andimontgomery's review
4.0
I thought this was better than the first one. I'm definitely going to buy the third in this series!
felinity's review
3.0
More confusing than book 1, it still held me interest enough for me to - at some point - read book 3. The plot didn't really engage me though, and I felt too distant from the characters, but I will probably continue reading whenever they come across my path till either they get worse or I reach the end of the series. I don't anticipate any re-reads.
ria_mhrj's review
4.0
Kelly Gay has really impressed me so far - her world is gritty, beautifully crafted and utterly engrossing. I also love Charlie, it's always great to read from the point of view of a flawed character who is so bursting with personality, it's like they are sitting beside you and telling you their tale. This book capitalised on lots of the seeds sewn in book one and promises interesting things for book 3.
aphelia88's review
5.0
Now that Charlie has uncovered the truth behind the off-worlds DNA manipulation that allowed her to live, she is being targets for the unusual, rare power that she holds - power that she still doesn't understand.
Atlanta is still in the grip of the Darkness, and Charlie and her Siren partner Hank are on the trail of a serial killer draining the lifeforce of the angelic Elysian elites known as Adonai.
Meanwhile, Grigori Tennin, leader of the brutish, mob-like Jinn, is making his own play for power in the city, after Charlie spoiled his last power grab (the making of the drug ash). And when a powerful nymph working on some magical relics turns up dead, Charlie and Hank face additional pressure to find the serial killer from the Druid King - who happens to shapeshift into a very badass dragon.
With only a week until the Winter Solstice when all magical power will be at its peak and any ritual is likely to place, Charlie and Hank are left running around the city, trying to put the puzzle pieces of multiple hidden agendas into place.
Complicating matters are Charlie's growing attraction to Hank, which she is furiously suppressing, not wanting to mess up their friendship and working relationship. Having been promoted to their own elite team, they rely on each other for their lives, and Charlie's not sure if what she's feeling is real or just lust. And Hank is not acting like himself, moody and unpredictable from having his Siren powers rendered useless by his fused voice mod.
Charlie's daughter Emma is feeling smothered by Charlie's deep (and warranted) concern for her safety and they frequently butt heads, especially over the rescued hellhound Brimstone. And Charlie's sister Bryn is deeply suffering from her exposure to ash, and resents the maintenance doses she needs to take to stay alive.
No matter what Charlie does, she can't seem to win. Queen of Denial, it would serve her far better to confront her emotions instead of just trying to push them down - as they are integral to managing her new superpowers. However, the action happens at a breakneck pace, not giving her much time to think. Really strong second series book, looking forward to the third!
Atlanta is still in the grip of the Darkness, and Charlie and her Siren partner Hank are on the trail of a serial killer draining the lifeforce of the angelic Elysian elites known as Adonai.
Meanwhile, Grigori Tennin, leader of the brutish, mob-like Jinn, is making his own play for power in the city, after Charlie spoiled his last power grab (the making of the drug ash). And when a powerful nymph working on some magical relics turns up dead, Charlie and Hank face additional pressure to find the serial killer from the Druid King - who happens to shapeshift into a very badass dragon.
With only a week until the Winter Solstice when all magical power will be at its peak and any ritual is likely to place, Charlie and Hank are left running around the city, trying to put the puzzle pieces of multiple hidden agendas into place.
Complicating matters are Charlie's growing attraction to Hank, which she is furiously suppressing, not wanting to mess up their friendship and working relationship. Having been promoted to their own elite team, they rely on each other for their lives, and Charlie's not sure if what she's feeling is real or just lust. And Hank is not acting like himself, moody and unpredictable from having his Siren powers rendered useless by his fused voice mod.
Charlie's daughter Emma is feeling smothered by Charlie's deep (and warranted) concern for her safety and they frequently butt heads, especially over the rescued hellhound Brimstone. And Charlie's sister Bryn is deeply suffering from her exposure to ash, and resents the maintenance doses she needs to take to stay alive.
No matter what Charlie does, she can't seem to win. Queen of Denial, it would serve her far better to confront her emotions instead of just trying to push them down - as they are integral to managing her new superpowers. However, the action happens at a breakneck pace, not giving her much time to think. Really strong second series book, looking forward to the third!
book_whispers's review
5.0
I’ve decided that the Charlie Madigan series reminds me of the Anita Blake books. However, where the Anita Blake books are morbid and sharp like a pale white skeleton, Charlie’s world is well fleshed out and has meat in all the right places. Even though the magic of the Madison series is more far out and there’s three worlds in different dimensions here, if asked I’d say the Madigan story could happen over the Blake books. Gay is just that talented.
Charlie is back and the world is already smacking her down and abusing the ones she loves. Her daughter is growing up and put a stake out for a little independence. Some of Rex’s true past life is coming forward, and Charlie may have just found away to get her husband back. Bryn is suffering side effects from the Ash addiction that actually caused me to cry like a little girl. DEoD just beats the crap out of all the characters and every word off the page punch’s the reader in the gut with the emotional weight.
