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)

Great Book and Great Voice Acting

Where does A Kiss of Shadows rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A Kiss of Shadows ranks pretty high on my list of audiobooks. I've loved the series way back when in high school and was given the mp3 cd version right when it came out, so I've listened to it a couple of times and each time its like luxuriating in rolling around on a warm fur.

What did you like best about this story?

I love how Laural Merlington does the Princess Meredith's first person narrative; it's both funny and rye and also vulnerable when it makes sense to the story. Originally when I first listened to it some of the ways she pronounces names was distracting because "that's not how that sounds in my head!" but on repeated listens you get used to it!

Have you listened to any of Laural Merlington’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I think all of Laural Merlington's performances are great and I just wish she was hired to do the first couple of books of the Anita Blake series too!

I will continue to read this series!

Im new to fantasy so perhaps this why I enjoyed it so much (with nothing to compare it to). Bit overdone on the sex fantasy but I appreciate that it is not overly descriptive or on the porn side. I am, traditionally, a (best seller) historic romance reader for reference to other readers considering this genre. Good read to turn on and off while driving/walking.

Just as delicious as I remember.

I read these books 10 or so years ago and I loved them then and still enjoyed it today!

Very amusing…

I read it a long time ago when I was more into romance… now I am more amused by the style.

But the story is still fun and it is interesting to read this book after me-too and after polyamory becoming more accepted…

Fantastic narrator and fun story

Yes, there are a good bit of erotic scenes but is weaved as a relevant part of the story so if you are not comfortable with this then this story is not for you. But Laurell weaves a fantastic story - vivid characters come alive with very creative characters and scenes and the narrator totally brings it home. I could barely put it down. A really fun listen for P/R fans - totally worth a credit!

Awesome

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook because it kept me interested and I didn't get bored for fall asleep.

What other book might you compare A Kiss of Shadows to and why?

There is no comparison to her books.

What does Laural Merlington bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Voice to the people of the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I have read this book before, I really enjoyed listening to it rather than reading it. I liked when she was in the roses.

Love the series!

I enjoy the relationships and their development. I relisten to it every so often like rejoining old lives.

Love it

I love this series. I can't wait for the rest. the story is great but make sure sex is definitely something you want to hear.

Merry Gentry Rocks!!!!

Love this series its different from Anita Blake but just as great!! A must read if you love fantasy! Warning if your shy about sexual reading this is not for you!

A Kiss of Shadows

There is a plot going here but basically it's a porno novel. If you don't want to read about very graphic sex acts, this is not the choice for you.