Review: New view of the Elder Races universe.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 12, 2012
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.A short, sweet little novella to tide me over until the next full length Elder Races book comes out, TRUE COLORS emphasizes the "romance" in Paranormal Romance. Though we get a street level view of two Wyrs with normal jobs, and the introduction of a new, unexpected Wyr breed, the focus in TRUE COLORS is more a universal humanity of attraction rather than the Elder Races mythology.This shift in focus is both good and bad. It makes TRUE COLORS an accessible story for any Paranormal Romance fan, and the references that tie in with previous Elder Races characters will tantalize rather than frustrate. On the other hand, accessible as this story is, I wouldn't consider this short story a strong example of the Harrison's usual nuanced writing for this series (and if I could retroactively change my ratings, I'd give DRAGON BOUND and SERPENT'S KISS 5 Bats each for pure re-read awesomeness, and leave STORM'S HEART and TRUE COLORS here at 4). TRUE COLORS is a sweet little romance that follows familiar themes. The attraction between Gideon and Alice is the instantaneous devotion of finding a true mate, and as they meet over a dead body during a murder investigation, there's plenty of male strength being juxtaposed over feminine fragility. Though the "feed the man dinner" and "warrior looking for a real home" tropes are obvious, they're also effective, and I found Gideon's happiness with Alice's domestic nest of an apartment endearing.Though I'm thrilled to have this taste of the Elder Races, Alice and Gideon are self contained relationship, not the introduction of a couple to be further developed later. I am hungry for the complex mythology and drawn out relationships that Harrison writes so well, and this little morsel has only whetted my appetite for ORACLE'S MOON this March even more.Sexual Content: Sex scenes.