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Cold Iron #2
Silver Skin
Helene Whitney has been losing time. Not losing track of time, but missing hours, finding whole blank spaces in her day she can’t account for. A year ago she would have put it down to overwork and exhaustion, but that was before she found out about the Good Neighbors, the Fair Folk, the Beautiful People, the Fae.
Ancient, immortal, tricksy and cruel, these creatures out of myth and legend rule the Irish enclaves of South Boston and Charlestown, and one of them has been using magic to abduct and control Helene for hours every day, gaining access to the collection at her museum and searching for ancient objects of Fae power.
Now, Helene’s only hope of escaping this unknown assailant lies with the Fae sorcerer, Miach MacCecht, a man she knows she can never trust—and who may prove impossible to resist.
Ancient, immortal, tricksy and cruel, these creatures out of myth and legend rule the Irish enclaves of South Boston and Charlestown, and one of them has been using magic to abduct and control Helene for hours every day, gaining access to the collection at her museum and searching for ancient objects of Fae power.
Now, Helene’s only hope of escaping this unknown assailant lies with the Fae sorcerer, Miach MacCecht, a man she knows she can never trust—and who may prove impossible to resist.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2014
19 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
D.L. McDermott
5 books102 followersD. L. McDermott is the pen name of television writer and historical fiction novelist Donna Thorland. Currently a writer on the WGN historical drama, SALEM, Donna graduated from Yale with a degree in Classics and Art History and managed architecture and interpretation at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem for several years. She earned an MFA in film production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, has been a Disney/ABC Television Writing Fellow and a WGA Writer’s Access Project Honoree, and has written for the TV shows Cupid and Tron: Uprising. The director of several award-winning short films, her most recent project aired on WNET Channel 13. Her fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Her Revolutionary War novels are published by Penguin NAL and she writes urban fantasy for Pocket under the name DL McDermott. Donna is married with two cats and splits her time between Salem and Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 5, 2021
Didn't enjoy this as much as the first book but it was still an enjoyable read. I quite enjoy the fae paranormal thing going on in this books maybe I need to change my mind of not liking fae books. Hm..
January 21, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Helene wants nothing more to do with the Fae. Unfortunately, fate doesn’t seem to care what she wants…
Opening Sentence: Helene Whitney was losing time.
The Review:
I was pleasantly surprised by the first book in this series, so I was very happy to discover that I was going to get to read book two. Thankfully, this book did not disappoint. In fact, I thought it was even better than the first one! There was a point where I absolutely did not want to put the book down! It’s always great to find a book that makes you feel that way.
Helene wants absolutely nothing to do with the Fae after the events of book one, especially Miach MacCecht. Unfortunately, he may be the only person who can help her. She’s losing time, finding herself waking up in places she can’t remember going to, and worries that somehow a Fae is messing with her. When she tries to tell her friend Beth, she finds that the words won’t come out of her mouth. She can’t even email the words to her! With Beth currently in Ireland, Helene’s last resort is to turn to the Fae she least wants to see: Miach.
Miach has been searching for a reason to see Helene again, as he can’t get her out of his mind. Imagine his surprise when she actually turns up on his doorstep. Miach confirms Helene’s worst fear when he finds a geas marked on her shoulder, confirming that a Fae has been using her for an unknown purpose. Miach suspects the purpose is to bring down the gate between this world and the world where most Fae have been trapped for years. Not wanting that to happen, he must find out who is behind this before it’s too late and hell reigns on earth. Can he get Helene to trust him enough though to help her?
While I liked the characters in the first book, I absolutely loved Miach and Helene in this one! Miach doesn’t come off as cold as some of his Fae brethren do, which makes it much easier to like him than it was to like the hero of the first book. I loved his sense of humor and how he’s devoted to his family. Helene is the kind of heroine I love: completely self sufficient, not needing a man to complete her, but who also has a really soft side. She seemed to pair greatly with Miach, and the chemistry between them is incredible! I’m an admitted sucker for a story where the hero and heroine start off feeling antagonistic towards each other, but eventually have no choice but to give in to their attraction to the other, and this story fit the bill!
The only negative thing I can really say is there were some parts towards the beginning of the story that were repetitive (two narrators going over basically the same information). But in the end, that was just a minor annoyance and really didn’t make me enjoy the book any less. Overall, I was totally engaged from beginning to end, and I can’t wait to read book 3!
Notable Scene:
He forged up the stairs. Pain shot through his body as soon as his foot struck the first riser, but he ground his teeth and kept going, taking the stairs two or three at a time. They shook with his passage. Halfway up the first flight he was already slowing. He sucked in a breath, and his lungs burned. Iron filings. Iron dust. Sifting up through the air. More than possible to be formed from disuse and decay. Someone had scattered pounds of the stuff on the stairs.
Enough to kill most Fae. Not cleanly, either, but slowly, agonizingly, blighting and poisoning every cell in the body. He held his breath and kept going. Up another step, and another. He reached the landing, turned, could not go on without taking another deadly breath. The iron dust seared his lungs, his chest convulsed. He forced himself up the next flight, to the door to the roof, and then out.
More iron filings dusted the ground in a circle radiating out from the door. He staggered through it, to the cleaner ground beyond, then crumpled to his knees on the gravel. The pain was nearly blinding, but he could see Helene at the other end of the roof.
Her back was to Miach. She was walking, purposefully, toward the parapet. He called out to her, his voice a hollow rasp, no power left in it. “Helene, turn around, come back.”
It would have been an irresistible command, if he wasn’t dying, if all of his power wasn’t locked in his body trying to hold back the inevitable.
She didn’t even pause. It was as though she couldn’t hear him at all. Because she was obeying a deeper summons from the Fae who had ensorcelled her. Who had commanded her to climb the stairs to the roof, to walk to the edge, and who, in a moment, would tell her to jump.
He must stop her, physically, and he would never make it to her in time. He could barely stand, and she was already climbing onto the rampart over the asphalt parking lot. Six stories up. And he was on his knees, trying desperately to summon his magic. If the building had been hewn stone or wood he could have borrowed its strength, but the steel and glass gave him nothing.
Miach watched, helpless, as Helene Whitney prepared to jump to her death.
FTC Advisory: Pocket/Simon and Schuster provided me with a copy of Silver Skin. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Helene wants nothing more to do with the Fae. Unfortunately, fate doesn’t seem to care what she wants…
Opening Sentence: Helene Whitney was losing time.
The Review:
I was pleasantly surprised by the first book in this series, so I was very happy to discover that I was going to get to read book two. Thankfully, this book did not disappoint. In fact, I thought it was even better than the first one! There was a point where I absolutely did not want to put the book down! It’s always great to find a book that makes you feel that way.
Helene wants absolutely nothing to do with the Fae after the events of book one, especially Miach MacCecht. Unfortunately, he may be the only person who can help her. She’s losing time, finding herself waking up in places she can’t remember going to, and worries that somehow a Fae is messing with her. When she tries to tell her friend Beth, she finds that the words won’t come out of her mouth. She can’t even email the words to her! With Beth currently in Ireland, Helene’s last resort is to turn to the Fae she least wants to see: Miach.
Miach has been searching for a reason to see Helene again, as he can’t get her out of his mind. Imagine his surprise when she actually turns up on his doorstep. Miach confirms Helene’s worst fear when he finds a geas marked on her shoulder, confirming that a Fae has been using her for an unknown purpose. Miach suspects the purpose is to bring down the gate between this world and the world where most Fae have been trapped for years. Not wanting that to happen, he must find out who is behind this before it’s too late and hell reigns on earth. Can he get Helene to trust him enough though to help her?
While I liked the characters in the first book, I absolutely loved Miach and Helene in this one! Miach doesn’t come off as cold as some of his Fae brethren do, which makes it much easier to like him than it was to like the hero of the first book. I loved his sense of humor and how he’s devoted to his family. Helene is the kind of heroine I love: completely self sufficient, not needing a man to complete her, but who also has a really soft side. She seemed to pair greatly with Miach, and the chemistry between them is incredible! I’m an admitted sucker for a story where the hero and heroine start off feeling antagonistic towards each other, but eventually have no choice but to give in to their attraction to the other, and this story fit the bill!
The only negative thing I can really say is there were some parts towards the beginning of the story that were repetitive (two narrators going over basically the same information). But in the end, that was just a minor annoyance and really didn’t make me enjoy the book any less. Overall, I was totally engaged from beginning to end, and I can’t wait to read book 3!
Notable Scene:
He forged up the stairs. Pain shot through his body as soon as his foot struck the first riser, but he ground his teeth and kept going, taking the stairs two or three at a time. They shook with his passage. Halfway up the first flight he was already slowing. He sucked in a breath, and his lungs burned. Iron filings. Iron dust. Sifting up through the air. More than possible to be formed from disuse and decay. Someone had scattered pounds of the stuff on the stairs.
Enough to kill most Fae. Not cleanly, either, but slowly, agonizingly, blighting and poisoning every cell in the body. He held his breath and kept going. Up another step, and another. He reached the landing, turned, could not go on without taking another deadly breath. The iron dust seared his lungs, his chest convulsed. He forced himself up the next flight, to the door to the roof, and then out.
More iron filings dusted the ground in a circle radiating out from the door. He staggered through it, to the cleaner ground beyond, then crumpled to his knees on the gravel. The pain was nearly blinding, but he could see Helene at the other end of the roof.
Her back was to Miach. She was walking, purposefully, toward the parapet. He called out to her, his voice a hollow rasp, no power left in it. “Helene, turn around, come back.”
It would have been an irresistible command, if he wasn’t dying, if all of his power wasn’t locked in his body trying to hold back the inevitable.
She didn’t even pause. It was as though she couldn’t hear him at all. Because she was obeying a deeper summons from the Fae who had ensorcelled her. Who had commanded her to climb the stairs to the roof, to walk to the edge, and who, in a moment, would tell her to jump.
He must stop her, physically, and he would never make it to her in time. He could barely stand, and she was already climbing onto the rampart over the asphalt parking lot. Six stories up. And he was on his knees, trying desperately to summon his magic. If the building had been hewn stone or wood he could have borrowed its strength, but the steel and glass gave him nothing.
Miach watched, helpless, as Helene Whitney prepared to jump to her death.
FTC Advisory: Pocket/Simon and Schuster provided me with a copy of Silver Skin. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
March 30, 2014
(4 stars = a solid 'I liked it') Having experienced first hand just how cold, and capricious the Fae can be, Helene is sure that she should avoid the beautiful and seductive creatures - and especially powerful Fae sorcerer Miach. Despite the fact that Helene has been protected from Miach's attentions by a binding oath wrangled by her newbie druid friend Beth, when Helene begins to notice that she has blanks in her life that she is sure is caused by fae tampering, Helene opens the door to a loophole in the oath by seeking out Maich's help.
I was really looking forward to reading Silver Skin, the set up for this starring pair in their supporting roles in the previous book, Cold Iron, already had me hooked. And I enjoyed seeing how Miach, manages to cultivate Helene's trust and win her to his bed without using his fae mojo. I especially liked that, despite the fact that the deck is stacked against Helene in a confrontation between full-human-her and those with magic, Helene's clearheadedness allows her to strike back and to make a difference in the battle against those who are working to tear down the wall imprisoning the cruelest of the Fae and set them loose upon the Earth. I also liked that given Miach's history and the problems which may require his magic in the future, author McDermott didn't try to wrap Helene and Miach's HEA off too tightly - a big shiny bow would have been a bit too much at this point.
In addition to Helene and Miach's story, there is a nice little touch up with the previous starring pair Conan and Beth. As a nit though, while I was completely invested in Helene and Miach at the end of the last book, there wasn't as much set up for warrior Elada's story, Stone Song, in this book. Although, I did sneak just a wee bit of a peek at the teaser for Stone Song and Elada's leading lady, Sorcha, looks very promising.
ARC via Netgalley release April 14th, 2014
I was really looking forward to reading Silver Skin, the set up for this starring pair in their supporting roles in the previous book, Cold Iron, already had me hooked. And I enjoyed seeing how Miach, manages to cultivate Helene's trust and win her to his bed without using his fae mojo. I especially liked that, despite the fact that the deck is stacked against Helene in a confrontation between full-human-her and those with magic, Helene's clearheadedness allows her to strike back and to make a difference in the battle against those who are working to tear down the wall imprisoning the cruelest of the Fae and set them loose upon the Earth. I also liked that given Miach's history and the problems which may require his magic in the future, author McDermott didn't try to wrap Helene and Miach's HEA off too tightly - a big shiny bow would have been a bit too much at this point.
In addition to Helene and Miach's story, there is a nice little touch up with the previous starring pair Conan and Beth. As a nit though, while I was completely invested in Helene and Miach at the end of the last book, there wasn't as much set up for warrior Elada's story, Stone Song, in this book. Although, I did sneak just a wee bit of a peek at the teaser for Stone Song and Elada's leading lady, Sorcha, looks very promising.
ARC via Netgalley release April 14th, 2014
April 4, 2014
I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.
I liked this one as much as I liked Cold Iron! :D
The story flows very nicely, in an intelligent way.
Both Miach and Helene are great!
Miach, the fae sorcerer is just that: a fae. Without shame and without justifing his actions. He's coherent with what I came to expect of fae in this series: ruthlessness and beauty together. And he has both in spades!
But not only that. Since meeting Helene in the first book, he's fascinated by her. Not only by her beauty (even if Helene does not sees herself as beautiful, but as a tom-boy), but by her quick wit and intelligence.
What starts as desire to "scratch an itch", becomes something more during the story.
Helene is a real friend. For me that was her most beautiful characteristic. She's loyal. First to Beth (her BF from Cold Iron), but slowly, and only after having received proof, to Miach too.
And when she gives her loyalty and friendship (yes, she sees herself first as Miach's friend and then as his lover) she relentless. She's ready to do everything for a friend!
A tiny, teeny problem I had (but maybe that will be solved in the next book/s) is that to me the story seemed unfinished. Even Helene and Miach didn't have a clear HEA. They are left in a limbo: together, but...
Still I'll definitely read the next book! I'm looking forward to it!
I liked this one as much as I liked Cold Iron! :D
The story flows very nicely, in an intelligent way.
Both Miach and Helene are great!
Miach, the fae sorcerer is just that: a fae. Without shame and without justifing his actions. He's coherent with what I came to expect of fae in this series: ruthlessness and beauty together. And he has both in spades!
But not only that. Since meeting Helene in the first book, he's fascinated by her. Not only by her beauty (even if Helene does not sees herself as beautiful, but as a tom-boy), but by her quick wit and intelligence.
What starts as desire to "scratch an itch", becomes something more during the story.
Helene is a real friend. For me that was her most beautiful characteristic. She's loyal. First to Beth (her BF from Cold Iron), but slowly, and only after having received proof, to Miach too.
And when she gives her loyalty and friendship (yes, she sees herself first as Miach's friend and then as his lover) she relentless. She's ready to do everything for a friend!
A tiny, teeny problem I had (but maybe that will be solved in the next book/s) is that to me the story seemed unfinished. Even Helene and Miach didn't have a clear HEA. They are left in a limbo: together, but...
Still I'll definitely read the next book! I'm looking forward to it!
March 27, 2016
3.5 Stars
April 14, 2014
Silver Skin, D.L. McDermott
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews.
I was really excited to see this, Jeaniene Frost is one of my favourite paranormal authors, and I just love books involving Fae. I loved the first in the series, Cold Iron and was looking forward to this one. I wasn't disappointed, its the same easy to follow style as the first book, and has characters including the supernatural ones, that feel real. That you feel you could talk to and understand. The Fae abilities too are clearly set out – I hate those where some new unheard of power taps in just at the right moment...
this book focusses on Helene and Miach who we met in the first book. The story continues with the risk to the Fae living here that the cruel and evil Fae Prince, who was captured and sent back to the other world in the last book, may escape. Some of the Fae here want things back to how they were when Fae ruled thousands of years ago, but they need Druids or a Fae sorcerer such as Miach to open the gate. In the past Fae and Druids hated each other, each used the other peoples and did unspeakable cruelties to them, but it seems some of them have formed an alliance to get those captured released. Miach knows his descendants, half Fae and beyond that have human blood, will all be killed, and not in an easy way. He's one that wants things to remain as they are. He felt an attraction for Helene when they met in the last book but her good friend Beth put him under a geas not to do anything to her, or pursue her.
Helene had a taste of the Supernatural world when she helped Beth, who has Druid blood but didn't know, who was in danger. They worked together in a museum, and now Helene finds strange things happening. She's losing tracts of time, simply can't account for hours each day when she has memory blanks. Doctors can find nothing wrong despite extensive tests. If Beth were here she'd seek her help, but she's with Conn, her Fae lover, in Ireland, and each time Helene tries to tell her there's a problem by phone she finds the words just won't come out, something stops them. The only person she knows who might have answers is Miach. She's scared to seek his help, scared of him and what he may do, but has no other option.
Miach is pleased to help :-) though somewhat hampered in his desire to seduce her by the geas. Still, he finds ways to try to protect her, and once again they become embroiled in some terrible dangers, the plans to retrieve the captured Fae become more than just ideas, and close to reality. There are some gruesome moments when we see Fae and Druids in their real light, not just simple people but self centred, and sadisticly evil types. Of course not all are like that, but the supernatural folk live long and have long memories....as before with Beth, Helene seems to encounter danger from all angles, and apart from Miach she doesn't know who to trust.
Its another terrific readable story, romance and suspense all wrapped up together in a good package. Helene learns more about Miach, that he's not just a cruel Fae, that he can and does respect her, and that he has reasons for many of his actions. I loved meeting his extended family, and the whole premise of Fae and others living among humans discreetly. Another riveting read - loved it :) and look forward to more. Priced at £3.99 for 252 pages I’d have liked it to be a bit longer, the storyline could have carried it as its so full of drama and detail but...that's me and my love for looong books :)
Stars: 4.5. a bit longer to expand the story and I’d probably have gone for five.
ARC supplied via Netgalley
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews.
I was really excited to see this, Jeaniene Frost is one of my favourite paranormal authors, and I just love books involving Fae. I loved the first in the series, Cold Iron and was looking forward to this one. I wasn't disappointed, its the same easy to follow style as the first book, and has characters including the supernatural ones, that feel real. That you feel you could talk to and understand. The Fae abilities too are clearly set out – I hate those where some new unheard of power taps in just at the right moment...
this book focusses on Helene and Miach who we met in the first book. The story continues with the risk to the Fae living here that the cruel and evil Fae Prince, who was captured and sent back to the other world in the last book, may escape. Some of the Fae here want things back to how they were when Fae ruled thousands of years ago, but they need Druids or a Fae sorcerer such as Miach to open the gate. In the past Fae and Druids hated each other, each used the other peoples and did unspeakable cruelties to them, but it seems some of them have formed an alliance to get those captured released. Miach knows his descendants, half Fae and beyond that have human blood, will all be killed, and not in an easy way. He's one that wants things to remain as they are. He felt an attraction for Helene when they met in the last book but her good friend Beth put him under a geas not to do anything to her, or pursue her.
Helene had a taste of the Supernatural world when she helped Beth, who has Druid blood but didn't know, who was in danger. They worked together in a museum, and now Helene finds strange things happening. She's losing tracts of time, simply can't account for hours each day when she has memory blanks. Doctors can find nothing wrong despite extensive tests. If Beth were here she'd seek her help, but she's with Conn, her Fae lover, in Ireland, and each time Helene tries to tell her there's a problem by phone she finds the words just won't come out, something stops them. The only person she knows who might have answers is Miach. She's scared to seek his help, scared of him and what he may do, but has no other option.
