In the Dark: Ash and Shadow

by M.J. Glenn

4 out of 5

Synopsis

Feeling trapped under Hunter Sparrow’s command, Ebony Wick dreams of freedom and equality. With a close friendship in jeopardy, she needs allies. But help is thin on the ground, and she is running out of options.

When Samuel Sanker is captured by the Bounty Hunters, Ebony’s answers are finally within reach. Is trusting the enemy her only option?

Balancing between darkness and light, stepping into the unknown may well be the only choice she has.

Review

In the second part of the Dwelling Hunter trilogy, Ebony Wick has to reevaluate who she can trust, as all of her blood relations continue to burn, and she gets more questions than answers.

I am thoroughly enjoying this series. The author makes it seem easy to combine an entertaining story, with danger and darkness, in a convincing high fantasy setting, yet with effortless prose.

I found that the story was slow to start - yes, it gives time to come to terms with the fallout from the first book - predominantly betrayal by a certain someone, and the head of the Snatchers being killed, which to be honest wasn't the best move, as he was replaced by someone so much worse. But it felt like Ebony was waiting for someone else to provide information, or a plan.

I do feel sorry for Ebony, for all that she's independent and spent her whole life not needing anyone, now she's being forced to spend time with people and has developed friendships and feelings of family; but her good opinion has been pushed to the limit, as she realises some "good" people aren't that good.

Finally, Ebony sees her chance to escape the increasingly-controlling Hunter, and gets to make her own choices of how she wants to proceed. From that point on, it felt like Ebony Wick was a force to be reckoned with. She's seen the consequences of her actions, but it doesn't stop her from continuing to do what she thinks is right.

Oh, and her relationship with Sam is so friggin' sweet! The hints of their blossoming romance only takes a small part of the plot; and it's complicated for reasons I won't share (because spoilers), but Sam is everything with his low-key support, giving her all the time she needs.

 The story ends with a bang - literally - and I can't wait to read the next book in the series, to find out more about the huge revelations at the end.

Goodreads

Amazon