Naamah’s Kiss by Jacqueline Carey

Once there were great magicians born to the Maghuin Dhonn; the folk of the Brown Bear, the oldest tribe in Alba. But generations ago, the greatest of them all broke a sacred oath sworn in the name of all his people. Now, only small gifts remain to them. Through her lineage, Moirin possesses such gifts – the ability to summon the twilight and conceal herself, and the skill to coax plants to grow.

Moirin has a secret, too. From childhood onward, she senses the presence of unfamiliar gods in her life; the bright lady, and the man with a seedling cupped in his palm. Raised in the wilderness by her reclusive mother, it isn’t until she comes of age that Moirin learns how illustrious, if mixed, her heritage is. The great granddaughter of Alais the Wise, child of the Maghuin Donn, and a cousin of the Cruarch of Alba, Moirin learns her father was a D’Angeline priest dedicated to serving Naamah, goddess of desire.

After Moirin undergoes the rites of adulthood, she finds divine acceptance…on the condition that she fulfill an unknown destiny that lies somewhere beyond the ocean. Or perhaps oceans. Beyond Terre d’Ange where she finds her father, in the far reaches of distant Ch’in, Moirin’s skills are a true gift when facing the vengeful plans of an ambitious mage, a noble warrior princess desperate to save her father’s throne, and the spirit of a celestial dragon.

I was born to the Maghuin Dhonn.

We are the folk of the Brown Bear and the oldest magic in Alba runs in our veins. Once, there were great magicians among us; men and women capable of seeing all the skeins of the future unwind in the great stone circles, capable of taking on the shape of the Maghuin Dhonn Herself.

Let me start off by saying that this book is part of a series of books – a series that I have not read.  But, I thoroughly enjoyed it and am planning on getting the rest of the series so I can get caught up on the rest of the story (although it isn’t necessary in order to follow the book)

This books main character is Moirin.  She iss a member of the secretive bear clan of Maghuin Dhonn.  This clan are descendants of the original inhabitants of the islands.  From an early age it is apparent that Moirin has special abilities and her conception was something that was destined by both the bear goddess and the gods of Terre d’Ange. 

This book focuses on Moirin and how she tries to bring together the heritage that she has inherated from both her mother and father.  In doing so she is hopeful that she will find out what path her life is supposed to take. 

On her travels she meets many people, has romance with many of them, and realizes that some are not exactly who they appear to be.  I really enjoyed the way this author wrote about this other land and am glad to have some more books to add to my ever growing TBR pile.  

Jacqueline Carey’s previous publications include various short stories, essays, a nonfiction book Angels: Celestial Spirits in Legend and Art, as well as the nationally bestselling series Kushiel’s Legacy.

For more information please visit:
http://www.jacquelinecarey.com/

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