Miach is pleased to help :-) though somewhat hampered in his desire to seduce her by the geas. Still, he finds ways to try to protect her, and once again they become embroiled in some terrible dangers, the plans to retrieve the captured Fae become more than just ideas, and close to reality. There are some gruesome moments when we see Fae and Druids in their real light, not just simple people but self centred, and sadisticly evil types. Of course not all are like that, but the supernatural folk live long and have long memories....as before with Beth, Helene seems to encounter danger from all angles, and apart from Miach she doesn't know who to trust.
Its another terrific readable story, romance and suspense all wrapped up together in a good package. Helene learns more about Miach, that he's not just a cruel Fae, that he can and does respect her, and that he has reasons for many of his actions. I loved meeting his extended family, and the whole premise of Fae and others living among humans discreetly. Another riveting read - loved it :) and look forward to more. Priced at £3.99 for 252 pages I’d have liked it to be a bit longer, the storyline could have carried it as its so full of drama and detail but...that's me and my love for looong books :)
Stars: 4.5. a bit longer to expand the story and I’d probably have gone for five.
ARC supplied via Netgalley
March 17, 2016
These books are just so much fun to read, and I LOVE the mythological storyline! And I think I got a soft spot for these fierce, warrior Fae. Two of whom who have ended up with human (er, mostly) women, and you know the next one will too. But I don't even care about the predictability in this, because I don't find the reads boring at all. And I loved the romances, especially in this one. It's not too strong, or has a big focus, but the two main characters (Helene and Miach, who I kept calling Micah and didn't realize I'd been wrong until near the end, whoops) have a budding relationship that turns into real love. I'm glad they were both smart, and careful about it, given events of the past and the fact that they got off to a rough start and Miach can't bind himself to anyone because of his right hand. Basically, they had a lot of obstacles to go through, but they worked past them TOGETHER. I just, I cannot wait for more of this series. And I'm STOKED that the next book features Elada. :)
April 15, 2014
Talk Supe Review & Giveaway
NOTE: I read books 1 & 2 back to back
SILVER SKIN follows a thread that was opened in COLD IRON this time featuring Beth's BFF, Helene Whitney who's been a victim of fae compulsion in the previous book. I felt so bad for Helene because she doesn't have any powers like Beth to counter the magic. She's a mere human and very susceptible to fae abuse and only Miach, a fae sorcerer, is the only person at this point who can help her. After much chasing and investigating, it is apparent that The Prince Consort is once again behind the attacks and is clearly the main villain of the series because the conflicts always lead towards his machinations and plots to summon the fae court. SILVER SKIN's is more complicated and layered than COLD IRON not only because of the expanding conflict and cast, there's also themes of family disloyalty, friendships and forced suspicious alliances incorporated. My only critic can be viewed as either good or bad. Although I appreciate the virtue of doing recaps of the previous book, if you're reading the series back to back it could feel a little redundant. But as I mentioned this could be a good thing as we tend to forget details from the previous book after a while or some of us may even jump in the series mid-way so this could be a plus depending on how you're reading the books.
Overall, I love everything about Cold Iron series from the plot down to the pace. The Prince Consort is such a fascinating villain I'm anxious to see what he's up to next. The books are throbbing with magic filled with fantastic fight scenes mixed with enchanting lores and legends about the Fair Folk, it's a great cautionary tale if anything. The romance is scorching but it's not the focal point of Cold Iron so this reads more like urban fantasy than paranormal romance. And even if every book features a different couple, all the events are connected to the main plot and the build up is exciting. D.L. McDermott's debut is strong, promising, captivating and worth following. It's been a long time since I've read a great, not good but GREAT, fae series backed by real/historical myth and not a mish-mash of different pantheons and legends and Cold Iron is certainly one of the better ones out there. This is a definite must-read.
NOTE: I read books 1 & 2 back to back
SILVER SKIN follows a thread that was opened in COLD IRON this time featuring Beth's BFF, Helene Whitney who's been a victim of fae compulsion in the previous book. I felt so bad for Helene because she doesn't have any powers like Beth to counter the magic. She's a mere human and very susceptible to fae abuse and only Miach, a fae sorcerer, is the only person at this point who can help her. After much chasing and investigating, it is apparent that The Prince Consort is once again behind the attacks and is clearly the main villain of the series because the conflicts always lead towards his machinations and plots to summon the fae court. SILVER SKIN's is more complicated and layered than COLD IRON not only because of the expanding conflict and cast, there's also themes of family disloyalty, friendships and forced suspicious alliances incorporated. My only critic can be viewed as either good or bad. Although I appreciate the virtue of doing recaps of the previous book, if you're reading the series back to back it could feel a little redundant. But as I mentioned this could be a good thing as we tend to forget details from the previous book after a while or some of us may even jump in the series mid-way so this could be a plus depending on how you're reading the books.
Overall, I love everything about Cold Iron series from the plot down to the pace. The Prince Consort is such a fascinating villain I'm anxious to see what he's up to next. The books are throbbing with magic filled with fantastic fight scenes mixed with enchanting lores and legends about the Fair Folk, it's a great cautionary tale if anything. The romance is scorching but it's not the focal point of Cold Iron so this reads more like urban fantasy than paranormal romance. And even if every book features a different couple, all the events are connected to the main plot and the build up is exciting. D.L. McDermott's debut is strong, promising, captivating and worth following. It's been a long time since I've read a great, not good but GREAT, fae series backed by real/historical myth and not a mish-mash of different pantheons and legends and Cold Iron is certainly one of the better ones out there. This is a definite must-read.
May 8, 2014
Second book in the Cold Iron series and the pace is definitely hotting up! I'd suggest reading Cold Iron first as it introduces these characters and sets up this instalment . A world where some of the Fae live amongst us but more importantly are hungry to survive. Their queen and her wild hunt are trapped beyond a magical barrier and the world is a much safer place that way but nothing is meant to last forever and it looks as if time is running out.
Helene works at the museum but keeps having strange blackouts . She's already met Miach who is probably the most powerful Fae walking the earth and knows that he's not to be trusted but she needs help and turns to him. Miach has long desired Helene but is magically bound so cannot touch her the way he wants to. He's an arrogant male though and determined to get to know Helene intimately but when he discovers she's being used by another Fae nothing and no one will stand in his way! Helene may be terrified of the cruel Fae but she's also strangely drawn to him but can she he trust him? They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer but just which is Miach?
I had this series recommended to me and was informed that it's an action packed and sexy read and wholeheartedly agree! I'm loving the Fae and Miach is such a strong courageous character with determination branded into his soul. The fact that Helene wants nothing to do with him doesn't faze him at all. He's quietly confident that his will will prevail and you have got to love a man who knows his own mind! Helene has good reason not to trust Miach but desperate times call for desperate measures and trust me Helene is really in danger. As the story progresses though a side to Miach is revealed that almost humanises him and it's wonderful to see the progression these characters make.
I enjoyed reading this book and was so happy to see the cunning Miach reveal some of his secrets. His extended family was a revelation and quite hilarious . Lots of mystery and drama and a very passionate romance. A little shorter than I wanted but it's a world I would happily revisit and I can't wait to read Stone Song when it's available as this story is far from over!
A very strong four and a half from me
Helene works at the museum but keeps having strange blackouts . She's already met Miach who is probably the most powerful Fae walking the earth and knows that he's not to be trusted but she needs help and turns to him. Miach has long desired Helene but is magically bound so cannot touch her the way he wants to. He's an arrogant male though and determined to get to know Helene intimately but when he discovers she's being used by another Fae nothing and no one will stand in his way! Helene may be terrified of the cruel Fae but she's also strangely drawn to him but can she he trust him? They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer but just which is Miach?
I had this series recommended to me and was informed that it's an action packed and sexy read and wholeheartedly agree! I'm loving the Fae and Miach is such a strong courageous character with determination branded into his soul. The fact that Helene wants nothing to do with him doesn't faze him at all. He's quietly confident that his will will prevail and you have got to love a man who knows his own mind! Helene has good reason not to trust Miach but desperate times call for desperate measures and trust me Helene is really in danger. As the story progresses though a side to Miach is revealed that almost humanises him and it's wonderful to see the progression these characters make.
I enjoyed reading this book and was so happy to see the cunning Miach reveal some of his secrets. His extended family was a revelation and quite hilarious . Lots of mystery and drama and a very passionate romance. A little shorter than I wanted but it's a world I would happily revisit and I can't wait to read Stone Song when it's available as this story is far from over!
A very strong four and a half from me
November 14, 2015
~ KAREN’S TWO CENTS ~
Silver Skin is the second book by D.L. MerDermott in her Cold Iron Series. The story picks up about a year after the events in Cold Iron. Helene Whitney, best friend and co worker of the heroine Beth Carter from book one is missing time. Both Beth and her Fae hubby Conn are out of the country, and for Helene is all alone trying to figure out what is happening to her. She turns to Miach, the Fae sorcerer who she meet in book one. Helene is attracted to Miach, but being with a fae has strings and Helene does not want to have those strings tangle around her, but she has not other choice as she is scarred.
McDermott writes a spine tingling adventure for both Helene and Miach, which involves fae magic, hot sex, some sexual voyeurism, danger and betrayal. I did not like this book as well as I liked Cold Iron, which was Beth and Conn’s story. The plot does revolve around the fae court trying to break through the veil between the worlds, as this is the arc of the series, which I did find interesting. I just never felt the connection between Miach and Helene, the way I did between Beth and Conn. Also it is alluded to that Helene was sexually assaulted during her time lapse. I also didn’t understand why she need to build the solstice gate? I felt a lot of the points in the book did not make sense except to throw red herrings at me as the reader. Helene staying with the female fae Deirdre seemed contrived to only give Helene a reason to become a sexual voyeur and titillate the reader with group sex and same gender sexual appreciation. Plus the book eludes to something that happened in book one, that was not in the copy I read. Nowhere in book one does the fae Edale try to run Helene and Beth off the road. Yes, he does pursues them but no car bumping and crashing takes place.
Plus the author brings a lot of plot devices into the book that she does not wrap up in this book. I still am wondering how Nieve, Miach granddaughter is doing? Why would she fight so long to be with her baby daddy if he was such a horn dog. A lot of the book though fun to read at times did not make sense. McDermott tried to encompass too much and expand her world too quickly with this book.
Silver Skin is the second book by D.L. MerDermott in her Cold Iron Series. The story picks up about a year after the events in Cold Iron. Helene Whitney, best friend and co worker of the heroine Beth Carter from book one is missing time. Both Beth and her Fae hubby Conn are out of the country, and for Helene is all alone trying to figure out what is happening to her. She turns to Miach, the Fae sorcerer who she meet in book one. Helene is attracted to Miach, but being with a fae has strings and Helene does not want to have those strings tangle around her, but she has not other choice as she is scarred.
McDermott writes a spine tingling adventure for both Helene and Miach, which involves fae magic, hot sex, some sexual voyeurism, danger and betrayal. I did not like this book as well as I liked Cold Iron, which was Beth and Conn’s story. The plot does revolve around the fae court trying to break through the veil between the worlds, as this is the arc of the series, which I did find interesting. I just never felt the connection between Miach and Helene, the way I did between Beth and Conn. Also it is alluded to that Helene was sexually assaulted during her time lapse. I also didn’t understand why she need to build the solstice gate? I felt a lot of the points in the book did not make sense except to throw red herrings at me as the reader. Helene staying with the female fae Deirdre seemed contrived to only give Helene a reason to become a sexual voyeur and titillate the reader with group sex and same gender sexual appreciation. Plus the book eludes to something that happened in book one, that was not in the copy I read. Nowhere in book one does the fae Edale try to run Helene and Beth off the road. Yes, he does pursues them but no car bumping and crashing takes place.
Plus the author brings a lot of plot devices into the book that she does not wrap up in this book. I still am wondering how Nieve, Miach granddaughter is doing? Why would she fight so long to be with her baby daddy if he was such a horn dog. A lot of the book though fun to read at times did not make sense. McDermott tried to encompass too much and expand her world too quickly with this book.
April 17, 2014
I was given the book as an ARC for honest review
I have to admit that when I started this book I was a bit confused. So I went and grabbed book one in the series Cold Iron. After I read the first book fast I got the gist of what was to come in the second book
This is Miach's story. He is a Fae sorcerer who is a no nonsense and upright person. He has been fascinated with Helene since he saw her in book one. She goes to Miach for help . She has been loosing good chunks of time in her day. She can't go to her best friend Beth. Well cause Beth has her own problems , just finding out that she was a druid. So Helene has nowhere else to go but to Miach. But can she trust the man that ordered her best friend's murder and scares Helene to death .
But its a race against time and Helene must trust the people that have hurt her and tortured her. Who also put a hit out on her best friend. Will she trust in time to save her life from the unknown enemy that is taking away the chunks of time . Most of all can she really resist the charm Miach and her own desires
D.L mixes romance and mystery, and the fae . In one good read. The characters are well written and take on a life of their own , as you read. There are parts of the book where you go should you trust them or not. Then you turn around and go wait a minute he was suppose to be a good guy . I love it when a book does that. Makes me think and go hmmmm. The addition of new characters is great and hearing about Conn and Beth from the first book ties the books together. I really liked this book but before you read this book I strongly suggest that you read book one COLD IRON before diving into SILVER SKIN. Trust me on this one . You won't be confused that way . . This is would be a good summer read when you just want to curl up with some fantasy . Maybe on a rainy day .
May 18, 2014
Under my skin
This was a great continuation of the Helene and Miach storyline that began in book one. Although I'm going to confess up front that I didn't like the romance quite as much this time, I think this is quite a normal thing for a paranormal series - to have your favourite and not-so-favourite couples. That's okay. What's important, though, to keep readers interested, is for the world story - the stuff that happens outside of your main couple making goo-goo eyes at each other - to be gripping. And that's definitely true here. The hook, of course, being that poor Helene has big old chunks of her memory missing. It's happening at roughly the same time each day, at her workplace (the museum), and she has no idea what's transpiring in the time between her last concious thought, and when she "wakes up" at her desk. Naturally this is very upsetting. The thought that just about anything could be happening to her unwilling, unconscious self. It's worrying enough that she's even willing to do what she swore she would never do again - talk to Miach MacCecht.
Miach has been honouring the binding laid down by Helene's druid BFF, Beth, to not go anywhere near Helene. That doesn't mean he hasn't been instructing members of his extended family to keep a constant eye on her, or even doing a few little things here and there to help her out. Awww. She's clearly still under his skin and it's not too long before things start to heat up between them as he helps her with her little missing hours problem.
Overall, Silver Skin is another fun, sexy and well-plotted read and a great advancement to the overarching series storyline.
4 Stars ★★★★
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great continuation of the Helene and Miach storyline that began in book one. Although I'm going to confess up front that I didn't like the romance quite as much this time, I think this is quite a normal thing for a paranormal series - to have your favourite and not-so-favourite couples. That's okay. What's important, though, to keep readers interested, is for the world story - the stuff that happens outside of your main couple making goo-goo eyes at each other - to be gripping. And that's definitely true here. The hook, of course, being that poor Helene has big old chunks of her memory missing. It's happening at roughly the same time each day, at her workplace (the museum), and she has no idea what's transpiring in the time between her last concious thought, and when she "wakes up" at her desk. Naturally this is very upsetting. The thought that just about anything could be happening to her unwilling, unconscious self. It's worrying enough that she's even willing to do what she swore she would never do again - talk to Miach MacCecht.
Miach has been honouring the binding laid down by Helene's druid BFF, Beth, to not go anywhere near Helene. That doesn't mean he hasn't been instructing members of his extended family to keep a constant eye on her, or even doing a few little things here and there to help her out. Awww. She's clearly still under his skin and it's not too long before things start to heat up between them as he helps her with her little missing hours problem.
Overall, Silver Skin is another fun, sexy and well-plotted read and a great advancement to the overarching series storyline.
4 Stars ★★★★
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2025
What happens when McDermott blends urban fantasy with a suspense-filled mystery? You get the wonderful read called Silver Skin, book 2 in the Cold Iron Series.
Helene Whitney's best friend just discovered she was a Druid and has found an ancient fae hotty warrior of her very own. But while Beth was fighting for her life as the hated Druid, Helene was unintentionally brought to the attention of a Fae/Irish Mobster, Miach MacCecht.
Something is taking away Helene's memories; hours and days are going away from her. For some reason, she can't ask for help. Beth is out of the country, and she has nowhere else to turn, except to Miach.
Miach, the man who ordered her best friend's death, who has relentlessly pursued her, who scares her to death.
It is a race against time; Helene must put her trust in the people who tortured her and attempted to kill someone she holds dear.
McDermott pours on the sexual tension in Silver Skin. Steamy hot chemistry accents this fabulous urban fantasy.
You've got fae, romance, mystery, heart ache and suspense...what more could you want...a wonderfully written story? Well, with Silver Skin we've got that too. I have added the Cold Iron Series to my actively following list and can't wait to see what happens between Sorca Kavanaugh and Elada.
I received this ARC copy of Silver Skin from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on April 14, 2014.
Helene Whitney's best friend just discovered she was a Druid and has found an ancient fae hotty warrior of her very own. But while Beth was fighting for her life as the hated Druid, Helene was unintentionally brought to the attention of a Fae/Irish Mobster, Miach MacCecht.
Something is taking away Helene's memories; hours and days are going away from her. For some reason, she can't ask for help. Beth is out of the country, and she has nowhere else to turn, except to Miach.
Miach, the man who ordered her best friend's death, who has relentlessly pursued her, who scares her to death.
It is a race against time; Helene must put her trust in the people who tortured her and attempted to kill someone she holds dear.
McDermott pours on the sexual tension in Silver Skin. Steamy hot chemistry accents this fabulous urban fantasy.
You've got fae, romance, mystery, heart ache and suspense...what more could you want...a wonderfully written story? Well, with Silver Skin we've got that too. I have added the Cold Iron Series to my actively following list and can't wait to see what happens between Sorca Kavanaugh and Elada.
I received this ARC copy of Silver Skin from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on April 14, 2014.
April 2, 2014
3 1\2
I was surprised by how easily I fell into this story, and how much more I liked it compared to Cold Iron.
The story flowed better for me, as it moves forward in a compelling manner, without ever being forced, with a quicker pace in the plot, and a slower one in the romantic side. You see the moment trust is established, when lust turns to something more. The couple's back-story makes everything more real and easy to believe (where the "love in a week" of book one was more difficult to accept).
I loved both hero and heroine, but Helen does stand out for me. She's a woman in a world of the uber beautiful and compelling Fae. They have all the power, but she's got the brain. And has no problem in using it to turn the table. My kind of woman :)
This series is still not gritty as marketed, but in book two there are consequences to the action taken, and some of it aren't fluffy. (Even if it's still really only the bad guy who suffers...). I only wished to see a reaction to Deirdre's action. That kind of betrayal is tough to swallow.
A really nice touch was the elegant way in which the author leads the way for the main couple to bond, if they want. There was "no love is so strong to destroy 2000 years of friendship". There's a very believable solution, and an ending that, while abrupt, is so very better than the standard one.
Arc courtesy of publisher via Netgalley
I was surprised by how easily I fell into this story, and how much more I liked it compared to Cold Iron.
The story flowed better for me, as it moves forward in a compelling manner, without ever being forced, with a quicker pace in the plot, and a slower one in the romantic side. You see the moment trust is established, when lust turns to something more. The couple's back-story makes everything more real and easy to believe (where the "love in a week" of book one was more difficult to accept).
I loved both hero and heroine, but Helen does stand out for me. She's a woman in a world of the uber beautiful and compelling Fae. They have all the power, but she's got the brain. And has no problem in using it to turn the table. My kind of woman :)
This series is still not gritty as marketed, but in book two there are consequences to the action taken, and some of it aren't fluffy. (Even if it's still really only the bad guy who suffers...). I only wished to see a reaction to Deirdre's action. That kind of betrayal is tough to swallow.
A really nice touch was the elegant way in which the author leads the way for the main couple to bond, if they want. There was "no love is so strong to destroy 2000 years of friendship". There's a very believable solution, and an ending that, while abrupt, is so very better than the standard one.
Arc courtesy of publisher via Netgalley
April 12, 2014
I must say that I read the first book in this series and found it to be so stressful that even though it had a great ending I did not find it an enjoyable reading experience. This book followed a similar line but was much less stressful (not that it was boring at all) and the story was well done to the point you were not sure what was going to happen and kept you on the edge of your seat a bit.
Helena and Miach make for a difficult couple since she pretty much wants zero to do with him but things happen that make him her only choice to keep her alive. The difficult romance is just one of the things that made this a great story, the mystery and secrets revealed all fold into a much larger story than we were aware of in Cold Iron (Book #1).
I read this book of about 250 pages in 2 sittings (only because I fell asleep) and loved it, highly recommend it but you really have to read the first book Cold Iron to understand everything that is going on so get both if you have not already read Cold Iron 4.5 Stars and rounded to 5
Helena and Miach make for a difficult couple since she pretty much wants zero to do with him but things happen that make him her only choice to keep her alive. The difficult romance is just one of the things that made this a great story, the mystery and secrets revealed all fold into a much larger story than we were aware of in Cold Iron (Book #1).
I read this book of about 250 pages in 2 sittings (only because I fell asleep) and loved it, highly recommend it but you really have to read the first book Cold Iron to understand everything that is going on so get both if you have not already read Cold Iron 4.5 Stars and rounded to 5
May 23, 2017
DNF at 2/3 read.
There was simply too much repetition and waaaaaay too much "telling." I know this is McDermott's second book. I'd love to give her credit for that, but truthfully, a halfway decent editor could've worked with her to fix these problems before the book was published.
I'd love to be able to continue this series. It shows such promise. But honestly, I don't think I can take another book like this one.
There was simply too much repetition and waaaaaay too much "telling." I know this is McDermott's second book. I'd love to give her credit for that, but truthfully, a halfway decent editor could've worked with her to fix these problems before the book was published.
I'd love to be able to continue this series. It shows such promise. But honestly, I don't think I can take another book like this one.
March 19, 2014
Book provided by the publisher.
4.5 stars
This was another brilliantly written story with an interesting action packed plot that kept me hooked throughout.
The characters were well developed and I'm looking forward to reading where this author takes us next.
4.5 stars
This was another brilliantly written story with an interesting action packed plot that kept me hooked throughout.
The characters were well developed and I'm looking forward to reading where this author takes us next.
December 21, 2015
Really a good book. Scary Fae, good Fae, half bloods and humans. Loved the romance angle but enough adventure to keep it moving. Good world building, and I really like the characters. I care about them.
April 2, 2014
Loved it and can't wait for Elada's story in June!
August 20, 2017
Awesome story-building. Love this world...I could totally see the fae around this way! Love, love, love me some brooding heroes. More please.
January 31, 2018
I am glad to see the plot become more complex in this book of the series because I was worried that the simple plot of the first book would wear thin and wouldn't have anywhere to go for future books.
I knew this book would be about Miach who had a thing for Helene, the best friend of the protagonist in the first book. Miach is a Fae who is more than three thousand years old. He was one of the only Fae who was not locked away in the Otherworld by Druids. He's lived so long in this world that he has fathered generations of half-breed Fae. He only has one living son, Brian, and lots of great great (or more) grandchildren.
The Fae in the Otherworld are called the Fae Court or Wild Hunt. They are cruel and like to play sick games for pure entertainment sake. They abhor half-breeds and would torture and kill them all if they were ever set free. For this reason, Miach wants to keep them from escaping but the wall between worlds is weakening and someone is trying to use that to open a gate and free the Court.
Helene is losing big chunks of time. She knows something is wrong but when she calls her best friend to tell her, she can't. No matter how hard she tries, only pleasantries come out so she tries write an email, the same thing happens. Her only choice is to go to Miach who she knows is a Far and a criminal. He is constantly trying to woo her with gifts but dislikes him so much that her best friend, a Druid, put a geis on him to hinder him from sexually seducing Helene.
When she goes to Miach, he discovers that someone has tattooed a skin-colored spell onto her shoulder that makes her unable to speak of her time loss. Miach is able to remove it but fears the spell that is making her lose time could kill her.
They decide to investigate where she goes during her time loss. Someone has been summoning her for some unknown reason but Miach thinks it has to do with bringing back the Fae Court somehow.
This book gives a glimpse into some of the background characters who might have bigger roles in future books. I always like pondering where things are going and how the author will make it work.
The next book is about Elada.
www.paranormalromanceslut.com
I knew this book would be about Miach who had a thing for Helene, the best friend of the protagonist in the first book. Miach is a Fae who is more than three thousand years old. He was one of the only Fae who was not locked away in the Otherworld by Druids. He's lived so long in this world that he has fathered generations of half-breed Fae. He only has one living son, Brian, and lots of great great (or more) grandchildren.
The Fae in the Otherworld are called the Fae Court or Wild Hunt. They are cruel and like to play sick games for pure entertainment sake. They abhor half-breeds and would torture and kill them all if they were ever set free. For this reason, Miach wants to keep them from escaping but the wall between worlds is weakening and someone is trying to use that to open a gate and free the Court.
Helene is losing big chunks of time. She knows something is wrong but when she calls her best friend to tell her, she can't. No matter how hard she tries, only pleasantries come out so she tries write an email, the same thing happens. Her only choice is to go to Miach who she knows is a Far and a criminal. He is constantly trying to woo her with gifts but dislikes him so much that her best friend, a Druid, put a geis on him to hinder him from sexually seducing Helene.
When she goes to Miach, he discovers that someone has tattooed a skin-colored spell onto her shoulder that makes her unable to speak of her time loss. Miach is able to remove it but fears the spell that is making her lose time could kill her.
They decide to investigate where she goes during her time loss. Someone has been summoning her for some unknown reason but Miach thinks it has to do with bringing back the Fae Court somehow.
This book gives a glimpse into some of the background characters who might have bigger roles in future books. I always like pondering where things are going and how the author will make it work.
The next book is about Elada.
www.paranormalromanceslut.com
December 28, 2017
I've enjoyed the first book and its story much more but I have to say I prefer Miach over Conn.
May 20, 2019
Not as good as book 1, but still a solid read.
October 11, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
This was the story I wanted at the end of Cold Iron (reviewed at The Book Pushers), and I read it in one sitting.
Silver Skin felt like a totally different story from Cold Iron, because the hero and the heroine felt like much stronger people. Helene and Miach are both, in their various ways, survivors.
Helene is Beth’s friend from Cold Iron. She’s the development director (read chief fund raiser) for the museum where Beth works. Her introduction to the reality of the Fae in the 21st century was brutal and almost fatal. But she walked away, in spite of her attraction to the sorceror Miach.
Some things come at just too high a price.
But she can’t stay away. Not because of Miach, but because some other, and unknown fae is stealing hours out of her life. She recognizes enough to know that she is being compelled, but can’t remember who is doing the compelling or what she is being compelled to do in her lost hours.
The only person she feels safe in telling her problem to is Beth, but Beth is out of the country on a dig. When Helene tries to tell her over the phone, the compulsion prevents her speaking the words. She only knows one other person who might be able to help her, but she doesn’t want to put herself back in his world. She has no choice, and she has to know if he’s the cause. He was before.
Miach runs the protection rackets in the Irish neighborhoods of South Boston, and he has for centuries. He’s the most powerful fae to remain on this side of the wall between the sidhe and our world. While the fae are generally selfish and self-centered, Miach has his own reasons for wanting to keep the fae court and the wild hunt out of our world. His family, his mixed blood children, grand-children and great-grandchildren, will be the first playthings of the court. He protects his own.
He wanted Helene to be his from the moment he first met her, but when his sons conspired to turn her over to the Prince Consort, he lost his chance. Until some other fae placed multiple geasa on her; making her forget, making her search her museum, making her someone else’s pawn.
In order to break the compulsions, even Miach needs help. And information. Someone is helping the Prince Consort to try breaking the barrier between worlds. Digging into that plot could get them all killed.
If the curse that has been placed upon Helene doesn’t destroy her first.
Escape Rating A-: Even while kidnapped and tortured, Helene never lets herself be a victim. No matter how bad things get (and they get very bad) Helene goes into every situation with her eyes wide open, and always searching for a way out. She’s attracted to Miach, but is unwilling to be compelled into a relationship. And the more she fights, the more he values her. While there is an element of the thrill of the chase to their relationship, it also feels like Miach wants a real relationship with a whole person; he’s cared for all the women in his life over the past 2 millennia, and wants a partner and not a slave.
Helene is in grave danger for the entire story, and wants to grab life with both hands. She decides that Miach is part of what she wants, and it is her decision and not a compulsion.
In addition to just how hot the relationship between Miach and Helene gets to be, we also see more of the fae who have survived and adapted to our world, and the breadth and depth of the plot to return the court. The twists and turns in the plot were convoluted, but made complete sense once you saw them. This part of the story is going to spill over multiple books, as it should. We only saw the beginning of how far the Prince Consort is willing to go to return the courts to the world, and he’s both intelligent and very, very sick.
I had such fun with Silver Skin that I started Stone Song the minute I finished. The war between the adapted fae in our world and the high court is heating up nicely!
This was the story I wanted at the end of Cold Iron (reviewed at The Book Pushers), and I read it in one sitting.
Silver Skin felt like a totally different story from Cold Iron, because the hero and the heroine felt like much stronger people. Helene and Miach are both, in their various ways, survivors.
Helene is Beth’s friend from Cold Iron. She’s the development director (read chief fund raiser) for the museum where Beth works. Her introduction to the reality of the Fae in the 21st century was brutal and almost fatal. But she walked away, in spite of her attraction to the sorceror Miach.
