Nimaur's Loss: Book One of the Vildecaz Talents    by Camille Gabor Order:  USA  Can Juno, 2007 (2007) Paperback    Reviewed by Ricki Marking-Camuto Camille Gabor's Nimaur's Loss opens a romantic fantasy series, The Vildecaz Talents, from a new publishing company specializing in fantasies aimed at women. This first episode is mostly exposition which can make it a rather tedious read in which the plot tends to get lost. Nimaur, the Duz of Vildecaz, is a magician who lost his talents in a battle of skill with court magician Yulko Bihn. When Bihn and his apprentice visit Vildecaz castle, it sends Nimaur over the edge in a frantic search for Agnith's Treasure. While their father is absorbed in his studies, his two daughters, the Duznas Ninianee and Erianthee, must entertain their guests, whose numbers seem to grow by the day. Unfortunately, Ninianee is only able to assist Erianthee as hostess during the day since it is a full moon and Ninianee's hidden talent is that of changing into a different animal every full moon. Luckily, Erianthee's talent (using spirits of the air to create Shadowshow entertainments) helps with her daunting task. Soon, though, it becomes clear that not every guest is there out of good will and some have sinister business, although nothing every really happens and nothing is discovered. However, this is a good reason for the Duznas' two wannabe suitors to protect their loves. The story picks up by the end, leaving a tantalizing cliff hanger for the next episode, The Deceitful Oracle, which will hopefully answer the many unresolved questions left in Nimaur's Loss. Gabor spends most of the book introducing readers to her characters and immersing them in her fantasy world. Most, however, will find it hard to delve into Vildecaz because too many characters are introduced at once, the religion of the inhabitants and their mythology is conveyed in clumps, and titles and clothing - that could easily have just been called in English by what they were - are assigned words in a fantasy language. I spent a good portion of time flipping to the glossary just so I could find out what the characters were wearing - the outfits were always described in detail, but seemed to mainly be vests of different lengths and formality. Though most fantasy novels do introduce new language, using it to this extent just confuses the reader. Unfortunately, most of the plot gets lost in exposition, but things pick up at the end when everything comes to a head, only to finish abruptly, leaving any reader who has been able to follow the story wanting to know what happens next. Hopefully this Vildecaz Talents series will pick up the pace now that all the exposition is out of the way. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews