CAPTIVE MOON

Author: C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp ISBN: 0765354012 8/2006 PARANORMAL Publisher: TOR

World-class entertainer and Sazi councilmember, Antoine Monier has taken his big cats all over the world without any trouble—until his latest trip to Stuttgart, where one of his tigers is stolen and killed. To Antoine's surprise, the German police have another tiger in custody—a tiger who is actually a lovely Turkish-American woman, Tahira Kuric. Like Antoine, Tahira is a shapeshifter, but of the Hayalet Kabile, the ghost tribe of shapeshifters. And despite their immediate attraction, Tahira wants nothing to do with Antoine—the Sazi are the enemy of the Hayalet Kabile. But Tahira doesn't have a choice, because she and Antoine have discovered that she is a fabled "power well," able to store magical energy from other shapeshifters—and something is hunting her, eager to use her powers for itself. Only if they can set aside their peoples' ancient rivalry and rely completely on each other—body and soul—can Tahira and Antoine save themselves and their people.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Well, as much as it pains me to say it, I am a bit disappointed with this recent release in the tale of the Sazi. Though somewhat intriguing, especially near the end, it's just not as creepy and sexy as the last one. Plus, I miss my guy, Tony Giodone, and his crazy self.

Though the writers are wonderfully good at creating the Sazi world and its strange shapeshifting inhabitants, the plot and main characters are a bit weak for me. I don't feel a strong connection to them (like I do with Tony and Sue), and I want that. The ending with all the drama and battles is good and brings this one back around a bit, but something happens with a side character that is a bit too easy for me. I wish I could say what it is, but then I would be giving away a bit of the story that I shouldn't. So, I won't!

Anyway, I love the way Adams and Clamp spin a tale, so I will just chalk this one up to a part of the series that needed to be told because it reveals a critical part of the saga. I have no doubt hit man Tony will be back into the action soon, and I cannot wait.

Shannon Johnson