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Dirk & Steele #8
The Wild Road
A woman wakes in a strange room, covered in blood, surrounded by the dead. She does not know who she is. Pinned on her jacket is a crumpled note. Run, it reads.
Lannes Hannelore is one of a dying race born to protect mankind against demonic forces. And while those who look upon him see a beautiful man, this illusion is nothing but a prison. His existence is one of pure isolation, hiding in plain sight, with brief solace found in simple pleasures: stretching his wings on a stormy night, long late drives on empty highways, the deep soul of sad songs. But when Lannes finds a young woman covered in blood- desperate and alone, with no memory or past- he will be drawn into a mystery that makes him questions all he knows. And though it goes against his natures and everything he fears, Lannes will risk his heart, his secrets, and his very soul in order to save someone who could be the love of his life... or the end of it.
Lannes Hannelore is one of a dying race born to protect mankind against demonic forces. And while those who look upon him see a beautiful man, this illusion is nothing but a prison. His existence is one of pure isolation, hiding in plain sight, with brief solace found in simple pleasures: stretching his wings on a stormy night, long late drives on empty highways, the deep soul of sad songs. But when Lannes finds a young woman covered in blood- desperate and alone, with no memory or past- he will be drawn into a mystery that makes him questions all he knows. And though it goes against his natures and everything he fears, Lannes will risk his heart, his secrets, and his very soul in order to save someone who could be the love of his life... or the end of it.
306 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2008
27 people are currently reading
1004 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie M. Liu
322 books4,300 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 81 reviews
August 9, 2008
If you like paranormal romance and you haven't been reading Marjorie M. Liu's 'Dirk & Steele' series, you don't know what you're missing. She's created an urban fantasy/paranormal/romance series that allows her to write about everything from shapeshifters to psi-talents to gargoyles. Her latest is "The Wild Road" and once I picked it up, I just couldn't put it down...even to start "Acheron"! Now THAT'S saying something.
She wakes up with no memories, in a strange room, in a burning hotel, surrounded by three dead men and a note on her jacket reading, "RUN".
He's a gargoyle who learned to lock away his need to protect after he almost got his entire family killed by trying to help the wrong person. But something about this woman just won't let him turn away. And when his powers reveal the massive hole in her mind surrounded by a deep well of terror...he's hooked.
The action starts on page one and doesn't quit. These two are on the run and so was my heart-rate. Sexy gargoyles, nasty witches, demons, shapeshifters...what else could you possibly need?
She wakes up with no memories, in a strange room, in a burning hotel, surrounded by three dead men and a note on her jacket reading, "RUN".
He's a gargoyle who learned to lock away his need to protect after he almost got his entire family killed by trying to help the wrong person. But something about this woman just won't let him turn away. And when his powers reveal the massive hole in her mind surrounded by a deep well of terror...he's hooked.
The action starts on page one and doesn't quit. These two are on the run and so was my heart-rate. Sexy gargoyles, nasty witches, demons, shapeshifters...what else could you possibly need?
January 16, 2012
*4.5 Stars*
I know I’ve said in the past that the Dirk & Steele series is best read in order, but if you’re looking to jump into the middle of it, this is the book to do it with. It fits in with the overall world easily, but it doesn’t focus much on the actual Dirk & Steele members. The only ones we see are Koni and Rictor—my favorites! Instead, this book introduces us to a secretive race of gargoyles. They were first tied into the Dirk & Steele world in a novella called A Dream of Stone & Shadow. I have not personally read it, but I know that it showed a period of captivity that haunts Lannes to this day. I never felt like I was missing out by not reading it, though. Liu does an excellent job of providing backstory and motivation to explain Lannes’s fears.
Lannes is hands down the sweetest guy in the whole series. He is frickin’ adorable! I found it so cute that in a situation with a frightened woman who didn’t know who she was or whether he saved her for nefarious purposes or not, he was the more nervous of the two. He’d get antsy and flinch back if she got too close and avoided her touching him. He had a good reason for it, but it was more than just that. He was painfully eager to help her, to save her, but he was equally frightened of making another mistake by trusting the wrong person again.
I found it interesting how different the gargoyles are from the other creatures we’ve seen in the series so far. They’re not able to hide their differences under their skin the way that the others are. Their skin and features are different and they have to wear a glamour when out among humans. Lannes has always been the bookish, nerdy sort, but after being held captive he has become even more reclusive. He has to hide what he is to protect his people, but he also hides to protect himself from further harm. Opening himself up to the woman he finds--Lethe, as she is later called--terrifies him, but he can’t help himself.
Lethe is quite a fascinating character. For a long time we know her only as “the woman.” She wakes up in the beginning of the book to find dead men in a room with her and a note pinned to her clothes that says ”Run.” She has no memory of who she is or what she’s done, but she can feel that she needs to run. She has to stay away from “them.” So she does. One thing leads to another and she ends up with Lannes, but it takes a while for them to trust each other. Once Lannes gets a peek into her mind, he is horrified by what he finds. Her memories are not suppressed or hidden, they are gone. Someone has ripped them from her mind.
