Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, #7)

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Swallowing Darkness (Merry Gentry #7)

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 14,768 ratings · 500 reviews

I am Meredith, princess of faerie, wielder of the hands of Flesh and Blood, and at long last, I am with child-twins, fathered by my royal guard. Though my uncle, Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, claims that he is the true father since he abducted me from my home, betrayed, and defiled me. And now he has branded my guards as a threat to my unborn children.
Bearing an he...more

Hardcover, 365 pages

Published November 4th 2008 by Ballantine Books

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Nov 06, 2008 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of LKH books

Shelves: kindle, erotica, paranormal-romance

Wow. Just, wow. This was probably one of, if not the best book in the Merry Gentry series.

I dont want to give any spoilers away, so Im gonna make this review brief.

There is a TON of action in this book. Lots of magic, and unbelievable circumstances... and somehow, Merry doesnt seem quite so helpless in this book. In fact, she pretty much kicks ass!! She's bold and commanding, and acts much more like a Queen should act.

I also didn't feel like I was constantly waiting for all the s**t to hit th...more

14 likes · like · see review

Nov 25, 2008 Liz added it

Shelves: 2008-reads, urbanfantasy-paranormal

Laurell K. Hamilton managed to write a book with only two sex scenes, both of which were brief.

I am THRILLED that she has begun to listen to some of the fan feedback I've seen. I enjoyed this book more than I've enjoyed any of her last 6 or 7 releases, mainly because I managed to find a plot. I've been reading her books for years and had almost lost hope that she had lost the original magic that I enjoyed. Now, I find myself becoming hopeful that I will enjoy more of her books in the future.

Whil...more

9 likes · like · see review

Feb 25, 2009 Moderatrix Lori rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2009, fantasy

Loved this book, loved this series. What a fascinating world LKH has created. I was disappointed with the lack of sex in this book though. I was glad she finally had sex with the yummy goblin twins Holly and Ash but that was it for sex in this book. Poor Doyle never did get his blow job. Why is it necessary to start a hot sex scene and then have them all stop and talk? Then they start up again, only to stop and talk some more. Fuck already!! Some of her guard have gone without for centuries. I d...more

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Nov 20, 2008 Grace rated it 3 of 5 stars

Even if this book had been amazing, I couldn't have given it five stars because of the title. I mean, really, Laurell K?? Subtle sexual references in titles are fine, but if you have read any of these books, you know Darkness is the name of a character, and to call the book "Swallowing Darkness" is a bit crude by any standard. I grimaced the first time I heard the title.

Maybe I'm just getting burned out on the series, but this book left me feeling ho-hum. The ending was a page-turner, but until...more Even if this book had been amazing, I couldn't have given it five stars because of the title. I mean, really, Laurell K?? Subtle sexual references in titles are fine, but if you have read any of these books, you know Darkness is the name of a character, and to call the book "Swallowing Darkness" is a bit crude by any standard. I grimaced the first time I heard the title.

Maybe I'm just getting burned out on the series, but this book left me feeling ho-hum. The ending was a page-turner, but until you got to the action (when Merry & the boys left the sithen), it was monotonous and I could hardly bring myself to pick it up and read it. Little things that have been true throughout are starting to bug me. Like the fact that the men all adore her and consider her to be the right hand of the goddess, the fact that there are conveniently about a dozen men who were sex-starved for thousands of years, and just happen to all be infinitely beautiful. And if I hear the phrase "We used to have _____ (insert x power/ability/artifact) but it has been lost to us for thousands of years until now" one more time, I might scream. And seriously...the clothing descriptions seemed to go on for way too long, as if Merry and the boys were controlled by like dolls by a 5 year old playing dress up.

There are, if I counted right, only two sex scenes in this book, which I'm fine with...Hamilton writes good steamy sex, but it often seems randomly thrown into her books intentionally. Sadly, one of the two scenes in this book is that way too. Are we really expected to believe that with an intense battle going on, men dying all around her, Merry is able to be transported into a dimension with the god and goddess, and have sex with two men (who, by the way, always treated her like crap in all the other books and now suddenly are whispering confidences to her about how they have to act that way in public, and really just want to make sweet gentle love) for several pages (which, incidentally, I skipped over entirely...seriously, who cares about a sex scene, no matter how well written, that completely interrupts a climactic battle right in the middle??)?

Overall, I'd say this book is a bunch of boring, badly written pages, with an action-filled, good ending tacked on.

