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Dirk & Steele #7
The Last Twilight
Doctor Rikki Kinn is one of the world's best virus hunters. It's for that reason she's in the Congo, working for the CDC. But when mercenaries attempt to take her life to prevent her from investigating a new and deadly plague, her boss calls in a favor from an old friend- the only one who can help.
Africa- a land of lush veldts and roaring falls, untamed splendor and primal fury: Amiri's home, where he was raised to race as a cheetah, to wake with the sun. It is also a land of lingering nightmare, where he was kidnapped and experimented upon by the evil group named the Consortium. Now, against his better judgement, Amiri has been asked to return to his homeland by his colleagues in Dirk & Steele- men who are friends and brothers, who like himself are more than human. He must protect a woman who is the target of murderers, who has unwittingly involved herself in a conflict that threatens not only the lives of millions, but Amiri's own soul... and his heart.
341 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 29, 2008
31 people are currently reading
958 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie M. Liu
322 books4,298 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning writer Marjorie Liu is best known for her fiction and comic books. She teaches comic book writing at MIT, and she leads a class on Popular Fiction at the Voices of Our Nation (VONA) workshop.
Ms. Liu is a highly celebrated comic book writer. Her extensive work with Marvel includes the bestselling Dark Wolverine series, NYX: No Way Home, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. She received national media attention for Astonishing X-Men, which featured the gay wedding of X-Man Northstar and was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Ms. Liu also wrote the story for the animated film, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which was produced by Marvel, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Madhouse Inc.
Her newest work is MONSTRESS, an original, creator-owned comic book series with Japanese artist (and X-23 collaborator) Sana Takeda. Published by Image in Fall 2015, MONSTRESS is set in an alternate, matriarchal 1920’s Asia and follows a girl’s struggle to survive the trauma of war. With a cast of girls and monsters and set against a richly imagined aesthetic of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS #1 debuted to critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the longer than typical first issue was “world-building on a scale rare in mainstream comics.”
Ms. Liu is also the author of more than 19 novels, most notably the urban fantasy series, Hunter Kiss, and the paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have also been bestsellers on USA Today, which described Liu “as imaginative as she is prolific.” Her critically praised fiction has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, for THE MORTAL BONE (Hunter Kiss #6), and TIGER EYE (Dirk & Steele #1). TIGER EYE was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.
Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and been profiled in the Wall Street Journal.com, Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, appearing on panels at San Diego Comic Con, the Tokyo Literary Festival, the New York Times Public Lecture series, Geeks Out; and the Asian American Writers Workshop. Her work has been published internationally, including Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Ms. Liu was born in Philadelphia, and has lived in numerous cities in the Midwest and Beijing. Prior to writing full-time, she was a lawyer. She currently resides in Boston.
Ms. Liu is a highly celebrated comic book writer. Her extensive work with Marvel includes the bestselling Dark Wolverine series, NYX: No Way Home, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. She received national media attention for Astonishing X-Men, which featured the gay wedding of X-Man Northstar and was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Ms. Liu also wrote the story for the animated film, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which was produced by Marvel, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Madhouse Inc.
Her newest work is MONSTRESS, an original, creator-owned comic book series with Japanese artist (and X-23 collaborator) Sana Takeda. Published by Image in Fall 2015, MONSTRESS is set in an alternate, matriarchal 1920’s Asia and follows a girl’s struggle to survive the trauma of war. With a cast of girls and monsters and set against a richly imagined aesthetic of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS #1 debuted to critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the longer than typical first issue was “world-building on a scale rare in mainstream comics.”
Ms. Liu is also the author of more than 19 novels, most notably the urban fantasy series, Hunter Kiss, and the paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have also been bestsellers on USA Today, which described Liu “as imaginative as she is prolific.” Her critically praised fiction has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, for THE MORTAL BONE (Hunter Kiss #6), and TIGER EYE (Dirk & Steele #1). TIGER EYE was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.
Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and been profiled in the Wall Street Journal.com, Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, appearing on panels at San Diego Comic Con, the Tokyo Literary Festival, the New York Times Public Lecture series, Geeks Out; and the Asian American Writers Workshop. Her work has been published internationally, including Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Ms. Liu was born in Philadelphia, and has lived in numerous cities in the Midwest and Beijing. Prior to writing full-time, she was a lawyer. She currently resides in Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 6, 2008
I just need to say two things up front regarding this book.
#1-If you aren't familiar with Liu's 'Dirk & Steele' series, you will be oh so lost trying to figure out what's going on in this book. If it sounds interesting, you really need to start with either book 1 or 2. (book order to follow at end)
#2-Can I just say WOW. So much was going on in this book. The Consortium is still around and getting ever 'badder', and the Dirk & Steele operatives are hanging in there.
This book is the story of Amiri, a jaguar shifter, and Rikki, a human doctor for the CDC (Center for Disease Control) who chases down the cause of viral/bacterial outbreaks. The story begins with a bang and the action is non-stop until the very end. Amiri has some serious trust issues as does Rikki. They are on the run pretty early on and must learn to trust each other completely or they won't survive, very edge-of-your-seat! Although this series began with books that had more romance, there is now more suspense. I would have liked to have seen just a little more regarding the Amiri/Rikki story (thus the 4 rating), but still enjoyed it from first to last.
A little backstory: Dirk & Steele is an organization consisting of people with some type of paranormal ability. Elena can heal, there are shifters of all types, fire-starters, mind-readers...just about anything you can think of. They step in when normal humans can't or won't OR if the person in trouble is 'special' like them. Each of the characters begins life feeling a misfit and their stories of finding a place to call home, friends, and love are fabulous. I'm already waiting for book #8!
Books:
#1-Tiger Eye
#2-Shadow Touch
#3-Red Heart of Jade
#4-A Dream of Stone and Shadow (in Dark Dreamers)
#5-Eye of Heaven
#6-Soul Song
#7-The Last Twilight
#8-The Wild Road (July08)
there's also a prequel "Where the Heart Lives" in the anthology My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon
#1-If you aren't familiar with Liu's 'Dirk & Steele' series, you will be oh so lost trying to figure out what's going on in this book. If it sounds interesting, you really need to start with either book 1 or 2. (book order to follow at end)
#2-Can I just say WOW. So much was going on in this book. The Consortium is still around and getting ever 'badder', and the Dirk & Steele operatives are hanging in there.
