Shadow Touch (Dirk & Steele, #2)

Dec 14, 2012 Kathleen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, pnr-uf

Way too dark for me. A serial killer. A mad doctor. Two evil woman. Below are many spoilers, to further justify the low rating I've given this book.

(view spoiler)...more Way too dark for me. A serial killer. A mad doctor. Two evil woman. Below are many spoilers, to further justify the low rating I've given this book.

(view spoiler)

So! What did I like?? I was happy Artur found someone he could love, and found peace in his poor telepathic brain. I liked it when Eleni barfed all over her captor. Twice. On purpose. :D I liked it whenever Eleni or Artur broke the psychic bonds of Spider woman, Ms Weave. I liked the camaraderie that grew between the four escapees. Also, I liked the two shape shifters, especially the jaguar.

Minor nit-picks:

Shapeshifter Koni is a raven in book 1, but now he is a crow.

Setting in the seaside port Vladivostok seemed vivid. I've never been there, but it felt real. However, Artur lives in a 2-story BRICK townhouse in San Francisco suburb. Brick not allowed, due to earthquake-safety building code.

Artur said the days were long because it was summer, yet the rain was ice cold? It hailed, and the heater on the train was on. She wore a turtleneck sweater? In summer? How about a scarf around the neck, to hide the bruising.

Book 1 characters did not appear in this book at all, but they were mentioned once or twice.

Content: Sex, gruesome murder, lots of violence and bloody savagery, some swearing, a little profanity(less)

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Feb 15, 2010 Zeek rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites-all-time, favorites-pnr, pnr, pnr-kitchen-sink

Second in Liu's Dirk & Steele series Shadow Touch gives us Artur's story (The enigmatic ex-Russian mobster first introduced in Tiger Eye.)

The story starts off revealing Elena Baxter, a kind woman who has felt like a freak her entire life because she can actually heal people. But little does she know how un-freakish her abilities are- and how far someone will go to steal them.

Working for the Dirk & Steele Agency, Artur is no stranger to the dangerous, nor the paranormal. When he's capture...more

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Sep 14, 2007 Nicola O. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormals

How do you write a sex scene for a protagonist who can sense everything about you through touch? Kinda blows the imagination sky high, which is what I like about Liu in general.

I'm loving the Dirk and Steele books for the way they nod to mythology and give me a grown-up fairy tale to lose myself in.

Chances are the whole Ultimate Good vs. Ultimate Evil that she's building up to is going to be a problem, either with delivering to expecations or in figuring out where to go after that... but for me,...more

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Jun 27, 2011 Carien rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, pnr

One of the things I love about Liu's stories is that they make you think about things like making the right choice without them turning into a preachy lesson. Instead they're awesome, action-packed romantic adventures.

Take Shadow Touch for example:
(as it's the book I'm reviewing right now :-p)

It's got an intense, disturbing and exciting action storyline, a very satisfying romance and super cool characters. The world building is woven well into the story and set up in a way that makes me want t...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Mystique Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

The second installment of Marjorie Liu's fantastic blend of fantasy and romantic intrigue puts her firmly in the "Touch and Die" space on my bookshelf reserved for those authors who's works I horde like priceless gems. I feel in love with the world she created in her first book and the second installment in the series does a wonderful job of expanding that world and introducing new heros and villians.

Artur Loginov is a heart breaking tortured hero heading down a dark road toward a grim future. H...more

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Apr 25, 2009 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm becoming a big fan of Marjorie M. Liu. This is the second Dirk and Steele novel I've read. The first was Soul Song, number six in the series, and I was pleased both to see that several of the secondary characters in that novel appear in this novel as well and that said secondary characters seem to grow and evolve between the two books.

Liu's skilled in several areas. First, while this is part of a series, it doesn't require previous knowledge of the overarching series story to dig in and enjo...more I'm becoming a big fan of Marjorie M. Liu. This is the second Dirk and Steele novel I've read. The first was Soul Song, number six in the series, and I was pleased both to see that several of the secondary characters in that novel appear in this novel as well and that said secondary characters seem to grow and evolve between the two books.

Liu's skilled in several areas. First, while this is part of a series, it doesn't require previous knowledge of the overarching series story to dig in and enjoy. She's good at creating an adventure that is encapsulated in one novel, while leaving open plot threads that make the reader want to find out what happens next in the series. (J.R. Ward, whose novels have rapidly become almost impossible to read without knowledge of the previous plotlines, should take notes.)

Second, rather than creating a thriller that shoehorns in a poorly-suited happily-ever-after (HEA) plotline, Liu's romance grows organically out of the thriller plot. It is hard to imagine that the characters in this novel would have fallen in love without the adventures they endured, and it's hard to imagine that a different set of characters would have survived the adventures.

The supernatural elements also seem natural rather than haphazardly slapped on top of a traditional HEA romance. The underlying rules she's set up for her world make sense. The reader does not necessarily know them all, nor do the characters, but she never completely breaks the rules she's set up for the world in order to move a plotline forward. (Again, Ms. Ward, whose universe's rules are more notable in the breaking than the keeping, should take note.)

Liu is also great at creating characters that each have his or her own voice and unique and distinct motivation. She understands that intriguing plots come from characters whose motivations, morals or end goals are not always in sync. I found the actions of every main and secondary character to be believable. I specifically loved the spunky and sarcastic (even when out of her depth) Elena, the serious and troubled Artur, and Charles Darling, who may be the first serial killer I've sen in an HEA whose rose above stereotype and whose motivations made emotional sense, even though they were repulsive and frightening. I want to read more about the thoughtful Amiri (who, despite having supernatural abilities, did not fall into the terrible, horrible Magical Negro trap); the unpredictable, mysterious and often funny Richter; Mikhail, who I can't discuss further without giving away major plot points; and a certain mysterious organization. The Russia she described felt real to me - I've never been, but my Russian friends have told stories and this seemed to fit what they describe.

The only reason I'm not giving this a 5 is that the plot was slightly confusing for roughly the first 39 pages. (Also, I find myself resistant to giving 5s to anything, as perfection is rare.) Some character background that was given a little later in the novel would have been helpful in the first few pages to inspire instant emotional engagement on the part of the reader. This is a slight and forgivable hiccup, and should in no way prevent others from reading this book.(less)

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Apr 25, 2011 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-paranormal-sci-fi, contemporary, magic-mystical-ability, excellent, on-the-run, prisoner-slave-kidnapped, read-2011, romance, series, serial-killer, russia, were-shifter

Wow, this book was so intense! I read the first book in the Dirk & Steele series, Tiger Eye, last week and I couldn’t stop thinking about reading this one. I gave in, jumped into it, and was instantly hooked.

This book can be pretty dark. It loosely ties in with Tiger Eye--although it’s a loose tie, I think they’re best if read sequentially--but they are very different in tone. The villains in this book were very creepy and the situation Elena and Artur woke to find themselves had my stomach...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Ambre rated it 3 of 5 stars

A fun story, but considering the series, the sexism was disappointing.

When the hero gets kidnapped, his magical love interest doesn't get to go on the rescue. Why? Because he would be angry- and apparently his wishes control her behavior, according to others. Her lack of combat experience would have been a non-sexist reason, but instead they ignored her wishes because she was his property, apparently.

Then she pulls a serious dumbass move and can't even protect herself against street thugs. She i...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon

Shelves: genre-paranormal-romance, pyschics, hero-is-tortured

Liu's Dirk and Steele books are quickly becoming my favorite paranormal romance series.

This one in the series focuses on the Consortium, which is the evil equivalent of Dirk & Steele. The Consortium has been capturing people with paranormal abilities and experimenting on them. But when they get their hands on Elena Baxter and Artur Loginov they bit off more than they can chew. Now Elena and Artur are working with two other prisoners and an unlikely accomplice to escape their imprisonment an...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Gardavson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: at-the-library, fantasy-romance, paranormal

Far better than the first book. This book had plenty of action that didn't slow down. I really enjoyed the characters, even the heroine. The book focused more I think on the hero than the heroine, though she played a major part. This was Artur's story. Artur reads things that he touches - their stories and emotions. He ends up being kidnapped by another secret agency who want him for his abilities. This agency is taking "gifted" individuals for study and use to further their nefarious goals. Art...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Jeannie L rated it 5 of 5 stars

This second book in the series is totally interesting, intriguing and intense. It is about Arthur who was captured and brought to The Consortium, a sinister organization. During his capture, he met Elena who formed a connection with him when she saved his life.

This book also introduced a few new characters, Rik and Amiri who are both shape shifters captured by The Consortium. Rictor who is supposedly being controlled by The Consortium but he helped Arthur, Elena and the shape shifters make their...more

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May 02, 2010 Mario rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am torn from giving this a five or a four. Marjorie Liu's Shadow Touch is a more plot driven book than romance driven (sub-plot), which is fine; a fast, easy read as well. Shadow Touch have huge revelations that are coherent and sensible. Shadow Touch is unequivocally a must have. I think the ending was rush a bit, but it is okay. However, Elena's history is clearly different from Dela, but her voice was non-discerning from Dela's voice-both witty, smart, sarcastic, extremely gifted women. I l...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Jeannie L rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This second book in the series is totally interesting, intriguing and intense. It is about Arthur who was captured and brought to The Consortium, a sinister organization. During his capture, he met Elena who formed a connection with him when she saved his life.

This book also introduced a few new characters, Rik and Amiri who are both shape shifters captured by The Consortium. Rictor who is supposedly being controlled by The Consortium but he helped Arthur, Elena and the shape shifters make their...more

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Mar 06, 2011 Izzybizzy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: german, topic-fantasy, topic-romance

Artur wird entführt. Warum weiß er nicht. Wo er gefangen gehalten wird, weiß er nicht. Es ist nur ersichtlich, dass es sich um ein Laboratorium handelt. Hier begegnet er Elena und nach einem kurzen Zwischenfall, stellt sich heraus, dass ihre Seelen miteinander verwunden sind. Zusammen versuchen sie zu fliehen...

Nach dem ich vom ersten Teil schon nicht so wirklich überzeugt war, bin ich diesem zweiten Teil gegenüber ziemlich skeptisch gewesen. Und ich muss sagen, dass ich auch von diesem Band ent...more

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Apr 12, 2011 Monica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

I think this author has balls of steel. She broaches subjects, areas, and different um...plot points you might not normally find in a romance novel and she makes them fit. She somehow makes torture and mind control perfectly normal in this book. The characters in this story are what really makes it unique. I wanted to get to know Artur more after the first book, Tiger Eye, but Ms. Liu teases us by only giving us a little bit. I was so happy his book was next. I instantly adored Elena, she is str...more

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Apr 29, 2011 Kim~Fantasy~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay I am definetely sucked into the tangled intrigue of this series. I loved the main characters and the non stop mind game. It was great! Darling was a devious villian along with the entire plot...that thickened even more at the end! I thought what it would be like to be in those situations and I got chills. I am seriously drooling over Rictor...mmmm, he seems delicious! I'm very glad that my guy Artur found love with his past and with the difficulty his gift presents with that! But I would st...more

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Feb 14, 2011 Wisteria rated it 5 of 5 stars

While I wasn't new to the Dirk & Steele romance books when I picked up Shadow Touch, this story shed a new light on the series. I'd been itching to get my hands on Artur's book for quite a while and honest to goodness, I simply cannot say this book was terrible in any way. Artur himself was a Russian dream, and when paired with Elena, I was blown away. He was humorous but, like all of Marjorie's men, held a power that was more dark and painful than helpful. I've read this book many times ove...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Ronda Tutt rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Enjoyable Read

I really enjoyed reading about Artur and so glad he got his HEA with Elena. I loved how Artur could read/see things just by the touch of his hand and I also loved how Elena could heal things with just the touch of her hands as she put her heart and soul into everything she did.

I enjoyed the fact that there is now a dolphin shifter, a cheetah shifter, and Rictor - a man who has powers beyond imaginable. This story definitely held my interest and I look forward to reading the next s...more

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Jan 01, 2011 Yolanda Sfetsos rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

This is the second Dirk & Steele novel by Marjorie M. Liu. It's Artur's story. And what a story it is. Though he becomes isolated from the rest of the agency, the world these characters inhabit is widened further. We get to find out some very interesting things.

Artur can see, feel things with a single touch and Elena can heal people with the touch of her hand. Quite an amazing couple and when they meet, the connection is amazing!

There's just so much more to this story, and I really don't wan...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Clover rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first novel I read by Ms. Liu and I have been hooked ever since. This is amazing, so fast-paced I could hardly breathe. The adventure, like the majority of her books, only span a couple of days, but soooo much happens.

I actually met Marjorie Liu at a conference and got to speak a few minutes with her. She was very sweet and patient with a gushing fan. She's also very pretty. In fact the girl on this cover looks a lot like her and I wondered if her cover artist (who was also at the c...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: vaginal-urban-fantasy

I enjoyed this book, it was a bit hard to read in the beginning because the characters are literally being tortured, but I thought it was a pretty interesting world building book, it expanded on the first one a lot to make the whole "superpowers" thing be more filled out and the central romance was something I really believed. Though there is something a bit lacking that (having read the third one too) I keep missing in these books. I enjoy them but can't put my finger on why I'm not raving abou...more

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Oct 17, 2009 oliviasbooks rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: swapped-or-given-away, urban-fantasy-paranormal, chick-lit, paranormal-humans, mystery-crime-sleuthing, love-story-romance, adult-fiction

Thrilling, but ...brutal. I do not know. I stopped after 174 pages. I could have read on. But I think the story is too cruel. No, ... I read a lot of stories with cruel characters in it. But ... well until page 170 there was nothing but experiments and pain inside this strange hospital which captures people with psychic abilities, examines their limits with brutal means and slowly bends and breaks their will. Bleak. I suppose the hope and romance part will start right now, but I feel like wastin...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Christina (AKA Babbling) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-series, favorite-books, 2012, part-of-a-series, rlci-challenge2012

(SOS Bingo Round 4, Team 4 & x-post to blog)
Even though I only just started this series, once I read the first book I knew it would become a favorite. In some ways, it reminds me of Nalini Singh's Psy-Changelings. There are shifters and there are psychics. If I had to compare Artur's talent to the Psy, I would say it comes close to the Justice Psy. Elena's actually reminded me of one of Judd's side talents -- also, what saved Katya at the end of Blaze of Memory.

I really liked the characters...more (SOS Bingo Round 4, Team 4 & x-post to blog)
Even though I only just started this series, once I read the first book I knew it would become a favorite. In some ways, it reminds me of Nalini Singh's Psy-Changelings. There are shifters and there are psychics. If I had to compare Artur's talent to the Psy, I would say it comes close to the Justice Psy. Elena's actually reminded me of one of Judd's side talents -- also, what saved Katya at the end of Blaze of Memory.

I really liked the characters. Artur had a hard life in Russia after his mother put him in an orphanage at the age of twelve . He did what he needed to survive. He worked for the mob until he couldn't live with himself anymore. That's when Roland found him and eventually convinced him to join Dirk and Steele. Though he's turned his life around, he still feels that someone like Elena would reject him for his past.

Elena's past isn't as burdened as Artur's. She is such a compassionate person that her first instinct is to save Artur's life mere minutes after meeting him in the hallway of their prison -- and why she can accept Artur and not hold his past against him. Her nature is the reason Artur can bear touching her -- what little darkness there is, it's nothing compared to the things Artur has seen in others. Elena isn't a meek person and she can hold her own, and a few times that gets her into trouble. During the climatic confrontation near the end of the book, it's Elena that saves the day.
(SOS Bingo Round 4, Team 4 & x-post to blog)

The first part of the book focuses on the pair, individually, as they try to make sense of where they are and why they were kidnapped -- plus be treated like lab rats. Both have desirable skills, but the mysterious head of the organization is desperate to make use of Elena's. She's so important to them, that she's been assigned a bodyguard, Rictor. He's mysterious and he has his own agenda.

Things pick up when an emergency in the facility presents an opportunity to escape. They rescue two other prisoners before making their escape. At first, their goals are to stay ahead of the bad guys and get someplace safe, since none of them know exactly where they are. But then Artur learns what the Consortium plans to do and his goal is to stop them. I thought this part of the book was fast paced because the characters are constantly on the move.

There is a major revelation near the end that changes things for Dirk and Steele, and probably drives the overarching storyline of the series. I'm looking forward to reading more.(less)

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Sep 11, 2010 Melinda (Paranormal Kiss) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shadow Touch is the second book in the Dirk & Steele series, following "Tiger Eye". It is a very enjoyable read. The characters are complex and well drawn. The hero of the story, Artur is a very complex and interesting character. He is a former Russian mob hitman who is now basically trying to atone for the life he used to live. When the story begins he is using his gift to try and find the identity of a serial killer. We discover that his use of the gift is becoming very detrimental to his...more

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Jun 09, 2010 Jill Dunlop rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shadow Touch is my favorite book in Majorie M. Liu's Dirk and Steele Series. It is the second book of the series and I fell in love with Artur and Elena. Elena Baxter is kidnapped one night while she is volunteering in the children's cancer ward. See, Elena has the special ability to heal people's bodies. Apparently, someone knows her secret and they decide to kidnap her and run experiments on her. Meanwhile, Artur Loginov works for a detective agency, Dirk and Steele. This agency employs people...more Shadow Touch is my favorite book in Majorie M. Liu's Dirk and Steele Series. It is the second book of the series and I fell in love with Artur and Elena. Elena Baxter is kidnapped one night while she is volunteering in the children's cancer ward. See, Elena has the special ability to heal people's bodies. Apparently, someone knows her secret and they decide to kidnap her and run experiments on her. Meanwhile, Artur Loginov works for a detective agency, Dirk and Steele. This agency employs people who have special abilities. Artur can sense a person's memories by touching an object they have touched. He too, is kidnapped from his home and brought to the same facility that Elena is at. There they forge an unbreakable bond and work together to escape their captors.

I love everything about this book and it works for me on so many levels. First of all Elena and Artur are wonderful characters. Artur is so damaged from his tragic childhood. He had to do things to survive that no child should ever have to face. Artur really believes that he is not a good man because of his past and the things he has done. Because of his gift that he uses to find missing people and solve murders, he is constantly seeing the worst in people. It's as if he has lost his faith in humanity. His own and others. Then he meets Elena and everything changes for him in the matter of a few moments.

The way Liu writes Artur and Elena's story it is so poignant and touching. Often times I find stories that take place over a couple of days rushed and the romance lacking a certain believability. This is not the case at all with Shadow Touch. It is like two old souls coming together. Liu is able to pen and incredibly touching love story between these two people. Huge bonus to her for being able to do this without the characters mentally lusting for each other.

All the characters are well drawn, but Liu is able to leave somethings a mystery. For example, there is a fascinating, ambiguous character Rictor. Elena and Artur sense that he is not human, but just what is he? Readers will be wondering right along with the characters, yet Liu leaves some questions unanswered in regards to Rictor. Not to worry, I know for a fact that Rictor appears in other books later in the series.(less)

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Jan 15, 2010 Fani rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspense, 2009-purchase, romance-pnr, assassin-merchenary-outlaw, on-the-road, hero-is-tortured, emotional, exotic-setting, paperbacks-read

I really liked this one but mostly I fell in love with the hero, Artur. What a great man! Clever, strong, decisive, dangerous but also deeply hurt and emotional; my favorite kind of guy! The PNR element is not focused on one ability; there are mind readers, telepaths, shape-shifters, magicians and some people whom we don't even know what they are, except that they're very powerful and dangerous. Both the plot and the persons' characterization was very good: I felt as if I knew them and kept turn...more

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Oct 12, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of paranormal romance, fans of russian heroes

Shelves: owned-copy, part-of-a-series, paranormal-romance, russian-hero-or-heroine, supernatural-abilities, favorites, covert-agency, hero-to-die-for, heroine-i-adore, russian-setting, tortured-hero, favorite-or-autobuy-author

I can't say enough good things about this book. It was so unique and very intense. The characters are so real that they jump off the page at you, and their suffering palpable. The first book in the series, Tiger Eye was good enough that I knew I wanted to continue reading, but this book lit me on fire for this series.

Shadow Touch starts with a shot to the heart. You see poor Artur at a crime scene, reliving the suffering of the horribly-murdered woman by using his ability to touch things and see...more I can't say enough good things about this book. It was so unique and very intense. The characters are so real that they jump off the page at you, and their suffering palpable. The first book in the series, Tiger Eye was good enough that I knew I wanted to continue reading, but this book lit me on fire for this series.

Shadow Touch starts with a shot to the heart. You see poor Artur at a crime scene, reliving the suffering of the horribly-murdered woman by using his ability to touch things and see what happened in the past in that place, by having contact with the same object that person touched in the past. The dark visions take their toll on Artur because he experiences everything that the other person feels. From the beginning, I knew I would love Artur. To subject yourself to that kind of torture to make sure that justice is done.

