Shadows in the Starlight (Changeling)

Book Description

A ten year veteran of the Providence Rhode Island vice squad Gwen “GiGi” Gellman began her life as a foundling and is used to being on her own. So when she finds herself unemployed and on the outs after a standard bust goes bad resulting in a bloodbath, she welcomes the occasion to break from routine. She scrapes together enough capital to start her own PI business specializing in “family problems.” But, in doing so she never guessed that she would uncover her own mysterious and mystical past.

When GiGi becomes involved in the case of a missing wife and child, she initially dismisses the matter as good sense on the wife’s part--she knows the husband to be less than stellar in his role. But, as her investigation progresses GiGi discovers a pattern of lies and deceptions, some of which expose hidden ties to her own mystifying existence.

Otherworldly powers try to intercede, and soon GiGi finds not only her own life threatened, but those of her friends and family as well.

Customer Reviews:

Follow-up to Shadows in the Darkness.......2007-09-09

Shadows in the Starlight picks up where the first book in the Changeling Detective series ended. Whilst investigating the aftermath of her previous case, Gwen is also looking into the case of a missing wife and child. Once more she finds that her own past is inextricably linked to the case and as she delves deeper she puts not only her own life, but also those of her friends in danger.

Unlike Shadows in the Darkness the elves are much more in evidence here. Anyone who didn't appreciate how manipulative and cruel they can be from the first book will do so by the end of this one. We get a better insight into their machinations and through Gwen we begin to learn how their society works - and it's not pretty. They have an Aryan attitude to humans and imperfections, and it appears anyone who doesn't reach their standards is terminated. Slightly worrying for Gwen who has only manifested two of her three powers.

The reader is slightly ahead of Gwen in knowing what's happening, as once more the beginning and ending of the story are told from another character's point of view. Quite a clever device as it gives us an idea of how out of her depth Gwen is, whilst at the same time we can accept that she's working in the dark with limited information.

There was just one point where I really thought she was stupid. Which is when Ian Forest asks to demonstrate on her how sacred oaths are binding to elves. Even though she patently doesn't believe him I think she should have exercised more caution. Also after this she does become a little trigger happy with the use of this sacred oath. I'd kind of got the feeling that it was used by the other elves only for really important things. But I guess this serves to illustrate how different Gwen's priorities are to the other elves and how her agenda is almost diametrically opposed to theirs. The things that she takes seriously such as a missing human child seem trivial to them.

The story ends with Gwen slightly further along the way to finding out who she is but we are still left with the main arc unresolved. If you haven't read the first book you may struggle a little to get into the story though the main plot points are covered. Recommended for fans of urban fantasy who like a strong PI twist - such as Charlaine Harris's Harper Connelly series or Kat Richardson's Greywalker.

Also available
Shadows in the Darkness (Book 1)

Interesting Sequel.......2007-05-06

In this new Changeling book, it basically picks up right after the first one. Gwen has changed the name of her PI business to have the word "changeling" in it. This time Gwen is trying to find a missing woman and her child who happens to be the wife of one of her friends' ex husband. As she is trying to solve this case she also still ponders on the case of her dead partner. But she soon realizes that she is heir to the property that Edmonson owned. This relates to her case because a powerful drug that effects humans is being grown on the property, which ultimately ties back to her recent case, where the missing woman has many secrets, some that are closely related to Gwen's. Overall a good book, and still a little confusing with all the characters that are involved, but it is still pretty easy to follow.

Didn't live up to the first book's promise.......2007-04-27

I loved the first book, "Shadows in the Darkness" four years ago.

What happened? The book started off with a bang. A young female ME was murdered in a heinous and cruel manner. Then we wait til page 150 to have someone find the body? That was the sole point of the ME. Cunningham let the lady 'talk' and get us to like her, then she killed her. Then we have to wait several days after the heart-rending beginning for the ME to be found. While this is definitely 'real' in the case of crime-solving, the problem is, Cunningham set up a thriller and she certainly did not deliver.

