Eye of Heaven

A Dirk & Steele Novel

By: Marjorie Liu

Narrated by: Emma Lysy

“Anyone who loves my work should love [Liu’s].” (Christine Feehan)

Eye of Heaven is yet another dark and sensuous romantic winner from the extraordinary Marjorie M. Lui, arguably one of the boldest, most inventively original authors currently working in the paranormal romance field. Centered once again around the remarkable Dirk and Steele Detective Agency - with its shape-shifters, psychics, telekinetics, and others with astounding supernatural gifts - Eye of Heaven brings a tormented investigator to “Sin City”, Las Vegas, where a beautiful, feral headliner needs protection from a terrible darkness that is threatening her world.

A passionate tale of romance, mystery, danger, and otherworldly occurrences, this is Marjorie M. Liu at her finest - and further proof that, “If you have yet to add Liu to your must-read list, you’re doing yourself a disservice” (Booklist).

©2006 Marjorie M. Liu (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

The game is afoot - Siegfried & Roy would approve

“I’m having a Thundercats moment- pinch me!”
This book is proof that shifter romance doesn’t have to be another tired werewolf story. And thankfully, not a vampire-werewolf love triangle in sight. Iris is a leopard shifter and Blue controls electricity.
This book is also proof that urban fantasy can be more than single, white wizards. Here, there’s a bigger cast of supernaturals to make things interesting, including meaty involvement of Arturo and Dean, the MMCs from books 2 and 3.

This installment was a lot lighter on humor (the above quoted line notwithstanding), in part because the series arc about the nefarious Consortium is more prevalent. Also, there’s plots about human trafficking and abuse of women that make this a darker installment. Finally, there’s a lot of parental and family drama (and a smattering of F bombs).

Overall, I enjoyed the mystery side of things, especially as villains and allies of dubious intent add depth and suspense. This can be listened to as a standalone, but I strongly recommend taking these in order as it’s not easy to keep the growing cast straight and some of the supporting characters aren’t easily understood without knowing their background (Artur’s actions, for instance).

The romance was decent, although it’s feeling a bit formulaic, right down to the single sex scene, which is preceded by a single scene where they each help the other get to third base.

And, why is it that only the previous MMCs, and none of the FMCs, make appearances in later books?
I’m still waiting for the Avengers Assemble installment where the whole Dirk & Steele team show up.