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Negotiator Trilogy/Old Races Universe #3
Hands of Flame
War has erupted among the five Old Races, and Margrit is responsible for the death that caused it. Now New York City's most unusual lawyer finds herself facing her toughest negotiation yet. And with her gargoyle lover, Alban, taken prisoner, Margrit's only allies - a dragon bitter about his fall, a vampire determined to hold his standing at any cost and a mortal detective with no idea what he's up against - have demands of their own.
Determined to rescue Alban and torn between conflicting loyalties as the battle seeps into the human world, Margrit soon realizes the only way out is through the fire..
Determined to rescue Alban and torn between conflicting loyalties as the battle seeps into the human world, Margrit soon realizes the only way out is through the fire..
409 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2008
49 people are currently reading
1108 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Murphy
97 books1,796 followersCE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
January 23, 2012
While I'm finished with the book, I didn't actually "finish" it. I'm afraid the unnecessary melodrama just got to be too much for me. I just can't square Alban's passive aggressive refusal to defend himself (for defending Margrit) with his profession of love for her. I'm sorry, but if a) you'd do it again if the circumstances re-occurred and b) you don't actually believe the cultural baggage that humans are an inferior, lesser race undeserving of defense, then agreeing with (and being prepared to abide by) the "justice" that would condemn you for an action you consider just and reasonable is simply insane. It's one thing to defend yourself and lose. But refusing to defend yourself on the grounds that you are "guilty" means that you agree with the prosecution--i.e. Alban is not just saying that those putting him on trial are right, he is saying that the rules he is accused of breaking are, themselves, correct.
And Margrit's inability to even make that case is inconsistent for a character that is supposedly smart, trained in making arguments, and trained in legal theory. Margrit has never really lived up to her character's claim to be a smart lawyer and this was nowhere more clear than in her interactions with Alban in the beginning of this novel. Characters this fundamentally broken broke the story for me.
And Margrit's inability to even make that case is inconsistent for a character that is supposedly smart, trained in making arguments, and trained in legal theory. Margrit has never really lived up to her character's claim to be a smart lawyer and this was nowhere more clear than in her interactions with Alban in the beginning of this novel. Characters this fundamentally broken broke the story for me.
February 12, 2024
Beautifully continues the Negotiator Series as Margit Knight must decide who's side she is on. Caught between a powerful dragon & equally powerfully vampire,& loving a gargoyle, can she negotiate a truce that will bind not only them but the djinn & the selkies as well. And knowing all that she now knows can she ever walk& work honestly among humans again.
September 26, 2011
Rating: ★★★½
“Hands of Flame” is the third and final installment in the Negotiator Series. It wraps up Margrit’s transition from the human world to her total involvement in the world of the Old Races. In this book, Margrit is called upon to negotiate an agreement between two of the Old Races as their war threatens to spill over to the human world and jeopardize the secrecy of the races.
Frankly, I had a hard time getting through this book. It lacked something and I’m just not sure what it was. There was plenty of action; as Margrit was almost killed several times throughout the book, plenty of secrets and revelations were revealed, and most of the questions were wrapped up before the last page.
So what’s my problem? Well, mainly the lack of character connection. The characters were there but it felt that they were just going through the scenes to get to the ending. This book was more driven with plot and structure than with the actual characters.
Overall, Hands of Flame is well written, with both the plot and structure well thought out and explained. I just felt the “heart” of the book was missing.
“Hands of Flame” is the third and final installment in the Negotiator Series. It wraps up Margrit’s transition from the human world to her total involvement in the world of the Old Races. In this book, Margrit is called upon to negotiate an agreement between two of the Old Races as their war threatens to spill over to the human world and jeopardize the secrecy of the races.
Frankly, I had a hard time getting through this book. It lacked something and I’m just not sure what it was. There was plenty of action; as Margrit was almost killed several times throughout the book, plenty of secrets and revelations were revealed, and most of the questions were wrapped up before the last page.
So what’s my problem? Well, mainly the lack of character connection. The characters were there but it felt that they were just going through the scenes to get to the ending. This book was more driven with plot and structure than with the actual characters.
Overall, Hands of Flame is well written, with both the plot and structure well thought out and explained. I just felt the “heart” of the book was missing.
July 29, 2014
Actual Rating: 3.5 (Solid book, well written, but I probably won't reread)
Overall I loved this series. I give it a solid 4/5. I was introduced to C.E. Murphy through her Walker Papers books. And I love her Walker Papers books. This series was good as well, but honestly I find it lacks the polish and appeal that made WP such an amazing series. It's a little rough around the edges, but the heart is genuinely enjoyable.
The Series as a Whole
The series as a whole I'd give a 4 star rating. It's well constructed but, like I said above, it's a little roughly hewn. The similarities between this series and the Gargoyles cartoon series still throw me off. In this last addition to the series, Murphy actually has Cam, Margrit's best friend, acknowledge that Alban reminds her of "that gargoyles cartoon where they turn to stone at night". I sincerely dislike that part of this series- the similarities. If I hadn't seen the cartoon series at a young age and if it wasn't a huge part of my childhood, maybe this wouldn't bother me so much. But it was--so it does.
Disregarding that, the character development in this series is phenomenal. I really enjoyed Margrit's development. She changes from a lawyer bound by her many conventional morals who only finds freedom in taking risks like running alone in Central Park at night into a confident Negotiator between species willing to take risks and go into the dark side to protect what she sees as right. Even when what is right for the many is not good for her personally, she always does her best to see justice done by any means.
The Book (Though be forewarned- this is mostly my freaking out about what happened in this book)
The ending of this series is very much left in the air. In the first or second book Murphy mentions something about this "trilogy". I really hope this is not the last book in the series, because as an ending this would suck. The introduction of is really something I wish would be explored more! I love their characters and I really want to see more of their effect on the Dragonlord and Vampire Master.
I think this series could really become more of a rival to the Walker Papers in time. I truly hope that Murphy returns to this series in time! It's very much worth it in my mind.
Edit: So okay, evidently there IS a sort of continuation in a collection of short stories called The Old Races: Aftermath. While this is great and I'll definitely be reading them, I really really wish there were more BOOKS to the series. I doubt that my curiosity will be assuaged with shorts but we shall see!
Overall I loved this series. I give it a solid 4/5. I was introduced to C.E. Murphy through her Walker Papers books. And I love her Walker Papers books. This series was good as well, but honestly I find it lacks the polish and appeal that made WP such an amazing series. It's a little rough around the edges, but the heart is genuinely enjoyable.
