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Early Review: Blade Song by J.C. Daniels (Colbana Files #1)

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Blade Song by J.C. Daniels Blade Song (Colbana Files #1)
J.C. Daniels
Published: Aug. 1, 2012 (Shiloh Walker)
Purchase at: Amazon

Reviewed by: Jo

Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars

Working as a P.I. in Orlando, Kit Colbana is no stranger to the workings of the non-human population. So when the nephew of the local cat shifters alpha goes missing, she knows it’s going to be difficult not to help. Stuck working with the alpha’s right-hand cat and stalked by a local vampire master she owes, Kit must find the kid before time runs out for him… and her.

Kit isn’t just a human stuck in the middle though. She’s half Aneira, a dwindling race of ancient warriors (think Amazons.) Deadly with a weapon, highly skilled with her enchanted sword and able to fade from sight, she has been using her abilities to evade her less-than-loving family and make some money on the side. But this job may just force her to stop running and finally face some of those demons.

J.C. Daniels, alter ego of Shiloh Walker, sets up a dynamic and vivid urban fantasy world. Although known to the human population, the supernatural community in Blade Song is secretive, brutal and unstable. Driven by animal instincts the shifters have a hair trigger that makes for some explosive action. Mix in enigmatic vampires and powerful witches and you have a recipe for paranormal backstabbing that had me repeating ‘just one more chapter’ late into the night.

Kit has a mouth that constantly gets her in trouble, but she manages to hold her own surrounded by characters that are much stronger than she is. She thinks quickly on her feet, using her brain just as much as her Aneira abilities. She’s still very young, hauling round a boatload of baggage and attitude. I really like that while this caused her to make mistakes she never sits and wallows. Flashbacks of her childhood and training show glimpses of why she is on the run and I have a feeling we haven’t seen the full spectrum of her power.

As Kit delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the boy’s disappearance, it gets harder and harder to know who to trust. On one hand there is Jude, a master vampire with an unhealthy fascination of Kit, who invades her dreams offering to help her once again. Then there is Damon, arrogant, deadly and hot as hell, but whose allegiance is firstly to the insane alpha. Daniels had me constantly guessing about the motivations of these two. Although a definite romantic connection is made with one, it certainly wasn’t all roses and HEAs in the end and I can’t wait to seeing how Kit manages this relationship and all its implications!

Blade Song is packed with just about everything you want from a urban fantasy: a strong heroine, immersing wording building and a plot thick with mystery and action. Kit is a great lead and her Aneira heritage is something I’m itching to read more about. Groundwork for plot arcs and relationships are set up for future books that make this a series that is definitely going on my watch list!

Sexual content: Sex

9 Responses to “Early Review: Blade Song by J.C. Daniels (Colbana Files #1)”

  1. I need to dive into this one ASAP. Also, sounds like something Kate Daniels fans would adore.

  2. Zendastark says:

    Hi! What a great review! I’m eager to read this one now. Does it exist in paperback or only in ebook? 🙂
    Thanks for the review!

    • First… thanksm Jo, for the review… I’m so glad you liked it!

      Zendastark, it WILL come out in print, although it’s going to be trade paperback. Probably in September-I’m still working the dynamics of that out. I’m releasing this book on my own and the print aspects are a little more complicated, but we’re looking at September. (It could possibly be sooner, though.)

  3. Annika says:

    I’m so excited about this book I’m actually hyperventilating while reading this 🙂 Less than two weeks to go and then it’s mine! Can’t wait! My only worry is that with this book and Gunmetal Magic almost at the same time my head might explode of excitement..

  4. Jo says:

    ooo, look what i just found, there is a free prequel novella for this on the Tor website to wet your appetites! http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/07/a-stroke-of-dumb-luck

  5. And that should be… Thanks. Not, thanksm…

    I haven’t had coffee yet. O.O

  6. Denise Z says:

    I am so looking forward to this read, my kindle is calling to me! I am glad you enjoyed it and appreciate your sharing your review with us.

  7. Susan A. says:

    I read the prequel for this novel back about a week ago and wanted this book right away. The author had me hooked on her writing style. Killed me to see it wasn’t released yet, but I managed to settle for reading one of her other books in the meantime and enjoyed that. Definitely looking forward to it.

  8. Joanna says:

    Thanks. Always looking for new books and authors. Will definitely check this one out;)

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