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The Redemption Saga #4
An Echo of Darkness
Sawyer Matthews is a retired and presumed-dead assassin. Ripped from her life of shadows and secrets, she’s decided to gamble it all and accept a new chapter in her life—one that may lead to a brighter future.
With the Amazon far behind them, Sawyer and her team have settled in for what should have been a relaxing time to themselves, in the privacy of their home. Their trust in each other has grown, and she’s finally accepted that they hold her secrets in confidence. As winter blows in over them, though, Sawyer finds herself confronted by darker thoughts. When she asks her guys for help, they jump at the opportunity to bond more deeply with her.
Unfortunately, their plans are quickly overshadowed by a dangerous conspiracy that could spell the end of not just Sawyer and her team, but the Magi community at large. Sawyer’s identity is exposed. Her life is at risk. Politicians are dead. The thrill of danger comes crashing down on the team once again. This time, though, the threat comes from a world Sawyer knows all too well. She’s the expert, and she intends on playing the game to the very best of her ability.
The person behind this has made a fatal mistake.
They didn’t kill her the first time.
This is an Urban Fantasy reverse harem series of full length novels where the leading lady doesn’t have to choose from her romantic interests. This series will have M/M content.
These books are rated for mature audiences, 18+ due to violence, language, and sexual themes.
This series deals with several triggering topics including, but not limited to, suicide, child abuse, rape, and PTSD.
With the Amazon far behind them, Sawyer and her team have settled in for what should have been a relaxing time to themselves, in the privacy of their home. Their trust in each other has grown, and she’s finally accepted that they hold her secrets in confidence. As winter blows in over them, though, Sawyer finds herself confronted by darker thoughts. When she asks her guys for help, they jump at the opportunity to bond more deeply with her.
Unfortunately, their plans are quickly overshadowed by a dangerous conspiracy that could spell the end of not just Sawyer and her team, but the Magi community at large. Sawyer’s identity is exposed. Her life is at risk. Politicians are dead. The thrill of danger comes crashing down on the team once again. This time, though, the threat comes from a world Sawyer knows all too well. She’s the expert, and she intends on playing the game to the very best of her ability.
The person behind this has made a fatal mistake.
They didn’t kill her the first time.
This is an Urban Fantasy reverse harem series of full length novels where the leading lady doesn’t have to choose from her romantic interests. This series will have M/M content.
These books are rated for mature audiences, 18+ due to violence, language, and sexual themes.
This series deals with several triggering topics including, but not limited to, suicide, child abuse, rape, and PTSD.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2018
About the author
Kristen Banet
27 books1,329 followersKristen Banet has a Diet Coke problem and smokes too much. She curses like a sailor (though, she used to be one, so she uses that as an excuse) and finds that many people don’t know how to handle that. She loves to read, and before finally sitting to try her hand at writing, she had your normal kind of work history. From tattoo parlors, to the U.S. Navy, and freelance illustration, she’s stumbled through her adult years and somehow, is still kicking.
She loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head.
She might just be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed.
Check out her social media to catch what's going on in the worlds inside her head. She drops teasers, new covers, and opens ARC reader slots through her Facebook group, The Banet Pride.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kristenbanet...
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBa...
She loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head.
She might just be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed.
Check out her social media to catch what's going on in the worlds inside her head. She drops teasers, new covers, and opens ARC reader slots through her Facebook group, The Banet Pride.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kristenbanet...
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBa...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
February 16, 2020
************* Possible Spolier Alert****************
I will confess I did an ugly cry at 88% of this book. Oh dang, wait I also ugly cried at 76% of this book at work no less. Can you imagine your co-workers staring at you wondering why the hell you're crying from a damn book? And why when I did attempt to explain to them what was happening they would just laugh at me and shake their heads and walk away from me. But I didn't care they just don't get book nerds... LOL!
Anyway, this author had my emotions all over the place, but I'm thrilled to stay she kept me on the edge of my seat with action and excitement. I have to give a shout out to my badass heroine Sawyer who kickass and take charge without anyone's permission! I so loved this character.
So I'm off to the last book of this series. It's kinda bittersweet because whereas I would love to continue to read a Sawyer Matthews story I know she has a final foe she needs to defeat and that will be the end of this series and I will so miss her. But it is what it is I guess.
Overall rating:
5* ~ A Very Good Read
I will confess I did an ugly cry at 88% of this book. Oh dang, wait I also ugly cried at 76% of this book at work no less. Can you imagine your co-workers staring at you wondering why the hell you're crying from a damn book? And why when I did attempt to explain to them what was happening they would just laugh at me and shake their heads and walk away from me. But I didn't care they just don't get book nerds... LOL!
Anyway, this author had my emotions all over the place, but I'm thrilled to stay she kept me on the edge of my seat with action and excitement. I have to give a shout out to my badass heroine Sawyer who kickass and take charge without anyone's permission! I so loved this character.
So I'm off to the last book of this series. It's kinda bittersweet because whereas I would love to continue to read a Sawyer Matthews story I know she has a final foe she needs to defeat and that will be the end of this series and I will so miss her. But it is what it is I guess.