While this is a sequel, I think a little less time mentioning the previous cases would be a good idea. The book second doesn't have to rehash the first in a series to carry on continuity. The jacket tells you pretty much what you need to know.

Further--without spoiling the end, situations do not get better for our heroine. I love serial fiction that addresses a problem in the main book and solves that problem but leaves some teaser threads for us to look forward to later. Cunningham's end just read 'hopeless' to me, reminding me very much of why I don't read the old-line fantasy that doesn't stand alone. The epilogue made me want to throw the stinking book against the wall. If you want to read some of the best stand-alone serial fiction in urban fantasy, try Carrie Vaughn's "Kitty" books, C. E. Murphy's "Walker Papers", and Vicki Petterssen's "Signs of the Zodiac."

Finally, it's often interesting to have multiple points of view in a novel, but if I'd written this story I would not have the antagonist as one of the novels' point of view characters, but in the case of a mystery we need a bit more opacity because quite often the antagonist has given the answer long before our good guy (or in this case, girl) can figure it out.

I really regret buying this book, because I genuinely enjoyed the first and was looking forward to the sequel. I won't be buying the third.

A Solid Second in the Series!.......2006-09-09

This story moves from a single story line to a couple or three parallel ones and from there it kind of turns into a river delta with multiple tributaries of story winding this way and that are related, but meandering into areas where we can't quite see around the next bend. Certainly Cunningham wants to keep us around and needs loads of characters who are not yet fully developed to continue pulling off this series...I suspect that we will NOT be seeing the ocean where all these individual tributaries pour for some time yet.

We start out with Gwen, continued story from the fist book in this series (Shadows in the Darkness) where a bust has gone bad, cops were killed, her mentor died under suspicious circumstances (deemed an accident, but Gwen believes it was murder). We are reintroduced to a lot of characters from the first book, each of whom is multi-layered and comes from a seemingly remarkable background and each of whom (with very few exceptions) seems to have an ulterior motive or secret agenda going on at cross grains to the current story (this is where I assume the author is building up credibility for various story lines for additional books down the line).

We have Gwen who is a remarkable woman...but not really a woman, a changeling, an elf, something she's only just found out about herself and is struggling to come to terms with throughout this book. We get her long time lesbian, lawyer friend, complete with jealous lover and a psycho controlling Ex, whose new wife turns up missing. We also have the African-American male "partner" who happens to come from a long line of "gifted" individuals and a plethora of male characters who are all vying for her attention in one way or another and claiming to want to help her...in the end, who's really on her side? That's what makes this series quite the page turner...you just have to know what the next twist in the plot is going to be!

The one quibble I have is that no one really has any trouble with her "abilities," every character seems to have a bend over backwards acceptance of what she can do without much curiosity or desire for explanation...to me this is the opposite of what happens in say Hooper's books where the incredulousness goes on and on and on until you think you're going to have to throw the book at the wall...this is the other extreme. Everyone is shocked, but no one really says anything or is suspicious of what she can do. Overall it's a small quibble, and I can live with it.

In Gwen we get a feisty, touch, kick-a** heroine, bent on finding out the truth - and that's quite a feat considering she was disgraced as a cop in the previous novel and now makes her living as a P.I. We find out where she is willing to compromise her principles and where she isn't and ultimately, for every question that is answered about the cases she's working on, more and more is alluded to about her own parents death and the more questions we are left with as a result. So, really we learn a lot in this book...but at the same time, we learn so very little. The author is certainly mysterious about the "Qualities" of both Gwen and those like her, about the lives of the "Elder Race," frankly, there are so many facets to this story that it's hard to keep track of them all, but it does make imagining where Cunningham will take this story as she weaves each new world for us to dive into quite fun! This one is fast paced and leaves many possibilities for the future...I, for one, am looking forward to the next one in this series!