The relationship in the book was so sweet, but that was more because of Lannes than Lethe. I didn’t dislike her character at all, but it’s hard to really sink into a character that doesn’t have a good sense of self. That’s completely understandable, since the whole book revolves around her not knowing who she is, but it did impact my connection to her. I found her very interesting and her struggle with the person she used to be was great. Was she good? Was she bad? Was it better to just let it go and start over fresh? But Lannes was the one that carried the book for me. Watching him slowly heal and become more comfortable in his own skin was wonderful. He was such a great guy. So kiind and selfless and vulnerable. How can you not love a guy that says something like:
The pace of the book was just as gripping as it usually is in this series. Liu always manages to grab me by the throat and keep me glued to the pages. The suspense of not knowing what was going on, who was after them, or even who Lethe was, was fabulous. I was surprised when I found out what had actually happened to her, but I shouldn’t have been. Liu is a master of twists and complications. Nothing is ever what is first appears in this series. When paired with getting more of Koni and Rictor, there’s no way I wouldn’t enjoy this book. And getting to finally see what Rictor is? Bonus! I can’t wait to see more develop with that. I was mighty intrigued by what we learned. I guess that just means that I’m going to have to dive into the next one soon.
Favorite Quote:
I know I’ve said in the past that the Dirk & Steele series is best read in order, but if you’re looking to jump into the middle of it, this is the book to do it with. It fits in with the overall world easily, but it doesn’t focus much on the actual Dirk & Steele members. The only ones we see are Koni and Rictor—my favorites! Instead, this book introduces us to a secretive race of gargoyles. They were first tied into the Dirk & Steele world in a novella called A Dream of Stone & Shadow. I have not personally read it, but I know that it showed a period of captivity that haunts Lannes to this day. I never felt like I was missing out by not reading it, though. Liu does an excellent job of providing backstory and motivation to explain Lannes’s fears.
Lannes is hands down the sweetest guy in the whole series. He is frickin’ adorable! I found it so cute that in a situation with a frightened woman who didn’t know who she was or whether he saved her for nefarious purposes or not, he was the more nervous of the two. He’d get antsy and flinch back if she got too close and avoided her touching him. He had a good reason for it, but it was more than just that. He was painfully eager to help her, to save her, but he was equally frightened of making another mistake by trusting the wrong person again.
I found it interesting how different the gargoyles are from the other creatures we’ve seen in the series so far. They’re not able to hide their differences under their skin the way that the others are. Their skin and features are different and they have to wear a glamour when out among humans. Lannes has always been the bookish, nerdy sort, but after being held captive he has become even more reclusive. He has to hide what he is to protect his people, but he also hides to protect himself from further harm. Opening himself up to the woman he finds--Lethe, as she is later called--terrifies him, but he can’t help himself.
Lethe is quite a fascinating character. For a long time we know her only as “the woman.” She wakes up in the beginning of the book to find dead men in a room with her and a note pinned to her clothes that says ”Run.” She has no memory of who she is or what she’s done, but she can feel that she needs to run. She has to stay away from “them.” So she does. One thing leads to another and she ends up with Lannes, but it takes a while for them to trust each other. Once Lannes gets a peek into her mind, he is horrified by what he finds. Her memories are not suppressed or hidden, they are gone. Someone has ripped them from her mind.
The relationship in the book was so sweet, but that was more because of Lannes than Lethe. I didn’t dislike her character at all, but it’s hard to really sink into a character that doesn’t have a good sense of self. That’s completely understandable, since the whole book revolves around her not knowing who she is, but it did impact my connection to her. I found her very interesting and her struggle with the person she used to be was great. Was she good? Was she bad? Was it better to just let it go and start over fresh? But Lannes was the one that carried the book for me. Watching him slowly heal and become more comfortable in his own skin was wonderful. He was such a great guy. So kiind and selfless and vulnerable. How can you not love a guy that says something like:
”If we do this,” he whispered. “You’re mine. And I mean that, Lethe.”
“Promise?” she breathed, beginning to tremble.
Lannes inhaled sharply. “Just like I’ll be yours.”
Lethe leaned in, pressing her lips to his ear. “Is this a gargoyle thing?”
“No,” he murmured. “I just love you, that’s all.”
The pace of the book was just as gripping as it usually is in this series. Liu always manages to grab me by the throat and keep me glued to the pages. The suspense of not knowing what was going on, who was after them, or even who Lethe was, was fabulous. I was surprised when I found out what had actually happened to her, but I shouldn’t have been. Liu is a master of twists and complications. Nothing is ever what is first appears in this series. When paired with getting more of Koni and Rictor, there’s no way I wouldn’t enjoy this book. And getting to finally see what Rictor is? Bonus! I can’t wait to see more develop with that. I was mighty intrigued by what we learned. I guess that just means that I’m going to have to dive into the next one soon.
Favorite Quote:
"So," she said slowly, "you're...detectives."
"I suppose," Koni replied. "Though you could try not to say it like you're vomiting in your mouth."
April 8, 2011
Lannes Hannelore is part of a very few left of his race- gargoyles who protect humans from evil. His true face is hidden behind a pretty illusion and he longs for nothing more than someone to know him- the true man within.
He doesn’t know it yet, but the frightened, blood covered woman with no memory, whom he finds wandering the streets, is the woman who will reach past every wall and embrace both man and creature. But first he has to get beyond the puzzle she’s presented him- and decide if she really is the killer she seems to be.
I really liked Lannes. He’s bookish, a bit of a nerd and frightened of his own strength. But don’t mistake him for weak, he’ll stop at nothing to protect the vulnerable woman he senses is more than she appears. Lethe, named by Lannes and the heroine of this story, is a complete mystery, but you sense her strength. I like that she becomes even stronger when Lannes enters her mind and connects with her on a level in the way only a paranormal romance can.
I consider Liu’s Dirk and Steele series to be PNR (Paranormal Romance) for the thinking woman. No school girls here and though the heroes may be a bit broody at times, they are never sparkly (THANK GOD!). : )
4.5 of 5 from me
He doesn’t know it yet, but the frightened, blood covered woman with no memory, whom he finds wandering the streets, is the woman who will reach past every wall and embrace both man and creature. But first he has to get beyond the puzzle she’s presented him- and decide if she really is the killer she seems to be.
I really liked Lannes. He’s bookish, a bit of a nerd and frightened of his own strength. But don’t mistake him for weak, he’ll stop at nothing to protect the vulnerable woman he senses is more than she appears. Lethe, named by Lannes and the heroine of this story, is a complete mystery, but you sense her strength. I like that she becomes even stronger when Lannes enters her mind and connects with her on a level in the way only a paranormal romance can.
I consider Liu’s Dirk and Steele series to be PNR (Paranormal Romance) for the thinking woman. No school girls here and though the heroes may be a bit broody at times, they are never sparkly (THANK GOD!). : )
4.5 of 5 from me
July 22, 2010
One of my very favorites.
Lannes Hannelore, ladies and gentlemen, is a gargoyle. And Ms. Liu has a fabulous take on them. Lannes is the brother of Charlie, main character of the novella A Dream of Stone and Shadow featured in the anthology Dark Dreamers. It's not necessary to have read A Dream of Stone and Shadow prior to THE WILD ROAD, though the story serves as the backdrop for an important aspect of Lannes' character. But really, that's such a great story, too, that you should read it anyway. :)
But, back to THE WILD ROAD. The latest in Marjorie's superb Dirk & Steele paranormal romance series delivers on all the things we've come to expect from her fine work: delightful, heart-wrenching characters; beautifully written prose; a compelling, action-forward plot; an achingly tender love story.
I found that I didn't care for the female lead in this story quite as much as I have with her others -- I liked her just fine, but my compassion and caring for her as a character wasn't at all what had me turning pages (which is different from the other Dirk & Steele books). It's not that surprising, I suppose, since she has no memories. In fact, she spends quite a large portion of the book wondering, herself, if she is a good person. Marjorie handled the challenge of writing someone who doesn't know anything about herself well and even raised some interesting questions around the ideas of the value of starting fresh with a clean slate versus pushing forward with a history of your own. All good food for thought, and one of the many reasons I love reading her work.
Lannes Hannelore is why I turned the pages. Why I drank in the words. Why I smiled at the book. Why I ached while I read. Why I clapped when it ended. She got him just... perfect. I can't gush about it here the way I really want to without revealing spoilers, but suffice it to say that she clearly spent time thinking about what it would be like to live his life and what the consequences of that life would be.
A great read.
Lannes Hannelore, ladies and gentlemen, is a gargoyle. And Ms. Liu has a fabulous take on them. Lannes is the brother of Charlie, main character of the novella A Dream of Stone and Shadow featured in the anthology Dark Dreamers. It's not necessary to have read A Dream of Stone and Shadow prior to THE WILD ROAD, though the story serves as the backdrop for an important aspect of Lannes' character. But really, that's such a great story, too, that you should read it anyway. :)
But, back to THE WILD ROAD. The latest in Marjorie's superb Dirk & Steele paranormal romance series delivers on all the things we've come to expect from her fine work: delightful, heart-wrenching characters; beautifully written prose; a compelling, action-forward plot; an achingly tender love story.
I found that I didn't care for the female lead in this story quite as much as I have with her others -- I liked her just fine, but my compassion and caring for her as a character wasn't at all what had me turning pages (which is different from the other Dirk & Steele books). It's not that surprising, I suppose, since she has no memories. In fact, she spends quite a large portion of the book wondering, herself, if she is a good person. Marjorie handled the challenge of writing someone who doesn't know anything about herself well and even raised some interesting questions around the ideas of the value of starting fresh with a clean slate versus pushing forward with a history of your own. All good food for thought, and one of the many reasons I love reading her work.
Lannes Hannelore is why I turned the pages. Why I drank in the words. Why I smiled at the book. Why I ached while I read. Why I clapped when it ended. She got him just... perfect. I can't gush about it here the way I really want to without revealing spoilers, but suffice it to say that she clearly spent time thinking about what it would be like to live his life and what the consequences of that life would be.
A great read.
