Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: Shadow & Ghost

SERIES: City of Shadows

AUTHOR: Lex Veia

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 391 pages

RELEASE DATE: February 29, 2024

BLURB:

Kit Winter does not get caught.

As the most infamous thief in America, Kit enjoys a carefree, transient lifestyle—or, he did, until someone slapped a pair of handcuffs around his wrists and offered him an impossible choice: Rot in prison or join the most dangerous division of the Darkmagic Investigation Agency, the Renegades.

Kit’s pretty sure he chose wrong. The Renegades are the most elite fighters in the world—none more so than their legendary dark-witch-killing lieutenant, Zach Riley. Kit is utterly outmatched and unprepared for hunting witches and demons through the dangerous, magic-riddled city of Las Oscura.

But when a routine hellhound hunt turns fatal, Kit’s criminal skillset might be the Renegades’ best shot at tracking a deadly new killer through the shadowy underground—and Kit’s chance to earn his place on the team. However, hunting witches is worlds away from Kit’s old life, and if he wants to survive, he’ll need to learn to trust his team—and balance his burgeoning feelings for a certain lieutenant.

REVIEW:

I loved this book; it was an interesting interpretation of magic and I really enjoyed the urban fantasy aspect of the book.  The slow burn romance was well done and felt organic and realistic, exactly how you would imagine it would progress.

The star of the book for me, was Kit, he was a delight, an accomplished thief, pulling off impossible jobs earning himself the nickname Shadow, he is cocky and sure of himself and his abilities.  Finding himself in custody facing a prison sentence, he is still not that worried after all he is the Shadow he can escape from anywhere.  When given a choice between prison or enlisting he surprises himself with his answer.

Kit has a brain that is never quiet and is only at peace when he is working on a job, he uses music to quiet his brain but it never lasts.  He is in some regards an enigma to himself and asks himself, why he agreed, why he stays, he never has the answer, but something keeps him there.  Ending up as the new boy, training with the elite Renegades, he finds himself back, in the one place he swore he would never return to.  The training is punishing but no matter what they throw at him, how badly he hurts, he keeps on going, getting back up and pushing through.  Then there is the enigma that is Ghost, the Lieutenant of the Renegades, he rarely speaks, and keeps his face hidden under a mask.  He moves with lightening speed and fights like 10 men but there is a spark.  Kit is sure he hates him, and that Ghost is just toying with him, waiting for an opportunity to kick him out and into prison.

The book mostly centers on Kit, his experiences, his feelings and emotions but little by little, you see glimpses of Ghost and hints to the man underneath the mask.  As the situation in Las Oscura develops into a complicated tapestry of betrayal and confusion.  Ghost turns to Shadow as his unique skill set is exactly what they need to unravel the puzzle and survive.  There are many twists and turns, heartbreak and loss, broken bones, and near-death experiences.  Little by little they draw closer together, despite knowing it will complicate an already fraught situation.  Zach is Kit’s Superior Officer, but they can’t deny the pull to each other but first they need to find a traitor and confront the Super Witches.

A rollercoaster ride with a complex plot and fantastic characters.  Loved the book and can’t wait for the next one to come out.  What will happen next?  Will their relationship blossom or crash and burn?  What mysteries will they face in Las Oscura?

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

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