Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda

Published: January 2011

Publisher: Hyperion

Pages: 376

Copy: From Library

Summary: Goodreads

Billi's back, and it seems like the Unholy just can't take a hint.



Still reeling from the death of her best friend, Kay, Billi's thrust back into action when the Templars are called to investigate werewolf activity. And these werewolves are like nothing Bilil's seen before.


They call themselves the Polenitsy - Man Killers. The ancient warrior women of Eastern Europe, supposedly wiped out centuries ago. But now they're out of hiding and on the hunt for a Spring Child -- an Oracle powerful enough to blow the volcano at Yellowstone -- precipitating a Fimbulwinter that will wipe out humankind for good.


The Templars follow the stolen Spring Child to Russia, and the only people there who can help are the Bogatyrs, a group of knights who may have gone to the dark side. To reclaim the Spring Child and save the world, Billi needs to earn the trust of Ivan Romanov, an arrogant young Bogatyr whose suspicious of people in general, and of Billi in particular.


Dark Goddess is a page-turning, action-packed sequel that spans continents, from England to the Russian underworld and back. This is an adventure of folklore and myth become darkly real. Of the world running out of time. And of Billi SanGreal, the only one who can save it.


Billi Sangreal is back, just a badass as before, but this time she's after werewolves.  What is kind of neat about these werewolves is that they are female and quite different from the usual type we read about.  The story is based around the legends of Baba Yaga and was rather intriguing and unusual.  Lots of action kept the interest up and I enjoyed this one. 

Strangely tho', I'm not entirely sure that I like the character of Billi. She's a very strong character and well written, but I don't think I have warmed to her very much - not sure why, I can't really pin it down.  There are many returning characters from the first book, Elaine, Lance, Gwaine and Bors are some of them and some new characters - Ivan, a good looking Russian soldier - who has a very interesting back story if you're at all interested in history - and Vasilisa, who is absolutely pivotal to the story.
With lots of major events going on, mystery and travelling to foreign lands, Dark Goddess was exciting  and mysterious, with an ending that I found somewhat surprising.  All in all, a pretty good read, and if you enjoyed the first one - Devil's Kiss - I don't think you'll be disappointed.