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Tess Noncoire #2
Moon in the Mirror
Tess Noncoiré, bestselling fantasy writer turned martial arts demon hunter, is back for another rollicking adventure. Trouble has followed Tess to her own doorstep, and now she and her sidekick Scrap must protect her mother from a demon she’s fallen in love with while at the same time fighting off an invasion led by the king of the Trolls—who bears far too close a resemblance to a garden gnome...
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2007
3 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
P.R. Frost
12 books28 followersA pseudonym used by C.F. Bentley. Also known as Irene Radford.
P.R. Frost resides on beautiful Mt. Hood in Oregon. She hikes the Columbia River Gorge for inspiration. She is an omnivorous reader having taught herself to read before entering kindergarten. Her sister claims this was so she wouldn’t have to wait to learn how to write so she could begin penning her stories. At Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention she can be found hanging out with filkers and costumers.
Like her fictional character Tess, P.R. learned to tat (la Frivolité) with her grandmother’s shuttle. Unlike Tess, she also enjoys bobbin lace, knitting and crocheting, periodically indulging in a binge of fisherman knit sweaters.
P.R.’s musical tastes are as omnivorous as her reading ranging from classical to Celtic to new age to jazz, and of course filk.
Join P. R. on her blog and share her latest hiking adventures, progress reports on her books and gushes over wildflowers
P.R. Frost resides on beautiful Mt. Hood in Oregon. She hikes the Columbia River Gorge for inspiration. She is an omnivorous reader having taught herself to read before entering kindergarten. Her sister claims this was so she wouldn’t have to wait to learn how to write so she could begin penning her stories. At Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention she can be found hanging out with filkers and costumers.
Like her fictional character Tess, P.R. learned to tat (la Frivolité) with her grandmother’s shuttle. Unlike Tess, she also enjoys bobbin lace, knitting and crocheting, periodically indulging in a binge of fisherman knit sweaters.
P.R.’s musical tastes are as omnivorous as her reading ranging from classical to Celtic to new age to jazz, and of course filk.
Join P. R. on her blog and share her latest hiking adventures, progress reports on her books and gushes over wildflowers
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 22, 2009
The Tess Noncoire series is an enjoyable blend of fantasy, romance, fast-paced action, and humor. In her mundane life, Tess is a fantasy writer, and I found the first book in the series particularly enjoyable for its portrayal of con culture. Moon in the Mirror is set in Tess's home of Cape Cod, where a Wiccan teenager mysteriously shows up after disappearing 28 years before, with a tale of having lived in the realm of Faerie. I kind of missed the "road trip" flavor of the first novel, and its blending of the magical and the mundane; here the emphasis is more on the magical, although there is also heavy emphasis placed upon family dynamics. You see, Tess's mother has fallen in love with Darren Estevez, foster father of Donovan Estevez, the sexy more-than-human who gives Tess goosebumps.
There's really a lot to like in this book, and the things that bothered me about it are mostly my own personal preferences, so treat them accordingly. Tess is not just a novelist, but also a member of the Sisterhood of the Celestial Blade, with a devoted personal imp, Scrap. Most urban fantasy I've read deals with real world folklore, familiar or not, so having the Sisterhood a purely fictional institution was a nice change. However, blending invented magic and folkloric beliefs doesn't always work as well as it could, especially when (very briefly) Frost uses another author's invented lore. I love the relationship between Tess and Scrap; for the ego stoking alone, I want a personal imp! I'm less crazy about the sort of love triangle forming between Tess, Donovan, and Tess's other potential interest, Guilford van der Hoyden-Smythe, or Gollum for short. I don't much like the love triangle in general as a plot device, and with Donovan's particular brand of dangerous attraction, I found myself wishing that Tess would think with her head rather than, well, you know. It's still a fun series, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
There's really a lot to like in this book, and the things that bothered me about it are mostly my own personal preferences, so treat them accordingly. Tess is not just a novelist, but also a member of the Sisterhood of the Celestial Blade, with a devoted personal imp, Scrap. Most urban fantasy I've read deals with real world folklore, familiar or not, so having the Sisterhood a purely fictional institution was a nice change. However, blending invented magic and folkloric beliefs doesn't always work as well as it could, especially when (very briefly) Frost uses another author's invented lore. I love the relationship between Tess and Scrap; for the ego stoking alone, I want a personal imp! I'm less crazy about the sort of love triangle forming between Tess, Donovan, and Tess's other potential interest, Guilford van der Hoyden-Smythe, or Gollum for short. I don't much like the love triangle in general as a plot device, and with Donovan's particular brand of dangerous attraction, I found myself wishing that Tess would think with her head rather than, well, you know. It's still a fun series, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
November 6, 2021
Tess is different in a relatable way. She writes for a living, and the author dropped (or is that dripped) comments about cons and costumes so we would know that is something our character does. In addition to the geek/nerd/confan, she is also a totally wicked wielder of a magical sword, aka her imp familiar.
