Early Review: Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

Moonglow by Kristen Callihan (Darkest London #2)

Egalley thanks to Grand Central Publishing


Synopsis from Goodreads
Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

US release: July 31st 2012/UK release: August 23rd 2012.

 Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

8/10

* * *

Although Firelight made a better impression on me than Moonglow, I still enjoyed the second instalment of Darkest London.


The world Kristen Callihan created is very unique, and I desperately want it to be explored more. It deserves to be explored more. Its darkest alleys and seedy establishments have never been so attractive and mysterious before.



*SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT*


Daisy is an interesting woman, beautiful, full of energy and life. However I haven't gotten much out of her concerning her gifts. In situations of great distress her powers manifest and we find out that Miranda is not the only talented girl in the family. My only problem is: why did her gifts wait so long to show up? Miranda struggled with hers all her life while Daisy was unaware until recently. Doesn't make sense.


Ian gave me much more to work with concerning his character, and I was satisfied with his side of the story. He is your typical noble, tortured hero with tragic past and beautiful abs. Duh.


In my view the book suffered paying too much attention to Ian and Daisy's love story rather than developing the rest of the plot. Because of that, it read like historical romance with its own set of cliches.


However, two things redeemed Moonglow. Miss Callihan introduced us to two more types of paranormal - the ghosts with the clockwork heart and the vampires. Yay for both, because they did spice up the action no matter how small their part was.


I'm looking forward to Poppy and Winston's book, because they are usually such reserved controlled characters it will be fascinating to see them unravelled.

* * *

 Ну что, если первая книга была замечательной, то вторая не очень удалась. 

Вместо развития сюжета и самого мира Тёмного Лондона, мы скатились к банальной любовной линии между Ианом и Дэйзи, которая занимает большую части книги. В итоге, читалось как полный клише исторический любовный роман.


Дэйзи неуверенная в своей красоте прекрасная женщина в расцвете лет, пострадавшая от жестокого обращения  предыдущего мужа.


Иан - трагический герой с тёмным прошлым и мускулами, на которые приятно посмотреть.


Он вервульф, она - элементал. Только она не знает о своих талантах до тех пор пока они не манифестируются  в битве за жизнь Иана. Для меня  в этом не было смысла. Дар Миранды начал проявляться с детства, почему тогда этого не случилось с Дэйзи?


Сам сюжет, начавшийся как детектив, с расследованием убийств, скатился к чёрти чему.


Единственное, что понравилось в этой книге - это то, что Каллихан добавила интересных паранормальных существ к сюжету - призраков с часовыми сердцами и вампиров. Гип-гип-ура! Ну и концовка интересная.


Теперь жду книгу о старшей сестре Поппи, и её муже Уинстоне.