She is a very amusing character, so childlike, yet strong. I enjoyed seeing more of her transformation as she learns what it means to care for others, the main component of a soul. I also enjoyed the part, while small about Kai and Nathan. It appears there is a short story about them called, "Inhuman" from the Anthology, On the Prowl. The two of them really intrigued me, so I'll have to check out their short story.

I was a little gun shy at first about this book since Lily and Rule are not much of a focus in this book, but I'm really glad I decided to continue on with the series. This book was really fulfilling, and I actually didn't miss Lily and Rule too much. Cynna and Cullen's journey was more than enough to keep my attention, and made for a very good read.

Book: smooth, great action, hot romance, lupi, werewolves, sorcerers, mystical world, NOT a stand alone


Hero: powerful, handsome, sorcerer werewolf, intelligent, suave, mysterious


Heroine: mage, intelligent, stubborn, resourceful, strong



Similar Authors: Patricia Briggs, Carrie Vaughn, Kelley Armstrong, Karen Chance, Jeaniene Frost


Werewolf sorcerer Cullen Seabourne and FBI Agent Cynna Weaver are finally coming to terms with having a baby when they are lured into another realm where magic is the norm. If they want to get home they must find a missing magical medallion, which is also being hunted by other powerful beings.


Eileen Wilks is yet another writer writing in the paranormal genre with strong heroines and magic.


I will start by saying that this book would have been better if it had contained the FULL story of Cullen and Cynna, instead you have to read the previous books in the World of the Lupi series to understand their dynamic and actually get what is going on.


But if you HAVE read the books then you will get a kick out of this one. I love the character byplay, I love the plot and the action is great as well. It's so great when an author such as Eileen Wilks decides to actually challenge her characters and doesn't follow the cookie cutter mold of most other paranormal 'romances'.


Cullen's character is rather fascinating, with his issues as a werewolf sorcerer to his being a lady's man. Cynna can be a bit stubborn but is in no way a dolt and there are few if any moments where I feel I need to conk someone on the head.


Also the romance is NOT the main point of the book, which I like, the main point is getting home and romance just intertwines with it in a rather pleasing situational fashion.

[...]

This book really deserves 3.5 stars. It was a bit slow for me. I do love Chynna and Cullen and that is the books only redeeming quality. If it wasn't for this couple, I probably wouldn't have finished the book. I love their relationship. I also like the idea of the "Edge" world.

Night Season is another triumph in the Lupi Series by Eileen Wilks. It continues the story of Cullen Seabourne and Cynna Weaver, as they embark on a challenging adventure in an alternate reality. It also intertwines the characters of Nathan Hunter and Kai Tallman Michalski from Ms. Wilks' novelette with the Lupi series. We get to keep tabs on Lily Yu and Rule Turner too. Ms. Wilks expands on the charming character of Gan, the little demon who grows a soul. The book is exciting and romantic. Ms. Wilks is an awesome story weaver. I've read and re-read this one several times.

In this fourth book of the World of the Lupi, Cynna and Cullen are the stars. Cynna and Cullen have never been my favorite characters as I prefer Lily Yu and Rule, but I was pleasantly surprised by their story. Granted, we had quite a bit about them in Blood Lines, but this book was their full-fledged story. Cynna as a "Finder ", someone who locates things, has been asked to find a missing pendant from the realm of Edge. Edge was an interesting city and I enjoyed all the different species introduced. I found the story intriguing and very easy to read. I really liked the way the author had built the relationship between Cynna and Cullen over the course of the last two books. It made the ending just perfect. This is a very good series and I am looking forward to the next book that will be about Lily and Rule!