Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Series: The Edge #2
Published by Tantor Media
Published on: September 28, 2010
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 15 hrs & 32 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Walmart and magic is a fairytale–and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…
Cerise Mar and her unruly clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands between the state of Louisiana and the Weird. When her parents vanish, her clan’s long-time rivals are suspect number one.
But all is not as it seems. Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge—and Cerise’s life . William, a changeling soldier who left behind the politics of the Weird, has been forced back into service to track down a rival nation’s spymaster.
When William’s and Cerise’s missions lead them to cross paths, sparks fly—but they’ll have to work together if they want to succeed…and survive.
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This book picks-up right where ON THE EDGE left off, except this time the focus shifts to William who just so happens to be a wolf changeling—my favourite kind! We also get to meet Cerise Mar, a heroine who’s on the same level as Kate Daniels from Ilona Andrews’ other series, and I immediately adored her. I enjoyed this installment slightly more than the first, and I think that’s because I was a little more familiar with THE EDGE universe this time around. I didn’t have to pay as much attention to the world-building, although the Mire is an extremely weird place with its own set of magical rules, so there were still tons of new tidbits to take in. BAYOU MOON is another unmissable listen by this fabulous writer / narrator duo!
I’ve loved pretty much every protagonist that Andrews has thrown my way, and Cerise was no different. She’s even more backwoods than Rose from book 1 which was great because I really enjoyed that aspect of the first installment. Mar lives in an enchanted swamp where cats are green, fish have legs, and mud burns; after growing up in that kind of environment you can’t help but be a little off. I liked how badass Cerise is! There’s this one scene where she and William are in a bit of a pickle, and she’s like don’t interfere, I’ll take all of these baddies on myself, and does. Mar is as far from damsel in distress as you can get, and makes the sexy changeling work for it. A LOT.
The Mire is an awesomely bizarre place, and I thoroughly enjoyed discovering all of its quirks. It was doubly entertaining navigating this odd swamp through William’s eyes because he’s constantly baffled by the absurdity of it all which leads to countless comical WTF moments. There’s this little side thread about an eel that pops up throughout the story that’s laugh-out-loud hilarious. I seriously loved it! The weirdness of the locale also comes through nicely in the main plot with the feuding families, Spider and his minions, and the magic behind Cerise’s uncle’s infamous “box”. Rose, Declen, and the kids make cameo appearances in this novel, and there are several references to them throughout this tale which I appreciated, because I wasn’t quite ready to say good-bye to these amazing characters after only one installment.
I can always count on Renée Raudman to deliver a top notch audiobook with her superb narration skills, and knack for upping the ante on an already action packed tale. Originally, I used to think of her as “Kate Daniels”, but after listening to her for this series as well, for me she’s now become synonymous with Ilona Andrews’ writing. Her transitions between POVs and chapters are smooth, and she always seems to perfectly capture the emotions of any given scene. Raudman is definitely one of my auto-buy narrators.
BAYOU MOON is another epic listen by this fantastic duo (trio?), and I can’t wait to start FATE’S EDGE!
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I love this series. It always amazes me the ability of the Ilona Andrews team to build such weird and descriptive worlds. Their characters are always so well thought out and full of snark and badass at the same time. Then you add Renee Raudman’s narration and how could you go wrong. She puts such personality into the characters. This will always be one of my favorite audiobook teams. I’ve listened to three different series and they nail all of them, each series in their own way.
No arguments here. Andrews and Raudman can’t be beat!
Cerise sounds like a main character that I would def enjoy. I need to give Andrews’ books a read.
Cerise is a badass; I hope you LOVE her too!
Ilona Andrews is another author that I have not read yet but I keep awesome things about! Every rave review look this one just tells me I’m missing out! Checking the library now, maybe I can borrow her books..hopefully they’ll have this series! Awesome review, Carmel 🙂
Andrews is one of my top 5 fav UF authors, so get on that already!! 😛
I’m so on the fence about these books! I LOVE the Kate books but these seem very romancey. Between your review and Jessica though I think I might have to at least give these books a try.
They’re definitely a change of pace from their KD books, but still good. I mean, this IS Ilona Andrews we’re talking about!
Ooh, the Mire. I don’t think I’d survive for long but I do love reading about it!! I might have to reread this series because I don’t really remember this one…
I thought the Edge, the Broken, and the Weird were cool enough as it was, but throw in the Mire and I’m sold! Love this series.
Gah I need to start this series. For some reason this one doesn’t seem to be as popular as their Kate Daniels series. Glad to see it is every bit as good.
It’s not as action-y was their UF series, but I was curious to see what Andrews’ romance writing was like, and I’m happy to report that it’s equally as good!
