Saturday, March 19, 2011

Book Review: The Darkest Edge of Dawn

The Darkest Edge of Dawn

By:  Kelly Gay

Publisher:  Pocket Books

Publish Date:  September 2010

Format:  Paperback 371pgs, pocket size

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd book in Charlie Madigan series; 1st book ~ The Better Part of Darkness

Recommendation:  Yes, if you read and enjoyed The Better Part of Darkness, this action packed read is for you as well.  If you love action and historical world building check this one out!

Book Synopsis:
It takes a strong woman to keep the peace in a city of endless night...

Deep beneath Underground, a cunning bid for power and revenge has begun - one that threatens to make Atlanta the new battleground in the ultimate confrontation between good and evil.  The powers of hellish Charbydon have the upper hand after plunging the city into primordial night.  And under the cover of darkness, a serial killer targets the most powerful Elysians in the city, the angelic Adonai.  For Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner Hank, tracking deadly predators is all in a day's work... but this case will test the limits of their strength and friendship as it draws them into a deadly world of power plays, ancient myths, explosive secrets, and a race against time that risks all that Charlie holds dear.

First Sentence:
"Okay.  I'm ready.  Give me a leg up."

My Thoughts and Summary:
Two months after the darkness came from the night Mynogan performed the ritual, in which Charlie played a huge part, the darkness is still hanging over Atlanta.  Relations between the Charbydon and the law enforcement then between the Charbydon and Elysians is rather shaky.  The darkness is making all in the town edgy.  Charlie is doing her best at learning to handle and use her newly engineered off-worldly abilities with the help of Aaron.  Charlie and Hank are members of a new elite part of the law for dealing with the unruly off-worlders.  They are now investigating a dead body, and a case to find six missing top elite Elysian's of the Adonai (a race that will not go down with out a fight, if they even go down) had disappeared to without a trace.  The deeper Charlie and Hank go the more they find out, and they are standing in the middle of a deadly battlefield between two powerful races.  The secret history of all the races is important.  The further Charlie and Hank dig into this case and history they could jeopardize their lives, friends lives, and many relationships... including theirs.  Can Charlie solve her case and stop the war from happening?  She has one week to do so.

We dive into the book right as Charlie and Hank are entering the warehouse where one dead body was found.  And with in the beginning of the first few chapters you are dropped right into the action and start getting trails for the investigation. 

I have to say Kelly is amazing at filling a book packed full of action.  When the actions not in full swing we are digging deep into the great world building.  I learned more of the myths and history of the different races.  The history and cultures are very nicely drawn out for you to understand, more so towards the end of the book you learn the most.

As a second book in the series Kelly dives us into the action and gives us the little drops of information to refresh our memories.  I like that Kelly doesn't rehash everything from the first book right up front, but uses the events happening now to share that information.  This brings us right back up to speed, not even knowing that's what shes doing.  The book at times seemed to sway from the plot some, but that is to build the characters more. 

Overall, this is a wonderful action read.  I would suggest this book to anyone loving lots of action in their Urban Fantasy reads.


I read this book for my own fun.


This book qualifies for the Speculative Fiction Challenge hosted by Floor to Ceiling Books along with The Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.

13 comments:

  1. Oh I loved this one. In fact, I believe I liked this one more than the first. I can't wait for the others!!!

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  2. I can't wait for book 3 :D I want it now...oh the wait!

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  3. Just going to repost my comments from another post:

    "I read this book when it came out. Really enjoyed it, but I thought the plot was not as good as the first one (which was excellent). The relationship drama is a bit better this time around, but I thought it came at the expense of the mystery/thriller plot.

    Don't like the relationship between Hank and Charlie at all. Have never liked love triangle scenarios, and I thought the partner dynamic was excellent between them without having to go the love drama route between them.

    I like Rex for Charlie myself, don't care about Will.

    Looking forward to the next book."

    In all, I enjoyed the plot of the first book more and the procedural aspect of it, which I thought suffered in the second book to focus on other aspects, quite a few which I didn't find of interest.

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  4. YAY so glad you enjoyed this! Love this series! =D

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  5. Melissa (Books&Things) - :) So glad you enjoyed this one. You were one of the ones to talk me into this series. :)

    Blodeuedd - he he. I'm looking forward to the next book too.

    Bastard - Thank you for stopping by. I kept that post you made on one of the chats. I wanted to get back to it after I was done with the book. And unfortunately, I've not been able to. I've been behind in getting to the chats too. But, I agree with you on the plot. I noticed at times the plot was swayed from to touch more on the character building and relationships too. As I really did enjoy this book, I too liked book one a little more in the plot end. The Hank and Charlie thing. In the first book I really thought it was going to be a Charlie and Rex thing. I kind of liked it here as a distraction for Charlie while on the job. But, I would be very happy with them just being partners. I do like the history and mythology we learn of the different races in this book though. I really liked that touch. At the end I had thought maybe there was a little bit much in that, but I enjoyed it. I too will definitely be looking for the next book.

    Larissa - :) Thank you!

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  6. Enjoyed your review! I love Charlie, and think Kelly Gay is awesome!

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  7. Alexia - Thank you. :) Glad you enjoyed the review. Oh, and these books are amazing. :) I'm now looking forward to book 3.

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  8. You guys checked her Darkness Becomes Her YA series? I just got it, but don't have time to check it out in the near future.

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  9. Bastard - No, I haven't got a chance to get Darkness Becomes Her yet. I do want it though. I'm hearing some pretty good things about it though. I'm going to have to get it sometime here as it does sound like one I would enjoy.

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  10. Sounds and looks awesome!

    great post.

    I woke up Sunday a.m. to find my blog, my 500 plus followers, my 100plus author interviews, and my 200 plus reviews gone. Blogger gave no explanation, but I think the account was hacked. Change your password often!

    I have reloaded the interviews and reviews, plus redesigned the blog. But if you could, please hit the "follow" button so I can reclaim the fellow bloggers I miss. I'm still following you, as my account remained--thank goodness!
    http://kellymoranauthor.blogspot.com

    Thank you!
    Kelly Moran
    XO

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  11. Hi Kelly, Thank youfor the comment. So sorry to hear about blogger. I would be devistated if that happened to me. I don't know if I'd be able to start up again. I'll be over to follow again. :)

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  12. Whoooa nelly. I really dig your review. I bought both books because there's something about it tat I know I will love- once I get to reading them that is!!

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  13. Chasity - Thank you for stopping by and so glad you enjoyed the review. :) I do hope you enjoy the books when you get to them. :)

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