Wednesday, June 6

Demon Moon by Meljean Brook *originally posted May 14, 2007*

I've been putting off reviewing this one, not because I didn't like it, but rather because...

  • I'm afraid I wont be able to do it justice--it's that good.
  • I was waiting until closer to the release date (June 5th)
  • It's almost impossible to write without spoilers
The back blurb:

No one would call vampire Colin Ames-Beaumont kind, but they would call him unnaturally beautiful. For two centuries his tainted blood has kept him isolated from other vampires, sustained only by his beauty and vanity—bitter comforts, since a curse has erased his mirror reflection, replacing it with a terrifying glimpse of Chaos.

Savi Murray's insatiable curiosity had gotten her into trouble before, but she'd always escaped unscathed. Then came Colin. In the midst of Heaven, he gave her a taste of ecstasy—and of Chaos. Deadly creatures from that realm herald the return of an imprisoned nosferatu horde, and Colin and Savi’s bond is their only protection—and their only passion…
Meljean has created a book with two characters that could have been unlikeable, but she creates smart, sympathetic and loving characters instead. After finishing Demon Angel I knew I'd be interested in Colin's story even though he was vain and self-absorbed, but I was less enthralled with Savi, her "insatiable curiosity" isn't the most endearing quality. But I should have realized that if Meljean could make Lilith sympathetic then Savi would be an angel.

One of the things Meljean does well is create levels of fear and horror that I normally find lacking in paranormal romance. The opening scene hits this mark and in the process completely hooks me for the rest of the book. It's hit again with the scenes involving Chaos and in the process we feel Colin anxiety and fear being thrown into that environment.

And while she's created this at times frightening world, the romance never suffers. There is a sexual tension that is palpable. She moves us through their attraction--desire and ultimately love.

Their backstories are told beautifully. We realize how much Colin misses his sister and Anthony. With glimpses into Savi's past we come to understand why her relationship with her grandmother is so important. And why she's willing to pass on love to find someone that would please her grandmother. There's a resigned sadness in Colin when he's willing to stand back and just be friends.

I found myself on the verge of tears as they try to figure out a way to be together.

I've already read it twice, reread the ending several times.

This one's good, it's better than good, it's a keeper.

18 comments:

nath said...

huh, Tara Marie!!! That's not enough! that just made the wait even worse!!! LOL :D can't wait to get my hand on it!!!!

Tara Marie said...

Nath, Maybe I should have waited another couple of weeks before posting?? :D

Jennie said...

I loved the ending because I just couldn't imagine how they were going to figure it all out and have an HEA--and then...well, I won't say because I don't want to ruin it for anyone. But I thought it was fabulous. ;)

sexual tension that is palpable Uh, yeah! :)

Sam said...

Meanie, meanie, meanie!
LOL!
No, it was a great review; made me want to read it. It's not available as a download right now, is it?
Darn, I didn't think so.
You've been reading some great books lately!!

Tara Marie said...

Jennie, It's a romance you know they'll have to figure something out, but boy it had me as stressed as them--LOL. Spoilers or vague, I went with vague :D

Sam, It has been a good year actually, my count may be down a little, but the quality of what I'm reading is up :D

Tara Marie said...

Sam, I'm clueless as to downloads, but I would imagine if and when they're availabe it probably wouldn't be until the release date. You could probably email Meljean.

Elle Fredrix said...

Hey, Tara Marie. Just popping in to say I read Linda Howard's Raintree on the weekend and loved it!

My all time fave is still All the Queen's Men, though.

Bob & Muffintop said...

That's quite a review! I think I"m going to have to look these up now.

Tara Marie said...

Elle, glad to hear you liked Raintree: Inferno, you must be a Linda Howard Fangirl too--LOL.

Amanda, I definitely think they're worth a try :D

meljean brook said...

*crazy happy dance*

...back to finishing the next one.

meljean brook said...

Oh oh!

Sam -- they aren't available as ebooks, unfortunately. I've asked my editor if there are any plans to do so, but she said right now Penguin is focusing on digitizing their bestsellers and converting the bestselling backlist.

Tara Marie said...

Meljean, I knew you've been busy, but I'm so glad you stopped by and read the review.

Picked up Wild Thing at my local bookstore and and...

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!!!!!!

Rosie said...

Tara Marie you are killing me!!! I've read the excerpt about 10 times and June can't get here fast enough. Now you dangle bait. I'm slain...totally.

Tara Marie said...

Rosie--preorder this one, if it's not already :D

Bev (BB) said...

I am so tempted by these books but still not sure I can handle the darker elements. It would help if people would stop TALKING about them. Oye.

:D

Kat said...

Two questions:
1. Was it better than the first one?
2. Do I have to read the first one to enjoy this one?
I ask only because sleep is at a premium for me at the moment, so I have to be very picky about what I read. (And I do plan to read Demon Angel, I'm just not sure I have time right now.)

Tara Marie said...

Bev, honestly Meljean's writing is really good, I think you can probably get past the more horror like aspects and enjoy the books.

Kat, I guess sleep really is at a premium right now. congrats can't wait to see some baby pictures.

I think it depends on how much of the back story you need. I think it can stand alone, Meljean gives enough backstory to catch you up but not bog you down. If you like this one go back and read Falling for Anthony in the Hot Spell anthology and Demon Angel is definitely worth reading--the first 100 pages are gold.

Tara Marie said...

Kat, sorry forgot to answer the first question. Is it better--I think so, the writing and story telling is tighter and has less of an epic feeling, their relationship drives the story.