After a horrific time with their first case together, it was understandable that Lucifer and Stefan wanted to take some down time and get to learn more about each other. But on their first day officially back at work, with Monty and Darwin's new anchor division this time, an ex-friend of Lucifer's turns up and things quickly go from bad to worse for the fated pair.
Borrowed magic, hateful hexes, and even a bomb all quickly culminate to strain Lucifer's and Stefan's relationship, especially when Lucifer defaults to his typical arrogant behavior. It doesn't help that Stefan knows Lucifer is hiding something from him, but he's not sure if it's to do with their issues around them or something more personal.
When Gaston visits his dreamscape, telling him to get out of bed, Stefan has yet something else to deal with he wasn't sure would ever happen to him - a new familiar. Maybe Creed can help Stefan and Lucifer decide if the problems they are having are a direct attack on Lucifer, or more efforts by the Brethren to stop them promoting the rights of anchors.
This story takes place over the space of a week from the Epilogue of Illuminate. It is not a standalone - you will need to read Illuminate to understand the impact of where Stefan was born, the Technic case, Lucifer's issues with the twins and the importance of anchors to high magic users.
This is the second book in the Magic Users of Greenford Trilogy and unlike most of my books, this story follows the two main characters across all three proposed titles.
Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams. Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips. When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate. Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers. You can friend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor), or email her directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com. If you want to chat with her on Skype, then email for contact details.
Things start to ramp up here in the second book of this series, but there are several different things going on so it did feel a bit unfocused. It also seems—again—that the bad guys are after Lucifer more because they want his body…kind of a “I need to make him mine” focus.
There’s also the issue that we’ve seen previously with how anchors are treated, and poor Stefan in particular. I was disappointed at Lucifer’s reactions in this area, or should I say lack thereof. Lucifer keeps falling back into his pre-Stefan, arrogant self without bothering to consider things from Stefan’s point of view.
I still feel like that emotional connection between them is not really there, that it’s more of a “were fated so we’re together” relationship without a true feeling of real love. I’m hoping that book three will bring things around for them. I did like that Stefan gained a new familiar, he does deserve so much more after everything he’s been through.
Lucifer and Stefan certainly develop as a couple and Stefan continues to grow into his powers. There are some sad points in the story with several deaths, but they do advance the overall story. I think Foster and Ethan are a loose end and perhaps we will hear more of them in book 3.
Lisa Oliver remains one of my very favorite authors and always a must-buy. Highly recommended.
What in heavens does Lucifer have in his pants that so many people in this series seem to wanna get into them? Most of the plot in this book and the previous is around people who seem to think they have been slighted by Lucifer by him not sleeping with them and that they deserve to be with him. And the way to go about that is to kill people and if that doesn't work, to kill him.
This book was more confusing than the last. I think part of the reason Illuminate was not as confusing was that at the core it was a romance and also a mystery, like a monster of the week type. It was only towards the end, the epilogue that the over arching conspiracy theory came in. There were so many elements in this book, so many plots that it got a bit much.
Stefan stayed true to his character. In the case of Lucifer? I cannot believe after the way his boss treated his fated mate the way he did in the previous book that he still takes his calls and is thinking of working for him. In the previous book there wasn't as much world building but I let it go as it was still the first book. But from what I can gleam there are 2 kinds of magic users - High Magic Users and Anchors for the aforementioned magic users. High magic users cannot use their powers without an Anchor. If they try their power is uncontrolled and causes damage to everything around them. Whereas Anchors can use their magic with or without the High magic users they are contracted to. It is just that they are prohibited to do so by law. To me it is the Anchors with the power. And I can see that people in the past might have though that too and created a system where the Anchors are oppressed and their actions curtailed to bring them under the so called High magic users. But none of this is mentioned in the story. This story has so much potential in creating a magic system but it pains me to see that it half-assed like this.
All of these issues and the core plot of this book, that another of Lucifer's ex-friends in league with an ex-bed partner are trying to kill him, are the same as the last and there was no significant move towards the solving of the Brethren conspiracy really brought down my enjoyment of this book. I will probably still read the next and last book in this series just so I can see where this story goes but after this book I do not have high hopes of it blowing my mind. I will go in while tempering my expectations.
