"A magical romantic fantasy."

There's the world as the regular folk perceive it, and then there's the world of mages, "wizzarts," angels and demons - a world of Talent. Existing and working alongside their purely human counterparts, they remain unseen by all but their own kind. It's a strange conglomeration of worlds, but that's just how Wren Valere, a gifted if somewhat unappreciated Retriever, likes it. After all, where else could you make your living setting your own hours, wielding your talent in the pursuit of interesting stolen or misplaced articles (all the thrills of thievery with none of the jail time), and still be able to pick up some darn fine Chinese food around the corner?

A client has hired Wren and her boss, the impeccable, debonair, gallery owner Sergei Didier to retrieve a cornerstone that's been stolen out from under the most secure building in the city. It seems like a straightforward job when in reality, it's anything but. For one thing, the cornerstone's main claim to security fame is the cursed ghost whom someone has trapped inside like a genie in a bottle. For another, Wren cannot tell who's more despicable, their client or the party who stole the cornerstone in the first place with the aid of a rogue magician. If that were not enough, the Magician's council is somehow involved, and it never pays to cross a politician, magical or not. However, Wren and Simon have other unresolved issues of a more personal nature. Sergei isn't all that he seems to be, and it appears there is yet another world within the world they need to deal with. Then there are those ever-intruding feelings of love they have for one another. Can their worlds and social standings unite, or must they be forced to fight the feelings and sit stewing in unrequited love?

This is another delightful LUNA entry, guaranteed to please those who love to love, while enjoying a clever sci- fi/fantasy read. Ms. Gilman's main characters sing, and her plot sweeps you up in a world as believable as the one you have your feet firmly planted in now. Sergei is a delightful cross between Giles and Remington Steele, while Wren is like a combination of Buffy and Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake. This romantic fantasy is a magical treat, and I look forward to hearing more about Wren and Sergei's adventures in retrieving.

Reviewed by Anne Barringer
Posted July 20, 2004

Manhattan's nightlife just got weirder. . . It starts as a simple job — but simple jobs, when you're dealing with this magical world, often end up anything but. As a Retriever, Wren Valere specializes in finding things gone missing — and then bringing them back, no questions asked. Normally her job is stimulating, challenging and only a little bit dangerous. But every once in a while. . . Case in point — a cornerstone containing a spell is stolen and there's a magical complication. (Isn't there always?) Wren's unique abilities aren't enough to lay this particular case to rest, and so she turns to some friends: a demon )minor), a mage who has lost her mind, and a few others — including Sergei, her business partner (and maybe a bit more?) Sometimes what a woman has to do to get the job done is enough to give even Wren nightmares. . .