Review + Giveaway: Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan

Title: Shadowdance (Darkest London, #4)
Author: Kristen Callihan
Pages: 432
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: December 17, 2013

Once a heart is lost in shadow...

Life has been anything but kind to Mary Chase. But the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals has given her purpose. Now she's been tasked with catching a vicious murderer dubbed the Bishop of Charing Cross. But someone is already on the case—and the last thing he relishes is a partner.

Only someone who lives in darkness can find it.

Jack Talent has been alone with his demons for many years. He never expected to have the willful Mary Chase assist him on the Bishop case. Their age-old rivalry reaches new heights—even as their desire for one another reaches a fever pitch. Though he aches to bring her close, Jack's dark secrets are a chasm between them. With dangerous enemies closing in, Jack must find the strength to face the past...or risk losing Mary forever.

My Thoughts: Shadowdance is the fourth book in Kristen Callihan's Darkest London series. I have yet to read the first three books, so I had no idea what to expect. I figured each book could be read as its own story, but since I wasn't familiar with the world found in this series, I still was a little unsure that I would be able to follow it as well had I read the previous books. I really had nothing to worry about, though, because once I started reading I was hooked and couldn't get enough of the fascinating characters and the unique world.

The story in Shadowdance revolves around the shifter Jack Talent and the Ghost in the Machine (or GIM) Mary Chase. They both work for the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals and are given orders to partner up and solve a case involving murders of demons and now shifters that began a year ago. Having to team up isn't easy, considering they've never been able to get along ever since they met four years ago. But what makes it even more complicated are Mary's suspicions of Jack's connection to the murders and the fact that someone out there is willing to do everything and anything to get Jack's blood.

Some of my favorite romances are ones where the two characters are constantly bickering but obviously have feelings for each other. Needless to say I loved Jack and Mary's banter and rivalry and the tension caused by their attraction to one another. They might have found it frustrating, but it was a lot of fun to read! Especially when their animosity towards each other started to evolve into sweet and touching and hot and steamy moments that had me swooning all over the place. Their relationship helped them both to become better people and to open up and confront their heartbreaking pasts as well. They were a lot similar than they realized, and together they found the happiness and love they've been missing and craving in their lives. I really couldn't get enough of them and their interactions. They were definitely the highlight of the novel for me.

As for Jack and Mary's mission of solving the murders, it ended up not being a simple or easy case. It became about more than just the murders. There were twists and turns as more and more characters were added to mix. It left Jack and Mary with more questions than answers, keeping them on their toes. I had no clue what it was all leading up to. Things that were revealed along the way surprised me just as much as them, and I started getting nervous for them both because the danger they faced continued to grow. Once everything finally collided, all I could do was hope that Jack and Mary would make it out together in one piece.

Shadowdance was a wonderful introduction for me to the Darkest London series. It was a thoroughly entertaining read that I found hard to put down. I loved everything about it, especially Jack and Mary and the development of their relationship from hate to love. I'm already looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, including the next novel Evernight and the first three I missed. If you love reading stories filled with romance and supernatural and steampunk elements, I highly recommend Shadowdance and the Darkest London series.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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I'm giving away my ARC of Shadowdance to one lucky winner! This giveaway is open to US residents and ends December 25. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

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