Overall rating:
5* ~ A Very Good Read
September 25, 2019
2 stars.
Slowly, slowly, maybe even from the beginning, I’ve lost interest in the series and nothing really made me love it.
Did like it, but not love it and that’s a shame.
I won’t continue with the series.
Slowly, slowly, maybe even from the beginning, I’ve lost interest in the series and nothing really made me love it.
Did like it, but not love it and that’s a shame.
I won’t continue with the series.
November 21, 2018
This series just keeps getting better.
Kristen Banet just keeps getting better with her writing. This book had everything that I enjoy, although i assumed the ending and I was right about that.
I adore Sawyer and her group so much and I love the fact that her past was not squeaky clean.
This is a great series.
Kristen Banet just keeps getting better with her writing. This book had everything that I enjoy, although i assumed the ending and I was right about that.
I adore Sawyer and her group so much and I love the fact that her past was not squeaky clean.
This is a great series.
March 29, 2019
I'm losing steam on this series, and I think it has to do in large part with the pacing. The first two books were a bit of a slow burn for me both in character development and plot. Yes--there were a few points of action, but they were scattered between lulls.
I spent the first half of this book bored, ready to quit. At about the 60% point, things picked up incrementally as the main point of conflict was introduced. But, I gotta say, I just wasn't 'feeling it." Yep, that is vague. I think I lost my investment in the characters a long time ago, so anything that happened to them felt like a bit of a shoulder shrug for me. I can't really pinpoint why these characters aren't jumping off the page for me. It's not like the writing is bad. But at some points, lots of details are given, and at others, there's just a sentence or phrase to describe something that I think (as a reader) deserves a little more attention. I usually love characters like Sawyer (strong, feisty, but damaged)...Is there such a thing as book (in)compatibility?
I think one part of my problem with the book is that the harem aspect is kind of a sidebar to the rest of the plot. Sawyer's individual feelings about the characters are important, but the guys (apart from Elijah and Quinn) don't feel like a unit/brotherhood to me. Everyone is relatively separate--yes they care about each other--but they aren't super bonded. I don't like that Sawyer seems to ping pong between them. When --- happens at the end, only after the fact do we learn how much a character mattered. I wish I'd known that earlier so I could try to care more.
Sadly, I might not finish the series--I've lost interest.
I spent the first half of this book bored, ready to quit. At about the 60% point, things picked up incrementally as the main point of conflict was introduced. But, I gotta say, I just wasn't 'feeling it." Yep, that is vague. I think I lost my investment in the characters a long time ago, so anything that happened to them felt like a bit of a shoulder shrug for me. I can't really pinpoint why these characters aren't jumping off the page for me. It's not like the writing is bad. But at some points, lots of details are given, and at others, there's just a sentence or phrase to describe something that I think (as a reader) deserves a little more attention. I usually love characters like Sawyer (strong, feisty, but damaged)...Is there such a thing as book (in)compatibility?
I think one part of my problem with the book is that the harem aspect is kind of a sidebar to the rest of the plot. Sawyer's individual feelings about the characters are important, but the guys (apart from Elijah and Quinn) don't feel like a unit/brotherhood to me. Everyone is relatively separate--yes they care about each other--but they aren't super bonded. I don't like that Sawyer seems to ping pong between them. When --- happens at the end, only after the fact do we learn how much a character mattered. I wish I'd known that earlier so I could try to care more.
Sadly, I might not finish the series--I've lost interest.
November 28, 2018
GTFO! That ending thoooo, gaahht dammit that Alex!!
And Omg my woman crush Sawyer , kicks fuckinh ass as always. I love her darkness and how her eyes goes black which makes her look dangerous af. so many emotions , this book aka series gives me chills and feels, can't like this more than i do
And Omg my woman crush Sawyer , kicks fuckinh ass as always. I love her darkness and how her eyes goes black which makes her look dangerous af. so many emotions , this book aka series gives me chills and feels, can't like this more than i do
April 20, 2023
An eventful & slightly predictable book. 3 strong stars
November 26, 2018
I love Sawyer. She's such a strong heroine. She's amazing. My favorite part of a series is when all the pieces start falling together. This is the book where you start seeing that happen. Everyone is on the same track, no more hiding, no more denying. It's amazing! I'm so happy. Of course, now comes the arguing part but I can deal with that. I kind of saw the ending coming so it wasn't a huge surprise but I'm seriously excited for the next book! This team is legit. He will be missed (if you don't know who I'm talking about, read the book.)
I can't wait to read the sexy times in the next book ;)
Overall: 5/5
I can't wait to read the sexy times in the next book ;)
Overall: 5/5
March 15, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up because the pace was perfect. Plot holes? Yes. Still, it’s an engaging tale and the RH action is a fitting backdrop for the plot, and not the other way around. I really like the characters.
December 12, 2018
It’s taken me so long to finish this book. Dangit.
I actually didn’t have much enthusiasm going in.
Another mission, another mystery to solve!
Sombra grab the Scooby snacks!
None of it was all that exciting until about 70% of the way in.
Then shit was hitting the fan left and right.
Still there’s not much to say. I knew THE MINUTE that I saw the narration from _______’s POV that someone was gonna perish and it was gonna be ________.
Fill in the blanks, y’all.
Now the ending really threw me in for a LOOP.
ugh, still my interest has waned.
First I gotta finish another book I’m not so thrilled about either.
Damn me and my Never Give Up panties.
*eye roll*
I actually didn’t have much enthusiasm going in.
Another mission, another mystery to solve!
Sombra grab the Scooby snacks!
None of it was all that exciting until about 70% of the way in.
Then shit was hitting the fan left and right.
Still there’s not much to say. I knew THE MINUTE that I saw the narration from _______’s POV that someone was gonna perish and it was gonna be ________.
Fill in the blanks, y’all.
Now the ending really threw me in for a LOOP.
ugh, still my interest has waned.
First I gotta finish another book I’m not so thrilled about either.
Damn me and my Never Give Up panties.
*eye roll*
November 17, 2018
I thought this was excellent!
Not sure now to organise my thoughts upon immediately finishing, but I was impressed throughout.
I liked that the time was taken in the first 69 or so pages to just be at home with the gang and to see the changes their past trip to the Amazon has caused and to have things sort themselves out with Elijah. The dynamic between them all really seems to have settled into something awesome.
Zander had none of the annoying tendancies of previous books and has clearly now got his shit together. Jasper felt like he had more of a personality and I enjoyed seeing him loose his cool.in places. Elijah got his head out of his ass and admitted his feelings and goes back to the awesome guys we know and love. Vincent and Sawyer have settled into a really close dynamic and Quinn and Sawyer have become so close since the Amazon that there is a unity there where they don't even need words. Quinn's feelings for Sawyer have allowed him to feel more secure in embracing more of his human side, and while I love long haired feral Quinn, it felt good that he was changing.
Sawyer is my favourite RH heroine and quickly becoming up there on the list of favourite heroines across any genre. She has such bad ass skills, yet is so traumatised and scarred, it leaves her with such a humanising vulnerability. She is such a well.written character.
The plot, once they get to New York is twisty and progresses at a good pace. I preferred their excursion to the Amazon in the last book, as it was just more interesting than a load of Government officials being targeted, but I was still engaged throughout.
The ending... Well, poor Sawyer. But the plot of the final.book becomes clear and her and the team so deserve their HEA.
For me, this really is one of the best RH series out there. Bravo Kristen Banet!
Not sure now to organise my thoughts upon immediately finishing, but I was impressed throughout.
I liked that the time was taken in the first 69 or so pages to just be at home with the gang and to see the changes their past trip to the Amazon has caused and to have things sort themselves out with Elijah. The dynamic between them all really seems to have settled into something awesome.
Zander had none of the annoying tendancies of previous books and has clearly now got his shit together. Jasper felt like he had more of a personality and I enjoyed seeing him loose his cool.in places. Elijah got his head out of his ass and admitted his feelings and goes back to the awesome guys we know and love. Vincent and Sawyer have settled into a really close dynamic and Quinn and Sawyer have become so close since the Amazon that there is a unity there where they don't even need words. Quinn's feelings for Sawyer have allowed him to feel more secure in embracing more of his human side, and while I love long haired feral Quinn, it felt good that he was changing.
Sawyer is my favourite RH heroine and quickly becoming up there on the list of favourite heroines across any genre. She has such bad ass skills, yet is so traumatised and scarred, it leaves her with such a humanising vulnerability. She is such a well.written character.
The plot, once they get to New York is twisty and progresses at a good pace. I preferred their excursion to the Amazon in the last book, as it was just more interesting than a load of Government officials being targeted, but I was still engaged throughout.
The ending... Well, poor Sawyer. But the plot of the final.book becomes clear and her and the team so deserve their HEA.
For me, this really is one of the best RH series out there. Bravo Kristen Banet!
March 31, 2019
Sawyer and the gang were supposed to have a nice little vacation following their mission in the Amazon in book 3. However, they don't get much downtime when
Sigh. I was about to give up this series. The problem is that I don't particularly care for Sawyer. It is not that I find her annoying, rather she just doesn't do anything for me to keep me interested in her. Now the guys I like. Each one has their own personality and problems, and I was easily invested in what happened to them, but of course, the focus is on Sawyer. So I was ready to just move on. Then the plot in this book really moved along, I realized that there is only one book left and the ending of this book did pique my interest in the future of these characters. So, I find myself thinking "Sure, what's one more book?".
Sigh. I was about to give up this series. The problem is that I don't particularly care for Sawyer. It is not that I find her annoying, rather she just doesn't do anything for me to keep me interested in her. Now the guys I like. Each one has their own personality and problems, and I was easily invested in what happened to them, but of course, the focus is on Sawyer. So I was ready to just move on. Then the plot in this book really moved along, I realized that there is only one book left and the ending of this book did pique my interest in the future of these characters. So, I find myself thinking "Sure, what's one more book?".
