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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Biting Trauma, June 24, 2004
This review is from: Thief of Lives (Noble Dead) (Mass Market Paperback)
When I read Dhampir, I wasn't sure if it was intended for an extended run or not, but here is the next volume of what now appears to be at least a trilogy. This is good news, as the Hendee's have managed to create two strong characters and put together a plot that still maintains it's mystery and draw at the end of two volumes. Magiere is a dhampir, daughter of a vampire and a human. At the end of the previous volume (in which a vampire killing scam suddenly turns out to be serious) she discovers that dhampirs have significant and deadly powers of their own. Her companion is half-elven Leesil who also hides many mysteries. Trained as an assassin, Leesil was happily pursuing a life of crime until he met Magiere. Just for a moment, at the beginning of Thief of Lives, the couple has settled into the routine of running an inn. Nothing lasts, of course, and in short order Magiere, Leesil, and Chap the wonder dog have been maneuvered into heading for the capital city of Bela to hunt the vampire responsible for killing the daughter of a prominent councilman. They arrive to discover that they are not particularly welcome - even less so when they announce that the killer may be one of the privileged classes. And instead of one vampire there are two, or maybe three, or ... Add a dog with unexpected skills, another elven killer, some mages, and a return visit by Welstiel Massing (who has hidden agendas of his own) and you have a good picture of what life is like for Leesil and Magiere. Not counting their own relationship, which has become clouded by their discovery that being a dhampir is more than having a funny ethnic designation. The events of the previous volume (which include Leesil feeding Magiere his own blood to save her life) have triggered a series of psychological and physical changes in the young woman. Not feeling in control of herself, Magiere has taken to avoiding Leesil out of fear that she might hurt him. This has put their normally close alliance is under a strain and has left both of them prone to emotional mistakes. The Hendee's manage this complex set of factors like long time writers, and the result is an active, flowing plot with a wealth of character and setting detail. While revealing a lot, they always manage to hold enough back so that there is always something new on the horizon. While this is a Gothic world, with Gothic vampires, there is a fresh newness to the plot that defies the stereotypes it works with. The book stands fairly well on its own, generally explaining what it inherits from the previous volume, but you are best of starting from the beginning - if for no other reason than the first book being equally enjoyable.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
And a good lunch..., January 25, 2004
This review is from: Thief of Lives (Noble Dead) (Mass Market Paperback)
If Dhampir could be considered a good breakfast, this sequel is definitely a hearty lunch. Herein we return to the world of Magiere (half vampire), Leesil (half-elf) and their "dog" Chap. Hoping to settle down in their new home after ridding the town of its vampire nest, fate, their reputation, and meddlers intervene. To save their small community, they travel to Belas to find and destroy its vampire, who is now killing among the nobles. As they succeed, they find out more about their own hidden or unknown pasts, meet new companions, and identify their quest and at least one of their enemies. There's fast action and character development, even among the vampires. This time I didn't hesitate when I saw there was a new book. I bought it and read it immediately. Mind you, not too many books or authors get this treatment. Some, like Cherryh, get bought immediately and set aside until I have time to savor her dense storylines. But for light entertainment, especially when recovering from a cold, this is as good as it gets, if you like vampires, well-written fantasy, and a promise of more to come. Although this can be read without doing so, I recommend you read Dhampir first. It still feels like someone's fantasy role-playing campaign, but it's a campaign in which I would have liked to play. I await for dinner with appetite...
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Storytelling, January 19, 2004
This review is from: Thief of Lives (Noble Dead) (Mass Market Paperback)
Dhampir was one of those novels that I wished had a few more chapters. I hated to close the book. So after a year's wait I was thrilled to be able to pick up pretty much where our sometimes gallant, sometimes conniving trio left off. The Hendees spread their literary wings a little on this outing and take the reader on a ride to the city of Bela where a vampire is eating pieces of the Upper Crust. With lashings of mystery and political intrigue, a few new weapons, some more glimpses into our heros' origins, and almost a high fantasy-noir environment, misfits Magiere and Leesil follow Chap's nose right into the thick of things. I found the story satisfying. One thing I would really like to see in the next book is a map of the Hendees' world. I hope they can convince their publisher to offer one in the next volume.
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