MOON'S WEB

Author: C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp ISBN: 0765349140 8/2005 PARANORMAL Publisher: TOR

Tony Giodone made his living as an assassin--until one of his marks ripped his throat out and turned him into a werewolf. Now he's the best hired killer there is. When a curvy woman in an expensive suit tries to hire him to kill her, his wolf senses insist that she is his mate. One kidnapping, a plethora of gunfights, a psychic coma, and two faked deaths later, Tony and Sue have new identities and are hiding in a community of Sazi shapeshifters. All seems well, until Sue begins to pull away from Tony and he realizes that if he can't be more open with her, he's going to lose her. To add to his problems, Tony is getting flashes of other peoples' lives. He doesn't know if they're memories or fantasies--but he wants it to stop, because he's learning things he shouldn't about his friends and neighbors. What's more dangerous than a psychic-powered werewolf assassin? Whatever it is, it's kidnapping and killing female Sazi . . . after it sucks out their powers. Its latest captive is the girlfriend of Carmine, the Mafia don who used to be Tony's boss. To get her back, Carmine will make war on all the Sazi--and while the Sazi would win, they can't afford to be exposed to humans. Now it's up to Tony to save Carmine's girlfriend--and all of the Sazi.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Yeah, another crazy Sazi adventure with my favorite assassin werewolf, Tony, and his mate, Sue. I first met and enjoyed their unconventional romance in HUNTER'S MOON, and have wondered what the two of them have been up to since. Naturally, they have not been idle and are just as cool and clever as before in this fantastic sequel, MOON'S WEB.

I love anti-hero Tony Giodone. Actually, I just love saying his name; it's very Godfather like. Despite the fact that he would take money to kill me and not bat an eye, he is a bad-a** and should be respected. What a complex and fascinating character Adams and Clamp created with him!

Tony might be the top dog, er, wolf, but he isn't alone in my favor. All the players are "out there", but perform so well they are not the least bit cheesy. Heck, some of them are downright scary. That goes for the humans, too. Characters are the mainstay of these books. They are the reason I love to read them more than all the action, mystery, and surprises. Sure, the storyline is great, thrilling even, but creating these fascinating people and creatures, giving them life, is what keeps me glued to the pages.

If I didn't say it before I should have. These books are some of the most original paranormals you can read. They describe hidden shapeshifting life forms living alongside humanity that involve animal talents of all kinds. Even some with psychic, or "seer" ability. The fact that they and the differing species can co-exist, hold conventions, and adhere to strict codes of ethics enforced by their own policing squad is like something right out of The Matrix. Very unique, very cool, and very worth your time.

Shannon Johnson