The Series as a Whole
The series as a whole I'd give a 4 star rating. It's well constructed but, like I said above, it's a little roughly hewn. The similarities between this series and the Gargoyles cartoon series still throw me off. In this last addition to the series, Murphy actually has Cam, Margrit's best friend, acknowledge that Alban reminds her of "that gargoyles cartoon where they turn to stone at night". I sincerely dislike that part of this series- the similarities. If I hadn't seen the cartoon series at a young age and if it wasn't a huge part of my childhood, maybe this wouldn't bother me so much. But it was--so it does.
Disregarding that, the character development in this series is phenomenal. I really enjoyed Margrit's development. She changes from a lawyer bound by her many conventional morals who only finds freedom in taking risks like running alone in Central Park at night into a confident Negotiator between species willing to take risks and go into the dark side to protect what she sees as right. Even when what is right for the many is not good for her personally, she always does her best to see justice done by any means.
The Book (Though be forewarned- this is mostly my freaking out about what happened in this book)
The ending of this series is very much left in the air. In the first or second book Murphy mentions something about this "trilogy". I really hope this is not the last book in the series, because as an ending this would suck. The introduction of is really something I wish would be explored more! I love their characters and I really want to see more of their effect on the Dragonlord and Vampire Master.
I think this series could really become more of a rival to the Walker Papers in time. I truly hope that Murphy returns to this series in time! It's very much worth it in my mind.
Edit: So okay, evidently there IS a sort of continuation in a collection of short stories called The Old Races: Aftermath. While this is great and I'll definitely be reading them, I really really wish there were more BOOKS to the series. I doubt that my curiosity will be assuaged with shorts but we shall see!
January 22, 2009
This is definitely the best book in the series. Margrit gets caught up in all kinds of double crossing with the Old Races and almost dies a couple of times. The Djinn and Selkies are fighting over who gets Janx's territories. The Negotiator has to step in and propose a deal that will keep people from dying. Even Tony gets in the middle of everything. The truth about Grace is revealed and Janx and Daisani discover if they have heirs. A really good end to an interesting series of books. This book had a lot of action and was very exciting. I enjoyed it a lot.
November 8, 2018
I’m not sure what’s wrong with me in my contradictory feelings with this series. To start with, I can’t recommend it enough. This is one of those series you can’t stop thinking about when you’re not reading/listening to and keep wondering what the characters are doing. It’s also sad when it’s done. That being said, there was way too much spouting of poetic words and discriptive scenes and what was being seen or done. We get the picture already. We know how she feels. It’s so much that it takes from the story. The books are so disjointed. Just as we’re finally getting some answers, we start getting fluff about how Margrit feels or sees something. Nothing was ever pulled together nicely in the end. And the ending was so rushed. After three books it came down to about 30 minutes and more fluff to find out what happens and why. There were still some things I would’ve liked answered. I’m so frustrated. I’m glad I didn’t buy this and only listened through the romance package. But of course, I’m going to check out her other series.
The narrator did a great job. It was even better than the first two books.
The narrator did a great job. It was even better than the first two books.
November 4, 2012
Nice conclusion to the trilogy.
Notice I used the word 'nice'? Not 'amazing' or 'explosive', or 'epic', just 'nice'. I was hoping that this would be the book that tipped this trilogy over the precipice from good to great, but sadly not. It all boils down to the meh-ness of the main character, Margrit, unfortunately. She's a human fighting for survival among the strongest of the supernatural races, who all allow her to stick her nose into their business just because she's good with the words. They dub her 'The Negotiator' and allow her free rein and to make important decisions about their entire race's future...? Hmm. Something's just not clicking there for me. It doesn't ring true.
When she tries to go toe-to-toe with the Dragons or the Vampires or the Djinn, in my mind it goes a bit like this:
You know? She's just out of place, and far too weak. And all the talking, gah! I realise she's The Negotiator and talking is pretty much all she's got in her arsenal. But this was the final instalment; the one where we decide which race rules all. And in the end it was just very anti-climactic. It's like the end of Breaking Dawn all over again. Everyone's lined up ready to rumble and then......they have a nice little chat and talk their way out of it. Dafuq?
But that's not to say I didn't enjoy any part of this book, or indeed the whole trilogy. Murphy has a knack for characters; I love their diversity, both here and even more so in her Walker Papers series. They are realistic and interesting, flawed and sympathetic. I also loved the supernatural races she chose to concentrate on, particularly Alban and the rest of the Gargoyle race. I especially love the way they 'ride memories' and hold everyone's histories like a supernatural bank vault. That was very cool. Murphy can get a bit transcendental in her writing, but once you get what she's trying to convey, it really captures your imagination.
So, a mixed bag but not a total flop by any means. And the audio narration really helped bring the characters to life.
A solid 3 Stars ★★★
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Notice I used the word 'nice'? Not 'amazing' or 'explosive', or 'epic', just 'nice'. I was hoping that this would be the book that tipped this trilogy over the precipice from good to great, but sadly not. It all boils down to the meh-ness of the main character, Margrit, unfortunately. She's a human fighting for survival among the strongest of the supernatural races, who all allow her to stick her nose into their business just because she's good with the words. They dub her 'The Negotiator' and allow her free rein and to make important decisions about their entire race's future...? Hmm. Something's just not clicking there for me. It doesn't ring true.
When she tries to go toe-to-toe with the Dragons or the Vampires or the Djinn, in my mind it goes a bit like this:
You know? She's just out of place, and far too weak. And all the talking, gah! I realise she's The Negotiator and talking is pretty much all she's got in her arsenal. But this was the final instalment; the one where we decide which race rules all. And in the end it was just very anti-climactic. It's like the end of Breaking Dawn all over again. Everyone's lined up ready to rumble and then......they have a nice little chat and talk their way out of it. Dafuq?
But that's not to say I didn't enjoy any part of this book, or indeed the whole trilogy. Murphy has a knack for characters; I love their diversity, both here and even more so in her Walker Papers series. They are realistic and interesting, flawed and sympathetic. I also loved the supernatural races she chose to concentrate on, particularly Alban and the rest of the Gargoyle race. I especially love the way they 'ride memories' and hold everyone's histories like a supernatural bank vault. That was very cool. Murphy can get a bit transcendental in her writing, but once you get what she's trying to convey, it really captures your imagination.
So, a mixed bag but not a total flop by any means. And the audio narration really helped bring the characters to life.
A solid 3 Stars ★★★
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November 23, 2020
Ooh, this was a good one, though it felt slightly rushed. There seemed to be a lot more story to tell than fit into the page volume, so the action was pretty much nonstop and it felt like a really wild roller coaster.
In this book (third in the Negotiator series), all secrets are revealed with a vengeance, and the accumulated debts and promises from the first two books are all collected and distributed appropriately. (It felt a bit like the Mahabharata, when everything comes due.) Very satisfying, and I like Murphy's take on her mythology. And the truth about Grace O'Malley is just what it should have been. :)
Unfortunately, Murphy isn't going to write any more of these for a while. Which seems somewhat fair, since this was a fairly decisive, though hurried, finish for everything. Fortunately, she's going back to the Urban Shaman books. Her writing skills have improved since she left them, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next. :)
In this book (third in the Negotiator series), all secrets are revealed with a vengeance, and the accumulated debts and promises from the first two books are all collected and distributed appropriately. (It felt a bit like the Mahabharata, when everything comes due.) Very satisfying, and I like Murphy's take on her mythology. And the truth about Grace O'Malley is just what it should have been. :)
Unfortunately, Murphy isn't going to write any more of these for a while. Which seems somewhat fair, since this was a fairly decisive, though hurried, finish for everything. Fortunately, she's going back to the Urban Shaman books. Her writing skills have improved since she left them, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next. :)
May 2, 2010
The last book in the series was not fascinating nor extremely entertaining. Margrit, the main character seemed to have lost some of her tenacity and I was doubting her feelings toward Alban. The overall series is good but its not action packed nor thought provoking. It is a detour from the typical supernatural characters. Several myths or fictional characters (like vampires, djins, dragons) that have been written about to exhaustion come together under a code that governs them maintaining their secrecy. The author certainly created a new world with interesting characters. The plot was not as engaging at times.
January 28, 2012
Utterly adored this series. Went in a bit skeptical, because even though I adore her Walker Papers series, I am hard on Urban Fantasy, as a genre.
Only thing? THE END. Oh. My. Effing. Deities!!
There needs to be more of this world. Seriously. The last, oh, 5 pages or so, left these threads spread out so wide that I ache to find out What Happens Next. And really, I rarely want to know what happens after the book/series ends. This one? Need more. *grumbles at being only a trilogy* Maybe someday second trilogy? Will totally bribe with cookies, Catie! <3
Only thing? THE END. Oh. My. Effing. Deities!!
There needs to be more of this world. Seriously. The last, oh, 5 pages or so, left these threads spread out so wide that I ache to find out What Happens Next. And really, I rarely want to know what happens after the book/series ends. This one? Need more. *grumbles at being only a trilogy* Maybe someday second trilogy? Will totally bribe with cookies, Catie! <3
April 9, 2009
Not as enamoured of this third installment in the trilogy. Only touched on the relationships between the characters superficially instead of deepening and enriching them as you should expect as the series progresses. This book was all about the various plot points and tying them up so the author could take a break from the series. Still a worthwhile read, but disappointing.
December 5, 2022
The fate of the vampires, the lineage of the dragons, and the life of one human caught in the middle are determined in the third installation of the Negotiator series, Hands of Flame.
After clearing a gargoyle’s name of murder, saving a dragonlord, and surviving the ministrations of the selkies and djinn, Margrit Knight thinks she is up for anything. What she doesn’t expect is an outright war between the Old Races which she may have caused that spills into the human world after the races vie for prime territory.
Now Margrit, dubbed the Negotiator, must face her most terrifying foe: a gargoyle tribunal assembled to determine the fate of Alban, her gargoyle lover. The ramifications of what the tribunal uncovers affects all the races, revealing secrets long kept and stirring a rivalry amongst two powerful men.
Never before has a series hooked me so completely that upon reading the last line of the book I yelled, “This can’t be the end! There has to be more!” With every previous question answered in this novel, three more are left open. Unlike most novels where the reader feels cheated by the lack of finality, this novel leaves a smile on the face and the feeling of hope that maybe a happily ever after will, when the time is right, be possible.
I didn’t think C.E. Murphy would be able to top the first two books in the series, but this is by far the best. As the inhabitants of this world have grown, I have made assumptions about their character, how they would react in certain situations, and what boundaries they would refuse to cross. All preconceived notions about any and all characters were blown away, leaving a beautiful disaster of success and loss, love and betrayal, life and death.
After clearing a gargoyle’s name of murder, saving a dragonlord, and surviving the ministrations of the selkies and djinn, Margrit Knight thinks she is up for anything. What she doesn’t expect is an outright war between the Old Races which she may have caused that spills into the human world after the races vie for prime territory.
Now Margrit, dubbed the Negotiator, must face her most terrifying foe: a gargoyle tribunal assembled to determine the fate of Alban, her gargoyle lover. The ramifications of what the tribunal uncovers affects all the races, revealing secrets long kept and stirring a rivalry amongst two powerful men.
Never before has a series hooked me so completely that upon reading the last line of the book I yelled, “This can’t be the end! There has to be more!” With every previous question answered in this novel, three more are left open. Unlike most novels where the reader feels cheated by the lack of finality, this novel leaves a smile on the face and the feeling of hope that maybe a happily ever after will, when the time is right, be possible.
I didn’t think C.E. Murphy would be able to top the first two books in the series, but this is by far the best. As the inhabitants of this world have grown, I have made assumptions about their character, how they would react in certain situations, and what boundaries they would refuse to cross. All preconceived notions about any and all characters were blown away, leaving a beautiful disaster of success and loss, love and betrayal, life and death.
May 9, 2020
This finale was definitely not what I expected, and it took some interesting turns! The ending took completely by surprise and I will have to mull on it, because a lot had been dropped in the last few pages.
All the characters were back in full force and fighting to bridge the gap between their races, with Margrit leading the charge, and finding herself in more danger than ever before. She definitely made some bold choices and walked into situations she was not prepared for, but I admired her drive and heart and courage. Alban faced his people and used more of his powers, but Margrit was the star of the show.
I really, really loved the side characters and wish I could see more of them, including two of the new characters connected to Janx and Daisani. Daisani's arc actually ended on a note that had me wanting an entire book about it! These were complex characters that I would love to see more of in the future.
This book packed in way more action and tension and the drama was through the roof, while still leaving some unanswered questions for readers to imagine. The world opened up so much, and it's a shame to see it ending without some of the more fantastical ideas being toyed with. This was a great series to read to bridge my heart between heavier reads, and I was glad to see gargoyles back in the realm of urban fantasy!
All the characters were back in full force and fighting to bridge the gap between their races, with Margrit leading the charge, and finding herself in more danger than ever before. She definitely made some bold choices and walked into situations she was not prepared for, but I admired her drive and heart and courage. Alban faced his people and used more of his powers, but Margrit was the star of the show.
I really, really loved the side characters and wish I could see more of them, including two of the new characters connected to Janx and Daisani. Daisani's arc actually ended on a note that had me wanting an entire book about it! These were complex characters that I would love to see more of in the future.
This book packed in way more action and tension and the drama was through the roof, while still leaving some unanswered questions for readers to imagine. The world opened up so much, and it's a shame to see it ending without some of the more fantastical ideas being toyed with. This was a great series to read to bridge my heart between heavier reads, and I was glad to see gargoyles back in the realm of urban fantasy!
July 9, 2011
Thrilling Trilogy Conclusion
They may have graced her with the title of Negotiator, they may have acknowledged her as a representative of her race, but they are and forever will be other.
New York City hasn't seemed the same to Legal Aid lawyer Margrit Knight in the months since she was pulled into the world of Old Races. She hasn't seemed the same, even to herself, especially in the two weeks since the actions she took against the djinn Malik to protect dragon crime lord Janx directly led to Malik's demise. Nightmares of fire and death stalk her sleep, and out of a desperate need for time to come to terms with the recent past she keeps Alban at arm's length and stops herself from looking up as she jogs through Central Park at night.
Turns out that act of self preservation wasn't enough to keep Alban's old rival Biali from snatching her up and flying away with her. Before she can cry foul, Biali's move to draw Alban into a fight over the death of the halfling gargoyle...and batshit crazy murderer Ausra has yanked Grit right back into Old Race politics.
As Margrit prepares to defend Alban in a battle he refuses to fight for himself, she further thrusts herself from the familiar human world and into that of the gargoyle she's come to love. Inherently dangerous, industriously devious, unapologetic in their machinations, the Old Races are both tempting lure and cautionary tale. Embracing them and their world means forever walking a dangerous tightrope between gargoyle, vampire, selkie, dragon, and djinn, currying favor and carrying secrets and doing deals. The slightest misstep, the briefest bobble, and it won't simply be an issue of losing a case, it'll be a matter of forfeiting her very life.
The Negotiator trilogy draws to a close in this complex and thorough third book, and in so doing, evidences just what I like most about trilogies. When done particularly well, as in this case, the first and second books set up the characters, the world, and the many layers of plot, and by the third, readers can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of the author's labor as impending conflicts are realized, questions are answered, and resolutions are reached.
Hands Of Flame doesn't suffer from the slow start of Heart Of Stone or the slightly ponderous plot details of House of Cards. It hits hard and fast, picks up the action and the continued dramatics of the Old Races, and builds off what came before as it spirals towards a tenser and tenser conclusion. So many delicious lingering plot threads are tidied up, so many interesting mysteries are revealed. Margrit is still the quintessential Don Quixote, tilting at her Old Race windmills, but the stakes are ever so much higher with beloved characters on the line in new and scary ways.
I love this trilogy, and most of the reasons why are in this book. The depth given to the characters is so appealing, and as I prefer shades of gray as opposed to a strict black-and-white philosophy, the delightful moral ambiguity of best friends and fiercest rivals Janx and Daisani, dragon and vampire, offered me some of the best, if not the best, interpersonal conflicts between secondary characters I've ever read. Of course Margrit is the central character of the trilogy, with Alban a close second as the rock-solid male lead (no pun intended...really), and I liked them both. Yet while I enjoyed the journey of their relationship as it evolved over the three books, I have to admit, without the two bad boys, the trilogy wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining for me, and there are definitely some positively delicious developments with them in this book.
There's a lot of yum in the story as a whole in this book, actually. Even after reading the first two, I wasn't fully prepared for the full scope, imagination, and originality of the many-headed monster that is Hands Of Flame, and I was struck anew by Murphy's ability to weave such a richly developed and intricate trilogy with such attention to detail and continuity. I sort of loved everything about it, and the end - the epilogue - well, a special kernel of more-than-love is awarded to that bit of it. I positively adored how everything was tied up. I even appreciated those strands of complication or development that weren't quite tied, but at least given a nod, because it struck me as realistic and believable.
Though I know The Negotiator is a completed trilogy, and C.E. Murphy has been firm about Margrit and Alban's story being done, I can't help but thirst for more novels set in their world featuring the characters that I've come to love. Maybe we'll see more of the Old Races some day. I, for one, hope for more than the occasional short story that Murphy offers through her website, stories that delve into the past of such beloved characters as Janx and Daisani. I hunger to see what happens next, far more than what came before, and while I'm sure that makes me greedy, for the sort of layered, complex, and brilliant writing that I found in this trilogy, I'm more than okay with that label.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
They may have graced her with the title of Negotiator, they may have acknowledged her as a representative of her race, but they are and forever will be other.
New York City hasn't seemed the same to Legal Aid lawyer Margrit Knight in the months since she was pulled into the world of Old Races. She hasn't seemed the same, even to herself, especially in the two weeks since the actions she took against the djinn Malik to protect dragon crime lord Janx directly led to Malik's demise. Nightmares of fire and death stalk her sleep, and out of a desperate need for time to come to terms with the recent past she keeps Alban at arm's length and stops herself from looking up as she jogs through Central Park at night.
Turns out that act of self preservation wasn't enough to keep Alban's old rival Biali from snatching her up and flying away with her. Before she can cry foul, Biali's move to draw Alban into a fight over the death of the halfling gargoyle...and batshit crazy murderer Ausra has yanked Grit right back into Old Race politics.
As Margrit prepares to defend Alban in a battle he refuses to fight for himself, she further thrusts herself from the familiar human world and into that of the gargoyle she's come to love. Inherently dangerous, industriously devious, unapologetic in their machinations, the Old Races are both tempting lure and cautionary tale. Embracing them and their world means forever walking a dangerous tightrope between gargoyle, vampire, selkie, dragon, and djinn, currying favor and carrying secrets and doing deals. The slightest misstep, the briefest bobble, and it won't simply be an issue of losing a case, it'll be a matter of forfeiting her very life.
The Negotiator trilogy draws to a close in this complex and thorough third book, and in so doing, evidences just what I like most about trilogies. When done particularly well, as in this case, the first and second books set up the characters, the world, and the many layers of plot, and by the third, readers can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of the author's labor as impending conflicts are realized, questions are answered, and resolutions are reached.
Hands Of Flame doesn't suffer from the slow start of Heart Of Stone or the slightly ponderous plot details of House of Cards. It hits hard and fast, picks up the action and the continued dramatics of the Old Races, and builds off what came before as it spirals towards a tenser and tenser conclusion. So many delicious lingering plot threads are tidied up, so many interesting mysteries are revealed. Margrit is still the quintessential Don Quixote, tilting at her Old Race windmills, but the stakes are ever so much higher with beloved characters on the line in new and scary ways.
