Helpful Score: 8
OMG - Fantastic book!!!
I am such a fan of the husband and wife writing team who make up Ilona Andrews. Their Kate Daniels series swept me into the paranormal world of Atlanta and has kept a steady pace. So when they started a new series beginning with "On the Edge" they were already on my autobuy list and they don't disappoint. My family is a tribe of readers and I am such a fan of the authors that I nagged both the male and female members of my extended family into reading the first books of both series. Then everyone who read Ilona Andrews has gone on to buy, borrow, or steal books from each other to continue reading the series. "Bayou Moon" has been eagerly anticipated by both genders of my family.
I believe that you need to have read the first book in the series "On the Edge" to pick up the full expression of "Bayou Moon" which takes the reader back to the world of the 'Edge'. It lies between the 'Broken' (regular US life with no magic (soccer moms and Walmart) and the 'Weird' (magic realm). The hefty 447 page book covers politics, romance, adventure, magic, and has some good fight scenes. It continues the story of William the Wolf, a fantastic secondary changeling character of "On the Edge". At the end of the first book, William doesn't get the girl or the family he wants. "Bayou Moon" is his opportunity.
The story line and pacing keeps the story moving quickly. The world building is solid and give a good foundation to go in a hundred directions in the future. The character development really give the reader the opportunity to get inside. Frankly, I fell in love with William in the last book so "Bayou Moon" was just a gift. I took the time to read it twice before giving it to the tribe to pass along. I don't know how I am going to wait another year before getting another book in the series.
If you have anyone in your family who likes urban fantasy books, give them the wonderful gift of introducing them to the talented authors who make up Ilona Andrews. "Bayou Moon" is a really solid book and a wonderful addition to a stellar series.
I am such a fan of the husband and wife writing team who make up Ilona Andrews. Their Kate Daniels series swept me into the paranormal world of Atlanta and has kept a steady pace. So when they started a new series beginning with "On the Edge" they were already on my autobuy list and they don't disappoint. My family is a tribe of readers and I am such a fan of the authors that I nagged both the male and female members of my extended family into reading the first books of both series. Then everyone who read Ilona Andrews has gone on to buy, borrow, or steal books from each other to continue reading the series. "Bayou Moon" has been eagerly anticipated by both genders of my family.
I believe that you need to have read the first book in the series "On the Edge" to pick up the full expression of "Bayou Moon" which takes the reader back to the world of the 'Edge'. It lies between the 'Broken' (regular US life with no magic (soccer moms and Walmart) and the 'Weird' (magic realm). The hefty 447 page book covers politics, romance, adventure, magic, and has some good fight scenes. It continues the story of William the Wolf, a fantastic secondary changeling character of "On the Edge". At the end of the first book, William doesn't get the girl or the family he wants. "Bayou Moon" is his opportunity.
The story line and pacing keeps the story moving quickly. The world building is solid and give a good foundation to go in a hundred directions in the future. The character development really give the reader the opportunity to get inside. Frankly, I fell in love with William in the last book so "Bayou Moon" was just a gift. I took the time to read it twice before giving it to the tribe to pass along. I don't know how I am going to wait another year before getting another book in the series.
If you have anyone in your family who likes urban fantasy books, give them the wonderful gift of introducing them to the talented authors who make up Ilona Andrews. "Bayou Moon" is a really solid book and a wonderful addition to a stellar series.
Helpful Score: 3
I read this book on my Kindle. It is the second book in The Edge series by husband and wife book writing team, Ilona Andrews. There are four books contracted for this series. You don't really have to read the first book, On the Edge, to enjoy this one; although some characters from the first book do make an appearance in this one.
Cerise Mar and her family own tons of land in the Mire, the Edge Swamplands, but they are poor. When Cerise's parents are captured by a feuding family; she is now the family's leader and will stop at nothing to get her parents back even if it does mean rekindling an ages old feud with the competing Mire family. But things are more complicated than Cerise could imagine. William, the changeling from the first book in the series, has been hired by the Mirror to track down an agent of the Hand (both factions represent nations of the Weird) named the Spider. William and Cerise find that their paths will cross and that Cerise's family feud may be connected to a silent war being waged between the Mirror and the Hand.
I actually liked this book quite a bit more than On the Edge, and I liked that book a lot. The plot for this book is a lot more complex, there is more battle and more intrigue. This book also ties in more of the politics that are happening in the Weird and it was great to see more of the infrastructure that makes up the Wierd; we never got to see much of the Weird in the first book.
