Devon’s review of Bound by Light (Dark Crescent Sisterhood, Book 3) by Anna Windsor
Paranormal Romance released by Ballantine 26 Aug 08

Bound by Light is the third installment in the Dark Crescent Sisterhood trilogy, which features strong female warriors and the men who love them. This final installment features the triad’s “broom,” Merilee, whose guiding element is air. Fittingly, her hero is the high flying Astaroth demon Jake Lowell, the brother of the previous novels’ heroes. This is a series that has gotten better with each title, and this one was the best of the three. 

Jake was the most interesting hero, nay, the most interesting character of the three books. He is actually the seven year old boy who was ritually murdered in the first book, Bound by Shadow. Which is kind of creepy when you think about it. But Jake was so completely transformed into his demon state, that you don’t really associate him with being a human boy. He’s a great character, so thirsty for knowledge of the world and everything, he has an intellectual air to him. He is more powerful than the other Astaroth demons, but he would prefer to be human (and can take both forms). He’s also madly in love with Merilee. Jake was strong and powerful, but also had this vulnerability and sweetness to him, due to his struggles with his nature.

Merilee was a good heroine, although not quite as well developed as Jake. She’s physically and magically strong, and as academic and intellectual as Jake. They made a good couple and had good chemistry. I would’ve preferred a bit less mental lusting on Merilee’s part, it’s so dorky after awhile. Individually and as a pair, I found them more memorable than the prior pairings.

The action scenes are well written and involving. There is a doozy of a villain, very creepy, as this is the climax of the overall arc of the trilogy. I did kind of lose sight of the Sisterhood’s previous enemy, the Legion, and how it all tied in. There was some of the choppiness in narrative that bothered me before, where things seemed to be dropped, then brought back up. But the scenes with this villain were disturbing and the battles exciting.

Some twists involving recurring characters are thrown our way. The prior heroes and heroines and other allies are back to help (Cynda’s a bitch again, Riana’s still boring). I really liked the Astaroth demons and the Mothers of the different houses, they were entertaining and interesting. Although once again, I wish the world of the Sisterhood and the Legion was easier to follow, I did enjoy Bound by Light, and found it to be a strong conclusion to the trilogy.

Grade: B-

Read reviews and other information on this series by clicking on the Dark Crescent Sisterhood series tag.

The Summary:

The night holds endless pleasures . . . and hides nameless terrors.

As the broom end of her Sybil triad, Merilee Alexander has the sacred duty as a warrior witch of taking out the trash. Lately, though, she’s been a little overwhelmed: Manhattan is a mess. And her prophetic end-of-the-world nightmares aren’t helped by the waking fantasies of love. Or the fact that the object of her affections, gorgeous Jake Lowell of NYPD’s Occult Crimes Unit, is playing it so cool.

Actually, Jake wants Merilee desperately, every luscious inch of her. Still, he’s holding back. He’s got secrets. Dark, dangerous, demonic secrets. But as Jake and Merilee trawl the city’s supernatural underbelly to out a demonic kingpin who, disguised as a charismatic leader, is amassing dark power, it’s make-or-break time. For their lives, their love, and the world are about to be sucked into the undertow of the tides of an unstoppable evil.

Read an excerpt

Read Devon’s review of Bound by Shadow
Read Devon’s review of Bound by Flame

The other books in the series: