I wasn't planning on starting this series as I love the Anita Blake one, and I heard bad reviews about this one... how it was similar to the Anita Blake series after it became more about the sex than story. Besides, I wasn't entirely interested in the world of faerie until that is, I read books by Karen Marie Moning and Patricia Briggs. I figured that since I've enjoyed two versions of the fae already, why not give LKH a chance?

Book one started out with what I thought was potential. It had an interesting set up with the main character being Meredeth (Merry) Gentry, who was hiding in LA pretending to be human from the faerie royals because of previous attempts on her life. Merry is part royal unseelie sidhe (with some brownie blood), part seelie, and part mortal. The last thing she expected was to be in line for the throne... but that's a little later in the book and the series.

One of the things that annoyed me was the massive cast of characters that are introduced so quickly in book one. Surely it was necessary to understand Merry's world, but half way into the book you realize that the entire first half (and the characters you just got acquainted with) don't really matter for the rest of the book, or the next 4 books if you will. Because soon you'll be introduced to another huge list of characters while Merry is in the land of Faerie, and the troubles she ends up in there.

Overall, book one wasn't bad and it perked some interest in what should happen next. I'm sorry to say I can't recommend it or this series in general, but I'm using it as a time killer til other books on my wish list are out.

Reading "A Kiss of Shadows" was like stepping into the middle of the Anita Blake series when things first started heating up - but that is what I liked about this book! The characters that Laurell Hamilton creates are so wonderfully complex and the land of faerie that she creates is just beyond imagination. I found myself devouring book after book, I just could not stop reading about Merry Gentry and her men! (Maybe I'm a little elf-struck? lol!)

After reading the first 7 chapters, I had no choice, but to stop. The writing was all over the place and the characterization was slow and choppy.

I read "The Caress of Twilight" in a fantasy class at university before I read any of the other books in the series. The first time I read it, I thought it was totally cheesy, but the second time I read the book I fell in love with the characters and wanted to know what happened next.

I then started reading the rest of the series and eagerly anticipated the next books as I awaited their release. I was even willing to pay for the hard copies I was so excited to find out what happened to her fabulous characters.

The books are not rocket science, but they catch your imagination, make you blush at times and you either laugh or cry as the stories unfold and you fall in love with the characters.

Don't read them if you are expecting great literary talent, but as far as story line, creativity, sexuality and fun, I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading for the love of reading.

It was like stepping into the middle of the Anita Blake series... after it started sucking.

This is the first Laurell Hamilton book I ever read, but I love it and already have a eye on a few more. I love the characters especially the main character. this story actually had my holding a chuckle or two while reading out in puplic.

I've never read a novel with such a distinct insight into the Fairy realm. It kept me entertain and wanting more throughout the book. I can't wait to read what is going to happen next!

This novel is a fantastic way to start off a new series. Hamilton knows exactly how to captivate her audience with a mixture of fantasy, suspense, and romance. Just try it and you'll be hooked!

Hamilton recreates the fey world and history, which at first seems overwhelming. Once I got into it, I could not put the book or the rest of the series down. It's a completely new and wonderfully imagined world, which I loved getting into.

The first book in this series. We are intruded to Merry Gentry, a real faerie princess. In this novel she stops a faerie cult, deals with a her family, and is nearly killed.

First book of the series, there are about 4 books. the 5th book will be out later this year. AMAZING read! I loved this book so much! I sugest reading it to anyone who isnt a little shy of sexual content. there is a little bit, so I am warning you, to those who might be prude. lol

I was so impressed with this book, I had never read any of her works before. I read this book in less than a day and re-read it the next. I've never done that before. I love the characters, and reading this book really felt like a movie in my mind. I loved it. Definately worth the read, both times.

This novel is the first in a trilogy - which is great because I really enjoyed it and have already read the second in
the set. This tale has a very unusual setting as it mixes the worlds of faerie/fey and human, but is not an overtly feminine romance as it has adventure, suspense and a bit of everything in it. It is also quite erotic, blending magic and sex in some interesting scenes, with many verbal pictures of gorgeous fey men. It has definite undercurrents of SM swirling through much of it, perhaps with the
sexual meeting of faerie and human demonstrating the ultimate power
exchange.

The book is an incredible work of fiction. The story and the characters catch your attention from the very first page. It was impossible for me to put the book down. I literarily did not get any sleep or got any work down untill i read the last page. Now i cannot await to read more of Meredith adventures in the new upcoming book Seduced by moonlight . The story is as addictive as it is imaginative. It has everything - intrigue, crime, adventure, sex, magic....and lots of room for more books to come. Good job! I recommend it to all of you who loves a good read.

This was the first book i had ever read from Larell K. Hamilton. When I started i didn't put it down it was amazing!!! It had a lot of sex, blood and death my fav. I was instantly hooked on Laurell K. Hamilton she soon after became my fav author. When I got through the first chapter I was looking for other books by her right away. I love this author!!!!!

Never start reading Laurell's books at 10:00pm! I was up til 3 am devowering this book. Wonderful but could have been expanded to two or three to explore the wonderful world she's created. Lots of room to grow future plots and characters to meet & greet.
Pleeeese let this be a new series!

Laurell K. Hamilton is an excellent novelist. This book is as intriguing as all of her Anita Blake novels, each individually enticing in it's own way.
A Kiss of Shadows offers a wide range of interests, from action to adventure, from romance to deceit and betrayal.

While the characters are interesting on their own, the plot of "A Kiss of Shadows," seems to be pretty much sex and gore (and sometimes a rather poorly handled S&M mix of the two). Meredith Gentry comes off as a bit dumb, and the supporting characters are far more interesting that the so-called heroine herself. I'd take a pass on this one, and just hang on for the next Anita Blake.

This novel seems to be the beginning of a new series. I hope so. For now, be prepared to keep re-reading this book. Every time you do, there's more to find. This book doesn't just introduce a new set of characters, but a new America, with new rules and new morals. It's a world of sex and secrets, of lace and lies, and of magic and mysteries.
The book makes you think, and keeps you not only reading ahead, but turning back to pick up what you missed the first time. The ending doesn't tie everything off nicely, but neither does it leave you hanging.
If you like Anita Blake, you'll like Merry. There are strong similarities, but the two women are not meant to be the same. Don't expect Merry to think like Anita. Don't expect anything, except what you least expect!

Well I started reading the Vampire series like most and fell in love with it. But I get the feeling reading this book that Merry was too much like Anita. She could have been a little more different, a little less into weaponds perhaps? Other than that I loved the book. I couldn't put it down, I kept wondering what was going to happen next, but the ending left me a little flat. So I will keep my fingers crossed and wait for a sequel.