A Kiss of Shadows

Meredith Gentry, Book 1

By: Laurell K. Hamilton

Narrated by: Laural Merlington

Length: 15 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

" All it would take was my true name being mentioned after dark, and it would float back to my aunt. She was the Queen of Air and Darkness, and that meant that anything said in the dark was hers to hear, eventually.

"The fact that spotting the missing Elven American Princess had become more popular than spotting Elvis helped. Her magic was always chasing blind leads: Princess Meredith skiing in Utah. Princess Meredith dancing in Paris. Princess Meredith gambling in Vegas. After three years, I was still a front-page story for the tabloids, though the latest headlines had been speculating that I was as dead as the King of Rock and Roll."

In fact, Meredith has been posing as a human in Los Angeles, living as a private investigator specializing in supernatural crime. But now Doyle, the Queen's chief bodyguard and assassin, has been dispatched to fetch her back - whether she likes it or not. And suddenly Meredith finds herself a pawn in her dreaded aunt's plans...plans that affect the future of the entire UnSeelie Court.

The requirements of the job: to enjoy the constant company of the most beautiful - and immortal - men in the world. The reward: the crown - and the opportunity to continue to live. The penalty: death.

Fairie tales: listen to another Meredith Gentry fantasy.

©2000 Laurell K. Hamilton (P)2000 Laurell K. Hamilton

Critic reviews

"[A]n edgy story of sex, violence, and magic that manages to be both disturbing and entertaining." ( Library Journal)
"As wild as the novel's premise is, memorable characters and wicked wit make it all delicious, ribald fun." ( Publishers Weekly)
"I've never read a writer with a more fertile imagination." (Diana Gabaldon)

omg yas 🙌

I love this book in audio it really makes it come alive with this talented narration

Merry, American Unseelie Princess

Hamilton delivers an edgy story of prejudice, politics, sex & terror that is Merry's life as an American born Unseelie princess. Being a Princess just isn't what most humans imagine. I've got to admit to being a huge LKH fan of both this series & Anita Blake: both strong female characters YES! Merlington is a talented narrator but I wish she could do better on her pronunciations - let’s start with Siobhan and just say there were a few too many.

Excellent Escapism

Novel use of midwest locations (Cahokia Mounds). First American Fairy Princess. Accurate description of how magic could work.

Not for the prudish reader -- but,

If your not shy about very well written sex scenes, that are also important to the storyline, than this series is a wild ride. Princess Meridith is descended from several fertility goddesses, so naturally her greatest power is expressed in the bedroom. Her lovers are all beings who have lost their power, and consequently, the world of the fey is dying -- but through her, they, and the fey, are revitalized. As a fiction writer, I find Ms. Hamilton's depictions to be a masterclass in writing a compelling sex scene. As a fan, I am endlessly entertained by her originality, and the courage of her convictions to tell the story as it is meant to be told. Having read the series, I'm now enjoying the audio books, just as much, if not more. The narrator is perfect.

For those who find it to be too much, I say, quit complaining and move along. This series is meant for adults. Go read Harry Potter. Again.

Could've been a 5 star listen

I liked the story, the characters especially. But the narrator, threw the whole audiobook experience in the can. Her version of male voices made all the male characters seem to be decripit and the farthest thing from sexy. I hope the next book has a new narrator. The narrator's voice was confusing from one male character to another. Other than that, the book was good.

great book, read too quickly.

I love Laurell K. Hamilton books and this is the first I've listened to. I'm really hoping the next has a different reader as the reader read too quickly and her characters voices sometimes were not the same if the character was absent for a time.

Loved it!

It's my second time reading this wonderfully, imaginatively, captivating story, and it probably won't be the last!

Excellent book!

Great listening. I ordered the nxt bk in the series and can't wait to start listening :)

turn into movie

Wish the would make this in a movie it would be great id would Love it !!!

I enjoy the series,

I have only read the first 6 books, I have started the series over from the beginning. I'm enjoying it through audible.