The Darkest Edge of Dawn, Book 2, The Charlie Madigan Series by Kelly Gay

Publisher:  Simon and Schuster, Pocket Books
Pages:  384

(Release Date:  8-31-10)

From the Cover:

It takes a strong woman to keep the peace in a city of endless night. . . 

Deep beneath Underground, a cunning bid for power and revenge has begun—one that threatens to make Atlanta the new battleground in the ultimate confrontation between good and evil. The powers of hellish Charbydon have the upper hand after plunging the city into primordial night. And under the cover of darkness, a serial killer targets the most powerful Elysians in the city, the angelic Adonai. 

For Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner Hank, tracking deadly predators is all in a day’s work . . . but this case will test the limits of their strength and friendship as it draws them into a deadly world of power plays, ancient myths, explosive secrets, and a race against time that risks all that Charlie holds dear. 

Charlie Madigan has been changed, some would say enhanced, she'd say cursed.  Deep within her DNA, the life giving strands, additions were made to save her life and that of her daughter, Emma.  Now, Charbydon and Eylsian powers stir, bubbling to the surface, vying for control.  She brought the darkness that now engulfs Atlanta to save her daughter, now she's trying to bring back the light.

Hank, her partner and Eylsian Siren, understands Charlie's predicament, he has one of his own.  The Voc-Mod box has become permanently embed in his neck, forever blocking his Siren voice from reaching it's potential, a side effect demanded by powers that be, to keep the Siren from using his vocal abilities to their fullest, maybe against the will of another.  Charlie still finds him sexy as hell, but he's her partner, so what the hell's wrong with her?  She never used to act like this, he's supposed to be out of reach..... maybe....

But, for now, Charlie and Hank have other things to worry about, like who's killing the Adonai?   There's a power struggle in the Underground between Gin leader and crime boss, Grigori and The Druid/Dragon King, who has sworn exact his own measure of punishment against those he thinks are the guilty party if Charlie and Hank can't solve the mystery.  Add to that an escaped serial killer who's ever so slightly insane wanting Charlie body and soul.  Put that altogether with an awol ex-husband and Rex, the Reverent who now resides within his flesh, a pet hellhound, and Charlie's life in pretty full, if she can just keep her eyes, hands, and all other body parts off the sexy Hank.....

The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay is book two in the Charlie Madigan series and an excellent addition.  In this book, we find Charlie still trying to deal with the consequences of saving her daughter, and now, she's overprotective in the extreme.  She has her daughter warded, charmed, attempting to surround her in the perfect cocoon of magic, to keep her safe, she can't take losing her again.  She's been trying to find a way to bring the light back to Atlanta where now the city is covered with a 40 mile wide blanket of darkness.  Charlie knows the darkness is her fault, a consequence of her new DNA, Charbydon magic.  Her sister, Bryn, has also suffered by Charlie's hand, becoming addicted to the deadly drug, Ash.  Now, there are murders being committed, and it's of the angelic elite of the Eylsian population, the Adonai.  What Charlie doesn't know is that there are players behind the scenes, trying to grab a piece of the picture, and maybe no one is trustworthy.  Her partner and love interest (though she resists), Hank, would do just about anything for Charlie, the loss of his Siren's voice makes him more vulnerable and attractive, if that's possible.  Under Hank's encouragement, Charlie is starting to explore her new power, if only she can gain control.

The Darkest Edge of Dawn is a full throttle, kickass, fun filled ride; great urban fantasy with just enough paranormal romance to keep the reader wondering if Hank and Charlie are bound to be together.  Kelly Gay creates a world where magic has been the new reality, and Charlie is suck between the two vying powers, the dark and the light, Charbydon versus Eylsian.  There's a whole system of Undergroundlings that if possible, won't might taking over total control of the Earth.  I haven't read The Better Part of Darkness yet, but I've added to my wishlist and intend to pick it up soon.  Though The Darkness Edge of Dawn was Book Two in the series, I had no trouble following the story, but to get a better understand of Ms. Gay's world, I would recommend reading them in order.  If you enjoy mysteries that include mages, druids, and magic of all kinds built into a world where reality as taken a step toward fantasy, then The Darkest Edge of Dawn is for you.  I highly recommend this new series I've sampled, and can't wait to see what Ms. Gay gives us next.  My only niggle is with myself, I should have tried this series when it first came out in November 2009.


I received this book for review from Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books.  All opinions expressed are my own.

A Circle of Souls (ARE) by Preetham Grandhi

Publisher: Sweetwater Book Publication / Cedar Fort
Pages: 339

(Released Date: June 2009)
(all images and blurb from http://www.acircleofsouls.com/)

From the Cover: The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. The town’s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia Bines, an expert in cases involving children.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury’s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings’s devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya’s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.

The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya’s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.

In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

Dr. Peter Gram is just another one of the psychiatric fellows at Strauss I Child Psychiatric Unit at the Newbury Hospital, but his newest patient has him baffled. Why would a seemingly happy seven year old little girl want to jump off of a second floor balcony? Naya Hasting presents with exactly this description. Confusion reigns through his young doctor's mind and training.

Jose Rodriguez is the top cop in the small suburban area of Newbury. He can't believe what has happened in his sleepy little community. Who would what to kill and dismember a small child? The very thought of such a killer in their mysts sickens him beyond his possible belief. He has sworn to protect this community, and now he can't even imagine how. Beautiful and sweet, ten year old Janet Troy has suddenly meant that very fate.

Leia Bines, special agent with the FBI, is the agent called when things go very bad, and they don't get much worse than what has happened in Newbury, CT. Janet Troy went missing 10 days previous to her call to cut short her vacation and, upon her arrival, she is informed that a young girl's body has been found, matching her description. What she hasn't been told is the condition in which she is found. Could it be a serial killer is loose, reeking havoc upon the parents and children of this suburban community?

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi is a gripping psychological thriller combined with Eastern Mysticism that grabs your attention, making the re-evaluation of various legends, lore, and myths a possibility. Our story begins with Janet Troy who knows she should go straight home from school, but can't resist the temptation to explore, but her need to investigate leads to her ultimate death at the hands of a madman. Young Naya Hastings is an adopted daughter of a well to do happy family. All of her desires and needs are being meant. Yet, she has incredible nightmares that almost lead to leaping from a balcony, how can this be reconciled? It's up to Dr. Gram to fit these puzzling pieces together. With the help of Special Agent Bines, that's exactly what he does. With the help of Naya's Indian relatives, he is able to piece the story together with the past, the present, and the future. It leads him on an incredible journey that starts in 1967, on the date of his birth. How the events come together and the complete the story are fantastical and paranormal. Even though it goes against everything he believes, he comes to understand that there are things beyond explanation that happen in our lives.

A Circle of Souls is a story that leads the reader toward their greatest fear and every parent's worse nightmare, the loss of a child, especially to the fate that exists in this story. It is gripping, hair raising, and wonderfully told. The title of the this book, A Circle of Souls, aptly describes what happens within the pages, as one souls existence leads to another, a destiny continued. The cover art used describes the feelings and emotions conjured in the story, as well as location. This is the first book by this young author, but I have a feeling it will not be his last. I enjoyed the paranormal aspects of this novel and the ability of this author to create the need to believe in the unbelievable. This was a very quick read, it only took this reader just a few hours from cover to cover; I didn't want to let the story go. I was left with the desire to learn more about Naya and Dr. Gram, to see where their futures lead. To find out more information at Preetham Grandhi and his future books, please visit his website at http://www.acircleofsouls.com/. I received this book as a request for review, and I will gladly read what this author produces in the future. This reader was left with the feeling a grateful satisfaction.