** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
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Demon Heart (Blade & Dust #2) by Rhys Lawless
★★★★☆
220 Pages
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Content Warning: history of drug use, violence
Demon Heart is the second book in the Blade & Dust series. An action-packed adventure, with engaging characters and an intriguing plot, I've found myself submerged in this series. Following a now-established couple through the ups and downs of their budding relationship, while dealing with past hurts and wrongs, exes and mistakes, the story takes you on a journey through emotional chaos as explosive as the very real physical dangers.
Now, don't get me wrong. Not everything about this book, or the author's writing style, is my cup of tea. There are some phrasing choices that aren't my taste, and the subset of D/s and BDSM elements in the central relationship that have them hot for slapping, spanking and choking aren't my thing, but I can look past that because it fits the characters and their personalities.
It picks up the story from a week after the events of book 1. For those who haven't read Book 1 yet – STOP! Go back, and read that first. You might also want to read the prequel short, Foxy Heart, to add a little bit of background and context. This is one of those series where, if you miss a single installation, you're going to get lost. Although the author does a stellar job of recapping events, Book 1 was so detailed with worldbuilding and character background that it would be impossible to retell everything you need to know. So, do yourself a favour, and go back to read Book 1 first.
While the relationship is established, this time, there isn't an excess of sex or mushy scenes, which I liked. It's only been a short time since they came together and you can see that in the way that, while they're attracted to each other, in love and emotionally invested, they aren't at that stage where they put their relationship before everything else in their lives. Thankfully! I like the continuation of Wade's mental struggle, his uncertainty and doubt over his purpose, the continuation of his past drug-addiction and the running plot of his relationship with his brother.
Sometimes, when there's a high octane plot, the author forgets the important pieces that brought the characters to life for the reader and made them real. Such as Caleb's past, his romantic failures, Wade's drug addiction, his relationship with his brother. But, it's only been a week since those things were at the forefront of their minds, and the author hasn't fallen into the trap of forgetting that. They're still important, still brought into the characters lives and thoughts routinely, which is great to see. To maintain a series with the same main characters through each book, there has to be growth and change, and that isn't possible if the author forgets what made us love the characters in the first place. Lawless has done an excellent job of reminding us what makes Caleb and Wade special, without compromising plot or drifting into endless repetition.
And, while I was daunted by the prospect of an extended series, endless spin-offs and such, that the author announced early on, I'm actually not sure if I'll be avoiding them after all. I want to see more of Hew and Winston, from their own POV's, and I got a hint from this book that Ash and Lloyd might be an interesting match. There are plenty of couples that I've seen mentioned or potential couples hinted at, that I'd like to see more of. For now, all I can say is that I'll keep my eyes open for future releases from the author.
I'll be on the look out for Vampire Heart, at the end of January.
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Favourite Quotes
“Who could have told me a week ago I’d be in bed about to have sex with my boyfriend to invoke a demon inside me?”