Heroes Return by Moira J. Moore

Taro and Lee couldn't be in more of a fix.

On the Emperor's orders, Source and Shield Pair Shintaro Karish and Dunleavy Mallorough have been sent to Taro's backwater home, Flown Raven. Knowing that Taro spent a hellish childhood in Flown Raven, Lee isn't exactly thrilled with forcing him to face those painful memories all over again. Or facing his dragon of a mother, the Dowager Duchess, who lives just down the road and makes your average villainess look positively sweet. Until recently, Flown Raven had never experienced the natural disasters usually associated with the posting of a Pair but recent occurrences have proved otherwise. After Taro gave up his right to rule his ancestral home (much to his mother's fury), the townspeople of Flown Raven have endured a string of bad luck which they believe is solely the fault of their newest titleholder, Taro's cousin Fiona. Things aren't looking much better once our favorite Pair actually arrive, quickly followed by a group of Imperial Guards, who nobody wants around.

So let's see, technically Lee and Taro have been posted in a city they shouldn't be in, by someone who should have no power over them (the Emperor). Their bosses, the Triple S Council, are breathing down their necks for a detailed accounting of their past deeds (which they can't divulge). While they are constantly plagued by Taro's awful mother and her schemes to break them up and to return control of Flown Raven to Taro (which he does not want). And to top it off, the Pair are having trouble channeling - something that should not be happening. Nothing ever is easy for these two, is it?

As always, Moria J. Moore delivers quite a story. As I've come to expect from her previous Hero books, Taro and Lee always wind up in the craziest circumstances - usually ones way beyond their control - with the barest amount of information and Heroes Return is no different. In a series that has such uniquely brilliant world building and stunning characters, I can only say these books are fast becoming more layered and developed with each installment. The author tempts you with glimpses of political maneuverings and tidbits of historical context that leave you clamoring for more. I just know this series is heading for some major developments as Lee and Taro seemed a bit more out of their league than usually. Which is saying a lot really.

Most importantly, after the crazy (good crazy - mind you) events of Heroes at Risk, I was so sure Taro and Lee had finally taken that first crucial step in learning how to function as a couple but sadly, no. Once again Heroes Return is crammed full with Taro and Lee's inability to communicate effectively. [insert my long-suffering sigh here]. I don't know what it will take for these two to finally figure things out (how many books do we even have left Ms. Moore?!?) but I just want to gather them both into a giant hug and just make everything all right. Because they are perfect for each other. Absolutely perfect. Aside from all the misunderstandings, Taro and Lee two trust each other implicitly. They crave the other's good opinion. And most importantly, they would do anything for each other. Really, anything. That's why I think I have such a hard time with all the frustrations in between since it is obvious how much they mean to one another. And to this reader.

series reading order:
~ Resenting the Hero
~ The Hero Strikes Back
~ Heroes Adrift
~ Heroes at Risk - my review
~ Heroes Return

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Angieville review
The Book Smugglers review
Skunk Cat Book Reviews

book source: my local library

Heroes at Risk by Moira J. Moore

Thanks to Angieville, I've stumbled onto many, many new series that have totally sparked my interest and have left me clamoring for more. Out of all the authors she's recommended, Moira J. Moore's Heroes Series has to be one of my new favorites. Questionable covers aside, its got danger, bucket loads of humor, intricate world building, romance, and of course, characters that you can't help but adore. Not only that, but it's one of the most original story lines I've come across in quite a while. Heroes at Risk is the fourth novel in a progressively entertaining series about Source Taro and Shield Lee, a set of Pairs who through a unique bond are able to control natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. Lee and Taro have been circling each other for quite some time and in the last book, things sort of came to a head between them and changed everything - in my opinion - for the best. But that could all change as they return to High Scrape to resume their normal duties as a Pair.

Back in High Scrape at last, Lee is more than happy to be back to her normal life, ready to do some shielding, ready to avoid any kind of danger or intrigue. So of course, Taro finds his way into trouble while attempting to chase down grave robbers during their first week back. Naturally, Lee is less than pleased. But trouble seem to follow the Pair wherever they go, leading to the discovery that the citizens of High Scrape have turned to magic - namely casting spells using the ashes of people supposed to be lucky - in hopes of avoiding a repeat of the calamities (famine, extreme weather) High Scrape has recently been plagued with. The regulars aren't exactly pleased with how Triple S (basically the employers of Source and Shields) have been handling things and are looking for anything to fix it. Lee and Taro are more than disbelieving in the power of magic, not to mention the fact that it is highly illegal, but when people throughout the city begin to fall prey to a mysterious illness, the Pairs find themselves at risk and are more than determined to find out what is going on.

I was so excited to get back to the sometimes exasperating, yet always entertaining, world of Lee and Taro. Taro has this whole devil-may-care-handsome-aristocrat thing going on, yet in this book he really shows how insecure he is at times, especially where Lee is concerned. Although sometimes I wanted to shake Lee for her obliviousness - making Taro spell out exactly what he means all the time - she is so dang lovable. Her inner dialogue is too funny, full of self-depreciating humor and little quips on the intelligence (or lack thereof) of the people around her. I love her thoughts, but I still think a book, or even a short story, from Taro's perspective (hint, hint!) would be seriously welcomed. Srsly. Through Lee's eyes, we get such a limited view of Taro's thoughts and it would be perfect to know what he's thinking much of the time - even if it is just that Lee is a complete idiot. Fantastic book Ms. Moore, please keep them coming.

Oh, and as far as last lines go, this one is a killer.

series reading order:
~ Resenting the Hero
~ The Hero Strikes Back
~ Heroes Adrift
~ Heroes at Risk

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Angieville review
The Book Smugglers review

book source: borrowed from a friend