Death Magic (World of the Lupi #8) by Eileen Wilks
Paranormal Romance
Paperback
November 1, 2011

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: ”I ought to eat one of your legs to discourage such stubborn stupidity.”

A brief rundown of where we’ve been to where we are now. Some spoilers of past books – beware!

Eileen Wilks’ World of the Lupi series has always been an auto buy for me since reading the first book in the series-Tempting Danger. A serious, somewhat dark character driven series that revolves around two main protagonists: Lily Yu and Rule Turner. Lily and Rule first met in Tempting Danger ; a pragmatic human cop and a promiscuous werewolf prince destined to be together forever through a mystic bonding called the Chosen. You can imagine the turmoil that caused. Especially when they engage in sexual relations which invokes the bond and creates a tether that binds them together; metaphorically and physically. Throughout the series we have watched Lily grapple with the concepts of being the Chosen and what the bond is to her. Bonding doesn’t mean love. That comes later if at all. Plus, Lupi aren’t known for monogamy so that plays heavily in Lily’s decision. What I really enjoy about this series is even though the premise is fantasy, the relationship between all the characters is brushed with realism. There is no instant HEA for anyone. They have to work to understand each other and the predicament that has been literally forced on them. Lily doesn’t accept Rule’s ideology and myth based life style just because he is her mate and Rule has to learn that rules and structure are an essential part of Lily’s make up.

Death Magic brings Lily and Rule back into the forefront. With only four months till their wedding, Lily has a lot on her plate that doesn’t include testifying before a supernatural-prejudiced senator. When Lily is asked to join a shadow law enforcement group that will fight the Humans First group outside the parameters of the law she finds herself in a conundrum. While she understands Rule joining, she almost feels betrayed when it’s revealed that her old boss, Rubin, is spearheading the group. Lily plays by a strict set of rules and acting outside the law isn’t something she can morally condone. She declines and that places Rule in a difficult position of keeping secrets from her. Something he abhors. When the senator is murdered and death magic suspected, Lily’s presence in an official capacity is required and she finds herself working under two men who do not believe in magic. As Lily works the scene, she finds out the clues don’t match the evidence and it becomes apparent that someone dangerous is behind the murder and is willing to go to great lengths to decimate the supernatural world and all those who stand in their way. This leaves Lily in a bind because the clues all point to the traitor being one of their own. When Lily is set up, she is forced into a difficult position that could cause her to lose everything she has ever wanted or believed in.

During all this she is also still holding the mantle until the right Wythe clan member can be found to take it. The mantle is starting to dangerously effect Lily and that is causing problems for Rule. He allowed her to take the mantle because of his faith and love in the Lady, but now he sees Lily in danger and his faith is severely shaken. Rule has always trusted in the lady and was her fiercest champion. Now, for the first time ever, Rule questions his goddesses motives.

Oh yes. Yes, the Lady must have known. The wild rage surged up like a sandstorm, tattering thought, fraying his control…

I enjoyed seeing Rule and Lily getting a deeper understanding for what the other goes through. For once, Lily is beginning to understand that sometimes things are out of your hands and you have to trust in the gods & goddesses while Rule isn’t willing to fall back on his faith when it comes to Lily.

“I understand better now why it was so hard for you to consider joining…”

His eyes were dark and focused intensely on her. She rested a hand on his chest. His heart beat steady and slow. “Okay. Why?”

“You don’t know who you are if you aren’t first a cop. I knew that, but I didn’t…” He sifted her hair with his fingers as if he might find the words there. “I didn’t understand in my gut. Now I do. I learned that I’m not…I’m no longer the Lady’s first. I still serve her, but she’s not the first. If I must choose between you and her—”

We see many old friends in here that uplifts the arc to make the series more enjoyable and exhilarating. Rule’s father makes an appearance when Lily needs help most and they are able to connect in a deeper manner that helps Lily understand Rule and herself. I do so love the dragons, Mika and Sam. They have agreed to ally with the Lupi’s but their decidedly non-human way of looking at things is comical. Of course Cullen arrives, magic and hundreds of baby pictures in hand. A discussion about the baby, puberty, and over protective dads will have you laughing and hoping Ms. Wilks will write a short story portraying it.

As usual, this series stays true to form with plenty of action, suspense, and Lupi lore. A combination of urban fantasy and paranormal romance that gives us an in depth unique world that continues to expand and enchant with each new story. The control that Ms. Wilks’ continues to exhibit with her characters and world is both clever and adept. Clues are scattered seemingly random through out only to come together towards the end and provide us with a bigger yet more circumspect view of what is coming. My only problem in here was that the beginning starts out slow and continues that way till about half way in. A lot of information is and explanations are shared and while they are very necessary, it does cause the story to drag. At the halfway point though the story explodes and I found myself rocketing through the book to the end.

The ending is incredible as a series of events lead us to a climatic conclusion. There are some interesting changes that occur in here that guarantee the next few in the series are a must have. I cannot recommend Ms. Wilks’s World Of The Lupi series enough to those readers who love an action packed, suspenseful Urban Fantasy paired with realistic relationships incredibly charismatic and intriguing characters. I do suggest starting from the beginning because this is a continuous convoluted arc that picks up where it leaves off in each book. I look forward to seeing more of Lily and Rule in her next release; title to be announced.

Overall Rating: B

Recent Reviews:
Reflections on Reading Romance– 4.5/5
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