Red-Haired Ash Reads

John, Caleb, and Gray are back! They are laying low in New Orleans while John recovers and they wait for their next mission from the Director. While John is recovering, Caleb has started working at a vampire tour company to pass the time. But when John finds out his estranged grandfather has been attacked by a rougarou, they find themselves back on the hunt and John returning to work in the local SPECTR office. 

I was so happy to jump back into this world to see how these three were dealing with all the changes that have happened in the last book. Caleb and Gray are no longer bound to SPECTR’s protocol because he was pronounced dead, even though the Director does know where he is. John is still an agent but is recovering. This is the first time we see John in a more subdued and depressed light. He is struggling with the lack of action, his fall from the SPECTR ranks, and if he is even a good agent anymore since he relies so much on Gray. On top of this, his family returns to the picture and it was just heartbreaking to see the way he is treated by them. I really felt for John and hope we see his mood improve as the series progresses and he finds a new purpose. 

The hunt for the rougarou was fascinating, just like all the creatures that have been in this world so far. I liked how unique the rougarou were and that we see some high stakes in this battle because of the pack that is being formed. This case also brings into the mix a new drakul that is also hunting the rougarou, so I am very interested in seeing what will happen next with it. 

Overall, this was a great start to the next part of John, Caleb, and Grey’s lives. Like all the previous books, this was interesting, action packed, and addicting. I am eager to jump into the next one to see what happens with the drakul and what is revealed about John’s past. 

TW: Toxic parents that involuntary institutionalized John in a rehabilitation (conversion) facility as a teenager which lead to a suicide attempt;  violence, gore and death; grandparent with dementia; death of a grandparent;

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