Horvath has a gift for writing intense, bloody action scenes without going too over the top. Readers will be instantly hooked into Sledge’s point of view as he bashes heads in and takes out even the most formidable opponents. Danger lurks around every corner, and Sledge never wavers against his enemies, going as far as to leave them tied to trees in the dead of winter with their bare feet in buckets of water. His methods are brutal but effective, making him hard to root for but keeping the story’s knife-edge tension intact as readers wait to see what Sledge has in store for his next adversary. Kiira makes an excellent foil to Sledge, uncovering enough information about his past to make her question his actions in keeping her safe as the tension between them grows.

Horvath writes to Sledge with a matter-of-fact tone, enticing readers to yearn for more information about him while simultaneously scrutinizing his motives. His character is a significant strength, albeit a double-edged sword, and while he struggles in this story, he somehow always concocts ways to continue tormenting his foes. Horvath’s world is intense, and the story’s undercurrents convoluted, but thriller fans who enjoy piecing together intricate character motivations will be entertained.

Takeaway: Bloody, spirited adventure of former lovers and internet assassins.

Comparable Titles: Great for fans of: Matthew F. Jones’s A Single Shot, Ryan Steck’s Fields of Fire..

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-