The second novel in Marjorie Liu’s Dirk & Steele series, Shadow Touch was a really good read. When I first read Tiger Eye, I wasn’t all that impressed (it reminded me too much of Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon), but after reading Shadow Touch, I can say that has changed.
Shadow Touch revolves around Artur, who we met in Tiger Eye, and a new gifted individual by the name of Elena. The two go through an experience that every gifted person fears – experimentation. Luckily, they end up escaping from the laboratory along with three other individuals and end up traveling cross country in order to stop a meeting. Through their travels, Artur and Elena end up learning more about each other than they ever thought they would share.
This time around, Liu had me completely enthralled and I had a hard time putting it down. The plot was intriguing and kept to a pace that allowed the story to flow easily and unhindered. The characters were fresh and well development. And we were given more intrigue into the overlying story arc that left me wondering what is going to happen next.
Overall, my faith in Marjorie Liu was raised after reading Shadow Touch. Tiger Eye was a good introduction, but this was where the story really started to get interesting. I already have plans to locate the Red Heart of Jade at my local library.
Dirk & Steele Read Order:
Tiger Eye – excerpt
Shadow Touch – excerpt
The Red Heart of Jade – excerpt
Dark Dreamers – excerpt
Eye of Heaven – excerpt
Soul Song – excerpt
The Last Twilight – excerpt
The Wild Road
I’ve seen a lot of reviews on books by this author but I still haven’t tried anything by her except a short story in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon.
This was a really good one. Liu is particularly good at writing Really Evil characters.
Red Heart of Jade wasn’t one of my faves — didn’t hate it, but I liked Blue’s story better, along with Soul Song and the latest The Wild Road. Good stuff.
Nice to see another Liu fan. Marjorie Liu is on my permanent pre-order list. I like that her plot style leans more towards the action thriller, usually with lots of interesting locations and characters with unique powers and relationships.
I had the exact same impression. The first one was Fantasy Lover, the second blew me away. No sophomore slump for M, she came into her own in that book, and has continued to hit them out of the park. Her imagery blows my mind. Her style is amazing.