Private Demon, Lynn Viehl.  This second novel in Viehl's Darkyn series is rather weaker than the first.  The trouble seems to be too many subplots given equal space without any of them getting wrapped up.  Continuing with the characters from If Angels Burn, Viehl chronicles Alex's duties as Darkyn physician, while giving equal time to the new life of her brother, disgraced priest John and hardly any effort to the central plot - that of a physically and emotionally weak 'heroine' that needs rescued by her demonic lover.  A nasty exploration of racism replaces the complex politics of the first novel, and as nothing is resolved the effect is a rather violent muddle.  Maybe the third entry will redeem the series, but I'd recommend skipping this one altogether.


Read July 2006