Format: Kindle, 270 pages
Release Date: June 17, 2023
Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy
After the challenge for the throne of Hael went sideways, Rue
expected Stavros to place a bounty on Asa’s head, but she didn’t expect
him to pin an even bigger target on her back. Then again, it was her
fault he was forced to turn tail and run from the fight during a live
broadcast to the entire kingdom. That had to sting his pride. Life would
have been so much simpler if only he had been incinerated by her magic
along with the rest of the arena.
But simple is one thing Rue’s
life has never been. And things keep getting more complicated when a
stalker turns to murder, carving messages into the bodies of his
victims. With a killer on her trail, she ought to be focused on staying
alive, but a hot tip on another case leads her into the bowels of the
Black Hat compound, where Rue discovers a world of secrets and lies that
just might bring the Bureau crashing to its knees.
Gray Seas, by author Hailey Edwards, is the 8th installment in the authors Black Hat Bureau series. Rue Hollis, former black witch, current Deputy Director of the Black Hat Bureau, has been waiting for retribution from Stavros for what happened in Hael, while also waiting for Calixta, her grandmother, to make a move on Stavros and take the crown from him so that Rue can try to save Aedan. While her own grandfather, the director of Black Hat, is hiding from Rue, she has enough on her plate that will keep her busy over the course of this story.
After Rue is the target of an assassination at a local restaurant, she feels a disturbing movement that may spell the end of the Black Hat Bureau before she or her father can make a move. Something she has been figuring a way to do for the past several books now. Especially now that she knows that certain black witches are gaining traction to the point that if Rue doesn't act fast, she will be on the sidelines watching as others bring down Black Hat. It also seems as though one of the assassins is actually trying to impress Rue with his cunning.
Meanwhile, Rue and her team which consists of Clay, Asa (Blay), and Colby, now adds Marita, a warg who has been hired to protect Asa from Stavros and other fae and daemon who might want to kill him. One of the things that has slowly taken place is that Rue now has a pretty solid group behind her including Jase Isiforos (daemon) who has become part of her team as a team leader. There are others as well, plus, the setting ends up going in places like Salem, as well as Boston, before a twist sends Rue and Asa deep below the Black Hat compound where surprises await.
Several chapters in this story are told from the perspective of Aedan as he marches to Calixta's orders as she is forced to move closer and closer to her eventual confrontation with Stavros. I really feel for Aedan and hope that Rue finds a way to bring him back home where he is wanted and not used like a weapon. The most disappointing part of this book was the ending. Even after 8 books, the author has to put in a cliffhanger ending hoping people will keep reading the series. I don't think that was necessary.
As a side note: Edwards tends to enjoy torturing readers with her apt description of food. Food of all kind and shapes and well, delicacies as well. Reminds me of author Jennifer Estep in that regards.
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