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She could never forget the boy with the ice blue eyes . . .
She was only twelve when she saw the silver boy on the beach, but Jenny has never stopped dreaming about him. Now she is grown, a marine biologist charting her own course in the family business—a corporation that covertly crosses the boundaries of science into realms of the unknown . . . and the incredible.
And now he has found her again, her boy grown into a man: Perrin, powerful and masculine, and so much more than human, leaving Jenny weak with desire and aching for his touch.
But with their reunion comes danger. For Perrin and Jenny—and all living creatures—their only hope for preventing the unthinkable lies in a mysterious empire far beneath the sea . . . and in the power of their dreams.
Twelve years old Jenny found the injured silver boy on the beach. She is taken aback somewhat by his fins, but also fascinated by them and him. She comforts him until a merman arrives to take the wounded lad home. The sea adult frightens Jenny as he ignored the boy's pleading not to take him back to the sea. Every morning that summer and several years afterward, Jenny would return to the beach hoping her sea friend would return; he never did but she never stopped hoping.
Because of that incident at the beach, Jenny became a marine biologist. Her goal is to find the silver boy who she considers a friend and more though their acquaintance was for a short duration. Meanwhile, Jenny's family is divided as some have joined the Consortium while others like her work for A Priori.
Exiled from his world beneath the sea, Perrin constantly thinks of the female surface dweller who befriended him when he needed help. Soon they connect through their dreams at a time when a world threat begins to emerge from a dormant respite at the bottom of the ocean.
This is a tremendous Dirk & Steele thriller (see The Fire King) that grips the audience from the moment the pair meets on the beach and never frees the reader until the final apocalyptic confrontation. Fast-paced, the lead couple and the anticipated fight with the Monster from the Ocean Floor (Roger Corman movie) make for a strong entry as a chance short meeting on a beach as tweeners years later turns into a superb save the world romantic ocean fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Arkali
Posted January 5, 2011
Marjorie Liu doesn't disappoint with her latest paranormal romance in the Dirk & Steele series. IN THE DARK OF DREAMS follows Jenny and Perrin as they try to solve a murder and save the world from a monster that slumbers in the deep of the ocean. The chemistry sizzles throughout, and the adventure kept me turning the pages, unable to put the book down.
As a child, Jenny stumbled across a child with fins -- a mythological merman. That fleeting encounter changed her life as she dreamed of her friend, conjured walks on the beach and conversations. Perrin, the young boy of the sea, shared those same dreams and he knew that they weren't just figments of the imagination. As they grew older, the visions stopped -- but Perrin and Jenny never forgot each other and each continued to hope that they would, one day, meet again.
When earthquakes and tsunamis begin to occur with frightening frequency, Perrin knows that he must act. Despite his exile from the ocean and despite the danger, he knows what is causing the earth's turmoil. A leviathan awakes. Guardian mermaids (or mermen) are selected every generation to dream for the mythical beasts, keeping them dormant by sharing visions more satisfying than waking would be. Perrin doesn't know what happened to the Guardian in the Pacific region, but he's determined to find out. When his investigation leads him to a marine scientist, he's amazed to find the little girl from the beach so long ago. Jenny is shocked, too, and unsure whether to trust, but together she and Perrin must solve the mystery of the missing Guardian and somehow deal with the Leviathan before it fully awakes.
IN THE DARK OF DREAMS is a beautiful book. Marjorie Liu has a way with words that is lyrical and I would find myself re-reading a sentence just to fully experience the beautiful pictures she paints with her prose. The dangers that Jenny and Perrin face are palpable. Added to that, the chemistry and tension between the two is always there, always building, so that when they finally admit how they feel for each other, it's a meaningful experience in the book. Every element of the story is combined just so, making the experience something more than just reading a good book. Marjorie Liu is truly an artist with a pen.
If you're a fan of the Dirk & Steele series, IN THE DARK OF DREAMS will satisfy by continuing the world-building introduced in earlier novels. There are also cameo appearances from characters from earlier books. If you're new to the series, though, you should still be able to dive right in and not feel as though you're missing out on the story. IN THE DARK OF DREAMS is a fantastic read, filled with passion, adventure and enchantment.
Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 24, 2012
i recomend it to anyone who enjoys romance mixed with mystery and adventure. very thrilling. i had a very hard time putting it down once started.
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Posted June 13, 2012
This series just keeps getting better.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 6, 2012
After reading the other books in this series, I found this one lacked the character deveopment and pacing her other books had . Skimmed through some parts. Interesting concepts but too slow with redundent dialogue.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Enjoyable Paranormal Romance Read! Mermen fascinate me and when I found out this was about mermen I had to read it. The story was great; the romance was sweet even though I wish the author would have had some erotica in there but the author¿s writing made up for it with her easy to read descriptions of the surroundings and the action that made you feel as though you were right there among the characters. Jenny (human/Fae) and Perrin (merman) met once when they were 12 years old for a few moments on the beach and within those few moments, a destiny was set in place that neither one of them were aware of. As the years passed on they each led separate lives. Jenny worked for her grandparents as a marine biologist charting her own course in the family business while Perrin lived on shore amongst the humans since his exile from his own mermen tribe. During this time they¿ve only seen each other within their dreams not knowing if it was real or not. But when disaster (earth quakes, flooding, etc¿) threatens the humans and all living paranormal (immortal) beings upon the earth, Perrin risks going back into the sea to stop the motion of disaster and once again Jenny and Perrin¿s paths run across each other as destiny leads them on an adventure of a life time when in the dark of their dreams come true as their love unravels and new bonds are made. Even though this is the 10th book in the series, it was my first read and it stood alone without having to read the others first. Very easy to follow but made me want to read the ones prior to this one to find out more about the other paranormal creatures that exist in our world. Great ending, I will definitely be reading more from this author.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.mcfan
Posted October 24, 2011
Very good story, very good love story, very good writing. There is a ribbon of sadness running thru this book that stays with the reader almost to its end. A must read for Ms. Liu's fans and others. Bunny
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JYKWA
Posted October 7, 2011
I picked it up on a whim at the library but almost didn't read it due to all these negative reviews. Now I am glad that I did. I liked the different focus from the usual - sea, mermen/mermaids - and I liked the angle of creating a connection through Jenny's and Perrin's childhood encounter that reverberate and shape their characters and choices as they grow up. I liked the slight reversal to the formula - the hero suffers a lot from being a fish out of sea (literally and figuratively) and she's the one who comes from a wealthy background - and I cheered for them as they were both strong characters who overcame a lot of adversities and betrayals. I didn't know it was a part of an ongoing series, but the story could be read as a standalone volume. I'll now check out her other works in the series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Seree
Posted September 15, 2011
Marjorie M. Liu is a wonderfully talented writer. All too often authors of supernatural tales churn out shallow works which never meet any depth within the characters or the story itself. Marjorie however truly bring characters and their lives to full vivid life while creating a complex storyline close to real life. While myth is involved in her stories she makes it seem natural and believable. There is nothing superficial with any of her works and I deeply enjoy her stories. I appreciate getting real value for the money I spend. Sometimes I feel ripped off by an author, but with Liu I always know I will happily hand over the price of admittance.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Otterina
Posted June 10, 2011
For+me%2C+there+is+magic+to+be+found+in+words%2C+in+phrases+that+glow+so+vividly+in+the+soul.++Marjorie+Liu+is+a+magician+with+words.++She+brings+to+you+heart+truths+that+you+did+not+know+you+needed+until+you+have+read+them.%0A%0ASwim+the+seas%2C+shift+your+shape%2C+burn+at+heart+none+of+these+wonders+can+steal+the+wisdom+from+her+truths.++Miracles%2C+pearls+rounded+by+time+%26+tragic+sorrows+that+are+as+real+in+the+world+at+large+as+in+her+storylines.++%0A%0AThe+Consortium+is+peopled+by+those+whose+souls+have+been+blinded+to+joy.++A+Priori+is+peopled+by+those+who+find+pleasure+in+caring+%26+sharing..+they+are+members+of+the+same+family+torn+apart+from+within.++And+that+is+the+tragedy+of+humankind+today.++It+is+only+when+Dirk+%26+Steele%27s+folks+bring+human%2C+loving%2C+passion+back+to+the+mix+that+they+get+it+right.++Maybe+it+was+a+lack+of+the+fire+of+passion+that+drove+the+fae+away%3F
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AAR
Posted January 15, 2011
IN THE DARK OF DREAMS by Marjorie M. Liu is a paranormal romance.It is a" Dirk & Steele Novel" but can be read as a stand alone. It is well written with depth,details,fast paced and action packed. It has romance, magic, family secrets,mystery, sensuality,bio research,merman,mermaids,shapeshifters,danger,betrayal,trust,murder,passion, undersea adventure,bitterness,forgiveness,enchantment,love, and human meet merman. This is a save the world undersea adventure full of high octane action. Girl meets boy on beach,and they remain in each others dreams.Perrin,a merman, and Jenny,half human and half other remain in each others dreams for years only to meet later. Together they have adventure,passion, and bond while trying to save the world from a sea monster,which when awakens will reek havoc on the world.When Perrin and Jenny will they be able to save the world from disaster?? You will need to read this interesting book of fantasy,myths and paranormal.If you enjoy undersea love,action,death thrilling adventure you will enjoy this one. This book was received for the purpose of review from Net Galley and details can be found at Harper Collins Publishers and My Book Addiction and More.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DebtheBookWorm
Posted December 28, 2010
Normally I can read just about anything, in fact most times I can even read through books I really don't like. This one however, I got mid way after about a week of literally falling asleep every chapter and I just could not read another page. Staring at the walls had more appeal. Wish I could get a refund!
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LASR_Reviews
Posted November 29, 2010
Once again Marjorie M. Liu gives the reader a wonderful tale brimming over with love and magic. Her characters are always full of depth and the stories take you far away into a magical world full of mystical beings that we believe only exist in our imagination.
The latest book In the Dark of Dreams is no exception. The main characters are wonderful. Jenny is a smart and independent woman and Perrin has lived a hard life and become even stronger living for the woman in his dreams.
When Jenny and Perrin finally meet there is no denying the sparks that are there. The two must find a way to save not only themselves but also the world. I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom as both Jenny and Perrin begin to open up to each other. While both have feelings for each other each is afraid to show them but the bond begins to form anyways as they are only fighting the inevitable. The love that they have is strong and both rely on it strongly during their trials showing us that such a love is worth fighting for.
Fans of this series will not be disappointed. This is a well-written and fast paced book that takes the reader on a magical ride that continues even after you have finished the book. Filled with action and romance, this is a book that should not be missed. I know I am already eagerly awaiting the next installment in this wonderful series.
Originally posted at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews.
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Posted June 24, 2011
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Posted January 24, 2011
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Posted December 8, 2010
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Overview
She could never forget the boy with the ice blue eyes . . .
She was only twelve when she saw the silver boy on the beach, but Jenny has never stopped dreaming about him. Now she is grown, a marine biologist charting her own course in the family business—a corporation that covertly crosses the boundaries of science into realms of the unknown . . . and the incredible.
And now he has found her again, her boy ...