Darkness Unchained

Sky Brooks Series, Book 2

By: McKenzie Hunter

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie

Just survive. That's been my goal since uncovering a dangerous secret: I died at birth and became host to a very powerful spirit shade. Now I have the rare ability to manipulate magic-an ability some would kill for.

Needing to lie low, I declined membership in the Midwest Pack, the most powerful pack in the country, under the foolish impression that I could just return to my normal life. I was wrong. After a number of attacks on the pack and the vampires, where I risk my life to protect the members, it becomes apparent that the Midwest Pack and their rivals, the Northern Seethe, are under siege. I'm linked to the attackers and the pack wants my help in finding those responsible. Reluctantly I'm drawn back into the pack's world and their golden rule: Protect the pack at all costs.

To find the person responsible, I must work with the Seethe's hunter, Chris. She should be a welcome asset with her connections and extensive knowledge of the otherworld, but her turbulent history with the Seethe and Midwest Pack only causes more conflict between the enemies-turned-allies. Once again, I must navigate the lies, secrets, and strange politics that govern the otherworld while struggling not to draw attention to my abilities. Will I be able to find the culprits-and get out alive?

©2014 McKenzie Hunter (P)2017 Tantor

I loved.

I absolutely love this series. the narrative was well done. I've read the books and always enjoy jumping back into the book.

Action and Character Development

I really enjoy the writing style of Mackenzie Hunter. She crafts a well developed story that allows the listener/reader to get to the characters so that their actions are understood. This is an entertaining series and I look forward to the next book.

Looking forward to reading more

Sky is becoming a force of nature. I love that I am starting to get invested in other characters other than Sky. Initially I thought I knew who Sky would be with but the introduction of these new possible love interests will keep me coming back.

Another Great Book by this author

This is the second book in the sky book series. It did not let me down. I love how we learn even more about the characters in this book. the narrator isn't my favorite but the book is so good it doesn't matter. I highly recommend

great read

this was good I love the story and how it unfolds the characters are interesting and I want to see how this ends

Is this a book about Chris or Sky. More SKY!!!!!!!

Next time how about you do a short story about CHRIS!!!!!!!! MORE SKY LESS CHRIS!!!!!!!!!

Dissappointing.

First book was from Skylar's point of view. Nearly half of this 2nd book was from Kris's point of view. Kris was a character of little redeeming value at the start, and even at the end of this book I am asking myself why am I supposed to care about her. It took away from Skylar's character development and felt like filler. Skylar is still naive, reactionary and a hypocrit. I'm not sure I'll continue with book 3.

Just 'okay' but not a very good book.

World building did not move much further from last book. Chris got major part of the book which is fine, if it is her story. But the irrational part is that, a character who had no issues helping with sacrificing a living being (who was naive and good as thaddius whom she tried to protect in this book) in a brutal ritual to gain special abilties in the 1st book had a 180 degree turn of character in this book where everyone (including said almost sacrificial lamb in the first book) fall for her.... charm??? It may be a gray world, not everything is black and white, but to me, she is not so great personality that i want to read/listen about for the major part of the story. It was grating.

Sigh

I'm so very on the fence about these books. They have a chance to be good, great even. I like many of the characters and their backgrounds. I like the thought that seems to have gone in to the world of supernatural beings and how it works. The work done to create an interesting and diverse world is clear. However I can't stand Sky. I don't even have a love-to-hate feeling for her, I simple can't stomach her.

Sky is supposed to be 24 and I always forget that. I find myself shaking my head and remembering she's not 14. She comes off as petulant, ungrateful and annoyingly naive. I get she doesn't like what she is and she is confused about her place in the world. But she is careless, does what she wants and causes more harm than she does help. As the lead character she does the least work.

I like Josh, Steven, Qwell and even Gavin. Ethan is likable in his own way. He can be overbearing and a control freak but that seems to be ingrained in all werewolves. Every fiber of my being wants Ethan to find someone better and not end up with Sky. But even I can see where the author is heading with them. As for Winter, she is a true badass and tough as nails. I like Winter, who is a self admitted bitch and yet I can't bring myself to like Sky.

I want to like this story, but...

This is the second book in the series but the characters are the same characters as we met in the first book. What I mean is, they do not evolve. There is no growth and the relationships are mostly stagnant as well. The leaders of the super groups do not inspire loyalty or reflect strength or any quality that would make them relatable. And I guess that's it for me, right there. I cannot relate to any of the characters in this book, least of all the protagonist.

The story isn't bad, but I find that without that growth of character, and evolution of relationships, without the rounding out of the full three dimensions of at least the important characters, I don't believe any of it. I can't relate to them, and ultimately spend more time hoping they will die off in the hope that they will be replaced by more interesting characters.

I can see good bones here, but like I said there's just no connection to any of the characters for me. More than that, I don't feel that the characters are connected to one another, either. They are just people who happen to all be in the same place for some reason. Like robots. It doesn't feel... real, for lack of a better word.

I think I will put this author's stories down for now and try back again in a few years.