Format: E-Galley, 208 pages
Release Date: September 24, 2015
Publisher: NYLA
Source: Author Amanda Bonilla
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Romance
Has Darian’s past finally caught up with her?
The Rakshasa queen, Padma, has a score to settle—she wants those responsible for her son’s death to pay and to pay dearly. Darian, Tyler and Xander are all at risk—and Padma’s powers could force them to live the rest of their lives in the madness of the Realm of Illusions…
While Darian is taken and is the first to suffer, she’s soon rescued by Tyler, the one man to never disappoint. But what Darian doesn’t know is that her freedom comes at a steep price—Xander’s the King of Shaedes, imprisonment. Darian knows what horrors await in Padma’s dungeon. A rescue mission won’t be easy and she can’t do it alone.
Deep in the bowels of Goblin Valley, Darian, Tyler, and her small band of Shaede warriors fight their way through a dark labyrinth. In a realm where illusions rule, with danger at every turn, the odds are stacked against them. Time isn’t on their side, every second spent in Padma’s custody will be another step Xander takes toward madness. A kingdom can’t be ruled without its king and the wolves are at the door, waiting. If Darian can’t get to Xander before he succumbs to the illusions, an entire kingdom’s future is at stake
Shadows at Midnight is the FIFTH novel in the Shaede Assassin by Amanda Bonilla. If you haven't yet read this series, why not? I dare say that this series is one of the most underrated series that I have come to love dearly. I love the main character Darian. Darian is not only an assassin, but she is also the Guardian of the Faery Realm. Darian is cocky with reasons. She once had an almost perfect record of finishing missions without getting herself killed in the process. Darian is rather unique. She was made and abandoned by her former lover Azriel, who she has since had a reckoning with. Shaedes are supposed to be immortal.
She lived a solo existence for nearly a century before finding out that she wasn't the last Shaede in existence. Shaede's are able to slip into darkness as easily as breathing. She has her own Jinn (Tyler) keeping her busy, loving her, protecting her with a powerful ring, and being rather obtuse at times by not fully explaining to Darian what he is, or how powerful he is. Still, I prefer him to other suitors namely Shaede King Xander. I know, I know, how dare you! I dare say that if you haven't read Against the Dawn, please stop. This series in connected in every way imaginable. Amanda loves her cliffhangers. Oh, my, God, does she ever!
When last we left Darian, she was targeted by the Rakshasa queen, Padma and taken deep into the he bowels of Goblin Valley or Hell if you like. Padma has a major score to settle with Darian. She wants her son’s (Azriel) killer to pay for what they did to him even though he clearly needed to be put down. The first chapters are a bit rough and dark. I won't hesitate to say that. Padma needs Darian to suffer for what she did to Azriel. Padma is a sadistic bitch who exploits dark emotions. But, Darian is also a lure for the biggest prize of them all; King Alexander (Xander) Peck.
I was totally unprepared for yet another emotional cliffhanger, yet it happened anyway. Leave it to Amanda Bonilla to tear my emotions into little bitty tiny pieces and laugh at my heart break. Words can only express how much I feel for Darian, and what she was put through in this book. Everyone seems to want to stand in the way of Darian and Tyler's happiness. Everyone has an agenda. Readers must acknowledge that not many things can stand in her way. Even though she was abused, and betrayed in previous novels, she hasn't entirely lost her desire to protect those who have become friends and family to her.
I love her relationship with Raif Peck. He's a big man, with a large heart for Darian. Darian's relationship with Xander isn't high on my list of things I like, but I dare say that Xander did put himself and his sanity on the line for her when his own kingdom was being attacked. I love that Darian has her own team of Shaedes in Asher, Louella, Myles, Julian, and Liam. I especially love Asher. He's not only a badass, but Darian and he get along really well. I dare say that I am sitting on my hands waiting for word of when the next installment will be released. Amanda said that she will continue writing until Darian's final story write's itself. Sounds good to me.
**I received this book for free from AUTHOR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
This is one of those series I want to start, but just haven't gotten around to yet, Shelley. It sounds really good, but I think I'll make sure I have several books on hand before I read, so that I can skip the cliff-hangers ;)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend and happy reading.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews