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World of the Lupi #8
Death Magic
DEATH MAGIC opens with Special Agent Lily Yu in Washington, D.C. with her fiancé--lupi prince Rule Turner—to testify before a Senate subcommittee about her role in the magical collapse of a mountain last month. She is not there to tell them about the strange legacy she carries from that event—or about the arcane bond between her and Rule--or what her boss in Unit Twelve of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division is really up to. She sure won’t tell them that the lupi are at war with an Old One who wants to remake humanity in her own image.
Lily is managing the conflict between her duty as an officer of the law and the need for secrecy pretty well . . . until the rabidly anti-magic senator who chairs that committee is murdered. The line between right and wrong, always so clear to her, becomes hopelessly blurred as events catapult them all towards disaster, and prophecies of a cataclysmic end to the country she loves and serves--and to the entire race of lupi--seem well on their way to being fulfilled.
Lily is managing the conflict between her duty as an officer of the law and the need for secrecy pretty well . . . until the rabidly anti-magic senator who chairs that committee is murdered. The line between right and wrong, always so clear to her, becomes hopelessly blurred as events catapult them all towards disaster, and prophecies of a cataclysmic end to the country she loves and serves--and to the entire race of lupi--seem well on their way to being fulfilled.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2011
129 people are currently reading
1741 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Wilks
128 books1,525 followersEileen Wilks’ first book, a Silhouette Desire published in 1996, hit the USA Today Bestseller List and was nominated for Romantic Times' Best First Short Contemporary award. Since then, her books have appeared consistently on national bestseller lists. With thirty two books in print and novellas in nine anthologies, she has been a finalist in the prestigious Rita Awards three times, as well as receiving several nominations from Romantic Times, including one for Career Achievement in Series Romantic Suspense.
Each book in her World of the Lupi series gains a larger audience. It was originally sold in the Romance section of bookstores, but more and more you will be able to find copies cross-shelved under Sci-Fi and Fantasy as the popularity of the series grows!
Eileen has lived in the West Texas town of Midland, TX for over 30 years--three years as a young teen, and the remaining years since she moved back here as an adult. When she first started writing over 10 years ago, it hit her like the first drink for an alcoholic . . . or the first kiss for Romeo and Juliet.
She came to writing romance in a roundabout way. Having read and loved science fiction for years, that’s where she first tried her hand when the writing bug bit. Somehow her stories always ended up having a strong romantic subplot, but she hadn’t read a romance since the early 80’s and didn’t think “those little books” were her kind of stories. But when a friend in her critique group began working on a romance novel, Wilks decided she needed to give the genre another try. She asked her friend to recommend some titles--and quicker than you can say “Jayne Ann Krentz,” she fell in love. The genre had been busy growing up while she wasn’t watching. These days, with romances comprising over 50% of the mass market books published in the U.S., there are romances to appeal to almost every taste--historicals, paranormals and contemporaries that range from romantic suspense to romantic comedy, from inspirational to sizzling.
Eileen covered a lot of territory before coming home to Midland, having lived in Canada and Venezuela as well as twelve U.S. cities in five states.
Profile taken from the author's site with her permission.
Each book in her World of the Lupi series gains a larger audience. It was originally sold in the Romance section of bookstores, but more and more you will be able to find copies cross-shelved under Sci-Fi and Fantasy as the popularity of the series grows!
Eileen has lived in the West Texas town of Midland, TX for over 30 years--three years as a young teen, and the remaining years since she moved back here as an adult. When she first started writing over 10 years ago, it hit her like the first drink for an alcoholic . . . or the first kiss for Romeo and Juliet.
She came to writing romance in a roundabout way. Having read and loved science fiction for years, that’s where she first tried her hand when the writing bug bit. Somehow her stories always ended up having a strong romantic subplot, but she hadn’t read a romance since the early 80’s and didn’t think “those little books” were her kind of stories. But when a friend in her critique group began working on a romance novel, Wilks decided she needed to give the genre another try. She asked her friend to recommend some titles--and quicker than you can say “Jayne Ann Krentz,” she fell in love. The genre had been busy growing up while she wasn’t watching. These days, with romances comprising over 50% of the mass market books published in the U.S., there are romances to appeal to almost every taste--historicals, paranormals and contemporaries that range from romantic suspense to romantic comedy, from inspirational to sizzling.
Eileen covered a lot of territory before coming home to Midland, having lived in Canada and Venezuela as well as twelve U.S. cities in five states.
Profile taken from the author's site with her permission.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
April 20, 2019
*** 3.44 ***
The war has began and sides have to organize and establish their forces. The one side is the side of the Great Bitch and the other is trying to get organized under a Shadow or Ghost Unit, lead by Ruben. Things are not going well for Lily, since she wants to stay on the side of the law, and in this situation even the good guys cannot afford to play by the rules. I love lily, but darn it, she is such a cop! Don't get me wrong, this is usually a very good thing, with her pedantic following the rule of the law and her desire to always get the bad guys and save the innocent. However, the war of supernatural powers has nothing to do with the rules of our society and can actually use them against the good side. Lily had to go through a ton of very nasty stuff in order to understand that.I wish she could be a bit more flexible, but I guess her moral fortitude is what has endeared her to us so far, so she can't change overnight or it would be to out of character to be real.
"...“You don’t know who you are if you aren’t first a cop. I knew that, but I didn’t . . ”. .."
I love this series and I absolutely loved this book, but I had a lot of expectations, particularly since the ending of the book before this one. I needed all the WOW that came with those revelations, but I got a lot of action, blood and gore, when less could have been more if more information toward the overall arc had been given... Again, the book is good, it has its nice sense of levity just in the right places, it has a ton of stuff happening and we get the first real major battle of the new war between Good and Evil. But something was missing, and I am not sure how to explain it. Maybe to many things happened and not all of them were satisfactory flushed out, as we have grown accustomed to with the series so far. I don't know, but I am hoping it gets fixed in the next book, in which I will dive as soon as possible:):):)
"...“Fear and bigotry don’t need explaining. They simply are, like traffic jams and taxes.”. .."
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!!
The war has began and sides have to organize and establish their forces. The one side is the side of the Great Bitch and the other is trying to get organized under a Shadow or Ghost Unit, lead by Ruben. Things are not going well for Lily, since she wants to stay on the side of the law, and in this situation even the good guys cannot afford to play by the rules. I love lily, but darn it, she is such a cop! Don't get me wrong, this is usually a very good thing, with her pedantic following the rule of the law and her desire to always get the bad guys and save the innocent. However, the war of supernatural powers has nothing to do with the rules of our society and can actually use them against the good side. Lily had to go through a ton of very nasty stuff in order to understand that.I wish she could be a bit more flexible, but I guess her moral fortitude is what has endeared her to us so far, so she can't change overnight or it would be to out of character to be real.
"...“You don’t know who you are if you aren’t first a cop. I knew that, but I didn’t . . ”. .."
I love this series and I absolutely loved this book, but I had a lot of expectations, particularly since the ending of the book before this one. I needed all the WOW that came with those revelations, but I got a lot of action, blood and gore, when less could have been more if more information toward the overall arc had been given... Again, the book is good, it has its nice sense of levity just in the right places, it has a ton of stuff happening and we get the first real major battle of the new war between Good and Evil. But something was missing, and I am not sure how to explain it. Maybe to many things happened and not all of them were satisfactory flushed out, as we have grown accustomed to with the series so far. I don't know, but I am hoping it gets fixed in the next book, in which I will dive as soon as possible:):):)
"...“Fear and bigotry don’t need explaining. They simply are, like traffic jams and taxes.”. .."
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!!
December 9, 2016
Not quite as good as the previous book, but still really solid. The characters are what make this series. Yes, there is plenty of bloodshed, mystery, dark magic, and war, but it is still a character-driven series.
A new favorite of mine is Fagin, and older, intellectual, eccentric teacher who has the same magic gift as Lily. He was a nice source of amusement in an otherwise dark storyline.
(After completely handing a cop-guard his ass for not allowing Lily into the room):
Fagin had enjoyed himself.
"You must be feeling better", she said.
"Pain makes me grumpy. Abusing some hapless mote of the bureaucracy is a pleasant distraction."
See? He's fun! If you can use "hapless mote of the bureaucracy" in a sentence, you are golden in my book.
But, I do always hate books with strange names for the characters. Fagin isn't that bad because it's his last name, but there is the mention of another guy by the name of Eberhardus Czypsser. Really, book? I have to feel sorry for any audiobook reader on that one because the pronunciation I came up with is Everhard Siss-pisser. How can I take this guy seriously?
The beginning of this book was pretty slow. A lot of thinking about their feelings and crap. But, it picked up pretty good at the middle point and really exploded at the end.
Oh wait - I need to tell you about another problem I have with the series: the sex scenes in these books are terrible. If you can't write a sex scene, just don't. Sometimes the fade to black is much better than some awkward and not-sexy scene going on. And, considering how much of a wolfman-whore Rule was before Lily, I'm not impressed. I would think he could make things a bit more...interesting. *sigh* Maybe I've just read too much smut. My expectations are too high.
Oh well. It's not like I'm going to stop reading smut. That would be ridiculous and way too reactionary. Maybe I'll just have to write some fan-fic to get some satisfactory sexy times for these people. I'm sure I'd be great at it.
Oh yeah. That's more like it...
A new favorite of mine is Fagin, and older, intellectual, eccentric teacher who has the same magic gift as Lily. He was a nice source of amusement in an otherwise dark storyline.
(After completely handing a cop-guard his ass for not allowing Lily into the room):
Fagin had enjoyed himself.
"You must be feeling better", she said.
"Pain makes me grumpy. Abusing some hapless mote of the bureaucracy is a pleasant distraction."
See? He's fun! If you can use "hapless mote of the bureaucracy" in a sentence, you are golden in my book.
But, I do always hate books with strange names for the characters. Fagin isn't that bad because it's his last name, but there is the mention of another guy by the name of Eberhardus Czypsser. Really, book? I have to feel sorry for any audiobook reader on that one because the pronunciation I came up with is Everhard Siss-pisser. How can I take this guy seriously?
The beginning of this book was pretty slow. A lot of thinking about their feelings and crap. But, it picked up pretty good at the middle point and really exploded at the end.
Oh wait - I need to tell you about another problem I have with the series: the sex scenes in these books are terrible. If you can't write a sex scene, just don't. Sometimes the fade to black is much better than some awkward and not-sexy scene going on. And, considering how much of a wolfman-whore Rule was before Lily, I'm not impressed. I would think he could make things a bit more...interesting. *sigh* Maybe I've just read too much smut. My expectations are too high.
Oh well. It's not like I'm going to stop reading smut. That would be ridiculous and way too reactionary. Maybe I'll just have to write some fan-fic to get some satisfactory sexy times for these people. I'm sure I'd be great at it.
Oh yeah. That's more like it...
December 8, 2016
Shit hits the fan. Plot was nicely done as always. It got even more complicated. That's all I'm saying about the plot. Oh, and after that ending of the last book, we sure are left high and dry!
Let's get to the characters. Lily was the rock *mostly, somewhat* in this installment if you can believe! And Rule was yelling at God or Lady whatever "why meeee". While trying to create a love beyond anything, Wilks actually fucked up Rule's character. I can understand the need to show us how much Lily matters , but doing this in a way completely opposite to who Rule is? Nope. I'm annoyed with this turning his/her back on fundamental values of his/hers thingie to prove their love for another when it is done in thr cheesiest romance books, here it was maddening.
But I will exercise some self control, because I really love this series. I know, I'm so sane and benevolent.
And again, where the fuck is Cullen's baby?! I don't want to be told about pictures *altough it was so very cute of Cullen to be one of those parents who are like; see, this is my baby sleeping, this is sleeping on her back and eating and eating while drooling aand look, look, she's taking a shit! oh wait, lemme show you a pic where she takes a shit and sleeps at the same time *, I want to know about her!
I knew it! It's all baby's fault. They are cute little buggers who controls the soul sucking cats
I stopped making sense to even myself *lies* so I'll just stop with my yammering. My rating would be 4.5 stars which would be rounded into 5 if not for the yappy Rule moments. But thanks to his weak furry arse it's 3.5 stars which should be rounded into 3 because I am being a class A bitch right now. But again since I know this is all about me being a bitch I should make it 4 to be fair. So 3 stars it is.
Let's get to the characters. Lily was the rock *mostly, somewhat* in this installment if you can believe! And Rule was yelling at God or Lady whatever "why meeee". While trying to create a love beyond anything, Wilks actually fucked up Rule's character. I can understand the need to show us how much Lily matters , but doing this in a way completely opposite to who Rule is? Nope. I'm annoyed with this turning his/her back on fundamental values of his/hers thingie to prove their love for another when it is done in thr cheesiest romance books, here it was maddening.
But I will exercise some self control, because I really love this series. I know, I'm so sane and benevolent.
And again, where the fuck is Cullen's baby?! I don't want to be told about pictures *altough it was so very cute of Cullen to be one of those parents who are like; see, this is my baby sleeping, this is sleeping on her back and eating and eating while drooling aand look, look, she's taking a shit! oh wait, lemme show you a pic where she takes a shit and sleeps at the same time *, I want to know about her!
I knew it! It's all baby's fault. They are cute little buggers who controls the soul sucking cats
I stopped making sense to even myself *lies* so I'll just stop with my yammering. My rating would be 4.5 stars which would be rounded into 5 if not for the yappy Rule moments. But thanks to his weak furry arse it's 3.5 stars which should be rounded into 3 because I am being a class A bitch right now. But again since I know this is all about me being a bitch I should make it 4 to be fair. So 3 stars it is.
June 15, 2016
I struggled a little with this installment. It’s not bad. There is a lot happening to advance the main story arc. The problem I had was with a noticable lack of feels. The last few books really struck a fantastic balance between action and its character focus. This time around, I really missed the character and emotional elements. I missed the romance. And I felt the pacing was uneven. But the ending is big, so no way you can skip it.
As the story begins, Lily and Rule are back in Washington DC to testify in front of a senate committee about the events of the last book. Lily knows it’s a witch hunt and it becomes even more apparent, after one of the most vocal senators ends up dead and Ruben is fingered as the killer. Lily is assigned to the case, but it’s clear that her team doesn’t trust her. She has to figure out who set up Ruben –who really killed the senator– and how they may target her next.
