Liviania’s review of Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, Book 7) by Laurell K. Hamilton
Paranormal romance released by Ballantine 4 Nov 08

I can’t quit Laurell K. Hamilton.  She writes a total piece of crap like Mistral’s Kiss and I think it’s safe to quit the Merry Gentry series.  Then she follows it up with A Lick of Frost, a one-two punch of featuring my favorite character from the series and more plot.  Fortunately, Swallowing Darkness makes me happy I haven’t been able to quit her yet.  (The lame double entendre title does cause a wince every time I think about it.) 

To be honest, I can deal with more sex in the Merry novels since the plot requires sex.  It does make sense to slow down on that some now that she is pregnant, but some fans may dislike the fact Swallowing Darkness has something like one full and two aborted sex scenes.  I don’t mind it, but feel there should be fair warning.  Why don’t I mind it?  Because the sex is replaced by movement of the plot.  And I love it when the plot moves, since LKH often seems to forget she’s telling a story.

Merry’s pregnant and should thus be declared the winner of the race to the Unseelie throne, but things are never that simple.  She has to protect her children and their fathers, which may require some extreme measures.  The violence isn’t up there with the early Anita Blake books, but there are several great battle scenes.  In between battles comes the political maneuvering.  After all, one of the fathers is already a king, and the Seelie King Taranis is claiming he’s actually the father.

There are no new characters, so if you don’t like the personalities of Merry and her men, don’t hold out hope for the hope of someone new.  (Although I can’t imagine someone making it so far in the series if not for the characters.)  I do think LKH does a good job of giving the men different personalities despite the large number present.  This one has a lot more Sholto than any since A Kiss of Shadows, which I thought was a good thing.  I rather thought that one was building him up to be more of a main character before he got shunted over by some of the others.  (Is Galen going to get his day in the limelight soon?)

Everything builds to a satisfying climax.  LKH ties off threads, completes the story she started in the novel, and finishes several of the stories she started in others.  While there are many plots left to explore in the future novels, the end of Swallowing Darkness feels like an end, rather than a convenient point to stop writing. Overall, it feels more like LKH at the top of her game rather than the dreck she’s been putting out lately.

I fell in love with LKH’s writing.  Then I fell out, but couldn’t tear free because I was attached to the characters.  Swallowing Darkness made me happy I hadn’t torn free, even moreso than A Lick of Frost, and I hope she keeps giving Merry the meaty plot she deserves.  Otherwise I may have to hate myself again for not having the willpower to stay away.  (At least my relationship with the Merry books is far less dramatic than that with the Anitas.)

Grade: A-

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Summary:
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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.
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Bearing an heir has placed me halfway to my aunt’s throne, that much closer to my reign over the Unseelie Court-and well ahead of her son, my cousin Cel, in this race. Now I must stay alive to see my children born and claim my place as queen.
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But not all in faerie are pleased with the news, and conspirators from every court in the realm plot against me and mine. They seek to strip my guards, my lovers, from me by poisoned word or cold steel. But I still have supporters, and even friends, among the goblins and the sluagh, who will stand by me.
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I am Meredith Nic Essus, and those who would defy and destroy me are destined to pay a terrible price-for I am truly my father’s daughter. To protect what is mine, I will sacrifice anything-even if it means waging a great battle against my darkest enemies and making the most momentous decision ever made as princess of faerie.
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Read an excerpt here.

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