June 25, 2008
Lannes Hannelore is a gargoyle, one of a dying race that has protected man for centuries. But he's being hiding in Maine for years now, isolated from everyone else, lonely and scarred from a horrible experience that he suffered at the hand of a witch who wanted him as a slave. He lives under an illusion, whenever someone looks at him, all they see is a tall, beautiful man. What they don't see is his wings and his pronounced bone structure which certainly marks him as other than human.
He is called to Chicago by an old friend and there he meets a woman covered in blood who's trying to steal his car. Lannes is drawn to this woman and wants to help her. But she doesn't know her name, where she's from, anything at all about herself except the fact that she must run - but from what? Lannes wants to help her even though he could be risking his secrets, his heart, even his life.
Ever since I read Charlie's story in the anthology Dark Dreamers, I've been looking forward to reading more about this hidden race, the gargoyles. Both Lannes and the woman are amazingly well-developed characters. Lannes is willing to help the unknown woman, even though that could put him in danger but he also has to fight with the ingrained belief that he has to hide what he is. And no matter how much he fights it, his attraction to her only keeps getting deeper and it's lovely to see him come to be more confident in himself. He doesn't look like a normal man yet the way Liu describes him was absolutely beautiful, his oddness only adds to his attraction.
I feel that Liu did an amazing job writing the woman character, especially considering she doesn't know barely anything about herself, yet Liu made that worked so well. This book could not be as great as it is without the second characters, including Charlie, one of Lannes' brother. They add more depth and richness to the story. The plot is strong, and has major twist and turns yet it's very easy to follow. Liu's style of writing is wonderful to read. It flows so well and it feels somehow poetic. The words practically jump off the page, they're so powerful and even the smallest of sentences can pack quite the punch. The Wild Road is another great book in the Dirk & Steele series and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of this mysterious race.
He is called to Chicago by an old friend and there he meets a woman covered in blood who's trying to steal his car. Lannes is drawn to this woman and wants to help her. But she doesn't know her name, where she's from, anything at all about herself except the fact that she must run - but from what? Lannes wants to help her even though he could be risking his secrets, his heart, even his life.
Ever since I read Charlie's story in the anthology Dark Dreamers, I've been looking forward to reading more about this hidden race, the gargoyles. Both Lannes and the woman are amazingly well-developed characters. Lannes is willing to help the unknown woman, even though that could put him in danger but he also has to fight with the ingrained belief that he has to hide what he is. And no matter how much he fights it, his attraction to her only keeps getting deeper and it's lovely to see him come to be more confident in himself. He doesn't look like a normal man yet the way Liu describes him was absolutely beautiful, his oddness only adds to his attraction.
I feel that Liu did an amazing job writing the woman character, especially considering she doesn't know barely anything about herself, yet Liu made that worked so well. This book could not be as great as it is without the second characters, including Charlie, one of Lannes' brother. They add more depth and richness to the story. The plot is strong, and has major twist and turns yet it's very easy to follow. Liu's style of writing is wonderful to read. It flows so well and it feels somehow poetic. The words practically jump off the page, they're so powerful and even the smallest of sentences can pack quite the punch. The Wild Road is another great book in the Dirk & Steele series and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of this mysterious race.
April 6, 2013
A shy, retiring gargolye who hides his true face from humanity gets in touch with his inner alpha protector when he comes to the aid of a woman in distress - but this heroine is no shrinking violet.
'The Woman,' who later takes on the name Lethe, wakes up in a hotel room full of dead men, blood, and guns. She has no memory of how she came to be there, and no memory of who she is. Her only clue is a note instructing her to run. Lannes, the gargolye in disguise, catches her breaking into his car as she flees the scene. Against his better judgement, and at the risk of his people, he takes her in and vows to help unlock the mystery of her past as they flee the someone - or something - pursuing her in the present.
Chock full of action, adventure, and angst-a-plenty, this was definitely my kind of paranormal romance! Lannes's gentle soul and wounded heart battle against his burgeoning desire for love and acceptance from Lethe, who fears her unknown past and deadly present circumstances could destroy her kind protector. Can she trust him (and herself) enough to help, and can he trust her to accept his true form?
This was my introduction to the world of Dirk and Steele, and I'm definitely going back for more!
'The Woman,' who later takes on the name Lethe, wakes up in a hotel room full of dead men, blood, and guns. She has no memory of how she came to be there, and no memory of who she is. Her only clue is a note instructing her to run. Lannes, the gargolye in disguise, catches her breaking into his car as she flees the scene. Against his better judgement, and at the risk of his people, he takes her in and vows to help unlock the mystery of her past as they flee the someone - or something - pursuing her in the present.
Chock full of action, adventure, and angst-a-plenty, this was definitely my kind of paranormal romance! Lannes's gentle soul and wounded heart battle against his burgeoning desire for love and acceptance from Lethe, who fears her unknown past and deadly present circumstances could destroy her kind protector. Can she trust him (and herself) enough to help, and can he trust her to accept his true form?
This was my introduction to the world of Dirk and Steele, and I'm definitely going back for more!
