Storm Born (Dark Swan, #1)

by Richelle Mead

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

Being such a huge fan of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy and Bloodlines YA series, I was eager to try out her adult series too, thinking, as everything else she writes is amazing, her adult novels must be too. I wasn't wrong!

Storm Born is full of the kind of action one would expect from an adult urban fantasy. Being such a kick-ass shaman that banishes spirits, elementals, and other Otherworldly creatures, Eugenie's schedule is always full. But around the same time she gets a job to try and resue a teenager who was abducted into the Otherworld, the "people" of the Otherworld start seeking her out personally, attempting to rape her, and her already maxed out schedule is pushed to the limits, not only trying to save others, but also herself. There is never a moment when the excitment ebbs, especially once she learns about her past and the prophecy!

I haven't read a book about fairies/fae/gentry in quite a while, so it was nice to revisit the folklore, though it wasn't what I was expecting Storm Born to be based about; yes there is a fairy king, but there's also a shape shifter, I thought there was going to be all manner of paranormal creatures. However, most of the paranormal creatures in this book are gentry in one form or another, or creatures that come from the Otherworld - the gentry's world. I love how novels like this tackle some other fictional world, and add that high fantasy feel to an urban fantasy novel. The beautiful, medieval feel of the Otherworld contrasts so well with the world we know.

Eugenie has two love interests in this novel; Kiyo, a kitsune (fox shape shifter), and Dorian, King of the Oak Land in the Otherworld. There is instant animal attraction between Eugenie and Kiyo, but there is something about him I just don't like. Considering how little time they spend together out of bed, I just didn't believe that their feelings went beyond love. He was just far too possessive and protective for my tastes, and he lied and hid things too. I just don't trust him or like him. Dorian, however, is awesome! He is so funny and flirty, and just completely charming! Ok, so he has his own agenda, but the time he spends with Eugenie, to me it was obvious his feelings are genuine. I found it surprising yet clever how Mead used Eugenie's sex life in Storm Born. It wasn't just Eugenie and whoever she happened to be with at the time was horny, but it was also a way of Eugenie exploring herself further, and finding out who she is. She has so much control over her life, but does she always want to be in control? Yes or no? Not just in bed, but in all areas of her life. And those questions continue being asked throughout the story.

There were are a number of shocking twists in this book that I didn't see coming! And what a cliffhanger! I am so looking forward to the second book in the series, Thorn Queen! An awesome novel, I am am eager to read more!