Review: Dryad’s Blade by Kater Cheek

My Review:

Dryad’s Blade, the second book in the Kit Melbourne series, begins about a year after the conclusion of Witch’s Jewel. Kit has been inducted into the Guild, and her boyfriend is acting unusual. Kit is certain something otherworldly is affecting him, and she is right. Fenwick has been hexed and saving him is near impossible. On top of that, Kit’s new job is grueling, and high expectations take up much of her time.

To help Fenwick, Kit enlists the help of a sexy vampire who wants to be more than friends. However, to save Fenwick, Kit must retrieve magical objects, one of which lies in the Realm of the Fairies. Can Kit complete her burdensome job, find a way to collect the magical objects to break the hex and save Fenwick, and resist Fain’s charms?

This is a complex and immersive story that I didn’t want to put down! It focuses on Kit’s journey to save Fenwick and the lengths she will go to to help someone she loves. Throughout the book, Kit shows selflessness and determination, much like in the first book. I love this aspect of her character. Her life hasn’t been easy, and yet she still has hope and trust in the people she cares about, and she is willing to do anything to help them.

In this story, Kit is even more ingratiated into the supernatural world. That is, when she’s not working long and grueling hours constructing a forest for her enigmatic and frightening boss. Between working for this mysterious and possibly supernatural woman, becoming more involved with vampires, having a hexed were-boyfriend, attaining a familiar, and traveling to the Realm of the Fairies, Kit’s journey is filled with adventure, mystery, and danger.

At first I was frustrated in how Kit reacted to Fenwick’s troubles. Though she’s determined to find a way to help him, she barely sees him. She also seems to have feelings for Fain. Upon reflection, I think Kit is afraid of losing Fenwick, and facing that possibility is too difficult for her. At one point in the story, she says to her familiar, “Don’t ever leave me. No matter what happens.” She doesn’t really understand why she says this, but I think it’s because she’s been “left” by almost everyone she loves. Her father and mother emotionally abandoned her, her uncle died, and the only constants in her life are her brother and Fenwick. Kit can’t stand the thought of losing Fenwick and avoids his presence because of that.

Cheek seamlessly weaves the supernatural world with the human world in a way that feels natural and realistic. Furthermore, the pacing and the tone reinforced the urgency in Kit’s quest, and the great use of dialogue, action, and a myriad of different characters and setting made for a fascinating and immersive read. Thanks so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The Realm of the Fairies. It was so unique and creative!
• Kit. She is a fabulous protagonist. Gritty, determined, and flawed.
• The romance, of course! 🙂

Recommendations:

Though this could be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one. Readers who like quick-paced urban fantasies will love this story!