There’s mystery, chemistry, fate, danger, and some sweetness, camaraderie and humor to be had in this novel, and I liked the way they all came together. This novel definitely has some complicated things to say about family: the one’s we’re born with (complicated) and the ones we make for ourselves (also complicated, but in good ways). I loved the community that is Bash’s pack, as it’s a diverse, delightful group of chosen family that includes witches, shifters, rat kings, and more (dude...that needs a book of its own, and while we’re on the subject, I would absolutely love to see more stories set in this world-- I’d read Bari’s in a heartbeat too). While a vampire is initially treated with plenty of suspicion, the fact that Ethan finds a place with them feels somehow inevitable, given that love, acceptance, and care is pretty much everyone’s default setting, even the initially snarly ones (looking at you here, Deanna). There are plenty of quasi magical beings (beings with quasi magical power?) as well: foci, seers, nulls, etc. It could have been overwhelming, but somehow all manages to make sense-- I think it helps to have Ethan’s character as a foil, as readers, like him, are pitched into the deep end of supernatural existence. Ethan’s deeply likeable, in fact, and it’s easy to be angry with those who treat him as less-than just for what he is. Bash is more enigmatic, and harder, as a result, to know. He’s definitely a good alpha, but I didn’t always feel like I knew who *he* was, beyond the fact that he’ll do anything for his pack, including consider an arranged marriage even after meeting his soul mate. Good leader? Absolutely. Memorable character? Maybe not so much. I never actively disliked him, but amidst the other strong personalities: Ethan’s shrewd sweetness, Jay’s stoic /soft charm, Deanna’s growly protectiveness, and Bari’s easy and gregarious kindness, he just sort of gets a bit lost. Overall, however, for setting, story, and supporting characters, I can’t recommend this book enough.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.