Blah, Blah, Blah.......2006-07-17

I had to force myself to finish this book for the sole reason that I ALWAYS finish a book. You never know, sometimes a book is just slow in the start and will eventually pick up pace. Not so with this one. Granted I did not read the first in this series which became apparent after the first ten pages. I had no idea what the author was talking about. Take my advice, don't bother picking up this book if you have not read the first in the series, Shadows in the Darkness, I believe it is called. The author spends the majority of this story going on and on about events and people from the previous book but doesn't elaborate at all on what the situation was previously. It's like evesdropping on total strangers.

I've read books previously and had skipped over early books, but this was just terrible. The first two chapters describe a terrible event, a murder. The author does not even revisit this event until page 150 of the book and there are only 286 pages all together in the entire novel. I'm telling you, she doesn't even mention it. The whole book made me feel like a butterfly flitting around from flower to flower and never making up its mind enough to choose just one or two flowers. I'll not read another.

Forgotten Realms Starlight & Shadows: Gift Set (Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, Windwalker)

Average customer rating:

I've never fell so in love with a series
Fantastic journey from our unpleasant modern reality

Forgotten Realms Starlight & Shadows: Gift Set (Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, Windwalker)
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786938161
Release Date: 2005-08-25

Book Description

Beloved series by The New York Times best-selling author Elaine Cunningham is now in a gift set!

This collection of Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, and Windwalker brings together for the first time three magical books about a member of one of the most popular Forgotten Realms races.

Customer Reviews:

I've never fell so in love with a series.......2007-01-09

I read this entire set and was completly blow away. The characters really came to life for me , I would love to see this series made into a movie.Everything you could ask for in a book, adventure,romance, suspense, heartache and humor.I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Fantastic journey from our unpleasant modern reality.......2006-05-09

Trial Tribulations, plots in Plots, surprise this has them all and the writing style of Elain Cunningham once again tied me to this trilogy until I had finished it, which then prompted me to hunt for more of the same from this author, especially having read all of her earlier works. I hope there is more to come

Daughter of the Drow (Forgotten Realms: Starlight and Shadows, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Undiscovered Gem!
If you love Drizzt you'll go ape for Liriel!
Great book
Simply Amazing.
Great story

Daughter of the Drow (Forgotten Realms: Starlight and Shadows, Book 1)
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0786929294
Release Date: 2003-02-01

Book Description

Beautiful as she is deadly, Liriel Baenre flits throught the shadows of Menzoberranzan, city of the dark elves. Amid treachery and murder that are the drow's daily fare, she feels something calling to her ... something beyond this dusky world far removed from the sun. Yet as she ventures toward the surface and the lands of light, enemies pursue her unceasingly.

And one enemy amy offer her the only hope of salvation.

Customer Reviews:

Undiscovered Gem!.......2007-03-07

After several dull Realms adventures, this one proved interesting and fun! When this book was published in 1995, I passed over it thinking how bad the artwork on the cover was! I also thought this was about Dritzz child he left in the underdark. What a mistake! Times changed, as well as the cover art. I began this tale, savoring every page.

Liriel creeps out of the Underdark, and into my heart. She is humorous, curious and dangerous. This is not a rewrite of the original tale of Dritzz, who was aready good, yet trapped in an evil society. Liriel demonstrates many of the evil traits expected of a Drow. Curiosity gets the best of her and catapults her to the surface world. There she meets up with Fyodor, a Rashemi. Trust me, its not an easy partnership.

This story was published when old TSR was at its peak. Hardcovers were being cranked out as well as up to 3 Forgotten Realms titles a month! Quantity, not quality was the problem. Other than a few editing problems, this is written very well. Elaine is in the top 3 of Realms authors, with a distinct feel for the setting, and a potential for liturature! Ironic, despite the fact that the entire series get critically dismissed as being pulpy rubbish.

I have been buying these titles since they went to press in 1987. There have been some really good reads and some stinkers. I have passed up on Harry Potter and its best seller status. These titles are not aimed at a specific audience(young readers). For the most part, these fantasies can be read by anyone 12 or older. The Realms is still a really cool place for me, and always will be as long as really fun reads like this are published!!!

