Sandy M’s review of Immortals: The Crossing (Immortals, Book 6) by Joy Nash
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Love Spell 30 Sep 08
This is the first book in the series that really doesn’t have anything to do with the immortal brothers we’ve come to know throughout the last five books. I didn’t know what to expect, I really liked those immortal, muscle-bound gods. I wasn’t sure I was ready to give them up. But I’m very pleasantly surprised with this story and its characters.
We’ve dealt with Mac Lir a number of times during the series and I’m glad the author found a way to “mature” him for his own book. I just couldn’t imagine a hero that looks like a 12-year-old. We learn, though, that Mac ended up with the taint of death magic in his soul, as did the other immortals, when they saved Tain from his insanity and the Old One who’d kept him imprisoned for 700 years in The Redeeming. It’s this sliver of death magic that brings on a few changes in Mac, one being a more mature look as the book opens and he meets Artemis, a witch that is able to ply both life and death magic, something not many are able to accomplish.
Artemis has been stealing the life essence of the faery in villages through the Scottish Highlands, and Mac, being the protector of all things magic, is on tour and not around when Artemis’ last “attack” takes a toll on faery children. Angry at himself for failing in his responsibilities, Mac is determined to find the culprit and bring them before the council where most lawbreakers are put to death. He doesn’t count on the pull he feels toward Artemis, something that feels right to him and that’s missing from his life.
Wanting more from her before he knows what she’s up to, he gives her the one thing she may not want, the one thing he wants more than anything else, and when their fight to the death comes, Mac knows he’d do whatever it takes to make sure Artemis comes through it alive, even at the cost of his own soul.
Being a former law enforcement officer who used her abilities for the good, Artemis left her policing days behind her when she discovered her superiors wanted her to use her power for their own devices. Not contemplating any trouble in everyday life as a regular citizen, she lets her guard down and now she’s racing against time to save her son’s soul from another Old One, but she finds herself being stymied by a handsome and powerful demigod.
Knowing Mac can’t help her when she gets to Hell — his life magic is useless there — she refuses to share her story with him, determined to do it all on her own, ready to face anything as long as her son is allowed to live. They both end up in Hell, however, fighting demons at every turn, betrayal behind every door, and love with every look and touch. Trust is Artemis’ one downfall, but when push comes to shove and it looks like neither one of them may leave Satan’s realm alive, she has to put her faith in Mac, even after all she’s done to him, and that’s one of the hardest things she’s ever done, all the while doubting she can really do it.
The fun part of this book is once Mac and Artemis descend into Hell. It reads like a dream, one of those dreams that is really bizarre, you wonder what it all means and it’s as nonsensical as can be. As they go through each layer of Hell, it’s that dreamlike weirdness that’s represented on each level, and they must figure out how to get past all strange things they find to move on to the next level. Mac uses more and more of that death magic that is now consuming his soul, but he’s more than happy to give in to it to keep Artemis alive. Despite the evil around them, they still cling to the good and the light in each other and in their love, but they still have to get through the deepest part of that hellpit, Satan’s level. And it’s not what you expect.
At first I was a little disappointed the series was inching away from the immortal brothers, but I have to say this is a step in the right direction to keep it interesting. Kalen is the only brother we see here and that’s in very few scenes. But there’s enough going on in his book that I missed them only a little bit. Mac comes into his own and ends up being a terrific hero.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Celtic demigod Manannán mac Lir (Mac) is hot on the trail of Artemis Black, a stunningly dangerous witch who is inexplicably able to intertwine life magic with death magic. Her rare talent nearly killed a faerie infant under Mac’s protection. For the safety of his people, he should punish her severely for this crime.
But once Mac runs Artemis to ground, he finds he just can’t handle the sexy, infuriating witch. Artemis is both vulnerable and cunning, and it’s not often that Mac meets a female who can tug at his heartstrings and challenge his magic. Each time Mac thinks he’s got Artemis cornered, she slips from his grasp. Soon, he’s obsessed.
Artemis is desperate. So desperate, she’s been skimming life essence from faeries, despite the inherent danger, intending to barter the stolen magic for the assistance of a ruthless demon. When her spell races out of control, nearly killing a faerie young one, Artemis calls the spell back. But not quickly enough to escape the notice of one very angry, very sexy Celtic demigod.
Passions run high between Artemis and Mac—and so does suspicion. What human would refuse the help of a demigod? Mac’s sure Artemis is hiding something he’s not going to like. It’s clear she’s in trouble, and dealing in dangerous magic. He won’t let her destroy herself. He’s going to stick tight by her side until he uncovers the truth.
Even when she leads him straight into Hell.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
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