I love this trilogy, and most of the reasons why are in this book. The depth given to the characters is so appealing, and as I prefer shades of gray as opposed to a strict black-and-white philosophy, the delightful moral ambiguity of best friends and fiercest rivals Janx and Daisani, dragon and vampire, offered me some of the best, if not the best, interpersonal conflicts between secondary characters I've ever read. Of course Margrit is the central character of the trilogy, with Alban a close second as the rock-solid male lead (no pun intended...really), and I liked them both. Yet while I enjoyed the journey of their relationship as it evolved over the three books, I have to admit, without the two bad boys, the trilogy wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining for me, and there are definitely some positively delicious developments with them in this book.
There's a lot of yum in the story as a whole in this book, actually. Even after reading the first two, I wasn't fully prepared for the full scope, imagination, and originality of the many-headed monster that is Hands Of Flame, and I was struck anew by Murphy's ability to weave such a richly developed and intricate trilogy with such attention to detail and continuity. I sort of loved everything about it, and the end - the epilogue - well, a special kernel of more-than-love is awarded to that bit of it. I positively adored how everything was tied up. I even appreciated those strands of complication or development that weren't quite tied, but at least given a nod, because it struck me as realistic and believable.
Though I know The Negotiator is a completed trilogy, and C.E. Murphy has been firm about Margrit and Alban's story being done, I can't help but thirst for more novels set in their world featuring the characters that I've come to love. Maybe we'll see more of the Old Races some day. I, for one, hope for more than the occasional short story that Murphy offers through her website, stories that delve into the past of such beloved characters as Janx and Daisani. I hunger to see what happens next, far more than what came before, and while I'm sure that makes me greedy, for the sort of layered, complex, and brilliant writing that I found in this trilogy, I'm more than okay with that label.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
February 10, 2013
Ok, let me just make this clear....I refuse to believe that this is then end! I REFUSE! (SPOILERS)
I'm rating the entire series btw. This was sooooo intense. I loved the characters, their personalities, their divisiveness, everything just made it seem so real. How they interacted, their quirks, how they went about their business and negotiations. Every situation was looked at from all angles and point of views and how they may not just impact the main character but all those involved. I liked how Grit's race was included in the plot in a way that was actually apart of it (not sure if I'm explaining what I mean well, lol) In all the books I've read I never read about a main character who was a poc and that was reflected in their daily lives from interactions with strangers, her job, her family and she was raised and the new world she found herself in. It was done in a way that it flowed naturally, wasn't forced, and seemed realistic. It wasn't the focal point of the books but was brought up in regular everyday conversations if it happened to make that turn. For example, the issue with her job putting her on a case not only because of her skills, but recognizing her as a useful resource based on her race. I really loved the conflict between Cole and Grit. It pushes people to really think about who they are and what they stand far if shit really became real. It showed that the person who had the image of being a liberal and progressive completely missed the point and mentality of such titles while the person who is seen as conservative GETS it. Its like Cole was playing an image or role without really understanding what it meant to be progressive/liberal or whatever you want to call it. (It does not mean equality for all, except for A/B/C) Of all the people to be on her side, you would think he would, but yet he carried the same hateful mentality as those he's against(racists) but denies it because it's not directed towards poc/minorities and oh yeah he dated a black woman so he can't possibly have a problem with 'otherness'. This question came to mind: How many people watched X-Men and cheered for the mutants, but are either racists/bigoted/prejudiced,etc like hell? Or liberal/progressive for that matter (Cole). How many people look to the stars and are actively searching for other planets and signs of intelligent life? And how many of those people when greeted with the real deal or the result of their search and turn with a quickness wanting an end to their discovery? Its ironic and hypocritical, but it's real! That's humanity! No matter how many movies we make, how much we envy them, and wish they were real and pretend to be them, people would freak the fuck out and damn near kill on sight. Investigating that mentality is a journey in itself and makes people think about if they really are the type of person they claim to be if they haven't really been challenged...Of course you can perfectly understand his reaction. IMO he was scared and felt threatened and immediately began to dehumanize (make sense because Alban's not human, but doesn't make it right) Alban while saying he's not afraid. BS! That is a human reaction as shown time and time again to feel threatened and scared and make up some crap to justify your behavior besides the truth. I swear this is a "what woud you do" type book. Literally the entire time I'm reading I'm thinking about what would I do, my friends/family, and having 'deep' thoughts and what not and those are the type of books that I enjoy reading. Books that make me think and come to new conclusions or ways of thinking/viewing the world.
I loved that Grit was challenged on applying her human definitions and mentality towards an entirely different group and culture (like race/racism its definition, human laws/rules, human mentality or way of thinking like the issue with the selkies [trust me i thought the same thing about the numbers thing] ) I liked how some of the Old Races new human history and recognized any advantage that they had or could get. For example, the Old Races pretty much think that human racism is ridiculous and even though they do not see themselves as human it did not stop some of them from recognizing that they had an advantage over Grit by having a white form or trying to bait her. It reminded me of someone saying the most hateful things to you not because they themselves believe it, but they know that YOU do and that it pushes your buttons in the worst way so they have no problems about taking it there. Anywho, these challenges makes you think about the psychology behind these characters. Shit, the entire plot makes you so invested in this world and what everyone could be thinking. I loved that Grit was really really human. I'm referring to her inner thoughts throughout the entire series and the fact that this chick was scared, made mistakes, got her ass kicked!, died, etc. To me everything was on point. I couldn't believe that she went through so much in 3 months. She was stressed the fuck out! I thought it was longer than 3 months so of course with her drama escalating on the daily she would be stressed the fuck out and it showed! It impacted her work and personal relationships, and HER. She is a 3D/multi-dimensional character as they all were. To me this is one of the many things that makes a great read: bringing a story to life and making it real. That's the whole point right?
I can easily imagine this as being a movie or tv series, but I would want it to be done right and unfortunately tv pretty much always gets it wrong. Nothing beats the imagination, yea?
I realize that I went on and on and on, but I couldn't help it. All my thoughts just came out so if what I wrote is all over the place, SORRY!
