Divine Misdemeanors (Merry Gentry, Book 8) by Laurell K. Hamltion

Publisher:  Random House Publishing
Pages:  352

Following on the heels of the heart-stopping conclusion to Swallowing Darkness, Laurell K. Hamilton and Meredith Gentry are back!

Between dark faerie magic and the deepest desires lies the world of Meredith Gentry, princess, private eye, and powerful player in a game of supernatural sexual intrigue. The tension in this extraordinary saga continues to mount as Merry, pregnant with twins, refuses the throne of faerie and retreats with her bodyguards to Los Angeles in an attempt to protect the new life growing within her. Both the deadly destructive factions of the faerie courts -- as well as those who would worship her -- will be equally dangerous to her attempts to create a peaceful haven for her unborn children. Filled with riveting twists, this new novel adds yet another unforgettable chapter to a story that is both epic and breathtaking.

Princess Meredith Nic Essus is finally bringing Faerie to fruition.  She's the first royal in more centuries than the fey of old want to remember, to bring new life to either court, the Unseelie (Dark Court) or Seelie (Light Court).  She's expecting twins from a multitude of fathers, her Royal Guard, her lovers.  Faerie is slowly being driven mad with it's fading magic and fading numbers as Merry and her men become stronger and more powerful; their magical being reborn.  The Goddess has blessed them, chosen them to bring life.  But the madness in leaking away from Faerie and into the human world.  Someone or something is killing the fey of fairytales and leaving the pretty pictures of the pretty little death behind, and it's up to Merry and her men to solve the crime before it comes to their door.

Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton is the eighth book in the Merry Gentry series, giving us the continuing tales of Princess Meredeth Nic Essus whose father was murder when she was only a child, leaving her the only opposition to the madness Queen Andais and equally insane son, Prince Cel.  Andais has sworn the crown to Merry if she conceives, but Merry realizing she'll never be safe in either Court, abdicates.  She has killed Prince Cel in the battle between good and evil, sickness and insanity versus peace and health.  Queen Andais is more insane than ever with the loss of her son, torturing those she thinks are in alliance with Merry and those who deny her desires, the Queen's favor is not relished.  Assassins will soon claim her life, and then Merry's life may be in jeopardy.  She has left the Faerie Mounds, taking with her all she can claim, her men, the ladies of Prince Cel, Kitto the Snake Goblin, Royal and his twin sister-the demi-fey in alliance with her.  Galen, the green knight, Darkness, Killing Frost, Barinthus, the sea-god, Rhys, the death-god, Nicca and Biddy all have come with her to the lands of Southern California, L.A. and the Gray Agency.

 Divine Misdemeanors is a multi-faceted tale of what can happen when fey reach the breaking point, human and fey alike are their prey and only Merry can stop the killing.  It's twisting tale and just when you think you've discovered the answers, it twists again.  Laurell K Hamilton's very persona comes through in the voice of Merry.  I don't know how closely their personalities reflect each other, but LKH's voice is the voice I hear when reading Merry.  She's strong in her small stature and commanding.  There's a little more sex in the book than I'm usually comfortable with, but fey takes lovers easier than humans, and it brings their magic to life with the power of release.  It's a little more toned down than some of the books in the middle of the series, but if multiple partners and sharing isn't for you, try something else.  I felt it was a good read, a page turner, and recommend for urban fantasy and paranormal romance readers.  I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. 

I picked this book up for  my own enjoyment.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton

Publisher: Ballentine Books/ Random House Publishing
Pages: 384


From the cover: I am Meredith, princess of faerie, wielder of the hands of Flesh and Blood, and at long last, I am with child -- twins, fathered by my royal guard. Though my uncle, Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, claims that he is the true father since he abducted me from my home, betrayed, and defiled me. And now he has branded my guards as a threat to my unborn children.....


Princess Meredith Nic Essus is the daughter of Prince Nic Essus and wielder of the hands of flesh and blood. Her aunt, Queen Andias, has promised Meredith her throne and court if only she can conceive a child, the first birth in the court for many years. Prince Cel, the queen's son is mad with jealously, it's his court and he will kill to keep it.

Meredith has finally conceived. Her Royal Guards and Consorts are the fathers of her twins she now carries. The Unseelie Court will become her's with their births. But all is not well, not only does she have to contend with her insane cousin, Cel and his followers, her Uncle Taranis, King of the Seelie Court is eager to father a child as well. He attacks Meredith and brings her to the Seelie Court where she is bound and raped. He claims to be the true father of Meredith's unborn twins. While recovery from her ordeal, Merry is called to the Wild Hunt, but will her unborn babies survive?

An unholy war is about to be unleashed on the world of Faerie. The Goddess has all but forsaken their worlds, until the rise of Meredith. She has started to bring life and blood back to all the courts. The ancient artifacts are returning and blessing those whose call they hear and feel. But, will Merry survive her vile cousin Cel's quest for power? How many of her royal guard must be sacrificed before all of Faerie is appeased? Darkness, Galen, Rhys, King Sholto--all of her consorts have vowed their lives before her's. She has already lost her Killing Frost, will she survive the loss of another?

Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton is the seventh book in the Merry Gentry series. Ms. Hamilton website can be found @ http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/ where her whole series can be viewed. She also writes the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series. Swallowing Darkness is not the place to start reading this series, Kiss of Shadows is the first in the series and I recommend starting there to avoid confusion. Laurell K. Hamilton weaves a world where the Faerie Courts are very real, and have been as far back as President Thomas Jefferson. Swallowing Darkness is urban fantasy at its best with a dash of romance thrown in; there is very graphic erotica through the story as well as, definitely not a PG13 rating. This series comes highly recommended, but be prepared for the graphic sexual nature the books, it maybe too explicit for some tastes.