Heroes Return

Taro is a source that channels the energy of natural disasters, Lee is his shield that protects him while channeling. This time Lee and Taro are sent to his birth place and they struggle with the difficult task of channeling in his former home, his mother, the guard sent by the emperor to flog every person who tries to cast spells, the problems of he releasing his title, and the remoteness that has sprang between them. First I have to say that even when our heroes' couple is really frustrating for their lack of communication it isn't something new or out of character since that had been their weak spot since the beginning in this series. The ending didn't help either, why is it different when Taro did something that she had done already, both accomplish the same, even when in the heroes scheme of things it is wrong, that was disappointed. But taking that and the horrible covers out of the equation, this is a very enjoyable and entertaining series, every book has its twist on plot and secondary characters that bring something extra to the table. Lee is a mind of her own, she lives in a round world and her mind is a square, she doesn't seem to understand people's behavior and how to soothe things because she's not in their same weave but it is compelling and funny to see how her mind works. Taro, poor Taro, has to deal with the fact that as a source, he's a little peculiar and it's an interesting pair they make. The part about the ancestors is weird for the fact that is kind of Stargateish and it clash a little with emperors, horses, castles, etc. but really original. This could be a stand alone for it's its own story and when it's mention any past event it's also explained, but I think it should be read as a series to understand why our couple behaves the way they do without getting annoyed. Although this one is not my favorite in the series, it was more like a 3.5 stars, but a fun, fast read none the least.

What is up with the cover on this? I'm sorry but the art designer gets a total miss for the male model on this one. Shintaro is supposed to be beautiful, and this guy doesn't resemble him at all. This is the latest Shintaro/Lee books. I will spare the story re-hash since others have already posted what the series is about. Needless to say, I really liked the book, even if I thought Shintaro was acting very insecurely in this one, and Source Lee, was very irresponsible to ignore their ineffectualness at their post in favor of saving face. Shintaro's jealousy of the scholar was both cute and a bit over the top. A little jealousy is fine. This seemed almost mental. In fact, I thought Shintaro was either having a nervous breakdown, or under the influence of a spell, since he acted quite emotionally throughout. Sure, he was going to a place where he'd been abused, and tormented as a child. But I expected his training would help him cope more. I admit though, even though I was disturbed at the depths of his insecurity, I also found the jealousy scenes amusing, since I love Shintaro's flirting. I did enjoy this book, although it really isn't a standalone novel.I would read the others first so that this one will make more sense.

Author: Moira J. Moore Genre: Sci-Fi / Fantasy Reviewed by: Terri Shield Dunleavy Mallorough, also known as Lee and Source Shintaro Karish better known as Taro are on their way to Flown Raven, ancestral home of the duchy of Westsea and Taro's family. Shields and Sources work together to divert natural disasters. The Sources channel the disaster's energy while the Shield protects the Source's mind and body. If the Shield fails, the Source will die. Most Sources and Shields are bonded to their partner. If one dies, they both die. However, the Source and Shield Counsel discourages any other type of relationship within the bond. They also don't send pairs to their family homes. Lee and Taro know that they shouldn't be sent to Westsea. However, the council didn't send them, the Emperor exceeded his authority and sent them. Neither wants to go but they have no choice. Taro's mother still lives there and she is livid that Taro did not take over the duchy but instead gave it to a cousin. Along their trip, they are robbed. Taro's cousin, Fiona though makes them welcome into her home. Lila, a maid, is assigned to them but it seems like Lila has other motives. Taro's mother has brought a titled woman to make a possible match with Taro, even though he has told her that he is not marrying nor is he taking back the duchy. Fiona has found an old book, possibly from the First Landing and has called in a noted academic. But on top of all the other things going on is an even more disturbing development. Taro and Lee aren't able to contain the deadly earthquakes that are plaguing Westsea. Perhaps the magical spells Lee has found will help but the Emperor has sent guards to flog anyone seen with any magical anything! This is the 5th book in a series about Lee and Taro's adventures. While you probably don't have to read the previous books to enjoy this one, many of their previous adventures are mentioned in this book. I haven't read all of the previous books and I've enjoyed the last two books. Though Lee and Taro are more than a bonded pair, this is not a romance but a fantasy adventure story. Seldom do Lee and Taro get to do more than share a few kisses though the council isn't happy they are even doing that. Instead, you are thrown into a dangerous world full of intrigue, power struggles and hidden magic. There are life and death struggles and bending of rules to avoid detection. Lee and Taro may have found time to do other things but they aren't sharing. The characters and the world are wonderful. There is a complex set of rules in place that govern all of the residents. The Emperor has laws that control what he can do. The Source and Shield Council is outside his governing power yet he's trying to influence where a certain pair goes. He's also pushing his titled landholders as far as he can. Because this is Taro's birth place, you get to know a lot of his family. His interactions with them are very telling as are Lee's reactions to them. I really love

