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)

I have read and listened

to this along with Laurell K Hamilton's works more than once. I wish she had, had her work turned into a movie series or show.

Love this series

This is my first time listening to the audiobooks of this series but I’ve read them several times same other the Anita Blake novels

Slow to start

Narrator is too fast a speaker, monotones in some characters. Highly recommend changing speed to 0.09

compelling adult fantasy

firstly, let me say the narrator is a perfect match for the book. some combo's just work. i put this on par with michael prichard's readings of nero wolf; marguerite gavin's readings of the hollows series; james earl jones as the voice of darth vader.

there is a good plot here, it just isn't obvious early on. there is a good deal of sex also. though i for one think that it is done with style and taste, not the crass porn others have called it. if this were a film i would give it an R, not an X. in most cases it certainly furthers the plot. by the end of the book i was hooked and am greatly looking forward to book 2. lots of loose ends for the story to continue on. whatever will become of our heroine's poor brother?

Love this entire series

Different kind of paranormal story, that I found very enjoyable. There are five books in this series. I enjoyed each one.

why did they choose this narrator

to be honest I like the book hate the narrator just does not suit her or the book at all it actually almost makes me not want to listen to it but I'm pretty dedicated to Laura K Hamilton's book so I got a push my way through it and suffer a little nothing wrong with suffering a little

Merry Gentry Is Amazing!

This book just draws you in with Merry and her amazing adventures. You want to cheer for her and the men you like most. I can't wait to go on to the next book in this series.

a great listen

I own the hardbacks of the first 6 of this series to listen to it with a beautiful voice caressing the wondrous words paint the story with in my soul instead of just my mind. If you like modern farie tales then this telling of the unseilie court will enchant you

Gotta love Hamilton

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

I absolutely love the series and the reader was pleasant to hear and she seemed like she enjoyed what she was reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Doyle. He is perfect in my mind. High intellect as well as common sence. Exotic and mysterious he is exactly how I hoped he would be.

What three words best describe Laural Merlington’s voice?

Sensual and often bemused. Gentle

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Magic, conspiracy, and the fate of the entire world of farie rest in the womb of one woman.

Any additional comments?

The reader was good but her mispronunciation of some of the names drives me nuts. Even in the back of the actual book it says Doyle's name is pronounced Dole.

Delicious

I thought this book was delicious! At first I wished the narrator was younger, but ultimately she won me over with her diverse vocal ability. Laurell of course did her thing and a good story, but I was really attracted to the world she concocted. These Fae are such interesting people!