I continue to like the characters in this series, but I found the premise of this one a bit harder to stomach. Due to an arcane rule which no one seems to question, the heroine accidentally finds herself the prize of a contest of the two men who want to marry her.

While I didn't like the premise much, the execution is good. Not my favorite in the series, but I still liked it. ( )

Excellent read. Can't really tell if this is last book of series or not. Without spoilers, can't detail what was resolved and what was left up in the air. Whew! Author is doing the 7th book per her blog at http://moiraj.livejournal.com/profile (it's just not being published by Ace as of January 2012) -- blog says she's planning on putting it on her blog September 2012. She's got some short stories out there if anyone is interested.

What's up with publishers dropping the last books of a series, grumble, vent, moan? If there's only one more book to a series, why suddenly drop it? I've had two other authors say that about their series (one got dropped due to a death in the immediate family causing a missed deadline). Or if going to drop it, tell author "wrap it up, this is it" -- no wonder there are so many self-published things nowadays ( )

Shield and source may both have had a good opportunity to rest up and practice their new skills, but protecting Westsea isn't just a matter of shielding the coastal area from natural events. Politics and intrigue, and some very nasty neighbors don't bode well for Lee and Taro - even worse, Lee's mother and two brothers have arrived with news: an old marriage contract has resurfaced, and Lee's expected to honor it.

I've complained in earlier reviews about Lee's lack of reaction to things. There's certainly plenty of action and reaction here. ( )

This is the sixth novel in Moira J. Moore’s Lee and Taro series – or Shield and Source series, or Heroes series. Like the series never seems to manage to quite decide what genre it is, there also seems to no agreement on what it’s actually called. The former I actually consider an asset, because it makes the series unique – it mixes (if not always blends) Romance, Fantasy and Science Fiction elements. It obviously did not help her sales, however, and likely neither did the notoriously inappropriate covers for every single of the six volumes. Apparently Moira J. Moore’s publisher didn’t have any clear idea what to do with the series either, and so one probably should not have been surprised that they dropped it unfinished after this installment. Which is a pity, because even though Moore might not re-invent any of the genres she plays with, the series has considerable charm – not an exciting read, but a very pleasant one.

Heroes at Odds comes down heavy on the Fantasy side of things, with our protagonists still staying in the Duchess of Westsea and chiefly busy with fending off the attacks of a greedy neighbour who wants the Duchy for himself and is using magic-wielding minions to get it. This volume doesn’t advance the general plot by much but does manage to set things up for the final installment in an entertaining manner, and even though some bad things happen, the mood is overall lighter than in the rather gloomy previous volume.

As I read HEROES AT ODDS, two thoughts kept popping into my mind, over and over again: I forgot how much I love Dunleavy’s narration, her voice, and two, I miss the good old days before Lee and Taro turned into an old married couple.

The first thing, Lee’s narration, is a big part of why I look forward to every new installment in this series. Why I turned the last page of HEROES AT ODDS feeling happy and satisfied. Her peculiar straightforward, plainspoken insightfulness is a constant delight.

Taro is a delight too – but we don’t see much of him in HEROES AT ODDS. This is my first, biggest complaint about the book. He shows up for a few key scenes, especially when required by the subplot about the marriage contract Lee’s family made up for her as a child, but for the most part he minds his own business. When he and Lee do interact, they employ the teasing manners and verbal shorthand of a long established couple. As a result, all of their interactions are very efficient. Too efficient, if you ask me. I like seeing them work as a team but I wanted to see them together more.

The main plot has to do with a new threat to the Duchess of Westsea, Fiona. The Earl of Kent is intent on taking away her title and she must fight him off. The plot featured plenty of intrigue and skirmishing before the final battle, and I enjoyed it, but every time Lee thought about High Scape I found myself thinking, “Boy, I wish we could go back there…or almost anywhere else.” I felt a little impatient for Lee and Taro to move on to a new location and a new set of problems.

But, quibbles aside, I love this series and I really enjoyed HEROES AT ODDS. They’re good books.
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