To make matters more complicated, that mantle she is carrying is messing with her health –AND she learns that Ruben and Rule have launched a secret shadow organization they want her to join. There are secrets and mysteries and murders… and yet, the first half moved like molasses. I was bored.
In the second half, things begin to move. There is at least one really interesting surprise and obviously, Eileen Wilks has set the stage for the next arc in the series. But Benedict and his new mate are absent. Cullen’s baby: absent. Toby: nope. You see where I am going with this? It felt like one of the purely procedural episodes of an ongoing tv show that takes no time to focus on the characters’ personal lives. It felt …detached. The biggest internal conflict was whether Lily could betray her sense of duty to the law to serve with the “ghost” agents. (*snooze*)
I know I sound like I am bashing this book to the moon and back, which isn’t fair. It’s absolutely not bad; it’s just nowhere near as good as I know it can be. This series, this author, and these characters are capable of reeling me in and giving me real emotional engagement. Hopefully, we’ll return to that with book 9. And while we’re at it, someone can explain WTF happened to launch that missile.
Rating: B-
As the story begins, Lily and Rule are back in Washington DC to testify in front of a senate committee about the events of the last book. Lily knows it’s a witch hunt and it becomes even more apparent, after one of the most vocal senators ends up dead and Ruben is fingered as the killer. Lily is assigned to the case, but it’s clear that her team doesn’t trust her. She has to figure out who set up Ruben –who really killed the senator– and how they may target her next.
To make matters more complicated, that mantle she is carrying is messing with her health –AND she learns that Ruben and Rule have launched a secret shadow organization they want her to join. There are secrets and mysteries and murders… and yet, the first half moved like molasses. I was bored.
In the second half, things begin to move. There is at least one really interesting surprise and obviously, Eileen Wilks has set the stage for the next arc in the series. But Benedict and his new mate are absent. Cullen’s baby: absent. Toby: nope. You see where I am going with this? It felt like one of the purely procedural episodes of an ongoing tv show that takes no time to focus on the characters’ personal lives. It felt …detached. The biggest internal conflict was whether Lily could betray her sense of duty to the law to serve with the “ghost” agents. (*snooze*)
I know I sound like I am bashing this book to the moon and back, which isn’t fair. It’s absolutely not bad; it’s just nowhere near as good as I know it can be. This series, this author, and these characters are capable of reeling me in and giving me real emotional engagement. Hopefully, we’ll return to that with book 9. And while we’re at it, someone can explain WTF happened to launch that missile.
Rating: B-
November 16, 2011
I read or heard once that televisions producers did not like for characters to fall and love then marry on a show because the marriage would kill the longevity. It seems they believe marriage is mundane and boring and would cause viewers to lose interest. Well, let me tell you that although Lily and Rule (World of the Lupi) have not married yet, they are close and no way is this series losing its' momentum or excitement.
"Death Magic" has manage to do what no book has done for me in a long time. It kept me guessing until the bitter end. Usually within the first 50-100 pages of a book, I have a good guess as to who the bad guy is and what he is up to. Not the case here. Eileen Wilks is a master manipulator of the mind and she had me on the edge of my seat. The possibilities were endless, intriguing and just plain fun. This time Lily and Rule have been called to D.C. so that Lily can testify before a committee. While there, she and Rule get the unusual opportunity to attend a social event (barbecue) at the home of her boss, the ailing Ruben Brooks and interact with his elusive wife, Deborah. Lily is pleasantly surprise to find that Deborah is not stuck up and has a little earth magic which she uses to tend her gardens. The barbecue is just a guise for Ruben to advise Lily about a new group that he wants Lily to join. This group operates outside of the government under the direction and advisement of the Lady. Lily does not like the idea and decides to keep her distance.
In the meanwhile, a murder of a top political official and advocate of the Humans First movement is killed and Lily is called on to investigate. Little does she know that this event will set about the start of a war that has the potential to change her life forever. There wasn't a lot of action or major battle scenes but there was great moments of suspense. The tone of this book felt more serious than the other even though there were bits of humor from the dragons, brownies and Cullen. You truly got the feeling that something truly heavy is going to be coming down soon in the series and it will be epic.
If I had to make a criticism, it would be that I would have loved to have had more of my interaction with more of my favorite characters such as Cynna, Grandmother and Toby although they were mentioned. However, is was nice to have a cameo appearance of Isen that provided a greater sense of the man he truly is. I cannot say enough about this book. I just loved it and hope others will too.
"Death Magic" has manage to do what no book has done for me in a long time. It kept me guessing until the bitter end. Usually within the first 50-100 pages of a book, I have a good guess as to who the bad guy is and what he is up to. Not the case here. Eileen Wilks is a master manipulator of the mind and she had me on the edge of my seat. The possibilities were endless, intriguing and just plain fun. This time Lily and Rule have been called to D.C. so that Lily can testify before a committee. While there, she and Rule get the unusual opportunity to attend a social event (barbecue) at the home of her boss, the ailing Ruben Brooks and interact with his elusive wife, Deborah. Lily is pleasantly surprise to find that Deborah is not stuck up and has a little earth magic which she uses to tend her gardens. The barbecue is just a guise for Ruben to advise Lily about a new group that he wants Lily to join. This group operates outside of the government under the direction and advisement of the Lady. Lily does not like the idea and decides to keep her distance.
In the meanwhile, a murder of a top political official and advocate of the Humans First movement is killed and Lily is called on to investigate. Little does she know that this event will set about the start of a war that has the potential to change her life forever. There wasn't a lot of action or major battle scenes but there was great moments of suspense. The tone of this book felt more serious than the other even though there were bits of humor from the dragons, brownies and Cullen. You truly got the feeling that something truly heavy is going to be coming down soon in the series and it will be epic.
If I had to make a criticism, it would be that I would have loved to have had more of my interaction with more of my favorite characters such as Cynna, Grandmother and Toby although they were mentioned. However, is was nice to have a cameo appearance of Isen that provided a greater sense of the man he truly is. I cannot say enough about this book. I just loved it and hope others will too.
January 2, 2017
OMG!!! Here everything happens! And Ms. Wilks makes it all work! Incredible!
On to the next!!!
On to the next!!!
May 23, 2014
Eileen Wilks' World of the Lupi series is one of those hidden gems of the urban fantasy genre. So many people have not heard of this fantastic little series and it's kind of sad that they haven't. If you enjoy urban fantasy and love your werewolves, dragons, and other paranormal creatures, this series should be on your to-read list right away. Don't start with this book - the first book is called Tempting Danger and this is a series that MUST be read in order.
This is a wonderful series, well written, and it has an amazing diversity of characters. Our lead character Lily Yu is of Chinese descent, which gives the story an interesting back story, especially when her grandmother gets involved. Lily is a touch sensitive. She has the ability to sense others' magical gifts. Her love interest Rule Turner is a werewolf, second in command to his father. These two are wonderful together and it has been quite the trip watching their relationship develop from "Chosen" to lovers.
There is also a diversity of magical creatures. The dragons who are stationed in large metropolitan areas siphon off excess magic and communicate telepathically with Lily and others who can mind speak. In this installment of the series, there was a very cute little troop of Brownies (not the kind that sell cookies). There were also some pretty imposing earth elementals.
I'm enjoying this series immensely and can't wait to read the next book!
This is a wonderful series, well written, and it has an amazing diversity of characters. Our lead character Lily Yu is of Chinese descent, which gives the story an interesting back story, especially when her grandmother gets involved. Lily is a touch sensitive. She has the ability to sense others' magical gifts. Her love interest Rule Turner is a werewolf, second in command to his father. These two are wonderful together and it has been quite the trip watching their relationship develop from "Chosen" to lovers.
There is also a diversity of magical creatures. The dragons who are stationed in large metropolitan areas siphon off excess magic and communicate telepathically with Lily and others who can mind speak. In this installment of the series, there was a very cute little troop of Brownies (not the kind that sell cookies). There were also some pretty imposing earth elementals.
I'm enjoying this series immensely and can't wait to read the next book!
March 18, 2016
4/5; 4 stars; A-
This one was non stop action. I have to say that a few things were a bit beyond belief, even for a fantasy story, but the author made it work. With slimy death magic oozing everywhere, a recalcitrant mantle, plots and subplots from within and without, Lily and Rule and the rest of the gang have their hands full.
This one was non stop action. I have to say that a few things were a bit beyond belief, even for a fantasy story, but the author made it work. With slimy death magic oozing everywhere, a recalcitrant mantle, plots and subplots from within and without, Lily and Rule and the rest of the gang have their hands full.
November 2, 2011
You can also read this review at Reflections on Reading Romance
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Eileen Wilks’ World of the Lupi is one of my favorite series, and I believe that it’s seriously underappreciated among fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. The heroine, Lily Yu, is the only female protagonist of Asian descent that I can think of in urban fantasy (if you know of any others, I’d love to hear about it!), and she is one tough chick. I love her relationship with werewolf Rule Turner, and if you’re a fan of J.D. Robb’s In Death series and its longstanding couple Eve Dallas and Roarke, I think you will enjoy Ms. Wilks’ series as well. With the exception of Night Season (book 4), which focuses on another couple, the series is devoted to Lily and Rule.
If you are new to the series, I highly recommend that you not begin with Death Magic. While you could probably follow along easily enough, you would be missing so much of the back story that I think it worthwhile to recommend that you start with book 1, Tempting Danger. (This review will contain spoilers for earlier books in the series, so consider yourself forewarned.) Watching Rule and Lily meet and fall in love is too much fun to miss, and Tempting Danger is one that I find myself re-reading frequently. Another favorite is book 5, Mortal Sins, because we get to see Rule interact with his charming 9 year old son, Toby, but my absolute favorite in the series was Book 7 – Blood Challenge. That said, Death Magic was an outstanding addition to the series, and I highly recommend it.
Death Magic deals with the beginning of the Lupi’s war against their enemy, the female goddess referred to only as the Great Bitch, and as such the novel is darker in tone than many of the others. Rule and Lily are back in Washington D.C., because they are testifying at Senate hearings. Lily is conflicted about her job, because Ruben Brooks, her superior at the FBI, informs her that he’s heading up an extra governmental organization to fight their enemy and invites her to join. Lily’s torn, because this organization violates all her beliefs about rule of law, but Ruben’s precognition has sent him visions of an apocalyptic future if they don’t manage to stop their enemy. Lily and Rule have had previous run-ins with this enemy, since she tends to operate throuth the anti-magic group Humans First. When the Senator questioning Rule and Lily at the hearings is discovered murdered and a witness places Ruben Brooks at the scene, Lily joins the official investigation. But just as the case becomes more involved, Lily begins to experience mysterious migraines and stroke-like symptoms. Can she continue the investigation while fighting a more formidable enemy?
Ms. Wilks’ novels are always complex and feature tight writing, and Death Magic is no exception. The world building in her books blows me away, particularly this one, since we learn more about the rules governing magic. How she manages to keep track of them all, much less invent said rules, never fails to astonish me. The secondary character of Cullen Seabourne, sorcerer and lupus, serves as our main source for this information, but I like that we learn about the world gradually through give and take with Cullen and other characters so there’s never an infodump.
The pacing of the novel is also well done. We have several plotlines running simultaneously with no confusion on the reader’s part. The threat hanging over all the characters of a possible apocalypse maintains the tension throughout the novel, but the last fourth of the novel really takes off with a white-knuckled race to the finish. While I was able to identify the traitor Lily and the others were looking for fairly early, I was surprised by the plot twist concerning Ruben. I did NOT expect that at all, and kudos to Ms. Wilks for a clever resolution to that situation.
My main complaint about Death Magic has more to do with my affection for certain secondary characters in the series than any flaws in the writing, which is stellar as usual. Cullen is one of my favorite characters, but because of the darker tone of this novel, we see less of his charm than usual. Also, neither Toby nor Benedict makes an appearance, and the absence of Lily’s Grandmother is very much felt. I’m not sure that their presence is necessary to advance the story, but as a fan of the series I missed them.
Overall this is an outstanding addition to the series. I enjoyed the deepening relationship between Lily and Rule, and I thought that the anger and resentment Rule felt towards the lupi’s Lady because of Lily’s health was an interesting development in his character. If you’re a fan of werewolves in any form, I highly recommend Death Magic and the World of the Lupi.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Eileen Wilks’ World of the Lupi is one of my favorite series, and I believe that it’s seriously underappreciated among fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. The heroine, Lily Yu, is the only female protagonist of Asian descent that I can think of in urban fantasy (if you know of any others, I’d love to hear about it!), and she is one tough chick. I love her relationship with werewolf Rule Turner, and if you’re a fan of J.D. Robb’s In Death series and its longstanding couple Eve Dallas and Roarke, I think you will enjoy Ms. Wilks’ series as well. With the exception of Night Season (book 4), which focuses on another couple, the series is devoted to Lily and Rule.
If you are new to the series, I highly recommend that you not begin with Death Magic. While you could probably follow along easily enough, you would be missing so much of the back story that I think it worthwhile to recommend that you start with book 1, Tempting Danger. (This review will contain spoilers for earlier books in the series, so consider yourself forewarned.) Watching Rule and Lily meet and fall in love is too much fun to miss, and Tempting Danger is one that I find myself re-reading frequently. Another favorite is book 5, Mortal Sins, because we get to see Rule interact with his charming 9 year old son, Toby, but my absolute favorite in the series was Book 7 – Blood Challenge. That said, Death Magic was an outstanding addition to the series, and I highly recommend it.
Death Magic deals with the beginning of the Lupi’s war against their enemy, the female goddess referred to only as the Great Bitch, and as such the novel is darker in tone than many of the others. Rule and Lily are back in Washington D.C., because they are testifying at Senate hearings. Lily is conflicted about her job, because Ruben Brooks, her superior at the FBI, informs her that he’s heading up an extra governmental organization to fight their enemy and invites her to join. Lily’s torn, because this organization violates all her beliefs about rule of law, but Ruben’s precognition has sent him visions of an apocalyptic future if they don’t manage to stop their enemy. Lily and Rule have had previous run-ins with this enemy, since she tends to operate throuth the anti-magic group Humans First. When the Senator questioning Rule and Lily at the hearings is discovered murdered and a witness places Ruben Brooks at the scene, Lily joins the official investigation. But just as the case becomes more involved, Lily begins to experience mysterious migraines and stroke-like symptoms. Can she continue the investigation while fighting a more formidable enemy?
Ms. Wilks’ novels are always complex and feature tight writing, and Death Magic is no exception. The world building in her books blows me away, particularly this one, since we learn more about the rules governing magic. How she manages to keep track of them all, much less invent said rules, never fails to astonish me. The secondary character of Cullen Seabourne, sorcerer and lupus, serves as our main source for this information, but I like that we learn about the world gradually through give and take with Cullen and other characters so there’s never an infodump.
The pacing of the novel is also well done. We have several plotlines running simultaneously with no confusion on the reader’s part. The threat hanging over all the characters of a possible apocalypse maintains the tension throughout the novel, but the last fourth of the novel really takes off with a white-knuckled race to the finish. While I was able to identify the traitor Lily and the others were looking for fairly early, I was surprised by the plot twist concerning Ruben. I did NOT expect that at all, and kudos to Ms. Wilks for a clever resolution to that situation.
My main complaint about Death Magic has more to do with my affection for certain secondary characters in the series than any flaws in the writing, which is stellar as usual. Cullen is one of my favorite characters, but because of the darker tone of this novel, we see less of his charm than usual. Also, neither Toby nor Benedict makes an appearance, and the absence of Lily’s Grandmother is very much felt. I’m not sure that their presence is necessary to advance the story, but as a fan of the series I missed them.
Overall this is an outstanding addition to the series. I enjoyed the deepening relationship between Lily and Rule, and I thought that the anger and resentment Rule felt towards the lupi’s Lady because of Lily’s health was an interesting development in his character. If you’re a fan of werewolves in any form, I highly recommend Death Magic and the World of the Lupi.
February 8, 2017
Rating: 4.75
It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a book in this series. To be perfectly honest…I kind of forgot about it. How? I don’t know because I love this series, these characters, the adventures they frequently are thrust into and all the love, friendship, turmoil and danger that comes along with it.
The difference in Rule and Lily’s relationship is night and day compared to what it was in the first and even second and third books. Lily understands the Lupi world and customs now, embraces it and even RIDES for them when the time comes. Which…if you have ready ANY of these books…the time to Ride for the Lupi and their cause is all the time.
Eight books in and cruising on the same overarching storyline, you would think the plot would have dried up or become repetitive by now. But I forgot just HOW many paranormal creatures there are and how many nefarious ways someone can try and ruin your life…or the world.
Humans First is an ‘organization’ that detests anyone who isn’t of ‘pure blood’ meaning not only can they not be a Lupi, but they also cannot be an abomination that is born with a Gift. But these aren’t just your run of the mill idiots who march outside of Planned Parenthood with picket signs. These are people who have connections in high places. People who are willing to use the very power and magic they hate against the people they believe are abominations. And as we all know…when a group of people have a righteous cause, it doesn’t matter who gets in the way, innocent or not, anyone is disposable in the name of that cause.
And of course…The Lupi, Gifted, Lily Yu and all of her friends who are the targets of this bigotry and hatred are the very ones that come to the rescue every single time. Even when their backs are against the wall and they’re being set up for crimes they didn’t commit. Even when it seems like everything they do is a result of manipulation by some unknown and unseen power. Even when they know they are going up against opponents who cannot possibly be quelled or defeated. They show up and show out every time and that is why I love these books!
I think it’s the bravery. I like reading these books and seeing these characters tackle insurmountable challenges and win because it makes me feel like if the very same situation were thrown at me, I’d not only be able to overcome them, but also willing and eager to. Reading about Lily, Rule, Cullen, Scott, Chris, the Brownies, EVERYONE, be so brave, for whatever reason is the most exciting thing to me. It’s like no matter what you throw at them, all they need is a minute to assess the situation and then its GO time.
"Death Magic" even gave me a little bit of Isen out of his element too which I loved! Isen to me is like Bran in the Mercy Thompson series. They’re these strong and dangerous yet honorable powerhouses who demand respect with just their presence and instill fear with just a look…But these authors know what they’re doing because you only ever get JUST a little bit of them every few books. Well dammit I want more! I wouldn’t mind a whole book about JUST Bran or Isen at this point because they’re that intriguing and fun to read about.
I feel like I’m rambling now so bottom line is book number eight in this series was a hit. Not my favorite! The climax was a little dry and I missed a few characters here and there but we all know…after book five, most times a series will start to fizzle out. The World of Lupi and Eileen Wilks show no signs of doing that and I’m excited about reading the rest of this series.
Recommendation: I will yell it from the bottom of a canyon or from the top of the highest mountain. READ THIS SERIES! Yes it’s long but, I am in a space where if a series is no longer cutting it for me, I don’t care if there is only one book left in the series, I will not read it. I wouldn’t recommend this series if I thought it would be a waste of anyone’s time. By no means is it a series that will be for everyone but I certainly think it is a series that is worth giving a shot.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a book in this series. To be perfectly honest…I kind of forgot about it. How? I don’t know because I love this series, these characters, the adventures they frequently are thrust into and all the love, friendship, turmoil and danger that comes along with it.
The difference in Rule and Lily’s relationship is night and day compared to what it was in the first and even second and third books. Lily understands the Lupi world and customs now, embraces it and even RIDES for them when the time comes. Which…if you have ready ANY of these books…the time to Ride for the Lupi and their cause is all the time.
Eight books in and cruising on the same overarching storyline, you would think the plot would have dried up or become repetitive by now. But I forgot just HOW many paranormal creatures there are and how many nefarious ways someone can try and ruin your life…or the world.
Humans First is an ‘organization’ that detests anyone who isn’t of ‘pure blood’ meaning not only can they not be a Lupi, but they also cannot be an abomination that is born with a Gift. But these aren’t just your run of the mill idiots who march outside of Planned Parenthood with picket signs. These are people who have connections in high places. People who are willing to use the very power and magic they hate against the people they believe are abominations. And as we all know…when a group of people have a righteous cause, it doesn’t matter who gets in the way, innocent or not, anyone is disposable in the name of that cause.
And of course…The Lupi, Gifted, Lily Yu and all of her friends who are the targets of this bigotry and hatred are the very ones that come to the rescue every single time. Even when their backs are against the wall and they’re being set up for crimes they didn’t commit. Even when it seems like everything they do is a result of manipulation by some unknown and unseen power. Even when they know they are going up against opponents who cannot possibly be quelled or defeated. They show up and show out every time and that is why I love these books!
I think it’s the bravery. I like reading these books and seeing these characters tackle insurmountable challenges and win because it makes me feel like if the very same situation were thrown at me, I’d not only be able to overcome them, but also willing and eager to. Reading about Lily, Rule, Cullen, Scott, Chris, the Brownies, EVERYONE, be so brave, for whatever reason is the most exciting thing to me. It’s like no matter what you throw at them, all they need is a minute to assess the situation and then its GO time.
"Death Magic" even gave me a little bit of Isen out of his element too which I loved! Isen to me is like Bran in the Mercy Thompson series. They’re these strong and dangerous yet honorable powerhouses who demand respect with just their presence and instill fear with just a look…But these authors know what they’re doing because you only ever get JUST a little bit of them every few books. Well dammit I want more! I wouldn’t mind a whole book about JUST Bran or Isen at this point because they’re that intriguing and fun to read about.
I feel like I’m rambling now so bottom line is book number eight in this series was a hit. Not my favorite! The climax was a little dry and I missed a few characters here and there but we all know…after book five, most times a series will start to fizzle out. The World of Lupi and Eileen Wilks show no signs of doing that and I’m excited about reading the rest of this series.
Recommendation: I will yell it from the bottom of a canyon or from the top of the highest mountain. READ THIS SERIES! Yes it’s long but, I am in a space where if a series is no longer cutting it for me, I don’t care if there is only one book left in the series, I will not read it. I wouldn’t recommend this series if I thought it would be a waste of anyone’s time. By no means is it a series that will be for everyone but I certainly think it is a series that is worth giving a shot.
November 11, 2011
Well, huh.
Here's the thing. The story was excellent. The overall story for the series continues to ramp up, and there are several exciting twists. I really enjoyed it.
But I am a little bit bummed.
See, part of what I have loved about this series is Lily and Rule. They feel like extraordinarily real people, and their relationship is fantastic. Not perfect, but exceptionally real, in a way that is rare in writing.
And this book kind of wrecked that for me.
I just felt largely baffled by Rule's behavior in this book. Lily and Rule have long established that they don't keep secrets from each other. And frankly, as an FBI agent, Lily has every excuse to keep secrets from him... but she's made it clear, again and again, that she puts Rule first in her life, and that honesty between them comes above all else. So in this book, Rule is suddenly keeping MASSIVE secrets from her. And we are never - never - given a reason that justifies it. Honestly, we aren't given a reason why at all. I mean, Lily chooses to keep them abreast of an investigation where they are the suspects, but still they decide to keep her in the dark about important events that affect her.
I hated it. I hated that Rule would allow anything to come between them, it felt unworthy of him, and unworthy of Lily. And even more, I hated Lily's reaction as she found out, again and again, that he was keeping things from him. She just shrugged it off. This is so out of character for her that I am flabbergasted. Lily has made it clear that honesty and trust are EVERYTHING to her. The decisions Rule was making and the secrets he was keeping were compromising her, whether he intended it or not, and the Lily that I have loved in this series would have taken huge issue with that. This Lily shrugged her shoulders and told him she loved him. What. The. Fuck?! She was so passive that it was nauseating. Where in holy hell did my Lily go?!
And then, to make it all worse, Rule went off on completely ugly, brutishly overprotective bent at the end. He actually said "You seem to be forgetting that I am in charge." I'll be honest: at that moment, I wanted Lily to punch him in the face, and then walk the fuck out. She's not his possession, and he's not her boss. And if he is going to suffer from that delusion, it's time for him to get the fuck out. Period.
So now I am just... really really unhappy with this series, because it has ruined Lily and Rule for me. Yeah, yeah, he had his "come to Jesus" moment at the end, when , but the whole way that was handled wasn't enough for me. I would like the point drilled home. Like, hey. Despite being kept out of the loop, coddled like a toddler, and being generally ignored when the fact is, she's more qualified than ANY of these fucking assholes to handle the situation she's in, guess what? Lily saved the day. AGAIN, assholes. You're fucking welcome. Maybe next time, you could try HELPING her, instead of HINDERING her, ya think?
Fuck.
Here's the thing. The story was excellent. The overall story for the series continues to ramp up, and there are several exciting twists. I really enjoyed it.
But I am a little bit bummed.
See, part of what I have loved about this series is Lily and Rule. They feel like extraordinarily real people, and their relationship is fantastic. Not perfect, but exceptionally real, in a way that is rare in writing.
And this book kind of wrecked that for me.
I just felt largely baffled by Rule's behavior in this book. Lily and Rule have long established that they don't keep secrets from each other. And frankly, as an FBI agent, Lily has every excuse to keep secrets from him... but she's made it clear, again and again, that she puts Rule first in her life, and that honesty between them comes above all else. So in this book, Rule is suddenly keeping MASSIVE secrets from her. And we are never - never - given a reason that justifies it. Honestly, we aren't given a reason why at all. I mean, Lily chooses to keep them abreast of an investigation where they are the suspects, but still they decide to keep her in the dark about important events that affect her.
I hated it. I hated that Rule would allow anything to come between them, it felt unworthy of him, and unworthy of Lily. And even more, I hated Lily's reaction as she found out, again and again, that he was keeping things from him. She just shrugged it off. This is so out of character for her that I am flabbergasted. Lily has made it clear that honesty and trust are EVERYTHING to her. The decisions Rule was making and the secrets he was keeping were compromising her, whether he intended it or not, and the Lily that I have loved in this series would have taken huge issue with that. This Lily shrugged her shoulders and told him she loved him. What. The. Fuck?! She was so passive that it was nauseating. Where in holy hell did my Lily go?!
And then, to make it all worse, Rule went off on completely ugly, brutishly overprotective bent at the end. He actually said "You seem to be forgetting that I am in charge." I'll be honest: at that moment, I wanted Lily to punch him in the face, and then walk the fuck out. She's not his possession, and he's not her boss. And if he is going to suffer from that delusion, it's time for him to get the fuck out. Period.
So now I am just... really really unhappy with this series, because it has ruined Lily and Rule for me. Yeah, yeah, he had his "come to Jesus" moment at the end, when , but the whole way that was handled wasn't enough for me. I would like the point drilled home. Like, hey. Despite being kept out of the loop, coddled like a toddler, and being generally ignored when the fact is, she's more qualified than ANY of these fucking assholes to handle the situation she's in, guess what? Lily saved the day. AGAIN, assholes. You're fucking welcome. Maybe next time, you could try HELPING her, instead of HINDERING her, ya think?
Fuck.
May 14, 2016
In installment eight, Lily and Rule are back in DC giving testimony for a Senate Committee hearing regarding their roles in the situation from the end of last book. Things are escalating with the Humans First crowd and their engagement. But of course, things are not that simple.
Lily learns of a shadowy group that are in place to protect the world against the Lady's enemies and Rule is part. Lily refuses. Then Lily is assigned to a murder investigation and the lead agent doesn't care for gifted kind or magic, but the murder was done with death magic. And whoever did it is using the death of a high profile senator to work their own ends by framing Ruben and involving the Lupi.
Lily has much to ponder including why she is suddenly seeing ghosts. But time is running out. She must figure out what Friar and the Humans First group have planned and stop it before the secret war escalates and many innocents along with many friends are killed in the crossfire.
With each book, a little more of the World of the Lupi is revealed and a new case or mission is presented. Lily usually has some ethical or important decision to make. And this book is no exception.
Lily has always been a curious heroine for me because she takes analytical thought to whole new heights. As the reader, I can appreciate this even while sometimes I feel like she gets mentally constipated and I'm waiting for her to arrive at the obvious conclusion. This is why I had to laugh when someone else took matters in hand and forced Lily along much quicker than she ordinarily would have gone. Lily didn't like it, but I was relieved that she didn't make as big a stink about it as I thought she would.
I enjoyed that the series continues with allowing Rule to take the narration a few times. I like Lily, but I like breaks from her occasionally, too. And what's not to like about getting Rule's thoughts. They are a wonderful pair who appreciate each other and weld together neatly.
The slow build of tension and escalation of danger has been exciting. I enjoyed that Cullen, Fagin, and Ruben had large roles in this one. I also liked the intro of the Brownie race and Ruben's wife Deborah.
Oho, that twist and new reveal about the Wythe mantle was a shocker and make things interesting in the future, I think.
All in all, another great installment in the series.
Lily learns of a shadowy group that are in place to protect the world against the Lady's enemies and Rule is part. Lily refuses. Then Lily is assigned to a murder investigation and the lead agent doesn't care for gifted kind or magic, but the murder was done with death magic. And whoever did it is using the death of a high profile senator to work their own ends by framing Ruben and involving the Lupi.
Lily has much to ponder including why she is suddenly seeing ghosts. But time is running out. She must figure out what Friar and the Humans First group have planned and stop it before the secret war escalates and many innocents along with many friends are killed in the crossfire.
With each book, a little more of the World of the Lupi is revealed and a new case or mission is presented. Lily usually has some ethical or important decision to make. And this book is no exception.
Lily has always been a curious heroine for me because she takes analytical thought to whole new heights. As the reader, I can appreciate this even while sometimes I feel like she gets mentally constipated and I'm waiting for her to arrive at the obvious conclusion. This is why I had to laugh when someone else took matters in hand and forced Lily along much quicker than she ordinarily would have gone. Lily didn't like it, but I was relieved that she didn't make as big a stink about it as I thought she would.
I enjoyed that the series continues with allowing Rule to take the narration a few times. I like Lily, but I like breaks from her occasionally, too. And what's not to like about getting Rule's thoughts. They are a wonderful pair who appreciate each other and weld together neatly.
The slow build of tension and escalation of danger has been exciting. I enjoyed that Cullen, Fagin, and Ruben had large roles in this one. I also liked the intro of the Brownie race and Ruben's wife Deborah.
Oho, that twist and new reveal about the Wythe mantle was a shocker and make things interesting in the future, I think.
All in all, another great installment in the series.
June 7, 2023
Eighth in the World of the Lupi urban fantasy series revolving around Lily Yu, a Special Agent with the FBI's Magical Crimes Division, and Rule Turner, a lupus carrying the mantles of two different Clans.
My Take
Humans First are plotting to turn more of the world against the lupi and it's pretty tricky stepping through all the minefields they and their cohorts are setting for the good guys.
I don't understand why Wilks think it's important to have ghosts appearing to Lily before they die? That's actually my only quibble. For the rest, Wilks had the tension turned up on high and just kept ratcheting it even higher as I read. I do love a story where I can figure out some of the final bits and even more when they have clever conclusions.
This whole series is a buy for me.
The Story
It's a bad time for Lily and Rule. The increased danger due to the coming war has forced bodyguards onto Lily who is still on disability from that last shooting with which she was involved. The mantle she's carrying is both helping and hindering her recovery as well as adding an extra complication to the war for which they must prepare. And now ghosts. Ghosts are showing up, trying to contact Lily.
Then Lily learns of a secret both Ruben and Rule have been keeping from her. A Shadow Unit not affiliated with any government. A concept Lily can't accept. Oversight and regulations are essential in Lily's book to prevent those who wish to do good from veering into making their own judgments. But without it, the world will end. All end in catastrophe for the world. Unless Shadow Unit is in operation.
And someone is setting Lily up, and Rule can't help.
The Characters
Special Agent Lily Yu is a touch sensitive and an agent with Unit 12, the the FBI's Magical Crimes Division. Her touch tells her if and what kind of magic is present. One of her cases resulted in her meeting Rule Turner, the Lo Nuncio for the Nokolai Clan. A fated meeting as it results in Lily being the Chosen for Rule. Events in Blood Challenge have resulted in Lily carrying a mantle for the Wythe Clan until a Rho can be found.
Rule Turner is a mega-hunk — I want one of these! He's also the "face" of the lupi handling publicity and meetings with government officials. As Lo Nuncio, Rule is the heir to the Rho. He carries a part of the Nokolai mantle as heir; the Lady also chose to give Rule the Leidolf mantle. A unique event in lupi history. Lily is his mate, his Chosen. The only one of two Chosen in the entire world. A woman chosen by the lupi's goddess as the ideal. Toby is Rule's son by another woman. Isen Turner is the Rho, the ruler of Nokolai Clan, and Rule's father. Benedict Turner is the chief of security for Nokolai. Each Clan has a Rhej; Ella is the Leidolf Rhej. Think of her as a type of shaman with all the memories of that Clan.
Cullen Seabourne is both lupus and sorcerer. It's such a rare combination that when Cullen refused to give up his magical studies, his Etorri Clan threw him out. Took back his piece of the mantle. For years, he survived alone, learning his magic, hustling for money. Now, he's become part of Nokolai Clan and has a mate, Cynna, and a daughter. Little Ryder is a female lupus. Another first for the lupi for daughters do not become lupus.
Ruben Brooks is a precog and Lily's boss at Unit 12; he's married to Deborah Brooks, a seventh-grade teacher. Ruben has always kept his work separate from his home life. He recently found out that he has fae blood which resulted in his allergies to metals particularly the aluminum found in the wheelchair he was in for so long. Martin Croft is the acting head of Unit 12 while Ruben is on medical leave. Harry is the leader of the brownies, allies of the Shadow Unit.
Sherry O'Shaunessy is the leader of the coven that consults with the FBI. Dr. Xavier Fagin is one of the leading authorities in the world on Pre-Purge magical history.
Special Agent Al Drummond is in charge of the first murder scene; he is so not happy that Lily is there. Agent Doug Mullins is his second; another jerk. Hannah Kuruc is the Crime Scene Officer and appreciates Lily's skills. Annja Sjorensen has a minor patterning Gift and was recommended to the FBI for training by Lily.
Mika and Sam are dragons who are spread out around the world absorbing the excess magic that creates problems for the world. Mika is based in an amphitheater in Washington D.C. while Sam lives outside San Diego.
Robert Friar is a patterner, a Gift he received from the Great Bitch; he can change the future. Unit 12 thought he had died the last time he tried to destroy the world but events are making them question it. Dead or not, his organization, Humans First, is still active. Senator Bixton is a member. Paul Chittenden is the East Coast leader. Dennis Parrott is the senator's speech writer who hides his own magical gift.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a collage of the story with a wolf's head as part of the sky above the Potomac River leading to the Washington Monument and a ready-for-action Lily, her loose hair flying in the breeze, wearing jeans, stiletto boots, and a low-cut black tank top as she hunkers down one leg stretched out and her gun casually pointing toward the ground. My initial reaction was "oh, no, that's not Lily" but Lily is wearing more jeans these days…
The title is all too accurate for Unit 12 and the lupi are battling Death Magic.
My Take
Humans First are plotting to turn more of the world against the lupi and it's pretty tricky stepping through all the minefields they and their cohorts are setting for the good guys.
I don't understand why Wilks think it's important to have ghosts appearing to Lily before they die? That's actually my only quibble. For the rest, Wilks had the tension turned up on high and just kept ratcheting it even higher as I read. I do love a story where I can figure out some of the final bits and even more when they have clever conclusions.
This whole series is a buy for me.
The Story
It's a bad time for Lily and Rule. The increased danger due to the coming war has forced bodyguards onto Lily who is still on disability from that last shooting with which she was involved. The mantle she's carrying is both helping and hindering her recovery as well as adding an extra complication to the war for which they must prepare. And now ghosts. Ghosts are showing up, trying to contact Lily.
Then Lily learns of a secret both Ruben and Rule have been keeping from her. A Shadow Unit not affiliated with any government. A concept Lily can't accept. Oversight and regulations are essential in Lily's book to prevent those who wish to do good from veering into making their own judgments. But without it, the world will end. All end in catastrophe for the world. Unless Shadow Unit is in operation.
And someone is setting Lily up, and Rule can't help.
The Characters
Special Agent Lily Yu is a touch sensitive and an agent with Unit 12, the the FBI's Magical Crimes Division. Her touch tells her if and what kind of magic is present. One of her cases resulted in her meeting Rule Turner, the Lo Nuncio for the Nokolai Clan. A fated meeting as it results in Lily being the Chosen for Rule. Events in Blood Challenge have resulted in Lily carrying a mantle for the Wythe Clan until a Rho can be found.
Rule Turner is a mega-hunk — I want one of these! He's also the "face" of the lupi handling publicity and meetings with government officials. As Lo Nuncio, Rule is the heir to the Rho. He carries a part of the Nokolai mantle as heir; the Lady also chose to give Rule the Leidolf mantle. A unique event in lupi history. Lily is his mate, his Chosen. The only one of two Chosen in the entire world. A woman chosen by the lupi's goddess as the ideal. Toby is Rule's son by another woman. Isen Turner is the Rho, the ruler of Nokolai Clan, and Rule's father. Benedict Turner is the chief of security for Nokolai. Each Clan has a Rhej; Ella is the Leidolf Rhej. Think of her as a type of shaman with all the memories of that Clan.
Cullen Seabourne is both lupus and sorcerer. It's such a rare combination that when Cullen refused to give up his magical studies, his Etorri Clan threw him out. Took back his piece of the mantle. For years, he survived alone, learning his magic, hustling for money. Now, he's become part of Nokolai Clan and has a mate, Cynna, and a daughter. Little Ryder is a female lupus. Another first for the lupi for daughters do not become lupus.
Ruben Brooks is a precog and Lily's boss at Unit 12; he's married to Deborah Brooks, a seventh-grade teacher. Ruben has always kept his work separate from his home life. He recently found out that he has fae blood which resulted in his allergies to metals particularly the aluminum found in the wheelchair he was in for so long. Martin Croft is the acting head of Unit 12 while Ruben is on medical leave. Harry is the leader of the brownies, allies of the Shadow Unit.
Sherry O'Shaunessy is the leader of the coven that consults with the FBI. Dr. Xavier Fagin is one of the leading authorities in the world on Pre-Purge magical history.
Special Agent Al Drummond is in charge of the first murder scene; he is so not happy that Lily is there. Agent Doug Mullins is his second; another jerk. Hannah Kuruc is the Crime Scene Officer and appreciates Lily's skills. Annja Sjorensen has a minor patterning Gift and was recommended to the FBI for training by Lily.
Mika and Sam are dragons who are spread out around the world absorbing the excess magic that creates problems for the world. Mika is based in an amphitheater in Washington D.C. while Sam lives outside San Diego.
Robert Friar is a patterner, a Gift he received from the Great Bitch; he can change the future. Unit 12 thought he had died the last time he tried to destroy the world but events are making them question it. Dead or not, his organization, Humans First, is still active. Senator Bixton is a member. Paul Chittenden is the East Coast leader. Dennis Parrott is the senator's speech writer who hides his own magical gift.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a collage of the story with a wolf's head as part of the sky above the Potomac River leading to the Washington Monument and a ready-for-action Lily, her loose hair flying in the breeze, wearing jeans, stiletto boots, and a low-cut black tank top as she hunkers down one leg stretched out and her gun casually pointing toward the ground. My initial reaction was "oh, no, that's not Lily" but Lily is wearing more jeans these days…
The title is all too accurate for Unit 12 and the lupi are battling Death Magic.
November 6, 2011
Lily, a former homicide cop now working in the Magical Crimes Division of the FBI, struggles with the idea of a Shadow Unit created to work outside the law in order to prevent the worldwide disasters her pre-cog boss, Ruben, has been seeing. She understands that it’s necessary and will keep her mouth shut, but she can’t be part of it even when finding out that her lupi fiancé, Rule is already involved.
But she changes her mind after Ruben is accused of killing a senator, a vocal member of Human’s First who would like to shut down the MCD and wipe out all non-humans and everyone with a Gift. Lily also still carries the Wythe mantle and they’ve yet to meet someone The Lady wants to pass it along to. It’s healing Lily’s arm but causing her other serious problems. And they still haven’t identified the FBI insider who tried to kill Ruben.
The war has started and the opposing side has a plan to turn the tide with one fell swoop using very dark and devious means to prove to the growing tide of Humans First followers that their thoughts and fears are warranted.
Something happens to a character that shocked me, but I like the idea of it and can’t wait to see how it’s used in the future. A few questions from prior books get answers and by the end of the story Lily picks up a different type of ally. We also get to meet a troop of brownies—not the Girl Scout type. I hope we get to see more of them as they add a level of lightness to the story.
I’ve enjoyed each of the books in this series, but it really hit me in the middle of this one just how good the author is at world building. That’s not something I think about when reading; things either seem to make sense or they don’t. But the detail given in regards to how magic works seems so believable that it’s just easy to accept as something real. If you’re more interested in seeing the story move along without understanding why something will or won’t work or how some conclusions are arrived at, there are a few parts that might drag for you.
It’s still five months away from Rule and Lily’s wedding. There’s barely any time for them to sleep much less make love, so that’s not, and hasn’t been a big part of the story. Yet their love is evident by their words, looks and touches and that aspect leaves me somewhat with the feel of a Happily Ever After even though his isn’t a romance book, nor (thankfully) is it the end.
I give it 4.5 stars.
But she changes her mind after Ruben is accused of killing a senator, a vocal member of Human’s First who would like to shut down the MCD and wipe out all non-humans and everyone with a Gift. Lily also still carries the Wythe mantle and they’ve yet to meet someone The Lady wants to pass it along to. It’s healing Lily’s arm but causing her other serious problems. And they still haven’t identified the FBI insider who tried to kill Ruben.
The war has started and the opposing side has a plan to turn the tide with one fell swoop using very dark and devious means to prove to the growing tide of Humans First followers that their thoughts and fears are warranted.
Something happens to a character that shocked me, but I like the idea of it and can’t wait to see how it’s used in the future. A few questions from prior books get answers and by the end of the story Lily picks up a different type of ally. We also get to meet a troop of brownies—not the Girl Scout type. I hope we get to see more of them as they add a level of lightness to the story.