October 19, 2008
The book opens with the heroine waking up in a hotel room with a murdered man. She has no memory whatsoever, knows nothing but that she should run. And, oddly, she knows how to do that, how to escape notice and avoid police and all the things she should do. The hero is a gargoyle who's left his isolation to come visit a childhood friend. A friend who is now an elderly man, while the hero is just now reaching maturity. The hero binds his gargoyle wings and hides them and his rough-hewn appearance with an illusion, but he has to be careful not to let people touch him, because the illusion is only visual. The heroine tries to steal his car, he stops her and offers to help. And this sends them off on the titular Wild Road as they try to figure out who wants to either kill or control her, and keeps killing the people she goes to for answers. The Dirk & Steele folks are pulled into the story, mysteries are revealed and villains are punished. Liu likes really complicated plots and characters, but while this one went in some complicated directions, it was followable. I liked it.
June 7, 2011
OK so this one had a few twists I didn't expect...but getting into another gargoyle brother wasn't bad. There was some deep dark stuff that surfaced in this one(unfortunately I can't say anything or it will spoil it) But yea the whole memory loss would have sucked alot! And I like the name Lannes gave her it suited her well! And I would Die to be in that car with Koni for however many hours I could get...Rictor being there too would just be a bonus...MMMMM!!!! But I enjoyed getting more of my sexy crow shifter in this one, as always he was delicious. I wish I could say more but there were just a few too many things that give away other things....so I'm gonna end on it was great....and I absolutely LOVED the ending!
April 5, 2011
I'm a fan of Author Liu's Dirk & Steele series, cheesy title notwithstanding. She's never failed to amaze me with her inventive characters--I mean, gargoyles?? --and her tight, taut storylines. THE WILD ROAD was no exception. We meet Lannes, brother to DARK DESIRES's character "Charlie". Like his brother, Lannes hides in plain sight, casting illusion to cover his sky-at-dusk skin and his wings. Wings! (Kudos to Marjorie Liu for taking into account mass differences and rememebering that invisible doesn't mean immaterial. Througout the book, Lannes struggles to fit his greater mass into the human world, and keep his wings from bumping into things.)
Lannes is out visiting his BFF Frederick when his well-ordered life is knocked off its rails. "The woman" is found trying to break into his car. Not such a big deal, I mean one call to the cops would handle it, but Lannes's psychic senses uncover a frightening truth. Her memories have been cut out, excised with surgical precision. Most horribly, it seems that she might have done this to herself.
With bodies flying everywhere in Liu's trademark fashion, Lannes and Lethe find themselves on the run. They must find out why she's missing her memories, who wants them dead, and who is it that's killing people they come into contact with. Unfortunately, the best suspect is Lethe herself. Unthinkable!
While THE WILD ROAD reintroduces characters from Liu's past books, continuing her Dirk & Steele series, she also touches upon a sad truth. Despite today's medical and scientific technology, many people continue to suffer permanent or semi-permanent memory loss. What are these folks to do? They are to push on with their lives, despite often crippling fear, sorrow, or a feeling of abandonment. Lannes, victim of his own past--as detailed in DARK DREAMS's short story, "A Dream of Stone and Shadow",--must grow beyond his PTSD. As for Lethe, that's not even her name. She chooses it and in doing so, chooses to go forward with her life, instead of dwelling on what must have been a frightful past.
If I had one complaint, and of course I do--after all, that is what I do, I pick nits--I would say that THE WILD ROAD lacked Liu's usual sensuality. She's not the hottest writer on the market, but there normally is more intensity in the connection between H/h. Understandably, though, it would be hard for Lannes and Lethe to act in any other way that they did--showing caution and prudence, as trust issues are often the greatest hurdle to overcome for victims of violence. However, and since this is my review, that's my nit and I'm sticking to it.
But don't let my picked nit stop you from exploring Liu's Dirk & Steele books. They're excellent books. Indeed, her website is awesome too. I highly recommend Marjorie Liu and THE WILD ROAD is an excellent contribution to the series.
Four and One Half Mystique Moons. (Excellent)
Class Two sensuality. (Limited)
Lannes is out visiting his BFF Frederick when his well-ordered life is knocked off its rails. "The woman" is found trying to break into his car. Not such a big deal, I mean one call to the cops would handle it, but Lannes's psychic senses uncover a frightening truth. Her memories have been cut out, excised with surgical precision. Most horribly, it seems that she might have done this to herself.
With bodies flying everywhere in Liu's trademark fashion, Lannes and Lethe find themselves on the run. They must find out why she's missing her memories, who wants them dead, and who is it that's killing people they come into contact with. Unfortunately, the best suspect is Lethe herself. Unthinkable!
While THE WILD ROAD reintroduces characters from Liu's past books, continuing her Dirk & Steele series, she also touches upon a sad truth. Despite today's medical and scientific technology, many people continue to suffer permanent or semi-permanent memory loss. What are these folks to do? They are to push on with their lives, despite often crippling fear, sorrow, or a feeling of abandonment. Lannes, victim of his own past--as detailed in DARK DREAMS's short story, "A Dream of Stone and Shadow",--must grow beyond his PTSD. As for Lethe, that's not even her name. She chooses it and in doing so, chooses to go forward with her life, instead of dwelling on what must have been a frightful past.
