Sandy M’s review of Dark Warrior Untamed (Talions, Book 3) by Alexis Morgan
Paranormal Romance published by Pocket Star 27 Jul 10

Well, Sybil has not beat the I-need-to-read-a-series-in-order out of me entirely. Yes, I know the majority of books are written to be stand-alones and sometimes that works. Sometimes it works a little bit. And sometimes it doesn’t work well at all. In this case, it works a little bit. But however you cut it, a good book is a good book; reading in order just gives the reader more pleasure in the long run.

I really enjoy Alexis Morgan’s books. While this is my first book in her Talions series, I’ve read the first several in her Paladins series and loved them all. She has such imagination when it comes to the worlds she builds for her characters and storylines. And that’s where I wish I’d read the first two books in this series beforehand.

I wanted to know more about the Kyth, the people of the hero, Grey. We get a little bit thrown in to give us an idea of who they are, but I needed more. I was curious about how they came to be, wanted to know more about how their world works, and I’m sure that the end of the second book, Dark Warrior Unbroken, when their current leader is killed would have given me better insight when I began DWU.

Now, all of this is not to say DWU is not a terrific book. It is. Very much so. I just feel my understanding of the relationship between the characters, the new leader and her consort, and a few other things would have been heightened, especially when I asked myself “Why?” a few times during certain scenes.

Grey has just relocated to the Puget Sound where he will lead other Talion warriors in protecting the Kyth’s Grand Dame, Kery Thorsen. Things don’t start off well when he finds his office is occupied by Kery’s new assistant, Piper Ryan. Fireworks of the pissed-off kind, with fiery undercurrents of another kind, start flying. They butt heads from the beginning and it doesn’t look like they’ll be getting along any time soon.

Only until threatening emails begin to come in, that is, screwing with Piper’s computer, which makes her look guilty, and only until other information comes to light to throw doubt and guilt Grey’s way. Their mutual war escalates and turns instead in the direction of trying to find the evil set on destroying Kery.

While Piper is glad to have Grey around when danger hits too close to home, she’s still wary that he’ll continue to dig into her past. She knows her secret will come out eventually, she just hopes it’s not Grey who discovers it. But will telling him about it first make any difference, because after getting to know the man, he’ll probably toss her out anyway.

But the more they work together to keep Kery safe and find who’s behind the danger that just keeps coming, their attraction grows, and I have to say that Grey and Piper have become a favorite couple of mine. They talk to each other and respect each other. They listen to one another, give in when the other’s idea may work better, and they love so deliciously. Grey and Piper are very dynamic together, indeed.

Ms. Morgan gives us twists and turns that come out of nowhere, keeping the story fresh and alive. I always enjoy how she brings back all of her characters from previous books and still keeps the featured hero and heroine front and center. Doing so makes her series ultimately more complete for the reader.

Especially if they’re read in order, Sybs.

Grade: A

Summary:

He questions everything.

No one thought Chief Talion Greyhill Danby would report to work so soon after wrapping up his affairs in London. Then again, he didn’t expect to find a beautiful spy with a major attitude in his new office. Clearly the Kyth’s Grand Dame doesn’t trust him to do his duty-to protect her.

She fears the truth.

Piper Ryan isn’t keen on the arrangement either. Matching wits with an ancient warrior isn’t in her administrative job description. But sharing space with the red-hot head of security
could have unexpectedly tempting benefits . . . if he doesn’t dig into her secret past.

Opposites always attract.

When a mysterious e-mails result in danger, the fiery sparks between Piper and Grey grow scorching hot. They must defend the throne from a deadly invisible attacker, but will their raging desire keep them together . . . or will their burning suspicions tear them apart?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: