A review by librarymouse
Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a great addition to the series, but I want more. I've read the Innkeeper Chronicles, and I've loved this peak back at the childhoods of George, Jack, and Sophie. It also does feel like a bit of an open ending, though I guess the unmarried people introduced in the earlier book are all married off now.
The main plot starting with Éléonore's death was so sad, and got me immediately invested. It was deeply heart wrenching to see Richard's hallucination as he was near death, tearing through the forest in search of Sophie, thinking she was still little and trapped in a pit by the slavers. The simple joy Charlotte's healing powers can bring, juxtaposed with the pandemonium she's able to bring down with her powers is fantastic. Her immediate revenge against the slavers was so wonderfully calculated, and I love that they got a dog out of it. The bond between Sophie, Charlotte, and Richard by the end of the book is fantastic.
The fact that Richard permanently changed his face for a job freaked me the fuck out.

One thing I don't like about the romance plots in this series, which was particularly prominent in this book, is the use of "innately female" and "innately male" in describing looks/sounds/actions in moments of lust. It was so off-putting to me.
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