Sebastian

“Let your heart travel lightly. Because what you bring with you becomes part of the landscape.”

Ephemera is magical world, which was split into numerous landscapes when the Eater of World’s roamed. However, the Eater as been contained for many years and the shifting landscapes of Ephemera are managed by the Landscapers. One powerful Landscaper, Bellandonna, makes a home for Demon’s. A landscape were her cousin, Sebastian can call home.
Sebastian, a half-incubus, revels in the dark delights on the ever dark landscape of his home. Feeding on the desires of human’s that cross his path, or find their way to the demon landscape. Because when travelling the bridges that link the many realms of Ephemera you may find yourself were you truly belong and not were you intended to be.

But now the Eater as stirred and found a way to escape its prison, once again feeding on the inhabitants of Ephemera. Only Belladonna, the most feared Landscaper has any hope to standing against it.

And Sebastian dreams of a woman, who hungers to be loved, her need calls to a part of him. But does he dare answer her call, knowing he may destroy her.

Personal Thoughts –

Sebastian is the main character that drives this storyline. His character develops as the plot progresses and I enjoyed how he discovers his true nature through the various dangers he faces.
His home the Den of Iniquity is a home for Demon’s, a landscape created for them by the Landscaper Belladonna. Personally, I found this realm wasn’t intoxicating and erotic (as described on the cover), but rather a world of naughtiness, with a touch of risky banter. I would agree that most of the sexual content of this story, is more romantic based, with few sexually explicit scenes.

The more interesting storyline is of the battle between Belladonna and the Eater of the World. Unfortunately this first book mostly introduces us to Ephemera and it’s quite a complex place. With so many possible types of landscapes and character storyline’s I did feel not enough time spent on the Eater of the World element.
However, there are other interesting aspects that manages to move away from Sebastian’s incubus world of pleasure, he spends a lot of time thinking about pleasure and his feelings for the young girl Lynnea. So it was refreshing to explore the dark world of the Wizard’s and their true nature.

Is this book intoxicating, erotic and intensely romantic? I would agree to the romantic, but intoxicating and erotic – not really. However, that doesn’t’ make it a poor story, in fact I found it quite entertaining.
As with other series by Anne Bishop, her first book is a little slow, but it does set the stage for what’s to follow and I expect book two to be more enjoyable.

Other Reviews of works by Anne Bishop

The House of Gaian - Dec 21, 2005

Shadows and Light - Oct 12, 2005