That's 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+

Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About

Review copy provided by NetGalley