If you love Drizzt you'll go ape for Liriel!.......2006-07-20

This is a great twist/turn on the Drizzt series, but this time it's a GIRL! Wonderful book all the way through to book 3. Must get, must buy!!

Great book.......2005-05-07

I personally loved this book. The only reason I rated it as a four star book was because the first few pages were hard to follow. The beginning, and I mean in the VERY beginning, there is a lot of characters to be introduced. I had to do a bit of back skimming to remember them, but it worked out fine. Its easily followed as soon as you get out of the first few pages of the book. i love the idea of a rebel drow, one who dreams and aspires to have adventure. Liriel is a dynamic character who loves to party, but still has ruthless drow qualities. Fyodor is a simple human feeling simple feelings for this Drow girl, even though he knows the drow are ruthless beings. I highly recommend this book for someone who is patient and can follow a plot. you will get into the very heart of the book and hardly want to put it down.

Simply Amazing........2005-04-10

After years of reading books that simply scream, "Happy, Happy!! Joy, Joy!!" I picked up this book simply because I saw there was a lot of other books that said, "Forgotten Realms," and it seemed to be the first in a series. After reading the first few pages I was in awe. The first pages, describing the Underdark is the best description I have ever read. It slaughters anything written by any other author, including Rowling and Tolkien. The complexity of the characters is astounding. The plot is exciting, and original. This is simply the best book ever written.

Great story.......2004-07-21

This book was my introduction to the Forgotten Realms and I am glad it was! This story, as well as Tangled Webs and Windwalker, were a great start for me for this setting as well as this genre of writing. Liriel is a neat character, and it is a pleasure to watch her develop throughout this series.

Windwalker (Forgotten Realms: Starlight & Shadows)

Average customer rating:

Beyond bad
Main characters not in it as much...
Disappointing, to say the least
Finally, Book 3!
Fitting conclusion to Starligth & Shadows

Windwalker (Forgotten Realms: Starlight & Shadows)
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0786931841
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Book Description

The long-awaited conclusion to the Starlight & Shadows trilogy is now in paperback.

The release of Windwalker brought to a close a series first begun by New York Times best-selling author Elaine Cunningham ten years ago. Following the recently released recovers of Daughter of the Drow and Tangled Webs, the first two titles in the series, this mass market version features cover art by award-winning fantasy artist Todd Lockwood.

Customer Reviews:

Beyond bad.......2007-04-01

This is the least satisfying conclusion of a trilogy I have ever read. Poorly written with a jumbled plot that was impossible to follow. New characters randomly introduced far too often and not enough development of the characters that I cared about. Many of the plot developments were completely unnecessary and very unsatisfying. I wish I hadn't read this book so that I could have imagined a more satisfying conclusion to the tale.

Main characters not in it as much..........2006-09-10

About 3/4 of the way through this book, I realized that the two main characters had barely been in it! Some new faces and old foes (plus a link to the War of the Spider Queen series) almost take the main stage. While it didn't feel like the stories of the secondary characters were tacked on, if the book had just featured Liriel and Fyodor it would have been much, much shorter. It wasn't bad, but as far as it being the last book in a trilogy, I would've expect more.

Disappointing, to say the least.......2006-09-08

I wasn't overly disappointed in the plot or the characters, despite their inconsistency. It was the writing. This book reads like it was written in about a week. It was rushed, jumbled, and had no depth.

The main story really could have been told in about 150-200 pages. The rest seemed like it was just unnecessary, uninteresting filler. Too many pages were devoted to secondary characters doing nothing that advanced the story, or even helped develop the character or plot. It's as if it was all written on the fly with no forethought or, even worse, afterthought. It reads like it went right from rough draft to release. I really expected more from Elaine Cunningham.

This is a 3 of 3 book so people will naturally buy it, but don't expect to see the effort put forth you saw in book 1.

If you're a big Liriel fan go get it and get your fix. If you're looking for the layers and intrigue of a good drow book, move on. You're going to be sorely disappointed.

