Darkness Calls (Hunter Kiss, #2)

Jul 20, 2009

Katie(babs) rated it

Darkness Calls is the second full length novel in Marjorie M. Liu’s Hunter Kiss series. This is the first book I have ever read from Marjorie and it certainly won’t be my last. I didn’t read the short story in the Wild Thing anthology that started it all or the first full length book, The Iron Hunt. Because of this, I had some reservations before reading Darkness Calls because I thought I would be confused. Marjorie is a wonderful storyteller and catches the reader up to speed. This is one dark ...moreDarkness Calls is the second full length novel in Marjorie M. Liu’s Hunter Kiss series. This is the first book I have ever read from Marjorie and it certainly won’t be my last. I didn’t read the short story in the Wild Thing anthology that started it all or the first full length book, The Iron Hunt. Because of this, I had some reservations before reading Darkness Calls because I thought I would be confused. Marjorie is a wonderful storyteller and catches the reader up to speed. This is one dark and raw urban fantasy that makes your squirm. Some will probably not be able to get past the first chapter because the action is so gritty and a bit disturbing. Darkness Calls reads more like a horror novel, where as you turn each page, you are not sure who will end up dead next. Bodies don’t just end up on the floor, but are ripped apart with their blood and guts all over the place. Tasty right? With that in mind, I have to say that Marjorie has delivered a very original tale that grabs you by your throat and won’t let go.

The character of Maxine Kiss is also very unique. Not only is she a hunter of zombies, demons and truly evil beings, but Maxine’s body is a wonderland of tattoos that come to life after dark. Her boys, as she calls them, are handed down to every female in her family from so many generations passed. These tattoos have their own names and personalities. Zee is her main bodyguard along with Raw and Aaz. There are also Dek and Mal who act like pelts on Maxine’s shoulders and in her hair. Dek and Mal enjoy humming Bon Jovi songs in Maxine’s ear. These five demons are playful but also very deadly. One minute they will play with teddy bear or baseballs, the next they will take down their victims and consume them whole. Maxine’s boys protect her at night and because of them, she is invincible. Not even bullets can harm her, until the daytime when they hibernate within her skin. Then she is vulnerable.

Maxine has never stayed put in one place, mainly because of her mother who was a nomadic zombie hunter. They moved from place to place until the things her mother hunted ended up killing her. Now Maxine has roots in Seattle, Washington. Maxine wants to build a home, but it will take a great deal of patience on her end because she always has the need to run. There is one man who won’t let her run. He is former priest and in charge of the Coop, the local homeless shelter. Grant Cooperon is the complete opposite of Maxine. Grant has a brain disorder where he can see sound. He is also a lightbringer who can see people’s auras. Maxine has found true love with Grant. She thinks of Grant as her man. Calling Grant, “her man” is a lovely endearment that Grant graciously accepts. Maxine also thinks Grant is beautiful even though Grants walks with a limp because of a bad leg and uses a cane. He wants to build a future with her and hopefully have children. But if Maxine has a daughter this bloodline curse will be passed down. And Maxine doesn’t think she has much longer to live. Maxine’s lifestyle is harsh and deadly. But as long as Maxine has her boys and Grant, she has hope that she can stay alive.

Things are never a dull moment and when a priest from Grant’s past finds him, he and Maxine will be taken on a very dangerous journey. This priest, Father Antony Cribari is a very sketchy character. He believes Grant is a monstrosity and was the reason Grant was kicked out of the priesthood and almost executed. Cribari wants Grant to come with him to China to save a dear friend of Grant’s who has been possessed by a demon and tortured and killed three nuns. Grant accepts even though Maxine has a bad feeling that he is being set up. Maxine can’t go with Grant to China because of her condition with her boys jumping out of her skin at night, so she remains behind.

While Grant is away Maxine is caught unaware and is taken captive. Father Cribari is the one responsible and wants her dead. Maxine is able to escape but needs to find Grant and save him. Cribari works for a man, or rather one of the most evil of all, a Mr. Erl King. Is Mr. King Satan? That's up to the reader to decide. Whoever this King is, he wants Maxine out of the way because she is the key, one who can enter too and from the Labyrinth, another dimension or a wasteland that King wants to enter and take over.

In this wasteland is Maxine’s grandfather Jack Meddle who is an avatar. He is her spirit guide and the one who can help her defeat King because at one point Jack was able to imprison him. But King was able to break free and is angry and wants revenge.

Along with Grant, Jack and a few friends such as Father Lawrence and mind reader Killy who are sympathetic to their plight, Mary, a semi-deranged homeless woman full of hidden powers and Byron, a misunderstood teenage who looks up to Maxine, this eclectic group will take on Erl King even though they may not survive. And death will be the least of their problems if Erl King comes out on top.

This is one book not for the faint of heart. The action is very intense and there are many scenes that deal with the psychological horrors that reside in all of us. Marjorie is able to make this all come to life with the supernatural and takes certain religion aspects, fairy tales and other myths and combines them where the reader will have quite the rush as they watch Maxine fight for her life and those she cares for. Maxine is another kick ass heroine that is so well known in the majority of urban fantasy I have read. What I really loved was that Maxine has a great network of individuals to be her back up. Where else have you ever read about someone’s tattoos coming alive and taking over almost every scene they are in? It seems so freakish because these helpful demons of Maxine are with her every second of the day. Makes for interesting times in the bathroom, doesn’t it?

Maxine and Grant are very much a couple, but the intimacies they share are very subtle. These two are very set with one another. They are each other halves of their souls and I think if one died, the other would go into the afterlife to follow the other. All Grant has to do is look at Maxine and you will feel the deep love her has for her. And it also doesn’t hurt when he kisses her so desperately because he is not sure if Maxine will be alive the next time he sees her. Maxine is more the type to stand back and watch Grant. She is not as affectionate as he is, but you can still feel the love and chemistry she has for him, and he for her.

Darkness Calls is one riveting book and Marjorie Liu is one hell of a writer. The desperation Maxine feels as she deals with her past and unknown future is one that will keep you reading and anxious for the next terror Maxine will have to endure.(less)

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May 25, 2010

Sarah rated it

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Shelves: read-in-2010, books-i-own-print, for-review-read

Darkness Calls is the second book in the Hunters Kiss series by Marjorie M. Liu and I was looking forward to spending more time with Maxine and her "boys". I really enjoyed the first book The Iron Hunt but in my opinion Darkness Calls was even better. I like the fact that Maxine doesn't know the full extent of her powers and that we are discovering things alongside her. Although I enjoyed The Iron Hunt I did find myself getting confused by some of the plot twists but Darkness Calls ...more

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Mar 08, 2011

Amanda rated it

Shelves: review-copy, series, urban-fantasy

Darkness Calls is the second book in the Hunter’s Kiss by Marjorie M. Liu, and I would like to tell you about the plot, but I honestly can’t! I don’t mean that to sound mean, and I’m conscious that it comes across as extremely negative – but I found Darkness Calls a tough read in terms of comprehending what went on. From what I can tell, a new Avatar is on the scene and wants to take control of the power wielded by Grant, Maxine’s partner – who happens to be some kind of immortal Lightbringer (s...moreDarkness Calls is the second book in the Hunter’s Kiss by Marjorie M. Liu, and I would like to tell you about the plot, but I honestly can’t! I don’t mean that to sound mean, and I’m conscious that it comes across as extremely negative – but I found Darkness Calls a tough read in terms of comprehending what went on. From what I can tell, a new Avatar is on the scene and wants to take control of the power wielded by Grant, Maxine’s partner – who happens to be some kind of immortal Lightbringer (something that is never quite explained). It ties into the story started in the first book as the veil between Earth and the demon prison begins to fail, but this novel takes you through time and space, and introduces many supernatural elements.

I didn’t like it. And yet I did. Marjorie M. Liu writes a sharp story, with absolutely beautiful prose, but I’m not quite comfortable on the journey. I don’t know where she’s going. I don’t know what she’s doing. I’m not even sure about the characters!

As an example of my confusion, take the relationship between Maxine and Grant. When we first met them in The Iron Hunt, they had already been together for a number of months, but we never actually saw the start of their relationship (I believe it is detailed in a novella by Liu). On one hand, I enjoy that, because it is fairly unique in paranormal fantasy. On the other hand, I seriously dislike it because I have no investment in their love – I didn’t see why Maxine chose Grant. I didn’t see why she decided to reveal her big secret. For me, this makes the relationship feel empty and therefore I don’t understand why Maxine is willing to risk life and soul for this man.

Another aspect of the characterisation I find tough is that everyone seems to have some kind of secret power. We haven’t met anyone who is normal – for me, this makes it hard to care about them. We see Avatars, Wardens, zombies, demons, Lightbringers – where are the everyday people who usually inhabit a tale such as this. It just adds to the clinical feel of the novel.

The emotional heart to the book was Maxine, and I genuinely enjoyed her confusion about her role and her conflicting desires to follow her mother’s path and to stay in Seattle with Grant. I mean, I didn’t enjoy the fact she was so torn, but Liu wrote it wonderfully and I would have liked to see much more of this, rather than the supernatural elements that imbued Darkness Calls.

In The Iron Hunt we veered a number of occasions into odd, dreamlike segments that seemed to come out of nowhere – in Darkness Calls this happens more often and hence my enjoyment in reading Liu’s wonderful prose lessened.

So, overall, I firmly did not like Darkness Calls, but I am desperate to see what Marjorie M. Liu could do with a decent story.

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Nov 19, 2010

Catherine rated it

This book, and the one before was really hard for me to rate. While I liked the characters, the plot and the action, I had a lot of trouble following the story. Although the concept was very good, as was the writing, there was just too much confusion about what was going on for me to be able to fully enjoy it. I’m not sure if this is because of all the time travelling, teleportation, and jumping between planes (as in dimensions, not the flying aircraft!) that it was very difficult for me to figu...moreThis book, and the one before was really hard for me to rate. While I liked the characters, the plot and the action, I had a lot of trouble following the story. Although the concept was very good, as was the writing, there was just too much confusion about what was going on for me to be able to fully enjoy it. I’m not sure if this is because of all the time travelling, teleportation, and jumping between planes (as in dimensions, not the flying aircraft!) that it was very difficult for me to figure out what was happening and where the characters actually were.

There’s also a lot of aspects of the background story that isn’t fully explained, rather it’s doled out in morsels here and there and you have to work at putting it all together yourself. I understand that it’s a good way for the author to keep her readers intrigued, but when it’s getting to the point where I don’t actually know what’s happening, then it’s going a bit far! It doesn’t help that for the majority of the book, (bearing in mind that it’s the second in the series), I still couldn’t fully comprehend what species Grant actually was, where he came from and what he does. The same goes for Maxine and her special powers.

It’s also incredibly frustrating that characters who are supposed to be Maxine’s allies are being deliberately vague on a lot of things. That’s part of the reason why this book is so hard to follow, because the characters who know what is going on won’t spill, and I don’t really understand why. It’s like they’d rather let Maxine stumble through everything and work it out for herself rather than help her with it…not really much of an ally if you ask me.

What redeemed this book for me is the fast-paced action and the potential for an amazing book if only the plot wasn’t so complex. Complexity is good, but keep it in moderation. Or maybe it’s just me and my lack of brain power and intellect that makes it so confusing, but that’s not really the point. I read the book and I was confused, so therefore I’m knocking off some points. Simple.

So while I rated this book four stars, it was mostly for the action rather than the way the story is told. The book itself, I would probably only rate three and a half, but I am looking forward to reading the next in the series, if only for the action and for the boys, who I think is adorable. And to clear up any confusion, (just to show the author how its done) by boys I mean Maxine’s tattoos that peel of her body and come to life at night. They’re very fierce but very cute at the same time, I want some for myself.

This book is more of an urban fantasy than a paranormal romance. It does have small aspects of romance in it, obviously Maxine and Grants relationship, but the story focuses largely on the paranormal rather than the loving. So definitely not something to read if you’re just looking for some fluffy romance, but a pretty good book with a good concept if you like strong heroine’s and a lot of butt-kicking.

*Just to make it clear, this is the second book. I didn’t bother writing a review for the first one, but make sure you read that first or you’ll be even more confused than I am!
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Oct 07, 2010

Kt from A Book Obsession.. rated it

Shelves: i-o

When creepy Mr. King shows up, Maxine knows right away he is trouble, but she doesn't grasp just how much. Things get complicated when Grant flies overseas to help an old Priest friend. Since Maxine cannot fly on account of the boys, she has to find another way to go and protect Grant. However before she can even leave trouble finds her hard and fast. It becomes a deadly fight for her life and everyone she cares about, with much more at stake then she realizes.

It makes absolutely no se...moreWhen creepy Mr. King shows up, Maxine knows right away he is trouble, but she doesn't grasp just how much. Things get complicated when Grant flies overseas to help an old Priest friend. Since Maxine cannot fly on account of the boys, she has to find another way to go and protect Grant. However before she can even leave trouble finds her hard and fast. It becomes a deadly fight for her life and everyone she cares about, with much more at stake then she realizes.

It makes absolutely no sense that Grant insisted on going overseas when he knew it was a trap. Actually a lot of the trouble the characters get into in this book could have been easily prevented if they had of just thought things through just a little bit. I found this really frustrating, as well as the fact that things are still pretty confusing. Maxine nor Grant still don't know much about what they really are, yet everyone else does. You would think their "allies" would want to tell them as much as possible considering their enemies keep trying to kill them for the "threat" the two of them supposedly are. The excessive mystery is annoying.

I did enjoy the developing relationships in this book. Maxine was able to spend a lot more time with her grandfather and they seem to be getting quite close. Even though the boys have always been important to Maxine, in this book the motley crew becomes even more affectionate towards her. I'm not sure of the reason for the increased attention but it makes for really enjoyable parts to read. The bond between them is so thick. Maxine comments more than once that she always thought she would be alone except for the boys. However, now she is completely surrounded by love and support and I think that will really help her as she faces what is sure to come.

I'm really hoping things will become more clear in the next book. The series has such a great potential but is quickly losing a lot of its appeal due to frustration and confusion. I really do love Maxine's character and the boys are absolutely adorable so I'm going to hang in there to see where her story goes, and hope for the best.
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Feb 24, 2010

Melissa Hayden rated it

Shelves: urban-paranormal-fantasy

If you have read the first book you need to read this one.

The beginning of the book gives a lot of review with the new happenings to catch you up with the time from reading book one and the release of book two. There is a lot here to get you back up to speed in that break time frame, however for me it was a little slow since I had just finished the first book with all the happenings fresh in my mind. But, when the book picks up on its own path and goes... It goes!

You do g...more

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Sep 16, 2009

Debbie rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Being raised to work alone, then finding a man to love and to keep as her own, Maxine Kiss never thought she would grow to trust and need others. Finding out that her man (Grant Cooperon) was also the last of his kind with special powers made the connection between the two even more difficult to understand. Now they have to try to get information from her grandfather Jack, a man that has not proved himself to be reliable in the past, and then find a way to stop the newest, or is it the oldest ...more

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Sep 07, 2009

Wendy rated it

Maxine Kiss is covered in tattoos that are demons during the day, whom by night come alive. She’s also a demon hunter and her “boys” help her in killing the bad guys. When Maxine is not killing demons, zombies or even humans, she’s hanging out with her boyfriend, Grant.

Grant is a Lightbringer, the last of his kind. Through manipulating energies, he can change any living creature. But now his life is in danger, more danger than normal that is.

Maxine is determined to sav...more

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Aug 21, 2010

Cathy rated it

Shelves: angels-demons, zz-challenge-bcc-fantasy-2010, zz-challenge-library-borrowed-2010, fantasy, magic-users, mythology, paranormal, psychics-telepathy, read-in-2010, romance, urban, twitter-author, people-of-color

Very good urban fantasy, a bit stronger than even the first book. Lots of action offset by lots of heart. If you like kick-butt female hero stories, this series is for you. I love the creative explanation the author used for lots of mythological stories and critters (vampires, werewolves, harpies, angels, etc.) and how well she fit it into her very cool original story elements. The author is both more creative than most writers in the genre, and a very powerful writer as well. (And super pretty,...moreVery good urban fantasy, a bit stronger than even the first book. Lots of action offset by lots of heart. If you like kick-butt female hero stories, this series is for you. I love the creative explanation the author used for lots of mythological stories and critters (vampires, werewolves, harpies, angels, etc.) and how well she fit it into her very cool original story elements. The author is both more creative than most writers in the genre, and a very powerful writer as well. (And super pretty, although that's hardly relevant.)

As for little details, I enjoyed the start of the unfolding of Mary's past, Grant's abilities, and Jack's story. I liked the hints about Maxine's abilities, family, the labyrinth, the armor, and whatever lies inside her. The boys were still a cool element, but I did wonder how they could help gather so much info for her while sleeping. I'm very curious to see Byron's story unfold as well. As you can tell, the secondary characters are very well developed. Even the creepy guys are very vivid and, well, creepy. Plus I enjoyed the boys' '80s music-lovin' ways, especially the nods to Bon Jovi.

My only picky complaint is really the cover art. It still bugs me that a woman who always wears long sleeves to cover her "tattoos" is portrayed in a bustier, and that the tattoos are fake-looking tribal style without even trying to show anything like the boys. Even a few eyes would have helped. I don't understand why they paid for a model and cover shoot but couldn't pay for better photoshopping. It would also have been nice to see something resembling the armor on her finger. Totally picky, I know, but when you like a character, you look back at the cover to compare details and it sucks when they don't march up. At least she actually has brown hair and looks a little bit like she might have Asian ancestry. And the bustier shows off her back and not her boobs. It just always bugs me that books that are primarily marketed to women always have such provacative covers, even when it does not reflect the actual characters. What really scares me is that they might have focus groups telling them that they prefer this style, what does that say?

Anyway, cover aside, it was a very enjoyable book that was well above the norm. Maybe not Kate Daniels level, but I'd say it's in the ballpark. (less)

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Jul 07, 2009

Kelly rated it

I loved The Iron Hunt, and was eagerly looking forward to the sequel. (Has it really only been a year?) I'm happy to report that Darkness Calls is a worthy successor. This time around, Maxine and her boyfriend Grant are being hounded by a mysterious group of religious fanatics and by a horrifically creepy being who introduces himself as "Mr. Erl King," a name that will probably be familiar to myth-geeks like me. Seriously, this is one icky villain. I'm feeling nauseous right now, just ...moreI loved The Iron Hunt, and was eagerly looking forward to the sequel. (Has it really only been a year?) I'm happy to report that Darkness Calls is a worthy successor. This time around, Maxine and her boyfriend Grant are being hounded by a mysterious group of religious fanatics and by a horrifically creepy being who introduces himself as "Mr. Erl King," a name that will probably be familiar to myth-geeks like me. Seriously, this is one icky villain. I'm feeling nauseous right now, just remembering some of his scenes.

*shudder*

Anyway, like The Iron Hunt, Darkness Calls features lots of action, some humor, quirky secondary characters, and plenty of nods to mythology and folklore. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Around the middle of the novel, I got briefly bogged down because I was a little confused about what was going on. Part of this was almost certainly my own fault. I didn't reread The Iron Hunt before starting Darkness Calls, and I'd forgotten some of the terminology and some of the world-building, which meant I couldn't always remember who belonged to what supernatural faction and who was trying to kill whom for what reason. Another aspect of the confusion was intentional. Maxine herself doesn't understand everything that's going on, especially not at first. The attempts on her and Grant's lives keep her running and fighting 24/7. When she does have the chance to take a breath and have a deep conversation, the "wise old sage" characters in her life are often more cryptic than helpful.

This feeling of confusion passed quickly, though. I was captivated by the events leading up to Maxine's showdown with the Erl King. The climactic scenes are harrowing and highly emotional. As an added bonus, there are a few more Labyrinth scenes and mystic-vision scenes. These are where Liu's prose and the epic scope of her imagination really shine.

Another thing that was done really, really well: the romance between Maxine and Grant. In The Iron Hunt, Grant was almost background. Maxine was dealing largely with her own personal demons (real and metaphorical). Here, Grant is an integral part of the plot, and so is the relationship between him and Maxine. Many urban fantasy series focus on the formation of new relationships, or on the dramatic turmoil of relationships in crisis. What Liu depicts is rarer in the genre: a long-term relationship that works. Maxine and Grant face tons of problems, but you get the sense that their love and commitment are a match for whatever comes their way.

Read this and my review of The Iron Hunt at fantasyliterature.net (less)

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Nov 08, 2010

Shelley R rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. After exercising a demon from a man who just killed a small child, Maxine is shot in the head by an unknown being. Being shot in the head is an occupational hazard for those of Maxine's lineage; Hunters. In fact, being shot at, blown up, stabbed, bitten and beaten to a pulp are nothing new for Maxine Kiss. All part of being a hunter.

Then the story gets interesting and those who read the first several Anita Blake novels will appreciate this storyline.

First, Father Cribari,...moreAfter exercising a demon from a man who just killed a small child, Maxine is shot in the head by an unknown being. Being shot in the head is an occupational hazard for those of Maxine's lineage; Hunters. In fact, being shot at, blown up, stabbed, bitten and beaten to a pulp are nothing new for Maxine Kiss. All part of being a hunter.

Then the story gets interesting and those who read the first several Anita Blake novels will appreciate this storyline.

First, Father Cribari, the person who wanted to kill Grant when he was a priest, shows up and tells Grant that his friend is in trouble in China and he is needed there. Of course, this is a trap that any blind person could see coming. Grant decides to go anway...DOH!

Then the mysterious and evil Mr Jack shows up asking for the woman in charge and Maxine knows right away that Mr Jack is trouble and she is absolutely correct in her assumption.

As Grant is flying to China, Maxine is kidnapped by Father Cribari's assassins who try to shoot her in the head right as daylight is approaching. The only time she is vulnerable.

Of course, Maxine escapes and realizes that Grant is in trouble and she has to find a way to get there. Cribari, it seems, belongs to a group who believe that both Grant and Maxine are abominations and thus they deserve to die.

They meet the mysterious Father Lawrence, who helps them escape and the mind reader Tilly, who ends up being a part of the group running away from Mr Jack and his minions who continually try to kill Maxine and Grant.

This story had alot of action. We find out that Mary is not so drugged out after all, and is actually the same as Grant, a lightbringer. Maxine is now experiencing a true darkness within her, and it scares her to death. She also travels back in time to once again, visit with her grandmother and her mother. The scene with her grandmother happens after she is nearly killed by Mr Jacks minions.

The ongoing story of Jack, her grandfather and an Avatar and someone who has alot of secrets that he keeps away from Maxine, is compelling and it can only go forward from here. We pretty much know that the relationship between Grant and Maxine will continue to be written into the storyline.

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Jul 05, 2011

Kim~Fantasy~MR rated it

Ok this one was more action filled than the first to me, but unfortunately no appearance of Tracker or Orturu. :( But there was a little back story in this with them in it, so I'm not majorly bummed. I was happy to see more of the secrets unfold but it didn't unfold enough for me...I'm itching for more details! The boys were fabulous I loved the hat obsession, was too cute! Can you say that about those demons??? I think so! The level of intricacy deepened in this one which got me again, and how ...more

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Jan 24, 2011

Carol rated it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, mystery, female-lead

Three and a half stars. Even better than The Iron Hunt, however, it still suffers from some of the confusion of it's predecessor. One of the less coherent parts of Lui's narrative is when she has Kiss jumping around through time and space. I think most of the mysteries are intentional, related to unknown abilities of a silver ring/sword she picked up in The Iron Hunt, but as a reader, it gets confusing as to where these abilities come from, why Kiss isn't more disturbed, are they under control,...more

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Feb 11, 2010

Gwen rated it

Shelves: 2010-read, paranormal, girl-power

This is the second book in the Hunter Kiss series. I haven't read the first one. I enjoyed the writing style of Marjorie M. Liu. Unlike C. Harris, the mythology of the characters is put out for you right away. Only in the second book, I feel I understand the world Liu has created.

Hunter Kiss has interesting tattoos which come alive at night and during the day protect her. They are demons which eat other demons. Hunter is the last in her bloodline, women who fight demons traveling th...more

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Aug 03, 2010

Parallax added it

Shelves: fiction, 2010-read, author-poc, fantasy, horror, specfic-women, surreal-morphing-scenery

Reads like Liu took a whole bunch of things she thought would be cool, and strung them together to make a story. Since I agree with her, I enjoyed the read. I also like badass heroines charged with stopping the demons with short life expectancies and concerns about the monster inside (reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), interdimensional reality warping labyrinths, Cthulian flavored mythology, and bizarre family inheritances. I was also amused by Liu's take on secret religious orders, the Er...more

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Jul 22, 2010

Renee Sweet rated it

In many ways, DARKNESS CALLS is Grant's book in that we learn what he is truly capable of and what his power means--to his relationship with Maxine, as well as to the world. But the adventure in this book still belongs to Maxine and the boys (oh, the boys! how i <3 them!) and we also learn many new things about her, her powers and the amazing, rich world Marjorie has created. Maxine is pushed hard in this book and makes decisions that will change the course of all their lives, discovering thi...more

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Jul 24, 2011

Deepthy rated it

The second part focuses exclusively n the lives of Maxine and Grant, and while the story plot was interesting, it was a little dry reading at parts. I mean how much time continuum and inter-dimensional travel is a girl supposed to understand? And mix with that avatar, energy beings and umm... old wolf? golden river? different worlds? You get a hell of a lot more messier. I think the plot could have been more tightly written... While explaining the details, I felt she lost the continuity and feel...more

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Jan 06, 2011

Rachel rated it

Shelves: 2

This is the second book in the Hunter Kiss series, surprisingly enough, while the first one dragged it actually felt like something was happening. In Darkness Calls the story didn't drag quite so much, but it also felt like not a lot transpired. Part of the problem is that while Liu does a great job with description and building out the world and characters the lead, Maxine, has no personality of her own. The supporting characters in the novel have much more draw and throughout the story you'd m...more

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Sep 21, 2009

Denise rated it

Shelves: magical, paranormal

OK I actually liked this book better than the first. Maybe because so many things were tied together and it was a hoping story. She inhereits her abilities from her mother and there are mysteries around what she can do and how she is to 'save the world' with her abilites- istn't that alway the way? I don't reallty think that she slept the entrie book going from one situation to antoher. There is a man in her life and he is as intersting as her with powers he too. The story really moves alo...more

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Aug 30, 2011

Lauryn rated it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I liked this book much more than the first book in the series, perhaps because I went back and reread the short story that outlined how the main characters met. In general, I found this book began to be better about answering questions instead of constantly avoiding answering questions. I found the main character more enjoyable this time around as well because she kicked ass more often than the reverse. That being said, it still didn't knock my socks off. I'm not sure why but I can't seem to get...more

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Aug 02, 2010

Jenna rated it

I enjoyed book 2 in this series. I find the theories on where humans come from intriguing and thought that the world building was great. She introduces new material in the dark urban fantasy genre that makes it interesting and exciting.

I also love the relationship between Grant and Maxine. Maxine only sees her faults, but Grant sees her internal beauty and the goodness of her heart. They take the 'bringing out the best in each other' to a new level.

I just saw that Book...more

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Aug 08, 2011

Nixy Snow rated it

Shelves: books-i-own

For generations, her female bloodline was nomadic never making emotional relationships especially with men. Instead each one hunted the demons until they birthed the next generation hunter and consequently die. Thus the current demon hunter Maxine Kiss has a problem as she has fallen in love with the former priest Grant, the last Lightbringer.