The imp had some really great spots in this book, although it hit a low when he did a dirty old man attempt to publicly court another imp, but hey even good imps have off days! I liked that he was nearly always there to help Tess, and there was always a valid reason when he couldn't be, unlike some authors using the absence as a plot device.
This plot didn't need such things! It had a group of witches, who, having disappeared 28 years before, reappear just as mysteriously as they disappeared. While Tess tries to discover some of the mystery about them, the imp, Scrap, does some investigating on his own. He brought back some great knowledge too!
Donovan, being a mystery man of the tall dark and handsome type, is there in many scenes, often when he isn't wanted. What he wants is on the surface pretty simple - he wants Tess. In the meantime though she dismisses him for failure to reveal his past. I agree with and don't agree with that, but in this instance he seems to have good reasons.
In the meantime there is Derreck, love interest of Tess' mother, whom I admit to a strong dislike of. Not Derreck, although there is reason to dislike him, but of the mother, a master manipulator.
And last but not least, the one who for now is my favorite character, the researcher assigned to help Tess, and also her love interest. He is alternately described as dangly and awkward, and tall and charming. Tess calls him Gollum, but he definitely isn't the sneaky type, although I would Tess in that category for multiple reasons.
Overall a good book, not a lot of sex scenes, and a fairly decent group of characters. A few were killed off, but that happens, right. Go find a copy - definitely worth a read.
The imp had some really great spots in this book, although it hit a low when he did a dirty old man attempt to publicly court another imp, but hey even good imps have off days! I liked that he was nearly always there to help Tess, and there was always a valid reason when he couldn't be, unlike some authors using the absence as a plot device.
This plot didn't need such things! It had a group of witches, who, having disappeared 28 years before, reappear just as mysteriously as they disappeared. While Tess tries to discover some of the mystery about them, the imp, Scrap, does some investigating on his own. He brought back some great knowledge too!
Donovan, being a mystery man of the tall dark and handsome type, is there in many scenes, often when he isn't wanted. What he wants is on the surface pretty simple - he wants Tess. In the meantime though she dismisses him for failure to reveal his past. I agree with and don't agree with that, but in this instance he seems to have good reasons.
In the meantime there is Derreck, love interest of Tess' mother, whom I admit to a strong dislike of. Not Derreck, although there is reason to dislike him, but of the mother, a master manipulator.
And last but not least, the one who for now is my favorite character, the researcher assigned to help Tess, and also her love interest. He is alternately described as dangly and awkward, and tall and charming. Tess calls him Gollum, but he definitely isn't the sneaky type, although I would Tess in that category for multiple reasons.
Overall a good book, not a lot of sex scenes, and a fairly decent group of characters. A few were killed off, but that happens, right. Go find a copy - definitely worth a read.
September 25, 2017
Live just gets more complicated for Tess.
September 9, 2018
This was a fast-paced continuation of Tess Noncoire's stories. Nice to read a local author.
