MARK OF THE SYLPH - Rosalie Lario
A Perfect 10
Entangled Publishing
ISBN-13: 294-0-01-297945-2
September 2011
Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

USA , Modern Day

Maya is a kick-butt librarian who lends books by day and, occasionally, kills demons by night. Taeg, a half-demon half-faerie Otherworld being, comes to her library while researching some old legends about a mythical sword and wonders at Maya's absolute distaste for him when most women are attracted to his charm and good looks. Taeg soon discovers the truth; Maya can see through his glamour to his true 'demon' form (fear not, ladies, his demon form is also sexy and attractive!), and she carries a deep grudge against all demons. However, once Taeg discovers Maya's ability to see through glamour, he realizes that he needs Maya to help him locate the sword he searches for. The sword, which Merlin put a powerful invisibility spell on, is purportedly the only weapon able to destroy a magic book that keeps Taeg's sister-in-law in constant danger. But while Maya isn't inclined to help a member of the race she so despises, Taeg just might be able to convince her to surrender to his will…

This book pretty much blew my mind, and there were so many awesome elements to talk about that I don't think I can even cover it all. Ms. Lario writes one of the most compelling, engrossing, deeply romantic, and totally sexy paranormal romances I've read to date. With great action, touching sacrifice, and sweet seduction to give the book life, and wonderful writing, voice, style, and character development to solidify the prose, this book literally has it all. I was in love with this book, its characters, and the world that Ms. Lario built from start to finish, and I literally couldn't put it down, even to eat. The only thing I would caution: before reading MARK OF THE SYLPH, you really have to read book one, BLOOD OF THE DEMON. It's not a good standalone, but the series is awesome, so go read it! STAT.

The characters in this book are phenomenally developed. I immediately felt connected and in sync with all of them and I liked them very, very much. In fact, I was in love with Taeg for all his flirty, bad boy charm. I liked Maya, because she really was an excellent fighter, admirable and strong, and sarcastically witty. Taeg was fantastic and a superb hero; he let Maya fight and wrestle when she needed it (whew, that was sexy!) and held her close when she needed that instead. He was in tune with her, and his journey to falling in love with her was absolutely adorable and yet really super-hot. The sexual tension in this book was beyond smoldering. It was an inferno. My Kindle was overheating.

In BLOOD OF THE DEMON, Ms. Lario created a fabulous world that is fascinating because it is extremely unique, and MARK OF THE SYLPH is a continued journey into that world. I especially appreciated how well Ms. Lario knew her characters—all show, no tell. Ms. Lario also really seemed to come into her voice in this novel. I really can't begin to describe to you how wonderful this book was, in all ways: dialogue, plot, romance, the whole shebang. Ms. Lario has made me a fan for life with her Demons of the Infernum series. I am overjoyed with her creativity, her imagination, and her ability to paint the world and characters in my mind with vivid detail and color.

In conclusion, all I can say to my fellow readers is: Go out and get this book. It's a wonderful, necessary addition to your shelf. The story is touching and hot, poignant and sexy, sweet and sassy. MARK OF THE SYLPH is a book I will continually revisit, and I will both cry and laugh out loud every time I do. Because of this book's absolutely decadent perfection, I would like to award it the Perfect 10 award from Romance Reviews Today. Thank you, Ms. Lario, for a stunning journey.

Rose May