Book Review: A Kiss of Shadows

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[5 stars]

A Kiss of Shadows Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon US Audio Book Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC Amazon Canada Audio Book
Laurell K. Hamilton
Class/Genre: Mystery Fantasy Magic Adult Content
Series: Merry Gentry / Meredith NicEssus # 1
Ballantine, Oct 2000, $22.95, 448 pp.

Everyone searches for the missing Unseelie Sidhe Princess Meredith is. Especially interested is the paparazzi that sees locating her as a passage to the big time. However, they have no idea that finding her means she would have to go to the Unseelie Court, which means her death. She fled St. Louis with the clothes on her back, hiding in LA as Meredith Gentry. She obtains employment at the Grey Detective Agency. While working on a case involving Sidhe artifacts and a cult of worship that could lead to the fey vanishing from the continent, somebody recognizes Meredith.

The Queen of the Unseelie Court Meredith’s aunt, the Queen of Air and Darkness Andrais demands the princess return to court. She sends her personal bodyguards to insure Meredith obeys. To her surprise, Meredith is glad to be home. Her aunt decides to make Meredith one of her own, having concluded that her son is a pervert not suitable to rule. The first to conceive a baby will be the next ruler, but Cel will kill to attain the power he believes belongs to him.

Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton will compare Meredith to the author’s popular character Anita Blake. Both share a high moral timber, but Meredith is more pragmatic due to a strong sense of service and loyalty. The potential for Meredith to stoop to Cel’s level in future tales is high, something Anita would find repugnant. Thus, Ms. Hamilton has created a player different than anyone starring in her previous works. A KISS OF SHADOWS is enthralling and exciting showing an alternate earth where the Sidhe are on equal footing with mankind in an environs that seems real.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner