Book Review: Shadows Before the Sun

Shadows Before the Sun

By:  Kelly Gay

Publisher:  Pocket Books

Publish Date:  July 31, 2012

Format:  Paperback, 334pgs, Pocket book size

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  4th book in Charlie Madigan series; 1st Book ~ The Better Part of Darkness, 2nd Book ~ The Darkest Edge of Dawn, 3rd Book ~ The Hour of Dust and Ashes

Recommendation:  Oh Yes!  Charlie wrecks destruction and fights through a hell like a champ in a world that looks like heaven.  And you HAVE to know what happens to Hank!

Book Synopsis:
Elysia may be heavenly off-world destination, but beyond it, in the siren city of Fiallan, the Circe have punished Charlie Madigan's partner, Hank, into a torturous state between life and death.  With all the proper legal channels cleared, Charlie heads to Elysia, not knowing what she'll find, or if she'll ever see the siren again...while at home, jinn crime boss Grigori Tennin has begun an all-out hunt for the divine being Ahkneri.  Tennin's tactics set off a chain reaction that puts Charlie in the cross hairs of the shadowy creature known as Death, and stirs Ahkneri from her long sleep -- and if Vengeance awakes, Atlanta will never be the same.

First Sentence:
"Again."  
His muscles tensed, going rock hard as the whip sliced through the air with a long, brutal sigh.

Available for Order:

Order on Amazon    /    Barnes and Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
We start with a Prologue where Hank is being whipped with a special barbed whip for escaping the Circe witches years ago, and learns he is the last of his family line.

Rex and Charlie are on their way to look at a dead body in the Nymph territory.  Rex, being of a special decent, will help identify if a jinn was present at the scene as the Druid King says he saw.  The First One, Ahkneri, may not be as safe as Charlie had thought.  This case that could cause a deadly war between two enemies, all the day before she heads to Fiallan in Elysia to rescue Hank, her siren partner.  Charlie finds The Federation Representatives sent to find and start Hanks release have returned when she comes back to the office, and not with pleasant news.  Hanks not in any of the towers and the Circe claim to have executed him as the traitor they saw him as.  Charlie doesn't believe it and is still given the time off with approved passes, to go to Fiallan to see for herself and get closure.  Along the way Charlie finds Sandra, the Oracle, waiting for her and her fate is to join Charlie, to help her.  Charlie and Sandra enter the heaven of Elysia knowing what torment lays hidden in the beauty of which is only skin deep.

Dark comes to mind first.  Kelley has taken us on a dark path through the beautiful world.  I LOVE it!  The treatment in this one is pure torturous to the characters.  I love seeing Elysia and the Sirens.  Elysia looks like heaven on the outside, but to charlie, the inside is anything but.

The beginning takes us right into the current story, the murder case of a nymph with Jinn involved (and maybe Sidhe warriors too) and the issues with Hank.  But there are brief mentions of important pieces to help refresh what sparks my memories.  I know this all will tie together, but left curious about the nymph murder.

The family element is still present.  Although not as much, as Charlie is in Elysia hunting for Hank, but when she is home, it is there and strong.  Charlies daughter with Brim the hellhound and Rex make me smile with the fun craziness between them.  Such family love.

I feel I get more of different races here, once again with visiting another world this expands easily for us the cultures.  Slowly we learn more about the Djinn and Sirens, and even of those in Elysia more so with being there.  Their weaknesses and in depth with djinn as well as with Rex now.  I really like this in the books.  Kelley has thoroughly thought out her worlds.

With each book I enjoy this series more and more.  Kelley has left a few things open in the end that makes me curious to see what she will bring to us next.  There is something else to come, and I want to know who or what it is.  What fight will Charlie fight with her friends at her side?  What is Leander and what does he know of what's to come?  Who is the mysterious being after the First One?

Yes, this is a series I truly will keep an eye on.


I read this book for my own enjoyment.

Blog Book Chat: Final Stop, Shadows Before the Sun

We have finished the book!!  And I don't know about all you, but I'm ready for the next Charlie Madigan book.  There is more, much more to come.  I can feel it.

But now that we are done, all is free game to chat about.  And even what you think might come in the future books.

So, Come join us!  The chat is hosted by Robyn at Bookoholic Zone this week, so jump over!

****WARNING:  For those who have not read the book, there will be SPOILERS in the questions and comments.****

We have questions to get us started, but if there is something else you would like to discuss, mention it in the comments and we will gladly join in.

Again, join the chat with us.

Blog Book Chat, Stop 2 of Shadows Before the Sun

Alright, lets get right to the action here.  Where we stopped, it was a tough doing.  So, lets chat so we can get back to Charlie and see what the heck happens next!

****There Will Be Spoilers in the questions and comments****

Robyn's Questions:
1.)  What did you think of Charlie's power?  Could it even advance more?
2.)  Will Hank Come back now?  Or will it be awhile until we see old Hank?
3.)  What did you think of Sandra's fate?
4.)  The shadows.  Thoughts?

Melissa's Questions:
1.)  What curse do you think will be attached to Hank now? Just knowing these two extremely powerful words and being the only one or more?
2.)  Each time Charlie sees the Sachath it seems to be more humanoid looking, what is it trying to say to her?  How do you think she is to defeat it?
3.)  What more is coming?  Sandra mentioned she had seen images or scenes, and that Leander is on the right side, so what is coming?

Anything additional you would like to talk about, just mention in the comments.  Next week we will chat over the finale of the book!

Teaser Tuesday (131)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

The energy inside of me hummed so loud and consuming and angry I was lost in it, swept away.  The symbols on my right arm began to glow.

Shadows Before the Sun
By:  Kelly Gay
163 pg

Book Chat: Stop 1 ~ Shadows Before the Sun

We are baaaack... lol. Okay, so Robyn and I are back at it with the book chats after taking a month off.  And we have a fabulous read this month.

We are at our first stop with Charlie Madigan in Shadows Before the Sun by Kelly Gay.

We are 117 pages in, and ready to chat about what we've come across so far.  Would you like to join us?

Robyn is hosting to chat this week, so jump over there and join in!  We have a few questions listed to get us started with the chat, but if you have more in mind (I know I do!) mention them in the comments, and the chat will take up from there. :)

What are you waiting for?  Come discuss the book with us! :D

Book Blog Chat (29) Schedule

We are back with a new August book for chatting.  We took a little time off with the summer, but we are back now and have a few books lined up for the next few months.

But to Augusts book!

This month we are carrying on with a series we have already started.  The book has just released at the end of July.

Now, do keep in mind this is the fourth book in the series, so if you haven't read up to this point in the series, you might want to start at the beginning.  The chat will always be here, and you are welcome to stop by and chat at any time. :)

Shadows Before the Sun
Charlie Madigan #4
By:  Kelly Gay
After filling out mountains of paperwork, Detective Charlie Madigan sets out for a death-defying trip into heavenly Elysia to rescue her partner Hank and bring the siren home. Of course, she doesn’t expect to leave behind an all out siren revolution or return home to find that jinn crime boss, Grigori Tennin, has begun a massive search for the divine being, Ahkneri. Tennin’s tactics set off a chain reaction that puts Charlie in the crosshairs of the shadowy creature known as Death and awakens Ahkneri from her long sleep. And when Vengeance rises, Atlanta will never be the same.


Schedule:
August 16, 2012 ~ To 117 page ~ Through Chapter 8
August 23, 2012 ~ To 224 page ~ Through Chapter 14
August 30, 2012 ~ To End of book

Looking Forward To...(101)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Shadows Before the Sun

Charlie Madigan #4

By:  Kelly Gay

Due Out:  July 31, 2012

I read the first book and was taken with the angle of characters, aliens but yet fey feel.  Just rather interesting the way Kelly has weaved this world and created a whole new universe.  I enjoy the story lines and the kicking butt going on.

Goodreads Synopsis:
The electrifying sequel to the acclaimed urban fantasies The Better Part of Darkness, The Darkest Edge of Dawn, and The Hour of Dust and Ashes!

After filling out mountains of paperwork, Detective Charlie Madigan sets out for a death-defying trip into heavenly Elysia to rescue her partner Hank and bring the siren home. Of course, she doesn’t expect to leave behind an all out siren revolution or return home to find that jinn crime boss, Grigori Tennin, has begun a massive search for the divine being, Ahkneri. Tennin’s tactics set off a chain reaction that puts Charlie in the crosshairs of the shadowy creature known as Death and awakens Ahkneri from her long sleep. And when Vengeance rises, Atlanta will never be the same.