OMG, The Forgotten Brotherhood is still getting better and better! My heart had broken for Bjorn in Burning Ash, hearing he lost his wife and children centuries earlier to a brutal murder. So, when N.J. Walters confirmed that the next story would be about Bjorn I did a happy dance. And when that purple cover came across Netgalley (I mean, you can't miss it, awesome cover) I nearly dropped everything and started on Bjorn's story. And what a story: after nearly succumbing to madness from his grieving and trying to avenge his slaughtered family by turning the murderers and their families into werewolves, Bjorn has resigned to be all by himself. Lonely and without any light in his life, only working as an assissin to take out the worst of people (or paranormal creatures).
When Odin summons him to take out a soul, who has escaped Freya's hall, he doesn't hesitate: obedience to Odin is paramount. Until he realizes he is forced to kill: his Anja. She has reappeared in New York, without any knowledge how she got there. Bjorn realizes the gods are again messing with the Forgotten Brotherhood, so he contacts his fellow Brothers. So yay, Maccus (yep, from Fury Unleashed) and his tough-as-nails Morrigan, make regular appearances throughout the story. And this time, also Alexei and Cassie (from Arctic Bite) appear on the scene. And of course, it wouldn't be the same with Asher and Jo (from Burning Ash).
Together, they try to find out, who is after them and why. And just when you think it can't get any better, N.J. Walters creates just another twist and turn in the story, which keeps you guessing. And of course, I can't wait to see if N.J. Walters will give Sven a story as well. In all, five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Again, another decent addition to the Forgotten Brotherhood series. I love when a series is a collection of independent stories set within the same world that can be read as standalones. This compliments the previous books nicely and effectively adds to the prior developments.

Which makes me sad that I am so torn with this review and rating, because while I found the content of this story to actually be my favourite of the series so far, I found the narrative/writing to be a bit on the weaker side. I would have liked some sort of build-up in the beginning.

I love that this is a story of a husband and wife reuniting and no insta-love can be found, but everything in the synopsis happens within the first five pages. I would have loved to learn more about Anja and Bjorn separately, seeing them struggle on their own, as it would have made their reunion that much sweeter.

But overall, this installment is fun and entertaining and the perfect scratch for my paranormal itch.