Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison (Elder Races #4)
Paranormal Romance
March 6, 2012
Berkley
Reviewed by Mandi
In this installment of Thea Harrison’s Elder Races series, we dive into the world of Djinn and oracles. This book starts right where Serpent’s Kiss ends, but can be read as a stand alone.
Khalil was called to Grace’s house as a payment of a debt he owed to the vampire Carling at the end of Serpent’s Kiss. He was sent to keep Grace’s niece and nephew safe, as she dealt with a barrage of wyr and vampires and other supernatural creatures on her property. Grace has recently inherited the power of an oracle, after her sister died in a car accident. The oracle power descends through the female line, and Grace was next to receive it. But that power is not the only thing she inherited. Her 5 year old niece and 9 month old nephew were left orphans after the accident and she has lovingly taken them in.
Long ago, when someone went to the oracle for her abilities, they would leave some sort of payment as a thank you. But that tradition has since died out and has been forgotten. Legend has it that once an oracle asks for money for her services, she would lose all power of prophecy. Which means, Grace is poor, with two extra mouths to feed, and no way to support them.
While Khalil paid his debt to Carling as he kept the children safe during the confrontation, he is hesitant to leave Grace’s house. Khalil is old, as in almost as old as the universe old, and has a very hard time relating to human beings. He doesn’t understand them or really want to have anything to do with them. But he looks at Grace’s niece and nephew and feels this overwhelming need to protect them, something he couldn’t do when it came to his own daughter many, many years ago.
Eventually Grace realizes she isn’t quite cut out to face-off with ancient supernatural beings and asks for Khalil’s full time help. What I really enjoyed in this book is the relationship between these two unlikely people. Grace is so young and stubborn, and is really feeling her way with this new power that has overtaken her. She is also still feeling her way with being a mother, one without money at that. Khalil swirls his way into her life (literally) and is so out of touch with what it is to be a human, it is very amusing. Thea Harrison does a nice job with allowing Khalil to have time to assimilate into Grace’s world. Although he does get confused with small things, he is extremely powerful and most supernatural creatures fear him. Those two attributes combined make him a very sexy hero.
The banter between Grace and Khalil keep this story moving along, but I was expecting more conflict from outside sources in this one, and although there is as small storyline in this one, it felt weak to me.
Also, while I appreciate this large and complex world the author is setting up, at times in this one there is a lot of information dumping. We have to learn the history of the Djinn and oracle, and it slowed the story down a bit.
I am happy to see that the next book in this series goes back to Dragos and Pia, and hopefully his team of Wyr, which I have missed in the past couple of books. For me, the past book or two in this series were not my favorite, but this one brings back what I love about this series – engaging characters, witty dialogue and a really cool paranormal world.
Rating: B
Recent Reviews:
The Book Pushers – B+
On a Book Bender – 9/10
Wicked Little Pixie – 4.5/5
Dear Author – A-
Hanging With Bells – 4.5/5
All About Romance – A-
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
I’m wicked excited for this book. Khalil hooked me hard at the end of Serpent’s Kiss and I am really hoping I love him as much as the other heroes. I really want to learn about the Djinn and Oracle histories. It’s cool how the Oracle can never ask for payment for services, lest she lose her power for good. Very interesting.
It is…it’s well done. You will like!
I gotta say that I was starting to think that Dragon Bound was a one-hit wonder, because I did not like book 2 and wasn’t even feeling like reading book 3. However, I was blown away by this book, or I’m being blown away by it since I’m still reading it. Very romantic and just as magic and interesting as Dragon Bound…. And Khalil……… *swoons*
I know…book 2 was ok book 3 was slow. But this one brings it all back. AND we get Dragos again in the next book. Excited.
I just got this book downloaded into my nook, I am super excited to read it. I thought book 2 was ok, book 3 I thought was good (not as good as Pia’s book) but I liked the sweeping feeling that no matter what they were destined to be with each other.
Just tell me it has good sexy time Mandi….that’s all I need…good sexy time!
There is good sexy time!! No worries there! LOLOL
Even though there was no huge storyline or a lot of action, I was really happy with this one. My favorite since Dragon Bound for sure.
I have book one in this series and just have not made time to read it through. I’ve started it so many times and then have to put it down to read other things. I WANT to read these! Must.Find.Time!
I didn’t care for the previous bk, but I’m all kinds of excited that you likey OM
I think you will get a kick out of Khalil!
Great review Mandi!! I, too, am very excited to go back to Dragos and Pia!! :)
I am still sad that I did not love book 1 as much as the rest of you
Aww Blodeuedd…we still <3 you! ;)
Thanks for your review Mandi. I finished OM and have pretty much the same feeling about it as you. Of the leading men in the Elder Races books, I rate them: Dragos, Khalil, Tiago, Rune. And, while the storyline isn’t compelling, Khalil has that quality that Dragos had in Dragon Bound. He’s an ancient, nonhuman being whose caught up in an attraction and desire for a human (and her adopted children) for the first time in his long existence. Thea Harrison makes his journey from the beginning of the book (or really the end of Serpant’s Kiss) to the end of the book feel very real. And that’s saying something for a PNR.
I agree with the order of the heroes. And yes – I enjoyed (and believed in) his journey as well. Really enjoyed Khalil and the heroine.