Thursday, April 16, 2009

Review: WITCHLING



Yasmine Galenorn has created a monster (or another one) now. That would be me. After reading WITCHLING, I'm hooked and now must read the rest of the books in this series. As of now, there's 4 more out there, and another one to be released later this year. *clapping in glee*

WITCHLING features Camille D'Artigo, half Faerie/half human, and the first of three sisters we meet in the first book of the D'Artigo series. Used to her own people's condescension of her and her sisters due to their mixed blood, but Earthside, the paranormal are very much celebrities. She misses her home, Otherworld, and will miss Earthside's amenities even more when it's time to return home, however. FBH's have long accepted and become fixated with those of the fey nature. What they don't know is that the three women are operatives for the OIA, Otherworld Intelligence Agency. It's their job to keep a watchful eye on the portals that provide a bridge between Otherworld and Earth. Or at least that's what they think their job is, since it's long been a fact that being sent on assignment to Earth is nothing better than relocation to the farthest realms.

Now one of their buddies, Jocko, a 7'3" giant who may be tall according to human standards but is a shrimp on Otherworld, has been murdered. It's not long before Camille and her merry band of sisters and the humans that aid the OIA realize that the baddest bad ass, Shadow Wing, is doing his utmost best to annihilate the human race. But how will a fledgling vampire (Menolly) who could be considered a newbie, a witch who misfires more than hits with her magic (Camille), and a shapeshifter who changes into a tabby cat under the slightest stress (Delilah), take on one of the strongest foes they've ever encountered?

What struck me with WITCHLING was the easy rapport the author develops with the reader. Told in first person by Camille, the story does not get lost in a vacuum with just seeing things from her perspective only. First person POV, while not my favorite, always seems like a faster read, but with this one, it empowers the story more and gave me a better sense of direction with Camille as the storyteller and heroine.

What bothered me, and maybe for some others out there too, is the number of acronyms, species, funked-out names, and the sheer amount of new information you need to retain to keep it all straight. It's a lot to take in, but the payoff is the story itself.

One other thing - I wouldn't say that this leans strongly toward romance. Instead, it's a combination of paranormal and urban fantasy with some romantic twists. Camille seriously has the hots for one guy from Otherworld, but there seems to be some interest on her part when she meets a friend of a friend.

Oh -- and did I mention the cover? Darkly gorgeous! The artwork for the entire series is absolutely nummy. I can't wait to find out if those books meet my expectations after reading WITCHLING.

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