When I saw this in Walmart last night, I literally jumped up and down for joy because I had forgotten it was supposed to be released yesterday. This is one of my favorites of the series. Marjorie M. Liu is one of the best authors I have read, evident 2) and the care she puts into each novel is obvious. She paints a rich world and as another reviewer pointed out, unlike most other books where the supernatural just breeze through life, you can really feel how much Perrin and Jenny have struggled and how much they are able to help each other through their love.

I don't want to give too much away because it is truly a fantastic book and a must read for any fan. If you're looking for a great read that will tug your heartstrings with expertly written, emotional scenes then definitely read this book.

A true love story. A real world romance with believable conflicts, (yes, he's a merman and shape shifters and magic abound - it's still believable) motivations and emotions.

Liu writes like a poet. The phrase "beautiful turn of phrase" was created for writers with her skill. For example:

"And then those eyes disappeared, blown apart as though made of sand - each grain floating through the water toward his face, slow and glittering. Perrin watched, breathless. No longer hearing anything but the sound of his pounding heart."

Too often in today's romance novels hot sex (not that there's anything wrong with that & it does put in an appeareance here too) sucks up all the oxygen in the room and leaves none for love scenes. Dark of Dreams has oxygen enough for both:

"She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him close until his head rested on the cot, their cheeks pressed together, her mouth against his ear, whispering words that she forgot as soon as she said them, just that her heart was in her throat, she wanted him to feel her heart, and hear it, and know he wasn't alone."

The lead characters are Perrin & Jenny. Perrin - forgive me - is a fish out of water. Save me from super-natural beings who thrive in the human world. Shouldn't other-worldly beings have a tough time in a society that doesn't have a place for them? In the world Liu has built the "different" truly do have a difficult time fitting in and I think her books are better for it. Perrin is in full exile from his world and people; a true stranger in a strange land and he suffered accordingly.

Jenny is smart and capable, while still being in need of help. She does help herself as much as possible, but she does really need Perrin's support. Together they are more than the sum of their parts. And isn't that a wonderful thing? Two people in love and actively supporting their partner. I think this is something we all dream of. Jenny & Perrin both are willing to sacrifice for the good of the other, this is perfectly written selfless not martyred love.

I'll let you read them for yourselves, the final three lines of In The Dark of Dreams are happily ever after gold.

This is the 10th installment of the Dirk & Steele series. It's not necessary to have read the previous 9 (but you should, Liu is a wonderful writer - her entire body of work is just lovely). Besides pure enjoyment the other books will give you a better understanding of the Dirk & Steele organization.

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