February 8, 2019
Great series
Well, Sawyer and her guys have battled against serial killers, Druids, and now An Echo of Darkness finds her battling against a highly trained team of assassins sent to take her out, assassinate councilmen, and basically send the Magi world into disarray. I've read the 4 books in this series in 4 days, glad I only have to wait a week for the fifth and final book in the series to be released. Really enjoying reading them all.
Well, Sawyer and her guys have battled against serial killers, Druids, and now An Echo of Darkness finds her battling against a highly trained team of assassins sent to take her out, assassinate councilmen, and basically send the Magi world into disarray. I've read the 4 books in this series in 4 days, glad I only have to wait a week for the fifth and final book in the series to be released. Really enjoying reading them all.
November 20, 2018
Mindblowing
Holy. Shit. Im certainly shaking right now after reading this book. This is absolutely and mindblowingly brilliant. I can't even comprehend the ending of this. Sure, a part of me saw something like this ending as an option but I can't believe it. This has me so worried for the future of the team. Whose death(s) will end this story?
Holy. Shit. Im certainly shaking right now after reading this book. This is absolutely and mindblowingly brilliant. I can't even comprehend the ending of this. Sure, a part of me saw something like this ending as an option but I can't believe it. This has me so worried for the future of the team. Whose death(s) will end this story?
April 3, 2023
I'm not enjoying these as much as I was in the beginning and am starting to feel very meh about the series in general.
February 20, 2019
I read the other three books before getting on Goodreads, so I can’t be sure (no notes or ratings), but I think this is my least favorite so far. The book felt slow in the first half, and I had mixed feelings about a lot of character elements.
I struggled with the beginning of this book because, as much as I like this series, I was really having trouble remembering details beyond Quinn, Eli, and Sombra (I would probably die for that cat, and I hate cats). I remembered Vincent’s story first after theirs, and then I remembered bits about Zander, but I completely forgot that Jasper existed until he showed up. Whoops.
Anyway, I love the dynamic that the guys have and the way they support each other, even in their relationships with Sawyer. This goes beyond just not minding the sharing; they actively give each other relationship advice. I thought it was cute when the remaining guys had a movie night and placed bets on Sawyer’s date with Eli, but my favorite moment in this sense was when Zander explains to Sawyer why he is fine with the harem: “I can’t imagine myself with anyone else. I can’t imagine Jasper with anyone else, or Vincent, or Quinn, or Elijah. And they’re my teammates and friends, the people I’ve overcome death with, seen some hard shit with. So, I put my asshole side away, because damn, none of us in this house have ever had much happiness, but we do right now.” That’s my favorite type of harem. Side note, we kept getting threesome hints about poor Zander, each with a different guy: Sawyer jokes with Jasper that Zander would want to join them and he agrees that he would, he shows a suspicious amount of interest in Eli’s abilities as a lover, and he eyeballs Vincent and Sawyer together to the point that Vincent tells Zander that he’s not into whatever Zander is thinking about, though Zander denies that it’s a sexual thing. I say “poor Zander” because I just don’t think it’s going to happen. I don’t think Quinn or Eli would have a threesome with anyone except Sawyer and each other, and Vincent already said it’s not going to happen. Jasper is his only hope, but I just can’t see him agreeing to it. Speaking of Eli and Quinn, I was a bit disappointed with their relationship in this book. Eli comments that it feels like they’re breaking up, and Quinn confirms that he would choose Sawyer over Eli. Eli essentially feels the same, but I thought this sort of devalued the way Eli had always been there for Quinn. Yeah, this is RH and the focus has to be on the woman in this genre, but this definitely didn’t give me any feel-good vibes. I’ve read RH books with mm elements that handled this issue much better (like Claiming, though it doesn’t do it perfectly; see my review).
I’m glad that Eli and Sawyer figured themselves out, and I liked the role reversal that they had in the second half of the book. I had mixed feelings about them around the middle of the book, though. Sawyer claims that Eli belongs to her even if she isn’t sure that she loves him, and that’s just a shitty attitude. But then right after she said that, she tells Eli that she’s glad that he knows that he’s hers, and he says, “Oh, little lady, you think we can’t all see the possessiveness in your eyes? We know. We know that you’ve finally found something with us that you’ll never let go of.” It’s the same shitty attitude, but somehow him talking about it gave me feels. I wasn’t sure what to do with that.
As I said before, the first half of the book felt very slow. It was all relationship stuff and feelings. That’s stuff is important, but this is a series about a kick-ass law enforcement team with superpowers and an assassin. We shouldn’t have to make it to the second half of the book before we get any action. I had some other issues with the plot/story as well. I didn’t like that the author makes such a point of showing that Sawyer doesn’t care that Jasper is missing a leg but then makes sure that he has both legs when they have sex for the first time. There seemed to be a contradiction there. Also, I hate to say it, but I predicted what happened with James. It felt like the author was suddenly trying so hard to make us care about him that it was obvious. I also didn’t like the ending. It looks like the series is going to start getting repetitive because we’ve done this exact thing before, so I hope the author knows what she’s doing. Near the end, one of the guys says, “Fuck the world. I’m just going to save you all. You’re the only ones that fucking matter anymore.” That felt like a pivotal moment in the series, but then I felt like she’d already had this exact conversation with the guys and it hadn’t really changed anything. So that felt a bit repetitive too. It feels like the overarching plot line is on a treadmill.
