Blood Lines

I really enjoyed this book, and I'm not just saying that because I've now read the entire backstory I missed when I was misled by an ad at the back of anthology stating that Night Season was the first book of the series. inhale.

These books kind of feel like a compromise, but not in a terrible way. Not too fantastical, not too romancy (thank god! I hate when things QUIVER), characters I don't want to stab, spit on, or send copies of Eyes Wide Shut and other movies I hate.

For fans of the story "Originally Human" from the Cravings anthology (of which I am the biggest!), we get a taste of Molly and Michael again, with Cullen musing over his lost memories. FIGURE IT OUT CULLEN, I want (need) some more Molly and Michael.

Ms. Wilks writes beautifully, intricately detailed stories. That is what makes her tales wonderful and sometimes a bit over-informing. Don't get me wrong I loved this book, i just got bogged down under the rules and information, glassy eyed. This was a necessity for the story which it not written quickly with little thought as many are these days. The action is intense, unyielding and believable. The Grandmother steals the show with just a few paragraphs !
This is a must read, but be ready to sit back and take your time, this is full bodied story !

I can't imagine why I dropped this series. Actually, I can: while I waiting for Wilks to write the next book, I broke up with urban fantasy. But we're back together now, and spurred on by friends Mimi and Milda, I've restarted this series.

This book went down like a yummy dessert. Packed with flavor, it deals with demon attacks and the outfall, particularly with a local Washington D.C. wolfpack. Lily and Rule are in D.C., Lily as she goes through mandatory FBI training, and Rule as he continues working for the passage of a lupi citizenship bill. One night as they are leaving a choir concert, Rule is attacked by a demon. At the same time, Cynna the magic Finder becomes aware of a surge of magical energy. Lupi and sorcerer Cullen is off show more looking for dragons, but ends up fighting off his own demon attack. Viewpoint jumps around the four of them, but I'd say primarily Cynna and Lily.

I didn't really mean to finish in one afternoon, but that's certainly what happened, particularly as the midwest was in a late-spring snow blip (what climate change?). The action was interesting and purposeful, accompanied by world-building and problem solving. Relationship insecurities between Lily and Rule have improved, but were unfortunately transferred over to Cynna and Cullen. There were, perhaps, a couple of problems, namely with the ultimate purpose/goal of the demons, but I thought I understood what Wilks was trying to do, even as I might have suggested some tweaks. I was also a little displeased by her chosen direction for Cynna, particularly given her magical experience/expertise (mild spoiler) (her refusal to acknowledge a couple of magical situations).

I think people who enjoy Ilona Andrews might very well enjoy this series. Oh, they are, of course, seemingly different on the surface. Kate Daniels lives in a post-semi-apocalyptic Atlanta that is only partly recognizable, as it is influenced by magic. The world in 'The World of the Lupi' is more like Anita Blake's world--shapeshifters have come out of the closet and are in the process of gaining full citizenship, Wiccan covens are a magical thing, and the FBI employs people who can tell what your magic is with a touch. Kate Daniels is the narrator and main focus of her books, and off the top of my head, I can't think of any other viewpoints in the main novels. In Wilk's series, the narrative is third person, but is shared between different characters of the book, an ensemble cast view.

But they are similar where it counts: competent, strong heroines that do not resort to emotional manipulation to get their way and who have a strong streak of independence. A clearly well-thought out world, with the sense that stranger things area always around the corner. Plots that do not rely on the main characters hiding something or forgetting to share something. Steady action, both magical and physical. An affection for cats.

At the moment, I think I'm skipping the next, taking place as it does in Faerie. That's just me, though, and my reaction to the 'parallel worlds' construction--I read way too much fantasy in the 80s that relied on it. show less

I'm calling this "paranormal romance" because that's what it says on the spine, but in my little world, it's contemporary fantasy. With romantic elements, to be sure, but the emphasis in this series is more on the fantasy than on the romance.

