Review of Black and Blue by Gena Showalter

[Barbara Ann RS]

Best-selling author Gena Showalter is known for her paranormal romances, and on one level I’m saddened that it has taken me this long to read her work. The Otherworld Assassin series is my first foray into one of Showalter’s creative worlds where paranormal beings coexist with humans, albeit not always peacefully. It looks like this series is a spinoff from her Alien Huntress series, but from my experience, it wasn’t necessary to have read any of the books from that series before starting this one. However, I do recommend reading the first book in the series, Last Kiss Goodnight which establishes the overall plot and vividly describes the mystery and danger that continues to unravel in Black and Blue.

 I borrowed the first book in this new series, Last Kiss Goodnight, from my local library, and reading it really helped me understand the dynamics behind this fictitious world where alien beings, known as Otherworlders arrived on Earth over 100 years ago, leading to worldwide war between the various paranormal species and humans. Now, many Otherworlders have made Earth their new home and are, for the most part, accepted by the human race. Last Kiss Goodnight also introduces the heroes of the series, an elite group of Otherworlder black op agents who are essentially assassins for the new world government.  Showalter does a lot of the world building in this first book and gives enough captivating details about the main characters’ personalities and backstories to pique my interest in following the series. Last Kiss Goodnight easily pulled me into this creative and sometimes dark and violent world full of fascinating, richly-developed characters.

 Black and Blue is a great follow-up to Last Kiss Goodnight, and I actually liked this book more because of the dynamite relationship between Evie Black and Corbin Blue.  They are so well-matched for each other despite the animosity that has existed between them for several years. The sexual tension between these two makes this a sizzling page-turner right from the beginning, and steamy sensuality exudes from practically every page. I will admit that at times it was almost a little too much for me but the witty, spirited, and sometimes outright hilarious banter between Evie and Corbin was absolutely irresistible.

 The opening of the book backtracks and recreates the explosive scene that is the foundation for the storyline, except this time it is narrated based on Blue’s experience.  This book moves the story along much further than I anticipated, and the mastermind and motivation behind the bombing is finally fully revealed. You can expect some intense and suspenseful scenes where both Evie and Blue find themselves in life-threatening situations, and it’s thrilling to follow the dramatic changes and emotional growth these two undergo by the end.

 I received a copy of  Black and Blue from the author for an honest review.

 Review: 

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