A Wild Light (Hunter Kiss Book 3) By Marjorie M. Liu
July 27, 2010
Urban Fantasy
Paperback, 320 Pages
Ace
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “He stopped me by kissing my hand. Just one kiss, but it was gentle and desperate, and my voice choked into silence.”
Maxine Kiss has always known of the darkness inside her. A darkness that enables her to fight demons but slowly seems to be taking over her soul. She has awakened to find her grandfather dead, her knife bloody, and no memories of what has happened. Maxine fears the darkness has finally claimed her.
With her sanity in question and her memories lost, Maxine begins the difficult task of facing who and what she may be before she loses it all. Maxine’s family has always lead a nomadic lifestyle, never allowing emotional attachments to deviate then from their mission. To hunt and kill demons. Until Maxine found love with the last light bringer-Grant. Now Maxine and Grant will face the biggest challenge of their lives. The veils between the worlds are ripping. Apocalypse is coming. As Maxine works towards recovering her memories she is dismayed to find the darkness within her is coherent and has plans for her.
Ms Liu takes us through a vivid and dark world of demons, zombies, and other paranormal entities while lighting our way with the purest light of all-love.This book reads like a living puzzle. And we, the readers, must piece the story together along with Maxine.
It does start out a little slow with Maxine trying to reconnect with those she doesn’t remember but soon picks up the pace and you are once again lost in the Hunter Kiss world. The suspense and romance is tantalizing and subtle as always. Each are minor stories in their own right but the combination of them together creates an exciting arc that sweeps you along it’s twisting and turbulent path. Grant has become more at ease with his gifts and begins to understand what he is capable of. He has made some terrible mistakes along the way. So the awareness is bittersweet as we are given some deeper insight into his past. Maxine’s “family” along with some new interesting characters play a strong role in this installment.
We are told the story of the boys and the first Warden from the beginning; providing insight into the sacrifices made to create the Maxine we see today. It is very telling of Maxine’s past and what she is becoming. I love the interaction between Maxine and her “boys”.They love her as much as she does them. The lengths they go to protect her are amazing. Ms.Liu infuses them with so much personality and flair. Plus, who wouldn’t love little demons who sing 80’s rock hits?
The Hunter Kiss series is a wonderful journey into a noir urban fantasy that focuses more on story then skin. I advise all those who have not read this series to start from the beginning.These stories are not stand alone and the intricacies of the over all arc demand you start from book one in order to fully appreciate the series.
Rating: 4/5
Recent Reviews:
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This series includes:
The Iron Hunt
Darkness Calls
A Wild Light
Great review Tori – I've read the first book The Iron Hunt and I'm just starting Darkness Calls. Looking forward to A Wild Light too esp as it gets 4/5 :)
I'm in to Liu's Dirk And Steel series and love her writing voice…this sounds like another winner of a series Tori :)
I do love memory loss stories, and I loved that quote, but another series?! However, Leontine and both BBC like them, so I'll have to keep this series in mind for later!
BCC-Thanks. I really enjoyed Darkness Calls.
Leontine-I've only read the Hunter Kiss series but I hear they are all wonderful.
A buckyeye girl reads-LOL I know. I always wonder how an author can keep so many different series straight. I like this one because it's low key. Lots of puzzles to sort through.
I also read the first book – but I think I am off the genre – so will add this to my list of books to catch up on when the mood hits me again…
Great round up.. thank you.
E.H>
I've been looking forward to this one since Darkness Calls. Woo hoo!!!!
Great review Tori! It sounds like a good UF/mystery series!
amyt865
GREAT review, this is another author I have really wanted to read!
Erotic Horizons-Oh noes. You must wait and read this when your more in the mood.
KC-SQUUUEEE!!! You'll love it.
Amy-Thanks!
Pam-Thanks!
Really nice review Tori! I haven't read anything of Liu's but I do love a good series so maybe I should look this one up:)
Just got this one in the mail on Friday. I'm not sure when I'll get to it, but it sounds pretty good.
Been waiting for this one. I like this series.
Love the new look of the site.
Lovely review Tori – thank you. I didn't really enjoy the novella that started this series off, but…I'm tempted. And the cover is gorgeous!
I loved this read as well. :) I have enjoyed this whole series so far. Marjorie does a great job of keeping the books moving and giving lots of new details too. Great review. :)
Jenny,heidenkind,Beth,orannia,Melissa-thank you so much. This is a fab series that I have really enjoyed so far.