(less)

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Nov 20, 2008 Trisha rated it 2 of 5 stars

I've read every book in the series and this, the 7th, is a return to the promise of the first book, before plot was left far behind in favor of porn. Sex is all good and this book has it, for sure, but it also has a plot, finally. Unlike most of Hamilton's later books, I found myself reading to find out what would happen rather than who the lead character would screw next (or what, and how). It's still not stellar fiction but it entertains. I didn't pay for it though. Definitely not worth the ha...more

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Jan 16, 2009 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-fantasy

So here's the thing. I tend to cut the Merry Gentry books a little more slack than I do the Anita Blake books, possibly because the Merry books never pretended to be anything other than what they are. So while the power-ups and addition of new men would bother me in Anita-verse, I tend to roll with it in Merry-verse.

And yes, she does add new men, even though she is finally pregnant and should have narrowed her man-harem down the the six (yes, six) fathers. However! Sex is kept to a minimum, and...more

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Nov 05, 2008 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008-reads, erotica

Looking for a kickass heroine? "Swallowing Darkness" by Laurell K. Hamilton gives us a pregnant heroine with awesome powers and raging hormones! How can I not love it?

Seriously, in this 7th book of the 'Meredith Gentry' series Meredith is finally pregnant...with twins no less. But instead of becoming softer Merry has had it with her enemies. No more bargaining or backing down. She will do whatever she needs to protect her mates and her unborn children. All I can say is...about time.

In previous...more

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Nov 20, 2008 Ashley rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal-romance, faeries, not-my-copy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Swallowing Darkness is the seventh book in Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry series, which follows the events in the life of Princess Meredith NicEssus, who has finally beat out her cousin Cel in the race for the Unseelie throne by becoming pregnant with twins. However, now she has to contend with (more) assassination attempts and bring (more) power back to faerie as well as deal with the "loss" of Frost.

(Yes, "loss" gets to be put in quotations marks, because I never for one second thought...more

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Nov 07, 2008 Rosalind M rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

On the one hand, I know that LKH is trying to keep new readers from feeling too lost if they start late in the series. On the other hand, there are way too many character descriptions that we've seen before, in as much detail as we originally saw them. There are too many similes--take a risk and just say he was a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter's night instead of relying on "as if" and "like"! Too many sudden miracles, one piled upon the other. And the dialogue has gotten repetitive; character...more

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Dec 28, 2008 Marian rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, readit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What you need to know: Major plot points are resolved to the degree that it's really easy to understand why I ended up with a phone call at 2am asking if this was the last of the Merry books. The sex is down to a scene and a half, which might not actually be a selling point for the Merry series, seeing as it was based on the 'sex first, questions six books from now' philosophy.

Of course, for the first 250 or so pages, we repeat the same scenes over and over again to the point even I found it ted...more What you need to know: Major plot points are resolved to the degree that it's really easy to understand why I ended up with a phone call at 2am asking if this was the last of the Merry books. The sex is down to a scene and a half, which might not actually be a selling point for the Merry series, seeing as it was based on the 'sex first, questions six books from now' philosophy.

Of course, for the first 250 or so pages, we repeat the same scenes over and over again to the point even I found it tedious. The last few books of the series have essentially been filler. We don't need even more before we get to the good stuff.

And yes, Virginia, there is good stuff to be had. If you've been wondering when we'd learn who killed Essus, Meredith's father, you'll be quite the happy camper to find out that in a move that shouldn't surprise anyone not actually IN the book, Cel pulled off that little trick. Of course, the rest of the characters, Andais included, are amazed and shocked. Right, because the psychopath hellbent on gaining the crown is always the last person you suspect when someone in line for said crown is murdered. Right. Sure.

Merry finally gets a handle on her hands of power and does a couple of nifty tricks. Merry is crowned by faerie as queen more than once, and if you've spent the last, what, day in the books' timeline wishing Frost would return, fear not. You haven't seen the last of him.

Really, just about everything you need to be tied up is set up in a pretty, shiny little bow.

The problems, fluff notwithstanding, come with the writing [I admire LKH's ability to come up with two fantastic worlds, but she needs someone to pretty the writing up because the words "thicker things" should not show up twice in the same paragraph, let alone in two back-to-back sentences.] and Merry's pool of kings.

I fear I'm hoping for the impossible when I hope that Merry lets the men she isn't madly in love with [anyone who isn't Frost or Doyle] find someone else, even if they do still get together for good times, because it's terribly unfair to hold onto them when she doesn't love them, she merely doesn't want to let them go. (less)

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Nov 28, 2008 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

mmm...better, at least there was more plot development than just gratuitous sex.

