Crimson Rogue

As one would expect, this novel brings into focus subcharacters from the first Crimson City book, which was also written by Liz Maverick. Although these characters, Cyd Brighton-former I/B OPS/junkie and Finn- the mech with heart, have peaked up in other books in the series, they belong to Maverick. The book is well written and carries on the series well. There is not a lot of sex and ouey, gooey destined to be together stuff in this book. Actually, the one making most of the doe eyes, destiny speeches, and fast come-ons is the bad guy (demon) of the tale. Instead, there are two flawed characters, one scarred inside and the other damaged outwardly who together discover that the most human of beings isn't always fully human.

Rumor says that this fabulous book ends the Crimson City series--say it's not so! To be able to write superior action/fight scenes so vividly that when the female leads cracks against a wall your own breath catches. Then to handle such a romance!!--between two people wounded in every way and tentatively trying to build enough trust to mend their hearts, bodies and souls. I am in awe! Because these books are created worlds with specific language, rules, etc don't just jump in. They are all worth buying as a set and would make a great gift for someone--mending anything from a broken heart to a broken leg. These books will lift you out of your own world and into the meticulously created world of Crimson City. Don't miss this series--it simply rocks!

Crimson Rogue was a fast paced read. I'm really sad that this is the last book in the Crimson City Series. Liz Maverick managed to bring all of the characters from the previous books together in the end and it made for a great ending. My only disappointment was that Marius and Jillian didn't get together at the end. While they were rather minor characters in this story, the love between them was so strong and real that it seems wrong that they aren't together. All in all this is a fabulous series that I will read over and over.

Liz Maverick started this series in spectacular fashion and she finishes it the same way. Cydney Brighton was present when the demons first arrived and she witnessed the deaths of all of the B-Ops team members; she survived only because the demon Griff-Vai believed she was his replacement for his soul mate. Since then, she has been held hostage in the demon world, Orcus, until the previous book when the Draig-Uisge and the Phoenix Tear attempted to close the rift between the two worlds. Cyd returns to her world by stealing an amulet from the Draig-Uisge only to find that her world has changed. Not only have the majority of her former B-Ops team members died or been turned to fang (vampire) or dog (werewolf), but she is now part demon as well. Meanwhile, Finn, the mech who escaped the Grid after killing two powerful vampires earlier in the series, is trying to rid his body of metal. Both Cyd and Finn want to prove to themselves that they are still human. Ironically, it is only by embracing who and what they are that they realize they are human regardless of the outer shell. Finn learns of a plot to kill Cyd unless she rejoins B-Ops; she does so only to be placed back in demon research- exactly where she doesn't want to be. Griff-Vai has not given up on Cyd returning to Orcus, however, and he continues to haunt Cyd. Cyd learns of a possible way to fight off the demon.... and I won't spoil the story by revealing any more details except to say that it is an action-packed story that ties up many of the loose ends of the series! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sorry to see it end. Highly recommended!

Though everyone assumes that B-Ops Agent Cydey Brighton died when she vanished during a ferocious bloody fight, the demon Griff-Vai had actually kidnapped her and has kept her imprisoned in the underworld. However, waiting for the right moment Cydney overcomes a Druid and takes an amulet that enables her to escape through a portal back to Crimson City. However, during the months of incarceration, the world she knew is no longer the same as the demon horde has assaulted the city abetted by rogues from the other three prime sentient species; Cydney can understand vampires and werewolves somewhat, but not Quisling humans. Readjustment proves difficult with only Finn the half human Mech machine empathizing with Cydney. They team up to try to save a city and a world, but while doing so begin to fall in love. However as each ponders whether a half machine and a no longer quite human can forge a relationship, stopping the demon minions comes first. This is a terrific conclusion to a stunning excellent romantic fantasy saga authored by several writers including Liz Maverick who opened and closes the tales. Fans of the Crimson City novels will be elated by the fabulous last battle twist and with how well Ms. Maverick ties up the loose ends through a fascinating pairing of two protagonists who appeared in previous chronicles. Newcomers will be better suited to obtain the previous five books, but worth the effort as all are top of the line. The only down is no more Crimson City novels as these have provided much entertainment over the past year. Harriet Klausner