William and Cerise are wonderful characters. Cerise is tough and shoulders her responsibilites to her huge family well; she has some weak moments but that only makes her easier to love as a character. William is a wonderful match for Cerise, he is just as tough as Cerise and comes with a lot of baggage which makes him a realistic and lovable character as well. The chemistry between these two characters is amazing; you are really rooting for them the whole book. Even the side characters are unique and well developed. There are a number of side characters in the group of the Hand and in Cerise's family that could hold a story all their own; they are wonderfully complex and interesting.
This book is more of an urban fantasy than a paranormal romance. There are a couple steamy scenes between Cerise and William. William is one of those "Mate-for-life" alpha males which makes the story lean a little to the romance side at some points. That being said there is a ton of action and some truly awesome fight scenes in the book, and it is these type of scenes that make up the majority of the story. Nothing ever gets overly serious in this book; the characters have a great sense of humor and the dialogue and banter does an excellent job reflecting this.
As with ever other book I have read by the Andrews; the plot is tight, the fight scenes well done, the romance scenes well done, the book very engaging, great world-building, and lovable characters. Just a great book overall.
Overall this was a wonderful addition to this series. This book broadens the world we were introduced to in the first boo, On the Edge, and has a more complex story than the first book did. Cerise and William are tough characters who really kick-butt but are at the same time lovable. I can't wait to read the next book in this series to see what it adds to the story. Ilona Andrews has quickly become an author who can do no wrong as far as I am concerned...everything I have read by this husband and wife team has been wonderful. Definitely check out their Kate Daniels series; I love that series just as much as, if not more than, this series. If you enjoy this series and the Kate Daniel's series I highly recommend the following Jaz Parks by Jennifer Rardin, Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep, Dorina Basarab by Karen Chance, and Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter. All feature tough female characters and highly developed, creative worlds that lean more towards urban fantasy than paranormal romance.
Cerise Mar and her family own tons of land in the Mire, the Edge Swamplands, but they are poor. When Cerise's parents are captured by a feuding family; she is now the family's leader and will stop at nothing to get her parents back even if it does mean rekindling an ages old feud with the competing Mire family. But things are more complicated than Cerise could imagine. William, the changeling from the first book in the series, has been hired by the Mirror to track down an agent of the Hand (both factions represent nations of the Weird) named the Spider. William and Cerise find that their paths will cross and that Cerise's family feud may be connected to a silent war being waged between the Mirror and the Hand.
I actually liked this book quite a bit more than On the Edge, and I liked that book a lot. The plot for this book is a lot more complex, there is more battle and more intrigue. This book also ties in more of the politics that are happening in the Weird and it was great to see more of the infrastructure that makes up the Wierd; we never got to see much of the Weird in the first book.
William and Cerise are wonderful characters. Cerise is tough and shoulders her responsibilites to her huge family well; she has some weak moments but that only makes her easier to love as a character. William is a wonderful match for Cerise, he is just as tough as Cerise and comes with a lot of baggage which makes him a realistic and lovable character as well. The chemistry between these two characters is amazing; you are really rooting for them the whole book. Even the side characters are unique and well developed. There are a number of side characters in the group of the Hand and in Cerise's family that could hold a story all their own; they are wonderfully complex and interesting.
This book is more of an urban fantasy than a paranormal romance. There are a couple steamy scenes between Cerise and William. William is one of those "Mate-for-life" alpha males which makes the story lean a little to the romance side at some points. That being said there is a ton of action and some truly awesome fight scenes in the book, and it is these type of scenes that make up the majority of the story. Nothing ever gets overly serious in this book; the characters have a great sense of humor and the dialogue and banter does an excellent job reflecting this.
As with ever other book I have read by the Andrews; the plot is tight, the fight scenes well done, the romance scenes well done, the book very engaging, great world-building, and lovable characters. Just a great book overall.
Overall this was a wonderful addition to this series. This book broadens the world we were introduced to in the first boo, On the Edge, and has a more complex story than the first book did. Cerise and William are tough characters who really kick-butt but are at the same time lovable. I can't wait to read the next book in this series to see what it adds to the story. Ilona Andrews has quickly become an author who can do no wrong as far as I am concerned...everything I have read by this husband and wife team has been wonderful. Definitely check out their Kate Daniels series; I love that series just as much as, if not more than, this series. If you enjoy this series and the Kate Daniel's series I highly recommend the following Jaz Parks by Jennifer Rardin, Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep, Dorina Basarab by Karen Chance, and Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter. All feature tough female characters and highly developed, creative worlds that lean more towards urban fantasy than paranormal romance.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved the first book in this series, but this one tops it! Equally strong male and female leads, fascinating world building, quirky relatives, lots of humor to go with the action and romance. This is one of the best I have read in a long time. I finished it only disappointed that the story couldn't have gone on and on! I want more!