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Nov 13, 2008 Lori Whitwam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-traditional, paranormal, popular-fiction

I was getting tired of this series. The last few have not held my interest... they've been short time periods, and convoluted plot lines and shifting loyalties. And, though I never thought I'd say this, the sex scenes were even dull. How many times can Merry say, "I don't want another lover. I won't take another lover! What? I have to, in order to save all of Faerie? Oh, OK."

This time, though, what scenes there were, were relevant, and there were way less of them, allowing the actual STORY to d...more

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Feb 03, 2010 Adrianna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Adult Women

Recommended to Adrianna by: Shelli

Shelves: fantasy, in-eureka

It is extremely difficult to write a review for a book without incorporating spoilers for those who have not read the entire series. However, I am determined to do my best because Meredith Gentry novels deserve to find a home on many new readers' bookshelves. Of course, I recommend starting with the first in the series, A Kiss of Shadows (Meredith Gentry, #1), but future readers should note that Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, #7) surpasses all the previous books in the Gentry saga.

Hamilto...more It is extremely difficult to write a review for a book without incorporating spoilers for those who have not read the entire series. However, I am determined to do my best because Meredith Gentry novels deserve to find a home on many new readers' bookshelves. Of course, I recommend starting with the first in the series, A Kiss of Shadows (Meredith Gentry, #1), but future readers should note that Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, #7) surpasses all the previous books in the Gentry saga.

Hamilton proved she could blend multiple genres with A Kiss of Shadows (Meredith Gentry, #1). She continues that tradition with this recent title, which has action, adventure, fantasy, romance, lore, death, sex, and a strong, independent heroine.

The most important aspect of this book is Merry Gentry. It is rare to find such an unique woman in a series and still remember her months after reading the books. Her strength of character, as well as the strength of her magic, make her a compelling protagonist. In addition, Merry has an entourage of male supporting characters who accentuate her nobility and dedication to love. Even though there are many that Merry loves and shares herself with, the reader feels the sincerity in the relationship between each person. Merry's guards cannot be forgotten because Hamilton has a gift at creating unique men who are kings in their own right.

In this specific book, the reader deals with the aftermaths of rape, the early stages of pregnancy, multiple deaths, the wild chase of the hunt, and further development in Merry's relationship with Sholto, Doyle, and the Goblin Twins (to name a few individuals). Despite the intense issues Merry has to deal with, she remains poised, resolved, and strong. No one can break her spirit, and I only wish that more women in the real world could be this assured of their self-worth.

The world of faerie that Hamilton creates is one in which the goddess reigns supreme. This book ends on a high note as some of Merry's foes from earlier in the series are finally destroyed. After all, Merry can only play the diplomat to a point. Once the life of her unborn children and lovers are threatened, she plays to kill.

The book, like most in the series, has an intense pace. By the time readers reach the end, they will beg for more, especially after Merry's final decision. What will be the fate of Merry, her twins and lovers, and the Seelie and Unseelie courts? Fans will just have to wait for the next installment of a truly unforgettable and captivating series: Divine Misdemeanors A Novel.(less)

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Jan 19, 2009 Stefanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Ponder if you will for a moment these things... 1) The vast majority of Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry series has been more sex than plot (a recent book had a 90+ page sex scene); 2) One of the main characters in the series is nicknamed Darkness; and 3) The latest, seventh, book in the series is Swallowing Darkness ... Combining those three facts, what would you think was awaiting you if you picked up this latest novel?

Surprisingly, the first sex scene doesn't even begin until page 150, a...more Ponder if you will for a moment these things... 1) The vast majority of Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry series has been more sex than plot (a recent book had a 90+ page sex scene); 2) One of the main characters in the series is nicknamed Darkness; and 3) The latest, seventh, book in the series is Swallowing Darkness ... Combining those three facts, what would you think was awaiting you if you picked up this latest novel?

Surprisingly, the first sex scene doesn't even begin until page 150, and though Meredith starts, um, doing what's necessary to bring about the title of the novel, it never actually happens. They get interrupted by Sholto, king of the sluagh offering one of his tentacles to, um, pleasure her (I said the only thing I could think of when a man offers me oral sex. I held my hand out toward him and said "Yes.") and the fact that the other man in the room, Mistral, takes this moment to admit that he was once a death god. The only other sex scene in the entire book (I know! I too was surprised at the restraint Ms. Hamilton showed this time around) did end with half of the title coming true. It just wasn't her Darkness, however. In order to bring them their due power, Merry, um,joins simultaneously with goblin twins Ash and Holly. Ash is doing things the, um, normal way, while his twin is changing the title of the book to Swallowing Holly. I wonder if that was a publishing typo. Hmmm.

