Thea Harrison – Storm’s Heart

The second book in the Elder Races series, published August 2011.



During the rule of her murderous Dark Fae uncle, Thistle “Tricks” Periwinkle found sanctuary among the Wyr in New York. Her ethereal beauty and sparkling personality won the hearts of the public, but after her uncle’s death, there are those who don’t want her to ascend to the throne…
Able to wield thunder and lightning, Wyr sentinel Tiago Black Eagle has ruled the skies for centuries. His massive build and thunderous power make him one of the Wyr’s best weapons. And he's the one sent to protect Tricks, heir to the Dark Fae throne, when she's almost assassinated in Chicago.
Soon, both Tiago and Tricks will fall prey to the stormy hunger that engulfs them - a passion that will shake the very foundation of all the worlds.

At age 17, Niniane fled her home and her country, when her uncle and his consorts slaughtered her family. Her father, the King of the Dark Fae, her beautiful and vibrant mother, and her little 5 year old twin brothers. No one knew what had become of her, where to find her, except her traitorous uncle, who kept trying to have her killed in the past 200 years. She asked for and received sanctuary from Dragos Cuelebre, the oldest living creature around, and head of the Wyr, the shapeshifters.
But now her uncle is death, killed by Dragos when Urien kidnapped his pregnant mate. So it is time for Tricks to become her royal self again, Niniane Lorelle, and take the throne of the Dark Fae.
But everyone is happy she has resurfaced, and new attempts to kill her are made. Her own cousin tries to murder her, but she kills him and his two companions instead with her poisoned little stiletto’s. Niniane is just a small woman, not very strong, nor really Powerful, so she has no hope of winning a real fight. Unfortunately, someone captured the fight on his cell phone and posted it on You-tube, instead of helping her, or calling the police. And now Niniane is missing. Dragos and his sentinels and mate Pia are concerned. They all love her, and want her to be safe. And if the Dark Fae cannot keep their future Queen safe, they will! Especially Tiago. The only Thunderbird ever on earth, he is ancient. But he totally loses his cool when Tricks is missing and hurt. He will do everything in his considerable power to find her, and protect her. And find her, he does. Wounded and drunk and alone in a sleazy hotel, where she is sure no one will find her.

But Niniane refuses to go back to New York with Tiago. If she is to be Queen, she cannot appear to be weak. And she cannot rule when the only power she has is coming from the Wyr. Her people won’t accept that.
But Tiago knows she is his mate, and he will do anything for her. So he quits his job with Dragos, and accompanies her back to the posh hotel where the Dark Fae delegation is staying. He takes charge of her protection, no matter what the Dark Fae think of that. Or the mediator the Council has send to watch over proceedings. To the horror of the people managing the hotel, the mediator is no other than Carlin, Queen of the Vampyres. The oldest Vampyre alive, and extremely Powerful. But Niniane knows her, and likes her.


Okay, not going to spoil anything more for you. Let me just say, I loved this book. It is already so much better than book 1 in this series, I am curious just how good the next book will be. The story itself, the pacing, everything that happened, it just fits. And of course, I love Niniane, although I have nothing in common with her. She loves fashion, and is totally Americanized, another point not in her favor with the Dark Fae. But she really loves people, and they can’t help but to love her back. She just has an interest in them and their lives, and it shows.

Tiago, well, what to say about him, other than WOW. He is about as alpha as they come, and his need to protect her is so big. But he listens to her, doesn’t wipe her opinions away. And he agrees with her, even though he doesn’t always likes what she does, or has to do. He has met her a few times over the years, but perhaps she was too young for him than. After all, he is ancient, and she is just 200 years young. Tiago knows she is his mate, and their life together will be difficult. And still, he goes for it, no doubts at all.

So, great primary and secondary characters, lots of action and intrigue, and of course some hot love scenes, and some romantic scenes as well. The humor, the witty bantering. I loved that tiny part in the bathroom, when Tiago makes Niniane a bath, and he smells some bathstuff, and he picks something that just smells pink. Tiago takes care of Niniane, and the way he does it is sometimes just sweet.

I am really looking forward to the next book, I have some thoughts on that one already.

9 stars