Finally, Book 3!.......2006-07-20

Not as strong as the first two books, but if you already bought the first two, might as well complete the series and buy book 3! Don't get me wrong, it isn't terrible!! But do know that if you don't get it, you'll miss out on the surprise ending that you never saw coming, or at least I didn't see it coming!! You won't be disappointed.

Fitting conclusion to Starligth & Shadows.......2006-03-23

When I read the other reviews about this book, I realize that the ratings cover the whole range from one to five stars. I also realize why this is the case... But starting at the beginning:
I liked Windwalker very much. It took me some time to get my hands on the paperback version, so my reading of the first two parts was a few years back and I started out rereading Tangled Webs to get into the story again. And Mrs Cunningham picked up exactly where she left off, with fast paced action and the characters I've so grown to like, adding two more characters (Sharlarra and Thorn) who might merit novels of their own.
I also enjoyed the part of the story spent on examining the relationship between Liriel and her former patron godess Lolth. I think no other realms author has so far gone into this much detail about a priestess forsaking her godess.
The far reaching effects Liriel's carving of the rune had on all the drow were an interesting twist, though I'd have liked it even better if there had been some explanation as to why the change was so far reaching. Also I'd expect such a change to be taken up in other novels as well, though so far I haven't noticed anything in other novels (I haven't read the War of the Spider Queen series yet, though...)
I can see why some might be put off by the book though:
The ending is a bit unusual, both in the swiftness of the final battle and in the death of a main character. For my part, I found it refreshing to read a final battle where there isn't a Phyrrus victory at the end, but a clear and decisive one. Many FR authors seem to go on the basis, that if there haven't been dozens (or hundreds - depending on the scope of the novel) deaths, the enemies were not threatening enough. Also the death of Fyodor, though sad, was somehow fitting and a good conclusion to the series. Having recently read Hand of Fire - one of the worst FR-novels in my opinion - Windwalker was a breath of fresh air.
I didn't miss the final showdown between Liriel and Shakti. The way it went added a surprising twist to Shakti's character and anyway, a spellbattle would have been ridiculous considering that moments before Liriel had no spells left to fling at Gorlist.
All that said, I still have some peeves about this book. For one, the book could have done without some of the cameos Qilué, Laeral, Sylune and Khelben were part of the story, but putting in Dove, Alustriel and the other seven was in no way related to the story.
Even Danilo - much as I like him and enjoyed Sahrlarra's fight with his sword - didn't add much to the story.
Someone mentioned the misspellings of some canon names before (Laerel instead of Laeral). Suchlike simply should not happen!
Finally I think the death of Quilué's lover is a bit of a retcon, as I think he was alive at the end of DotD.
I'm looking forward to the next novel by Mrs Cunningham, though I strongly suspect it won't be about Liriel...

Tangled Webs (Forgotten Realms: Starlight and Shadows, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Get ready for Book 2!!
Almost as good as the first
Good continuation
A brilliant read that takes you away!
Nothing to see here.

Tangled Webs (Forgotten Realms: Starlight and Shadows, Book 2)
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0786929596
Release Date: 2003-03-01

Book Description

Exiled from her home, the beautiful dark elf Liriel Baenre wanders the surface world with her companion Fyodor. But even far from the dark haunts of Menzoberranzan, she is not safe from the vengeance of her archenemy. Even as she and her friend sail the dangerous seas of the Sword Coast, a drow priestess plots a terrible fate for them.

And in the depths of the earth, the spider queen Lolth weaves her own webs of terror and treachery.

This rerelease showcases a new look for the Starlight & Shadows series, complete with all new cover art and design. The recover of this title precedes a brand-new concluding title to the series, Windwalker.

Customer Reviews:

Get ready for Book 2!!.......2006-07-20

Like I said before for book 1: this is a great twist to the Drizzt series and a must buy and read!!!

Almost as good as the first.......2004-09-03

I like this book a lot, but I felt it lacking the normal action I would expect from a good Drow book. I understand that Liriel was trying to become a force of good/light, but I prefer the more "evil" Drow concept. However the book was satifying and I enjoyed it.