Yes, the above paragraph may be a little raunchy for a book review, but if you're reading a review of any of these books, you're not above it and you can't fool me into thinking that you are. With only 25 of the 365 page novel taken up with sex, there is actually a semi-plot to be found here. I was quite surprised since I'd come to read these books mostly as an exercise in self-punishment. Picking up where the last book Lick of Frost left off, Meredith finds herself in the hospital after being raped by her Uncle, King Taranis of the Seelie Court, finally pregnant with twins (each baby has three genetic fathers). Based on an earlier promise, Merry is now within her rights to claim the crown as Queen of the Unseelie Court.

Nothing is ever that easy with the fey, however. Merry and her band of bodyguards/lovers/kings/father of her unborn children make the decision to leave Faerie and move back to L.A., where they believe they'll be safer from the conspiracies against their lives.

Ok, ok... so I didn't say it was a great plot. All I said that there was more plot than sex for once. Unfortunately, even with a plot, I didn't like Meredith too much and since the book is written from her perspective, it kind of ruins everything else. I found myself feeling very sorry for any of her men that weren't her two favorite. Many times those other four feel left out because of her actions and reactions, and yet they'll never be allowed to pursue other women, fey or human. Now tell me how that can be fair or right? To be fair, that line of thought has nothing to do with the book at all. Just a little something that irked me.

The book reads very quickly and if you've read the first six you'll probably already have read this one anyways. The end of this one wraps almost everything up in a neat little package and one of those despicable epilogue chapters telling you where everyone is and what they're doing. This conveniently allows Ms. Hamilton to cease writing this series, or the option of creating new monsters and conflicts in the next misnamed book.

Two stars just because there was actually a plot. It's akin to giving points on a test for the child remembering to put his or her name on the top.(less)

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Nov 13, 2008 Casta rated it 4 of 5 stars

The long-awaited "culmination" of Laurell K. Hamilton's "fey" series. It wraps up so many plots and loose ends that Hamilton has posted notice to her web site that 'this is not the end.' For folks who've stuck with the series this long (and I know folks who've given up a few books in for want of plot), this is your reward. There's plot, plot, and more plot. More magic, and less s*x. In fact, she goes all the way to the second-to-last chapter for an actual s*x scene... There's one that gets start...more The long-awaited "culmination" of Laurell K. Hamilton's "fey" series. It wraps up so many plots and loose ends that Hamilton has posted notice to her web site that 'this is not the end.' For folks who've stuck with the series this long (and I know folks who've given up a few books in for want of plot), this is your reward. There's plot, plot, and more plot. More magic, and less s*x. In fact, she goes all the way to the second-to-last chapter for an actual s*x scene... There's one that gets started then interrupted. But considering prior books, that's remarkable. (So much so that I'm remarking on it.) Most folks agree that "Mistral's Kiss" and "A Lick of Frost" should have been combined to make a full-length book, as "Frost" made up for the plot that simply lacked in "Mistral's." "Darkness'" title seemed to be an indication of plot content, but I'm not sure it was as connected as "Frost" or "Mistral's" were to their content. Some of the plot points that are addressed are: what happens to Ash & Holly; Sholto and the Sluagh, recovery of lost weapons and other objects of power, Frost, Jonty, Cel, the Seelie Court, and other long-term plots.

Having held out this long, I'm satisfied with the book's contents, and, give or take, its conclusions. It wasn't the ZOMG-I-Must-Read-Every-Word-Without-Putting-It-Down as others had been, but it's possible I was pacing myself, knowing there won't be another book for a while. It was, by and large, worth the wait. I'm not sure I'm at HOLY WOW AMAZING, but it was definitely satisfying, marginally less prone to the overused and tired phrases and cliches that have been rampant in prior books in this series (less "my skin glowed like I swallowed the moon," possibly due to WAY less s*x than prior books). She's left the door open to continue the series, but it'll be interesting to see where she goes from here, as it ends, because she has resolved a lot of the political tension and intrigue that drove the series as a whole.(less)

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Jan 16, 2009 MissM rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2009

Well, I'll give it two stars instead of one since she managed to actually have plot and not just orgies this time around. But it was very frantic, hodge-podge plot rather than enjoyable plot. It was OMG SO MUCH MAGIXZ kind of plot and of course, a bazillion amazing, never-before-known-possible things happened.

