SPIRITRIDE [Mass Market Paperback]

If that sounds complicated, it's supposed to be. There's little future in trying to offer a synopsis of this urban (well, sort of) fantasy romp, which takes place in the same world invented by Mercedes Lackey for her SERRAted Edge Series, and is a direct sequel to Shepherd's "Elvendude" (it helps if you've read that first). The battle between Seleighe (Light Elf) King Aedhan's clan and its Unseleighe (Dark Elf) rival led by Japhet Dhu spills over into the human world, where it sweeps up 15-year-old Lucas Trask, a confused teen wavering between suicide and Satanism, and Wolf, a Native American Gulf War vet who is the last member of his tribe and the grandson of a shaman. Wolf's presence, in turn, involves Thorn Wilson, a Rider Guardian--a sort of angel who's been dead since 1922 and serves the Lord of the Land of Shadows as the helper of motorbikers everywhere. From Faerie to the Real World to the half-formed limbo that lies between all realities, the characters pursue each other through the interdimensional Gates, with abductions, human sacrifice, and assorted deceptions along the way. Though fast-moving, I found the story easy to follow, and there's action enough to suit any gaming enthusiast. I especially liked Thorn and would love to see him make a reappearance somewhere; he doesn't seem to have a lot to do here.

I have yet to be disapponted by any book written by Lackey or any of her co-worlders, and this novel maintains the qualitu of its predecessors.

I have noticed a spate of "Native American" themes in fiction in the last five years, so it was with suspicion that I undertook Shepherd's Spiritride. Fortunatlely, he creates his own indian tribe with an interesting twist: It has Elven blood! (Maybe that's why it bears slight resblence to existing Indian tribes. It's fiction!) Forest Tribes may have started in the East, but how many still live there? We have Andy Jackson to thank for that. (see other review) Anyway, the plot quickly becomes complicated, with all the gating here and there. I couldn't figure out what was happening next. . . which is sort of the point, In my Humble Opinion. (The reference to Rocky Horror wasn't lost on me, either) The slow, insidious way in which Lucas is sucked into the Satanic cult was creepy, bringing to mind the Rad Right Fundamentalists in Wheels of Fire (which, in some ways, predicted the Waco cult/fire) and their methods for indoctrination. It appears to be well researched, making you stop an wonder about the Real cults that are out there. A big plus in my book, particularly when Shepherd refrains from being overly preachy on the matter. The evil speaks for itself. Mort is the villian you love to hate, and he returns in this story (And, ahem, is not. . .well, I won't spoil it) . I just wish there was more background on where he came from. I'd like to know where this little **** hails from. I loved this book, and could easily have read it if it were a third longer, even. I hope there is more on the way.

Okay, okay...yeah, I didn't like this as much as the first novel. Who could? The plot was every bit as good, don't get me wrong...but I sometimes hated the way that things were done. Yes, it's a great read. It's fast-paced, and if you don't get TOO annoyed with the dark elves, then it's pretty good. I just wish that they would get a new villian. In other words, YES, I AM ANNOYED BY THE DARK ELVES!!! Anybody wonder what ever happened to Mort?