Review: A Tale of Two Goblins by H.P. Mallory |My Need To Read

Series: Dulcie O'Neil, #2

Genres/Themes: urban fantasy, fairy protagonist, dream stalking

Excerpt: first chapter (from author site)

Quick Take:

Dulcie does it again! This installment delivered on every promise made by its predecessor; it was above all fun, engaging, and charming.

Book Description (via author site):

Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy working in law enforcement for the Netherworld. When Knight Vander approaches her with a case regarding comatose victims, she agrees to help him, imagining the most difficult part will be combatting her attraction to him.
But, what Dulcie isn’t betting on is the fact that the case becomes personal when she learns all the victims are somehow linked to her.
When her best friend falls victim to the Dreamstalker, Dulcie must do everything in her power to ensure her friend’s survival, including associating with criminals and accepting the fact that desperate times do definitely call for desperate measures.

Review:

I was so excited to pick up and read the second book in the Dulcie O'Neil series by H.P. Mallory, having enjoyed the first one so much. As with book one, the cast is the big draw. Technically, there aren't that many figures to keep track of--which is fine by me. It means more face time for the fab five (Dulcie, Knight, Trey, Sam, and Dia). ^_^ Dulcie in particular is in fine form: she's a magnetic character, with different facets to her personality that provide plausible and engaging expression in scenes both light hearted and somber.

I get the sense that the author is deliberately keeping a steady pace in revealing her fictional world and in progressing the broader story arcs. I like that! I can see the series continuing to thrill with new elements and twists, even several books down the road (and geez, I HOPE there will be a "several books down the road" to speak of!).

This book deals with a creature that stalks and terrorizes people's dreams. As such, there are a few dream sequences, some of which are meant to be ambiguously identified ("Is this someone's dream?") and others which are very clearly nocturnal reveries. In one, the dreamer is even consciously observing her own dream. The devices used for these sequences could've been confusing as flip, but instead worked out wonderfully and intriguingly.

Honestly, the third book cannot come soon enough ("soon enough" is August 2011, by the way...but still so far off!!!); I simply must know how the cast of characters develop and fare in their respective conundrums. A Tale of Two Goblins more than proved that the Dulcie O'Neil series will be one to look out for in the future. Moreover, it's put Ms. Mallory on my auto-buy list, for sure!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I really liked it."