Book Review: Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews

Fate's Edge
Author: Ilona Andrews
Publicaton: Ace; Original edition (November 29, 2011)


Description: Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge, and she's determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But when her brother gets into hot water, the former thief takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack of all trades...

Kaldar Mar-a gambler, lawyer, thief, and spy-expects his latest assignment tracking down a stolen item to be a piece of cake, until Audrey shows up. But when the item falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job, he's going to need Audrey's help...

My Thoughts: This was a great adventure and love story. Audrey is a con artist and uses her magic to open any lock. But she is trying to go straight and live life as a private investigator in the Broken (which is what our ordinary world is called). But, when her father comes to her and asks her for one more job, Audrey is sucked back into a life she hated. Unfortunately, the job is for the wrong people and, all of a sudden both the Hand and the Mirror are after her and neither is too concerned with her health and well-being.


Kaldar Mar is a con artist too. Only he works for the Mirror and is eager to get the missing object back and have his revenge on the Hand who was instrumental in killing two-thirds of his family and forcing them to flee their homes.

When the two meet, fireworks happen. The by-play between them is wonderful. Neither is prepared to trust the other and both are wary. Audrey isn't going to fall in love with another con man. She has been surrounded by them all her life and knows that they can't give up the con. Kaldar is determined to have his revenge no matter who he has to use and what he has to do. For him, only his family matters. Everyone else is just some kind of mark. Until he meets Audrey.


Also along on the adventure to recover the missing item are George and Jack who are the brothers-in-law of the Marshall of the Southern Lands and who are characters we met in previous books. George is fourteen and able to raise the dead. Jack is a twelve and a shifter who turns into a lynx. Audrey is determined to protect them even though they are both very competent and no strangers to danger.


The story was action-packed and the romance was wonderful. I love the characters and dialog in these stories. They are all interesting people with depth. I really recommend reading the whole series because the world is well-drawn and the characters are engaging. While this story stands alone well, you would find a richer reading experience if you begin with On the Edge. I think the series will hook any fantasy reader who likes adventure and romance.


Favorite Quotes:

The man turned.

Oh sweet Jesus.

He had a narrow, strong face, good cheekbones, and a full mouth. If she covered the top half of his face, she'd say he was a very handsome man. But his eyes, they were devil eyes. Light brown like clover honey, smart, and framed in long eyelashes, the man's eyes brimmed with wicked humor. They lit his whole face, changing him from a handsome man to the kind of man any woman with a drop of sense would stay away from. He toned it down almost right away. The only reason she saw it at all was because she had caught him off guard, but it was too late. Nice try. She'd spent her life in the Edge, among con artists, thieves, and swindlers. Don't you worry. I've got your number.

***************

She thrust the stout at him. "Why thank you, sir." Boom, a thousand watt smile. She couldn't possibly be trying to con him--all the cards were already on the table. It must've been force of habit.

He raised his hand, shielding his eyes. "Smile...too...bright."

"You're going to be a pain to work with, aren't you?"

"Oh, I don't know. I might grow on you."

She furrowed her pretty eyebrows. "Like a cancer?"

"Like a favorite vice."

"Don't count on it."

I bought this one because these people are on my "must buy" list. You can buy your copy here too.