REVIEW: Dangerous Temptation by Kathleen Korbel
Apparently this is the conclusion of the Kendall series started in the 90s(?). I haven’t read that series but I understand that there is some who have great affection for this family. To some extent, I felt that this book was written for them because I lacked any real connection to Zach Zeke which inhibited my ability to stay interested in what happened next. I wanted to like this story because it was a different type of paranormal. The fantasy theme: a fight of between the faerie clans was also appealing. Unfortunately, too little time was spent on the faerie politics and too much spent on describing the fantastical scenery.
Zach Zeke Kendall is an anthropologist who studies Northern American indigenous societies. At the invitation of a colleague, Zach Zeke is looking at burial and rituals of the migratory cultures of the eastern hemisphere, specifically, Ireland. Zach Zeke, while looking at burial grounds in Ireland, falls down a cairn and like Alice, awakens in a new and strange world. Nuala, heir to the throne of Mab, is there to catch him. Faith, for sure, because she has been looking after him since he was a wee thought in the heart of his mother. Sure, and wouldn’t the magic of that story and the uniqueness of the fantasy setting excite me?
I guess not. While you did a great job of describing the setting providing a rich and atmospheric environment, there was little time spent making me appreciate Zach Zeke as a character or Nuala as a character or their connection. Perhaps it was the constraint of category length but the first 40-50 pages were just descriptions. At times, I felt like I was reading a travelogue and not a novel.
The entirety of the story was too predictable. The villian was immediately revealed. It was also apparent how the villian would attempt to ensnare Zach Zeke. The good and bad characters were drawn with broad and obvious strokes. The villian wanted power. Good, kind, heroic Nuala did not want power. The villian used sexuality as a tool. Nuala would nevuh! do something like that. The resolution to the conflict was broadcasted from the beginning and lacked tension.
Zach Zeke is set three tests that he must overcome in order to win his freedom from Faerie land and possibly win Nuala. There was never any doubt to the outcome and two of the three tests were redundant and despite your attempts at making me feel that he was in danger, I never really believed it.
There was an emotional ending, but because I hadn’t connected with the characters I didn’t feel invested in the outcome. I never felt that Calgon moment. C.
Best regards
Jane
This is my favorite of the Nocturnes so far, so I’m amused.
The hero’s name is actually Zeke, not Zach. :)