The book ended in a quick, couple paragraph summery (a la Anita Blake style) and made it sound like the series was over and done with. It could have easily been a final book. Supposedly tho...more

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Nov 26, 2008 Brigid rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those who have given up on Laurell K. Hamilton

Finally! Redemption for Laurell K. Hamilton. I have invested a lot of time into reading both of her series and this one is finally back to where it should be heading. Enough of every other page with mindless s**, she has gotten back to the story, the magic that we are all looking for. Let's see if she can continue with the next book and also spread this into the Anita Blake books. It seems Ms. Hamilton has finally realized she is loosing faithful readers and needs to change her path.

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Nov 14, 2008 Jodi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: authors-hamilton-laurell-k

While this is not my favorite series, this book took us where we needed to go. While it is not the end of the series, it could have been had she wanted to make it so. It ends a critical story arc and opens the path for more intrigue and mystery. There is almost no sex in this book, which will surprise many Hamilton readers but it wasn't called for and wasn't necessary. This tied up external plots and even a few internal ones as well. I hear Laurell's voice, literally, as I read this. She has exp...more

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Nov 25, 2008 The Listmaker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

A vast improvement over the last few books in this series.

Fast paced action and developements move the story forward after it seemed to have stalled last year.

Obviously Ms. Hamilton listened to the criticism of her fans and gave them what they've clamored for in the last year or more.

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Dec 31, 2011 Willy Wonka rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotico, evasione, fantastico

Finito di leggere! Uao! E' divertentissimo! Abbastanza teso, ritmo velocissimo e azione a go-go. Due sole scene di sesso e un sacco di nodi sciolti per cui si arriva alla fine proprio soddisfatti. Sholto è fichissimo, in questo libro brilla di luce propria, si conosce un po' di più Mistral, Doyle è il solito Doyle. Frost è sempre nei pensieri di Merry, il suo comportamento con i vari futuri papà l'ho trovato congruente con quanto successo finora.
Tutti gli spoiler che giravano in rete sono veri:...more

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Nov 22, 2011 Leah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, r-2008, series

As previously contracted, this would've been the last book in the Meredith Gentry series but LKH has stated on her blog that there will be more. This latest effort was better than the middle books because with only two short sex scenes, she devotes more to the plot. The world and the characters are more engaging and I am glad to see that she is moving beyond the sexual mire of the previous books. It's obvious from the way this one ended that she had to change or rather delay the direction the pl...more

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Feb 23, 2009 Ashley Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-personal-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 17, 2009 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read the whole book in one day. Yes, it really is that fast and engaging a read. Hamilton, despite her tendency in recent years to mask erotica under the guise of fantasy, is a hell of a writer. Even the all too common sex scenes are quite engaging.

I will say this, I think this book has fewer sex scenes than normal, and more action. The climactic scene is exciting, and satisfying, taking readers to a place where it would technically be OK to end the series.

However, as I understand it, this i...more

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May 03, 2013 Samantha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Merry Gentry is having kittens! Yay! I mean, Princess Meredith of the Unseelie court is pregnant with twins, fathered by SIX, yes, SIX of her royal guard. Yay! This means that magic has returned to the fae and as per Meredith's evil Aunt's oath, the first one pregnant wins the crown! Only fae seem to overlook the fact that if something should happen to Meredith, like being raped by her Seelie uncle or perhaps her Unseelie cousin managing to kill her and her guard, then maybe a new arrangement wi...more

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Dec 30, 2012 LG (A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2-star, read-2010, format-print, acquired-library

I'm so glad I finally finished this book - now I can get it out of my apartment. I really shouldn't check out any more of Hamilton's books, although I'm sure I will anyway. But, who knows, maybe I won't - I think I might be to the point where I don't really care how the Meredith Gentry series ends or what happens to Anita Blake next.

Unlike some of the earlier books in this series, this particular one doesn't have a whole lot of sex in it. There's some talking about sex (for instance, an awkward...more I'm so glad I finally finished this book - now I can get it out of my apartment. I really shouldn't check out any more of Hamilton's books, although I'm sure I will anyway. But, who knows, maybe I won't - I think I might be to the point where I don't really care how the Meredith Gentry series ends or what happens to Anita Blake next.

