Review: A dark and dangerous side to the Fae folk
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 13, 2014
Pretty good start to an interesting new series.Beth Carter is an archeologist, working alongside her horrible ex-husband, Frank. Her ex isn't a nice person - he's controlling, abusive, and even remains that way towards Beth years after the divorce.Beth doesn't believe in Fae or Fairies. She believes they are just fairytales - until she meets Conn, one of the Aes Sidhe. Conn is a force to be reckoned with; dangerous, powerful, cruel. Everything that you wouldn't expect a potential love interest to be. Yet it worked, and I found that I liked the element of danger where Conn was concerned. Beth flees the archeological dig where she and Frank were unearthing items related to the Aes Sidhe because of something that happened and consequently frightened her. She makes her way back to Boston and unbeknownst to her, the thing that frightened her follows her there, thanks to Frank.One aspect I truly didn't like about this story was the way Beth was treated and how she continually accepts the treatment she is given. Frank has essentially stonewalled her - she can only receive funding for digs if he is partnered with her. He's still controlling her long after they have parted ways, and I have to say I would have liked Beth to grow some backbone. Certainly she could have looked for employment elsewhere, but the fact that she's so passionate about her job kind of played a role in that. I will say that Frank's chronic mistreatment of her, and subsequently her status as doormat, really added to his horrid character. And while Conn initially came off as cruel and dispassionate, he changed his ways (eventually) and no longer came across as a Frank replicate. I was worried he would be as bad as Frank was towards Beth, and I was all too prepared to bad mouth Beth for consistently falling for men who treat her badly. But things worked themselves out for the best.While I wouldn't consider this dark in theme and tone, it's definitely serious in nature. It's certainly not fluffy nor funny, and I wish at times that it was a bit lighter to take away from the downtrodden feeling I got from Beth being mistreated and manipulated. But the sexual tension and the romantic aspect kind of made up for it. The sexual tension starts immediately and just takes off from there. While the relationship slowly builds, the chemistry is there from the start which I always appreciate.We do meet some interesting characters while Beth and Conn are tracking down some missing items, and I'm hoping to see some of them in the following books in the series.If you are looking for a more serious PNR book/series, I would recommend this because it did have some interesting elements and some good sexual tension. If you are looking for something lighter with a side of fluff, this probably won't be for you. I will more than likely continue the series because I do like the dangerous side of the Fae folk.**Book received from publisher in exchange for an honest review.