Review: This is definitely going on the "Must Read" list
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 2, 2012
Padraig O'Neill had been sent to protect the new Cáidh Arm, the arm of the Goddess. She was the only chance the Otherworlders had in the upcoming war against the Dark Lord and his minions from the Abyss. Having fought in the last war, Padraig knew how bloody and devastating this new struggle was going to be, and with an Earthbound Cáidh Arm who was untrained and mostly ignorant of her duty, he had a tough road ahead of him.Deva Morgan was aware of her half-fae heritage and with her circle of "Supe" protectors, she had enough warrior training to look after herself and her bar. When the gorgeous blonde with the cold silver eyes walks up and orders a beer, she is attracted, intrigued and picking up some definitely supernatural vibes. Her instincts are spot on when he pulls a sword and decapitates the tourist sitting next to him.Blew me away!! Loved this book so much and I just spazzed that I have the next two books to dive into. L. J. DeLeon has created a world so fascinating and magical that I could happily stay here for quite awhile. Except for the war, the demons running amok and eating people and "Supes" (beings of differing levels of Otherworld heritage)and the sleeper daemons that have attained very high levels of power in the human world and are turning the general human populace against the"Supes".I read this book in one sitting, there was absolutely no way I was putting it down and being the glutton that I am, I wanted to know everything that happened so I could jump to the next book. This story shifts settings quickly so that the reader isn't exposed to just one aspect of the war. We get to see the machinations from all sides which is a great plus because some very pivotal characters have some really BIG secrets. And of course there is the steamy romance aspect of the book. Padraig is convinced that the only way he can be effective is to be cold and detached. (*snort* guess how well that works?)Deva has to work to overcome a very natural reticence and aversion to actual battle. It's one thing to play "Call of Duty" on the Playstation but it's quite another to actually blow someone's head off. Her circle of protectors, weres, mages and druids are sometimes too sheltering and leads to some incredibly embarrassing, albiet funny,scenes. I could not have loved this book quite as much if Deva hadn't evolved the way she did. She accepted her role and worked hard to be the best leader she was capable of being. This is not a book of male heroics but a book of feminine empowerment. A great many of the key power players are female and they are cunning and ruthless. I am fervently praying that the next two books keep this thread of excellence going.