Children of the Night

Diana Tregarde Investigation Series, Book 2

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Traci Odom

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

Rock band Wanderlust is about to hit it big, guitarist Dave Kendall is sure of that. They're playing better venues, in front of bigger crowds - and the people showing up at the after parties are increasingly good-looking and cool. Some even radiate power, like "Master" Jeffries, the tall, saturnine man who seems to have some sort of weird control over Dave's fellow bandmates.  

But Dave's too tired to pay much attention to Jeffries. He's tired a lot lately, and making music isn't as much fun as it used to be. Probably he's just working - and partying - too hard.  

Luckily, Dave has a friend who takes what's happening to him very seriously. Diana Tregarde is a practicing witch and a Guardian of the Earth. It's her job to keep an eye on innocents like Dave and make sure they stay out of trouble and don't become someone's lunch.  

Jeffries has been on Diana's hit list since she first spotted him pursuing a young Romany. Di wasn't fast enough to stop him, but the Rom have their own protector - a dashing, charming, very attractive vampire named Andre Le Brel.  

Together, the witch and the vampire face Jeffries and his evil minions in a battle for the soul of rock 'n' roll.

©1990 Mercedes Lackey (P)2019 Tantor

Great book in a great series

One thing to know about this book is that it's officially the second book in the series, and is the second book originally published, in the internal chronology of the series, the events fall well before those of the first book - "Burning Water."

I think it works well that way. Characters who were briefly mentioned in the first book get a backstory that lets you go "Oh, THAT'S why that character was so important to her!" without in any way being needed to understand the first book.

And seeing Diana as a fully formed, experienced, fully empowered person in the first book probably gives a better ride, so that seeing her here, younger, more uncertain, and still finding her feet, but knowing who she's going to grow into probably makes this one more powerful. I'd recommend reading it second. But if you're a stickler for chronological order, there's no reason not to read/listen to them with this book first and Burning Water second. They both stand alone perfectly well, as does the third in the series.

And it's not an "origin story" - Diana is capable and trained and experienced, with a past as well as the future we find in the other books. She's learning and growing, but she's definitely not just starting out and finding her way, though that part of her life is touched on in places.

The reader does a great job. She nails the main characters voices, and has the perfect tone and pacing for the story. The story is classic Lackey - detailed enough that you feel drawn into the world and get a sense of the richness of the world she's building, but not so mired in detail that it drags at all. There's enough suspense to wonder what comes next without so many plot twists that it's hard to follow.

I read it when it was first published, and enjoy it all over again as an audiobook.

Second magical story spun by an amazing author!!!

As stated in the review for the first book this story magically comes off the page (read off the page) In technicolor!! Lackey isn’t lacking anything in her writing!!

terrific

This audiobook was a delight. I enjoyed the narrator's development of each character. I have to admit to having a soft spot for Andre for a long time. This book is an old favorite and probably one of the first true urban fantasy books written.

love Mercedes Lackey

As the title says I love Mercedes Lackey's books. I've read this one a long time ago but I really enjoyed hearing it this time. The Narrator is very good. I could close my eyes and be there.

loved the convergence of ideas

loved it, captivating story. relistic approach to vampirism in its many forms. an insight in to the world of our favorite witch.