If I had one complaint, and of course I do--after all, that is what I do, I pick nits--I would say that THE WILD ROAD lacked Liu's usual sensuality. She's not the hottest writer on the market, but there normally is more intensity in the connection between H/h. Understandably, though, it would be hard for Lannes and Lethe to act in any other way that they did--showing caution and prudence, as trust issues are often the greatest hurdle to overcome for victims of violence. However, and since this is my review, that's my nit and I'm sticking to it.
But don't let my picked nit stop you from exploring Liu's Dirk & Steele books. They're excellent books. Indeed, her website is awesome too. I highly recommend Marjorie Liu and THE WILD ROAD is an excellent contribution to the series.
Four and One Half Mystique Moons. (Excellent)
Class Two sensuality. (Limited)
May 11, 2011
I liked everything about this book from the characters to the mystery, to the paranormal elements. I think the later books in the Dirk and Steele series are much better than the early books which is unusual. Often I feel like the author is dawdling and not putting much effort in when a series goes on for a long time.
That being said, I hope that Liu is going to wrap this series up soon because I'm losing the overall rythym and story arch. Luckily, these last books stand on their own pretty well.
My only complaint with the book is that the last 50 pages or so seemed a bit illogical. The appearance of one of the founders of Dirk and Steele and the stuff with Frederick didn't make much sense to me. All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
That being said, I hope that Liu is going to wrap this series up soon because I'm losing the overall rythym and story arch. Luckily, these last books stand on their own pretty well.
My only complaint with the book is that the last 50 pages or so seemed a bit illogical. The appearance of one of the founders of Dirk and Steele and the stuff with Frederick didn't make much sense to me. All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2012
Done 3.5 stars-
A woman, wakes up to find herself in a room, filled with smoke, she is covered in blood and there are three dead men on the floor, she has a gun and a note pinned to her shirt that says 'RUN". She does and on her run she meets a man, who is not exactly like other men, he is a gargoyle, with a damaged soul. She does not remember anything before the moment she woke, but somebody is hunting her. These two lost people start a journey of death, fear, mystery and discovery.
More story based than romantic, the sex was earned not instant, the female was not an idiot, and the Gargoyle was hot, overall enjoyable. I still will not search out books by this author, she just doesn't excite my senses with her writing, but if one falls in my hands I'll probably read it someday.
A woman, wakes up to find herself in a room, filled with smoke, she is covered in blood and there are three dead men on the floor, she has a gun and a note pinned to her shirt that says 'RUN". She does and on her run she meets a man, who is not exactly like other men, he is a gargoyle, with a damaged soul. She does not remember anything before the moment she woke, but somebody is hunting her. These two lost people start a journey of death, fear, mystery and discovery.
More story based than romantic, the sex was earned not instant, the female was not an idiot, and the Gargoyle was hot, overall enjoyable. I still will not search out books by this author, she just doesn't excite my senses with her writing, but if one falls in my hands I'll probably read it someday.
August 20, 2008
As a Marjorie Liu, Dirk & Steele fan I was happy to see this on the bookshelves on my local bookseller. I swooped in bought it, carried it home and happily read it.
This book Wow #8 was about one of the Hannelore brothers who happen to be gargoyle.
Lannes Hannelore sees a woman breaking into his car. When he attempts to stop her he realizes that she is covered in blood. He offers to help her. She tells him that she doesn't have any memory at all. One of Lannes gift is to read minds. And she truly is amnesic. No memory at all. He will be drawn into a mystery that actually connects them. This story is quite bizarre.
I thought it was great! I can't wait for the next...
This book Wow #8 was about one of the Hannelore brothers who happen to be gargoyle.
Lannes Hannelore sees a woman breaking into his car. When he attempts to stop her he realizes that she is covered in blood. He offers to help her. She tells him that she doesn't have any memory at all. One of Lannes gift is to read minds. And she truly is amnesic. No memory at all. He will be drawn into a mystery that actually connects them. This story is quite bizarre.
I thought it was great! I can't wait for the next...
September 29, 2015
If you think you have family drama, you'll be hugging your crazy relatives by the end of this book and trusting them with your address again.
Dirk & Steele #8 and the series is still fresh, still enthralling, and still driving me to read as fast as I can.
Liu's imagination appears to be boundless, as is her ability to be poetic in ways I didn't know existed.
There is romance, intrigue, and lots of twisty turns involving our main couple, and some favorites from previous books in the series.
I highly recommend the Dirk & Steele series for anyone who enjoys a good read, and especially for fans of PNR.
Dirk & Steele #8 and the series is still fresh, still enthralling, and still driving me to read as fast as I can.
Liu's imagination appears to be boundless, as is her ability to be poetic in ways I didn't know existed.
There is romance, intrigue, and lots of twisty turns involving our main couple, and some favorites from previous books in the series.
I highly recommend the Dirk & Steele series for anyone who enjoys a good read, and especially for fans of PNR.
June 28, 2012
I really enjoy this series. Not sure how I would feel about a gargoyle hero, but Lannes was really awesome. I was annoyed at how often the word "craggy" was used to describe him. If I was playing a drinking game where everytime I read the word "craggy" I had a sip of alcohol, by the third chapter I would have been waisted!!
