Full Moon Rising – Keri Arthur
Hachette Livre Piatkus, 2007
357 pages
RRP: AU$19.95
ISBN: 978-074-993813-0

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

Full Moon Rising almost sits in the paranormal romance genre, but leans a little too far into erotica for my taste. Keri Arthur categorises this series as “dark urban fantasy”, which almost fits, but really, it runs closer to “vampire porn”.

Riley, the heroine, is half werewolf and half vampire. Impossible, you might say, and most in the world of the novel would agree with you. Apparently not, although the combination is quite rare. She works for the Melbourne Directorate of Other Races as a desk jockey, but is pulled into action when her brother goes missing. She has people to turn to, but can she trust them? Then a naked vampire turns up on her front doorstep. What’s a girl to do?

When she’s working and kicking butt, Riley is an interesting and likeable protagonist. One problem Riley has to face is her insatiable need for sex, especially as the moon becomes full. She seems to find it pretty difficult to have to have lots of lovin’ and trying to find her missing brother at the same time. These sections didn’t quite mesh with the plot of the story. I would have preferred a bit more action and less “action”!

The setting for this series is the most engaging part. The futuristic Melbourne is created with care to be utterly believable, with recognisable landmarks and layout. Unfortunately the characters weren’t quite as lovingly created. I didn’t find Riley nearly as realistic as the setting, and her predicament especially didn’t really ring true.

Fans of paranormal romance or alternate future genres may find this a little too “Riley Does Melbourne”, but the series does begin with an interesting concept and a very Australian atmosphere. And lots of sex!