This is the second book in this new series by Shannon Mayer and it didn’t take my reading very far into this book to appreciate how deep Mayer’s planning goes. In book #1, we meet Zamira, the hero of this soon-to-be saga. We learn that she is a shape-shifter. Her “pride” can shift from lion to human form and back again. For some reason, Zamira is a feisty runt who can only shift to being about house-cat size. The world (an alternate Earth) that Mayer creates has a “wall” between most humans and the “supes” (supernatural creatures that include witches, djinn and dragons among others).
This world is operating on a number of levels including:
• The day-to-day drama of Zamira’s struggles
• Her relationship to “new” pride and its members
• Her service to the “witch,” Ish
• The missions to retrieve jewels and/or individuals
• Their relationship to the Wizard, Merlin
• The threat of a waking god
“Merlin smiled at me. “That is exactly what you are, Zamira the Reckless. A Wall Breaker.”
Yes, Zamira “punches above her weight class” and her senses of pride, duty and loyalty make every day an adventure. Her ex-husband, Steve, is now her chief antagonist. He cheated on Zam and is now intent on doing her ill to advance his own stature. The jewels that Zamira, Steve and others have been “collecting” for Ish seem to be changing this once kind and supportive witch. Zam has to break the witch’s hold to go out to rescue her brother. That’s basically where this book’s story begins.
Usually, I am wary of sagas that cycle between “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” on such a frequency. But, Mayer knows what she is doing with a judicious parceling of information, mixed with some nice ideas about magic and monsters, and topped with both feminist sensibility and saucy language. Yes, I will be picking up another volume before too long. Here are some samples that won’t spoil the plot:
“Oh, bonkers, it’s blue flames. That is bad.” Blue flames were alive, and they sought out their prey. More than likely, us."
“I’m riding you now, you bitch!”
“I am not a bitch. You only use that for females!”
I could not believe he answered me. “Let me explain. I think you’re as useless as you think—wrongly—that your females are, which makes you my bitch!” I clenched my claws"
"Back in the day, there was only one male in a pride, just like natural lions. And he got to fuck all the ladies as much as he liked. My father had changed that, and the Bright Lion Pride had been healthier, happier for that. One mate to one mate."