Lilith Saintcrow, Cloud Watcher

Cloud Watcher

Lilith Saintcrow

ImaJinn, December 2006, $14.00, 214 pp.

ISBN 1933417188

Anya Harris feels all alone in the world, as she flees the Dark fires that no one else seems to see. Her only companion as she runs from "the persuasion" is Shell, who depends on her for his well-being, as he apparently is a "downs syndrome" person.

In Santiago City, she knows she needs a job that will enable her to also keep Shell safe. Instead she meets Watcher Jack Gray, whose centuries of dedication to Circle Lightfall may not redeem him for the atrocities he committed. Jack realizes she is the witch who he has waited seemingly forever to come into his life. He must protect her and her ward with his heart and soul, as the Dark has followed her here. Used to having no one to protect her back or someone steal her heart, Anya rejects his efforts to keep her safe; still, her presence gives him some hope of redemption for the evil he did before he became a Watcher.

The Lilith Saintcrow "Watcher' romantic fantasy (see DARK WATCHER, STORM WATCHER, and FIRE WATCHER) is a terrific tale starring two interesting protagonists. Anya trusts no one, except Shell who is almost totally dependent on her. Jack has waited forever for his soul mate to bewitch him, so he has begun to lose faith that he will ever meet her. When they do meet both are stunned, but he knows he first needs to keep her safe, because her skills make her special and worth millions, but to do that he must also protect Shell. CLOUD WATCHER is a strong entry in a terrific series.