Edged Blade by J.C. Daniels
Series: Colbana Files #4
Published by Amazon Digital
Published on: February 3, 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 327
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley
Amazon | B&N | GoodReads
In the year since her life was torn apart, Kit Colbana has slowly rebuilt herself. There’s a promise of hope in the relationship with the alpha of the local shapeshifters and she no longer comes screaming into wakefulness. Life’s not perfect but then again, when was it ever?
When her best friend Justin comes to her for help, there’s little question as to what her answer will be. Witches are disappearing and Justin won’t rest until he has answers. Soon, they learn that it’s not just witches who’ve gone missing, but vampires and shifters, too.
Unlikely alliances are forged as Kit and Justin found themselves drawn into a twisted web of lies and betrayal. As the clock counts down and the culprit behind recent disappearances is revealed, those Kit loves the most become the target of somebody who will kill to protect an ugly secret.
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If you are not familiar with this series or author, J.C. Daniels a pen name for Shiloh Walker. Shiloh Walker is an author that I’ve read a bunch of paranormal romance and romantic suspense, so when I heard she was self publishing an urban fantasy series, I jumped on it and loved it from book one.
Kit is a half-breed assassin with an affinity for swords. She is a species that most people know little to nothing about. She was raised by her grandmother who had little use for her and did nothing but tell her what a pathetic waste of space she was. Kit has left the realm where her family lives and now lives in Florida. This world has cat shifters, werewolves, vampires and witches.
If you’ve ever read the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, I know all of this sounds really familiar. Don’t think that this is a copy of Kate. It is not. Yes, there are similarities. Yes, their name is similar and they both really love their sword. Yes, the male love interest is a cat shifter. But the characters and the world built around them are completely different.
In this story, Kate is finally starting to come back into her own after surviving her capture from a particularly evil vampire. She even goes to a party with Damon, her main squeeze and leader of the cat shifters in Orlando. This party is for the Assembly, a group that oversees all supernaturals, including vampires. This is a big step for Kit to finally spend time around vampires.
Kit is also back to working her PI job, where Justin asks her to help him locate some supernaturals that have disappeared. They even get some help from a vampire who has some interest in the case as well, another huge step for Kit.
There are some jealousy issues between Damon and Kit. Damon is jealous of the time that Kit is spending with Justin. He knows that they are just friends and that they are working on a case, but he can’t seem to help himself, being all alpha male and all. Kit isn’t much better when a former lover of Damon’s comes back to Orlando and wants to join his pack. No matter how alpha Damon gets, Kit does not let him walk all over her.
“You do not speak for me.” He opened his mouth and I whirled on him, driving my finger into his chest. “Ever.”
This is a fun and exciting series that delivers all the feels. The Colbana Files has ripped my heart out more than once and it always has me coming back for more. These books always end leaving you wanting more. I can’t express how much I love this series. I think it is one of the most underappreciated urban fantasy series on the market. I would recommend starting the series with book one. The good news is that Daniels just released a boxed set of the first four books in the series, so you can pick them all up at one time. I highly recommend this series to fans of Kate Daniels, Downside Ghosts or Night Huntress series.
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Boxed Set of Current Four Books in the Series |
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
I have this series on my wish list. Fantastic review. Now I’m pumped to read this!
Also, if you like J.C. Daniels/Shiloh Walker, she’ll be returning to From the Shadows for our Paranormal Road Trip feature Monday, February 9th. Hope to see you there! 🙂
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Q+A with Rebecca Chastain + A Fistful of Evil Book Giveaway
Thanks. I will be sure to check it out. I’ve read a bunch of her work as Walker and as Daniels and love both. Thanks for the heads up.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Copper King by Vivian Arend
Absolutely! She’ll be taking us on a Paranormal Road Trip to Louisville, KY, and sharing her personal ghostly encounters!!! <-can you tell I'm excited? 😉
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Q+A with Rebecca Chastain + A Fistful of Evil Book Giveaway
I’ve only ever read on Shiloh Walker book, and I think it was a Paranormal where the character has some pretty supernatural cognitive abilities. I can’t remember what the book is called. But anyway, I love that she’s branched out and has done it so well. It’s not a genre a typically like, but who knows? Great review, Melanie!
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…Hoarders, Books Edition: Episode 136
It sounds like you read one of her FBI Psychics books. Those were the first books that I read by her. They’re more romantic suspense with a hint of paranormal.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Copper King by Vivian Arend
So what you are saying is you really liked it? Like it should be read no questions asked, kind of liked it? 🙂
Great Review! I have been on a UF kick so I will add this to the wishlist!
Felicia the Geeky Blogger recently posted…Audiobook Review: Old Haunts by E.J. Cooperman
Yes, this is a must read series. I so love it. Even if your library doesn’t have it with the new boxed set, you can get all the books for like $5, so that is a deal. I hope you like it. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Review: Copper King by Vivian Arend
This series is brand new to me I think. But it sounds great – I like the sound of the main character. And yeah, I love Downside, Kate Daniels, and Night Huntress, so I guess I better add this series to my tbr! Thanks for putting it on my radar Melanie!
I love this series. Kit is a really strong character, even when she is having a really tough time she is really tough. I was so glad to see where she was going in this book.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Copper King by Vivian Arend
This looks familiar to me and I am not sure why. Maybe I have one in my tbr? Anyway, it sounds really great, and I am a huge Night Huntress Fan, so I will check them out. Thanks!