Some things come at just too high a price.
But she can’t stay away. Not because of Miach, but because some other, and unknown fae is stealing hours out of her life. She recognizes enough to know that she is being compelled, but can’t remember who is doing the compelling or what she is being compelled to do in her lost hours.
The only person she feels safe in telling her problem to is Beth, but Beth is out of the country on a dig. When Helene tries to tell her over the phone, the compulsion prevents her speaking the words. She only knows one other person who might be able to help her, but she doesn’t want to put herself back in his world. She has no choice, and she has to know if he’s the cause. He was before.
Miach runs the protection rackets in the Irish neighborhoods of South Boston, and he has for centuries. He’s the most powerful fae to remain on this side of the wall between the sidhe and our world. While the fae are generally selfish and self-centered, Miach has his own reasons for wanting to keep the fae court and the wild hunt out of our world. His family, his mixed blood children, grand-children and great-grandchildren, will be the first playthings of the court. He protects his own.
He wanted Helene to be his from the moment he first met her, but when his sons conspired to turn her over to the Prince Consort, he lost his chance. Until some other fae placed multiple geasa on her; making her forget, making her search her museum, making her someone else’s pawn.
In order to break the compulsions, even Miach needs help. And information. Someone is helping the Prince Consort to try breaking the barrier between worlds. Digging into that plot could get them all killed.
If the curse that has been placed upon Helene doesn’t destroy her first.
Escape Rating A-: Even while kidnapped and tortured, Helene never lets herself be a victim. No matter how bad things get (and they get very bad) Helene goes into every situation with her eyes wide open, and always searching for a way out. She’s attracted to Miach, but is unwilling to be compelled into a relationship. And the more she fights, the more he values her. While there is an element of the thrill of the chase to their relationship, it also feels like Miach wants a real relationship with a whole person; he’s cared for all the women in his life over the past 2 millennia, and wants a partner and not a slave.
Helene is in grave danger for the entire story, and wants to grab life with both hands. She decides that Miach is part of what she wants, and it is her decision and not a compulsion.
In addition to just how hot the relationship between Miach and Helene gets to be, we also see more of the fae who have survived and adapted to our world, and the breadth and depth of the plot to return the court. The twists and turns in the plot were convoluted, but made complete sense once you saw them. This part of the story is going to spill over multiple books, as it should. We only saw the beginning of how far the Prince Consort is willing to go to return the courts to the world, and he’s both intelligent and very, very sick.
I had such fun with Silver Skin that I started Stone Song the minute I finished. The war between the adapted fae in our world and the high court is heating up nicely!
April 2, 2014
3.5 stars
ARC from Netgalley
This is the second book of the "Cold Iron" series. It features Helene Whitney & Miach McCeht who met through the mutual friends whose story was told in book #1.
Since then, Helene's life has been turned upside down & it's a steep learning curve. Talk about alternate realities. Usually you just have to deal with a friend's taste in boyfriends or shoes but she's had to accept her BFF Beth is a Druid & part of a hidden world of immortals locked in an ancient battle of good vs evil. Whoa...maybe she'll have that drink. Or six.
There's still much she doesn't understand & would rather keep her distance from the whole frightening mess. But there's a problem. Lately she's been losing time, hours of each day she can't account for. With Beth in Ireland, there's only one person she can turn to...a man who is equal parts scary & intriguing.
She met Miach through Beth's partner Conn & felt the instant mutual attraction. Miach is a sorcerer, one of the Fae who can glamour humans & getting involved would lead to madness so she has ignored his persistent advances. Now she needs his help.
Miach quickly determines she has a geis, an invisible spell that compels her to follow the instructions of the fae who marked her. Helene works at a museum in Boston & he suspects she's being used to gain access to ancient celtic artefacts needed to open the door between 2 worlds.
Centuries ago, some of the Royal Fae were banished to another world by druids & they're more a little pissed. They want to return & assume their rightful place of ruling over the pathetic (and expendable) humans. But first they need a druid to assemble the solstice gate hidden in the basement of the museum (aah...so that's where that went...).
Miach is more than happy to offer Helene his protection but it may come at the cost of her sanity. As an immortal, he's not really into monogamy, more of a "good time, not a long time" type of guy. But when he discovers she has another more dangerous geis, it becomes a matter of life & death, leaving her with little choice. Let the games begin.
Each book focuses on the romantic relationship of one couple while continuing the overall arc of the struggle to contain the evil Fae. Boston is a hotbed of "good" fae, those who have chosen to assimilate into today's world & understand the the carnage that would result if a door is opened. There are many returning characters with new ones introduced in each instalment. The author continues her world building & long passages are devoted to celtic mythology & the bloody history between Fae & druids.
I thought the first book was pretty average. It featured Beth & Conn with Helene & Miach as secondary figures but even then, they were more interesting. I found Beth a bit wimpy but Helene is a stronger character & the perfect foil for edgy, slightly dangerous Miach.
There are several subplots involving Miach's multi-generational family & their ties to other clans who are part of Boston's criminal underworld. Many have hidden agendas & it's not immediately apparent who are good guys & who's on Team Evil. But as they race toward the inevitable showdown, all will have to choose sides & betrayal can come from those who are closest.
This is an easy, fast paced urban fantasy combining romance & mythology. Yes, it's an HEA but each book is complete unlike all those annoying series where the writer sells their book three chapters at a time with a preponderance of cliff hangers. It's not necessary to have read the first one as the author repeats much of the back story.
So if you're into folklore, action & romance and in need of a little escape from reality that won't tax the old grey matter, put this on your TBR list.
ARC from Netgalley
This is the second book of the "Cold Iron" series. It features Helene Whitney & Miach McCeht who met through the mutual friends whose story was told in book #1.
Since then, Helene's life has been turned upside down & it's a steep learning curve. Talk about alternate realities. Usually you just have to deal with a friend's taste in boyfriends or shoes but she's had to accept her BFF Beth is a Druid & part of a hidden world of immortals locked in an ancient battle of good vs evil. Whoa...maybe she'll have that drink. Or six.
There's still much she doesn't understand & would rather keep her distance from the whole frightening mess. But there's a problem. Lately she's been losing time, hours of each day she can't account for. With Beth in Ireland, there's only one person she can turn to...a man who is equal parts scary & intriguing.
She met Miach through Beth's partner Conn & felt the instant mutual attraction. Miach is a sorcerer, one of the Fae who can glamour humans & getting involved would lead to madness so she has ignored his persistent advances. Now she needs his help.
Miach quickly determines she has a geis, an invisible spell that compels her to follow the instructions of the fae who marked her. Helene works at a museum in Boston & he suspects she's being used to gain access to ancient celtic artefacts needed to open the door between 2 worlds.
Centuries ago, some of the Royal Fae were banished to another world by druids & they're more a little pissed. They want to return & assume their rightful place of ruling over the pathetic (and expendable) humans. But first they need a druid to assemble the solstice gate hidden in the basement of the museum (aah...so that's where that went...).
Miach is more than happy to offer Helene his protection but it may come at the cost of her sanity. As an immortal, he's not really into monogamy, more of a "good time, not a long time" type of guy. But when he discovers she has another more dangerous geis, it becomes a matter of life & death, leaving her with little choice. Let the games begin.
Each book focuses on the romantic relationship of one couple while continuing the overall arc of the struggle to contain the evil Fae. Boston is a hotbed of "good" fae, those who have chosen to assimilate into today's world & understand the the carnage that would result if a door is opened. There are many returning characters with new ones introduced in each instalment. The author continues her world building & long passages are devoted to celtic mythology & the bloody history between Fae & druids.
I thought the first book was pretty average. It featured Beth & Conn with Helene & Miach as secondary figures but even then, they were more interesting. I found Beth a bit wimpy but Helene is a stronger character & the perfect foil for edgy, slightly dangerous Miach.
There are several subplots involving Miach's multi-generational family & their ties to other clans who are part of Boston's criminal underworld. Many have hidden agendas & it's not immediately apparent who are good guys & who's on Team Evil. But as they race toward the inevitable showdown, all will have to choose sides & betrayal can come from those who are closest.
This is an easy, fast paced urban fantasy combining romance & mythology. Yes, it's an HEA but each book is complete unlike all those annoying series where the writer sells their book three chapters at a time with a preponderance of cliff hangers. It's not necessary to have read the first one as the author repeats much of the back story.
So if you're into folklore, action & romance and in need of a little escape from reality that won't tax the old grey matter, put this on your TBR list.
June 24, 2014
This series has been my first foray into the paranormal fae world and I must say it has set a high standard. It ticked all the boxes for me, suspense, romance, mystery and characters that feel real even though the story says they are mythical. They are real aren't they? The way these books are written I felt they were.
Silver Skin continues where Cold Iron left off, and while Silver Skin does give you enough information to read it as a standalone, I would recommend reading Cold Iron first so you don't miss anything.
In Book 1, the Prince Consort tried to free the Queen and the Fae Court using Beth's latent Druid powers but she outsmarted him and sent him back to the imprisoned fae court, well almost all of him and that's where Silver Skin takes over the story and where Helene and Miach come in. Helene is Beth's best friend but she has no druid power, she is but a mere mortal, with normal human frailties, one being that she cannot stop the Fae who is periodically casting his glamor over her and controlling her body and mind. Helene has been glamoured before by Miach when he was trying to save Beth's life in Cold Iron, so Helene is very wary of approaching Miach for fear that she will lose control again. As there are increasing number of missing periods in her days, and Beth and Conn are in another country, she has no other choice but to approach Miach for advise and help. So begins their story which I enjoyed so very much.
Helene is an intelligent, independent woman, steadfast in her convictions, not wanting to become dependent on anyone, let alone a fae sorcerer. She is a supportive and caring friend to Beth, loyal and loving. I loved Helene's strength of character, her determination to keep her own identity, her brazenness when holding fast to those convictions and when faced with challenges. She is a fierce heroine while at the same time empathetic and passionate. I loved the way she loved Miach and wanted to be loved.
Miach, the Fae sorcerer, is a matriarch of his family, and at times a wily and devious character. He was the one to make the tough decisions when protecting his family, even though it meant it wasn't the easiest course to take. I really liked Miach's character, his fierce loyalty, his fairness, his passion for Helene and the way he went about romancing her. Miach is a true Fae, who are usually untouched by human emotions and morals, cold-blooded and dispassionate when dealing with people who are not useful in their world, but Miach has been living amongst the human race for so long he is affected by human emotion and his feelings grow for Helene into something he is somewhat unfamiliar with. He wanted Helene to want him for who he was, not the glamoured version, showing just how much Helene affected him.
The continuation of the plot in Silver Skin was flawless, the storyline easy to follow and once again, I was immersed in this magical world. The blend of the modern day with the mythical made it so easy to visualize the story and see what was happening. The mystery and suspense was enhanced by the romance and passion between these characters and the whole cast of characters all served important roles in the development of the storyline. I was just pulled further and further into this mythical world as I turned each page. The only teeny, weeny thought I had about what could be different was the depth to which we were given backstory. While I appreciated it so that I didn't have to go back and remind myself of certain events, I thought it could have been a bit more condensed, but I am certainly no writer so not sure what you could cut out.
Even though I really felt and enjoyed Beth and Conn's romance and passion and they are my favourite couple so far, Helene and Miach certainly kept me enthralled in their story and I can't wait to read Stone Song.
copy kindly provided by Netgalley and the publisher
Silver Skin continues where Cold Iron left off, and while Silver Skin does give you enough information to read it as a standalone, I would recommend reading Cold Iron first so you don't miss anything.
In Book 1, the Prince Consort tried to free the Queen and the Fae Court using Beth's latent Druid powers but she outsmarted him and sent him back to the imprisoned fae court, well almost all of him and that's where Silver Skin takes over the story and where Helene and Miach come in. Helene is Beth's best friend but she has no druid power, she is but a mere mortal, with normal human frailties, one being that she cannot stop the Fae who is periodically casting his glamor over her and controlling her body and mind. Helene has been glamoured before by Miach when he was trying to save Beth's life in Cold Iron, so Helene is very wary of approaching Miach for fear that she will lose control again. As there are increasing number of missing periods in her days, and Beth and Conn are in another country, she has no other choice but to approach Miach for advise and help. So begins their story which I enjoyed so very much.
Helene is an intelligent, independent woman, steadfast in her convictions, not wanting to become dependent on anyone, let alone a fae sorcerer. She is a supportive and caring friend to Beth, loyal and loving. I loved Helene's strength of character, her determination to keep her own identity, her brazenness when holding fast to those convictions and when faced with challenges. She is a fierce heroine while at the same time empathetic and passionate. I loved the way she loved Miach and wanted to be loved.
Miach, the Fae sorcerer, is a matriarch of his family, and at times a wily and devious character. He was the one to make the tough decisions when protecting his family, even though it meant it wasn't the easiest course to take. I really liked Miach's character, his fierce loyalty, his fairness, his passion for Helene and the way he went about romancing her. Miach is a true Fae, who are usually untouched by human emotions and morals, cold-blooded and dispassionate when dealing with people who are not useful in their world, but Miach has been living amongst the human race for so long he is affected by human emotion and his feelings grow for Helene into something he is somewhat unfamiliar with. He wanted Helene to want him for who he was, not the glamoured version, showing just how much Helene affected him.
The continuation of the plot in Silver Skin was flawless, the storyline easy to follow and once again, I was immersed in this magical world. The blend of the modern day with the mythical made it so easy to visualize the story and see what was happening. The mystery and suspense was enhanced by the romance and passion between these characters and the whole cast of characters all served important roles in the development of the storyline. I was just pulled further and further into this mythical world as I turned each page. The only teeny, weeny thought I had about what could be different was the depth to which we were given backstory. While I appreciated it so that I didn't have to go back and remind myself of certain events, I thought it could have been a bit more condensed, but I am certainly no writer so not sure what you could cut out.
Even though I really felt and enjoyed Beth and Conn's romance and passion and they are my favourite couple so far, Helene and Miach certainly kept me enthralled in their story and I can't wait to read Stone Song.
copy kindly provided by Netgalley and the publisher
May 24, 2014
I was anxiously waiting for this book. I'm already smitten with the world of the Fae, and ever since reading the first book, and being introduced to the ruthless Fae sorcerer Miach, I wanted more.
It's no secret that I love these cold creatures, I mean, don't we all find the cold and dangerous ones so sexy? Many of my book boyfriends tend to be on the dark side, I guess it's a weakness of mine. And Miach, well, let's just say he seems to have all the delicious cookies.
I was already drawn to Miach's character from the previous book. He was portrayed as the embodiment of the true Fae character, with his cold and calculated view of life. Fae people are not ones to bring home to your mama, let me tell you. They're very hard to deal with- a test for your wits and patience-, and Miach was very much Fae. But of course, to go with his scary character, he was also very much human. Sure, he had a tough guy facade going on, and he was a criminal through and through, but he was also the kind of guy to hold a grudge against the young man who seduced his granddaughter and got her with child-childbirth is very dangerous for the Fae.
There's a good chance he would frustrate me if he were a real person, but if he made me feel as sexy, safe and loved as he did Helene, I think I could overlook his occasional childish behavior. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't irrational save for the moments when people tried to hurt those he cared about or take his woman, and I absolutely loved him. But you know how these possessive cold heroes are.
As for Helene, I liked her. I already liked her strong character from the first book, and it was nice to see she didn't lose that strength when she fell for Miach. If anything, having to deal with Fae, she had to grow stronger and firmer. Needless to say, she was a good match for Miach. She wasn't a flirtatious woman with sexy curves to accompany, but she was more on the athletic side, no petite beauty but beauty nonetheless. Although her physical appearance is described, she wasn't the least bit self conscious about her physique. I think her physical description had to do more about pointing out her distinct characteristics and Miach's and her own appreciation and perspective of beauty. I liked that.
I quite enjoyed the mystery behind Helene's abductions and loved their chase of the truth. The action that followed flowed nicely and I found myself coming back over and over to see where everything was going. And now that I know what's going on, and had more glimpses into the psyche of the next hero, the quiet warrior Elada, I cannot wait to read the next book. Not only the hero is as intriguing as they come- and sexy too, with a hint of unbridled passion-, but the plot is also taken a turn for the better, with possibly lots more action to come.
A fast paced book with a solid and sexy romance that I definitely recommend, especially if you like the dark side. They have cookies. And men that certainly are no gingerbread, but all hard muscle and no mercy.
It's no secret that I love these cold creatures, I mean, don't we all find the cold and dangerous ones so sexy? Many of my book boyfriends tend to be on the dark side, I guess it's a weakness of mine. And Miach, well, let's just say he seems to have all the delicious cookies.
I was already drawn to Miach's character from the previous book. He was portrayed as the embodiment of the true Fae character, with his cold and calculated view of life. Fae people are not ones to bring home to your mama, let me tell you. They're very hard to deal with- a test for your wits and patience-, and Miach was very much Fae. But of course, to go with his scary character, he was also very much human. Sure, he had a tough guy facade going on, and he was a criminal through and through, but he was also the kind of guy to hold a grudge against the young man who seduced his granddaughter and got her with child-childbirth is very dangerous for the Fae.
There's a good chance he would frustrate me if he were a real person, but if he made me feel as sexy, safe and loved as he did Helene, I think I could overlook his occasional childish behavior. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't irrational save for the moments when people tried to hurt those he cared about or take his woman, and I absolutely loved him. But you know how these possessive cold heroes are.
As for Helene, I liked her. I already liked her strong character from the first book, and it was nice to see she didn't lose that strength when she fell for Miach. If anything, having to deal with Fae, she had to grow stronger and firmer. Needless to say, she was a good match for Miach. She wasn't a flirtatious woman with sexy curves to accompany, but she was more on the athletic side, no petite beauty but beauty nonetheless. Although her physical appearance is described, she wasn't the least bit self conscious about her physique. I think her physical description had to do more about pointing out her distinct characteristics and Miach's and her own appreciation and perspective of beauty. I liked that.
I quite enjoyed the mystery behind Helene's abductions and loved their chase of the truth. The action that followed flowed nicely and I found myself coming back over and over to see where everything was going. And now that I know what's going on, and had more glimpses into the psyche of the next hero, the quiet warrior Elada, I cannot wait to read the next book. Not only the hero is as intriguing as they come- and sexy too, with a hint of unbridled passion-, but the plot is also taken a turn for the better, with possibly lots more action to come.
A fast paced book with a solid and sexy romance that I definitely recommend, especially if you like the dark side. They have cookies. And men that certainly are no gingerbread, but all hard muscle and no mercy.
August 3, 2014
ORIGINAL POST 8/2/14: http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
Silver Skin Casts a Fae Spell
Galley provided by publisher for review. No Remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own unless otherwise noted.
I didn’t know whether I would like this book at first. The main female character, Helene, at first, felt a bit dumb because even with past experiences with the fae, she takes her time coming to the conclusion that she has a fae problem. But, like Helene, found myself falling under a spell just like those cast by the powerful fae sorcerer Miach, the main male character in the book. And, her seeming stupidity is a by-product of the fae nastiness.
As someone who was involved in Fund Raising and Development, and museum work I was immediately drawn to the setting and character of Helene. Plus, it takes place in Boston, which is fairly nearby.
The sexual attraction that always lurks about the fae (sometimes I think they are really emotional vampires because of the way they feed off human emotions) is thick and honeyed in this book. As much as she tries to resist the sorcerer she turns to for help the attraction is too strong.
And the two characters are very hot together. Helene is frightened and in serious danger of dying about every five minutes, but, she is also very resourceful. Her transformation from development director to kick-ass heroine is assisted by having grown up with brothers. She is not bold at first, but she’s no shrinking violet. Miach is oddly well-intentioned for a fae, but is also, at 3,500 years of age, more than aware of his own nature. He can’t really promise Helene more than a temporary relationship even though he is somewhat obsessed with her.