Helpful Score: 2
This series just gets better and better. I liked Rose's tale (On the Edge) but totally loved William's story.
William is a changeling, a wolf-shifter, and occasionally, a Mirror spy. William meets Cerise in the Mire (a land between the Weird and the Broken) and joins her fight against the Hand who have kidnapped her parents. Of course, this was William's mission, to infiltrate Cerise's family and find the item the Hand is searching for before they can. As the families temporary leader, Cerise is under a lot of pressure and doesn't feel it is the correct time for romance so she puts her feelings on the back burner to protect her family. Of course William feels that he is not worthy as everyone in his family has forsaken him because he's a changeling. The romance (or more accurately, the courtship) is slow and romantic though not in a traditional way. But Cerise is a warrior and must be courted as such.
I cannot wait to get back into this series and find out how William, Declan, Cerise and Rose defeat Spider and the Hand.
William is a changeling, a wolf-shifter, and occasionally, a Mirror spy. William meets Cerise in the Mire (a land between the Weird and the Broken) and joins her fight against the Hand who have kidnapped her parents. Of course, this was William's mission, to infiltrate Cerise's family and find the item the Hand is searching for before they can. As the families temporary leader, Cerise is under a lot of pressure and doesn't feel it is the correct time for romance so she puts her feelings on the back burner to protect her family. Of course William feels that he is not worthy as everyone in his family has forsaken him because he's a changeling. The romance (or more accurately, the courtship) is slow and romantic though not in a traditional way. But Cerise is a warrior and must be courted as such.
I cannot wait to get back into this series and find out how William, Declan, Cerise and Rose defeat Spider and the Hand.
We first met William in book 1 (On the Edge). In this world, you have the "Broken:" non-magical, "real" world, the "Weird:" magic exists, and the "Edge:" the place between. Most in the Weird are unable to cross into the Broken. Those in the Broken are ignorant of the existence of the other 2. The Edgers (as they are called) can easily cross into the Broken and may cross into the Weird if they have enough magic. William is a wolf changeling. Cerise comes from a magical family and lives in the Mire. The Mire are the swamplands of the Edge. Cerise's maternal grandparents were exiled to the Edge from the state of Louisiana (part of the "Weird.").
Cerise's parents are kidnapped and someone in the family is a traitor. There is an ongoing feud with another Mire local family that's been going on for decades. I enjoyed Cerise and William met-up and gradual warm-up to each other. Lots of action and more gore in this one compared to the first. I loved Cerise's family and look forward to her cousin's stories (Richard and Kaldar).
Also got more of an idea of the politics between factions of the Weird (state of Louisiana (the Hand) and Adrianglia (the Mirror).
Cerise's parents are kidnapped and someone in the family is a traitor. There is an ongoing feud with another Mire local family that's been going on for decades. I enjoyed Cerise and William met-up and gradual warm-up to each other. Lots of action and more gore in this one compared to the first. I loved Cerise's family and look forward to her cousin's stories (Richard and Kaldar).
Also got more of an idea of the politics between factions of the Weird (state of Louisiana (the Hand) and Adrianglia (the Mirror).
The second of what is for now a 3 book series.. lots of magic which is good for the imagination. I don't appreciate the careless death or violence, and the story line sags in many places.
3rd book out in November and I will pick it up.
3rd book out in November and I will pick it up.
I was very much looking forward to this story having loved William's wolfy self in On the Edge but this one forced me to rewind so many times that I feared I was losing my mind once and for all. There were so many characters introduced, and I couldn't remember any of 'em from one page to the next, that I found it difficult to focus on the plot. The romance between William and Cerise (my apologies if this is wrong, it's been two weeks and the name has escaped my brain) seemed to get lost in the fray of Cerise's freakishly large family and there's a bit near the end where both Cerise and William are so ridiculously stubborn that it felt contrived. Very disappointing. This was more of a straight up fantasy or paranormal or urban fantasy or whatever they call them today, than it was a romance. Ah well, they can't all be winners.
