series

This was a let down from the other two stories in the series. In the two previous books there was actual plot. This one is just a lot of explaining about the laws of the Faerie Kind and then lots of sex but nothing else. I kept turning the pages waiting for forward story movement. And there was nothing. And Merry's life arc is coming perilously close to Anita's as she takes more people under her wing each book and gains bright new and shiny powers each book.

Fine we know the Fey are very open about sex. I don't care about sex. Let everyone have sex! Just also let there be some kind of story that makes it worth my while. Where's Cel? Isn't Merry a detective? Why doesn't she solve cases? There was so much good set up in the previous books that this one sadly wastes.

First of all, if the people who read this book dont like the sex scenes, why are they even reading this series? From the very first chapters of A Kiss of Shadows, the stage was set for a culture that embraced sex in a much more liberated manner than our own society. LKH made it obvious that there WAS going to be a lot of sex with different people and that some/most of it would be plot related. And this book is no different. In fact, the sex scenes are actually shorter than in the previous two books (there is only one long sex scene, the other two are short/metaphysical). And they are more than an excuse to get Merry pregnant and has more to do with bringing the characters into their powers. The reason some people felt that there was too much sex was probably because there wasnt much action to give the first half of the book more substance.

I agree that this book wasnt as exciting as A Kiss of Shadows, which had the right blend of sex and plot. This feels more like a transition, but I think it is essential reading if you are a fan of the series. There are a lot of important things taking place, however, though most of it serves to set the backdrop for the next book rather than making this one as action-packed as we were hoping.

For example (some spoilers):

1. Character development: We see a lot more of the main characters and their personalities, especially Frost and Andais (not all of it good)

2. We are shown that the powers of the Fey are returning- which is established through the chalice (v. exciting potential), the heightened power of Merry's ring, and the increasing powers of the characters themselves

3. Merry's relationship with the mother goddess (ambiguous, unexplained...intriguing)

4. More assassination attempts on Merry

5. We are also shown that Merry will have a lot of trouble convincing other members of the Unseelie court that they should let a 'half breed' like her rule

6. Merry's visit to the Unseelie court

7. Merry's fantastic duel with a powerful Sidhe

8. Introduction of new characters, such as the Half sidhe Goblin twins (one of my few complaints is that there were too many characters introduced at the end of this book to keep track of!)

So, in my opinion, there IS a lot going on and comments that LKH is giving us 'porn without plot' is a little on the unfair side. On the whole, it is a great book, though it is not as self-contained as it should be. I do wish that the visits to the Goblin and Seelie courts had been included in this book. It would have made Seduced by Moonlight a lot more intense. Oh well, at least we know what's in store in the next book...

Ok. I have no problem with a few sexy scenes in a book, but when it becomes the entire focus, thats when I have a problem. Seduced By Moonlight was so slow in its first half that I came dangerously close to not even finishing it. The beginning chapters were just one page after another filled with wordy dream sequences and excuse after excuse to get Merry's men naked. I will be the first to admit that Merry's men are beyond beautiful and truly it is no hardship to get to "know" them intimately, but I need a plot, people! FINALLY, after speedreading through too many things that I could have done without, LKH pulled it all together and from midway on, the book became interesting. I thought that some of the violence in the books ending scenes was a bit over the top, but the last pages were fun to read as Merry settled in for the night and we were able to look in and listen to her and her suitors as they whispered to eachother while drifting off to sleep. I just love Rhys and I definitely felt like he stole the show in those last pages. All in all, this is a definite must read if you are a fan. There is too much going on at this point for me to stop reading the series and I hope that LKH comes out with the next book soon because I am very curious to see which man will become Merrys husband.