Seduced By Moonlight (Merry Gentry #3) By: Laurell K. Hamilton (Book Review)

((((There will be spoilers included in this review))))

Summary:
Meredith's aunt, the Queen of Air and Darkness, is no longer distracted by her usual hobbies. Her obsession has turned unwaveringly to her niece, hiding among humans in Los Angeles. The queen's mission to get Meredith pregnant and beat her cousin Cel to the crown is taking longer than expected. Even though Meredith spends each night with the queen's immortal guards, no child has come of their decadent pleasures. But something else is happening. Enemies are growing in number every day. Meredith's magic surges through her like never before, transforming her in wild and unpredictable ways. And Meredith is just beginning to learn what incredible power she possesses....

Third book in and already we are introduced to new characters, new magicks and unfortunately to Merry; new enemies. It seems that our heroin can never catch a break and has to bleed her own blood to protect those that are most precious to her. Living life as a Unseelie Princess, heir to the throne is not as glamorous as the humans make it out to be.

One thing that seems to be a recurring theme in this book is that through some divine guidance and intervention Merry is able to bring Sidhe into their godheads. Essentially, make Sidhe return to their former glory worshiped selves and even gift those abilities they never had. Not only has she been able to do that but she is able to make a demi-fey become Sidhe! Which has never been done before!!! Our girl Merry is doing the impossible.

She both transforms Maeve and Frost into deities. Maeve regains all her old abilities as the former/returned Goddess Conchenn. But strangely enough, Frost has never been a deity before and is being gifted abilities that he has never had. Doyle also regains the ability to shape shift back into this massive mastiff dog like form but can also shape shift into a horse and a bird! The last two he has never been able to before. Many believe the goddess herself Danu is using Merry as a vessel to gift back the Sidhe.  Not only was she able to bring them into their godhead but she was able to turn Sage into a Sidhe (never been done before!) and has given Nicca wings that he has never had. But beyond all of that Merry through a dream she has with the goddess herself wakes up with the chalice. Originally, from the Seelie court was a relic that could feed the hungry, help those in need and was one of the most powerful magical items. Long ago it was lost and of course the Seelie court believed it was stolen because who would ever admit that maybe they just weren't worthy of it anymore? If ever they did find out the goddess gave it back to a half-breed human...Well, another war could be unleashed and get them kicked out of American soil for fighting is forbidden. Live in peace or get the fuck out. Yeah, looks like Merry got a direct line to the goddess herself.

Rhys finally gets his revenge and Kitto can be free of his fear of ever returning to his mistress.
Both of them at one time or another ended up in the hands of Siun. A half Goblin, half Sidhe female who seemed like a over-sized spider. Rhys lost his eye to her and Kitto? Let's just say the mere mention of her name brings him to scream incessantly. But the mere fear of thinking he will be back in her hands made his hand of power finally be manifested. He made Siun travel through the mirrors which is a hand of power called the hand of reaching that has not been around for centuries, especially, not one so powerful that can work from many miles away. Showing King Kurag of the goblins that Merry was able to bring Kitto in his Sidhe power and has gained the advantage of getting more months of an alliance with the Goblins with every half-goblin half-sidhe person she brings into their Sidhe power.

Not only has she the alliance of the Goblins but also the demi-fey. Merry is strategically trying to gain political ground and is succeeding in gaining allies not only with her lovers but with other courts of fey creatures. Not only has the chalice been able to transform Merry's lovers into deities but pairing it with the queen's ring (this ring in the past when it was at the height of its power was able to match soulmates and grant them their happily ever after) brought Barinthus' into his godhead and caused floodings in all surrounding rivers in the St-Louis. But with Merry having the men that she has already in her life it still doesn't seem enough for the Queen which pushes her to send men that used to be harvest deities. 

During the press conference in St. Louis a magical spell forced a police officer to shoot at Merry and Frost ended up getting shot. Not only was there an assassination attempt on Merry's life but someone spelled a wine given to the Queen to force blood lust which leads to her brutally injuring and mutilating her guards. Evidently, someone wanted to get rid of the Queen. Her lashing out in an unquestionable way and killing the most talented warriors would lead to her seeking others to destroy. Not many are willing to sacrificed their life for their Queen.

What I truly find interesting is that Merry finally faces the Queen head on with magic nonetheless. She finally sees with her own eyes just how cruel and unforgiving the Queen can be. Merry meant to and almost killed Andais with her hand of blood but alas she wasn't strong enough. Andais being the Queen her magic is the most powerful and killed Merry. But Merry didn't stay dead. She faced the Consort and given a second chance. I personally think that she became immortal from that encounter and coming back to life she was able to heal the damage that the Queen made. The most devastating was the Queen stabbing Rhys in his only remaining eye. But luckily, Merry was able to heal him and all the other's with a kiss.

For once Merry and her aunt get along because someone tried to kill them both. Ain't that such a great reason to get along with family? As a Queen it isn't fun having so many noble houses willing to turn on you. Miniver was responsible for the win spiked with blood lust but Nerys is the one responsible for the assassination attempt on Merry's life. Of course, with Merry coming back a little different and definitely not as killable she injures Miniver and wins the duel against her. Nerys gets a merciful death but Miniver having such a proudful demeanor gets a tortuous ending with the Red Caps. Ferocious fighters that have a taste for blood and are some of the strongest amongst the Goblins and in Faerie.

Sidhe nobles that have lived for a long time tend to not believe what is right in front of them. They are so stuck in their ways that they rather wither away than accept half-breeds who are growing with power and magic. The reason why the Goblins have grown so powerful even without magic is because they accept all those who are strong enough to survive. Sometimes to grow stronger and more powerful is to accept those who have the magic and the power. no matter their background. I truly can see the direct translation it has to our world today. No matter a person's background you should never underestimate them. And look down upon them.

Rating:
Another recurring theme here but I am going to give this book 5 stars out of 5! When you think you know the ins and outs of this world, you get introduced to a whole lot more that makes you wonder what else you can learn! I love that this world keeps expanding and I love learning folklore that I don't know much about. Merry keeps getting stronger and I hope she can return Faerie to it's former glory.

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