07 February 2010

Inked by Eileen Wilks

Book Description:

Four tales of urban fantasy and paranormal romance explore body art that is more than it seems—in a world of magic and mayhem that always leaves it mark . . .

New York Times bestselling author Karen Chance's "Skin Deep" tells the tale of a war mage in Las Vegas who stumbles across an ominous magical ward that appears as a dragon on her skin--and has a mind of its own…

When New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu's demon slayer Maxine Kiss investigates a grisly murder at a high-class soirée, she finds herself involved in a conspiracy dating back to World War II--and a secret mission that her grandmother may have carried out for the US Government, one that involves the mysterious "Armor of Roses."

In USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn's "Etched in Silver," a supernatural agent is on the trail of a sadistic serial killer, when an unexpected ally comes to her aid, setting in motion a magical ritual that may end up binding them together, body and soul.

When the heavily tattooed body of a man is found in a Northern California town, FBI Agent Lily Yu is drawn into the case. Trouble is, the victim wasn't human--and the killer isn't finished in USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wilks's "Human Nature."

*Note* I will be reviewing each story in this anthology in separate posts.

Review:
“Human Nature” by Eileen Wilks

If you'd like to read World of the Lupi series in order it would be:
1: "Only Human" in Lover Beware - July 2003
2. Tempting Danger - October 5th, 2004
3. "Originally Human" in Cravings - July 2004
4: Mortal Danger - November 1st, 2005
5: Blood Lines - January 2007
6: "Inhuman" in On the Prowl - August 2007 My Review
7: Night Season - January 2008
8: "Human Nature" in Inked - January 2010
9: Mortal Sins - February 2009
10: Blood Magic - February 2010

Here is the detailed description from Eileen Wilks site:

Humans have long been aware of the others in their midst—and not particularly happy about it. Until the Supreme Court’s ruling, it was legal in several states to shoot lupi on sight. Times have changed. Some don’t appreciate that. In "Human Nature," Lily Yu turns twenty-nine—a marker she’s decidedly ambivalent about. Her birthday celebration is cut short when the naked, heavily tattooed body of a man is found in a California town. At first it seems like a bizarre ritual killing, but there’s more than magic afoot. The victim, David Pruitt, wasn’t human . . . and years ago, he was Rule’s Turner’s closest friend.
(Note: If you’re following this series, you need to know that the events in “Human Nature” occur before those in MORTAL SINS. It’s April, four months after the Turning; Cynna and Cullen are still in Edge.) –Eileen Wilks

In Human Nature, Lily Yu, San Diego police detective, is looking into the death of the childhood friend of her mate, Rule Turner prince of the lupi. Not only does Lily need to find out how the Were was murdered (using magical tattoos), but also clear the other Were that the authorities have charged with the murder. Her investigation leads her to the home of Robert Friar, the leader of the notorious hate group Humans First.

The World of the Lupi is is an amazingly detailed magical world. Every aspect of normal life has been impacted and irrevocably transformed since 'The Turning.' Lily is one of the Gifted. Some Gifts manifest themselves as abilities with healing, persuasion, or even controlling the elements. Lily's Gift is much less flashy, though arguably more useful. She is what's know as a Sensitive. With one handshake she can identify someone's Gift.

Beneath some of the uglier aspects of the murder investigations, the love story between Lily and Rule is the beautiful thread tying them together. Both are strong and capable on their own, but there is a tenderness and selfless quality that they exhibit towards each other that speaks of real love.

Eileen’s story is a tightly written Urban Fantasy police procedure with a fascinating and fully nuanced werewolf society. Occasionally playful and flirtatious, but fiercely loyal, it’s the timeless romance of Lily and Rule that pushes this story to the next level. I'm definitely going to be digging up the earlier stories featuring these two.

Sexual Content: A rape is referred to. Some discussion of sex.

My Rating (out of 5):