A Wild Light (Hunter Kiss, #3)

Jul 19, 2010 Julia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, urban, arcs, favorites, dropbox

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

My experience to date with the Hunter Kiss series has been hit or miss. While I greatly enjoyed HUNTER KISS and THE IRON HUNT, I fought to finish DARKNESS COMES over a period of several weeks. Perhaps exacerbated by how often I put it down and picked it up, I found the book confusing and I had a hard time keeping track of Maxine’s progress. In preparation for this review, I reread all the Hunter Kiss short stories and books. When I reread DARKNESS COME...more Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

My experience to date with the Hunter Kiss series has been hit or miss. While I greatly enjoyed HUNTER KISS and THE IRON HUNT, I fought to finish DARKNESS COMES over a period of several weeks. Perhaps exacerbated by how often I put it down and picked it up, I found the book confusing and I had a hard time keeping track of Maxine’s progress. In preparation for this review, I reread all the Hunter Kiss short stories and books. When I reread DARKNESS COMES over the course of a weekend, it became apparent to me that the confusion I had experienced on my previous reading was a critical part of the story. Maxine herself is being thrust into a confusing swirl of multi-dimensional events and time periods, and Marjorie Liu manages to convey those emotions without losing the reader entirely. I’m glad I revisited DARKNESS COMES, if only because it further heightened my enjoyment of the book that followed. A WILD LIGHT is one of my favorite books this year, and the entire Hunter Kiss series has been bumped up to my top ten list.

As stated in the book description above, Chapter 2 of A WILD LIGHT opens with Maxine standing over the corpse of her grandfather with no recollection of what took place. Furthermore, it is soon revealed that she has no memories of Grant, the love of her life. While amnesia gambits are among my least favorite literary devices (Why not just tell the reader you want a “do over” on your back-story?), in Liu’s hands this opening unfolds to become an integral part of two of my favorite facets of the book, the first being the long overdue courtship between Maxine and Grant.

Maxine’s relationship with Grant Cooperon takes place largely “off camera.” I saw their beginnings in the short story Hunter Kiss, but their attraction up until this point in the series has a largely “trust me, we’re made for each other” flavor. Their relationship has a heavy foundation in their respective magical natures, which makes it less easy for me to relate to as a reader. With amnesia, Maxine reacts to Grant in ways both believable and original. In the “believable” category, there is a certain echo of their first meeting, the distrust and attraction rolled into one. One of my favorite details is Maxine’s reaction to Grant’s eyes, two parts attraction and one part “Dude, stop staring at me.” We also get to enjoy aspects of their life together as Maxine experiences them for the first time, all over again. The way her sweet boys lean against Grant’s legs for greetings and comfort resonated strongly with me. Up until A WILD LIGHT, my favorite love story in the series was between Maxine and her living-tattoo demon boys, Zee, Dek, Mal, Aaz, and Raw. A perfect mix of childlike enthusiasm and demonic mayhem, so many of my laugh or “awww” out loud moments in the series came from the boys and their relationship with “sweet Maxine.” The boys are Maxine’s family, her children and brothers and uncles all rolled into one. Their trust and affection is the strongest vote of confidence Grant could have hoped for. In Liu’s hands amnesia is not just a device that retreads old ground and brings Maxine and Grant back to where they started, she gives them a true clean slate. First impressions, a first kiss, and all the uncertainty, poignancy and zest of falling in love.

A WILD LIGHT allows Zee and the boys to shine, and highlights my second favorite aspect of the book: Marjorie Liu’s story building. Rather than feeling as if Maxine is being pulled forward on rails towards an inevitable destiny, Liu creates the sense that there is no one right answer. In fact, I think much of the difficulty I had in reading DARKNESS COMES was the result of Liu’s masterful portrayal of Maxine’s confusing world. With flavors of Jane Eyre meets Dr. Who, Maxine moves through both time and dimensions, and the reader is very much along for the ride. In my opinion, the majority of Urban Fantasy books can be read from a certain mental distance, even as you’re getting a first person perspective of the protagonist’s life. I usually feel like I’m putting together clues and following along (or ahead) of the main character’s logic. By this generalization, the Hunter Kiss series doesn’t read like a “typical” Urban Fantasy. Liu’s writing contains a poetry and mystery that reminds me of classical fantasy, or straight up classics. While this most recent Hunter Kiss novel does shed some light on the nuts and bolts of the forces in Maxine’s life, it more powerfully illuminates a realistic world with no one right answer. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, but in the meantime, A WILD LIGHT has given me a lot to mull over and discuss.

