Yet again, author M.A. Grant has left me absolutely beside myself with anticipation for another of her books. The paragraphs that bring Crooked Shadows to its “To Be Continued” conclusion couldn’t be more perfect if they tried, and the revelation that happens there, after all the chaos that Cristian and Atlas have gone through to get where they are, is dramatic perfection. Everything leading up to that point is a riot of emotions as the men arrive in Romania, the place where Atlas was brutally attacked and left scarred and traumatized after, in search of a lead on who is creating and weaponizing feral vampires. Little could they have anticipated they’d be walking into a territorial dispute that will ultimately threaten their lives as they search for Cristian’s missing friend.

Atlas’s PTSD and the residual guilt he feels for lumping Cristian in with the monsters that attacked him on a battlefield in Romania, as well as Atlas’s near betrayal of Cristian because he believed it was deserved, are influential in defining their relationship as it currently exists. Trust, or the short supply of it, is a seemingly insurmountable obstacle to their forging something long-lasting. The question of whether they can overcome it, from Cristian’s point of view, is no, so he’s willing to take what he’s given by Atlas in whatever time they have left together. I’m such a sucker for this romantic trope, the idea that grabbing hold of some semblance of happiness while it’s within reach and then being grateful for having had it when it’s taken away is such a great way of building up the tension and pining in a relationship. Grant exposes this so beautifully in theirs.

As Cristian and Atlas uncover the political machinations and betrayals at work behind the gruesome deaths occurring in Romania, the danger to them increases exponentially, and their reliance on an unexpected ally—albeit a reluctant ally—introduces a new character I hope will have a recurring role going forward. All the suspense and danger are meted out flawlessly to lead readers along to the moment when maximum impact is delivered in a fight for their lives as Cristian and Atlas stumble into a trap meant to end them. Some interesting suppositions made their way into my head, based on things that happened in these scenes, and I can’t wait to see what the author pulls out of her great big bag of imaginative tricks to impress me next. Because Atlas has now proved, definitively, how far he will go to protect someone he cares for in a war zone. There’s so much farther yet to travel, though, before they and those they care for are safe.

M.A. Grant keeps delivering beautiful story after beautiful story. I often feel like she’s writing just for me because I love her voice, and her narrative style is so immersive that I disappear into it and lose huge swaths of time being thoroughly infatuated with her characters. I am such a fan.

4.5 Stars

If you've read book 1 (and I hope you have because this does NOT do well as a standalone), you'd know it ended on a cliffhanger. This book continues right where that ended but this time, we get the story from Cristian's point of view.

Our MCs after the events at the end of the previous book were forced to place themselves in new situations where no one could be trusted. Old enemies resurfaced and new enemies revealed themselves.Every new person they encountered could be a friend or foe and everywhere they turned , things just kept getting worse.

I loved the writing, the storytelling and the pacing of this book. It kept me glued to the pages and kept me wondering what next was going to happen since nothing was certain and everything was up in the air. I devoured it once I got started.

A lot more light was thrown on the vampiric world but even with that, some of the events of the book left more questions than answers. Case in point being everything that happened with Atlas getting to the end of the book. I know that was deliberately done by the author to intrigue the reader and I must say it worked like a charm because I need to know what was up with all of that.

Relationship-wise, though Atlas was his usual stoic self, we finally got some admission of feelings here and hopefully this is further solidified in the final book.

This ends on an even worse cliff hanger than the previous book. I DON'T know why I keep doing this to myself but wonder of all wonders I didn't really mind because I know all hell is going to break loose in the final book of this trilogy and all will be revealed and explained in due time. Needless to say, I will be first in line to read it like my life depends on it.

If you've read the first book, I highly recommend you read this, it just might be better than that and if you've not read the first book, WHAT are you waiting for? Go read it and this one as well. You will not regret it.

* eARC Provided by Publisher via Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review*

This was one hell of a great sequel to book one.

Fast paced, adrenaline-fueled, nonstop stealing your breath, fun and suspense. WOW!

Cristian and Atlas pick up right where they left off and the story just zooms. I can’t say much more because I’m afraid I’ll spoil it, but this left me beyond ready for book three!

Picking up where *Rare Vigilance* left off, the second installment in MA Grant’s *Whitethorn Agency* series is yet again a fantastic read that I didn’t want to put down and wished continued on for another 300 pages. Building on the revelations of the previous book, we follow Cristian and Atlas as they flee the country in pursuit of answers to the horrifying creatures who are after them and Cristian’s family. The plot explodes outwards and we see new places and meet new characters, all who may or may not have their own agendas. Our heroes are tasked with piecing together the grim goings on in their surroundings that appear connected to their own circumstances. They must also confront their own feelings, a few unspoken truths between them all while Atlas is also brought to the very scene and events that haunt his literal nightmares.

I thoroughly enjoyed both the intrigue of the plot as it progressed as well as watching these two characters' relationship develop. One aspect about this series I really appreciate, particularly for a paranormal story like this, is that the power dynamics—both in and out of the bedroom—go against expectations in really beautiful and tender ways. This is not your everyday immortal and Atlas is certainly not the most typical human and watching them figure out how to compromise, be vulnerable with each other, all while avoiding the people who want to harm them made for a perfect read. The cliffhanger and revelation at the end of this book literally made me yell ‘WHAT’ and I am already impatient for the next book. An amazing 5 star read!

I loved the first book in this series, and I eagerly started the second one. Sometimes the sophomore book in a series can be a little weak, but this one was even better than the first. The author continues to expand the universe in this latest which takes place in Romania. While there, our heroes face many obstacles while circling each other’s attraction. I am amazed at how well the author can switch back and forth between the heart-pounding suspense of tracking down the stirgori, and the heart-pounding suspense of will-they-or-won’t-they without losing sight of either. This is turning into one of my all-time favorite series with its great writing, excellent characters, interesting plot, twists/turns I don’t see coming, and the way the author keeps me completely engaged through every single page. Highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

I read the NetGalley ARC. This is my review:

For me this is a solid three stars; good plot furthering, great complications, interesting settings and new characters, slow relationship improvements, and I will read book 3.

Part two in a trilogy or series, particularly one so heavy on continued worldbuilding and conspiracy, is tricky. I always read them more slowly; I started and finished many other books while making my way through this one. I would have appreciated less description, particularly in repetition of thoughts, to speed things along a bit, and I am not a huge fan of complex conspiracy stories, so although I appreciate the skill involved, I prefer more focus on the relationship. However, that last scene was a shock. So yeah, solid three stars. Very good.

Crooked Shadows by M.A. Grant is the second book in the Whitethorn Agency series. This story picks up where the previous ended with Atlas Kinkaid and Cristian Slava reeling from the events in Scarsboro and venturing overseas to try to uncover where the new dangers have originated. The uneasy relationship the two men have developed is tested as both have a history steeped in fear and sadness in Romania. With new friends and new enemies challenging Atlas and Cristian, the two will try to unravel the secrets of the past and how it impacts their future.


This book immediately starts out different because you are seeing the world through Cristian Slava’s perspective (mostly?). He is wonderfully complex because although he has lived many centuries he still values each day, especially now that he has Atlas in his life. Cristian feels his own emotions so deeply and struggles because he not only feels the crushing weight of his own but also can sense Atlas’. He knew that it would be dangerous to bring Atlas back to where it all went wrong but the two men are determined to try and save themselves and others from the dangers in the woods. The intimate moments between Atlas and Cristian are not only physical but also so emotional as Atlas opens up his memories and soul. Their connection is felt so much deeper and develops so much more.

Crooked Shadows was a fast paced mystery that kept unveiling layers I didn’t expect. The story connected enough to the first but pushed both MCs forward and further developed them individually and together. I enjoyed the mix of history and present day. Cristian is proving to be a sweetheart who I couldn’t help but fall for. I am so glad we got his perspective. I did find it odd that you had it like 80% only Cristian’s POV and then all of a sudden you got small sections of Atlas. Besides that being a bit jarring it was great to join Cristian and Atlas on this adventure.


4 stars for the continuation of Cristian and Atlas’ adventures in the dark.

Another fine installment! These characters are very well-drawn. Seeing things from Cristian's POV was a nice change from the first book.. While the ending twist was definitely unexpected, it neither surprised nor upset me. I am not even totally sure what it means, because it could mean a number of things. Time for our heroes to gather evidence before bringing the thunder. This is definitely not the place to go off half-cocked or without a plan. But it's definitely not a good day.

Can't wait for the next!

Dans cette suite, nous retrouvons bien évidemment Atlas et Cristian qui se rendent cette fois en Roumanie afin d'aider un allié du père de ce dernier. Ils vont en apprendre plus sur les strigoi et nous allons en savoir plus sur tout cet univers.

