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Title: Shadow's Edge
Author: Jami Gray
Publisher: Black Opal Books
Release Date: 29th October 2011
Series: Kyn Kronicles, book 1
Source: E-book provided by GoddessFish in exchange for an honest review.
Blurb:
It takes a monster to hunt one, and for Raine McCord, forged in the maelstrom of magic and science, she’s the one for the job. In a world where the supernatural live in a shadowy existence with the mundane, a series of disappearances and deaths threatens the secrecy of her kind and indicates someone knows the monsters are alive and kicking. Partnering up with the sexy and tantalising Gavin Durand proves to be a challenge as dangerous as the prey she hunts.
When the trail points back to the foundation which warped Raine’s magic as a child, her torturous past raises its ugly head. Gavin and Raine sift through a maze of lies, murder and betrayal to discover not only each other, but the emerging threat to them and the entire magical community.
Review:
First Line: 'With a quick twist of her wrist, Raine slipped the blade between Quinn’s ribs. His heart gave one last desperate beat then fell silent. He slid slowly down her body to his knees, ending up in a strange, lover-like tableau.'
We start this book at the end of a battle, a fight that thankfully our heroine Raine has won. Her hands still shake after killing someone, something she believes still distinguishes her from the monsters she hunts. Within the first few pages, Raine's past is eluded to. Mentions of mixed heritage and being experimented on had me intrigued by Raine almost instantly...I love it when you have to wait to discover huge parts of the main characters life, makes things more interesting.
In SHADOW'S EDGE Supernatural creatures are called Kyn, and they aren't exactly the most forthcoming type...one of the reasons whey they're still in hiding from the human population. Raine is part of an otherworldly task force (theTaliesin) ...not only is she one of their best operatives but she is also one of the 12 elite chosen to police the supernatural world. Raine is a Wraith. Part fey part unknown, Raine is a mystery even to herself, but she's a damn good fighter. When Raine and Gavin (another Wraith) are called onto two separate cases they are briefed together as these cases may be connected. Gavin is given the task of looking into the suspicious accidents of 7 men, whereas Raine is given a breach in Taliesin security to investigate. Unbeknownst to Gavin, Raine is hiding secrets that may compromise the investigation...but Raine has her reasons for keeping secrets. For these secrets will open up the door to Rains horrific past...a door she may never be able to close. They knew it was going to be dangerous but now she and Gavin are the hunted...will Raine be able to save Gavin and in the process...save herself?
Our heroine is Raine, a half fey, half unknown woman. Her heritage is unknown because her mother died in the captivity Raine eventually escaped from. Raine has had a torturous past, one that leaves her waking up in cold sweats every night. Raine's nightmares bleed into her reality when the case she is working hits a little too close to a past that she would rather keep hidden. There are rumours about her... rumours that allude to the horrible things forced upon her while held captive in a human lab. Things that warped her very nature, Raine's magic is not what it once was. Now...it's deadly.
Raine may be good when it comes to knives and combat in general, but throw a hot, willing man into the mix and she has no clue what to do. Raine is closed off from everyone and her partner Gavin is no exception. There is some obvious sexual tension from the very beginning of the book, as if Raine has been lusting after Gavin for a while now. You get to see Raine slowly open herself up to Gavin throughout...trusting him more and more with pieces of herself. However one big revelation proves too much for this budding relationship and Raine begins to shut down again...but she wants Gavin's trust back. Raine doesn't want to have to rely on anyone but herself but Gavin somehow manages to wriggle under her skin. It doesn't hurt that he's gorgeous and enjoys pushing Raine's limits...plus they can spar together. I do think that Gavin falls into the 'Bad Boy' category...I expected him to develop into something more as the story progressed but nope, he remained firmly in the 'generic bad boy' category. I think his character could have been a little more, I think Raine deserved a little more but I guess it wasn't to be.
'Slightly disconcerted, she met his darkening eyes. She grabbed another chair, dragged it next to his took a seat and faced him. Trying to ignore the sensation of her left thigh barely brushing his outstretched right leg, she bent over his wound. Her voice came out husky. “We need to clean you up, though I don’t think you’ll need stitches.”I had one bigger problem with SHADOW'S EDGE. The book shows so much promise, the characters are interesting and the plot is pretty complex. It had everything I look for in a good PR, a strong lead, good base plot, mystery, suspense...I just couldn't connect with it. I don't know what it was but something just didn't catch me. You know there are those books you have where you can start reading...intending to only read for 20 minutes but you get so absorbed you physically can't stop and the time just flies. I though SHADOW'S EDGE was going to be one of them, don't get me wrong...there were places that did happen, the action scenes mostly...the places where you saw Raine most at home...but then something would slow it down and I'd find myself putting it down to go make a cup of tea. I can't quite put my finger on it but something about Raine and her relationship with Gavin just didn't always connect with me. It may just be me and in places I did enjoy it but there's just something...gah I can't even explain it properly but I didn't feel part of their story...I was merely an observer looking through a window, seeing but not feeling.
He said nothing. She slanted a glance up. He was watching her—like some big cat waiting to pounce. She shrugged and forced her attention back to the work at hand, though her fingers trembled slightly as she cleaned the blood off the wound, now half-closed. Warmth radiated from Gavin, spreading chills down her
arms. Her awareness of him as a male was raising her tension level—which, in turn, pissed her off.
Her eyes whipped to his. “Whatever you’re doing, knock it off. I don’t like games.”
His face darkened with satisfaction at her outburst. “I’m not doing anything.” His other arm darted around her neck. “But I can change that,” he whispered.'
Anyway, despite this I believe this series has a lot of potential and I will keep an eye out, I was just a little disappointed with this particular book, it could have been more.
My Rating: 3/5
Excerpt
“You’re going to have to move fast if you want to save your boyfriend, Raine.” It took a second for the words to penetrate through the static.
“Who are you?”
“Let’s just say you and I are kin of sorts.” The voice was a vibrating growl.
“Strange, I don’t remember attending a family reunion recently.” Her heart rate kicked up and static whispered across the line even as she struggled to stay calm.
The static cleared. “Perhaps because you have no family left.”
Her blood froze at the words. “What do you want?” Her own voice came out cold, merciless.
“Ah, ah ah,” the voice chided. “No need to get so upset, cher. I just wanted to let you know if you want lover boy to make it out sane, you best starting moving on Dr. Lawson’s little lab.”
“What lab?” she bit out.
There was a huge elaborate sigh. “I’m so disappointed at how slow y’all move. Hasn’t your boss found lover boy’s car yet?” The gruff voice didn’t wait for answer. “Check the glove compartment. I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.”
Her mind raced furiously. “How do I know this isn’t just another little trap?”
The growl rumbled. “You don’t, but since you and I know exactly what’s happening to lover boy, I have a feeling it won’t matter. That Chet character, he was getting way too close, but this one they’re keeping alive for now. He shows promise.” A guttural scream cut through the airwaves, and she felt her breath stop.
About the Author:
Growing up on the Arizona-Mexico border, Jami Gray was adopted at the age of 14 and suddenly became the fifth eldest of 37 children. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and three minors-History, English, and Theatre. Shortly after marrying her techie-geek hubby (who moonlighted as her best friend in high school) she completed a Masters in Organisational Management from University of Phoenix Oregon.
Now, years later, she’s back in the Southwest where she’s outnumbered in her own home by two Star Wars obsessed boys, one Star Wars obsessed husband, and an overly-friendly, 105-pound male lab. Writing is what saves her sanity.
