Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

Who would have thought heaven would be scarier than hell? After venturing to Charbydon in the last book, Charlie is visiting the glorious Elysia in SHADOWS BEFORE THE SUN. While it is beautiful to behold, Elysia is where Hank is being held and tortured beyond human comprehension. Never one to shy away from heavy emotions, Kelly Gay forces her readers to the brink with Charlie and Hank, and then begins to piece them back together in a way that will have you cheering.

For the first time in the series, Charlie shares POV space with another character: Hank. The majority of the story is still told from Charlie’s perspective, but those few scenes from Hank are fantastic. He’s long been the character I’ve been craving to know more about, and this glimpse inside has only made me want to know more. His chapters are often delusional as he is repeatedly brought to the point of death and his mind begins to shred as a result. The Hank that emerges is damaged, though not as much as I would have expected…hopefully the ramifications are just further reaching.

The Charlie Madigan urban fantasy series has been a favorite since it’s debut, and it’s books like SHADOWS BEFORE THE SUN that ensure it stays a favorite. The mythology is utterly unique, and introducing Hank’s perspective, along with a willingness to resolve long running storylines while setting up new ones are just further indications that this series has plenty more to give. Bring it on.

Sexual Content:
Attempted sexual assault. Scene of sensuality/brief sex scene