Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Blood & Thunder
SERIES: THIRDS #2
AUTHOR: Charlie Cochet
NARRATOR: Mark Westfield
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 7 hours, 50 minutes
RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2014
BLURB:
Action. Comedy. Romance. And that one weird guy.
When a series of bombs go off in a Therian youth center, injuring members of THIRDS Team Destructive Delta, and causing a rift between agents Dexter J. Daley and Sloane Brodie, peace seems unattainable. Especially when a new and frightening group, the Order of Adrasteia, appears to always be a step ahead. With panic and intolerance spreading and streets becoming littered with the Order’s propaganda, hostility between Humans and Therians grows daily. Dex and Sloane, along with the rest of the team, are determined to take down the Order and restore peace, not to mention settle a personal score. But the deeper the team investigates the bombings, the more they believe there’s a more sinister motive than a desire to shed blood and spread chaos.
Discovering the frightful truth behind the Order’s intent forces Sloane to confront secrets from a past he thought he’d left behind for good, a past that could not only destroy him and his career, but also the reputation of the organization that made him all he is today. Now more than ever, Dex and Sloane need each other, and, along with trust, the strength of their bond will mean the difference between justice and all-out war.
REVIEW:
Blood & Thunder is a continuation of the first book, though it picks up some four months later. It’s also a book that probably doesn’t stand well on its own so you should start this series from the beginning.
Tension is rising between humans and Therians and now it’s not only their previous nemesis stirring the pot, but others are joining the fight as well and spreading propaganda and intolerance wherever they go. But hate isn’t the only thing that’s spreading, someone set off bombs at a Therian youth center, injuring many – including some of the team members in Destructive Delta. It makes them more determined than ever to stop them, preferably before anyone else gets hurt. But the more they uncover, the more they realise this new group has another agenda and it’s one that causes additional strain for the team, and Sloane especially.
Sloane and Dex are still keeping their relationship on the DL, hiding it from their family and friends. At times it causes tension between them, for Dex especially. They also aren’t the greatest at communicating which causes some unnecessary hurt and drama. I do understand that Sloane has his reasons for not letting anyone in, but for his own sake I hope that will change soon, he’s about reached his limit and something’s gotta give before he breaks.
I like the tension between the secondary characters, and I don’t think I’m the only one having a soft spot for Cael and Ash or Hobbs and Calvin. I am enjoying all the team interactions, all the snark and banter – Ash and Dex are hilarious together and go together as much as oil and water. The book is intense, with a lot of action (of all kinds), and at times it will have you at the edge of your seat.
Mark Westfield did another great job narrating this story. He differentiates between characters with different voices. He really captures Dex in all his flirtations – and outrageous ways. he gets the snark and one-liners and he’ll make you smile. Again, I love how he alter the parts that are spoken via coms or phone, it adds to the sense of place and really hit’s home that it’s not any dialogue.
I have the next book lined up and ready to go, so I think I might go and find out what troubles Dex will cause next – we all know he will do something asinine to get on Ash’s nerves.
RATING: 
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