4.5 Wine Glass #Review for Moonshadow by Thea Harrison

Title: Moonshadow
Series: Moonshadow #1
Author: Thea Harrison
Format: Kindle, 335 Pages
Published:  December 13, 2016 (Amazon Digital Services LLC)
ISBN: ASIN: B01LZ608DH
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Her past is a blank, her future uncertain….

Recovering from a shooting, LAPD witch consultant Sophie Ross leaves her job and travels to the U.K. to search for answers about her childhood. When she encounters a Daoine Sidhe knight of the Dark Court, she becomes entangled in an ancient hatred between two arcane forces.

He has given his body and soul to fight for his people….

Barred from his homeland along with his surviving brother knights, Nikolas Sevigny is embroiled in a conflict that threatens everything he holds dear. Only by uniting his people’s resources can they hope to prevail against Isabeau, the deadly Queen of the Light Court. He will do anything and use anyone to return home to Lyonesse.

When Nikolas encounters Sophie, he sees a tool to be used. The insouciant witch might be the key to unlocking every passageway that has been barred to the knights of the Dark Court, even as a fascination for her takes root in what’s left of his soul.

Sophie has no intention of becoming anyone’s pawn, yet the fierce Nikolas is so compelling, she can’t deny the temptation that endangers her guarded heart.

As magic threatens Lyonesse, Queen Isabeau unleashes her merciless Hounds, and Nikolas and Sophie become embroiled in a race for survival. Meanwhile, the passion that ignites between them burns too hot to be denied and quickly turns into obsession.

Thank goodness they both know better than to fall in love…

Linda's Thoughts:

“I wish to know what you are doing here,” he whispered to the unknown woman, drumming his fingers on the road. “And what you might have to do with a stray puck and an enemy Queen.”

Moonshadow by Thea Harrison is a fantastic start to this Elder Races spin-off series. Originally, Moonshadow was to be the tenth installment in the author’s Elder Races series, but, after careful consideration, Thea decided to make it a spin-off trilogy instead. The Moonshadow trilogy is still set in the Elder Races world, but while the original Elder Races stories deal with the demesnes in the US, the Moonshadow trilogy will be dealing with the demesnes in the UK. Even so, Elder Races fans will be glad to know there will be some crossover and a few familiar characters from the Elder Races series will be making appearances in the Moonshadow trilogy. However, on the flip side, newbies to Thea’s books will be pleased to know that the Moonshadow series can be fully enjoyed on its own without prior knowledge of the previous Elder Races books. So, Moonshadow is a win-win for fans and newbies alike.

This is the story of LAPD witch consultant Sophie Ross and Nikolas Sevigny, a stranded Daoine Sidhe knight of the Dark Court. I was drawn into this story and its characters from the very beginning as we first meet Sophie on medical leave from LAPD. She has been contacted by a mysterious Dr. Kathryn Shaw who makes Sophie an offer she cannot refuse. If Sophie can use her natural skills to gain entrance into a mysterious magical mansion located in the English countryside, the mansion will become hers along with an associated endowment. However, Sophie has an inauspicious start as she journeys towards her new possible digs: her rental car dies, she rescues an abused dog – and unwittingly becomes embroiled in a centuries-old Fae war.

The Daoine Sidhe knights of the Dark Court are Fae, but not fully Fae. They are called ‘abominations’ by the Fae of the Light Court because they have the blood of three different races flowing through their veins. They are the good guys in this book – a turnabout as I have normally thought of the Light as being the nice fae. Our hero, Nikolas, is part leopard, knight and prince. In addition, he is annoying and overbearing with an entitled attitude. Of course, Sophie, being an independent, clever, courageous woman used to surviving on her own, doesn’t take well to Nikolas telling her what to do. He thinks she’s suicidal. She thinks he’s an a**hole.  Sparks fly. Oh, did I mention that Sophie, besides being a talented witch, also has some Djinn blood? There’s many more surprises in store for readers within these pages.

There are multiple supporting characters including Nikolas’ brother knights – all hunks who hopefully will be found deserving of a story in the future. I would be remiss if I did not mention sweet, audacious and quirky Robin the Puck, who takes on various forms in this tale – his plight pulled at my heartstrings.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Moonshadow:

“Nikolas.” The man’s voice was deep, rough, and familiar. Nikolas’s flare of aggression subsided as he realized the approaching figure was Rhys. “When you weren’t here to greet us, we got worried.”
“I ran into a pack of Hounds,” Nikolas replied tersely.
Rhys hesitated. “Is everything ok?
“They’re dead. I’m not. Situation handled.”
--- 

“Why use a sledgehammer when a butterfly net will suffice?”
--- 

The enemy of her enemy was not necessarily her friend.
--- 

He pointed the dripping tip of his sword at her and said between his teeth, “Are you insane? You ran into the building.”
She wiped monster blood off her lips. “Apparently, so did you.”
--- 

“I didn’t know I was looking for you, but I was,” he whispered.

You should be forewarned that all of Thea’s books – including Moonshadow - are obsession-inducing. Moonshadow keeps the adrenaline flowing with plenty of paranormal, heat, adventure, intrigue, romance, humor and danger. Moonshadow is a must-read for fans of the Elder Races. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal urban fantasy romances.



Suggested Reading Order: 
Moonshadow (Book #1)
Spellbinder (Book #2)
Lionheart (Book #3)