THE DARKLY LUMINOUS FIGHT FOR PERSEPHONE PARKER

Author: Leanna Renee Hieber ISBN: 9780843962970 5/2010 HISTORICAL FANTASY Publisher: DORCHESTER

With radiant, snow-white skin and hair, Percy Parker was a beacon for Fate. True love had found her, in the tempestuous form of Professor Alexi Rychman. But her mythic destiny was not complete. Accompanying the ghosts with which she alone could converse, new and terrifying omens loomed. A war was coming, a desperate ploy of a spectral host. Victorian London would be overrun. Yet, Percy kept faith. Within the mighty bastion of Athens Academy, alongside The Guard whose magic shielded mortals from the agents of the Underworld, she counted herself among friends. Wreathed in hallowed fire, they would stand together, no matter what dreams—or nightmares—might come.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Leanna Renee Hieber's Strangely Beautiful series continues with THE DARKLY LUMINOUS FIGHT FOR PERSEPHONE PARKER, bringing readers back to the intriguing world where nothing is as it seems, and almost anything is possible. I loved the first book in this series, THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER, so I was anxious to read this second offering. It's a hard call, but I'm tempted to say I enjoyed this book even more than the first!

This book picks up right where the last left off, introduces new characters, and gives more insight into the Guard who face good versus evil as matter-of-factly as any group of crusaders should. Wonderfully weaving bits of otherworldliness into the fabric of Percy's unusual life, this is, as the first book was, a story about becoming. Percy Parker is still a somewhat delicate character, despite her doing what the Guard requires. She seems strong one minute, yet blushes the next. The contrast in her character is a perfect parallel to the fight she's destined to wage.

Even with all the mind adjusting, rotting shades, and frightening bits, this is a love story. In this installment the reader watches the relationship between Percy and Alexi grow and deepen. There are times when it seems each might make a run for it, but the exchanges between them are real and heartfelt, and I wished with every page for their romance to move forward. I won't give anything away, but I will say I wasn't at all disappointed!

Once again Ms. Hieber has woven a world filled with magic. I loved everything about THE DARKLY LUMINOUS FIGHT FOR PERSEPHONE PARKER, and am eager to read whatever this talented author comes up with next. Bravo!

Kay James