TEST
While this book says it’s a Dirk & Steele romance, Soul Song is only very loosely connected with the other books in this series, so if you are looking for more of a tie in with past characters, you won’t find it here. Still, as more of a stand alone novel, this had fun characters and a quick moving plot.
Kitala Bell is a world renowned musician, and people are captivated by her music. Along with her tremendous musical talent, she also has unfortunate psychic visions; she can see the future, but only if someone will die a violent death. Giving concerts while viewing bleeding and decapitated people in the audience has been a real challenge for her. Because of this, she chooses not to get close to anyone outside of her family. Her grandmother was also an incredibly powerful psychic and wanted to help Kitala with her gift, but Kitala was not ready to embrace her potential. She will not have that choice any longer.
M’cal is a Krackeni, a merman, whose voice can compel anyone to do whatever he wants. Sadly for him, he chose unwisely in love and ended up enslaved to a powerful witch who makes him steal souls to retain her power. Even suicide is denied him, but he cannot stand killing people any longer. The witch’s next victim on the list is Kitala. M’cal knows there must be something about Kitala the witch wants, since the witch is specific about killing Kitala, no one else.
Even before meeting M’cal, Kitala’s world turns upside down. After breaking her only cardinal rule, she attempts to warn a stranger of impending death, and ends up a target herself. It turns out there is a big, bad evil on the loose and it’s hunting down anyone with power. M’cal rescues Kitala from the first attempt on her life, and when the witch’s compulsion to steal Kitala’s soul comes over him, Kitala stops it, which gives M’cal hope. M’cal refuses to kill Kitala, no matter what the witch wants and warns Kitala away from him, afraid the compulsion will be too strong for her to stop again. However, in order to protect her from the danger she now finds herself in, M’cal must remain by her side.
As with all the other books in this series, Kitala and M’cal will be forced to confront the evil one’s diabolical plot, but in a nice twist, not everything is what it seems. A warning: This book is not for those who dislike graphic violence. Ugly things happen to the characters, and I found myself shying away from the violent descriptions a few times.
M’cal is literally a tortured hero. The witch made his life a living hell, and I enjoyed watching him begin to hope for a better life and take tentative steps toward Kitala, who had some growing up to do in claiming her own powers. The plot is fast moving, which tended to speed up their courtship, but I liked the brief supportive appearance from characters previously featured in the series who now try to save Kitala and M’cal.
While I wouldn’t consider Soul Song to be my favorite in this series, I definitely recommend it to fans of these books. As for other paranormal fans, I would suggest starting at the beginning with Tiger Eye. Although it’s not necessary to read these books in order, it does provide a character reference that makes the other books more enjoyable. There are a few characters whose books I’ve been waiting to read, so I hope to see them center stage soon.
Grade: B
Book Type: Urban Fantasy Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 20/06/07
Publication Date: 2007/07
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.