You so make me want to re-read this series! I loved this one. Thanks for the review Carmel 🙂
Glad I was able to take you for a walk down memory lane. 😀
I need a good swift kick in the arse as I still have not read anything by this duo. I have the first few books in the Magic Bites series, I just need to get to them. I have also been eyeing this series.
I’d start with Magic Bites, and go from there if I were you. Curran… *swoons*
I haven’t read this series yet, but I really want to start. Oh I may have to add these to my audio listen list. Maybe I’ll do the whole series on audio. Hm..
Brilly review!
There’s only 4 books in this series, so it’s totally do-able!
I’d like more of these
Yeah, me too… I only have one more to go and then it’s all over…
I need to catch up with this series. I think I have Bayou Moon but I don’t think I’ve listened to it yet. I will be fixing that soon. Ilona Andrews never disappoints.
Nice! The audios are definitely the way to go!
You know what? I NEED to read something by Andrews, dang it. I’m like the biggest procrastinator ever.
Stop procrastinating and start reading already! 😛
Oh my gosh I so need to get back to these! I read book one and really enjoyed it. Even have this one. Don’t know why I never got to it. Hrm. Glad to see you’re enjoying it too!
I was slow getting to this series, but I’m so happy that I managed to squeeze it in. You should bump these up your list!
I’m ashamed to say that it’s a series I haven’t read. I don’t know why because I love Ilona Andrews but I really need to try this series too. I’m glad it was a good one! Great review! So curious.
As long as you make time for it eventually, that’s all that really matters. 🙂
I have started the other Kate series and Kate seems like a great character so I have no doubts that I’ll love this one too. I’m so happy you enjoyed this sequel. Great review, Carmel 🙂
Start with Kate, and then we’ll talk! Hehe
Uuuh, I wanna read the series, the worldbuilding sounds so freaking awesome! I’m sucker for that, hehe.
Great world-building and Ilona Andrews are practically synonymous!
OMG I love your description of the secondary characters! They enhance the setting don’t they? I will be checking this series out.
Yes, yes they do. I love that all of ’em are so well-rounded.
I think that was the book I read last in this series, Carmel! Still have to catch up on the rest 🙂 Great review! I vaguely remember enjoying it, but the ending wasn’t too well don surprisingly for these two authors…
I’m not as in love with this series as I am their Kate Daniels books, but they are still worthwhile listens IMO.
This is one series I’ve wanted to read. I’ve read and enjoyed some of their books and this sounds like one I’d enjoy as well!
There’s no such thing as a bad Ilona Andrews book! 😀
Ilona Andrews… is the also the one who wrote the Cleaning Sweep book? Clean Sweep? The one with the blue cover, that’s adult science ifction, or something? Her name sounds terribly familiar! I’m not a fan of the cover (the man overlaying the background looks so funny really), but I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Faye at The Social Potato Reviews
Yes, she wrote Clean Sweep too. The covers aren’t super awesome, but I’m sure you know better than to judge a book by its artwork. 😉
Oh, definitely! I read Blood Song even when its first cover was atrociously hideous, but it still ended up as my best read of 2012!
Wonderful review Carmel! I LOVE this series. Well anything by the husband and wife team. I still need to get around to reading the very last book in the Edge series. ^_^
You can’t go wrong with Ilona and Gordon! Steel’s Edge is nearly at the top of my listen pile. SOON my pretty…
The Kate Daniels series is one of my all time faves but I couldn’t get through the first book in this series, after reading your review though I’m thinking I should give it another try.
A great review Carmel!
This series is nothing like her KD books; from the reviews I read, it took a few installments for peeps to get into the groove, but it’s well worth it.
I really enjoy this series. Your review reminds me that I need to read the last two books. I’m sad that it’s over so I think I’m delaying the end. lol
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I don’t blame ya. I’m caught-up on their other series, and am almost done this one too. Oh the horror! LOL
I love Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniel’s series, but I have not tried this one! I know, I should because it sounds like a fab read. Loved the review! I know I need to meet Ceirse!!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
It’s more of a Fantasy Romance than Urban, but I’m enjoying these audios all the same. 🙂
I just finished up with The Edge series on audio and LOVED all of them, but I have to say Cerise and William are my favorite couple (although Jack is my favorite reoccuring character). Such a great pairing with Ilona Andrews’ writing and Rene Raudman’s narration!
Oh no! You’re ahead of me in this series; we can’t have that. 😉 Jack is my fav character too.
I’m thrilled you loved Bayou Moon, Carmel! I agree with you about Andrews’ protagonists. They’ve all been great. I read this one but I’m thinking that maybe, since I’m an audio-virgin, maybe I should start with a book I’ve read and a narrator who’s recommended. 😉 Thanks for the great review!
This is the second time that you’ve brought up your audio virginity this week, Brandee. I think you should get on that already. LOL