J'aime vraiment beaucoup l'ambiance de cette série. Je trouve que l'auteur mêle bien le côté fantastique au monde réel. J'ai adoré bien évidemment retrouver les personnages et en savoir plus sur l'intrigue, mais je ne peux trop rien en dire au risque d'en dévoiler un peu trop...

J'aime beaucoup les personnages, mais surtout la dynamique qu'il y a entre Atlas et Cristian. Entre eux, une alchimie est présente depuis le début et ils ont une complicité indéniable. Cependant, même si par moment, ils franchissent le pas et effacent la distance, la réalité prend le dessus sur le désir...à savoir qu'Atlas est bel et bien un employé et garde-du-corps de Cristian, du moins c'est ce que l'un, voire l'autre, pense. J'aurais souhaité avoir plus de moments entre eux deux dans ce roman, mais honnêtement, les quelques passages où ils s'ouvrent l'un à l'autre nous laissent entrevoir la réelle connexion qui existe entre eux, en tout cas moi je l'ai ressentie.

Comme souvent dans les romans de M.A. Grant, on ne s'ennuie pas une seconde. Pas mal de tensions pour nos personnages, on stresse pour eux à de nombreuses reprises. Le dernier tiers du livre est d'ailleurs à couper le souffle tellement le rythme s'accélère.
Dans ce second tome, l'auteur nous permet aussi de réellement nous plonger dans l'univers de ces vampires, elle se concentre vraiment sur l'avancée de l'intrigue et dans la découverte de ce monde paranormal. Attention, même si on peut dire que la romance est moins présente, l'évolution des personnages et du couple est au rendez-vous. Et personnellement, j'aime lorsqu'une relation prend son temps, lorsqu'elle est naturelle, plutôt discrète mais où les personnages progressent selon leur rythme.

J'ai bien sûr hâte de pouvoir lire la suite, surtout avec la fin que nous offre l'auteur dans ce second tome !
(4,25/5)

I'm once again reeling from a book hangover after finishing Crooked Shadows. This sequel to Rare Vigilance picks up right where the other book ended, but this time readers are treated to Cristian's point of view. I really enjoyed getting his side of things and having the comparison of how he views Atlas and their relationship. Cristian's much softer than I thought he would be and I loved how patient he is with Atlas and how he tries to be vulnerable and open with him. The story also ramps up the intrigue and action, taking the characters from their former safe haven in the States to the uncertain territory in Romania. In this setting Atlas and Cristian have to rely on each other and keep their wits about them as they hide from enemies, seek out a missing heir, and continue their investigation into the strigoi attacks. There's so much I loved: the tension, angst, hurt/comfort, bedsharing, bonding, and the increased intimacy. It's a fast paced read that ends on such a cliff hanger! I'm excited to find out what's next for this duo and their allies!

This is one of those instances that it's me and not the book. M.A. Grant is a great author and her writing style let's the story flow through the pages, so much so that it didn't feel like a 300 pages book even though I have to admit that nothing in this book (or the previous one) pushed any of my enjoyment buttons.

I think mostly it's because after reading the blurb for Rare Vigilance I had different expectations so I never really enjoyed the Supernatural angle of the story, the chemistry between Cristian and Atlas or their push/pull relationship is totally absent for me in both books.

Anyways returning to this one I was hoping that the story would have progressed more but up till the last 2-3 chapters it felt like we were just circling around the same things over and over again with minimal advance. In those last chapters though everything exploded to fast forward, although I have to admit there was a section, before Cristian left to meet with Emil, that felt like I was watching something happen in fast forward and I had someone giving summarized descriptions of the scenes (like an unedited spot in the story).

Another not favorite thing that happened in a couple of instances were the out of the blue throw of "random" info apropos of anything, ie the whole plant thing for the UV glasses that didn't tie into anything that was currently happening in the story.

In the end I picked this up as a SPN-Romance and not a political games and maneuvering story which is what I got from it. Hope others have better luck with it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin and this is my honest review.

Okkkkkkkkkkk, I know I must be a simpleton for not seeing that ending coming, but I am a simple girl so M.A. Grant gets stars for my fish mouth.

Before getting into it, I’d like to thank Carina Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! I do so enjoy everything that CP puts out, and this Whitehorn Agency series delivers what I’ve come to expect from one of their reads, which is basically my guys being guys in love, whatever dafuq that looks like.

In this installment’s case, it’s a bit angsty with feelings confessed/expresssed only after a serious wringing, be it nerves, necks or near deaths. But it’s there and that’s mostly what I care about to be honest!

So imagine my surprise when Crooked Shadows read grittier and bloodier than the first installment in the series, Rare Vigilance, and really dug into its whole vampy-Godfather III-esque “family” drama, which was a lot higher on plot and action than I had anticipated, but enjoyed nonetheless.

It also had a few more intimate moments between Cristian and Atlas than the first (though not nearly enough for my romantic heart) and gained another star because it was set in strigoi motherland, which was such a mood, and making it my favourite in the series so far. No one goes back to Romania to mix business with pleasure anymore, amirite?

And while Cristian and Atlas were a checklist of vulnerabilities, hang ups and past pains, something still kept me emotionally at arms length. It’s probably just me. I mean, despite the cocktail of elements actively working to make this story immersive, I was entertained but not really invested until the very end.

Maybe it’s because I have unreasonable expectations for a love connection that slaps in under a month and I love smoochies?

Either way, I think this series is fun so far and I am excited to see where it goes next, though I do hope that the boys gain some more emotional depth (read: sexy times) in the next one so that I’m not just stock rooting for the good guys to win.

That was a non-stop ride. Just when you thought our MC's could stop & catch their breath, bam, something else was thrown at them & they were off again. So this one picks up where the last book ends, so it isn't a stand-a-lone read. Now they have escaped US & made it to Romania, they are pulled into an investigation to find Radu, the missing son of the vampire leader of Romania, who is being investigated himself. That took us down a rabbit hole of what is going on with the council? There was a lot going on here. We also get Christian's POV & I loved seeing what was going on in his head. You can truly see how much he loves Atlas. We have fighting for their lives, to finding a safe place to land to a betrayal on high and a betrayal that I never saw coming ever that was closer to home. That person would not have been anywhere on my list of "bad guys". I love Daria, she makes a great addition to the story. So yes this one ends in a huge cliffhanger with a WTF moment. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Well, that ending wasn't what I was expecting!

***

For the last 20% of this book my heart was racing so fast I thought it would beat out of my chest, the tension build up throughout this second installment in the Whitethorn Agency series is perfectly pitched.

As Atlas and Cristian venture to Romania to seek help from his father's allies and find out more about the origins of the strigoi, we get to see inside the vampire's head for the first time.

I love that MA is switching POVs for this series and it was fascinating to see how Cristian's emotional connection to his bodyguard is not only strong, but supportive and loving - even if Atlas isn't ready to accept it.

Throughout this book there is an edge of danger, the two men are walking a tightrope from the off with the politics of the vampire world dogging their every movement.

We also get to meet a wonderful new character, Daria, in this book and I loved her. She's strong, a survivor of the strigoi herself and, while wary of Cristian, has the grace to not immediately try to skewer him!

It's more focused on the investigation and the paranormal elements than the romance but there is still a major move forward for both men which comes after they've faced the thought of the other's death being an all too likely outcome rather than an abstract scenario and I loved this bit especially.

But, bloody hell, that ending! OMG talk about dropping a WTF moment and then signing off. I am absolutely dying now to find out just what that means for Cristian's family going forward.

As a PS, I think this cover is more indicative of a paranormal romance than the one for the first book was.

My first reaction upon finishing M.A. Grant's upcoming masterpiece of a sequel (and my subsequent discovery that there were no other pages left) was just a very loud and distressed moan. Then a: "OH MY GOD, what was that ending and how am I supposed to wait for the next book?!!!"

I loved "Crooked Shadows" so damn much, even more than the first book.
It starts where "Rare Vigilance" leaves off, with Atlas and Cristian escaping Scarsdale and heading off to Romania to investigate and hopefully discover more about the mysterious (and enormously creepy) Strigoi and the reason behind their attacks. Romania brings about new characters and new vampiric families, even more political maneuverings and lots and lots of action-packed moments and shocking discoveries. It also brings about new challenges to Cristian and Atlas' slowly-blossoming relationship and intimacy.

I utterly loved the change in setting of the book: I think this might be my first romance where the whole of the story is set in a different country other than the usual USA or UK. I loved how different the atmospheric vibe was to the previous book, the vivid and colourful and realistic descriptions of the countryside, towns and mountains.
The writing was, as usual, gorgeous and poetic and transported you right into the pages of the book: I was so immersed in the story I actually hadn't realized the end of the novel was near until I looked down and saw the dreaded "95%" on my kindle screen.

The thing I really appreciated of this sequel, and I think one of the main reasons I loved it even more than the first book, was the fact that we finally get Cristian's POV. And what a POV. When you first meet him, through Atlas' eyes, he comes across as an arrogant brat , and even after discovering that there's more to him than his bratty exterior, you don't actually get to see how vulnerable and deep his inner self is. He still acts arrogant and snarky in this second book, but his thoughts and feelings are so soft, so vulnerable and his care (and yes, love) for Atlas runs so deep you'll want to dive inside the book, hug him and shelter him from the world. I only wanted to shout at him (and Atlas) a couple of times, because they were acting like insecure, self-sacrificing "he doesn't deserve me" idiots, but still, I loved how far both of them come throughout the book and the chemistry and care between them is *chef's kiss*
I loved the new characters, especially Daria (whom I'm hoping we'll get more of in the third book), and the few interactions we get with the Dunării family members are promising.
Those last few chapters were WILD: they left me with even more questions (especially about the Strigoi and Atlas) and a desperate need to speed up time to when I'll have the third book in my greedy hands.
I'm so so looking forward to reading what else M.A. Grant has planned for Atlas and Cristian: I'm sure it will be great (and involve lots of tears and screaming).

Whew, that was a fast-paced, non-stop RIDE, folks, let me tell you.

This one began where the first book left off, with Christian and Atlas fleeing the states for Romania to avoid Christian's mother's evil, powerful family, the Wharrams.

However, once arriving, in addition to dealing with Atlas' past trauma of the strigoi attack that killed his entire platoon, Christian and Atlas were immediately pulled into the search for the missing son and heir of the local vampire leader in Romania.

Unlike the first book, which focused quite a bit on the developing romance between Christian and Atlas, this one tended to sit the feels firmly in the back seat and press the gas pedal to the floor as the story careened from one scene of action and intrigue to the next.

I did love the mile-a-minute thrills that the book delivered fully upon, but I do admit that I kept wishing that there had been many more open conversations about the relationship, which only really happened a time or two, which sort of felt as though they were an after-thought.

I don't want to get too spoilery, so I'll just say that my favorite part of the book was the scene with the strigoi "pack" and how that played out. It left me with soooooo many questions and I'm on the edge of my seat to see where Ms. Grant takes us next.

While book one was my favorite, this 4-star story was a nice continuation and I'll definitely continue reading the series to its conclusion, while also holding out hope that the romance factor is amped up a bit.

I was so excited to see this book come up on NetGalley! I've been waiting so long for the second book of this series to come out, and it did not disappoint! I missed Cristian and Atlas!

This book is the perfect read for spooky season, I had so much fun with all the paranormal themes in this book, who doesn't love vampires?? And the slow burn!! You can tell how far the couple have come from the first book, how they're becoming closer throughout the series, all while solving a big vampiric mystery. Perfect for October! I've been loving the paranormal romances this month! I love this couple and I can't wait for the third and final book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the earc in return for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. The first book in the series was fantastic! This book, well it was a bit slow in the beginning. It was only halfway through that the action heated up and I became genuinely concerned for the characters' wellbeing. That being said, will I be reading book 3? Definitely!

Listen, we all know I live and breathe M.A. Grant books. And Crooked Shadows is no exception. Though, I don't even know what to say about that ending... Crooked Shadows picks up right after the end of Rare Vigilance. Cristian and Atlas are on the run trying to find out more about the mysterious attacks all while trying to figure out their relationship and search for a missing friend. Atlas and Cristian have to face some of their deepest fears head on. All kinds of new betrayals arise. The first part of the book was a little slow and monotonous. It's a lot of political exchanges that, I, personally, didn't care that much about. The second half is where the action picks up and stuff gets real. I read the entire second half in one sitting. As always, the writing is beautiful. M.A. Grant's stories are heavily character driven with the characters being the heart of the story. You can't help but feel for all of them. Even the side characters. I loved getting the story mostly from Cristian's perspective this time around. And the ending left me reeling because I. Don't. Understand. Anything. And. My. Whole. Life. Is. A. Lie.

Thank you to M.A. Grant, Carina Press, and Netgalley for letting me suffer earlier than everyone else by providing me with an arc.