This book is the story of Amiri, a jaguar shifter, and Rikki, a human doctor for the CDC (Center for Disease Control) who chases down the cause of viral/bacterial outbreaks. The story begins with a bang and the action is non-stop until the very end. Amiri has some serious trust issues as does Rikki. They are on the run pretty early on and must learn to trust each other completely or they won't survive, very edge-of-your-seat! Although this series began with books that had more romance, there is now more suspense. I would have liked to have seen just a little more regarding the Amiri/Rikki story (thus the 4 rating), but still enjoyed it from first to last.
A little backstory: Dirk & Steele is an organization consisting of people with some type of paranormal ability. Elena can heal, there are shifters of all types, fire-starters, mind-readers...just about anything you can think of. They step in when normal humans can't or won't OR if the person in trouble is 'special' like them. Each of the characters begins life feeling a misfit and their stories of finding a place to call home, friends, and love are fabulous. I'm already waiting for book #8!
Books:
#1-Tiger Eye
#2-Shadow Touch
#3-Red Heart of Jade
#4-A Dream of Stone and Shadow (in Dark Dreamers)
#5-Eye of Heaven
#6-Soul Song
#7-The Last Twilight
#8-The Wild Road (July08)
there's also a prequel "Where the Heart Lives" in the anthology My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon
January 16, 2012
This book was an action packed, thrilling read. The first chapter started the book out with a bang and easily captured my attention. Rikki, the heroine, is a virus hunter for the CDC. She's sent to Zaire on a hush-hush mission to identify an extremely dangerous virus. She goes in blind, with no clue about the particulars of the disease. She's just told that she must reach that village. Dangers are already high because of the worry of the rebels, but Rikki is given even more to worry about when she receives vague warnings about the mission she's assigned to. Amiri, Eddie, and Max find themselves sent to protect Rikki after their boss, Roland, has a friend call in a favor. Amiri is uneasy about returning to a place so similar to his home, Kenya, but he goes anyway. None of them expected to find themselves on the run in the Congo.
The Last Twilight brings back a lot of familiar faces from the second book in the series, Shadow Touch. Amiri escaped the Consortium alongside Elena, Artur, and Rictor in that book, and it's interesting to see the effects of that storyline bleed into this one. I wouldn't say that this book would be impossible to read on its own, but I firmly believe that the Dirk & Steele books are best read in order. If you skip around you'll miss out on seeing a lot of the character motivations, worldbuilding, and story arc complexity.
Rikki and Amiri were great protagonists. One of the things I love about this author is how real she makes her characters. She gives them a nice balance of strengths and vulnerabilities and although she doesn't make them superheroes, impervious from harm, she gifts them with a viscous will to survive. Rikki stays true to her human nature, being slower than Amiri and less capable in a fight, but she is not afraid to get her hands dirty. Just like Amiri, she has been a captive, and she will do anything to keep from going back to that.
The romance between Rikki and Amiri had a dreamy romanticism to it that I enjoyed. It built quietly, without any Big Misunderstandings or dramatic scenes to take away from the slow, sweet journey they took toward trust and acceptance. The uncertainty of their situation as they ran from danger added enough drama on its own. Anything else would have felt like too much. They both feared trusting each other and struggled to overcome their hesitance. I loved how natural it all felt. Their fear was understandable and that made their determination to overcome it all the sweeter. They didn't push each other to get over it, they both made the personal decision that they had to find a way to open themselves up. As Amiri said,
I really loved what the author did with Eddie and Rictor. Eddie has always seemed like the most vulnerable member of Dirk & Steele, so it was nice to see more of his personality here. I am curious, but worried, about what will be on the horizon for him after this. Rictor is a constant favorite of mine in this series. He walks a fine line between "good guy" and "bad guy," and I'm never quite sure which side he falls on, on any given day. I find him fascinating and continually try to guess what exactly he is. We finally got a peek inside him as he revealed a rarely seen vulnerable side. I'm sure it won't last for long, but I can't wait to see where the events of this book will leave him.
The pace of the book moves quickly, but the romance never suffers for it. Liu skillfully weaves the growing bond between Rikki and Amiri with the intense action, without making the reader feel shortchanged on either. The plot will keep your attention glued to the pages as you sweat over the safety of the characters right alongside them. Amiri, Eddie, and Rikki quickly find themselves on the run, and between the danger of the virus, the rebels, and the Consortium, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, wondering how they're going to get out of the situation alive.
If you haven't read this series, you're missing out. Liu combines the worldbuilding of a UF and the romance of a PNR. What's not to love?
Favorite Quote:
The Last Twilight brings back a lot of familiar faces from the second book in the series, Shadow Touch. Amiri escaped the Consortium alongside Elena, Artur, and Rictor in that book, and it's interesting to see the effects of that storyline bleed into this one. I wouldn't say that this book would be impossible to read on its own, but I firmly believe that the Dirk & Steele books are best read in order. If you skip around you'll miss out on seeing a lot of the character motivations, worldbuilding, and story arc complexity.
Rikki and Amiri were great protagonists. One of the things I love about this author is how real she makes her characters. She gives them a nice balance of strengths and vulnerabilities and although she doesn't make them superheroes, impervious from harm, she gifts them with a viscous will to survive. Rikki stays true to her human nature, being slower than Amiri and less capable in a fight, but she is not afraid to get her hands dirty. Just like Amiri, she has been a captive, and she will do anything to keep from going back to that.
The romance between Rikki and Amiri had a dreamy romanticism to it that I enjoyed. It built quietly, without any Big Misunderstandings or dramatic scenes to take away from the slow, sweet journey they took toward trust and acceptance. The uncertainty of their situation as they ran from danger added enough drama on its own. Anything else would have felt like too much. They both feared trusting each other and struggled to overcome their hesitance. I loved how natural it all felt. Their fear was understandable and that made their determination to overcome it all the sweeter. They didn't push each other to get over it, they both made the personal decision that they had to find a way to open themselves up. As Amiri said,
"For us both, it is hard. We are too used to hiding. But we cannot hide from each other. I could not live that way, and neither could you."
I really loved what the author did with Eddie and Rictor. Eddie has always seemed like the most vulnerable member of Dirk & Steele, so it was nice to see more of his personality here. I am curious, but worried, about what will be on the horizon for him after this. Rictor is a constant favorite of mine in this series. He walks a fine line between "good guy" and "bad guy," and I'm never quite sure which side he falls on, on any given day. I find him fascinating and continually try to guess what exactly he is. We finally got a peek inside him as he revealed a rarely seen vulnerable side. I'm sure it won't last for long, but I can't wait to see where the events of this book will leave him.
The pace of the book moves quickly, but the romance never suffers for it. Liu skillfully weaves the growing bond between Rikki and Amiri with the intense action, without making the reader feel shortchanged on either. The plot will keep your attention glued to the pages as you sweat over the safety of the characters right alongside them. Amiri, Eddie, and Rikki quickly find themselves on the run, and between the danger of the virus, the rebels, and the Consortium, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, wondering how they're going to get out of the situation alive.
If you haven't read this series, you're missing out. Liu combines the worldbuilding of a UF and the romance of a PNR. What's not to love?
Favorite Quote:
Rictor grunted. "I can't believe you just quoted Shakespeare at me."
"It seemed appropriate."
"He was a mouth breather and his farts smelled like onions."
Amiri closed his eyes. "You just ruined me."
"My pleasure."
December 31, 2021
Amiri’s book was everything I wanted it to be and more! Definitely added to the favorites pile.
August 13, 2013
The 7th Dirk & Steele novel, published in 2008 has Amiri, a shape shifter who runs as a cheetah and is a well-liked character that appears in several of the previous books in this series, finding love. But he certainly has a lot of trouble with it. Dr. Rikki Kinn doesn’t know anything about the fantastic side of the agents of Dirk & Steele that have been sent to protect her The Consortium are still doing their evil deeds, and this time she’s one of their targets. “The Last Twilight” is a well-crafted story that explores more of what The Consortium are up to and tells a nice love story at the same time.
July 8, 2020
This book follows Amiri and Dr Rikki...
She is studying a virus in the Congo... but he is tasked with her protection.
Events threaten them and Eddie is put in danger...
Rickor helps by at a great cost.
Broker reveals that he is immortal but perhaps a beheading plus cremation might stop him...
We meet Amiri’s father... and discover he has a daughter whom Broker had stolen after killing her mother... as a way of controlling him..
The creation of a massive national park with only a few rangers ensures that a facility deep in the jungle is secure...
Dean assists help to arrive...
More offspring from the Magi creating trouble and falling in love...
Even though the stories contain elements that are fantasy there is just enough plausibility in some scenarios that keep me coming back for more in this series.
She is studying a virus in the Congo... but he is tasked with her protection.
Events threaten them and Eddie is put in danger...
Rickor helps by at a great cost.
Broker reveals that he is immortal but perhaps a beheading plus cremation might stop him...
We meet Amiri’s father... and discover he has a daughter whom Broker had stolen after killing her mother... as a way of controlling him..
The creation of a massive national park with only a few rangers ensures that a facility deep in the jungle is secure...
Dean assists help to arrive...
More offspring from the Magi creating trouble and falling in love...
Even though the stories contain elements that are fantasy there is just enough plausibility in some scenarios that keep me coming back for more in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2018
Amiri the cheetah shapeshifter’s story. He, Max and Eddie are sent to Zaire to protect and a help CDC doctor discover the cause of a mysterious plague which just happens to be happening in the middle of a war zone.
A love-to-hate member of the Consortium shows up again along with a very, unexpected family member. In fact the relationships, both by family and affiliation become very confusing.
Footnote: 1) These stories go all over, not like others that stick close to one country or two. They’re Zaire this time.
Fave scenes: escaping the crocodile, the explosion of fire, discovering Rictor’s sacrifice and the little cheetah cub.
A love-to-hate member of the Consortium shows up again along with a very, unexpected family member. In fact the relationships, both by family and affiliation become very confusing.
Footnote: 1) These stories go all over, not like others that stick close to one country or two. They’re Zaire this time.
Fave scenes: escaping the crocodile, the explosion of fire, discovering Rictor’s sacrifice and the little cheetah cub.
March 1, 2021
This was a really good book. I liked the characters, the variety of personalities, the twists and turns, the 'WHAT' moments, intrigue, emotions, creativity and the good ending. Great for reading anytime, lazy day, rainy day or just something to read. This was written well and really pulled me in in some parts. Interesting and curious. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series. I definitely want to know some of the characters better. Enjoy!
December 24, 2018
Too long since I read the other Dirk and Steele. I don’t remember who Rictor is, who Blue is. Any of the business from Russia.
Otherwise, this book is hella slow for a book with so much speedy running around.
Otherwise, this book is hella slow for a book with so much speedy running around.
June 26, 2020
This was certainly a wild ride of a book. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
March 14, 2017
Just when I think this series can't get any better, Liu puts one out like this. This was an action packed thriller that had me sitting at the edge of my seat several times.
Rikki is a virus hunter doing work in the Congo, because of her past she unknowingly becomes the target of two men who want information from her. Both want her alive and are willing to go to extreme measures to ensure that she's taken captive.
Rikki was a pretty kick ass character. She's emotionally and psychically scarred which has caused her to take a rather jaded outlook on life. But despite her pragmatic approach to things you can still tell she's a rather compassionate person. She's also no slouch in a pinch, despite being a human character among the supernatural. This is one of the things that I adore about Liu's books. Her heroines come across as real people. They have issues, but they're willing to do what they have to in order to survive. For instance, when Rikki is cornered by a bad guy in the beginning she stabs him in the eye with a freakin syringe in order to get away. That's ballsy man.
Because a bunch of men want Rikki, her boss has hired Dirke & Steele to be her body guards. Amiri, a cheetah shifter, and Eddie a guy who can light things on fire with his mind are dispatched for the job. Amiri and Rikki both have some interesting pasts and as they get to know each other you know exactly why feel a connection with each other. They know how to relate to what has happened to the other and its wonderful to see a relationship in a romance where you completely understand why the two characters are drawn to each other.
One of the things that made this story so compelling for me was the Congo setting. The majority of the action is our heroes running for their lives through the jungle with two different pursuers on their tail. It really added to the suspense, because they were isolated with not way of contacting anyone who might be able to help them. The jungle also added a level of creepiness in the "forest has eyes" kind of way. I just loved it.
My only regret about this book is that I haven't read the series in order. I was all over the place with these books, reading the ones that sounded the most interesting to me first. While these can be read as stand alones, there's a story arc that runs through the whole series. Some of the nuances of that arc were lost on me as I've read the stories out of order. I usually have to stop and think about what's happened or has yet to happen in the story in order to center myself. So I would say if you can, read these books in order.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an action packed urban fantasy with a strong love story threaded through it.
Rikki is a virus hunter doing work in the Congo, because of her past she unknowingly becomes the target of two men who want information from her. Both want her alive and are willing to go to extreme measures to ensure that she's taken captive.
