Blood Assassin
Author: Alexandra Ivy
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: B+
What I’m Talking About:
Fane and Serra have known each other for decades, and he has always used his job as an excuse to keep his distance from her advances. As a Sentinel, Fane spent the past decade as a Guardian to Callie Brown, so when Callie’s bond was transferred to her new husband, Serra makes one last plea to Fane in hopes he’ll finally return her unrequited feelings. However, he remains stoic and instead decides to relocate back to the monastery where he was trained as a Sentinel. That is until Serra is kidnapped, and Fane can no longer keep his feelings for Serra a secret.
After liking but not loving the first book in the Sentinel series by Alexandra Ivy, I was extremely pleased with the sophomore title. Blood Assassin is exciting, sexy, and romantic, just what one hopes for in a paranormal romance. There wasn’t the need for heavy world-building this time around, leaving more room for plot development and the love story.
I was immediately drawn into the story. First, the author does a tremendous job creating an instantaneous emotional connection with the main characters. Ms. Ivy develops a detailed and passionate history, full of longing, lust, and heartache. Knowing the couple has a history and seeing Fane and Serra in Born in Blood creates strong chemistry right from the get go. Yet the couple grows and the relationship deepens over the course of the book. The development of their longing into love is satisfying.
After the author drew me in with emotions, she hooked me with the storyline. Serra, a power telepath, was somehow compelled to leave the safety of Valhalla, and I wanted to know by whom and why! The drama unfolds at just the right pace – quick and action-filled at times, slow and thoughtful at others. I enjoyed trying to figure out who was the mastermind.
In tandem to the primary story, Ms. Ivy gives readers more of Wolfe, the Tagos (leader of all Sentinels) and Lana, the Mave (head of all Vallhalla). Both are respected leaders who place their people’s needs before their own. It’s clear that there is strong sexual attraction and more, yet neither will act on it. Watching the pair work together to save humanity was thrilling and rewarding; I just hope for more in the next book!
In addition, antagonist Bas Cavrilo encompasses all the darkness of a high-blood, giving readers a likeable bad guy. He’s ruthless and cunning, but clearly cares for his own. I’m certain he’ll be around again, especially after the cliffhangerish epilogue, leaving Bas in a precarious situation.
Overall, I really enjoyed Blood Assassin. The plot was interesting and exciting, and I enjoyed the duel story of Fane/Serra and Wolfe/Lana. I only had a few small issues, mostly centering on the mastermind’s motives for their actions. I also enjoyed the ending of the story and the direction the author seems to be taking the series. I look forward to more from The Sentinels.
My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot
About the Book:
Out Of The Shadows
At six-foot-three and two-hundred-fifty pounds, Fane is a natural born guardian. A flawless mix of muscled perfection and steely precision, he has devoted years of his life to protecting a beautiful necromancer. But after she found love in the arms of another, Fane has been a warrior adrift. He swears allegiance only to the Sentinels. And no woman will ever rule his heart again. . .
Into The Fire
Not only a powerful psychic, Serra is that rare telepath who can connect to minds through objects. When the daughter of a high-blood businessman is kidnapped, Serra agrees to help. But when she stumbles onto a conspiracy involving secrets sects and ancient relics, her life is in mortal danger–and Fane is her only hope. Is the warrior willing to risk his body, his soul, and his heart, for Serra? Or will one last betrayal destroy them both?
Release Date: December 30, 2014
Publisher: Zebra/Kensington
Series: The Sentinels #2
ISBN: #978-1420125160
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (405 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Blood Assassin (The Sentinels #2)
Reviews in the Series:
Born In Blood by Alexandra Ivy (The Sentinels #1)
I’ve been wanting to try this author. I see that this is available on audio. Maybe I can see about getting it. Audios move through my TBR list faster. LOL
I understand you! You know how I’m working through my TBR that way! I feel you could easily jump into the story with this second book and if you have questions, just let me know!
Now I’m tempted by this series, I’ll see if it is available through my library. Thanks for the review!
I think you will enjoy it!
Lovely review. I really loved this one and I adored the story line and the development of the characters, and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one.
Thanks so much! I was really glad to see the development from the first to second book. And the next one… should be good!
I could never date an assassin….I would be too worried everyday that he was going to die. But I am certainly glad this one was much betetr for you!
It’s a funny name for this book, really. Fane isn’t an assassin, instead he’s a protector that can kill haha! On the other hand…. Bas IS an assassin!