The plot had all kinds of twists and turns, some of it hard to follow, but by the end of the book everything wraps up nicely.
I don't recommend starting with this book if you haven't read the previous books in the series.
The plot had all kinds of twists and turns, some of it hard to follow, but by the end of the book everything wraps up nicely.
I don't recommend starting with this book if you haven't read the previous books in the series.
May 14, 2013
Book 8 in the Dirk & Steele series. I gotta admit: I haven't met a Marjorie Liu book yet that I didn't adore. She's an amazing story teller and fills her books with amazing characters. Each D&S novel is full of side characters just screaming for a book of their own - I LOVE series like that! Strong lead men and women, nice chemistry, real humor, some spicy sex, action, adventure, and an interesting ongoing story-line. You don't have to read them in order but it does help a little. If you haven't read her other series, Hunter Kiss, then be sure to check it out!
August 31, 2010
Dirk & Steele book, Lannes Hannelore is one of the gargoyles that survived but is emotionally scarred by the evil witch who tortured him and his brothers. An encounter with an amnesiac woman with blood on her leads to a journey that requires assistance from the Dirk & Steele agency and a reorganization of his own life and views. Lannes and the woman must battle enemies who attack both externally and within the mind if they are going to survive long enough to explore their mutual attraction.
October 8, 2008
This was a disappointing entry in to the series. It reminded me a lot of Soul Song (Book 5 in this series) in that I just didn't get engaged with the story or the characters.
I did like that Koni and Rictor were in the story quite a bit. They are two of my favorite characters that Liu has created.
I did like that Koni and Rictor were in the story quite a bit. They are two of my favorite characters that Liu has created.
July 31, 2010
While I was a little disappointed that this one didn't feature one of the primary characters, it did draw on and develop side characters introduced in previous books and it did help me connect the short story written in the Dirk & Steele verse to the rest of the events and places. Also, I found the story and characters in this one endearing.
October 31, 2011
I was so thrilled when I read this. It is so rare to find a story with a gargoyle! I hope Ms. Liu writes stories for the other two single brothers. Gargoyle are awesome.
June 20, 2009
Deathless love! Ah! Not as good as Iron Hunt, not as complex.
June 7, 2010
I like the Dirk & Steele series.
July 19, 2010
Liked the flow of the story and was quite interesting .... I think i would read more of her books.
Read
January 17, 2024Lannes is peak tender masculinity and I love that for him and also for myself.
Soft mascs. Ugh💘
More importantly for prospective readers, it’s a pairing between an understandably guarded woman who gets the space she needs to process her emotions and an adorkably nerdy man who needs all the cuddles but can hold his own when push comes to shove. Did I mention he’s so adorkable that his many talents include binding crumbly old books by hand, knowing how to dress wounds, and appreciating jazz?
Once again, 💘.
The writing is ripe with the sort of heightened maudlin melodrama you’d expect from a pulpy fantasy paperback, but the descriptions read better than a Gerritsen or Crichton thriller - fast, but detailed enough to paint the action. Though logic occasionally gets glossed over, the tension kept me going through the story.
And it handles the central relationship really well, as well as the world building. The characters and their friends/associates are not flat or perfect or always armed with the perfect response. I love books about two sweet people who are considerate and kind and don’t feel the need to mask their loveliness under stupid pretenses finding each other. Even if they find each other bloodied and cursed. ESPECIALLY THEN.
Does it use tired tropes about who gets to be the physically monstrous and have some superficial del Toro’s Hellboy vibes? Yes. But was this little book a balm for my soul? VERY MUCH SO 🖤
Soft mascs. Ugh💘
More importantly for prospective readers, it’s a pairing between an understandably guarded woman who gets the space she needs to process her emotions and an adorkably nerdy man who needs all the cuddles but can hold his own when push comes to shove. Did I mention he’s so adorkable that his many talents include binding crumbly old books by hand, knowing how to dress wounds, and appreciating jazz?
Once again, 💘.
The writing is ripe with the sort of heightened maudlin melodrama you’d expect from a pulpy fantasy paperback, but the descriptions read better than a Gerritsen or Crichton thriller - fast, but detailed enough to paint the action. Though logic occasionally gets glossed over, the tension kept me going through the story.
And it handles the central relationship really well, as well as the world building. The characters and their friends/associates are not flat or perfect or always armed with the perfect response. I love books about two sweet people who are considerate and kind and don’t feel the need to mask their loveliness under stupid pretenses finding each other. Even if they find each other bloodied and cursed. ESPECIALLY THEN.