I literally bounced in my seat when I saw HEROES RETURN pop up as being in stock and ready to ship a couple weeks ago. I quickly ordered my copy lest that lovely little "In Stock" button disappear, and I sat back to wait--impatiently--for it to show up on my doorstep. I adore Moira J. Moore's Heroes series because of the two main characters. Lee and Taro are incorrigible, endearing, at times pull-your-hair-out maddening, but they are two of my favorites and I look forward to each adventure with gleeful anticipation. I think about these two a lot when I'm not with them. I think about my favorite scenes--the ones where the let their defenses down for perhaps two seconds at a time and actually communicate. Sometimes I have to go re-read one or two of those scenes to remind me how subtle and real they are. We've hashed out these covers before in detail and I won't go into this latest disaster. Much. Except to say that never does blue lightning crackle between Taro's meaty paws. If that image worries you at all, let me set your mind at ease. Also, he is rather devastatingly handsome. Despite the way he is portrayed on the cover. This is the fifth installment in the series. Not in their wildest dreams did Source and Shield Pair Shintaro Karish and Dunleavy Mallorough imagine they would ever be taken away from High Scape and reassigned to Taro's homeland of Westsea. But that is exactly what's just happened. Without so much as a by your leave, the newly minted Emperor orders them to swear fealty to him and pack their bags for the remote coastal city where Taro was born, and where he lived the first bleak eleven years of his life. Lee dreads the whole notion, what with the politics that are involved and the fact that Taro's mother the Dowager Duchess--otherwise known as the Wicked Witch of the West's less nice sister--lives right next door to where they'll be staying. But, as it turns out, the Duchess should be the least of Lee's worries. For there is something wrong afoot in Westsea. The new Duchess is scrambling to command the respect of her people, the Emperor's guards have been assigned a permanent post there amid rumors the people are engaging in spell casting, and the level and frequency of natural disasters in the area are increasing with every day that passes. Add to this the fact that Taro's abilities to channel are becoming erratic, Lee's passing interest in casting begins to ratchet up a few levels, and the Triple S seems awfully suspicious of them and their recent activities, and these two are in for quite the couple of years at this their new post. Nothing is ever easy in the world of Taro and Lee. I don't know why I keep thinking things will settle down for a spell and they will be able to sort a few rather important things out. Like their monumentally tragic communication problem. Because HEROES RETURN is all but a formal treatise on the failure to communicate and the disasters that result from said failure. I'm starting to feel like my

This is not the normal type of "supernatural" heroes' series and has always been characterized by the sweetness of the characters. No one is bloodthirsty or a great fighter but the heroes have great abilities that help them do what we want all our heroes to do which is to save the good guys, defeat the bad and have a little love in the meantime. Which is why this book left me hanging and a little angry that I will have to wait so long for the next book to resolve so many issues left behind. I wouldn't mind if I already had the next book to read but of course I don't. I need a little more resolution in my books when I am asked to wait another year to find out what happened. The heroes are so poor at communicating with each other that the love side of this story left me a bit bereft. I don't want to give anymore away than that. It was as always, gripping and charming. The series is well worth reading for those who have not picked up any of the books yet.