Kaderil the Dark is one of the Esri charged with obtaining the seven lost stones for his king.  The Esri live in another world, one kept sealed from Earth.  That is, all except one gate, which has now been found (see THE DARK GATE for further details).  The Esri consider human blood to be anathema, and the King has ordered the Sitheen, those humans with a touch of Esri blood, to be destroyed and all the stones of power to be found and returned to the Esri.  Kaderil sees this mission as his chance for redemption, his chance to show that his own lack of magical power isn't a taint.  But then, in the guise of human Kade Smith, he meets human Autumn McGinn... will he choose love or duty?

Pamela Palmer had done it yet again!  Once again, she has written a book I just couldn't put down.  Thankfully, I was reading it on a weekend as I'm not sure I could have made myself stop reading to go to work.  Yes, it was that good!

Pamela Palmer has a gift at creating vivid characters who spring to life off the pages of the book.  Kade Smith is my favorite type of hero.  He is deeply tortured by the conflict between his duty and what his inner soul is crying for.  His relationship with Autumn is a bit rocky at times and there are some scenes that could have offended if Pamela Palmer hadn't written them so sensitively.  However, Kade's inner turmoil is so apparent that it makes the scenes both powerful and believable, although extremely intense. And who can't help but love Autumn?  She's a klutz but she has a pure heart.  She sees past the exterior to the person inside and one can't help but love that about her. 

Pamela Palmer has crafted a fascinating but thoroughly believable world. Readers will be captivated by this second entry into the world of the Esri and the Sitheen as Pamela Palmer has some phenomenal twists up her sleeve. You don’t have to have read THE DARK GATE to fully understand what is going on as DARK DECEIVER is a stand alone, but I can’t imagine why any paranormal lover wouldn’t want to read both of these fabulous books!

DARK DECEIVER solidifies Pamela Palmer’s place as one of the top up and coming authors of the paranormal romance and dark fantasy genres!  Without a doubt, DARK DECEIVER ranks among the top books I’ve read.  Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Debbie

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Posted March 2008