Summary
Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now paired together on Yancey's search-and-rescue canine unit, they begin to put aside old arguments as they come to see each other in a different light. Then a call comes in from the Iditarod that will push them to their limits.
Kirra's uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing. Frank's daughter has been kidnapped. In order to save her, the man must use his knowledge as a mechanical engineer to do the kidnapper's bidding or she will die. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl's life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.
My Thoughts
This book has a lot. I mean a lot of stuff. Because it is the fifth book there isn't much character introduction due to the fact that all of these characters have been in previously introduced already in the other four books. For this reason, I would highly recommend reading the other four. I would only benefit you more as the reader. I have read two out of the four before this book, and I still had to go back and refresh my memory for characters. Other than that it is a good read.
I loved though that Pettrey didn't waste much time with this novel, she just got right to it with her writing. As the readers, we are introduced to the Iditarod race where Kirra and Reef are on watch together and Kirra's uncle goes missing from check-in. This starts all the roller coaster of thrill and high stakes of life and death begins and continues until the end of the novel.
Kirra was an interesting character. She takes on the responsibility to find out the men who are blackmailing her uncle as he is partaking in the race. With that it brings up a lot of past events that still haven't fully healed her mental, physical and spiritual scars. There were moments where I felt Kirra was a bit too forced as a written character but I think that might just be a personal thought. I did like her though for her courage, dedication to her family and how willing she was to look past Reef's image.
Now for Reef. He was introduced in the second novel I believe wanted for murder or under suspicion for it, spoiler alert it wasn't him. Anyways he is known as the bad boy. In this novel we finally get to see what Reef is thinking and feeling which is refreshing. I like the idea of introducing characters in a story that have a complete background in that book and than get to have their own book where they are really introduced. Reef is just like any strong male character, easily likeable. He is the type of character that always is wanted in a novel. His interaction and relationship with Kirra was good. Sometimes it felt that because of all of the tense drama the love component of their relationship was pushed the side. Which is fine, it's just not a type of book where the characters have a sit down dinner and talk about their feelings.
If you loved the other novels and have been following this series from the beginning then you will be happy to know that each character makes an appearance in this novel as well. They even get a part of the action. As always this book has strong family dynamics with siblings that are willing to do whatever they need to do for family.
Rating: 3 out of 5 bookshelves
I received a free copy from Bethany House Publishers in return for an honest review.
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Happy Reading~!
In His Grace,
Taylor Reid
