Saturday, February 9, 2008

House of Cards by C. E. Murphy


House of Cards
The Negotiator, Book 2
C. E. Murphy
Luna
March 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-373-80263-0

Margrit Knight has become the negotiator between the Old Races. Made up of gargoyles, dragons, vampires, djinn and selkies, they have existed with humans through the years by remaining hidden or hiding in plain sight. Keeping their true natures concealed from humans has helped to ensure their survival, but with some of the Old Races dying out it’s become imperative that they find a common ground between them. This is Margrit’s job, and it’s earned her a voting seat in their quorum.

Janx, the dragon crimelord that Margrit owes favors to, has called one in. He’s concerned that someone has targeted Malik, the djinn by his side, and Margrit is given the task of keeping him alive. While she protects him during the day, it’s Alban, the gargoyle, who will guard him at night. Someone among the Old Races has more of a personal agenda in mind, and once they reach for their goal only knowledge and a quick mind will save everyone else involved.

House of Cards is the second installment in The Negotiator series. As Margrit is drawn deeper into the world of the Old Races, her human life is rapidly changing. While she hadn’t prepared for her future to change in such ways, Margrit has the strength to see it through. Ms. Murphy builds an intriguing world for her characters and shares it in vivid detail. The non-stop action and suspense will easily keep the reader’s attention, and the ongoing romance adds just the right amount of heat. In order to get the most from this fabulous series the opening installment, Heart of Stone, should be read first.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

13 comments:

Wendy said...

I haven't even read Heart Of Stone and you're already reviewing House of Cards. Seriously, Kimberly. Seriously, lol.

Great review!

Kimberly Swan said...

You're behind on your reading Wendy! lol Thanks, you'll have to let me know when you get a chance to read them. :)

Anonymous said...

This really sounds very interesting. And the cover is gorgeous!

Kimberly Swan said...

C.E. Murphy/Cate Dermody really writes some great stories. Lucky for us she seems to enjoy writing them in series. *grin* Did you read the first in the series, Heart of Stone? http://darquereviews.blogspot.com/2007/08/heart-of-stone-by-ce-murphy.html She must have wonderful luck with cover artists too, they're all great. :)

Catie said...

She does, indeed, have some fantastic luck with cover artists! I've been so very happy with the covers for my books so far. The Negotiator artist is Chris McGrath, and Hugh Syme has done the covers for the Walker Papers so far.

Thank you for such nice commentary! (Sometimes ego-googling turns up nice things!)

-Catie

Kimberly Swan said...

Hi Catie - I don't notice a lot of covers, but yours definitely catches the attention. Hopefully we'll see the same artists to the end of each series. :)

The books have been a pleasure to read. You've had me hooked since the Strongbox Chronicles. lol

Catie said...

Well, Chris has done the cover for HANDS OF FLAME, for certain, and the Negotiator books are only a trilogy, so those'll be all the same. I expect I'll find out early next year whether I'll have the same artist for the next Walker Papers books, but it seems like there's no reason to change horses now!

Oh, I'm so pleased you've read the Strongbox Chronicles! I really liked writing those, but not many people got a chance to read 'em. :)

-Catie

Kimberly Swan said...

Can't wait to read Hands of Flame and see how you've wrapped up the trilogy. :) Seems like so long since we've had a Walker Papers installment, so I think we're all anxiously waiting for Cauldron Borne!

I really enjoyed the Bomshell line. Hopefully they'll release them again, because I think fans are really missing out if they can't get copies.

Anonymous said...

Hi I'm just wondering why is the Negotiater series only a trilogy - I liked Heart of Stone much better than the Walker books (OK partly because I'm half-in-love with Alban). Do you think you'll ever write books 4 & 5+ in the series?

Catie said...

Oh, I might write more books in the Old Races universe someday, but they won't be about Margrit and Alban, except maybe incidentally. Their story, or at least what I'm telling of it, wraps up with HANDS OF FLAME next month. :)

-Catie

Kimberly Swan said...

Thanks so much for stopping back to answer questions Catie. :)

Catie said...

No problem. :) I was clever enough to mark the 'subscribe to this thread' box, so whenever somebody comments I can just come answer! :)

-Catie

Kimberly Swan said...

Very clever really. I forget to check the box just as often as I remember when I go blog visiting! lol