Indigo Moon [Paperback]

Book three of the Garoul series returns to the darker, mystery-filled storyline such as was in book one's "Goldenseal". (a book that was hampered by Amazon.com revealing the `werewolf' secret while promoting the book.)

Luckily, there are no spoilers to be had in Indigo Moon. It's OK that we know the secret fact that plain, injured and complete amnesiac Isabelle Monk is recuperating in the cabin of a werewolf named Ren, (even if Isabelle has no idea about her caregiver's furry side). The question is:
-Is Ren friend or foe?
-Rescuer, or part of the pack that attacked Isabelle?

We follow right along with Isabelle as she questions, and digs, and searches for clue after darker and darker clue about her past, the truth about how she came to be injured, and is now recuperating in this intriguing stranger's home. (cue menacing music)

Flashes of old characters lighten up the mood occasionally, as everyone's favorite antisocial moonpuppy Jolie Garoul gets set to leave with her brother on a business trip to visit their Greek counterparts. The birth of new pups in Little Dip gives Jolie a chance to reminisce to her mate Hope Glassy & Godfrey Meyers (and fill in the back-story) a tiny bit about Ren and... others, before leaving for her trip.

Well, I won't ruin it for you, but Hope, Godfrey and the deformed rabbit/mutt Tadpole all feature heavily in Isabelle's near future, (as do death-defying chases, wild hunts, bite-heavy bed-sport, and a very bossy little girl.)

While I ADORED (all capitals!) the Love/Hate slapstick antics of Jolie & Hope in the second book, and I had difficulties with the first book (besides the spoiled plot) in Amy Fortune's spotty detective skills... This novel does a much better job with the mystery and plot twists. I'm not a mystery-book fan, but it was... good.

But this is a much more serious story than Ambereye.

A new element that I found absolutely intriguing was how the author describes the changes a woman who's been bitten goes through, mentally, emotionally and physically. Especially as she doesn't even know what's happening to her for about two-thirds of the process.

And even ~more~ fascinating was Gill McKnight's descriptions of what it feels like to BE a werewolf, physically and mentally. And she does it so beautifully. Passages describing the vast amounts of information, imagery and feelings that scent, sight and sound carries with it were so amazing, and soooo emotional. I was thrilled at how much thought she put into "What it means to be a werewolf". Wow.

Now, I will admit the bit on the end leaves us with a quasi-cliffhanger, but it does ~not~ involve the lead characters. Book four: "Silver Collar" sounds like it's going to be a bit of a "fugitive/chase movie", but that's another book, and I don't think it effects how I enjoyed ~this~ book at all.

indigo moon is the 3rd of the series and while t stands alone, it is far more satisfying if it is read after the 1st and 2nd books in the series. This book ties into the background story where it is needful and really maintains a good and frightening mystery as the main character has amnesia and what she remembers and the clues she finds has her NEED to find others who can tell her the truth, almost after it is too late. It was a pleasure at the end to see how the 3 books are tied together. It is also delightful there are abundant lesbian and gay couples functioning normally, thriving, and it is NOT the point of the book(s). It is simply part of the characters life, although pairing up is part of the theme of the book for one couple amid many paired couples.

All of her stories have genuine warmth, ravishingly depicted natural settings, and deeply attractive protagonists. Indigo Moon introduces a dangerous "outsider" member of the Garoul clan, an angst-ridden heroine on the run, and darker, more violent episodes than in the previous Garoul novels. The immortal Tadpole, from Ambereye, makes a brief appearance, but McKnight's hilarious comic muse is kept under restraints in this story, which is more Gothick than its predecessor. This is a fantasy novel, but it richly engages the texture of reality. It also confirms--yet again--that lesbian werewolves are hot.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 11 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars