City of Eternal Night (Crescent City Series #2)

by Kristen Painter

Overview

House of Comarré author Kristen Painter weaves a tale of intrigue and betrayal, as the battle for New Orleans escalates in this second novel of the Crescent City series.

Mardi Gras approaches, bringing with it hordes of tourists eager to see the real-life Faery Queen holding court atop her festival float. When the Queen is kidnapped, it's up to Augustine, the fae-blooded Guardian of the city, to rescue her before time runs out.

But Augustine's mystifying protégée, Harlow, complicates the task by unintentionally aiding the forces of evil, drawing danger closer with each step. The Queen might not be the first to die. . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316278331
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	12/02/2014
Series:	Kristen Painter's Crescent City Series , #2
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	461,435
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Kristen Painter likes to balance her obsessions with shoes and cats by making the lives of her characters miserable and surprising her readers with interesting twists. She currently writes award-winning urban fantasy for Orbit Books.

Editorial Reviews

10/06/2014
Painter delivers on her promise of excitement and romance in the second installment of the Crescent City Series (after House of the Rising Sun). Computer whiz Harlow is trying to come to terms with her fae abilities and her attraction to playboy and New Orleans fae Guardian Augustine. Their romance tentatively creeps along in this otherwise stirring installment as they set out to solve the mystery of a young woman’s kidnapping from the Mardi Gras Exemplar Ball, the biggest fae event of the year. Possible suspects are cunning witch sisters Zara and Gisselle, who want freedom from fae regulation, and the evil Branzino, Harlow’s fae father. But the kidnappers aren’t asking for money; they’re asking for Augustine’s life. Harlow struggles throughout with the emergence of new powers as well as an almost literal emptiness inside her that seems to be expanding: apt metaphors for a young woman finding herself. Painter takes this romp to unexpected places, with many, but not all, of Harlow’s family secrets revealed. Agent: Elaine Spencer, Knight Agency. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

"Painter creates an intricate, well-crafted plot, along with compelling, distinctive characters and an enthralling twist... this story will definitely have readers turning pages all night!"—RT Book Reviews on City of Eternal Night (Top Pick!)

"Painter delivers on her promise of excitement and romance in the second installment of the Crescent city Series."—Publishers Weekly on City of Eternal Night

"Urban fantasy fans will enjoy entering Painter's vividly drawn world."—Library Journal on City of Eternal Night

"I tore through Painter's new series. Best new urban fantasy out there!"—Kresley Cole, New York Times bestselling author on the Crescent City series

"With the Crescent City series, Painter proves herself a master of Urban Fantasy, creating a darkly gorgeous new world, richly drawn characters, and nonstop action."—Kristen Callihan on the Crescent City series

"[Kristen Painter's] rich, modern storytelling lays out an intricate plot layered with plenty of action and intrigue. Exquisite characters lie at the center of this story... From the first page, House of the Rising Sun is truly a superb and exciting read."—RT Book Reviews (4.5 Stars), Top Pick! on House of the Rising Sun

From the Publisher

11/15/2014
Harlow and Augustus share the New Orleans home they inherited from Harlow's mother when she died in the series opener, House of the Rising Sun. They are still dealing with their mutual attraction but bigger problems arise, including the kidnapping of the daughter of one of the city's fae elite. It is Augustus's responsibility as Guardian of the city to get her back, even if the demanded ransom is his own corpse. Harlow wants to help, yet when it brings her into conflict with her monstrous father, she learns some startling things about her own powers. VERDICT Building on the strength of the first book, this series blends an irresistible near-future setting with characters who continue to develop. Urban fantasy fans will enjoy entering Painter's vividly drawn world.

Library Journal