I really enjoyed this book. I read Succubus Blues, which had an interesting premise, but I actually enjoyed this book more. It's a bit Anita Blake-ish but Eugenie Markham is not nearly as prudish or annoying, and the writing is better. I liked the characters, the descriptions of the desert, the fact that everything was slightly off kilter. We had a were animal, but not a wolf, (he's half Japanese and a fox) we had a faery king but he's ligh thearted (as well as being into bondage.) I liked the fact that it was both a familiar fantasy tale but with enough quirks to make it stand apart, and also that it made sense internally. I liked the world building and I liked the way the story was told. I look forward to the next one. ( )

Urban fantasy, first in a series. Well-developed, interesting characters, including a highly likable protagonist who struggles with plenty of internal conflict and a compelling love triangle. ( )

I enjoyed most of this book. This is my first Richelle Mead story. I really liked Eugenie Markham as a heroine. She was strong, tough, gritty but also she was vulnerable without being needy and whiny. She talks the talk and walked the walk. The love triangle was interesting. I rather like both men, Dorian, the Faery King, and Kiyo, the Shape-Shifter. Both men have good and bad points. It was interesting how the story unfolded and the shape it took on. The plot was OK. There was a lot of talk about rape, but when there is a prophecy that says the son of the heir of the Storm King will rule the world, I guess every bad guy wants in on the action, by any means necessary.

I will read the next book. ( )

Eugenie deals with banishing just like any other corporate, she's got a secretary, costumer meetings and fee for her services. Most of the time she find herself banishing lesser feys who crossed earthside to bother humans, but that's about to change. Eugenie, also known as Odile the dark swan, is being hired to recover a young girl taken against her will to the otherworld and that's when everything changes. She crosses over the otherworld with her three sidekicks spirits and discover more then she wished for. I found myself dragged within the story, Eugenie is tough but also has her weaknesses, along her journey she find herself questioning what she believed her entire life.
Ms. Mead introduce us to great characters with their unique personalities, I find myself fond of Dorian, a king from the otherworld. I love my urban fantasy with some kind of love story and I wasn't disappointed. Odile who was very comfortable single ends up with two sexy men interested by her, none of them being human, which makes it hard on her principles. Anyhow she falls in love with Kiyo, a kitsune, but is also very attracted by Dorian. Mead also please us with a few hot very well-written sex scene to spice everything up.
There's great suspense until the end, I never figured out who was "the bad guy" in the story until it was right in my face.
I'd give an overall 8.5/10 to the book. I can't wait for the second book in the series (Thorn queen) to come out! ( )

This is the first in the new Dark Swan series by Richelle Mead, author of the incredibly successful Vampire Academy and Succubus novels.

Eugenie Markham (aka Odile) is a head-strong and independent character who is instantly likable. The opening few pages quickly sucked me into Eugenie's life as a Shaman with humour and combat as she fights to banish a spirit from a haunted running shoe! This book is full of action and for the most part the plot is fast-paced and when one fight ends another one begins or passion ensues with one or the other of her lovers. The portrayal of the different worlds she travels in and out of are vivid and realistic.

Her love interests: Kiyo, a sexy shapeshifter and Dorian, a bondage-loving Fairy King, are well written with love scenes giving just enough detail to tantalise without being too explicit. The only criticism I have is that the romance between Eugenie and Kiro occured too quickly. It would have been nice to get to know Eugenie first without her being in a relationship so soon in the story. The affair with Dorian, however, flourished at a much slower pace and when they eventually got together it was more satisfying.

Verdict:

This is urban fantasy at it's best. Strong female lead, magical lands, sexy and a plot that twists and turns until the very end, leaving you longing for more. I enjoyed this book immensely and I am really looking forward to reading more. A great start to a new series. Highly recommend it! ( )