June 18, 2020
Fight. R&R. Repeat. Tess, sword Scrap, alternate telling how their gang face toothy gnomes and half-demon Darren wooing her mom Geneviève. Tess repeats-love, not. Typos:
17.11 temperament IS temper
15.10 desert IS dessert
13.8 Windscibe IS Windscribe
17.11 temperament IS temper
15.10 desert IS dessert
13.8 Windscibe IS Windscribe
November 18, 2011
Frost has a way with words. She's not an overly descriptive writer but she will give you enough that does not leave much to the imagination as she takes hold with her words. There is no padding her stories just straight getting to the point. This is how good stories should be written.
I still have problems with the main character, Tess. I do not feel her strong enough and too easily taken advantage of. It is a character flaw but one I do not like to see in this particular character. She stands up to one group but another group she bends to. If it was only her family the flaw would make sense but it is not only her family she bends for.
Scrap continues to be the gay little imp he is and while his point-of-view parts were fewer than the first novel he is still the most engaging of all of the characters. He tells the story in present tense, always, which could ultimately elude to a bad ending for this series. Until then he will continue to be engaging and crafty and just as shady as everyone else with answers.
Answers are the biggest flaw of them all. No one gives straight answers, they all tip-toe around them. To me it seems like the sort of thing that Frost is trying to do to keep a major plotline going. This should not have to be the case, she should be able to give us answers and still have a mystery. Instead we are left with minimal answers.
I may seem like I'm complaining a lot about this novel, but to be honest that is what I do. I pick at the flaws, and despite these flaws I still have to give this novel 4 stars. Why? Because of the well written story, the plot itself being engaging, and a female character that is flawed. Where the first one she came off as a Mary Sue in this novel you see her flaws and her hurts while never dwelling on them because there are more important things going on. That is how a story of a female perspective should be told.
I still have problems with the main character, Tess. I do not feel her strong enough and too easily taken advantage of. It is a character flaw but one I do not like to see in this particular character. She stands up to one group but another group she bends to. If it was only her family the flaw would make sense but it is not only her family she bends for.
Scrap continues to be the gay little imp he is and while his point-of-view parts were fewer than the first novel he is still the most engaging of all of the characters. He tells the story in present tense, always, which could ultimately elude to a bad ending for this series. Until then he will continue to be engaging and crafty and just as shady as everyone else with answers.
Answers are the biggest flaw of them all. No one gives straight answers, they all tip-toe around them. To me it seems like the sort of thing that Frost is trying to do to keep a major plotline going. This should not have to be the case, she should be able to give us answers and still have a mystery. Instead we are left with minimal answers.
I may seem like I'm complaining a lot about this novel, but to be honest that is what I do. I pick at the flaws, and despite these flaws I still have to give this novel 4 stars. Why? Because of the well written story, the plot itself being engaging, and a female character that is flawed. Where the first one she came off as a Mary Sue in this novel you see her flaws and her hurts while never dwelling on them because there are more important things going on. That is how a story of a female perspective should be told.
May 24, 2011
In Cape Cod in the winter, what else is there to do besides fend off the advances of two love interests, her ghostly husband, a Windago, hordes of orculli trolls and an editor who wants her latest book yesterday? Tess does all this and more in this fun urban fantasy from R.R. Frost. Oh, and in addition to this, she has to figure out a way to keep her mother from marrying a demon, figure out the appearance of Windscribe, a member of her aunt’s coven who disappeared thirty years ago, but who hasn’t aged a day and keep the local law enforcement from throwing her in jail just on the principle of all the weirdness. It’s a good thing she has Scrap, her imp ally, to help her – when he isn’t busy doing other things.
This book is so full of twists and turns, you’ll be confused at times, but the story is well worth it. And you don’t even have to read the first one in the series to know what’s going on – something I absolutely adore. Though as much as I enjoyed this one, I probably will. The only problem I had with the book – and it’s a minor one – is the unhappy ending. It was the right ending for this story and I know the next one in the series will make it all right, but I was really bummed. And no, I’m not going to give it away. Well, that and my usual issue about books in series. This is very obviously part of a series as several huge lines are left unsolved. But the story is so interesting that I don’t mind – much.