I’ve enjoyed each of the books in this series, but it really hit me in the middle of this one just how good the author is at world building. That’s not something I think about when reading; things either seem to make sense or they don’t. But the detail given in regards to how magic works seems so believable that it’s just easy to accept as something real. If you’re more interested in seeing the story move along without understanding why something will or won’t work or how some conclusions are arrived at, there are a few parts that might drag for you.
It’s still five months away from Rule and Lily’s wedding. There’s barely any time for them to sleep much less make love, so that’s not, and hasn’t been a big part of the story. Yet their love is evident by their words, looks and touches and that aspect leaves me somewhat with the feel of a Happily Ever After even though his isn’t a romance book, nor (thankfully) is it the end.
I give it 4.5 stars.
January 7, 2012
Grade: B+
Thank you Goodread friends for bringing this series to my attention. Eileen Wilks has such an imagination; the World of Lupi is rich and detailed. She creats her own spin to the werewolf lore. Love the demons, witches, dragons, sidhe, brownies, gifted, and sorcerers. Her characters are engaging. Lily Yu is smart and sexy in an understated way. Rule Turner is a smooth werewolf, excuse me, lupi; he's not a uber alpha but he tries his hardest to keep Lily safe while also trying to respect her independence. He does not stifle her role as an FBI agent, even though it ties him in knots.
Death Magic paves the way for bigger and badder event to come. The war again lupi and their enemy has begun. The Great Bitch has her agents laid out like chess pieces. The is a spy in the FBI. Humans First is rallying against the lupi and magic users. The Lady moves her players forward, resulting in mixed reactions. Meanwhile, Lily has another murder investigation involving death magic and a high-ranking Humans First supporter. The tension is rising, blood spills, and Lily hits all the bumps with bruises.
The one thing that left me scratching my head is that the big revelation at the end of the last book is explored. I thought it would be a major issue in this story. It received a couple of sentences then it was dismissed. Oh, well! Now, it's time to wait with the rest of the fans for book #9, which is due for release next fall.
Thank you Goodread friends for bringing this series to my attention. Eileen Wilks has such an imagination; the World of Lupi is rich and detailed. She creats her own spin to the werewolf lore. Love the demons, witches, dragons, sidhe, brownies, gifted, and sorcerers. Her characters are engaging. Lily Yu is smart and sexy in an understated way. Rule Turner is a smooth werewolf, excuse me, lupi; he's not a uber alpha but he tries his hardest to keep Lily safe while also trying to respect her independence. He does not stifle her role as an FBI agent, even though it ties him in knots.
Death Magic paves the way for bigger and badder event to come. The war again lupi and their enemy has begun. The Great Bitch has her agents laid out like chess pieces. The is a spy in the FBI. Humans First is rallying against the lupi and magic users. The Lady moves her players forward, resulting in mixed reactions. Meanwhile, Lily has another murder investigation involving death magic and a high-ranking Humans First supporter. The tension is rising, blood spills, and Lily hits all the bumps with bruises.
The one thing that left me scratching my head is that the big revelation at the end of the last book is explored. I thought it would be a major issue in this story. It received a couple of sentences then it was dismissed. Oh, well! Now, it's time to wait with the rest of the fans for book #9, which is due for release next fall.
June 21, 2011
I have such mad love for this series, and for Lily and Rule. Things happen in this particular book that fans of the series won't anticipate, but are quite interesting.
January 11, 2020
Setting: Washington DC – FBI office, clan home,
Theme:
Love, childhood expectations vs adult realities, priorities, hate/prejudice,
Characters:
Lily Yu – asked to be in Washington to testify about what happened in previous book… The War is warming up… Lily is confronted with an invite to join Shadow Unit – a non-regulated private group of humans and other normals to counteract the Bitch (and her Humans First group)… at first she declines, she is law, not outside the law… but when set up and almost fired, and as she sees the evil, she asks to join. In the last book, the Lady transferred a different clan’s mantle (the construct that gives power to the alpha of the clan – to communicate, identify, etc one another) into her (with her agreement)… and the mantle is branching through her body, causing small strokes, which it heals immediately – she is ‘give’ the mantle to one of the Wyeth clan, but so far, those they’ve met, the mantle has not migrated to.
Rule Turner – is 2nd in command of Shadow Unit, though he has not been able to tell Lily – and even after she is invited to join (so she knows), he can’t share details as she declined joining them. And on top of this stress, he feels betrayed by the Lady – and comes to realize though he would give his life for Her, but he will not sacrifice Lily’s life – and he feels that the Lady is hurting Lily, breaking his trust of her.
Isen – Rule’s father – when Lily is arrested, and Rule is unavailable, she calls Isen – and he comes… then he relieves Rule of his obligation (bringing Ruben into his new role)… he is understanding, supportive, a bit manipulative, explains Rule to her… and is working with the Lady and the rest to save the world.
Ruben Brooks – FBI’s Magical Crimes Division & Shadow Unit – in last book, he almost died from a heart attack induced by someone in his office… then he is accused of killing a Humans First senator (it was his doppelganger), and when lily goes to warn him that they were coming to arrest him, the Lady speaks to her (and she gets a glimpse into the monthly moon call the were’s feel), and the mantle is released to Ruben – triggering his First Change into a wolf, and the subsequent challenges of that – requiring Rule, who has a mantle, to protect, guide, dominate him into right behavior – it will take him a couple of weeks to remember his human side.
Deborah Brooks – Earth magic – wonderful wife of Ruben – she takes it all in stride.
Cullen Seabourne – werewolf and sorcerer – he is called on to help unravel what happened in the death of the senator – and he discovers Death Magic is being used…
Patterning – both of the Old Ones are using patterning – developing threads and patterns in people and circumstances – one to lead to the downfall of humanity and both ultimately the other one.
Dragons – agree to be part of the Shadow Unit as the communication network, with their mindspeak. Also continuing to train Lily. They definitely have a different way of perceiving humans.
Brownies – cute little creatures – thieving and hiding is their way – don’t believe in courage, only enough to get what needs done done… they steal the death magic ring from one of the bad guys at the rally, and they ‘feed’ the death magic medallion to the Earth warrior giant worm with a chain of Brownies, and then they tell the ‘authorities’ that they didn’t do anything, they were home…
Humans First – growing organization that fosters fear of the paranormal… and somehow the Humans First regular people don’t see that the leaders are using the paranormal.
Summary:
The Lady vs The Bitch – Old Ones… The Bitch is reentering our realm, and the Lady is gathering her forces.
The Bitch’s people have rallys across the country to protest paranormals… and the leaders are using Death Magic to create dopplegangers of key people – and of wolf – weres… They want Lily’s doppelganger to kill someone in front of them all… and fighting begins, and the brownies shepherd people to safety… and Lily manages to locate the amulet controlling the dopplegangers and with the Brownie’s help destroys it and ends the fighting.
First foray, a few hundred deaths across the country – with a disproportionate number of paranormals who died protecting the humans… total disaster averted… Lily is reinstated… many are not so sure of being anti-paranormal. Hmmm
Memorable scenes..
The descriptions of the First Change in the adult male – the need to be with pack, to have a dominant subdue/control and protect him – Rules thinking this process through.
The mantle ‘branching’ through Lily – learning from her body so as to adapt to Ruben (a human with faint connections to the Wyeth clan) so he can become were.
Lily’s discussion with Rule’s son about what is going on…
Drummond (the human detective Lily is assigned to when the senator is killed – who is anti paranormal as he blames them for the death of his wife) – who is part of the plot against Lily, but when he realizes they are using death magic and killing innocent homeless, he calls in Lily to stop them… and dies in the process, and his ghost is showing up to give Lily unrequested advice – he’ll be back, I’m sure.
The young dragon’s reasoning through the thought processes of humans, as we differ from him – the now/later time concept, images vs words.
second read notes:
Setting:
Washington DC – clan house (Georgetown), Brooks’ estate, Washington monument, Rock Creek Park (dragon’s lair), senator’s home;
Theme:
Good vs evil; potential loss, and living in spite of fear; love; justice;
Characters:
Lily Yu: carrying Wythe mantle – which has totally healed her arm, but causing small strokes – short, sharp headaches, and when magically examined by Rhej, can see tendrils branching through her nervous system; invited to join Shadow Unit, but says no – understands why, but needs structure of checks and balances; arrested for warning Brooks – in danger of losing her job – part of Field’s plot, to get her blood, to make a doppleganger;
Rule Turner: angry at the Lady – in many ways his mother, feeling betrayed as Lily suffers with the mantle, worried it will cause her permanent harm – or her death; is head of the Shadow Unit (as has 2 mantles), which he hides from Lily, respecting her law and order make up, but hoping she will join them; is struggling with keeping his wolf at bay;
The Lady vs The Bitch: Lady is a patterner, to counter the Bitch’s plans;
Isen Turner: Rule’s father; he comes for Lily when she is jailed… and then takes over in the regulating of new wolf Brooks;
Ruben Brooks: held of Unit 12 of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division; recovering from magically induced heart attack; developing the Shadow Unit – using the dragons for communication, and inviting Lily to join them… he knows their fight will be over in 3 months if she does not join them, but cannot unduly influence her; a patterner, but seeing great devastation; last book ended with the Lady instructing all of the Rhej’s to have their clans align with Ruben; he foresees what he believes is his death – great pain, and nothingness; when being set up to take fall for murder of a senator, and the FBI come to arrest him, Lily warns him, and then she hears the Lady instructing her on how to transfer the mantle; Brooks has some small Wythe Rho in his background (though not a shifter), accepts the mantle, (the Lady apparently used Lily to fine tune the mantle so that Brooks could accept it) and then immediately shifts to wolf (1st time 1st shift is as an adult) – and Rule bursts in, commanding his attention and control; they take him to Wythe clan, to his clan – and Isen takes over asap;
Deborah Brooks: long time wife of Ruben, and Ruben shares most everything with her (except his impending death); a bit of shake up with Lily (jealous ? ) which gets smoothed over; and she takes the changes in her husband in stride… and aligns with an elemental who was protecting a friend’s property, and will protect her;
Robert Friar / Paul Chittenden: of the Bitch; planning 5 strikes / human only rallys around the country – where doppleganger wolves attack – and an atomic strike (which is mysteriously stopped by the 5 Rhej’s – where Nokolai Rhej dies – leaving Cynna the new Rhej; Paul stationed in DC, where he also plans for a Lily doppleganger to kill people at the rally, using death magic (killing homeless);
Abel Karonski: FBI agent, of Unit 12; member of the Shadow Unit; helps out behind the scenes;
Special Agent Al Drummond / Doug Mullins: Magical Crimes Division; partners; investigating the death of the Senator, on the Human First side…Drummond moved against Brooks; Mullins draws line at the death magic, and at the last minute calls Lily to save a dozen homeless slated to die at the rally to fuel Paul… and ends up dying; Mullins is the ghost that has been in variety of places… and now her ghost companion also..
Senator Robert Bixton: Human’s First; killed for the cause by a Ruben Brooks doppleganger;
Cullen Seabourne / Cynna: they’ve had their baby – the first infant changeling (part of the prophecy); Cullen comes to DC to help sort through the death magic issues (ends up with severe burns when he is attacked at Fagin’s library); we don’t ‘hear’ from Cynna, except in phone/texts from Cullen, but at end she is Nokolai’s Rhej; hmmmm
Summary:
The emotions of gearing up for war, and dealing with the present;
They figure something is going to happen at the rallys (all 5 are covered by different clans), and that a Lilly doppleganger will be integral… but until Mullins calls, they are unfocused; Lily goes to rescue the hostages, and Rule goes to the rally; the Elementals have also been invited, and begin to cause havoc… Lilly gets there, takes down her doppleganger… and as Rule and rest are fighting relentless doppleganger wolves, she goes tracks Paul – to get his amulet, that is fueling the wolves..
In the end she is successful… she and Brooks are exonerated (he is himself just in time), and to get a medal; and Arjenie gives Rule statistics… of the 500,000 humans that went to rallys, 1 % of them died… but of the XX number of werewolfs that went, 12% of them died – defending the people who ‘hate’ them… hmmmm
Memorable scenes:
“They’ll smell like they’re his,” Isen corrected gently. “A wolf doesn’t smell clan and think friend. He thinks us. He feels a deep sense of belonging. This new wolf will feel that belonging, but because he is Rho, instead of us he will think mine.”
Lily, to Isen, after hearing the Lady’s voice / instructions: “I’m happy with who I am. Only I guess I’ll never hear her voice again, and that…” She blinked fast. Dammit. She was not going to cry. “I guess it’s pretty wonderful to hear moonsong all the time.”… “You are not to tell Rule about me getting weepy about this.” “Not if you don’t wish me to.” “I don’t. And this wasn’t at all what I wanted to tell you.” “No?” He waited, benign and patient. Buddha-wolf…”
“That mouth opened wide and wider, a horrible, gaping maw. The elemental flung its head once as if it was nodding emphatically – and the chain of brownies swept out, then in. Right into its mouth. Which closed – but brownies spurted out even as it did. With delicious, desperate speed they shot out, slipped out like watermelon seeds, and scampered down stony, segmented sides.”
“Perhaps she had a point. Wouldn’t it look splendid, releasing a few dozen white doves all at once to carry our message of hope and love up to –“ “You are so full of sh__.” But she started laughing. “Doves, sure. Our guests would love some flying hors d’oeuvres. Maybe we should have some cute little bunnies for them to chase after the ceremony instead of cake, sending our message of fuzzy, yummy love to flesh eaters everywhere.”
Theme:
Love, childhood expectations vs adult realities, priorities, hate/prejudice,
Characters:
Lily Yu – asked to be in Washington to testify about what happened in previous book… The War is warming up… Lily is confronted with an invite to join Shadow Unit – a non-regulated private group of humans and other normals to counteract the Bitch (and her Humans First group)… at first she declines, she is law, not outside the law… but when set up and almost fired, and as she sees the evil, she asks to join. In the last book, the Lady transferred a different clan’s mantle (the construct that gives power to the alpha of the clan – to communicate, identify, etc one another) into her (with her agreement)… and the mantle is branching through her body, causing small strokes, which it heals immediately – she is ‘give’ the mantle to one of the Wyeth clan, but so far, those they’ve met, the mantle has not migrated to.
