Tina's Reading Books

Second installment of Cal and Nik Leandros' series.

After successfully negating the threat of Cal's other family (the evil, death mongering elves known as The Auphe) and killing the entity that possessed Cal in the previous book, the brothers decide to remain in NY. To their surprise, after having been on the run and having only each other for so many years, they have created bonds.

First there is Promise, the lovely vampire who has awakened romantic feelings in the normally impassive Nik.

Then there is George, the lovely young psychic who raising feelings on longing in Cal.

And finally there is Rob, a.k.a Robin Goodfellow. The long lived Puck of fantasy lore who himself has been longing for friends and companions.

So the brothers have begun a business of sorts with Promise as security/bodyguards for the Fae. But their first real client entangles them with the werewolves who later kidnap George to force the brothers to find a mysterious fae relic.

Cal and Nik along with Promise and Rob set out to find the relic and free George.

Ok. This second installment is just as good as the first. The author does a great job of revealing more about the brothers and their background. But she also allows them to grow. I really enjoyed the fact that she allowed the two isolated souls to grow their little inner circle. Promise, who was a minor -- if intriguing -- walk on character in the last book was a revelation. I really enjoy her with Nik (my fictional boyfriend) and most importantly I enjoy her with Nik and Cal. She doesn't interfere with --- what to me is --- the central and best relationship in the series, and, even better, she understands and navigates it so well.

This installment was just as dark and biting with the same wit as the previous book. And most importantly, the relationship between the two brothers is just as deep and strong. I especially like that Cal is growing into his own a bit. I was also gratified to see that he was starting to use some of his Auphe self. Yes, I know he hates and rejects it intensely, but I am of the mind that if he intends to really defeat them that he needs to fight fire with fire so to speak. I actually hope that Thurman's plan is to allow Cal's Auphe abilities to grown and expand so that the field evens a bit for him.

I just love this series.

I highly recommend!