Review: Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan

03/07/2015, CelineNyx, Review , 1

Title: Shadowdance
Author: Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #4
Rating: 4 Stars

448 pages
Published July 29th 2014 by Piatkus
Bought

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Kristen Callihan writes romance the way I like it: interesting setting (an alternate 19th century London with a touch of steampunk), interesting creatures (we got demons, shifters, and people with clockwork hearts), and interesting characters.

Mary is a Ghost in Machine, someone who has died but is given new life by being given a clockwork heart. She works for the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, and is finally given an opportunity to prove herself in the field, rather than being behind a desk all day. She is partnered with Jack, an irritable shifter.

What I enjoy in the Darkest London series is that all pairings have a different background, catering to different tastes. Shadowdance features a hate-to-love couple; not necessarily my favourite, but I was glad with how this one worked out. Enough time was spent between the characters working out their differences and getting to know the person underneath the anger/resentment.

The non-romantic plot introduces some extra lore, again expanding the Darkest London universe. The mystery of Shadowdance wasn’t my favourite of the series, mainly because I didn’t fully grasp the connection between the villain and our main characters. That being said, it was nice to see Mary kick ass; I honestly enjoyed every scene with her.

Though the Darkest London books never cross over from “great” to “awesome” for me, they’re always solid reads that keep me entertained and make me feel good on a dreary day (the first book, Firelight being the exception to this rule). I’m looking forward to the next book, Evernight, which features Holly, the awesome scientist lady.

Blurb

Once a heart is lost in shadow…

Life has been anything but kind to Mary Chase. But the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals has given her purpose. Now she’s been tasked with catching a vicious murderer dubbed the Bishop of Charing Cross. But someone is already on the case—and the last thing he relishes is a partner.

Only someone who lives in darkness can find it.

Jack Talent has been alone with his demons for many years. He never expected to have the willful Mary Chase assist him on the Bishop case. Their age-old rivalry reaches new heights—even as their desire for one another reaches a fever pitch. Though he aches to bring her close, Jack’s dark secrets are a chasm between them. With dangerous enemies closing in, Jack must find the strength to face the past…or risk losing Mary forever.

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