All in all, I was a bit disappointed with this one, but I’ll definitely stick around and finish the series. I just hope the author pulls it off better than it seems like she will.
PROGRESS UPDATES
5% As much as I like this series, I’m having trouble remembering some of the guys
6% Spoke a little too soon, I remember now
36% Just go ahead and make me cry, why don’t you: “Depression is a dangerous thing. I’m not going to leave you alone with it. Neither are they.”
Here are my reviews (when available) and ratings of the other books in the series:
(1) A Life of Shadows ★★★★★
(2) A Heart of Shame ★★★★
(3) A Nature of Conflict ★★★★
(5) A Night of Redemption ★★★
I struggled with the beginning of this book because, as much as I like this series, I was really having trouble remembering details beyond Quinn, Eli, and Sombra (I would probably die for that cat, and I hate cats). I remembered Vincent’s story first after theirs, and then I remembered bits about Zander, but I completely forgot that Jasper existed until he showed up. Whoops.
Anyway, I love the dynamic that the guys have and the way they support each other, even in their relationships with Sawyer. This goes beyond just not minding the sharing; they actively give each other relationship advice. I thought it was cute when the remaining guys had a movie night and placed bets on Sawyer’s date with Eli, but my favorite moment in this sense was when Zander explains to Sawyer why he is fine with the harem: “I can’t imagine myself with anyone else. I can’t imagine Jasper with anyone else, or Vincent, or Quinn, or Elijah. And they’re my teammates and friends, the people I’ve overcome death with, seen some hard shit with. So, I put my asshole side away, because damn, none of us in this house have ever had much happiness, but we do right now.” That’s my favorite type of harem. Side note, we kept getting threesome hints about poor Zander, each with a different guy: Sawyer jokes with Jasper that Zander would want to join them and he agrees that he would, he shows a suspicious amount of interest in Eli’s abilities as a lover, and he eyeballs Vincent and Sawyer together to the point that Vincent tells Zander that he’s not into whatever Zander is thinking about, though Zander denies that it’s a sexual thing. I say “poor Zander” because I just don’t think it’s going to happen. I don’t think Quinn or Eli would have a threesome with anyone except Sawyer and each other, and Vincent already said it’s not going to happen. Jasper is his only hope, but I just can’t see him agreeing to it. Speaking of Eli and Quinn, I was a bit disappointed with their relationship in this book. Eli comments that it feels like they’re breaking up, and Quinn confirms that he would choose Sawyer over Eli. Eli essentially feels the same, but I thought this sort of devalued the way Eli had always been there for Quinn. Yeah, this is RH and the focus has to be on the woman in this genre, but this definitely didn’t give me any feel-good vibes. I’ve read RH books with mm elements that handled this issue much better (like Claiming, though it doesn’t do it perfectly; see my review).
I’m glad that Eli and Sawyer figured themselves out, and I liked the role reversal that they had in the second half of the book. I had mixed feelings about them around the middle of the book, though. Sawyer claims that Eli belongs to her even if she isn’t sure that she loves him, and that’s just a shitty attitude. But then right after she said that, she tells Eli that she’s glad that he knows that he’s hers, and he says, “Oh, little lady, you think we can’t all see the possessiveness in your eyes? We know. We know that you’ve finally found something with us that you’ll never let go of.” It’s the same shitty attitude, but somehow him talking about it gave me feels. I wasn’t sure what to do with that.
As I said before, the first half of the book felt very slow. It was all relationship stuff and feelings. That’s stuff is important, but this is a series about a kick-ass law enforcement team with superpowers and an assassin. We shouldn’t have to make it to the second half of the book before we get any action. I had some other issues with the plot/story as well. I didn’t like that the author makes such a point of showing that Sawyer doesn’t care that Jasper is missing a leg but then makes sure that he has both legs when they have sex for the first time. There seemed to be a contradiction there. Also, I hate to say it, but I predicted what happened with James. It felt like the author was suddenly trying so hard to make us care about him that it was obvious. I also didn’t like the ending. It looks like the series is going to start getting repetitive because we’ve done this exact thing before, so I hope the author knows what she’s doing. Near the end, one of the guys says, “Fuck the world. I’m just going to save you all. You’re the only ones that fucking matter anymore.” That felt like a pivotal moment in the series, but then I felt like she’d already had this exact conversation with the guys and it hadn’t really changed anything. So that felt a bit repetitive too. It feels like the overarching plot line is on a treadmill.
All in all, I was a bit disappointed with this one, but I’ll definitely stick around and finish the series. I just hope the author pulls it off better than it seems like she will.
PROGRESS UPDATES
5% As much as I like this series, I’m having trouble remembering some of the guys
6% Spoke a little too soon, I remember now
36% Just go ahead and make me cry, why don’t you: “Depression is a dangerous thing. I’m not going to leave you alone with it. Neither are they.”
Here are my reviews (when available) and ratings of the other books in the series:
(1) A Life of Shadows ★★★★★
(2) A Heart of Shame ★★★★
(3) A Nature of Conflict ★★★★
(5) A Night of Redemption ★★★
November 15, 2018
So so good!
Let me just say this first...I freaking LOVE this series!
As the fourth and penultimate book in a series, you go in expecting the poop to hit the fan. And it did in a spectacular fashion.
The guys and Sawyer have the winter months off, but as they get into December Sawyer slides into darkness due to her past. It was heartbreaking for me to read this section. To see such a strong admirable person filleted on the inside by a past she cannot change and won't release her from it's grip. But the guys are determined to aide her through this dark time and so many feelings and emotions were revealed and worked through it was awesome to see them come even closer together.
And now the poop...someone reveals Sawyer's identity as Shadow to the news and the nation tries to crucify her resulting in the assassin becoming targeted by another assassin. But she's not the only one. When a couple leaders of the WMC are killed they call on all the troops and their most valuable weapon...Sawyer. Who better to ferret out the assassins and protect the WMC than the very assassin most wish executed but is actually on their side.
Back in her old role, Sawyer gains leadership, grudging respect, unexpected allies and the one thing she never had...love and support from her team as they deal with the fallout, injuries and losses. And, the end...had to say I saw it coming but didn't know exactly how, Ms. Banet left me chomping at the bit for the final book!
There were tears, so many tears during this book. But so much love also. I can't wait for the ending but I'm also not ready to say goodbye.
Let me just say this first...I freaking LOVE this series!
As the fourth and penultimate book in a series, you go in expecting the poop to hit the fan. And it did in a spectacular fashion.
The guys and Sawyer have the winter months off, but as they get into December Sawyer slides into darkness due to her past. It was heartbreaking for me to read this section. To see such a strong admirable person filleted on the inside by a past she cannot change and won't release her from it's grip. But the guys are determined to aide her through this dark time and so many feelings and emotions were revealed and worked through it was awesome to see them come even closer together.
And now the poop...someone reveals Sawyer's identity as Shadow to the news and the nation tries to crucify her resulting in the assassin becoming targeted by another assassin. But she's not the only one. When a couple leaders of the WMC are killed they call on all the troops and their most valuable weapon...Sawyer. Who better to ferret out the assassins and protect the WMC than the very assassin most wish executed but is actually on their side.
Back in her old role, Sawyer gains leadership, grudging respect, unexpected allies and the one thing she never had...love and support from her team as they deal with the fallout, injuries and losses. And, the end...had to say I saw it coming but didn't know exactly how, Ms. Banet left me chomping at the bit for the final book!
There were tears, so many tears during this book. But so much love also. I can't wait for the ending but I'm also not ready to say goodbye.
May 28, 2022
The darkness is definitely coming
I started this book under the mistaken belief this was the last book, thankfully I was reminded there is one more book in this series. This book has a lot of twists and turns plus secrets that finally come to light. I love everything about this series, how it plays with all of your emotions while also making the characters jump off the page. I want to hold Sawyer and her men close and keep them safe but I also desperately want to immerse myself in the story and see how it plays out. If you haven't read this series of any of Kristen Banet's books you are missing out her world's and characters take on a living breathing life of there own and you'll wish you could meet and live with all of them.
I started this book under the mistaken belief this was the last book, thankfully I was reminded there is one more book in this series. This book has a lot of twists and turns plus secrets that finally come to light. I love everything about this series, how it plays with all of your emotions while also making the characters jump off the page. I want to hold Sawyer and her men close and keep them safe but I also desperately want to immerse myself in the story and see how it plays out. If you haven't read this series of any of Kristen Banet's books you are missing out her world's and characters take on a living breathing life of there own and you'll wish you could meet and live with all of them.
December 28, 2018
Literally couldn’t put it down from the time I got home from work til midnight
The plot:
Twists and conspiracies and interest at every turn. Dips into different POVs that adds depth to the story. Good build of the larger arc’s conflict.
The sex:
As before, romantic, satisfying emotionally, and secondary to how awesome the characters and story are.
The characters:
As before, the characters are amazing, and every book in the series develops and adds depth to each of them.
Tl;dr:
The story builds the conflict of the overarching plotline of the story, the characters are as well-developed and endearing as ever, and I am really really sad that the next book is the last in the series.
The plot:
Twists and conspiracies and interest at every turn. Dips into different POVs that adds depth to the story. Good build of the larger arc’s conflict.
The sex:
As before, romantic, satisfying emotionally, and secondary to how awesome the characters and story are.
The characters:
As before, the characters are amazing, and every book in the series develops and adds depth to each of them.
Tl;dr:
The story builds the conflict of the overarching plotline of the story, the characters are as well-developed and endearing as ever, and I am really really sad that the next book is the last in the series.
July 20, 2020
2.5 stars
It was a struggle getting through this book, especially the first half. I actually believe that if it had started at a 50% mark, I would have at least enjoyed it slightly better. I don't think I have it in me to go to the next book. As much as I am interested in how the story is resolved I think at this point I am just going to say, the good guys won, the end. The first part was boring. The second part, even though action pact, it was a whole lot predictable, So I am going to save myself some trouble and assume the finale will follow the same principle. Plus, I really don't care about the harem. The guys started interesting but in this book they were somehow unrecognisable in a very boring way. At least Sawyer is still as good.
It was a struggle getting through this book, especially the first half. I actually believe that if it had started at a 50% mark, I would have at least enjoyed it slightly better. I don't think I have it in me to go to the next book. As much as I am interested in how the story is resolved I think at this point I am just going to say, the good guys won, the end. The first part was boring. The second part, even though action pact, it was a whole lot predictable, So I am going to save myself some trouble and assume the finale will follow the same principle. Plus, I really don't care about the harem. The guys started interesting but in this book they were somehow unrecognisable in a very boring way. At least Sawyer is still as good.
January 29, 2019
This was very very close to 5 stars but I gave 4 because of predictability. It still has all the elements of a great book/series, but this time I kept guessing correctly what will happen and that distracted me.
March 27, 2019
Holy crap
What the hell was that?!!!!!!! Dude.. So many tears for this.one.. Very twisty, some new players. Serious drama, magic and mayhem..
What the hell was that?!!!!!!! Dude.. So many tears for this.one.. Very twisty, some new players. Serious drama, magic and mayhem..
July 11, 2024
For Audiobook, there was a different narrator than the first three book. When she was talking normally, I liked her voice for Sawyer but it wasn’t great for the male characters. But what grated on my last nerve was that she’d talk normal, then whisper. Normal again, whisper. Whisper, whisper, normal… it drove me batty. Even speeding it up didn’t help.
I ended up finishing this on kindle. I felt like the plot was less interesting and more predictable in this one, though it did pick up towards the end. Everyone continued to grow and mature. The ending did get me invested enough to move on to the next one.
I ended up finishing this on kindle. I felt like the plot was less interesting and more predictable in this one, though it did pick up towards the end. Everyone continued to grow and mature. The ending did get me invested enough to move on to the next one.
February 21, 2020
The ending sucked.
July 4, 2020
3.5 stars!
October 1, 2020
Kindle Unlimited.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
June 1, 2021
Not as good as the previous book, but still worth reading. I really like Banet's writing style.
January 15, 2024
Round up to 4.5 stars.
March 7, 2019
Holy crap, Book #4 lands a punch to your gut, that's for sure!
I adore this series and can't help but binge read it!! I love everything about it, and am so sad to read the final book 😢 So #4 wasn't my favorite of the series so far, I think Book #3 is still the top dog for me in this series. This book was on par with Books 1 and 2, still fantastic and amazeballs. In this part of the series, we get to see Sawyer more in her element, showing the WMC and the IMPO a thing or two. I kinda saw the ending coming (not the untimely death, I was in denial from the very beginning of this book). I loved that in this book we got more POVs than in previous (in terms of who). I loved seeing the more side characters shine, like James and Thompson, as well as Charlie. I was devastated with this book but I understand why it needed to happen. I am excited to see how the group comes back together to defeat their ultimate enemy, and rid the world of that big time baddie once and for all.
I will say that I loved see how much more the guys understand Sawyer and can see her tells. I also wanted to punch Elijah in the face and for him to get over himself. I loved how pushy Quinn was, how vulnerable we saw Jasper and Vincent. How Zander was more levelheaded, you could see how Sawyer really is helping them, not just the other way around. I am waiting for Jasper and Sawyer to finally have their moment physically. Two of my favorite parts were seeing the guys tease/make James uncomfortable while they were all staying in the condo and Elijah all doped up haha.
I cant wait (but am definitely going to milk it because I don't want it to be over!!) to really have time to dive into Book 5. I need to know how all this ends and how Sawyer and her team and defeat him and finally get their HEA. Highly recommend, you are only doing yourself a disservice if you don't read these books by Kristen Banet ❤️
I adore this series and can't help but binge read it!! I love everything about it, and am so sad to read the final book 😢 So #4 wasn't my favorite of the series so far, I think Book #3 is still the top dog for me in this series. This book was on par with Books 1 and 2, still fantastic and amazeballs. In this part of the series, we get to see Sawyer more in her element, showing the WMC and the IMPO a thing or two. I kinda saw the ending coming (not the untimely death, I was in denial from the very beginning of this book). I loved that in this book we got more POVs than in previous (in terms of who). I loved seeing the more side characters shine, like James and Thompson, as well as Charlie. I was devastated with this book but I understand why it needed to happen. I am excited to see how the group comes back together to defeat their ultimate enemy, and rid the world of that big time baddie once and for all.
I will say that I loved see how much more the guys understand Sawyer and can see her tells. I also wanted to punch Elijah in the face and for him to get over himself. I loved how pushy Quinn was, how vulnerable we saw Jasper and Vincent. How Zander was more levelheaded, you could see how Sawyer really is helping them, not just the other way around. I am waiting for Jasper and Sawyer to finally have their moment physically. Two of my favorite parts were seeing the guys tease/make James uncomfortable while they were all staying in the condo and Elijah all doped up haha.
