Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Brighter Than Fear

SERIES: Fangs and Felons #3

AUTHOR: Becca Seymour

PUBLISHER: Rainbow Tree Publishing

LENGTH: 274 Pages

RELEASE DATE: February 22, 2023

BLURB:

In the world of covert operations, trust is paramount, yet I’ve been straying, fostering secret ties with the elusive “unicorn hacker,” challenging my loyalty to the ITU, my SICB family.

No doubt about it, I’m going to be in deep shit when they find out—it’s only a matter of time.

But when an investigation explodes, so does my world—and for the first time, I hear the hacker’s voice, magnetic and captivating, pulling me in deeper.

I also finally get his name.

Rowan Hart, a former agent and a tiger shifter with haunting scars. He becomes an unexpected hero, thrusting us into an alliance against Hornell, SICB’s prime target. Despite clashes with my team, we form an unstoppable duo, until a sudden attack fractures our team, leaving me changed beyond imagination.

As I fight for survival, it takes both my unit and Rowan’s unwavering resolve to keep me alive. Amidst chaos, Rowan’s commitment becomes clear—he’ll move heaven and earth to grant me a second chance at life and, perhaps, with him.

Brighter Than Fear is the third book in a gay urban fantasy romance series. Between the pages you’ll find high-octane action, snarky vampires and shifters, and scorching-hot scenes to make you swoon.

REVIEW:

Flynn Smythe must work twice as hard to maintain the same fitness level as his supernatural colleagues. Still, he does it because he loves his job as a cyber geek for the Infiltration Tactical Unit (ITU) within the Supernatural Investigation and Crime Bureau (SICB). However, part of that job is not getting familiar with a hacker Flynn has never met and who sends him riddles to solve. Is the hacker a foe or savior? Both are smitten by the brainpower of the other. However, can neurological compatibility translate to something more practical and rewarding, and at what cost?

Without even reading the blurb for this book, I would have picked it up off the shelf because the cover is beautiful, and I love such things in my bookcase.

Anyhoo – Brighter Than Fear is book three in the Fangs and Felons series. The author suggests that reading the previous installments is recommended but not essential. I would say that while technically correct, there are crossover characters, which is to be expected. These have little impact on the overall narrative. However, while Flynn and Rowan’s journey comes to some conclusion, there is another element of the story, probably an underlying arc, that isn’t complete, leaving a cliffhanger that I have no idea if it will be resolved in the next book. Therefore, regardless of the advice and knowing that I should have known better, I shaved some marks off since I didn’t get closure. Depth added by crossover characters wouldn’t have bothered me.

Given that I have still rated the tale 4.5 Hearts, it should give you the idea that this is a super, action-packed read full of explosions, cyber investigations, hacking, and chosen family. The series could be a phenomenal world worth investing time and money in. What also makes a nice change is that the setting is Australia.

The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Flynn and Rowan. Technically, it’s pretty good, although the occasional autonomous body parts sneak in. Worldbuilding surrounds some balanced investigations following the clues amid explosive periods of drama, with lives on the line. The relationship between Flynn and Rowan was a delight to read as they navigate secrets, injuries, and past events that would impact their future.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon