Lucinda, Darkly [Mass Market Paperback]

A princess of Hell, the only thing the demon Lucinda rules over is the territory she is charged to protect in her role as guardian. Demon she may be, but she is honorable as well. When she is tasked with the capture of a rogue Monére warrior, she soon finds herself in the role of protector rather than hunter, adding her prisoner to her troupe of companions: a rare Floradëur, Monére warrior Stefan, and the Mixed Breed Jonnie.

Although determined to not become attached to those under her protection, she finds Stefan irresistible, and is pulled into a web of erotic desire with him unlike any she has felt before. Knowing he needs more than she can ever give him, she intends to find him a place with a Monére Queen, leaving him and the others behind.

But an unforeseen danger binds her to her men in a way she could never have anticipated, making the very idea of separation impossible...

Lucinda, Darkly is the first book in Sunny's The Demon Princess Chronicles which is connected to her Monére, Children of the Moon series, but works very well as a standalone series for those who have not read the other books - like me. This was the first book by Sunny I have had the pleasure of reading, and it will not be my last. Not only am I eagerly anticipating the sequel to Lucinda, Darkly, but I have already added the Monére, Children of the Moon series to my book shopping list. Although I was able to follow this story without issue, the references to characters in the other series made me intensely curious!

This book has been compared to Laurell K. Hamilton's writing, and I can definitely see why. While classified as a romance and it has some romantic elements, the story is more an adventure following the main character, Lucinda, and her companions. Yes, there is love, and oh my gosh are there some sexy scenes - but this book doesn't fit the `mold' of a classic romance in that her story does not end in this book. While this particular part of her story has completed, her exploits will be continued in the following stories, if the series title is any indication. Most noticeably, there isn't a traditional happy ending in this book. Yes, the story ends well for our main characters, but since this isn't really the end of Lucinda's tale, it is largely up in the air still as to who she will end up with in the long run. Fans of sagas that star the same hero and/or heroine in each of the books will appreciate this immensely, as did I.

Lucinda is an extremely likable heroine. She might be a demon, but she is nowhere near evil, as she proves by her actions over and over again. It is easy to fall for her, just like the men who accompany her do.

I see the next book in this exciting new series is due out in *sigh* 2009!!! I suppose I am going to try to have some patience, but it will be extremely hard when I am so anxious to see what happens next with this intriguing group of people! I will be using that time to catch up on Sunny's other stories in the meantime... J

Lucinda was a Monere queen before she died, strong enough to make the transition to become a demon dead, who travels between hell and earth looking to return wayward demons to hell. Her mission is interrupted when she saves Stefan, a rogue Monere warrior who ran away from his queen. They share violence and pleasure while she drinks his blood.

Lucinda returns to Hell; where the de facto ruler her brother Halcyon tells her to find Nico the rogue Monere warrior and return him to his queen. When she catches up with Nico he puts up a good fight refusing to be killed by her or returned to his queen who kills her warriors when they become too strong, but he loses to her. She returns him to Mona Si Guiri who annoys Lucinda with her attitude. Nico is placed in silver chains making his powers useless and Lucinda is held in black chains. However the demon side of Lucinda rises and she defeats the queens and her warriors. She must return to Hell or fade into nothingness. Derek a former guardian tries to prevent her return to Hell even as she begins to build a male warrior following in Arizona.

This superb fast-paced urban fantasy in the tradition of Laurel K. Hamilton contains strong characterization that makes the Monere universe seems genuine. There is also plenty of sex and violence, at times together, but it is necessary elements interwoven into the story line. Although this is a stand alone side thriller, reading the previous Mona Lisa tales (see MONA LISA BLOSSOMING and MONA LISA AWAKENING) will make it easier to understand Sunny's complex realm.

Harriet Klausner

Sunny has done an excellent job writing the introduction of Lucinda's story. I love the worlds/realms she has created as well as the characters. It has everything that I need in a book - heated romance, love, action, fantasy and a real plot! I can not wait till the next book. Unfortunately it's slated for 2009. Unbelievable! Thats like waiting till Fall 2008 for the 4th book of the Twilight Series of Stephanie Meyer. Sunny you have 5 stars from me! I have my other book friends reading Lucinda right now! Lucinda is one "bad" demon Princess!!!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 29 reviews  3.7 out of 5 stars