I cant wait (but am definitely going to milk it because I don't want it to be over!!) to really have time to dive into Book 5. I need to know how all this ends and how Sawyer and her team and defeat him and finally get their HEA. Highly recommend, you are only doing yourself a disservice if you don't read these books by Kristen Banet ❤️
August 6, 2020
Sawyer and her men are on vacation after the events of the Amazon mission. December has fallen upon them and along with it are Sawyer’s dark thoughts and memories. She’s reaching out to her team for help and they are more than happy to do so. However, Sawyer’s identity is exposed to the world and that spells a world of trouble. Not only that, a major crisis has rocked the Magi and non-Magi worlds and brings the team back to New York and work to discover what nefarious plans are being hatched.
Although I did enjoy this book, I still feel kind of let down from how superbly amazing the third book was. This book was definitely more about the politics and the espionage of finding out who the traitor within the WMC was rather than ass kicking in the jungles of South America.
The romance was good. Again, not like Quinn’s and his developing romance good, but we can’t ever reach that level of greatness again. *sigh*
Everyone has been affected after what happened in the Amazon, whether the outcome is bad or good. Jasper and Elijah have the most to work through. I enjoyed the deep dive into their emotions and the developing relationships between Sawyer and all her men.
I was happy to see how much Sawyer has grown in her mental health, especially concerning the thought of counseling. A big step in the right direction. She’s opening up to her men more than ever before and it shows. There are gonna be some challenges up ahead after what we find out at the end of the book, but with the support of her guys I’m sure she’ll pull through.
The ending I half excepted coming but it was still a pretty good twist! I’ll definitely read the last book of the series to see how Sawyer will finally vanquish her past and lead a semi-normal life with her pack.
Although I did enjoy this book, I still feel kind of let down from how superbly amazing the third book was. This book was definitely more about the politics and the espionage of finding out who the traitor within the WMC was rather than ass kicking in the jungles of South America.
The romance was good. Again, not like Quinn’s and his developing romance good, but we can’t ever reach that level of greatness again. *sigh*
Everyone has been affected after what happened in the Amazon, whether the outcome is bad or good. Jasper and Elijah have the most to work through. I enjoyed the deep dive into their emotions and the developing relationships between Sawyer and all her men.
I was happy to see how much Sawyer has grown in her mental health, especially concerning the thought of counseling. A big step in the right direction. She’s opening up to her men more than ever before and it shows. There are gonna be some challenges up ahead after what we find out at the end of the book, but with the support of her guys I’m sure she’ll pull through.
The ending I half excepted coming but it was still a pretty good twist! I’ll definitely read the last book of the series to see how Sawyer will finally vanquish her past and lead a semi-normal life with her pack.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
I have to say, I’m thoroughly surprised and utterly disappointed that book 4 did not pull me in and captivate me like books 1-3 did.
It honestly felt quite anti-climatic and uneventful until about 75% of the way through, if I’m being truly honest.
The Elijah thing got sorted so quickly with little to no angst, and there’s just not enough intimacy and smut for my taste; the focus is mostly on the plot and the missions - which were not that intriguing in this book anyways - and therefore, we get hardly any sexy times with the guys.
By book 4 we should be like, into orgies or at least a threesome jeez. Pretty sure Jasper hasn’t even got his dick wet yet, poor thing.
I was seriously debating wether to finish the series because I was snoozing hard through a majority of this book; however, the end really saved the day (and this rating), pushing me to want to find out what happens in the final book of the series.
“Find him, catch him, and execute him, and you’ll get your pardon…Shadow.”
The final showdown between Axel and Sawyer, the assassin and the man who made her into what she is. Killing him will give her the freedom she desperately wants to start fresh in life; if she can stay alive long enough to pull it off.
~3 stars~
Sidenote: the fact it took a legit week to read this in unheard of for me. Especially with a series I really enjoy. I usually speed through a book in 2-3 days max. So, that’s really telling me for me.
It honestly felt quite anti-climatic and uneventful until about 75% of the way through, if I’m being truly honest.
The Elijah thing got sorted so quickly with little to no angst, and there’s just not enough intimacy and smut for my taste; the focus is mostly on the plot and the missions - which were not that intriguing in this book anyways - and therefore, we get hardly any sexy times with the guys.
By book 4 we should be like, into orgies or at least a threesome jeez. Pretty sure Jasper hasn’t even got his dick wet yet, poor thing.
I was seriously debating wether to finish the series because I was snoozing hard through a majority of this book; however, the end really saved the day (and this rating), pushing me to want to find out what happens in the final book of the series.
“Find him, catch him, and execute him, and you’ll get your pardon…Shadow.”
The final showdown between Axel and Sawyer, the assassin and the man who made her into what she is. Killing him will give her the freedom she desperately wants to start fresh in life; if she can stay alive long enough to pull it off.
~3 stars~
Sidenote: the fact it took a legit week to read this in unheard of for me. Especially with a series I really enjoy. I usually speed through a book in 2-3 days max. So, that’s really telling me for me.
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