Meet Dagan Krayl, the formidable soul reaper of the Underworld and the demigod offspring of the nefarious god Sutekh. His quest: to locate his slain brother's remains and bring him back to life. However, resurrecting his brother comes with a price—the release of secrets that could ignite a war capable of wiping out both gods and humanity.
Roxy Tam shares the same mission, but her motives are entirely different. Her goal is to ensure that Sutekh doesn't get his hands on the remains, and that the soul reapers don't revive their fallen comrade. As a Daughter of Aset, Roxy is devoted to safeguarding humanity, even if it means thwarting a powerful soul reaper and ensuring his deceased brother stays in the afterlife. When Roxy comes face-to-face with Dagan, she realizes they've met before—a meeting that forever altered her life.
Neither Dagan nor Roxy anticipate teaming up for the greater good. They find themselves grappling with loyalties as they confront treachery, betrayal, and a potent desire that threatens to consume them both.
This book was a departure from my usual reads, diving into a dark and seductive narrative that reminded me of Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake series. Drawing from Egyptian mythology with figures like Anubis and Sutekh, I initially hesitated, but the more I delved in, the more I found myself enjoying it. The audible version made for a quick and engaging experience.
The fiery and forbidden tension between Roxy and Dagan added an enticing element, complemented by the mystery surrounding his brother's murder and their efforts to thwart those seeking the same information. The blend of real-world settings with fantastical elements, hidden from mortal knowledge, added an intriguing layer.
The pacing felt just right, never rushed or dragging, and I appreciated the presence of a strong female character in Roxy from the start. It was refreshing to see a protagonist already empowered rather than evolving throughout the novel.
I should note that the book was published in 2010, giving it a dated touch, but I enjoyed the nostalgic reminders of that time.
Overall, I'd give this book three and a half stars. It brought a Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Anita Blake vibe, but it didn't captivate me enough to dive into the series further, given my extensive to-be-read list. Perhaps in the future, once my TBR is clear, I'll explore more of Roxy and Dagan's adventures. For now, this marks the end of my journey with them.