Rule Turner – is 2nd in command of Shadow Unit, though he has not been able to tell Lily – and even after she is invited to join (so she knows), he can’t share details as she declined joining them. And on top of this stress, he feels betrayed by the Lady – and comes to realize though he would give his life for Her, but he will not sacrifice Lily’s life – and he feels that the Lady is hurting Lily, breaking his trust of her.
Isen – Rule’s father – when Lily is arrested, and Rule is unavailable, she calls Isen – and he comes… then he relieves Rule of his obligation (bringing Ruben into his new role)… he is understanding, supportive, a bit manipulative, explains Rule to her… and is working with the Lady and the rest to save the world.
Ruben Brooks – FBI’s Magical Crimes Division & Shadow Unit – in last book, he almost died from a heart attack induced by someone in his office… then he is accused of killing a Humans First senator (it was his doppelganger), and when lily goes to warn him that they were coming to arrest him, the Lady speaks to her (and she gets a glimpse into the monthly moon call the were’s feel), and the mantle is released to Ruben – triggering his First Change into a wolf, and the subsequent challenges of that – requiring Rule, who has a mantle, to protect, guide, dominate him into right behavior – it will take him a couple of weeks to remember his human side.
Deborah Brooks – Earth magic – wonderful wife of Ruben – she takes it all in stride.
Cullen Seabourne – werewolf and sorcerer – he is called on to help unravel what happened in the death of the senator – and he discovers Death Magic is being used…
Patterning – both of the Old Ones are using patterning – developing threads and patterns in people and circumstances – one to lead to the downfall of humanity and both ultimately the other one.
Dragons – agree to be part of the Shadow Unit as the communication network, with their mindspeak. Also continuing to train Lily. They definitely have a different way of perceiving humans.
Brownies – cute little creatures – thieving and hiding is their way – don’t believe in courage, only enough to get what needs done done… they steal the death magic ring from one of the bad guys at the rally, and they ‘feed’ the death magic medallion to the Earth warrior giant worm with a chain of Brownies, and then they tell the ‘authorities’ that they didn’t do anything, they were home…
Humans First – growing organization that fosters fear of the paranormal… and somehow the Humans First regular people don’t see that the leaders are using the paranormal.
Summary:
The Lady vs The Bitch – Old Ones… The Bitch is reentering our realm, and the Lady is gathering her forces.
The Bitch’s people have rallys across the country to protest paranormals… and the leaders are using Death Magic to create dopplegangers of key people – and of wolf – weres… They want Lily’s doppelganger to kill someone in front of them all… and fighting begins, and the brownies shepherd people to safety… and Lily manages to locate the amulet controlling the dopplegangers and with the Brownie’s help destroys it and ends the fighting.
First foray, a few hundred deaths across the country – with a disproportionate number of paranormals who died protecting the humans… total disaster averted… Lily is reinstated… many are not so sure of being anti-paranormal. Hmmm
Memorable scenes..
The descriptions of the First Change in the adult male – the need to be with pack, to have a dominant subdue/control and protect him – Rules thinking this process through.
The mantle ‘branching’ through Lily – learning from her body so as to adapt to Ruben (a human with faint connections to the Wyeth clan) so he can become were.
Lily’s discussion with Rule’s son about what is going on…
Drummond (the human detective Lily is assigned to when the senator is killed – who is anti paranormal as he blames them for the death of his wife) – who is part of the plot against Lily, but when he realizes they are using death magic and killing innocent homeless, he calls in Lily to stop them… and dies in the process, and his ghost is showing up to give Lily unrequested advice – he’ll be back, I’m sure.
The young dragon’s reasoning through the thought processes of humans, as we differ from him – the now/later time concept, images vs words.
second read notes:
Setting:
Washington DC – clan house (Georgetown), Brooks’ estate, Washington monument, Rock Creek Park (dragon’s lair), senator’s home;
Theme:
Good vs evil; potential loss, and living in spite of fear; love; justice;
Characters:
Lily Yu: carrying Wythe mantle – which has totally healed her arm, but causing small strokes – short, sharp headaches, and when magically examined by Rhej, can see tendrils branching through her nervous system; invited to join Shadow Unit, but says no – understands why, but needs structure of checks and balances; arrested for warning Brooks – in danger of losing her job – part of Field’s plot, to get her blood, to make a doppleganger;
Rule Turner: angry at the Lady – in many ways his mother, feeling betrayed as Lily suffers with the mantle, worried it will cause her permanent harm – or her death; is head of the Shadow Unit (as has 2 mantles), which he hides from Lily, respecting her law and order make up, but hoping she will join them; is struggling with keeping his wolf at bay;
The Lady vs The Bitch: Lady is a patterner, to counter the Bitch’s plans;
Isen Turner: Rule’s father; he comes for Lily when she is jailed… and then takes over in the regulating of new wolf Brooks;
Ruben Brooks: held of Unit 12 of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division; recovering from magically induced heart attack; developing the Shadow Unit – using the dragons for communication, and inviting Lily to join them… he knows their fight will be over in 3 months if she does not join them, but cannot unduly influence her; a patterner, but seeing great devastation; last book ended with the Lady instructing all of the Rhej’s to have their clans align with Ruben; he foresees what he believes is his death – great pain, and nothingness; when being set up to take fall for murder of a senator, and the FBI come to arrest him, Lily warns him, and then she hears the Lady instructing her on how to transfer the mantle; Brooks has some small Wythe Rho in his background (though not a shifter), accepts the mantle, (the Lady apparently used Lily to fine tune the mantle so that Brooks could accept it) and then immediately shifts to wolf (1st time 1st shift is as an adult) – and Rule bursts in, commanding his attention and control; they take him to Wythe clan, to his clan – and Isen takes over asap;
Deborah Brooks: long time wife of Ruben, and Ruben shares most everything with her (except his impending death); a bit of shake up with Lily (jealous ? ) which gets smoothed over; and she takes the changes in her husband in stride… and aligns with an elemental who was protecting a friend’s property, and will protect her;
Robert Friar / Paul Chittenden: of the Bitch; planning 5 strikes / human only rallys around the country – where doppleganger wolves attack – and an atomic strike (which is mysteriously stopped by the 5 Rhej’s – where Nokolai Rhej dies – leaving Cynna the new Rhej; Paul stationed in DC, where he also plans for a Lily doppleganger to kill people at the rally, using death magic (killing homeless);
Abel Karonski: FBI agent, of Unit 12; member of the Shadow Unit; helps out behind the scenes;
Special Agent Al Drummond / Doug Mullins: Magical Crimes Division; partners; investigating the death of the Senator, on the Human First side…Drummond moved against Brooks; Mullins draws line at the death magic, and at the last minute calls Lily to save a dozen homeless slated to die at the rally to fuel Paul… and ends up dying; Mullins is the ghost that has been in variety of places… and now her ghost companion also..
Senator Robert Bixton: Human’s First; killed for the cause by a Ruben Brooks doppleganger;
Cullen Seabourne / Cynna: they’ve had their baby – the first infant changeling (part of the prophecy); Cullen comes to DC to help sort through the death magic issues (ends up with severe burns when he is attacked at Fagin’s library); we don’t ‘hear’ from Cynna, except in phone/texts from Cullen, but at end she is Nokolai’s Rhej; hmmmm
Summary:
The emotions of gearing up for war, and dealing with the present;
They figure something is going to happen at the rallys (all 5 are covered by different clans), and that a Lilly doppleganger will be integral… but until Mullins calls, they are unfocused; Lily goes to rescue the hostages, and Rule goes to the rally; the Elementals have also been invited, and begin to cause havoc… Lilly gets there, takes down her doppleganger… and as Rule and rest are fighting relentless doppleganger wolves, she goes tracks Paul – to get his amulet, that is fueling the wolves..
In the end she is successful… she and Brooks are exonerated (he is himself just in time), and to get a medal; and Arjenie gives Rule statistics… of the 500,000 humans that went to rallys, 1 % of them died… but of the XX number of werewolfs that went, 12% of them died – defending the people who ‘hate’ them… hmmmm
Memorable scenes:
“They’ll smell like they’re his,” Isen corrected gently. “A wolf doesn’t smell clan and think friend. He thinks us. He feels a deep sense of belonging. This new wolf will feel that belonging, but because he is Rho, instead of us he will think mine.”
Lily, to Isen, after hearing the Lady’s voice / instructions: “I’m happy with who I am. Only I guess I’ll never hear her voice again, and that…” She blinked fast. Dammit. She was not going to cry. “I guess it’s pretty wonderful to hear moonsong all the time.”… “You are not to tell Rule about me getting weepy about this.” “Not if you don’t wish me to.” “I don’t. And this wasn’t at all what I wanted to tell you.” “No?” He waited, benign and patient. Buddha-wolf…”
“That mouth opened wide and wider, a horrible, gaping maw. The elemental flung its head once as if it was nodding emphatically – and the chain of brownies swept out, then in. Right into its mouth. Which closed – but brownies spurted out even as it did. With delicious, desperate speed they shot out, slipped out like watermelon seeds, and scampered down stony, segmented sides.”
“Perhaps she had a point. Wouldn’t it look splendid, releasing a few dozen white doves all at once to carry our message of hope and love up to –“ “You are so full of sh__.” But she started laughing. “Doves, sure. Our guests would love some flying hors d’oeuvres. Maybe we should have some cute little bunnies for them to chase after the ceremony instead of cake, sending our message of fuzzy, yummy love to flesh eaters everywhere.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2018
As was the case with the previous book, Death Magic had multiple threads unraveling: So many things happening!!
I wonder if the ghost is going to make an appearance in the following novels
August 14, 2018
4 stars. In this one Cynna is out of the story and it focuses on Lily, Rule and Cullen together with her Unit buddies. The bad guys are Human First and the Great Bitch. I wanted to go 4.5 stars but I really felt it was flat during the 2nd quarter of the book. High points for me was the way the author dovetails in new magic details to build the story and the world. She does this really well without disturbing the overall story arc which stops the story getting repetitive over the series. Additionally the personal relationships continue to develop and grow with no minimal rehashing of old problems. The dialog flows and as mentioned the plot is fresh with some good twists that I think are setting up the next in the series.
November 14, 2011
3.5 stars
While in Washington D.C. to answers questions from of a Senate subcommittee, FBI Special Agent Lily Yu is called in to help investigate the murder of a senator who was well known for his strong dislike of magic. It quickly becomes clear that death magic was involved and the only real suspect they have is Lily's boss. Out to clear his name and find out who the real murderer is, Lily will do what's necessary, even put her career in jeopardy, to find the truth.
One thing I've always loved about Lily's character is her unwavering dedication to her job and the law. Being a officer is part of who she is and even though I might have disagreed with her a time or two, she doesn't let anyone or anything sway her judgement. As the senator's case unfolds, events happen that have Lily questioning the system and people she's devoted her life to. Lily doesn't throw her beliefs in justice aside but rather sees that lines can and will be crossed and doing the right thing won't always be the most law abiding decision. I thought that Lily handled everything that was thrown at her really well and at the end came out a better person without compromising who she is.
At Lily's side in D.C. is her lupi fiance Rule Turner. Events have taken place and now a war against a powerful Old One has begun. Rule has joined a secret group, the Shadow Unit, consisting of various magical beings that operate outside of the law to fight the Old One and her dangerous allies. Lily is aware of the situation and group but doesn't agree to join because it would conflict with her duties as an FBI agent. It's said that Lily is ok with Rule's decision to join this group and keep secrets from her but I thought it did put some strain on the relationship. How couldn't it? The law, even if at the time is working against her, is important to Lily and keeping things from her when two people have an intimate mate bound like they do is bound to come between them. Whether this was the problem or something else, I thought the romance between Lily and Rule just didn't compare to how it is between the couple in earlier books.
Besides Lily's investigation and Rule's involvement and activities in the Shadow Unit, we learn what's taking place with Lily's boss Ruben Brooks. In the last book, the Lady, the lupi's goddess, said that all the lupi need to ally themselves with Ruben. Now we learn the why as well as the personal problems Ruben is currently going through. Also in the previous book, Lily is at the side of a lupi leader while he's dying. Having no other choice, Lily takes in side her his clan's mantle. This is the power that is only given to a lupi that will take charge of the entire clan. We see the affects it has on Lily's body and who is chosen to carry it next. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what happens in Death Magic and I thought it was a bit much to fit into one book. I found that I would be invested into a scene and then I'd flip the page and the story jumped to something else. It wasn't until the very end that things started to flow together smoothly, no matter who was telling the story. It was all interesting but it was just got to be overwhelming.
Death Magic isn't my favorite book in the series but it was still really good. I got all the surprises and unexpected plot twists I've come to expect in this series but the romance just isn't there like it normally is and there were a few too many side stories going on at once. The World of Lupi series is a very well written and as you'd expect in any series, some books are better than others. As a whole I'd definitely recommend it to fans of Urban Fantasy but it does need to be read in order.
-Stephanie
While in Washington D.C. to answers questions from of a Senate subcommittee, FBI Special Agent Lily Yu is called in to help investigate the murder of a senator who was well known for his strong dislike of magic. It quickly becomes clear that death magic was involved and the only real suspect they have is Lily's boss. Out to clear his name and find out who the real murderer is, Lily will do what's necessary, even put her career in jeopardy, to find the truth.
One thing I've always loved about Lily's character is her unwavering dedication to her job and the law. Being a officer is part of who she is and even though I might have disagreed with her a time or two, she doesn't let anyone or anything sway her judgement. As the senator's case unfolds, events happen that have Lily questioning the system and people she's devoted her life to. Lily doesn't throw her beliefs in justice aside but rather sees that lines can and will be crossed and doing the right thing won't always be the most law abiding decision. I thought that Lily handled everything that was thrown at her really well and at the end came out a better person without compromising who she is.
At Lily's side in D.C. is her lupi fiance Rule Turner. Events have taken place and now a war against a powerful Old One has begun. Rule has joined a secret group, the Shadow Unit, consisting of various magical beings that operate outside of the law to fight the Old One and her dangerous allies. Lily is aware of the situation and group but doesn't agree to join because it would conflict with her duties as an FBI agent. It's said that Lily is ok with Rule's decision to join this group and keep secrets from her but I thought it did put some strain on the relationship. How couldn't it? The law, even if at the time is working against her, is important to Lily and keeping things from her when two people have an intimate mate bound like they do is bound to come between them. Whether this was the problem or something else, I thought the romance between Lily and Rule just didn't compare to how it is between the couple in earlier books.
Besides Lily's investigation and Rule's involvement and activities in the Shadow Unit, we learn what's taking place with Lily's boss Ruben Brooks. In the last book, the Lady, the lupi's goddess, said that all the lupi need to ally themselves with Ruben. Now we learn the why as well as the personal problems Ruben is currently going through. Also in the previous book, Lily is at the side of a lupi leader while he's dying. Having no other choice, Lily takes in side her his clan's mantle. This is the power that is only given to a lupi that will take charge of the entire clan. We see the affects it has on Lily's body and who is chosen to carry it next. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what happens in Death Magic and I thought it was a bit much to fit into one book. I found that I would be invested into a scene and then I'd flip the page and the story jumped to something else. It wasn't until the very end that things started to flow together smoothly, no matter who was telling the story. It was all interesting but it was just got to be overwhelming.
Death Magic isn't my favorite book in the series but it was still really good. I got all the surprises and unexpected plot twists I've come to expect in this series but the romance just isn't there like it normally is and there were a few too many side stories going on at once. The World of Lupi series is a very well written and as you'd expect in any series, some books are better than others. As a whole I'd definitely recommend it to fans of Urban Fantasy but it does need to be read in order.
-Stephanie
June 13, 2024
Reread June 2024 in Graphic audio
Original review Nov 2011 - The time for subtlety is passed and the enemy of the Lupi escalates from covert skirmishes to all out public war and if key players do not move into different roles - for Lily, one that goes against who she 'is' - the losses will be staggering.
As others have mentioned the first half of the book was slow (even slower for those of us who broke down and read the excerpt at the end of Blood Magic, since we covered the same ground twice) and much of what went down in that part of the book ended up being more set for the rest of the series than setup for the rest of the book. But even so, I still really liked Death Magic. Even with all of the setup there was still a good amount of action in the book and a really great twist - which was also a great relief for me since I was really anxious about the fate of a one of the characters that has been around since the beginning.
While the action was good, I loved how Wilks puts her cast through the ringer a bit this time. I love Rule - he is actually one of my favorite leading men - and it was good to watch him struggle through with his crisis of faith - when a goddess is pulling your strings and putting the one you love in danger it is hard not to feel a bit resentful after all - and how it is Lily, who hasn't had that same unshakable core of belief to draw on, who says the right things to help him through.
Other things that I loved: Cullen in all of his gorgeous sorcerous geekiness, the little bit of Isen ( what was here was good but more would have been even better), getting to meet Ruben's wife and to get a glimpse of the feelings that he has for her, dragons, and the Leidolph healer.
Nits: greedy fan that I am I missed Grandmother and would have like to see just a bit of Benedict and Arjenie (but they do have their own short story in Tied with a Bow, so I guess that's a consolation prize). And I would have liked more of Lily's brilliance put to use in unraveling the plot - normally it is her unique clarity that unlocks the mystery, this time though she gets a lot of help with the final answers.
So, with things heating up with 'she who must not be named' and the Lady reaching out and touching lots of someones I am wondering how many books are left, seems like there can't be too many more. But I'll take as many as I can get, because each time I finish one Wilks' books, Lupi fan girl that I am, I find myself wishing that my TBR pile wasn't so high - I'd love to go back and do a reread of the series, it's just that good.
Original review Nov 2011 - The time for subtlety is passed and the enemy of the Lupi escalates from covert skirmishes to all out public war and if key players do not move into different roles - for Lily, one that goes against who she 'is' - the losses will be staggering.
As others have mentioned the first half of the book was slow (even slower for those of us who broke down and read the excerpt at the end of Blood Magic, since we covered the same ground twice) and much of what went down in that part of the book ended up being more set for the rest of the series than setup for the rest of the book. But even so, I still really liked Death Magic. Even with all of the setup there was still a good amount of action in the book and a really great twist - which was also a great relief for me since I was really anxious about the fate of a one of the characters that has been around since the beginning.
While the action was good, I loved how Wilks puts her cast through the ringer a bit this time. I love Rule - he is actually one of my favorite leading men - and it was good to watch him struggle through with his crisis of faith - when a goddess is pulling your strings and putting the one you love in danger it is hard not to feel a bit resentful after all - and how it is Lily, who hasn't had that same unshakable core of belief to draw on, who says the right things to help him through.
Other things that I loved: Cullen in all of his gorgeous sorcerous geekiness, the little bit of Isen ( what was here was good but more would have been even better), getting to meet Ruben's wife and to get a glimpse of the feelings that he has for her, dragons, and the Leidolph healer.
Nits: greedy fan that I am I missed Grandmother and would have like to see just a bit of Benedict and Arjenie (but they do have their own short story in Tied with a Bow, so I guess that's a consolation prize). And I would have liked more of Lily's brilliance put to use in unraveling the plot - normally it is her unique clarity that unlocks the mystery, this time though she gets a lot of help with the final answers.
So, with things heating up with 'she who must not be named' and the Lady reaching out and touching lots of someones I am wondering how many books are left, seems like there can't be too many more. But I'll take as many as I can get, because each time I finish one Wilks' books, Lupi fan girl that I am, I find myself wishing that my TBR pile wasn't so high - I'd love to go back and do a reread of the series, it's just that good.
November 7, 2011
Fast moving, action packed addition to the series. Not sure that there is much more to say without revealing spoilers. One of those books that I really enjoyed and "enough said". Ms. Wilks needs to write faster. *g*
I'm feeling lazy, so I'm giving you the blurb, as is, for a summary:
DEATH MAGIC opens with Special Agent Lily Yu in Washington, D.C. with her fiancé--lupi prince Rule Turner—to testify before a Senate subcommittee about her role in the magical collapse of a mountain last month. She is not there to tell them about the strange legacy she carries from that event—or about the arcane bond between her and Rule--or what her boss in Unit Twelve of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division is really up to. She sure won’t tell them that the lupi are at war with an Old One who wants to remake humanity in her own image.
Lily is managing the conflict between her duty as an officer of the law and the need for secrecy pretty well . . . until the rabidly anti-magic senator who chairs that committee is murdered. The line between right and wrong, always so clear to her, becomes hopelessly blurred as events catapult them all towards disaster, and prophecies of a cataclysmic end to the country she loves and serves--and to the entire race of lupi--seem well on their way to being fulfilled.
P.S. Not my most profound review, but I wanted to at least rate and date this before it languished on my currently-reading list.
Awesome book. No complaints what-so-ever. Well, except "where is the next book?"
I'm feeling lazy, so I'm giving you the blurb, as is, for a summary:
DEATH MAGIC opens with Special Agent Lily Yu in Washington, D.C. with her fiancé--lupi prince Rule Turner—to testify before a Senate subcommittee about her role in the magical collapse of a mountain last month. She is not there to tell them about the strange legacy she carries from that event—or about the arcane bond between her and Rule--or what her boss in Unit Twelve of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division is really up to. She sure won’t tell them that the lupi are at war with an Old One who wants to remake humanity in her own image.
Lily is managing the conflict between her duty as an officer of the law and the need for secrecy pretty well . . . until the rabidly anti-magic senator who chairs that committee is murdered. The line between right and wrong, always so clear to her, becomes hopelessly blurred as events catapult them all towards disaster, and prophecies of a cataclysmic end to the country she loves and serves--and to the entire race of lupi--seem well on their way to being fulfilled.
P.S. Not my most profound review, but I wanted to at least rate and date this before it languished on my currently-reading list.
Awesome book. No complaints what-so-ever. Well, except "where is the next book?"
May 30, 2022
DEATH MAGIC 4.5 Stars
If you have been following this series, you know that the Lupus’ Lady has created them to fight Her Enemy (the one who cannot be named!), and anyone of the Wolves allies is also fighting the good fight. You also know that the FBI has a department that Ruben heads to investigate Magical Crimes. Ruben is a precog. Right? Well, in this book, we find that he is even more than a precog.
Well, things change in this book, almost to the point of confusion and distress on the part of the reader. Unfortunately, things will change so much that you may- MAY decide not to finish the book. But don’t despair, Eileen has a habit of making what looks impossible into the possible, and she even makes it plausible.
This was an exciting book that, at times, could be a bit depressing. However, this book clearly shows that the series will be taking a slight detour from what we have initially come to expect. I, for one, am delighted because a series can become very stale if things stagnate too much if the protagonists are always fighting the same enemy. While we are still fighting the Big Bad B*tch in this book, we now have even more evil to contend with, a wedding to still plan, children to take care of, and Lily is trying to balance it all - sometimes successfully, sometimes not.
This is something that Ms. Wilkes is good about; she knows that even kick *ss women need to have some foibles; the readers have a need to see a bit of themselves in the heroine.
An excellent and thought-provoking story from start to finish.
If you have been following this series, you know that the Lupus’ Lady has created them to fight Her Enemy (the one who cannot be named!), and anyone of the Wolves allies is also fighting the good fight. You also know that the FBI has a department that Ruben heads to investigate Magical Crimes. Ruben is a precog. Right? Well, in this book, we find that he is even more than a precog.
Well, things change in this book, almost to the point of confusion and distress on the part of the reader. Unfortunately, things will change so much that you may- MAY decide not to finish the book. But don’t despair, Eileen has a habit of making what looks impossible into the possible, and she even makes it plausible.
This was an exciting book that, at times, could be a bit depressing. However, this book clearly shows that the series will be taking a slight detour from what we have initially come to expect. I, for one, am delighted because a series can become very stale if things stagnate too much if the protagonists are always fighting the same enemy. While we are still fighting the Big Bad B*tch in this book, we now have even more evil to contend with, a wedding to still plan, children to take care of, and Lily is trying to balance it all - sometimes successfully, sometimes not.
This is something that Ms. Wilkes is good about; she knows that even kick *ss women need to have some foibles; the readers have a need to see a bit of themselves in the heroine.
An excellent and thought-provoking story from start to finish.
October 19, 2014
I feel so exhausted after reading this book. There was so much that happened and so much of that brings about big changes for the series.
I really like how we learned more about the mantles and the Rhej's and even some about the Rho's. There is so much secrecy around these things within the Lupi that even the small nuggets of info seems like a ton.
I loved how Lily and Rule both had to confront how strong their feelings are for each other and how they each try to protect the other.
With the war amping up it is interesting how everyone is dealing with it. Alliances are being made and things are done in secret, all to prevent or win the war. All the clans quit fighting between themselves and their Lady really starts to take an active part in helping shaping things.
I can't wait to see what the consequences of the actions of this book are!
I really like how we learned more about the mantles and the Rhej's and even some about the Rho's. There is so much secrecy around these things within the Lupi that even the small nuggets of info seems like a ton.
I loved how Lily and Rule both had to confront how strong their feelings are for each other and how they each try to protect the other.
With the war amping up it is interesting how everyone is dealing with it. Alliances are being made and things are done in secret, all to prevent or win the war. All the clans quit fighting between themselves and their Lady really starts to take an active part in helping shaping things.
I can't wait to see what the consequences of the actions of this book are!
January 3, 2015
Another very good addition to the World of Lupi series! Death Magic is heavy on the urban fantasy plotline (suspense, drama, action, mystery) but still had a little romance with some good Lily/Rule scenes. I missed some of my favorite side characters who didn't play a big role in this one, but it was still a very good book. A big surprise happens (not a bad one) and the setup for the next book makes me want to read it. I'm so wondering about that missile....
If you haven't read the series, it's become one of my favorite series and I definitely recommend it. Lily & Rule's relationship develops over the series and so far two other couples have also been paired up.
If you haven't read the series, it's become one of my favorite series and I definitely recommend it. Lily & Rule's relationship develops over the series and so far two other couples have also been paired up.
November 5, 2011
Loved this latest installment to one of my very favorite series! So many things are going on, and so many of them surprised me. It's awesome that we are on book 8 now and Wilks can still manage to do that.
I'm so looking forward to what will happen with the war, and with Ruben Brooks. I missed everyone back at Clanhome, but I'm hoping we'll get back there in the next book!
I love Lily and Rule!
I'm so looking forward to what will happen with the war, and with Ruben Brooks. I missed everyone back at Clanhome, but I'm hoping we'll get back there in the next book!
I love Lily and Rule!
November 7, 2011
Occasionally charming and with a definite "I wasn't expecting that!" moment near the end. Since it largely seems to be setting up future action, I'd say it's stronger as a part of the series than as a stand-alone novel. If you're a fan of the series, you'll want to read it; if you're new to the series, start at the beginning.
January 4, 2020
Lily and Rule are in D.C. again, this time both are testifying before the Senate regarding the latest happenings, especially in front of Humans First proponent, Senator Bixton. On top of that, Ruben Brooks has been having some devastating visions about what's coming and has established a Shadow Unit, a secret organization working outside of the law, to deal with it. Lily is uncomfortable working outside the law, so she passes on that. But then, Ruben is accused of murdering Senator Bixton using death magic and Lily investigates, but no matter what, she can't believe Ruben could be responsible. She finds herself in some serious trouble when she goes to warn Ruben of an arrest and the discoveries she and Rule make could mean trouble for lupi and gifted around the world if they can't stop what's about to happen.
Wow. Big things happen here. The Lady is running things, that's for sure, and Lily and Rule (and Ruben) are just along for the ride. The beginning of this story is kind of a bit slow, as Lily deals with the Mantle, and the Senator's death and does that investigating. In comparison to the end of the book at least, it's pretty slow... But around the time that Lily goes to warn Brooks, things kick up into top gear and it is a non-stop thrill ride from there on out. This has majorly important events happening in it. I did like that Lily and Rule were together a lot and were feeling each other's needs pretty well - there are a lot of little intimate moments, touches and comforts between them. It's sweet. The passion is a bit on the low-steam side, which is disappointing, and no matter how much intimacy and closeness we see, the emotional connection between them just isn't coming across the way it did at the beginning. I love that they're a team and they have only slight angst, but I miss their emotional punch together. There were moments here, but I desire more! Despite that, this is an awesome installment to the series and I can't wait to find out how this all rounds out.