I'm rating the entire series btw. This was sooooo intense. I loved the characters, their personalities, their divisiveness, everything just made it seem so real. How they interacted, their quirks, how they went about their business and negotiations. Every situation was looked at from all angles and point of views and how they may not just impact the main character but all those involved. I liked how Grit's race was included in the plot in a way that was actually apart of it (not sure if I'm explaining what I mean well, lol) In all the books I've read I never read about a main character who was a poc and that was reflected in their daily lives from interactions with strangers, her job, her family and she was raised and the new world she found herself in. It was done in a way that it flowed naturally, wasn't forced, and seemed realistic. It wasn't the focal point of the books but was brought up in regular everyday conversations if it happened to make that turn. For example, the issue with her job putting her on a case not only because of her skills, but recognizing her as a useful resource based on her race. I really loved the conflict between Cole and Grit. It pushes people to really think about who they are and what they stand far if shit really became real. It showed that the person who had the image of being a liberal and progressive completely missed the point and mentality of such titles while the person who is seen as conservative GETS it. Its like Cole was playing an image or role without really understanding what it meant to be progressive/liberal or whatever you want to call it. (It does not mean equality for all, except for A/B/C) Of all the people to be on her side, you would think he would, but yet he carried the same hateful mentality as those he's against(racists) but denies it because it's not directed towards poc/minorities and oh yeah he dated a black woman so he can't possibly have a problem with 'otherness'. This question came to mind: How many people watched X-Men and cheered for the mutants, but are either racists/bigoted/prejudiced,etc like hell? Or liberal/progressive for that matter (Cole). How many people look to the stars and are actively searching for other planets and signs of intelligent life? And how many of those people when greeted with the real deal or the result of their search and turn with a quickness wanting an end to their discovery? Its ironic and hypocritical, but it's real! That's humanity! No matter how many movies we make, how much we envy them, and wish they were real and pretend to be them, people would freak the fuck out and damn near kill on sight. Investigating that mentality is a journey in itself and makes people think about if they really are the type of person they claim to be if they haven't really been challenged...Of course you can perfectly understand his reaction. IMO he was scared and felt threatened and immediately began to dehumanize (make sense because Alban's not human, but doesn't make it right) Alban while saying he's not afraid. BS! That is a human reaction as shown time and time again to feel threatened and scared and make up some crap to justify your behavior besides the truth. I swear this is a "what woud you do" type book. Literally the entire time I'm reading I'm thinking about what would I do, my friends/family, and having 'deep' thoughts and what not and those are the type of books that I enjoy reading. Books that make me think and come to new conclusions or ways of thinking/viewing the world.
I loved that Grit was challenged on applying her human definitions and mentality towards an entirely different group and culture (like race/racism its definition, human laws/rules, human mentality or way of thinking like the issue with the selkies [trust me i thought the same thing about the numbers thing] ) I liked how some of the Old Races new human history and recognized any advantage that they had or could get. For example, the Old Races pretty much think that human racism is ridiculous and even though they do not see themselves as human it did not stop some of them from recognizing that they had an advantage over Grit by having a white form or trying to bait her. It reminded me of someone saying the most hateful things to you not because they themselves believe it, but they know that YOU do and that it pushes your buttons in the worst way so they have no problems about taking it there. Anywho, these challenges makes you think about the psychology behind these characters. Shit, the entire plot makes you so invested in this world and what everyone could be thinking. I loved that Grit was really really human. I'm referring to her inner thoughts throughout the entire series and the fact that this chick was scared, made mistakes, got her ass kicked!, died, etc. To me everything was on point. I couldn't believe that she went through so much in 3 months. She was stressed the fuck out! I thought it was longer than 3 months so of course with her drama escalating on the daily she would be stressed the fuck out and it showed! It impacted her work and personal relationships, and HER. She is a 3D/multi-dimensional character as they all were. To me this is one of the many things that makes a great read: bringing a story to life and making it real. That's the whole point right?
I can easily imagine this as being a movie or tv series, but I would want it to be done right and unfortunately tv pretty much always gets it wrong. Nothing beats the imagination, yea?
I realize that I went on and on and on, but I couldn't help it. All my thoughts just came out so if what I wrote is all over the place, SORRY!
October 23, 2017
Decent ending to the series, it’s pretty action packed and interesting. The one thing that kept bothering me was how understanding Margrit was towards Cole when he was being a bigoted racist. It baffles me that she would keep making excuses for why it was ok that he acted that way. Other than that, the cast of characters was interesting, Alban only mildly annoying at times, and Margrit held her own as a protagonist.
November 16, 2017
Great conclusion. Quite a few things cleared up nicely, a few loose ends left for potential follow ups and a mostly satisfying ending. Didn't like where things ended up for Eliseo, and Grit's choice of who to save and who to "betray" wasn't really my favorite, but it was still well done so I can't complain too much.
Unfortunately I'm not sure there's much to go after this yet...hopefully someday.
Unfortunately I'm not sure there's much to go after this yet...hopefully someday.
March 8, 2021
This was a lot less enchanting then the first 2, but with some extra twists and turns as "Grit" The Negotiator comes into her own and it resolves all the plot lines in a fairly satisfactory way. Engaging and a quick read, the series overall was quite enjoyable.
October 21, 2022
Amazing Story
I love Margrit the “Negotiator” the cast of characters, the fact that the Old Race were made up of flawed beings who were both good and bad. Love the story to the very, very end. Really good series.
I love Margrit the “Negotiator” the cast of characters, the fact that the Old Race were made up of flawed beings who were both good and bad. Love the story to the very, very end. Really good series.
June 17, 2017
Finished the trilogy.
I enjoyed this world and Grit. The romance is there but is secondary to the story of a human discovering other races that were thought to be fictional.
I enjoyed this world and Grit. The romance is there but is secondary to the story of a human discovering other races that were thought to be fictional.
December 5, 2019
This was soooo romantic! I loved this series.
January 28, 2020
I liked this the best of the trilogy. This was a clever book and world.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
September 27, 2015
The alliance between the Old Races is becoming increasingly unstable and once again Margrit Knight finds herself thrust into the middle. Trying her best to stop all-out war, please those whom she owes, as well as deal with new issues that arise, she realises priorities in her life have changed, and she may never fit back into her old way of living.
(Please be aware that this review may contain spoilers before reading further.)
Upon reading through this book, I couldn't help but think finally, finally things were happening, progressing at a satisfying pace and the previous non-existent levels of excitement actually began to climb. Both Heart of Stone and House of Cards were average at best and offered very little for me to warm to. Not only were there a lack of goings on (primarily consisting of talking, talking and more talking), but the leading character and love interest both irritated as well as bored me. This however, the last of the trilogy, was worth the effort and slow trudge to get to it. As it should be with the ending of a series, be it short or long, many questions were answered. I can only think of one mystery that was left open, that being Chelsea Huo, however I do have an idea of what and who she was.
My increase of rating and the matter of my enjoyment being improved doesn't mean I came to particularly like Margrit. She wasn't redeemed in my books, but she was tolerable. She was still very much addicted to adrenaline and attracted to danger, which would've been completely acceptable if she could've took care of herself. I felt like she relied upon the men in her life. Her self-healing capabilities were indeed gifted to her by one of those men. She also often complained about where her life was going and how involved she was getting, but over and over she was the one to place herself in business that didn't concern her.