The action is non-stop and all the characters are imperiled. The writing is a little more telling than showing. Expository writing is more acceptable these days. And the relationship goes from don’t! to don’t stop! pretty quickly.
The good fairies of sanitized, childhood stories do not make an appearance here. Instead we find complicated, violent, selfish, tricksy, hedonistic, and nearly amoral immortals. You would not come out of any transaction ahead of them, and you do not want to run across one in an alley.
While there were a lot of references to the first book in the series, which I did not read, I did not feel that I had lost too much backstory and felt competent in traveling the landscape of this book. It is probably the information about the first book that makes it feel expository.
I enjoyed the book’s gritty sensuality and think it is a great read. I hope to read more in the series.
Silver Skin Casts a Fae Spell
Galley provided by publisher for review. No Remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own unless otherwise noted.
I didn’t know whether I would like this book at first. The main female character, Helene, at first, felt a bit dumb because even with past experiences with the fae, she takes her time coming to the conclusion that she has a fae problem. But, like Helene, found myself falling under a spell just like those cast by the powerful fae sorcerer Miach, the main male character in the book. And, her seeming stupidity is a by-product of the fae nastiness.
As someone who was involved in Fund Raising and Development, and museum work I was immediately drawn to the setting and character of Helene. Plus, it takes place in Boston, which is fairly nearby.
The sexual attraction that always lurks about the fae (sometimes I think they are really emotional vampires because of the way they feed off human emotions) is thick and honeyed in this book. As much as she tries to resist the sorcerer she turns to for help the attraction is too strong.
And the two characters are very hot together. Helene is frightened and in serious danger of dying about every five minutes, but, she is also very resourceful. Her transformation from development director to kick-ass heroine is assisted by having grown up with brothers. She is not bold at first, but she’s no shrinking violet. Miach is oddly well-intentioned for a fae, but is also, at 3,500 years of age, more than aware of his own nature. He can’t really promise Helene more than a temporary relationship even though he is somewhat obsessed with her.
The action is non-stop and all the characters are imperiled. The writing is a little more telling than showing. Expository writing is more acceptable these days. And the relationship goes from don’t! to don’t stop! pretty quickly.
The good fairies of sanitized, childhood stories do not make an appearance here. Instead we find complicated, violent, selfish, tricksy, hedonistic, and nearly amoral immortals. You would not come out of any transaction ahead of them, and you do not want to run across one in an alley.
While there were a lot of references to the first book in the series, which I did not read, I did not feel that I had lost too much backstory and felt competent in traveling the landscape of this book. It is probably the information about the first book that makes it feel expository.
I enjoyed the book’s gritty sensuality and think it is a great read. I hope to read more in the series.
July 11, 2016
3.5 Stars
I like Helene, and Miach is an interesting character, but I was really annoyed by this book by the time I finished it.
First off, Beth and Conn almost completely drop off the radar, at least for a good part of the novel. As much as I want to learn more about all the main actors in the story, I am not a fan of series that gets these two together people together and then these two and then these two... it feels really pat and forced. When I read book one I thought the series would be more about Conn and Beth and trying to keep the Court at bay with the other actors playing a significant role, because as a 'romance' series these books are good, but not brilliant, and as lore and suspense they have more potential.
Second, there was a LOT of repetition - it's supposed to be a series, so I don't need or want you to explain in fair detail things that happened in book one, and this happened far, far too much. For example, the scene at the rest stop in "Cold Iron" was repeated in this book and explained over several paragraphs at LEAST twice, and what can happen to human lovers of Fae is described more than once. It says the book is 360+ pages but that is absolutely not true - my nook says 233, and that's what it reads like, including about 15 pages of a preview of book three.
But it wasn't just the rehashing that annoyed me. Beth isn't just 'Beth' - when she makes a reappearance she is ALWAYS 'Beth Carter'. You read that every time you see her name and wonder if maybe there's another Beth in the book you are missing. Also most of the time the Fae aren't called just the 'Aes Sidhe' or Fae; they are often described as 'Aes Sidhe, The Good Neighbours, The Fair Folk' when they are being mentioned and again it gets really repetitive - I'm not an idiot, you've already reminded me of their other names about two dozen times! So a lot of this feels like padding, or coaxing a child along who might not understand or remember - I resent books that take on a supercilious air and talk down to me, and I feel this one had moments of it.
There are a few mistakes - palates instead of pallets of sculptures, flourescent lights need time to warm up because of their ballasts not any halogens I've ever seen, cotton isn't sheer, etc. But there aren't enough to really distract. The lore and story of the Fae and the Court's desire to inhabit the earth once again is interesting, but I've lost some of the fondness I developed for this series, and I'm not sure if I want to spend another $6 for a book that is rife with repetition and condescension, so I am on the fence as to whether I will continue.
I like Helene, and Miach is an interesting character, but I was really annoyed by this book by the time I finished it.
First off, Beth and Conn almost completely drop off the radar, at least for a good part of the novel. As much as I want to learn more about all the main actors in the story, I am not a fan of series that gets these two together people together and then these two and then these two... it feels really pat and forced. When I read book one I thought the series would be more about Conn and Beth and trying to keep the Court at bay with the other actors playing a significant role, because as a 'romance' series these books are good, but not brilliant, and as lore and suspense they have more potential.
Second, there was a LOT of repetition - it's supposed to be a series, so I don't need or want you to explain in fair detail things that happened in book one, and this happened far, far too much. For example, the scene at the rest stop in "Cold Iron" was repeated in this book and explained over several paragraphs at LEAST twice, and what can happen to human lovers of Fae is described more than once. It says the book is 360+ pages but that is absolutely not true - my nook says 233, and that's what it reads like, including about 15 pages of a preview of book three.
But it wasn't just the rehashing that annoyed me. Beth isn't just 'Beth' - when she makes a reappearance she is ALWAYS 'Beth Carter'. You read that every time you see her name and wonder if maybe there's another Beth in the book you are missing. Also most of the time the Fae aren't called just the 'Aes Sidhe' or Fae; they are often described as 'Aes Sidhe, The Good Neighbours, The Fair Folk' when they are being mentioned and again it gets really repetitive - I'm not an idiot, you've already reminded me of their other names about two dozen times! So a lot of this feels like padding, or coaxing a child along who might not understand or remember - I resent books that take on a supercilious air and talk down to me, and I feel this one had moments of it.
There are a few mistakes - palates instead of pallets of sculptures, flourescent lights need time to warm up because of their ballasts not any halogens I've ever seen, cotton isn't sheer, etc. But there aren't enough to really distract. The lore and story of the Fae and the Court's desire to inhabit the earth once again is interesting, but I've lost some of the fondness I developed for this series, and I'm not sure if I want to spend another $6 for a book that is rife with repetition and condescension, so I am on the fence as to whether I will continue.
April 11, 2014
I found Silver Skin on NetGalley and read book one in the series, Cold Iron, before reading this one. An action packed, sexy read!
What I liked: I really like the characters in this series. Ms McDermott has a way of making them seem larger than life. So far each book has introduced a few more characters for you to get involved with. Miach and Helene caught my attention in Cold Iron and this is their story.
Miach is just what he seems. No airs, no nonsense, just very upfront with everything. He wants Helene and intends to have her. Unfortunately, in the previous book, Cold Iron, put some limits on what he can do to get Helene. (Yep, read Cold Iron first!). Miach is just the person to push and stretch those limits and he's cunning enough to try anything.
Helene, I liked from the very beginning also. She is very loyal to her best friend, Beth (Cold Iron) and is now aware of all the unknown possibilities around her. She wants to avoid Miach with everything in her but now she needs his help. She's frightened enough to ask for it.
The world building in this series is ongoing but has a great start as does the character development. Ms McDermott hasn't tried to give you too much information too fast. It's a very steady pace. Her descriptions of the Boston area paint a perfect picture in your mind.
What I didn't like: I don't like when certain phrases are repeated over and over or exactly the same way. Every time Ms McDermott refers to the Fae it's this way, "the Good Neighbors, the Fair Folk, the Beautiful People, the Fae". I don't know if she has somewhere she's taking that or not, but I don't want to be hit over the head. Very picky I know but that's the only thing that bothered me about this series so far.
I will definitely continue with the series. Looking forward to see where it goes and how it gets there.
Silver Skin is an e-book and is $4.99 at Barnes & Noble and $4.74 at Amazon.
Highly Recommend!
What I liked: I really like the characters in this series. Ms McDermott has a way of making them seem larger than life. So far each book has introduced a few more characters for you to get involved with. Miach and Helene caught my attention in Cold Iron and this is their story.
Miach is just what he seems. No airs, no nonsense, just very upfront with everything. He wants Helene and intends to have her. Unfortunately, in the previous book, Cold Iron, put some limits on what he can do to get Helene. (Yep, read Cold Iron first!). Miach is just the person to push and stretch those limits and he's cunning enough to try anything.
Helene, I liked from the very beginning also. She is very loyal to her best friend, Beth (Cold Iron) and is now aware of all the unknown possibilities around her. She wants to avoid Miach with everything in her but now she needs his help. She's frightened enough to ask for it.
The world building in this series is ongoing but has a great start as does the character development. Ms McDermott hasn't tried to give you too much information too fast. It's a very steady pace. Her descriptions of the Boston area paint a perfect picture in your mind.
What I didn't like: I don't like when certain phrases are repeated over and over or exactly the same way. Every time Ms McDermott refers to the Fae it's this way, "the Good Neighbors, the Fair Folk, the Beautiful People, the Fae". I don't know if she has somewhere she's taking that or not, but I don't want to be hit over the head. Very picky I know but that's the only thing that bothered me about this series so far.
I will definitely continue with the series. Looking forward to see where it goes and how it gets there.
Silver Skin is an e-book and is $4.99 at Barnes & Noble and $4.74 at Amazon.
Highly Recommend!
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