Jen Colly is one of my favorite authors. I'm in love with this series. I wholeheartedly recommend this series.

Keir is a vampire who can be invisible which is good for a spy and assassin. Which Keir was for Lady Arianne whom he owed a life debt as Keir is a condemned killer who must stay in the shadows so he won’t be found and killed. Lady Arianne is the last of her bloodline and has many enemies who want to see her dead and has had an assassination attempt on her life. Arianne is the Lord of Galbraith- one of the Cities Below. Lady Adrianne is well protected between Keir and her Captain of the Guard Wolfe Rye. They together try to find out who was behind the assassination attempt. Cleopatra /Cleo is from a rich family and Keir has watched her from afar and cares for her but knows he is very below her and nothing could ever become of ehr and Kier. Then Lady Arianne sends Keir as her Emissary to another City Below- Balinese - to offer aid if needed as there have been reports of Demon attacks. Kier is then severely injured on his way back from a demon attack and falls from the air and lands at Cleo’s feet. Cleo takes care of Keir and he lives, Cleo has never really fit into her station in life as all those around her just want more money and power but all Cleo wants is peace. Cleo’s only friend is Lady Arianne. Cleo is very drawn to Keir and doesn’t even know his name. Cleo hears Keir has died and shuts down. But then she sees Keir again and goes after him. Cleo feels Keir is her other half and Keir finds peace and happiness when he is with Cleo but he can’t have a relationship with her as he owes Lady Arianne a life debt.
I liked this story a lot a little of a different twist on a paranormal story. I wish I had read the first book as I was a bit confused at times. But this book has so much to it: Secrecy, deceit, back stabbing ways, vampires, assassins, demons, intrigue, court life, kidnapping, assault, drama, danger, romance, loyalty, life debt, forbidden love and so much more. I wish this story had been a little longer. I loved Cleo and Keir together. This had a good plot and also kept my attention all the way through to the end of the book. I liked the two cousins of Lady Arianne that show up at the end also. I liked the hidden societies. I loved the build up to romance. I liked the characters a lot and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.

Hot, sexy, bloody and just down right cool.

I need to go back and read the first book, though this book did do a fair job of filling in the blanks, I still need to go back and take in the first, because this book was so good I just need more.

The writing was quick, steady and the plot stayed on point. I wasn't board and if anything I didn't want this to end.

There is so much I want to say, but I don't want to ruin anything. So take my high recommendation and get your hands on this sexy, action back read.

Happy Reading

-E.A. Walsh

The streets are a battleground for humans, vampires, and demons alike—where survival is a skill, love is a weapon, and the most dangerous act is to care for another . . .

Keir is an assassin devoted to Lady Arianne, the last of her royal bloodline. He is sworn to protect her, and that means eliminating any threat to her life. But while on a mission, he is set upon by a pack of demons, barely escaping with his life.

Cleopatra lives by a set of rules so rigid she no longer knows her true self. But her kind and loving nature resurfaces when she finds a man, bloodied and dying. Moved to help him, she risks her future and her life to save a stranger far below her aristocratic station.

Their attraction to each other is as powerful as it is forbidden. But even as their love grows, Keir keeps his true identity a secret—and this lie is not the only threat to their love . . . or their lives.



Review:




So, this is an instance that I should have been paying attention and read the first book in the series before reading the second. For me I was a little confused at first. I think reading the first book would have mad me understand this world a little more. I am still not sure on some things, so I will go back and read the first book and hopefully it will make sense then.




That being said, I did like the story. It is an interesting take on the vampire, demon mythology. There is a lot of intrigue going on in this story that made it tense and exciting at points. When you think of court life with the agendas and backstabbing they are exactly what you have in this book. I liked the hidden societies and how they work underground compared to the humans above ground. I really liked the build-up in the romance between Keir and Cleo. Even though Keir has been watching her for years, he still tries to keep distance between them but Cleo is having none of that. One of the many reasons I liked Cleo. Thought the Author is a great writer and made a very engaging, exciting romance. I will be waiting to see what happens next, that is after I go back and read book one...




4Stars




*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

'Bound" by Jen Colly is book Two in" The Cities Below" series. This is the story of Keir and Cleo.
I haven't read the previous book and did feel with this one I should have. It started off somewhat confusing at first because of that but it quickly took off for me. Keri is what we would call a servant and Cleo would be the upper class type person. Keri has watched Cleo from afar with the knowledge he is out of her league. Until one day he is hurt and needs someone he can trust which would be Cleo at the time. Cleo has never been in love and knew she was waiting for someone special...and that person appears to be Keri.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

There was a lot her for someone that has not read the first book of this series. I was still drawn in by the secrecy, deceit, backhanded ways, the court life, the life of an assassins, the demons, intrigue, kidnapping, assaults, drama, plots. There was just so much and I just had a hard time putting it down. The danger. The slowing building romance. The everything. I found more than just Keir and Cleo. The world itself was a central figure throughout the story. I anticipate reading more and going back to read book one.

I didn't quite love this one as much as I did the first one, but it was still great. There are coups, assassination attempts, and demon attacks to deal with throughout the book. I love the cities created here and the characters continue to be well developed and interesting. There are even a couple that I really hope to get more of in the future. Keir was a great character and while I'm not sure that I found any romance between him and Cleo, it was still not a bad relationship. I did like how Keir could remain in spirit for so long and how he was so loyal to his Lady. Even when he was with Cleo he knew his vow to keep Arianne safe should be most important. Then again, he never expected to find his mate and want to protect her more. Cleo was an aristocrat that did not belong. She never fit in with the others of her station and never even really liked them. So it was not all that hard for her to give up the life she knew for the man she fell in love with.

I really liked how Balinese was also worked into this story and became just as important. The city is more danger than they thought but with how things worked out, there is one more strong person there to protect it. I am very much looking forward to seeing where this story is going.