Leisure Books, May 2010 ISBN9780843962970

I sometimes hesitate before reading the second book in a series, especially after a strong start. I don’t think I’m alone, so writing the second book in a series must put an inordinate amount of pressure on a writer. Luckily, Leanna Renee Hieber withstood it and survived, delivering a second book, equally as compelling as the first with The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker.

Percy Parker has joined the London Guard, a group charged with protecting the living from spirits, as its seventh, but it appears that’s only the beginning of the battle to come. In this second tale, Leanna Renee Hieber continues her heroine’s story begun in The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. Percy watches the Guard in action as they dispose of a spirit, marries Alexi and the two leave for a short honeymoon, leaving the other members with some freedom while they prepare mentally for the upcoming fight. While the cat’s away… Percy and Alexi visit the abbey where she grew up as well as her mother’s grave where she learns more of her history.

In addition to the Guard, Hieber introduces a new character Beatrice Tipton, a former Guard member, who has gone to the Whisper World—land of the dead/spirits. She can communicate with both worlds, giving advice to Percy and the Guard and readying supporting troops of other former Guard members to try to triumph over the Darkness. She warns Percy that — yet again — someone close to her will betray her, but she doesn’t learn until it’s too late who the betrayer is and how the betrayal will manifest.

While this volume doesn’t have as many scenes with the Guard battling spirits, there’s enough action in the final scenes to make up for any losses. And while Percy clearly starred in the first book, Hieber digs deeper into the character of other Guard members this time. Rebecca has loved Alexi from afar for years. She wants to celebrate his happiness with him, but part of her is devastated. No one understands this better than Michael, who has cherished Rebecca in much the same way without her sparing him an extra glance. Elijah keeps saying he’ll marry Josie but has yet to totally commit, and Jane loves a man from the Whisper World. The Guard isn't supposed to use their gifts in a noticeable way, but Jane sneaks into children’s hospitals to heal them at night while Percy and Alexi are away. Percy makes people feel comfortable, so we learn about the Guard members’ secrets as they confide in her. It works well as we already know she has a big heart.

This second book in the series has more of a methodical, introspective feel to it. My one quibble is that I almost liked Alexi better as a single man than as a married one: he takes protectiveness to an extreme and acts more of a dominating father figure than a husband when Percy’s role demanded she take risks. Luckily, she has the tenacity and spunk to know she has to do whatever it takes.

As in the first book, Hieber’s prose is fluid and lyrical, interspersed with dialogue relevant to the period of London in the late nineteenth century. Her descriptions of London and the Whisper World ring creepily true, and you can almost feel the muck on the bottoms of your feet and your toes curl up in protest and hear the slimy river water as it oozes along.

A blend of historical fiction, magic and mythology, Hieber’s books will appeal to a side array of readers. It’s easy to empathize with her characters as they’re realistic with flaws and foibles, and anyone who has ever felt “different” will understand much of how Percy feels.

Hieber has written a novella that will appear in a collection from Dorchester later in 2010. For more information about Hieber and her books, visit www.leannareneehieber.com.