Book Review: Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon is romance and science fiction novel due to be released April 25 2011. It is the fifth installment in Kenyon's ongoing League series. This series is comprised of novels set in one universe with related characters, but each novel can stand on its own. If you have yet to read a League novel, do not be afraid of picking this one up, it will show you what Kenyon can do and inspire you to go back and find the others. Born of Shadows tells the story of Caillen Dagan, a rough and tumble guy that has just discovered he is not who he thought he was, and Desideria Denaraii, a princess in a female dominated warrior society. Thrown together in the midst of larger assassination plots they need to work together to survive, and save their parents. Will they learn to do more than work together, and trust each other, when they have been taught self- sufficiency since birth?

Born of Shadows strike s the perfect balance between strong intelligent men and women, and personal doubts and insecurities. Caillen is the ultra alpha male, wounded soul and all. He has more gadgets and weapons to help him survive than James Bond does . Desideria is battle ready and used to having to fight for everything. Each of these characters come s to the story with emotional baggage, wounds and lessons that keep them from readily trusting. I found that the attraction the two felt and their reservations were well balanced, unlike some novels where the couple falls into bed despite threat of mortal danger or aspects to the character's personality. It is refreshing when an author makes their characters really work and suffer for the promise of true love.

Aside from the tension on the romance, Kenyon also keeps readers guessing on the political intrigue and assassination plots. There are twists and turns, red herrings, betrayals and surprising moments from every side. Society, cultural differences, greed and power all play their role in the story. More than lives are at stake; the governments of three worlds hang in the balance. If Desideria and Caillen fail, people willing to murder, frame others, kidnap and who knows what else will be in positions of great power. Figuring out who is behind each plot and attack is half the fun involved in reading this novel. There really was no dull moments or issues to be had within Born in Shadows.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Kenyon, science fiction themed romance, political suspense and futuristic fiction. For readers new to the series and intrigued, the League series begins with Born of Night . Book six is going to be Born in Silence , giving readers Darling's story, which I am already looking forward to reading.