I like the way Liu handles the romance component of her books and stories--they aren't romance, they aren't sex, they're LOVE. I also like the way she handles raising the stakes and taking the characters to a higher level of cosmic importance. No matter how strange her material, she makes it seem real. When the woman who has demons living on her skin in the form of tattoos says she doesn't believe in all that supernatural nonsense, you're like, "Damn straight. Wait--what?" I love Marjorie Liu's work. Can't wait for the next installment! After exercising a demon from a man who just killed a small child, Maxine is shot in the head by an unknown being. Being shot in the head is an occupational hazard for those of Maxine's lineage; Hunters. In fact, being shot at, blown up, stabbed, bitten and beaten to a pulp are nothing new for Maxine Kiss. All part of being a hunter.Then the story gets interesting and those who read the first several Anita Blake novels will appreciate this storyline.First, Father Cribari, the person who wanted to kill Grant when he was a priest, shows up and tells Grant that his friend is in trouble in China and he is needed there. Of course, this is a trap that any blind person could see coming. Grant decides to go anway...DOH!Then the mysterious and evil Mr Jack shows up asking for the woman in charge and Maxine knows right away that Mr Jack is trouble and she is absolutely correct in her assumption. As Grant is flying to China, Maxine is kidnapped by Father Cribari's assassins who try to shoot her in the head right as daylight is approaching. The only time she is vulnerable.Of course, Maxine escapes and realizes that Grant is in trouble and she has to find a way to get there. Cribari, it seems, belongs to a group who believe that both Grant and Maxine are abominations and thus they deserve to die.They meet the mysterious Father Lawrence, who helps them escape and the mind reader Tilly, who ends up being a part of the group running away from Mr Jack and his minions who continually try to kill Maxine and Grant.This story had alot of action. We find out that Mary is not so drugged out after all, and is actually the same as Grant, a lightbringer. Maxine is now experiencing a true darkness within her, and it scares her to death. She also travels back in time to once again, visit with her grandmother and her mother. The scene with her grandmother happens after she is nearly killed by Mr Jacks minions.The ongoing story of Jack, her grandfather and an Avatar and someone who has alot of secrets that he keeps away from Maxine, is compelling and it can only go forward from here. We pretty much know that the relationship between Grant and Maxine will continue to be written into the storyline.
What do You think about Darkness Calls (2009)?
Loving this series, Maxine and the boys rock !!
—Gia
