Title: Gideon Series: Nightwalkers
Author: Jacquelyn Frank
Read copy: Mass Market Paperback
Published: June 1, 2007
Publisher: Zebra
ISBN: 0821780662
ISBN-13: 9780821780664
AS A HEALER, HE KNOWS HER BODY. BUT IT'S HER HEART HE WANTS.
For a thousand years, Gideon has healed his people. And as the oldest surviving male of his race, his wisdom has always been respected without question. But Gideon knows that even he is vulnerable to the powerful, primitive desires that befall his kind during Hallowed moons—and nine years ago that truth was hammered home when he found himself claiming Magdalegna, the Demon King's sister, in a wild embrace. Horrified by his lack of control, he left her wanting and furious—and then exiled himself for the better part of a decade. Now, with necromancers threatening his people—and Magdalegna nearly their victim—Gideon must face another truth. He and the beautiful, stubborn Magdalegna are destined to be together, to share a love as deep and old as time itself. But first he needs to regain her trust. Then he'll have to save her life...
Every night holds secrets.
My rating:
Nine years ago, Gideon, the oldest of Demons, the Ancient medic of his race, has committed (in his eyes) the unpardonable sin of succumbing to the cursed moon of Samhain and claimed Magdelegna, the youngest sister of the Demon King. Their embrace was nothing more than a heated kiss, but still, he went into self-imposed exile for the better part of a decade.
Now he's back, braving her mistrust and acerbic insults, but Destiny has something "wicked" in store for the two Demons. During a routine exam, the two become Imprinted, melding their souls, hearts, and (somewhat) bodies together in a ritual as old as time.
Gideon and Magdelegna now must come to terms with their Fate, the desire they feel for each other, and their blossoming feelings all in the midst of a full-blown battle between human necromancers and the Nightwalkers...
How come in every series, there has to be an old "geezer" with silver eyes? First, there was Christine Feehan's Carpathian Gregori Daratrazanoff, then came Sherrilyn Kenyon's leader of the Dark-Hunters, Acheron Parthenopaeus, and now Gideon, the Nighwalker. Unlike his "predecessors", he also has silver hair combined with his mercury/silver eyes.
Actually, Gideon was a little too similar to before mentioned Gregori, both in age and abilities (Gregori is an Ancient healer, Gideon is an Ancient medic) to be deemed original. Also the scene after the attack in Jacob's home was a rather flat mirror reflection of a scene with Raven and Gregori in Dark Desire. Another similarity between these two series (Carpathians vs. Nightwalkers) is the "battle" between the Demons (and other dark creatures) and the humans.
I don't know whether that was an intentional tribute, or the only way the author saw that could create a decent enough conflict.
Those uncanny similarities apart, this was yet another good story. The past characters (Jacob and Bella) mixed, rather nicely with the current and future ones, making yet another great example of Ms. Frank's ability to have them all in the same book, yet not "crowding" each other. Also the bigger picture (the animosity between Nightwalkers and humans) was nicely woven into the main story, resolving some issues that remained open from the previous book, and creating some more to propel the series forward...Nicely prepared ground for Elijah's story with the introduction of his heroine and the already obvious mixture of their emotions.
While Magdelegna has developed nicely throughout the story, the diplomat embracing her fierce and protective nature slowly yet effectively, I missed the same with Gideon. He didn't appear to struggle overly much with his newfound mate and emotions. For someone who's been alone for so long, he's adapted rather too quickly. But that's just my opinion. I find myself liking the stories where the man is literally brought to his knees by his woman. Gideon simply appeared to take it all in stride. Maybe it was his logical nature that made him see sense, but I really hoped he'd put up more of a "fight".
A big plus was the cutback on the lyricism of the prose. There were still too many internal musings, but not as many and not as "colorful" than in the previous book. The repetitions remain, alas. The "abuse" of the word mate and heavy fall of hair was molar-grinding-inducing.
All in all, a good book, with a plethora of various characters and a nicely developed plot (and universe). Not really a stand-alone per se, so I'd advise to start from the first book in the series (Jacob) or a few of the scenes could draw a complete blank.
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