Beyond the Vision of Dreams

The Compound is home to an upscale New York nest or crèche of weresnakes. There are 21 residents if one includes newcomer Chrissy Stanford. Our heroine has been moving around all of her life and makes the move from Greece upon her mother’s death. “New life, new start.” That has always been her rather hopeful motto. Perhaps her itch to put down roots will be satisfied here.

Remy Crane is an unmated male of breeding age. Nightly erotic dreams of the same beautiful girl have left him without a decent night’s sleep in a week. Desperation for relief even drives him to a failed attempt to seduce the Archon, or nest leader who happens to be a female. After one such disturbed night, he comes out of his room preoccupied and proceeds to knock over someone standing in the foyer. It is then that he discovers that his dream girl is very real.

This book has an interesting premise and certainly a new type of shape shifter. The concept of weresnakes as portrayed here seems more seductive than dangerous. They are a hunted race and therefore very secretive. Readers will find the societal structure of these creatures to be interesting and one looks forward to learning more about their world with the progression of the series.

Our hero has a bad boy appeal with his piercings, tats, and earthy language. For all of that, Remy seems quite sweet and a bit shy. Chrissy on the other hand is not at all shy and is a good match for him. They are clearly fated mates. However, when they come together as such, the scene is jarringly nonchalant somehow.

Potential for this story did not feel completely fulfilled. One would have liked more description on the shift itself and the change in perceptions as well as the hunt when in snake form. There is a passage in which the hero muses over having had only “vanilla sex” in his past. Yet though the love scenes are certainly erotic, they are not terribly edgy. Repetitive use of a word or two and proofing errors also distract.

The authors have come up with an intriguing book that gives us free spirited characters with fleshed out backgrounds. Remy and Chrissy are certainly compelling characters that draw you in, perhaps it is that hypnotic gaze.

September 2006