Alban remained as dull as always. I found it painful when it switched to his PoV, not because he did anything that annoyed me as such, but because out of all the characters combined I simply couldn't find anything remotely interesting about him. Sure, he was a gargoyle and had sent himself into exile, but he had no spark of personality, at least none that appealed to me. My favourite character of the book? Of course it was the one and only Janx. That dragon was amazing and delightfully destructive. His attitude as well as certain interactions he had with others made me chuckle aloud. He didn't only bring humour, but a dangerous charm. Followed by Daisani, both characters I felt drawn toward and even now I wish to read more about them.
The introduction of the sisters felt somewhat out of the blue, but they were a welcome addition nevertheless. I felt they would've been good material for a spin-off series, but other than a few short story collections, I see no indication that the Old Races universe will be revisited by the author. Even Grace had enough potential, even if her way of speech got old quite fast. It's a shame though, that just when I wanted more, it was finished.
The entwining plots never failed to entertain and I wasn't left disappointed. Perhaps there was a bit less focus on the romance, but that didn't bother me in the slightest. As an urban fantasy, I expect to have events left, right and center that keep me on my toes, not the saturation of the lovey-dovey (I have other books for that). A highlight for me were the trials that Margrit had to undertake, especially the short time with Ouroboros. Well worth the read.
© Red Lace 2014
(Please be aware that this review may contain spoilers before reading further.)
Upon reading through this book, I couldn't help but think finally, finally things were happening, progressing at a satisfying pace and the previous non-existent levels of excitement actually began to climb. Both Heart of Stone and House of Cards were average at best and offered very little for me to warm to. Not only were there a lack of goings on (primarily consisting of talking, talking and more talking), but the leading character and love interest both irritated as well as bored me. This however, the last of the trilogy, was worth the effort and slow trudge to get to it. As it should be with the ending of a series, be it short or long, many questions were answered. I can only think of one mystery that was left open, that being Chelsea Huo, however I do have an idea of what and who she was.
My increase of rating and the matter of my enjoyment being improved doesn't mean I came to particularly like Margrit. She wasn't redeemed in my books, but she was tolerable. She was still very much addicted to adrenaline and attracted to danger, which would've been completely acceptable if she could've took care of herself. I felt like she relied upon the men in her life. Her self-healing capabilities were indeed gifted to her by one of those men. She also often complained about where her life was going and how involved she was getting, but over and over she was the one to place herself in business that didn't concern her.
Alban remained as dull as always. I found it painful when it switched to his PoV, not because he did anything that annoyed me as such, but because out of all the characters combined I simply couldn't find anything remotely interesting about him. Sure, he was a gargoyle and had sent himself into exile, but he had no spark of personality, at least none that appealed to me. My favourite character of the book? Of course it was the one and only Janx. That dragon was amazing and delightfully destructive. His attitude as well as certain interactions he had with others made me chuckle aloud. He didn't only bring humour, but a dangerous charm. Followed by Daisani, both characters I felt drawn toward and even now I wish to read more about them.
The introduction of the sisters felt somewhat out of the blue, but they were a welcome addition nevertheless. I felt they would've been good material for a spin-off series, but other than a few short story collections, I see no indication that the Old Races universe will be revisited by the author. Even Grace had enough potential, even if her way of speech got old quite fast. It's a shame though, that just when I wanted more, it was finished.
The entwining plots never failed to entertain and I wasn't left disappointed. Perhaps there was a bit less focus on the romance, but that didn't bother me in the slightest. As an urban fantasy, I expect to have events left, right and center that keep me on my toes, not the saturation of the lovey-dovey (I have other books for that). A highlight for me were the trials that Margrit had to undertake, especially the short time with Ouroboros. Well worth the read.
© Red Lace 2014
April 1, 2019
Grit's role with the Old Races has gotten more difficult, and that only continues as the Djinn seek the person who killed Malik. When Alban is captured, she becomes desperate to find him. When she does a gargoyle trial is ordered to determine Alban's fate. But Alban refuses to defend himself, still trying to protect old secrets. Good read.
June 1, 2010
Hands Of Flame by C.E. Murphy was in interesting, but not engrossing read. The story is well populated with mythological creatures and conflict abouunds. There is a different kind of paranormal romance - yes happily no vampires or werewolves as part of the romance - a diverting change, but the book simply seems to be missing a vital spark. I found it hard to stay interested in and it took me over a week to read the 441 page book.
Hands Of Flame has almost too much going on at once. The book is so populated with conflict between, and within, various mythological creatures it is difficult to pick just one to really care about. Given the nature of the heroine, Margrit's job as a negotiator for the "elder races", this may in fact be a deliberate move on the author's part. She may not want you to chose a particular group to care about more.
Murphy does some things that really broke the illusion of fantasy for me more. First, and for me the most annoying point, was Murphy's blatant overuse of cliche. I would finally start to get into the book only to find another cliche popping out and knocking me off the page. The other really frustrating habit, cute the first couple of times, but rapidly becoming old afterwards was her use of alliterative groups of three. I might have been able to read these groupings without being consciously aware of them but the author herself deliberately brought attention to them. After that they were extremely distracting. They may have occured within the text prior to the point when the author drew attention to them, but if they did I hadn't noted them.
Overall, I was unimpressed with Hands Of Flame. I'd read some of C.E. Murphy's other work and was really llooking forward to this tale, only to find it didn't live up to the excitement it had engendered.
Hands Of Flame by C.E. Murphy, copyright 2008 by C.E. Murphy, published as a Luna book by Harlequin Books S.A., 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279, ISBN 978-0-373-80312-5
Hands Of Flame has almost too much going on at once. The book is so populated with conflict between, and within, various mythological creatures it is difficult to pick just one to really care about. Given the nature of the heroine, Margrit's job as a negotiator for the "elder races", this may in fact be a deliberate move on the author's part. She may not want you to chose a particular group to care about more.
Murphy does some things that really broke the illusion of fantasy for me more. First, and for me the most annoying point, was Murphy's blatant overuse of cliche. I would finally start to get into the book only to find another cliche popping out and knocking me off the page. The other really frustrating habit, cute the first couple of times, but rapidly becoming old afterwards was her use of alliterative groups of three. I might have been able to read these groupings without being consciously aware of them but the author herself deliberately brought attention to them. After that they were extremely distracting. They may have occured within the text prior to the point when the author drew attention to them, but if they did I hadn't noted them.
Overall, I was unimpressed with Hands Of Flame. I'd read some of C.E. Murphy's other work and was really llooking forward to this tale, only to find it didn't live up to the excitement it had engendered.