Good continuation.......2004-01-28

This was a good continuation the story, though a background in sword coast geography and rivalries might be helpful it was not really needed.

The story at sea and later on the island of Ruathym had a lot of twists and turns and was a page turner.

A brilliant read that takes you away!.......2003-10-03

Following on the footsteps of Daughter of the Drow, Cunningham brings our favourite mischeivous drow back in all her elven glory. Truly, I have never found anyone who writes elves as well as Cunningham. The dark elves, or drow, are by far the most difficult to write. Yet Cunningham pulls it off with brilliance! Liriel continues on with Fyodor to solve some mysteries and bring her adorable impish charm into our hearts and minds. Again, I rave about Cunningham's talent in bringing her characters to life. Few authors pull this off as well as she does. You simply can't stop reading!

Nothing to see here........2003-09-10

Ug. I just finished reading this book less than 5 minutes ago and I feel like I need to hurry up and write my summary because this is a book I don't care to remember. Maybe some people like books where you need to take notes and draw maps and flowcharts all throughout your reading so you can keep track of the story, but I'm not one of those people. And in this book it hardly mattered anyway because virtually none of the characters had any reason for existing. They are just there to hopefully draw your attention away from the fact that everything between the first chapter and the last chapter was just filler space.

Too many characters, none of which where particularly interesting or memorable. Even the main characters where rather bland and uninteresting. The book is a jumbled mess of countless sub plots and meaningless reading. The entire 370 page book could be rewritten in twenty pages and you wouldn't really be missing anything that mattered.

Is it just me or did 90% of these characters seem to exist only to make sure the book was over the 300 page mark? "Hi - I'm here. I have no reason for appearing in this book. But I'll stick around for 5 or 10 pages and then dissapear. And in about 50 or 75 pages from now, I'll show up again only to be killed and you'll be left wondering why I was ever in the story to begin with."

To the people that liked this book. I'm very sorry that my attitude about this book is so, well, childish I guess. But that's how I feel about it.

Average customer rating:

Star-crossed Lovers with a happy ending

Wonderful Romantic Fantasy!

A compellingly good read that I couldn't put down.

Excellent!
Shadow in Starlight
Shannah Biondine
Manufacturer: LTD Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1553165284

Book Description

The shadow. A Waniand mercenary, cowled in black, dark and forbidding. Preece the Warmonger, also called the Royal Blade. Rumors about him suggest the creature beneath the black cowl is not entirely human.

Starlight. A woman of bright gentian tresses and rare beauty, promised in marriage to the prince regent of another realm. Given in wedlock not as a cherished prize but as a secret weapon meant to topple the reigning monarchy...Unless the Warmonger can find a way to prevent the marriage, even if it means risking both their lives in an act of outright treason. Even if it means losing Moreya herself, his memory, his very reason for living.

Yet Destiny has waited for just this turn in the wheel of time and human events. A prophecy must be fulfilled, the future of ancient bloodlines secured. Preece must return to reclaim all he once lost - including Moreya, the Yune beauty with the trusting innocence of a child and the courageous heart of a dragon.

Download Description

WINNER OF THE 2001 EPPIE AWARD FOR BEST FANTASY ROMANCE!...The shadow. A Waniand mercenary, cowled in black, dark and forbidding. Preece the Warmonger, also called the Royal Blade. Rumors about him suggest the creature beneath the black cowl is not entirely human. Starlight. A woman of bright gentian tresses and rare beauty, promised in marriage to the prince regent of another realm. Given in wedlock not as a cherished prize but as a secret weapon meant to topple the reigning monarchy...Unless the Warmonger can find a way to prevent the marriage, even if it means risking both their lives in an act of outright treason. Even if it means losing Moreya herself, his memory, his very reason for living. Yet Destiny has waited for just this turn in the wheel of time and human events. A prophecy must be fulfilled, the future of ancient bloodlines secured. Preece must return to reclaim all he once lost - including Moreya, the Yune beauty with the trusting innocence of a child and the courageous heart of a dragon.

Customer Reviews:

Star-crossed Lovers with a happy ending.......2003-11-06

For Starters...WOW! Shadow in Starlight follows the standard romance theme: man meets woman, they fall in love, something happens to tear them apart and then they get back together. However, what makes this novel so special are the characters themselves. Set in the Middle Ages of a mythological world where dragons still fly and wizards do roam, Moreya Fa travels as an unwilling royal bride to a neighboring country as a weapon to annihilate the family of her future husband. You see, when ever she is outside, she calls the dragons within the vicinity, who kill everyone around her and carry her off to their caves. Our hero, Preece the Warmonger thinks himself immune to the beautiful woman he is escorting through treacherous borders to her fiancé. An outcast, that hires out his sword to save money to go to Atarxia, an island where he wouldn't have to live with constant scorn, he doesn't understand how Moreya could see the person he is behind the dark cowl he hides behind. However, when they are attacked, and the dragons come, somehow after rescuing Moreya, she pleads with him to take her to his Island sanctuary. Unable to deny the beauty her request for assistance, Preece takes her as both his wife and life mate, but before they are able to flee the continent, they are betrayed. When each of them tries to save the other, the new lovers are torn apart when Moreya is prevented from escaping with the dragons.

SHADOW IN STARLIGHT is a very fast paced magical journey with many twists. Both our characters are well developed. Although there are few descriptive details, somehow the world itself is alive and creates a visual masterpiece that stands out with exceptional clarity. With unique ideas, the romance is heartbreaking and achingly sweet. This is a real page-turner that will keep you enthralled till the happy end! I am greatly looking forward to future books by Ms Biondine!

Wonderful Romantic Fantasy!.......2003-06-26

Preece is used to being alone. Everyone fears the tall warrior who always wear a black cape and cowl to cover his face. It is rumored that he can kill anyone, anywhere and he is called Preece the Warmonger or sometimes The Royal Blade. Yet Preece is tired of being a mercenary, tired of death. He takes jobs just to earn enough money to buy his own ship and sail off to an island paradise that his guardian, an old wizard, has long told tales of. He is eager to make his dream a reality, when the king forces him to agree to escort Moreya, orphaned daughter of one of the king's most revered ambassadors, to her new fiance, prince of a neighboring kingdom.

Moreya is half Yune, a beautiful and sensual race well known for their prowess in the bedroom, and is amazingly lovely. With her lavender hair and gorgeous figure, Preece knows that it will not be easy to escort her through the sparsely habited no-man's land between the two kingdoms. Preece is stunned by Moreya's kindness to him and knows that he needs to stay as far away from her as possible or she will ruin all of his plans, but he cannot, no matter how hard he tries. When Moreya bursts into his room one evening, she is stunned to discover that Preece is not horribly disfigured, as is widely believed, but is the most beautiful man she has ever seen. Trying to ignore her physical attraction to Preece, Moreya demands to know if her future groom does indeed prefer men to women. When Preece reluctantly admits that the prince does, Moreya offers him a fortune to help her escape, but no price is worth the king's wrath.

Moreya despairs of escaping her upcoming nuptials and cannot understand why Preece hides himself from others. Preece cannot understand why the king is forcing Moreya to marry the prince, when it is such a waste of her Yune beauty and sensuality. Preece quickly understands the king's reasoning when Moreya saves the caravan by displaying her power over dragons and their attraction to her. He knows that the prince will soon die if he is ever with Moreya outside and then the king can simply take over the neighboring kingdom. Moreya soon learns that Preece hides his face because he is the last of the Waniand's, an ancient race that used to rule the land in peace and harmony. They are descendants of the bear god and have great power and skill, but are mocked because they only go into sexual heat a few times a year, and then they mate like animals, almost insatiable.

