Limecello’s review of Hunter’s Edge by Shiloh Walker
Paranormal Romance eBook released by Samhain Publishing 20 May 08
I’ve never read a book by Shiloh Walker before, but I’ve been meaning to. I know this book is one in a series, and that vaguely concerned me before I began reading, but it’s a non issue. This book stands alone very well.
I love how this story began. I’m not the biggest lover of childhood sweethearts, or characters as children, but Kelvin and Angelica don’t have that annoying childish quality. They’re real, and the emotions and situations they deal with are very believable and relatable.
I was with the story, even though it dragged, and GOD how it dragged, for six chapters. He was sad. She was sad. They’re soul mates – destined lovers kept apart by cruel fate. He’s a monster, and she’s monster bait. I was with it. The story didn’t truly begin until chapter 6. But around chapter 8, it got way too maudlin and melodramatic. I felt bad for Angel up until then. But, at chapter at, I wanted to kick her. Hard. Really hard. And believe you me, I don’t normally get that sort of reaction to a heroine. She had a shock, and I was sympathetic, but she was still going postal an entire chapter later, I was done with her.
Luckily, Kel is ok, and all’s well that ends well. There’s something about this story (other than how slow it was) that bothered me. I can’t put my finger on whether it was the plot, or the characters. I believed they were in love, but the way Kel acts, almost made me doubt it. I know it’s his “true lurve” that drives him to his course of action, but it felt like a cop out. Otherwise, Hunter’s Edge picked up near the end, and had a lot of great interaction and support from the secondary characters. They didn’t take attention away from Kel or Angel, but they were entertaining and now I want to read their stories as well.
While parts of this book dragged (and I do mean dragged), overall, I’m pleased, and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Walker’s books. I know I have ample opportunity, because I’m pretty sure there are numerous books preceding this one in the series.
Grade: C
Summary:
Some love can last a lifetime-their love was destined to last longer.
Angel’s first words to Kel were I’m going to marry you. She was seven at the time. He was eight. And he didn’t laugh when she spoke the words. Best friends as children, lovers as young adults, they had an unexplainable bond. Their future looked set. Until the night they were attacked by a creature that couldn’t exist.
Angel survived the attack-barely. But Kel didn’t. Or at least, nobody thought he did. His body was never found and Angel’s life would never be the same.
The attack might not have killed Kel’s body, but it sure as hell killed his heart. Twelve years later, there’s one part of his former life that he can’t move past. Angel. He can’t let her go, but he can’t have her either. She doesn’t even realize he is still alive.
But when a threat surfaces, Kel’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect Angel. Even if it drives them both to the edge of insanity and back.
Warning: Some violence. Some sex. Some bloody violence. Even a little bit of bloody sex. Not all of the sex is between the hero and the heroine, even though every time that happens, the hero closes his eyes and thinks of -England- Angel. Not exactly a traditional romance, but I promise it does end HEA.
Read an excerpt here.
