I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Storm Born
by
Richelle Mead
urban fantasy in a paperback edition that was published by Zebra on August 1, 2008 and has 361 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Succubus Blues, Succubus on Top, Succubus Dreams, Succubus Heat, Vampire Academy, Succubus Shadows, Frostbite, Succubus Revealed, Shadow Kiss, Richelle Mead, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, Iron Crowned, Last Sacrifice, Eternal Lover, Thorn Queen, Shadow Heir, Bloodlines, Kisses from Hell, Indigo Spell, Gameboard of the Gods, The Fiery Heart, The Immortal Crown, Silver Shadows, Soundless, The Ruby Circle
First in the Dark Swan urban fantasy series surrounding Odile, the Dark Swan herself.
My Take
Sets the background for Odile/Eugenie and the prophecy that will direct the rest of her life.
I feel conflicted about Kiyo. I know he loves Eugenie and that he has previously broken things off with Maiwenn. The pregnant Maiwenn. If this were a human world, I would be appalled at Kiyo walking away from his baby and Maiwenn. But this is fae and their morals are different from humans. So taking that out of the equation, I don’t understand why Eugenie has such an issue with Kiyo having had a romantic past. Eugenie whines on and on about what a “betrayal” Maiwenn’s baby is to her, Eugenie. I don’t understand that. The baby was before Eugenie. How is that a betrayal?
I must confess I take a perverse pleasure in watching Odile succumb to fae wiles. Dorian doesn’t even let her get away with her attempts at denying responsibility for the sex she is “forced” to enjoy with him. Serves her right.
The Story
Something’s up in the world of the fae. No one knew that Eugenie was also Odile. Now, every fae she crosses lately knows both her names. Then there’s her meeting with Wil Delaney and his desperation over his sister’s disappearance. It’s all just too weird and too unsettling so Odile heads out to a bar to take her mind off it. A good place to be alone with company. Although, it does result in most unexpected company when she meets Kiyo Marquez. A gorgeous hunk of a veterinarian who takes her back to his hotel room. Oh yeah, they have a good time. Until the Ice Elemental shows up and Kiyo reveals himself to her.
It doesn’t take long before Odile decides she will take on Delaney’s job despite what everyone else is telling her and isn’t it just her luck that Volusian just happens to lead her right to King Dorian. Who offers to help. For a price. And it’s almost successful except for that betrayal from which they escape thanks only to the fox.
Yet there is one thing that comes from this failure. Eugenie learns the truth about her past, her father. A truth that forces her to become more intimate with the fae, with King Dorian. Pushing past her own boundaries. Learning to use her magic.
The Characters
Eugenie Markham, a.k.a., Dark-Swan-Called-Odile, is a half-human, half-fae who makes her living aiding people whom the fae are bothering. She is the bogeyman of the fae. She relaxes with puzzles and her sauna. Lara is her secretary handling the phone calls and making appointments. Tim is her not-too-honest housemate who scams people by pretending to be a Native American. Roland Markham is her stepfather, a now-retired shaman who taught her everything she knows; he also killed the Storm King. Dee is her mom. Strictly human with really bitter memories of her father. A man she’s never spoken about except to indoctrinate Eugenie against any and all fae.
Volusian is a damned soul, demon-like. He is bound to serve Eugenie for as long as she can control him. Should he ever escape, he has told her — and continually tells her — how he will slowly torture her to death. A ghost to whom Eugenie gave peace, Nandi owes Eugenie two more years of service. Finn offers his service to Odile simply for the fun of it.
Wil Delaney is a human client whose younger sister Jasmine was taken by the fae over a year ago. He’s a real nutjob terrified of everything in life.
Kiyo Marquez is half-Japanese, half-Latino. And all kitsune. King Aeson of the Alder Land is Jasmine’s kidnapper. King Dorian of the Oak Land is the fae Volusian leads her to for help; Rurik the Ice Elemental and Shaya are members of Dorian’s court. Tirigan the Storm King intended to conquer both the fae and human worlds. Maiwenn, queen of the Willow Land, was very much against Storm King’s plans.
The Cover and Title
The cover is red! Odile is poised for action in a blur of fire even as her cropped sage green tank top shows off the tattoos on her biceps and rising up from behind the waistband of her faded blue jeans. A knife sheathed on one hip, a gun holstered on the other while she carries her quartz-tipped wand — looks more like a club to me!
The title is accurate enough as Odile is a daughter of the Storm King, one of two Storm Born.