I was predisposed to love Artur as I love Russian heroes, and he's one of the best I've ever read. He's very attractive and appealing as a hero, but he is flawed and vulnerable too.

Elena is a wonderful woman. She goes into hospitals as a volunteer and uses her ability to heal the sick. She doesn't do it to get glory, and stays under the radar, because she feels her ability must be used to help others.

Marjorie Liu did such a good job of creating a compatible couple in this book. There is no doubt that Elena and Artur should be together. There is a bit of a delay before they actually meet, but honestly it was very important for the story to be set up. But when they meet, there is an instant connection. Arthur's telemetric abilities have seriously weakened his brain, and he is on the verge of death when Elena saves his life. When she does so, their souls merge. She goes into his body and leaves part of her soul there, the good part, which gives Artur the strength to fight the evil web of a horrible woman, who is one of the scariest villains I think I've ever read about.

I lived for the interactions between Elena and Artur, because their relationship is serendipity in action. This is one of those books where you really want the couple to stay together and fall deeply in love. They just complete each other in every way. Their pure, accepting love for each other is the balm to the wound caused by the evil cruelty perpetuated by the bad guys in this book.

And on top of that, there is a great suspense/intrigue plot in this story. Liu does a good job of balancing the emotional aspect with the adventure, giving you characters that you get deeply invested in, and putting them in dangerous situations that make you hold your breath. The way she writes this book, you do believe that magic is possible, and that people can have extraordinary abilities. I really love the concept behind Dirk and Steele as well (I'm an occult detective novel fan). She also has some snarky humor (and camaraderie between the quintet of people who meet in a research facility run by the bad guys, including Elena and Artur) that I found very enjoyable.

Fans of Russian heroes and those with an interest in Russia will enjoy this book. I am just very interested in Russia so it was great to see how much detail Liu put into describing the country and the people. This book made me want to book a trip to see this very intriguing, and old part of the world.

And like the cherry on the top of the sundae, Artur is ex-Russian Mafia (sigh). I have a bizarre interest in them as well. Artur had a very bad life and did bad things, but he didn't get a lot choices, abandoned by his mother in an orphanage where he was abused and starved, and ending up on the streets. My heart went out to Artur. He was really a decent man despite what he had to do to live. There was no question that he was a moral person, and he suffered for his past sins.

Elena has to deal with some moral issues as well, as she realizes that the power to heal can also be used to kill. She has to face a serial killer who is being used by the villain to do her dirty work. This serial killer develops an unhealthy fixation for Elena. Serial killers have a real ick factor for me, but I must say it was handled well. This dynamic and many of the scenes showed what a strong, although deeply caring person Elena was. She was quite the smart aleck and had no problem telling other people what she thought. I liked her a lot.

The Dirk and Steele series really is one of the underrated paranormal series, but I recommend it highly. There is some of everything going on in this series. If you like psychic characters, healers, shapeshifters, antiheroes who have incredible supernatural powers that you cannot even guess about; not to mention, intriguing sexy men, and a great romance, you should read this series.(less)

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Jun 19, 2011 Tressa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

The first half of the book was quite good; I liked the set-up and the conflict. Unfortunately, the second half wasn’t as intriguing. Also, the events and situations became muddled in the second half of the book. I did like Elena and the development of Artur. I did wonder, though, about the last names of some of the characters; I thought that Russian female last names often ended in “ova” while male last names ended in “ov.” That might be a minor quibble on my part.

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Dec 12, 2011 Peggy Bechko rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romances, paranormal

Marjorie M. Liu is one excellent writer and her Dirk & Steele novels are always entertaining. Tales of extraordinary people with paranoraml abilities are in all the Dirk & Steele novels. In this one Elena Baxter has the healing touch; Artur Loginov, handsome, powerful & tormented, is able to do wondrous things with a thought and a touch. Both are taken and joined by their capture must fight for their lives.

An excellent and lively read.

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Mar 20, 2011 Brenda rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Dirk and Steele series, and it was a cool continuation, though it took place in Russia except for the very beginning and ending. I thought the first book was slightly better, but it was still wonderful. Action, romance, and paranormal goodness. It was slightly darker than the first book because of the discovery of a lab experimenting on supernatural beings. New characters are introduced that are very intriquing.

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Shadow Touch (Dirk & Steele #2)

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