Unlike some of the earlier books in this series, this particular one doesn't have a whole lot of sex in it. There's some talking about sex (for instance, an awkward conversation in which Meredith tells Mistral she doesn't want him to kneel before her, except under certain circumstances, and, because Mistral doesn't get it, Doyle must explain that she's referring to oral sex), accidental Red Cap groping, accompanied by a Red Cap hard-on, and one actual sex scene involving Meredith in a threesome with Ash and Holly. That leaves an impressive number of pages for actual plot. Unfortunately, it seems as though all the sex in the previous books really did serve a purpose - it obscured how boring and mechanical the plot was. With nothing to hide behind, all that comes to the surface in this book. One of Meredith's men ends up in danger, and Meredith and the power of the Goddess move in to save him. Repeat. Sprinkle in lots of long, excruciatingly detailed conversations in which characters explain things to each other so that everything is always very clear. If the explanations involve sex, that's great, right? Sexy. Yup. And if you don't think so, you're a prude.

The one bit that I thought had promise was Gran's reaction to some of the fathers of Meredith's children. All the other problems in the book were magicked away so often that "the power of the Goddess" became something of a joke, but Meredith loved her grandmother, so emotional strife with her would actually have to be worked through for things to really work out. Or so I thought. (view spoiler)

One other thing that kind of, well, pissed me off about this book was Meredith's attitude towards her relationships (which, since Anita has the same sort of attitude, is part of my general problem with Hamilton's recent works). First, there's the whole "love" issue. Meredith frequently notices how sad several of her men become when they realize that they'll never be her "one and only." At one point, if I remember correctly, Meredith thinks of it as a queenly thing - she can't love just one person, because, as a queen, her love has to be spread out more. And yet, by the end, it's clear that, at the very least, she loves Doyle and Frost more than her other men - but she also loves her other men. Lucky her, rather than having to choose between any of them, she gets to have all of them. Even luckier, none of them rebel too much, which brings me to the next thing about this whole situation that pisses me off.

At one point, Sholto does rebel. Faerie handfasts Meredith and Sholto - even though several other men are also the fathers of her children, Faerie only handfasted Meredith and Sholto at that point. Sholto, Doyle, and Mistral all point out that this means that Sholto is now Meredith's husband, and it is technically his right to choose not to share her with the other men. It's their people's law. However, it's not a law Meredith particularly wants to follow, so she refuses to listen and cites a legend about a goddess that she thinks proves Sholto doesn't have sole rights to her. Also, in her words to Sholto: "...you wouldn't like what would happen if you tried to make me be monogamous with just you" (p. 163). I really, really wanted to smack her after she said this. She's allowed to sleep with multiple men (and, in the case of Ash and Holly, even men who aren't the fathers of her children), and they're supposed to put up with it. Plus, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't react pleasantly if any of them decided they wanted to sleep with other women in addition to her.

I can't really say that I hated this book, I think because I was so relieved that it wasn't filled with horribly detailed sex scenes (the suggestive title was worrisome). I disliked it, though. If I do read the next book, it'll only be because I want to appease the part of me that forces me to plod through terrible things just so I won't have a partially finished story nagging me in the back of my mind.

(Original review, with read-alikes, posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I can't say this was my favourite of the Merry Gentry series, but I think that Hamilton did a good job of wrapping up this story arc to bring the series to a close. When you create a series that states a specific goal for the main character, you sort of have to eventually get to that goal one way or the other.

The story in this book was a bit more depressing than in past books, because in past books there was always give and take and the books ended with the *possibility* of either a really good...more I can't say this was my favourite of the Merry Gentry series, but I think that Hamilton did a good job of wrapping up this story arc to bring the series to a close. When you create a series that states a specific goal for the main character, you sort of have to eventually get to that goal one way or the other.

The story in this book was a bit more depressing than in past books, because in past books there was always give and take and the books ended with the *possibility* of either a really good or a really bad ending to come in future books. Because this was the climax of the "will Meredith get the crown" question - I won't spoil by saying if she does - that suspense ends with this book.

But I liked the development of the Meredith character in this book. She has been very ambivalent about using her power against those who will - and have - tried repeatedly and ruthlessly to kill her up to now. In past books it has usually been others, mainly her guards/lovers, who have saved her while she stood behind them because she didn't want to be ruthless herself unless there was no option.

That seemed reasonable at the beginning of the series because she is part human and was raised in the human world. But as the series progressed and Meredith CHOSE to participate in Faerie court life, and compete for the crown I found it increasingly hard to accept that she wouldn't have become at least SOMEWHAT more aggressive and willing to play by the "kill-or-be-killed" rules of the world she was living in. That changed in this book and it made more sense to me for this character.

