C2’s review of Oracle’s Moon (Elder Races, Book 4) by Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 6 Mar 12

What happens when humans and witches clash with the Elder Races?  And what happens to those caught in the crossfire?  Thea Harrison’s latest Elder Races novel, Oracle’s Moon, shows us.

Oracle’s Moon picks up almost exactly where Serpent’s Kiss left off and a lot of events from that book are referenced throughout. So, really, you should read Serpent’s Kiss first.  Do it, faithful reader!  You’ll be glad you did.

Grace Andreas only recently inherited the Power of the Oracle and became Oracle of Louisville.  Her sister, Petra, was the previous Oracle, but after she and her husband were killed (and Grace severely injured) in a car accident, the Power transferred to Grace.  In addition to her new Power, Grace also has gained custody of her very young niece and nephew – plus she is still recuperating from her injuries.  Until recently, all Grace has been concerned with was college.

During the events at the end of Serpent’s Kiss, Grace attracted the attention of Khalil, one of the Demonkind and a Prince of the Djinn.  Khalil is a Powerful, ancient being.  Djinn are creatures of the air (?????) and do not even have a solid permanent form – instead they can take whatever form they like, depending on the situation.  Khalil has never been particularly interested in humans, with their short, small lives, but something about Grace and the small ones living with her intrigues him.

Djinn spend a lot of time gathering favors and making bargains with others – almost everything involves a bargain of some sort. At first the bargaining back and forth is fun but, soon enough, Grace finds it annoying and refuses to bargain anymore. Khalil is flabbergasted. LOL

As Grace tries to settle into her role as Oracle, suspicious things start happening – small, at first, and then increasingly odd.  As she and Khalil try to unravel things, a deadly conspiracy is uncovered…a conspiracy that affects not just Grace but the Elder Races and their relationship with humans, as well.  Will Grace and Khalil get to the bottom of things before everything falls apart?

Sometimes, after a strong start, a paranormal series will stall out…like it gets hemmed in by its own world-building.  That is not the case with Ms. Harrison’s Elder Races books.  I love this series.  The world becomes more familiar with each entry, but there is something new each time, as well.  With each book, we see the world from a different angle.  This time we learn more about the humans and witches – where they fall in the grand scheme of things and how they feel about their place in the world.

Grace is a lovely heroine – she is doing the best she can in a bad situation she had little preparation for and with very little support until Khalil comes along. Khalil’s help allows Grace to embrace her Power (which will play a significant role in later books, I suspect – very mysterious business, Grace’s Power) in ways she would not have been able to, otherwise.  And Khalil is an excellent hero.  It is so fun to watch him experience all the wackiness of the human world and fall in love with Grace (and the kids).  It isn’t that he becomes more human, exactly, but, over the course of the book, he definitely becomes more.

If you are looking for a fun read that brings together two very different people and has them take on the world around them, look no further.  Oracle’s Moon is for you!  And, really, faithful reader, if you haven’t read the rest of the series, you so should.

Grade: A

Summary:As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra’s husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister’s two young children – neither of which she is prepared for.

Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid – driven by his genuine caring for the children – has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace’s impudence toward the Elder Races.

But when an attempt is made on Grace’s life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her – and offer her more than a mortal man…

No excerpt available at time of review (website is updating).

Other books in the series: