Yesterday, I read Elijah by Jacquelyn Frank and thought it might be fun to discuss thoughts about the story as some of the rest of you finish it.

I liked it a lot, probably as much as the first (Jacob)  - which was nice since the second one (Gideon) was disappointing.  The story centered mostly on the interactions of the two primary characters, Elija and Siena. 

There was some movement of the bigger plot of the traitor Ruth and those planning the fall of the Nighwalkers, but mostly it was about Elija and Siena.  The characters from the previous books were also well represented, and I really like that continuity in a story line. 

She seemed to focus on exploring more about the different species and opened the door to lots of possible storylines. I particularly liked a new character called a Mistral Siren who is a type of healer.

Okay, I haven't gone deeply enough into the plot to include any spoilers...yet.  But I really would like to hear what the rest of you think after you've read the book.

I'm jealous!  My copy is due on Thu from Amazon!  So happy to hear you thought it was better than Gideon since I too found it disappointing.

Susan

Well, read QUICKLY and come back and post when you are finished. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I don't think I'm giving anything away to point out that Siena, introduced in previous books, is the Lycanthrope Queen, an impressive warrior, and a complex woman. I thought the book was more from her point of view than Elija's.

There were serious complications in that Siena had to consider her duty as queen and the welfare of her people while bound up in a relationship more guided by fate than personal choice. I liked Elija's understanding of her situation and willingess to compromise his position while never sacrificing his own power and strength.

Still dancing around an actual spoiler, but the only part I truly didn't like was a scene where - due to worry, love, and fear for her mate, Siena panics and acts unbelieveably stupid.  That scene does take the story towards some subsquent plot points, but it was just so uncharacteristic.  It seems like the ultimate question is whether Siena can mainain her power and judgement as queen while having a mate - even worse, a mate who was previously her peoples' enemy. Since Frank's books all work out to a happy ending, I think it's no surprise this relationship ultimately works. But on the way, that one scene sort of screams that being in love turned her into an idiot unworthy to rule. Then again, it's just one scene - and of course, she does prove herself worthy as queen.

Argh!  It was supposed to arrive today from Amazon but it did not.  I'm bitter. :(  Hopefully it will appear tomorrow.

Did it come today?

It's been a long time since I read the first 2 books from the series.  I cannot really remember all the characters, but I do remember one thing, Jacob was much better than Gideon.  Does it seem that the first book of a series is the only good book?  I don't have this book yet and it is on my WL, but I will not buy it.  I find myself wasting so much $$ by buying a second in a series book and find it is just horrible.  If this is a good book please let me know that it is worth the $$.

Jo B - yes it came and I started reading it last night.  I'm really intrigued by the living hair of Siena.  And now I want to see what type of woman can win Noah's heart.  I probably won't get a lot read today (preparing for a party) but I'll try to finish reading tomorrow.

I finished this book last night and I quite enjoyed it!  It was much better than Gideon and it makes me hopeful for the next book in the series, Damien.  I loved the character interactions in this book, the introduction of some new characters and the H/H relationship.

Getting into spoilers now...

Susan - what did you think about her running out into the sun and nearly killing herself? I really liked the book except for that one part.  In love or not, this woman is a warrior and queen, trained from birth to not react in a blind panic. (And why didn't their pyschic connection work anyway??) 

Beside that one part,I really liked the book. There were several intriguing features and characters. Even though her part was very brief, I was fascinated by Mistral. I'd like to see a whole book just about her.

That was a bit silly but it didn't really bug me as well.  And without that happening, we wouldn't have seen Damien or met Mistral or understood how Syreena came to be.  Yeah, I hope we see Mistral again.  But I am stoked for Syreena and Damien.

Jacquelyn Franks will be visiting my group blog this week (link in siggy) she is giving away signed books, and we hope to have a chat for the end of the week

Thanks for the link Ashley!  Looks like my kind of place. ;)