Wow. Big things happen here. The Lady is running things, that's for sure, and Lily and Rule (and Ruben) are just along for the ride. The beginning of this story is kind of a bit slow, as Lily deals with the Mantle, and the Senator's death and does that investigating. In comparison to the end of the book at least, it's pretty slow... But around the time that Lily goes to warn Brooks, things kick up into top gear and it is a non-stop thrill ride from there on out. This has majorly important events happening in it. I did like that Lily and Rule were together a lot and were feeling each other's needs pretty well - there are a lot of little intimate moments, touches and comforts between them. It's sweet. The passion is a bit on the low-steam side, which is disappointing, and no matter how much intimacy and closeness we see, the emotional connection between them just isn't coming across the way it did at the beginning. I love that they're a team and they have only slight angst, but I miss their emotional punch together. There were moments here, but I desire more! Despite that, this is an awesome installment to the series and I can't wait to find out how this all rounds out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2011
It’s a bad time to be Supernatural. The ‘Humans First’ campaign is gaining momentum and questionable support. Lily’s boss, Ruben Brooks has already come under attack and now his failing health has shook up the Supernatural underground . . . there’s a unit being formed – The Shadow Unit. Many of Lily’s nearest and dearest are already members, joined in order to protect their families and loved ones. And now they want Lily to join – even though it goes against everything she stands for as a police officer.
But when the Great unnamed Bitch’s campaign gains momentum with Death Magic, Lily may have little choice in the matter of joining.
‘Death Magic’ is the eighth book in Eileen Wilks’s incredible ‘World of the Lupi’ series.
Eileen Wilks has already cemented her place on my soon-to-be-released 2011 Favourites list with her seventh novel ‘Blood Challenge’. I absolutely adored that book earlier this year, and was beside myself with excitement when I realized that in 2011 we’d be treated to a double-whammy of Lupi with ‘Death Magic’. Unfortunately, for me at least, there’s no competition and very little comparison between ‘Blood Challenge’ and ‘Death Magic’. One had my heart-pumping; the other left me a little cold . . .
The main reason I absolutely adored ‘Blood Challenge’ was the shifted character focus – when Rule’s previously secondary-character brother, Benedict, moved into the spotlight with his own love interest. A good portion of ‘Blood Challenge’ (while continuing the drama with the Great Bitch) was also focused on Benedict’s second mating with the beautiful Arjenie Fox. These two were fantastic – Arjenie’s adorable mile-a-minute thought processes, wild curls and sweet disposition coupled with Benedict’s icy demeanour, past heartbreak and burning passion. Arjenie and Benedict rocked my socks off – and I knew that it would be hard for Eileen Wilks to follow their story . . .
Arjenie and Benedict got the full love-story treatment and their very own sweeping saga. It was pretty hard not to fall in lust with Benedict, and holler-out for his sparking love story with the adorable Arjenie! Now in ‘Death Magic’ Eileen Wilks is switching gears and getting readers re-attuned to Lily and Rule. And, by comparison to Arjenie and Benedict, Lily and Rule are pretty ho-hum (even a little chilly?).
Fans know that when ‘World of the Lupi’ started out, Rule was very comfortable in his role as Lupi Prince; reaping the female benefits of his stardom and living life as all good Lupi do – lustfully. Lily, by contrast, comes from a strict Chinese upbringing and coupled with her stoic cop-demeanour she was much more reclusive and up-tight than Lothario Rule Turner. When she and Rule were fatefully ‘mated’ and chosen for one another by the Lady, it rocked both of their worlds. It has taken a long time for Lily to believe that Rule considers their mating a gift, and not an albatross around his neck. Likewise, Rule has taken a while to appreciate what Lily had to give up in order to be with him. Lily and Rule really are one of the best paranormal romance couples – bought together by fate, remaining for love.
Things reached a fever-pitch in their relationship with Rule broke taboos and proposed to Lily back in book five, ‘Mortals Sins’. But that was book five . . . we’re now into book eight and Lily is only just now becoming comfortable with even discussing plans for the wedding. Her cold-feet are now more chilled than icicled and both she and Rule still tend to walk on egg-shells with one another, and keep a lot of what they want to say bitten on their tongues.
It’s frustrating, to say the least. Especially when fans had Arjenie and Benedict to help highlight exactly just how much Rule and Lily have gone from burn to simmer by contrast.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am still a HUGE Rule & Lily fan (Rule’s proposal at the end of ‘Mortals Sins’ gets me every time!). But we’re eight books in now, and I want a little more open loving between them. I’m not afraid to say it – yes, I want more sex scenes. I want more proof that their love burns just as strong and fierce as it did back in ‘Tempting Danger’. But to believe that I need to read more skin, more intimate scenes that reveal that even if Lily is anti-PDA in public, she and Rule can still burn up the sheets behind closed doors.
Unfortunately in ‘Death Magic’, we don’t really get much sense of Lily and Rule’s fated love. There is a LOT of drama going on with the Great Bitch and new Shadow Unit. Big and exciting things are happening with Ruben (seriously, jaw-dropping, fist-pumping stuff!) and lots of curve-balls are thrown Lily’s way. So much is going on – explosions and battles, magic and ghosts that Lily and Rule really do get lost amongst the hubbub. It seems like, in this book at least, Wilks sacrificed a lot of character-development and intimacy for plot-momentum. When, really and ideally, I would have preferred a focus on Lily and Rule. I mean, the guy proposed back in book #5 and the wedding is still not even on the distant horizon for readers! C’mon!
There are a very few tender Lily and Rule scenes in ‘Death Magic’. And, not surprisingly, those are the moments that stood out and connected for me:
“You don’t know who you are if you aren’t first a cop. I knew that, but I didn’t . . ”. He sifted her hair with his fingers as if he might find words there. “I didn’t understand in my gut. Now I do. I learned that I’m not . . . I’m no longer the Lady’s first. I still serve her, but she’s not first. If I must choose between you and her –”
“Don’t. Don’t try to choose.”
He placed his hand over hers. “Too late. I already have.”
I maintain that ‘World of the Lupi’ is one of the best urban fantasies out there. Eileen Wilks is unparalleled in her paranormal world-building and twisting characters. When she wants to, she writes romance that leaves readers pink in the cheeks and breathless for more (hello Benedict & Arjenie!). But I really missed her character connectedness in ‘Death Magic’. At this point in the series, eight books deep, I need to read more mushy stuff between one of my all-time favourite book couples, Lily and Rule. I've had my fingers crossed for their wedding since ‘Mortal Sins’, and I am building high-hopes that all their pent-up lust and walking-on-eggshells frustrations will be unleashed when they say “I do”.
To be fair, I did enjoy ‘Death Magic’ towards the end when Eileen Wilks takes the plot on a helter-skelter rollercoaster ride to an explosive finish. But it doesn’t change the fact that no matter how much I enjoyed the plot, I need more intimate character moments to balance it out.
But when the Great unnamed Bitch’s campaign gains momentum with Death Magic, Lily may have little choice in the matter of joining.
‘Death Magic’ is the eighth book in Eileen Wilks’s incredible ‘World of the Lupi’ series.
Eileen Wilks has already cemented her place on my soon-to-be-released 2011 Favourites list with her seventh novel ‘Blood Challenge’. I absolutely adored that book earlier this year, and was beside myself with excitement when I realized that in 2011 we’d be treated to a double-whammy of Lupi with ‘Death Magic’. Unfortunately, for me at least, there’s no competition and very little comparison between ‘Blood Challenge’ and ‘Death Magic’. One had my heart-pumping; the other left me a little cold . . .
The main reason I absolutely adored ‘Blood Challenge’ was the shifted character focus – when Rule’s previously secondary-character brother, Benedict, moved into the spotlight with his own love interest. A good portion of ‘Blood Challenge’ (while continuing the drama with the Great Bitch) was also focused on Benedict’s second mating with the beautiful Arjenie Fox. These two were fantastic – Arjenie’s adorable mile-a-minute thought processes, wild curls and sweet disposition coupled with Benedict’s icy demeanour, past heartbreak and burning passion. Arjenie and Benedict rocked my socks off – and I knew that it would be hard for Eileen Wilks to follow their story . . .
Arjenie and Benedict got the full love-story treatment and their very own sweeping saga. It was pretty hard not to fall in lust with Benedict, and holler-out for his sparking love story with the adorable Arjenie! Now in ‘Death Magic’ Eileen Wilks is switching gears and getting readers re-attuned to Lily and Rule. And, by comparison to Arjenie and Benedict, Lily and Rule are pretty ho-hum (even a little chilly?).
Fans know that when ‘World of the Lupi’ started out, Rule was very comfortable in his role as Lupi Prince; reaping the female benefits of his stardom and living life as all good Lupi do – lustfully. Lily, by contrast, comes from a strict Chinese upbringing and coupled with her stoic cop-demeanour she was much more reclusive and up-tight than Lothario Rule Turner. When she and Rule were fatefully ‘mated’ and chosen for one another by the Lady, it rocked both of their worlds. It has taken a long time for Lily to believe that Rule considers their mating a gift, and not an albatross around his neck. Likewise, Rule has taken a while to appreciate what Lily had to give up in order to be with him. Lily and Rule really are one of the best paranormal romance couples – bought together by fate, remaining for love.
Things reached a fever-pitch in their relationship with Rule broke taboos and proposed to Lily back in book five, ‘Mortals Sins’. But that was book five . . . we’re now into book eight and Lily is only just now becoming comfortable with even discussing plans for the wedding. Her cold-feet are now more chilled than icicled and both she and Rule still tend to walk on egg-shells with one another, and keep a lot of what they want to say bitten on their tongues.
It’s frustrating, to say the least. Especially when fans had Arjenie and Benedict to help highlight exactly just how much Rule and Lily have gone from burn to simmer by contrast.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am still a HUGE Rule & Lily fan (Rule’s proposal at the end of ‘Mortals Sins’ gets me every time!). But we’re eight books in now, and I want a little more open loving between them. I’m not afraid to say it – yes, I want more sex scenes. I want more proof that their love burns just as strong and fierce as it did back in ‘Tempting Danger’. But to believe that I need to read more skin, more intimate scenes that reveal that even if Lily is anti-PDA in public, she and Rule can still burn up the sheets behind closed doors.
Unfortunately in ‘Death Magic’, we don’t really get much sense of Lily and Rule’s fated love. There is a LOT of drama going on with the Great Bitch and new Shadow Unit. Big and exciting things are happening with Ruben (seriously, jaw-dropping, fist-pumping stuff!) and lots of curve-balls are thrown Lily’s way. So much is going on – explosions and battles, magic and ghosts that Lily and Rule really do get lost amongst the hubbub. It seems like, in this book at least, Wilks sacrificed a lot of character-development and intimacy for plot-momentum. When, really and ideally, I would have preferred a focus on Lily and Rule. I mean, the guy proposed back in book #5 and the wedding is still not even on the distant horizon for readers! C’mon!
There are a very few tender Lily and Rule scenes in ‘Death Magic’. And, not surprisingly, those are the moments that stood out and connected for me:
“You don’t know who you are if you aren’t first a cop. I knew that, but I didn’t . . ”. He sifted her hair with his fingers as if he might find words there. “I didn’t understand in my gut. Now I do. I learned that I’m not . . . I’m no longer the Lady’s first. I still serve her, but she’s not first. If I must choose between you and her –”
“Don’t. Don’t try to choose.”
He placed his hand over hers. “Too late. I already have.”
I maintain that ‘World of the Lupi’ is one of the best urban fantasies out there. Eileen Wilks is unparalleled in her paranormal world-building and twisting characters. When she wants to, she writes romance that leaves readers pink in the cheeks and breathless for more (hello Benedict & Arjenie!). But I really missed her character connectedness in ‘Death Magic’. At this point in the series, eight books deep, I need to read more mushy stuff between one of my all-time favourite book couples, Lily and Rule. I've had my fingers crossed for their wedding since ‘Mortal Sins’, and I am building high-hopes that all their pent-up lust and walking-on-eggshells frustrations will be unleashed when they say “I do”.
To be fair, I did enjoy ‘Death Magic’ towards the end when Eileen Wilks takes the plot on a helter-skelter rollercoaster ride to an explosive finish. But it doesn’t change the fact that no matter how much I enjoyed the plot, I need more intimate character moments to balance it out.
January 15, 2020
The World of the Lupi series is building up to a war with the Great Bitch. Role shuffling is going on so that the defenses to any upcoming magical attacks can be dealt with without restraints from the normal government lines. This puts Lily in an uncomfortable position, but it does not take long for the corruption in the formal government to sway her. It is surprising to see what this new unit consists of.
As with the previous books, we get hit with shock after shock. There are also multiple issues that are mixed in that need to be dealt with. The Lady's interference causes some conflict with Rule, but she is working towards the good of the Lupi and the world. The adrenaline stays strong throughout the story. Each character faces many trials and there are definitely going to be losses. I don't think Eileen Wilks is afraid to kill off characters. It always leaves our main characters grieving.
I'm wondering what kind of wedding we are going to get with Rule and Lily. There is so much going on that has to be dealt with I can't see when they are going to get this wedding Lily's mother dreams of.
The world and setting gets more intricate the further into the series you go. However, there are little reminders of what happened previously to jump start the memory to understand the significance of what is currently happening. Death Magic is action packed and intense read.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
As with the previous books, we get hit with shock after shock. There are also multiple issues that are mixed in that need to be dealt with. The Lady's interference causes some conflict with Rule, but she is working towards the good of the Lupi and the world. The adrenaline stays strong throughout the story. Each character faces many trials and there are definitely going to be losses. I don't think Eileen Wilks is afraid to kill off characters. It always leaves our main characters grieving.
I'm wondering what kind of wedding we are going to get with Rule and Lily. There is so much going on that has to be dealt with I can't see when they are going to get this wedding Lily's mother dreams of.
The world and setting gets more intricate the further into the series you go. However, there are little reminders of what happened previously to jump start the memory to understand the significance of what is currently happening. Death Magic is action packed and intense read.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
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