At 2:52 a.m., Greenwich mean time, on my birthday, there's a magical surge that's felt all over the world, with different effects. FBI agent Lily and werewolf prince Rule from the previous books in the series are attending a performance of Handel's Messiah at the time, and the surge causes a werewolf onstage to change. Rule is able to keep from changing, and helps the out-of-control werewolf, who turns out to be from a rival clan, which sets into motion a deadly chain of events.

Lily and fellow agent show more Cynna Weaver is tasked with finding the source of the surge, because Cynna was a former follower and apprentice to Jiri, a sorceror who calls demons.

They also call in sorceror and former lone wolf Cullen to help when Rule is dying from a spell that keeps him from healing and his son is kidnapped.

There were sparks between Cullen and Cynna in the previous book, but there are more sparks now that these two very independent individuals are forced to work together.

Blood Lines is definitely a page-turner. There's so much going on, from werewolf politics to an overall increase in the level of magic in the world that there are no slow spots; no places in the story where you feel comfortable just setting the book down and leaving it to finish the next day. And it's not just the action--all the action has an emotional content: Cynna facing her past, Rule's fears for his son and Lily's for Rule, and of course Cynna and Cullen's growing feelings for each other.

Unlike the usual paranormal romance series, the couple from the previous books doesn't fade into the background. Lily and Rule are still very much front and center here, and at least this far in the series, it feels more like J. D. Robb's In Death series, which has other romance stories in it, but Eve and Roarke are still the stars. Whether Lily and Rule will continue in this role in subsequent books, I don't know, but I'm pretty sure this entire series will end up on my keeper shelves. I hope it'll be a long one. show less

I loved Blood Lines from beginning to end. I think Eileen Wilks is one of the freshest and most interesting voices out there writing paranormals and reading her books is a pleasure.

I won't waste time with a plot recap, you can read the blurb above for that. But I will say I think Rule Turner ranks up with Roarke on the best hero ever list.

Lily is strong but not so strong she doesn't have room in her life for help but she needs to be strong to keep Rule from taking over her life. I like the balance they've achieved and I love the emotional tension as they recover from what they endured as they were separated in the last book.

The action is all well written and fun and I can't say I found the book confusing as a standalone at all. show more Frankly, I quite liked the multiple storylines at once and the two sets of hero/heroine - it kept me interested and as I love Rule and Lily, I was quite happy that they featured strongly in the book.

In a sea of books that sometimes bleed into each other plotwise, Wilks rises above the pack (no pun intended) and gives readers something to really sink their teeth into (okay so that one was, LOL) I highly recommend Blood Lines and I can't wait for the next installment. show less

Eileen Wilks, with her action-packed books, full of romance and magic, has been just the thing for me this summer. Book 3 revealed new aspects of the Lupi world, and Cynna and Cullen took center stage more often than in the last book. I’m very curious how things will go with them in the next, but I’m still adjusting to their POVs getting equal time with Lily and Rule’s. This series continues to surprise me, and I’m on board to see what unfolds next, especially given how this one ended.

I’m getting more and more invested in Lily, Rule, Cullen, Cynna, and Grandmother with each novel. There is still some focus on the romantic relationships and sex, but it’s not overwhelming. This third book introduced us a bit more to the culture of the Lupi, to another Lupi clan, and to the next phase in the unnamed enemy’s plan to destroy the world. Blood Lines also gives us more information about Cynna’s history as a child and a Dizzy.

I really like the banter between Rule and Lily. They are more accepting of their relationship and are acting like a normal couple. There is a part where Lily asks, “Why are we fighting?” Rule says, “because my leg hurts and I am an ass.” I love that part. I also love Grandmother. Her show more old-world regal ways are a fun contrast to the modern and when she changes, I imagine it’s spectacular.

Blood Lines finally brings the characters from “Originally Human” into the storyline, too. I’m looking forward to seeing more of them as the story arc progresses.

The GraphicAudio format continues to hold my interest. I really, really love the different voices for each character. I think it adds so much to the listening of the story.

Rating: 4

Purchased. Review courtesy of onebooktwo.com | one book, two reviews. show less