Rikki was a pretty kick ass character. She's emotionally and psychically scarred which has caused her to take a rather jaded outlook on life. But despite her pragmatic approach to things you can still tell she's a rather compassionate person. She's also no slouch in a pinch, despite being a human character among the supernatural. This is one of the things that I adore about Liu's books. Her heroines come across as real people. They have issues, but they're willing to do what they have to in order to survive. For instance, when Rikki is cornered by a bad guy in the beginning she stabs him in the eye with a freakin syringe in order to get away. That's ballsy man.
Because a bunch of men want Rikki, her boss has hired Dirke & Steele to be her body guards. Amiri, a cheetah shifter, and Eddie a guy who can light things on fire with his mind are dispatched for the job. Amiri and Rikki both have some interesting pasts and as they get to know each other you know exactly why feel a connection with each other. They know how to relate to what has happened to the other and its wonderful to see a relationship in a romance where you completely understand why the two characters are drawn to each other.
One of the things that made this story so compelling for me was the Congo setting. The majority of the action is our heroes running for their lives through the jungle with two different pursuers on their tail. It really added to the suspense, because they were isolated with not way of contacting anyone who might be able to help them. The jungle also added a level of creepiness in the "forest has eyes" kind of way. I just loved it.
My only regret about this book is that I haven't read the series in order. I was all over the place with these books, reading the ones that sounded the most interesting to me first. While these can be read as stand alones, there's a story arc that runs through the whole series. Some of the nuances of that arc were lost on me as I've read the stories out of order. I usually have to stop and think about what's happened or has yet to happen in the story in order to center myself. So I would say if you can, read these books in order.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an action packed urban fantasy with a strong love story threaded through it.
January 28, 2008
Marjorie M. Liu's 'The Last Twilight' is the 7th instalment in her successful Dirk & Steele paranormal series. This book covers the story of Doctor Rikki Kinn – a virus hunter in the Congo – and Amiri, a shapeshifter sent to protect her as she investigates the outbreak of a new and virulent plague.
Working in a camp where everyone is dead is bad enough but things go from bad to worse when mercenaries descend on the camp to kidnap Rikki.
Rikki and Amiri escape into the jungle; discover the plague may not be what they'd first thought and then get captured by the Consortium, an organisation dedicated to preying on anyone who can further their evil agenda.
This is an excellent addition to the Dirk & Steele series. Liu ratchets up the tension chapter by chapter, right up to the showdown at the end. The tension draws you along, making it a difficult to put the book down as you know that any happy ending will not be easily achieved, and you want to read 'just one more chapter' to find out what happens next.
Rikki's character is a compelling mix of strength and fragility as she tries to deal with events around her. Her determination to keep going really comes through in Liu's vivid descriptions, and I found myself rooting for her bravado in the face of overwhelming opposition.
I also enjoyed learning more of Amiri's past – before he joined the Dirk & Steele agency – as it gave more insight into the basis for his contained character and highlighted the struggle he went through in opening up to Rikki. The relationship between Amiri and Rikki was immensely satisfying. Two lost souls, neither as broken as they think they are, each refusing to give up on the other even when the odds seem so far against them that they can't possibly win free.
The individual storyline is resolved, but there are enough threads left hanging in the series' story arc to be carried forward to the next novel, so readers will have a satisfying conclusion as well as being left with teasing thoughts as to what will happen next – and to whom.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal/ shapeshifter romances where good triumphs after a hard won battle and love wins out in the end. If you haven't read any of the Dirk & Steele books I would recommend starting with the first - 'Tiger Eye' - and working your way through the series. It's well worth it!
Working in a camp where everyone is dead is bad enough but things go from bad to worse when mercenaries descend on the camp to kidnap Rikki.
Rikki and Amiri escape into the jungle; discover the plague may not be what they'd first thought and then get captured by the Consortium, an organisation dedicated to preying on anyone who can further their evil agenda.
This is an excellent addition to the Dirk & Steele series. Liu ratchets up the tension chapter by chapter, right up to the showdown at the end. The tension draws you along, making it a difficult to put the book down as you know that any happy ending will not be easily achieved, and you want to read 'just one more chapter' to find out what happens next.
Rikki's character is a compelling mix of strength and fragility as she tries to deal with events around her. Her determination to keep going really comes through in Liu's vivid descriptions, and I found myself rooting for her bravado in the face of overwhelming opposition.
I also enjoyed learning more of Amiri's past – before he joined the Dirk & Steele agency – as it gave more insight into the basis for his contained character and highlighted the struggle he went through in opening up to Rikki. The relationship between Amiri and Rikki was immensely satisfying. Two lost souls, neither as broken as they think they are, each refusing to give up on the other even when the odds seem so far against them that they can't possibly win free.
The individual storyline is resolved, but there are enough threads left hanging in the series' story arc to be carried forward to the next novel, so readers will have a satisfying conclusion as well as being left with teasing thoughts as to what will happen next – and to whom.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal/ shapeshifter romances where good triumphs after a hard won battle and love wins out in the end. If you haven't read any of the Dirk & Steele books I would recommend starting with the first - 'Tiger Eye' - and working your way through the series. It's well worth it!
July 22, 2010
A review I'd posted on my blog a while back when I'd first read the book:
The Last Twilight was a damn good book.
First, because I'm horrible at summarizing books without giving away plot points, here is the blurb from her website:
"Doctor Rikki Kinn is a virus hunter - one of the best - working in the Congo for the CDC. But when mercenaries attempt to kidnap her in order to prevent an investigation into a new and deadly plague, her boss calls in a favor from the men at Dirk & Steele...
Africa is Amiri's home, where he was raised to race as a cheetah, to wake with the sun. It is also a land of lingering nightmare, where he was kidnapped and experimented upon. Now, against his better judgment, Amiri has been asked to return to his homeland by his colleagues in Dirk & Steele - men who are friends and brothers, who like himself are more than human.
He must protect a woman who is the target of murderers, who has unwittingly involved herself in a conflict that threatens not only the lives of millions, but Amiri's own soul...and his heart."
Marjorie's Dirk & Steele series is classified as Paranormal Romance and does have many of the classic romance elements -- the Happily Ever After, new couple for each new book, and a primary emphasis on the romance plot. But her stories are also very action forward -- so much so, at times, that I feel they blur the lines between PR and UF. Which is why I luff them so. ;)
That said, The Last Twilight definitely stuck more to the romance side of the fence. Nearly every page reinforced the connection developing between Amiri and Rikki, the inexplicable bond drawing them towards each other. One could imagine that kind of thing getting old after three-hundred-and-some-odd pages but not so! Marjorie is so talented. She is constantly twisting and tweaking the info, providing you with a little more, shaking up a bit of what she told you before, revealing something new that keeps you turning the page. Masterful.
I also liked the action plot in this book. It starred more Bad Men from The Consortium -- good stuff. And I'm a particular fan of medical thrillers, so this was right up my alley.
What really struck me about The Last Twilight was Marjorie’s prose. She always has beautiful, poetic prose but she was really at the top of her game with this one. I was folding down page corners left and right, falling in love with phrases, sentences – whole paragraphs.
The Last Twilight was a damn good book.
First, because I'm horrible at summarizing books without giving away plot points, here is the blurb from her website:
"Doctor Rikki Kinn is a virus hunter - one of the best - working in the Congo for the CDC. But when mercenaries attempt to kidnap her in order to prevent an investigation into a new and deadly plague, her boss calls in a favor from the men at Dirk & Steele...
Africa is Amiri's home, where he was raised to race as a cheetah, to wake with the sun. It is also a land of lingering nightmare, where he was kidnapped and experimented upon. Now, against his better judgment, Amiri has been asked to return to his homeland by his colleagues in Dirk & Steele - men who are friends and brothers, who like himself are more than human.
He must protect a woman who is the target of murderers, who has unwittingly involved herself in a conflict that threatens not only the lives of millions, but Amiri's own soul...and his heart."
Marjorie's Dirk & Steele series is classified as Paranormal Romance and does have many of the classic romance elements -- the Happily Ever After, new couple for each new book, and a primary emphasis on the romance plot. But her stories are also very action forward -- so much so, at times, that I feel they blur the lines between PR and UF. Which is why I luff them so. ;)
That said, The Last Twilight definitely stuck more to the romance side of the fence. Nearly every page reinforced the connection developing between Amiri and Rikki, the inexplicable bond drawing them towards each other. One could imagine that kind of thing getting old after three-hundred-and-some-odd pages but not so! Marjorie is so talented. She is constantly twisting and tweaking the info, providing you with a little more, shaking up a bit of what she told you before, revealing something new that keeps you turning the page. Masterful.
I also liked the action plot in this book. It starred more Bad Men from The Consortium -- good stuff. And I'm a particular fan of medical thrillers, so this was right up my alley.
What really struck me about The Last Twilight was Marjorie’s prose. She always has beautiful, poetic prose but she was really at the top of her game with this one. I was folding down page corners left and right, falling in love with phrases, sentences – whole paragraphs.
November 20, 2011
I read this book (with a different cover) a long time ago from the library, but I hadn't realized this when I bought it recently with the new cover. I don't regret the re-read, as I had forgotten most of the story. Only bits and pieces seemed familiar, so it was still exciting to read what Dr. Rikki Kinn was going through as she is investigating a deadly disease that wiped out an entire village. There's something about Rikki that makes her a hunted woman (though she doesn't know this), so the Dirk & Steele detective agency send out 3 of their team members to find and protect her while she is in Africa.
***********beware: Some plot spoilers might be leaked*******************
Shape Shifter Amiri (he shifts to a cheetah) was born in Africa, and had been away for 2 years now, living a new life in San Francisco, CA as an employee of Dirk & Steele after his escape from the Consortium whom had prisoned, experimented on, and tortured him. It is not easy going back, but the first time he sees Rikki Kinn's photo - there's something about this petite strong woman that draws him to want to protect her. Along with Amiri is Max - a mind reader, and young Eddie (firestarter).
Max stays in the main town to get info from the locals, so once Amiri and Eddie find Rikki at the plague site... the action picks up from there! Africa is riddled with corrupt oficials and armed militia and rebels, so it's not a wonder that the camp ends up being targeted... it's just a surprise to Rikki that the armed men seem to be after her!
I loved how Rikki learns to trust in Amiri and Eddie, especially after she learns how different they are. We also eventually learn what makes Rikki the target... and just who is after her (more than one group) and why. It's definitely a page turner, as I found myself up late at night wanting to find out what was going to happen!
Marjorie M Liu alwaus delivers intrigue, action, and some great romantic pairings under the most dangerous and difficult situations! This is a fun series to read!
***********beware: Some plot spoilers might be leaked*******************
Shape Shifter Amiri (he shifts to a cheetah) was born in Africa, and had been away for 2 years now, living a new life in San Francisco, CA as an employee of Dirk & Steele after his escape from the Consortium whom had prisoned, experimented on, and tortured him. It is not easy going back, but the first time he sees Rikki Kinn's photo - there's something about this petite strong woman that draws him to want to protect her. Along with Amiri is Max - a mind reader, and young Eddie (firestarter).
Max stays in the main town to get info from the locals, so once Amiri and Eddie find Rikki at the plague site... the action picks up from there! Africa is riddled with corrupt oficials and armed militia and rebels, so it's not a wonder that the camp ends up being targeted... it's just a surprise to Rikki that the armed men seem to be after her!
I loved how Rikki learns to trust in Amiri and Eddie, especially after she learns how different they are. We also eventually learn what makes Rikki the target... and just who is after her (more than one group) and why. It's definitely a page turner, as I found myself up late at night wanting to find out what was going to happen!
Marjorie M Liu alwaus delivers intrigue, action, and some great romantic pairings under the most dangerous and difficult situations! This is a fun series to read!
July 18, 2025
The heroine’s job is lifesaving to others but life endangering to her own. She’s called to war torn Congo to contain a deadly break out of Ebola but almost instantly the small camp is slaughter by militants and the heroine only survives by hiding in a uniform cabinet. When she found, her life is saved by the hero, a cheetah shifter who is so Buddha. He’s larger than life while constantly keeping a very comforting level of calm and cool confidence. My god the man was so hot and magnetic it practically made me Jell-O on the floor. The heroine and hero are instantly connected and are so in tune with one another it was quite literally magic. The heroine is very capable of handling herself in any sort of danger but she happily steps back and let the hero lead them through a war torn jungle. He’s always got a plan and a quick mind with the capability to find a solution to any problem. He brought such a level of comfort the both the other characters and me and the reader. It’s a lot to take in and the story doesn’t allow for very many rest periods. The action never stops from the start to the climax, the characters lives’ are in constant danger and it makes for a thrilling ride. But even in the face of all this danger, the hero and heroines growing attraction and love is easy to believe and very easy to root for. It was like they instantly knew each other and never fought their feelings or tried to deny what was developing between them. They had this way of speaking to each other that so smooth and almost poetic. I can’t believe how amazing this book was and could not recommend it enough. I could not put it down and didn’t mind being late in a bid to read every single word.
