Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison

Title: Oracle’s Moon (A Novel of the Elder Races, 4)
Author: Thea Harrison
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Piatkus (2nd August 2012)
Blurb:

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, an untested young woman must claim her place as the Oracle – and contend with a powerful Djinn who has decided to become part of her life . . .

As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and her husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as he sister’s two young children – neither of which she’s prepared for.

Yet, she’s not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn Prince of House Marid – driven by his genuine caring for the children – has decided to make himself a part of the household, both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace’s impudence towards the Elder Races. But when an attempt is made on Grace’s life, she realises that Khalil is the only one who can protect her – and offer her more than any mortal man . . .

Rating: *** (3 star)
Review:

Oracle’s Moon is the fourth book in the Novel of the Elder Race series, although it is not a direct sequel of Dragon Bound, Storm’s Heart or Serpent’s Kiss. Instead Oracle’s Moon takes characters from Storm’s Heart and Serpent’s Kiss and places them on centre stage. Khalil makes an appearance in both Storm’s Heart and Serpent’s Kiss, whilst Grace appears for the first time in Serpent’s Kiss. I think both Khalil and Grace are an interesting choice on Harrison’s part as neither is really fleshed out until their appearance in this book. Like Dragon Bound, Storm’s Heart, and Serpent’s Kiss, Oracle’s Moon is very definitely a book – and a series – which is aimed at an adult audience.

As I have mentioned, Oracle’s Moon is not a direct sequel to any of the preceding books in the Novel of the Elder Races series. I would, however, recommend that you read the series in order as you will otherwise risk spoiling yourself and missing out on little bits of background information.

Until his appearance in Oracle’s Moon we know very little about Khalil. We know he is a powerful Djinn and that he owed Carling three favours – though by the time of Oracle’s Moon those favours are no longer owed. Apart from that Khalil is very much a mystery, so I really enjoyed the way that Harrison slowly revealed the complexity of this character. I also really like the way that Harrison handled the fact that he was a Djinn. Grace too was very much a mystery going into this book. We learn in Serpent’s Kiss that she is an Oracle and she looks after two young children, but that’s all we know. I really admired Grace and her strength in this book.

The major plot of Oracle’s Moon focuses on the relationship between Grace and Khalil, and to be honest that kind of disappointed me. There was a mystery/who-done-it subplot, but it didn’t really come to play until quite late on into the book. Still, watching Grace and Khalil dance around each other was fun. And I liked the way that this book ties everything together in the series so far, and hints at things to come in future books. It is definitely a good addition to the Novel of the Elder Races series.