There is also more violence and less sex in this book, which also makes sense given that Merry is now pregnant [that's not a spoiler unless you haven't read the previous book in the series] and the battle for the crown is coming to a pretty intense culmination.

I think unless Hamilton wanted to stretch this series out into a very long commitment to future books exploring the intricacies of Faerie Court politics, the way she wrapped up this storyline makes sense.

I am looking forward to seeing what Hamilton does with the Meredith story in the next book, which is billed as a continuation of Merry's story but in a completely different direction than this plot has gone in so far. Hopefully, Hamilton has something in mind that will be as engaging as this story has been.(less)

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Oct 26, 2011 LL rated it 4 of 5 stars

Finally we got to see lots of action in this book!!!!

So, after getting herself pregnant (after all this time), Merry sadly lost her Killing Frost at the end of the last book. Not only that, she was raped by her crazy-ass fairy uncle, Taranis (the Seelie King) and this novel picked up the storyline from Merry’s stay at the hospital after her ordeal at the Seelie Court. The actions started almost immediately, with Merry’s brownie grandmother visiting her at the hospital. The plot moved along quic...more Finally we got to see lots of action in this book!!!!

So, after getting herself pregnant (after all this time), Merry sadly lost her Killing Frost at the end of the last book. Not only that, she was raped by her crazy-ass fairy uncle, Taranis (the Seelie King) and this novel picked up the storyline from Merry’s stay at the hospital after her ordeal at the Seelie Court. The actions started almost immediately, with Merry’s brownie grandmother visiting her at the hospital. The plot moved along quickly, with lots of actions and we were introduced to more discoveries – such as the returning of wild magic, lost sidhe relics etc.

This book was truly action packed. It almost felt like LKH saved up all her surprises and gave them all to us in this one book. We finally got to see Merry becoming queen (in some ways – don’t want to give too much away here) and that she could be together with her men – with the exception of Frost. This was the book where I thought Merry finally “grew up”. She no longer heavily relied on her Darkness (Doyle) or Frost, or some of her other men, for defending herself or playing politics. In fact, evidenced through her actions, she showed herself to be an able warrior and a respectful queen. I believed that it was partly due to her pregnancy, and partly due to her loss of Frost and her grandmother. These events made her realize that none of her people can be safe and she’d do anything at any cost to protect her unborn babies and the ones that she loved. So in this book, she became more cold-hearted to her enemies, fully utilizing her new-grown magical powers and weapons to deal out the treatment that her foes fully deserved.

The ending was somewhat expected and unexpected at the same time. I was just glad that things seemed to be finally working out for Merry and perhaps she could take a break from the craziness that seemed to follow her everywhere.

There were a couple of things in this book that annoyed me a bit. First, Merry would often come up with questions (like something which she would catch or think of through conversations), and she would file those away in her head. She often then considered asking her men for clarifications later. Well, a lot of those questions were never answered. It just didn’t feel very neat, that the author didn’t end up tying up all these little loose ends that she left behind. The other thing that bothered me was Ash and Holly. I thought the intimate scene amongst these goblins and Merry were unnecessary, though I did realize that Merry had to do what she promised to the goblins. I just hadn’t thought that she’d do it in the middle of a battle, which I thought was oddly inappropriate.

Generally speaking, I liked this book, in that I thought it provided closure on numerous things. The overall plot and actions were well laid out. The amount of romance was adequate – I liked that Merry knew where her priorities were in this book, that she had to deal with her enemies first.

I give this book 3.5 stars. I’m now eagar to move on to the next book.
(less)

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Jan 11, 2011 Ithlilian rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I read this because I found the series to be entertaining and I wanted to see what happens to the characters. After reading previous books, I got a feeling that this series would never end because each book covers a day or less. I do not like that the main character gets anything she wants. It's like the author is writing her own personal fantasy. The main character gets power after power after power, everyone else gets powers, she brings people back to life, the people that hate her really don'...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Karissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the seventh book in the Merry Gentry series by Laurell Hamilton. It is the only Laurell Hamilton book for a long time that I really actually liked. This book was on par with some of the earlier novels in the series. The plot really progressed and the book overall could have wrapped up the series for good. Although I know "Divine Misdemeanors" is out later this year; I am not sure what to expect from that book since this book wraps up most of the big issues remaining in the series.

This bo...more This is the seventh book in the Merry Gentry series by Laurell Hamilton. It is the only Laurell Hamilton book for a long time that I really actually liked. This book was on par with some of the earlier novels in the series. The plot really progressed and the book overall could have wrapped up the series for good. Although I know "Divine Misdemeanors" is out later this year; I am not sure what to expect from that book since this book wraps up most of the big issues remaining in the series.