July 4, 2016
The Last Twilight - Marjorie M. Liu
Dirk and Steele, Book Book 7; 9/10
I really like this series. It's not simple - there are all sorts of complicated characters we've met but don't have enough information about to understand who or what they are, there's a twisty world and over-all plot that is still only being hinted at seven books in and the darkness can certainly be dark - but for each individual novel there are also wonderful, strong characters and a solid story and developing relationship.
In this case, the hero is Amiri who can change shape into a large cat (I can't remember which one right now, please let me know). We met him Shadow Touch where he was a prisoner of the evil Consortium. Having been rescued he has joined Dirk and Steele and finds himself assigned to protect a doctor investigating a possible Ebola outbreak in Africa. Not keen to return to the continent of his birth and capture, he goes anyway and soon finds himself on the run and falling for Rikki. Rikki herself is another strong Liu heroine with her own past and scars (both literal and figurative) who finds great strength in herself and her growing relationship with Amiri as both must face their pasts to survive in the present.
I have to say that I found Amiri a very sexy character and I think that while it was mostly Liu's writing, the shadowy figure on the cover was a definite influencing factor as well. Lucky Rikki. I also really want to find out just what Rictor is and what he's up to and involved in. He's probably Liu's most mysterious character and she keeps tossing him into the story, surely to tease her audience.
Dirk and Steele, Book Book 7; 9/10
I really like this series. It's not simple - there are all sorts of complicated characters we've met but don't have enough information about to understand who or what they are, there's a twisty world and over-all plot that is still only being hinted at seven books in and the darkness can certainly be dark - but for each individual novel there are also wonderful, strong characters and a solid story and developing relationship.
In this case, the hero is Amiri who can change shape into a large cat (I can't remember which one right now, please let me know). We met him Shadow Touch where he was a prisoner of the evil Consortium. Having been rescued he has joined Dirk and Steele and finds himself assigned to protect a doctor investigating a possible Ebola outbreak in Africa. Not keen to return to the continent of his birth and capture, he goes anyway and soon finds himself on the run and falling for Rikki. Rikki herself is another strong Liu heroine with her own past and scars (both literal and figurative) who finds great strength in herself and her growing relationship with Amiri as both must face their pasts to survive in the present.
I have to say that I found Amiri a very sexy character and I think that while it was mostly Liu's writing, the shadowy figure on the cover was a definite influencing factor as well. Lucky Rikki. I also really want to find out just what Rictor is and what he's up to and involved in. He's probably Liu's most mysterious character and she keeps tossing him into the story, surely to tease her audience.
May 10, 2011
Review: The Last Twilight is an action packed suspense that will take you through the Congo jungle with supernatural thrills and spine-tingling chills. Rikki Kinn is the CDC’s best investigator and is sent to find the cause of a deadly virus within a local village. Her life is in peril not only from the threat of the virus but also from unknown enemies with their own sinister plans. Amiri is part of the eclectic group Dirk & Steele; where supernatural beings work under the guise as detectives to stop the corrupt group called the Consortium. Amiri is now sent to protect Rikki from the dangerous people in a land that holds many bad memories for him. An attempt on her life has them running through the jungle and trying to escape mercenaries and the Consortium. The devious plot continues to thicken as they race for safety and Amiri and Rikki’s attraction soon erupts into a passion that will collided with destiny.
The Last Twilight is Marjorie M. Liu’s seventh installment in her Dirk & Steele series. She has created amazing characters with fascinating abilities that will capture the reader’s interest and emotions. There are cameos from previous characters and an ongoing plot leaves you breathless and anxious for the next great adventure with the unusual characters in the Dirk & Steele series. It’s a great book of memorable characters and I can’t wait for the next story in this series.
The Last Twilight is Marjorie M. Liu’s seventh installment in her Dirk & Steele series. She has created amazing characters with fascinating abilities that will capture the reader’s interest and emotions. There are cameos from previous characters and an ongoing plot leaves you breathless and anxious for the next great adventure with the unusual characters in the Dirk & Steele series. It’s a great book of memorable characters and I can’t wait for the next story in this series.
January 2, 2013
I am not really a romance reader, but given the storyline, I was willing to give it a try. I am more than happy that I did. A Virus Hunter for the CDC, posted in Africa sounded right up my alley.
The story was slightly confusing to me, as it appears that this is one of those series that is very much interactive when it comes to the characters. The characters have their own stories, which seem to have been put forth in earlier books. As a series, the stories of these characters seem highly interesting. However, looking at the others, I am not sure that I will go there. They seem a bit more 'romance' than action/adventure, but we will see. If I can get my hands on one or two of the others, especially the first one, to see if the story line grabs me as much as this one did, I will take the time to try it out. The conceptualization is interesting - the covers put me off most of the stories, to tell the truth. That whole "rippling biceps' 'swanning female' thing. Of course, from what I can tell, Liu writes romances more than action adventure, but reading this volume tells me that she apparently has a strong hand for it. Africa and virus hunting really tripped my trigger with this one. I hope the others are strong also (even if the covers are really bad. . . but I guess they are working for a certain type of reader, so I don't imagine they care what an action reader like me thinks!)
The story was slightly confusing to me, as it appears that this is one of those series that is very much interactive when it comes to the characters. The characters have their own stories, which seem to have been put forth in earlier books. As a series, the stories of these characters seem highly interesting. However, looking at the others, I am not sure that I will go there. They seem a bit more 'romance' than action/adventure, but we will see. If I can get my hands on one or two of the others, especially the first one, to see if the story line grabs me as much as this one did, I will take the time to try it out. The conceptualization is interesting - the covers put me off most of the stories, to tell the truth. That whole "rippling biceps' 'swanning female' thing. Of course, from what I can tell, Liu writes romances more than action adventure, but reading this volume tells me that she apparently has a strong hand for it. Africa and virus hunting really tripped my trigger with this one. I hope the others are strong also (even if the covers are really bad. . . but I guess they are working for a certain type of reader, so I don't imagine they care what an action reader like me thinks!)
