After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano -- the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea’s former lover -- die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world…Comment: This is an author whose books I always love. There hasn't been one yet I haven't absolutely adored.
This time it's a book in the Kate Daniels world, featuring Andrea, Kate's friend from the Guild and a bouda shapeshifter but whose father was a hyena and not a human, therefore making her a target for bulling and mocking and violence in her childhood.
Andrea and her mother have suffered prejudice so Andrea decided to omit the fact she's beastkin, a term defining her father's heritage, even to those close to her in the current times. But complications arise and she ended up revealing that to others and now everyone knows the truth. Still, Raphael, her lover, loved her and wanted her. But a decision she took put distance between them but now she's decided it's way time to accept who she is and face the truth and go after her happiness.
I liked this book. Andrea is a character we've followed since the first book, so a big part of her presence and behavior can be explained throughout the books, until we reach this one. In fact, this is a case where it's important to follow the books in order, to respect that reading order because even though this book explains things and sort of summarizes what happened, there are many nuances the reader might miss because of that. Also, it's a real pleasure to read all the books, I don't think it would be such a trouble to anyone.
Andrea is a strong character, she's survived a lot and she's got a decided mind..except to what she thinks might be the loss of her independence. To her, there's nothing worse than to depend on someone who should support you and doesn't, like happened to her childhood pack. In this book we se finally how awful it was for her. So, although she always said she didn't want a pack, she admits she likes and feels the need for the structure it might provide but she doesn't want to abide the rules that force to depend on others. But once she admits this pack isn't like the other and there are people she cares about and who like her back and that being in a pack might be a way for her to help other girls from being abused the same way she and her mother were, then she gives in. Then, there's Raphael, who loves for who she is and not what she is...I loved seeing them together. The only little small problem I had with this book is this: all this things make sense because I've read all the books and during them we saw her mind, so reaching this point wasn't sudden, but in the book was, I'd have liked to see her show to more people her decision to join the pack, in that aspect I think the actual decision was quite fast, but I don't think it's something that ruins the book or the story.
The authors have a real gift. They prove how someone can be so successful and amazing and others can't. When I sometimes think about the lack of flavor in some author's work, I immediately think about these two to comparison. They write not only beautifully but in such a structured and organized way...I can't explain it well, but it's like they have this puzzle and all the pieces fit perfectly and sometimes other author's don't. This team works perfectly, even if they have trouble during that process like they already said, but in the end it pays off. their work is vibrant, alive, emotional, heartfelt. I always look for their books and always feel so happy to read them.
This book is another success and for a fan, indispensable.
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