Michele Hauf Reviews

Updated! April 20, 2006

Seraphim

Author: Michele Hauf
Publisher: Luna Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: April 2006
Genre: Fantasy: Historical
Format: Paperback
Price: $3.99
ISBN: 0373802412
Author Email/Website:www.michelehauf.com/
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

The de Morte clan, known as the Demons of France, delighted in murder, rape and other foul deeds. They were believed to be invincible, no one could defeat them and they would hold France in their grasp for eternity. Then within the space of a few days two of the de Mortes were slain in battle by a mysterious black knight. This knight rode out of nowhere and with one fell stroke dispatched their evil. Rumors abounded on the identity of the Black Knight, but the truth was even more fantastical than the rumors.

Seraphim d'Ange was the sole survivor of Lucifer de Morte's attack on the d'Ange castle. She didn't know why she was the only survivor; by all rights she should be dead. And Lucifer probably thought her dead; he had slit her throat after raping her. His mistake sealed his fate. Seraphim swore she would avenge her family and kill all of the de Mortes. Wearing her brother's armor, riding his horse, and wielding his sword she rode away from her familial home, accompanied only by Baldwin, a monk-in-training now turned squire.

She had slain two of the de Morte's and was on her way to destroy a third when she heard rumors of a mercenary sent to kill the Black Knight. Great, now she had to worry about an unknown assailant in addition to figuring out how to get close enough to her third victim. Making matters worse was her squire befriending and inviting a stranger to travel with them. A stranger who stared at the moon as if to embrace it. A stranger who also had violet eyes.

Dominique San Juste was a changeling. A fairy child left in place of a human child stolen by fairies. All his life he had searched for answers, wanting to know why his parents had abandoned him. When the Oracle appeared and promised to give him the answers he sought after he helped the Black Knight defeat the de Mortes, he knew he would do whatever it took. Befriended by a talkative squire devoted to his master, perhaps too much, Dominique didn't expect to find the Black Knight in his company. He especially didn't expect the squire's master to be a female. Learning she was the Black Knight was a terrific shock.

Dominique is unable to deny his attraction for Sera, but knows he cannot give in. He has a mission as does she and he must help her if he is to find what he most longs for. How can he win the trust of this beautiful, hurting woman and help her do what grown men cannot?

Sera hated the fact she needed help and only trusted San Juste grudgingly. If not for her squire, she wouldn't even be traveling with the man. Or be in danger of losing her heart. San Juste made her feel like a woman, made her want to be loved and feminine. Emotions that would just get in her way and prevent her from accomplishing her goal. To kill the de Morte's she had to be strong, had to rely on her hatred or she would fail.

Dominique hoped with all his heart Sera would succeed. For he knew the de Morte's were more than just depraved men, they held a deadly secret. But surely, Sera had to know it too, otherwise how could she have known the correct way to kill the first two de Morte brothers.

The de Mortes were demons, real demons. Angels who choose to fall from heaven, wanting everything the mortal realm had to offer. There was only one who could kill them...one who held a blood bond to them and had fallen as well. The mark on her hand proclaimed Sera as belonging to one of the highest order of the angels and the one chosen to destroy the de Morte demons.

But is she strong enough to complete her mission? Will she remember who and what she is in time to defeat her strongest adversary, Lucifer de Morte? Especially now that Lucifer has remembered who and what he has become? And what will happen when she learns the truth about Dominique's heritage? Can she forget her hatred of the fairies and find love?

Michele Hauf's latest novel is a masterpiece. Unforgettable, beautifully written with worlds chosen to evoke emotion and stir the senses. With every page, the reader believes this world, these characters exist; they are caught up in the journey, waiting breathless to see how it ends. The landscape is hauntingly familiar: historical France, France in the aftermath of Joan d'Arc's death. Ms. Hauf stays true to the historical time period, weapons, armor and clothes, yet adds a distinct twist, making it her world. This masterful novel is destined for my keeper shelf and I highly encourage you not to miss Seraphim.

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Added May 6, 2005

Gossamyr

Author: Michele Hauf
Publisher: Luna Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: May 2005
Genre: Fantasy: Historical
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $13.95
ISBN: 0-373-80220-3
Author Email/Website: www.michelehauf.com
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus
Rating: 8 Gargoyles

Gossamyr is the half mortal, half faery daughter to the Lord of Glamoursiege, Shinn. Of all Faery, only she can fight the evilness of the Red Lady. She discovers the Red Lady is a succubus, sucking the essences of Disenchanted Fee whom go to the Otherside, the mortal world. Only Gossamyr has the chance of defeating her. She is young and wants this assignment, knowing if she's affected by Disenchantment, she might never be able to return to her father and ascend the throne of Glamoursiege.

Ulrich is a man recently let loose from the Dance. The Faery Dance cost him twenty years of life and lost him his daughter to death by a dragon. With a magical object, he quests to find a way to bring her back. Little does he realize his path in life is to be with the young half-breed and help her on her quest, thus securing his own.

Michele Hauf weaves a powerful story of a young woman who has resisted and repressed her other nature in order to attempt to fit in. Though I wished that Gossamyr had put together the clues earlier on, as I had, in regards to her true nature, I thoroughly enjoyed her learning about fitting in the mortal world, dealing with mortal passion, and facing the truths that could've destroyed her and her quest. Though this book is linked to Seraphim, it can easily stand on its own and does so in a strong, refreshing fashion. Watching Gossamyr deal with a heartbreak she thought over and her attraction to Ulrich had me hoping that she would pick up on the joys of mortality over the fickleness of the Fey.

Anyone who enjoys Fey, swords and sorceries, and reading about other worlds will love the unique worlds of Michele Hauf's Gossamyr.

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