ARC Review: Boundary Born by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Born
Author: Melissa F. Olson
Series: Boundary Magic (Book 3)
Publication: 47North (June 21, 2016)

Description: Something wicked is at work in Colorado’s supernatural community. Vampires are being paralyzed or killed with poison…a weapon favored by witches. This offense threatens to break apart the already-fractured alliance between witches and the undead.

The state’s cardinal vampire, Maven, summons boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther to stop the killing before it ignites a war. Lex has barely started investigating when she gets another surprise: the biological father she’s never met arrives on her doorstep. He has answers to all of Lex’s questions about her bloodline, but getting those answers could mean betraying the life she’s already built.

Then the next vampire is poisoned—and this time it’s Maven herself. The new evil that hunts Lex is powerful and ruthless enough to stop the strongest supernatural creature in the state. In order to find such a killer, Lex will have to face down her own birthright and call on every ally—both living and dead.

My Thoughts: This third Boundary Magic book has Lex learning more about her past while investigating balladonna attacks, mysterious deaths and magicians using crystals to attack and sedate people.

Lex and her twin sister Sam were adopted at birth by the Luthers. Her mother died giving birth to the twins. Lex knows that her magic came from her mother but knows nothing about her. Imagine her surprise when a man named Emil Jasper shows up at her door claiming to be her biological father. Dealing with a mysterious biological father is not something she really has time for. Her boss Maven has been poisoned with belladonna - one of the few things that can harm a vampire - and Lex has to find a cure before chaos erupts in Colorado.

Lex isn't working alone. She has help from witches Simon and Lily Pellar. She also has help from her deceased sister who visits her in dreams but isn't able to give her straight answers to her many questions. She also has the assistance of a ghostly boundary witch who was a madam in Colorado's more wild past. And we can't forget the assistance she has from Quinn who happens to be her love interest and Maven's enforcer.

This story was exciting and filled with revelations about Lex's birth family. Lex also has to find a purpose for her life beyond protecting her niece Charlie. She also has to accept the boundary magic that is a major part of her.

The author states that she is leaving Lex to her adventures for a while to concentrate on another series but leaves open the possibility that she will write about her again. I look forward to finding out what is next for Lex someday.

Favorite Quote:

"Right, anyway. Blossom Wheaton works at the crystal shop in downtown Longmont. You didn't know?"

Blossom lived thirty miles outside of Boulder in a little house with two defense-trained Dobermans and an armful of rifles. I'd never considered what she did for money. "I guess I just figured she ate the kids she lures into her gingerbread house." Simon mad a choking noise in the back of his throat.

Anna just laughed. "She's not that bad, Lex. She actually helped me with a paper on ceremonial applications for various quartzes. She's just a little ... mmm ... prickly."

I got this one for review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.