Hearts of Shadow
A Deadglass Novel, The Deadglass Trilogy, book 2
By Kira Brady
Read by Xe Sands
Length 10.0 hrs • UNABRIDGED
Publisher: 2013 by Blackstone Audio, Inc. Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 05/07/13
In this brilliant new novel in the Deadglass series, a fierce young woman’s quest entangles her in an apocalyptic endgame—and unexpected desire.
Grace Mercer’s unmatched wraith-killing ability made her the unofficial defender of a city shattered by supernatural catastrophe. So there’s no way she’ll allow the new regent of Seattle’s most powerful dragon-shifter clan to “protect” her from a vicious evil stalking the ruined streets or keep her from the freedom she’s risked everything to earn.
Leif’s science-honed instincts tell him Grace is the key to keeping shifters and humans safe, but helping this wary fighter channel her untapped power is burning away the dragon’s sensual self-control and putting a crucial alliance at risk. Soon the only chance Leif and Grace will have to save their world will be a dangerously fragile link that could forever unite their souls—or consume everything in a storm of destruction.
© 2013 by Kira Brady
Review:
Grace is a human girl whose world fell apart when demons were unleashed destroying the city (the first book). Post apocalyptic Seattle is now under the control of a powerful dragon-shifter clan, the Drekar, with an uneasy alliance–maybe–with a Native American shifter clan, the Kivati, and the extremely prejudiced human authorities. As these leaders juggle power and control, the city and their people are facing attacks from zombie humans who are being possessed by demon wraiths.
Leif is the reluctant leader of the dragon-shifters. He would rather be working on experiments in his laboratory and has been neglecting his ruling duties, or leaving them to his female high counselor, Zetian.
Grace was pulled into the control of the dragon-shifters by Sven, Leif’s manipulative and cruel brother. Sven had Grace trained as a warrior-assassin but he also made her a bond slave and used her. It wasn’t rape but lies and misguided adoration that had her in the position of a sexual partner. Grace soon learned to hate her bondage and will take on any fight to earn her way to freedom.
No one understands fully why Grace is such a powerful wraith killer although they believe part of her power is reflected by the rune tattoos that cover her lithe body. Leif is fascinated by the young woman and wants to protect her. He doesn’t know how to release the slave bond so she must continue to work off the debt. But when he forbids her to fight he unintentionally takes away her source of earnings.
The three jostling powers are threatened by a power hungry, love thwarted demi-god. As the clans struggle to find the artifacts that will defeat the demi-god, Leif struggles to get Grace to succumb, by her free choice, to their passion. Grace believes that the dragon-shifters are soulless and she has the horrible past betrayal to teach her not to trust one. But Leif continues to assault her with honor and kindness. Can the dragon and human find love and break a curse that legend says has stolen the dragon soul?
This story is very engaging with lots of action as Grace individually, and with others including the powerful dragon, Leif, battle paranormal beings and body stealing wraiths. There is quite a bit of pagan legend, including an Ishtar brothel, that has a prominent place in the story. It seemed that the mythological and pagan elements were extremely well researched and consistent for the background of the battles that rage. There is good description and development of the settings, intense action and romance. The passion is lovely with Leif’s integrity and devotion which I liked. I also really liked the strength of Grace’s character, especially as she overcomes her past insecurities and betrayals.
Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Xe Sands. I felt that she portrayed Grace exceedingly on point, in intensity, frustrations and fierceness. She also did a good job getting the other characters with different voices and capturing their respectful, or not, attitudes. I'm interested to see what other stories she narrates.I recommend this story as an entertaining, fast paced, listen.
I received this MP3 download from Blackstone Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.
