Helpful Score: 5
Liu became one of my favorite authors as soon as I began reading her first book, Tiger Eye. She is a relatively new author, all of whose books so far involve characters who work for Dirk & Steele, an undercover paranormal organization / detective agency. Supporting characters in Liu's books frequently turn up or have previously been in primary roles in other books in the Dirk & Steele series. I like learning more about the other characters and their back stories. Maggie Shayne does the same thing with vampire characters in her Twilight series. However, each novel will stand alone without having read any of the others.
Most of Liu's paranormals are shape changers or have psychic abilities. With Dirk & Steele as the Good Guys, we now begin to see that there might be an organization of paranormal Bad Guys.
"Fast paced. Likable characters. A story that sucks you in right away and is hard to put down. Liu doesn't write 'bodice rippers,' but there's plenty of romance." I can (and do) say that about all of her books. This one is a great book. After being a bit disappointed by #3, I felt like I had come homeas soon as I started reading.
Most of Liu's paranormals are shape changers or have psychic abilities. With Dirk & Steele as the Good Guys, we now begin to see that there might be an organization of paranormal Bad Guys.
"Fast paced. Likable characters. A story that sucks you in right away and is hard to put down. Liu doesn't write 'bodice rippers,' but there's plenty of romance." I can (and do) say that about all of her books. This one is a great book. After being a bit disappointed by #3, I felt like I had come homeas soon as I started reading.
Helpful Score: 4
This is a book from the Dirk & Steele series. Dirk & Steele are like a detective agency that only employs paranormal detectives and often work undercover for both civilians and the U.S. government. The main character Blue, has the ability to use electricity as a very powerful weapon. He can also scan any object with his mind to reveal its contents. Blue's evil father blackmails him into finding his brother, Daniel, who has not been seen in several years.
Blue gets a tip that Danniel is working at a circus in Las Vegas. When he gets there he gets to see a hi-wire act done by Iris, a shapeshifter (large cat). She also does an interaction act with her 2 large cats which she often sleeps with in their cages. Blue is quickly smitten by Iris' lithe, catlike body and vulnerability. He quickly secures himself a job at the circus as a handyman. And, they both start falling in love but neither one speaking about it yet.
Iris ends up kidnapped by a ruthless crimelord, Santoso, who is himself under the leadership of a mysterious man. They're mostly involved in the slave trade and selling black market human organs but have many other smaller illegal businesses. Iris is much sought after because of her shapeshifting ability. Santoso wants to have sex with Iris and then wants to sell her to the highest bidder. Then he comes up with an even crueler idea on how to use Iris.
Blue, with 2 other Dirk & Steele detectives frantically tries to reach Iris in time. To further complicate matters, Iris' mother, Elena, who disappeared 5 years ago, pops up on the scene. She's been working undercover in Santoso's part of the organization. Elena is a lot harder than Iris but loves her daughter and will do anything to keep her alive.
This story keeps moving with enough twists and turns that kept me in suspense. I liked the character of Blue. Though he's not a man for much conversation, his actions and thoughts show him to be a compassionate man who has had plenty of suffering in his life. Iris took a little longer for me to get used to. At first she seemed hardbitten but as the story went on I saw she was that way on the outside because of her past and her mother abandoning her. As the story continues, Iris becomes a kinder, gentler person, someone easy to sympathize with. As for the Dirk & Steele agency, I found the idea of a detective agency made up of paranormals fascinating and look forward to reading more of this series.
Blue gets a tip that Danniel is working at a circus in Las Vegas. When he gets there he gets to see a hi-wire act done by Iris, a shapeshifter (large cat). She also does an interaction act with her 2 large cats which she often sleeps with in their cages. Blue is quickly smitten by Iris' lithe, catlike body and vulnerability. He quickly secures himself a job at the circus as a handyman. And, they both start falling in love but neither one speaking about it yet.
Iris ends up kidnapped by a ruthless crimelord, Santoso, who is himself under the leadership of a mysterious man. They're mostly involved in the slave trade and selling black market human organs but have many other smaller illegal businesses. Iris is much sought after because of her shapeshifting ability. Santoso wants to have sex with Iris and then wants to sell her to the highest bidder. Then he comes up with an even crueler idea on how to use Iris.
