Swallowing Darkness

A Novel (Meredith Gentry Novels)

by Laurell K. Hamilton

mass market paperback, 416 pages

Published Nov. 24, 2009 by Ballantine Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-345-49594-5
OCLC Number:: 290464842

(8 reviews)

I am Meredith, princess of faerie, wielder of the hands of Flesh and Blood, and at long last, I am with child--twins, fathered by my royal guard. Though my uncle, Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, claims that he is the true father since he abducted me from my home, betrayed, and defiled me. And now he has branded my guards as a threat to my unborn children.Bearing an heir has placed me halfway to my aunt's throne, that much closer to my reign over the Unseelie Court--and well ahead of her son, my cousin Cel, in this race. Now I must stay alive to see my children born and claim my place as queen.But not all in faerie are pleased with the news, and conspirators from every court in the realm plot against me and mine. They seek to strip my guards, my lovers, from me by poisoned word or cold steel. But I still have supporters, and even friends, among the goblins and the sluagh, who will stand by me.I am Meredith Nic Essus, and those who would defy and destroy me are destined to pay a terrible price--for I am truly my father's daughter. To protect what is mine, I will sacrifice anything--even if it means waging a great battle against my darkest enemies and making the most momentous decision ever made as princess of faerie.From the Hardcover edition.

8 editions

fiainros reviewed Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton

Review of 'Swallowing Darkness' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I've been wanting to read this book every since I finished A Lick of Frost so I was excited to find it for $2 at a used bookstore. This book does indeed pick up almost right where A Lick of Frost ends. It is almost like these 350+ pages were meant to be tacked onto that book, but just didn't make it.

I think I like the Merry Gentry series more than Anita Blake. They are essentially the same character, it seems to me and Ms. Hamilton obviously sees herself in both of them. This series, unlike Anita Blake, had a goal. One knew that after 6 or so books, the goal would or would not be achieved and the series would wrap up. At book 6, goal is achieved, but loose ends still remain (again it felt like there needed to be more at the end of 6 that this book feels like it really is a part of) and book 7 wraps up those loose ends. I was surprised, in fact, when I went to look up something about this series that there is another book in the series, Divine Misdemeanors.

Honestly, I was a little surprised at the ending. One might think Merry gets everything, as the heroine. But, she doesn't. Not at the end of this book, anyway.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.