4 Stars
I’d come so damned far from the battered, mewling meat puppet he’d made me into, and I wasn’t going to let his monsters drag me back down into that existence.
Indiana Jones of the Fae with a decidedly post-apocalyptic flavor.
Technically, it's post Merger. Wherein Underhill, the Fae homeworld, collided with the Human one. The battle to redraw lines resulted in enormous losses on both sides and now they live side by side, but not without incidents. Postwar, life is about recovering and new species wander the changed landscape while animals roam where they didn't before.
Kai Gracen is a chimera, born of blood magic, and a literal creation of his father Tanic, a Hunt Master, a flesh-shaper. More secrets of his origin are revealed and the ties between Kai and Ryder tighten. Kai is a Stalker, which is somewhere between a bounty and treasure hunter. Stalkers aren't known for their long lifespans, of course being not human has advantages that his sometimes partners don't.
“You tell them I went out kicking ass, and you get drunk with them,” she murmured, patting my hand. “Because that’s what’s Stalkers do. Even if you’ve watched them grow up, Kai, it’s what we do when one of us falls. You bring me home, let Mama dress me in something pretty, and drink yourself sick while what’s left of me is on the pyre. Just like I would do for you.”
Ryder, sidhe lord and all-around albatross Kai deals with. Of course he's ridiculously hot--he's fae--and well-mannered, cultured, educated, and optimally not suited to Stalker life or the tasks they undertake. Guess who's nose is stuck right up in Kai's business?
This is the second book in the series, and there's some previous history between Ryder and Kai, but not having read the first wasn't a problem. The details of what occurred are relayed enough that one has no problem understanding the issues and feeling the growing UST.
This is an action adventure story with a small slice of romance that's more snark than kisses and sighs, that said, it was fun. Between the mystery, archeological element, the vicious fauna encountered, and an antagonist who has no boundaries when it comes to winning--there's some decent violence.
DRAGON!
Not a main character in this story, but there's a few here that add that certain flair. Two thumbs up for the dragons. Danger is everywhere as a cynic and an idealist go in search of fae secrets.
Overall, adventure with blood, sass, and a sprinkle of heart.
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