A review by reasonpassion
A Shiver of Light by Laurell K. Hamilton

4.0

What say you? Sex that actually moves along the plot rather than serving to buttress the fact that none exists? Say it isn't so, and yet here's a Gentry book that does it. I'm rather surprised at the vitriol given in other reviews and can only surmise that many are simply upset with Hamilton as a whole and so give everything she writes now an effusive spewing of their frustration. It's a feeling that has much to justify it, but this book isn't deserving, or at least not nearly as much as others have been. The story is first and foremost about the babies, which some criticize and I find rather endearing. The build-up to the birthing of the children has been long and we're treated to a rather interesting churning up of characters in their reactions and how they change to suit, not least of which is Merry herself. As an aside, I simply do not understand how anybody can say Merry and Anita Blake are carbon copies, the former has more depth of feeling and lack of whining than the latter ever has. In any case, the children take center stage not simply because they're important but because it helps slow down a world that has frankly gotten way too big for Hamilton. At least that's my thought on the matter. This focus always for some dampening down of the wildness and provides room for some change, including an ending scene that is wrenchingly sad, much needed in the series.