Port Lewis, a coastal town perched on the Washington cliffs, is home to Crescent Cafe, a slew of micro-breweries, a downtown packed with antique boutiques, and violent, ancient storms. Thunder shakes rooftops and lightning cuts through dark skies, but Liam Montgomery has never been afraid.
Until now.
One night, Liam hears the scream of a kelpie, a Water horse whose cry foretells the beginning of a prophecy. Kelpies have not set foot on shore for decades, but as Liam digs into his magic and his family’s history, he uncovers a mysterious secret that could ripple into the lives of everyone around him.
Liam’s tea-leaves spells out murder. The life of someone he loves is on the line. An unwelcome kelpie speaks in riddles. The Queen of Water demands a sacrifice.
The Montgomery name is soaked in blood and secrets. Liam’s fate is sealed, but he’ll do whatever it takes to change it—even if it risks his circle, his magic, and his life.
Karen's rating:
'Undertow' is the second book in the 'Port Lewis Witches' series by new to me author Brooklyn Ray and while I was gobsmacked by 'Darkling' this one has totally bewitched me.
If 'Darkling' was Ryder's story and believe me it was than 'Undertow' is Liam's story, but just like Ryder's story Liam's can't be told without the members of his circle, so as things unfold we also get little pieces of Donovan, Tyler and Christy and a bit more Ryder as well.
While Ryder's element is fire we also know that he has dark magic running through him but that's for his story, so if you haven't read it and you want to know...well, off you go now because this part of Ryder's story is very, very much connected to Liam's story and yeah, you guessed it, I'm not saying more about that. Liam's magic is water but as we discover in this story it's complicated...there are secrets...so many secrets and these secrets may not only cost Liam all he holds dear but he may find his very life on the line.
Writing a story that feels as full and complete as this one in less than 100 pages is pretty damned impressive and doing it now once but twice...well, color me impressed!
Things begin to get even more complicated as Liam tries to untangle the mystery surrounding his magic and as he and Ryder maneuver a relationship that's just a little more complicated than the norm...remember that dark magic I mentioned in my review of 'Darkling'...well, we're not done with it...not by a long shot and this is only part of why I can't stress strongly enough that these books are not 'standalone' stories. Seriously start at the beginning, you'll be happier for having done so.
While I'd love the stories to be longer because really who among us don't want more if it's a story that we're enjoying. I've thoroughly enjoyed the pacing on this one. It's not so fast that I can't keep up but it also doesn't allow for those moments when I'm bored and my mind wanders. Plus I have to admit I'm enjoying the fact that I'm not having to wade through a lot of superfluous and unnecessary information to try and figure out what's relevant to the story and what's window dressing because while you might be patient on this one it's pretty much all necessary.
Ok, just a couple more things before I move on here...at the end of this book is a peek at what's coming next...it's Tyler and Donovan's story...trust me, we don't want to miss this and last but not least...
Have you looked at the covers on both of these books...they're gorgeous. It's honestly a refreshing change to see a cover that speaks more to the overall tone of the book a couple of male torsos that when all is said and done I discover bare little or no resemble to anyone in the story. Don't get me wrong I can appreciate an attractive male torso as well as the next person but sometimes it's nice just to see a book cover that has some attractive imagery that speaks to me and says 'look I have a story for you...come, sit with me and we'll discover it together...'
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An ARC of 'Undertow' was graciously provided by the team at 'IndiGo' Events in exchange for an honest review.
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