Mists of Velvet (Immortals of Annwyn) [Paperback]

My Review:

The Plot:

Rhys MacDonald is a mere mortal amongst a cache of extremely powerful immortals. Treated with disdain by most and as a nuisance by everyone else, Rhys is tired of being handled with kid gloves. Mostly he's pissed about being left out of the fight against the seeping evil that's spreading its oily tentacles into not only the otherworld of Annwyn but within the mortal realm as well. To top off Rhys's growing aggravation is the sudden and perplexing distance his Shadow Wraith has slammed between them.

As the cursed great-grandson of Daegan, once co-ruler of Annwyn who fell in love with a mortal and earned the eternal wrath of the Supreme Goddess, Rhys, like every son born before him is protected by a Shadow Wraith. There's only one hiccup, Rhys's protector is male while all of his forefathers have had females. Sharing what's for them a bond as natural as breathing, the immortals of Annwyn are disgusted by what Rhys and Keir, his Shadow Wraith, share. An almost symbiotic relationship, Rhys needs Keir's protection as Keir needs to "feed" from Rhys's emotional energy, sexual energy more specifically, to survive. Their connection transcends that of lovers or brothers. It has no definition. It just is and its integral to their way of life but right now its breaking. For once this mortal and immortal pairing are being torn in two different directions, fated to be separated.

However, there is light within the darkness that Rhys finds himself. Rhys dreams of a woman. A woman that he would never share with Keir. She's a being that embodies the alluring combination of both innocence and worldliness and her presence means something vital. Dreams are incredibly significant in Annwyn and highly respected as fated truth. To dream of another in the erotic and soul defying ways that Rhys dreams can only mean one thing: Rhys's luscious dream woman is his mate.

Bronwnn, Goddess and handmaiden to Cailleach the Supreme Goddess and co-ruler of Annwyn, is caught in a tumultuous restlessness as her body awakens with sexual maturity. Yet she senses that more than her own body is awakening, Annwyn stirs as the Dark Mage gets closer and closer to seizing the power to take over the mortal realm and Annwyn herself. Fearing that her gift of sight will chain her forever to Cailleach's side, forever denied the pleasure of touch as she desires, Bronwnn indulges in the dreams of the dark haired man that makes her body come alive as its never been. And when that man falls in a bloody heap at the feet of her wolf, she doesn't think twice about saving her mate.

Having decided to take matters into his own hands and prove that he has what it takes to be apart of the nine warriors his Sidhe uncle and King of Annwyn seeks to defeat the Dark Mage, Rhys breaks into Annwyn despite his being told not to and worse, despite the fact that his great-grandfather's curse makes him prime prey for the Supreme Goddess to kill. But he soon falls not into the hands of the Supreme Goddess but the Dark Mage when it's discovered that his cave of evil lies beneath Rhys's mortal club, Velvet Haven. Chained and carved, Rhys escapes before the Dark Mage can claim his soul. Death still seems imminent though with his life's blood seeping out but when a wolf and a snake lead him to safety, his trust is rewarded as his mate awaits.

Ensconced in a cabin deep within Annwyn, Rhys and Bronwnn delve into the passion that their dreams started, claiming one another's souls. However, Happily Ever After doesn't come that easy for this pair. When a soul-shattering connection between Bronwnn and the Dark Mage is revealed and Rhys's trespassing within Annwyn is discovered, sacrifices will be made that threaten to tear apart the fragile bloom of the love they share.

The Heroine:

Terribly lonely and isolated, Bronwnn longs for love but her ability to have visions chains her to the side of Cailleach, the Supreme Goddess and co-ruler with King Bran of Annwyn. Never understanding why she's been isolated from the other Goddess's of Caillieach's court, Bronwnn has valid fears of forever remaining in chaste service for Bronwnn shares an awful but integral connection to the Dark Mage and the truth of that connection is earth-shattering. The only solace Bronwnn feels is when she can finally fall within the arms of her mate but even that comes with a host of difficulties. The revealing of Rhys's mortality is startling as well as the fact that he's the descendant of Daegan and on Cailleach's Kill List. Incredibly brave and determined, Bronwnn risks everything even her very life's happiness to save the mortal man she's given her heart to.

The Hero:

Rhys's early anger and frustration is palpable as well as his later determination to protect his mate and claim her as his forever. Embodying a heroic fearlessness, Rhys will utilize all he has to help his immortal brethren defeat the Dark Mage even if that help is unwanted. Completely mortal with no power, it's this very courage that propels him into the fight he long desires to be a part of.

In addition, Rhys's fierce love for Bronwnn is quite a ride. He's a man that knew he was always destined to grasp something from Annwyn and when his mate is presented, he grabs hold of her with both hands that become unshakable. And while Rhys's mortality is frustrating, he never treats it as liability feeling always that he has something of value to contribute just as the immortals around him do.