Preece knows that he cannot let Moreya be married to the prince and end up killing the whole royal procession, as she would certainly be killed afterward and be blamed for the ensuing war. Moreya is still attracted to Preece and does not care that he is a Waniand. Desperate to escape, Preece proposes that they marry and set sail for his tropical island. They bond and mate for life and Moreya proves to be Preece's match in the bedroom and outside of it. For the first time, Preece knows what it is like to be happy. But they are soon betrayed by one of Preece's own men and just barely manage to escape with their lives, cruelly separated as they are forced into hiding. Preece makes it to his tropical paradise, where the islanders do everything they can to try and heal him from the terrible torture that Preece underwent in the dungeons. He dreams of Moreya and is desperate to find her and reclaim her love. But the islanders hide a great secret - Preece is not the last Waniand and the wizard who raised Preece raised him to fulfill an ancient prophecy that will change the world. Preece is furious and hurt, not knowing who he can trust. He comes to believe that Moreya's love was a cruel trick, just another spell cast by the wizard whom he thought loved him. He demands that the wizard remove all memory of his mate, Moreya, and that he never have to look about the face of the wizard, the only parent he has ever known, again. When no one can dissuade him, the wizard, heartbroken, casts his terrible spell upon Preece. Moreya is safe in a convent far away and is sure that Preece will come for her, but times passes and no one comes. When she hears of a group of Waniands in her homeland, she is determined to journey there and find her long-lost love. Yet, what will she do when Preece denies ever having met her?

This book was a wonderful romantic fantasy with an absorbing plot and fabulous characters. Moreya was a strong heroine, but still feminine and beautiful. Preece was a wonderful hero, unwittingly groomed to be the savior of his people and understandably bitter at feeling he had no choices in life. Their attraction was very strong and the scenes between the two of them are hot. The supporting characters were a little hazy, but the two main characters were larger than life and seemed to overshadow everyone else in the book so it is barely noticeable. The story is evenly paced and makes for a nice, fast read with plenty of little surprises for the reader. I thought that the history of the land was well developed and enjoyed this book immensely. It is only available as a download, but is worth the price and the format.

A compellingly good read that I couldn't put down........2002-12-18

This is a terrific story woven in a fantastic mix of medieval romance, fantasy, and even comedy. Ms. Biondine creates vivid landscapes, and characters that feel real and alive. As a design professional, I was truly impressed that Ms. Biondine's details & descriptions are fluid and easy yet wonderfully imaginative. I couldn't help feeling conected with the characters and settings. I'm hoping this is part of a series of books on these characters.

Excellent!.......2002-07-17

To simply say that I enjoyed Shadow in Starlight would be a gross injustice to the characters brought so vividly to life by Ms. BiondineÕs pen. Shannah Biondine has created a compelling adventure infused with ancient lore and magic; enhanced by an intriguing plot, and rich, believable characterization. One canÕt help but be caught up in the magical world that is Shadow of Starlight. I look forward to more from Ms. Biondine.

Shadows over Paradise (Starlight Romances)

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Shadows over Paradise (Starlight Romances)
Hope Goodwin
Manufacturer: Doubleday Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0385243375

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Starlight & Shadows
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OUVQM2

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Starlight Through The Shadows
Havergal, F. Ridley
Manufacturer: Christian Focus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Devotionals | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1871676568

Book Description

This second book in the Panorama series covers the life of Jesus from the Nativity through to St Paul the Apostles and their missionary journeys. This title is also ideal for all Christian families Homeschooling and Sunday School.

FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION - Volume 68, number 4 - April Apr 1985: To the Storming Gulf; The Shadow of the Starlight; Send Me A Kiss By Wire; The SF Book of Lists; The Snail Out of Space; Collectible; Rift

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FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION - Volume 68, number 4 - April Apr 1985: To the Storming Gulf; The Shadow of the Starlight; Send Me A Kiss By Wire; The SF Book of Lists; The Snail Out of Space; Collectible; Rift
Edward L. (editor) (Gregory Benford; Gael Baudino; Hilbert Schenck; Larry Tritten; Phyllis Eisenstein; Alan Dean Foster; Robert Grossbach) Ferman
Manufacturer: Mercury Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JHHHTG

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