Hands Of Flame by C.E. Murphy, copyright 2008 by C.E. Murphy, published as a Luna book by Harlequin Books S.A., 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279, ISBN 978-0-373-80312-5
November 17, 2008
Oh, sad. This is the last book in the trilogy. I grant you, the ending has enough closure to make it seem tied up while allowing room for further stories later, but the author says at the beginning that she's going back to her other series for a while, so we probably won't hear more about Margrit, Alban, et al for years.
And I do want to hear more. This book takes up right where the second one left off, but now that the main political machinations seem done amongst the Old Races as groups, we get to start looking further in depth at the personal relationships between the main immortal characters. The centuries-old rivalry between the two gargoyles, Alban and Biali, we know about from the first book. But it turns out that Alban, Janx, and Daisani have been friends for more than 300 years, and they have a secret tying them together, the secret that lies at the root of Alban's isolation from his own people for so long. The final truth of that ends up being more startling than any of them expected.
In the background, though, the other two Old Races, the selkie and the djinn, are still fighting. Margrit is drawn in to broker a peace deal. Things go both better and worse than expected, but I can't possibly say more without revealing major spoilers. I was, unfortunately for me, left wanting more, as the epilogue contained quite a few teasers to taunt my imagination about where things might go next. It has to involve more Janx and Daisani! It has to!
And I do want to hear more. This book takes up right where the second one left off, but now that the main political machinations seem done amongst the Old Races as groups, we get to start looking further in depth at the personal relationships between the main immortal characters. The centuries-old rivalry between the two gargoyles, Alban and Biali, we know about from the first book. But it turns out that Alban, Janx, and Daisani have been friends for more than 300 years, and they have a secret tying them together, the secret that lies at the root of Alban's isolation from his own people for so long. The final truth of that ends up being more startling than any of them expected.
In the background, though, the other two Old Races, the selkie and the djinn, are still fighting. Margrit is drawn in to broker a peace deal. Things go both better and worse than expected, but I can't possibly say more without revealing major spoilers. I was, unfortunately for me, left wanting more, as the epilogue contained quite a few teasers to taunt my imagination about where things might go next. It has to involve more Janx and Daisani! It has to!
August 7, 2009
I'm long on record as getting a lot of enjoyment out of C.E. Murphy's work, and Hands of Flame is no exception. It's a fine conclusion to the Negotiator Trilogy, bringing some resolution not only to heroine Margrit's relationship with the gargoyle Alban, but also to the humans close to her. Played off against the more personal relationship is the development of her station among the Old Races, with whom she has gained enough status that they've given her a new name: The Negotiator.
There's some good solid intrigue here as Margrit is hauled in to mediate a deal between the selkies and the djinn--and at the same time, she's pushed by the dragonlord Janx into trying to destroy her own brand new employer, Eliseo Daisani. Margrit is forced to delve into the history of these two longstanding rivals, and with Alban's help, uncovers a secret neither the dragon nor the vampire knew.
The pace is fast; a lot of the time on the way through this book I found myself going "wait, what? Wait, what? Wait, what?" and having to process things I read twice. But this is not a bad thing. Just be ready to handle a lot of plot details thrown at you very, very quickly if you take this one on! And for gods' sake, make sure you've read Books 1 and 2 first, else you will be very, very lost. Four stars.
There's some good solid intrigue here as Margrit is hauled in to mediate a deal between the selkies and the djinn--and at the same time, she's pushed by the dragonlord Janx into trying to destroy her own brand new employer, Eliseo Daisani. Margrit is forced to delve into the history of these two longstanding rivals, and with Alban's help, uncovers a secret neither the dragon nor the vampire knew.
The pace is fast; a lot of the time on the way through this book I found myself going "wait, what? Wait, what? Wait, what?" and having to process things I read twice. But this is not a bad thing. Just be ready to handle a lot of plot details thrown at you very, very quickly if you take this one on! And for gods' sake, make sure you've read Books 1 and 2 first, else you will be very, very lost. Four stars.
June 9, 2011
I loved this series. There were many characters that I wish had been expounded on, but I discovered that C.E. Murphy has short stories with Janx, Biali and Malik. I bought them.
In C.E. Murphy's world, gargoyles, selkies, djinn, dragons, and vampires, make up the old races, the last remaining on Earth. Humans have been crowding them out and the Old Races are both hidden and going extinct.
Times have changed, however the immortal Old Races have not. Alban, a gargoyle, watches over Margrit, a human he is taken with. Margrit is a very good attorney who wants to make a difference, and is drawn into the Old Races disputes as their negotiator.
In this last book, Alban and Margrit have to come to their own agreement as to whether to be together or not. It requires the Old Races to accept that outcrossing to humans is not a banishing offense, secrets revealed about the birth of two half old races and half human children, and a battle scene where Margrit has to fight to keep Alban from being banished.
The book wrapped up Alban's and Margrit's story perfectly, and even Tony, her former boyfriend, appears to have a happy ending.
I'm looking forward to reading the short stories and getting immersed in the Old Races world again.
Nice, unusual take on old myths.
In C.E. Murphy's world, gargoyles, selkies, djinn, dragons, and vampires, make up the old races, the last remaining on Earth. Humans have been crowding them out and the Old Races are both hidden and going extinct.
Times have changed, however the immortal Old Races have not. Alban, a gargoyle, watches over Margrit, a human he is taken with. Margrit is a very good attorney who wants to make a difference, and is drawn into the Old Races disputes as their negotiator.
In this last book, Alban and Margrit have to come to their own agreement as to whether to be together or not. It requires the Old Races to accept that outcrossing to humans is not a banishing offense, secrets revealed about the birth of two half old races and half human children, and a battle scene where Margrit has to fight to keep Alban from being banished.
The book wrapped up Alban's and Margrit's story perfectly, and even Tony, her former boyfriend, appears to have a happy ending.
I'm looking forward to reading the short stories and getting immersed in the Old Races world again.
Nice, unusual take on old myths.
March 29, 2011
Great wrap up for the trilogy. There were a few questions I would have liked answers to, but the major story arc came to a satisfactory conclusion. Margrit's attempts to negotiate between the Old Races leads her farther away from her old life and deeper into danger, endangering her life on more than one occasion. I loved the sly Buffy reference when Margrit said she wanted her future tombstone to read She changed the world. A lot. One of Margrit's most admirable traits is her drive to make the world a better place. Regardless of whether anyone knows what she has accomplished, she just wants to fix the problems in the world. Unfortunately, this is also one of her biggest failings. Margrit doesn't always stop to consider the reasons behind the laws the Old Races live by and initially creates havoc. The war between Janx and Daisani in addition to the Djinn, Selkies and humans fighting over Janx's territory provides plenty of action. While the Walker Papers is my favorite Murphy world, I'm hoping to see more stories from this one in the future.
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