Originally posted in October 2012 on Fiction Vixen by Angela.

Mortal Ties by Eileen Wilks
World of the Lupi #9
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
October 2, 2012 by Berkley

Eileen Wilks’s World of the Lupi series is one of my favorites. What started out as a paranormal romance with the first couple of books has evolved into a wonderful, detailed urban fantasy world. Lily is an awesome heroine as she is smart and capable and is allowed to be those things even while she has navigated through the Lupi world and fallen in love with a powerful man. Rule Turner is simply one of my favorite heroes. I absolutely adore him. From the very first book before the mate bond between him and Lily developed I was fascinated. The way Eileen Wilks breathes life into his character, the way she does this with all of her Lupi is simply enthralling.

Mortal Ties continues the ongoing story arc with Robert Friar and the Lupi’s battle with the Great Bitch, as Lily would call her. A magical device is stolen while Lily and Rule are at Clanhome. A magical device that Cullen has been working on. At first it is believed there is a traitor at Clanhome, but when the thief calls and reveals himself to them they must navigate through all the clues and ongoing plots to locate it.

As always I was thoroughly engaged with this story. The twists and turns in learning who had the item, why it was stolen and how the clues would unravel were always interesting and I never knew which way the story would turn. Along with Lily and Rule there is a huge cast of characters that make up the Lupi world and they give the story it’s self more depth and dimension. The intricacies of how the Lupi function, of how their society works is just so interesting. I have never, in any other series involving lupus, read such a unique, elaborate world. The descriptions of Rhos, and mantles, and Lu Nuncios and how these men have honor and what they value keeps me interested with every new installment. The addition of dragons, sidhe and those who are gifted just add-on new layers. Lily and Rule have help and the way these characters work together to overcome their problems and ultimately defeat the enemy is intelligent and exciting. When all the threads to this story started to come together I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it would all end, and if we would actually get a more concrete ending or a cliffhanger. We do get an ending, but the story arc isn’t over and I see bigger, more epic battles in the future. The fate of the magical object was never really defined for me, so I’m thinking this may come up later on.

Rule is given several personal issues to deal with in Mortal Ties. His fully coming into his mantle as Rho to the Leidolf clan, and how that coincides with his duty as Lu Nuncio to the Nokolai. This throws him off. This is the first book where he has had some real difficulty dealing with the two mantles. At the same time the identity of the thief is very personal to him. He has to deal with both of these issues at the same time and he is not the usual suave, smooth Rule we know and love. I loved that Lily knew he was working through these issues and was patient and smart enough to allow him to do it in his own time. The respect that Lily and Rule have for each other is refreshing.

Of course we get to see Cullen, Cynna, Isen and Grandmother. What Lupi story would be complete without these characters? But, I missed Benedict, Sam and Ruben. I really love Benedict. We haven’t seen him much since he found his Chosen. I hope he and Arjenie will be more involved in the next book. There are several new characters introduced. Ones that I think will be quite involved in the upcoming battles between the Lupi and their Lady and The Great Bitch.

This series hasn’t slowed down at all, I am just as in love with it as ever. The story continues in 2013 with Ritual Magic and I foresee some big changes with Rule and his role with his two clans. Not to mention there is a wedding to look forward to. I hope there continues to be more books in this series, I’m willing to keep reading as long as Ms. Wilks keeps writing.

Favorite Quote:

“Lily had finished talking to Ruben and was making a second call. Her hair was loose, still tousled from their lovemaking. She kept tucking it behind her ears, and it kept slipping free. She was giving instructions this time, her voice crisp as she told someone why they were to check out a particular FedEx garage and those who worked there.

She was funny and tender and tough and , yes, sometimes a pain in the ass. She was the light of his life, and he knew all too well what it was to fear for the one you loved. He spoke to Jasper. “I can’t promise we’ll get Adam back safely, but you have my word that we’ll do everything we can to make that happen.

Rating: A