Book Review: Dying Wish by Shannon K. Butcher

Title: Dying Wish (Amazon)
Series: Sentinel Wars, #6
Author: Shannon K. Butcher
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: bought
Published: March 6, 2012

Jackie Patton has been rescued by the Theronai from her captivity and torture at the hands of the Synestryn, only to learn that she’s a potential match for the Theronai warriors who need a woman to literally save their lives.

Forced to choose, she unexpectedly selects Iain, a cold-hearted warrior who doesn’t want to be saved. Iain is convinced that it’s too late—that his soul is already as dead as his former betrothed, killed by the Synestryn. Still, he is the only man Jackie feels a measure of peace around and the only one she wants. But is Iain indeed beyond saving?

In a Nutshell: This is a great action-packed paranormal romance with good leads and a steamy romance. I disliked one “cheap-trick” plot device but still think the book is worth the time investment.

The Set Up: Jackie was rescued by Theronai warriors after two years as a blood slave to evil demons. She just wants to resume a human life but the Theronai warriors want her to join their war against the Synestryn demons. The Theronai, like her rescuer, Ian, have no hope of mating unless compatible human women, like Jackie, join their ranks and funnel their earth powers. But Ian thinks it’s too late for any woman, even Jackie, to save his soul. Now Jackie must decide if she wants to fight for Ian in this war for their survival.

Why I Read this Book: I’ve really enjoyed the Sentinel Wars series as it combines great sci-fi world building with strong romance. In fact, book four in the series, Living Nightmare is one of my favorite books of all times. I’ve also been eager to see how Ian’s character develops since he’s been the “soulless” character since book one.

What I Liked: I love the complex world building and the action plot. This world of the alien-birthed Theronai and their exile from their alien parents is very imaginative and will capture any sci-fi fan’s attention. The action plot involving the Theronai enemies, Synestryn demons, is bloody but action packed. I love the secondary characters: the beleaguered Theronai leader, Joseph; the damaged but feisty woman-child, Tori; the star-crossed lovers Grace and Torr and many others. In my opinion, the strength of this novel is in the strong secondary characters and the imaginative world.

What I Also Liked: The hero, Ian, is wonderful. He’s the classic alpha-male romance hero who is the perfect combination of vulnerability and strength. I was mesmerized by how the author was going to culminate his relationship with Jackie; I had no idea how a HEA would happen for these two. Jackie wasn’t as likable to me as she was constantly wanting to leave the Theronai when she had nothing to return to and that felt forced to provide tension. Still, Ian and Jackie have a combustible romance with lots of sexual and emotional tension that romance readers will greatly enjoy. I also really liked the resolution between Ian and Jackie—I didn’t see it coming and thought it was imaginative and believable in this sci-fi world. Overall, Ian and Jackie’s romance is good but not great, though I could be unfairly comparing them to Madoc and Nika from the previous book, who are candidates for my favorite romance couple.

What I Didn’t Like: I can’t say too much about what I didn’t like since it’s a bit of a spoiler but it felt like a cheap trick. Someone from Ian’s past makes a sudden reappearance and the resolution of that was shoddy, in my opinion. The person was in scene for a few pages but given how much this person held of Ian’s past it should have been a MUCH larger deal than it was. Additionally, the resolution between this person and Ian was sorely lacking and this reappearance should have caused more issue between Jackie and Ian too. I’ve got to stop or I’ll spoil it but suffice it to say, I really disliked this contrived plot device.

IMO: Series fans must read this book since they’ll love the world building as much as I do. New fans will do best if they start the series from the beginning so they can fully appreciate this stellar world and strong characters.

J9’s Rating: