I have already mentioned several times that I am a really big fan of K.F. Breene. The minute I see that she has a new book out - it is pretty much an automatic buy. When I saw this under New Releases, I didn't even think before I clicked both the buy button on Amazon AND the same on Audible. The problem though, was that it took me a little bit of time to figure out in my head what exactly was going on. (I know, I know...I should have remembered, but I've probably read hundreds of books since the last book was out)
In the title, it says it is Book 9 of the series, but that might be a little misleading. Why you ask? Well, because it hasn't exactly been one series but more like several vignettes or trilogies that then ended up tying together in an over arching story arc. (We had Reagan's story for a couple of books, the Penny and Emory's story, then the Fae Princess...Charity? Chastity (?) can't remember at this moment). The brilliant Ms. Breene was busy building a huge story arc that was destined to bring ALL of these factions together to, hmmm (no spoilers right? ) ........ let's just sat there is a LOT going on and it is all leading to something really big.
So - it didn't take me long to get my mind back in this world and I was THRILLED to see that the focus on this book was mainly on Reagan. And, on Reagan and Penny. First, can I say that Penny has come a LONG LONG way since we first met her and the relationship between Penny and Reagan is nothing short of HILARIOUS. I LOVE IT!!! One of my favorite lines in this book is when Reagan yells to Penny, "I knew it. I knew you would grow to like me. See? I'm always right!" Typical Reagan. And all while Penny is trying to figure out whether to deck her or to cry with her and hug her. Unfortunately, this moment happens during a life and death battle situation going on...but that completely showcases their relationship.
My favorite thing was having everyone come back together after having realized that they all need each other. We have Reagan, Darius and his vamps, Roger and the shifters and the Natural Mage duo (Penny and Emory)....who also bring Callie and Dizzy with them. Oh, and I almost forgot Charity (I've decided to go with that name) and her father Romulus and the Fae. So...that is the story set up for the thing that is going to happen.
I did have some moments of frustration with this story, but without going into spoilers, it is not really anything I can give with specifics. Mainly, let's just say that while they kind of had a plan....it was NOT really a plan. Or maybe it would be better to say that they put a lot of faith in a plan that only had the first part figured out and that kind of ended uo being a NOT very good plan.
Also, the thing that happens right before the end made my heart hurt. AND then, the other thing that happened at the VERY end was a definite unexpected surprise. Or, was it? (No spoilers, remember?)
This book leaves us with a cliffhanger. It is not as bad as cliffhangers go, but it does make you think..."uh oh".
I listened to most of this on Audible and while Nicole Poole did an okay job narrating, she has a way of speaking sometimes that can be grating. It sounds like she talks without contractions and she somehow stretches many words out with extra syllables. It can sometimes make the story sound very stilted.
So, now it is time to go back to waiting. The good news is that I think I saw that Book 10 is out later this month (July 2021). Thankfully, that's not too long of a time as far as waiting goes.
By the way they story left off, I have a feeling that things in the next book are going to start off with a bang, a HUGE bang....and honestly...I can not wait!