Does it use tired tropes about who gets to be the physically monstrous and have some superficial del Toro’s Hellboy vibes? Yes. But was this little book a balm for my soul? VERY MUCH SO 🖤
January 10, 2021
I don't usually go for paranormal romps, but I couldn't resist the premise here of a bookbinding gargoyle leaving his hermit lifestyle to go across the country in an Impala to help a woman on the run. This is more thriller than romance, but I enjoyed the sincere friendship and tenderness between Lethe and Lannes. It reads as a standalone, though I'm definitely interested in scooping up more books in the Dirk & Steele agency series. My only dislike was that the action and chase sequences felt repetitive after a while, and the plot seemed to weaken as the book wore on. It was like a category 5 hurricane becoming a tropical storm upon striking land. So, while I liked it and thought it was bracing and off the beaten path, it needs some tightening and life-instilling towards the latter half. Still recommend for anyone who likes gargoyles, strong heroines, evil witches, mind games, and fugitives. I also enjoyed the dome sequence in West Baden - pretty neat!
December 6, 2018
Another of the four gargoyle brothers: Lannes. When he goes to Chicago to visit an old friend, he ends up helping a young woman whose lost her memory and is covered in blood.
Okay, this one got me crying. I could really empathize with Lethe, especially towards the end. My heart was just breaking for her. And I was furious with Rictor and Koni. I never really like Rictor anyway, but I liked Koni, so he really made me mad.
Footnote: 1) Has to be odd to write almost a whole book just calling the female protagonist ‘the woman’.
2) I love when I discover new things: locations, songs, history, etc. when reading books. Like domed vintage hotel in the middle of nowhere, Illinois. Very cool.
Fave scenes: the bookbinder’s workshop, ‘the woman’ cleaning up Lannes’s invisible wounds, sitting in the garden for hours and Rictor & the orange tabby cat.
Okay, this one got me crying. I could really empathize with Lethe, especially towards the end. My heart was just breaking for her. And I was furious with Rictor and Koni. I never really like Rictor anyway, but I liked Koni, so he really made me mad.
Footnote: 1) Has to be odd to write almost a whole book just calling the female protagonist ‘the woman’.
2) I love when I discover new things: locations, songs, history, etc. when reading books. Like domed vintage hotel in the middle of nowhere, Illinois. Very cool.
Fave scenes: the bookbinder’s workshop, ‘the woman’ cleaning up Lannes’s invisible wounds, sitting in the garden for hours and Rictor & the orange tabby cat.
June 5, 2019
I've had this book for years, but not being a fan of the cover I never picked it up. I finally thought I'd read the first chapter or so, to see how I liked it (and if I didn't I would swap it at the free library at my workplace). Turns out I got hooked and would have finished it sooner if I didn't have to finish a book I waited for months for, on Libby. And now, my to read list has grown significantly (the series has 11 or 12 books), I have now bought more books by this author on eBay. I can't wait until they arrive, so I can start this series from the start (did not realise this was the 8th book). Don't think I've spoilt myself to much though as the series follows different protagonists. It was fast paced and had me guessing all the way through, wonderful read. Definitely a book that kept me on the edge of my seat.
April 22, 2020
I found this book to be a great surprise! I’m generally picky about urban fantasy and paranormal romances, but Liu’s writing is wonderful and I found myself thoroughly enjoying this story. So much so that I’d like to visit the rest of the series.
The Wild Road is a bit slow-paced, but there’s a strong current of mystery running through and pulling one along. The romance is a little bit of a slow burn — to great effect in my opinion. The characters were quiet and strong. The mythos was intriguing. And I loved how everything came together in the end.
The Wild Road is a bit slow-paced, but there’s a strong current of mystery running through and pulling one along. The romance is a little bit of a slow burn — to great effect in my opinion. The characters were quiet and strong. The mythos was intriguing. And I loved how everything came together in the end.
June 30, 2020
This is my second ever paranormal romance, and I was really impressed by Marjorie M. Liu's writing. This was written really well, up until the end, which (sadly) lost me. I loved the romantic tension between Lethe and Lan, but their profession of love after like 3 days was eh. Also what the heck was up with the She Queen (fairy). The world building made sense right up until the end when it didn't, which was a shame.
3.5
I read this as a one off, but would look into reading the series from book 1.
3.5
I read this as a one off, but would look into reading the series from book 1.
July 10, 2020
Lannes and Lethe's story...
But she wasn't always called Lethe... There was a time when she was known as Alice.
But all of her memories are gone...
They encounter an old man who calls her Runa and sets them on a path to discover who wants revenge for a decades old murder and is using Lethe to do it..
They meet some strange characters but also some old friends of Lannes all interconnected with the tragedy.
Old friends from previous books help out.
But she wasn't always called Lethe... There was a time when she was known as Alice.
But all of her memories are gone...
They encounter an old man who calls her Runa and sets them on a path to discover who wants revenge for a decades old murder and is using Lethe to do it..
They meet some strange characters but also some old friends of Lannes all interconnected with the tragedy.
Old friends from previous books help out.
May 15, 2023
Marjorie M Liu :Writer of Fabulousness
Magic & Adventure & Love are staples in any story written by MML. Her pen crafts layers of emotional depth that cling to your memory. The characters bring about our vested interest. The author herself is well rounded in different genres, bringing a creativity that is as believable as it is fantastic.
Magic & Adventure & Love are staples in any story written by MML. Her pen crafts layers of emotional depth that cling to your memory. The characters bring about our vested interest. The author herself is well rounded in different genres, bringing a creativity that is as believable as it is fantastic.
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