OBLIVION
Ruby Duvall
Ellora’s Cave
ISBN: 978- 1419914270
May 2008
Paranormal Romance

OBLIVION is the much anticipated (at least by this reader) sequel to CAUGHT IN THE DEVIL’S HAND by Ruby Duvall. Empress Shumei and herconsort Vallen have slowly been readying the new Dark Court to square off with the DamnedOne. Both Mai and Vallen’s friend Rosuke were there at the end of the last book, helping to defend the humans. This story starts off a few weeks after where the last one ends in a sixteenth century Japanese-like fantasy setting.

Mai’s biggest fear is the touch and attention of a man. After watching her mother being brutally raped and surviving as an outcast “blackie” her whole life, she does not want to form relationships. Unfortunately,that is not what the Divine One has in store for her. While her friendship with Shumei grows, and her responsibilities as head of her house and season leader increase, she also finds herself attracted more and more to Lieutenant General Rosuke. Fate and responsibilities war within her. Can she be everything to everyone and find faith in her own abilities?

Rosuke was cursed like Vallen to have sex in order to survive, draining their partners in the process. While being cursed, they were never able to form a true relationship with anyone. Once freed from his curse,Rosuke would like to live a normal life and find love. Mai immediately grabs his attention, but she is the last female who would want him. These two (with the help of the Divine One) have to overcome their fears, work through their relationship, deal with politics and the rebuilding of their society and fight the ultimate evil one. Not too much to ask for anyone!

There is a depth to Ms. Duvall’s writing that really sparks my imagination. This is the decisive fight for good and evil, there are no gray areas in this book. Many times fantasy books become caught up in these simple lines and add fate or an omnipotent being, and the plot can become very predictable. While there are elements of that in OBLIVION, there are twists and turns in the plot which are unexpected and keep the story fresh. Like all fantasy books, we know that good is going to win over evil…it is the journey on how that happens which makes it interesting. Because of this, it was the building of Mai and Rosuke’s relationship that held the main interests for me, as opposed to the good/evil theme. They are both dynamic characters and I enjoyed watching them interact.

If you are looking for an all around well written book, then OBLIVION definitely fits the bill. One caveat; it says it can be read as a stand alone book, I do not suggest you attempt it. The baseline formed in CAUGHT IN THE DEVIL’S HAND is crucial for reading and enjoying this book. Go back and read that one first, you won’t be sorry you did.

Reviewed by Sarah Silversmith
Rating: 4