Dark Dealings by Kim KnoxMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Synopsis:
There are monsters in the city. And one of them is her….
Ava Kalle's empty soul devours magic. And her hunger is deadly. She's sharp, quick and can live in shadow, making her work as a spy for the Mages a natural choice. She lives on the fringes of society and likes it that way.
When the man she loves takes another woman for his mate, the darkness in her heart unravels and she'll do anything to get him back. She makes a dangerous deal with a fire elemental, Heyerdar, who has a vested interest in agreeing: together they'll use forbidden magic, harnessing their sexual energy to drive the couple apart.
But soon their pact pushes them both into a dark sexual obsession. One that Ava may not be able to control
Review:
This book is truly unlike anything I've read so far. I loved the fantasy world the author has created, as well as the characters and the roles they play. The story developed wonderfully as a mystical fantasy mixed with a sex drenched sci-fi becomes a book that's hard to put down. Ava Kalle's character is very likeable, even with all the animalistic deeds and primal urges.
"She was a stealer of life energy with nothing inherent in her soul. Thief. The nicest name for one with her rhythm of magic. She was the stuff of nightmares. A monster." (loc. 100)
I totally fell in love with Heyerdar even before Ava knew what hit her, and I seriously never trusted Reist. Perhaps it was in the personification of the two men that I leaned towards one more than the other early on in the book. This contained the weirdest unrequited love triangle, and I loved it for that uniqueness. The external conflict of the story was interesting as well, while the realm was witnessing gruesome murders and it was their job to get to the bottom of the mystery. The internal conflict, mostly resided in Ava, and became irresistible as she struggled to get her emotions and intentions under control on her quest to win Reist's heart.
"He was a bastard for not seeing how much she'd always wanted him." (loc. 1213)
This book brings together so many elements of interest with it's mysteriousness, sexiness, mysticalness and darkness. In all, this book was wonderfully done, and I seriously want to get into more of Kim Knox's works.
First Line: "Sunlight gilded his muscled body." (loc. 69)
Last Line: "'You really do say the sweetest things.'" (loc. 3534)
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Quotes
"The thief basis in old magic; shortened life comapred to other magic users, even ephemerals--the mages' derogatory term for humans; the need to feed on flesh whether living or dead, to contain her dark nature; soul stealing; skin wearing. She winced what she was was... disturbing." (loc. 329)
"Heyerdar was a riot of hatred. He wanted Fallon, and Reist had stolen her. Something held him back, but the sliver of magic that had touched her wasn't enough to reveal more of his thoughts, his soul. Years as a spy for the mages had honed her curiosity. Did the new Highest Mage have something over him?" (loc. 407)
"The mages wanted her dead. She winced. It was strange to be at the other end of a lust for blood and death." (loc. 2442)
Galley provided by Carina Press via NetGalley
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ebook
Published November 2012 by Carina Press
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