Blue, with 2 other Dirk & Steele detectives frantically tries to reach Iris in time. To further complicate matters, Iris' mother, Elena, who disappeared 5 years ago, pops up on the scene. She's been working undercover in Santoso's part of the organization. Elena is a lot harder than Iris but loves her daughter and will do anything to keep her alive.
This story keeps moving with enough twists and turns that kept me in suspense. I liked the character of Blue. Though he's not a man for much conversation, his actions and thoughts show him to be a compassionate man who has had plenty of suffering in his life. Iris took a little longer for me to get used to. At first she seemed hardbitten but as the story went on I saw she was that way on the outside because of her past and her mother abandoning her. As the story continues, Iris becomes a kinder, gentler person, someone easy to sympathize with. As for the Dirk & Steele agency, I found the idea of a detective agency made up of paranormals fascinating and look forward to reading more of this series.
Helpful Score: 1
A Dirk and Steele Agenxy paranormal romance. Typical fare for this author. Everyone's a little too perfect for my tastes, which I find rather boring, but Liu keeps me interested with her flare for description.
Helpful Score: 1
Great romance read! I loved how the relationship between the two main characters developed. I read this straight through in one sitting.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was exciting all of the way through. I sat up several nights reading as I couldn't put it down. I am waiting anxiously for the next in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
I love these books, and this one was really good. Great hero and heroine. There were some returning characters, but you could still read it alone.
Helpful Score: 1
Greak read! A novel in the Dirk & Steele series. Iris (a shapeshifter) comes under the attention of a human traffiker (sex, body parts, slaves, etc) who wants her for his personal use. Blue is tracking his half-brother and discovers Iris and that his brother is telekinetic. Can't wait for the next one in this series!
Great story, can be read as part of the series or as a stand alone. In depth characters and plot. A little too explicit sexually for younger readers but great if you're more mature.
This an excellent read. This book has a bit of everything and a story line that is very good.
I liked Blue from the first. Really enjoyed his story with Iris. Lots of angst and danger, but never boring.
third book by this author about detective agency great stand alones
This series just keeps getting more interesting. I really enjoyed this book.
Dirk & Steele had a creed: Protect the innocent in secrecy. No member of the Agency was "normal". Each was an outcast, a pariah, a beneficient shadow living under the sun but rarely in its warmth. "Blue" Perrineau was no different. And now, when it was clear that darker shadows existed in the world -- people who followed no rule under heaven -- every secret was a liabilty. Blue would soon see.
They came from all over the world to observe Iris's lithe, catlike body and her affinity for wild creatures. But beyond the celebrity of the Las Vegas footlights, a blackness grew. All eyes were upon her, seeking, judging... coveting. But one gaze was that of a savior, a man of electricity and mystery -- a mystery as deep and convulted as her own. And together, they might yet see the dawn.
They came from all over the world to observe Iris's lithe, catlike body and her affinity for wild creatures. But beyond the celebrity of the Las Vegas footlights, a blackness grew. All eyes were upon her, seeking, judging... coveting. But one gaze was that of a savior, a man of electricity and mystery -- a mystery as deep and convulted as her own. And together, they might yet see the dawn.
wonderful book, part of a series
Very good!
Futuristic sci-fi. I skimmed it, so I don't feel I can reveiw it. The story took too many detours to introduce morally hideous characters and their bizarre activities.
THE WHOLE SERIES IS VERY MUCH WORTH READING. YOU HAVE ALL SORTS OF THINGS GOING ON.
love this series by Ms. Liu
"They came from all over the world to observe Iris's lithe, catlike body and her affinity for wild creatures. But beyond the celebrity of the Las Vegas footlights, a blackness grew. All eyes were upon her, seeking, judging...coveting. But one gaze was that of a savior, a man of electricity and mystery -- a mystery as deep and convoluted as her own. And together, they might yet see the dawn."
Another book about people with paranormal abilities and shapeshifters living amongst us. A quick, reasonably enjoyable read.
Another book about people with paranormal abilities and shapeshifters living amongst us. A quick, reasonably enjoyable read.
