City of Eternal Night

October 6, 2014
Painter delivers on her promise of excitement and romance in the second installment of the Crescent City Series (after House of the Rising Sun). Computer whiz Harlow is trying to come to terms with her fae abilities and her attraction to playboy and New Orleans fae Guardian Augustine. Their romance tentatively creeps along in this otherwise stirring installment as they set out to solve the mystery of a young woman’s kidnapping from the Mardi Gras Exemplar Ball, the biggest fae event of the year. Possible suspects are cunning witch sisters Zara and Gisselle, who want freedom from fae regulation, and the evil Branzino, Harlow’s fae father. But the kidnappers aren’t asking for money; they’re asking for Augustine’s life. Harlow struggles throughout with the emergence of new powers as well as an almost literal emptiness inside her that seems to be expanding: apt metaphors for a young woman finding herself. Painter takes this romp to unexpected places, with many, but not all, of Harlow’s family secrets revealed. Agent: Elaine Spencer, Knight Agency.

November 15, 2014

Harlow and Augustus share the New Orleans home they inherited from Harlow's mother when she died in the series opener, House of the Rising Sun. They are still dealing with their mutual attraction but bigger problems arise, including the kidnapping of the daughter of one of the city's fae elite. It is Augustus's responsibility as Guardian of the city to get her back, even if the demanded ransom is his own corpse. Harlow wants to help, yet when it brings her into conflict with her monstrous father, she learns some startling things about her own powers. VERDICT Building on the strength of the first book, this series blends an irresistible near-future setting with characters who continue to develop. Urban fantasy fans will enjoy entering Painter's vividly drawn world.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.