Sexual Content: An explicit sex scene.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Mar 09, 2011 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, series, review-copy

A Wild Light is the third novel in the Hunter’s Kiss trilogy by Marjorie M. Liu, and concludes the ongoing story ARC concerning the veil being torn between the world of humans and the demon prison. Maxine Kiss wakes from a world of nightmares to discover the body of her grandfather next to her, covered in blood, and a man she doesn’t recognise who tells her they are lovers. What follows takes Maxine to the very limits of her emotional resources as she discovers the secrets of her ancestors and t...more A Wild Light is the third novel in the Hunter’s Kiss trilogy by Marjorie M. Liu, and concludes the ongoing story ARC concerning the veil being torn between the world of humans and the demon prison. Maxine Kiss wakes from a world of nightmares to discover the body of her grandfather next to her, covered in blood, and a man she doesn’t recognise who tells her they are lovers. What follows takes Maxine to the very limits of her emotional resources as she discovers the secrets of her ancestors and tries to close the veil for good.

Strangely, this was my favourite of the trilogy. After reading the first two books and feeling generally underwhelmed and confused, I was not really looking forward to the third but wished to read it for the sake of completism. I’m glad I did. Although it wasn’t great, it tackled some of my issues from the first two novels and presented a much more linear plotline.

My favourite part, by far (and has been my favourite all the way through), are the demons that inhabit Maxine’s skin as tattoos during the hours of sunlight and become corporeal when the sun sets. Dek, Mal, Aaz, Raw and Zee are terrifying and cute in the very same moment – fabulously characterful as they hum Bon Jovi hits in Maxine’s ears and eat cuddly teddy bears. Maxine’s curious relationship with her ‘boys’ is the true highlight of the trilogy, and I was pleased to see more secrets concerning this being revealed in the course of ‘A Wild Light’.

Marjorie M. Liu also deigned to explain more of the ongoing situation – dealing with Avatars, Wardens, demons and zombies. In The Iron Hunt and Darkness Calls, I found myself struggling to follow the events of the books – I understood that the veil was failing, but much of the detail was lost on me. In A Wild Light Liu recaps in a manner that illuminates many of the characters and situations so that my enjoyment was maintained through the whole novel.

My general impression of this book, and of the trilogy as a whole, is that it is written in stunning fashion but lacks a driving plot or any real tension. The concepts are wonderful – demons that live on the skin, zombie parasites feeding on pain – but they nestle in a trio of books that don’t truly go anywhere. It is all style and no substance. Marjorie M. Liu’s trilogy is beautiful but ultimately forgettable.

(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Nov 20, 2010 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-books

The Hunter Kiss series has been on my list of books to read for a long time, but, like so many other things, has fallen to the wayside. Having the opportunity to review A Wild Light definitely jumped my attention and upon finishing this book I immediately requested the other two books currently released from the library, rendering my "no library books" pledge pretty much in tatters.

Maxine Kiss is a demon hunter with some seriously badass body armor- tattoos that assume forms at night and then s...more The Hunter Kiss series has been on my list of books to read for a long time, but, like so many other things, has fallen to the wayside. Having the opportunity to review A Wild Light definitely jumped my attention and upon finishing this book I immediately requested the other two books currently released from the library, rendering my "no library books" pledge pretty much in tatters.

Maxine Kiss is a demon hunter with some seriously badass body armor- tattoos that assume forms at night and then stand between her and peril. Maxine is immortal during the day and defended by her armor beings at night, and the existence of a demon hunter is certainly a tough one, a fact of which Maxine is reminded when she finds her grandfather, Jack, murdered, and her own memories erased and in tatters. These include the memories of Grant, the love of her life; thankfully he doesn't give up on her and instead tries to unravel the mystery of just what the hell happened while Maxine was unconscious.

What happens next is a deeper exploration of the supernatural goings-on in Maxine's world. There are forces at work that even she never anticipated; history and ancestry play a huge role in determining her courses of action. Furthermore, Maxine has to become comfortable with herself and who and what she is again; Maxine is a lot of things but a stone cold killer is not among them.

This story was certainly enjoyable all on its own, but I think the experience will definitely be enhanced by reading the first two books in the series first. I fully plan on coming back to A Wild Light after I've read the first two installments for a deeper understanding of all the factors that are in play. If you're looking for an introduction to the series then you certainly won't go wrong here; be aware, though, that this is a connected series and not a sequence of independent novels, so starting at the beginning wouldn't be a bad idea either. You win either way!

Overall Grade: A-

Read more reviews and other good stuff at What Book is That?(less)

like 3 likes · see review

Oct 12, 2010 Kt from A Book Obsession.. rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's Maxine's birthday and the anniversary of her mother's death. Before going to her birthday party, Maxine and the boys remember her mother by killing a demon. The party goes off great despite the heavy heart Maxine has. However, when she wakes up the next morning next to her grandfather Jack's body, covered in blood and missing most of her memories, she goes into utter shock. But the biggest shock is the man named Grant who tells her he is her lover yet she has not one single memory of him. W...more It's Maxine's birthday and the anniversary of her mother's death. Before going to her birthday party, Maxine and the boys remember her mother by killing a demon. The party goes off great despite the heavy heart Maxine has. However, when she wakes up the next morning next to her grandfather Jack's body, covered in blood and missing most of her memories, she goes into utter shock. But the biggest shock is the man named Grant who tells her he is her lover yet she has not one single memory of him. With everyone gunning for her and Grant she must figure out what happened to Jack quickly before someone finally succeeds in destroying them.

Ah, finally things are starting to become a lot clearer. If you've read my reviews on the previous books, you know just how frustrated I was. I was able to enjoy this book much more now that so many questions have been answered. I really loved how even though Maxine has a destiny, it isn't set in stone. She has the ability to shape which direction the power takes as it is her heart that controls it. It seems that "good heart" her mother worked so hard to raise Maxine with, will finally show its real importance.

Although parts of this book were heartbreaking, I think the bad moments between Maxine and Grant will only strengthen them. It will just take some time. The relationship between Maxine and her grandfather really seemed to solidify in this book. I'm glad the two of them are finally starting to trust each other and that he is learning from his mistakes, even if it has taken him thousands of years to do so. The boys were even more adorable in this book, and I love the amazingly strong bond they have with Maxine, and now Grant as well. If there was one thing I could say that would make the entire series worth reading it would be those boys.

This book is extremely fast paced and now that so much has been revealed, the stakes have stepped up a major notch. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm really happy with the "new" direction the series is taking even if the revelations have been completely shocking. Maxine and the boys are such amazing characters that have great strength despite their flaws. I am eager to see where their story goes.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jul 22, 2010 Renee Sweet rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of A WILD LIGHT, the fifth installment in Marjorie M. Liu's excellent urban fantasy series.

Let me just get right to it: Wow.

This book makes your breath hitch and your heart pound. It makes you take breaks to recover, to take it all in. It makes you ache. Maxine, the boys, Grant—they’re all at their most raw, stripped down to gristle and bone, sheer force of will and strength of heart. Marjorie didn’t flinch when she wrote this story: it's got shar...more

like 1 like · see review

Feb 09, 2011 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: demons, magic, paranomal-rom, urban-fantasy, zombies

Well I loved the first two in this series and I haven't been able to get this book to finish the series. I finally got it from the library! It has been a loooong time since I read the first two but I didn't feel like I was lost or didn't understand what was going on. This really progressed the story a lot and we finally get to know who the boys are and why Maxine is important. We also find out what Grant is as well!!! I so love Grant and I am liking that this relationship is complex and not easy...more

like · see review

Feb 07, 2011 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, female-lead, my-library

Three and a half stars. I think Ms. Liu is improving with each book. One of her strengths is the beautiful prose and well-drawn characters, from the small role Mary and Rex play in this book, to the demons that love and guard Max. Like other readers, I found the confusion surrounding Max to be a barrier to a whole-hearted endorsement of earlier books. I understand that Max herself was also confused, but when the reader is plopped into a world that doesn't have many explanations, it creates an ev...more

like · see review

Jul 30, 2010 Tori smexys_sidekick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-for-smexybooks, arc

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

like · see review

Jul 29, 2010 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reading the Hunter Kiss series is rather like having a strange but wonderful dream. You’re sometimes confused about exactly what is happening and why, but the vistas are breathtaking, the emotions are intense, and when you wake up, the only words that come to mind are “What a ride!”

In the hands of a lesser author, confusion can be a dealbreaker that leads to the book hitting the wall. But Marjorie M. Liu is not a lesser author. Her poetic prose and beautifully drawn character relationships keep...more Reading the Hunter Kiss series is rather like having a strange but wonderful dream. You’re sometimes confused about exactly what is happening and why, but the vistas are breathtaking, the emotions are intense, and when you wake up, the only words that come to mind are “What a ride!”

In the hands of a lesser author, confusion can be a dealbreaker that leads to the book hitting the wall. But Marjorie M. Liu is not a lesser author. Her poetic prose and beautifully drawn character relationships keep you reading even when you — and Maxine — aren’t quite sure of what’s going on.

A Wild Light begins with the murder of Maxine’s grandfather, Jack. Maxine wakes to find Jack dead, and it appears that he has been killed with a blade that only Maxine can safely wield. Maxine has no memory of the murder, or of her boyfriend Grant. We follow Maxine as she tries to solve Jack’s murder and as Grant does his best to piece their relationship back together. At about the halfway point, A Wild Light goes from good to unputdownable when Liu drops a huge bombshell about the true nature of Maxine and of the “boys,” her five guardian demons. We also get some tantalizing glimpses of Maxine’s mysterious father.

Maxine faces some tough decisions that will determine the kind of person she will be. She is tempted by unimaginable power. Pitted against that is love: not just the romantic variety (though Maxine and Grant are one of my favorite UF couples) but also Maxine’s love for the boys, her late mother, Jack, and her friends at the Coop.

The phrase “a wild light” is used twice, once to describe something terrifying, the second time to describe something sublime. I think this juxtaposition is absolutely intentional on Liu’s part.

I recommend this novel, and the Hunter Kiss series in general, to readers looking for something a little different in urban fantasy. If you like sumptuous prose and lots of symbolism and metaphor, and if you don’t mind the occasional moment of confusion, this is the series for you.

This review originally published at Fantasy Literature (less)

like 2 likes · see review

Aug 10, 2010 Cecilia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

like · see review

Jun 26, 2011 Caitlyn added it

You're going to want to make sure you read all the books and novellas in this series before your read A Wild Light. It will help you appreciate and understand what's going on in the story. I wouldn't recommend this as a stand-alone read. You won't enjoy it as much.

The story is dark urban fantasy, filled with hunters, demons, and other-worldly creatures in a save-the-world-or-destroy-it mission. If I said anything more, I risk giving away essential plot points and spoilers. I cannot speak about...more

like · see review

Dec 01, 2010 Estara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, read-in-2010

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

like · see review

Dec 30, 2010 Gwen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-read, girl-power, paranormal

A Wild Light is the continuation of the Hunter Kiss series. In it, we find Maxine Kiss celebrating her birthday with her "family." The next day, she awakes to find herself over her grandfather Jack's dead body. She, nor the boys, remember what happened. She sees a man limp into the room on a cane and looks at him as though he is a stranger. That "stranger" is Grant, the man she's been living with since she's been in Seatle. Aside from "Who killed Jack?" a larger question looms: "Why does Maxine...more

like · see review

Mar 16, 2013 Pamela rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is out of the Hunter Kiss series, and is well worth your time to begin this series. The detail around the plot, and characters keeps you mesmerized.There are so many twists and turns, and it leaves you breathless.I am hoping the library can find me book 4. If not, I will purchase this and the next one. I am hooked.....I do not do spoilers..let me just say that these are creatures you will not find or battle in the usual teen, or adult books out today..always a surprise, in the next cha...more

like · see review

Jul 25, 2011 Deepthy rated it 2 of 5 stars

So what can I say about this book? It was introspective and very detailed in it's explanations. Very vivid imagery and a splendid imagination and plot line. I forsee great things. So, why did I rate it a 2? Because I FORSEE great things not forSAW. I found most of the book to be slow reading to be honest. It's usually difficult to tear me from a book but boy, I had trouble focusing on this one. Having said that, I did love the ending where most of the action took place and I did love the twist i...more

like · see review

Oct 04, 2010 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

What I love about Marjorie Liu is her ability to do more with less. Her writing in the Hunter Kiss series is spare and lyrical, with hints of humor throughout. The hints and riddles of the first two books pay off in this one. Many of the mysteries about Maxine's heritage are revealed, and she has major issues to address in her future. There's a lot of imagery I love in this book, including a new hairstyle for Maxine, and her ancestors in various incarnations.

As always, Liu keeps the mood consis...more

like · see review

Aug 27, 2011 Jayne rated it 1 of 5 stars

The last book of the trilogy. If I hadn't paid money for these books I never would have bothered to finish reading any of them. The first book leaves the reader and the characters absolutely clueless. You would think that by the 3rd book all would be revealed but no. 3 books of can't tell you, it's a secret and can't remember is frustrating and boring as hell.

I was left with the very strong feeling that the author didn't really know where she was going with the story, and didn't know how to expl...more

like · see review

Aug 08, 2011 Nixy Snow rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

I wish sometimes that we could give books 6 stars. There are some books that are better, deserve an outstanding - even more than I loved it. This is one of them.

This is the third full length novel in the Hunter Kiss series. It's intense. It's Lyrical. It's poetic horror and dark fantasy. It's great.

Maxine Kiss wakes up in a room, feeling like something is wrong. Slowly, things come to her, the smell in the room, the dread feeling, then she sees her grandfather. He's dead. Her demon protector "bo...more I wish sometimes that we could give books 6 stars. There are some books that are better, deserve an outstanding - even more than I loved it. This is one of them.

This is the third full length novel in the Hunter Kiss series. It's intense. It's Lyrical. It's poetic horror and dark fantasy. It's great.

Maxine Kiss wakes up in a room, feeling like something is wrong. Slowly, things come to her, the smell in the room, the dread feeling, then she sees her grandfather. He's dead. Her demon protector "boys" are all there and behaving erractically - stressed out. They don't remember or won't tell her what happened. She doesn't remember what happened. Then someone walks in that she doens't recognize...

That's just the beginning (not a spoiler since the back of the book tells you this happened). This is an amazing, intense wonderfully written addition to the Hunter Kiss series. If you've read the other two books, you will recognize the returning characters. Byron, Jack, Killy, Father Lawrence, Mary, Grant.....and you will meet some compelling, dark characters.

There are answers to questions raised in the first two books. But...more is going to happen. I look forward to reading more of these novels.

It's possible to read this book and enjoy it if you havent' read the first two - but it's better to read them in order. Ms Liu gives you just enough information in each book that you can read it as a single book, yet I don't feel like I'm suffering from information overload, aka info-dumps.

The veil is weakening even more, more things are escaping the veil prison. Maxine is suffering some memory loss. The ring that we are introduced to in Iron Hunt grows - traveling up her wrist and becoming a little bit elaborate. New characters are introduced and it's not apparent if they're trustworthy - but there is a bit of help from them.

Grant learns some more of his past, as does Maxine. Maxine in fact, learns a lot in this novel.

Well worth the money to buy, a definite keeper. If you haven't read the first two books, Iron Hunt and Darkness Calls, I recommend them highly. (less)

like · see review

Jan 14, 2011 Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, 2010-release

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Summary: For too long Maxine Kiss has felt an inexplicable darkness inside her; a force she channels into hunting the demons bent on destroying the human race. But when she finds herself covered in blood and crouched beside her grandfather's dead body with no memory of what happened, Maxine begins to fear that the darkness has finally consumed her.

Maxine is the last of a unique bloodline of women warriors (Wardens) protecting the Earth from an other-dimension prison full of demons and other nast...more

like · see review

Apr 26, 2011 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own-print, read-in-2011, for-review-read

Although I enjoyed the first 2 books in the Hunters Kiss series I think A Wild Light would have to be my favorite so far. I was left a little confused by the ending though, I thought the series was going to be a trilogy but I'm really hoping that this wasn't the final book because I still have questions that need answers! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Marjorie M. Liu has decided to continue the series but I haven't been able to find any information to support that.

I've mentioned in my revi...more

like · see review

Nov 09, 2010 Mardel rated it 5 of 5 stars

I wish sometimes that we could give books 6 stars. There are some books that are better, deserve an outstanding - even more than I loved it. This is one of them.

This is the third full length novel in the Hunter Kiss series. It's intense. It's Lyrical. It's poetic horror and dark fantasy. It's great.

