When selecting a book, readers often face the unfortunate choice of exciting story versus vibrant writing. Not so those who snatch up Liu's paranormal romantic thriller (the second in a series after Tiger's Eye
), which fuses the best of both into a novel that raises the bar for all others competing in its league. A private detective who picks up people's memories through touch, Artur Loginov isn't entirely surprised when he's kidnapped and imprisoned in an asylumlike facility; his former days as a Russian mobster taught him to believe he'd come to a bad end. But he's surprised to find the other prisoners are paranormally gifted as well—including Elena Baxter from Wisconsin, able to perform miraculous healings and now stunned to realize she's no longer alone in the world. Aided by a pair of shape-shifters, Elena and Artur escape only to discover their captors' sinister goal—and that they are the only ones who can thwart it. Liu's screenplay-worthy dialogue, vivid action and gift for the punchy, unexpected metaphor rockets her tale high above the pack. Readers of early Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris and the best thrillers out there should try Liu now and catch a rising star. (Jan.)