How much an issue an emotional entanglement can cause ignites when the Avatars attack Grant fearing his power. Instead of staying out of the frac...more

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Nov 11, 2010

Shannon rated it

POSSIBLE SPOILERS BUT YOU ARE NOT MISSING THAT MUCH

Ok, I find that there are a few key elements in a good UF series that keeps me hooked.

--Action. Pleas give me realistic blood. I do not want to experience sprays of blood with every back hand, but lets not pretend that most UF characters dont have dummy strength, so blood is expected.

--Romance. I love it when the main characters are caught up in a love triangle that is at least realistic, not the princess is...more

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Aug 28, 2011

Book Chick City rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-for-review-full-list, fiction, urban-fantasy, reviews

Guest reviewed by Andrea for Book Chick City.

Anyone who has read my review of the first novel in Liu’s 'Hunter Kiss' series knows I was very disappointed in it. That is becoming a familiar theme as I’ve now read “Darkness Calls”. Don’t get me wrong, there is potential. Maybe that’s what grates on my nerves so much. I don’t think Liu does them justice. She has flashes of brilliance, but it never seems to follow through.

Maxine annoyed me in 'The Iron Hunt', and in “Darkness...moreGuest reviewed by Andrea for Book Chick City.

Anyone who has read my review of the first novel in Liu’s 'Hunter Kiss' series knows I was very disappointed in it. That is becoming a familiar theme as I’ve now read “Darkness Calls”. Don’t get me wrong, there is potential. Maybe that’s what grates on my nerves so much. I don’t think Liu does them justice. She has flashes of brilliance, but it never seems to follow through.

Maxine annoyed me in 'The Iron Hunt', and in “Darkness Calls” I’ve gone past annoyance and into…why? Take her out of the equation and write a book about her lover, Grant. Who is much more interesting and has more layers than Maxine has tattoos.

Grant is something called a Lightbringer; though that’s not really delved into with much depth; he can control people and demons through his music, he also has a brain disorder that means he sees sound in colour. He’s an ex priest who now runs a homeless shelter. He’s a little broken, he’s very powerful, and has a good heart--but you know he has the potential to go bad if he wasn’t so darn pure.

Thank god this novel revealed more about him because I’m not sure I could have gotten through it without him. I might not have liked all the directions Liu pulled him, but he captured my interest enough to want to know what happened to him next.

I know I shouldn’t let my feelings for the other book intrude on this one, but it was hard not to let them trickle over. Maxine had the potential to be just as layered and interesting as Grant, but, to me she spends too much time whining and letting her boys do all the hard work.

Her boys are the demon tattoos that peel off her skin as darkness falls. During the day they sleep on her skin and look like tattoos making her literally invincible, and during the night they come to life and help her hunt demons. They protect Maxine and are deadly in a fight. They’re funny; they love Bonjovi, and will eat you in a heartbeat if you’re a demon or a threat. I know they’re there to protect Maxine, that they’ve been passed down from mother to daughter for generations, but Maxine relies on them way too much.

From the glimpses we get of her mother that was not the case with her. There’s another story I wouldn’t mind reading. Maxine’s mother; even her grandmother are more interesting than her.

This novel was definitely more about Grant and revealing what he’s capable of, and that is what kept me reading, but again I had the sense like I was missing something vitally important, some kind of history or an explanation of Lightbringers that went into a little more depth.

I do like the established relationship between Maxine and Grant; I like the little looks, touches and intimate conversations that make them both seem more complex and real, but when reading about an established relationship I need the author to make me care about them, and about them staying together, I didn’t care enough about Maxine to feel like that. I felt like Grant's mother saying ‘she’s not good enough for you!’ and then looking at all the other characters as potential girlfriends for him!

VERDICT:

Personally, I’m not enjoying this series; there are plot points and character traits I just can’t get over. I feel like there’s some kind of missing chapter or footnotes that I never got, and that coupled with a protagonist I just couldn’t gel with made me an irritable, cranky reader. I wanted to know about Grant’s story, but I didn’t want to go through Maxine to get it. I can see why some people would love this novel, but I just wanted and expected more.(less)

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Jul 06, 2009

Donna rated it

Shelves: signed, urban-fantasy, 2009-read

Darkness Calls begins shortly after the ending of The Iron Hunt, the first book in the Hunter Kiss Series. You will find the same exquisite story telling style that was displayed in The Iron Hunt, and the action is pretty much non-stop from start to finish, gritty and dark in nature as before, moving at a faster clip than the first book. A couple of new characters are introduced, helping spice up the storyline and some answers are given to the questions left dangling from the first book.