Doom and gloom isn’t all that fills the pages of DEoD, not by a long shot. Things evolve between Charlie and Hank that I hadn’t quite seen coming. In fact, the heat that comes off of these two reminds me of Kate and Curran from the Kate Daniels series. Unlike the Kate/Curran romance I can instantly fall into the emotional connection the two have. In a fan girl approach to this review, Hanks hotness level just hit record highs!
DEoD really puts into play the mythology behind “Heaven and Hell” and mixes in a little dose of Christian mythology. It’s great seeing how the three plains all effect each other. A dark revolution for the Jinn and hell, a war between the Nobles of Heaven and Hell is just on the brink. Charlie and Hank are on a fight against time with seemingly all powerful villains continuously popping up. Things just keep heating up in the Charlie Madigan series.
Sexual Content: Some sexual talk and humor, brief nudity, still really clean though.
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!
Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.
Charlie is back and the world is already smacking her down and abusing the ones she loves. Her daughter is growing up and put a stake out for a little independence. Some of Rex’s true past life is coming forward, and Charlie may have just found away to get her husband back. Bryn is suffering side effects from the Ash addiction that actually caused me to cry like a little girl. DEoD just beats the crap out of all the characters and every word off the page punch’s the reader in the gut with the emotional weight.
Doom and gloom isn’t all that fills the pages of DEoD, not by a long shot. Things evolve between Charlie and Hank that I hadn’t quite seen coming. In fact, the heat that comes off of these two reminds me of Kate and Curran from the Kate Daniels series. Unlike the Kate/Curran romance I can instantly fall into the emotional connection the two have. In a fan girl approach to this review, Hanks hotness level just hit record highs!
DEoD really puts into play the mythology behind “Heaven and Hell” and mixes in a little dose of Christian mythology. It’s great seeing how the three plains all effect each other. A dark revolution for the Jinn and hell, a war between the Nobles of Heaven and Hell is just on the brink. Charlie and Hank are on a fight against time with seemingly all powerful villains continuously popping up. Things just keep heating up in the Charlie Madigan series.
Sexual Content: Some sexual talk and humor, brief nudity, still really clean though.
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!
Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.
ezichinny's review
2.0
I enjoyed this one the same as book 1, but not enough. This book would have been a 3 or more, had the author developed Charlie and Hank more. Yes, there sexual tension seemed to ratchet up for a second, but then it was gone. I need some romance to balance the darkness of this book.
Good points: Emma knows the truth about her dad. Also, big sister kicks Ash habit.
I may read book 3 but not any time soon
Good points: Emma knows the truth about her dad. Also, big sister kicks Ash habit.
I may read book 3 but not any time soon
alexiachantel's review
4.0
The Charlie Madigan series proves to be more than just a one hit wonder, book two will sink its claws even deeper. Pick up a copy of The Darkest Edge of Dawn and you will be adding Kelly Gay to your authors-to-watch list!
Book two is written well enough if you haven't picked up book one you will not feel left in the dust. But why would you want to skip out on the first immersion? Book one introduces Charlie and the other characters wonderfully, you like them or hate them and become attached. Book two delves deeper, you get to know Charlie and Hank so much better. And what a ride they will take you on.
Charlie has just gotten rid of one big bad in the city, only to find two more have taken his place. And they need her to complete their epic plans. So as Charlie struggles to deal with her new powers, nearly teenage daughter (well done by the way, a real mother daughter relationship), and intense attraction to her partner Hank she also has to dodge a serial killer.
More than just Charlie and Hank you get to feel what Rex and Bryn are going through. Tear your heart out stuff. Good thing Brimstone the hellhound is there to break things up with big slobbery kisses.
Review posted at Reading Between the Wines:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-darkest-edge-of-dawn-by-kelly-gay.html
(copy courtesy of publisher)
Book two is written well enough if you haven't picked up book one you will not feel left in the dust. But why would you want to skip out on the first immersion? Book one introduces Charlie and the other characters wonderfully, you like them or hate them and become attached. Book two delves deeper, you get to know Charlie and Hank so much better. And what a ride they will take you on.
Charlie has just gotten rid of one big bad in the city, only to find two more have taken his place. And they need her to complete their epic plans. So as Charlie struggles to deal with her new powers, nearly teenage daughter (well done by the way, a real mother daughter relationship), and intense attraction to her partner Hank she also has to dodge a serial killer.
More than just Charlie and Hank you get to feel what Rex and Bryn are going through. Tear your heart out stuff. Good thing Brimstone the hellhound is there to break things up with big slobbery kisses.
Review posted at Reading Between the Wines:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-darkest-edge-of-dawn-by-kelly-gay.html
(copy courtesy of publisher)