Gwen’s review of Gideon (The Nightwalkers, Book 2) by Jacquelyn Frank
Paranormal romance published 1 Jun 2007 by Zebra

This is the second book in Frank’s Nightwalkers series. The first was Jacob, and the third will be Elijah, which is coming from Zebra either 27 Nov 07 (according to the Zebra website), Dec 2007 (according to the author’s website), or 2 Jan 08 (according to Amazon.com). The series is centered around hidden groups of beings, the Nightwalkers, which include Demons, Vampires, and Lycanthropes, and their conflict with Necromancers, Hunters, and each other.

This series has an interesting, if well-trodden, premise: hidden paranormal races, hidden conflict with humans, etc. This author manages to weave an interesting element with the Demon race – a race whose existence and abilities centers around the elements: air, fire, earth, etc. There are Demons who have mastery over one or the other of them, and some who are “Mind Demons” and “Body Demons” who have mastery over, you got it, the mind or body.

This book is centered around Magdalegna and Gideon’s story. Both powerful Demons and both unwittingly imprinted on each other during a Samhain celebration encounter – destining them to be each other’s mates. If they don’t join as mates, they’ll waste away and eventually die for starvation of each other’s life force. This wasting is at the crux of the “enemy conflict” in this book; in Book 1, another female Demon has unknowingly imprinted on another half-Druid male who dies for lack of her. This other female Demon’s family becomes something of a problem in Book 2 as a result of losing this imprinted mate.

Here in Book 2, we learn more about what has gone on between Demons and Vampires, and Demons and Lycanthropes (wars only recently ended). Plus we actually get to meet some of them. Frank plans books to explore these other races, including the next in the series, Elijah – centered around Elijah’s relationship with the Queen of the Lycanthropes, Siena. Hopefully, these should be more interesting, because, to be honest, I’m a bit sick of the world-building and pray that Frank spends more time on action and dialogue in the next book.

The heroine in this book, Magdalegna, or Legna to her friends, is a lovely person inside and out, and is a relatively young Demon (250 yrs). Not sure if her name is prounced “Leg-na” or “Lay-na” and we’re never told. The hero, Gideon, is a lovely person inside and out, though he’s shut down parts of his psyche because of his age – he’s ancient (1,000+ years). They complement each other and complete each other, and, somehow in a very confusing scene she helps him overcome his reticence. Their love story is nicely satisfying, when I could actually wade thru the prose to read it.

This takes me to my complaint about this and the first book – Ms Frank really must restrain the desire to insert completely unnecessary words and verbiage, or she needs to fire her editor. (for those of you thinking “pot, meet kettle” just hush up and roll with me here) I detest inelegant prose. Abhor it and generally will quit reading a book that becomes tiresome because of it. I almost stopped reading this book several times and only finished it because I refused to allow it waste the time invested in it to date.

Here’s what happened: in the middle of this book, Ms Frank gives in to the tendency to run on and on about inanities. Moreover, she overuses useless, stupidly hyperbolic words (“outrageous” “incredible” etc.) to describe what we are already acquainted with (the heroine’s beauty, her/his hair, the feelings they generate in each other, etc.). So much so that I just skipped many paragraphs, skimming thru several pages of prattle. GAH! I don’t need the author to CONSTANTLY tell me the heroine’s body is incredible or their feelings outrageous or blah blah blah blah BLAH! Just pisses me the hell off after a while – it’s repetitive and dull dull DULL. (i know – the kettle is now fighting with the pot – hush)

The last few chapters were quite good and almost made up for the previous shortcomings, but they still left a bad taste in my mouth. So much so that I’ll eventually read her subsequent books, but I won’t be searching them out as soon as they release. If you’re a paranormal fan, I think you’ll like this book, though I’d be surprised if you love it. If you’re not a fan, I wouldn’t bother. It will bore you.

Grade: C

Read more about this series by following its tag.

     Summary:
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They’re called the Nightwalkers – proud, ancient beings who live in the shadows, existing just beyond the human world. But there are also dangerous humans who hunt them – necromancers who use the blackest magic to manipulate them. And for a Demon named Gideon, the battle against these evil forces will soon be all too personal…
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As A Healer, He Knows Her Body. But It’s Her Heart He Wants.
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For a thousand years, Gideon has healed his people. And as the oldest surviving male of his race, his wisdom has always been respected without question. But Gideon knows that even he is vulnerable to the powerful, primitive desires that befall his kind during Hallowed moons – and nine years ago that truth was hammered home when he found himself claiming Magdalegna, the Demon King’s sister, in a wild embrace. Horrified by his lack of control, he left her wanting and furious – and then exiled himself for the better part of a decade. Now, with necromancers threatening his people – and Magdalegna nearly their victim – Gideon must face another truth. He and the beautiful, stubborn Magdalegna are destined to be together, to share a love as deep and old as time itself. But first he needs to regain her trust. Then he’ll have to save her life…
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Every night holds secrets.
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Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

and Damien, details coming soon