Wow! I cannot believe that I left TRAVELER by Melanie Jackson sitting on my bookshelf for months, ignored, in favor of reading other romantic paranormals. What an idiot I was! This book is a jewel among paranormal romances! It has fantastic characters, a fascinating storyline, and a creative setting. The best part is that Jackson can write - and I mean well! I cannot stop raving about this book.
The hero, Jack Frost, is sent in by the police to find out what dirty deeds the flesh-eating goblins are up to in Goblin Town. Jack happens to be a death fey, meaning he has potent death magic up his sleeve. At the same time, an underground organization called HUG is sending in Io, a siren fey, to intercept Jack and find out what he knows. Jack and Io meet, the attraction flares, and from that point on, they work together on a dangerous mission to stop an evil goblin from exterminating the human species.
The alternate world that Jackson creates is fantastic. Goblin City comes alive in all its ugly weirdness. Jack and Io's magic spells are also fun; in many ways, the magic itself becomes a secondary character. I love the easy dialogue between these two, as well as their relationship. You can practically see these two fall in love. And it's not fast or cheesy. Plus, this book is NOT sex scene after sex scene, interspersed with minimal (or stupid) plot, as many other romances are. No, it actually has a great plot, which keeps you reading. You WANT to know what happens next in Goblin Town.
Of course, the book is not perfect. Some reviewers complain the first chapter is confusing, which could be true. Certainly, it is almost all talk and no action, as it tries to explain the dynamics of humans, half-feys, and goblins within this alternate world. Also, I would have liked to see Jack use more of his death magic ... but that's not so much a complaint as it is curiosity.
Anyway, if you are looking for a good, engaging read, try this book. TRAVELER is one of those stories that tickle the imagination. It is also the first in a series. The next book is called OUTSIDERS (supposedly, the hero is a dragon). I can't wait to read it!
***For a similar read, try Emma Holly's erotic THE DEMON'S DAUGHTER. It is also set in an alternate world, which is sort of like Victorian England.***