My Final Thoughts:

A dark and thrilling read, MISTS OF VELVET unveils more than one eye-popping secret. Picking up short weeks after VELVET HAVEN ended, the prophecy takes on a whole new personal turn for our friends, the Immortals of Annwyn. Told with lyrical prose and a haunting portrayal of this mystical otherworld of Annwyn, Renwick is as fearless as her characters and she shows little mercy to each of their destines.

While this review focused upon Rhys and Bronwnn, MoV embodies many other character threads with the most important being that of Rhys's Shadow Wraith, Keir. With an ending as heartbreaking as it is beautiful, this vibrant immortal's tale is steeped in darkness that will surely leave readers such as I clamoring for more. Then there's a naughty fallen angel that dances the line between good and evil with a jester's practice. These are multi-layered characters with their story being told upon multi-layered plots with a deft hand.

Remarkably, Renwick manages to blend a lovely balance between the naked eroticism and plot of MISTS OF VELVET. Bold and blunt, the erotic core of this novel is never lost amongst the complex plot arcs showing that Renwick can deliver on both accounts in spades.

Not to be read as a stand alone, MISTS OF VELVET demands that you read its predecessor. These are magical tales that can easily appease Paranormal Romance readers craving complex world building with a decidedly erotic edge for those readers wanting passion in abundance. Enjoy!

5 Stars

Mists of Velvet by Sophie Renwick
Paranormal Romance- Feb. 1st, 2011
4 stars

Mists of Velvet is the 2nd installment in a sweeping fantasy that readers of a complex and vivid landscape will be sure to enjoy. However, due to it's complexity I would highly recommend reading the 1st book in the series (Velvet Haven) before reading this book.

In this story, the lives of two men are remarkable intertwined. Both need each other. One for protection and the other for his energy. Rhys MacDonald is a mortal with the blood of Kings. Since birth, Rhys has been appointed an immortal guardian named Keir, who happens to be a wraith. All his life he and Keir have been bound, but now Keir seems troubled and often leaves mysteriously without telling Rhys. Rhys discovers Keir has been traveling to the magical world of Annwyn, but as a mortal Rhys is unable to follow. Frustrated and head-strong Rhys vows to discover Keir's secrets and help him. However, Rhys is warned not to cross over to Annwyn because it will cause him irreparable damage.

To add to his troubles Rhys is having vivid and erotic dreams of a maiden that he longs to meet. Is he strong enough to find this woman and protect his friend, too?

This story is actually two stories in one. That of Keir and Rhys and the women they love. This book is highly erotic, tragic and romantic. My only difficulty with this book is that it has so much going on. The author flashes to several different characters which sometimes made the flow of the book somewhat choppy. Of the two heroes I liked the mature Keir because I could relate to his suffering. In comparison, Rhys seemed impetuous and petulant. Each has their own love interest, although Keir's is tragic. Because I enjoyed Keir's character more I couldn't help wishing his romance had been exchanged with Rhys's. But I think the author has more planned for Keir which only means there will be another book about him!? (Yes!)

Mists of Velvet is a mythical series. As mentioned before, I feel that it may be difficult to read as a stand alone. I was mesmerized by the cast of characters the author has created. And can only hope that each will find their own mate. In the over-arching story of the series, the King of the Sidhe must find nine warriors to combat evil as foretold in a prophecy. Each has their own powers and is from different races. (Wraith, Griffin, Selkie, Angel, Goddesses etc.) But one will betray them. That makes this series super fascinating. In addition, the author has many surprises and subplots that will keep readers on their toes and looking forward to her next installment.

An alluring and epic series with plenty of heat.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Annwyn is the Otherworld in which most mortals are unaware of its existence. Those few who do know of the realm are descendent of the Otherworld denizen.

One of these individuals with the blood of his great- grandfather a Sidhe royal who abdicated for love, Rhys MacDonald owns Velvet Haven night club that caters to the paranormal. When he learns of a major magical menace threatening to destroy the Otherworld, he ignores the taboo of mortals forbidden in Annwyn and races through a portal in his establishment. However, upon entering the Otherworld, he is captured but liberated by Bronwyn the shapeshifting goddess who rescues from death the male she believes is her soul mate, having seen him in her visions. As Rhys falls in love with his savior, he must prove a worthy warrior to save her and others against the Dark Magick that engulfs Otherworld.

The second Immortals of Annwyn (see Velvet Haven) is more a quest fantasy with a strong romantic subplot enhancing the save the realm story line. Filled with plenty of action from the moment the hero leaves his border sanctuary on a rescue mission, fans who prefer more fantasy than romantic interludes will want to join the hybrid warrior (a support player in the previous tale) as he risks his life to save the world of his beloved and his heritage.

Harriet Klausner