Title: Dark Strength
Author: Cynthia Sax
Series: Refuge #3
Pages: 176
TW: Rape, Slavery, PTSD
Elyce was snatched from her home solar cycles ago but has finally escaped her brutal captors. She arrives at the Refuge barely alive and only a blood transfusion will save her life. Balvan is the Refuge’s gatekeeper and has a reputation for crushing skulls but with Elyce he is the gentle giant she needs to feel safe.
I really liked these two. Balvan is a surprisingly gentle giant with a heart of gold. I adored him. He was so supportive and gentle with Elyce, especially when things would trigger her PTSD. He also gives her the tools she needs to feel confident in herself again, like teaching her to shoot a gun. Elyce was a very strong woman who has endured a lot of abuse. I really liked her, especially since she was willing to put herself in danger again to save others.
While there wasn’t a lot of development to the world/settlement in this book, I still really enjoyed this book just for the couple. These two were adorable and sweet together. I hope we see more of their relationship in future books.
Previous books and reviews for the series:
Red-Haired Ash Reads 