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Oct 09, 2009

TheBookSmugglers rated it

Full Review Link

Maxine Kiss is a huntress; the latest in a long line of women sworn to protect humanity from demons that threaten her world. For generations, the women of the Kiss line have lived solitary lives, moving from town to town with only the “boys” for company – demons that live on the women’s skin by day as tattoos, ensuring that each Kiss woman is invincible, but leave their host’s flesh and come alive at night. Maxine has chosen to settle down temporarily in Seattle, larg...moreFull Review Link

Maxine Kiss is a huntress; the latest in a long line of women sworn to protect humanity from demons that threaten her world. For generations, the women of the Kiss line have lived solitary lives, moving from town to town with only the “boys” for company – demons that live on the women’s skin by day as tattoos, ensuring that each Kiss woman is invincible, but leave their host’s flesh and come alive at night. Maxine has chosen to settle down temporarily in Seattle, largely because of her feelings for Grant, the compassionate man whom she has given her heart. Grant is one of the last of his kind, a lightbringer, gifted with the ability to see and manipulate people’s auras – and when a dark figure from his past shows up at his homeless shelter, beckoning him into a trap, Maxine and Grant are tested harshly, in terms of their power, and the lengths they will go to for each other.

As in its predecessor The Iron Hunt, heroine Maxine Kiss is back in top form here with Darkness Calls – with even higher stakes, this time around. Maxine has some soul searching to do in this book, in terms of her chosen life forsaking the tieless nomadic existence of her mother and choosing to follow her heart, even when it means embracing the darker power she fears to wield. Maxine’s inner narrative and growth as a character is admirable here as she comes to grips with her own bloodline (granddaughter of an avatar, Jack the “meddling man”), and what her burgeoning powers mean. More interesting, however, is what we learn about Grant in this book – his past as a priest and the special nature of his own singular powers. Ms. Liu pushes her characters past dangerous lines, and, as the title suggests, explores their own darker natures. The introduction of another avatar, the Skinner, who has come to notice Maxine after she destroyed Ashan in The Iron Hunt is a fearful twist and makes for a terrifying foe that these characters must face together.

One complaint that The Iron Hunt garnered in reviews across blogland concerned the writing style – and I will concede that Ms. Liu’s impressionist style in the Hunter Kiss novels inspires a love or hate reaction. I just happen to be one of those that love the clipped, almost poetic quality of Maxine’s narrative. For those that were turned off by the style in the first book, I would recommend giving Darkness Calls another chance as the tone is less confusingly abstract in this installment. Also, in comparison to the first novel this second book is much more action-centered and digs much more into characters and the dark implications of Maxine’s world – another compelling reason to give Darkness Calls a read for those who were disappointed with the pacing of the first novel.

For my part, I highly enjoyed this novel, more so than its predecessor, and certainly recommend it to fans of darker urban fantasy. There are some delicious plot threads left open at the end of this novel, and I cannot wait to see where Maxine, Grant, and the boys are in for next.(less)

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Aug 08, 2010

Cindi rated it

The melody of Marjorie M. Liu's writing is astounding and a significant part of the story, Darkness Calls. Without the twining lyrics of it, this second Hunter Kiss novel would be the same as many other Urban Fantasy works I've read. But Ms. Liu's "good vs. evil" is agonizingly portrayed with exactly the right word precisely where needed, and the "bad" is made bearable but more realistic by the verbal detailing of Maxine Kiss' mental struggle. Her life is one series of str...more

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Mar 11, 2010

Susan rated it

First of all, definitely read book 1, before book 2. Even though Marjorie does a good job explaining the past she doesn't do an overkill (which I like) and some readers may get lost and confused.

I love this second book. Marjorie does a wonderful job weaving all the past with the present. Her intricate story weaving is complex and wildly exciting to grasp. The read is dark and gritty, with lots of action.

Maxine Kiss is still piecing together bits of information of her past...more

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Mar 03, 2010

Caitlyn rated it

I enjoyed this!

Admittedly, I wasn't sure I would. After I'd read the first story, The Iron Hunt, there were quite a few gaps for me. I'd felt like I'd missed something. However, once I read the prequel, Hunter Kiss, I was back up to speed. All of this allowed me to thoroughly enjoy Darkness Calls. This was a very good urban fantasy. If you are a fan of this genre, I would highly recommend it. Your reading experience will be enhanced by reading all the stories (full length and novell...more

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Jul 10, 2010

chucklesthescot rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, dystopian, urbanfantasy

Book 2 was a bit of a let down for me. The book is still well written and I love the demon boys but they take a back seat in this book to the very confusing storyline which is a bit sad really. In this book Maxine, Grant,Jack,Mary,Byron and new allies are battling against an avatar called Mr King and his church minions who want to use Grant and Maxine for their own purposes.
If you thought the first story was confusing then strap yourself in for this one. More riddles, more half truths a...more

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Darkness Calls (Hunter Kiss #2)

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