Maxine Kiss wakes up in a room, feeling like something is wrong. Slowly, things come to her, the smell in the room, the dread feeling, then she sees her grandfather. He's dead. Her demon protector "bo...more I wish sometimes that we could give books 6 stars. There are some books that are better, deserve an outstanding - even more than I loved it. This is one of them.

This is the third full length novel in the Hunter Kiss series. It's intense. It's Lyrical. It's poetic horror and dark fantasy. It's great.

Maxine Kiss wakes up in a room, feeling like something is wrong. Slowly, things come to her, the smell in the room, the dread feeling, then she sees her grandfather. He's dead. Her demon protector "boys" are all there and behaving erractically - stressed out. They don't remember or won't tell her what happened. She doesn't remember what happened. Then someone walks in that she doens't recognize...

That's just the beginning (not a spoiler since the back of the book tells you this happened). This is an amazing, intense wonderfully written addition to the Hunter Kiss series. If you've read the other two books, you will recognize the returning characters. Byron, Jack, Killy, Father Lawrence, Mary, Grant.....and you will meet some compelling, dark characters.

There are answers to questions raised in the first two books. But...more is going to happen. I look forward to reading more of these novels.

It's possible to read this book and enjoy it if you havent' read the first two - but it's better to read them in order. Ms Liu gives you just enough information in each book that you can read it as a single book, yet I don't feel like I'm suffering from information overload, aka info-dumps.

The veil is weakening even more, more things are escaping the veil prison. Maxine is suffering some memory loss. The ring that we are introduced to in Iron Hunt grows - traveling up her wrist and becoming a little bit elaborate. New characters are introduced and it's not apparent if they're trustworthy - but there is a bit of help from them.

Grant learns some more of his past, as does Maxine. Maxine in fact, learns a lot in this novel.

Well worth the money to buy, a definite keeper. If you haven't read the first two books, Iron Hunt and Darkness Calls, I recommend them highly.

The Cover - I really like this cover. You can see the ring-come-gauntlett on Maxine's wrist. What I miss in this and the previous novel is something that was noticeable on the first novel. Maxine's Asian heritage. She had a beautiful nose and you could just see the Asian shape of her eyes. It was beautiful to see. I only wish that the skin reflected more accurately her heritage. Listen publishers/cover artists - it's okay to have a cover accurately reflect the heritage of the character described in the book. In this case, I would love to see more of her beautiful Asian features (like the first cover, Iron Hunt). I would love to see the beautifully shaped nose and eyes that were featured in Iron Hunt - if not more. C'mon guys - let's work on this!(less)

like · see review

Aug 27, 2010 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

After having one of the best birthdays she has had in a long time, waking up next to Jack Meddle’s corpse (her grandfather) made for the start of one of the worst days of Maxine Kiss’s life. Not only was her grandfather dead, well his body was anyways, but she was finding holes in her memory. The largest of the holes seemed to be centered around the man she apparently lived with. Knowing his special ability couldn’t help Maxine with her memory loss, Grant Cooperon held on to his faith that she w...more

like · see review

Jul 27, 2010 Melissa Hayden rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-paranormal-fantasy

It's Maxine's birthday. Her and the boys are on their way to perform their special ritual, no one knows of, to celebrate her birthday and the death of her mother ~ as they are the same day. Then off to her party with her family, even her thousand million year old Grandfather is excited to celebrate a birthday with his grand daughter. Zee warns Maxine there are whispers of troubles to come. Then, Maxine wakes the next morning before dawn feeling every fiber of herself exhausted and weak. Curled u...more It's Maxine's birthday. Her and the boys are on their way to perform their special ritual, no one knows of, to celebrate her birthday and the death of her mother ~ as they are the same day. Then off to her party with her family, even her thousand million year old Grandfather is excited to celebrate a birthday with his grand daughter. Zee warns Maxine there are whispers of troubles to come. Then, Maxine wakes the next morning before dawn feeling every fiber of herself exhausted and weak. Curled up on the floor and blood around her with the dead body beside her... With loss of memory and an empty feeling in her heart, Maxine needs to solve the mystery. Along with the loss of memory of how this person died, she had one important person erased from her memory... Why? All this with the weight of the failing veil on her as well.