The world development is well done; the characters unique, well developed and interesting. The plot is a bit convoluted, but it all works out in the end.
Other than these minor issues, I recommend this book for a fun fantasy read. It definitely kept my attention as I didn’t want to put it down. Pick up a copy today – and be sure to pick up the other(s) in the series when you can. You won’t go wrong with this one.
September 6, 2011
The second book in the Tess Noncoire Adventures by P. R. Frost is engaging and really really fast paced. Like almost too much, the absurd situations that goes on in this small span of time is unbelievable! It is really hard to follow because the story line is all jumbled up and doesn't make much sense but still an enjoyable read. The closest thing I can describe it as is a supernatural soap opera. Meaning that the book is fun but honestly didnt provide anything meaningfull for me. However, I did learn alot from studying the legends and myths and tales that she uses. I will give her credit where it is due, she does know alot of fictional history and blends it into our world well. Also, (probably the only reason I am still reading from this author) her humor actually works, she is funny! The story is all ready so silly that it doesn't down play the plot. Here comedy has a good place to pop up (I have mentioned before that too many urban fantasy authors are trying to be comedians... and failing). The first book is the same; sorry the is no review for it, I read it a long time ago.
I guess I am on an urban fantasy morothon, which is odd becuase no matter how much I mock the genre I still seem to come back to it. Anyway, for reasons that I mentioned above I give this novel a 4/10, fun but just too much.
I guess I am on an urban fantasy morothon, which is odd becuase no matter how much I mock the genre I still seem to come back to it. Anyway, for reasons that I mentioned above I give this novel a 4/10, fun but just too much.
June 3, 2013
In esoteric cosmology the sun and moon pictured together represent the extremes of creative solar power and undirected lunar imagination. 131
The Inuit moon spirit, Tarqeq, a mighty hunter, ha been given the difficult task of watching over human behavior. When Tarqeq sleeps during the dark of the moon, humankind can exceed their bounds of propriety and misbehave, often in disgusting ways. 282
A new moon teaches gradualness and deliberation and how one gives birth to oneself slowly. Patience with small details makes perfect a large work, like the universe. -Rumi 384
The Inuit moon spirit, Tarqeq, a mighty hunter, ha been given the difficult task of watching over human behavior. When Tarqeq sleeps during the dark of the moon, humankind can exceed their bounds of propriety and misbehave, often in disgusting ways. 282
A new moon teaches gradualness and deliberation and how one gives birth to oneself slowly. Patience with small details makes perfect a large work, like the universe. -Rumi 384
July 6, 2009
Another great book from P.R. Frost, picking up again from Hounding the Moon Tess Noncoire and her imp dive into another adventure with a return from Donovan Estevez and his family. It took a while to get into this book, only because the time spent out of the 'verse, it started off quite fast and I had to remember what had happened prior to this. You get to know more about Tess' family including the witchy moonfeather.
June 20, 2008
Quite enjoyable urban fantasy! Shades of Neil Gaiman or Anne Rice. Demons and fairies and the occult in modern America. Good stuff, fun characters, well told story. One ambiguously gendered character that I had a hard time understanding, but some good shifts of perspectives from the protagonist to her companion.
October 23, 2009
This is a good place to start following through on my plan to not finish books I'm not enjoying. I'm completely unable to relate to the main character and I'm not compelled to read it, so off it goes!
March 7, 2012
I am not going to finish this book, it is not a bad book, but I lose interest constantly (not like me). And bypass it for any other book I have. I hope no one goes by my disinterest in this book, check it out for yourself!!
Currently reading
January 2, 2008When I read about garden gnomes with teeth terrorizing the neighborhood, I had to keep reading.
July 6, 2013
This book really took off from the get go and for the first time in a long time, I didn't want to put the book down. I am so reading the rest of these!
February 6, 2016
I found this book boring and at times rather ridiculous. It was a stretch to pull myself all the way through it.
September 29, 2014
Interesting characters, good story and it makes you want to know what happens next!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews