Edge of Mercy
Author: Allie Therin
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B/B-
What I’m Talking About:
Edge of Mercy is the conclusion of Therin’s thrilling UF series set in an alternative Pacific Northwest where some humans have evolved into Empaths. The previous book left readers on a little cliff, and I for one, hated the long wait for the conclusion of the series. This series must be read in order. Even with my copious notes and character lists, I found myself often confused.
The story opens shortly after the conclusion of the previous book with “Care Bear” Empath Reece corrupted and rogue. He’s working with Cora and Alex to try and bring down Stone; however there is a new (but old) player in town whose tactics are despicable and a threat to everything Reece cares about.
Overall, the series is exciting with an original paranormal world that finds roots in our own world. The treatment of Empaths is frighteningly close to the treatment of minority groups and vulnerable populations here in the U.S. In Edge of Mercy, the showdown between the Empaths and the collective “bad guys” comes to a head and meets an “okay for now” point for the main characters. Secrets that need to be brought to light and threats to the Empaths remain, but since this is the final book in the series, I suppose I’ll need to be okay with that. The issues are too large to be “fixed,” so it makes sense; however it left me with a feeling of incompleteness.
The author describes the trilogy as a “slow burn” romance, and there is an HEA/HFN as promised by the author. The romance is a side story for the first two books, but moves more to the center during Edge of Mercy. The relationship between Reece and Evan is taboo – an empath hunter falling for a corrupted empath and visa versa. There is a strong physical pull; but due to their natures, they couldn’t be together. Throughout the series, the pair banter and tease, but this time around, it felt forced or awkward since they were on opposite sides of the fight. Another issue for me is that Evan cannot feel emotion; however he is obsessed with Reece, which comes of contrary, making it difficult for me to believe Evan couldn’t experience feelings.
I really enjoyed the series, although the time in between books coupled with the expansive cast of characters and POVs left me feeling lost for about half of this book. And as mentioned, there are still several loose ends that I would love to see wrapped up. I would love for more books set in the Sugar & Vice world.
My Rating: B/B-
Jen
About the Book:
In the gripping conclusion to Allie Therin’s slow burn urban fantasy MM romance series, an empath and an empath hunter face off as the fate of an alternate-universe Seattle—and their own future—hang in the balance.
Caught in the crosshairs of a deadly conspiracy, empath Reece Davies was forced to embrace his darker nature to protect the enemy he’d fallen for. Now, joining forces with others like him, drawn to chaos and vengeance by the corruption in his veins, Reece is being hunted…by the very man he saved.
Evan Grayson, a notorious empath hunter known as the Dead Man, was engineered to never falter from his mission—until he met Reece. Even corruption can’t cool their desire for each other, but with Reece’s dark side in control and all of Seattle at stake, Grayson must stop him, no matter the personal cost.
As the battle between the two enemies heats up, so does their forbidden attraction. But the danger is growing and closing in on them from all sides. Because Grayson isn’t the only one hunting the empaths—and they both may have finally met their match…
Release Date: June 23, 2026
Publisher: Carina Press (Adores)
Series: Sugar & Vice #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ+
Format(s): paperback (384 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: NetGalley