The series has been around for a little while, so you could have it on your TBR list. I really think you would like it Lorna.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Copper King by Vivian Arend
I wonder why I never really hit it off with this book
blodeuedd recently posted…Join Review: The Favored Queen – Carolly Erickson
I don’t know. I’ve really enjoyed every book in this series. I know there are books out there that people love that I don’t like. That’s why it is great there’s so many out there. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Review: Copper King by Vivian Arend
Oh man. I really need to get a move on these. I really enjoy her books under both names but haven’t gotten to these even though I own the first three. *hangs head in shame*
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…Quote-tastic— We’re being meme-jacked by PA DePaul and her men. *squeals*
I know the feeling. I’ve got several authors with a long list of books that I can’t believe I haven’t read yet. Several of which I own. That think it is a rule to be part of the book blogger community, you must have an excess of books to read at all times. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: January 18-24th Speculative Fiction Releases
Arghh so many books in this series. At first when book 1 was released I wasn’t sure and then book 2 was out and then the others and now so many books. I confess that I’m really curious about it and I know I should try it mainly if it’s that good after 4 books! I’m glad you had a wonderful time with it. Great review!
I know how that goes. I’ve done that before too. Waiting to hear others thoughts, then you are so far behind, it is hard to get caught up.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: January 18-24th Speculative Fiction Releases
I would’ve totally missed on this one if I hadn’t read this. Thanks, Melanie, this sounds like something that I’ll really enjoy! Awesome review 🙂
Ramona recently posted…Zen Monday: On A Writer’s Inexistent Lifestyle
Thanks. This is a series that hasn’t gotten as much attention as I think it should. The characters, the writing, it is all wonderful. I hope you enjoy.
Melanie recently posted…Early Review: Black Wolf’s Revenge by Tera Shanley
Kit sounds like a character easy to like
Kit is definitely a character that is easy to like. She is fast on her feet and doesn’t take crap. She does have a hard road to go down so far in the series.
Melanie recently posted…Early Review: Black Wolf’s Revenge by Tera Shanley
I had no idea that this series is by Shiloh Walker. I’ve enjoyed her romances before, and if she is similar to our other favorite Kate – I will definitely check this out. Thanks Melanie:)
Yes, this is Shiloh Walker self publishing her books. They still have all the great qualities of a Walker book, she just took it to urban fantasy instead of romance. She’s done a great job.
Melanie recently posted…Early Review: Black Wolf’s Revenge by Tera Shanley
I immediately thought of Kate, so I am glad you dispelled the similarities. Kit sounds kick ass, with snark. I will add this series to my ever growing wishlist
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Grave Vengeance by Lori Sjoberg
There are similarities, but the stories and characters are different. The world is completely different too. I think you would enjoy them.
Melanie recently posted…Early Review: Black Wolf’s Revenge by Tera Shanley
Thanks Melanie! Sounds Awesome! I think I already got the first book on my waiting list. Seems like the series continues strong. Maybe the all come out on audio all at once and I don’t have to suffer the cliffhangers..lol
Great job!
Lupdilup recently posted…Burned by Karen Marie Moning Giveaway #audiobooks
I love this series and have since I read the first book. Shiloh Walker does a great job building this world. Maybe they’ll be on audio one day. They would be very high on my wishlist, that’s for sure.
Melanie recently posted…Early Review: Black Wolf’s Revenge by Tera Shanley
I love this series too and couldn’t agree more with your statement “it is one of the most underappreciated urban fantasy series on the market”.
I read this book a while back and although I loved it there was something that left me feeling “weird”… I don’t know if it was the end or what… I’m still thinking about it.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Hot Off the Press: January 20th Releases
This series continues to floor me with how good it is. Even the book when Kit is down on herself, I would think I would hate it, but it was still really good. This book did end weird. I wish we could get them faster. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Early Review: Black Wolf’s Revenge by Tera Shanley
I read the first one of this and didn’t love it, even though I really wanted to! Maybe I’ll give it another shot.
Mary recently posted…Top Off Tuesday: Getting Handsy
I hope if you try book two, you enjoy it more.
Melanie recently posted…Early Review: Black Wolf’s Revenge by Tera Shanley
I haven’t heard of this series before now but it sounds fantastic! Kit sounds like a wonderful character and I love all of the series you mentioned this would rate alongside.
A great review! Sharon – Obsession with Books
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: Mayhem by Jamie Shaw
Thanks. I hope you enjoy this series.
Melanie recently posted…Giveaway and Review: Owl and the Japanese Circus by Kristi Charish
I’m going to have to pick up this series. It sounds fantastic! I’ve read quite a few of her books (as Shiloh Walker) and really enjoyed them. I liked Through the Veil which is kinda sci/fi?? I’m a fan of UF and Ilona Andrews so I’m thinking this series would be a good fit for me. I’m glad you enjoyed this latest installment, Melanie. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Travel by the Book #1 ~ Savannah
Brandee, I think this series would be right up your alley. I hope you enjoy.
Melanie recently posted…Giveaway and Review: Owl and the Japanese Circus by Kristi Charish
I just finished this one, and while I liked it, I didn’t love it as much as the other ones. Kit seemed so whiny in the beginning of the book. She rebounded and the story was exciting, but I couldn’t shake the initial ugh-ness.
Sarah recently posted…Review: Blood Rites
I can see where you could say that. I loved that she has finally overcome her tragic past. She still has a lot to overcome. I’m glad you still liked it.
Melanie recently posted…Giveaway and Review: Owl and the Japanese Circus by Kristi Charish
Nice review. I did not share many of your feelings on this one. I was disappointed. (My review later in February). *sigh*
Jen Twimom recently posted…Listen Up! Listening Speed + Review of Written in Red
I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll look forward to reading your review and we can compare notes.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Burned by Karen Marie Moning