A few things before I get to the book itself: it’s the third book in a series and you need to read the first two before this one. Don’t trust the blurb, it’s wholly inaccurate. And I wish more books included summaries of previous episodes (like in E.J. Noyes’s Halcyon Division series), especially when, like this one, they’re released several years apart.

I love this series very much. It’s everything I love about urban fantasy. I read Both Ways and Moon Fever in 2020 and have been waiting since then for the next book. In Blood Rage, Danika is dealing with the consequences of what happened at the end of Moon Fever. She’s off work, bored out of her mind, and subjected to all sorts of experiments to understand what the tattoo-like mark on her back is and its effects on her organism. And her mother isn’t answering her phone calls. Her vampire girlfriend Rayne, however, is fully there for her, as is her team of edanes (paranormal creatures), even though she doesn’t always realise how much they all care for her.

I won’t get any further into the plot, it’s very well thought, with just enough twists and surprises to keep it thrilling and quieter moments for Danika to work through her feelings. Even though I’d read the previous books quite a while ago and didn’t remember much except that there was a war and werewolves were involved, I dived right back into the story and the intricate yet immersive world Ileandra Young has created. On top of the creatures I’m used to seeing in books—vampires, werewolves and other shifters—Young adds less common ones such as gargoyles and sprites and it all feels organic.

Danika is a complex character, a badass with self-doubt, loyal to a fault. From Rayne to Solo and Duo, the twin werewolves, from her sister Pip to her pet chittarick Norma, each character has a unique personality, even the smaller ones.

Blood Rage is at once a satisfying ending to the series and open enough that the author could come back to these characters if she feels like it. And I certainly hope she does.

An excellent Urban fantasy! Great characters and dialogue. Overall, an easy fun read. I recommend.


Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

Excellent urban fantasy with detailed world-building
This is the third installment in the S.P.E.A.R series - where agent Danika Karson and her team valiantly protect citizens from the dark abyss, aka edanes, aka all sorts of supernatural beings who do harm. And yes, this is one of those series you really have to read from the start and if you are into urban fantasy, vampires, weres, witches you won‘t regret it at all. The series excels at detailed, believable world-building, great main and secondary characters, fast action and totally enthralling plots which verge on the dark side.
This time we delve even more into the dark side because Danika‘s wounds and marks from the last battle (see book 2 of the series) are under scrutiny and believe me when I say the plot and its devious twists are alone worth the read. Rayne her vampire girlfriend and fellow S.P.E.A.R agent has some surprises of her own to share and off we go into small town UK, dark caves, dark secrets. But fear not there is always hope, maybe.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Danika is bored being on desk duty and even more annoy when she has to endure tedious tests to try find out what the marks on her means but every test comes with no answers but more questions. Ryan’s is there to support Danika but this time Danika is there to support her as Rayne tries to tell her family about herself all the while they learn more secrets about Spear. I enjoy this read it has great characters, species and ethnic diversity, humour, witty dialogue and a great story hopefully there be more.

Had to go and have a quick skim of Moonfever to refresh my memory. Danika is having tests to try and discover exactly what is imprinted on her back. So far all tests by SPEAR have failed to produce any worthwhile information. The resultant efforts to help Danika and find out more about the brand/tattoo make up the story. It is interesting and action filled. More information comes to light about SPEAR. Rayne is there helping and encouraging her. Quite a good ending. Wondering if there will be any more Dani and Rayne stories.