June 2, 2011
Ok so the consortum is back in awful force in this book, a continued thorn and evil presence. Amiri was so calm so collected for the most part...even when he was angry he was always looking and calculating in some way, which, in my book is brilliant & sexy!! I loved how he and Rikki both were so fierce in thier own isolations that they found each other! I hope Eddie turns out alright, and I can totally eriki taking him as a littl brother,they bonded in a way in that congo. He is so sweet with his manners, and at the same time so powerul with his gifts! My man Rictor was back in action, OMG the information on him in this one, got choked up when he and Amiri had thier little chat at the end. I am curious about the cousins Francis and Moochie, such names, but something about Francis caught me, we will have to see where that goes! But yes this one was good, although i am curious about the 10 days or ten years propechy that Broker spoke of( sleeze bag, brother to the spider- his sister he lost in Arturs book!!) Does this mean that the demons spoke of in the last book are rising and that all the powerful people must fight?? Of course everyone would fight...but the way Broker talked about them doing what they must or they would all die...ya I'm curious! I am missng my Koni, but am enjoying th new chracters and the relationships...ON TO THE NEXT ONE!!!
November 24, 2021
De cover toont deze keer geen mooie man maar een mooie vrouw, en op de achtergrond staat er een jachtluipaard. Ge weet hoe laat het is: mooie vrouw ontmoet een mooie man die blijkt een jachtluipaard te kunnen worden.
Het verhaal speelt zich deze keer af in Afrika, met Ebola-achtige toestanden en dergelijke. De mooie vrouw is dokter Rikki Kin, experte in virussen met een duister recent verleden van ontvoering en marteling (ondergaan, niet zelf doen). De mooie man is Amiri, die er op uitgestuurd wordt om haar te helpen. Hij zal gevangen en werd gemarteld in boek twee: ze hebben, met andere woorden, ’t één en ’t ander gemeen.
Onder meer dat ze het heel moeilijk hebben met andere mensen vertrouwen, want ja uiteraard zijn ze voor elkaar in de wieg gelegd en zo, maar het was deze keer toch gelijk wat spannender dan het al geweest is in deze reeks.
Verder gebeuren ook in dit boek spannende dingen, worden ze ook hier stapelverliefd op mekaar, hebben ze veel seks, en leren we ondertussen nog wat bij over de allesomvattende backstory. Happy end klaar, op het einde, dat spreekt.
(Happy end trouwens, voor Marjorie Liu, is precies altijd dat ze met elkaar trouwen en eeuwig bij elkaar zullen blijven. Dat tweede okay, maar dat eerste: hoe conventioneel!)
Het verhaal speelt zich deze keer af in Afrika, met Ebola-achtige toestanden en dergelijke. De mooie vrouw is dokter Rikki Kin, experte in virussen met een duister recent verleden van ontvoering en marteling (ondergaan, niet zelf doen). De mooie man is Amiri, die er op uitgestuurd wordt om haar te helpen. Hij zal gevangen en werd gemarteld in boek twee: ze hebben, met andere woorden, ’t één en ’t ander gemeen.
Onder meer dat ze het heel moeilijk hebben met andere mensen vertrouwen, want ja uiteraard zijn ze voor elkaar in de wieg gelegd en zo, maar het was deze keer toch gelijk wat spannender dan het al geweest is in deze reeks.
Verder gebeuren ook in dit boek spannende dingen, worden ze ook hier stapelverliefd op mekaar, hebben ze veel seks, en leren we ondertussen nog wat bij over de allesomvattende backstory. Happy end klaar, op het einde, dat spreekt.
(Happy end trouwens, voor Marjorie Liu, is precies altijd dat ze met elkaar trouwen en eeuwig bij elkaar zullen blijven. Dat tweede okay, maar dat eerste: hoe conventioneel!)
April 9, 2012
Not the best of the series. First off, if I never read another romance featuring some semblance of bioengineered ebola, it'll be too soon. This is like the second one I've read in recent months and I could do without the whole "I think I'm infected" bit. Second off, as squicky as I found the sex in the first in the series (she went down on a tiger?! Come ON.), this was just plain nasty. Our H/h have been running for their lives for some 48 hours. In Africa. It's hot in Africa, and they've been running for their lives in the wilds. Alrighty then. She went down on him (pass the listerine man). Then I realize, he's a native Kenyan so in all likelihood, he ain't circumcised. Now I'm really gagging. All that stuff under the foreskin, plus lots and lots of sweat, dust, and God only knows what else. Yeeahhh.. Ok Ms Liu, I realize it's fantasy, but there are just some realities that intrude, violently, on my sensitivities.
Oh, and the man who can't die apparently (Broker), yet another lab (this is what - 3? and the second one trying to breed them). Yeah. Ok. Running that theme into the ground, aren't we? Is Broker dead, THIS time? I wonder.
Oh, and the man who can't die apparently (Broker), yet another lab (this is what - 3? and the second one trying to breed them). Yeah. Ok. Running that theme into the ground, aren't we? Is Broker dead, THIS time? I wonder.
October 23, 2015
3.5 Stars? 4 Stars?
This one was better than the last book in which the characters had sex while covered in blood. But, then, this couple has sex while on the run from kidnappers/murderers, which isn't that much better. I liked these characters more, though, so that made a bit of a difference. And it was interesting to see Rictor again, to learn a little bit more about him (though we still don't know what the hell he is, but I understand his motives a tiny teeny bit more now). I'm curious about Eddie's storyline, too. I hope it doesn't take a backseat to some of the other story lines in the series. And for a group of people who have the power to read minds, see a persons entire history with a simple touch, see the future...the Dirk & Steele peeps are woefully inadequate at seeing these situations before they develop. And it is annoying how all the head bad guys can't be "read"—they all seem to have magic shields against everyone else's powers. Oh, and the main bad guy now is also immortal and has "mental shields" to block everyone else's psychic powers so...I call bullshit.
This one was better than the last book in which the characters had sex while covered in blood. But, then, this couple has sex while on the run from kidnappers/murderers, which isn't that much better. I liked these characters more, though, so that made a bit of a difference. And it was interesting to see Rictor again, to learn a little bit more about him (though we still don't know what the hell he is, but I understand his motives a tiny teeny bit more now). I'm curious about Eddie's storyline, too. I hope it doesn't take a backseat to some of the other story lines in the series. And for a group of people who have the power to read minds, see a persons entire history with a simple touch, see the future...the Dirk & Steele peeps are woefully inadequate at seeing these situations before they develop. And it is annoying how all the head bad guys can't be "read"—they all seem to have magic shields against everyone else's powers. Oh, and the main bad guy now is also immortal and has "mental shields" to block everyone else's psychic powers so...I call bullshit.
July 24, 2011
With each book I read in the Dirk & Steele series I'm falling more in love with it. Liu has a way with words that has me totally engrossed from the start of a story to the end.
The Last Twilight is my favourite book in this series so far. The suspense, the action, the characters, the romance: they're all amazing. Liu manages to get you involved in the life of both Amiri and Rikki as well in that of minor characters. I like how Liu lets characters from earlier books return, although in a way that you're not missing out too much if you haven't read the earlier books. Another thing I admire about Liu is how she manages to mix action and romance in such a way that neither is snowed over by the other as sometimes happens in Paranormal Romance. And have I mentioned lately how brilliant Liu's writingstyle and her worldbuilding are?
So, yes: I'm completely hooked on this series and on Liu's writing and will be trying to get my trotters on anything written by Liu.
The Last Twilight is my favourite book in this series so far. The suspense, the action, the characters, the romance: they're all amazing. Liu manages to get you involved in the life of both Amiri and Rikki as well in that of minor characters. I like how Liu lets characters from earlier books return, although in a way that you're not missing out too much if you haven't read the earlier books. Another thing I admire about Liu is how she manages to mix action and romance in such a way that neither is snowed over by the other as sometimes happens in Paranormal Romance. And have I mentioned lately how brilliant Liu's writingstyle and her worldbuilding are?
So, yes: I'm completely hooked on this series and on Liu's writing and will be trying to get my trotters on anything written by Liu.
December 23, 2007
The Last Twilight by Marjorie Liu is the 7th book in the Dirk and Steele series and the best so far. It amazes me how Ms Liu's writing skills have grown so much in such a short time.
Rikki Kinn is a viroligist with the CDC in the Congo. She is tough, smart with a hard luck background. It seems that every corrupt and evil group has a picture of her and is searching for her. Amiri has been dispatched by Dirk and Steele to Africa to protect her. He is a survivor of torture and experimentation and has trouble trusting. To survive, they must learn mutual trust. There is a non-stop roller coaster of emotion, adventure and danger. Once started it is almost impossible to put back down. Definately one for your keeper shelf
I learned that no matter how tough things get, you can't give up hope.
Rikki Kinn is a viroligist with the CDC in the Congo. She is tough, smart with a hard luck background. It seems that every corrupt and evil group has a picture of her and is searching for her. Amiri has been dispatched by Dirk and Steele to Africa to protect her. He is a survivor of torture and experimentation and has trouble trusting. To survive, they must learn mutual trust. There is a non-stop roller coaster of emotion, adventure and danger. Once started it is almost impossible to put back down. Definately one for your keeper shelf
I learned that no matter how tough things get, you can't give up hope.
January 13, 2008
Marjorie M. Liu has done it again. In her latest Dirk and Steele novel, we finaly meet Amiri's love interest. Rikki Kinn, virus hunter has taken on a mission that could mean life and death for millions. What she didn't expect was that there are people out there who don't want her to find the cure. After preventing her own kiddnapping, her boss call's in a favor. With the help of Amiri and Eddie, Rikki finds out more about the virus then she ever thought was possible. Of course it wouldn't be a fantastic story if we didn't get a visit from our past favorites and Marjorie yet again proves that her stories are differect than others with her two major characters being an interracial couple. I know I keep saying this but her books just keep gettnig better and better.
June 15, 2010
I stuck with the first few in the series even though they weren't great. I just saw the potential for something good and hoped that one day the author would get there. Luckily, she's slowly improving. This book was a lot more interesting for me. Maybe it's my fear of books/movies that have monkeys passing viruses on to humans, but I started out in a state of suspense and worry. It was hard to tell who was going to turn out to be a good guy and who was going to turn on Rikki and Amiri. The fact that they were in the Congo also helped create a sense of suspense with the plot. When militias, bribed officials, and other things rip apart a nation and make survival difficult for the average person, there's an added layer of uncertainty on whether your characters will survive their ordeal.
February 6, 2008
I like this series a lot, but this book fell more into "The Red Heart of Jade" camp than the "Shadow Touch" or "Tiger's Eye" camp. A dizzying plot with an ending that just had me going "Huh?" While, I've always liked Amiri as a background character, when he came to the forefront he kind of fell flat. Ditto the love story. The problem with plots where the two main characters fall in love while under extreme danger is that you have to make it really believable that it happened so fast. I just didn't quite get it or the plot in general. Plus, I hate "Outbreak"-type stories. Still a keeper series, just not one of my favorite entries.
July 9, 2008
General review for Dirk & Steele series:
If you like a healthy amount of mystery, detective work, and world travel with your paranormal romances then this series is definitely for you! Dirk & Steele is a well respected detective agency with secret agents that aren't quite human.
Every time I read a D&S novel, I can't help drawing similarities to the Bond movies. There's the world traveling on a near-luxury budget, the secret agency, good looking agents, and world-saving missions. It's just that in the D&S books, the good looking agents and the world-saving missions both usually have ties to the paranormal.
If you like a healthy amount of mystery, detective work, and world travel with your paranormal romances then this series is definitely for you! Dirk & Steele is a well respected detective agency with secret agents that aren't quite human.
Every time I read a D&S novel, I can't help drawing similarities to the Bond movies. There's the world traveling on a near-luxury budget, the secret agency, good looking agents, and world-saving missions. It's just that in the D&S books, the good looking agents and the world-saving missions both usually have ties to the paranormal.
May 24, 2011
A Dirk & Steele novel. Dr. Rikki, from Doctors Across Borders, responds to an emergency plague situation but finds herself chased by paranormal bioterrorists. She meets Amiri, a shapeshifter who is an agent of Dirk & Steele. They battle the terrorists of course with much danger and manage a partial defeat of the evildoers who are members of The Consortium, another paranormal agency devoted to evil and the natural enemies of Dirk & Steele who use their talents for good not evil. I enjoyed it very much and like this series. I recommend the whole series and look forward to Liu's next installment.
September 22, 2014
I have been looking forward to read Amiri's book from the first time he was introduced. I was not disappointed. LOVED him! Strong silent type. Rikki is a doctor that works for the CDC and there is an outbreak in Africa. Amiri is sent there to protect her. Lots of danger and action. New characters were introduced and I hope we get more of them later. Rictor made an appearance and at the end it was very sad and makes me hope he gets his HEA soon. I am becoming addicted to that guy. Loved this book.
April 7, 2021
Shocking. Exciting. Satisfying. Marjorie Liu is an excellent storyteller. I have read all of the Dirk & Steele books up to book 8, which I just purchased. She makes the paranormal seem natural by imbuing each character with humanity, both good and bad. This book, specifically, was interesting in how the author wove in characters and situations from previous books in this series. I was pleasantly surprised. The love story was beautifully described, and sexy. I appreciated how the bad guy was taken care of in the end.
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