This is not a review for the book per se, but an emphatic cheer for Lisa Oliver writing a series with the same MCs throughout. Lisa is one of my favorite go-to authors, and she always does a great job of world building in the long series where each book involves a new couple. However, I think that the depth of the characters themselves can be somewhat two dimensional when only one book focuses on them. There simply isn't enough real estate in one book to allow for readers to get more than a glimpse of who they really are and to let them grow into the readers' favorite book couple, where we are counting down the days until the next story in their lives is written. In other words, I like Lisa's characters, but I don't feel like I ever get enough of them to become a true fan.
With this series, we get both the world building (this world definitely has the potential to be one of my favorites from Lisa). But we are getting to see a stronger depth of the main characters. It was the same way with her Necromancer's Smile series - and like that one, I don't think a trilogy will do Lucifer and Stefan justice. There is so much potential for these two guys to have a longer series of adventures than three books. In fact, Stefan's marks and the mystery behind them could be a much longer story that unfolds past the third book.
I really hope Lisa's muse encourages her to make this into a longer series than a trilogy. Sure, wrap up the Brotherhood mystery in the 3rd book, but give us more of this world and these characters you have created! There are too many loose threads and plot bunnies to effectively be wrapped up in one more book. Let us keep getting to know Lucifer and Stefan through future magical adventures! Let us fall in love with them and get excited about their next adventure and how they grow as individuals and a couple!
An immediate follow along from the first book as Stefan and Lucifer deal with the visitor at their door and everything that she brings with her. There were still quite a few open ends after the first book and it is clear that there is much yet to discover about Anchors and magic and what is going on in the world. It seems that Stefan and Lucifer are going to be dragged into it again.
It is quickly clear that while Stefan and Lucifer have figured some things out together they still have much to figure out in their working life. They mesh together well and have a great relationship alone, but they have had so much to learn about working together. Lucifer is very set in his ways and Stefan is not going to be steam rolled, so they have to figure out how to work together without ruining the relationship they have.
At the end there are still some loose threads which will be explored in the final book of this series which I look forward to reading!
I really adore this author. I loved Coverleigh Pack. Gods made me do it. I read her Arrowtown and was somewhat disappointed, it felt underwhelming. Especially after her other series. But then i read this series and was like Lisa's back. Not sure if it was because she was finding her writers legs or just what. But, this series's has depth. Intrigue. Each book of the trilogy had couple development, character development and story development. Shes very good at complex world building and arrowtown just felt 1 dementional. By the end of the series i felt more connected but first few book were seriously meh.. this series was again. Lisa's back. N lisa style.
If you are debating reading this book, then you need to know three important things. 1. Start with book 1 "Illuminate" 2. Each book ends with HFN (thank goodness coz I hate cliffhangers) 3. You won't regret reading this series
What you will do is you will fall in love with Stefan & occasionally want to smack Lucifer upside the head. You will be intrigued, laugh, shed some tears, love the MC's and want to smack Lucifer upside the head (yes, I think it bears repeating LOL) So, stop deciding & start reading!
Notice I didn’t say the last one (hint, hint Lisa) I would love it if there were a couple more. I had been waiting for so long for this book! My only problem is I read faster than my favorite authors (Lisa is tied for second place) write!
This was a wonderful read and is something I know I will be finding new detail in every time I reread it. That there was no discontinuity between the books; which is something that doesn’t happen often when any length of time passes between being written; was amazing!
book 2, brilliant as always. Lisa has such a way with words.
Book 1 was great, Lucifer is arrogant, impressive & a twerp. Stefan is adorable, complex & a genius. I loved Garrick (book 1), so it’s lovely to have the cameos.
I think I’ve read all of Lisa’s books now because I love her people, her plots, her crazy is wonderful.
Absolutely agree, Dignity, Loyalty, and Compassion words to live by and Her Late Majesty did.
Another great story from Lisa Oliver full of mayhem, magic action and romance. I do like these stories of what happens in a relationship after the "getting together" bit. There are always ups and downs things don't just magically work out forever and so reading about the relationship as it develops provides a good feeling of authenticity to this series. Well, you know, once you accept that magic is real and dogs can talk etc etc
On what a tangled web is woven when deception is practised. The twists and turns of the plot are nailbiting. The characters are well thought out. Sorry no spoilers. Great job Lisa
Fantastic! Read book one before reading this book two!
READ IN ORDER! NO EXCEPTIONS! These two cannot get away from trouble. I love their interactions. Their life together is challenging but never boring. I love them.
Love Liz Oliver and her writings... And love a love story about demons Lucifer and magic...She has the power at creating a story that keeps you interested
Awesome as always. I already know I will be reading this one multiple time before the next book comes out. Well written with well developed characters. I can not wait until book 3 comes out.