Bran! You dirty, dirty boy!
Quite the in-depth profiling of the heretofore playboy without much...complexity? In fact, consuming his intense philosophical approach is rewarding as a reader of these series. This story was was even more exceptional than is usual from Ms. Blevins, in large part because of the surprise: I think I was expecting *this* from Abbott, and then right out of left field, Bran gets all...deep...on me!
I admit that initially, I did not have much sympathy or patience for Holly and found myself not really caring about her as a character. But in Bran's capable hands, he pulls the person she really is out of the millstone she became, and by methods both foul and fair, mentors her through her journey. She becomes a capable and trusted ally, and makes some important decisions about herself, for herself. And in the doing, stacks the deck in favour of the "good"-bad guys in the coming conflict. I have a serious need to see a Kendra-Holly match up against, well, pretty much any baddie!
And Bran. I have a whole new appreciation for Bran. While, as a book, the journey with Holly has its very steamy moments, to this reader its more about the focus. While his methodology certainly holds the head still and forces the eyes to see...so-to-speak, Bran is also "there"; a safety net and a provider when what is finally seen could devastate rather than be the path to rebuilding. And since Holly is not his life's match, it makes me positively giddy to imagine the character of the mate I hope he eventually finds. *Note: gratuitous HINT!
Both this story and Leashed, are perfect insights into the deeper workings of two very dominant, prominent characters in the series. These insights will no doubt add to the reader appreciation of the more political side of the series as it unfolds.