This is another great installment to the Maxine Hunter Kiss series. Marjorie is great at starting a new book with the new story, mystery, and dropping you right into the plot. She adds in through this story history to refresh your memory of the past happenings and relationships, but she doesn't reiterate completely to bore you or retell the previous. She brings you in quickly to a new story and dedicates the time to it.

You don't have to read the previous two books to read this one, but I would say you should. You do get brief refreshers on what you need to know had happened to keep you up with the happenings. But I found them great memory joggers to remember the happenings in more details.

I enjoy this series with the strong character Maxine is and the boys at her sides. Maxine is also joined by a few other strong characters. Maxine is a character with weaknesses, and flawes, but she makes it through a stronger person. You get to watch Maxine grow more in this book, more in her own way other than what is expected of the Kiss women. Many of the characters of past come back in this book; Grant, Jack, Byron, Crazy Mary, and a few others.

You learn more of the scar under Maxine's ear, and her ancestor she resembles. I learned much more of Maxine, the boys, and all the great magical characters. I felt like more pieces of the puzzle of Maxine, her family, and the veil started to fall into place, pieces I didn't realize I was missing before.

I am glad to hear that Marjorie will be doing more books in this world with Maxine and the boys and I will be looking forward to them.(less)

like · see review

Feb 08, 2012 Arani rated it 4 of 5 stars

Whew! I'm finally done after putting down this book and reading 2 books in between.
I love the boys but Maxine does get a bit too tiring at times what with feeling guilty most of the time.
I think that was the reason it took me more than 1 week to finish this book.
Spoiler............... Grant finally convince me that he's worthy of Maxine by closing the tear from the veil (and releasing the messenger from the aeter's mind control and for being there for Maxine).
I have the next book in my TBR but I...more

like · see review

Jun 14, 2011 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another emotional, shocking roller coaster. I always feel so exhausted after reading Marjorie M Liu's books; she's such an amazing author who always pulls you into the story, and then next thing you know, hours have passed without notice.

I love Maxine Kiss, her boys, and Grant. Bryon and Mary and Jack are all great as well, but what gets me is how much I end up feeling for the antagonists as well. I recommend all of Marjorie's books, but I have a special love for the Hunter Kiss series.

like · see review

Jan 03, 2011 E. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

Maxine Kiss wakes up over the Old Wolf's body, loses memory of Grant, discovers a world shifting fact about the demons who live as tattoos on her body and finds out that her role may be far different than she ever anticipated. Another eerie entry into the fascinating series that feature the "boys" who like teddy bears and eat combinations of fried chicken and scrap metal.

like · see review

Jun 23, 2012 Tia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I still like this serious, A LOT! Some parts in this installment sadden me greatly and then we get times where a mysterious person pops up out of the blue. Such as Maxine's father.. I kind of wonder but at the same time have an idea who it is. All and all, the book is an adventure of epic proportions and totally worth the read.

like · see review

Mar 24, 2012 Yvonne Boag rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural

A Wild Light by Marjorie Liu is the 3rd in the series. Maxine wakes up to find herself covered in blood only feet away from the dead body of her grandfather. She has no memory of what happened. The darkness inside of her is becoming stronger, speaking to her more and more. Meanwhile the veil has torn and they are coming...

like · see review

Sep 22, 2010 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Wild Light is a wild ride through the world of a darik and disturbing fantasy world. Discovering her own inner power, her origins, and the possibilities for the future keep Maxine on the edge of reality just as it keeps us on the edge of our seats. Just another wonderful day in the mind of Marjorie Liu.

like · see review

Mar 04, 2011 Michele bookloverforever rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-rom-series

Maxine saves the day once more but along the way has to fight evildoers, suffers a tragedy or two, has to relive a past tragedy before the happy (more or less) happy ending. The characters involved are well drawn and quite complicated. The plot is complicated. Love shines through.

like · see review

title link	preview: A Wild Light
avg rating	preview: A Wild Light Goodreads rating: 4.08 (883 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7196830-a-wild-light?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1265408160l/7196830.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7196830-a-wild-light?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]A Wild Light by Marjorie M. Liu[/url]

A Wild Light (Hunter Kiss #3)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (6)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Marjorie M. Liu

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About A Wild Light

A Wild Light (Hunter Kiss #3)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (6)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Marjorie M. Liu

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About A Wild Light

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (6)