VALKYRIE is the first book in the Avian Clone Chronicles series by Cheryl Brooks. Some of the characters that appear in VALKYRIE also appear in other books set in this world. Reading them is not necessary to understanding or enjoying this book, but they give some interesting context for the characters. Avian clone Valkyrie is a tech whiz who helps people who are desperate and have nobody else to turn to. In this case, Zia – a Mordrial (kinda sorta witchy) woman – needs to find out who killed her sister Letsa. Zia and Valkyrie have been around each for years, without ever really getting to know each other. They have friends in common and work they do with the local orphanage. The romance that develops between them comes as a surprise to them both.
I love a good mystery and, for me, VALKYRIE is a classic detective story with noir elements mixed with Cheryl Brooks’ distinctive style. Zia wasn’t especially close to her sister in recent years, and she feels guilty about that, along with the survivors’ guilt after her sister’s violent death. Even with her telepathic abilities, Zia feels impotent at avenging her sibling. Although Valkyrie can appear somewhat reserved and standoffish to those who don’t know him well, he has a good heart and goes out of his way to help others when he can. There is an initial physical attraction, but that only deepens as these two characters work together to figure out what happened and provide justice. Zia and Valkyrie pound the pavement questioning witnesses, talking to cops, examining the scene of the crime, and hunting down clues and suspects. Cheryl Brooks manages to get a great mix of the fantastic and whimsical with that threat of danger and malevolence on the periphery. I love how there’s not a lot of angst when it comes to the romance. Both Zia and Valkyrie are pretty honest early on about their feelings for each other, and the physical intimacy is fun and best described as joyful and spicy.
VALKYRIE is a classic detective story with a thoroughly futuristic computer hacking sexy avian sleuth. I like the feeling of community in this novel, and the way supporting characters become invested in resolving the mystery. A huge strength in any Cheryl Brooks story, like this one, are the quirky and sympathetic characters. I’m eager to see how this series develops, and what new characters pop up in future books.
Stunningly handsome Avian clone Valkyrie is highly intelligent with superior senses and a pair of golden wings, but he has one trait that allows his horrific past to haunt him—he can’t forget anything.
Zia, a lovely Mordrial woman with telepathic abilities, works in the orphanage where she and her elder sister, Letsa, grew up. But now Letsa is dead—killed by an unknown assailant with an illegal laser weapon. The police are stumped, and Zia hopes Val’s legendary computer skills can help her crack the case.
When Val reluctantly agrees to help Zia, he gets far more than he bargained for as their working relationship develops into something much deeper. Zia suspects that Val might be The One, but first she must help him let go of the past and move on, as they risk their lives to bring a killer to justice.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy