"The Goblins are back in the fourth in the delightful series"
Paranormal Romance author Melanie Jackson is a lyrical,
poetic writer so strong on imagery. I have long seen this
in her writing from the first book I read of hers, and this
skill has grown with each book. A good writer makes
me "see" their story, not just read it, and few have such
power to paint pictures as Jackson. She has done
historicals and paranormals, but she has really hit her
stride with her Goblin series. They are original, fresh and
I cannot wait to see what the Goblins destroy next! There
tales are lush with ancient Celtic lore and myths, and
STILL LIFE, the fourth in the series, is another winner. I
am hoping to see her Goblins one day destroy the Kentucky
Derby or play havoc with the Highland Games. Surely, they
are going to attack Venice...row, row, row your boats
Goblin style! In the fourth tale, Nyssal Laszlo, suffers from amnesia,
yet in her dreams, snippets of the forgotten past are
coming to her. In these dreams, she discovers she had the
power to project her mind. While researching ancient myths
and lore, she discovers an ancient relic. Medieval monks
presumed it was the skeleton of an angel, but Nyssal
recognizes it for what it really is: the skeleton of one of
those pesky smelly goblins. This triggers vivid dreams in
Nyssal. She has an important role in the never-ending
battle between man and goblin but is unaware of this. With
each projection of her mind, she grows more concerned she
carries important information locked within her. She
repetitively walks in her dreams into a portrait, a still
life, rich in color and detail. And each time she returns
to the still life, she discovers dark things, learns who
she really is whether she wants to or not. The Unseelie Court, bad faeries, had a long ago pact with
the Goblins, and they fear Nyssal's dream projections.
Abrial, is a dreamwalker and he is sent by Jack Frost to
pursue Nyssal in her dream state. As Abrial follows her in
this dream realm, he comes to love her but in his heart he
fears their love is doomed. Inside Nyssal is a dark secret
making her a target. Even her father would rather see
Nyssal dead than reveal what is hidden deep with in her. Abrial is a strong hero, the dark tormented Alpha male. The
executioner for the Seelie Court, Abrial has so long lived
without emotions, blocking them in ordered to live with the
guilt of those deaths he caused. Nyssal's mind projection
is able to break down his barriers, reach him. Jackson once again takes myths, legends and lore and
skillfully weaves them into the struggle to save mankind
from the Goblin menace. The pace is fast, the concept
imaginative and fresh, showing Jackson is a paranormal
writer who blazes her own paths through the Goblin Wood.
Yes, there will be a fifth Goblin tale. A shame we have to
wait until next year! Posted August 19, 2004
Reviewed by Deborah Macgillivray
Posted November 18, 2006
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