This book starts right where "A Lick of Frost" left off. Merry is in the hospital recovering from being raped by her uncle. Gran comes to visit her but something is wrong with Gran and Gran tries to take out Merry's men. All of this leads to Merry and Sholto summoning the Wild Hunt and going off on the ride of their lives. Miracles abound and great battles are fought; Merry shows her tough side even as she tries to protect the twin babies she carries.

This book spends a lot of time with Sholto and the slaugh; which I loved because the slaugh are probably the most interesting group in faerie. This book covered a lot of ground. Lots of really neat fairy magic happens and great relics of fairy are returned to Merry and her guards. There was a lot more action and fighting in this book than in any of the previous books and a lot less sex. I personally thought it made for a wonderful book.

Merry really toughens up and you start to see her strength. She starts to really exercise her special abilities and use her hands of power. The book proceeds at breakneck speed and you are thrown from battle to battle and from miracle to miracle as the Goddess makes her presence strongly known.

My biggest complaints about the book would be that Merry calls on the Goddess a lot; it almost seems like Merry can't solve anything without the Goddess's help. Also at multiple points in the book, despite her new-found toughness, Merry spends the majority of a fight laying underneath a guard while the guard takes the majority of the physcial battle damage and Merry can't see what is going on. Other than that this book was way better than any of the recent ones.

I also mentioned that this book basically ties up all the loose ends of the series. It would be a great place to end the series. Now that I know another book is coming out I am really confused about what more is going to happen, and a little worried that the series will, yet again, take a turn for the worse. (less)

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Oct 28, 2010 Chibineko rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Now I will admit, I liked `Lick of Frost' well enough to give it three stars. I just wish that Hamilton had kept that momentum going for this book. I'll warn any readers of this review- I will be somewhat spoilerish.

The last book ended with Merry being raped by her uncle Taranis, king of the golden throng. This book begins with Merry in the hospital, getting treated & examined for said crime. Well, she was supposed to be- the actual treatment is glossed over (I facepalmed when Merry wanted t...more Now I will admit, I liked `Lick of Frost' well enough to give it three stars. I just wish that Hamilton had kept that momentum going for this book. I'll warn any readers of this review- I will be somewhat spoilerish.

The last book ended with Merry being raped by her uncle Taranis, king of the golden throng. This book begins with Merry in the hospital, getting treated & examined for said crime. Well, she was supposed to be- the actual treatment is glossed over (I facepalmed when Merry wanted to know why she had to get an ultrasound done- um HELLO- you were raped & the doc wants to ensure that your babies are ok- it's standard procedure. Most of the plot during this point comprised of "Oh, my men are so hot- look at everyone staring at them!" Then a death occurs & Merry goes on a magic pony ride to discover which person was ultimately responsible for said death. There's a bit more to the story than that, but I'll not go into it here. (Especially since so many other reviews have said it all already.)

The bottom line is that this book was funny, but not on purpose. It was funny in a "so bad it's funny" type of way- like when you watch an Ed Wood film & laugh. Most of the book's plot focused around Merry showing off how uber special she is. There's a resolution of the whole Cel thing, but it really doesn't deliver the way I'd hoped it would be. It was pretty much done just so the plot point could be better done. It read more like a fanfiction than anything else.

If you are an ex fan of Hamilton's, this book isn't the "she's back!" herald that you may have subconsciously been waiting for. There's almost no sex in the book, which is a very good thing since she can't write a sexy scene to save her life, but Hamilton still hasn't gotten back into the groove of her previous books. If you like her books, you'll more than likely enjoy this book. For the rest of us it'll be fun because it's so hilariously bad.

I'd give the writing a lower rating, but I laughed incredibly hard during several parts of this book so I do have to give it a higher score than I would otherwise. If I could give it a half star, this rating would be a 2.5, but I laughed hard enough that I'll give it a three star review. (less)

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About Laurell K. Hamilton

Laurell K. Hamilton is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of two series that mix mystery, fantasy, magic, horror and romance. Her Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novels from Berkley Books began with GUILTY PLEASURES and continues to thrive with over sixteen volumes to the series and an comic adaptation. There are now more than 6 million copies of Anita in print worldwide, in 16 languages. Hamilt...more

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Books by Laurell K. Hamilton

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #1)

Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #3)

The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #2)

The Lunatic Cafe (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #4)

Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #5)

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Swallowing Darkness (Merry Gentry #7)

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