The Darkest Edge of Dawn (Charlie Madigan, #2) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Sep 29, 2012 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: what-lgbtqia, what-modern-fantasy, where-grr-mine, what-ff, what-female-protagonist

[The spoilers hidden below are solely for people who haven't read the first book. If you haven't read it, this book will be very confusing. ]

This is a solid follow up to the first book in the series. There's still lots of action, peril, twists, betrayal, weird characters, complex mythology, loneliness, lust, nudity, loss, realizations, death, shapeshifting, bad guys, darkness, old foes, and, of course, a big battle to save the world. I really like that there are consequences and fallout that doe [The spoilers hidden below are solely for people who haven't read the first book. If you haven't read it, this book will be very confusing. ]

This is a solid follow up to the first book in the series. There's still lots of action, peril, twists, betrayal, weird characters, complex mythology, loneliness, lust, nudity, loss, realizations, death, shapeshifting, bad guys, darkness, old foes, and, of course, a big battle to save the world. I really like that there are consequences and fallout that doesn't just go away or get solved in one book. Some of the issues have carried over from the last book (view spoiler). This is a big roller coaster ride of strong emotions and hunky men. (There is even a lesbian couple briefly!)

In addition to the above, there is a lot to like about this book. The heroine is strong and intelligent, and although she can be rash, it's usually protect someone she loves. Her mama T-Rex comes out where her daughter is concerned which is appropriate and refreshing. How frequently do Urban Fantasy protagonists have kids, let alone adolescents? This kid is a good girl but she's also nearly twelve and she does blow a gasket when her mom tries to control her. She, of course, thinks she's more capable than she is which is pure true life right there. I really appreciate this realism and the mother/daughter relationship is one of my favorite parts of the book.

There were a couple of things that bothered me; old tropes to keep people apart or together is one. I also hate love triangles, HATE them. There is an inconsistency in logic during one perilous life-saving scene. I also want to know (view spoiler).

But the worst happens early on in the book when a character's mind is forcefully invaded and controlled. An evildoer digs through her memories and paws through her mind while she is helpless against him, and trying to get away from him and the terror and pain this is causing is futile. She is being penetrated against her will? Check. Is it terrifying? Check. Is it painful? Check. Is it humiliating? Check. Is she helpless while it's happening? Check. Is it horribly invasive? Check. Does she try unsuccessfully to get away? Check. Is it unwanted? Check. Is the control of her own body in someone else's hands without permission? Check. Does she feel exposed? Check. Is something deep within her violated in a terrible way? Check. If it looks like rape, and it sounds like rape...

I can only imagine what it would be like to have my mind invaded like that, all my innermost thoughts and memories pulled from within me for a psychopath to look through, stripping away my privacy and exposing me to him against my will. Yet not only does it not bother her afterwards, but she skips that part when retelling the story to her partner. She enjoys his outrage and worry about the rest of the fight and stands there smirking. The incident never comes up again. I think at the very least she would be upset about this and feel personal hatred for the perpetrator rather than just for his alleged criminal activities. It's this lack of psychological awareness that so often frustrates me in books.

But despite these complaints, I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next in the series.
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Jun 02, 2011 Thenia rated it really liked it

Shelves: magic, 2013, mystery, reviewed, series, paranormal, shifters

It's been quite a while since I read the first book of the series and I'd forgotten how interesting and complex Charlie's world is: creatures from three different worlds with their own factions, characteristics and agendas, all living in one city that's immersed in constant darkness since the events of the previous book.

Charlie is in over her head, trying to cope with the changes in her life and deal with her latest case at the same time, but she is tough and determined and always does her best. ...more

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Sep 03, 2011 Samantha rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, own, 2011

The thing I really love about this series is that I never know for sure what's going to happen next. Sure there are hunches and the characters and world are familiar in that way you can open this book and feel at home. Sure Charlie can be annoying with her level of denial reaching ridiculous proportions at times, but the author doesn't shy away from exploring different relationships and how it all works together in the MCs life. Definitely a series to check out if you're at all curious. I will d ...more

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Aug 23, 2012 June rated it really liked it

Just want to read all books in this series. Enjoyed the development, of the main characters, lots of will they wont they. Kelly Gay manages to have lots of different otherworldly beings without the story becoming silly. Most are just plain scary. Cann't wait for next instalment. ...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Christal rated it really liked it

Shelves: shady-government-agency, demons, female-lead, magic, pi-detective-cop, urban-fantasy, fae, witches-warlocks-and-mages, angels, zombies-and-ghouls

3.5 - 4, I really liked the story but hated all the crap between Charlie and Hank. RTC

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